THE BREVITY OF LIFE. Ir the first death be the mistress of mortals, and the empress of the universe, reflect then on the brevity of life. I have been, and that is all,' said Salidin the Great, who was the conqueror of the East. The longest liver had but a handful of days, and life itself is but a circle, always beginning where it ends. With the Ancient of Days 'there are no days, and time will be when time shall no more be.' The child born in the morning is old enough to die before night. To-day to me, to-morrow to thee, is death's motto. When Jacob was asked by Pharaoh, 'How old art thou?' his answer was: "Few and evil have the days of the years of my life been.' A great physician says, that art is long, life is short. The heathens' emblem for life, was an eye open, and for death, an eye shut; as if there were no other difference between the living and the dying, but the twinkling of an eye. 'Man that is born of a woman, is of few days, and full of trouble.' Job scarce thinks himself worth the naming, who doth not speak of himself in his own name-' Man that is born of a woman.' But, what of this man? 'He is of few days (short of days), and full of trouble.' Few days, and many troubles, make up the character of man. We used to say, short and sweet; but here it is short and sour; yea, short and bitter. As some speak much in a little, much matter in a little discourse; and as some do much good with a little talent, so all suffer much trouble in a little time-many sorrows in a few days. The days of man are few, compared with the days that man lived before the flood; then man lived to six, seven, eight, nine hundred, almost a thousand years. They are few also, compared to the days of God. As the days of God cannot be counted, because they are so many; so the days of man can scarcely be counted, because they are so few. 'Mine age' (says the Psalmist) 'is as nothing before Thee.' All time is as nothing compared to eternity; what a nothing, then, is the age of one man unto eternity! Some things created and finite are so great above others, that they are nothing unto them. What is the ant unto the elephant what is the shrimp to the whale? what is the whole body of the earth to the body of the heavens? It is but a point, say naturalists. As one part of the earth is but a point to the whole, and the whole earth but a point to the heavens; so one part of time is but a moment to all time, and all time is but a moment to eternity, especially to the eternity of God. What is finite unto infinite! The brevity of man's life will yet appear, beyond all modest contradiction, by the expressions wherewith it is clothed, by the metaphors wherein it is emblemed, and by the things whereunto it is compared. For instance, 6 The life of man is compared to a weaver's shuttle. My days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle.' A weaver's shuttle is an instrument of a very swift and sudden motion; this passeth the loom, or web, with such speed, that it is grown to a proverb for all things quick and transient. The life of man is compared to a handbreadth. "Thou hast made my days as an hand-breadth.' That is not long, which is no longer than the breadth of an hand; not long in the largest extent. The life of man is compared to a tale that is told. We spend our days as a tale that is told:' that is, suddenly and swiftly. A discourse from the mouth, especially in the mind, outruns the sun, as much as the sun outruns the snail. The thoughts of a man will travel the world over in a moment. The life of man is compared to a vapour. What is our life? it is even as a vapour, which for a while appeareth, and then vanisheth away.' Though all a man hath is short of life, yet this life of man soon evaporates and expires. THE EDITOR'S LIBRARY. Two SERMONS. By the Rev. W. BRUCE. Edinburgh Thomas Grant. THESE Discourses, we are told, were 'printed at the request of the Session, for Congregational use.' The Author remarks, that they were not written for publication, and that, had he consulted his own feelings, they would not have been sent to the Press.' Many, we doubt not, will be glad that he complied with the request repeatedly preferred to him. Both Discourses are excellent, and can hardly be perused, especially by those to whom they were delivered, without profit. The spirit breathed is affectionate, the train of remark suitable and judicious, and the style simple and unambitious. These Sermons were preached on occasions peculiarly interesting to the Church of which Mr Bruce is pastor: the one, on the last Sabbath his people were to meet in the place of worship which, during a long course of years, they had occupied; the other, on the first Sabbath of their assembling in a Sanctuary more conveniently situated. Texts more appropriate it would have been difficult to select. The former Discourse is founded on the words, Then Samuel took a stone, and set it between Mizpeh and Shen, and called the name of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath the Lord helped us.' The latter has for its subject the declaration of Jehovah by the mouth of the evangelical Prophet, I will make the place of my feet glorious.' Long may the preacher be enabled to give, and his people be favoured to hear, illustrations and enforcements of Sacred Truth, similar in quality to those embodied in the small Tractate before us! May the Divine blessing accompany his labours, rendering them profitable