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The Editors have thought it right, during this year, to admit papers ou a controverted subject, relating to their own denomination; viz. “Whether baptism be or be not a term of communion at the Lord's table?"-They are aware of the delicacy which is required in regard to this dispute, and must claim the confidence of their brethren as to what shall be printed, and as to the extent to which the controversy shall be carried. They feel persuaded that all their readers would have regretted, had not two admirable letters, from brethren differing in opinion, been published in answer to taunts and inuendoes that have recently appeared in a monthly dissenting Review;* which, from the first of its establishment, has been indebted chiefly to the able support and liberal encouragement of persons belonging to our Denomination. While the spirit manifested in the letters, referred to, is maintained and preserved, there will be no danger that any disruption of the Denomination will be occasioned:-for, though there may be a difference in sentiment, yet the most cordial interchange of kind and friendly offices, it is hoped, will be continued, and the associations of our churches remain undisturbed.

The Editors earnestly request Ministers, and others of reputation in the Denomination, to employ their influence to promote the increased circulation of the Magazine: if some active person in each of our churches, would undertake to make its objects generally known, its sale, though considerable, might be greatly extended.

That the Divine blessing may descend in copious showers to water and fructify every hill of Mount Zion, and to make the places round about it a blessing'; and that the Magazine may be rendered an eminent mean for promoting evangelical and correct principles among our Churches, is the ardent and sincere prayer of

Dec. 1, 1824.

THE EDITORS.

See the Eclectic Review for Sept. 1824; Artiole, "Mr. Hinton's

Portraiture."

Baptist Magazine.

JANUARY, 1824.

ON THE EPISTLES TO THE SEVEN CHURCHES. INTRODUCTORY ESSAY.

would rest satisfied with any au- It is generally thought that the thority but that which has the appearance of our Lord Jesus to stamp of the divine seal, and the | John, when in the Isle of Patmos, imprimatur of the Saviour's hand. was about the year 96; conseSuch are the infallible marks quently it proves the abiding comand evidences by which the passion of the Saviour's heart toEpistles to the Seven Churches of wards his churches. He had Asia are attested and confirmed, twice appeared since his ascenIt is HE that speaks, whose sion to glory before this; at the voice was "as the sound of many time when Stephen fell a martyr waters," in whose " right hand to his cause, and when Paul was were the seven stars," the angels commissioned to carry the gospel of the seven churches; "out of to the Gentiles. Nor was this whose mouth went a sharp two-occasion of less importance, as edged sword," the sword of the these churches required, from the Spirit, which is the word of God; many corruptions that had crept and who, as the great High-priest into them, the correcting voice of of our profession, “ walked in | Him who speaketh from heaven, the midst of the seven candle- all inferior considerations, it may sticks," the "seven churches." be supposed, having lost their In Epistles like these we may be influence over them. When it is sure to find sentiments of eternal considered that scarcely more truth, enforced by arguments than half a century had passed dictated by heavenly love, whe-away since the day of Pentecost, ther designed for reproof or en- when a church was formed at Jecouragement, for correction or rusalem, as a perfect model or instruction. These are indeed, the pattern of all others in all sucthoughts that breathe, and the ceeding times, it is deeply affectwords that burn; sentiments the ing that such sentiments and most sublime, language the most practices had so early gained a eloquent, dictated by motives of footing among them, and, even divine purity, having in view the while an inspired messenger was spiritual welfare alone of the still living, who had the rod of churches, and the promotion of apostolical authority for correctthe glory of God. The character ing their aberrations from the of the Lord Jesus, as the only simplicity of Christ. Head of the church, was sufficient authority for demanding the attention of those who were addressed. The affection of the beloved apostle John, who was the amanuensis on the occasion, ought to have secured their regard; but, as if these would not be properly considered, we find the imperative injunction superadded by Him who hath all power in heaven and in earth;

There can be no doubt that these churches were formed upon the congregational plan of discipline; and that the pastor of each, who is called "the angel," or messenger, was a resident preaching minister, and the president of the congregation. Upon any other principle there is no propriety in the letters being addressed to him, as, without his having been a minister, who was "HE THAT HATH 66 AN EAR, one of them," he could not LET HIM HEAR WHAT THE have been implicated in the faults SPIRIT SAITH UNTO THE which are condemned; and if he CHURCHES." had not been the president, he

could not have had the requisite influence to set in order the things that were wanting. Dr. Doddridge says, "That there was one pastor, who presided in each of those churches, is indeed evident from the expression here used; but, that he was a diocesan bishop, or had several congregations of christians under his care, can be by no means proved; nor is there the least hint of it, that I know of, in any of these epistles.

