m m i
La
J
- 5
J. J. J.c:cs, Editor. ;
Sctjolci to; Udigion, iiloralitn,, itcraturc, grlntlturc anb; .General 3fnttUigcnce.';
J J T.j Cw) Prc
volume xxir No: 3.
RALEIGH, N. C. THURSDAY, JANUARY 15, 1857.
WHOLE I,T0. 1074
7
THE BIBLICAL RGRCODER,
A Religious and Literary Paper:
Published weekly at RalelghyN. C, at 2 00.per
annum, payoie in an cases in astancx. , '
J All letters on business -hould bo directed to
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any wayrelating totheeditorialdepartment,hould
be addressed to Rev. J.J. James, or Editor of the
. Biblical Recorder. .-.-". .'
v , For further particulars see last page. .
THE LAW lOT NEWSPAPERS.
" ti Subscribers who do not give express notice to
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subscription. . - . .
2. If the subscribers order the discontinuance of
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3. If subscribers neglect or refuse to take their pa
pars from the office to which they are directed, they
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and order their paper discontinued.' v -v
" 4. If subscribers remove to othir places without
.' informing the publisher, and the paper is sent to the
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' 5. The courts have decided that refusing ta take a
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Heaving it uncalled for is ." prime facie? evidence
- - . . .. . ..;.;.. - t . ".- . . ....... .r ..-
- ot intentional iraua. , -
v. ' : - For the Recorder. -v
. Behold, how Great a Matter a little
; Fire Klndlf th !' . ,. . .
In the fall of ,IS54,wfl-r rcsiding-'at Key
portj N.- J., I one day entered a store in that
village, and." perceived a large show bill, n
nouncin . that the. Rev j J, InskiPi a Metho
dist Episcopal minister from New York, would
address the Order of United Americans on the
following subject r Romanism anti-American
in its spirit and tendency a dangerous Foe to
the Rights of Man.' :i My attention had been
directed, before this, to the .fact that E. M
ministers had- been , the most promineril -. on
Americen -platforms to denounce, the oppres
sive and despostie features of Romanism in her
efforts to crush oat freedom of " thought and
exprcs-ion among those under her influence;
and ! was struck with the glaring inconsistency
of their position ; and arguments. . I had been
taught that those who live in glass houses
should not throwBtoncsV : So, pointing to the
words expressing 1 the topic of the Lecture, I
said, I will substitute the words, Eepi3eopal
:Methodismr for Romanism, in i that proposi
tion, and prove it ' against the world.'! I soon
had a striking illustration of the spirit of Meth
odtsm. . A number, of them were within hcar-
iq? in les than a week my remarks, tortured
into all kinds - of shapes, were the subject of
conversation in every circle, public or private
in, the country on steamboats, stages or cars
in hotel?, stores or parlors, a mighty effort
.was made to create a 'prejudice against me
which should ruin, my influence . and make me
odiou3 to all. ,1 was never asked for anexpla-
nation by an j Methodist, or dared to' the proof
of my assertion y but secretly, and behind mv
back 1 was charged with what I never uttered
One day I thought to myself Well, 1 will see
what 1 ean do towards making good 'that re
mark, just for my own satisfaction. A seized
ray pen, and in a few hours dashed off some
- dozeo pagf-s oa the .subject, which at the an-
uiversary of the N J. State Convention, which
was then at hand, I showed to several bretb
ren. The request was general that I should
print it.:? In; compliance -with this wish, there
soon appeared the' little pamphlet, which has
since gone into every State and Territory in
the Union; entitled, 5 Episcopal Methodism
auti American in its spirit and tendency a
dangerous Foe to Republicanism,1.'; It was
soon published by the thousand, ; and copied
a!so into many religious papers -most especial
ly Baptist papers, as they only could consis
tently attack a "liurarchij. Some Protestant
M etbodist papers published it, among which,
was the Boston Olive urnncu a t copy of
which falling into the bands of a Unitarian
clergyman in ;Milford, Mass., ,a part of the
tract was ro-produced by him in s hand bill
form, entitled, A Loooking Glass',-'' :with the
appropriate motto, ihey that live in' glass
. Louses should not throw stories." The Meth
odist preacher in'' that place denounced the
tract from tho pulpit as a ?'pack of lies,V, and
made a most abusive attack' on the personal
character of the 'clergyman above alluded to,
offering a thousand dollars to any one who
would prove true the allegations in the ''Look
ing Glass.'.' -This led to a correspondence be
tween the., gentleman - referred to and myself,'
wherein I proposed to visit Milford and public-'
Jy discuss, in open debate, the" question.. The
Methodist minister, declined to do this. V But
the public mind was not thus to bo diverted
from the topic , I was sent' for; by the most
respectable and ' leading citizens in tho place,
my expenses paid, - and my services rewarded,
in order that 1 might lecture on the subject.
