Page images
PDF
EPUB
[ocr errors][merged small][merged small]

them to will and to do, of his own good pleasure!

8. If all things are to God, in the sense explained, then there is reason to be pleased on the whole, with all things and events. Many things are evil in themselves; and as such, it is right to be displeased with them. Many events take place, extremely undesirable in themselves; and as such, they may be deplored. But, when it is considered, that all things and events, whether good or evil in themselves, were designed, and shall be made to result in the glory of God and the good of his kingdom; there is abundant reason, on the whole, to be satisfied with whatever has been, is now, or will be hereafter. There is ground 'to rejoice in the Lord alway.'

Finally. The subject under consideration, shows who are reconciled to God. It is presumed, that but few will maintain, that those are reconciled to God, who are displeased with what he is, what he does, and what he designs to do; but if not, then none are reconciled to God, who are not pleased with his sovereign wisdom and goodness, in working all things according to the counsel of his own will; for or him, and THROUGH him, and to him, are ALL THINGS; to whom be glary for

[blocks in formation]

est lustre. The same law that obliged Adam, in innocence, to love God in all his perfections, as displayed in the works of creation, obliged Moses and Israel to love him in all the glorious displays of himself in his wonderful works of providence, of which they were witnesses. And the same law, that obliged them to love him in those discoveries of himself, obliges us to to love him in other discoveries, by which he has since more gloriously appeared, as saving sinners through the death of his Son. To suppose, that we are obliged to love God as manifesting himself in the works of creation and providence, but not in the work of redemption; is to suppose, that, in the highest and most glorious displays of himself, he deserves no regard. The same perfections, which appear in all his other works, and render him lovely, appear in this with a ten-fold lustre: to be obliged to love him on account of the one, and not of the other, is not a little extraordinary. ANDREW FULLER.

DECLARATIVE GLORY OF GOD.

The declarative glory of God, as it concerns himself, is of inconceivable weight. It is the highest end that can possible be promoted. It is also a matter of the utmost consequence to all the good part of the intellectual creation; to holy angels and just men. In his light, they see light. In the light of his countenance-in the knowledge and contemplation of his perfections, is their supreme felicity. By the declarative glory of God is meant, the manifestation of his essential glory; the giving rational creatures true ideas of his real attributes. In order to this, it seeins necessary that he should make himself known by his works and ways. This therefore is the method he hath taken, and which it is to be supposed he will ever pursue. By works of power, he shows that he is omnipotent: By doing good, he shows that he is good; and by arful judgments on the workers of iniquity, he shows that he is, beyond comparison, glorious in holiness. It may reasonably be presumed, that, for the sake of his declarative glory, in which he so much delights, and which is so essential to the good of created intelligences, it is necessary that these, his several perfections, should be thus eternally displayed. This seems to be the account which we have in the scriptures, of the wise and good ends both of temporal and eternal punishments.

When Pharaoh was drowned in the red sea, there was this good end to be answered by it, that God's name might be declared throughout all the earth. And the apostle says, What if God, willing to show his wrath, and to make his power known, endured with much long suffering the vessels of wrath, fitted to destruction: and that he might make known the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory? We are sufficiently let into the reasons and ends of the wrath to come, to have rational grounds to believe that the hand which punishes sin with eternal death, on the larger and universal scale, is perfectly good. Certainly it must argue great arrogance, rather than superior penetration, in any man to be confident of the contrary. Who but one who knows how to govern the universe, in the wisest and best manner, can safely protond to say, that endless punishnents, though just, cannot be necessary, nor answer any sufficiently important purposes?

DR. SMALLEY.

From the Christian Mirror.

ON FINDING FAULT WITH MINISTERS.

