The Creed. unessential. Does any church hesitate to use this article in the creed, he descended into hell,' through an apprehension of its being misunderstood that church is at perfect liberty to dispense with the use of it; and I am acquainted with several churches, who, on this ground, omit this clause alto gether, in the use of the creed. "There was an intelligent looking young man, who during all this conversation, had sat by himself in the corner of the room, and listened in silence. After the above explanation, a pause of a few moments ensuing, he modestly said, 666 You think there are good reasons for repeating this creed, on every occasion of public worship, I presume?" σε Certainly we do was the reply. You will observe that this confession of our faith comes in, after the lessons or chapters from the Old and New Testament have been read. Our faith is founded on the word of God. The great design of the word of God from beginning to end, seems to be to call our attention to the following prominent truths—the existence of the Supreme Being, and our obligations to himthe fact that those obligations have been wantonly violated— the grand remedy provided for our rescue from merited destruction—and the means through which we can become invested with new capabilities of serving Jehovah acceptably. According to that infallible record, the medium through which all this is accomplished, is the incarnate Son of God. There is no salvation without faith in Christ's mediatorial work. The word of God was given to us that we might be. lieve. We go to the house of God to worship Him, and obtain his salvation. The promise is Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.' Having heard from the pages of the sacred volume, who Jesus Christ is what his errand to our earth is-what God's purposes of grace in reference to us are― —if we are disposed to believe all this-to take God at his word, and rest upon these assurances of His, with filial, child-like confidence, and declare to the world that this is our determination, salvation is ours. "For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.' "The church wishes to give every one in the sanctuary, upon every occasion of public worship, an opportunity to make this confession before God. She goes upon the sup The Creed. position, that upon every such occasion, there may be some sinners prepared for the first time to make their heart-felt confession to God, and obtain the blessing of justification.And by inserting this creed in her daily service, she says to every unrenewed sinner that treads the courts of the sanctuary to every sorrowing son and daughter of Adam, whose thoughts are turned towards eternal things-'Sinner, thou hast come here on important business :-by thy behaviour while within these walls, thou mayest close the open portal of death, and win a crown of glory. If thou_shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Here is a form of words in which thou mayest confess Him. Do it with thine heart, and Christ shall be everlastingly thine. Do it with sincerity-let these words come from thy inmost soul, feel their power, and rest thy all on God; and while thou art speaking, thy name shall be written in the Book of Lite.'-All this is literally true. If those who assemble in our churches and repeat the creed, should always do it in this way, they would make that confession with the mouth which is unto salvation. But if these words are repeated as a mere hollow, heartless form, the repeating of the creed is worse than mockery in the sight of God. It is an attempt to draw near to Him with our mouths, and to honor him with our lips, while our hearts are removed far from Him.' Such feigned acts of reverence, unless speedly repented of, will not escape the damnation of hell.' "I would also remark that it is proper and profitable for those whose faith has been long established, as from Sabbath to Sabbath they listen to the communications of God's word, to stand up and in the presence of God and men, declare their belief in the great fundamental truths of the gospel. "These remarks seemed to rivet the attention of the young man, who had proposed the question which had called them forth. No sooner were they concluded than he remarked: "I feel greatly obliged to you for this explanation. I have some personal experience on this subject. The thril ling remarks of our friend, Mrs. M- —, a little while since, in relation to the blessing she experienced in the use of a part of the service have encouraged me to attempt to relate Struggles in the bosom of a convinced sinner. -- the effect on me, of repeating the creed, the first time I did So. I was educated, as all these individuals here know, to regard religion as a delusion, and the idea of the divinity of Christ as a weak, silly superstition, coming down from the dark ages. When first came here and began to preach, you I, like many others, went to hear you from curiosity; not because I had any belief in the gospel, or care for salvation. But, though reckless of myself, God cared for me. The words I heard were like barbed arrows to my heart. I saw and felt that I was a sinner. I resolved that I would seek mercy and pardon of God, but I determined I would do it independently of a Saviour. My proud heart recoiled from the idea of going to God through a mediator. I therefore tried to go directly to the Father, who dwelleth in light inaccessible. To Him I directed my prayers, with no mention of the name of Jesus. For a while my feelings seemed soothed. But when I began to look farther into my heart, and sce how awfully guilty I was, I found no peace. The recollection of my past guilt was like the gnawing of the undying worm. I went about weary and heavy laden. I went to the place