Imagens das páginas
PDF
ePub

being in its infant state, and the human mind considered as unprepared for more direct and clear discoveries, the mode of revelation by external, visible signs and figures was preferred as better adapted to the state of the system and the condition and capacity of man.

4. The mode of exhibiting subjects by typical representations is very instructive and pleasing. The general object being suggested and the type produced, it is an agreeable exercise for the mind to investigate the subject, apprehend the mysterious signification of it, and discern the consent between the type and the substance. Hence communicating instruction by types, metaphors, allegories and

instead of edifying, will confuse and disgust the mind.

This arduous and difficult work we are now attempting, not without many suspicions and fears of the issue; but God can lead the blind in the way that they know not, make darkness light before them, rough places smooth, and perfect his praise out of the mouths of babes and sucklings. If any man lack wisdom let him ask it of God who giveth liberally and upbraideth not.

TO THE EDITORS OF THE CON-
NECTICUT EVANGELICAL MA-
GAZINE.

GENTLEMEN,

SHOULD you think the fol

parables, hath always been lowing letter from a lady in Ver

grateful and pleasing to the mind.

5. The work of redemption, the great object of all scriptural types, is so very complicated, that it cannot be fully exhibited by any one individual type, and this hath given occasion for a great variety, each of which hath its peculiar object, and they collectively exhibit the wonderful work in its importance, beauty and glory most attentively.--But hence,

mont to her sister in Connecticut, on the death of her first child, of any use to the cause of religion, I am authorised to present you the copy-tho' it was not originally designed for publication.

My dear Sister,

MY

Y mind is so filled with a variety of sensations, and so many things crowd upon it at once, that I have been some

6. To explain the types be-time deliberating in what manner comes a work very arduous and to begin my letter. difficult, requiring great skill and judgment to discern their nature and object, and, not exceeding their proper limits, to apply them according to their original design. While this exhibits their propriety and utility, and makes them an happy mean of important and pleasing instruction, to misunderstand and misapply them, will distort and divest them of their beauty, and

When I received your kind favor by Mr. F—, I thought best to omit writing you until I knew how divine providence would dispose of me, in an hour which I then expected would soon take place the hour arrived just three weeks ago this morning, when I was made the mother of a lovely daughter myself and babe remarkably well--without any hesitancy we

gloomy, the divine conduct may appear to sinful short sighted mortals.

consecrated it in baptism and, gave it your name-five days we were permitted to enjoy it apparently in health-but where, dear sister! where is it now? Yes terday we committed the little perishable part to the grave.ration, then surely the exit of

For a fortnight we were exercised with alternate hopes and fears, and I held it with a trembling hand, sensible I had no right to it, in any sense of the word, which in the least precluded the absolute right of God; my little seeming right, however, I trust I had given back to the Lord long before its birth ; it never, I think, has been so much my desire, that it might live, as that it might be a sanctified one. Surely I have no right to complain; and I think my heart cheerfully acquiesces in the divine right to take it, and to dispose of it as seemeth good in his sight; and the event shows that the good of his kingdom demanded that it should be taken from its mother's embrace; and should then my heart withhold it for my own private comfort? Had it been continued in life it might have proved a snare and been an occasion more and more, and yet perhaps imperceptibly, of drawing off my affections from him on whom they ought supremely to be fixed; or it might so have conducted in life, as greatly to dishonor God and bring me in a more advanced age with sorrow to the grave; at any rate I know it must be best as it is; infinite wisdom cannot err, infinite goodness must choose; and infinite power must execute what is best. "God is love," therefore nothing can take place in his system but manifestations of love, however adverse, dark and VOL. V. No. 4.

If a little sparrow falleth not to the ground, but only pursuant to God's eternal plan of ope

my babe, which was of more value than many sparrows, must have been in the wise plan of God-therefore my soul must, and will say amen. Not one pain did my poor distressed infant suffer for which I had any right to impeach either the wisdom or justice of God-trifling were the pains of the mother, however, when it was brought into life, compared to those of seeing it suffer such agonies as were inflicted; but I repeat it, that all was right.

