206

WOMAN AND THE BIBLE.

gies may be brought to bear upon the faithful execution of her trust.

ly seek guidance of the Holy Spirit, that all her enei- || world, exposed to enemies; but I have laid them upon the altar of God; and when they are serving a risen Jesus, I shall be with him in paradise. O, be faithful to this precious trust!" Another sun arose and set, and they laid this mother in her quiet grave. The father and his three motherless boys mingled their tears together, because one so gentle and faithful had been "buried out of their sight." Years rolled on; but the hallowed scenes of childhood, the image of that moth

The most important office allotted her for the achievement of this work is the molding of that material which is to act on other minds, and influence them for eternity. Said a celebrated lady once to an emperor, What does France want to constitute her great and prosperous?" said he, "A nation of mothers!" And what needs the Church in her extensive sphere of opera-er, the passing away of her spirit in triumph, were tion? Mothers, who will lay their children upon the never forgotten; and many times, when tempted to altar, and by faith and prayer consecrate them to her wander in the paths of sin, recollections, sad and sweet, service. A very eminent divine of the present age, in of her dying solicitude, would restrain them. The eldan address to mothers, says, "To your hands are not est and then the youngest gave themselves to God and committed the petty interests of politics and of time- his Church. The other stood aloof for years; but the no! but the future destiny of nations and of empires. unslumbering eye of Deity watched his footsteps, And, O, if the fire on our altars ever goes out-if ever while a mother's prayers seemed to fasten the recreant another Jeremiah shall sing the funeral notes over our to the divine throne. On some excursion of pleasuranation's grave, it will be because the mothers of this ble sin, he passed the church associated in his rememland have forgotten their duties and their power. O, brance with early days, and with that mother who had with a patience that never tires, with a vigilance that || lulled him in infancy, and before whom he had so often never slumbers, hasten the jubilee of the earth, by bowed the knee to say, "Our Father who art in heavtraining up your children for the holy service of re- en." He remembered her fervent prayers that he might deeming mind. We want your sons to be pillars in be kept amidst temptation. The convincing Spirit these Churches-yours to go to the isles of the ocean- brought him, stricken in heart, to the Savior, through yours to labor and die on the burning sands of Africa- whom he received the remission of sin, and a commisyours to carry light into the dark heart of India—and sion to bear the tidings of salvation to a lost world. yours to go to the snows of the north." "Woe is me if I preach not the Gospel," sounded in his ears at noon and at midnight, until, in the invincible panoply of the Christian soldier, he went forth to combat sin, and build up the everlasting kingdom of his God and Savior. And now, by virtue of a mother's fidelity, two of her sons beyond the ocean, and one in the distant west, are preaching a risen Jesus, while she is with him in paradise. A train of such co-operators, and Israel's embattled host, would go forth with a song of triumph, and the shout of victory!

In the wise economy of his providence, God has established such a connection between the means and the end, that if the one is faithfully employed the other is graciously secured. Thus, the mother who takes for her "weapons and strength, the Bible and prayer," has in pledge the immutable word of Jehovah that her labor shall not be in vain. How often do we hear the sentiment of St. Augustine-the prayers of a pious mother are never lost! This was verified in him, as it has been in hundreds of cases, and in some of the brightest stars that have ever lent their light to the Church or to the world.

Again-woman stands responsible for personal service in her allotted sphere; and this she must render, or prove recreant to her trust, And much can be done by combination of effort for benevolent purposes. Associations of the kind are found in every part of the land, where female industry has procured hundreds of dollars for the various benevolent institutions of the age. There are communities in which females possess every requisite, yet are giving no active response to the pressing calls of the Church in behalf of the millions who are knocking at her doors for the bread of life.

