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List of Contributions received by the Treasurer of the Baptist Missionary Society, from July 14, to August 14, 1821, not including Individual Subscriptions.

FOR THE MISSION.

Colchester, Auxiliary Society, by Mr. Patmore, Treasurer.....

Collections and Subscriptions, by Rev. John Dyer· · · · · · ·
Bluntisham, Remainder of the Produce of a Tract, by Rev. S. Green
Isle of Wight, Contributions, by Rev. John Saffery...
York and Lancashire Auxiliary Society, by William Hope, Esq...
Barnoldswick, Collection, by Rev. J. Mann...

Cambridge, Auxiliary Society, by Edward Randall, Esq.
Loughton, Auxiliary Society, by Rev. Samuel Brawn..
Accrington, Subscriptions and Collection, by Mr. Kenyon
Dunfermline, Missionary Society, by Mr. Dewar..

Journey of Messrs. Gray and Hoby into Yorkshire, &c.
Collected at Sheffield

Oakham

....

9 11 6

5 13 3

£ s. d. 10 0

38 0 6 1 8 8

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80.0 6 12

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Joseph Wilson, Esq. Milk-street, by J. B. Wilson, Esq. Donation

FOR FEMALE EDUCATION.

Montrose, Friends in, by Rev. John Marshall.
Sabbath-school Children, by Ditto

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210 0

N.B. A sum of £33 18s. 3d. was paid, on account of the Society, into the Bank ing-house of Sir John Perring and Co. on 30th July, but as no memorandum was given of the parties by whom it was contributed, it is particularly requested that the particulars may be sent, without delay, to the Secretary, 9, Wardrobe-place, Doctors'-commons,

J. BARFIELD, Printer, 91, Wardour-Street, Soho.

THE

Baptist Magazine.

OCTOBER, 1821.

ON REALIZING VIEWS OF ETERNITY.

THE spiritual and invisible world is a subject of great moment to creatures who must soon enter it. We are surrounded with objects of sense; but they ought never to efface from the mind serious thoughts on that state so essentially different from the present, and to which we are all hastening. The Christian, to whom life and immortality are emphatically brought to light by the gospel, will desire to have a very vivid and strong impression of the world to come, as he looks at the things which are unseen with all the eagerness and assurance of hope. Far from viewing the present as the whole of human existence, we ought to consider it as only introductory to a more important, and an everlasting state. The unseen world we call the world of spirits, and hereafter shall see and associate with those superior beings, of whose existence we are assured, and whose agency is often felt, although to us they are invisible. Futurity will disclose to the soul of man all the shining hosts of God, and also the angels that sinned. We anticipate disco veries of the Deity, which will far transcend our most sublime ideas. A pious man desires to see and feel and converse with

YOL, XIII,

God in all his works and ways; but the visible proofs of his eternal power and Godhead form in the present state a veil, which conceals the Eternal from our view: hereafter we shall see God. When the creature shall thus be brought into the presence of the Creator, it will be to behold the great Judge, the solemnities of whose tribunal are to be succeeded by the execution of a sentence deciding our doom for ever.

Heaven and hell are opened to the contemplation of an enlightened mind. But how different are the views and feelings of men relative to eternity! The lives of many are a practical denial of the doctrine of immortality, as taught in scripture. The final issue of things appears enveloped in so much uncertainty, and is removed to a period so exceedingly remote, as to lose much of its importance, amidst the claims of present objects. With mistaken views of the Divine Government, thousands leave their highest interests to chance, not considering how such negligence most assuredly seals their doom.

When we reflect how near we are to that period which will

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remove us to the unseen world, | mind cannot fail of being often

It has often happened, from one or more of these causes, that the future, in all its interest and importance, has gained such a hold upon the mind, that amidst the business of the day, as well as the stillness of the night, the thoughts of men have dwelt upon its certainty, its nearness, their own deep concern in all it shall disclose, and the necessity of preparation for it.

-that our continuance here is deeply impressed with the certainuncertain from moment to mo- ty of the invisible world, when stument, and that consequences dying the language of Revelation, so serious depend on the event, and inquiring into the evidences the carelessness of rational crea- of our immortal destiny. Nor is tures is surprising. Surely it it surprising, that conscious of a would be more natural to ex- native thirst after immortality, pect that the future would absorb with intellectual powers which our thoughts, and that lively im- elevate the human being so much pressions of the world to come above the brute, and in the prewould unfit us for the duties and sent life perceiving a distribution pleasures of the present state, of good and evil very far differthan that by the influence of pre-ent from what correct views of sent vanities, men could be in- the moral part of our nature duced to neglect the interests of would lead us to expect, a eternity. The propensity to ba-thoughtful man should believe nish serious thoughts of futurity the testimony of Revelation on from the mind, receives many a this momentous point. check. The passage of the souls of our fellow-creatures into that unseen world, constrains many, while for a season surrounded with the mournful emblems of death, to realize a future state. Under the influence of the first impressions which such events produce, especially if Death enter the houses of those who have been comparatively strangers to his visits, we can hardly fail of being deeply impressed with the The influence of such views reality of that world, now inhabit- may be traced in many important ed by those who so late were our particulars. Conviction of sin, kindred or our friends. Yet and consequent a of many dream of immortality in a danger, very commonly result world of death, and walk un- from converse with another moved among the tombs of past world. So long as men are engenerations, till God weakens grossed with present objects, their own strength by the way," and bent on the pursuit of the brings low their buoyant spirits, momentary gratifications of this and makes them feel that the world, they will easily hush the seeds of death are sown in their clamours of conscience, and reown constitutions. Pain, weak-main in fearful ignorance of ness, care, sorrow, and disap-themselves. But there is in pointment, tend to impress the every bosom an indelible register mind with a sense of the vanity of moral actions; and although of the present state, except as from the depravity of the the season of preparation for the mind some traces may seem future, and thus to produce real- faint and invisible, the light of izing views of eternity. eternity will cause them to appear in in all their horror,

A serious and contemplative

sense

and awaken man from his slum- | cided superiority over the present bers; and when roused to the world. examination of an account which must soon be given to God, when sin finds out the sinner, what soul can look back with complacency, or forward with hope?

