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1 ! ' ,1 V MEDB ECDODIEID ' fff' ; J - ; - F ' . - ." i - :" ' .' - . ' . " i 'Mi::. I F . . .;M FF F ' , -.! - F : - i ' . i i .1 - iiiiJJbo " : ; : ; . - - m o a J a m EiDlTE BY T. MEREDITH, IG II TEOUSNESS, TEMPERANCE, AN D JUDGEMENT TO COME.? YJ f I . NEWBERN, N. CI WEDNESDAY, MAY 6, 1&35. TERMS I the Biblical Recorder is published every. Wednesday, at 2. 50 per annum, if paid within ffSnv PCon who wi'lj become responsible for six ' L.-J !,r ho will forvyard the names eJ six sub- Briber shall be entitled to a seventh copy gratis. MNo 'subscription wiU be received-for lessthan unless pal" i aqvance , janu no uiscon tinuance.will -b allowed until arrcaragesjare paid. Persons wisiuug 10 uivuuuuL- viu ue yApeciea ,,,'to not ce to mat euect prior to inecpipmertce ..Jnt nf a new year : 'Otherwise they will be con tijercd as! responsible lor the ensuing ..twelve ' All communications except those of agfnts who act "Tatuitousl, lo-socuru iuituuuu, uium uoai From the Cftss and Journal XKWi YORK KEMUCKY A BAPTIST LESSON. . U i - . ' . . i nrolicr S!ci'cns.- have been examjning late ly the report of the New-York Baptist Con- . 'vention, jits istatistics-t-table of associations, aiicothcr documents, and have thereby been led i to sketch out the' following comparisofi between the rrorfss of the Baptists in that statt and Iven- ' tucky. 1 select Kentucky because it s pne of the jOldcst western states Decause inje tsaptists Miad the preoccupancy, and for many years were more numerous than all other denominations, and because the progress oj Baptists in that state furT 1 nishes a kind of sample of their progress in the u-pxt rreneirallv.; For this purpose; I have selec- - ;.( two neriotk 1812, and 1834.lincludinar-.the ' term oftwrenty! jhree ye4rs.l i In IS 12, the Baptists in Kentuckkr number J cd 13 associations, 313 churches, 205j preachers, and 19,897' members or communicanb. . Iii New York, iii 1.812, there , were 15 associa tioue, 215 churches, 220"prcachers and 18,500 . members': ''- ..'. MU ' . ' .i 'How do thev count at the close of 1831 In Alloti's Register, for thb close of 1832,' are giv en for' Kentucky, 33 associations,. 484 churches, '233 preachers,, and 33,t 24 members. The num bers in three? associations, the,- Redpird, Eagle 1 creek arid .South Kentucky,- are not given. Al losing the same ratio for numbers im these as in - the others, will zlve 48 'churches,! 25 preachers, and -S-,372 -members.-. F iAdd Tor 'increase during j the two : last years, 20 churchesyu preachers, and 1,721 members, which, is the ratid ol increase fort westerni 4 A Wes tarn su v ,1 . rrt I - . he DreccuHisr m years, ljnc aggregate is chuxchesj DG preachers, and 335,81 r mem- ." In New York, at the close of 1834, are found ojassocjations, besides-three pthers. contemplated '"it'hurchcp.GSO ministers inclu4iriij licentiates, an Ou.UWU c-ommunicitnts. snowincr an increase of a pro portion greater thantwo to ope over that ol Kentucky. .'. ., : ; --F : - S f, In New York1 the Baptists havi more than ' trebled j iiY 23 years : In Kentucky they have i;qt quite doubled in that time. Why this differencI:? f I hate n0t, , institute -these campaiisons for in vidious designs., nor to provoke, unpleasant sec tional jealousies.' They are for j important prac ticai purposes. iTheyare. hot Jute ided to bear icllusivelyrupon Kentucky- bjul ai:e applicable in a greater or less extent, to every westeri) state. Tlit'y hvcAbeen induced by the cogitations of a maiir and, as he subscribes himself stehii Baptist,"4 who feels a deep 'and llincr interest in tliq prosperity of erenuine BarkiU principles, and Baptist ehurt lies through Kt'htU'cky.