This other schools, in which the Scrip-ratively cold, and gloomy, and bartures are constantly read, and re-ren?" Do not these things prove ligious instruction communicated, the contrary, and afford pleasing to an immense number of the rising evidences of the divine favour and race, from whence very many in-approbation? stances of good have arisen, both It would be difficult to select a in the conversion of children, and period since the primitive age, more especially among the teach- which has been characterized by ers-of the widely extended diffu- more ardent zeal, and evangelical sion of the Scriptures in various activity, than the present. I am dialects and languages throughout aware, indeed, that G. intimates the world-of the growing interest that our success is not adequate to and encouraging success of mis- the moral means employed, nor at sionary efforts in the different de-all equal to that of the apostles. nominations of the incalculable | Can he prove from Scripture, that circulation of religious tracts, many we are warranted to expect the of which have been crowned with same success as the apostles had, the divine blessing-of the very through all the successive periods extended and effectual good which of the Christian Church? has been done, and is now doing would be to look for apostolic sucamong the sailors and soldiers both cess when there are no apostlesat home and abroad-of the highly extraordinary effects from ordinary beneficial exertions of the "Chris-means-a day of pentecost on the tian Instruction Society," by whose return of every sabbath, and three operations in the metropolis and or five thousand souls to be conits environs, there are eleven thou-verted under every sermon !* The sand three hundred and twenty end for which miraculous powers families under stated religious visitation, which contain perhaps not fewer than between fifty and sixty thousand individuals of the accessions to our churches in the inland counties, as stated annually in the association letters, the total of whose members generally, if not universally, shew an increase every year, so that the additions more than repair the wastes of mortality and defection. and influences were imparted to the apostles and others, having been accomplished, and the peculiar circumstances of the primitive age, on account of which they were given, having altogether ceased, their continuance is no longer necessary, nor have we any reason to expect similar results from means which are dissimilar. We "The prayer of faith, it is said, can remove mountains. If any prayer can be But the time would fail, and more effectual than another, it must be that your pages would hardly suffice, of our Saviour on the cross; he prayed for to enumerate all the instances of his murderers, and is it possible that this benevolent and holy exertion, which prayer can fail of procuring for them pardon and happiness? There is a remark of Bicharacterize the present day. Is shop Taylor singularly applicable to this it possible your correspondent G. argument. In the midst of all his torcan be ignorant of, or have over-ments, Jesus made only one prayer of sorlooked these favourable signs of the times? Are these indications of "one universal blight?" or that God is withholding the communications of his Spirit, and in consequence that" every thing is compa muring, no syllable of anger against his British Critic, July. do not in every case know what | tice, in simplicity and singleness of properly constitutes, or wherein heart; and nothing short of a sindivine success consists; a large cere, entire, and universal return proportion of moral and spiritual of ministers and people to that good may be produced by means primitive purity of principle and which open and prepare the minds practice, which is the true glory of of multitudes for the reception of the church, can, under God, inthe gospel, and the saving influ- sure that revival of unity, peace, ences of divine grace. God im- and prosperity, which is now so parts that kind and measure of generally needed. These first moral agency, and spiritual power, principles are recognized in theory, which are best adapted to times and professedly believed by every and circumstances, in perfecting Christian church; but where do we his purposes in the church and the find them exemplified in simplicity world; though we are often un- and godly sincerity? The evil is able to trace the connection and observed, and lamented by many; bearings of the various influences, and the cause may be perceived means, and motives, which he em- and acknowledged by some; but ploys. The signs and movements what means are employed, what which mark the benevolent and efforts are used to seek and obtain pious proceedings of the present day, the all-important blessing? Minisunquestionably promote the cause ters and churches in every denomiof God and truth, and are paving nation, ought to lay this subject the way for great and gracious most seriously to heart, earnestly benefits to mankind. Who can inquire into their respective states calculate the holy and happy re- and circumstances, and consult sults which will ensue, from all and co-operate in whatever meathe multiplied means and instru- sures may be considered suitable ments which are now in combined to the occasion. and active operation, the objects of which are to instruct the ignorant, reclaim the guilty, and to save the lost, and that on a more extended scale than perhaps was ever before known? In a concern of such personal and universal importance, every Christian should examine himself -begin with searching his own heart and ways; every family professing Christianity should look Your