For the American Baptist Magazine.

Nor long since was published in this Magazine, an essay on the importance of self-examination. This is a subject urged by St. Paul, in his last epistle to the Corinthians; by Mr. Whitefield, in the last sermon he ever preached; and by every minister of Jesus Christ, who feels the responsibility of his station. But in this interesting concern, the Bible is the sure and the safest test. To this infallible standard we must bring our sentiments, our conduct, and our religious exercises. A few observations therefore upon this neglected book, it is thought, will not be unseasonable at the present time.

It is characteristic of fallen man to expatiate on the mint and cummin, to the neglect of more weightier matters. The truth of this observation is peculiarly exemplified in the conduct of the passing age. If the present generation be not wiser than their fathers, it is beyond dispute they read more. This is emphatically the age of books. But is there not reason to fear, that amid this glaring display of human erudition, the meek simplicity of the Bible is forgotten? The exhortation of our Saviour, "search the scriptures," should be regarded with sacred reverence. If studious attention to the living oracles, exalted the Bereans to Apostolick commendation, it is obvious that there is an importance in the duty which has escaped the notice of many. Let a few reasons be given,then, why the Bible should be consulted with the most prayerful and profound attention.

I. The Bible should be studied, because it is the word of God. Its

sacred pages came not by the will of man; but by the inspiration of the Holy Ghost. Shall finite be compared with infinite? Shall the tasteless and jejune deductions of human reason be carried into competition with the effusions of the eternal mind? Let Seneca and Cicero be held in their merited esteem. It is remarkable, if not unaccountable, that they wrote so well.. Heathenism bewildered their minds. But who would choose to walk through the dark mazes of a fallen world, with a dim taper's light, provided he might enjoy the noontide splendours of a sun? On the most important subjects the best heathen writers felt the pains of ignorance and suspense. And when they wrote with evident marks of decision, they were sometimes decided for error.

But in the sacred scriptures, if obscurity veil any question, it relates to a subject which it is not necessary for us to know. Perfect knowledge here breaks its effulgence upon every question which infinite wisdom deems it important to answer. With what reverence should we open the sacred volume! Jehovah here lifts his instructive, his monitory voice.

II. Another reason why the Bible should be studied, is found in the momentous and interesting nature of its contents. From the Bible we learn the primitive state, the transgression, and present condition of man. Here we learn the necessity of pardon and sanctification through the atoning blood of our Lord Jesus Christ. The adorable and incomprehensible attributes of God, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, are here por

say they are sanctified? Shall a noisy profession take the place of holy love? Shall a varnished outside excuse the rottenness within? The redeemed must be one in sentiment before their heaven can be complete. Ere we can enter the holy gates of the New Jerusalem, we must have a heart to approve all that system of truth revealed in the word of God, to love that doc trine which warmed the breasts of the primitive disciples, and which supported apostolic martyrs in the dying hour. But this system shines in the Bible. Here flow those waters which purge away the filth of the daughter of Zion, and complete the sanctification of the people of God.

In vain do we anticipate the harmony of love, and the mutual interchange of celestial feelings among the followers of Christ, till the Bible becomes their watch-word, and they unite on the ground of truth.

IV. The Bible should be studied, because it is the essential means of ushering in the glory of the latter day. Before the age of millennial peace shall bless a degenerate world, the doctrines of men and devils must be wholly exterminated. This great work must be effected by the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God." The Bible exhibits one system perfectly consistent with itself. When therefore we discover an almost infinite variety in the sentiments of men, we are constrained to believe that they draw from different sourcesthat the scriptures are not their only guide. Like causes produce like effects. It is ungenerous to ascribe this diversity to the Bible. With equal propriety might the splendours of noon and the shades of the evening be attributed to the

sun.

It is often said, "We understand the Bible differently." But this is not so true, as that some do not understand it at all. They have em

braced a sentiment consonant in. deed with their natural feelings, but hostile to the word of God. This sentiment veils their heart, and prevents the reception of light. To complain of obscurity in the Bible, is to cast reflections upon God. Rather let it be acknowledged that the Spirit speaketh expressly, and that men are unwilling to be taught. But this unwillingness frequently arises from the antecedent occupation of the mind by erroneous sentiments. Let prejudice be asleep, let the heart be candidly open to conviction, and the Bible would soon dispel the discordant errors and dangerous delusions of a benighted world, and introduce the predicted day when the church. shall be one in sentiment, affection and practice.

The importance of union among the professed followers of Christ can scarcely be too highly estimated. What is it that disheartens so many in the investigation of the scriptures? It is the countless spawn of religious notions, that overspread the earth. What is it that gives weight and efficiency to the grand spear of infidelity? What is it that divides and weakens the energies of Christians in the propagation of the gospel? It is the unhappy disunion among themselves. If then you would encourage the investigation of truth, if you would wrest from infidelity its mightiest javelin, and promote the universal spread of the gospel-let the Bible be recommended. Let Christians in their private circles, extol this book of God. And let the minister of the sanctuary say, 66 we have a more sure word of prophecy, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn and the day star arise in your hearts."Yea, let the word of God have free course, let it run and be glorified, until the last vestige of error shall be swept from an injur ed world.

PAULIAN

SPECIMEN OF WELCH PREACHING.

