They transgress, and are carried away to Babylon. By the favour of their prince they are permitted to return. Their idolatrous propensities are for ever extinguished, and since their restoration they have been even obstinate in the worship of Jehovah alone, and continue to make the unity of God the primary article of their faith. It is now eighteen centuries since their polity was destroyed, and notwithstanding their utter dispersion over the habitable globe, the name of Jews is not yet merged in the inhabitants of Christendom. They still retain their nationality and their religious distinctions, and continue, to the present hour, the most peculiar people on the face of the earth. In what way will you account for the extraordinary history and fortunes of this nation; a history confirmed by numerous collateral testimonies of Heathen authors, and a condition which is the subject of individual observation, so easily, as by admitting the truth of the miraculous events and supernatural interpositions recorded in the sacred books of Jews and Christians? To a philosopher, such an anomalous example in the history of states must be interesting in the extreme; and if the record were found in any other book than the Bible, it would be cherished, even by a skeptical antiquary, as an invaluable fragment of ancient history. 4. This book is worthy of your perusal because it contains some of the earliest specimens of written composition, and some of the loftiest conceptions of human genius. Long before men were taught by rules to write, before there were any models to imitate or to avoid, or any criticks to censure or to praise, David, that sweet bard of Israel, swept the solemn strings of the celestial lyre, Solomon dictated his aphorisms of ethical wisdom, and Isaiah, rapt into future times, poured fourth his denunciations and predictions. The oriental style is confessedly hyperbolical; and all other remains of eastern poetry are hung round with tasteless decorations; but the poetical portions of the Hebrew scriptures are conceived in a strain of sublime simplicity, which has extorted the commendation of criticks, and mocked the imitation of posterity. 5. The Scriptures are recommended to the attention of the curious by this single circumstance, that no books now extant have been preserved with such astonishing scrupulosity. The Jews entrusted their law to a set of men who numbered every letter in the volume, to whom every jot and tittle was familiar as the letters of the alphabet to us. It is also well known to the learned, that even in those remains of classical authors which have been most carefully transmitted, there are more acknowledged mutilations, more irreparable corruptions, and more essential variations of copies, than can be found within an equal compass in any book of the Old or New Testa ment. 6. The last consideration which we shall offer to encourage you to pay especial attention to this book is this; it is more frequently quoted and referred to, and its subjects and sentiments are interwoven with a greater variety of other reading, than any other work published in any age or country. The knowledge of the Bible is necessary to the understanding of a great part of the literature of Christendom. It is not a book peculiar to a single profession in society. It contains no technical terms, no uncommon phraseology, to make it unintelligible to the mass of readers. It is profitable for doctrine, for instruction, and for edification in righteousness. We are not extravagant in asserting, that if this book could once be lost, the literary, moral, and religious character of society, would be totally reversed. And of what other book in the world can it be said that the condition of mankind would be in any percepti ble degree affected by its loss? -Let not then, this book of the law depart out of your mouth; but meditate therein day and night; for concerning his testimonies we have known, of old, that God hath founded them forever. B. CALL TO SELF-EXAMINATION. For the Christian Disciple. HAVING been a subscriber for the Christian Disciple, from its commencement, I have been pleased to notice, that one of its professed objects, is to "support the genuine principles of the Christian religion, and to diffuse its spirit among mankind." The following remarks are offered for insertion, with a sincere view of promoting these desirable objects, by one who, sensible of his own deficiencies, wishes to unite in the examination he recommends to others. A BEREAN. This has been called the age of benevolence, and compared with preceding ages, is perhaps justly so denominated. Innumerable societies have been instituted for ameliorating the miseries of mankind, and for improving their moral condition. Societies for extending to the offspring of the indigent, the benefits of education; for sending Missionaries among the heathen; for disseminating the scriptures in every clime; and, lastly, for promoting, on earth, peace and good will among men. That in this wide spread shew of benevolence, a real heartfelt sense of duty, founded on religious considerations has had its share, I feel no disposition to deny. But, in an age when benevolence has become fashionable; when the appearance of it, advances our reputation among men; when the names of benefactors and contributors to works of charity, are regularly announced to the publick, through the medium of the press, and their characters held up to the admiration of an applauding world; a fear has arisen, that some, perhaps not a few, may, without very narrowly scrutinizing their own motives, rest satisfied with the aid which they conceive they are thus lending to the cause of religion, and with the character for benevolence thus easily acquired, without becoming clothed with that humility, which is one of the chief ornaments of the Christian profession, or striving after that holiness of life," without which no man shall see the Lord." Far be it from me to discourage the efforts of real Christian benevolence, or to throw a damp over any well-meant efforts, to ameliorate the condition of mankind. But I wish to call the attention of those, who are uniting their aid in the promotion of these objects, to an examination of their own situation, as individual members of the Christian family. An examination of this kind, I have no doubt, would convince such as are not already sensible of it, that he who will be the disciple of Christ, must now, as