་ feld, in the county of Ravens- We only mention the central bersdof, in Upper Lusatia, writes in a letter of March 16, 1798, as follows :-" From a principle of charity and compassion, I have made it my study, for these several years, to trace the good to be met with in the Roman Catholic Church, which I am Since Joseph II. (of immortal the better enabled to do, as I memory) gave more religious border upon Bohemia. Is it liberty to the Protestants in the possible that so respectable a Austrian dominions (till then society of men, redeemed by greatly oppressed) several hund- and baptized into Jesus' death, red Protestant Congregations should be quite void of light, have been settled throughout grace, and experience of the Austria, Carinthia, Styria, Hun- love of Christ? God forbid! gary, and Transylvania; and Though their distinguishing those that existed previously, doctrines, resting merely on the have been greatly increased. authority of Councils, running Through the good providence of contrary to holy writ, admit of God, many truly converted men no coalition of churches, yet I from our parts, some ministers, find individuals extremely susothers people of the lowest rank, ceptible of the teaching of the but full of the Holy Spirit, have Holy Spirit. There are amongst been sent to those places, but them bishops and priests of clear chiefly to Inner Austria; by discernment in gospel matters; the labours of whom a fire of there are laymen, especially in faith and love has been kindled, the lower ranks of society, which continues to blaze unpar- whose thoughts hinge chiefly alleled to this day. To these upon Jesus Christ and his atonecongregations the Lord has ment. They have prayers and chiefly directed our attention; hymns, that one cannot possibly and partly by means of our above read without feeling a tender mentioned brother in the mer- love to our Saviour kindling in cantile line, we have been ena- our breast. Their expressions bled to furnish them with mon- betray frequently a heart absorey and books, such as Hymn-bed in the love of Christ, and books, Bibles, New Testaments: baptized into one spirit with him. thousands of which, together | His blood-bought grace is conwith our own publications, have been sent thither. Concerning Hungary and Transylvania, we are enabled to boast of several worthy friends among the Protestant ministers there; and, no doubt, much more good is thereperior to the sprinkling with to be found than we can possi- holy water. Ever since they bly be aware of at such a dis- have been permitted, and in certance. In Bohemia we have no tain instances encouraged, to acquaintance; but our friend, read the Bible, which some of the Rev. Mr. Heinrich, of Rei-their own ministers have desired sidered by them as being of infinite more value than the celebration of Mass; sinners' tears better than oral confession; and the humble appropriation of his death, beyond comparison, su them to do, a more reasonable worship is gaining the upperhand with them; and their belief is less surcharged with superstition. The zeal, respect, and devotion displayed in their places of worship, suggest a charitable hope, that our Saviour has a greater portion in their affections than at the first thought we are willing to admit. This is confirmed by those biographies, appearing from time to time, of Roman Catholics converted, and joining Protestant communities. Why are we to suppose that these instances of grace, operating on their minds, stand quite single? If my ideas on this subject are mistaken, they are at least charitable and harmless."-Thus far this interesting letter, the tenor of which agrees perfectly with the observations of several of our friends in Roman Catholic countries. We shall add a few words concerning those little branches of our Society that are in France, Denmark, Prussia properly so called, and Sweden, Strasburg, in Alsace, is the only place in France where we have a few brethren and friends. Among them stands foremost a merchant, whom God has blessed with the goods of this world, which he liberally spends in the cause of God, by printing, distributing, and circulating tracts of a good tendency, from which he has the happiness to learn many awakenings have taken their origin and the seed thus falling into a good ground, has been productive, in many instances, of excellent fruits. Though at present aged, and at the verge of eternity, yet he will rather deny himself mary comfort, than forego the pleasure of benefiting his fellow-men. We cannot express what a hearty share this good man, who is our crown and our joy, has taken in your Missionary attempts. If God spares his life a few years longer, then he may be a most convenient medium to disperse religious tracts over France. At any rate, his reward will be great beyond the grave. Of our old friend Duvernoi, late superintendant of Montbeillard, we have spoken on another occasion. In Holland, we have a little flock at Amsterdam, few in number, but abundant in child-like grace; they have lately got acquainted with the Missionary Society at Rotterdam: a connection from which we predict great blessings to arise. In Denmark, we have brethren at Altona and Flensburg, by whose means we are favoured with valuable accounts from other parts of the Danish dominions. Although the leaven of false philosophy continus to work, yet there are still worthies ready to oppose its progress, not only by word, but, which often proves more efficacious, by their walk and conversation also. Among these we reckon the Right Rev. Bishop Ball, at Copenhagen, whom a Society, consisting of many thousand members throughout Denmark, has honored with a medal coined in his name. The same Society, in a printed address to the Danish Clergy, use very energetic language, by way of reproving the more and more prevailing custom of wresting the true sense of the word of God into Socinian errors, and denying the Lord who bought us. 2 In a letter, they mention ther conviction, that there are more than 7000-nay 70,000 souls in Denmark, who have refused to bend their knees to Baal; and who, if asked whether they also meant to forsake Christ? would certainly reply, "Lord, to whom should we go, thou hast the words of eternal life." In this number are comprised several families of the first nobility of the kingdom. In Prussia, properly so called, we have a friend at Mohrungen, in the person of old Rev. Mr. Tresho, a blessed minister of the gospel, who has been in connection with us ever since the beginning of our Society. He always has been, and is still blessedly active in the good cause, by issuing publications that have the stamp of the Spirit of God. He but lately complained to us of the lamentable state of vital Christianity in his country, where the number of gospel preachers, and consequently that of practical Christians, is exceeding small; yet even there, a seed is left, and among them a few of the nobles of this world. The same is applicable to Koningsberg, Warsaw, and other places of Prussia, Lithuania and Poland. From Warsaw, the former capital of Poland, we learn in a letter written by an awakened School-master, whom we furnished with books, that the breathing of the Spirit of God is perceptible there in a rather distinguished manner.