to all who wait on his ministry. WHAT IS CHRISTIAN BAPTISM? With Remarks on the Publication of the Rev. D. Wallace, Gardner. As we have not seen the Work to which this pamphlet, of eighty-four pages, professes to be a Reply, we would speak with caution as to the conclusiveness of the latter. We may remark, however, that on the general question our views and those of Mr Kennedy are perfectly coincident: nor, it is presumed, will there be much, if any, substantial difference between us, regarding the steps by which we are both conducted to the same conclusion. We may also remark, that the Tract before us is written, apparently, with great candour; is evidently the production of a man of superior ability; and discovers throughout, a fine spirit of Christian catholicity. We should conceive the Reply to be triumphant; without, however, insinuating the least disparagement of the personal worth, the mental power, or the Treatise of Mr Wallace, of whom his opponent on the point in debate here speaks with respect and esteem. We shall only add, that we entirely concur in one important suggestion which Mr Kennedy throws out in his preface: that Pædobaptists would do well to study more carefully, and pay more attention to, the initiatory rite of the New Testament Church. From ignorance and inattention to the spiritual significance and design of baptism, much of the edification to be derived from witnessing its observance is as water spilt on the ground, which cannot be gathered up again." To us the remark appears to be much needed, and deserving the serious consideration of those to whom it is addressed. Many a time, during more than a quarter of a century, have we taken occasion to urge attention to it. THE ADVISER: A Monthly Magazine for Young People. Glasgow: Scottish Temperance League. Or this little Periodical, devoted to the cause of Total Abstinence, Nos. 5, 12, 19, and 20, are before us. We have read them with much interest. They contain short stories, very affecting, and very much calculated to impress the minds of the young. We wish for them a wide circulation. Persons of substance could hardly employ a portion of it more profitably than in the gratuitous distribution of copies of this interesting Serial. We like it much. It is highly creditable, in point of ability, to its Conductors, and well adapted to those for whose benefit, more immediately, it is designed. It is well fitted to give an impulse to the high and sacred cause, which, in its own way, it advocates. THE CHILD'S GUIDE TO SCRIPTURE TRUTH. By SIGMA. Paisley: Alex. Gardner. THIS is a very useful little Catechism. For simplicity and general excellence, it is one of the best we have seen. We are pretty sure that those Parents or Teachers who may use it, will accord with the judgment here expressed. We give it our not their united intimations. Experience heartiest recommendation. THE SABBATH SCHOOL EXPOSITOR. By J. CAMPBELL, D.D., London. Glasgow: W. R. M'Phun. THIS Expositor is to be issued Weekly, in Penny Numbers, and Monthly, in Fourpenny Parts. The first No. is sent to us as a specimen. It contains a small Map of Europe, Aisa, and Africa. Those portions of these three quarters of the globe inhabited, respectively, by the descendants of the three sous of Noah, are seen at a glance, by being marked in different colours. The Notes, so far as we have had time to examine them, we think judicious, worthy of the reputation of the Editor. We quite agree with the respectable Publisher in thinking, that this Edition of the Word of God cannot but prove useful to a large and interesting class of the Christian community, whose minds are beginning to expand in anxious inquiries after the truth as it is in Jesus; and it is hoped it will meet the circumstances of the humblest individual throughout the world, capable of reading the English language, and prove an efficient aid to multitudes in drawing water from the wells of salvation.' THE CABINET. EARLY RISING. IT is remarkable to see what numerous examples of early rising we have in the Scriptures. Let any one take a Concordance, and look out the passages where it is mentioned, and he will be surprised at their number. Are not such examples binding on Christians? 'Abraham rose up early in the morning,' to offer sacrifice. The Psalmist said, 'Early will I seek thee.' Shall not Christians, then, rise early to pay their vows unto God?" The holy women came to the sepulchre, 'very early in the morning,' to embalm the body of the Saviour; and shall not His disciples seek their risen Lord early in the day? Christian, when are you most apt to neglect prayer, or to perform it hastily and unprofitably? Is it not when you act the sluggard, and waste precious hours in repose? At what season do you peruse God's Word with delight, and call upon His name with fervour? Is it not when you rise early to pay your sacrifice? Nature, then, as well as Scripture, indicates the value of the morning for religious meditation, reading, and prayer. Neglect shows you the benefit of early rising. Profit by its voice. Let the dawn summon you from the bed of repose. Let the orb of day witness you at your devotion, suparise upon you with healing in His beams. plicating that the Sun of Righteousness Thus your body will be invigorated, and your soul will prosper. A CONSTANT MIRACLE. THE Bible is a standing and an astonishing miracle. Written, fragment by fragment, throughout the course of fifteen centuries, under different states of society and in different languages, by persons of the most opposite tempers, talents, and conditions, learned and unlearned, prince and peasant, bond and free; cast into every form of instructive composition and good writing-history, prophecy, poetry, cious interpretation, literal statement, preallegory, emblematic representation, judicept, example, proverbs, disquisition, epis tle, sermon, prayer-in short, all rational shapes of human discourse, and treating, moreover, on subjects not obvious, but most difficult: its penmen are not found, another on the most ordinary matters of like other writers, contradicting fact and opinion, but are at harmony on the whole of their sublime and momentous theme.