joys and objects, which, as an immortal being, he is capable of enjoying. By this, you will not only become fitted for the joys of heaven hereafter, but be possessed of an antepast of these joys even while here. By this, you will possess yourself of that truth, which, applied by the Spirit, opens and informs the understanding-warms and expands the heart renders tender and susceptible the conscience -brings out and invigorates the graces quickens and improves the natural gifts exercises and strengthens the moral energies: and by reflection and meditation, by selfexamination and prayerful communion with the Father of your spirit, you will be made to delight yourself in the Lord, and to glory in the God of your salvation. Then God will be seen, not only to smile upon you and to bless you, but to count you for a son or a daughter." Then He will be seen, not only to "bring you to His holy mountain, and to make you joyful in His house of prayer;" but through life, and in every emergency, so to "fill you with joy and peace in believing," that you will be made inwardly to smile, even in the face of danger; and often to appear calm, and trustful, and undaunted, in the presence of difficulties, otherwise the most trying and insurmountable.' THE MANSE OF SUNNYSIDE; or, Trials of a Minister's Family. Edinburgh: John Shepherd. WE Commend this little Work to the perusal of British Christians. It is fitted to awaken, along with many pleasurable feelings, others of a painful kind. It may be viewed as a sort of accompaniment of two other Transatlantic Publications, entitled 'Sunnyside' and 'Shadyside.' We have reason to believe, that the picture which they present is but too true. They impress us with no high opinion of the liberality of the Churches, generally, in the Western Republic, towards the Ministry. Can we wonder, that so few should come forward as candidates for the sacred office, or that, among all Denominations, expression should be given, in the recognised organs, to such wailings and complaints on this score: can it be matter of wonder, when there is held out the prospect of support, at once so stinted and so precarious? There is much in the Churches of America to admire; and most cheerfully do we testify our approbation of what seems worthy of approval. But, here, we praise them not.' So long as such a foul blot remains, let them cease their vauntings. We point to their niggardliness in the maintenance of their spiritual instructors; and ask how they can reconcile such conduct, not only with Christian principle, but with common honesty. Did they feel as they ought to do, the blush of shame would crimson them. That there are many and honourable exceptions, -cases of liberality equalling, if not surpassing, any to be found in our own Land, it is but fair to allow. But, from all we have heard, and most of our information has been derived from distinguished American divines, there is reason to conclude, ference to the Ministers of the Gospel. If that meanness rules their procedure in rethey wish, in any thing like an adequate supply, an able and educated Ministry, let them commence a reform. If they are too proud to be admonished, they may regret their folly and their penuriousness, when it shall be too late to counteract their mischievous consequences. THE CABINET. NECESSITY OF DIVINE INFLUENCE. THE chief operation depends upon the Spirit of God. No sword can cut without a hand to manage it-no engine batter, without a force to drive it. The word is objective in itself, operative by the power of the Spirit: instrumental in itself,efficacious by the Holy Ghost. The Word of Christ is first spirit, and then life: The words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.' The Word is the chariot of the Spirit, the Spirit the guider of the Word: there is a Gospel comes in Word, and there is a Gospel comes in power. The Gospel, in itself, is like Christ's voice: the Gospel, with the Spirit, is like Christ's power of raising Lazarus. Other men might have spoken the same words, but the power of raising must come from above. Then is it successful, when an inward unction drops with the outward dew; when the veil is taken from the heart, and the curtain from the Word, and both Word and heart meet together. The light in the air is the instrument by which we read; but the principal of that light is the sun in the heavens. The Word is a rod-but efficacious in smiting and slaying the old man, as it is the rod of Christ's mouth. It is the rod of His strength. It is a weapon, but only mighty through God.'