THE SCOTTISH CHRISTIAN HERALD, CONDUCTED UNDER THE SUPERINTENDENCE OF MINISTERS AND MEMBERS OF THE ESTABLISHED CHURCH. AN ADDRESS TO ONE OF THE CONGREGATIONS OF THE ASSOCIATE THE circumstances under which I address you at present are fraught with overwhelming interest. Till within a very few days you belonged, as a congregation, to a communion which, though holding exactly the same doctrines as the Established Church, has, nevertheless, till now kept itself quite distinct from it as a body. In that communion there is much that demands the respect and admiration of every right thinking man. The principles on which you seceded from the Church of Scotland were, I am persuaded, perfectly conscientious, and therefore honourable. And, in these days when sterling principle is at a discount, and expediency reigns paramount in so many quarters, it is not a little refreshing to observe so numerous and respectable a body of Christians (actuated by the very same views as those which originally led their fathers to separate themselves, with much reluctance, from a Church to which they were warmly attached) returning so readily to the bosom of that very Church. It was on principle that they seceded-it is on principle that you return. It was because of seen and felt corruptions that they formed themselves into a separate community-and now that you, their sons, join yourselves once more to the National Church, it is because you are convinced, on what you conceive, and I doubt not will prove, to be good grounds, that these corruptions are in the fair way of being thoroughly reformed. In the name of that Church, of her ministers, her elders, her people—in the name of every individual belonging to her communion who is interested in her welfare, and hails the dawn of a bright era in her history. I welcome you, and bid you most cordially God speed. You have proffered brotherhood "in troublous times." These are not days when the No. 46. NOVEMBER 16, 1839.-1{d.] Ark of our Zion moves smoothly on her course, with the sun of worldly prosperity shining on her, and no dangers around her. On the contrary, just as might have been expected, when God began to smile upon us, and symptoms of returning life appeared among us, the world is pouring upon her, and enemies of various kinds, from some of whom better things might have been expected, are marshalling in hostile array against her. Be assured, we appreciate and cordially reciprocate the friendly feelings which, in these days of rebuke and blasphemy, have prompted you to cast in your lot with us to share our dangers, and offer us your aid. And now that I appear before you, an ambassador of Christ, I am desirous to impress upon you as deeply as possible one most important duty, which is imperatively demanded of you by the new relation in which you have voluntarily placed yourselves to our beloved Zion. That duty is expressed in the language of Sacred Scripture, Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; they shall prosper that love thee." 66 How delightful it would be, were you to celebrate this your return to the bosom of the MotherChurch by more vigorous and united exertions in the cause of Christ-by a more decided manifestation, than you have ever yet made, of your interest in the extension of His Kingdom-by more systematic social prayer for the outpouring of the Holy Ghost. I know not whether there be any fellowship meetings in connection with this congregation or no; but, if not, is there no one here who is ready to come forward, and to stir up his brethren to unite without delay in so important and interesting a work? A more favourable opportunity than the present there can never be; and O, if you are sincerely interested in the spiritual [SECOND SERIES. VOL, I. wellbeing of yourselves, your families, your friends -of hundreds of perishing sinners at your very doors-you will not, you cannot, be backward in forming yourselves without delay into at least one society for weekly or monthly prayer. And if you do, who can tell what new life, and energy and success, may be imparted to all the ministrations of your pastor,-who can tell how many who are now utterly unconcerned about their souls, serving the devil and hastening fast to hell, may be arrested in their headlong career, and brought within the fold of Christ? What is to prevent this very town and neighbourhood from becoming the scene of a Revival as lively, as animating, as arousing, as remarkable in every respect, as any that has ever been vouchsafed since apostolic times? It is very common to cry out against the coldness, and slothfulness, and inefficiency of the Church. But I would just ask those who do so, whether they have done their duty in praying for a purer and a brighter era? If not, they have no right to find fault. So long as any are indifferent to the wellbeing of the Church, and neglect fervently to pray for its advancement and success, it ill becomes them to speak of coldness, and slothfulness, and inefficiency. On their shoulders, in a great measure, lies the blame. Ministers are more dependent on the prayers of their people, for their personal piety and habitual success, than their people seem to be at all aware. What wonder if few or no conquests be achieved when the arms of the messengers of truth are not upheld by the earnest supplications of those among whom they labour! What wonder should any Church (however surprising her past history) become a proverb among men, if it be doomed to struggle against the fearful calamity of