174 Opposition to Revivals of Religion.—Summary. gance--the festival--the dance. These all these mingle to compose what the Bible emphatically denominates "the world." And saith the apostle, "whosoever will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God." MINUTIUS. The editor of the Christian Gazette says, 'we are personally acquainted with the writer of the following, and have no doubt of its authenticity." day of grace was well nigh terminated. In going to the place alluded to, he was to cross the water. He transacted his business and was returning in a boat with another man who several times had occasion to remind Mr. W. that if he was not more careful he would overset the boat. Mr. W. did appear to be unusually careless in his movements; what was the cause of it I cannot decide, but his companion's words were soon verified, for the boat was upset and Mr. W. was drowned! His companion succeeded in clinging to the boat till he was taken up and saved. -* SUMMARY. The Legislature of Pennsylvania adjoured on Tuesday last, the 30th An institution, entitled the Baptist General Tract Society, was formed the 25th Feb. at Washington city. The total of the black and mulatto ands is one million six hundred thoupopulation in all the West India islsand-the total of the whites, in the same, is four hundred and fifty thousand;-1,150,000 more black than white inhabitants. OPPOSITION TO REVIVALS OF RELIGION.--"Somewhat less then two years since, a revival of religion prevailed at T. in the state of Maine. In the progress of the revival the attention of the wife of a man whom I shall from motives of delicacy denominate Mr. W. was arrested to her eternal concerns. Under the influence of ult. conviction, she like others in similar circumstances was disposed to avail herself of opportunities that present-on ed for receiving instruction, and for obtaining a proper answer to the momentous inquiry "What shall I do to be saved?" She attended a female prayer meeting, among other religious exercises. Strange as would doubtless seem to one ignorant of the human heart, but alas! a fact too common, her husband seemed unwilling that the wife of his bosom should go to Heaven. On an occasion when his business called him to a town at a little distance from T. "he strictly charged" his wife not to attend the female prayer meetings any more. On Sabbath morning the 14th inst. To use his own language, "you may the First African Presbyterian church set your heart at rest for you shall go in the city of New-York, was dedino more." He had proceeded but acated to the service of Almighty God. little way from home, when he recollected that Mrs. W. had in her possession a Bible and Psalm Book, from which she might derive comfort, although debarred from the privileges of the prayer meeting. He returned, locked up those books, took the key with him and again departed. Little did he think at that moment that his Mr. Hyacinth, director of the Russian Mission to Pekin for thirteen years, has returned to St. Petersburg from China, bringing with him a history of that country, statistical and geographical accounts. The Treasurer of the American Bible Society, acknowledges the receipt of $2,591, 53, during the month of February. The Treasurer of the U. F. Mis sionary society, acknowledges the receipt of $2069, 05, into the treasury, during the same month. For the Religious Miscellany. THE GRAVEYARD. Hail silent city! from thy cells No song of boisterous folly breaks On night's dark realm! No revel swells The laugh of maniac wildness high, Nor joys poor phrenzy ever wakes A loud discordant revelry! Wrapt in oblivion's sable pall Bosom'd within night's darkest shroud, Thy motionless and solemn crowd In Death's sequestered gloom clad hall, Still as the dogstar's burning cloud, An awful silence! slumber all! Hail slumb'ring city from thy walls, Pacing his round with measur'd tread, No sentinel of midnight calls The flight of time! nor halts to tell Peace to the slumbers of the dead! Nor sounds his wild alarming knell To wake thy dwellers from their sleep, Time cannot burst that fearful spellThe slumbers of the Grave-are deep! Poetry. Hail dark dominion! world of peace! Here life's harrassing cares are past— The wicked and their malice cease, And all the weary rest at last! Here dark oppression knows its termThe lordling worm forgets to heap Keen anguish on his brother worm-The broken heart forbears to weep-The tyrant and his victim sleep. The sorrows of the soul is o'er-The baggard eye is wild no more-Hush'd all, the wretched boman's sigh The glittering pomp of pride is by The grave--the grave is--Harmony! Hail solemn stillness of retreat! From yonder world of strife a part Where wisdom builds her awful seat, And solitude and silence meet To pour devotion on the heart! The slumbers of the Grave are deep And like the Bight of ages--still! Yet on the living from that sleep While all the chords of feeling thrill, The voice of silent awe may sweep Right to the soul's dark domicile, And all the dreams of folly hush And Fancy's fairest fabrics crush, And bid her golden pinions rush Down the dark avenue of Time, And scan the mysteries of that clime Where life's sweet sympathies shall end And love and hatred strangely blend To know nor foe nor dearest friend-Where all are like and none are known-Where many meet, and all are lone! And it may whisper to the heart While life's profoundest slumbers start, Of days and years not far remov❜d When 'reft of all the world we lov'd, And but remembered on the stone That points our dwelling dark and lone, We too shall claim the narrow cell To slumber where the silent lie- We too shall own the magic spell And there are hours when Fancy owne 275, And hast thou never own'd that power? O'er friends and joys and hopes that swept Perchance the waning summer day 1 When flickering floods of shadowy gold When all his morning splendor's gone, And thou hast felt Hope's fairy dream And gilded by the evening beam - David Brown.