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How often we ourselves find our own door of utterance closed, locked, bolted and barred. How ready we all are to fall back upon old set phrases cut and dried for use- -phrases which have a rank odour of sanctity about them, and have been handed down from generation to generation, like the rags of a half-clad prophet's mantle, or the bones of a matyred saint's leg. The vocabulary in use at our devotional meetings is excessively small, and often very exclusive. Your man of prayer has but few words and phrases, and these are fairly ridden to death. Seldom does he issue from the mint of his own emotion bran new and burning coin-he prefers the old shekels of the sanctuary that have been in circulation a thousand years. Seldom does he clothe his desires and aspirations in the language of ordinary literature and common life-he delights in the cast off apparel of his dead fathers. Listen to him for a moment, and you cannot fail to remark it. When he desires a reverent approach to his Maker, he asks that we may not " rush into His presence as the unthinking horse into the battle." When he refers to the blessings of worship, private or public, he calls them "means of grace," hopes none of us may neglect our "daily means," nor cease to "come within the sound of the gospel," and "sit under the droppings of the sanctuary." When he asks that a holy influence may pervade the hearts of the worshippers, he asks that it may "go from heart to heart, as oil from vessel to vessel," or that it may be as fire among the dry stubble." When he is desirous of increase in church and congregation, he prays that sinners may flock to the house of the Lord, as the doves fly to their windows," and that every recent addition may be as the few drops before the shower." When he speaks of the church itself, he alludes to it as the cause here established," "this little hill of Thy Zion," "the vineyard of the Lord," and he supplicates that its "candlestick may not be removed out of its place," that "Ichabod may not be written on its walls," that "it may lengthen its cords, and strengthen its stakes." As to the minister, a large legacy of phraseology has been bequeathed to the prayer meeting for him. He is said to "go in and out before us." He has "private studies and public ministrations." He has a dear partner in life." He has "a basket and a store." He is "a star in Thy right hand," a polished shaft in Thy quiver," an honoured instrument in Thy hand." He "draws his bow at a venture;" he preaches as a dying man to dying men;" he "brings forth out of Thy treasury things new and old." It is implored that is labours may be "owned and blessed," that he may have "seals to his ministry, and souls for his hire," that he may induce thousands to "close in with the overtures of Divine mercy," that thus they may be born for glory," and give themselves to the Lord and to the church in Thy own appointed way and manner." These and other phrases are the staple commodity of many who enjoy the reputation of being able to "engage," and of having a "gift in prayer." We do not say these phrases are meaningless, inexpressive, absurd. We do not say they are heard only in the prayer meeting, and never from the pulpit. We do not say we should be glad if we were never to meet with them again, and that we wish they were pensioned off on half pay, or put on the superannuated list. They are old friends, and have done good service in their hire, let us not behave shabbily to them. Nor do we think that fluency of tongue is the highest of mortal gifts. Honest John Bunyan declares he was often straightened in his speech," and felt after preaching as if his "head had been in a bag all the time of the exercise." And when he did acquire free and eloquent utterance, he humbles himself

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by asking, "Shall I be proud because I am a sounding brass? Is it so much to be a fiddle?” A soul that can scarce give a man an answer but with great confusion, may be more in the love and favour of the Lord, than some who by virtue of the gift of knowledge can deliver themselves like angels." And his Mr. Talkative, Son of one Say-well, of Prating, now in the Town of Fair-speech," notwithstanding his fine tongue is but a sorry fellow." What we do say is, would it not be well if, while we bear with the infirmities of our weaker brethren, we were all to cultivate more than we do the power of utterance, to aim at a greater ease of expression, and freshness and variety of speech, to make a better use than we do of the large vocabulary at our command, to be less conventional and more natural in our phraseology? Why should we with our large resources of lingual wealth speak as if our mother-tongue were poverty stricken and bankrupt? Why should we masquerade before high heaven in the thread-bare and grotesque garb of past generations? Still more; why should we ill-use the noble war-horse, and the limber hunter of better days, by making them the lean hacks and the pitiful cabbies of these degenerate times?

LIBERALITY, versus BIGOTRY.