-Charnock. MINISTERIAL FIDELITY. ART thou a minister of the Gospel? Thy employment is high,-an Ambassador -and that not from some petty Prince, but the Great God to His rebellious subjects; a calling so honourable, that the Son of God disdained not to come from heaven to perform it; called, 'the Messenger of the Covenant.' In His bodily absence, He hath intrusted thee and a few more to carry on that treaty with sinners, which, when on earth, He begun. And what can be more acceptable to Him, than to be faithful in it, as a business on which he has set His heart so much? If ever you would see His face with joy, attend to your work, and labour to bring this treaty of peace to a blessed issue. Then if sinners will not come and seal the articles of the Gospel, you shall (as Abraham said to his servant), be clear of your oath. Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall ye be glorious in the eyes of the Lord.'-Gurnall. ALWAYS LEARNING. A MINISTER must be a learner himself, as well as a teacher. He who is always spending, and never collecting, will soon be a bankrupt. The more a minister teaches, the more he must learn of his Master; and this, not only for a few years, but he must be a scholar in Christ's school all his life. He must be in the posture of one who says, Lord, I have no wisdom; I have no strength; I have no power in myself: supply me with all I need out of Thy fulness.-Scott. THE QUIET OF HOME. On! give me the quiet of home, From the door of my own little cot. The gin-shop may do for the mome; For the richest in wealth of the world The monarch may boast of his throne; But they know not the love of true hearts, Nor the beautiful quiet of home. Then give me the quiet of home, By the hearth of my own little cot: The ball-room may do for the flirt, The tavern may do for the sot; But where there are light hearts aroundAnd I tell it to all who would roamNo enjoyment can ever be found To equal the quiet of home. J. Dickens. MARY AT THE CROSS. TRIUMPHING Over the weakness of fear, and the disturbance of sorrow, she appears the heart-smitten, but silent spectator. Her grief is too deep for ordinary expression. Her widowed heart is being rent in pieces. She breathes no charge of injustice-makes no appeal to mercyoffers no interference whatever. There she stands in sadness, such as never clouded a human visage. She maintains outward composure amid a tumult of internal grief. She turns her pale face to the bleeding form of her dying Son. The cruel mockery CHRISTIAN FREEDOM. THE Christian religion is as eternal as the soul of man, and can no more cease than our spirits can die: it can worship upon mountains and in caves, in fields and churches, in peace and war, in solitude and society, in persecution and in sunshine, by night and by day, and be solemnized by clergy and laity in the essential parts of it: it is the perfection of the soul, and the highest reason of man, and the glorification of God.-Jeremy Taylor. PRIVATE JUDGMENT. THE people of God are called to try the truth, to judge between good and ill, between light and darkness. God hath made them the promise of his Spirit, and hath left unto them His Word. They of Berea, when they heard the preaching of Paul, 'searched the Scriptures daily, whether those things were so' as he taught them, and many of them believed.' So do you give heed to instruction, and yet receive not all things without proof and trial, that they are not contrary to the wholesome doctrine of the Word of God. -Jewel. To create, or bring something out of nothing, is beyond the power of the strongest creature. It is above the strength of all men and angels to create the least blade of grass: God challengeth this as His prerogative royal. 'Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: He calleth them all by names, He is strong in power; not one faileth.' by the greatness of His might, for that Augustine said truly, "To convert the little world Man, is more than to create the great world.'-Swinnocke. THOMAS GRANT, PRINTER, EDINBURGH. SCRIPTURE EXAMPLES RECOMMENDED TO THE YOUNG. ONE of the peculiar excellencies of the Holy Scriptures is, that they teach by example as well as by precept. Sometimes, Truth is conveyed in distinct statement; sometimes, it is embodied in conduct. Now, in express terms, we are enjoined or admonished; again, the fitness of the precept or admonition is practically illustrated in character. Of such a mode of instruction, the advantages are many and obvious. The Holy Spirit, in imparting His inspired communications, has graciously consulted our benefit, by adapting their style or form of delivery to our capacities. The mind is so constituted as to be most easily susceptible of impression from facts. Hence the eminent utility of Example. Its influence is more direct and powerful than that of verbal announcement, or simple inculcation. The Divine Word, while providing for the good of all, is especially careful of the Young. For them it discovers a most benevolent regard. With