soul could hold." Also, when he was exercised with any particular trying circumstance, he has said, "Whatever comes on me, I hope never to murmur or complain, for it was all settled in Mr. Romaine's church, when on my knees I made a surrender of myself to God, and begged, if my life would in any way contribute to the glory of God, it might be accepted."

The letters remind us much of that most valuable series of spiritual correspondence by the late Samuel Eyles Pierce. Mr. Falkner seems to have been privileged to dwell very often on the mount: and there undisturbed by the doubts and the gloom which earth's tribulations too often cause; surveyed by faith, covenant transactions, covenant responsibilities, and covenant securities. The completeness of the church in Christ-her final perseverance and her certain glory, are the topics chiefly dwelt upon: always ably, always scripturally, and always encouraging. The tried and depressed child of God dwelling in the valley, may say, here is but little for him; that he cannot reach these high things, but it may be gravely questioned whether God's ministers do well, while going down to the lowest position of the feeblest and most tried follower of the Lamb, to talk with him only of his trials, and besetments, and gloom; God's ministers will seek to elevate their eyes, and their thoughts, and their affections; that thus while enduring tribulation, which is our Lord's own legacy to us for our good, they may realize also the accompanying promised peace; that while sustaining the besetments of the great foe to our souls, they may with armory supplied from above, successfully resist and victoriously overcome; that while walking in overmuch gloom, with their backs towards Jerusalem, their hearts sorrowful and perplexed with the questionings of unbelief, they may by faith behold the Lord, enjoy communion with him, and feel

We copy at length the title of this profound treatise, that our readers may see before them what its author proposes to elucidate.

It appears from its contents, that Mr. Frederick Silver published some time ago, under the signature of Obadiah,' a treatise on Baptism, in which with much ability and acquaintance with all the details in the ceremonial observances of the legal economy, he seeks to set aside our Lord's divinely appointed ordinance of water baptism. We discuss never in our pages the difference of opinion as to the mode and subjects of water baptism; Pædobaptists and Anti-pædobaptists may meet therein as brethren; oh, that they could by mutual consent meet as brethren, although on this point differing, brethren participating together in christian love and union the other divinely appointed ordinance of our Lord, in commemoration of our Lord's death; but while we discuss not in the Spiritual Magazine differences upon water baptism, we hesitate not

to speak firmly and decidedly upon the ordinance itself. Indeed, scripture, in our beloved Lord's own language, is so clear and express upon the point, that of those who by sophistry and much talking or writing, strive to set it aside, we scruple not to affirm, that in our judgment, they are traitors to King Jesus, inasmuch as they trample upon his dying injunction, and invalidate for carnal motives his latest commission to his own ministers.

Mr. Silver's book was not sent to us, and consequently was not noticed in our Review department, but what we have expressed above we have stated before in a review where the subject incidentally introduced itself. Mr. Silver did good service to the church, by his treatises opposed to the heresy of the pre-existence of Christ's human soul; and it would have been still better, and more lastingly beneficial, had they been written in language less personally virulent, and more concise. Mr. Silver had not then learnt the valuable lesson, that truth is best defended by opposing error without opposing individuals. The love which the gospel inculcates, cherishes affection towards an erring brother, even whilst contending earnestly against the heresy in which he may have fallen, and will elicit the prayer that he may be restored to the true faith. Mr. Silver is himself now our erring brother. Mr. Silver denies the Lord's own ordinance. Mr. Silver charges the apostles with misconduct in electing another to fill the place of Judas, although the Holy Ghost, by the Psalmist, foretells and approves the act. Mr. Silver, in language at least, is so confused and unscriptural in reference to the Sonship of the Lord Jesus Christ, that we cannot discern his real sentiments, or if we discern them, we discern only fatal heresy. These various errors our venerable correspondent and aged father in the church points out in this book. The first part of the

treatise is a profound dissertation on covenant transactions in lengths of eternity, which will bear many perusals. Mr. Silver's sentiments are then brought to the touchstone. He is weighed in the balances of the sanctuary, and found wanting. He is anatomized by no inexperienced juvenile, but by an old disciple, a watchman upon Zion's walls of some forty years' standing. The work is done faithfully, undauntedly, but not unkindly. Mr. Silver is addressed as a renewed man; as a brother, though erring upon these points. We trust he will not disregard "this christian letter, written by and in, the spirit of truth, love, and peace;" but that the admonitions thus given, may be unto him as an excellent oil, melting, subduing, and bringing him anew to the feet of Jesus, whose ordinance he has been striving to set aside.

two

We know that there are some or three others, professedly ministers of the grace of God, who apparently are only biding their time in like manner to repudiate water baptism. It is a subject therefore which we may have occasion again to bring before our readers, and while we shall not, as heretofore, enter into the differences of those who hold it at all, we shall be ready and feel quite prepared at any time to overturn the sophistry, casuistry and falsehood of those who would fain sweep it out of the church altogether. "Oh my soul come not thou into their secret, unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united."

Coming unto Christ; a Tract by W. Mason, Esq. 12mo. pp. 4. Pal

mers.

This little tract by the excellent author of the Spiritual Treasury, forms No. 30 of Palmers' Series of Gospel Tracts. We are happy to see that the Publishers continue to exercise so wise a discrimination in adding to their list. This half-penny tract is indeed a choice gem.

known ;

They much appreciate talent, genius, wit, And cultivate such soil complacently : God strips and empties, humbles and subdues,

And teaches nothing, till the pupil learns, Hard lesson, that he is himself a fool. Receiving then upon the knee of prayer, He proves his progress in discipleship, And makes the gifts vouchsafed more manifest,

By large advances in humility.

