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MEETING-HOUSE IN SARDINIA.

The new Meeting-House recently erected by the Baptist Church and Society in Sardinia, Erie, Co. N. Y. was opened for divine worship with appropriate and religious services, on Wednesday, Jan. 27. Select portions of Scripture were read by the Pastor of the Church, W. Metcalf. Anthem, by the choir, "I was glad," &c. Prayer by brother Jairus Handy, of Dunkirk. Singing, 139th psalm, "Lord, thou hast searched," &c. Sermon, by brother Elisha Tucker, from the words inscribed on the front of the pulpit, "Thou, God, seest me." The 175th Hymn in Winchell's Supplement was sung: "Great King of glory, come." Prayer, by brother Reuben Winchell, Agent of the American Sunday School Union. After which, a collection was taken, amounting to fifteen dollars, and more were engaged by an individual present to constitute the pastor of the church a life member of the American Sunday School Union. Although the season was inclement, the house was crowded, the assembly attentive, and the services interesting.

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It may be pleasing to the readers of the Magazine to learn that under God, we may trace the present prosperous situation of this Church and Society to the benevolence of the Baptist Missionary Society of Massachusetts.

Eighteen years ago this place was literally a wilderness. In 1820, a Baptist church was constituted consisting of 14 members. During that year there was a precious revival of religion. In 1825, when their missionary first came into the region, the church consisted of about forty members, which were in a low and somewhat divided state. But God heard the prayers of his children, and blessed the preaching of his word, so that during the year 1826, about one hundred were added to the church by letter and baptism. Since which time, the church have enjoyed a happy union, and by the aid of individuals of the Society, have been enabled to erect a pastoral dwelling, and a neat and commodious Meeting house, 40 by 50 feet, with a tower and belfry. Forty four slips on the lower floor, and 16 in the galleries, with a very convenient vestry room.

The cost of the house was $2300. The church are now able to support preaching three fourths of the time, besides doing something to aid the cause of God among others. One individual who united with the church during the revival, is now pursuing a course of studies preparatory to the sacred ministry. The children here enjoy the privileges of a Sunday school, and a library consisting of 120 volumes. We have also recently formed a Temperance Society, consisting of about seventy members.

Account of Moneys received by the Treasurer of the General Convention of the Baptist Denomination in the United States, for Foreign Missions, to Feb. 18, 1830.

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"Dear Sir,-Enclosed are twenty dollars recently forwarded to me, being the fruit of personal solicitation by a young lady of Georgia, for Mrs. Boardman's school. It was collected in a short time, and clearly indicates what might be accomplished were her praiseworthy example to be extensively imitated.

Boston, Feb. 1830.

Yours,

B.

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The Baptist Ministers' Meeting of Middlesex and Norfolk Counties, at their last Quarterly Meeting, approved the following Essay, prepared by their direction, and desired its insertion in the Magazine.

IS THERE A NECESSITY FOR THE CLOSE OF A REVIVAL OF RELIGION?

THE answer to this question depends in part on what is to be understood by a revival. If by this term is meant a great and general excitement on the subject of religion; a stirring up of the minds of the people to faith and repentance, attended with a powerful impulse of the passions: if this is meant by a revival of religion, we say there is a necessity for a decline, if not a close. There is a physical necessity for it in the weakness of our natures, which cannot long sustain, under any circumstances, or in any pursuits, a powerful excitement of the passions. This is a philosophical truth, clearly illustrated in all powerful religious excitements without exception. Where such an impulse is given to the passions, the mind in general is not fed with knowledge, it loses its balance, and religious principles do not take deep hold on the heart. There is

a medium of excitement, when the powers of the soul are called up by clear views of truth, the mind becomes increasingly vigorous, the purposes firm, and the power of execution great; this is an excitement which, under ordinary circumstances, may be sustained from year to year, as is manifest in the various schemes men are constantly projecting and carrying into rapid execution in their worldly affairs.

By a revival of religion in the question before us we suppose is meant, that the people of God in their hearts and in their conduct are brought under the controlling influence of the authority of Jesus Christ, and of his example, in seeking the glory of the Father and the salvation of men, and that this influence should continue to be extended, and gain the victory over other minds and control APRIL, 1830.

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them. And by the question, whether it is necessary that such a revival should come to a close, we suppose is meant, Is there a necessity for it in the economy of God? Is it according to his plan? Has he made it necessary that his people should decline from his ways, and the work of conversion cease? We answer, No.

God is a holy Being. In all the revelations he has made of himself to us, in all his laws, in all his works of Providence, in the gift of his Son, and of his grace, he calls men to be holy like himself, saying, "Be ye holy, for I am holy." In the hands of his people he has placed all the holy laws and principles of his kingdom as they are exhibited in the spotless life of his Son. The main scope of the whole Bible in relation to God's people is, to call them to walk with him, to follow Christ in the purity and in the benevolence of his life; and in relation to sinners, there is a universal expression of unwillingness that any should perish, and an ardent desire that all should come to repentance. Now to suppose that when the people of God have given themselves up to him in obedience to his will, and like Paul, leaving the things that are behind, and reaching forth unto those which are before, they become instruments of extending the work of conversion, to suppose that just at this time God has made it necessary for him to withdraw from his people and leave them in darkness, and thus shut out the light of religion from sinners, is to suppose that there is something in the economy of God that requires him to counteract in his works and in his dealings with his people the main scope and design of his holy word.

