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"Wherein does a clear, decisive, and scriptural call to the work of the Christian Ministry consist, sufficient to warrant a man's engaging in that arduous work?"

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February, 10th.

A YOUNG CHRISTIAN.

REVIEW.

The Services at the Public Recognition of the Rev. N. M. Harvey, over the Church in New Broad-street, London, &c. Rolfe and Co.

THE introductory discourse, by Dr. Burder, is so puerile, that much as we knew we differed in theological sentiments from that gentleman, we were surprised. It contains a cold and uninteresting view of the previous pastors of this church for the past century, and that is just all it does contain; the senior deacon then narrates the steps taken by the church, which finally led to their choice of Mr. Harvey, after which the Rev. Dr. called on Mr. Harvey for a statement of those reasons which had determined him to accede to their request; and in stating the manner in which he purposes to discharge his ministerial duties, Mr. Harvey informs us that he intends, in addressing unregenerated sinners, to warn them of their danger, and to invite and press them to accept of the provisions of eternal mercy.

The address to the pastor is by the Rev. John Pye Smith, D.D., and is delivered with much affectionate feeling. Heavy domestic affliction (he informs us,) compelled him to deliver this address, without any preparation but that of meditation and prayer, which by the way we should have deemed sufficient preparation. We pass over minor objections, and on the whole, hoping well of the Rev. Dr. pray that with his professedly amiable temper, he may yet be blessed with a more decided and uncompromising zeal for the truths of the gospel.

The sermon to the church and congregation, by the Rev. Joseph Berry, founded on Rev. vii. 15, and from which the preacher exhibits the all-perfect portion of the church in heaven, as á model for the remaining portion of the church on earth, we read with much pleasure; the honour he puts on the eternal spirit, as the only efficient agent in the church, does him much credit; we knew his venerable father-in-law, Mr. Grove, of Walsal, and were indeed thankful to find Mr. B. emulating so good an example. He passes too much praise on the church in Broad-street, and also on some of his colleagues, but the sermon is calculated for usefulness, and we regret that his debilitated constitution prevents his more frequently dispensing the word of life.

Eighteen Tracts by James Smith, Baptist Minister, Cheltenham, viz. 1. A Word in Season. 2. The Blessed of the Lord. 3. How shall man be just with God. 4. One Thing Needful. 5. A Saviour and a great One. 6. True Grace of God. 7. God's Remedy for Man's Malady. 8. The Fulness of Christ. 9. A few Remarks which concern You. 10. Ask and ye shall receive. 11. Alarming Discovery. 12. A Word to the Desponding. 13. The True Christian. 14. Good News. 15. Watch. 16. The Mercy of God. 17. Unspeakable Gift. 18. Peace with God. Cheltenham, Hadley; London, E. Palmer.

SOME time since we fell in with the tract entitled, “ A Word to the Desponding," which we perused with much pleasure; we were not then aware the author had written more than that single one, and were much surprised and well pleased when we received the above series, to find that one capable of writing so well, had cultivated so assiduously a field, too much neglected by those who are the ministers of a free grace gospel. Tracts are calculated more than any other species of publication for usefulness, and numerous instances could easily be adduced, where the Lord the Spirit hath been pleased to bless them. While the advocates of a yea and nay system are active, let not those who are better taught slumber. We have read most of the tracts in this series, and can give them our cordial approbation; they are in size and price admirably suited for distribution among the poor. The Lord's poor as well as the unawakened.

1. Sweet Morsels to Hungry Souls in the Lord's Word, for the Lord's People, 8vo. 2. Annual Salutations; or, Tokens of Remembrance to the Spiritual Church of our most glorious Christ. 8vo. 3. Sketches of a Journey to London, interspersed with Spiritual Reflections, 8vo. 4. Zion's Trumpet, and its Seven Blasts, 8vo. 5. A Diary gathered from the Lord's gracious Promises to his People, 8vo. 6. The Sailor Pilgrim, in two Parts, 8vo. 7. Visits to and from Jesus, 8vo. London, E. Palmer.