The circumstances, will be better understood
by a perusal of the correspondence between the
parties interested, which 1 here subjoin.' It- is
suggestive and instructive- ; - -
My first letter was as follows : S 1 - '
- 'Keypout, J., April 20,1855.
- To Rev. A. D. Sar'geant ; Dear. Sir :
Believing the entire system of .church govern
ment adopted and now sustained by the M. ,E.
Discipline to be anti-American in its spirit and
tendency, and being desirous- to arrive at the
truth if 1 am in error and having learned that
. you are willing to, discuss the matter, T there
'fore respectfully challenge you to a pablie dis
cussion of th"o following question the aQrraa
tive of-which I pledge myself to endeavor to
" sustain, viz t u Is Episcopal Methodism anti
American in its Spirit and Tendency Said
discussion to be held m Wilford, Mass. .
. , ' . Yours respectfully . - ' ' " '
' J 4. l.Vreccived the following reply : V
. Miltord, April 24, 1S55.
: Kev. J. Q. Adams ; Dear Sir .---Yours ct
the 20th has been received, ia uh: : you pe-
- retnptorily address me by a challenge to a pub-
iio) aiscussion , on iha anti-Americanism cf
Methodism, Dased, as yoa say," on ray -.willia--,
ness to discuss the matter, this : you; say '-: you
have learned. Where and by whom you learn
ed that this was the case, 1 know not. ; I Lave
not so said, directly; or in lirectly, so far as I
,J know.HWho you: are, t-l trhat you are, acd
- what your reputation is h zzy pirt . f the
; camtian ehurch,' orbcfor-3 rz-ir cz acquain
; taiiccs, 1 have not the'sli-V.-" '- r: - - c Q k" t-
. Kg. ill vra? acqzabtci ' j : : a
and was satisfied with it. I mi?ht hava nn ah
ijectioa to discussing the subject with you in a
puono manner, providea youneut to discuss
the matter through the public jrint bj some
three or four successive communicationsnot
otherwise, ; (if all was fair and right.) You
profess that the proposed discussion is for your
own particular benefit, as you say you are desi
rous of arriving at the truth if you are in error.
This subject has been discussed again and again,
and the verdict of the world is, that Method
ism stands not opposed to any civil government,
and is based apon none, and operates against
none, only so far as - her doctrines and general
poliry are opposed to oppression as our pro
gress bears witness. 1 take the liberty to re far
you to Rev. A.-Stevens' Tract for the Times,
io. a, as a octter means of information, i he
government of the M. E. Church is based upon
ew Testament, and Apostolio usages, and
not upon any form of civil govesnment. 1
Yours, &C, 5 4 "
i J . j t A. D.SARGEANT.
? My second letter was' as follows :
Kkvport Way 1, 1835. -.
Rev. D. Sarireant: Dear, Sir. . I reaived
yours of the 24tn on the i'bth uU., and perused
u wuu somo aegree or surprise. 1 be Rev.
Mr. Stacy informed me that vou had intimated
your willingness to discuss tho subject referred
w in. my previous communication. JJat, as a
minister ot tho Mt E. Church. 1 sunoosed vod
would not fear to meet a question which has so
important a ueanng on tuo credit of the body
wuo wuicn you sutiacouncctel. , , -You
say. "Who. Wu are. and what vmi nra.
and what your reputation b in any part of the
Christian Church, 1 'have not tho slightest
means of koowins.", Now nermit ma to .
mark that this has nothing to do with the ques
tion. The discussion DroDOsad is not a lkra
logical ooe, but purely political, and yet in
volving the character of your Church, v If an
Inndjl were to challenge vou to discuss the au
thenticity of the Scriptures, would you make
his standing in the Christian Church," a cri
terion whether you would accept it or not ? -Again,
you say, ' If 1 was: acauainted with
your .standing, and was ' satisfied with it. , I
might have no "objection," &c. Nqw,- you
ought to have told me what kind of a standing
would satisfy you. It is enough for me to say
on this score, that 1 am an American citizen,
native-born, of unblemished reputation. And
yet, as you seem, to desire more, I may add
that i bate been for more than seven years, an
ordained minister' of the Gospel, and am now
pastor of an intelligent and influential church
in this place, the second which 1 havo served,
having epen the first six years of my ministry,
with another church of the same faith, -Your,
conditions of a discussion amount to a declina
tion of my challenge. 1 expressly stated that
eftch public debate or discussion should take
place in Milford. If my . life and health are
spared, it is exceedingly probable that you will
be better acqualnteu, with: my standing, and
with my ability to discuss the subject proposed,
'as 1 am invited bv citizens of vour nlacu to
m i i .
visit them and lecture on it, provided you de
cline to meet me in a public debate. - .
