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OUR TIMES: OR WHAT ARE THE ASPECTS OF THE

CHURCH

THE true christian cannot live to himself: he is constrained by the love of the Saviour, to consecrate his body, soul, and spirit, to the interests of the Redeemer's cause. Hence he is ever anxious to know the true state of the church of Christ, and to mark the progress of divine truth in the world. He associates the concerns of Zion with his deepest solicitudes; and makes its peace and prosperity, the objects of his most fervent prayers. His pulsations of joy rise or fall as Zion is distinguished by adversity or prosperity. He may be interested in the freedom of commerce, in the diffusion of knowledge, and in the triumphs of science and art. He may be concerned for the extension of liberty, the amelioration of physical suffering, and the repeal of sanguinary laws, but his chief desires and anxieties relate to Zion. He believes that an intelligent christian church cannot fail to spread useful knowledge, and that all the multifarious evils which distract the world must give way before the power VOL. 9.-N. S.

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OF CHRIST ?

and brightness of christian piety and influence. We believe there are many who prefer Jerusalem to their chief joy, and who take pleasure in her stones and favour the dust thereof. Surely all who possess such an attachment to the Saviour's kingdom, will see the propriety of being scrupulously jealous of all that can by any device be injurious to its spiritual and permanent advancement in the world. True affection for evangelical religion is as enlightened as it is devoted; as pure as it is ardent. Fictitious prosperity will be deprecated as more detrimental, if possible, than even a state of formalism and apathy. Nothing can meet the desires, or give fruition to the christian's hope, in reference to Zion, when sinners are not converted to God, and when believers are not manifestly growing in grace and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. Without these, numbers, show, wealth, decorated buildings, and an imposing ceremonial, are mere empty pageantry, reflecting no

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glory to God and conferring no benefits on the children of men. How appropriate is the question, then, at the commencement of a new year -What are the characteristics of our times, and what the aspects of the Church of Christ? We regret to reply, that in a christian and religious sense, our times are dark and dreary; and that the church of Christ, has not for the last century, evinced so much weakness, apathy, and nominalism. A fearful dearth seems to pervade the churches of all evangelical denominations in our land. The most lively and active sections among us, are scarcely maintaining their numerical position, and many have considerably declined. And the adAnd the additions by conversion to the whole evangelical community, does not bear any proportion to the ratio of our increased population. The world is advancing while the church is almost stationary. The numerical strength of Satan's kingdom is daily increasing, while few are enquiring their way to Zion with their faces thitherward. The treasures of commercial speculators, and the coffers of worldly pleasures are overflowing, while the professed friends of religion are supporting christian institutions with a wretched and parsimonious spirit. We preach of the triumphs of the cross, but the present conquests are those of Satan and of the world.

But wretched as is the state of religion in our own land, it is still worse in the United States of America. Denominations there which have flourished for many years, are decreasing by thousands. We find that one voice of mourning and lamentation pervades the reports of the evangelical churches of that heaven-favoured and richly-privileged country. With this apathy in our churches, there is much around us calculated to produce serious apprehension and alarm.

Anti-christian Rome is putting forth all her energies. Never were

her friends more liberal and zealous. Her altars are laden with the freewill offerings of her devotees, for the extension of the papacy throughout the world. Her priests are being educated in immense numbers for their jesuitical labours. She is sending forth her trained and subtle emissaries into every region of the earth; and it will not be long before the crucifix will be reared on every spot where the evangelical preacher has lifted up the cross of Christ. Our missionary stations are to be the scenes of fierce and protracted conflicts between Maryism and Christianity-between Anti-christ and the Son of God. Already has the warfare begun, and a very partially enlightened heathen are to be distracted and cursed with the sophistry of Romanism, and the gilded blandishments of the scarlet woman. So intensely earnest are the advocates of the papal faith, that the protestants of the United States begin to tremble for the stability of their moral institutions, and for the safety of the ark of God. Without any sympathy with those whose morbid cry for years has been 'No Popery;' yet we cannot be indifferent to the facts which these remarks involve, and not to be deeply concerned at the scene presented, would indicate little less than indifference to the momentous interests of true religion. We perceive, too, in our land the wide spread influences of semi-popery, which has so blighted the established church of this country, and which, especially in rural districts, has been pernicious to a most lamentable degree. Who can tell how many thousands have been turned away from the simplicity of the gospel, and have become absorbed with the cold and empty forms of Puseyism?

Infidelity, though not so glaring in its exhibitions, and combative in its spirit, as it appeared to be a few years ago under the mask of

OUR TIMES.