WE are glad to find that the publisher, while printing his uniform Edition of Dr. Hawker's writings, hath taken off separate editions in the same size and type of those pieces, which had long been out of print, and scarce. It is really quite a gratification to see the excellent works which heretofore were printed so miserably, assume a garb respectable in appearance and pleasant for perusal.

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

ORDINATION OF THE REV. CHARLES BRAKE, AT MILLWALL, POPLAR, TUESDAY, 19th Inst. 1833.

Mr. Benjamin Isaacs, of Gloster Chapel, stated the nature of a gospel church, as described in the New Testament, and proposed the usual questions. The relation given by Mr. Brake of the Lord's gracious dealings with him was peculiarly striking and deeply affecting.

The ordination prayer was offered by the Rev. Mr. Kirkness, of Deptford, with laying on of hands; the charge was delivered by the Rev. R. Stoddart, in a most solemn and impressive manner, from Colossians i. 7. "A faithful minister of Christ." Inquiry was made by the preacher,

I. Why a minister of the gospel was called a minister of Christ?-1. Because through grace, he is a real christain. 2. Ordained, called, and supported by Christ for his work. 3. Christ is the principal subject of his ministration. 4. Obedience to Christ's commands.

II. Ministerial fidelity is an indispensible characteristic of a minister of Christ.

Faithfulness includes the following thoughts:-1. Impartiality. 2. Diligence. 3. Perseverance implies-1. Faithfulness to God. 2. Christ. 3. Holy Ghost. 4. Conscience. 5. Word of truth. 6. Souls of men, as faithful stewards.

Encouragements are as follows:-briefly, they serve a faithful God, a faithful High Priest, faithful witness, from the faithful record of God's truth; in doctrines, promises, &c., in prospect of death and an eternal world, where the reward of the faithful will be granted. The other parts of the service were engaged in by Messrs. Harris of Dartford, Whitley of Brixton, Croker of Westminster, and other ministers of whom a goodly number were present. About 70 of the friends sat down to dinner in the spacious school-rooms, and in the afternoon upwards of 100 persons took tea.

In the evening the Rev. G. Firmin, of Cumberland-street, delivered an affectionate address to the people, but particularly the church, from 1 Thes. v. 12, 13. Three points were discussed.

I. The people's recognition of their pastor.

II. Their high estimation of him.

III. Ground on which true esteem must rest.

On the first head he spoke-1. Of the church's, knowledge of him as God's sent servant. 2. Acknowledging his spiritual authority. 3. Reviewing the Lord's goodness towards them. 4. Subjection to his admonitions.

On the second head of discourse, genuine love is the parent of esteem, shewn 1st by praying for him. 2. Constant attendance under his ministry. 3. Providing liberally for him. 4. Cultivating brotherly affection. 5. Silencing evil reports. 6. Relieving his anxieties. 7. Countenancing the doctrines declared by him.

On the third head, close meditation and prayer, and preaching a full and free gospel, including "The Father's everlasting love, the Son's perfect and finished work, and the Holy Spirit's efficient ministry."

Total fall of man. Recovery by Jesus Christ-Completeness of the

church-Final perseverance from grace to glory-Love him for insisting on "Regeneration"-New birth-Experience of a work of grace-Practical godliness-Visiting the sick-Reproving and admonishing, &c.

Indeed it was a day long to be remembered by many. The name of our most glorious Christ was rendered very precious by the witness of the Holy Ghost; may the union formed prove a lasting blessing to that part of God's vineyard.

WOODBRIDGE CHAPEL, CLERKENWELL.-On Wednesday, Feb. 6, 1833, this newly erected place of worship for the church and congregation, under the pastoral care of the Rev. Richard Luckin, formerly meeting in the old chapel, Little Bartholomew Close, was opened. The Rev. Dr. Andrews, Joseph Irons, and Richard Luckin, preaching in the morning, afternoon, and evening of that day.

LINES

POETRY.

Written after hearing the Rev. Mr. P.
a Minister of Colour.

I heard one preach whose sable face
Brought stranger scenes to view,
And he told a tale of sov'reign grace
Which he had tasted too.