Last week our parents came over to make us a short visit, and to rejoice with us, on the birth of my first born; but alas! they found us in circumstances of affliction. Our father being obliged to return home, left mother here, who has, however, returned to day; so that I am as it were alone, and yet, blessed be God, I am not alone, for I enjoy, I hope, in some degree, the promissed comforter.

How great are the consolations of the blessed gospel ? What can afford quiet to the mind equal to a confidence in the rectitude of the divine government? What can ravish the heart more than a perception of the glorious, the beautiful character of God, shining through all the pages of divine Revelation? But when we attempt to speak of the Christ of God, and the astonishing grace manifested through him to a rebellious world, we must be filled with astonishment at his condescen

T

sion and love.
therefore, for me to murmur
against God-for what can he
inflict which I do not deserve ?
Dear sister, let your prayers be
in concert with mine, that this
dispensation of divine provi-
dence may be sanctified, and
abundantly made up by those
sweet consolations of God's holy
spirit which are better, yea,
far better than the unsanctified
enjoyment of sons and daugh-
ters; let it serve to quicken us
both in the divine life, and may it
excite you renewedly, to give up
yourself, your companion, your
children and your all, unreserv-
edly, and unconditionally to God;
for if with congenial hearts, we
possess full confidence in the
rectitude of all the divine con-
duct, what can prevent such a
dedication? Eternity is just at
hand-soon will the scene of
life be closed-soon must we
appear at the tribunal of God-
and Oh, that we might appear on
the right hand of the judge-
and may we find our little Sally
there.

What rebellion, she was restored to you, and that in mercy I trust. You must, dear sister, and you will, consider your children as not your own, in any sense which precludes the absolute right of him who has committed them to your care-a care how important! They are intrusted with you under the sacred injunction, that you should bring them up for God. I am ready to tremble for myself, (as I was married into the care of children) and for all parents in the land of gospel light, especially when I read what was said to them under a darker dispensation, when we enjoy the meridian sun-shine of the gospel-I allude more particularly Deut. vi. and vii.-Neglect arising from ignorance under that dispensation, might be winked at with respect to many; but ignorance under gospel light, betrays a heart alienated from God, and must therefore be considered wilful and inexcusable. O let us not, my dear sister, follow the multitude, either to do positive evil or omit known duty.

He who took little children in his arms and blessed them, announcing at the same time, that of such was the kingdom of heaven, was able to wash away the original pollution of this child, renovate its nature, and clothe it in robes of his own righteousness-if such was the grace bestowed it was taken from the evil to come-has escaped all the trials, temptations and sorrows of this life, and therefore will be the happier for the pains it endured in its short continuance here. You easily conceive of a mother's anguish, when you call to mind the distressed situation your eldest was in while an infant; but

to

I conclude you are now settled in Hd, and am much pleased that you are in so good a situation to enjoy the means of grace-and hope your worldly circumstances are eligible and sufficient for your comfortable support and usefulness in life. You will not surely expect hap. piness from the things of the world, for all is delusory and vain.

I am affectionately yours, &c.

B B

LITCHFIELD, Aug. 16, 1804.

To the COMMITTEE of the TRusTEES of the MISSIONARY SoCIETY of CONNECTICUT.

GENTLEMEN,

WILL you please to accept, and take the disposal of thirty-three dollars fifty-six cents, contributed by an Association of Females, in the first Society of this town. The object of the contribution is specified in the Constitution of this Association, a copy of which, we send you inclosed. It will be seen that the hint and principal part of the plan, was taken from a similar institution in the county of Hampshire, Massa

chusetts.

Should it be thought favoraShould it be thought favorable to the general promotion of the same charitable disposition, and in this way be coincident with the views of your Society, and to the advancement of the cause of our common Lord, the enclosed can, if you think proper, be submitted to the Editors for insertion in the Connecticut Evangelical Magazine.

