of iniquity?" Thousands are hourly exposed to the insidious entreaties and blandishments of the vendors of this ungodly trash, who prowl about the alleys and haunts of the metropolis, and under the pretence of selling religious tracts and other godly books, they enter the farm-house, the domicile of the tradesman in our country towns, or the cottage and homestead of our rural population, to injure and destroy. The church must use the press far more extensively than it has hitherto done, and in this way, at least, come to the help of the Lord against the mighty." The Wesleyan-Methodist BookRoom has furnished its quota of an antidote against the crying evil of which we, in common with the religious world, so bitterly complain. In the year 1846 they published" The Christian Miscellany," the object of which was to furnish a manual of religious and instructive information which should, in a considerable degree, meet the growing expectations of this reading age. Its appearance. before the world justified the expectations which had been raised, and it now towers above all its competitors of the monthly press. The following table will give our readers some idea of its present circulation in a few only of the provincial districts of this country :

We are fully convinced that never was such a work as "THE CHRISTIAN MISCELLANY" more loudly called for than at the present moment. It has been greatly improved since its first publication, in the number of woodcuts, executed specially for it; and it is intended also to accomplish all practicable purposes to render it worthy of the patronage it has already received. Comparatively little has at present been achieved to roll away the reproach from our professedly Christian country; for, after all her energies have been tried, a balance of nearly five millions still remains in favour of the issue of pernicious publications. May this visibly decrease! and if every truehearted and right-minded Wesleyan will address himself to the great work of ameliorating the moral degradation of his country, he will see, ere long, a morning dawn which shall shine more and more unto the perfect day.

THE

CHRISTIAN MISCELLANY,

AND

THE

FAMILY VISITER.

JANUARY, 1848.

EXCELLENCE AND BEAUTY OF CHRISTIANITY
CHIEFLY IN RELATION TO ITS DOCTRINES.

Extracted from "Traité de la Verité de la Réligion Chretienne; par Mons.
J. A. Turretin, Professeur en Théologie, et en Histoire Ecclésiastique à
Geneve."

L-IN WHICH IS SHOWN THE EXCELLENCE AND BEAUTY OF THE CHRISTIAN RELIGION CONSIDERED IN ITSELF.

THE state of the world under Paganism was as an obscure night, in which a thousand phantoms, taking the place of truth, deceived men, and led them astray. In the midst of this darkness, the writings of certain philosophers occasionally afforded some beams of light. And at the same time there arose, in a corner of the east, a clearness like that of dawning day: I refer to the Judaic law, mingled with many shadows, and limited in extent, but still, heavenly and precious. At last the full day came: the sun arose finer and without clouds; it was the light of the Gospel. God, having before spoken to our fathers, in sundry times and divers manners, by the Prophets, in these last times has spoken to us by his Son.

This new revelation, far from extinguishing what really is the light of nature, has revived it; far from abolishing the law of Moses, has accomplished and perfected it. God is always consistent with himself, whether he enlightens us by reason, or whether he condescends to manifest himself to us in any other way. But while human philosophy has been subject to the greatest errors, we have here a heavenly philosophy which is a sure and more safe guide and while the ancient law left many important truths veiled and obscure, we have now a revelation so complete as to omit nothing which we can justly desire.

Happily, the more the subject becomes interesting to us, the more plain does the way become, and the more do the proofs multiply. In the far antiquity of Judaism, and across the shadows of its law, we may perceive radiations which mark its divinity. But in the Gospel, all is resplendent.

In his "Replies to the Orthodox," Justin Martyr has spoken well on this subject; saying, that in the principles of doctrine, the Gospel differs not from the Mosaic law; but only in this, that the one contains the promises which in the other are accomplished. What is the law? The Gospel anticipated. What is the Gospel? The law fulfilled.

2

THE EXCELLENCE AND BEAUTY OF CHRISTIANITY.

We find there the noblest ideas, the purest worship, and facts better connected, and more easily explained, because of the comparative proximity of the times, and the number of the witnesses. We find there, oracles perfectly accomplished, and effects which fully correspond to the grand views of Providence respecting the salvation of mankind. As it is the last revelation which God has designed for man, it has pleased him that nothing should be wanting to prove its certainty, and declare its excellence.