of worship. While there I could not bring myself up to the point of uniting in those parts of the service, where there was any recognition of the deity of Christ. My heart was yet too stubborn and unsubdued to embrace this humbling truth. Day after day passed away, and there seemed to be no rest for me. Every time I opened the word of God, something met my eye, that seemed to cut me loose from all my hopes, and send me adrift upon the dark sea of uncertainty. "At length, one Sunday morning, I opened the Bible at the first chapter of St. John's gospel. I began to read, and as I went on, I said to myself-If this book is true, and there is any meaning in language, Jesus Christ must be divine. The conclusion startled me. I said to myself— That Jesus Christ is God, is a hard saying; I cannot receive it.' The conviction then instantly flashed upon me- You will then have to give up the Bible, for this doctrine is clearly taught there.' The Bible I could not give up, for every agonizing throe of conviction that I was then feeling, told me it was true. I went to church. The chapters that were read, strikingly set forth the divinity of Christ. The sermon related to Christ Confession of Christ's divinity. as the only saviour of sinners. I went home wretched beyond description. My mind was like the troubled deep when darkness rests upon it, and tempests sweep over it. I went to my room and groaned for very agony. I could not pray. The hour of afternoon church arrived. I again directed my steps to the place of worship. As the service proceeded, this train of thoughts passed through my mind ;—I am sure the Bible is true—the Bible clearly teaches, that we can be saved only through Jesus Christ, by believing on him as a divine Saviour. Now I want to be saved-why then do I not believe? The thought then flashed upon me like the winged lightning-It is because you are an accursed rebel against God, and are unwilling to submit to His government. Then, truly, the iron entered my soul, and I felt my heart riven to the centre. I could not resist this conviction. I said-I am willing to do any thing if this load can be taken off-if I can only have the favor of God, and not sit forever beneath his withering frown. "This was just before the reading of the second lesson, which happened to be the chapter that contained these verses Whosoever, therefore, shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in Heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in Heaven.' As I heard these words pronounced, the conviction instantly fastened upon my mind, I must confess Christ before men, before I shall ever obtain any light or peace. I resolved to do it upon the first opportunity. I determined now to join in the service. Immediately we arrived at the creed. Here was a fit form of words in which to confess Christ. The thought had not occurred to me till that moment, that such was the design of the creed. I looked up to God and said, O! give me grace to confess thy Son. I went on with the worshippers, and for the first time acknowledged my belief in the incarnate Son of God. I felt that this was giving all up. In the very effort I made, I was brought to a state of submission, of which till then, I had been entirely ignorant. The effect was wonderful. It seemed as though I could at once take hold of the promises of God. The darkness which had hung over me, seemed at once rolled away. The gospel plan of mercy rose before me, invested with light and loveliness; and I said te Another incident connected with the Creed. myself, Is this what I have loathed and rejected? I looked at Christ. How altered he appeared! I remembered his office, and the errand on which he had come to our undone world. And as I thought of all His love to dying sinners, he appeared to me chiefest among ten thousand, and altogether lovely. I said-Is it possible that this is the Saviour, whom I have scorned and disowned? What a mercy is it that God did not hurl me down to the nethermost hell, while my proud knee refused to bow to Jesus, and my guilty tongue, to confess that he is Lord of all! Sir, I have been happy since the first time I repeated the creed. I love the creed. It is full of light and illumination to my mind. It honors Christ-it makes us own him-and he tells us, that if we do, he will own us at last.' "This little narrative was listened to with no ordinary interest; for this young man, in the few times I had met him, had been remarkably reserved. On this occasion, his tongue seemed unloosed, and he spoke almost as though inspired. An impression, deep and strong, had evidently been made upon the minds of all present, and for a few moments we all remained silent." I must here be permitted to interrupt the narrative of the Manuscript for one moment, to relate a fact in relation to the repeating of the creed, which was stated to me by a clergyman, who had unquestionable vouchers for its truth. I requested him to give me the statement in writing, which he did as follows: "A gentleman of the highest standing in society in one of our first commercial cities, had regularly attended an Episcopal Church, until time had begun to whiten his locks. Of his private and personal character, it might be said as truly as of the young man whom Jesus loved- but one thing thou lackest.' "But at length, as he was bearing his usual part in public worship, and audibly responding the service, when the min ister came to the creed, and began with the solemn dec.aration, I believe in God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, his mind was arrested. The thought rushed into his heart with a power and brightness similar to that which accompanied the voice that spake, and the light that shone upon Saul-Do I believe? A conviction of his |