A pious mother once lived in one of our western villages, excluded from the exciting scenes of the world, yet deeply solicitous so to perform her part in life as in death to find a strong Deliverer near. Her sphere was contracted; but she knew that one way to be useful was to train up her children for the service of God. With unremitting patience and prayer did she seek to impress truth upon their minds, and lead them to confide in Jesus. At last consumption set his fatal seal Some there are with talents, influence, time, and even upon her cheek. She lingered a few months, and then wealth, who bestow very little of it for the subversion passed away. Previous to her departure, she summon- of the "powers of darkness." And what plea can be ed her household, and fixing her anxious gaze upon her offered at that bar to which all are bound in extenuathree children, she said, "My sons, take this Bible as tion of this neglect? How many highly endowed, the pledge of a mother's undying affection-treasure wielding a powerful pen in the department of light up its sacred precepts—it will lead you to your moth-literature, exert no salutary influence either upon the er's Savior. O, embrace him, and proclaim his dying love with your expiring breath!" To her husband she said, "Death to me is a conquered enemy. Though I fall by his hand, I shall rise again. These, my children, lie near my heart. I leave them in a dangerous

hearts or the lives of men. It is one of the immunities of this favored land that woman can drink at the invigorating fount of Helicon, ascend the summit of Parnassus, and twine a garland for her brow; but these attainments are valuable only as they are made subser

HEAVEN AND ITS JOYS.

207

vient to higher and more sacred purposes. She should [] greater will be the sight of our Beloved. All the joys say, as did the venerated Wesley concerning harmony, of the Church on earth are probably not equal to the "Let us take them to serve God with." What are ac- rapture of the least saint in heaven. The delight of complishments, in the common acceptation of the term, the happiest soul here, kindles high hopes in relation to without a meeker grace? They are lighter than vanity. heaven. When most joyful, we have the highest conAnd now, in this favored portion of far-famed Co- ceptions of the amazing superiority of the pleasures of lumbia, comparing our position with that of the wretch-heaven to all we can experience while on earth. ed and oppressed upon heathen ground, are we not called upon for a renewal of our diligence? We know what hath made us to differ-the Gospel, with its attendant blessings. And are we making any sacrifices for their elevation to that rank in the scale of being, which we fill by virtue of its redeeming influences? Our time is upon the wing! It is bearing us onward to the balancing of our accounts. The summer of 1842 finds us in a sphere where we can labor for God, and secure a treasure in heaven; but ere the annual return of ripened fruits and withering flowers, many who are now presuming upon long life will have passed that bourne beyond which human ties are canceled, and the spirit's destiny fixed irrevocably in bliss or woe.

The eye now resting upon these lines, and the hand that penned them, may then have become powerless in the embrace of that mighty conqueror from whose pale realm there is no returning. May we be admonished "to do with our might what we find to do"-so order our course-so centre our affections in God, that when the living shall have wrapped us in our winding sheet, our spirits, ransomed by the blood of Jesus, may fold their weary wings

"Fast by the foot of God's eternal throne."

Original.
HEAVEN AND ITS JOYS.

BY THE EDITOR.

"Ah! show me that happiest place,

The place of thy people's abode,
Where saints in an ecstasy gaze,

And hang on a crucified God."

Here we drink of streams, sweet, indeed, but quite inferior to the fresh and overflowing fountain. Here we taste the severed grapes, but there we shall pluck the clusters from the tree, and eat them under its shadow. Here from the wilderness of our pilgrimage or Beulah of our rest, we see the land which is far off. The fields of life are just discerned through the mists which gather over the vale of Jordan, that intervening stream. What is a glimpse of the golden harvest, compared with the uninterrupted fruition of its abundance!

The saints triumphant will dwell under cloudless heavens for ever. To them there will be no periods of gloom-no hanging of harps on the willows-no sad exclamations like that of the sorrowing captives on the banks of the Euphrates, "How shall we sing the Lord's song in a strange land?" In that blessed world there will be neither promise nor hope. The high praises of God will be in the mouth of the conqueror, and all will join to fill with halleluiahs the "palace of the great King."