-U-throuGrh the whole- west. F To an- swr. the rKirpose, further comparisons must be -instituted, i4iave, not given an accqunt of two or V three1 little antinoinian and a.hti'missiqn establish "incuts,: which are known by monthly "Sign$ of ' jth Timcsbnt have selected the great body of fffort Baptists of that state. But iik reference to ' Kentucky I have taken all. lUnited"-"Reo:u- i lar','Sepaate,'-Tarticular,' whether effort v or anti-effort whether known by ''Siis," or i without: .; 1 ' , 7 ! ' Again; I inquire, why this difference in frtjit i Will it be said that iNevv IvorU' is an older arid more populous state than Kentucky? This is decidedly against the proportionate m- jcrease of Baptists in new York ; for in all the older states, the Baptists have lu.d to compete M'ith other denominations.V! int advanee, by " ha ving possession of towns and other favorable locations, and in learning and general influence Besides those counties where Baptists have flour ished most, have been -changed from a wilder ness into a-populous rearion coeval with Ken tucky, and yet Presbyterians and Methodists have had equal, and in some respects superior advan- . t tages to t iiapiisis, m occupying them. At the period mentioned, other denominations Avere at least four tim'QS more numerous in the whole state of New'York, than the Baptists, and yet the lat ter in numbers and 'Influence; dro'. gaining uporj the others', Whereas the,BaptisLS in Kentucky once hadihe-advantage ground most decidedly: They uxre the first religious, people to enter its territory, and organize churches in 18 iu, the Presbyterians, Methodfets, and Cumberland Pres byterians in the: whole state didi not exceed 60 preachers, and 10.000 communicants : not a .third as many picachers, and only a small frac tion over half as many members as me cap , lists. ! ;(''- ;y ;' '- -; If : ;f"' -!-. Does one suggest that a multitude of Baptists, .and especially Baptist preachers, have emigra fed from Kentucky to .other nevf states, and that tnis has kept down their numbers.? lie is re minded that Baptist emigration from New York to Michigan, Ohio, and other new .countries has been proDortionate and as' ta the greater emi gration of preachers from Kentucky, that is in volved in my question. Why have so many preachers left the ?tate .for newf countries? Is it because; God has not : called thjem wholly to the "unistry. Or have the churches neglected to cal and sustain them 1 But another' fact developed in these investiffa tions, is, that the increase of Baptist ministers iin --w i urk, m 23 years, has been: 43y,wtnle in Kentucky the increase has been only 91 1 xi$tz is an asivuaum-r ract mat oupm in ha jt. i ed directly in the face Why is this? T 1 - II 11 : ' 4 . I l aanut ana noia as precious, the doctrine usu ally held by Baptists, that God calls men to con secrate themselves iothe ifiinistry, by a spiritual influence, that to such as he induces to the work, heaflbrds gracious Qualifications to under stand, explainunfold and enforce" the gospel me thod of salvation. But th?re is a congruity and consistency inthe Divine proceedings. He nev er raises up men amongst, the heathen to preach the gospel tillsome evangelist or missionary car ries there the "word, of saltation.'' . Nor docs he 1alj men to preach.where churches exist, unless thechurches show jthey want them, and will re ceive and treat them, as HIS ministers. I annre- hend God has -raised up asjmany Baptist. preach ers in lventucky as thechurches have asked for, and take care 'of It is only resolving the ques twn! jnib another shape hi asking why Baptist ministers nave increased so much taster in New York than Kentucky. r l M I H?re a remark may be subjoined before I pro deed to fujther compariso.ni In Kentucky Bap tist principles, andspecially their mode of church government,- which iassumed to be after the scriptural model, have been decidedly popular, ana; the denomination have had a great prepon derance in general influence. The cause must be searched for amona: thernselves. F'or in New York the Baptists have had to compete with pupuiur iiinuence anu powenui talent. i In Kentucky,! first from necessity, , and then from the force of j habit, the churches have kept up meetings on the: Lord's-day recrularly only once each months But in New York, except in f occasional instances the habit has been to meet j every Lord s-day ; and even when destitute of a minister, the brethren would meet lor prayer, reacjing and exhortation. - Baptist churches in the West caiinvt prosper, and grow into efficient churches, while this, monthly arrangement cont 'ui- J--T-- i t t i IT. .'1 .1 l'l "I 1 wes invtiuucKV) uiuu recemi uuie uas ueen VOL. 1, NO. 18- Hamilton Institution for the education of the rising ministry per annum, Other societies and objects ; - M ; -.'