He From the time of Mr. Wheeler's || ed if he had any doubts respecting removal to Eastport, he did not en- his future state, he replied, "not joy his usual degree of health. He the least I have tried to preach found the climate to be very differ-Jesus Christ to the world, and in ent from that where he had former- his hands can trust my all." A few ly lived. He was often called up- days before his death, after settling on to visit and to attend meetings, his temporal concerns, he said to and consequently was much expos- his wife, There is nothing left for ed to fogs, and to the inclemency you. My heart was pierced through of the weather. He was much en- with many sorrows, before I could gaged in the service of his God, and give you and the dear children up, felt the worth of immortal souls to but the Lord's will be done. lie near his heart. The 25th of will provide for you, if you trust December, he was much indisposed, in him. He will be the widow's in consequence of taking cold, and God, and a father to the fatherless his cough which had been trouble-children. And now I have done some for some length of time, was with this world." After this, he considerably increased. The next was unable to converse but very day he was worse, and evidently little. At six o'clock on the mornthreatened with a fever. On the ing of January 27, he wished his evening, however, he attended his wife to assist him in getting into stated lecture at the meeting-house, his chair. He sat down, and inand preached from Prov. xvi. 4. stantly expired without a groan. This was the last time he was per-He was then, we trust, introduced mitted to preach to a dying assem-into that world, where he received bly. The next Sabbath morning, from the glorious Jesus, the welhe arose and attended family wor- come, "Well done, good and faithship, but seemed like a fainting and ful servant, enter thou into the joy. a dying man. He found it a great of thy Lord." On Thursday, his self denial to spend the Sabbath at remains were conducted to the home; but I feel (said he) a desire meeting-house, attended by a large to say, "not my will but thine, O assembly. Rev. Mr. Buck preachLord, be done." For two weeks ed a very solemn and affecting disafter his confinement, he expressed course from Hebrews iv. 9. "There a great desire to get well; to do remaineth, therefore, a rest for the something more for the honour and people of God.” glory of God. It often melted him into tears, when he realized that he never more should preach Jesus Christ to a dying world. FROM CECIL'S REMAINS. About the tenth of January, he How blessed is the Christian, in was attacked with a fit of violent the midst of his greatest troubles! coughing, and spitting of blood. It is true, we cannot say he is perSpeaking to a friend, he said, "Ifect in holiness; that he has never have had a foretaste of heaven, and any doubts; that his peace of mind of the glories of the redeemed. God is never interrupted; that he never has prepared me for all this: his mistakes Providence: but, after all, will be done, and not mine." From his is a blessed condition; for he is that time he felt that his hour was supported under his trials, and inat hand, and in this, his soul tri-structed by the discipline: and, as umphed in the hope of a glorious to his fears, the evil under the apimmortality. The next morning prehension of which he is ready to he had another attack of bleeding sink, frequently does not come, or at the lungs, which continued more it does not continue, or it is turned or less while he lived. Being ask-into a blessing. RELIGIOUS COMMUNICATIONS. THE CAUSES OF DECLENSION IN RELIGION. Ir is a truth that ought deeply to || very common, but wherever it exaffect every friend of religion, that ists and is indulged, it proceeds real Christians are prone to wan- from self complacency, is sinful, and der from the straight path and nar- is entirely inconsistent with spiritrow way of the gospel, and thereby ual mindedness and every Chrisinjure their usefulness, bring dis- tian grace. tress upon themselves, and grieve 2. A superstitious attachment to their brethren in the Lord. And the doctrine of justification by faith amongst those who are in a meas-without works, connected with too ure regular in their outward con- great indifference to godly obediduct, there are some, who appearence, cannot fail to produce a measvery destitute of that spiritual life ure of heedlessness and want of and activity, which ought to dis- godly zeal, in the person who chertinguish every follower of Christ. Ishes these evils. Justification by Many causes operate to produce faith is a precious truth, but it may this effect; but there are some of a || be held with a mixture of error. secret and hidden nature, whose A person may be fixed in the theooperation is slow and out of sight, ry of this doctrine, but may, though but certain as to the consequence. a real Christian, be perverted from Of these, it is my object at this its simplicity, may be led astray by time to take some notice. vain glory, and boast of the stabil1. When the professor thinks ity of the truth, but lose sight of too lightly of sinners, and of the the purity of saving faith, and its state in which they are. We are inseparable connexion with watchnot likely to conceive of the char-fulness and a holy life. Such an acters of the ungodly, as being more one cannot enjoy the life and spirit odious in the sight of God than of religion. He may have a zeal they really are; but we have no for his principles, but not of a godreason to despise their persons only sort. that account, nor feel indifferent 3. To dwell in an improper manwith respect to their deplorable ner on the safety and the certainty condition. We ought to detest of our own salvation, while seemtheir sinfulness and our own; but ingly forgetful of the