v You make a great mistake when'yba say, -'l
he verdict of tho world is that Methodism
etaocUuot opposed to any civil government and
operates against none.? The world J has never
given its verdict o -Methodism." But her most
pious and intelligent .i mt mbcrs have ; and it is,
that, in her goTerntnent, she is exceedingly op
pressive and anti-Republican. 1 believe it (the
government) to be. the very . counterpart of
Popery, and uch 1 firmly believe will be tho
verdict of Americans ere long In addition ;to
what I have already told you of my standing
I am the author of several publications one a
bouud volume of -150 pages; the other pam
phlets one of which I send you,- and you will
perceive that it has not had a very limited cir
culation, and orders still come. 1 mean no on
kindness in anything I say in this letter .But
I do hope that you will be among those who
will strike for a reform in your present oppres
sive, anti-Republican,', and anti-Christian sys
tem of Church Government. " ' '
- ! Respectfully yours,' "f-. ' i
: " - ? J. Q.-ADAMSXA
'P. S. With the understanding that the dls
cussion is to be in tho shape of a public debate
in Milford, 1 repeat my challenge. . J. Q. A.
To this letter I received na reply, and there
fore, send the following: " -1 -j ' "
V- I " ' JwETPORtjMay 17, 1855? v'
I Rct. A.. D. Sargeant : Dear Sir, Having
waited more than two weeks for a reply to my
last. and. not bavin heard from vou: I eonclndn
that my challenge is'declined Tsball there
to re, at the request of the citizens of Milford,
give a course of lectures on the anti A merman
spirit and , tendency of Episcopal Methodism,
commencirg on toe evening of i aesday; the
22d of. May Jnst., I respectfully ."invite you to
bo present. ;j,Yours for the Truths
V , 7 ; J,Q. ADAMS.
i I accordingly visited Milford, Mass., V
laze of about 8000 ' inhabitant and
the thoughts embraced in the articles which are
to follow, to a crowded audience,' in a , large
public buildings embracing the most resecta
ble and influential members of the commonity.
At the. close they;. voted unanimously that 1
was entitled to the $1000 offered by Mr. Sar
geant, as I had conclusively proved all con
tained in the Looking .Glass." - Tbey have
been repeated in New York city, Keyport, and
Middletown Point, J;, to overwhelming au
diences, and everywhere received with great
applause, and have been frequently requested
for tho press. I havo hitherto, declined pub
lishing them , because I did not know but that
I might yet present them orally in the princi
pal cities of the' Union. ' My pastoral duties
rendering this quite, improbable, I gladly avail
myself of your columns, and hopo to preserve
them in book form after they have gratified, as
I trust they will, your readers. J. Q,. A.
: Trom t!.3 Y. Chronicle.'
r - (' (! V(M f",.) (
1. Ttrjih larliza has h:c .3 j,3 T.zzi
rcrJ, a ii is t-- 1 to an cccl: L :I:il cririn,
nnl is not su-: ..:z-l ia its crl;'-al r::r-.b-
by frequent feuhr us 3 ia oral cr. vritt.-n I::a-
it has ;ib;?ed ia dsifieatloa- tI12.Tr.ry
ing jaterprctatlona cf tLa 'ordinanca it teebni-
cally names, and .hence ceased to be a transla
tion of the Jixtd viiumng pf the Greek word.
Its ecclcsiaticali use has determined its sisrt
nification to the popular, ruind.; It is general
equivocal. But it should be mads tptcific and
paw, as tho original law. . ' , ; f
I hough t is urged that baptise still re
tains its original meaning, and the sense of tho
Greek word from which it was Angliciiad, it
was solely oa the' ground of its not convevio-i
the same meanW we claim bavtizo does, that
the British and Foreign Bible Society and the
American Biblo - Society rcauircd : our foreiirn
translations to, b, changed, from, terms equiva-
ieu 10 oapiizo,or immerse, in to terms quiv
alent to baptise, and baptism. In what strong
er manner tjoiild 1 a jiifierenoa bo asserted be
tween baptizoi or immerse, and baptize. . .The
apprehended difference was broad ; enough to
effect the separation of tho Baptists from the
old3ible Societies.'!5? If Ithe seoie of the" term
is the same, tho ;j)ld iBiblo Societies stultified
themselves in requiring us to change; If the
meaning is tho same, we were guilty of.sobism
in preying a distinction without a difference.
The Pedobaptists: wished us to express as the
sense of the law what; baptize expresses to En
glish readers.,; AVyWisued to: .express imtk
specific and fdefijiit meanings Thus we de
clared ihat Jbe jaw ofj Christ ia not as clearly
expressed in English as" xo feel bound to'ex
press it in otuer languages. t liut it Mouut U
expressed as clekrly in English as in other
languages Thereroro bsptizo should receivo
a. new transIationjin Englishi; ftiv:;:';;
;3. .Though the sense of the Divine Law tny
be ascertained from the construction of clrcum-
staucea and language with considerable coofi
dence in the present version, that does not free
us trout the obligation of giving the terun of a
law as well as its coustiuction of language and
circumsunces. INav, the omission of its dt-
Unclnt U-m on tho ground that the sense of a
law may bo discovered , from other sources, is
treason against tho law giver. .. ;
A particular civil enactment or law could
doubtless be interpreted,- from its bis tor v and
collocation, in a bill or the statute book. 1 But
who would hence justify the omission or sub
stitution of the word enjoining!the act or con ii-
uou speciaea la.aue puuj .v.: i :
; However plain! Uhe law of : Christ mav ap
pear from iu construction in the statute book.
wuo uare uepuve u 01 tne audiuonal clearness,
force, and sanction of the enacting word ?
