"Our Father, still in heaven the same, "You still pursue your cursed craft, In pay for Rum, the poor man's grain! That should have bought his children bread!" At length by keen conviction stung, Temptation in my neighbor's way; I'd rather dig, or beg, or serve, To blest assurance, sweetly closed: MNASON. INTELLIGENCE. THEOLOGICAL.-It is rumored, and we believe correctly, that a Minister of one of the oldest and most respectable congregational societies in this city has recently notified his church that he considers the administration of the Lord's Supper a useless form that it has not a divine origin—that it is productive of no good exciting no religious or benevolent feelings that it is altogether a sensual indulgence at variance with the spirituality of Christianity-and he advises that its administration be dispensed with in future. It may well be supposed that the proposition produced no little surprise to his church, who it is said have referred the subject to a committee for consideration; perhaps it may not be improper for us to remark, that there are many christians who have a similar view of this ordinance.' "Since we first read the foregoing article, we have understood that the minister referred to, is Rev. Mr. Emerson, of the Church to which Rev. Henry Ware, jr. formerly ministered. Such is the downward course of unitarianism. It first thrusts the Divine Redeemer out of the church, and then (consistently we should say,) sets aside his ordinances. We hope the proposition of Mr. Emerson will be carried into effect, not only in his, but in every Unitarian church in the land. It is no more than a legitimate fruit of their faith, or rather of their want of faith; and the distinction between Unitarian and Christian churches cannot be too widely marked. If we deny the supreme di- ́ vinity of Jesus Christ, the ordinance of his Supper must indeed be a "useless form," and its observance has no more of a divine sanction, than the birth day of Washington. The progress of infidelity, however, is truly alarming. The "Free Inquirers" lead the van; and the Uiversalists and Unitarians are, by the "lock step," marching at ther heels."-Morning Post. Remarkable Baptism.-We are requested to state, that the old Gentleman of one hundred years of age, who was baptised by Rev Enos George of Barnstead, on the 6th of May last, and which was inentioned in our paper of the 19th May, stood on the door stone of his own house, in the presence of between 400 and 500 people and received the ordinance by effusion or sprinkling.-New Hamp. Observer. Temperance.-Twenty-one merchants from 8 towns in that vicinity formed a Temperance Society at Farming Centre Village, N. Y., on the 16th of April. Their object is to discountenance the traffic in ardent spirits. They say, "more evil results from the intemperate than benefit from the temperate use of ardent spirit and consequently its exclusion from the country would promote the general good.-Gen of Temp. Chatham Mass.-The successs which has attended the efforts of the friends of temperance in this town has been encouraging. The Society numbers about one hundred and fifty. The consumption of ardent spirits has been much lessened.-Jour. of Humanity. A correspondent in N. H. writes us as follows: "Two years since I abandoned the traffic in poison entirely, after having been engaged in it eleven years. Among my reasons for so doing were the following, viz: 1. I was convinced that the use of spirits habitually tends to destroy health, wealth, reputation and vital piety; 2. That in order to secure a living by selling spirits, a man must be dishonest, i. e. he is under the necessity of adultrating his liquors with pernicious drugs more poisoness than alcohol itself; and 3. That if he succeeds, he must reflect that he is eating the bread and wearing the apparel of he poor drunkard's wife and children. Since I have abandoned that part of my business, my profits on other goods have amounted to two hundred dollars a year more than before."-Ib. Brown University.-The Hon. Nicholas Brown of Providence,has resolved to erect, at his own expense, another College edifice of brick, to embrace a Chapel, Library, Philosophical Hall, Lecture Rooms,&c. It is to be three stories high and a basement-86 feet long and 42 wide. It will be placed in the front yard of the College, on the south line. — A subscription has also been commenced, for raising twenty-five thou sand dollars-to constitute a permanent fund-the proceeds to be annually appropriated to the purchase of books for the library, and of philosophical and chemical apparatus. To this fund, Mr. Brown has subscribed ten thousand dollars. Another gentleınan of Providence has subscribed one thousand dollars. As an apology for the late appearance of this, and the preceding and following numbers, the Editor states, that he was taken sick, on a journey, of the Scarlet Fever, or Canker Rash, and confined three weeks. He had the disease severely; but, through the goodness of God, is restored to comfortable health. AGENTS. RHODE-ISLAND. Providence-Yates & Richmond, No. 3, Market square. Pawtucket, (North Providence)—Joseph McIntire, Bookseller. New-BedAmherst MASSACHUSETTS. Boston-Dea. James Loring, Bookseller, No. 132, Washington-street. Taunton-Deacon John Reed. ford-Stephen Potter. Reading-James Weston Jr. Thomas Hervy. Falmouth-Capt. Silas Weeks. CONNECTICUT. Ashford-Rev. Israel G. Rose. NEW-YORK. Paris-Charles Simmons. NEW-JERSEY. Newark.