any thing were to be done by them, it is most probable that the only question which would engage their attention would be, how far the church in Hamburgh is to be relied on in selecting men well fitted to proclaim the gospel, and to enforce the commandments of Christ upon believers. The point to be ascertained is not, what bodies in this country are, but what the church in Hamburgh is?

If the Missionaries were to be sent forth from Britain, or to be chosen by parties in this country, as Investigator seems to suppose, the case would be different.

AMICUS.

The writer of the foregoing has made these remarks upon his own responsibilty alone.

ON THE DEGRADED STATE OF SOME OF OUR METROPOLITAN DISTRICTS.

(contiuned from page 71.)

To the Editor of the Christian Advocate.

Dear Sir,-In my last letter I directed attention to this subject, with an extract from the London City Mission Magazine. Any of your readers who are desirous of further information on this point, will be amply repaid by the perusal of a work just published, entitled "London labour and the London poor," published by Mr. Henry Maynew, the well-known author of the remarkable letters in the Morning Chronicle. Wherein is depicted with a manly candour aided by the stern reality of truth, the real condition of tens of thousands of which the public generally could form not the slightest idea in comparison to the real amount of wretchedness, misery, and degradation that abounds in our highly favored country.

When we look at the vastness of this human hive, which lies buried in the lowest rank of the social scale, struggling each against each, all agitated by evil and frightful passions, which among them know of no restraint, which are rather cultivated and elaborated than otherwise, we turn with sick eyes from the depravity exhibited, and shudder at the familiarity they have with vice, and the horrible fascination which it throws around them.

Before offering a few hints on the claims of this portion of our community, and the extensive field of exertion and usefulness which their condition presents to Christian sympathy, and for carrying the gospel of peace unto their districts and homes, it will perhaps be well to divest our minds of pre-conceived opin

ions and speculative notions too easily imbibed from such current phrases as "Conversion of the World" "rapid and successful spread of Evangelical Truth, &c." and simply regard these things in the light of the Scriptures of truth, for it has been aptly remarked, that so soon as we leave the word of God we are at sea without a compass" and there is no end to the flights of fancy or absurd things which may enter our minds.

I apprehend, dear Sir, that while we firmly and zealously maintain the duty and obligation of Christians to spread abroad, and make known, the glorious message of the Son of God, to the nations of the earth; there is no difficulty in shewing from his word, and the words of his inspired Apostles, that christianity under the present dispensation will not gain that ascendency, or meet with that unlimited success in the world, which the originators and supporters of the above phrases are inclined to believe. That there will be a time of universal peace and holiness, according to the more sure word of prophecy, we readily admit. But instead of presuming to decide when this grand and delightful truth shall be developed; do we not find the Saviour instructing his chosen and favored servants, "that, it was not for them to know the times and seasons when this should happen." His constant and unvarying advice was "To wait, to watch" and " be patient for the coming of the Lord," evidently signifying that his kingdom cometh not with observation, that it is in no way upheld, or assisted, by state alliances, ecclesiastical hierarchies, or by outward pomp and show. But that it is in truth, a kingdom of righteousness and peace, the aspect of which is strikingly exhibited under the form of "a bruised reed"

which shall not be broken and "smoking flax," which shall not be quenched.

In looking at the claims of those whose position constitute them in the eyes of society, as the vile, the worthless, the dregs and pollution of our Country's fame, we say that such have a claim upon the sympathies of the intelligent and devoted Christians, upon the liberality which abounds for Missionary purposes, and upon the attention and time which are devoted to these things, not only from the vice and immorality with which they are surrounded, but from their ignorance, their spiritual destitution, and neglect of those truths and practices, which alone can make them better members of the community, make them fitted and adapted to mingle with the excellent of the earth, and ultimately raise them to fill the position allotted to the believer in Christ, which is to bear his image and be a partaker of his glory.