To convince us of this, our examination might have two methods. The one referring to the external testimonies and proofs of various kinds; the other, to the excellence and beauty of Christianity considered in itself. This last might embrace its doctrines, its precepts, and its promises. At present, adopting this last method, we limit our inquiry to the subject of doctrine.

But attention will first be directed to a few introductory remarks. We wish to represent Christianity as it really is. Nothing is so important as the Christian religion; only, that its true value may be known, and its proper efficacy experienced, it must be taken as it came from the hands of God, not as man may have altered it. Disengaging it from all foreign admixtures, we shall see that there is nothing so grand, so firm, so noble, so simple, as this. It is the daughter of heaven, the older sister of reason, the light of human life, the sure foundation of probity and sound morals, the true principle of admirable conduct. By this may man subdue his passions, raise himself above his natural weakness, and arrive at the blessed immortality which he seeks. Without this, he is a creature feeble, debased, wretched, and mortal.

In examining the subjects before us, though we shall endeavour to do it with exactitude, we pretend by no means to exhaust them. So rich and elevated are they, that our best efforts must always remain below them. Nor do we expect to close the mouths of those who take pleasure in dispute and contradiction. Their disposition must first be altered, and their heart delivered from that secret and vicious inclination which sets them in opposition to the truth. There are persons so given to chicanery, and whose spirit is unhappily so subtle, that whatever subject is presented, they will argue upon it without end. Others are so trifling, that they examine nothing in its depths. While others are so corrupted by worldly passions, that they at once condemn whatever clashes with their pursuits. From persons of such a character what can be expected? Reason itself speaks to them in vain. They are as little moved by the plainest truths of natural religion, as they are by the appeals of revelation. Both are too serious, too burdensome, for them they desire to live without constraint, without discipline, without rule. Before they can be Christians, they have to become reasonable. Our inquiry supposes the existence of certain natural principles of religion and conscience, and that truth is to be sought honestly, and in good faith. Where these dispositions exist, we hope to furnish that which will satisfy the inquirer, whether in the number and force of the proofs that will be adduced, or in the care we shall take to set before him the Christianity of the Scriptures, together with what we hope will be acknowledged to be the fairness of the argumentation employed. Truth has no interest in concealment or dissimulation. From the severest ordeal to which it can be justly exposed, it always comes forth in triumph.

May God, the Source and Author of truth and light, grant his blessing to us in our present endeavours!

(To be continued occasionally.)

SCRIPTURE TRUTH CONFIRMED BY EXAMPLE.

"He, that being often reproved, hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy."-Prov. xxix. 1.

EXAMPLE IV.

THE labours of the apostolic Wesley were in few places crowned with greater glory than among the colliers of the North of England, many of whom he found in savage ignorance, and wickedness of every kind, and few, if any, caring for their souls. Yet on their rude minds, his ministry had a charm, "showing" (to employ his own words) "their approbation by clapping him on the back." Nor did he merely gain their favour: the truths he preached were rendered, by the influence of the Holy Spirit, effectual to the reformation and salvation of men. The early witnesses of his ministry in those parts have passed away; but the fruit of that ministry, like the bread cast on the waters, is to be found after many days. Societies were formed, not only in the large towns, but in the numerous villages, which continue to the present period; the members of which are adorning the doctrine of God their Saviour by their holiness of conduct and conversation. In one of those villages, a few years ago, one who had been a great sinner became eminently a new creature in Christ. In him the renewing and reforming power of the grace of God was very manifest, so that many took knowledge of him, and confessed the divine influence of the Gospel. Steadiness of conduct, stability of character, with a mind more enlarged and cultivated than many around him, pointed him out as one who might profitably sustain office in the church of God. To a station of trust he was elevated, and gave full proof that the opinion formed of his abilities and piety was correct. Next to the members of his own family, none shared his love more than the Ministers of the Gospel: by him they were esteemed very highly in love for their work's sake. He hailed their visits, received them into his dwelling, treated them with respect and kindness, and waited on their ministration with attention and delight; being greatly profited as well as pleased by the discourses which he heard, and in the prosperity of the work of God he had great joy. Such was the eminence in piety to which he attained, and for years continued to maintain with true consistency of spirit and deportment. But a change took place, a withering blasting change to the fruits of righteousness, a change that no doubt might have been traced to unwatchfulness and restrained prayer before God. When first the whisper went forth that occasionally he was led captive by a certain vice, few would believe it was so; and it was only the increased repetition of the sin, and the fault becoming more public, that constrained them to admit he had fallen from grace. He was kindly spoken to, and admonition was as kindly received: for a season he was borne with; but repeated acts of intemperance required that he should be deprived of office. Still, as a private member of the church, frequent, persevering measures were employed to recover him from the snare of the tempter. The oft-given reproof was met with the promise of immediate amendment; but promises were violated, until it became necessary to exclude him from Christian membership. This was an act that occasioned to his friends deep sorrow. With it he was not offended: he knew it was seemly and just; that it was due to the honour of religion. So far from being offended, he continued his stated attendance at the house of prayer, and cultivated intercourse with his Christian friends. It was deemed prudent that the Ministers visiting the village should withdraw from their accustomed abode at his habitation; yet he followed them, and availed himself of every opportunity of mixing in their society; affording them the frequent season of exhorting him to repentance, and warning him of his danger. In this service of love they