- F ; . Amount 6,000 12,000 do he my mutual co-operation, and pecuniary contributions,: to enter important towns and des titute fields, and plant and water churches. , . t IjhrQUgh an extensive jdistnct of country in Ney York, where j the Baptists flourish most, and have increased rapidly-along the lakes and the great canals, the gospel was first preached, and; churches planted by missionaries, from the Baptist Missionary Society of Massachusetts, and this has been followed up by extensive and mul tiplied efforts of theniselvesjsoon as they had got tpn strength ; aind (he very churches that -were nrst) piameu oy iemnng irxissionaries, ana while, feeble, were watered by thir tears and prayers, have long since icontributcd, liberally -to" send the wora oi tne Liora to "rearions bevond them. In Kentucky, though, jBaptists professs that iod "calls men to labor in his vineyard. Baptist ministers have generally supported themselves, y attending to worldly business, and often grow ich by it. In NewFr or 8168.625 Aud yet this is a fret trill offering: no com pulsion, and every year its increase shows that the Baptists in that state understand their true interests, and dohot becomo "weary in well-doing.". Under such a state of things they have extensive revivals, and are prosperous, united and on the increase; - , . ; Asraiii in Kentucky. and I hate : to name it. but every -bodv knows it: and wv mnv rnrr.rt our faults by looking steadily at them in the re- liccuuii ox uivme irmiif in iventucKy mere nas been rivalshiD. and iealousv. &. ambition amonirst the. preachers.. They have not pulled in an even yoke. 1 hey have not always prostrated sell at the foot of the cross of Christ. Hence trarties have been formed, divisions produced in associa tions, declarations of non-fellowsnfp made, and frequent mutinies in the camp. This will always be the case where the ministry is independent of the, churches, and the true pastoral relation 13 not sustained. ! - - In New York; let any. Baptist preacher "set up for himself," and attempt to make his party, and he will: have the whole ministerial corps against himj backed by the churches. He. will be "used up in less than no time" Not even could the strange i and "uncertain sound:' of a Camp bell break the Baptist ranks in that state. They move together in Jove and harmony. These facts, thus contrasted, help to solve the question with which I started, and also point out the true principles of Kelorm lor Kentucky yea; lor Western Baptists. : 1-or 1 again apprise the reader, and our Kentucky brethren in particu lar, that my calculations, like those- of an alma nac, though made for the. meridian of Kentucky) "u ul serve Jor all the adjacent states" 1 he causes of the inequality m the prosperity of Western Baptists, and those of New York, are found, i ! - ' - '. ; 1. In the almost entire destitution of the pas toral ' office in the churches and the casual monthly meetings, instead of weekly meeting as God appointed, and the apostolical churches ;iu variably practiced. '. M! 2. In declining mutual co-operation and com bination, and liberal pecuniary contributions for taking possession of large .ows, and supplying destitute fields with gospel laborers. j 3. Inthe opinions and practices ofBaptists relative to the ministry being at variance. Their "opinion is that all true preachers of the gospel are "called of God" to the wbrk,A-that God docs not. work by halves, and that they should be devoted wholly to the ministry,-r-elsc why do they ordain ."set apart men to the ministry." 