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For mercies countless as the sands,
Which daily I receive

From Jesus my Redeemer's hands,
My soul what canst thou give?
And so from Psalm lxxi.
'My Saviour, my Almighty Friend,
When I begin Thy praise,
Where shall the growing numbers end,
The numbers of Thy grace?

As to the manner, I would just observe, that if the singers, instead of assembling together at one corner, were dispersed in different parts of the church, many of the congregation would soon learn, and It be induced to join in the air. is not those who sing loudest that sing the best; Elijah was speaking ironically when he said, "Cry aloud." But those are to be commended who sing audibly and fearlessly, but above all, humbly, adoringly, gratefully, and reverentially.

W. L. W.

ANNIVERSARIES IN DUBLIN.

DEAR SIR.-It has been my high privilege to attend the Anniversary Meetings of the religious societies which were held last month in Dublin; and I have no doubt, but that it will afford gratification to many of your readreaders, to receive some intelligence respecting them. Their order was, as heretofore

1. The Jewish Society.

2. The Sunday School Society for Ireland.

3. The Hibernian Bible Society. 4. The Church Missionary Society.

5. The Society for the Deaf and Dumb.

6. The Continental Society. The meeting of the Irish Auxiliary to the London Missionary Society, was held previously, as was also that of the Religious Tract and Book Society for Ireland.

There was no diminution in

and on

the numbers who attended, some days there was quite an overflow. This was the more pleasing, as some eminent servants of the Lord who are very highly esteemed for their works' sake," were prevented by illness or other causes from attending. The unavoidable absence of the Archbishop of Tuam, who was engaged in his diocese of Ardagh; of Lord Roden, who was attending his duty in Parliament, and of other old tried and influential friends, who had often acted as chairmen, was, as might be expected, a subject of general regret; but they will be gratified to learn, that the cause which they have so much at heart prospers, and that although there are many adversaries, yet there is One who defends that cause, and makes it to prosper; one whose wisdom is infinite, whose love is boundless, and whose power is Almighty.

The speaking was throughout marked by plainness, faithfulness, and affection; and it was delightful to perceive the deep impression which was made upon a large portion of the assembled multitude by the unadorned exhibition of the truth which is worthy of all acceptation. An Irish audience is not satisfied, unless there be ALIQUID CHRISTI, (as I believe the enlightened and devoted Archbishop Usher expresses it) in every speech. This circumstance greatly encourages a speaker, and also operates as a warning to him, altogether to cease from man--to have his eye single, and to aim above all things at promoting the glory of the great Head of the church. Such occasions as these, should be regarded in the light of Christian privileges, involving great responsibility, and calling for the exercise of much gratitude, fidelity, and humbleness of mind; and should never be allowed to minister to pride, selfseeking, or any unholy principle. The marked attention, sobriety of manner, and plainness of dress, which were strikingly discernible in each of the numerous assemblies, could not but be gratifying to every sober mind, and were at least indicative of respect for the objects which possessed sufficient attraction to draw together such large auditories.

The reports were short, comprehensive, and touching, and it spoke much for the religious feeling of the country, that notwithstanding the widely extended spread of Cholera, and the disturbed state of many districts in Ireland, which prevented the holding of public meetings, as also the increased distress which existed during the past year, there was no diminution in the receipts of the different societies. It is a most gratifying fact, that during the same period, there was an increase of SIX THOUSAND COPIES in the SALE of the Scriptures over the preceding year.

The clergy who were privileged to meet, seemed deeply to feel the sparing mercy of which they had been made partakers, often in the midst of appalling scenes, and throughout all their conferences, not a word was spoken, or a hint given respecting their temporal distresses, which were in many instances of a very afflictive char

acter.

On the morning of the Church Missionary Meeting, ONE HUNDRED AND TWENTY-SEVEN clergymen breakfasted together, and were afterwards addressed by the Rev. J. H. Stewart, from the 10th chapter of the Gospel by St. John, with an earnestness, faithfulness, and simplicity, which deeply affected all present. We were little aware that on that very morning, the highly esteemed President of the Church Missionary Society, Lord Gambier, had been called into the immediate presence of his long-loved Saviour, having successfully fought the good fight, and finished his course with joy. May the Lord Jehovah raise up another devoted follower of the Lamb, full of faith and of the Holy Ghost, to discharge the duties of the situation he so long held, with such credit to himself, and such advantage to the cause of missions. Sermons to overwhelming congregations, were preached on the evenings of Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, during the principal week of the meetings.