correspondent G. further well into their domestic religious intimates, and it is hihgly proba- conduct, in all their relative duties. ble, that the want of faith is one and dependencies;-every Chrischief cause of the evils which we tian minister should exhort the mutually deplore; but for our faith church of his charge, to know from to be divine, it must be founded on whence they have fallen, and by divine testimony. What we believe what means they may be restored. ought to be the truth of God, or It is most natural and proper, our faith will be little other than that the respective pastors of the fancy, and disappoint our expec- churches should take the lead in tations. One principal cause of this great concern: let them, therethe evils lamented is, undoubtedly, fore, commence with an earnest a general and awful departure and affectionate appeal to their from primitive principles; we have members and hearers, and endeacertainly fallen away from a faith-vour by every possible means, to ful adherence to the apostolic doc-awaken the attention, and rouse trine, discipline, spirit and prac- the dormant energies to thought and action, that the subject may, by fervent prayer, and active vigilance, be fully brought under devout and diligent consideration. Of what avail will it be, merely to state the fact, and listlessly lament the consequences? The churches, therefore, must look to their leaders, who will best shew the way by going first themselves. It is a trite, but true remark, confirmed by ecclesiastical history, that "as is the pastor, so are the people;" if the former be actively useful, disinterested, devout, and heartily devoted to the cause of Christ, so will the church of his charge generally be; but if the pastor is habitually cold, formal, and inactive, the people will commonly be found the same. The example and influence, therefore, of pastors, as well as their responsibility, are incalculably great. The flock follows where the shepherd leads. The angels of the seven churches, in the Revelation of John, were not only the representatives of, but are themselves individually identified with the characters of their respective churches, and are personally addressed as such "I know THY works," &c.; and are censured or commended accordingly. Almost every thing relating to the welfare and prosperity of Christian churches, depends, under God, on the devotedness, fidelity, and affection of the pastors. Your Correspondent seems aware of this, by the free and faithful remarks which he offers respecting them. He very properly observes, that "the original spirit of Christian enterprise was renunciation of human resources, and reliance on God for protection and success." The apostles (he observes) went forth without any human prospect of achieving their designs-they had no funds to secure their main tenance, no patrons among the great, no scientific attainments to recommend them to the learned. The apostles (he adds) did this from the most perfect simplicity of heart, and rejected the dictates of human policy, as they rejected the rites of Jupiter." Where, he asks, are we to look for such men, and motives, except in the records of the primitive age? But, your Correspondent G. himself being judge, is there not an undue reliance placed on the respectability of the characters of pastors-their talents, and the wisdom of their plans? "Do they discover no disposition to govern the churches by considerations of expediency, rather than by apostolic precept and precedent?" Is it true that our ministers now do "not dare to act in some cases according to the plain directions of Christ, because it will be dangerous to their reputation or their peace?" G., much to his credit, confesses he is conscious he is not innocent. Oh! that the majority of his ministerial brethren were also deeply conscious of their defects: then might we have the prospect of a glorious revival and amendment, and the church and the world would soon witness holier and happier days. Notwithstanding, however, the many imperfections which still attach to the Christian Church, I am fully persuaded, that a dispassionate and impartial consideration of its present state, will fill every pious heart with hope and joy, and inspire a confidence that God, so far from having forsaken his people, is now remembering and visiting his church in mercy, and will continue to impart brighter, and still brighter beams of divine light and truth, till the latter-day glory shall burst on the world in all its transforming celestial splendour. Besides the numerous instances already referred to, of a very pleas-ousness, and not exclaim, “this is ing and encouraging character, in the finger of God!"* our own kingdom, it is a fact, With such decidedly divine infounded on indubitable testimony, terpositions as these, shall it be that the other quarters of the globe asserted that "one universal blight shew a very decided improvement appears to pervade the whole Chrisin morals and religion, when com- tian church," and that " every pared with their condition in those thing is cold, and gloomy, and respects at no great distance of barren?" Should there be others time. The accounts from the East besides G. (let us hope there are Indies, furnished by missionaries not many) whose mental vision is and others, inform us, that a most so obscured, that notwithstanding important and universal change for all the light and evidence around the better has been effected there, them, they do not perceive the within thirty years, in the moral merciful operations of God's hand state of society, by the translation in the church, we should pity and and circulation of the Scriptures, pray for them, in