-Amos Holbrook. All those ministers, who receive the Magazine, are authorized and requested to act as agents. Published at Rehoboth Village. Mass. by Rev. Otis Thompson, Editor and Proprietor. POSTAGE OF THIS PAPER.-Under, 100 miles, 1 cent: Over 100 miles 1 1-2 cents. Co ORY & BROWN, 17 Market-street, have for sale a general as'sortment of religious books, among which are Daily Food-Mrs Rowe's Devout Exercises-Comforts of Piety-Daily Piety-Gems of Piety-Gems of sacred Poetry-Dew Drops-Daily Crumbs-Directions to Persons just commencing a Religious Life-Daily Scripture Expositor, &c. &c. together with a variety of new and standard Theological works. Providence, March 26, 1832. Tracts. W. & H. REED, Taunton, Mass. are agents for the American ⚫ and Doctrinal Tract Societies, and have a general assortment constantly for sale at their store nearly opposite the Taunton Bank. Printing. EPRINTING in good style and on reasonable terms. Office a DMUND ANTHONY, Taunton, Mass. will execute BOOK few doors west of Taunton Bank. April, 1832. [The following, which concludes the essay of Philonomus, was received in season for our eighth number, but such a disposition had been made of the printer's types, that it could not be set up, without delaying the Magazine, a week.] Remarks upon Romans iii. 28.-Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith, without the deeds of the law; compared with James ii. 24.We see then how that by works a man is justified, und not by faith only. · [Concluded from page 393.] THE preceding remarks suggest the following REFLECTIONS : 1. What has been advanced on this subject, may teach us to be cautious in charging inconsistency and contradiction to the sacred writers. Some avowedly discard the bible, as of human invention, because, as they say, it is full of contradictions and absurdities. Others, who would by no means incur the ímputation of being infidels, are yet inclined to think, that the sacred writers do, in several instances, contradict themselves, and one another. They find things, which, with such a degree of inquiry and investigation as they feel inclined to make, they are unable to reconcile; and so they hastily conclude that they cannot be reconciled. The following are some of the things in sacred scripture, which persons of the above description are apt to regard as inconsistent. It is taught in scripture, that God is unchangeable; and yet that he is moved by prayer, and repents, and is grieved. It is taught in scripture, that God is necessarily holy; and yet that he is perfectly free in all his moral exercises. It is taught that all mankind come into the world sinners, in consequence of Adam's fall; and yet that no one is to blame, or will ever be punished for any but his own actual transgressions. It is taught that men are absolutely dependant upon God for all their moral exercises; and yet that they are free and accountable in all their moral conduct. It is taught that God foreknew and determined all events from eternity; and yet that men have natural power to do right or wrong, and act freely in fulfilling the divine purposes. It is taught that God chose some of mankind to salvation, and appointed others to wrath; and yet that whosoever will may take of the water of life freely. It is taught that the new heart is produced by the power and special agency of the Holy Spirit; and yet that it is the duty of all sinners immediately to make themselves a new heart and a new spirit. And to name no more, it is taught that all true believers in Christ will infallibly be saved; and yet that unless they strive to enter in at the straight gate, and give diligence to make their calling and election sure, they will perish. the Things of the above description, are thought and pronounced contradictions, by certain persons. But, if they do not lean to infidelity, they lean to their own understandings. Is it not possible that some things may be consistent in themselves, which in their eyes appear contradictory? Is it certain that they have examined the scriptures with all that attention, care and candor, which are necessary to understand them, and see their consistency? And is it not possible that some things are intelligible, which they do not understand; and that others may see the consistency of certain things, which appear to them contradictory? The apparent contradiction between which have been the subject of this essay, we passages have seen may be easily and satisfactorily reconciled. And would it not be wise to conclude, that other things in the scriptures which to a superficial observer may appear inconsistent, will also admit of reconciliation? It becomes us, "who are of yesterday and know nothing," to approach the inspired word with cautious steps, and to take heed how we examine, compare and understand, lest we should charge God foolishly. If there be an inconsistency, it is in us, and not in the scriptures of truth. We We are not bound to receive contradictions; nor are we at liberty to see contradictions where there are As the bible comes to us attested by the finger of God, we should presume that it contains a harmonious as well as a complete system of truth and duty. And if we are unable at present to understand, comprehend and reconcile some things, we should distrust our own understandings and hearts, rather than the infallibility of divine revelation, and ask for light and wisdom of Him who giveth to all liberally. none. |