-The amount of contributions to the A. B. of C. for F. M. taken up at the address of Mr. David Brown, at different places is stated to be $1897. 176 Obituary.-New Publication.-Notices.. MARRIED. Discoveries in Ethiopia.--M. Caillaud, a On the 25th ult. by the Rev. J. Williams, Frenchman, and a man of science, has recent Mr. David Ferrier of Newville, to Miss Janely returned to Paris from travels in Ethiopia, Rine, of the same place. with a great body of valuable materials illus Dr. Endress, Mr. HENRY R. REED, to Miss On Thursday the 25th ult. by the Rev-trating the geography, antiquities, and natur- On the same day, by the same, Mr. Henry Carson to Miss Maria Hoff, daughter of the same person, of the same city. Communicated. OBITUARY. DIED-On the 25th inst. of a lingering ill. ness, Mrs. MARY SPANGLER, of this borough On the 26th her remains were deposited in the Lutheran burying-ground, whither they were accompanied by a large train of relatives, friends, and acquaintances. The deceased was an amiable woman, a beloved wife, a tender and affectionate mother, and a kind and peaceable neighbor-But what we must most admire in her character is that spirit of piety and holy resignation, which she displayed during her illness. Though she was confined to the bed of disease, for better than three months before her death, she was never heard to murmur, but with composure and cheerfulness bore her afflictions, after saying: "Father not my, but thy will be done." The approach of her dissolution brought no terror with it to her mind; ealm, collected and resigned to her fate, she seemed to pass through "the dark and shady vale of death"-leaning on her blessed Redeemer, through the merits of whose blood she hoped to be made a partaker of an inheritance incorruptible and eternal beyond the grave, she was impatiently waiting for the coming of her heavenly Bridegroom, frequently exclaiming: 'Come Lord Jesus, come quickly.' "Then why lament departed friends When I see a professor of religion caring little or nothing about religious publications, which convey the interesting news of Imman el's conquests, of revivals, &c. I fear he takes but little interest in the Redeemer's cause. BERNARD'S three questions are worth ful? May I do it and not sin?--2. Is it becomasking ourselves in any enterprize:--Is it lawing me as a Christian? May I do it, and not wrong my profession?--3. Is it expedient? May I do it, and not offend my weak brother. THE MANAGERS AND OFFICERS Of the Cumberland County Bible Society, are requested to meet at the house of William C. Chambers on Wednesdy, the 14th inst. at 2 o'clock, P. M. By order of the President. March 26, 1824. A SPECIAL MEETING Of the Board of Managers of the Young Men's Missionary Society, will be held to-morrow at 3 o'clock, P. M. at the school room of Mr. Gad Day. NEW PUBLICATION. THE FIRST OF APRIL. The usual hurry and bustle of the first of A driving out neighbor persons moving from the house they occupied last year to the adjoining one. The inhabitants seemed, (as it were,) to compose a large machinery, which, when one wheel is touched, all is put in mo "We have been favored' says the Christianpril, was observable yesterday;---neighbor Observer for Oct. by the author with the lean of a literary curiosity, entitled 'Divinity; or Discourses on the Being of God, the Divinity of Christ, the Personality of the Holy Ghost, and on the Sacred Trinity; being improved extracts from a system of Divinity. By the Rev. W. Davy, A. B. Curate of Lustleigh Devon. Printed by himself; fourteen copies only, 1823. || tion. Printed and Rublished by Fleming and Geddes, every Friday, at two dollars per annum. Religious Miscellany. No. 12. "Say ye to the daughter of Zion, behold, thy salvation cometh." From the Christian Instructor. MAXIMS OF THE WORLD. Vol. III. itself in actual conduct? that that only is sin which does injury to man? or, that offences against one class of precepts will be done away by obedience Maxim III. The doctrines of grace are fa-paid to another? Do they authorize vorable to licentiousness. us to suppose, that sin is but a trivial evil? that God does not look on it with any very peculiar displeasure? and, that its consequences will by no means be fatal? They inculcate principles directly the reverse. They represent sin as hateful in the sight of God; as involving in it the utter ruin of the transgressor: as calling for the interposition of God's own Son in order to its destruction. Can we say as much in favor of that scheme, according to which God in his goodness. is supposed to overlook smaller offences, and to forgive greater ones upon sincere repentance? This is a maxim of which the men of the world are exceedingly fond. To superficial observers, it seems to be founded on a zealous wish to support the cause of practical religion; and it connects itself with this self-evident principle, that those doctrines cannot be from God which are licentious in their tendency. One thing, however, it is extremely obvious to remark, that those who maintain the maxim in question, and who delight to bring it forward on many occasions, are by no means remarkable for strictness of moral deportment; and on the contrary, those against whom the