other, the salvation of men's immortal souls. Warriors may win battles, at the risk of their lives-statesmen may secure lasting power, and with immense labour of mind, promote the tranquility of nations; and patriots may claim the honour of securing the interests and glory of their country: But what are these exploits, compared with those of the faithful minister of Jesus Christ? All the fruits of their labour terminate within a few short years. Earthly sovereigns are seen no more. States and nations dissolve within a few centuries, and their glory fades away. But a soul saved, shall exist for ever to sing the glory of God. On coming to the Lord's Supper. To the Editors of the Churchman's Magazine. SOME remarks in the first No. of your Miscellany, over the signature of An Enquirer, have brought anew to my mind, reflections, on which I have often dwelt; why it is, that so many who profess to believe the Gospel dispensation, and to acknowledge the high authority of its Divine Author, are yet so backward in obeying an express command, given under circumstances most affectingly interesting, and in terms which should soften the hardest hearts. "This do in remembrance of me," is not a request difficult of performance; nor is it in any case dangerous to the performer, but when accompanied with contempt of the ordinance, or a wilful continuance in sin, without either desire or effort to be reclaimed. Christ did not institute the Holy Sacrament for a snare to entangle the believer in ruin, but to refresh and comfort the heavy laden, desponding sinner. He expects not perfection in those who approach this feast of love, but that they would earnestly desire to be strengthened by it, in resolutions of obedience to the will of God that they should believe in his readiness to grant forgive VOL. I. No. III. 10 ness of past offences, to those who sincerely repent, and strength to such as lean on him for aid, against future temptation. Many, from a mistaken notion that a sinless life is required before they can receive the Communion, and that the least transgression afterwards will consign them to everlasting punishment, pass all their lives under the bondage of this fear. They dare not use the means of grace which God has appointed for their improvement in duty, because they have not reached that ideal standard of perfection, which would make them unnecessary. They seek indeed, "with fear and trembling to work out their salvation" but by substituting their own righteousness for the righteousness of Christ, they reject his proffered aid, to "work in them both to will and to do." Like the Syrian leper, they want cleansing, and like him they "turn away from the appointed means; not considering that "obedience is better than sacrifice," and that submission to the commands of Jehovah, is more available than all the tithes and offerings which can be brought to his altar. Others there are, immersed in business, and anxious to secure more than a sufficiency of the perishing things of this world, who plead want of time for reflection and preparation. They are pleased to see their wives and daughters join in this christian sacrifice, because it affords a pledge of fidelity, not only to God, but to themselves. But why should they not be as ready to give, as to receive this pledge? Is a departure from duty less culpable in a husband, than in a wife? Can he alone feel the anguish of infidelity ?-Or, should a father look for example from his children, instead of giving them the benefit of his own! If, as the Apostle saith, "the head of the woman is the man," surely he ought to lead in every christian duty. The example of a kind husband, and tender father, has a powerful influence on his wife and children: If the example be good, it is almost irresistible; but if bad, who can describe the anguish it may inflict? How bitter must be the reflections of that man, who, at the winding up of his earthly account, can look back on his past life without a morsel of comfort; and forward to an endless futurity, without one ray of hope for himself: But oh! how agonizing will those reflections become, when the children that surround his dying bed, have been corrupted by his pestiferous example; and he is obliged to leave them under its fatal influence, in the dreadful apprehension that their last end will be like his ! But, let us turn from this scene of wo, and suppose a man, who in the bloom of life, led the partner of his joys and sorrows to the altar of God -not because they were sinless, but because they sought pardon of sin, and hoped through the covenanted mercies of God, to find it in the use of his appointed means :-Blessed with children, who were early dedicated to Him in baptism, careful instruction prepared their minds, and "the Giver of all good" disposed their hearts to receive the holy rite of confirmation, and take on themselves the obligations and duties promised for them by their sponsors in baptism. Thus advanced in christian duty, the last solemn act of devotion to God, in the blessed Sacrament of our Lord's Supper, has been reverently performed, and is constantly repeated at every convenient season. If it be said, that all this does not furnish conclusive evidence of " pure and undefiled religion,"—we grant it. "Almighty God, unto whom all hearts are open, all desires known, and from whom no secrets are hid," can alone decide on the purity of their motives, and the faithfulness of their services. But, when the profession of religion is accompanied by a blameless life, and an undeviating aton to all its rites, that charity which "thinketh no evil," but rejoiceth in the truth;" which "believeth all things," and "hopeth all things," tending to good, must surely be wanting, where suspicion is entertained without cause, or reproaches