*Socialism;' is yet holding its fell dominion over vast multitudes in our land. We fear too, that its present operations are less noticed, because its insiduous workings keep it more from the eye of popular observation. Infidelity does not now step forth backed by the profoundly subtle reasonings of Bolingbroke, or Hobbes, or Hume, nor with the witty sneers of Voltaire, the violent ebulitions of Paine, nor the disgusting blasphemies of Taylor: but it works secretly and silently under the guise of admiration for Science, Art, and Philosophy. It exalts the marvellous attributes of the laws of nature; it extols the wonders of the physical universe; it adores the overwhelming phenomena which creation presents to the eye of the acute observer; and it takes care that JEHOVAH-the first great intellectual cause-shall have no homage or glory paid to him. It delights to riot in philosophical discoveries, just so far as they seem to be contradictory of the sacred pages of revelation! and rejoices, if men can be so absorbed in Natural Philosophy as to forget that which is moral and divine. How little of God is seen, and how little reverence is given to revealed truth, is apparent to every one who carefully watches the current of mind which floats on the surface of much of the attractive literature of our times. We dread the effects of this negative manifestation of scepticism, in which God and his moral perfections and laws have no part or lot in the matter. fear the effect of this prevailing spirit, is, to induce thousands to treat with neglect the christian Sabbath, the house of God, and the means of religion. For these plain, and what they deem, antiquated things, they have no relish; and we fear, that many who have only entered the porch of philosophical research, deem an attention to the duties of religion as an exhibition of a weak understanding and an imbecile judgment.

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With these evils opposed to the spread of the gospel, there is also a general prevailing worldliness of spirit. The love of gain, the eager desire to obtain wealth, is the mania of our times. Men resolve they will be rich, and then it would appear weak to be very scrupulous as to the means of effecting it. And is there not much of this spirit in our congregations, so that however good the seed, or faithful and diligent the sower, it cannot produce fruit?—for the thorns and the cares of this world and the deceitfulness of riches choke the seed, and utterly prevent moral vegetation. How necessary that men should be warned again and again of this fearful and terrible evil!

We notice also, a want of general christian activity in the church of Christ. In many cases most of the responsibility rests on the minister; and in many others-indeed, the majority of instances-the machinery of the church has to be worked by about half a dozen persons, while the hundreds of members are at ease in Zion. The same two or three persons conduct the social prayer-meetings for years. The same two or three persons feel interested and anxious to converse with enquirers, and those who appear seriously disposed. The same small band labour in the Sabbath-school. The same individuals

go

from house to house with tracts. But where is the church ?-where are the hundreds who profess to have given themselves to God and his cause? why, they are each and all seeking their own things, and not the things which are Jesus Christ's. It would be marvellous, with this partial consecration of talent, and limited employment of christian influence and agency, if the church did progress and prosper abundantly. No, the church must be resuscitated-aroused from torpor and slumber; and every converted man must feel, that he has been saved, not only that he may enjoy, but also diffuse religion abroad; for,

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in the great vineyard of Christ, every believer has a work to do, and some talent for doing it; and is responsible to God and the church for its faithful performance. We only add, that the evidences of christian affection and kindliness are defective. The sweet and genial influence of christian love, should render the church of Christ the most beautiful and attractive object in the world. Who could successfully cavil with christianity, if it displayed the mind and spirit of the Lord Jesus?-if its purity were ever linked with pity, mercy, and compassion ?-if it were always generous, forbearing, and kind?—if it were clothed with the lovely robes of charity?—if under the influence of that chief of the graces, christians were free from envy and ostentation, not 'behaving themselves unseemly,' seeking not their own,' 'not easily provoked,' thinking no evil, rejoicing not in iniquity but in the truth, bearing all things, believing all things, hoping all things, enduring all things?' But, alas! how feeble is the manifestation of this love even by christians of the same congregation; and it is seldom or ever contemplated in reference to the universal family of the Saviour. We sincerely trust the recent movement having respect to the closer union of all evangelical christians, will be followed by happy results. Indeed the efforts made must be pleasing to God, and we hope that the day is not distant, when the doctrinal basis of the alliance will be so comprehensive as to include all who have been received into the enjoyment of the Divine favour. As love is the very essence of New Testament religion, let it shine forth in all its sacred lustre, in the conduct of professors of religion, and the ancient testimony given to the early disciples shall be revived, 'See how these christians love one another.'