P. S. As Mrs. Eliza W. Huntington, is by the Constitution, receiver for the Female Association in Litchfield, she will be considered their agent in their transactions with your Society.

THE Trustees of the Connecticut Missionary Society, at their last meeting, passed a vote of thanks to the Female Association in the first Society in the town of Litchfield, for the generous collection, which is mentioned in the preceding letter.

PLAN of a FEMALE ASSOCIA,

AT

TION.

Ta time when eminent and successful exertions are making in the world, to spread the knowledge of our dear Redeemer; it would be pleasing to observe that sex, who have formerly distinguished themselves as his firmest friends, now more generally among the foremost to honor him.

Benevolent and devout women ministered to our Lord's necessities, when he was here upon earth-great was their faith in his promises, after his death. Many such there now are, who minister to him, tho' in heaven, by ministering to the ties of his disciples and friends; spiritual and temporal necessiand who look forward, with faith and joy to that happy period, when the knowledge and glory of the Lord, shall fill the earth. ther to hasten his coming and Whatever is done by them, eikingdom, or to relieve or comfort his needy followers, he receives and rewards as a kindness done to himself.

It is believed that his cause would obtain material aid if the liberal and pious women of our towns, would more generally unite among themselves, if only to raise a small sum, annually, to be employed, in sending the truths of his life-giving word where at present there is an unhappy destitution.

To give the good women of the town of an opportunity of thus knowing the Lord with their substance, in a way too, which will be very little burdenproposed-believing that the apsome, to most, a plan is here probation of their own consciences, and the tender mercies of

our blessed Redeemer, will be their rich and abundant reward.

A PLAN of a FEMALE AssoCIATION in the town of — for the purpose of an annual contri- | bution, for the purchase, and charitable distribution of the HoLr BIBLE, and other pious, Christian writings, among the needy inhabitants of the new settlements, in the United States.

son or persons, with whom it is left, to the Treasurer of the Connecticut Missionary Society. All monies so paid, shall be sacredly appropriated to the sole purpose of purchasing copies of the Holy Bible, and other pious, Christian writings, according to the best discretion of the Trustees, or their Committee, and by them be distributed amongst the needy and least informed inhabitants of the new settlements of the United States.

We the subscribers, animated by the successful exertions of many benevolent persons in our own country, and in other parts IV. Each subscriber is at liof the Christian world, to spread berty to discontinue her subthe knowledge of the "blood- scription, at the end of each bought salvation," through the year, by notifying the receiver earth; tenderly affected with of their contributions, of such the spiritual embarrasments and discontinuance; and is to be perishing necessities of multi-considered a member of the Astudes of our fellow-immortals, sociation, until such discontinuin the remote, destitute settle-ance is regularly notified. ments of our own country; and desirous of casting our mite into our Lord's treasury, for the furtherance of his gospel-Do associate together for the purpose of mutual assistance and encouragement, in pursuing measures for the extensive distribution of the Holy Scriptures, and other pious writings of Christ's faithful servants.

We unite ourselves by the name of the Charitable Female Association of under the following articles:

I. This Association shall consist of women, either married or single, who shall subscribe our articles.

II. Each subscriber shall pay to some suitable person or persons, belonging to the Society,

one cent every week, or fifty

cents by the year; the year to end with the month of Septem

ber.

III. All monies, thus contri-buted, shall be sent by the per

V. Regulations may be made by the members of the Association as shall by them be found useful.

Relying on the guidance and blessing of the dear Immanuel; praying for the success of his kingdom; and humbly waiting on him for a reward, we mutually covenant together, and subscribe our names severally to the foregoing articles.

Religious Intelligence.

Mr. KICHERER'S Mission to the Hottentots, extracted from the "Religious Monitor," c. printed at Edinburgh.

of God appears to have

HIS distinguished servant

been prepared, in a peculiar manner for missionary labors. At an early period of life, he happened to read Cook's Voy

« AnteriorContinuar »