importance of this may be done while we love holiness, will assuredly produce in their persons. Are we better than a measure, the same disagreeable they? and does not their state re effect. Christians are very fond of quire our commiseration, and our listening to the happy state of all tenderest feelings towards them? who are in Christ; and indeed it is The compassionate Redeemer lov-a heart cheering theme; but when ed the young man, who preferred we dwell upon it, to the neglect of his riches to the enjoyments of re- the nature of the believer's seculigion, and a treasure in heaven.rity, and of a good hope, and the And he represented it as sinful in indispensable obligation to holiness the pharisee to despise the publican, of heart and life, our zeal and ferwho accompanied him to the tem vency in spiritual life will be greatpie. Paul warns the Roman Chris-ly impaired. If my unind be daztians, not to boast against the un-zled with the happy state I view believing and rejected Jews. It is myself to be in, so as to forget my to be hoped that this evil is not obligations to glorify God in my 1 body, and in my spirit, I shall cer- || salvation. If such be the state of Such a view of things as here represented, is decidedly reprobated by Paul, that great advocate for sovereign grace. This apostle had occasion to say, "Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound;" but lest it should lessen in the apprehensions of some, the malignity of sin, he adds, “What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? He answers with detestation, "God forbid! How shall we that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?" Again, "Shall we sin because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid!" The application of the foregoing passages is easy: Rom. v. 20, and vi. 1-15. 4. By dogmatically insisting that religion is all of God, to the neg lect of our obligation to exertion and perseverance in the way of holiness. Sometimes the writer of this has heard the helplessness of the creature, and that God must do all for us, urged in such a manner, as greatly to lessen the force of every exhortation to fervency in the way of righteousness, in a manBer too much favouring fatalism, and almost inclining us to imagine, that the soul of man and his religion are but one piece of complicated machinery. Such a view of things, not only tends to slothfulness in religion, but actually pro- 6. When we dwell too much on daces it. Indeed the subject may doctrine, to the neglect of the heart be zealous in maintaining the forms and practical religion. All the great of his profession, and his own ten-truths of the gospel are vastly im ets, and to overpower his antago-portant, and ought to be maintainnists with argument; but humility ed at great hazard; but merely to and spirituality are apparently too speculate or philosophize on them, much wanting. The apostle Paul is far from giving them their due: was as sensible of his dependence they ought to be regarded in an exon God, probably, as any one; yet perimental and practical light. Dihe said, "I press toward the mark, vine truth is directed not only at for the prize of the high calling of the head, but at the heart and life. God in Christ Jesus." And he Merely to enlighten the understandurged the Philippian brethren, to ing, will not constitute the Chriswork out their own salvation upon tian, but the temper of the mind is this very consideration, that "it is essentially to be regarded in formGod that worketh in you both to willing that sacred character. "Knowland to do of his good pleasure." edge puffeth up, but charity edifieth." 5. When our ideas of grace lessen our views of the malignity of There is a perfect consistency sin, and our obligations to inward between the truths of the gospel, holiness and outward obedience. experimental religion, and practical It is thought by some, that to urge holiness. Indeed, neither of the pon the sinner his obligation to three can truly exist in us, without faith and repentance, and earnestly the other two; for we must believe to exhort the Christian to watchful- the truth, love the truth, and pracBess, prayer, and zeal in the cause tise the truth, in order to be real of God, are inconsistent with the Christians. However well informidea of sovereign grace, and the ed we may be in the theory of the creature's helplessness and depen-gospel, if we are not constant in dence on God for spiritual life and applying the truth to the state of our minds and outward walk, we || truth." It therefore gives him pain, that ever these inestimable pearls should be applied to any unhallowed use. Finally, let us hold the truth in righteousness, and let us have respect to all God's commandments; then shall we walk at liberty, enjoy satisfaction in our own souls, glorify God, and be useful to the church and to the world. SIMPLICITAS For the Am. Baptist Magazine. JOURNEY TO THE FALLS OF NIAGARA. LETTER IV. shall not be very sensibly alive to God. However ably the preacher may handle the great truths already referred to, yet if he neglect to apply them to the heart and life of the Christian, and fail to urge the importance of exercising the Christian tempers and devotedness to God, it cannot be expected that himself or hearers, will have much engagedness in pure and undefiled religion. Hence there are some, who can speak freely and fully on depravity, helplessness, justification by faith without works, free grace, divine sovereignty, and perseverance; but self examination, self denial, and the indispensable necessity of godly obedience, are topics not so pleasing; and when these are introduced, the strain of I HAD intended, while our party their conversation is greatly lower- were enjoying a little repose in Utied. If you reprove such, they will ca, to visit a highly respected friend be likely to