The nature of the Holy Spirit's office, thus designated, appears to be generally misunderstood. By some unauthorized analogy, he is, perhaps, uniformly described, as if our Comforter, or Advocate, which is no where sanctioned by divine revelation. The title rather expresses his office in relation to the Godhead, as exercised in the economy of salvation. And in this view it appears to have been understood, not only by the impostor Mahomet, and much earlier, by the fanatical, yet probably devout and holy Montanus, who applied the character to themselves; but also by allowedly orthodox fathers of the church. (Mosheim Eccl. Hist. ch. v. apud me, vol. 1. p. 237, note.)

1. It is reasonable to conclude, that a similar office and relation is indicated by this epithet when applied to the Holy Spirit, and when applied to Jesus Christ. Then the case will stand thus; as Christ is our Advocate with the Father, or the Godhead in relation to man; so the Holy Spirit is the Father's advocate with us. As our Advocate, Christ undertakes and manages our affairs in the world above; and as God's Advocate, the Holy Spirit manages his affairs in the world below.

2. Under this title, the Holy Spirit is promised by our Lord, as his substitute; for in promising the Spirit as another Advocate, Jesus Christ suggests that he had hitherto fulfilled the same office. Now his business had been," not to seek his own will, but the will of him that sent him;" to glorify his Father on the earth, &c. other words, he had acted on God's behalf, instructing, admonishing, pleading with men. Thus also, as the Paraclete, the Holy Spirit, by his influences, carries on the work of Christ, the cause of God among men.

In

3. The work which this Para

clete was to perform, not only accords with the interpretation. now advocated, but shows, that the office thus designated does not refer merely to believers as such. The particulars of that work, given in the passages above mentioned, describe him, not as comforting, defending, protecting the disciples; but as engaged with men in behalf of God: "the spirit of truth, abiding in them; teaching them; bringing all things to their remembrance which Jesus had spoken; guiding them into all the truth, that they might be witnesses for him; testifying of Christ; convincing the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment."

4. There is, however, one passage in immediate connexion with the last referred to above, which appears decisive on the question, John xvi. 13, 14. "He shall not speak of himself, but what he shall hear, that shall he speak;" i. e. he shall make communications to you, not as one acting in his own right, but as one acting under a commission, an advocate, ambassador, or vicegerent. "He shall glorify me, for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you;" i. e. by his inspiration and holy influence, he shall carry forward the work which I have begun. And as my business has been to glorify the Father, or to illustrate and exemplify the divine character; so his business shall be to glorify me, by revealing the nature and excellence of my mediatorial character and kingdom, imparting also those influences by which my purposes are to be accomplished."

It appears, then, that under the character of Paraclete, or advocate, the Holy Spirit is to be considered as operating in behalf of God; and that his office is to effectuate the purposes of redemption, both in men and by the instru mentality of men, for "the praise of the glory of his grace."

H.*

ON CRUELTY TO THE BRUTE CREATION.

(To the Editors.)

GENTLEMEN,-I was much pleased to read the review of Dr. Chalmers's admirable sermon on Cruelty to Animals, which appeared in a recent number of your work; not only because the subject was treated with the talent which is usually discoverable in your Magazine, but also as an evidence of the increasing solicitude which the public feel on this subject. That a deep interest was felt in the cause of humanity to the brute creation by the people of Edinburgh, where that sermon was delivered, is evident from the fact, that the audience began to collect round the doors of the church at an early hour, and when they were opened, the crowd was immense, and the rush was very great. The aisles were so crowded, that it was with considerable difficulty persons of the highest distinction could get to their seats, and the effect was equal to the interest of the subject, and the talents of the preacher. Dr. Chalmers will probably, in a short time, further discuss this subject, as he has consented to preach in London for the benefit of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. This Society, which I am sorry to say is but little known, and imperfectly supported, has rooms, 72, Quadrant, Regent Street, where the Committee hold their meetings to transact business. Its

We regret to learn from another correspondent, that this benevolent Society has received so small a share of public support, that they have been compelled to suspend the efficient services of their inspector, Charles Wheeler, who has prosecuted upwards of 400 cases of wanton cruelty, &c. During the past two months he has been employed by private individuals, in which time he has prosecuted 37 cases, of which 19 were Paddington coachmen. Despicable as the character of a common informer is usually regarded, yet, in reference to the rude classes, who

good effects are sufficiently manifest in the improved, though imperfect state, of Smithfield Market, who have the management of horses and the general conduct of those who have the management of horses and cattle. Formerly, when a humane person interfered with the drivers, he was loaded with the coarsest abuse, and that hacknied defence, which they had learned from those interested in the Slave Trade, "I shall treat my own property as I like," was always ready to be advanced. But, since the passing of the