Let the enacting word of the Divine Law, then
be expressed with as little obscurity and indefi-
nitenews in the English as in the Greek.' Aud
let not those who make void an ordinance plad
that it is not enjoined in the lerns of .the law.
Bra. Oncken sava in . investigating baptism in
the English Bible, the present - meaning gave
him no light, and he was aided only by the
context in determining its sense. . , ;:Uf
"k 4. If it urged that etymologically and bisto
rically, baptize, in EogiUh, still 'means, the
same a baptizo; in Greek, it may be answerod
ideas are conveyed through language not ac
cording to its etymological or historical mean
ing, but its actual acceptation in oral and writ
ten5 discoursed Klf baptize oujht to convey to
the common reader the meaning of baptizo, in
Greek, or immerso, ia English,, that, avails
nothing towards, proving that it does eoovev
such a meaning .Kar.Awa "know to three-
fourths using tho English language it doe not
convey any such specific aud exclusive mean-
in".' 1 .1- 1 - - 1 " '
But fidelity to the Bible and the principles
of the Bible Union require that the specific and
exclusive sense of baptizo should bo expressed
10 theKnglisU?Scripiqxes.T,
51 If it be' urged that by. continuing bap
tize in the Revision we shall restore its ancient
meaning; the senso of baptizo to it, we answer,
we are not willing to jeopard the clearness or
credit of a Divine institution to settle a ques
tion of philology, or for a mere choice of words.
It is of little consequence-what word is used if
tne meaning, is conveyed. ... liut the sense or
clearness ot a law must not . be sacrificed to
euphony 01 antiquity of language. It is believ
ed that the use of the synonym to its onsnal
import in the exact definition of the ordioance,
u uv ny lubcriere wuu toe tecumoai
use of its cognates in tho denomination, while it
would rather aid than hinder tha restoration of
its original sense, t. 1 ,
. Let us then no longer, sacrifice j the sense or
clearness of a Divine law to our partiality for
at old ecclesiastical word. ' . ,v .' . , r ;
Let the value of words in Scripture appear
in their enshrining Divine authority, lustead
of being deluded- out of the . clear i bimificance
of a law byj adhering to , a word ignored of its
original sense by human" tradition, let us ren
der tu tense of the law in the Scriptures.; '
6' "That ! baptize does not convey the idea!
of immersion to all English readers, is admitted
or assumed, in all the books and tracts written
by baptists on the baptismal controversy
auese uooas nave oetn written to ex
the meaning of baptizeto prove that it means
immersion.' I All this assertion is utter non
sense, if the explanation is no plainer than! the
thing explained. If baptize b as plain a word
as' immerse, and is , understood in the same
sense by all why do they not affirm thatoopi-l
zo means laplizet instead of saying it means
immerse? ''-- . 1
7. English lexicons, the pulpit; -the press
and three fourths , of the people, unite in da
daring that baptize in English, b a general of
equivocal term, that embraces several modes
of the use of water;,' The Greek baptizo has a
specific and exclusive, tacaaing, The former
therefore, jcannot truly translate the latter. H
. Do not, then, sound principles of philology
and the rule of the Bible , Union, imperatively
require the translation of baptizo by a plainer
term in English ? -jf'- !!!?";-' X'y''y:J?''S.
lf under general law of philology, and by a
board of impartial scholars, immerso isstibstitu
ted for baptize, what cause will be damaged
but that of error and bigotry ? . , f
- Unreasonable and - sinister ; opposition has
forced thi3 question to proaisaaqe; just as P
dobaptist oppotitioa and usa9 have the baptis
mal controvcrsj. ' ..:, : - !.
But now it is forcod before the people! we
coEJcntly appeal to the trilunal of learning
anj cnluw.i. Us . who 1otc3 Lu thcolcrical
3r:;rat!:aa tli Scrip turcs,
is cot wortay ct ULn.t.'
Oa tlli, 13 ca cicry cL'..c? pc't, l;t Chrb
tians appeal frou tbeir c:;:J!j aud traditic-i
tof the faithful utterances of the Word of .God,
To the Law and Testimony." If any rcli-
gious teacher speak : not according to these,
there is no liirht in - Mm.'.Vt r . r 1 ( .