more than parental solicitude, it seeks to guard them from the contamination of evil, and to fortify them against the seductions of error. With this view, it strips vice of every blandishment, every deceitful charm, and exposes the odiousness of its nature, and the deadliness of its fruit. It points out he usual sources of pollution at that critiperiod, when warmth of passion, united mmaturity of judgment, is strongly bent on the pleasures of sense. gests to the artless, inexperienced stripling, the best securities against the dangers that environ his steps: the surest, indeed the only effectual, preservatives from the snares that are apt to prove fatal alike to his purity and his peace. C It sug only to destroy. His reputation has been tarnished, his prospects blighted, and bis soul ruined. Now, the memory of him, whose name might have been embalmed in the remembrance of a wide circle of surviving friends, rots with his body in the dust: sad memento of the consequences of forsaking the guidance, and despising the salutary checks and pathetic expostulations, of this faithful monitor. In Sacred History, instances of an opposite kind are recorded. It furnishes edifying Examples of piety and holiness. It presents to us 'men of like passions with ourselves,' variously tried, yet supported by the aids of all-sufficient grace. Under sore perplexities, they maintained a temper beautiful and becoming; removed alike from despondency and rebellion. Encompassed with infirmities though they were, and the best of them far from being without fault,' they nevertheless admonish and instruct, by the silent but impressive language of their deportment. Many of them are seen enduring, in calm submission, a large share of the distresses common to humanity: not a few, nobly struggling with calamity in its direst forms: some, meekly bearing the contumely and reproach, which have often fallen to the lot of the saint: others, displaying, amidst the violence of malignant opposition, the unconquerable firmness and constancy of religious principle. Read the Sacred Narrative, and behold Abraham, at the Divine command, leaving country and kindred; sojourning, as a stranger, in the Land of Promise; renouncing the false worship pravalent in Chaldea; and, in the midst of idolaters, erecting an altar to Jehovah wherever he pitched his In these perilous toils, has been inextri- tent. Behold Jacob punished, for his ducably entangled many a hopeful Youth. plicity, with expulsion from home; faithGood had it been for him to have followed ful, as a servant, to an overreaching fatherthe dictates of this heavenly teacher. In in-law; wrestling successfully, at Penuel, that case, what honour and influence with the Angel of the covenant; conquermight he have acquired? Instead of being, by kindness and submission, the vining an offence to others, and a terror to himself, he might have occupied a sphere of usefulness and enjoyment; blessing many, and blessed in return. Having lived a benefactor to society, and an ornament in the Church, he might have descended to the grave, crowned with the praises of the good, and happy in the benediction of his God. But, alas! he forgot the lessons of its wisdom, spurned the restraints of its authority, and cast its laws behind his back.' Madly resolving to obey the impulses of desire, he hearkened to the voice of the syren, that allures No. XXX.-NEW SERIES. dictiveness of Esau; gratified with the sight of the favourite child, whose supposed death he had long mourned; and in outward peace, as well as in the 'full assurance of hope,' closing a lengthened and chequered pilgrimage. Behold Joseph importuned by unchastity, yet proof against the solicitations and wiles, by which it sought to inveigle and pollute him; raised, through the interposal of a favouring Providence, from the depth of a dungeon to the premiership of Egypt. Let the same consideration, which overawed and restrained him, be habitually present VOL. III. to your mind: How 'shall I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?' Behold Moses, preferring connection with the chosen seed, under the iron rod of oppression, to alliance with the powerful, enhanced by the prospects of monarchy. By faith, he refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompense of the reward.' Behold Joshua, amid disheartening indications of backsliding, courageously avowing the deliberate and fixed resolve of manly and unswerving piety: As for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.' Behold Job, stunned by the repeated strokes of a mysterious Providence, whose painful visitations were embittered by the cruel reflections of miserable comforters,' and the blasphemous suggestion of one from whom far different counsel might have been expected; yet, on