"Act to prevent the cruel treatment of cattle," on remonstrance being made, their conduct is so far changed, that they endeathe charge, knowing, that if the vour by every means to extenuate number of the badges, coach, or cart were taken, and application be liable to a fine. Notwithstandmade at a police office, they would ing the great benefit which the from this Act, it is very imperfect, cause of humanity has derived and in many respects inefficient. "With the art and mystery of the killing trade," by which thousands refinement of cruelty, not merely of animals die daily, with horrible that man may live, but (such a fiend is avarice to deprave the heart), that their hunger, their thirst, their tortures, their dying ward of the epicure! this Act agonies, may purchase the rehorrify your readers by opening I will not the blood-stained door of slaughter-houses, and showing in what manner man executes his "dominion" over the brute creation given to him in charge by his bountiful Maker, when he said, "Into your hands are they delivered." But, when I think of these atrocities, I cannot forbear

does not interfere.

our

are the objects of this notice, no ordinary individual regarding his personal safety would venture to contend with them, and we therefore wish Wheeler may receive the support of those who sympathize with the creation.--ED.

expressing a doubt, which has frequently occurred to my mind, whether our thanksgiving for daily food can be acceptable to God, whilst mercy, his loveliest attribute, is thus deliberately set at defiance, and without any resist ance by us. I will mention only one other department of cruelty, out of a great number, to which the above valuable Act does not apply, which is the barbarous diversions which are exhibited in different parts of London, in the baiting of bears and badgers, and in the fighting of dogs and cocks. In these places the poor animals seem to exist only for torture. When these cruel diversions are held, the bear is dragged from his den, worried and torn by the fiercest dogs in succession, till each can protract the combat no longer. Then the badger is attacked by dogs in succession, and if not killed, is reserved for another conflict. The dog-fights, which are to decide some wager made by their brutal masters, frequently end in the death of one or both of these generous animals. Will any one say, that such" dominion" over the animal creation is in accordance with due reverence to the God of mercy who formed them; and might not we ourselves have been made by our Creator in their humble dependant situation? There is a view of these scenes, which must deeply interest every Christian the inseparable connection between cruelty and impiety. In no other situation, under no other circumstances, can a person have an opportunity of witnessing impiety to such degree, as in these places; and one visit only would convince the most sceptical, that Milton's description of Pandemonium falls far short even of earthly depravity. But it surely is to be hoped, that a simultaneous movement will be made by all parties, in every part of the empire; already have seve

IN a populous district of one of the midland counties, a neat chapel has lately been erected for the benefit of numerous families around. It is situated in the village of A, where the officiating clergyman of the establishment in the neighbouring town had wished for several years to erect a chapel of ease, but, according to his own acknowledgment, with no hope of accomplishing his object, from the apathy of the successive Lords Bishops of the diocese. Several persons of our denomination, residing on the spot, having invited a worthy individual, whom I shall name Mr. Goodman, to minister to them in

holy things, they determined on building a suitable place of worship. A well-wisher to their cause, of the Episcopal communion, generously offered them a piece of ground, and materials to a considerable amount. This matter reaching the ears of the evangelical clergyman, whom I shall name Dr. Fox, he sent for the donor aforesaid, and so sharply reproved him for aiding and abetting Dissenters, that the person revoked his benefaction, and conveyed the piece of ground for a valuable consideration. The building proceeded, and preparations were making for the executing of a deed to place it in trust. When the draught was prepared, the Rev. Doctor sent for the lawyer, and took upon himself, without any right or authority whatever, to insert, with his own hand, in the margin of the paper, and to cause the lawyer to add, certain clauses, the most extraordinary that can be well conceived-the bearing of which, to those ac. quainted with the circumstances, cannot be mistaken.

The deed itself is not constructed on congregational principles, though it expresses the use of the place to be for the denomination called "Independents." This error is to be attributed to the simplicity of the good people, and their ignorance of legal technicalities, together with the unsuitableness of the lawyer employed. But the clauses above referred to are the point to which attention is requested. They are as follows:

"And, if at any time the said trustees, or two-thirds of their number, shall consent thereto, it shall be lawful to have the said meeting-house consecrated by the Bishop of the diocese, for an Episcopal chapel, according to the usages, rites, and customs of the Church of England, as by law established. Or if it shall happen, at any time hereafter, that the said

trustees, or the majority of the inhabitants of A, aforesaid, shall consider such chapel unnecessary, in consequence of any Episcopal chapel being built around, then it shall be lawful for the said trustees to convert the said meeting-house into a dwelling-house, or for such other purposes as they shall think proper. And, upon sale thereof, if any money shall remain after satisfaction of any mortgage which shall be made upon the said premises, and all other incidental expenses, that then it shall be lawful for the said trustees to apply the same toward the expenses of the said Episcopal chapel, or to such other charitable purposes as they may think proper."

