Графични страници
PDF файл
ePub

but a just man, who has proceeded in a course of virtue from the beginning, if he look up to him, he will not be received."

"You will hear them, though differing widely from one another, making that boast," The world is crucified to me, and I to the world."

And now, reader, wilt thou not say, "As it was in the beginning, it is now?" The pharisaical opposers of justification by faith, and of the insufficiency of man's righteousness, say just the same things; and despise us on the same account as Celsus did the first Christians; because the poor and ignorant, the wicked and abandoned, unite with us. This, however, is no inconsiderable testimony to the despised doctrines of grace; no small consolation to the humble followers of the Laub.

OLIM.

ON THE RESPECT DUE TO AGED CHRISTIANS.

WHILE the feeble lambs in Christ's fold deserve our attention, and call for our regard, it must not be forgotten that those who have borne the burden and heat of the day, are worthy also of our esteem. Old age, indeed, is always venerable; but it is peculiarly so when influenced by the precepts, and adorned with the graces of Religion. Hence, Solomon says, "The hoary head is a crown of glory, if it be found in the way of righteousness*." It is but too common, however, to observe those who are naturally lively, self-conceited, and of little experience, deficient in the exercise of that respect, which ought ever to be shewn to those whose judgments have been matured by length of years, and whose experience has been rendered considerable by diversified trials.

The young, often flushed with vanity, excited by warm emotions, and pushed on by a desire of superiority, too frequently step forward to give opinions without prudence, and to pronounce sentence without deliberation; while the aged, and those of superior wisdom, are thrown into the back ground, where their knowledge is obscured, and their experience neglected. How directly opposite is this to the scriptures of truth, which say, "Thou shalt rise up before the hoary head, and honour the face of the old man j!”

It is true that the aged may have their infirmities, and the superficial ornament of younger days may have worn off; but those infirmities are more to be pitied than ridiculed. The lit tle moroseness sometimes attendant on such a state, although not pleasing, affords no excuse for the petulance of youth. So far from it, that it should be the peculiar study of the young to soften the asperities of the aged, to support them in their

[blocks in formation]

-

declining years, and to remove, if possible, the anxieties arising in such a situation. The young Christian especially, should thus not only endeavour to administer consolation to grey hairs, but should listen with more than ordinary attention to their advice; for though they are precluded themselves from active exertions, through the feebleness of age, yet, as the head is essential to direct, as well as the hand to execute, their counsels may prove of the greatest advantage. Instruction, therefore, may be sought from their lips, and discretion learnt from their advice: they have travelled the road for many years: they have experienced the vicissitudes of the seasons, and seen the dangers of the way they have felt the power of the enemy, and are acquainted with his insidious snares: they can tell us of the various windings and turnings of the heart, and what they have suffered from its corruptions: they have witnessed also many wonderful displays of divine Providence, and can relate many pleasing instances of the power of converting grace:to a humble enquiring mind, their conversation may be attended to with pleasure, and their testimony received with profit. Let us therefore sit at their feet, and, from the relation of their experience, learn to get wisdom, and increase in knowledge. Nothing can be more indecorous than the garrulity of the inexperienced, and the boasting of the novice, in the presence of those whose steps have been long directed in the good

way. A degree of taciturnity, without running into the opposite extreme of reserve, should mark the character of a young disciple. "I hold it so," said a confident young man, once at a meeting of ministers. You hold, Sir, answered a grave Divine: it becomes you to hold your peace.'

Though the coolness of age be not congenial with the vivacity of youth, yet the company of the aged may be rendered highly useful and profitable. Is it a powerful temptation to which you are exposed? consult the aged and experienced: they may afford relief, having been themselves in the same circumstances. Is it a case of conscience?-open the matter to them; their knowledge and understanding may be the means of extricating you from your embarrassment. Are you entering into new situations, forming new connexions, and, as it were, about launching into the sea of human life? Go not in your own strength: consult those who have been long tost about on its tempestuous waves. Like old and skilful mariners, they can inform you where the rocks and quicksands are: they can afford you help in the darkest night, and on shores where your rashness and ignorance would have brought you into danger: their wisdom can direct, and their experience enable them to conduct you safe.

Look up to them, therefore, with respect; beg an interest in their prayers; follow them as far as they follow Christ. Beware of ever magnifying their infirmities; rejoice not if ever

you should see any of them fall. Be humble in your spirit, docile in your disposition, guarded in your expressions, and consistent in your conduct; and thus the aged, who are about to leave the world, shall rejoice in beholding your footsteps directed in the path of truth; and in the solemn hour of death be animated with the thought, that though they perish from off the earth, others are raised up to be the faithful fol lowers of their adorable Lord.

B.

Sir,

A CALL FOR GOSPEL-PREACHERS.

To the Editor.

BEING a constant reader of your Magazine, I was for cibly struck with the Advertisement Extraordinary in the Number for February last, entitled, Plenty of Work, and Scarcity of Hands; for although there have been very great and unusual exertions made to extend the preaching of the gospel into distant parts, as well as at home (not without some success, which gladdens my heart) there yet remains enough to do; and though we live in a country called Christian, there are hundreds in this neighbourhood in a state of heathenish

darkness.