reply, I expect to be who resides in Whitesborough, a saved by grace; or my nature, or beautiful village, about four miles old man is prone to sin.' I am from the former place. But some apt to be in a passion,' says one, unforeseen circumstances compellwith but little or no apparent con-ed me to postpone to a more convencern about it. I am naturally of an airy, jesting turn,' says another; and I cannot make myself better,' says a third all which indicates too great indifference with respect to real godliness. Such persons, even supposing them to be true believers, cannot be much engaged in spiritual life. Dear Sister, Hamilton, July 26, 1824. ient season, a gratification which I had long anticipated. This was to me a source of peculiar regret; but it is best for us, no doubt, sometimes to be disappointed. If every thing happened according to our wishes, we should cling still more closely to a world, which already has too firm a hold on our affections. Let no one imagine from these This consideration should reconcile remarks, that the writer is indiffer- us to the unpleasant incidents which ent towards the great and all im- we may meet with in the journey portant articles that have been nam- of life. The late excellent Mr. ed in this essay. No, God forbid! Pearce of Birmingham in England, They are his life, when received in when speaking on one occasion, of their proper character. He is fully the nature of that intercourse which persuaded, that nothing as a mean is maintained by the "spirits of the will produce a heavenly temper of just made perfect," gave it as his mind and holy conduct, but genu- opinion, that when one departed ine faith in these foundation princi- saint desires to see another, they ples, and what is involved in them. are immediately together. There is By mercy and truth iniquity is something pleasing in the thought, purged." And his soul feelingly nor is there any thing in philosoapproves of the words of the Sav-phy or revelation, which forbids us iour in his prayer, "Sanctify them supposing that this may be the case. through thy truth, thy word is One thing at least is certain, if we are real Christians, we may look || most effectual means of perpetuatforward to a state of society. ining the blessings of rational liberty, we cannot but rejoice that learning and science are so extensively patronized. It which we shall experience the most exalted and uninterrupted happi ness. Our moments will not be embittered by the absence of those We arrived at Hamilton early in whose company we love, nor by the the evening, and received a very apprehension that the most delight- cordial welcome from Dr. K. and ful intercourse will be broken up Professor H. We soon found ourby the necessity of separation. selves at home, and indeed every Perhaps you will say I am moral-hour we have since spent in the soizing, instead of fulfilling the prom-ciety of our Hamilton friends, has ise which was made at the close of contributed to increase our attachmy last letter. I stand corrected; ment and respect for them. This is and will now give you an account a pleasant town. Besides the Theof our journey to Hamilton, and of ological Institution, there is a rethe Theological Seminary which has spectable Academy, in which youth been established here. are prepared for College. The Having procured an extra carri-Baptist Meeting-house is a handage, we left Utica about 10 o'clock some frame building; something on Saturday morning. The weath-in the style of the Meeting-houses er was not very pleasant, but on the in New-York, and the congregation whole we had an agreeable ride. is both. large and respectable. I We stayed about half an hour at preached twice at Hamilton, and the village of Clinton, near which once at Eaton, to a society of which placé is Hamilton College. Our Dr. K. has the pastoral care. arrangements would not allow us was to me a laborious day; but I more time, than to make a few in hope that its services will not be quiries concerning the Institution, fruitless. There was a tenderness and to gaze at its buildings from a of feeling manifested, which endistance. They are situated about courages me to hope that the truth a mile west of the village on a high had its desired effect. hill, and command a very extensive prospect. They consist of an elegant stone edifice, four stories high, containing thirty-two rooms for students; and another building of three stories, which contains a chapel, a library room, a laboratory, and a dining hall. This College was incorporated in 1812, and has been liberally patronized both by the "The Baptists in the State of legislature, and by individuals. Be-New-York, in connexion with those sides the President, who sustains a in the western part of Vermont, respectable character for learning have imitated the laudable examand piety, there are three Profes- ples of their brethren in other states, sors, and two Tutors, to whom are in getting up a charity-school, which committed the education of the stu- is consecrated to the rising minisdents. There is a library of about try. The society for this purpose, 2000 volumes; and we are told that was formed in Sept. 1817,and began the number of young men who are to afford means of instruction the pursuing their studies this year, is year following, to three or four 109. When we consider that ed- young men, approved and licensed ucation elevates the moral habits of by the churches. It was incorpo-.. a people, and that it is one of the rated in 1818; and in the opening MAY, 1825. I shall now proceed to give you some account of the rise and progress of the THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY in this town. In doing this, I shall avail myself of extracts from a Circular which was published by the Executive Committee of the Baptist Education Society of the State of New York. 18 |