having a worldly, formal, prayerless people with which to do! At present, a dark and portentous cloud seems to be suspended over the Church of Scotland. All eyes are turned towards it. Her enemies are eagerly expecting it to burst in ruin on her head. But her real friends behold with joy the brilliant rainbow of hope that smiles from that lowering cloud; and if you do your duty in praying for her prosperity and peace, and if all others who belong to her communion do theirs, you shall presently see yonder heavy masses falling asunder and melting away, till the blue sky shall appear without a speck, and the pinnacles of our Zion shall again glitter in the rays of a cloudless sun! CHRIST STILLETH THE TEMPEST. FEAR was within the tossing bark, And men stood breathless in their dread, 1 And the wind ceased-it ceased-that word And slumber settled on the deep, And silence in the blast, And tame the tempest's mood,— Thon that didst bow the billow's pride, So speak to passion's raging tide, BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. HEMANS. THE REV. DAVID BOGUE, D.D. PART I. BY THE EDITOR. THE subject of our present Sketch was the son of John Bogue, Esq., laird of Hallydown in Berwickshire. His ancestors, for many ages back, had been remark able for piety and Christian worth. David Bogue was born on the 18th of February 1750. In early life particular attention was paid to his religious education, and he was well schooled in the Sacred Scriptures and in our invaluable Assembly's Shorter Catechism. To the judicious training of his childish years he often looked back in after life with devout gratitude to God, and thankful acknowledgments to his excellent parents. He seems to have received the rudiments of classical instruction first at the Grammar School of Eyemouth, then at Dunse. While attending school at the latter place, he derived much benefit from the intercourse of some pious persons with whom he became acquainted. He was a member of a fellowship-meeting which was regularly held in the parish of Coldingham. The members of this society were chiefly persons in humble life, and from their devout exercises he received the highest pleasure and gratification. Late in life he was accus tomed, occasionally, to revert to his pious friends in Coldingham, with whom he had spent many a happy hour. "To the last, I know," says the Rev. Mr tion of these meetings, and great affection for those who M'Laurin, "that the Doctor retained a lively recollec relations here but he sent his regards to Alexander belonged to them. I believe he seldom wrote to his I never had the happiness of meeting with him, but he Dickson, blacksmith, who was one of the number; and made the kindest inquiries respecting the same indivi dual." From the grammar school, David Bogue passed to the College of Edinburgh when he was not more than twelve years of age. Nine years he studied here with the utmost diligence and perseverance. During the College vacations he returned to his friends in Berwickshire, and spent much of his time with the humble, pious circle at Coldingham. After he had completed his course of study in literature and theology, he was licensed to preach in connection with the Established Church of Scotland. From the respectability and in fluence of his relations, as well as from his own high character, it was fully expected that he would have been presented to the parish of Coldingham by the patron, Lord Marchmont. This expectation, however, was never realized, as Mr Bogue's father had disagreed with his lordship on the subject of patronage and forced settlements, and the old man was averse, in these circumstances, to make application for his son. "I have given you," said he, "the best education, and you must now make your way in the world. I would advise you to go to London, and I will provide you with the means.' In accordance with his father's advice, which was warmly supported by a friend in London, the young licentiate set out for the metropolis of the empire in the summer of 1771. His first employment appears to have been assistant teacher in an academy at Edmonton, near London. He became intimately acquainted with Dr Fordyce, who was then at the height of his popularity as a preacher. Mr Bogue, however, had too serious views of divine truth to be seduced by the false glare of mere oratorical display. He admired the eloquence, while he lamented the want of spirituality which characterised Dr Fordyce's discourses. "October 26, 1773.-Some faint feeble desires after Christ; but O how dull and languid am I! Alas the darkness of my mind!-the want of a sense of my own fort into my soul. The delightful prophecy concerning sins! The promise in Ezekiel brought a dawn of comChrist was also impressed on my spirit-The bruised reed shall be not break. O for the help of the promised Spirit!" "October 27.-Alas! still a dead heart! convictions gone! No prayer! My mind is still dark, my conscience not sufficiently awakened. Alas my wanderings in prayer! If ever Christ refused any one, on account of unworthiness, I should be that person! Duties are omitted or negligently performed, or from wrong motives, without regard to God and duty. My Sabbaths are profaned by unsavoury discourse and foolish sinful thoughts. O teach me to look to Christ and be saved; to apply to him for remission of sins! I have some half desire to trust in Christ, but no just hatred of sin and mortification of corruption." "November 4.