20 # arity rk Ere the miss Core the Jent Rev 1827. The Board of Education of the Presbyterian Church. of Christians in relation to this sub- 55 turous and enterprising, we dare not say in a spiritual sense, that the wilderness in its wide extent has budded and blossomed as the rose. "Now, whilst it is acknowledged that much of this irreligion exists in despite of means, or in regions where the gospel is ably and faithfully proclaimed, who will deny that a large proportion of it is manifestly attributable to an entire absence of divine ordinances? It is alas! most true, that the message of reconciliation has never yet reached many sections of our republican union; that its attractive invitations have not been heard to recal sinners from their estrangement-nor its plenteous mercy unfolded to cheer the drooping spirits of the desponding-nor its glorious promises proclaimed to establish hope and give energy to faith. Hence, to such, life has none of the pure enjoyments of piety, and death none of its sustaining influence-their existence is a fluctuating and boisterous ocean, and the anchor of their hope has no lodgment within the vail! Is this a condition to be envied? Is it not pitiable and sad-so sad as to demand the sympathy of Christians, and to require the interposition of Him, who having long proffered peace to Jerusalem, wept over it when it was doomed; even of Him who when he saw the multitudes, was moved with compassion, because they fainted and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd. This we are sensible is but a picture, in outline, of the augmented necessities of the community of which we are a component part-it might receive much colouring from the pencil of truthbut our object is accomplished, if it impresses you with the necessity of furnishing labourers for a harvest already prepared for the reaper. "Conceiving ourselves as now occupying a centre, let us imagine a circumference which shall merely include the limits of our city, and we shall find a community numerically great, for whose eternal wellbeing no adequate exertion is employed. Let the circle be extended to embrace our state, and not only neighbourhoods but counties will be disclosed to view, enshrouded in ignorance more dense than their mountain mists-where literature has no consecrated asylum, and our holy religion scarce an altar-where a spirit of grovelling worldly-mindedness is predominant, and eternity has few joyful and intelligent expectants. And all this is true of a commonwealth which may be styled veteran, from the comparatively ancient date of its political organization. As we follow westward the tide of emigration, we may therefore expect even less religious devotedness among those who are zealously occupied in felling the forests, planting vil lages, and encouraging the growth of their yet infant settlements. Whilst in a natural sense the solitudes are made glad by the increasing influx and bustle of the adven "But the prospective enlargement of this field should not be disregarded. Our country is mul tiplying her population by a ratio perpetually increasing the wilds are converted into territories, and territories into independent commonwealths-feeble provinces have already become an empire, and that empire is pursuing the march of her political greatness, and encircling within her extended arms a community, which by established rules of increase, will amount in a century to nearly 200 million! The prospect is mighty! It is eminently gratifying to national feeling, and proudly exemplifies national prosperity; but upon the presumption that the means of religious instruction are to be multiplied only according to the present ratio of increase, the prospect becomes deplorable; for the existing disproportion between the harvest and the labourers will then be immeasurably greater, and hundreds of thousands will be destitute of that gospel, the proper entertainment of which, by any people, is their surest exaltation in a moral, and their securest safeguard in a political, point of view." "An explanation of the duty of Christians in general, in relation to this subject. Pray ye the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.' Here it is intimated that the cordial interest and co-operation of Christians in the concerns of the church, are requisite that its well-being is in no small degree dependant upon their zeal, and that through their instrumentality, its cords are to be lengthened and its stakes strengthened. "It becomes the duty of all who love the gospel, to entreat the Lord of the harvest to designate, by his Spirit, suitable labourers for the work. The intercessions of believers are invaluable-the chiefest of the apostles thus estimated them when he besought an interest in them-by them has the church been enriched, and it still regards them as one of the available means of its defence, stability, and glory. The fervent prayers of the righteous are never powerless-they wrestle with Jacob's God, and prevail with the God of Israel-they are the precursor of Zion's jubilee, and present in themselves an unassailable phalanx, against the foes of the church. We regard it, therefore, not only as the reasonable but incumbent duty of Christians, in all their addresses to a throne of grace, to give prominence to the object contemplated in the textthey should pray for the multiplication of faithful heralds of the cross, and they should pray with fervour and importunity. "Sincerity in prayer, however, always implies external acts of charity. Of this