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salvation of the dying? Or does | cious answer. The promise is the distance diminish the claim? made to prayer, not from courte. Because these evils exist in India, and not in England, shall we sleep | undisturbed on the pillow of security, and with indifference leave things to take their course, that is, leave the Heathen to perish without an eye to pity, and a hand to help; without making any effort to save them from the wrath to come? Brethren, the time is short, and the responsibility attaching to local situation great and serious: whatever, therefore, your hand findeth to do, do it with all your might.

sy or custom, but to encourage the application; not to lull into security, or to generate presumption, but to strengthen bope, and authorize confidence: it is made, not to imply any merit in the prayer, but to teach the indispensable connection between the means and the end. But has not prayer prevailed? has it not gained admittance within the veil, and entered the holy of holies, where God immediately resides? has it not touched the springs of divine benevolence, and opened Another consideration affec- the windows of heaven? It has tionately submitted is, the duty done these things, that we might of MISSIONARY PRAYER. It not slumber under the weight of is admitted that the work of the our duties, nor say that the time Divine Spirit is essentially neces is not yet come, but rather consary; for neither is he that plant-sider that our heavenly Father eth any thing, nor he that water-waits to be gracious, that his eth, but God who giveth the increase. With talents of the highest order, with benevolence the most disinterested, and with piety the most unquestionable, without his agency the wisest plans would fail, and means the most appropriate be as water spilt upon the ground. Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord. The world by wisdom knew not God; and its history from the entrance of sin to the present day, proves the imbecility of human power. But prayer is within the reach of the humblest talent, and the poorest christian; it is a duty which belongs to all the household of faith, and which claims a practi, cal regard from the whole family of Christ. If God be revealed as the object of prayer, he is so not nominally, but really. He is so, because he claims and expects that prayer should be addressed to him, and because he is fully disposed to return a gra

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hand and heart are always accessible, and that the resources of infinite grace, and the plenitude of redemption, are placed within the reach of the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man. Shall prayer then be withheld from the Missionary cause, which is emphatically the cause of Christ? Shall we act as though the interests of Zion were sufficiently patronized, sufficiently ample in their means, and sufficiently se cure, without the divine influence? as though the cause might be left to itself, and might rest on its owu merits? or as though human nature were so improved, and the heart so pliant, that reason and argument and persuasion alone are requisite to renew and transform and save? Views like these would be as inimical to religion, as they are mistaken, and as they are contradicted by the whole tenour of the Bible; and to enter. tain such expectations would lead on to effects the most distressing

and melancholy. Under the deep | sion must be supported; and the

weight of it necessarily and natu-
rally falls upon the denomination.
The Saviour has committed it
into our hands, and has thereby
expressed his own expectations,
and our duty. Were we to think
ourselves burdened, he might
transfer the honour of its support
to others who would meet its
claims more cheerfully, and sus-
tain them more liberally. The
silver and the gold are the Lord's;
and rather than his cause shall be
stationary, or than it shall recede
from its heavenly progress, wood
shall be converted into brass,
stones into iron, and silver into
gold. If the usual communica-
tions which its friends have im-
parted should fail, the sons of
the stranger shall come forward
to build the walls of Zion.
it is not believed, either that the
resources of the denomination
are expended, or that its liberali-
ty will lessen as its claims shall
increase. The cause is peculiar-

But

impression of the absolute necessity of the ministration of the Spirit to convert the soul, it is earnestly recommended to the churches to attend with punctuality and constancy the monthly Prayer Meetings. On the preceding Sabbath let them be announced from the pulpit, under the designation of Public Missionary Prayer Meetings. Their object will be promoted by an affectionate invitation, and still more so by a Sermon preached on the kingdom of Christ. It will much contribute to improvement to read Missionary intelligence. The Herald will generally supply the materials; and if its pages do not every month inform us, that new Missionaries are going forth to the heathen,-that new stations are occupied, new translations finished, or new schools opened, yet matter will be presented to awaken gratitude, and to furnish motive and argument for prayer. At these sacred sea-ly our own; and while we have sons let every thing be in unison and character; the hymns sung, the scriptures read, the prayers offered, and the address occasionally delivered, all should be Missionary. This branch of duty is committed with much affection to our ministering brethren;-iting, and shall we now withdraw is for them to call to this holy our hand? rather let us retrench work, age and youth, wealth and from our table, our dress, our poverty, the male and the female, self-indulgence, our journeys of the bond and the free; to correct pleasure, and our visits of friendthe mistaken, to encourage the ship. We repeat it; the cause timid, and to endeavour to awa- must and will go on: and if we ken, in the bosoms of all, compas- stand aloof, or only lend it cold sion for the souls of men: nor wishes and formal payers,-wishshall the exercise of this ministe-es and prayers which cost no rial duty go unrewarded; for he trouble, and involve no sacrifice, that thus watereth others, shall then we shall lose the high be watered also himself. satisfaction of being auxiliaries to the best of causes, and shall render our own piety dubious, while The Baptist Mis-deliverance and aid will arise.