It is true the word of God alone, even when enforced by all that is powerful in the example of Jesus Christ, will not make men Christians, or make Christians consecrate themselves, their substance, and their influence to the service of their Lord. But God has deposited in the hearts of his people, his Holy Spirit. The words of Paul to the church at Corinth, so often applied by some writers and preachers to all men, apply with great force to the Christian. The manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man, i. e. to every Christian, to profit withal. It is the Spirit that quickeneth. It is by the Spirit that the example and authority of Jesus Christ obtain an ascendancy over the Christian, and make him willing to surrender himself, his substance and his influence, to his Redeemer. When this is done, and a savor of the name of Jesus is spread abroad, then the Spirit descends on other souls, and they surrender to Christ, the number of the wicked is diminished, and converts to Zion are multiplied. This is a revival. And we say it will be perpetuated just so long as Christians continue to act the part of faithful servants in the improvement of the precious gift of the Holy Spirit. Just so long the work of God will go on. Is it any where intimated in the Holy Scriptures, that God took away the two talents or the five talents from the faithful servants ? Were not the riches of the faithful invariably increased?

I know it is said, if God designs a revival shall be continued, he will give sufficient grace, but that Christians cannot perpetuate it. Christians can neither make or prolong a revival; this we readily

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admit. God is the fountain of all true religion. But is it not possible for Christians to neglect their duty? Do they never grieve the Holy Spirit of God by the indulgence of unsanctified tempers, and by a neglect of those duties which the word and Spirit of the Lord have made plain? After a revival has progressed for several weeks or months, do not Christians neglect to cherish a sense of their dependence on God, and neglect to meditate on the worth and danger of the soul? Are they not less frequent and less importunate in their secret devotions, are they not less vigilant in watching against the temptations and the allurements of the world; and do they not often consent, step by step, to yield themselves up to a worldly influence, and withdraw from that self-consecration which, in the light of eternity, they had made to Jesus Christ? And do not Christians thus depart from God, before he departs from them? and is not such a departure criminal? Can God walk with his people and give them light when they decline from his ways? Will he give grace for grace, and grace upon grace, when he sees that what he gives is not improved? Can he encourage his people in that which is criminal? Now if it is necessary for Christians to neglect known duties, and to misimprove the influences of the Holy Spirit, "which they have of God," and to go on and cherish worldly tempers, then indeed is it necessary that revivals should come to a close. But who will charge the economy of God with such a necessity as this? Who will take the ground of the criminal objector, and say, Why doth he yet find fault; for who hath resisted his will, when he has voluntarily of his own accord consented to be unfaithful. He that reproveth God, let him answer it.

In all the instances of religious declension recorded in the holy Scriptures, both in the Old Testament and in the New, we believe that God has ascribed it invariably to the criminal defection of his own people. My people, saith the Lord, are bent to backsliding from me. How shall I give thee up, Ephraim? how shall I deliver thee, Israel? The church at Ephesus had left her first love. Pergamos retained and cherished the advocates of false doctrine and of flagrant vices. Sardis had a name to live while she was dead. She was unfaithful in her works. Laodicea was puffed up with pride by her riches, and became lukewarm. All of them were reproved as criminal in their declension from the laws and example of their Head.

Such we believe are the causes of the close of all modern revivals, and that there is no more necessity for such a close, than there is for our sinning against our Redeemer.

If the view we have taken of this subject be correct, we are solemnly admonished to beware how we suppress the sacred motions of the Spirit which dwells in us. If the teachings of the Spirit in conjunction with the word, are regarded and obeyed, more will be given; for he giveth more grace. God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. If the teachings of the Spirit are suppressed, the salt will lose its savor, the light under a bushel will do no good, the sin will be great, the Christian will be unhappy, and Satan will hold his dominion undisturbed over the souls of the wicked.

N.

REFLECTIONS ON THE DEATH OF HEROD.

"And upon a set day, Herod arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. And the people gave a shout, saying, it is the voice of a God, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory. And he was eaten of worms, and gave up the Ghost.", Acts xii. 21-23.

ALTHOUGH this world is not a place of strict retribution, yet the Providences of God clearly manifest his displeasure against sin.

The events narrated in the sacred Scriptures, in which there is a divine interposition, are seemingly far more numerous than can be found in the same length of time at the present day, or than those of any country whose history is not recorded by inspired authors. There is a general impression which can be removed only by reflection, that it is in the history of the Jews and the church alone, where God has to do in every event. Even those who believe in the existence and agency of a Supreme Being, who believe that not an empire is safe but as he wills, or is in danger but as he is wroth; that he directs the whirlwind, calms the deep, opens the bud, and shoots forth the blades of grass; as they cannot discern how the divine agency is concerned, and as there is no one to in form them why the event was thus or so, they cannot sensibly feel the fact. But God does in truth order all things, and what is recorded in Scripture with so much minuteness, are only examples to teach us by a few circumstances what he does always.

Had the light of inspiration shed its beams upon the path of Washington or Napoleon Bonaparte, the lives of those individuals would appear to us in a very different aspect. We should see the interposition of the Deity at every stage from their births to their graves. Instead of contemplating them as we now do, as mighty men who stand out singular and observable from amid the mass of the human race, alone and single handed fixing the destiny of nations, we should view them as mere instruments whom God had raised up with which to execute his purposes.

Nor are these providences confined to the great or the good. Let the history of any man be written out by an unerring pen, and the hand of God will be seen in all. Had the case of Herod been but little different, as much obscurity might have rested over the fact, as over any at the present day. If an inspired historian had not informed us that it was "because he gave not God the glory," the multitude might have supposed his miserable death an accident, worthy of remembrance only as it was remarkable.

Assuming then the fact, that the principles of the divine government are immutable, and having in our possession a minute history of God's dealings with one nation through successive generations, we have only to turn to this history to know whether he has there manifested his displeasure against sin, to know also that he now does.

The death of Herod is itself a case so plain, that we need not search for others, were they not numerous, and in the memory of all.

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