4

A CLEAN HEART AND A CONVERTED WORLD.

were aided by those who still esteemed the man while they condemned his conduct; and never was it known that any observation from the pulpit, however pointed and plain, or any rebuke in private, however faithful, was resented by him. His judgment admitted the propriety of all that was done and said to him; but his propensity rebelled against his judgment and interest, both temporal and spiritual. There were seasons when he felt bitterly, felt for his folly, and deeply mourned over his state: he was never allowed to forget his former blessedness. Long did his Lord deal kindly with him, and smote with the warnings of his word, convictions of his Spirit, and voice of his people, that he might again lead him and restore comfort unto him. Mournful fact! it was in vain sin was added to sin, and the righteous displeasure of God was kindled against him, and mercy became "weary of holding in." He who had declared," I will not always spare," made this transgressor an example of the truth of his word. His office in civil life required him occasionally to go down into the pits, and survey the safety of those gloomy abodes of the earth. Apprehending no danger, he was thus employed, when, altogether unexpected, a stone of great magnitude was loosed from its natural position, fell upon him, and crushed him beneath its ponderous weight. Life in a moment was extinct. No time was allowed to him to say, "God be merciful to me a sinner!" Such sudden and awful visitations of God have a voice; and that voice distinctly says, "Take heed lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God." (Heb. iii. 12.)

Bradford.

A CLEAN HEART AND A CONVERTED WORLD.

N.

REMEMBER," the old Methodists used to say, "Christ died to save all men from all sin: this is our doctrine," said the venerable Joseph Taylor, some sixty years ago, writing to a Cornish fisherman.* As Missionaries, the Methodists ought to excel, not only from their enlarged views respecting the universality of the atonement, but also on the ground of their apprehension of its personal efficacy. He that believes our doctrine of a clean heart, will naturally ascend another step, and believe the doctrine of the world's conversion. The faith that cries, "Create in me a clean heart, O God," cannot resist responding aloud, "Amen, and amen," to the "prayer of David the son of Jesse ;""and let the whole earth be filled with his glory." There is not only a similar moral grandeur and sublimity in both petitions, which justify their being united, but the desire for a converted world, and the hope of its realization, are the legitimate offspring of the heart made clean in the sight of God. Let him who desires the world's conversion, prepare the way of the Lord, by obtaining and retaining a clean heart. To convert the world we must bring more of God into it; but God will not reside with men on earth, unless the temple of the human heart be made pure and holy for his dwelling-place. He will not take up his residence amidst idols and corruption. The more of God in the church, the more hope of the world's conversion, and the more the world's conversion is expedited. Hence, he is doing most to save the world, however remote from office, however unknown among men, however obscure the cottage in which he lives,-who is most

The fisherman who was the correspondent of Mr. Taylor, was Richard Trewavas, sen., whose excellent Memoir is on sale at the Book-Room, No. 14, City-road, London. Mr. T. was the Assistant (Superintendent) of the Cornwall west Circuit, in 1782-83. His ministry was greatly owned of God, and his name there will ever be had in grateful remembrance.