intercourse with one another and correspondence with other societies." Now can it be said of the great body of professing Christians, that much of their time is spent in devotion, in religious meetings, and religious conversation, in exhortations, in an affectionate intercourse with each other? I know it may be said, and said too with propriety, that the first Christians were a persecuted people, that churches were not then erected, nor services regularly and publickly performed, that these circumstances produced that community of feeling, which could not exist but by placing Christians in the same circumstances again. All this being granted, still there returns this plain and honest inquiry; have we reason to believe, that if God should again wake up the sword of persecution, all those who now profess to be Christians, would commune together to spend their time as those primitive Christians did; to wander about the earth, being afflicted and tormented, and not to accept of deliverance at the price of renouncing their faith. We cannot, it is true, know the hearts of men, but can we satisfy ourselves, that Christian posterity would say of us, "these all died in faith," and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. There does appear to the considerate mind, too great a difference between the temper, disposition, and lives of modern Christians, and those of the first centuries. A difference which cannot be rationally accounted for upon any principles, but upon such as would startle the mind of the modern professor. For what is Christianity at the present day? Is it an open renunciation of the "pomps and vanities of this wicked world?" Is it a pure, disinterested, humble, and devotional life? Does it involve such a change of principle, of hopes, and fears, and joys, and sorrows, as to justify the scriptural account of true belief, which is a "death unto sin, and a new birth unto righteousness." Is it such that you can readily distinguish Christians from people of the world, by their manners and habits? On the contrary, has not a profession of religion now become a mere circumstance in a man's life, and a circumstance too, which does not materially interfere with an entire devotion to business, pleasure, or luxurious ease? ૨. TO THE EDITOR OF THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. THE following is an extract from a sermon, delivered in St. Paul's church, Dedham, on last Christmas day, by the Rev. Isaac Boyle, rector of that church. "On this occasion we are naturally reminded of our brethren in various parts of the world, who are at this time celebrating with us that great event, which is the common theme of holy joy and lively gratitude to so many millions of our fellow men. In surveying the various regions in which the incense of prayer and thanksgiving has this day ascended to the new born Saviour, we cannot but dwell, with mournful sympathy, on that fair portion of the eastern world, whose Christian inhabitants are at this moment suffering the extremity of cruelty and oppression from the ferocious and sanguinary followers of the pretended prophet of Mecca. Their songs of praise for the 'day spring from on high' which bath visited them, are mingled with groans, extorted by the insults and wrongs of their unfeeling and remorseless oppressors. Their venerable patriarch, alike respected for his talents and beloved for his virtues, has been put to an ignominious death in front of his own cathedral; their altars have been polluted; their fields and their cities have been laid waste; the symbol of their faith has been trampled under foot; their defenders have been slain with the sword; their matrons and virgins are gone into captivity.' "In the pathetick strains of Jeremiah, it may truly be said of this afflicted country, the adversary hath spread his hand on all her pleasant things; the heathen have entered into her sanctuary; her gates are desolate, her priests sigh, and she is in bitterness." Her sons and her daughters hang their harps on the willows, and weep when they remember Zion. What bosom does not swell with a just indignation at the recital of her injuries? Whose eye is not moistened with a tear at the story of her sufferings? Who can hear, without emotions at once of horrour and compassion, the lamentable fact, that more than forty thousand individuals of the female sex, whose husbands and fathers and brothers have been butchered by the merci. less Turk, have been sold as slaves; to be made the drudges of avarice, or the victims of licentious passions! Many of these unfortunate females have been educated in the lap of opulence; and unite refinement of manners with the graces of literature, and the virtues of domestick life. Unhappy descendants of illustrious ancestors! whose pleasant land was once the chosen seat of learning and science; whose ancient churches are renowned in the sacred page; whose soil has been imprinted by the feet of an apostle, and consecrated by the blood of martyrs; whose narrow confines are celebrated, wherever the arts are cultivated, or philosophy is venerated, or ge nius admired, we would not invoke the spirit, which once awakened Europe to pour her undisciplined multitudes on Asia, to rescue the holy sepulchre in Judea, from the hands of the same infidel invader, who now profanes your temples We would not stimulate you to revenge and slaughter. This would ill become the disciples of Him, who inculcated forbearance and forgiveness. But we will not cease to pray for your deliverance. We will sympathize in your calamities, and indulge the pleasing hope, that the day is not far distant, when your country shall arise from the dust; that beauty will be given you for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, and the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.' 66 My brethren, shall we not co-operate in the measures which are now adopting in various parts of our country for the encouragement and relief of this interesting and outraged people? Shall we not willingly afford our aid, if required, to mitigate the woes of this suffer ing portion of the Christian community; who, though differing from ourselves in some particulars of their religious creed, embrace all the essential articles of our common faith, and look for salvation to the same Saviour, who died for them on the cross? It is to be hoped, that if an opportunity should be offered, of expressing our sense of their character, their sacrifices, and their sufferings, we shall not be backward in exhibiting the proofs of that Christian and benevolent spirit, which the solemnities of this day are so well calculated to cherish and invigorate." TO THE EDITOR OF THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. THE following little tract has recently been published, and extensively distributed in England, by the Society for promoting Christian Knowledge. It appears to me eminently calculated to raise our veneration and esteem for that precious, and too much neglected volume, in defence of which you are so successfully