: To say this question: cannot bo philologtcally
and certainty settled, . is an ' aspersion upon' a
Divine revelation. , If the plainest dispensa
tion of religion . cannot be translated surely,
the Pentetcuch, ' the Prophets,' and the Old
Testament cenerallv' cannot be.. If a word de
scribing an outward act ' cannot be translated
then surely words relating lu history, geography
social customs, civil iostitutcs, ' and especially
mental exercises and beait experienoer. cannot
be, and the wbolo Bible should be left untrans
lated..; If there were the same motive to resist
aud throw doobt upon their translation, uncer
tainty ancL doubt could be! thrown over the
rendering of all words. ? .-:f v? 'S'iU
i If need be let us repress the Old, but let the
New.TesUmeht speak.j'j:y.:.c;v::'. "Hi' "l
; If need bo let us leavo, untranslated the E
pis ties, but let ; the '- Gospels I be! rendered. If
need be auppress, or mutilate the' parables
and sermons ut Our Lord but let us not mu
tilate or conceal the great "commissions under
which the Gospel is preached and ohurchea are
gatheredHt-'fe'f V?.
jit were as the Herald of Nebuchadnezzar
in, publishing hb decree, had withheld the ex
preasion of the very act of his empire. It is as
it'! a Colonial Governor of Britain, in publish
ing British law in India, should suppress some
of the terms o( citizenship. It is as if a magis
trate ordered to publish a! municipal law in
several languages iu oue 'of 'our large Cities,
should suppress the rent act rcauircd of ever?
citizen attecting perhaps rights of property or
ciuiensoip. : y e see not . now; versions ot
Scripture, with the great boMMissioN mutil
lated, concealed, or obscured in the translation
can be regarded as fauhfu I. i But that commis
si mis misstated, concealed, or obscured, when
the great , initiatory . nto of the church, the
great professional act of the believer is not
expressed .
74
- 1
vr. w." e.
i:f.i;-;V'From,lbe!BdipoM Herald.
:f Let jour Light! 6UIa. ;
Oh ! what a glorious sbht it is to see a band
of Christians walking in all the commandments
and ord nances of the Lord, blameless. ' -'
I Our Lord addresses his disciples more par
ticularly as the " salt of the earth,'? and the
f light of the world." - The former metaphor
implies that by imbibing the savor of bis doc
trines, they are to season others with thetn.--
believers re " the salt of the earth but if
they lose the sayor of hb doctrines, how shall
they communicate it to; others?,. Again, they
are the " light of the world" a world sitting
m darkness and the shadow; 01 death ; but il
their conduct be inconsistent with their prin-
cipies, it will be hie putting a bushel measure
over a candle or lamp; which would totally ob
struct its .light."- On the other hand, a strong,
clear and elevated light b like 44 a city set up
on a bill," and illumined by the splendor of an
unclouded sun. - i -? :--;
j Let your light," therefore, says our divine
teacher, so shine before men, that tbey may
see your good works, and glorify your Father
which is in Heaven." v i j . v '
f How very painful it is to be in company
wuu a DuoiDer 01 persons wno can tuemseives
Cbrbt's followers, and see them emrase in ail
the frivolities of the present day, and never
speak of their Lord and Saviour. ' rr" -.
f' Oh ! professors, take heed what examples you
set! I beg of yon to be on your guard ; you
know the devil b represented as 44 roaring
ion; seeking whom be : may, devour." Reli
gious reading is of great service -to all, whether
old or young, in the christun life.. -f
l The : Bible bthe ; book ;of , books,'' : and
should be supplanted Jby no other." They, who
are really T anxious for progress in the divine
life, will not content themselves with the parlor-reading
of. whatever religious books -!or pe
riodicals may hs thrown in their way, but will
have some biographical or devotional work, as
a closet companion --the pages of which will bo
prayerfully read in those seasons , of retirement
when the soul secludes herself, from, all human
society, to converse with GodI .Don't neglect
secret prayer. .lt has done wonders ; it has
opened the prison gates and; set the captives
free j it has. stopped the mouths of lions ; it
quenched the flames of fire, so as not to singe
a hair of , God's saints, when they 'were cast in
the fiery furnaoe yes, prayer too j has raised
the "dead. vAnd more than all, it has aud will
carry every faithful follower of the meek and
lowly Jesus to the mansions of bibs, and there
an eternity 6pend yes, my brothers and sbters
'in Jesus Is ; 1 v.:-;7-- .U:''-: !;.;.
- Prayer b the creature's strength, bb very
breath and. being ; prayer b the golden key that
can open the wicket of, mercy; . prayer b the
magic sound that saith to fate, so be it i prayer
is the slender nervo that moveih the muscles of
omnipotence wherefore pray, O creature, for
many and great are tby . wants ; thy mind, thy
conscience, and thy being, thy rights commend
thee unto prayer." .Tbo cure of all cares, the
grand panacea, for all pains ; doubt Vdestroyer,
ruio's remedy the antidote to all anxieties.