recovering his equanimity, justifying the Divine procedure, and, under its severest chastisements, remarkably subdued, resigned, and patient: while 'the Lord blesses his latter end more than his beginning.' From the patriarch of Uz, turn to the sweet Singer in Israel.' He ingenuously confesses, and contritely bewails, his errors; bears, in submissive silence, the sharpest rebukes of fatherly displeasure at his offences; affords, with all his miscarriages, evidence of the workings of right principle, proofs of the existence of the root of the matter;' delights in the law and service of his God, amid the distractions of State, and the fascinations of Royalty; is taught, by his lamentable falls, the necessity of being more jealous of himself, more observant of the plague of his heart,' more circumspect in his walk, and more dependent upon the aid of an almighty arm. On the whole, David, restored to the paths of righteousness,' exhibits a lovely pattern of humility, penitence, integrity, and devotion. His case, though that of a monarch, is, in many repects, of general application. Who can conceive to what extent the record of his experiences, and the hallowed effusions of his sanctified spirit, may have proved profitable for 'doctrine, or reproof, or correction, or instruction in righteousness !' Behold, in Nehemiah, how finely piety is blended with patriotism! He is not ashamed of singularity in the court of a heathen prince. Surrounded by the pompous rites and emblems of idolatry, he remains unshaken in his attachment to the Institutions of Moses. Though in a station of honour and influence himself, he is pensive at the thought of the temple in ruins, Jerusalem lying waste, her sons and daughters carried into captivity. He pours out his soul, in all the fervency of effectual prayer, on behalf of his brethren of the dispersion. On gaining the consent of his Master, he hastens, with melancholy joy, to rebuild the city of solemnities,' and restore the interrupted celebration of the worship of Jehovah. Not less worthy of admiration were Daniel, and his three companions of deathless renown. In circumstances of extreme jeopardy, they dared to acknowledge, as the sole object of adoration, the God of Israel. In the language of respectful boldness, they explicitly declared, to incensed Majesty, their determination to pay homage, in things spiritual, to Him only, who is Lord of the conscience. With a fortitude unsurpassed in the annals of heroism, they refused, even on pain of the forfeiture of life, to comply with mandates of human authority, which contravened the express injunctions of Heaven. Here is proposed a pattern, not only for approval, but for imitation. Let it be attentively studied and faithfully copied. How desirable that its spirit were imbibed, and, on every occasion of interference between obedience to God and to man, practically displayed! Of the instances of moral goodness recorded in the Hebrew Writings, those mentioned are but a few of the more distinguished. Many other specimens, both of male and female excellence, and some not inferior either in intrinsic beauty or general utility, are there sketched by the pen of Inspiration. They extend, in an unbroken series, from Enoch to Malachi. They embrace, too, all gradations of rank, from the king to the peasant, with all the varieties of outward condition, prosperous and adverse. Besides these brief biographies of patriarchs and prophets, of priests, rulers, and private saints, in the Scriptures of the Old Testament, there are, in those of the New, interesting notices of apostolic teachers and primitive disciples, who are thus held up to the admiration of succeeding believers. How do their courage and constancy entitle them to respect! They endured great fights of affliction.' They magnanimously braved the frowns of power; firmly resisted the opposition of the 'enemies of the cross;' and stedfastly adhered, through 'bad report,' to the cause which they had espoused. Aware of continual exposure to a thousand corrupting influences, they were careful to avoid infection, and to keep themselves unspotted from the world: whilst, conscious of frailty, and sensible of their need of Divine succour, they prayed, as well as watched, against temptation. Hence their superiority to that 'fear of man, which bringeth a snare;' their preservation from apostasy, or sinful compromises; their safeguard against conformity to prevailing opinions and manners. Clothed in the armour of righteousness,' exercising vigilant circumspection, and 'strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus,' they withstood both the storms of persecution, and the artifices of deception -overcame alike the buffetings of the world, and the devices of Satan." Rudely assailed as they were, they