--The above mentioned Mr. Tresho, writes:-"On Epiphany (being the festival of the Heathen) I communicated to my congregation the news of the Mission to Otaheite. I wish to engage at least their minds so far for this work, that they may give it the support of their prayers, wrestling with the Lord for its prosperity." The only place in Sweden where we have a friend, is Gottenburg. Our dear correspondent there has taken the pains to translate and publish some of our prints. At the same place preaches a gracious and highly gifted minister of the gospel, with such success, our friend writes, that his church is constantly crowded; and many are forced to return for want of room. In summer, all the outside of the place is encircled with hearers, desirous of receiving a blessing from the word; and the number of believers increases considerably. Though we are in no connection with Russia, yet we are informed from good sources, that in the German colonies along the Wolga, there are several gospel ministers that labor with blessing. Finally, we have the satisfac tion to state, that by means of our worthy friend Vander Smissen of Altona, our Society has been transplanted to NorthAmerica; and we send our collections and extracts regularly to New-York and Philadelphia. These, Rev. Fathers and Brethren, are a few outlines of the work of God either committed: to us, or at least carrying on in those countries with which we are connected. The scattered good being thus collected into one focus, cannot but kindle the feelings of the friends of the cause into joy and gratitude ; but if we were to bring the mass of evil, the power and the means of infidelity before your eyes, it, would chill your hearts; and a. whole library of volumes would not suffice for the purpose of displaying the growing depravity of manners, the decay of morals, churches and states.Still we do not despair; who has called us is faithful, and our cause is his own. The gates of hell shall not prevail against his church: on the contrary, render offences against him the more inexcusable, of his omnipresence and omniscience which baffle all attempts to hide transHegression, and of his almighty power which renders it impossible for offenders to escape or resist him, must necessarily make sin appear 66 exceeding sinful," and convince men of the guilt and malignity of those offences, which before they could justify, palliate or conceal. The As long as Jesus Lord remains, It was, it is, and will be so, From the Christian Observer. Job xlii. 5, 6. I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now mine eye seeth thee; wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes. SELF ELF-ignorance is the necessary consequence of ignorance of God. While men hear of him only by the hearing of the ear, and have no spiritual discovery made of him to the eye of their understanding, they will be apt to plead strongly for the merit of human actions, look upon some sins as slight and excusable, and persuade themselves that God will not be extreme to mark what is done amiss. But as light is most evident when contrasted with darkness, and beauty with deformity, so a clear discovery of the holiness of God which will not suffer him to en latent wickedness of their hearts will then be discovered to them; as a sun-beam shining into a room displays every grain and speck of dust, which before was imperceptible. They will then be ready to cry out with Job, “I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear, but now mine eye seeth thee; wherefore I abhor, &c."-with Isaiah, on a like discovery, "Woe is me! for I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips, for mine eyes have seen the King the Lord of hosts." Happy are they, who are thus humbled in the dust and stript of every selfrighteous plea; and thankful ought they to be for the methods, however painful, which have been employed to produce this disposition in them; for all the promises in the gospel belong to the poor in spirit and contrite in heart, and its grand maxim is, that "he that hum dure iniquity, of his justice bleth himself shall be exalt which obliges him to punish it, ed." his goodness and mercy which Donation to the Missionary Society of Connecticut. Nev. 1st, 1804. A Friend of Missions, Y. God justifies none who are desti- PER ment of Christ needs no addition, from any righteousness in the sinner, that it may be a sufERSONAL holiness im ficient foundation for the conplies holiness of heart; sistent exercise of pardoning this is a necessary preparation grace, even to the chief of sin for every duty. Repentance, ners. He is the only name, faith, obedience, submission and given under heaven, among dependence, are so many ex- men, whereby we must be savpressions of holiness. Impen- ed. And he is able to save itence, unbelief, disobedience them to the uttermost, that and rebellion, are acts of iniqui- come unto God by him. Justy, and evidences of a perverse tification by Christ alone is a spirit. Tho' indwelling holi- leading feature of the gospel, so ness is necessary to salvation, that all who are united to Christ yet this is not the meritorious are saved, and all who believe ground of the sinner's pardon not shall be damned. But if and acceptance with God. The Christ be the only ground of redemption of Christ is the only pardon and acceptance, and no satisfaction for sin. Men are holiness be required of us, as the not justified at all for their holi- matter on account of which we ness, as that which conciliates are to be justified, an inquiry the favor of God; for by the will very naturally arise in a redeeds of the law shall no flesh flecting mind, of what advanbe justified in his sight. Christ tage then is the personal holiis the end of the law for righness of sinners, in the affair of teousness, to all them that be- | justification; and why may they lieve. This is a truth support- not be accepted without holied by the whole tenor of the ness. If men, who have no hogospel. Christ came to be a liness, were justified, an objecpropitiation for our sins; and tor would say, then it would depardon is offered us on account | cidedly appear that they were of his redemption. The atone-justified for the sake of Christ VOL. V. No. 6. A a |