language once and religious tracts, and by preach- uttered on another occasioning and conversation; through Lord, open the eyes of these which means many have been con- men, that they may see!" verted to God. In the West Indies, also, there has been great good done among the immense population of poor, perishing, enslaved negroes. They flock, it is said, in vast multitudes, with eagerness and joy to hear the Gospel, and very many have been converted and saved. Accounts by different missionaries from most of those Islands have been highly gratifying and animating. An extraordinary and extensive moral change also has been wrought, in the large population of the South Sea Islands, whose inhabitants have been turned from dumb idols to serve the living God; and hence the entire habits, character, and condition of large and populous districts are wonderfully improved. Besides the good which has been done, and is now doing in Africa, the astonishing revivals and extraordinary grace which has been experienced in the American churches, might be mentioned. Upwards of ten thousand members have been added to their different religious societies in one year. Who can witness such accessions to the cause of truth and righte If we should be insensible to, and unthankful for, those signal interpositions of his power and goodness, God may righteously give us up to judicial blindness and obduracy of heart. Let us rather be concerned to look well to our own hearts, faithfully to examine the motives under whose influence we are contributing to the promotion of this good and glorious cause, to give our dissatisfaction and our fears a personal direction; while, with respect to the Christian church at large, nei worthy of notice that all the moral and reWith the exception of America, it is ligious improvements which have, through the divine blessing, been effected in the different quarters of the globe, have emanated exclusively from Britain- a hopeful and deadness, she is not, in religious exertion, totally barren and blasted. We had almost forgotten to mention the indubitable proofs which are given of this in the very extensive and still increasing exertions which are now in successful progress in the sister kingdom. If dormant souls in England see it not, Ireland will rise from her too long continued moral degradation, and say, Blessed be God for British Christians! gratefully bailing an emancipation from the dreadful shackles of sin and death. proof this, that with all her moral defects ther being immoderately depressed in a state of opposition to God. on the one hand, nor improperly PASTORAL SKETCHES. No. IV. Unexpected Usefulness. G. B. Let such of my readers, who have sat for years enjoying the privileges of the gospel, without believing in Christ, be assured that their condemnation will be awfully heightened, by the recollection of the blessings with which they were indulged. As the servants of the Lord No feature in the character of the Jesus are so intent on the present Lord Jesus was more striking, than and future happiness of their hearhis constant affection for the souls ers, it must be a source of grief to of men. How ardently did he de-them, when they seem to labour for sire their salvation; how faithfully a lengthened period without appadid he warn them of their danger; rent success. Such men have and with what fervent love did he sometimes doubted whether they invite them to the paths of happi- have been called to the work of ness! And when the messages of the ministry: some of them have his mercy were disregarded, when suffered greatly from their depreshis admonitions were slighted, and sion of spirits, and some in despair when sinners chose rather to walk of success, have even retired from in the paths of perdition than to the work in which they had enenter his fold, how would he re-gaged. tire from the crowd to vent his desirable for Ministers to recollect sorrows in secret, over the pride and depravity of their hearts! In these respects, the Christian Pastor resembles "the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls." He comes forth from his study, where he has just held intercourse with his great Master, bearing a "burden" of instruction for his people; of mercy for the penitent, and of threatenings for the obdurate rebel against God. There is no object lies so near his heart, as the salvation of his charge; no desire exists in his breast, so lively as that of presenting every man perfect before the presence of God in the last great day of account. The death of an impenitent sinner from under his ministry, is a matter of the deepest concern to the true servant of Jesus. He weeps lest his departed hearer should have to charge him with being unfaithful, and he grieves over the gloomy prospect that presents itself to the man who departs from the world It would, however, be that it is very seldom, if ever, that they know the full extent of their usefulness in the present state. Many an individual hears the gospel, believes it, and slips out of the world to enjoy its future blessings, altogether unknown to him by whose means he "tasted that the Lord is gracious." And how often has it been the case that, many years after a minister has sown the good seed of the kingdom, it has sprung up and borne fruit where he least expected to find it. With a view of imparting encouragement to such of my honoured brethren who may be discouraged for want of success, I beg permission to relate a few facts. The first I received a few days ago from a respectable minister of our Denomination; for the correctness of the others I am myself answerable. Forty years ago, or more, an excellent man, who had long been |