Page images
PDF
EPUB

the work of man. And for these reasons, they think it wrong to use means to promote a revival: and that those who do so, cannot have a proper sense of their dependence upon God. And if, at any time, they see men deliberately concerting a plan and entering upon a systematic course of operations, with a view to produce a revival, they consider them as virtually denying their dependence, and assuming the prerogatives of God; and they dare not lend their aid in promoting a scheme of this kind, which appears to them, if not absolutely impious, yet as the result of very erroneous views.

I confess, I cannot see why the use of means to promote a revival of religion, should be thus considered, any more than the use of means to accomplish other objects. Is it because a revival of religion is the work of God? We also believe that a revival is the work of God, and we rejoice that it is so, and that He is able to carry it on without any assistance of ours. And we also believe, that those revivals which are in such a sense the work of man, as to exclude the agency of the Holy Spirit, are entitled to no confidence, but are spurious and vain.-But we see nothing in all this, to exclude the use of means. It is the work of God to cause the earth to yield her increase. "He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb for the service of man." The husbandman is as much dependant upon God for the fruits of the earth, as the church is for a revival of religion. Why does he not say, it is the work of God to give me a harvest, and it would be wrong for me to attempt to take it out of his hands? Why does he not sit down in idleness, and wait for God to accomplish his own work, since he is fully able to do it without any assistance of his? Why does

[graphic]
[ocr errors]
[ocr errors]

the nur
Expect THEM TO
man who het hul nows is jet.
was to care a de esc"TUIT

OËLS SEBE. VII scatters or without
judgment, and it partially op
ers it. 149 30 reason et
1000gat sarvest. Í hink, here-
fore, that the manner in which se
use means in the moral word.
abundantly sufficient to account
for their partial success, moet
supposing there is any want t
uniformity in the Divine mers-
tions. And that the supposT UN
that they would ever tant, at .arth-
fully used, is perfectis gratuitons.
and destitute of root.

mccess is proportion. thereburn, as ter dissin tur effect to be produced, they vse the appropri-, the meats with fideicy and perseterace. And success kaly mans their efforts accordingly. Now, what reason is there to that the use of means in, al world is not equaily and eqtaly effectual? that no effect inlows from tain the mural world, without bnation of Dome power?Fiber does any effect follow from in the world, without *sertion of Devine power.la therefore, cannot be a reais it that he means used in aal word more frequently dá producing he desired effect. ey do in ne natural world?, to be proved, in the first that they do more frecvent it and then it ought med that this failure was not te from a want of a herner being used, nor frm & want erbang used with at fidelad perseverance

which

fre used in ne matarai world.

bn men desire in fect to be

Mared in the natural world, they
Fractomed Jo-as 1. the means

But it is a question. whether
these remarks will inDiva the
subject of a revival of tersan
is clear, that a revers
work of God, wy
inapplicable:
the naturai
work of
the work
sense imm
work
incanabe
meanse

[ocr errors]
[ocr errors][ocr errors]
[merged small][ocr errors]

ir power, mutase them I can ass milly and perseveragly. But

effect sa be produced moral voortd. I think ther 1st, in general desire it o stly, nor so carefully use all tiens in “heir power, nor we with idelity and nee Peace. They have some taint

res, bert and they make mejecute afors, and use como ⚫tesecessary means. But e the men become languid.

and a part of the same. RevE. Thile they came, -Amt her ton offer

[merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][merged small][merged small][merged small][merged small]
[merged small][ocr errors]

produced, is of a different nature. | ation, is a system of means for the accomplishment of this work Are the means, then, which are adapted to promote this work, means which God only can use, and in which men can have no agency? Or if there are means which men can use for the promotion of this work, has God claimed the use of them, exclusively to himself, and forbidden men to employ their agency? The decision of these questions, will decide what is our duty on this subject. And the decision of these questions is easy. God has given us the bible, not to be laid in a corner, but to be used. used. He has appointed an order of men whose whole business is the application of the means he has appointed for the conversion and sanctification of the human race. And He has made it the duty of all men to make use of these means themselves, to pro

In the natural world, the effect of the Divine operation is a natural good; in this case, the effect of the Divine operation is a moral good. I see no other difference. Some have called the conversion and sanctification of an individual, a special work of God, others a supernatural work, and others a miraculous work. If by a special work, is meant that it is a work which God does not carry on in every individual, it is a special work in that sense. If by a supernatural work is meant, that the effect produced is a moral good, which is superior to a natural good, it is a supernatural work in that sense; but I do not think that a sufficient reason for calling it so, because I do not think that is the idea usually conveyed by the term. Supernatural usually means the same or nearly the same as miraculous. What those mean who call it a mi-mote their own sanctification, and raculous work, I do not precisely know. A miracle is usually defined to be a suspension or counteraction of the laws of nature, that is, a departure from the established mode of divine operation. But God certainly has an established mode in the conversion and sanctification of men, which he has revealed in the scriptures, and according to which he has been carrying on this work for nearly six thousand years. There is no propriety, then, in calling it a miraculous work. The work of conversion and sanctification, therefore, is not a work of God in a sense different from his other works, except in its being of a moral nature. And now the question arises, does its being of a moral nature render it incapable of being promoted by means? No one who believes the bible will affirm it. Men are begotten by the word of truth, and are sanctified through the truth. The whole system of divine revel