-Spent this day in London, like a person asleep. Things appear as if I were in a dream. O for a sense of the vanity of the world! O for a view of myself, and the evil of sin, and the shortness of time! The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked, who can know it? I have sometimes had such an impression of religion and another world as I thought would never wear off. But alas! how often have I been convinced of my mistake! I have had few serious thoughts of God to-day. O ungrateful wretch that I am, worse than the dull ox or stupid ass! Revive, Lord, thy work in the midst of the In the duties of his situation at Edmonton he was faithful and conscientious, but he seems to have occupied it for a short time only, having been transferred to a similar post at Hampstead under Mr Alexander. Here he formed a society for mutual improvement, which was very successful. Mr Bogue's stay at Hamp-years!-a work of pure and undefiled religion. O for stead, however, was cut short by Mr Alexander's death. By the kindness of Providence, he soon obtained another situation of greater comfort and usefulness, as assistant to the Rev. Mr Smith in a boarding-school in Church Lane, Chelsea. Here his talents were duly appreciated, and he lived in the family of Mr Smith on the most intimate and agreeable footing. At this period be entered on his favourite employment-preaching the Gospel. His first appearance in public was in the pulpit of the Rev. Mr Muir, the minister of a Scotch church in Wapping. This important event in the history of Mr Bogue is thus alluded to in a letter from Mr Jolly, the minister of Coldingham :— "I congratulate you heartily on entering upon the important and difficult, but honourable and excellent, work of the Christian ministry. I make no doubt but you have taken the field with the most upright motives, and will endeavour to approve yourself a good soldier of Jesus Christ. Dangers and discouragements, trials and temptations, you may lay your account with; but it will be your wisdom and your safety to follow the directions of the Captain of salvation. I dare promise you, in his name, that he will not only teach your hands to war and your fingers to fight, but lead you on to certain victory. As to your public discourses, I give it as my best advice that you study to unite solidity and simplicity, ease and elegance, strength of thought and force of expression. Truth, like beauty, 18 never half so amiable as when arrayed in a modest and homely dress." From this time Mr Bogue regularly assisted Mr Smith in his congregation at Camberwell, as well as at a lecture in Silver Street, London, where the great John Howe had formerly preached. He appears, in commencing his ministerial work, to have turned his attention very closely to his own spiritual condition, and the following extracts from his diary show the results of his self-examination : faith in Christ, in God, and an unseen world! O for my soul! O Lord, "December 5.-Never had I such cause of grief as this Sabbath. When I consider with what temper its duties were performed, fear taketh hold on me. O the desperate wickedness of my heart! Incline it effectually by thy grace to the love of thee, O Lord! A midnight darkness has this day o'erspread my soul. How little regard have I had to the glory of God and the good of souls. Open thou my eyes to see my sinfulness, and the fulness of Christ, and his willingness to receive reRemove from my soul the weight turning sinners. that sinks it down to earth. Keep me from returning to carelessness. May I find no rest till I find it in thee!" In the end of 1773 he suffered a disappointment from a young lady, to whom he had paid his addresses, and in allusion to this he writes: "It is the Lord: let him do what seems good to him. Informed that the object is engaged, why should I continue the pursuit any longer? May she be happy, and I be contented and resigned! O to improve it duly, for God's glory and the good of my soul!" In the course of the following year he paid a visit to his aged parents, in Berwickshire, who were delighted to see their son in the sacred character of a minister of the Gospel of the grace of God. After spending a few weeks in Scotland, Mr Bogue returned to the scene of his labours, refreshed and invigorated. While fulfilling the duties of his high and holy office, he was invited to become candidate for the charge of the Scotch Church | couraging to Mr Bogue, and he received the new mem bers with a cordiality which gained their warm regards. In the summer of 1779 Mr Bogue spent a few weeks in Scotland, and in the autumn of 1784 he made a short tour on the continent. The account which he has given of this last tour is very brief: in Amsterdam. That he might have some knowledge of the situation to which he was invited, he set sail for Holland, and preached to the people at Amsterdam. He then spent a few days in Rotterdam, with his friend Mr Somerville, who was then minister of the Scotch Church there; after which he returned to London. Scarcely had he arrived again in his native land when he came to the resolution of declining the situation; and this decision was approved by his friend, Mr Somerville of Rotterdam, as appears from the following letter:"There is no prospect of success among this people (the Scotch Church at Rotterdam), nor any grounds of comfort to a minister. Scarcely does a day pass, but I think of the happiness of our brethren in Scotland who have any heart in their work. There the people, being early furnished with a complete knowledge of Christian principles, listen with