Imagens das páginas
PDF
ePub
[blocks in formation]

the time soon come when prejudice, power, bigotry and unbelief, will bow before the word and grace of God. The friends of the BIBLE SOCIETY of Connecticut, ought to be animated to new exertions by all they hear and read on the subject.] ED.

"IF there were any subjects," observed Mr. Gisborne, " concerning which any term indicating coldness, or lukewarmness, was totally at variance, the British and Foreign Bible Society was one of them. He had known that Society from its cradle: and he must efface the strongest impressions on his mind; he must invert his ideas of right and wrong; he must renounce the con

his eyes to the testimony of his experience; before he could be indifferent to the welfare of an institution, which, from the simplicity and the importance of its object; from the solidity and the comprehensiveness of the principle on which that object was pursued, and from the unexam

British and Foreign Bible Society. [The late meeting of this Society was supported by several Princes of the royal family, and a number of persons illustrious in the church and state. Many addresses deliv-viction of his reason; he must shut ered on that occasion have been received that were well adapted to the state of the church and the government in that country. They all demonstrate the popularity, the growing influence and benefits of the Institution, and that God is blessing it for the advancement of evangelical religion. It is a bles-pled support with which, in consesed, a glorious monument of the power of Zion's king, and that all hearts are in his hand; as well as a presage, with many others, that the, time is near when his visible reign will be glorious in the earth. Want of room prevents us from publishing many of their addresses; neither do we conceive them, although highly appropriate to the time and place of delivery, necessary for the perusal of the humble American Christian. An attack was early made on the Society, as being dangerous to the interests of the established church, by its forming an intimate union with the religions of other denominations. This hath been the occasion of altercation by the press, and of many allusions in the meetings of the General and Auxiliary Societies. It will explain several passages in the following address of Mr. GISBORNE, at the formation of an Auxiliary Society in the city of Chester-It clearly appears, that the evangelical party in the established church is still gaining strength and influence. May the

quence of the object and the principle being such as they were, the Society had been favored; had achieved, under the Divine blessing. within a given period, a greater amount of good, than had ever been attained within an equal period, by any association since the beginning of the world Its object was, to dif fuse over the habitable surface of the globe, the pure word of God; to follow as the handmaid of Christianity wherever she had gained introduction; to precede as her fore runner, whithersoever she had not yet procured access; to uphold her progress, to prepare her path The principle was one, which rightly demanded, not merely to be viewed with a tolerant eve, but to be regarded with the warmest approbation. It was that of uniting all Christians of every description on that common ground, on which, without compromising their respective differences of opinion, they could all cordially meet; of associating and combining their exertions in the good work respecting which they were all agreed, the universal diffusion of the Holy Scriptures.