Happy are we to acknowledge and encourage the attempts of the "London City Mission" in their endeavours to sow the good seed of the word. But it is with pain we observe these efforts restricted to a line of action which leaves to their converts the choice of whatever denomination they please, thereby contracting that free and open acknowledgement of the whole truth, which leaves the mind unfettered and free from human creeds or dogmas, which levels all distinction of class in the kingdom of Christ, and recognizes no authority but his who hath said "He who would become the greatest among you let him be as the least." *

Another claim of this unfortunate class may be advocated, from the example and conduct of the Saviour of men, during his ministry on the earth, he did not confine his mission or exhibit his condescension and mercy to the rich or noble, but it was a striking sign of the times that "the poor had the Gospel preached unto them." And it is further remarked, "that the common people

* Nevertheless there is no alternative while the City Mission is supported by a number of opposite sects. ED. C.A.]

Obituary.

Died on Friday, March 14th, aged 72, after a long illness, Charlotte the wife

heard his words gladly." He did not think it beneath his dignity to associate with the publicans and sinners of his day, or with Mary Magdalene, or to save a thief upon the cross. And can we despise all claims upon us, from the fallen and wretched, the ill-taught, low and degraded portion of our own countrymen, without bestowing a thought in their favour, without devoting a portion of our givings to Foreign Missions to endeavour to reclaim them. Did not our Lord command his apostles to begin their mission first at Jerusalem? to proceed with their work among their own countrymen, and leave the result to him, who would in his own time accomplish his purposes when his church should be scattered, and cause the seed sown to be distributed to the ends of the earth?

It may be urged by some that the sentiments and feelings of the class whose claims we advocate, are in direct opposition to all serious and kindly intention to their spiritual welfare. That the gospel is preached within sight of their own homes, yet they look upon it as a matter of indifference or unconcern. This may be true in a limited extent,but were we so well acquainted with their circumstances, as to observe, that the suit they wear is the only one they have to put on both on the week-day and the sabbath. Were we to know their feelings regarding the differences and usages of society, how the poor and ill-clad are looked upon by their more respectable neighbours-how they feel the searching and withering glance of contempt which is often too freely bestowed upon them by those who can only mingle with a class of equal or superior position. Were we to experience the wretched depression of mind, and know the hardened and almost unreclaimable spirit which takes possession of the fallen, as they feel themselves sinking deeper and deeper in the social rank-surrounded with vice, misery, and criminality; without one kindly word of advice, warning, or sympathy, we might pause before we passed such a severe judgment upon them.

(To be continued.)

of Mr. George Botterill, one of the Deacons of the Scotch Baptist Church, Beverley.

HAVING said so much with regard to the trespasses of brother against brother, and the law to be observed in order to the restoration of charity, after it has been wounded, or obstructed by such trespasses, it is proper now to attend to another law of Christ provided for the same gracious purpose, in other circumstances, which must likewise occur among christians.

Besides the private trespasses of which we have been speaking, it must happen, through the prevalence of lust in christians, who have like passions with other men, that they, falling before temptations, will be overtaken in faults and offences of a more public nature, by which, not only their brethren will be scandalised, but occasion given to the world, who are abundantly sharp sighted in such cases, to reproach and speak evil of the way of righteousness. The law of

unlimited forgiveness, where one brother offends another, could not be applied to such public offences, without both sinking the profession into public contempt, and destroying the purity of the christian communion. Therefore the Lord has, for such cases, prescribed the following law:

'Brethren,' says Paul, if (or altho') a man be overtaken (or surprised) in a fault (or in any offence)* ye who are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. For every man shall bear his own burden.' +

* εν τον παραπτωματι † Gal, vi, 1—6.

N

Taking this passage in connection with the context, I conceive its import may be stated thus: Paul enumerates the works of the flesh,' which are manifest to every man's conviction, every day of his lifewith these he contrasts the fruits of the spirit, which is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith meekness, temperance,' and, he adds, ' Against such there is no law. And they who are Christ's have crucified the pas sions and lusts. If we live in the spirit, let us also walk in the spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.'* This is the duty of christians; this is the line of conduct which every man professing the name of Jesus ought to pursue. But while the people of Christ are in the body, they must feel a law in their members warring against the law in their mind; and as, in the course of the fight of faith, the former must sometimes prevail, therefore is this rule of discipline laid down: If, through the force of temptations, or a peculiar concurence of circumstances, operating on the innate wickedness of the heart of man, and infirmities of human nature, any christian be overtaken in a fault, by giving way to any of the passions and lusts of the flesh, it is the will of the merciful High Priest, who has a fellowfeeling of all his peoples infirmities, that his brethren who are spiritual, should shew forth the fruits of the spirit, when called to judge such a brother, by restoring him in the spirit of meekness. As if Paul had said, Every one of you is liable to similar temptations, and equally unable to resist them. He there fore who appears to-day strongest in the faith, most active in the labour of love, and most zealous in Gal, v. 19, ad fin.