to use them with others, as they have opportunity, for the attainment of the same object. He has not indeed, instituted these means, and required men to make use of them because he needed their assistance in the accomplishment of this work. Neither has He done so in the natural world. But He has instituted means, and required the use of them, in both cases. And He has done it, in both cases, doubtless, for the same reason, as a particular favour to us. He condescends to employ us as co-workers with himself, because it is a great privilege to us to be thus employed, though He is fully able to accomplish his work without any assistance of ours.

In view of these considerations, I think it clear that it is not only proper for us to use means to promote revivals, but our indispensable duty so to do: and that we ought to enter upon them with as much deliberation and system, and

pursue them with as much fidelity | er encouragement to use means to and perseverance, as we should to obtain a spiritual harvest, than we attain any other object. And not have to obtain the natural harvest. only so, but that we ought to call For the means necessary to obtain forth in this work all our wisdom, the natural harvest are but a part and prudence and zeal, inasmuch of them such as men can use, while as the object transcends all others a large proportion of them are such in importance: And I would ob- as God only can use, and in which serve also, that I think we have as men have no direct instrumentaligreat encouragement to use means ty. But the means necessary to for the promotion of revivals, as obtain a spiritual harvest, are most, we have to use means for the if not all, such as men can use, attainment of any object in the and such as God never uses withnatural world. I will go fur-out human instrumentality. ther. I think we have even great

FOR THE HOPKINSIAN MAGAZINE.

MR. EDITOR,

In the Essay upon Hopkinsianism in your last number, there seems to be a great want of clearness, if not of correctness.

1. In the remarks on "doing as one chooses to do." Query-Does the writer ever act contrary to present choice?

2. "It is the sentiment of Hopkinsians, that free moral agency consists simply in choosing or willing." Are not these powers, or acts, found with every domestic animal ?

a

3. Distinguishing between right and wrong, appears to be ascribed to Conscience. Is not that making conscience and understanding one? Ought we not to view them as wholly different, though acting in concert? Understanding is perceptive power, by means of which, we distinguish good and evil. Without this power, conscience cannot act. Without clear light in the understanding, its decisions are liable to be wholly wrong. When the understanding is properly illuminated, conscience discharges its office, not making its possessor acquainted with duty,but making him feel his guilt, for do

A FRIEND TO REVIVALS.

Utica Christ. Repos.

ing what he knows is wrong. His
understanding teaches him what he
ought to do; conscience urges him
to do it. Understanding perceives;
conscience feels, or causes its pos-
sessor to feel. It differs from ev-
ery other faculty, because it makes
crime, when he neglectsthe improv-
a person of information feel his
ement of his faculties, or fails to ex-
ercise right affections. Are not un-
derstanding, will and conscience,
all that are necessary to constitute
a living creature, a free, moral
agent?
J.

[merged small][ocr errors][merged small]

is He not a changeable being?An answer would be pleasing to INQUISITOR.

FOR THE HOPKINSIAN MAGAZINE.

MR. EDITOR,

While professing Christians, with, comparatively, few exceptions, have believed in the endless punishment of the finally impenitent; they have endeavoured to vindicate the justice of such punishment, in different ways. Some have said, that sin deserves an infinite punishment, which no creature can suffer, in a limited time. Others have said, that the finally impenitent will deserve to be punished forever, because they will continue to sin forever. All will grant, that the future punishment of the wicked, will not be greater in degree, nor longer in duration, than they deserve; for the Judge of all the earth, will do right."Unless, then, it can be clearly shown, that the wicked deserve endless punishment, it seems un

[blocks in formation]

Religious Intelligence.

PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH.

Extract from a Narrative of the state of Religion, within the bounds of the General Assembly of the Presbyteri. an Church in the United States, 1824.

Although we can state many things which will give joy to the Churches, and animation to all who love the Lord's kingdom, and the glory of the Redeemer, it is not to be disguised that there is very much to excite our deepest humiliation and awaken the most solemn fear. Within our extensive bounds there is a vast wilderness filled with immortal souls, who are destitute of religious instruction and hope; there are regions just beginning to enjoy the

NEPIOS.

"dayspring from on high," still dark in error and ignorance, and cold in indifference and sin.Where the gospel is preached, it is met with powerful opposition by errors of every form, and it is assailed by enemies of every name. Amid many of our Churches are to be found cold and worldly professors, and multitudes who having a name to live are dead, and the enemies of Jesus are sometimes established in the house of his friends. We do not recollect to have heard more deep and afflicting representations from the Presbyteries, of the want of zeal and the life-giving energies of the Spirit. On every side there are complaints of prevailing error, of li

[ocr errors]
« PreviousContinue »