Finally, we would press upon your notice MISSIONARY CON

TRIBUTIONS.

property to share, let it be cheerfully shared with the Mission. Have we imparted from our abundance, and has that failed? then let the contributions be given from our necessity, and our poverty. Have we cast in an offer

from other quarters. It is not enough to speak in its praise, and to bestow upon it the epithet of good, and great, and excellent: all this it deserves, but it asks more; it asks you to relieve its present necessity, and to encourage its future exertions. While the commission remains in force, while it stands unrepealed, so long it will be the duty of those who have suitable talents to devote themselves to the work of the ministry at home, or of the mission abroad; so long it will be incumbent upon the churches to devise new plans for the spread of the gospel, and to give those plans effect; and so long it will be required of all the friends of Christ to cherish the spirit of extended benevolence, and to pray for the salvation of the whole world.

Be ye therefore steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour shall not be in vain in the Lord.

W. G.

DUTCH BAPTISTS.* (From Mr. Ward's Farewell Letters.)

Concluded from Page 432.

IN the department of Amsterland there are fifty-two churches. In that of Maasland, five. In that of Utrecht, one. In that of Friesland, sixty-one. In that of Groningen, twenty-one. In that of Overyssel, sixteen, In that of

* The work from which this information is extracted, and which is intitled "A List of the Names of Baptist Ministers in and out of the Kingdom of Holland, with Intelligence respecting the Mennonite Churches," was published at Amsterdam in the year 1815, and was lent to the Rev. W. H. Angas of Newcastle upon Tyne by the Rev. N. Masschaert of Rotterdam.

Guelderland, two. East Friesland, three.

In that of

On the Continent.-In Neustadgodan, one church. In Holstein, two. In the dukedom of Berg, two. On the Meuse, nine. On the Lower Rhine, eleven. On the Upper Rhine, twenty-six. In the department of Upper Viefue, one. In the county of Weisbaden, one. In the principality of Baden, one. In the Upper Paltz, thirteen. On the east side of the Neckar, four. In Prussia, twenty-seven. In the principality of Wied-Newied, one. In Switzerland, several. In the counties of Salm and Saarbruck, two. In the principalities of Minden, Lautern, Leiningen, and Nassau-Weilburg, six. In the Upper Hynschin-Kreitz, one. In Nassau-Leigin, one. In the counties of Walder, Witgenstein, Barlenberg, and Leuwenhof, four. In German Lotheningen, one. At Prisgau, one. Near Markerch, one. At Salmer, one.

In Russia, three churches. In the United States of Ameri ca, there are more than two hundred Mennonite churches; and amongst them some churches contain as many as three hundred members each. Besides these, meetings are held in many private houses. They are scattered about in many parts; but in some places the whole population are Mennonites, particularly in Lancaster county and other parts of Pennsylvania. They are mostly the descendents of the Mennonites emigrating in great numbers from Paltz. They are not to be confounded with the English Baptists in America, but agree in doctrine church.

with the Reformed

It appears from this work, that many Mennonite churches have no stated ministers, but are either supplied by their own elders of

the neighbouring ministers; nor | is it uncommon for one minister to supply several churches.

To the lists thus given, are added notices respecting the removal, death, or settlement of ministers.

THE

CLAIMS OF WATCHMEN

ON THE

Piety of British Christians.