attention and understanding to the devout and affectionate preacher; and it is apparent to all that they receive advantage from his labours. But here, alas! my dear sir, there is nothing to be done or expected. The better sort, who have knowledge, think of nothing but how to become rich. That is professedly the object of the British who settle here. On the other hand, the poor, being generally the dregs from Scotland, who come here often for no good reason, are so ignorant, callous, and stupid, that they seem to be past feeling. If, as a minister, I do any good, it is by a weekly catechization of some servants, who attend in order to be instructed and prepared for the Lord's table. To them we speak seriously, affectionately, and, we hope, not without effect. In every other part of my business, I frankly own to you that I believe it all in vain." Mr Bogue's labours, both in teaching and preaching, were highly satisfactory to his employer, Mr Smith, and were followed with the most encouraging effects. Among the pupils in the school he had the high gratification of seeing the seeds of piety springing up; and he felt the warmest gratitude to God when he learned that the boys had established among themselves a meeting for prayer. It pleased the great Head of the Church to call him, soon after, to a higher sphere. The dissenting church at Gosport, in Hampshire, having become vacant, application was made to Mr Bogue to stand as a candidate for the vacant charge. This he positively refused; but stated his readiness to occupy the pulpit at Gosport for a Sabbath, as he intended to pay a visit to a relative in the neighbourhood. The offer was accepted, and the result was an unanimous invitation to become pastor of the church at Gosport! On the 18th of April 1777, Mr Bogue entered upon his duties in his new charge, with an earnest and simple desire to be made the honoured instrument of advancing the cause of the Redeemer. The day before his ordination he set apart for special prayer to seek the divine blessing, and enter into a covenant with God. The ordination service was conducted by his friend, Dr Henry Hunter, of the Scotch Church, London Wall. The congregation over which Mr Bogue was now placed had been split into two parties under his predecessor, and a separate congregation had been formed in the town, over which a Mr English had been called to preside; Mr Bogue, however, was not long in Gosport before Mr English resigned his charge, and requested his flock to return to the communion of which they were once members, This union was very en "I left England about midnight, and arrived in France next day. Mr Heineken and Mr Haldane ac companied me. We spent a month in wandering through France and Flanders. It was not good for my soul. I bless God that my lot is cast in a land of Gospel light, and adore him for the care of his providence over me in this expedition, and desire to live to his glory. I arrived at Dover, from Dunkirk, on Friday, the 31st of August: and came to Gosport on the 4th of September. O for a heart to adore God's good ness to me!" The following year the congregation had become so large that it was found necessary to build a new place of worship. About the same time a circumstance occurred which threw the congregation into great alarm:— 'A female, of the name of Brag, had been drawn to attend the ministry of Mr Bogue, and was afterwards united to the church; but her husband, who appears to have been, at times, almost deranged by intoxica. tion, was so opposed to his wife's attendance on a Dissenting ministry, that, after using in vain all other threats, he at last declared he would shoot Mr Bogue. She expressed to some of the hearers her fears lest her husband should make the desperate attempt. Indeed, he actually went to a public-house opposite to the place of worship, and after inflaming his courage by liquor, entered into the congregation with a pistol in his hand. Some say that the service had not commenced, and that the confusion created by the entrance of the inten tional murderer prevented the preacher from ascending the pulpit: but others affirm that the worship was go ing on, and that, just as the man was seen taking his aim, Mr Bogue sat down at the close of prayer or reading. The unhappy man was, however, secured, and put under confinement till Monday morning, when Mr Bogue attended the examination before the magistrates, and recommended that no harsh measures should be adopted. By his conversation he so softened and inpressed the man, that he not only expressed his regret and promised not to repeat his violent attempt, but consented to his wife's attendance at the dissenting meeting; and even occasionally joined her himself." In the spring of the year 1786 Mr Bogue received the melancholy intelligence of his father's death; and he lost no time in sending a letter of condolence to his affectionate mother. The letter is as follows: "HONOURED MADAM,—On Saturday last I received the melancholy news of my father's death: you have lost a good husband, and all his children a most excellent father; and on that account we have all great reason to mourn. It should be our earnest study to improve aright this painful dispensation of prov dence, and seek that it may be sanctified to us. Though grievous, nevertheless afterwards it yieldeth the peaceno affliction for the present seemeth to be joyous, but able fruits of righteousness to them that are exercised thereby: when God takes away our comforts from us, it is our duty to be