"When he averred, that the Brit- the Society for promoting Christian ish and Foreign Bible Society had Knowledge, and that subscription is effected, within a given period. the whole amount of contribution greater good than had ever been which I can afford to allot for circuaccomplished within an equal time lating the Scriptures; Mr G. hoby any other association, he spoke ped that he should be one of the last without the slightest disrespect to persons in the kingdom, who would any existing societies; and least of urge the other to subscribe to the all as to two, the Society for prop- Bible Society. He would say, 'Your agating the Gospel in Foreign Parts, contribution is already assigned to and the Society for promoting Chris- an excellent institution; there let it tian Knowledge, of each of which remain withdraw not one farthing he had been a member during near- from it for the Bible Society. But ly half of the past duration of his life. are we to assume that individuals But of the Society for propagating are necessarily unable to render help the Gospel, of the Society for promo- to both institutions? Are the two ting Christian Knowledge, of the societies of such a character, that Naval and Military Bible Society, of he who loves the one must hate the the British and Foreign Bible Socie- other? May not a man's heart be ty, of these, and of all other insti- large enough to comprehend and to tutions formed in Great Britain, or love both? May not he be able to in other countries, for the diffusion contribute to both? If a person subof the Scriptures, he would say the scribe to a local dispensary, may not world 18 too wide for then all. he also contribute to a county inWhen years and generations shail firmary? When the Society for prohave passed away, however diligent-moting Christian Knowledge, a large ly each of these Societies shall have proportion of whose revenues is ablabored, it would still see the limits sorbed in its other laudable objects, of the district on which it had been particularly in dispersing the Prayexerting itself, enlarging before its er-book, is altogether unable to supeyes, or would discover portions ply of itself the very great deficiency within that district yet uncultivated, of Bibles which subsists at home; and would rejoice in the accession of when neither is it able, nor does unevery new laborer to the boundless dertake, to engage in the task of field. He lamented to perceive disseminating the scriptures abroad; that by many persons the British when a new institution, the British and Foreign Bible Society had been and Foreign Bible Society, arises for represented as opposed to the Soci- the express purpose of filling up the ety for promoting Christian Knowl- void at home, which the Society for edge; he was concerned, and he promoting Christian Knowledge canmight be allowed to say, that, when not fill; when it offers itself to perfull information respecting the Bi- form that office abroad, which the ble Society was universally attain- other society is totally unable to exable, he was not only concerned, but ecute-shall not we befriend this ashamed, to hear argumentation, and additional institution? Shall not we to read title-pages, professing to as- delight to co-operate in its glorious sign certain reasons for giving the purposes? In fact the Societies for preference to the Society for promo- propagating the Gospel and for proting Christian Knowledge, over the moting Christian Knowledge, the British and Foreign Bible Society.— British and Foreign Bible Society, Preference! Before we are told of and all other associations, in whatpreference, before we are directed ever land, for spreading the Holy to inquire into questions of prefer- Scriptures, ought to regard themence, let it be made out that there selves as parallel columns of a is incompatibility-let it be made combined army, marching onward, out that there is contrariety-let it side by side, for the subjugation of be made out that there is competition a common foe; each of them pre-let it be made out that there is pared and watchful to render assistcontention. If any man were delibance to the other columns, but never erately to say, I am a subscriber to interfering with their progress, nev

[ocr errors]

66

ing that volume on which the foun-dations of the Church of England rest, we are injuring her foundations? Shall we be told that the weakest of her battlements is shaen, that the slightest of her orna

er interrupting their exertions.Each of these columns may be distinguished by standards some what different from those of the resteach of them may discriminate itself by some peculiarities in the form or in the color of its regiment-ments or the most slender of her als-each of them may wield wea- pinnacles trembles? When nineteen pons in some degree exclusively its of the bishops and arch bishops of own; but they are all united in a England and Ireland (he believed general cause; and to each of the from information that he might add individual columns, that man would to the number, but he was desirous be the most pernicious counsellor, of keeping strictly within the line of to the general cause, that man would certain truth); when nineteen of be the most dangerous adversary, these prelates have stood prominent who should persuade one of the col- as friends, as members, or as leadumns jealously to turn the line of its ers of the Bible Society; shall such direction obliquely, to cross upon the an accusation be advanced? There course and thwart the operations of was a prelate, now removed from its neighbor. earth and its concerns; a prelate, When fresh inquiries into the on whose friendly kindness (said condition of our poor, with respect Mr. G.) to myself I may be perto the possession of the Scriptures, mitted to reflect with grateful "satare constantly bringing to light addi- isfaction; a prelate, whose figure tional proots of the extent of the de- and countenance are yet present ficiency when the rapidly increas- to the recollection of many among ing population of the kingdom, as those whom I am addressing; a preevinced by the parliamentary inves- late, whose Christian virtues are tigations, sends forth new multi- remembered with veneration by all: tudes in need of supply: when the -there was a prelate, whose very miseries of war on the Continent name might be in this place suffirender the Bible more difficult to cient to repel the charge. That prebe there procured, more requisite late had cherished the British and for instruction and for consolation-Foreign Bible Society from its birth: more desirable, more likely to be efficacious: when the very signs and circumstances of the times, render every effort which, under the grace of God, we can make for the salvation of our fellow creatures, more powerfully impressive, more adap-has now experienced how blessed ted, humanly speaking, to be successful-shall not we rouse ourselves? Shall not we listen to calls of duty, thus enforced by far more than ordinary considerations and incitements? And shail those among us, who are members of the Church of England, be told, that if in this sacred undertaking they give the right hand of fellowship to Christians of every other denomination, they are enemies to the Establishment? Shall we be told, that by cooperating with those, who as to some points differ from us, in circulating the Scriptures, in spread

[ocr errors]

he had watched over its growing youth-he had rejoiced in its rising manhood. Living, he had patronised that Society with his countenance and with his bounty; dying, he did not forget it. That prelate

are the dead who die in the Lord. He rests from his labors; and his works have followed him; and among those works his good deeds in behalf of the Bible Society have their place. That sun is set: but this horizon long may glow with its reflected beams. The brightness of that prelate's example irradiates the path of the Bible Society over lands from which he is taken away; and shines to lead other bishops of Chester, and other bishops of London, to be--what once was Bishop PORTEUS."