Let these considerations strengthen our hopes. While revived by cordials amidst the dangers of our way, let us look to the end of our pilgrimage, where there are no cordials, and no toils to indicate their use. Amidst the troubles of this stormy life, let us fasten our eyes upon that world, where "everlasting joy shall be upon our heads, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away"-where no shadows, storms, and tempests shall obscure the sky, or vex the elements.

But we may lose this heaven. "He that believeth not shall be damned." "These shall go away into everlasting punishment." How unlike this state to that above described! Everlasting punishment! The thought of it is enough to freeze the soul. Yet millions will doubtless experience it. They spend their lives in preparing for it. Time, given them by an allmerciful God and Savior to secure a title to heaven, is

SAINTS are often happy on earth-happier than the natural man can conceive. Their most blissful states are often described as a "heaven below." This is al-employed in servile efforts to blast their prospects, and lowable, because communion with Jesus is an important part of heavenly felicity, and that communion they enjoy. Yet, properly speaking, there is no heaven on earth. "In this tabernacle," says the apostle, "we groan, being burdened."

ruin their souls. How dreadful will be their doom! They must not only suffer for opposition to God, as the Father of ordinary mercies-as their Creator and preserver, but they must answer for the slight they put upon the Savior, and for the resistance they offer to God's Holy Spirit.

Our communion with Jesus on earth meets with many hindrances. We are somewhat like relatives far Are you, reader, in the way to destruction? Are separated by space, but holding a correspondence by you wandering from heaven, rather than directing your messengers. To them every epistle brings much pleas- course thither? Alas! if unrenewed, you are already ure, but it is not like the pleasure of an embrace. The far enough from that blessed world. Make no haste in messengers of Jesus come to us. His word, his minis-your outward voyage from the presence of God and ters, his providence, his Spirit “taking the things of the regions of his love. Rather return. You wander Christ and showing them to us"-these are visitants from his presence, to assure us of his remembrance and love. But great as these blessings are, how much

from light and bliss-you set your faces towards night and despair. Pursue this course, and your life will be sorrowful, your death miserable, and your eternity un

MARTHA'S MISTAKES.

speakably wretched. Time flies-life is wasting-pro-|| anxious frames leave God out of the question. He is, bation is brief, and with some is almost gone-and what have you done towards the just improvement of either? Nothing. God sent you into life on an errand which demands reverent and prompt attention. You have passed twenty or thirty years without any serious regard to the pressing business of your mission. The scene will close sooner than you conjecture; and you must abide the issues of your negligence.

THE BIBLE.

Original.

THE BIBLE.

-

BY G. C. CRUM.

the Jews, who would at once have discovered and exposed it, proves that it has not been altered by the Christians. If the Jews had attempted an alteration prior to the Christian era, they would first and principally have expunged whatever reflected disgrace upon THE Bible is inestimable. It is of more value than their private and national character. But nothing like On the contrary, their public and a universe of gold and silver. It is the gift of God, this has been done. It may be warped and private vices are laid bare-their ingratitude-their innot the production of man. mutilated by human sophistry, but the pure word of fidelity-their ignorance-their idolatries, are facts reGod carries with it evidence of its supernal origin. corded by themselves, without any attempt to soften or What is of earth is earthy, and betrays its humble ori- palliate. In fine, the silence of their prophets, of gin. It always bears the stamp of human weakness-Christ and his apostles, proves that they attempted no often of human wickedness. The Bible has nothing of this. It is of God, and is therefore godlike. It bears his image-it breathes his spirit, and tends to exalt our degraded nature to the sublime tastes and fellowships of the sanctified above.

I have said it was the gift of God-not the reward of merit but a gift in the most emphatic sense-the free gift of his love to the destitute and the undeserving. We should ever regard it in this light, and press it to our hearts as a most glorious boon. Several inquiries here suggest themselves to which we shall rapidly advert.

alteration.

Take the New Testament. We have the most abundant testimony, in the language of an acute author, that the contents of its several books are the same now that they were in the two first centuries. The subsequent multiplication of copies, the silence of its enemies, and the agreement of all the manuscripts extant, prove that no material corruption has ever taken place.