possessed their souls in patience. The hope that 'maketh not ashamed,' the effectual antidote to despair, cheered their hearts in the deepest gloom. The God of all comfort comforted them in all their tribulation.' Sustained by invisible resources, they proved themselves equal to every conflict, every emergency were prepared for the hardest labour, or the bitterest suffering, to which they were called. Severely tested, by manifold trials, their 'faith was found unto praise, and honour, and glory:' not only victorious, but, like gold that is purified by the fiery process, improved. Equally efficacious, perhaps, in cherishing the feelings, and promoting the exercise, of fraternal affection, amid expressions of envy or malevolence, has been the touching recital of Joseph's amiable conduct towards his brethren. How full of pathos the story; how marked by simplicity and truthfulness; how suited to vibrate every chord of the heart, and allure to imitation! Their spiteful and cruel treatment he not only forgave, but, as if every impression of it had been obliterated from the tablet of memory, requited with the most generous kindness. As moving, too, and, it may be presumed, not less serviceable, in recommending the cultivation of filial regard, is the narrative of his dutiful behaviour towards Jacob. To the hoary pilgrim, notwithstanding their disparity of station, he bore all the warmth of attachment, and paid all the respectful deference, which the loveliest and most tender-hearted of sons could be expected to show to an aged and venerable sire. Every youth it encourages to 'go, and do likewise.' To the saint, again, burdened with a Now, these examples are, in many re- load of adversity, not seldom has the spects, exceedingly valuable. Amidst the affecting memoir of Job been highly prodifficulties and vicissitudes of the religious fitable. In this patriarch, we see one who life, they appear admirably adapted for was, eminently, the victim of calamity. usefulness. In regard to the sincere His afflictions, so rapid, so complicate, so Christian, they are conducive to most overwhelming, resemble more the picturbeneficial purposes. They serve, in a di-ings in a tale of fiction, than the sad reaversity of ways, and according to circum-lities of actual experience. A cup, brimstances, to reprove or encourage, to stimu- ful of sorrows, is presented to his lips. late or instruct. They are peculiarly fitted to chide sloth, rebuke discontent, and shame pusillanimity; to direct the perplexed, ein bolden the timid, quicken the languid, and animate the despondent; to give decision to the wavering purpose, steadiness to the faltering step, vigour to the feeble, and perseverance to the inconstant, effort. In not a few instances, too, has the contemplation of them been found productive of the happiest effects. Of the exciting story of Joseph's manly repudiation of the proposals, his noble triumph over the enticements, of the wily seducer, who can calculate the results? On what numbers the perusal of it may have exerted, insensibly yet directly, an auspicious iufluence; to what extent it may have contributed, in every age, to inspire or reinforce virtuous resolution; of what advantage it may have been to youth, as a means of preparing them for scenes of danger, into which imprudence or rashness had led them; how far it may have braced them for the fierce encounters, or the sudden surprises, of temptation, or guarded them from the snares, which vice had insiduously spread in their path of the amount of benefit derived in these and other modes, no estimate can be formed. Woe follows so close upon woe, that, in one day, the father of seven sons and three daughters' is left childless, and the greatest of all the men of the East,' almost as 'naked as he came out of the womb.' Spoiled, bereaved, desolate, he sits solitary among the ashes, scraping himself with a potsherd, and musing, in speechless grief, on the awful dispensation. What a spectacle of distress! Hard as cliffs of iron must be the beart, whose sensibilities are not touched at the pitiable sight: unsusceptible of fellow-feeling must be the bosom, that does not cordially sympathize with the Man of Uz, on this mournful occasion. But, of the bitterness which Job was doomed to taste, not the half has been told. Of the wormwood and the gall of his lot, the sudden loss of family and substance constituted but part. In his person, also, he is wounded and bruised. Figure the accumulation of evils, which the severity of a chastening Providence laid upon him. His body is covered with sores; his soul breaks with anguish; the adversary assaults him with 'fiery darts;' the arrows of the Almighty are within him, the poison whereof drinketh up his spirit.' When the horrors of his situation are |