It might be well for all who are sincerely concerned for the revival of religion at the present crisis, to ask, if any share of the cause of the low

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state of Zion rests with them? we, ministers, preach with all the simplicity, holy ardour, faith in the power of the truth, and purity of motive, which should distinguish the proclaimers of the Word of life? Do we expect souls to be converted, when we preach? Do we look and pray for this when we have preached ? and is this the great, the chief end of our preaching? Do the deacons of our churches exemplify the attributes of their office as described by the apostle Paul? Are they vigilant, faithful, devout, temperate, exercising domestic discipline, and thus purchasing to themselves a good degree?

Members of our churches! Do you feel that interest in Christ's cause which you often profess to do? Is it your pre-eminent desire to be increasingly holy, active and useful? you sustain the ministry?-hold it up by faithful affectionate prayer? and are you ready for every good work?

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May all those who bear the Saviour's name, be devoutly concerned for the prosperity of His kingdom, and for a revival of spiritual religion in the church! The united supplications of His people, making this the burden of their requests, must be effectual. And we hope the day is at hand, when an earnest spirit of hearing shall be excited,-when the word shall have free course and be glorified,— when Zion shall awake and put on her strength, and appear in her beautiful garments, and when the multitudes of the converted shall resemble the drops of the morning dew:when the movement of the world towards the church shall create in every pious bosom delight and transport; and when the exclamation shall be general, and from every department of the Redeemer's kingdomWho are these that fly as a cloud, and as doves to their windows?

May the Lord who delighteth in mercy, and keepeth covenant with all His people, hasten it in His own time! JABEZ BURNS,

3, Porteus Road, Paddington.

LIFE OF THE APOSTLE PAUL.No. IHI.
(Continued from page 375, Vol. 8.)

VIII. His first missionary tour. The
succeeding part of the history of the
great apostle, and the events which
took place in which he was the prin-
cipal human agent, are of so momen-
tous and pleasing a kind, that no
christian can contemplate them but
with thrilling interest. He entered
upon a world of darkness and of
death. The people whom he visited,
were wallowing in pollution. They
were free from righteousness, and
were the devoted slaves of sin; but
Paul penetrated this darkness-in-
strumentally rescued one soul after
another-one town, and city, and
province, after another, from the
grasp and influence of the infernal
foe, and elevated them to the dignity
of sons and daughters of the Lord
God Almighty.

Let us now follow him in his first journey, which was comparatively a short one, but quite long enough for an heir of heaven to breathe the atmosphere of hell.

Accompanied by Barnabas, and John as their minister or attendant, Paul departed from Antioch, and proceeded to Seleucia, a distance of twelve or fourteen miles. Making here a short stay, he hastened to Cyprus, a large and beautiful island in the Mediterranean, celebrated as being the birth-place of Zeno, the Stoic, and Barnabas, the companion of Paul. Arriving at Salamis-not the Grecian Salamis, but a place founded by Teucer, an emigrant from thence-one of the principal cities of the island, they preached the word of God in the synagogues of the Jews. Whether they were well received or opposed, is not recorded. Leaving Salamis, they proceeded through the island to Paphos, a town situated on the western coast, said to have been built by an Arcadian chief named Agapenor, who was driven on shore

by a storm, on his return from the siege of Troy. There was another place of the same name on the island, called Old Paphos. The place Paul visited, was called New Paphos, to distinguish it from the other. It was at Old Paphos, and not, as has been represented by so many, at New Paphos, that Venus had her favourite abode. New Paphos was, at the time Paul visited it, the principal city of the island, and the residence of the Roman governor. The name of the governor at this time was Sergius Paulus, who, hearing of the arrival of Paul and his associates, sent for them desiring to hear the word of God. On the island, at the time, was a man named Bar-jesus, who pretended to foretel future events, and practised magical arts-another such a person as Simon Magus. This man appears to have had considerable influence with the proconsul, and was with him at the time Paul and Barnabas presented themselves before him to explain the object of their mission, and the word of God. The statements Paul made, and the truths he uttered, were producing a favourable impression upon the mind of the governor. This was perceived by the wily magician, who, fearing his craft was in danger, strenuously exerted himself to counteract the effect produced upon the deputy's mind. Had Elymas, in this opposition, been actuated by a conscientious conviction that the apostle was in error, and by an anxious concern for the welfare of his patron, there is no doubt but he would have met with the kindest treatment from Paul. He always respected conscientious scruples. Anxious as he was that all should become christians, he did not wish any to embrace christianity at a venture. had not done so himself. He had had the most unequivocal evidence

He

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