The Bible is God's book. He ever has and ever will preserve its purity. Pope, priest, and devil have essayed to destroy it. Error has prevailed, passion has raged, the fires of persecution have been kindled, almost all the literature of antiquity has perished, but the Bible still lives and triumphs. Like a mightly rock amid the ocean, it lifts its head high above the billows, defying alike the waves that dash at its base, and the tempest that roars around its summit. A miracle it is, that amid the change and desolation that has swept the world for successive ages, the Bible has not been lost. But its Author guards it—he presides in high authority over the revolutions of earth; and while thrones crumble, and generations pass away, proclaims, “All flesh is grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth, the flower fadeth, but the word of the Lord endureth for ever."

The first regards the necessity of the Bible. Infidels have denied this. We are better, say they, without than with it. Upon this subject we can only generalize. It has been ascertained by experience, that a knowledge of God-of his will-of the mode of acceptance with him—of our duties and destiny, are essential to happiness. It has been further found that neither human reason, nor the light of nature, could make these discoveries, or conduct the mind with safety in these solemn inquiries. In every effort of reason, however bold and persevering in its researches, there is a feeling of want-want of light-want of first principles-want of a solid basis upon which to build. The discoveries of experience, in every age, harmonize with this. The necessity of the Bible is therefore obvious. True, man can reason; but when did he ever discover, by a course of induction, that God is a spirit, and they that worship him, must worship him in spirit and in truth? He can reason; but when did he ever argue out that to fear God and keep his commands is the whole duty of man? Yes, he can reason; but when did he ever arrive at the sublime and interesting conclusion, that God so loved the world, that he gave his only been? gotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him might not All this is plain with perish, but have everlasting life?

And now what is the design of the Bible? Why Not to be the subject of jest or specuwas it given? lation. The inspiration that kindles upon its pages, and burns along its lines, was not designed to feed the flame of party sectarian strife, but in a measure to be transferred to the soul, from whence it is to rise in flames of love, and there burn until its fires shall consume all the remaining dross of sin. Why was it givThe answer of St. Paul is beautiful and apposite. "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for inthe Bible before me; but remove it, and all is darkness.struction in righteousness." It makes us acquainted Like the hapless mariner, who has lost his helm and compass, I am left to drive with every wind, and drift with every current, until I founder and for ever perish. The present purity and incorruptness of the Bible is a question of importance. Is this the same revelation, then, that was made so many centuries ago? I answer yes, without hesitance. Mutability is a strong characteristic of all things around us; but we have ample proof that God's word has suffered no essential change. Take the Old Testament. The silence of

with the Divine character, and our relations to him. It
It sheds light
reveals our lost condition by sin, and the method of
recovery by a system of atonement.
upon the path of duty, and points us upward to im-
mortality. It reproves of sin-it imparts instruction
for the practice of virtue; and thus, with its varied rev-
elations, is eminently promotive of the holiness and fe-
It is a light unto his feet to guide him
licity of man.
in the way of peace-a fountain whose refreshing
streams follow him through all the windings of his

earthly pilgrimage-a great rock, casting its shadow || tell me not they do not want it. Does he want bread over the sultry wastes of life, where, weary and heavy laden, he may find repose. Thrice blessed he who makes it his counselor and guide-who bows to its authority with a meek and docile spirit. He will realize that it is a store-house of heavenly wisdom, where he may furnish himself for every good work. In the dark days of sorrow, it will minister to his comfort, and gild the bleak winter scene of earthly calamity with the hopes and the prospects of an everlasting heaven.

"O may these heavenly pages be
My ever dear delight;

And still new beauties may I see,
And still increasing light!"

I cannot but advert here to that godlike institution which proposes the bestowment of a Bible upon every individual of our species. The present is a remarkable age. It is distinguished by the most brilliant schemes of benevolence. Men are devising liberal things in every department of society, and associations are everywhere forming for the diffusion of scientific and religious knowledge. Among them I regard one as preeminent-this is the Bible society; and it stands first in the scale of human beneficence.