engaged. Should you, on perusal, entertain a similar opinion respecting it, the insertion of it in your pages will greatly oblige A CONSTANT READER. SCRIPTURE THE GUIDE OF LIFE. CHRISTIAN READER,-The words which we have here set down for thee are the words of Bishop Jewell—a man famous in his day; famous for his piety, his parts, and his knowledge of the holy scriptures. These words of his will show thee that, whatever be thy duties, whatever thy condition of life, thou wilt find in the word of God instructions for thy conduct, and directions for thy paths. They will show thee the value of those holy scriptures, which are profitable to teach, to reprove, to correct, and to instruct in all righteousness; to teach the truth, to reprove falsehood, to correct in all vice, to instruct in all virtue. Art thou a king? Read the scriptures, thou shalt find who hath stablished thine estate; and what duty thou owest to God. God there telleth thee by me kings rule, and princes decree justice. I have given thee authority thou carriest my sword: I have put a crown upon thy head thou art my servant, walk before me, let thy heart be perfect in my sight. : Art thou a subject? Read the scriptures, they will teach thee to know thy duty. There Paul biddeth thee give tribute to whom tribute : custom to whom custom: fear to whom fear: honour to whom honour is due. Ye must be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake. For he beareth not the sword in vain for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.* *Rom. xiii. 4, 5. Art thou a minister? Read the scriptures, they will teach thee thy duty. The prophet saith to thee: Cry aloud, spare not lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their transgressions. The apostle saith unto thee: preach the word, be instant in season and out of season. Watch in all things, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. Thou shalt give an account for the souls of the people, their blood shall be required at thy hands.* Art thou a father? hast thou children? Read the scriptures, they will teach thee: If thou hast sons, instruct them. Again: He that teacheth his son, grieveth the enemy, and before his friends he shall rejoice of him. Give him no liberty in his youth, and wink not at his folly. Chastise thy child, and hold him to labour, lest his shame grieve thee. Eli the prophet, by sparing his wanton children, cast away himself and his children. They were slain, the ark of God was taken, and old Eli fell down and brake his neck.† Art thou a child? hast thou a father? Read the scriptures, they will teach thee: Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. Honour thy father and thy mother, (which is the first commandment with promise,) that it may be well with thee, and that thou mayest live long on the earth. And again: Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. The wise man warneth thee: the eye that mocketh at his father, and despiseth to obey his mother, the ravens of the valley shall pluck it out, and the young eagles shall eat it. Thou Hath God blessed thee in wealth? Art thou rich? Read the scriptures, they will teach thee: Be not high-minded, and trust not in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy. Again: Trust not in oppression and become not vain in robbery if riches increase, set not your heart upon them. shalt depart and leave them behind thee: they shall forsake thee. Thou shalt die, thou knowest not how soon. Solomon showeth thee, riches profit not in the day of wrath: but righteousness delivereth from death.§ Art thou poor, and sufferest scarcity in this world? Read the scriptures, they will teach thee. Say with Job: Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither. Learn of Solomon: Better is a little with righteousness, than great revenues without right. And again: Better is the poor that walketh in his uprightness, than he that is perverse in his ways, though he be rich. St. Paul saith: Godliness with contentment is great gain for we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And again: Let him that is poor labour working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.|| *2 Tim. iv. 5. † Ecclus. xxx. 3. 11. 13. 1 Sam. iii. 13. iv. 12-18. 1 Tim. vi. 17. Psal. lxii. 10. Prov. xi. 4. Job. i. 21. Prov. xvi. 8. xxviii. 6. 1 Tim. vi. 6. Eph. iv. 28. Art thou a merchant? Usest thou to buy and sell? Read the scriptures, they will teach thee: This is the will of God, that no man go beyond, and defraud his brother in any matter. Thou shalt learn, That divers weights and divers measures are both of them alike abomination to the Lord, and a false balance is not good.* Art thou a usurer? Thy case is hard: yet hear the scriptures, they will teach thee. God commandeth thee thus: If thou lend money to any of my people that is poor by thee, thou shalt not be to him as a usurer, neither shalt thou lay upon him usury. Again: If thy brother be waxen poor, and fallen in decay with thee; then thou shalt relieve him: thou shalt take no usury of him, nor increase: thou shalt not lend him thy victuals for increase, but thou shalt fear thy God, that thy brother may live with thee. And: Whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them.† Art thou a fornicator and livest in adultery? Read the scriptures, they will teach thee: He that committeth fornication, saith St. Paul, sinneth against his own body. Know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost? Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of a harlot? God forbid. As he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation, saith St. Peter. The reason is set down by St. Paul: For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication, that you may be holy, both in body and in spirit. And: Whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. They shall have no inheritance in the kingdom of Christ, and of God. Art thou a servant? Read the scriptures, they will teach thee: Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; not with eye service, as men-pleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; with good will doing service, as to the Lord and not to men. Again Please your masters well in all things, not answering again: not purloining, but showing all good fidelity, that ye may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.§ Art thou proud? Read the scriptures, they will teach thee: Be not high-minded, but fear. What hast thou that thou didst not receive? Now, if thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory as if thou hadst not received it? And: Learn of me, for I am meek, and lowly in heart. And God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble. Art thou in adversity? Read the scriptures: Great are the troubles of the righteous: but the Lord will deliver him out of them all. And: He shall call upon me, and I will hear him: I will be with him in * 1 Thess. iv. 6. Prov. xx. 10. 23. + Exod. xxii. 25, 26. Lev. xxv. 35, 36, 37. Matt. vii. 12. Eph. vi. 5. Heb. xiii. 4. Rom. xi. 20. 1 Cor. iv. 7. Matt. xi. 29. James iv. 6. |