1 heir practice has been to place the .ministry 1 in such circumstances as to annul tnis can, lor the greater portion of their time. They have neMected tbe divine command, ahtl "muzzled tne and where the holy apostles preached the gospel, with the Holy Spirit sent down from Heaven, that f fruitful land turned into barrenness for the wick edness.of them that dwelt therein." Once it wit nessed the footsteps of the holy Jesus and his dis ciplesnow overrun by Turks and Arabs, who disregard the voice that proclaimed of the Jews, " Hear ye him." ) . j ' Let the American patriot, and also cverv Chris tian, learn, by the, providence of God as" well as his word, that change attends , the onward march of nations as well as individuals'; and this is the more sensibly fell jwhen we remember, that, but a little while ago, and ibis happy laud, where cities a 1 anu villages now rise, and where the prolusion of neaveniy Diessings calls to distant climes, with inviting voice, to view this as the asylum of the oppressed that this land, I say; was a land or savage barbarity and pairau nieht ! Perhaps the very spot of ground on which our peaceful dwelling 1 - L - 1 ! . suiuus, or me grounu on winch our house ol holy worship is built, was once illumined with the midnight fires of the Indians, whilst they moved forward in the war-song and dance. What mighty changes this world is subject to! Now. shall it never be with us as with ancient Israel. They rebelled, became unthankful, and were scattered. Iu viewing their land at three different periods, we find striking evidence of mhrhtv changes : first. ?- . . . . o - . we know, has always been the favorite pursuit of kmgs and nobles. Not only fame and fortune. ' but pleasure is'to be earned. Efforts, it must nu be forgotten, are as indispensable as desire?. Ihe globeisnoltobecircumnavigatea by one. 1 wind. MVe .should never do nothing. It is better to wear out than rust out,' says Biscp Cum berland, j There willbetime enough to repose m, the grave,' said Nicole to Pascal "As a young man, you should.! mindful of the unspeakable importance of early industry since m youth habits are easily formed, and there is time to recover from defects. An Italian son net justly, as well as elegantly, compares procrai when occupied by .the Canaanites, who gave to. it its name ; secondly, when those, for their iniquities w ere driven out, and their land given to the chil dren of Israel as it is written, "Thou didst drive out the heathen and plantedst them : ' and lastly when these disposed of the possessions, to give place to the "owl and to the cormorant," the Turk and the Arab. ! . Having noticed some reasons for fearing an un happy change in our country, in consequence of . W I'll ,. our sins, 1 snail omit to name m tins paper tm particular evils vtfih which we are threatened which, however, may be obvious to every one hut M'ould say, concerning the appearance around us, as. the reluctant cardiual said, concerning the " triangular cap" " It looks tcwakds Rome !" " ltepentance towards God, land faith in our Lord Jesus Christ,'' is the only sale and trulv pleasant path. uiiauuii iu uio tony 01 a traveller who pursues a UooU till a ivinds into s. river and is lost in the sea. J he toils as well as risks of an ncti lift. are commonly overrated, so much may be.donc by the diligent use of ordinary opportuiities; but they must not always be wailed for. Ve must not only strike the iron while it p hot, but strike it till 4it is made hot. IIersche the great astronomer, declares that ninety or orris: hundred nours, ciear enough lor observations, cannot be called aii unproductive year. j! I "Thei lazV. the dissipated, and the .fearful. should patiently seethe active andlhe Uold pass them 111 the course. They must bHng down ineir pretensions to the level of thl-ir talents Those who have not energy to work must learn to be humble, and should not. vainly 1 hope to unite the incompatible enjoyments of indolence, and enterprise, of ambition and self-jndulgcnco. 