on him, but repent of your sins, and be immersed into the name of Jesus Christ, and then all that he has promised shall be yours. But to the unbelieving and disobedient, Jesus will again appear to take vengeance upon them, and punish them with everlasting destruction, from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his power.

EXHORTATION.

"WHAT do we mean by the word exhortation? Much depends in this instance, as, indeed, in all others, on affixing scriptural ideas to scriptural words. The current ac

ceptation of the term must, like all others, be ascertained from an examination of all the passages wherein it is found. From a careful examination of these it will appear, that in the primitive age the term preaching, in its full import, comprehended testifying and exhorting. Acts ii. 40. "With many other words did Peter testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this perverse generation." To testify is to adduce testimony or evidence in proof of the proposition; to exhort, is to persuade, beseech, or excite persons to act in accordance with the truth, or fact, stated in the proposition. Teaching implied also the explanation, elucidation, and development of the meaning of a fact, a term, a parable, or a prophecy, and is also connected with exhortation.Hence preachers and teachers are occasionally in the practice of exhortation.

"But that which is appropriately called exhortation, must be distinguished from teaching and preaching as a distinct and separate work. "He who exhorts," says Paul, "let him exhort." The exhortations which the Apostles delivered were to excite to obedience. They consisted of arguments, expostulations, and motives, addressed to the understanding, will, and affections, to move them in accordance with the gospel.

"Exhortation was a part of the edification of the Jews in the synagogue worship; and after the reading of their sacred writings the president of the synagogue gave either a general or a special invitation to those present, "If they had any word of exhortation, to say it." Under this invitation, the Saviour and the apostles spoke in the synagogues, (Luke iv. Acts xiii.) These exhortations were practical discourses

either on the portions of scripture read, or on some others read by those who stood up, calling upon the audience to obey the divine precepts. They were always short and pertinent-none on record could have occupied more than ten minutes.

"The Apostles often enjoined upon Christians this duty. But it was not only in the public congregation, but in the daily intercourse of the Christians with one another, that this duty was to be practised. Heb. iii. 13.

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'Experience will soon decide who can speak to edification and comfort. And it is the duty of those who preside to see that this privilege is not abused. If not used it cannot be abused. The principal abuses which we have noticed are the following

"Doctrinal debates have been introduced under the plea of exhorting one another. A brother rises to give his views of some passage in scripture. Another supposes he has not got the true meaning of it, and then gives his exposition of it the first replies, a third shows his opinion. Thus the church merges into a debating school.

"Denunciations against heretics. A brother rises and bewails the divisions found in Christendom-accuses the Pope, the Episcopalians, Presbyterians, and Methodists ; denounces the clergy and the creeds, and refutes the errors of Cerinthus, the Gnostics, or John Calvin. The church listens, and is as much edified as if she heard the wars of the Jews, or the adventures of Telemachus.

"Sermons to the unconverted. A brother thinks he ought to exhort sinners to repentance; and instead of edifying the church, addresses deists, sceptics, and all the non-professors, some of whom are not, perhaps, present. This is wholly out of order. It is brethren who are to be exhorted, if the Apostles' doctrine of exhortation is to be our guide. allusion to spectators is allowable, or in order, when any one exhorts the brethren. Besides, such allusions lead the auditors to suppose that the exhortations are more intended for effect with them than for the benefit of the church.

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No

Disquisitions upon words and phrases. This is the work of a commentator, critic, and translator, rather than of an exhorter. Such disquisitions and criticisms are not often called for, even in the labours of those whose business it is to comment on Scripture; much less are they necessary in exhorting men to piety and humanity. Verbal criticisms

and disquisitions upon language, unless from literary men, are always disgusting, and injurious to the reputation for good sense of him who indulges in them.

"To call debates on the meaning of the Scriptures, denunciations against heresy, sermons to unconverted men, and verbal criticisms and disquisitions, exhortations, to Christians, is a gross abuse of language. To persuade and induce the brotherhood to love one another, to keep all the commandments of the Saviour, and to follow peace with all men, and holiness (without which no man shall see the Lord) is the great object of Christian exhortation."

ITEMS OF INTELLIGENCE.

LONDON.-In addition to the seven immersions recorded last month, two others have been buried by baptism into the death of Jesus. Br. Ballard, whom we introduced into the kingdom some twelve months since, has, under the divine blessing, been instrumental in pointing several of his friends and neighbours to the simple principles of Original Christianity. His residence is some five miles distant from our meeting place, and consequently he, with some seven or eight others, have commenced meeting to break the loaf every first day in the neighbourhood of Vauxhall.