Christ and his apostles have proposed themselves as an example, for they not only prayed much, but evinced their sincerity by demonstrations the most unequivocal. Let the apostle James illustrate this subject. If a brother or sister be naked and destitute of daily food, and one of you say unto them, depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body, what doth it profit?' And may we not with equal justice say, what will your prayers profit, if they be the offspring of a heart which is a stranger to every generous impulse, and cold and unaffected under appeals which might stimulate the most penurious to active benevolence? We pronounce such religion to be vain-it will be neither honourable nor profitable to the possessor, nor available for the church, nor acceptable in the sight of God. How, we ask, is the gospel to be propagated, except through faithful pastors and missionaries? And how can these preach unless they be qualified and sent? And by whom are they to be sent, if professed Christians turn 1827. The Board of Education of the Presbyterian Church. from the subject with frozen apathy, and contribute as seldom and grudgingly as if the sacrifice were too mighty ever to be repaired? Your charity is needed, to multiply and perpetuate the means of moral and religious reformation-the enemies of God must triumph, if you are indisposed to apply any counteractives, and the church must languish, if its professed friends are converted into unconcerned spectators, and withhold their fostering Our Theological Seminary is still a dependant; and although its efficiency has been practically tested, in sending forth streams which have gladdened the city of our God, its necessities still suggest the propriety of subordinate Education Societies, which shall act the part of auxiliaries, in relieving promising piety and talent from discouragement, and in preparing the way for their active employment in the church. It is in this behalf we appear before you, and we feel honoured in the permission to plead, however feebly, the cause of an institution which has intrinsic claims to your attention, and has received the sanction and countenance of our highest ecclesiastical judicature. The Board of Education merits your patronage, and if properly supported it will occupy a high rank among the judicious means for supplying the Lord's harvest with labourers. To engage your co-operation in this charity, we propose to suggest in the last place, some inducements which should prevail with every Christian. "1. Our Lord Jesus Christ is interested in the success of such enterprises, and requires your concurrence and aid. He was moved with compassion, when he beheld the multitude, because they fainted and were scattered abroad as sheep having no shepherd,' and he spake to his disciples, to awaken in them a similar sympathy. Christ's mission to earth, his unparalleled huVOL. V.-Ch. Adv. 57 miliation, his active beneficence, his costly redemption, are the incontestable proofs of his desire to meliorate man's spiritual condition. He has presented us an example most worthy of imitation, and has enforced that example by his authoritative command. 66 Did he who so well knew the value of the immortal soul, feel solicitons for its welfare? and shall we, who profess to have drunk of the same spirit, regard its destruction with indifference? Did he sacrifice his life for thankless and rebellious sinners? and shall we feel no concern that our fellow men should never hear of this great salvation? When he has apprized us that a harvest of souls may be secured through our instrumentality, shall we suffer the blessed occasion to be lost through cold indifference? Forbid it Lord! rather arouse our dormant energies, and enlist us in this godlike charity-let thy example induce, thy command constrain us, to make our cordial offerings at the altar of this holy service. "2. Again, the duty to which we are called involves high responsibilities. As the stewards of God, we are required to be faithful, and as the stewards of God, we must render an account. Perhaps in the neglect of duty we may bribe conscience to silence, and succeed in justifying ourselves before men, who may need from us similar indulgence and complaisance; but is not that eye of omniscience upon us, which observes our actions impartially, and before which are disclosed every feeling and motive of the heart? Upon this occasion, therefore, we solemnly ask, that each should act as in the sight of God, and in prospect of the day when the secrets of all hearts shall be known. "3. The object in behalf of which we plead is, in our opinion, unobjectionable in principle. Perhaps you may question its utility, upon the presumption that it presents a H temptation to men to select the ministry for its respectability and emolument. Conceding that this charity, like all others, may be occasionally abused—that in some in-, stances beneficiaries may be actuated by unworthy motives, and that unsuitable men may thus be unhappily assisted in their views still is it not incontestable that such instances are rare, whilst many of the most devoted, laborious and successful ministers of the gospel, have been introduced into the Lord's harvest, through the generous interference of others. Of this we might quote abundant proof, if decorum did not forbid. Those most conversant with the operation of these institutions, have acknowledged their utility, and afforded them their aid and countenance; and is their testimony to be disregarded whilst the oft repeated and groundless objections, which the enemies of the church have originated, constitute the professed Christian's apology for withholding his dues from the Lord's treasury? Far be it from me, to prefer the charge against any of you, for we anticipate the exhibition of a different spirit this night. 