1 trust that my young friend will never attempt to reconcile them." Essays by Richard Sharp ! . ! THE SABBATH MAGAZ1 p i iDesigned to promote the Religious 0 I 1 tke Christian Sabbath. . EXTftACT TR0M THE EDITOR 3 ADtnEfeS. To the Christian Public rl' 1 W L. V. n . 1 . I I . 7 . . . . T i '1 - . i ne oauuain is an liiMiiuiiun wnscii 13 UCSl'rn- It serve ".trance f r, thechurches generally support the gospel, by contributing to the necessities of their ministers, that they may "give themselves wholly to the work." They do this openly, reg-' ularly, fearlessly, arid systematically, by subscrip tion, or otherwise, (net by slipping a dollar or two in a nreach'ei's! hand privately, as though !y were ashamed to obey the divine-command.) Their preachej-s, . never become rich, but .they preserve, a clear conscience 'in view of doing their d ut I In New I ork", Baptists, generally call things by their right names. They talk about suppor ting the gospel .ministry-.as they would 'about mouth of the ox" ivhile " treading out the coin. lTosperity ana proportionate men-use. will not attend them without a return to New Testament order. j F '. . Finally the ministry instead of being indepen dent of the churches, must become the servants of the churches; A mutual rclatiphship.must be formed. The churches must feel their need of a constant and stated ministry, and the servants must feel their dependence on the churches lor a support. Then with unity of design, and harmo nv of effort, the cause will proceed. . !; Manv other deficiencies, mierht be alluded to, as neglect of nraver. in the closet and-family,: i r X ' . - a 1 . I - . ... - . a I ... 1 - pportmg. their own. fatnilies ;T-rot paying the j of habitually Teading the scriptures, oi uie rm rireapher "waires for his services as Paul called i firious education of children. of the want ol ha a gospel support" (2 Cor. xi: 8.) They hire bitual training to evangelical effort in every mode a preacher to officiate with the church, and use of doing geod ; I have chosen howevcrto follow the "word "hirq-justj as Jesus Christ did. (Luke upthe subject to one of its pnneipal sources, j 10: 7.) . 7'heir ministers inever "beg for money : Rut. brethren, we arc nersuaded better things in an indirect 'form, by telling the people afTec- thmmh1 we. thus write. There is a redeeming ting tales ahoiit themselves and families, but they SD;rit among us. Many are getting their eyes cnrisuan umy pi.up- 0pei,t and. fin(i the path ot duty is the nign roau they enforce any other to prosperity, and that the cheapest and most eco ?. v . i nnm ical method is to fret a good minister to la ir Kentucky but I .will not name' it: let it hor constantly, and to support him comfortably. pass :Ut has bejen the common error qf the. west. These, and many other indications of returning Let what has been be leit behind. 1 he churcn- prosperity, are exhihrating to oive who nas long es wui iearn me scuptiuui itpauu uu una aim hrnn and expects 10 live anu uie explaiu and enforce the porting the gospel dutyv just as other subjects , jf appropriate means are used to instruct them - , , ' - ; . F F . . ; -- .: In reference to sustaining the gospel ministry by those cpnf ersant with the churches ra New York, tlW average proportion that each church bestows upon its pastor is from 250 to 300 per annum. ueuucting izu licentiates, most oi A AVESTERN BAPTIST. I From the N. Y. Baptist Register. j OurNationis liable to be led air ay ciththe error ! 1 of the wicked. ; . ; It was said to the Jews,- " The kingdom of God whom are students at Theological and Literary shall be taken from you, and given to a au(?r Tnc.titntmns Snnd there remain ' 5ift ordained bringing forth the fruits.thereof." F These tlounsh preachers, of rjage; of 275 dollars annually for each the summit of;perfection, .that they may rise m pastor, I . . .a . a ikoir nresent eralted situ- wliich is a low 'estimate, and it shows that the ' t-Jr, citc th tn t:,nrPr. lest they fall. : We i. ... ..