Yes, if we will pray in fiUb, not doubting, our
light most and will shine. , -
"The path of the just b as the shining light,
that shinetb more and more until the' perfect
day. " Be thankful v for the ' day " of small
things,' despise it not." But be not satisfied
with it. Religion must' be a shining and a
progressive light.;;'' -.V".'-!' .'. '' - ' ' . . '
. , When Moses came down from the mount,
we are told his face shone with such' a' radian
cy,' (though at first he was not ; aware :! of f it)
that Aaron 'and the people were afraid to come
near him, until he put a veil over it, which he
took off when he returned into the divine pres
ence, and resumed when he came again, to
speak to the people. St. Paul, alluding to this
circumstance, and comparing the dispensation
of .Moses with that of Jesus, mentions it as
proving the former to be glorious in itself, yet
as haying no glory compared with the superior
glory of the Gospel. And whereas, Moses
wore a veil, symbolical of the darkness of the
dispensation of which be was mioister, tho min
isters of the New Testoment use no di.'guisa,
Ir.t rreach tho Go.-r:l with all simplicity , and
the
-1
Jevrs, according to tlie
apostI-3, had the veil still cot oa
t3 ricscs had, but ca their hearts
their fiocs,
until such
lime ta it should plcas3 God to recoT3 it, and
give them to
iJod. a nhin
see " the lizhi of the rlorv; of
God, as 8hining in the face of Jesus Christ." '
Such seems to. be : the anostla'a reaaoninw in
the third chapter of bis second Enistla to The
Corinthians. This hbtor, also, in", a moral
view, affords a reflection too useful to be omit-
ted." ' - - ; - . i ;. , , . , -. -
The face of Moses shone so as to dazzla all
who sawlt, while be himself knewit notHap
py b it,' when such b the case with tbo Chr
lian.v Much communion with- God will com
municate a glory . to hb character, which the
good man himself will be the last to'discover.
But, alas I what was the verv heaven itself with-
out light ?r.Uow confused how, formless !
Like a fair body without a soul like a soul
without Thee. Thou art lizbt : and m .Thee
b no darkness at all ! Of bow incomprehen
sibly glorious b the light that b in Thee, since
vuw guujpse 01 mis ereatea light gave us so
lively dory to all tbr workmanshm ! " Shine
thou, O God, into the recesses bf inr sOnL and
in thy.Iight I shall see light I s But whence; O
God, was this original light ? " The sun was not
made till the fourth day light the first. Thou,
who inadest the "sun. madest the lisrht before
the sun,' that so' light might depend on Thee, I
uu wfc upua part oi 1 ny creation. ; 1 oy pow
er; will not be limited to means, It was easy
at..! .;. '-.1 ... - . . i -
mr lucfliro Due t neaven without a sun.
ngns without & heaven, time without its revo
lutions.. 1 We creatures need not- on a an
other, so long.as we have Tbce.: A day-will
come, when we shall have Tight again without
tue sun t i i nou wilt be our; eun Thy pres
ence our light ! Light b sown for the right-
wua 1 - ioamgui, wnicn .1 nou sbau then give
us, will make us shine like the sun in glo
ry 1 and now, the lizht whicb was for ' three
aays dispersed 7 through the whole s heaTens.
- - . - .-- - v. :.. . : y - r
ia umiea ; into toe body of the sun- One
star is the treasury of light to heaven and earth.
Thus, O God, the waters, by Thy command,
are ; gathered into one place the sea thna
wilt Tbou gather Thy saints - from all parts of
me universe, to be partakers of Tby ioy. ? We
are a by heavens ju their first imperfection. Be
Thou our sun, into wbioh all our light may be
gathered.; Yet was thb by. Thee interchanged
with darkness. . What an instructive lesson
hast .Thou thus imparted to Thv ereatnrea !
The day dies into night, and rises into morning
again, that we may not expect stability here
oow. ,jt is always day with Thee, above ;
the nixht savoreth onlv of mortalif r. '-; : --x ' .
''" O, Lord ! our night is far spcut-our day b
isuu , tcacu us o out on tne worrsoi atiX'
ncas, and put upon us the armor of light t i ;
.;v(Ui;'w ;:r-Vl ..CONSTANCE.