the cause of Christ, has reason to take heed to himself; and in considering himself, and thinking soberly what may be the consequence, should he be led into a train of temptation suited to call into action his predominant passion, he will find reason to conclude that he should act as unworthy a part, and probably be overtaken in a fault, in like manner whom he is now called to judge. Ye therefore who are spiritual, exercise meekness, the fruit of the spirit, when thus called to judge one another, and restore or confirm love in the spirit of meekness, to him who appears to have been so overtaken.'

If the fault is committed in public, the profession of repentance ought also to be in public, i. e. in presence of the church: not only that all may hear and fear, but that the honour of the profession may be vindicated, and that the brethren of the offender may be furnished with the proper answer, when they are reproached by the world on his account. The apostle supposes that such reproach is to be the consequence; and therefore he not only exhorts to meekness in restoring the brother overtaken, from the consideration of their being all liable to temptation; but he reminds them of the condescension and meekness of Christ: Bear ye one anothers burdens,' said he,

and so fulfil the law of Christ." The reproaches of them who reproached God fell upon him, and when he was reviled, he reviled not again.

The covetous man wonders at the folly and extravagance of the sensualist, who values money no farther than it is subservient to the gratification of his lust-The ambitious man despises, while he is surprised at the mean spirit of the

avaricious-And the devotee, while he solaces himself with reflecting on the difference between his character and that of the debauchee, has no idea of the force of the temptations by which the other is seduced and led away. In a word, each of us is very sharp sighted as to the fault of his neighbour. But few men have the sympathetic meekness, which the apostle here exhorts christians to show, in restoring him who is overtaken in a fault.

A man, trained up in a religious line from his infancy, must naturally have little allowance to make for him who is overtaken in a fault; by falling into a transgression which brings a reproach on religion in general; and he who has a more liberal and generous turn of mind, naturally has a very inadequate idea of the force of temptations on him whose predominant passion is avarice.

That meekness, that diffidence, and that sobriety of mind, which are only to be learned of the meek and lowly ONE, and nothing less, can influence christians to bear one anothers burdens, and so to fulfil the law of Christ, in the apostle's sense of the words. For, without this education, or when it is forgotten, man. in judging his neighbour, will think himselfsomething, though he be in reality nothing; and thus he will deceive himself. But judging of himself in sobriety of mind, he will find enough to do at home, without going abroad to compare himself with another. If he proves his own work, according to the law of love, then shall he have rejoicing in himself, and not in another. For whatever he may suppose in the vanity of his mind, when apt to glory over his brother who has fallen, every man shall bear his own

burden—The lust of the eyes may most easily beset one-the lust of the flesh another-and the pride of life a third-All these are not of the Father, but are of the world :and he who falls before one of these, though he may resist the other two, has little ground for glorying over them, who, in temptation, are overtaken, in the sense the apostle speaks of.

Christians can be at no loss to judge when a brother may be justlý said to be overtaken in a fault. Every case, doubtless, must be attended with its own peculiar circumstances, But in all cases where a christian is overtaken in a fault, if he is not foremost in criminating himself, and spontaneously laying himselfopen to his brethren, in the hope of mercy, he will, at least, require no reasoning or dragging, in order to lead him to a sense of his guilt, and to a profession of repentance. It seems to be implied in the nature of the thing, that he who is overtaken, will be so affected with a sense of his guilt, as to stand in need of the comfort arising from his brethren's restoring him to their charity, in the spirit of meekness. And therefore, where there is a deficiency of conviction, or a backwardness in professing repentance, the application of this apostolic rule to such a case, does not appear to be warranted by the Scriptures.

In that event, christians have another rule to think of-It seems the church at Corinth, by misapplying, either the law of love prescribed for cases where one brother offends another, or the law for restoring one overtaken in a fault, were retaining in their communion one whose habitual wickedness gave the lie to his profession. They were puffed up and gloried, it seems, in receiving professions of repentance