(- ... .i l r. I uhviu guuiviio uv - fc v " r? J . ... uaptists m thjat State contribute to the. support oi j0 not depreci i-;lu ,A-rk .v, u ..m.,i ino- linked States annear to occupy. a most inter preac iters, ui wuicu,-ti u .-uwv - uc,wu9iucicu xa . - c . :.. - i .-aVtrr inC frnm iiistnihinVT thd mstoral office f Allowing the ave- .esung. situation a situation, hoye er, so .ar Irom sustaining m pastoral omce AiiOm tneave smnmit 0f, perfection, that they may rise m t dpnrPf ?atn the rank of nations, societies, or than even individuals, bv applving.to them this caution of inspiration : " Let him that tniniteiii ne siduuetn Inlrp Vtirl lpct h frill.'' It is manifest to every observet, that a nation's r.hamrtPr.iVn fair criterion of its prosperity. This is self-evident, from the fact that ani indolent, vimnns npnnlft rannot be a prosperous people. It is further manifest, that", as nations have obeyed tne commands oi uoa, uiey in their borders and prosperity m their pnlapes." the Gospel in their own churches, not less 8130,623 annually Let us noy contemplate their voluntary contri butions for: other purposes.; They give not Jess than b0U0 for Foreign; missions, $buUU to the American-Baptist .IIome Mission Society for the Mississippi Valley ,r SB000 for missionaries and to aid feeble churches i within theirt own ( state, Pennsylvania nnd MiV;Vnn ft3000 for h he. Tract cause, $3000 for Sunday school purpo- The Jong continued prosperity, ol our country, ses, 86000 to the' Bible cause. r The three last hitherto enjoyed, is not certain to be perpetuated, items are estimated on imperfect data,-the others 1 are deriydj trpm examination ot pub ic docu- Wh st o ancienHsraelit wassatd, ments . To all these subjoin the "Hamilton. Lite- StaveTknowof all the families of the rarv and yineological. Institution, a noble and Pfir,h thprpfnrp will T nunish you," may, we not truly a Baptist Institution for the education of the from similar reasons conclude, that? as our " Ame y'tc-'t txrr mint.?try r anntial ex nenses about &6000. V! V) ia A ictititniished for divil and religioui besides providing extensive buildings, a farm, privileges above all the nations of the earth, if we " r . i t-i o . . I j - l ru r...: iintn fo(L these nnvilpTf9' f in rifii nrinir 1 1 ir 1 11 iiuil uu- 7 will be taken from us, and given to nations bringing I . ADVICE TO MINISTERS. "Abide in me," arc words eminently written to ministers, and must be realized in their! habi tual experience, if men would ' bring forth much fruit.' ! Never lose your first love; never rest, if you axe conscious of any diminution in its ardor, until, by constant prayer, you take hold again on the Divine strength, and make that strength your own ; so that it may be felt in the vigor of your afiections and in the constancy of your zeal. Rc i member that religious declension in a minister is instantly ionoyea uy a train oi me greatest evils, by pride, self confidence, sloth, and the loss of meekness and humility ; and then he lies open to various temptations, and lives but to show,' in his sapless and savorless ministry, how awfully he is dead to GocJ- Brethren, let us watch and pray. Ir-st we enterj into temptation ; and be always animated, not oniy witn tne nope oi escape from those evils which jmight destroy our spirituality and usefulness, but with the anticipation of daily conquest and daily acquisition. Let us follow hard after God,' and then his right hand will nbt only sustain us, but make our cup run over with blessings. The only effectual preparation for the exercises of the pulpit are the habit of enrich ing the mind and heart with the word of God, so that it may live and dwell in us, and actuate all we speak and do. To the daily, prayerful, hal lowing study of the Divine Scriptures, we affee tionately commend you. Here is the mine out of which you must dig the gold by which thou sands are to be made rich 'toward God;' and here is the fountain of the water of life, the seal which you are to break, and of which you arc to be the channels of communication to the peo ple. ; Be always .afraid of trusting to any thing in your