The Annual Sermon for the Jewish Society, was preached on Friday evening, and Sermons for the Church Missionary Society were preached on the following Sunday in the Cathedral of St. Patrick's, in St. Werburgh's, and the Free Church, and in Stillorgan Church. The word of truth was held forth in its fulness and beauty by several witnesses, and the hungry sheep, looking up, were fed with the bread of life.

Upon the whole, the meetings

were calculated to cheer the desponding to shame the fearful-to revive abated love-to stimulate to increased exertion-and to rouse all to pray that God would give us a little reviving in our bondage, Ezra ii. 8. for truly in some repects, God's word and God's people are bound in this land of superstition and ignorance. Gloomy as our prospects are in general, there is hope for Ireland in these and similar meetings, for they keep alive an interest in the spread of truth, and they produce a combination of effort in those who are sensible of the infinite worth of God's word; while they bring its glorious truths under the attention of many who, from various causes, possess not the blessing of a gospel ministry. We have therefore reason to thank God and take courage. Our enemies are mighty-our discouragements are numerous-the opposition

given to us is virulent and determined: but after all, the great evil dwells within us-the evil heart of unbelief-the heart, that in all its workings evinces its enmity against God. To this we are to ascribe all our fears, doubtsunfaithfulness, and inconsistencies. May the new heart obtain and keep the mastery over it—and may the Spirit of God, subduing all things unto himself, uphold us, so that we may not be weary in well doing ; but being strong in faith, and giving glory to God, may walk even as Christ walked, endure unto the end, and then rejoice together for evermore with those who have sowed and reaped in the field of the Lord.

Ever your's
Most sincerely,
PETER ROE.

Kilkenny, May 17, 1833.

CLAIMS OF OUR NEIGHBOURS.

THE annual meetings of religious societies call forth the rejoicings of many at this season; and while we observe what has been accomplished by a divine blessing on such means, let us not forget that much yet remains to be done. Let us examine whether we have excited ourselves to the extent that we might have done, or whether, if we had been more selfdenying, prayerful, zealous, and diligent, an increase of labour might not have gladdened our hearts, and blessed the church and the world.

'What have I done, my Saviour-God,
To prove my love to thee,
Have I convinc'd the world-I trust
In him who died for me?
Have I provok'd the saints around
To bless their Saviour's name?
Have I enkindled-have I blown
The spark into a flame?'

The late excellent Mr. Townsend observed in his diary, 'I long to think, to speak, to act as one stepping into eternity.' Ah! dear reader, if we do this, we shall be active, ardent, self-denying, and diligent in promoting the conversion of souls, and thereby aiding the triumphs of the dear Redeemer's kingdom. We should no longer be supine and inactive, while so much around calls for prompt and zealous exertions, or leave the work to be done by a few, while means and opportunities are within our reach. No, but with holy ambition, and a laudable emulation, we should strive to excel -we should rise to the dignified station of "labourers together with God."

And surely the obligations we

are under to the Redeemer, and the yet existing moral wretchedness that abounds, are loud calls upon us for untiring efforts in the cause of God and humanity. Can we look with indifference on the wants of our neighbours perishing for lack of knowledge, when we know that in the Lord Jesus there is an abundant supply for all their necessities! Shall we forget that his glory in bestowing salvation is intimately connected with their happiness in receiving it? That giving doth not impoverish him, and that their participation does not at all lessen our enjoyments? Ah, these are considerations that we but seldom indulge in; we are too inconsiderate; we are too selfish; too well contented to live to ourselves, forgetting that we have avowed the contrary, and before the church and the world have said, we are not our own."

Oh that the time past may suffice us to have been so indifferent: let it make us weep, to think that so many have gone down to the grave without hope, to whom we might have made known the glorious gospel, and invited them to the Saviour. The past, dear reader, is beyond recal; tears, eyen of blood, cannot restore one lost opportunity; but let us improve the present hour; let the result of the present anniversaries, be to renew our vows of consecration to the service of the blessed God, and to set out afresh in seeking his glory, and in order to our being persevering labourers, that we may not again tire and faint in the blessed employ; let us begin in the closet, seek a revival of religion in our hearts before God in secret, and a fresh supply of the Holy Spirit's influences, and then we shall go forward on right principles, not merely excited by the fervour or eloquence of a public meeting; but from love to the

Saviour, shall every power be drawn forth, and the devotion of all our energies be secured to his delightful service; then will our light shine before men, we shall become truly as we ought, "the salt of the earth;" others will be roused and quickened by our holy example, our zeal will provoke very many, and our works of faith and labour of love and mercy, will be productive of good to our neighbours, and glory to God.