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THESE designations are diverse. The first at once strikes us as the very ideal of all that is commendatory, lovely, and truly Christ-like. The latter as expressive of that which is unamiable, repulsive, and anti-christian. LIBERALITY is defined by Walker as munificence, bounty, generosity. BIGOTRY, by the same master-mind, is written down as blind prejudice; as the practice of one who is blindly prepossessed. And the scriptures of divine and unerring truth, seem clearly to show the correctness of the expositions here given, and also supply examples of these antagonistic and opposite principles. Whatever may be done with Walker, and all other lexicographers, at God's blessed word (at all events) let men tremble and adore! To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them.' What true greatness of soul, and what noble liberality are seen in Abraham of old. Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen, for we be brethren. Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left." With a lustre no less brightly and beautifully does this generous spirit shine in the large hearted apostle of the Gentiles; hence he writes: Him that is weak in the faith receive ye, but not to doubtful disputations. For one believeth that he may eat all things; another, who is weak, eateth herbs. Let not him that eateth, despise him that eateth not," &c., &c. See the chapter throughout, (the xiv of Romans) and let all the Churches regard that divine precept enjoined in the fifth verse: Let every man be fully persuaded (assured) in his own mind."

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For further divinely recorded specimens of a blind, narrow-minded bigotry, contrast the conduct, as supplied by an inspired pen, of King Saul, of olden times, and of that sordid, selfish wretch, Judas, of gospel days, with, as the very antipodes of these, the noble spirited David, as seen in his course and conduct, and the infinite perfections that shine so illustriously in the per

fectly pure, holy, spotless Son of God !—“ God manifest in the flesh." How easy and proper it would be to transcribe much that is relative from the book divine; but, lest this paper should be deemed prolix, perhaps it is better, affectionately, to refer the Redeemer's friends and followers to the Bible itself, and especially to recommend them to read, as passages in point, the xviii. of the 1st of Samuel, the xxvi. of Matthew's Gospel, and the v. of the 2nd of Corinthians. Pure, and unalloyed, and enlarged christianity is a gem; but even it may be so spoiled and defaced, as to degenerate into all the wild vagaries of latitudinarianism, or worse than this, into an actual want of fidelity.

That servant, who in the spirit of selfish pleasure-taking, violates his master's laws, gives away his property, and to his Lord's table invites guests of his own fond and fancied choice and selection, cannot be dignified with the designation liberal, but he ought to be branded as unfaithful. He who is liberal (falsely so called) with that which is not his own, is the very man to be an arrant churl with what of right does belong to him. The law, both of God and wise men, requires on the part of him who serves, strict fidelity. The administrator of justice in civil affairs, even in his high office, is bound by law. He is not at liberty in order that he may win golden opinions, and that he may be plumed and adorned with the appearance of munificence, amiablity and kindness, to be lax, in enforcing and in regarding the statutes of the realm, nor must he allow gross perversions, and thus connive at guilt and transgression. What then of gospel ministers, and what of christian churches? They are pledged to laws inspired by the Holy Spirit,-laws that are perfect and complete,-laws that shall endure as long as the sun and the moon shall last,-laws to which every good man and every consistent church will deem it their honor at once to submit. None are at liberty so to seek after a reputation for liberality, and to be so afraid of being deemed bigots, as in their procedure to throw open the flood gates of error and confusion. True scriptural liberality will not contract the views of mankind, and circumscribe their efforts to do good, and diminish an expansive love love to all who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity.

Christianity, in its purely holy aims, developements, and principles, will prompt to a seeking of the conversion and the salvation of the whole world, to a sending of the gospel to every creature, to a readiness to unite in praying and in preaching hand and heart with all around, and in making known the glad tidings of salvation to a lost and perishing world. It is not bigotry to confront error, to defend what we esteem truth, to strive to contend for the faith once delivered to the saints, and to keep the ordinances as they were delivered. This is not bigotry, that is ready to say of an erring brother, (and to adopt the principle in action) however in other matters he is beloved: I withstood him to the face because he was to be blamed;" and much less is it bigotry that would press home the injunction quoted above: "Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind," no more than it is to cheer, and direct, and encourage all, by reminding of the gracious requirement and assurance, Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."

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Louth.

་་

J. KIDDALL.

Correspondence.

To the Editor of the General Baptist Magazine.

DEAR SIR,-I ask your permission to insert the following communication in the June number of the Magazine:

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To the Ministers and Members of the General Baptist Churches-especially those who may be chosen as representatives at the next Association."

When you meet in London it will be needful to make arrangements for carrying on the Magazine. I am informed that all the appeals made to the members of our churches to induce them to give it greater support have failed; and it does not now clear expenses. Also that the Committee of Management are quite disheartened and threaten to resign at the Association. Why should they incur the risk and anxiety any longer? The Association appoints the Editor and Committee, and if any profits arise it receives them; it is consequently bound to adopt such measures as will enable it to be conducted in an efficient manner without these constant appeals for support, which are alike undignified and fruitless.

Let higher ground be taken;-as a Denominational organ, it is well worth sixpence a month. Let us realize the fact if we can, of there being no Repository printed for one year only. We cannot exist as a body without a Magazine-as well might a country expect to prosper and advance in civilization without roads. Some medium of communication we must have, even if it cost one shilling a month.