indulged without provocation. And however scoffers may sneer, confidence will subsist between the parties, that they are walking together in the ways of God; and when they gather round His holy table, "assured of his favour and goodness towards them, and that they are very members incorporate in the mystical body of his Son," what holy joy, and devout consolation must be theirs! "I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness," was the pious ejaculation of the holy Psalmist: And that man is to be pitied, who would not rather be the father in such a family, than to sit on a throne, surrounded by corrupt sycophants, himself perhaps the inost corrupt of all. But, because there is no man that liveth and sinneth not," the Christian should always rejoice with trembling. The admonition of the Apostle, "Let him who thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall," should be kept constantly in his mind and if, through the frailty and sinfulness of his nature, there should be aberrations from duty notwithstanding this watchfulness, he may hope, and believe, that God, who knowest us to be set in the midst of so many and great dangers, that by reason of the frailty of our nature, we cannot always stand upright," will pardon his offences for Christ's sake, and restore him to favour, with the gracious promise addressed to his Church of old:" For a small moment have I forsaken thee; but with great mercy will I gather thee. In a little wrath I hid my face from thee for a moment; but with everlasting kindness will I have mercy on thee, saith the Lord thy Redeemer." A LAYMAN. THE venerable Bishop of the Church in Pennsylvania, has confer red an inestimable favour on the Christian world, by the publication of an authentic history of the Protestant Episcopal Church in the United States of America. These memoirs are comprised in a handsome octavo volume of 474 pages--the first 45 of which contain a narrative of the organization and of the early measures of the Church;-then follow additional statements and remarks, containing a minute account of the seve ral facts alluded to in the narrative; and, last of all, an Appendix, comprising all the original papers red to in the work. The importance of a publication of this nature, will be acknowledged by all; and it is almost unnecessary to add, that the fidelity with which the work appears to be executed, gives it a fair claim to the attention and patronage of every Churchman. It is my intention to offer some remarks on the several refer parts of the work, and a few extracts, for the pages of the Magazine, at some future opportunity. At present, I have only time to transcribe the author's dedication, which the editors will have the goodness to subjrin. "To the Bishops of the Protestant Episcopal Church. My much esteemed Brethren, "The motive to the prefixing of a dedication these Memoirs, is the opportunity thus offered of testifying to the Church at large, the harmony which has subsisted among us in our joint counsels for the conducting of our ecclesiastical concerns. If, at any time, there has been a shade of difference of opinion, it has been overbalanced by the pleasure of mutual concession, and by the profit of amicable discussion. "All of you have been ordained to the Episcopacy by my hands. Submission of opinion on this account, is what I have never had the arrogancy to claim; but if any degree of personal respect should be supposed a natural consequence, I can thankfully acknowledge, that it has been bestowed. "Having lived in days in which there existed prejudices in our land against the name, and much more against the office of a Bishop; and when it was doubtful, whether any person in that character would be tolcrated in the community; I now contemplate nine of our number, conducting the duties of their office without interruption; and in regard not to them only, but to ten of us who have gone to their rest; I trust the appeal may be made to the world, for their not being chargeable with causes of offence to our fellow Chris tians and our fellow citizens generally, or with the assuming of any powers within our communion, not confessedly recognized by our ecclesias tical institutions. "Being your senior by many years, I enjoy satisfaction in the expectation of the good which you may be expected to be achieving, in what is now our common sphere of action, when I shall be removed from it: and, with my prayers for the success of your endeavours to this effect, I subscribe myself your affectionate brother, THE AUTHOR." On Religious Theories. OUR Saviour, during his intercourse with mankind, often found it necessary to reprove the wisdom of this world. The credulous inhabitants of Judea, were looking for a sign, and the Greeks despised all knowledge, but the mystic learning It certainly was not of the schools. the intention of the Author of Light, to extinguish the few rays of intelligence, which then beamed on the world-for he was teaching daily in the temple, and he sent forth his disciples, to inculcate the principles of that sublime science, which they had learnt from him. What, then, was the nature of that wisdom, which incurred his high displeasure? The character and profession of the individuals who possessed it, will enable us to answer this question. The Scribes and Pharisees were frequently rebuked by our Lord, on account of that perversion of talents, for which they were remarkable. It was the business of the former, to furnish an exposition of the Law. In the performance of this duty, they were more solicitous to display their own conceits, and their acquaintance with the tradition of the elders, than to explain what was intricate and obscure. These men spent much time in the discussion of religious questions, but were deaf to all arguments