ministry; but the truth as at is revealed in the ScripturesJ in which God's own wisdom is embodied, and that in words taught, not by man's wisdom, but the Spirit of God. In explaining. enforcing, applying, and amplifying this truth, your true power as preachers will consist, and you will then.be faithful stewards of the myste ries ot God. Two other observations on the subject of preach ing, we may be permitted to make. The first is, that it ought always to be, strongly and firmly regarded by us,- not as an end, but as a means. If it be rested in under the former views then j this sad result will follow, that a mere professional duty .will be performed without any respect to its utility : or the personal credit of the preacher .111 i' ! ! - J ' K will be rested m, as ins great concern, aim y m willtruly be guilty of preaching 4 himself and not,4 Christ Jesus the Lord.' .llow necessary is it .brethren, to guard against this, lest the natural loth and vanity ol the heart prevail against us, no we become useless to others, and offenders inthe sight of Him who sent us, not only to preach to them, but to persuade them; not to boast ot the brightness ql the weapons oi our warfare, and of our supposed dexterity in using them ; but to subdue a rebel world to the obedi- ence of faith and love, lie preacnes ocbi, &ays an old divine,. who saves the most souls. j Rev. Richard liaison. , pinotie fbVhfruit3 thereof? The suppostion appears To recapitulate, these Jl'xn o- the more imtrortant not to say probable, when we Supporting pastors in the churches ; ?Dld0,ba - - - .uUnt ctnte of ancient Judea; How i v- strikingly is that scripture iuim eu . j. ( Pn1pt;r nrt destroyed " I That delightful.' fa- 6.000 rA ntrv: where Israel Went up from year to i vvi w- it . . v - year to offer sacrifice where the biessea &ayiour 8,000 I preached and bled and mannesiea ior uia , , Foreign Missions A. B. H Mission Society for the Missis sippi Valley i , - For domestic missions, and to aid fee ble churches in their owri , state :,' ed to promote the best interests of mn. 1 as a guardian to protect and preserve every thin" valuable in human attainments. ItJ$ origin the authority commanding its observaace-together with the universality and permanency of its obli gations, clearly attest its importance j It emanates from the highest and purest source. It has the appointment and consecration of the Most High " And God blessed the seventh day and sanctified it ; because that in it be pad rested from all in works which God had created and made.? , - - Its observance is demanded with all the sanc tions of that law which was written with the fin ger of God, and delivered amid the tliunderings and lightnings of Sinai. " Remembejr the Sab bath day to keep it holy." Its obligations i are up on all merrin all ages. Although . a change has been made in the day to be observed; land altho' it is divested of its ancient ceremonials; "the holy spiritual rest of one day in seven is ari Onchan- luquisnc imuuuvui inc peuraiious ol men. .." The 5abbaih Was made' for rwm" fr the whole human family. This is the unequi- -vocal declaration of the great "Lord of the iat bath". x 1 Its adaptation to promote the dearest Interests cf manls ' attested by reason, by divine revelation, and by the experience of ges. The Sabbath, aud its correlatives have done a -tbotfsand times more iu i dilute i nui um.c iuau un me inventions and institutions of human wisdom. Its adaptation to promote civilization and intellectual improve- with an intellectual capacity which gij-es him his pre-eminence, and fits him for hi3 doQiinioa ; he is also formed for a state of animal existence. Our connexion with carnal things is close and unavoid able. ' And so constant and clamorous are the de mands of bur carnal appetites, in our fillen estate, that, unless counteracted 4w some external and powerful influence, our minds would son be aban doned to heir control, and ' become, wholly en grossed by the grovelling cares of earth. But the Christian; Sabbath, in consequence