resigned to his blessed will. As the duty is hard and diffie.lt, we should be more fre quent and earnest in prayer to God for his grace to enable us to perform it. Our heavenly Father always does what is best, though it may be painful to us; and we providence, to say, Father, not my will, but thine be have the greatest reason, under every dispensation of done.' God is pleased to see his children bearing their trials with patience, and meekly submitting to what he has seen proper to lay upon them. We have, indeed, great reason to mourn, but we are not left destitute of comfort: we need not mourn as those that have no hope. Our loss is our departed friend's unspeakable gain we have every reason to believe that he has joined the general assembly and church of the first-born in heaven, and has entered into that rest that remaineth for the people of God beyond the grave. For years past he has laboured under great infirmities, that very much lessened the comforts of life; and for some months, I find, he suffered a considerable degree of pain. O! how happy the change to him-to leave a world of sin and sorrow, and to go to a place where the weary are for ever at rest, and to join with the spirits of just men made perfect in singing the praises of God and the Lamb! The thoughts of the happiness he enjoys should lessen our distress and comfort our hearts. When we reflect that we shall no more enjoy the bene. fit of his company, his counsel, and his prayers, there is reason for lamentation; but we have this consolation- the Lord liveth, and blessed be our rock' he has promised never to leave or forsake his people, he has called himself the God and judge of the widow, in his holy habitation, and the father of the fatherless. I hope you will find him your friend, and enjoy the consolations of his Spirit, which are neither few nor small. God has promised, that as our day is, so our strength shall be. It is my earnest prayer that his promise may be accomplished to you and to all the family; and that while affliction abounds, your consolation in Christ may much more abound. This life is fast passing away. If we be the followers of Jesus, our separation from our departed friends will not be of long continuance; a few years will close our eyes in death, and then we shall join our Christian friends that are gone before to the New Jerusalem, and shall never be separated from them again. These considerations afford much comfort; and we should be much in prayer, that we may feel that comfort which they contain. As all your children are, I hope, deeply sensible of their immeasurable obligations to their departed father and to you, it will, I trust, be the united study of us all to do every thing in our power to render the remainder of your days as comfortable as possible. May you be long spared for a blessing to us! May you enjoy much of the divine presence and consolation; and may you have the pleasure to see all your children serving God, dutiful to you, and enjoying very much happiness and peace! My love to all my brothers and sisters, and compliments to friends. With earnest prayers that God would sanctify the present affliction to us all, and that you may enjoy much support and consolation, I am, honoured Madam, your affectionate son, and very humble servant, "DAVID BOGUE." Next year Mr Bogue entered into the marriage relation with Miss Charlotte Uffington, a young lady of great piety, wisdom, and prudence; and the unclouded happiness of this union fulfilled the truth of one of his own favourite maxims, that "What is gained with prayer will be enjoyed with praise." But our space warns us that we must pause till next week. TO THE REV. ALEXANDER DUFF, D.D., On his departure to resume his position at the head of the Scottish India Mission in Calcutta. BY THE REV. W. M. HETHERINGTON, A.M. Thy Master calls thee; and thy heart, And pants, yet trembles, to depart : It pants, His message on to bear, Far as winds blow and waters swell; It trembles, while it breathes in prayer With those it loves a deep farewell! Our bosoms heave and throb with thine, Though weak our souls to match thy race; Thrilling, we own the call divine, And half its mandate we embrace: To thee, and to thy great emprise, Our warm, admiring love is given; Our fervent supplications rise In earnest faith for thee to heaven. Whether o'er ocean's pathless waste Thou glidest on thy destined way, Or through wide India's regions vast Thy heaven-commissioned footsteps stray; Whether thou train'st the youthful mind, Or meltest the rebellious will, Or dost the sophist's wiles unwind, Our hearts, our prayers, are with thee still. Shrink not! though thou must mark the wild, The bloody rites of idols foul, The writhing victim-murdered child- The "seals" are bursting one by one, And girt thee to that holiest toil; Go, man of apostolic mould! Go, in thy singleness of aim, And man's lost millions to reclaim ! "MINIMS OF NATURE." BY THE REV. DAVID LANDSBOROUGH, BRITISH ZOOPHYTES. "IDLENESS has no leisure," it has instructively been said; and one of the advantages of having pleasure in seeking out, as the Psalmist expresses it, the works of the Lord, is, that it often saves a person from the miseries of idleness. There are many little corners of time in the busiest life in danger of being lost, and, to persons of active habits, worse than lost, by being spent in a state of fretfulness at what they regard as the unavoidable loss of these precious fragments. They mean to embark in a steamer, for instance; but the |