THIS appellation has with much propriety been appropriated to civil governors, because they "watch" over the interests of the governed; and it is our duty to pray for them to Him, who alone can prosper their efforts, or turn their counsels into

The compilers of this work declare, that the Mennonites form one undivided christian body, and that associations are held at different times (about Easter) and places, which appear to be simi lar to those held in England. In North Holland these associations | foolishness. used to be held annually, but have lately been held less fre quently and regularly. Some churches decline all union, as in England, with any association. The meetings of these associa- | watching for souls, as those who tions are held in different places. The business of the association connected with Rotterdam ap pears to be, to provide supplies for destitute churches, and to examine into the state of the Mennonite college at Amsterdam.

To the ministers also of our churches the term has with much propriety been applied; to them lias been confided the most ho nourable of all duties, that of

must give an account. They are to be a pattern to their flocks of holy circumspection, and to warn them faithfully of their dangers from indolence, from sin, and from the enemy of souls.

To parents, as heads of families; to private christians, with resp to their neighbours; to Sunday school teachers, with regard to their children; to condactors of boarding schools; and to numerous others, this appella. tion is equally suitable. Indeed it is the duty of all of us to watch over the spiritual interests of all around us; but we ought never to forget, that the first, the most important of all concerns, is to stand on our own watch-tower, ever looking unto Jesus.

There are no buildings connected with this college. The students receive theological instruction in a room containing the library, over the Mennonite chapel. The lectures are delivered in Latin, by the Rev. R Koopmans, Professor of Theology. The students attend at a literary institution in Amsterdam for instruction in Hebrew, churchhistory, physic, natural and moral philosophy, &c. They have private lodgings in different parts of the city. This college commenced about eighty years since, and was at first supported by the Amsterdam Mennonites alone; but lately, other churches have sent contributions. Six students receive support from the public fund they are all intended for the christian ministry. Each student before his entrance must be acquainted with Latin and Greek.be easy to prove, that WATCH

:

In the interesting publications of the Religious Tract Society, various classes have been affectionately and successfully addressed; but hitherto no distinct appeal has been made to the friends of religion on behalf of those, ou whose protection we in some measure confide during the silent hours of night. It would

MEN have strong claims on chris-day? If they have but few enjoyments, yet if he is the object of their love, whilst they hold communion with him under the canopy of the starry heavens, will not their faith be strengthened by the consideration, that the voice which "rolls the stars along, speaks all the promises?" and will not the revolution of the seasons, the changes of which they perhaps feel more than any other class of society, attest his fidelity, who is equally faithful to every word on which he causes then to hope, as he is to his pledge that day and night shall not cease? As the departure of the sun is always followed by the darkness of the night; so will not the turning from the invitations of mercy be followed by an endless night? As they long for the morning, to be relieved from the fatigue inseparable from duty; so to them that love the Saviour

tian solicitude. Their peculiar duties often make serious encroachments on their health, especially during the winter months; and they are therefore the frequent subjects of indisposition. Their nights are long, tedious, and lonesome; they have few enjoyments; the cheerful hours of the day, in which the gay and busy world is in full motion, are partly consumed in necessary repose; and they are exposed to temptations from that portion of society, who love darkness rather than light; while the small remuneration which they receive is inadequate to their support, with out other employment; and therefore a portion of the day is by many spent in labour. And on the return of the Sabbath, alas, how great a proportion are there, who, wearied to excess from watching by night and labour by day, voluntarily deprive them-will he not appear with healing selves of the ordinances of religion, and in whom we cannot therefore wonder if, in some instances, an utter absence of principle has been too apparent. Does not sound policy therefore dic-night other eyes, other ears, are tate, that these subjects of Home Missionary exertions should be speedily taken into consideration, and that their attention should be directed to eternal realities? Will not public security be thereby increased, as well as private happiness promoted?

Many useful hints, sufficient for the purpose of a tract, may be obtained, by considering the particular circumstances in which they are placed.

If the darkness and tediousness of the night precede the cheerful light of day, may it not point them to Him, who, if humbly and perseveringly sought, will turn their night into an endless

in his beams? and do not they also long for the hour when he shall come to be glorified in his saints? Cannot we remind them, that though in the darkness of

closed, yet there is One who never slumbers nor sleeps, but is ever listening to their supplications, ever watching to supply their wants? Do they note the progress of time, and remind others continually of its flight; and shall they forget it as it respects themselves, especially the aged amongst them, whose twelve hours of the day for seeking their own salvation have nearly expired? The morning of the resurrection is approaching, and may overtake them before they are prepared for its arrival. Are they sometimes called when no real danger is at hand? It is not so with their eternal interests:

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