of its frequent breaks and interruptions of worldly oiuerns, is most wisely calculated to counteract this grovel ling influence. . The Sabbath has, aUo, a powerful influence ii promoting 'smind tnorulity. Withcjut, suitabje apprehensions of our relations to the Supreme Be ing, and of our subjection to his moraljgovernment there can be no due sense of moral obligations; and consequently, no sulhcicnt; check to the de grading influence of carnal principles. But, one day in seven consecrated to the remembrance of Gods works of creation and redemption, with the devout exercises of the heart which this returning season of spiritual Test demands, mu -t have a pe culiar influence in strengthening the principles of moral virtue. Accordingly we find hat wherever the Sabuain exerts its oenign muueare, tne pnn- 1 BE NOT WEARY IN WELL DOING "There are few difficulties that hold out against real attacks; they fly, like the visible horizon, before those who advance. A passionate acsire rt will can perform impossibili- ties, or what seem to be sucjh, to.the cold and the feeble. ' If we do but go orC some unseen path will nnnn among the hills. We must not.allow our plvRsto be discouraged by the apparent dispro portion between the result of single efforts and the magnituue oi me ousiacies to ms cutuumncu Nothing good nor great is to De.ooia.meu w-unun ciplcs of virtue are strengthened,, and all that is beautiful in morals, and desirable insccial life is promoted. Thus .the sabbatical institution " op-. poses itself to the progress of humat degeneracy, and throws an impenetrable shield j round the in terests ol moral virtue in our troubled world." Its influence to promote maws eternal tntcrcsU- is undeniably evident. If any one institution may be considered fundamental to all true religion, it is evidently the Christian Sibbatbi The Sabbath and tne sanctuary are inaissoiuoiy unuea. out the Sabbath, the sanctuary would be a desola tion; and without the sanctuary, eligion would soon languish and die. ; From all these considerations 1 1 is manifest, that thP Sahhnth U of the nrealest importance in promoting civil liberty. Without that intellectual, - 1 i t , i. i In HrhlK the, moral, ana religious improveiucu Sabbath has such an instrumentality, our civil and. political institutions could -not be preserved. But the Sabbath has a more immediate and direct -influence in favor of civil liberty. 1 Invidious dis tinctions of rank and fortune are dkngerous to the rights of man. And in what schpol is the doc trine of mutual rights most cleatly and forcibly and effectually taught? W hat brmciplcs throw merited contempt m the faces of the would -be great and thwart the schemes of despots? The b hurv is that school; and theldoctrines of di-. vine revelation, taught in the sanctuary on the nnA lnA,BT Wcnnnnrp.nnd lnrillSfTV couiup.-m yj::-ZjTl !Thhath.are those holy princinles. Bust nave sypK wr vs -o 6bscrTa- of tH day, which in- haye Temamea urioriraieiHu anu ; -volte3 such important interests.'the gracious pro if men had mcely compared the effect ol a,singi miseg of lhe God of heaven arc annexed. " If thou stroke of the chisel with the pyramid to be raiscu, . th f t f om lhe sabbath, from, doing or of a single impression of the spade witn im. mountain to be levelled. ' All exertion, too, is m itsell delightful, and active amusements seldom HJtrpUns owns that he Couia naraiy thine owm 4V 7l. :l .knn hrnnH .u.... U,!. iUn A-Kvht 1 ict on ti A concert IOT tWOUUUts, .iv," w i mint 9ua --e - i . , f ,i Lf!?5!r;pntnll dav long. The chase: Uaute thee to iH upon tb high YUcts cf the piay vii juu.im.. j j j - thy pleasure on my holy day, and call the Sabbath? a delight, the holy of theX.ord hoaiorable, and thall thine ownlwav. nor hnding pleasure, nor speaking thine own YorH,; then delight in thclLord- and I will ! - i
The Biblical Recorder (Raleigh, N.C.)
Standardized title groups preceding, succeeding, and alternate titles together.
May 6, 1835, edition 1
1
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