Go ask the fluent prattler, hath he learnt The first step of the heavenly Teacher's task:

Ask plainly if he own himself a fool?
The mantling forehead and the haughty

Would lavishly indeed have been reproached

By those who blindly, wilfully reject
The doctrine of Election. They would be
Presumptuous Antinomians, and what not.
T'is strange that men will yield acknow-
And say they own the Bible as God's
ledgment,

word,

With the same breath denying a grand truth,

There most distinctly stated. How could

these

Know their election, if election be

A vain and futile figment; and observe, They knew their own election. What will

those,

Who rail against assurance, say to this? Paul wrote inspired by God the Holy

Ghost,

He plainly owns election, and as plain,
Owns it is possible to realize
A personal assurance for ourselves.
Author of thine own word, enable me,
Regardless of reproaches, to cleave close
To thine own truths, and seal their truth
to me,

By thine own witness in my heart, whereby,

Not only may I know election true,
And full assurance true, because thy word
Declares them, but knowing by the last
Clearly my personal interest in the first,
Silence gainsayers and rejoice in hope.

REZENEB.

THE JOYS OF HEAVEN.

An Ancient Paraphrase.

ONE of the elders asked me, and said, Who are these persons in white robes arrayed ?

And answered straight, to put me out of doubt,

These from great tribulations did come

out;

THESE Thessalonians in our modern days

white they made them,

In Christ the Lamb's pure blood. whose

robes arrayed them,

On the Death of my Aunt, Mrs. A. Brimble,
who departed this life, August 2, 1848.
Another saint who used to roam
With us on earth is taken home;
To that rich mansion in the sky,
Which was by God for her laid by.

Yes, happy soul, her toil is o'er,
Sorrow and pain she 'll know no more;
Her Lord with whom she reigns on high,
Hath stopt for ever every sigh.

No more she 'll mourn because within
She feels so much defiled with sin;
No more lament a treach'rous heart,
Prone from the Saviour to depart.

No more she'll mourn God's hidden face,
And feel like one devoid of grace;
For while eternal ages roll,
His lovely face will charm her soul.

No more shall death, the last sad foe,
That often filled her heart with woe;
But her dear Lord, who took her breath,
Made her to hail this monster, death.

No more she'll hear the heavy sigh,
Or see the tear that fills the eye,
Of those dear friend's she 's left awhile,
Without her in this world of toil.

But hard it is to those who grieve,
Though they wish not her soul to leave

The rest now entered, but 'tis sore,
To think to them she is no more.
But ah, the happy thought that they,
Will very soon be borne away;
Yea, many to that blest abode,
And once more see her, and her God.
A few more toils, a few more cares,
A few more doubts, a few more fears,
And then I trust that I shall meet
Her at the Saviour's lovely feet.

"Tis through the same redeeming blood,
That took her safe o'er Jordan's flood,
That I have faith with her to stand,
A sinner saved in Canaan's land.

But till I reach that blissful shore,
Where storms and waves will fight no more;
Lord, keep me closely clinging round,
The rock where I shall ne'er be drowned.

JESUS.

Oh for a seraph's voice to sing,

The praise of Christ my Lord; I would unite my every power,

To swell the tuneful chord.

None can refuse to join the song,

B.

Who have received his grace: They long to meet the blissful choir, In heaven their resting place. Away earth's vanity and lies, I have no time for you; With eagerness I wait the day,

To bid thy pomp adieu.

Jesus my Rock, my Life, my All,
I will extol thy fame;
Nature, and grace, and providence,
Bring glory to thy name.

Thy Father's everlasting love,
Thy Spirit's earnest given;
Thy blood and spotless righteousness,
I plead for hope of heaven.

May the bright beaming of thy love,
And mercy in me shine;

Till I shall quit my house of clay,
And heaven my soul enshrine.

66

THE GOSPEL PULPIT.

A SERMON,

Preached on Tuesday Evening,
April 3, 1849.

BY MR. JOHN KERSHAW.

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ."-Eph. i. 3.

ST Paul was evidently in a very sweet and blessed frame of spirit when he wrote the precious words of my text, and the invariable connection of precious truth in which they stand in his very heart and soul he bursts forth in blessing and praising the Lord. The method the Lord takes to accomplish this end is not only very blessed, but God-like, and it is this. In order that his people may bless and praise his dear, great and precious name, he blesses them first in their souls, with the sweet and solemn enjoyment of himself and his precious truth; and so sure as the Lord blesses his children, so sure they bless and praise him in return. This is very clear from the language of David in Psalm ciii, "Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me bless his holy name." Why bless him?" Because he redeemed my life from destruction, and crowned me with loving-kindness and tender mercy." When Paul wrote this epistle, he felt something of the sweetMay, 1849.]

ness and preciousness of Jehovah the Father's everlasting electing love shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Spirit of God. As sure as a poor sinner is favoured with a sweet taste of the sovereign love and discriminating mercy of the Lord; it is sure to constrain that soul to love the Lord; "We love him, because he first loved us." It not only constrains him to love; but bless, praise, honour and glorify him. Paul in the sweet enjoyment of God's love and mercy blesses and praises the Lord. Sometimes a thing drops into my mind, very sweet and very blessed, at such times when I have been so favoured with a little sweetness and feeling of the love of God, that my heart has been warmed and it has done my soul good, so that I felt I could sing a little; and such a song as this has come into my mind,

"Hail sovereign love that first began,
The scheme to rescue fallen man;
Hail matchless free eternal grace,
That gave my soul a hiding-place."

This is God's method, my friends, in constraining us to bless and praise him. He blesses us first, being always beforehand with us in every good thing; "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ." May the Lord enable us to dig deep into, and bring good things from that storehouse; "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Je

R