HAMMERSMITH-Br. King having been invited to read an essay to the Hammersmith Institute, did so. The subject selected was, Christianity essential to perfect civilization." At the close, several important questions were presented. Among them was asked, "What are we to understand by the Saviour's declaration to Peter, 'I give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven;" and "Is it allowable to dispense with the breaking of the loaf on the first day of the week." These questions compelled the essayist to exhibit some of the great principles of Primitive Christianity. At the close, a vote of thanks was proposed, and those persons who did not approve of the sentiments introduced were requested not to hold up their hands. The expression was nearly unanimous. Several persons were desirous to hear more, and consequently it was arranged that Br. K. should deliver four lectures on Lord's day afternoons in the Temperance Hall. The first was presented on December the 12th, and embraced the following items-The Kingdom of Heaven; what

The attend

it is where it is- its laws-their unalterable character. ance was very good, and some questions were presented at the close. The second," on the Lord's Supper, the time and manner of attending to it, its utility," has been announced for December 26. Several brethren residing in Hammersmith, and having been some time members of a Baptist church, are exceedingly desirous of seeing the original order restored; and we cannot but view them as a few whom the Lord is about to use in this great work.

BRIGHTON-A letter from Br. Errey, who left London somewhere about three years ago, and who has been in Brighton about half that time, informs us of some increase in that quarter. They now number 12. Having the letter at hand, we shall conclude this notice with an extract- I take the present opportunity of addressing a few lines to you, wishing you every blessing which our Heavenly Father has promised to the faithful followers of Jesus. You will be glad to hear of the prosperity of the Church here. Four within the last fortnight have been translated out of the family of the earthly Adam into the kingdom of God's dear Son, having been buried with him in baptism into death, and raised into a new life. We have also good reason to hope that more will soon follow their example, and become living stones in the glorious building. I also rejoice to be able to add that we are all as the heart of one man. We hope soon to be able to have a visit from you. Our bookseller has told me that the Advocate has been given up. This is matter of regret with us, if it be true. We hope it is not."

LEITHAS with us in London, so in Leith. Some brethren, finding it inconvenient to go to Edinburgh, and thinking the Redeemer's kingdom would be extended by meeting in Leith, have resolved to do so The following from a letter from Br. B Campbell will suffice-“I am desired by the congregation assembling in Leith to request you to send them 18 copies of the Bible Advocate for January. I take this opportunity of stating that the congregation in Edinburgh, taking into their consideration the circumstance of several of their number who came from Leith, (an inconvenient dis tance,) in hopes that it might extend the Redeemer's cause and kingdom, resolved to establish a church there; and in order to further so desirable an object, to encourage any of their number who might feel inclined to assemble with them, Accordingly, about three months

since, a church was formed, consisting of 14 members, male and female; and, to onr great satisfaction, we have added one from the Scotch Baptists, and three have put on the Lord by immersion; so that we now number 18 enjoying the sweet fellowship of the Gospel, and are both edified and comforted.

QUERIES.

AGAINST whom did the holy prophets of the Jews, the Saviour of the world and his Apostles, inveigh with the greatest severity.

Ans. The popular clergy. Never were any things spoken by the Saviour of the world, or by the holy Apostles with so much keenness, with so much severity, as their reproofs of, as their denunciations against the popular clergy. Who were the popular clergy in those days?

Ans. Those who pleased the people, taught for hire, and established themselves into an order distinct from the people.

Who are the popular clergy now?

Ans. Those who are trained for the precise purpose of teaching religion as their calling, please the mass of the people, establish themselves into a distinct order, from which they exclude all who are not so trained, and, for hire, affect to be the only legitimate interpreters of revelation.

What are the most effectual means to diminish the power and dominion of the popular clergy?

Ans. The same means which the Lord and his Apostles. used in their day,against those of that time: chiefly to persuade the people to hold fast the holy commandments of the Apostles, and to build themselves up in a Christian faith.Jude. 2 Pet. iii. 2.

Religious knowledge is not intuitive. It must be sought by patient inquiry and the humility of faith. True devotion does not take full possession of the heart until it has long and often breathed earnest applications to the ear of the Most Holy..