-Maclagan. PIETY AND BENEVOLENCE. one PIETY and benevolence are not synonymes. True piety will, of course, always prompt to active benevolence; but active benevo lence is not always the offspring of true piety. A real Christian will certainly sympathize with suffering, and strive to alleviate it, but it is by no means certain that a sympathizer with man, will be a servant and a worshipper of God. The to God, nor confounds the two principles; Bible never puts love to man before love but the first and great commandment' flows love to man, as naturally as reever is, love to God. From that love freshing waters from an opened fountain. The root of all man's deficiency is a dislike of God. Ye will not come to me, that ye might have life:' that is, ye choose not, pressive of volition. Men are far more 'will' being, not a sign of tense, but exready to effect the fruits of piety in their bearing towards their fellows, than to life and benevolence. return in humility to the Source of all AN AMERICAN PHYSICIAN. THE Rev. T. Perkins, one of the American missionaries, has recorded the following remarkable anecdote in his journal:A Physician, who had been personally acquainted with the infidel Paine, had embraced his sentiments, and was very profane and dissipated. After striving more than a year against the convictions of the Spirit of God, which were so powerful, and his stubborness so great, like a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke, as to bring him to a bed of long confinement, and the most awful depression of mind, he became a humble, zealous, and exemplary Christian. And as soon as his health was recovered, he qualified himself, by preparatory studies, to go forth to the world, and preach that Jesus, whom he had for many years considered as an impostor, whose name he had habitually blasphemed, and whose religion he had counted foolishness, and a base imposition on the world. 'BOUGHT WITH A PRICE.' 6 THE Rev. J. T. Robertson, an American missionary in Greece, remarks:-Some time since, a shepherd applied to our Boys' School for the admission of his son. It was told that he might send him immediately. And what,' he inquired, 'am I expected to pay?' 'Nothing.' But I am not a pauper; I own some sheep, and can give milk or wool.' 'It is not required of you.' 'And who are they that go to such expense for our benefits?' Americans.' He stood musing for some time, and at length exclaimed, 'Ah! I understand it now; they have committed great sins, and have come here to spend money, and labour by way of penance.' This anecdote recalls another:-A village priest came one day, and said to the principal teacher, 'I understand children are taught here gratis, and I wish to send a boy.' 'Is he your own?' 'No: he is a relative, whose parents were butchered by the Turks. They offered to spare him, if I would pay a ransom. They weighed him as they would have done a lamb, and I bought him at so much per oke' (an oke is 2 lbs.) How did you raise the money? way 'Besides what I receive for ecclesiastical services, I gain something by daily labour with my hands. My savings in this formed a part; some friends lent me the rest, and I still save a trifle weekly to repay them.' 'But why do you wish the boy to go to school?' That he may not grow up like the brute animals around him.' He now inquired by whom the school was supported. By the Americans,' was the reply. By the salvation of my own soul,' he exclaimed, 'I beseech you now to think, if my child be in danger of losing his religion.? As you have rescued the boy from the Turks, there is yet a higher duty to save his soul from hell.' Being told that the missionaries teach no religion but what is contained in the New Testament, Then,' said he, 'I have no reason to fear from Jesus Christ and His Apostles; he can learn nothing but what is good and true.' FOR MINISTERS. THUS while I'm dreaming life away, My flock is dying one by one, For ever happy or undone. I too, ere long, must yield my breath: Shall sound the Gospel trump no more- And eager catch the flying hour. THOUGH We had the tongues of angels; though we had strength of intellect to grapple with the most sublime and mysterious subjects; though on the wings of meditation we could spring from the boundaries of this world, and hold converse with the skies; though with the most commanding eloquence we could roll like the thunder, or be soft and sweet as the music of the spheres: still we must disclaim all praise. 