Why cannot the members of our churches afford sixpence a month now, as well as in the time of Adam Taylor. My own opinion is, that the sale would not be greatly reduced. When that was the price these difficulties were unknown, therefore make it sixpence at once, and let those take it who love their principles, and think them worth maintaining.

Let no one be so rash as to advise another year's trial at fourpence; and above all, let there be no more begging and praying of people to buy the book: by thus doing you degrade it in the eyes of the people. I occasionally see other denominational magazines, and do not think ours suffers by the comparison.* Yours very sincerely,

Nottingham, May 17th, 1858.

T. H.

*NOTE FROM THE EDITOR.-For the information of our readers, it may not be improper to state a few facts. The size of the Magazine now, is just what it was when the price was sixpence. The circulation in the time of the late Mr. Adam Taylor never reached that it now enjoys, and at his decease had sunk more than 500 lower. An increase of price might enable the Editor to give some remuneration for elaborate papers; a practice common to most periodicals.

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CALVINISTIC THEOLOGY.

To the Editor of the General Baptist Magazine.

Rev. Robert S. CANDLISH, D.D., EdinburgH.

"Even the reprobate may be truly said to be bought by Christ, inasmuch as for his obedience unto death, he has received the right, and power, and commission to dispose of them, and deal with them as it may seem meet for the honour of his Father's name and the salvation of his people."-Ps. ii. John xvii. 2. All, therefore, may be said to be bought by him, inasmuch, as by his humiliation, obedience, and death, he has obtained, as by purchase, a right over all-he has got all under his power. But it is for very different purposes and ends. The reprobate are his to be judged; the elect are his to be saved. As to the former, it is no ransom or redemption fairly so called. He has won them

bought them if you will—but it is that he may so dispose of them as to glorify the retributive righteousness of God in their condemnation; aggravated as that condemnation must be, by their rejection of himself."-Candlish on the Atonement, chap. i. p. 6-7; as quoted in "the Great Controversy," by - Rutherford. DR. MARSHALL. -"The only difficulty in the case is one which concerns not men but God: that He, in his unsearchable counsels should offer what he has not purposed to bestow-that the results of his arrangements should be, that many are called but few chosen-this is the difficulty; the sole difficulty; and with regard to it what shall we say ? What can we, or what need we say, but "Even so, Father, for so it seemed good in thy sight."

The Catholic doctrine of redemption vindicated, or modern views of the atonement, particularly those of Dr. Wardlaw, examined and refuted. By Andrew Marshall, D.D., L.L.D.

RELIGIOUS REVIVAL IN THE UNITED STATES.

To the Editor of the General Baptist Magazine.

X.

DEAR SIR, I was pleased to find in your last number that you had an article on the present religious movement in America. I trust the delightful intelligence of the wonderful work of God in our sister-land will be the means of awakening the Saviour's friends in this country to a sense of their responsibility, and excite a spirit of earnest zeal and fervent, believing prayer, that the life-giving, sanctifying saving power of God's blessed spirit may descend in rich abundance on all the Redeemer's churches in this highly favoured land. Has not God promised that a nation shall be born in a day, that he will in the last days pour out of his spirit upon all flesh? Surely if the promises of God in reference to the universal triumphs of the gospel are to be fulfilled, the work of conversion must go on at a much more rapid rate than it has hitherto done. If three thousand could be converted in one day, in primitive times, why should we not pray for and expect similar manifestations of divine power now. It appears something like it has already been displayed in America. Oh! for more faith. I am happy to say that the circumstances above referred to have awakened in the minds of a number of christians of various denominations in this town an earnest feeling on the subject. Our Church, with the Wesleyans and Independents, have already commenced a united meeting for prayer weekly. The first was held in our Atheneum Building, on Tuesday evening, May 18th; the Rev. I. Fletcher, Independent, presided, and gave a very suitable opening address, for about five minutes, after which nine friends engaged in prayer. About 250 were present, of all classes and ages; the feeling was deep and solemn, and it is believed impressions were then produced that will not be easily erased.

In reference to our own church, I never recollect, since I have been connected with it, a greater number who appear anxiously concerned for salvation. We expect to baptize nine friends the next month. I send you these few particulars, hoping it may encourage others in the good work.

Melbourne, May 19th, 1858.

Obituary.

Yours affectionately,

J. E.

MRS. SARAH GREEN was the daughter of Mr. Dean, formerly of Battle Flat, and for many years a deacon of the General Baptist church, Hugglescote, with which our friend united in the year 1807, being then in her sixteenth year, and some few years after was married to Mr. John Green, of Whitwick, a member of the same church.