Swansea is become a place of great trade. In the neighbourhood are several large works and manufactories of copper, tin, coal, culm, iron, pottery ware, &c. which have much increased the population. The town itself contains about 7000 inhabit ants: Morriston (a neat small town, about three miles off, principally inhabited by workmen) and its neighbourhood, about 2000: Gower, a district west of Swansea, from eight to ten miles square, inhabited by the descendants of the ancient Flemings (very few understanding the Welch language) about 2 or 3000 inhabitants; besides the influx of many strangers into Swansea in the bathing season, and a number of sailors belonging to the ships trading here.

In the Welch language, we are privileged with gospelpreaching by the Welch Methodists and others; but, from the great numbers of English in Gower, Swansea, Morriston, and its neighbourhood, destitute, in a great measure, of those means in their own language, we may well say respecting them, in the words of your motto, Plenty of work, and scarcity af hands! I trust, the Lord of the harvest will raise labourers for this great work of his own choosing; fit, able, and willing to serve him in season and out of season,

Several of the contributors to your Work, have, in former years, preached in this town and neighbourhood; but, for some years back, one of them, by chance only, gave an occa

[ocr errors]

sional sermon. May the Lord impress upon their minds a longing desire to come again and preach salvation, through a blessed Redeemer, to lost and perishing sinners in this place!

Here is a chapel in her Ladyship's connexion, with a resident minister regularly supplied. There is a small one built at Morriston, supplied by Welch ministers, where several English are thirsting for the Word of Life; and some ready to cry out, "Come and help us."

--

It is proposed to build a small chapel in part of Gower; but the same difficulty occurs: Who is to preach there? My sole view, I think I can say, in writing this, is the glory of God and the good of souls; and, I trust, the Lord will stir individuals or societies to form some plan to answer those ends, in this sinful part of the land.

Two or three Itinerants sent here, in the hand of God, may be of infinite benefit; and if any of our great and popular ministers were to take an occasional visit here, I have no doubt but that they will be amply rewarded, and that they may have many souls for their hire, for the trouble they will

[blocks in formation]

A CHARACTER formed on the principles of holy scripture, must be equally amiable and useful. flow respectable and happy that society whose conduct displays an exact correspondence to the injunction, " Be courteous."

To be courteous, it is necessary to have a temper of love, formed by the Spirit of God. There is a most important difference between the courteousness here recommended, and a smoothness of demeanor which, when assisted by nature, is the more easily and the more perfectly acquired by education. This, by the man of the world, has been frequently assumed, to recommend himself to society, that he might the more successfully accomplish the various ends which he had in view; that is, essential to the character of the Christian, is a native principle in the constitution of the new man which is created within him, by the power of the Holy Ghost. This is no more than the counterfeit, or at best the mere appearance; that is the true substance of courteousness. This has no connexion with the heart; that has its seat there.

By this fair workmanship on the outside, the waters ei rancour and bitterness are not removed; they are only a little more confined: when the tempest of provocation arises, t

are agitated; they swell, they boil, they burst their bounds,. and pour down a torrent of the grossest abuse, which defies all opposition: but genuine courteousness springs from a heart renewed by the grace of God; flows in a gentle current, enlivening its passage, and spreading fertility along its banks. Its source is the Spirit of God, as a spirit of holiness and of love. Divine love, shed abroad in the believer's heart, sweetens and enriches the soil of his temper; and, in propor tion to the degree of its amelioration, is productive of the most pleasant and beneficial fruits.

This courteousness involves affectionate thoughts, natively proceeding from a temper of love formed by the Spirit of God, The courteous man complies with the inspired direction," Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love."While the complaisance of the world is only a mask, under which the deformity of the heart is concealed, the courteousness of the Christian is a mirror, in which affectionate thoughts are to be seen in their most graceful charms. The courteous man, persuaded of God's love to his own soul, cultivates designs of love towards all his fellow-men, and especially towards the household of faith.

A heart full of affectionate thoughts, will discover itself by kind words: "Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh." The kind words of the courteous stand opposed to disputations, to haughty, to angry, provoking

words.

To disputatious words. I do not mean here to insinuate that a man ought not, on every proper occasion, to defend his own sentiments with decent firmness. No: to assent to every opinion started, to affirm whatever those with whom we converse aflirm, and to deny whatever they deny, is not courteousness, but sillyness. The courteous man steers a middle course between the contentious man, who contradicts every thing asserted, for the sake of disputing, and the cowardly simpleton, who shrinks from the defence of his own opinions, even when a rude and open attack upon them loudly calls for bold and rigorous resistance.

To haughty words. The kind words of the courteous, proeeed from a meck and lowly temper: they are mimicked in the unmeaning cant of compliment by the men of the world, who will say, We are your most obedient humble servants; we will be extremely happy to serve you; we only wait your commands. In their mouths, these and similar declarations are of no value; for they proceed from the lips only. But the kind humble words of the courteous man, flow from the heart. This stamps upon them superior excellence; and being ex, pressed with ingenuous simplicity and seriousness, are easily distinguished from the ceremonious and flippant language of compliment.

« ПредишнаНапред »