that each of these Epistles was designed to be a faithful mirror, representing perfectly the things in his churches which the Saviour naturally hates, and of those things, on the contrary, which he neces sarily approves; and that the principles they contain were to be the standard to which the churches were to conform themselves, and by which his conduct towards them would be regulated, even to the end of the world. Why else should it have been said to each, and all of the Seven Churches, "He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the CHURCHES." The Lord Jesus gave these inspired directions to them, through the ministry of his servant John, that he might

come

To suppose, as some eminent scholars and pious ministers have done, that these Epistles to the Seven Churches of Asia were designed to point out prophetically the general state of the Church of Christ in the world down to the end of time, is, in the opinion of the writer, to deprive "the two-write them for the instruction and edged sword" of its edges and reproof and comfort of all his point, and the words of the Savi-churches, until he shall " our of all their weight and in- the second time to those who Auence. To spend their time and look for him without sin unto sallabour in finding out answers to vation." the question, "Watchman, what of the night?" &c. instead of applying the principles of these Epistles to the state of the churches under their care, was of dangerous consequence to their spiritual prosperity. It was no wonder that the churches were not increased with "lively stones," and that but few" spiritual sacrifices" were offered in them, when the want of zeal for Christ, and of concern for using means for the conversion of sinners, and theological apathy among the people, led to the conclusion, that, like as at SARDIS, "the things that remained were ready to die;" and, like as at LAODICEA, a spirit of lukewarmness prevailed, disgusting and offensive to Him whose eyes are as a flame of fire.

The writer is fully of opinion

It is on these principles that the writer intends to compose a series of Essays, founded upon these inspired letters, for the use of the readers of the Baptist Magazine, hoping they may tend, through the divine blessing, to correct the things which are wrong in themselves, and the churches to which they belong; and to increase those in both which are "lovely and of good report."

Dec. 19, 1823.

SLEEP.

IOTA.

IT has often been remarked, that the body whilst asleep, bears a very striking resemblance to that state when an entire cessation of its numerous functions is produced by death-and, if I am not mistaken, the activity of the

quire sleep for the preservation of animal life; nor can we long exist in the possession of health, either of body or mind, if deprived of its salutary and revivifying effects. Yet, I fear, we too frequently undervalue this inestimable blessing, and class it with those mercies that generally

sleepless soul-the vigour which it often manifests under the influence of fancy-the rapidity with which it passes from one imaginary object to another, and the accuracy with which it often retains the recollection of these airy ramblings-these vissionary pursuits, though unassisted by the corporeal frame, also re-receive the name of common. To sembles that state of conscious-learn its worth, we must suffer ness that remains after the body its loss-description fails-inis dead-but there is this differ- deed, I think it impossible to ence: in the former case all is give any adequate idea of the vague and groundless, even though sufferings which accompany its much pain may be endured, deprivation. Observe the man though tears should be forced whose cheeks yesterday glowed over our eyelids, or, though plea- with health and cheerfulness, but sures of an unearthly kind should who has passed a sleepless night: present themselves to our view. you will find him pale, his eyes Should we even touch them, dim, his temper peevish and setaste them, and drink full vere. If one sleepless night will draughts of intoxicating bliss, produce an effect so apparent, yet we awake and find it was a how truly pitiable must be the dream! circumstances of those who only obtain a few hours, or a few minutes repose, for weeks and months successively, and to whom those few minutes or hours only render watching the more painful and insupportable!

In the latter case, all will be reality-solemn, certain, and unchangeable reality; when we have lain down for the last time, when we have closed our eyes on the world, when we have slept the sleep of death, our spirits will find themselves introduced to real pleasure, real blessedness, or to real misery and distress, of which at present we can form no conception.

We often hear of persons dying, and passing into another, an eternal world, under circumstances wherein the external senses have not indicated a knowledge of the sudden departure of their immortal inhabitant; and though these instances may appear comparatively few, yet are they sufficient to establish the possibility of such an occurrence in reference to each or to all of us. This reflection should induce every true christian, every humble follower of the Lord Jesus Christ, and all who are really anxious to promote the cause of their Divine Master in the world, to work while it is called to-day, to improve the present opporIt is well known that we re-tunities; and instead of looking し

Were it not that the constant returns of waking hours, succeeding those of sleep, inspire us with confidence, I question if we should so readily permit ourselves to pass into a state of torpor, or if we should court the refreshing influence of sleep with so much eagerness as we often evince, particularly, seeing how very thin the partition is that divides this world from the next-how short the distance from time to eternity, and how easy the descent from the pillow to the tomb.