which exposed the errors of their favourite doctrines. They erred from their blind partiality to a creed, which they adopted, perhaps in youth, and studied with peculiar delight amidst the less congenial avocations of manhood. Disputation was their favourite employment; victory the darling prize for which they contended, and defeat the source of mortification and chagrin. The Sadducees also incurred the censure of him who was meek and lowly. Their attention was engrossed by idle speculations, and the questions, with which they tempted our Lord, prove that they also, as well as the Scribes, neglected the weighter matters of the Law. Litigation was the favourite employment of these men, and they were always gratified with an opportunity of displaying their learning; but their wisdom was not like that, which is from abovepure-peaceable--and easily entreat ed. The history of the Church presents many a picture of the same perversion of talents; and it is no un common event, to meet with individuals, who add to the sanctity of the Pharisees, the artful zeal of the Scribe. This sanctity is most conspicuous, when it is least required; and if, like the self-denials of Cuthbert in his cell, it acquires, for them, the character of respect and virtue, it serves, at the same time, to exhibit to the world a melancholy aspect of religion. This zeal is usually displayed in the defence of some favourite dogma, for by no other title would I designate a blind partiality to any system, which transcends the bounds of Holy Scripture. And yet I have seen many who identify a belief in the doctrines of some favourite theologian, with all that is meritorious in religion, or acceptable to God. "We are born Arminians, and made Calvinists by grace,' " was the candid avowal of one, who had embraced the creed of the latter. I stop not here, to controvert, or to establish, the truth of this position. Whatever be our feelings on this subject, it is necessary to guard a gainst an association, at once dangerous and delusive. No creed will save us--no faith, unless it excites to works of charity and devotion, can claim the character and reward of piety; and no profession, resting on so frail a basis, will endure the trial that awaits it. Yet, many there are, who, like the Pharisecs of old, regard their religious creed, not as a summary of what they ought to know and believe-but as an evidence of their calling, and a passport to future glory. Many there are, also, who, like the Scribes, delight in theological discussion, and dwell with peculiar satisfaction upon those doctrines, which are abstruse, rarely enforcing the duties which we are to practice. Holy Scriptures represent man as fallen, and his nature sinful; but, they do not very clearly define the limits of this depravity. Those divines, therefore, who attempt to demonstrate, according to the rules of logic, that human nature is totally corrupt, will be more apt to present a fair view of their own erudition, than a clear one of the sacred vol ume. Holy Scriptures represent our Heavenly Father, as watching with paternal solicitude, over the welfare of his children, and requiring of them the exercise of obedience, charity and faith. They do not limit the sovereignty of God, or the free-agency of man; and those who attempt, precisely to define the boundaries of each, will be more benefitted by the philosophy of Aristotle and Plato, than by the inspiration of God. Holy Scriptures represent a particular class of men, as the elect of God, chosen for their obedience, and rewarded for their faith. Theologians who profess to declare the object of this election, and to note the period when it was made, must be cautious in their speculations, or they will be wise above that which is wrilten. An intemperate discussion of doctrines like these, has sent many a wretch from the world in despair, and often has it caused the cells of the prison-house to re-echo with the poor maniac's groan. Ever since the establishment of the Christian Church, its prosperity has been interrupted by dissension. Even the glorious era of the Reformation, was clouded by the uncharitable controversies, in which the divines of that period were engaged. I am of Paul, and I of Apollos, was the appeal of the first converts to Christianity, and I leave it to the zealous disciples of Arminius and Calvin, if they have not fallen into the errors of the Corinthian Church. It is far from my design, to engage in a controversy, so long agitated, and with so little benefit to niankind. Let the Arminian, whose shield is christian charity, trust in the great REVIEW. The Life of Wesley, and the Rise and Progress of Methodism. By ROBERT SOUTHEY, Esq.-2 vols. octavo. THIS is a book of no common The distinguished rank interest. which its author holds in the commonwealth of literature, is an unquestionable recommendation for any thing that proceeds from his pen. In the present instance, our interest is enhanced by the celebrity of the no less distinguished subject of his Memoirs. John Wesley was formed by nature to be a hero. He had all the sagacity, enthusiasm, and fortitude, which qualify a man for preeminence. Had he directed his attention to political affairs, he would have made a consummate statesman. Had he devoted himself to the profession of arms, he would have become a renowned commander. But the course of life he was led to adopt, was peculiarly suited to the natural bias of his genius. He has established a fame which must give him a conspicuous place in religious history; and the sect, of which he was the founder and great master-builder, seems destined by Providence to exercise an important influence upon the religious world. In contemplating the wide diffusion, and the rapid increase of this sect in our own country, we cannot |