maxim is Again, do the doctrines of grace directed, are generally distinguished lead us to form lax ideas of christian by the high tone of their morality, and morality? Do they in any respect exthe superior purity of their lives. clude from the circle of obedience, a These are facts, for which, consistent-particular class or description of duly with the maxim, no sufficient rea- ties? Do they confine morality to the son can be assigned. It is impossible, external conduct, without regard to that men who are avowedly under the heart and the affections? Do they the influence of licentious principles set aside one duty, either to God, to should exhibit greater purity in their man, or to ourselves? Do they reprelives than those who openly reject sent repentance as unnecessary; faith as a mere speculative assent to cerBut is it equally true, that the doc-tain abstract opinions: or holiness as trines of grace are favorable to licen- nothing more than conformity to a few tiousness? This idea must proceed pointed observances? On the contrafrom one or other of the following sup-ry, do they not exalt the standard of positions: either, that the doctrines of grace teach us to form light views of sin; or, that they inculcate a lax and deficient kind of morality; or, that they lower the obligations of the divine law. What are the views then which the doctrines of grace lead us to form of the nature and demerit of sin? Do the teach us to suppose, that that only is sin which discovers these doctrines. Christian morality by an appeal to the law as holy, just, and good? by an appeal to the example of him who came to fulfil all righteousness?" and by a reference of every duty to certain grand principles with which they require it to have a complete agreement? Once more, do the doctrines of grace lower the obligations of the divine law? Certain it is, they represent ev 178 ery Maxims of the World. Let us be transformed by the renewing of our minds, that we may prove or exhibit to the world, what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. Maxim IV. Pretensions to a divine influence, to fellowship with God, and to joy in believing are euthusiastic in their nature and tendency. kind of human obedience, even in not fail in due respect for the divine the highest degree, as unable to pro-law nor abuse in any degree the grace cure salvation. This they hold to be of the Gospel. the free gift of God through Jesus. But do they represent moral obedience to be unnecessary? Because holiness of heart and of life cannot merit the favor of God or eternal life, are they of no use whatever? Are they not still required as indispensible, in order to the attainment of certain great and determinate ends? According to the scheme of grace, holiness is one grand design which God had in view in the plan of redemption. Christ came to deliver from sin, and from the tyranny of Satan. "He gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity." Heaven is a holy state; and for this state, we must be prepared by a course of holy obedience, The doctrines of grace are all holy in their tendency, and the belief of them operates as the radical spring of holy duty. Can that system then be licentious in its tendency, according to which holiness is represented as the great design which is ever kept in view throughout the whole of God's gracious dispensations? If it be said, that the duties of morality are still left insecure; it is enough to ask in reply, can that system, which requires purity of heart, sanction in any degree impurity of life? We would exhort Christians to form to themselves comprehensive views of the Christian scheme; to trace it throughout all its practical consequences; to entertain high sentiments respecting the divine law, and the obedience which it requires. Above all, we would enforce on them, to let their lives evidence, that evangelical religion is holy in its tendency. Let them discountenance all those who profess to be its friends, and who at the same time lead irregular lives. A holy life is the most effectual reply that can be made to every objection and cavil of the adversary. Let us That the doctrines of divine agency, and the principles connected with it, may be abused by men who regulate their conduct according to the sugges tions of imagination, is by no means impossible. The desire of esteem on a religious account, spiritual pride, or some interested motive may prompt a man to class himself among those who are clearly under the guidance of the Spirit of God. But if we are to reject, as enthusiastic, every doctrine which has been abused to the purposes of enthusiasm, where shall we stop? Has not the general doctrine of Providence been abused in a manner exactly similar, and for purposes precisely the same? Because false teachers and impostors pretended to have received a divine commission, does it therefore follow, that such a commission was not given to the prophets and apostles of the Church? Before we can charge any doctrine with having an enthusiastic tendency, it becomes us to point out something in the doctrine itself which authorizes us to form such a notion. It is not to the abuse of a thing that our attention must be directed; it is to the thing itself, whatever it may be. Let our attention then be shortly directed to the doctrine of a divine influence, in order that we may discover its genuine tendency. Is there any thing irrational in the idea, that the Spirit of God may in a manner unknown to us, operate on the spirits of men? Not for the purpose of communicating any new revelations; not for the purpose of giving a divine |