FairBeld, Northumberland Co., Vt
Daily blessings direct from the Lord V own
hand, aro so numerous, and so constantly and
regularly supplied, that we forgot that they are
daily, hourly gifts from, the Lord's mercy. We
uve. xie gives us lire, We breathe and ev
ery instant breathe the air that God alone can
form. He formed the. earth and made it" for
our abode, v He forms our food, and 44 gives vs
-v. uu iu-vi uttvcD. fiitnontaii
these e could not be. Were he to withhold
either, we should perish ; He gives the days
and seasons in their order, and all for ns.v If the
the Lord should som times forsretus as we farm
Htmy if He should forget to make the sun rise
as often as we forget to thank Him for its Hrht;
if He should forget to send the shower, aad
make the grass to grow, and the harvests to ri
pen, as often as - we forget that they are His
gitw to us, toe tasc woe would be accomplished
upon a 1 thankless world., We forget - to read
Hb Word forget : to pray to ' Him, forget to
keep Hb commandments; forget to teach our
children by precept and example to worship
and obey Him; forger at tneab to thank5 Him
for our. daily, bread. forcet Hia Sabrjtrj m
tardy and habitually behind time in assembling
at uis nouse. tor aabbath worship ; forget to
love Him; and to deal justly with our fellow-
men, and then are discontented and half anry,
if we do aot reocive at Jiu band all that our
yam wishes crave.? Were the Lord to deal by
us as we deal by Him and by eaoh other.' how
lf.il: ' '. . :.,.. ...... . -'-
mue snouid we nave I We receive our 'daily
bread," ; only becanso 44 Hb mercy endureth
foreTer.".; ff-i a-?-" -'.tyi
The fact, that the Lord iu His mereyoperates
ujr uitMj, uuueures our vision 10 tne xact that
HVoperatcs at all. U And yet I doubt if everv
morning bread ; and fruits and choicest dishes
dropped down from heaven on our table if then
we would for any length of time think of them
as the Lord's gifts. A few days, and it would
he'an old story a common thing expected as
a matter of course. . . Is our daily bread less the
direot gift of the Lord to us,' because Hb mercy
gives it as a reward to industry ? . He formed
the bed of the mould, He gave the" seed, He
gives the sun to warm,; and the shower to fructi
fy. He is the.Greal pbembt who formed the
universe a- mighty laboratory, wherein to wotk
the-wondrous changes wo behold. 7 Is He less
God, and , less i our ; G odj and less : the giver of
our nauy 100a, oecause lie torms it for us before
our eyes, and allows our aid in doing It? Does
He less give the ' luscious fruit, because be al
lows the tree to grow and blossom and bear its
rich burthen within Our garden, to bless bur eyes
with its beauty ? ' Is bread the Tess' His gift,
because He lets it grow in our fields, to adorn
the earth and ; beautify the - landscape with its
green glades and golden waves ? 'Did you ever
think how desolate the world would be, if God
formed all our food and clothes in heaven, and
hung Athem in our ; wardrobe, or dropped "our
food every ' morning,r ready cooked upon our
fables ? ' No green fields, no fruitful trees, no
flocks," no herds ! : ''A bald and barren desert
wild would meet our deadened sense, on every
side I , How pleased are children, "and- bow
grateful to their teacher, when he invites them
to his study, his museum, or his laboratory, and
exhibits to them his experiments in chemistry ;
and bow proud and 'pleased the boy who may
be permitted to assl? t in some bf the more easy
and simple acts, r Is be not more grateful fcr
the honored privilege ? And yet bow stracS
that men complain, because tho God of Chen
is try works ont His' wonders before their eyes,
acd honors them by giving them eoeo 'esj
parts to ib. JY. J. 2,Iessenger. -
ACictlor.i era God's whetstones, tbey, put "a
H2W edj u-ca old principles.
: ; . ? j CLrlst cur Eircz:. . '
The followinz fsw lines from the ten of Dr
J W. Alexander, may meet a spiritual wantia
many of 'our readers? ' " .
r Are any ready to say. If we have eo strength
except in Christ, we might as well taak3 no ef- -forts,
until ; tho . energy of God falls uroa ui'
and bears us away irresistibly to the perform- .
ance of duty ?. To such we reply ; Thismight.
be Teasonsble, if man were a mere machine op- .
erated upon by the Holy Spirit, as the ship b
moved py toe wind -"liut no. - IMan is essen
tially active. - How ; God -orksia ns, and by
us, we know not ; neither do wo know how an
act of our will sets in motion the muscles of
our bodies; This, bowcrer, we do know, that v
God work?,' and that we work also;' The only .
revealed connection between the two operations.?
is such as we last stated, n e areta put forth 7
stronjr efforts at strotiir as. though there were ":
no aid required; but at .the, same time fealing ;
that every such act b spiritual and. acceptabler
and useful, Only so far as Chrbt strengthens us.'i
These efforts are as truly our own. God, in T
great mercy, rewards us for them as our own.;
1 bey are as truly ecccts of- God's agency as
the creation b soch Obeerve the order of tho "
ideas in the words of Paul already eited ; 1st..'
I can do all things: Tba is the expression of .
a resolution" to, work, to attempt all duty.' Ha
does not say, I will wait until ' I see and feel ;
the breathiog of the Spirit of r Christ, I will be
inactive and supine'until I can- be so- no longer
No;. I will "arise and confidently! do every act
which is commanded endeavor the utterance'
of every good word the performance of "every
right action. -2d. .Through . Christ wbicn .
strengtheneth me. - Thb b the expression of
ri ;n pu;.i. L . .1
Christ does strengthcn.7 .Thb b being strong
in the Lord,- and in -the i power of bis might.
When raul thus -spoke, he felt that he was
strengthened with all mighty according to His
gionous power.