formerly, deny himself, take up his daily cross, and follow him. That it is the contrite heart; the heart that is humbled before God, and renovated by the influence of his spirit, that is alone, well pleasing in his sight. That it is not our own righteousness, established in our own way, but our submission "to the righteousness of God," that will be of any avail with Him who seeth in secret. We shall find these truths inscribed on the volume of Sacred Writ, and if we attentively listen to the voice of the inward monitor, I have no doubt, we shall find a corresponding testimony to their truth, within our own breasts. We shall find that every action, however specious in its appearance, or however estimated by the world, that is performed to obtain the applause of men, or to quiet our own consciences, independent of our submission to the cross of Christ, will not have its reward from heaven. And I am far from believing, that such an examination as is here recommended, though it might abase ourselves in our own opinion, would have a tendency to lessen our love for mankind. In none, is this love more ardent, if indeed it can truly be said elsewhere to exist, than in the real Christian, united with, and founded upon, the love of God. But it will, in this union, be directed, not to those objects which are most popular, (merely because they are so,) but to those objects, to which the spirit of truth shall point our way; and, perhaps, not unfrequently in a way, wherein we shall find it our duty to act upon the spirit of the scripture injunction, not to let "the left hand know what the right hand doeth," in our alms deeds. When we reflect that it is righteousness alone, that truly exalteth a nation, and that the aggregate virtue or righteousness of a nation rests on no other basis, than the virtue of the individuals who compose it, the importance of individual piety becomes piety becomes greatly enhanced in our view; and I have sometimes thought, when reflecting on the silent, but widely extended influence of ex ample, that he who, in all his intercourse with society, manifests that he is acting under the guidance of Christian principle, does more to promote the cause of truth and righteousness, though wealth be denied him, than he could possibly do under other circumstances, though possessed of the greatest abundance. But when to this primary quali fication for usefulness, ample pecuniary means are added, how beautiful the union; how widely extended indeed, the influence of example. PROGRESS OF TRUTH. Mr. Editor, It is very delightful to the true believer, to observe the diffusion of just views of Christianity among the different denominations which bear the name of Christ. It is the opinion of many judicious observers of the times, that a real and most important improvement is taking place in the conceptions which are formed of the nature and spirit of our religion. A remarkable example of this is furnished by a passage in a work on "Sacramental communion," lately published by the Rev. Dr. John M. Mason, of New-York; a gentleman who holds perhaps the first place among those who choose to distinguish themselves in our country by the name of "orthodox." The passage deserves a conspicuous place in a work like yours, Vol. V. No. 1. which is consecrated to the sublime and Christian purpose of spreading peace on earth, and good will among men. The passage is as follows: "Let brotherly love continue; was an injunction among the last which proceeded from the sanctified lips of Paul, the apostle, the aged, the Martyr. And for the best of reasons. It is a lesson, the most likely to be forgotten, and the most important to be remembered, of all the practical lessons which have been given to the children of men. The most likely to be forgotten, because every form and particle of their depravity has an interest in counteracting it-the most important to be remembered, because it is the principal proof of their reconciliation and comTM 2 munion with God, and the main spring of their happiness both in this life, and that which is to come. Hatred, and her whole brood of envyings, strifes, clamours, jealousies, discords, are from Hell-the undisputed progeny of Satan. Charity, with her gentleness, kindness, longsuffering, mercies, meekness, and the whole train of personal love liness and social graces, are from above; the fair and guileless offspring of the Father of lights.' The very end of the Redeemer's mission, the ULTIMATE OBJECT of his doctrines, his precepts, his example, his tears, his sacrifice, was to overthrow the reign of malice, and to rear upon its ruins the EMPIRE OF LOVE." Amen. Amen. Such views of Christianity shed on it an infinite lustre. Let such views be diffused, and the hope of many Christians, that the millenial ages have commenced, will cease to be visionary. Let such views be diffused, and the wounds of the lacerated, bleeding and divided church of Jesus will be healed. Let such views prevail, and persecution and war, will be hurled from their long-usurped seats of power in the church and in the world, and the throne will be given to Charity, the spirit of heaven, the spirit of Jesus, the brightest perfection of God, the first and fairest of Christian virtues, the grace which above all others, assimilates and binds the soul to its Creator and Redeemer. "THE TRIANGLE THE SECOND SERIES OF NUMBERS.' THIS pamphlet was received after the article on the first series was sent to the press for December. The second series The second series of numbers contains several interesting articles, but No. VI. demands all the room which can now be spared in the Christian Disciple. The greater part of the number will be given, and but few remarks will be made. No. VI. I HAVE before me the Pastoral Letter of the Synod of Philadelphia, dated Lancaster, September 20th, 1816, of which I give the first paragraph. "Christian Brethren, ries are "The Synod assembled in Lancaster, at the present time, consists of a greater number of members than have been convened at any meeting for many years; and from their free conVersation on the state of religion, it appears, that all the Presbytemore than commonly alive to the importance of contending earnestly for the faith, once delivered to the saints, and of resisting the introduction of Arian, Socinian, Arminian, and Hopkinsian heresies; which are some of the means, by which the enemy of souls would if possible, deceive the very elect." |