A number of articles, of a domestic nature, which were prepared for this month are necessarily omitted, to make room for the foregin intelligence that we have given.

ED.

[blocks in formation]

REVELATION xiv. 6, 7.

A SERMON, preached at the He readily obeyed the heavenBrick Meeting House, in Hartly mandate, and a solemn scene ford, on the evening of October presented, in which were por20th, 1813, at the mecting of trayed things that would take the Auxiliary Foreign Mission place in the church and the civil Society of the North Associa- world, in generations unborn, untion of the County of Hartford, til the plan of God should be by the Rev. NEHEMIAH PRUD- finished...the judgment set...and DEN, A. M. pastor of the the fate of created intelligences Church of Christ in Enfield. decided for eternity. In this long series of events, some of them have had their accomplishment in different ages of the church, and of the world. And perhaps no age since that of the apostolic has furnished a period fraught with more important events than the present. We live in an age of wondersin the church and state-in the natural-providential, and moral worlds. The seasons have been singular, the earth has quaked-nations have been sha-" ken, and in many places, Jesus Christ,, by his all conquering grace, has uncommonly triumhed, and shown us that Jerusalem can be built even in troublous times.

"And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, saying with a loud voice, Fear God and give glory to him, for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters."

A

Ta certain time, St. John saw in the heavens a door opened, and heard a celestial voice saying to him, come up hither, and I will show thee things which must be hereafter.

VOL. VI. NO. 11.

In discoursing from this sub-
Cc c

ject, some explanation of the words will be given; and the time pointed out when the angel may be said to fly in the midst of heaven.

I. Some explanation of the words will now be given.

them has so much a claim to the title of angel of God, or minister of his word, as from the spirit that reigns in them. When this spirit warms the hearts of God's children, and calls their attention to the same object, to disseminate the gospel among the inhabitants of the earth, it performs the same business of the angel in the text.

The angel is said to fly in the midst of heaven. Heaven in this passage intends the church in this world. To fly, denotes freedom, rapidity, and power to surmount with ease every obstacle. He fiies in the open heaven, or church; having the everlast

It may not be improper to observe in this place, that prophecy is delivered in language either composed, or interspersed with bold and strong figures. Lest we should miss the true import, it is of high importance, that the strictest attention should be paid to the reality from which the figures are taken. For want of this care. the true and natural explanation is sometimes missed, and an erroneous one is adopted.ing gospel to preach to them Then the prophecy will be, of necessity, forced from its proper meaning, and compelled to prove falsehood instead of truth.

In a careful adherence to these remarks, the prophecy in our text will now be explained.

In addition to what St. John had seen of angels, and their employment, the passage of scripture now under consideration informs us that he saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven. Au angel is a messenger of God sent on some important mission. The apostle informs us that angels are ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation. A minister in the church, in scripture language, is called an angel.

The angel, in this passage of inspired truth, may represent to us correctly a minister of the gospel, as he is influenced with a like spirit, and is engaged in the same heavenly employment. But simply on account of their being or existence, neither of

that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people.

These expressions are as extensive as the habitable world— They include all beings, every immortal soul from the rising to the setting sun. In this flight of the angel, the gospel is to be preached in the most clear and public manner. Nor will he cease to fly until this important work is done, and the name of Jesus Christ is universally proclaimed; and his dominion shall extend from sea to sea, and from the river unto earth's remolest corner. Until all such as then see and feel the light of the natural sun, shall see and feel the light of the Sun of righteousness; until the wilderness and the des ert shall blossom as the rose; and the ransomed of the Lord shall return, and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads, and sorrow and sighing shall flee away. ThenGod the Father shall give to the Son, at his request, the Hea

« AnteriorContinuar »