4. Finally-The charity in which we would enlist your co-operation, affords the best opportunity for the display of noble, generous, and humane feeling. "Is the soul precious? Is its redemption desirable? And where is the Christian who will not eagerly attempt to avert the calamitous fate which impends over the uninstructed and irreligious. Oh, profane not the name, insult not the spirit of Christianity, by ascribing them to those whose feelings are all selfish, and whose hearts were never open to the cry of those ready to perish! My brethren, shall any be eternally doomed through our default? Shall any fail to achieve a victory over death and hell, when a little temporary sacrifice on our part, would furnish them with the means? Is the gospel our hope, and shall we deny it to others? Shall we board up the paltry pelf of earth, at the sacrifice of Christian duty, and at the expense of immortal souls? Such wealth will be dearly accumulated, for its rust will be a witness against the possessor, and eat his flesh as it were fire.' "If then you would illustrate the philanthropic spirit of the gospel-if you would redeem you character for Christian consistencyif you would eternally benefit mankind-if you would honour your Lord, we present you an opportunity; and may neither conscience, nor the God of conscience, rebuke you for neglect. With you we confidently leave our appeal." Miscellaneous. OBSERVATIONS ON THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH. To the following letters, sent us by a valued correspondent, we give a ready insertion in our pages. They relate to an important subject, which we think the ministers and members of the Presbyterian church would do well to consider carefully, before the next meeting of the General Assembly. It will be understood that we do not make ourselves responsible for any thing that may appear in this discussion, unless we state our sentiments, in remarks avowedly our own. If any one shall choose to controvert the opinions of the letter writer, we will publish whatever may be temperately written with that view, with as much readiness as we have done the present communication. Dear Sir,-You know my attachment to the principles of Presbyterianism, and my opinion that the time has come when a different organization of the General Assembly is necessary to preserve the union, fellowship, and prosperity of the several branches of the church under its care. Allow me to submit to your inspection some thoughts on the radical principles of Presbyterianism-the character and influence of the Assembly-some existing evils and the remedies proposed. My intention is to prove, in perfect accordance with Presbyterian principles, that it has become necessary to organize the General Assembly by a representation from Synods, instead of Presbyteries. Radical Principles of Presbyte rianism. Perhaps I shall not be able to state these better than by an extract from "Form of Government," chap. xii. page 363, note. "The radical principles of Presbyterian church government and discipline are:-That the several different congregations of believers, taken collectively, constitute one church of Christ, called emphatically the church; that a larger part of the church, or a representation of it, should govern a smaller, or determine matters of controversy which arise therein;-that a representation of the whole should govern and determine in regard to every part, and to all the parts united; that is, that a majority shall govern: and consequently that appeals may be carried from lower to higher judicatories, till they be finally decided by the collected wisdom and united voice of the whole church." These principles I hope to see preserved without any infractionand I feel persuaded the more they are examined and tested, the more dear they will be to the Presbyterian church. Character and Influence. On these radical principles, the Presbyterian church, in the United States of America, has hitherto been conducted and prospered. The unity of the church-judicatories for government, organized on the representative principle-the majority governing the revision and control of proceedings in lower by higher judicatories-constitute the scriptural ground; at the same time, they produce the most efficient influence, and present the most popular aspects of our form of government. These principles have, doubtless, contributed largely to the rapid increase of the Presbyterian church in this country, within the last quarter of a century. Nor will the principles be liable to become less efficient, or popular, so long as the form of our civil government remains unchanged, and the conduct of our ecclesiastical courts accords with the great design of their organization. I have no apprehension that the principles of Presbyterianism will, for a long time to come, lose ground in this country. On the contrary, it seems to me probable, that their influence will extend over the whole class of our country's population, agreeing with us in matters of faith and terms of communion. The signs of the times warrant such an expectation. I have no wish to see the power, or influence of the General Assembly diminished, nor its relation to the whole church altered. Let it |