PREFACE.

On completing the fourth volume of the Christian Advocate, the editor would devoutly acknowledge the goodness of God in enabling him thus far to continue his labours, with the hope that he has not laboured altogether in vain.

This Miscellany may now be considered as having obtained an establishment, which, under proper management, will ensure its permanency. Its patronage indeed must still be regarded as scanty, if compared with the extent and resources of the church to whose service it is specially devoted whose doctrines it advocates, and whose institutions it aims to defend and promote. Yet the increase of subscribers, in the year which is closing, has been greater than in any preceding year; and the pecuniary avails of the work are now such as to afford its conductor a moderate compensation for his toil. But in his laborious vocation, the editor is chiefly animated by evidence which he thinks he ought not to distrust, that the contents of the Christian Advocate have commended ihemselves to the decisive approbation of many of the most pions and intelligent of its readers, in more than one denomipation of Christians; and that his work has efficiently co-operates with other works of a similar character, in checking error in diffusing knowledge, in prompting and encouraging Christian effort and enterprise, and in promoting, generally, the interests of evangelical religion, pure morals, and sound literature. It has been gratifying to learn that in some places, and to a considerable extent, this Magazine has been circulated and read, without cost, among the friends of the subscribers-It would be still more gratifying, if such of these gratuitous readers as can well afford it, would become subscribers for themselves. Yet let them, by all means, continue to read without charge, rather than neglect to read at all.

To those who have furnished articles for insertion in the Christian Advocate, and to all who have used their influence and exertions to extend its patronage, the editor returns his cordial thanks; and he respectfully solicits the continuance of assistance and favour-for which he hopes never to be found ungrateful. It would give him real pleasure to mention the names of certain individuals, to whom he holds himself particularly indebted. But he is not authorized to do this; and till he is, he will not hazard a trespass on the feelings of others, for the gratification of his own.

Several improvements, which it is believed would add considerable value to the contents of this Miscellany, have been in contemplation. Some of them, it is hoped, will appear in the next volume. But the editor is of the mind that it is better to exhibit improvements made, than to pourtray them in promise.

The completion of a volume of his work, and the close of the year, ought forcibly to admonish the editor, and may not unaptly remind all his readers, that every present engagement, and life itself, is hastening to a close. Then, let us re

a member, the solemn inquest, involving the destinies of eternity, will be made, how we have passed our probationary existence; how every year, and day, and hour of time has been employed; by what motives we have been actuated in all we have done; whether, in the course of life, we have been supremely influenced by a regard to the glory of God, and to our own best interest and that of our fellow men, whether we have

; lived for eternity more than for time; whether we have been laying up treasure in heaven, 'or only on the earth. These inquiries, therefore, shoiridicömittand our most serious attention, while investigation may be: sadutzatý. Seriously pursued, the inquiries cannot fail to bring home the conviction to every conscience, that transgressiva and reglect have left us no hope of an acquittal by our final

: Tudge; Bür from a personal interest, secured by unfeigned faith, in the atoning merits and prevalent intercession of the Lord Jesus Christ. To him, therefore, let the eye of faith be constantly directed; from him, as the inexhaustible source of all spiritual supplies, let grace and aid be earnestly sought, to perform with increasing activity and effect every incumbent duty; that at length-justified by his righteousness, sanctified by his Spirit, and formed into his likeness-we may be admitted to the rest and the reward “which remain for the people of God.”

THE

CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE.

JANUARY, 1826.

Religious Communications.

a

The following discourse was com- Redeemer. Six days before the mitted to the press, immediately Jewish Passover at which he enterafter it was delivered; and a sub- ed on his last sufferings, a supper, scription for the copies of a small or festival entertainment, was made impression, was opened at the same for him at Bethany; a village in the time. Contrary to expectation, the environs of Jerusalem, frequently number of copies subscribed for, was mentioned in the evangelical bisgreater than the number printed. tory, and particularly memorable Hence, some of the subscribers, as as the residence of Lazarus, whom well as some others, who have since he raised from the dead. The supexpressed a wish to obtain a copy, per was made at the house of one have been disappointed. These Simon, a leper; who, it is highly considerations, together with the probable, had been cleansed by the importance and general interest of miraculous power of Christ. Lazathe subject discussed, have deter

rus was a guest at this entertainmined the editor to give the dis- ment; which some suppose was course a place in the Christian Ad- made, either wholly or in part, at vocate. "Those of his readers who his expense; and his sisters, Marmay already possess copies, will tha and Mary, were both present. excuse the appropriation of a few With her characteristick activity, pages to the gratification of others, Martha served at the supper-table; and to the promotion, it is hoped, of and Mary, with her wonted revea most important charity.