He told how Bethlehem's day-star shed
Upon his lone abode,

A beam which straight to Calvary led,
And to a bleeding God.

And he told how in the fountain there
His soul was cleansed from sin,
And he said none round him need de-
spair,

Who fain would wash therein.
He said and then methought his face
Beam'd with a white man's glow,-
"Oft foes obtain this pardoning grace,
For I was once a foe."

And then he urged the list'ners near,

Ere Jordan's wave was nigh,
To seek, while yet they sojourn'd here,
The hopes which never die.
And then he pray'd,-that dark man
pray'd,

Warm as a white man could,
That the tale he told us might be made
Of efficacious good.

And it will,-I feel assured it will;
When that dark man enters heaven,
He'll rapturous count from Zion's hill
The converts God hath given.

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REZENEB.

Thy brother Aaron doth speak well."-Exod. iv. 14.

AND hast thou, when thy trembling feet

Have borne thee to the place of prayer,

Fallen prostrate at the mercy seat,
Nor found a word to offer there?
Faint not! thy elder brother views
The gushing tear, the bosom's swell,
And these will eloquently use

Thy brother Aaron speaketh well. Despair not, though thy stammering tongue

Can only urge a broken sigh,
Thy Lord will scatter perfume on
And bear aloft that feeble cry;
The language of a contrite groan

Thy interceding Lord can tell,
And when he pleads them at the
Throne

Thy brother Aaron speaketh well.

Well! when he shews each scarlet sign,

His hands, his feet, his bosom bear, And tells for thee his brow divine

A coronet of thorns did wear; Those silent keep in constant view,

His death on blushing Calvary's hill, And when 'tis heard he died for you, Thy brother Aaron speaketh well. REZENEB.

(For the Spiritual Magazine.) THE 100th PSALM, Paraphrased in New Testament Language.

LET ransom'd souls of ev'ry land
Both Jews and Gentiles sing;
Ye saints, in one united band,

To God your praises bring.

With gladness serve the Lord of hosts,
Before his presence come;
In his salvation make your boast,
Approach him through the Son.

Jehovah only is our God,

He form'd us by his power;
To save us, Jesus shed his blood
In his expiring hour.

The Holy Ghost, the living Lord,
Without our helping hand,
Renew'd us by his gracious word,
And by his power we stand.
We are the flock the Father chose,

For us our Shepherd bled,
The names of all his sheep he knows,
We're in his pasture fed.

Unto his courts with joy resort,

Aloud his praise proclaim,
With thankfulness his grace report,
For ever bless his name.

How good and gracious is the Lord!
His mercies ever last;

His blessed truth and faithful word
Eternally stand fast.

"It is Finished."

A FRAGMENT.

TYRO.

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On Christ, the Pascal Lamb, ye fed, When from the land of Egypt led, Your hearts rejoiced, through sprinkl'd blood,

In pardon'd sin, and peace with God. Your trials, foes, and sins recount, Escapes from dangers-vast amount! Though prone you've been from him to slide,

The Lord your God has been your guide.

Through all the way in which you went,
Remember, 'twas the Lord's intent,
Deep in the dust you to abase,
And magnify his sov'reign grace.
The vileness of your hearts to prove.
To make you know how vast his love,
To try the graces he has wrought,
The Lord has through the desert
brought.

When in the heavenly Canaan's land,
You all before his throne shall stand,
You then will sing, on each review,
The Lord our God has brought us
through.

THE SABBATH.

TYRO.

Oh day of peace! thy dawning ray Comes meekly from the smiling east, I love thee, for thy soothing sway Drives care and sorrow from my breast.

Oh day of joy! thy choral strain

Sounds sweetly in the pilgrim's ear, Whose listening soul now feels not pain,

And half forgets her anxious fear. Oh day of love! when He who died Removes the sinner's load of woe, By pointing to the river side Whence hope, and life, and pardon flow.

Oh day of rest! what heavenly calm, What hallow'd peace thine hours impart,

How often hath thine healing balm Revived and cheer'd the contrite heart.

The mist of death may cloud these

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