In proportion as our views of the future are correct, these convictions of sin will be connected with desires of salvation. No reasonable man can dare to risk such a stake without concern. Hence we find the mercy of that Saviour, who is the resurrection and the life, earnestly implored by so many in their last moments, who had neglected him through life. The washing of regeneration, the pardon of sin and acceptance with God, are subjects with which it is impossible to trifle, if we have clear and scriptural views of eternity. Before the soul is brought into close and awful contact with the supreme Judge, it would gladly approach that glorious and gracious Being as a Saviour, and seek an interest in his favour. Eternity is a thought mighty in its influence to prompt men to a holy and pious life. Unnumbered vain resolutions are framed, when the impression is fresh upon the mind, only to be broken when present objects regain the ascendency; but the genuine Christian, whose interests lie in another world, and whose treasure is in heaven, will feel the powerful influence of those hopes which are full of immortality, in purifying the heart, and quickening the soul in every spiritual exercise. While such views elevate our minds, and render unspeakably important such devotional and holy duties as the men of this world despise, they whose citizenship is in heaven are enabled to gain a de

We discover in a most striking point of view the influence of future prospects, when we contemplate the career of apostles and martyrs, who could neither be won by the smiles and promises of the world, nor terrified by its frowns. In proportion as we realize the future, shall we moderate both our joy and sorrow relative to the present. To fulfil as a hireling our day of holy and zealous labour for God, and to keep our course and finish it well, will be the highest object of ambition to him who lives for eternity: the world will lose its ensnaring charms, and temptations otherwise irresistible will prove powerless. What charms can the giddy pleasures and amusements of the children of dissipation have for the man, whose soul is constantly filled with the loftiest anticipations, and who is accustomed, with rapturous desire, to dwell on the enjoyments of the heavenly state? Faith, contemplating the glorious reversion, is equally victorious over the world when it frowns. Even Christ Jesus our Lord is represented as enduring his cross for the "joy set before him," Heb. xii. 2; and his faithful followers will deem their afflictions light and momentary, only while their eye is steadily fixed on the future, 2 Cor. iv. 18. If the Christian must endure the cross in the way to the crown, it will be a source of unfailing support and encouragement, to dwell on the brightness of that crown. If in this world weeping endures for a season, we know that hereafter God will wipe away all tears from the eyes of his people. The views with which Stephen was indulged when he kneeled

of our Lord 116. The last-mentioned, pastors and teachers, according to some writers, were not two distinct orders of men, but one and the same. This supposition is chiefly founded upon the manner of expression, which is not, (as in other instances,) some, pastors; and some, teach

down before his persecutors to call on the Lord, have supported martyrs at the stake; and while laying hold on eternal life, the servants of Christ, in every age, have been willing to suffer the loss of all things here. Amidst all the poverty, meanness, pain, and fluctuations of this world, the believer is cheered and sus-ers;-but, " some, pastors and tained by the happy prospect of teachers." Others, however, with never-ending glory in the world to greater probability have thought, come. Right reason and true reli- that "teachers" were gifted bregion, therefore, teach the duty of thren in the church, who assisted familiarizing the mind with ideas the pastors by itinerating around of the future state. To acquire the their several districts. These, most deep and vivid impressions especially in the early ages of of the reality and importance of christianity, must have been a things unseen, and to guard very useful order of men; many against every thing which would by their means would hear the efface those impressions, will gospel, who might otherwise have. tend greatly to advance our sanc-lived and died without that pritification and our enjoyment, vilege. till faith shall be exchanged for sight, and we shall know even as we are known.

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Our missionaries in India have pursued nearly the same plan; many of their converts from among the natives have become teachers, and have greatly assisted in the diffusion of the gospel: no other plan could have

The Supplying of our Churches been so effectual.

WITH ABLE PASTORS.

A particular account of the officers in the christian church is found in Eph. iv. 11. The firstmentioned, apostles, ceased with the age in which they arose. The second, prophets, could continue no longer than inspiration remained in the church. The third, evangelists, were assistants to the apostles, and were sent by them to travel among the infant churches, to ordain elders over them, and to set in order the things that were wanting. Of this kind were Timothy, Titus, Philip the deacon, and others. These ceased at a very early period; Dr. Dwight supposes about the year

Something of this kind has also of late years been done at home. The members of our churches, chiefly young men, have gone into villages, and have exercised their gifts, some in addressing small assemblies gathered toge ther for the worship of God, and others in reading the scriptures to them, or a short sermon adapted to the occasion; and through the divine blessing, "the wilderness and the solitary place have been glad for them, and the desert hath rejoiced and blossomed as the rose." There may still be young men in our churches, who partly through their own modesty, and partly through being overlooked, are now but of little use, that might, if called

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