Ar a meeting of ministers at Bristol, the Rev. Mr. invited several of his brethren to sup with him; among them was the minister offisiating at the Welch meeting-house in that city. He was an entire stranger to all the company, and silently attentive to the general Conversation of his brethren. The subject on which they were disGoursing was the different strains of publick preaching. When several had given their opinion, and had mentioned some individuals as good preachers, and such as were models as to style of composition,

&c. Mr.

turned to the Welch stranger and solicited his opinion. He said he felt it to be a privilege to be silent when such men were discoursing, but that he felt it a duty to comply with this request. "But," said he, "if I must give my opinion, I should say that you have no good preachers in England." No," said Mr. L. "No," said he, "that is, I mean no such preachers as we have in the Principality." "I know," said Mr. L. "you are famous for jumping in Wales, but that is not owing, I suppose, so much to the strain of preaching which the people hear, as to the enthusiasm of their characters."

"Indeed," said the Welchman, "you would jump too,if you heard and understood such preaching." "Why," said Mr. L. "do you not think I could make them jump if I were to preach to them?" "You make them jump!" exclaimed the Welchman, "you make them jump! A Welchman would set fire to the world while you were lighting your match." The whole company became very much interested in this new turn of the subject, and unanimously requested the good man to give them some specimen of the style and manner of preaching in the Principality. Specimen," said he, "I cannot give you; if John Elias were here, he would give you a specimen indeed-oh!

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John Elias is a great preacher." "Well," said the company, "give us something that you have heard from him." "Oh no!” said he, “I cannot do justice to it:-beside, do you understand the Welch lan guage?" They said, "No, not so as to follow a discourse." "Then,"

said he, "it is impossible for you to understand it, if I were to give you a specimen." "But," said they, cannot you put it into English?" "Oh!" said he, "your poor meagre language would spoil it; it is not capable of expressing those ideas that a Welchman can conceive; I cannot give you a specimen in English without spoiling it." The interest of the company was increased, and nothing would do but something of a specimen; while they promised to make every allowance for the language. "Well," said the Welchman, "if you must have a piece, I must try, but I don't know what to give you.-I do not recollect a piece of John Elias, he is our best preacher; I must think a little ;-well, I recollect a piece of Christmas Evans. Christmas Evans was a good preacher, and I beard him a little time ago at an association of ministers. He was preaching on the depravity of man by sin-of his recovery by the death of Christ, and he said, "Brethren, if I were to represent to you in a figure, the condition of man as a sinner, and the means of his recovery by the cross of Jesus Christ, I should represent it somewhat in this way. Suppose a large grave yard surrounded by a high wall, with only one entrance, which is by a large iron gate, which is fast bolted. Within these walls are

thousands and tens of thousands of human beings, of all ages and of all classes, by one epidemic disease bending to the grave, the grave yawns to swallow them, and they must all die. There is no balm to

relieve them-no physician there

they must perish. This is the condition of man as a sinner,-all,

all have sinned, and the soul that sinneth it shall die. While man was in this deplorable state, Mercy, the darling attribute of Deity, came down and stood at the gate, looked at the scene and wept over it, exclaiming, "Oh that I might enter, I would bind up their wounds-I would relieve their sorrows--I would save their souls!" While Mercy stood weeping at the gate, an embassy of angels, commissioned from the court of heaven to some other world, passing over, paused at the sight, and Heaven forgave that pause; and seeing Mercy standing there, they cried, Mercy, Mercy, can you not enter? Can you look upon this scene and not pity? Can you pity and not relieve? Mercy replied, 'I can see;' and in her tears she added, "I can pity, but I cannot relieve' 'Why can you not enter? Oh! said Mercy, Justice has barred the gate against me, and I cannot, must not unbar it.' At this moment Justice himself appeared, as it were to watch the gate. The angels inquired of him, Why will you not let Mercy in? Justice replied, My law is broken, and it must be honoured. Die they or Justice must!" At this, there appeared a form among the angelic band, like unto the Son of God, who, addressing himself to Justice, said, 'What are thy demands? Justice replied, My terms are stern and rigid,-I must have sickness for their bealth-I must have ignominy for their honour-I must have death for life.' Without shedding of blood there is no remission. Justice,' said the Son of God, I accept thy terms.' On me be this wrong, and let Mercy enter.' When,' said Justice, will you per

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form this promise?" Jesus replied, 6 Four thousand years hence, upon the hill of Calvary, without the gates of Jerusalem, I will perform it in my own person.' The deed was prepared and signed in the presence of the angels of God,Justice was satisfied, and Mercy entered, preaching salvation in the name of Jesus. The deed was committed to the patriarchs, by them to the kings of Israel and the prophets; by them it was preserved till Daniel's seventy weeks were accomplished; then, at the appointed time, Justice appeared on the hill of Calvary, and Mercy presented to him the important deed. 'Where,' said Justice, is the Son of God? Mercy answered, Behold him at the bottom of the hill bearing his own cross; and then she departed and stood aloof at the hour of trial. Jesus ascended the hill, while in his train followed his weeping church. Justice immediately presented him with the deed, saying, 'This is the day when this bond is to be executed. received it, did he tear it in pieces and give it to to the winds of heaven? No, he nailed it to his cross, exclaiming, 'It is finished.' Justice called on holy fire to come down and consume the sacrifice. Holy fire descended; it swallowed his humanity, but when it touched his Deity, it expired! and there was darkness over the whole heayens: but glory to God in the highest; on earth, peace, good will men."

When he

"This," said the Welchman, "this is but a specimen of Christmas Evans."

London Jewish Expositor,