Mr. Editor,-In these days of declension, when it becomes Christians to wrestle in prayer like Jacob, or like Aaron and Hur to hold up the hands of their ministers; it grieves my heart to hear them, instead of this, finding fault with their pastors, and that in a most unreasonable manner. We often hear them complaining in a manner like this:-" Our minister does not visit his people and converse with them as he ought. (But it is worthy of remark that this complaint is brought forward by those who are strangers at his dwelling.) He is too slow of speech. He is not a popular preacher. He dwells too much upon doctrines, or not enough. He ought to preach more to sinners. He ought to preach more upon Christian experience. More upon this or that particular duty." These expressions, and many more like them, might be mentioned, which we should never hear of, did these complainers consider but for a moment. I shall not pretend to say how much ground there may be for these complaints; nor shall I say that ministers are never to blame; but I do say that it ill becomes those who should be their helpers in the Lord, and who should hold up their hands, to hang like a dead weight upon them, and not only lose all benefit which they might derive from their ministry themselves, but exert a powerful influence to hinder its good effect upon others. Alas, Christian, is this thy kindness to thy friend? Is this thy gratitude for all his prayers and tears, while he mourns over thee in secret to see leaf after leaf of thy promising profession withering and falling, and sinners thronging the broad road? Will you leave him to serve and grieve alone? O ungrateful man! Have you no bowels of compassion for sinners, that you thus lay a stumbling block in their way, rather than hold up a light to guide them to heaven? Do but look around you upon the people of this State. See Christians slumbering, and sinners perishing; while every truth of God's word is assailed by the champions of error. See vice gaining ground, and the delusions of Satan, like a flood, threatening to overwhelm even the name of religion. See how little is done in many places toward supporting the gospel, in comparison with what migat be expected; and what a death-like indifference prevails in many places with regard to having the preaching of the gospel.

See how many ministers are needed, and how many destitute places there are to be supplied. Witness the increasing boldness of the enemies of the gospel. These things should not be lightly passed over; for things have come to such an alarming crisis, that Christians must awake, or they might as well give up the cause. Neither have they any time to lose; for while they sleep and remain inactive, all the legions of hell are busy. Look at the cause of Christ in this country, and in the world. Think of your poor perishing children, and your own guilty soul. Lay all this close to your heart, as much so as the subject demands, and then, if you have nothing else to do, go and find fault with your minister.

A LAYMAN.

From the New-York Observer.
MISSIONARY EFFORT.

Messrs. Editors-Have you heard the rumour, which has lately gone through the land, that very much is done to send the gospel to the heathen, and to build up the waste

places of Zion in our land? I am told, that the streams of Christian charity are beginning to flow, with a deep and broad and steady current-that we live in the bright morning of the 19th century-that the Christian world is all awake and the gospel will soon be preached to every creature. Yes, go where you will, and urge Christians to their duty on this subject, and you will be met with very welcome tidings. Urge as you will, and in reply you will be told, "Much has already been done, and much more is doing."

I know much is done, and I rejoice at it;-I know much is done, but let me ask, is all done that needs to be done? is all done that can be done?

If Jewish infidelity is at an end; if the delusions of Mahommedism are no more; if the abominations of Popery are past; if Paganism has disappeared; if Christ already has the heathen for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession; if his dying charge is already executed, and the full blaze of the millenium is now shining upon the world; then all is done that needs to be done; the mighty trust committed to the church is fulfilled, and Christians may sit down in idleness.

But what is the fact? At this moment, all that is done by the Christian world needs to be increased a thousand fold. Our Bibles, our missionaries, our ministers at home, our Christian zeal.and enterprize, all need to be incalculably increased. Any man who will look beyond the little circle that bounds his daily movements, will see at once that this is painful truth. He will see that the world is still lying in wickedness; and that unless the church of Christ makes a more vigorous effort than it has yet made, generation after generation must for a long time continue to go from heathen lands into an unknown and unheard of eternity. Surely this is no time for us to stop that we may congratulate ourselves on what is already done. Rather should we put on mourning and confusion of face, that so httle is done. The world is before us, and it is still a world in ruins. Look at the work to be done. The temple of the living God is to be erected, though as yet its walls are just beginning to rise. The last stone is to be laid, the scaffolding to be removed, the beautiful situation to be cleared, and Zion to stand forth "the perfection of beauty, the joy of the whole earth."