Aw Iw4raiii
; , Some of .our. modern rationalbts ridiculs
prayer. It is cowardioe. It is superstition. '
It 15 folly to think of nroving God. Agamsb
these impious; revilers we ny quote the senti- .
ment of a true "philosopher : "Oa-my fitst 10 -
troduction to Colerid2 e." savS a writer whu has '
collected inemoriab of that meatman, 4here . . -
verted with strong compunction to a sentiment "'.''
himbb t; ku cxpreaaeu ia earner uays upon
t:v u4 ' - 1'
prayer.; jn one ot bis youthful, poems, speak
ing of God, he. bad mi !;'r;,vV': - h
:'--- "Of whose s-l-seeing eye,-. :t f! . J
Aaght lo demand weje knpotence of mind." " 7
Thb sentim'-nt be now bo. utterly condemned,,
that, on the 'contrary', he told .me as his own -peculiar,
opinion, that the act of praying was
the Tery highest energy bf which the huaso'
hearts was capable ; prajing, that b, with thar
whole concentration of the. faculties ; and the1 "
great mass cf worldlj men, and of -learned .'
men, be ? pronounced absolutely incapable of
prayer. f ;v- w'.:,v
r.Mr. Coleridge, within two years of his death i
yery solemnly ..declared to nie bb conviction
upon the same subject.' I was sitting by hb bed
side one ' f tern 000, and be fell into a bug ac.
count of miny passages of bis jpast life,"lamen
ting some things, 'condemning "others &e.
N either do I reckon, said - be," 4 tho most:
solemn faith" in God as la real object' to be tha -
most arduous act or tne reason and will ; O
no, my dear sir, it is to pray, to pray, as God
would have ns ; thb b what at times . makes
me turn cold to my souL Believe me, to pray
With all your . heart and strength with the rea- '
son and the" will, to. believe vividly that - Gc4
will r listen to your voice through Christ, and r
verily do tfic thing bo pleascth thereupon, thbl :
b the last, ; the greatest achievement of tho .
Christian's warfare on earth. Teach us to pray; '
O Lord !' And' then he; burst into a flood of
tearsj and begged ine to pray for hiin."
: DepeadcccMa Gcd4;':L"4 :
-I- If erer pains - were taken I by. the , Ai migh ty
deeply to impress any truth upon the mind of !
WAV w ft f ' wtakl a t k4--. Jl f " ' '
"u v W4 j-uvire .-. uepenaence-upon. -himself,
as the Author and Giyer of . all good.
This he labored to inculcate upon the minds of
the Israelites by the whole course of his pro-"
ceedings. They were I brought out of Egypt,
not of tbeir own motion or choice, bt by bb '
special call He had proved a country for them
and he charged himself with conducting them
into : it. Pharaoh reabted them; dicfculties
were muiupued to oppose them j but every dif- '
ficulty .served only to enhanee the greatness
of the power. which overcame it, and to point'
out more manifestly the hand of the Most Hih.
The sea opened a passage for, them, and swal-
lowed -up their pursuers : the strong rock in
the desert poured out for them copious streams
of water, which followed them in their course:
a cloud miraculously shaded them from the in--tense
heat by day; and a pillar of fire gave them
light ,by night : manna fell around them in emV'
ficient . quantity to support them'all abundant-""
Iy : their, clothes . waxed not 'old upon tbea,;
nor , did their feet swell ;; quaDj ; cam9 daily,
and fell around their camp m such abundance
as : amply to supply all their . wants. Were -
they bitten by sernents.'thcv WGri TfirnT,-vrT-r
ly healed by only looking to one of brass. Did
they , want . to pass ! over into .the., eoustry
which God bad given them, the waters of Jor
dan flowed . back, and left them a dry pass-ig' ;
through its -channel.' And, tho walls of. their'-,
enemies cities fell down at their arproach '
Could any facts indicate in a more strikic
manner the presence and the ansv r.f i ."
Almighty God?,' .Thb was the tcrv kufiwlpd"
he intended to inculcate. .. 0 .
More important knowledge thaa iVU est
providence of God cannot ba learned by men.-"
While we thus practically know the power and '
pre?ence cf God, we shall f.rl.the di-3 ':
shall ratch over cr ccr-:t rrith
TWO.
1 ill dread
v , wueumr-- -.nil, WQ E
-'1 cbozd:I.
3 C;.-c : 1j 2wcr ta"
conudecce ia Lu tt i
strerthca, lb rrovi;;
ness to t!c:3 v.i : tz iV
1 c
ZZZ3 iZ
4 a 1
.to ty
wia ci cr err, rr j tec
r 1 1 r
C-Iy tb -1
E-L-it t3-
tiswill tb:.!Jl
c;e
r3 a
hia with pci.ct rc:
d endeavor ia'
:'i tli-s.to obey Lh c::.:;
-TL3 XTZ3
r:tci d:acf til il
.w a i:rzz...z3 ia te v;;I;r
fcess : uTh trefore tbou r'.alt keep the com
nundmct3 cf the ' Lord tbv God. t r!V
1
3t'
a
Ibis wayi a-d.ta f:r him." Hm.1 ; -