If you will permit me, Mr. Editor, I will mention two motives which should stimulate the efforts of this association.

who is starving? Does he want water who is perish-
ing with thirst? Then do they want the Bible who are
destitute of it. Want it! They are perishing without
it-O, they are perishing without it! They have no
hope, no happiness, no heaven. They are without
God and without Christ in the world; and this is not
far distant over the wide seas, where our charities can-
not reach them, but nearer home-around us. By our
very side men are perishing for lack of knowledge, and
plunging body and soul into the torments of a ruined
eternity. O, with what unwearied industry should we
give ourselves to the work of circulating the Scriptures,
prompted by the wants of the needy, the love of souls,
and the rewards of eternity! And these efforts shall
be successful. "My word," says God, "that goeth
forth out of my mouth, shall not return unto me void,
but it shall accomplish that which I please, and prosper
in the thing whereto I sent it."
Cincinnati, March, 1842.

THE ONLY SON.

"THE only son of his mother, and she was a widow." Who has not felt the touching pathos of these few words? When we see the lifeless form of the "only son "stretched upon the bier, our sympathies are all called forth for her who in this sad blow appears bereft of every earthly comfort. Around "the only son of his mother, and she a widow," we know that the tenderest affections of the human heart have twined themselves with the strength of a "three-fold cord that is not easily broken." We involuntarily associate with the image of an only son all that is affectionate, respectful, kind, dutiful, and we almost unconsciously indulge the expectation that he is the comfort and support in his manhood of her who has been the faithful nurse of his infancy, the guide of his youth, and the counselor of maturer years. Are our expectations always realized? Are they often realized?

The first is the moral grandeur of the enterprise. It contemplates the universal diffusion of the Scriptures. This is no common-place undertaking. The thought originated in heaven, and it began to be carried into practice by men, of whom the world was not worthy. True, there are other important and liberal movements, other schemes, which command the admiration of the world; but none may compare with this. They are important—this most important. They twinkle like stars-this shines like a sun. Is it glorious to free a nation from the chains of bondage-to snatch the pale son of sorrow from iron-handed oppression? O, it is far more glorious to spread the holy Scriptures over the land, that, by its instrumentality, the ignorant may be instructed, the erring restored, and guilty thousands directed and encouraged in their search after mercy. Archimedes, the great philosopher, said, "Give me where to stand, and I will move the world." But the Bible society has found where to stand-it stands upon the unchanging faithfulness of God. The Bible is the lever the promise of God the fulcrum. It is now moving the world, and, resting where it does, shall con-earthly comfort, her heart turned to him who was the tinue to move it until the very pillars of darkness shall rive asunder and fall, and the Bible throw its regenerating light upon the darkness of every nation, and the gloom of every mind.

To be stimulated, we should ponder the wants of the destitute. And are any destitute of the Bible? Yes, thousands. I do not speak of the destitution of Asia, or even Africa blasted as she is by the winds of her own deserts, and the still deadlier siroc of human cruelty, but of our own free and happy state. I blush to say that thousands of our own state have no Bible. And now

I know an "only son of his mother, and she a widow." Early had the fond expectations of married life been blasted. While their first born was yet a lisping prattler, she was called to resign the best beloved of her heart to Him from whom she had received him. With the Christian's hope and faith, and with the Christian's resignation, too, she bore her loss. For heavenly consolation, she turned to her Bible and her God; for

miniature image of what she had lost.

Who can appreciate the melting tenderness, the unwavering devotions, the untold yearnings of a mother, as she presses to her bosom the first, and last, and only pledge of the love of him, in whom her young heart had laid up all its earthly treasures, and he gone to "that bourne whence no traveler returns?"

With what cheerful assiduity did she labor that all his wants might be supplied. With all a mother's fond pride, how did she struggle that her scanty resources should not affect his comfort. I love to think of the