Another clause provides, that if the law should ever disallow our worship, the trustees shall dispose of the property for charitable purposes.

The deed being engrossed, the parties were summoned to execute it; when Dr. Fox appeared at the meeting on behalf of the person conveying the land, and took on himself to read to the trustees, who were all plain men, the instrument prepared under his direction. The parties signed their names; but when the obnoxious and surreptitious clauses, foisted in by Dr. Fox and his friend the solicitor, came to be known to the trustees, they were indignant, and declared that they signed in utter ignorance of such clauses, for that they had not heard a syllable of them from the Doctor's lips as he read the deed. Some stir being made, an agreement was shortly entered into by the trustees to convey the chapel to other trustees, "for such trusts, intents, and purposes, as are usual in deeds of trust of meeting-houses of Protestant Dissenters of the denomination aforesaid, and approved by the Committee of Deputies of the three denominations of Protestant Dissenters."

It should be mentioned, that the deed provides for the raising of £200. by way of mortgage, which has been done: so that if the mortgage should foreclose, and the clauses of the trust-deed should be permitted to operate, the result might be, that, in a few years, the new chapel at A. might enjoy the benefit of Dr. Fox's labours, or at least of his patronage, and Mr. Goodman and his friends must remove, and get another place erected, if they can, at the expense of their dear-bought experience. However, it is to be hoped that Dr. Fox's snare will be broken, and that these worthy, simple-hearted people, and their children's children, will be permitted to assemble peacefully in this house of prayer, and that, instead of the case anticipated

somehow by Dr. Fox, that their worship shall be "disallowed by law," the just rights and privileges of good and conscientious subjects of this realm will, ere long, be fully and entirely enjoyed: for, whatever may be the wishes and endeavours of the established clergy, whether evangelical or not, can we imagine either that the nation at large, or the House of Brunswick, will consent even to an abridgment of those just rights and privileges as at present enjoyed, and for which our forefathers" suffered the loss of all things;" but rather do we anticipate that full recognition of Protestant Dissenters by the State, which will for ever quash the anticipations of such men as Dr. Fox.

XXIII.-Rev. Wm. Romaine to John Thornton, Esq. Clapham. Fryday Morning. HON. SIR-I cannot see ye motive for your reproof, but whatever it was, I fall under it, and stand corrected. I have not a word to say for myself before God or man. I cry peccavi. My mouth was never more stopt about self-defence, than at present. Although I am persuaded of God's special love to my soul, and of ye free forgiveness of sins, yet I feel it daily hard fighting against them, now at the close of ye battle, very, very hard—yea, so hard, that I am stript of every great and high conceit of myself, and am forced every moment to renounce all self-confidence. There is not a man in the world more exercised

with ye body of sin, or more plagued with its continual opposition to God's most holy will. In these sore conflicts, there is not a sin that can be committed, but I find it in me, and if God leave me to myself, may be committed by me. In this situation your reproof found me, acknowledging that salvation never did come, nor possibly can come, to one less deserving of it than I am.

Go on, then, Sir. Repeat your charges. Make one fault a thousand. Multiply

that by thousands, by tens of thousands, yet still you are far short. I feel more than you can number. I have nothing in me, nothing done by me, nothing I can even think of which is mine own, but what, God knoweth, I loath and abhor myself for. If ever I said or did any thing praise-worthy, it was ye Lord's entirely. The will, ye power, ye success was his. He has all ye honour. What was blame-worthy, it was altogether mine own. I take the shame of it to humbling which he felt, who confessed, myself, and wish for more of that true I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. Every thing that brings, and keeps a deep sense of this alive on my soul is profitable, because it is the means of keeping up communion with the Alviction, that I have no failings pardoned mighty Saviour. It affords a fresh conthrough his grace. And, I trust, I am but through his blood, nor subdued but living to learn to magnify him for both. In which, if you will give me your prayers, it is ye only favor I have to ask of you, and a great favor it is; ye Lord incline your heart to do it fervently, in brotherly love, such as I feel towards Ŏ pray, Lord bless you to pray W. ROMAINE.

for

you.