If another consideration be yet wanting, let us think of the shortness of time, and the uncertainty of life. Many to whom we have access to day, may be in eternity to-morrow; the opportunity gone -gone for ever, of doing or saying anything for their salvation. Eternity-changeless, awful, eternity, will be their abode; and if they have died without hope-if their dying hours were not cheered by the light of the gospel-if in a nominally Christian land, in the day when revivals are talked of as desirable -if as neighbours to professors they sink into the "blackness of darkness for ever"-pitiable inIdeed will be their case. Ah! their unavailing lamentations may be in the world of ceaseless sorrows, had I lived in Otaheite or in Greenland, a Missionary would have brought me the glad tidings of mercy, then I should have been visited in my hut, and the glorious gospel pressed upon my attention.' Reader, improve the present moments, that such regrets may be spared to the miserable subject in another world, and that your dying hours may not be clouded by the bitter remembrance of selfishness or indifference to the souls of your neighbours. Work while it is called to-day the night cometh when no man can work; and there is no desire, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave whither thou goest." J. T.

NARRATIVE OF FACTS characterizing the supernatural manifestation s in Members of Mr. Irving's Congregation, and other individuals in England and Scotland, and formerly in the writer himself. By ROBERT BAXTER, Second Edition. 12mo. Pp. xlviii. and 156. Nisbet.

THE MODERN CLAIMS to the possession of the extraordinary Gifts of the Spirit, stated and examined, and compared with the most remarkable cases of a similar kind that have occurred in the Christian Church, with some general observations on the subject. By the Rev. WILLIAM GOODE, M. A. 8vo. Pp. viii. and 260. Hatchards.

THE subject of these publications is of a very painful nature, and such as on some accounts we should be desirous of passing over in silence; it seems however on the whole, advisable to offer a few observations on events which have attracted considerable attention, have perplexed the minds of many serious, well-disposed persons, and given occasion to the enemies of the Lord to blaspheme.

It is matter of general notoriety that in the latter end of 1831 Mr. Irving's congregation was interrupted by the utterance, in a very unusual tone and manner, of certain sounds unintelligible to any persons present, and which the utterers themselves could not explain, though these unintelligible sounds were usually followed by an exhortation of an awakening and alarming nature. Mr. Irving and his friends consider these interruptions as manifestations of the Spirit, and maintain that the unintelligible sound is an unknown tongue similar to that spoken by the Apostles on the Day of Pentecost.

Mr.

spirit? If they are not supernatural how can they be accounted for?

The first question is, Are these manifestations supernatural? We think not. Mr. Baxter has given a detailed account of his own feelings and experience; he decidedly considers himself as having been under the constraining influence of an invisible power, but to us there appears nothing in his case but what effects of an over excited imaginamay fairly be traced to the tion. Thus for instance, in a letter dated Oct. 14, 1831, he says,

came

On Sunday morning, whilst sitting alone, under the buffetings of Satan, the Lord visited me by the power of the Spirit, and gave me utterance in the Spirit in prayer, in great power, and yet in great composure of mind. My mind was much disturbed before the power of the Spirit upon me, but was immediately calmed; and whilst the prayer was made my prayer, by a constraint upon body and soul, to which my soul yielded with delight and my body with much agony-I was at the time perfectly conscious that I was made to pray; and had it simultaneously impressed upon my mind, that as it was the mind of God's Spirit I was uttering, it was the mind of God, and would surely be answered. The prayer was, that the Lord would have mercy upon, and deliver me from the anguish of my fleshly weakness, that he would bestow upon me the gifts of his Spirit, the gift of wisdom, the gift of knowledge, the gift of faith, the gift of working of miracles, the gift of healing, the gift of prophecy, the gift of tongues, and the gift of interpretation of tongues; that he would open my mouth, and give me strength to declare his glory in the coming again of the Lord; that I might be bold, and his word in my 2 M

Baxter regards them as supernatu-
ral manifestations, which he attri-
butes to an evil spirit; but both
parties appear to coincide in the
idea that these manifestations
seriously interfere with, if not
wholly destroy, voluntary agency;
hence they speak of being in the
power; of the power coming upon
a person largely; of an exercise of
power, &c.
Are then, we may
ask,
these manifestations superna-
tural? and if so, are they the ma-
nifestations of a good, or of an evil

the

JULY 1833.

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