'Not unto us, O Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy Name give glory.' PAULhad talents, powers, and proficiency, which might fairly entitle him to a preeminence among his brethren; but the only pre-eminence he courted was, a preeminence in dangerous service to the glory of his Master. Let little men sigh after their rattles; it suits their capacities, it fits their ambition. But neither an Apostle, nor an Apostolic man, wishes for any more dignified style, or holy occupation, than to be known in the Church as 'serving the Lord." THE whole of eloquence may be reduced to three particulars, to instruct, to please, and to move. THOUGH your discourse were set off with all the lustre that is peculiar to truth; yet would it resemble a fine glass, that is cold to the touch, as well as beautiful to the eye. The light which your sermon carries with it, should be accompanied with heat, activity, and force. It should be like one of those artificial glasses, wherein we see ourselves as we are, and at the same time observe such a flame to be kindled by them, as is capable both of consuming and purifying the objects that they act upon. CHARLES THE SECOND once asked Dr Owen, how he, being so learned, could sit to hear an illiterate tinker prate, meaning Bunyan. Owen replied: May it please your Majesty, could I possess the tinker's abilities for preaching, I would most gladly relinquish all my learning.' THOMAS GRANT, PRINTER, EDINBURGH. TRIAL, THE LOT OF THE CHURCH.-No. II. THUS, again and again, where she had | if permission had been given to the Arch hoped to find an asylum from 'the scourge of the tongue,' and the harassments of power, the Church soon experienced the virulence of reproach, or encountered the assaults of a deadlier opposition. Wherever her missionaries penetrated, this has, more or less, been her lot. They were her messengers, whom she sent forth, not on crusades of terror, but on embassies of grace; not to sow dissension and strife, but to extend the dominion of righteousness and love; not to invade the province, or subvert the authority, of Cæsar, but to teach the claims, and assert the honours, of the Blessed and Only Potentate;' not to utter threats, or denounce vengeance, but to proclaim 'glory to God in the highest, on earth peace, and good-will to men.' But, though going on such an errand of kindness, and publishing the overtures of mercy, they were, like that Divine Benefactor, whom 'His own received not,' contumeliously rejected. Their proposals were scorned; their designs, misrepresented; their characters, maligned; their persons, abused. It was well if they escaped with their lives. Thus has it fared, in every land, with not a few of those, who sought to plant, or who rallied around, the standard of the Cross. Throughout the wide territories, however, of the seven-billed City, and the countries which conquest had subjected to her domination, this was pre-eminently the case. Rankling was her spite at the followers of the Lamb; a spite, vented in words of calumny and deeds of horror. It dated from nearly 'the beginning of the Gospel.' Fearful as were its earlier ebullitions, so far from soon expending its force, it abated not, either in intensity of feeling or atrocity of outrage, during the continuance of the Imperial sway. That was the reign of fiery intolerance. Then, the Church had but few intervals of rest; an occasional and brief respite from the most galling oppressions. Her name was cast out as evil.' Her members were 'shamefully entreated-counted as sheep for the slaughter-persecuted to the death.' During those 'troublous times,' it seemed as No. II.-THIRD SERIES. fiend to waste and devour. Earth and hell, bent on the annihilation of the Church, appeared to have mustered their strength, and put forth their combined efforts. In those ages of dominant ungodliness, sorely did she suffer. How touching the tale of her grievances, which the page of the historian relates! Almost incredible was the number of her martyrdoms. Vexatious, indeed, were the exactions, unbearable the rigours, of arbitrary Power, during the three first centuries of the Christian era. How terrible the proscriptions, how sanguinary the edicts, which it then issued with most annoying frequency! Violent and general, too, in many quarters, was the opposition of the populace; whom the priesthood of idolatry, by their wiles and denunciations, exasperated to frenzy. The latter were chafed and irritated at the spread of opinions, which, in a similar proportion, were, silently but effectually, bringing the sacerdotal office into disrepute, diminishing attendance at the temple, and lessening the number of victims for the altar. If allowed to prevail, they threatened, ultimately, the abolition of their system, the extinction of their influence, and the ruin of their interests. The suppression of them, therefore, became matter of eager solicitude. To this consummation, accordingly, they directed, with steady aim, their constant endeavours. Those who embraced or propagated them, were the objects of their implacable resentment; for whom, regarded equally as personal enemies, and as defamers of the Gods, no chastisement was deemed excessive; and who, to prevent the diffusion of tenets so obnoxious, ought, in their apprehension, though by means the most iniquitous, to be coerced and crushed. How, then, was the Church to cope with resistance so determined, so incessant, so overbearing? Could she expect to survive the beating of tempest after tempest, in such close and wrathful succession? In these circumstances, what could human foresight have augured for her, but cer VOL. I. |