rential love to her Lord and Re. deemer, and animated no doubt

with the liveliest gratitude for the WOMEN. A Discourse, delivered interposition of his almighty power,

, in the Church of Princeton, New the tomb, gave him, on this occasion,

in calling her beloved brother from Jersey, August 23d, 1825, before the Princeton Female Society, for obligation, and of the high estima

a signal expression of her sense of the Support of a Female School tion in which she wished that others

of Published at the request of the should hold him. She had made

preparation for this expression of Society.

her gratitude and love, by procuring MARK xiv. 8.-First part.

an alabaster box of the most costly « She hath done what she could."

and fragrant ointment; such as was

then used about the persons of inThese words are found in the dividuals the most distinguished by narrative of a very interesting in. birth or office that with this she cident, in the life of our blessed might anoint her benefactor, whom Vol. IV.-Ch. Adv.

А

THE CHRISTIAN DUTY OF CHRISTIAN

.

she also knew to be the long ex- ed worldły honours, nor required pected Messiah, the Prince of peace. any extraordinary expenditure for His recumbent attitude, then al- his own gratification.' They thereways in use at the supper table, fore joined in the murmuring which was peculiarly favourable to her began with Judas–Not suspecting design. Approaching him in this that he was hypocrite, thief, and reclining posture, she broke the box traitor, all in one; and that he only of liquid Nard, and poured it, first wished that the three hundred on his head, and afterwards on his pence,” (about fifty dollars of our body and his feet. And then, while money) for which the ointment the house was filled with the odour might have been sold,” should have of the ointment, this holy devoted been added to the common stock; woman kneeled at the feet of Jesus, that he might carry off a richer and wiped them with the flowing prize, when he should abscond with tresses of her hair.

the whole; which it appears he had, Christian sisters, are you tempt- about this time, determined to doed to envy your sister Mary?- Not in the least suspecting any To envy the opportunity she had thing of all this, the other disciples to express, in a most striking and were influenced by the suggestions affecting manner, her humble, ar- of a base and wicked avarice, to dent attachment, to your common join in the murmur, that there had and adored Redeemer?'Envy not been, on the part of Mary, a profli. but imitate her. Opportunities still gate waste of property, which might occur, to express love and gratitude have been applied to a better purto your unseen Saviour, by acts as

pose. acceptable to him as that of Mary The whole of this murmuring, was; and which he will, ere long, Christian friends, both in its origin acknowledge and reward, before the and tendency, was, in my appreassembled universe.

hension, exceedingly like the comWho would expect that any dis- plaints which we have lately heard ciple of Christ could disapprove from certain quarters, that much of such a testimonial of reverence money is wasted—is waptonly and and esteem, as that which he re- foolishly thrown away-in professceived from the sister of Lazarus ? ed attempts to honour Christ, by Who would not rather expect, that sending his gospel to the heathen the whole company would witness and the Jews. it with delight, and applaud the But the Saviour vindicated Mary, happy, ingenuity by which it had and reproved her calumniators. Her been devised, and the lovely enthu- views of duty, dictated by her libesiasm-shall I not call it with ral spirit, and her warm and genewhich the device was executed? rous heart, were far more correct But it was not so. Judas was

than their calculating and coldamong the guests. He, it has com- blooded reasonings on the subject. monly been believed, had been ap- The Saviour reminded them, that pointed the purse-bearer of the holy every duty must have its proper family, from his reputed integrity, time and place. The poor they care and capacity, in the manage- would always have with them, and ment of pecuniary concerns. His would never be without an opporopinion therefore, on a point of eco- tunity to show them kindness; "but nomy, especially when that which me said he) ye have not always.”might be saved was to be given to His departure from them was now the poor, would naturally have just at hand, and whatever tokens much weight with his fellow apos- of their regard he was to receive tles; knowing too, as they well did, must be speedily bestowed, or the that their Master had never affect- opportunity for bestowing them