Let me ask, then, is all done that can be done? Messrs. Editors, with what I know of the manner in which Christians make their offerings to the Lord, I have not patience to answer this question. Atthis moment, where we write hundreds for the treasury of the Lord, we might write thousands. This remark, for nine cases out of ten, needs no qualifications. Talk about the power of the church.-How, let me ask, do Christians furnish the supplies, which in fact they do furnish? Is there any mighty struggle?-is there an effort that puts every power in requisition; that leads them to husband all their resources with frugality? or is it altogether a casual thing with them, met as they meet the trifling expenses of the day, that pass almost unnoticed and unthought of?--Look through this wide community, and the answer will stare you in the face. You will find that what is done, is done with absolutely no effort at all; with a few noble exceptions, that do honour to the Christian name, this is unqualified and unequivocal truth. How

do Christians begin their weeks and their months? Do they follow the direction of the great missionary to the Gentiles, by laying in store on the first day of the week, as the Lord hath prospered them, that there be no gathering when their charity is called for,-that their bounty be ready and at hand? Do they seek first the kingdom of heaven-are they most solicitous to know how they shall make their business best subserve the cause of Christ?-how, without neglecting other duties, they can lay aside their dollar, or their five or ten dollars, for the next monthly concert; and are they as much gratified and rejoiced, with what they are enabled to lay by, as the miser is with what he is enabled to treasure up ? Is this the animating aspect of the Christian world ? Heaven grant that it soon may be. But at present the melancholy fact is far otherwise. In most cases Christians live on, thinking little of the subject, till called upon by some one commissioned to ask their charity, and then, without examining the object proposed, they throw in something, just as they would throw down a shilling at a turnpike gate, and pass on, scarcely thinking of it again, either in the way of wanting it, or caring what becomes of it.

Is this the way to send the gospel through the earth to execute the command " 'go teach all nations?" Does this look like rejoicing daily at those signs of the times which betoken the approach of the Millennium? I say again, what is given, is given without effort. It is not raised by self-denial, by rigid economy and management, by casting about, and getting together all that may with propriety be spared from other objects. What Christians give is only part of what runs over their cup. And such is their

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

apathy, that till their cup runs over, they hardly think of giving at all. They never think of drawing from the fountain till it is full, for then they would have to trust the Lord; seldom think of raising any thing merely by sacrifice and self-denial, by circumscribing their expenses, denying themselves a luxury, or lessening their courtly train and equipage. Go through Christendom, and you will find these remarks verified, with only this difference, that they do not come up to the truth. Go and name the men, whose daily study is to shape their business that it shall contribute most to build up the kingdom of heaven on the earth. Go name the men, who raise their charities by self-denial, who have less splendid furniture, less costly tables, fewer servants, less equipage, for what they give in charity; and where you find one, I will find ninety and nine who never know, from any inconvenience they sustain, that they have given a farthing.

I repeat it then, the treasury of the Lord, so far as it is supplied, is supplied without self-denying effort, without that self-devoting spirit of zeal and enterprise which primitive Christians possessed. On this subject there is an apathy in the church that is like the chill of the grave, and men are holding their silver and gold with a deathlike grasp. Oh! ye disciples of Jesus, such was not the spirit of your Lord, when he had not where to lay his head; such was not his spirit at that awful moment, when the question was, whether he should undertake for your redemption. And if his blood, flowing warm from his side, does not melt this apathy from your hearts, you must expect it will be melted away by his hot displea

sure.

And is it still said, all is done

that can be done? Then by what standard, let me ask, is the power of Christendom to be measured? the same that would measure it if the object were to open canals, build navies, or raise armies to repel an invading foe? If so, all is not done that can be done. If so, the present movements of the church are but the movements of staggering infancy. Let the Christian world but make one simultaneous effort-let every individual exert himself as he would to purchase a freehold, or embark his capital in business, and this is what I mean when I speak of power. Let the Christian world in concert become convulsed with one simultaneous struggle, and the empire of darkness would disappear, like cities swallowed by earthquakes; a new day would rise over the world; many would run to and fro, the angel having the everlasting gospel to preach would fly through the midst of heaven, -the trumpet of Zion would be blown on the top of every mountain, its echo would ring thro every valley, and the ransomed of the Lord would come from the ends of the earth with songs and everlasting joy, to meet in mighty concert the elect of God.

ORIGIN OF THE NAME HOPKINSIAN.

The following is an extract from "Brief Sketches" of the life of Dr. Hopkins, written by himself.

"In the latter end of the year 1769, or beginning of 1770, Mr. William Hart of Saybrook published a Dialogue under the following title, "Brief Remarks on a number of false positions, and dangerous errors, which are spreading in the country: collected out of sundry discourses, lately published, wrote by Dr. Whitaker and Mr. Hopkins." And soon after, there

« PreviousContinue »