Page images
PDF
EPUB

"During the indisposition of the Rev. Mr. Knibb, a Baptist missionary, at Savannah-La-Mar, some members of his congregation met on last Easter evening, to hold a prayer meeting, at his house. Information of this, on the ground of its being disorderly and irregular, was laid before the local magistracy; it was proved, however, that the meeting was held within legal time, and was perfectly quiet. A slave of the name of Sam Swiney, was convicted of having attended the meeting, though he had his owner's verbal permission to do so, and of having there "prayed without a book, out of his own head." I explained, (says Mr. Knibb,) to the magistrate, the Hon. D. Finlayson, (Speaker of the House of Assembly,) the nature of the meeting, and stated that there was a manifest difference between praying and preaching. He replied, "that there was not they were the same; praying meant teaching, and preaching meant teaching, and it was nonsense to make a difference." The result was, that the slave was, without hesitation, convicted; and for simply, on his knees, offering a short prayer to God, was sentenced to receive twenty lashes, and be worked in chains for a fortnight. What my feelings were, I will not now express, when early on the following morning, I beheld a fellow creature, a respectable tradesman of his class, stretched indecently on the earth-lacerated with a cart whip-and then chained to a convict and sent to work on the road."-(From a statement published on the spot, by K., quoted by Mr. Baxter in the House of Commons, July 20th.)

Is not this one instance, enough to make the heart of a Christian almost break, and the blood of a freeman boil within him, at the very thought of a system, that legalizes, under British and Christian protection, such horrible barbarity? It is somewhat consoling to hope, that the knowledge of such facts will accelerate the time when British subjects, whether black or white, shall enjoy the fruits of their labour within the circle of their own families, however humble, and may worship God, either in public or in private, without punishment or prohibition.

I remain, Sir, your constant reader and friend,

HOMO.

ON RELIGIOUS FEELING.

to the editor of the christIAN EXAMINER.

[ocr errors]

SIR-I have been so much pleased and gratified by the sketch of Cleanthes, in the essay on Singleness of Purpose," that I have been induced to try my hand at an essay and a sketch also. The attempt is bold-it is like the hanging up of a young artist's first effort in a picture gallery-and should my unpractised sketches fail to interest, from want of force in colouring, or truth in delineation, still in my portraits, I have, at least, the consolation that they were certainly intended for somebody.

Who is there among Christian men or women, that has not felt, in a greater or less degree, the sweet and soothing influence of feeling in the religion of a crucified Jesus? It flings its mantle over the pilgrim, as he travels through the wilderness in the day of his mortality, and strews with roses the sometimes thorny and troublesome path. And there is not in the whole compass of human joys, any thing at all to be compared to that joy and peace which springs from the belief and trust in a pardoning righteousness, and which is not unfrequently felt by the believer when, amid sorrows and perplexities, he turns his eye to the "star of eternity," and reads therein of the exceeding great and precious promises;

[ocr errors]

to the sanctuary, after a weary and vexing week, and has his faith, and hope, and joy, and love, awakened and refreshed, and in the name of the Lord, girds his loins, and runs with rejoicing the road to a better country. But feeling may be carried too far. Knowledge is the foundation of faith; and it is from faith that feeling springs. Were knowledge not our guide and our regulator, the fervour that animated our devotion, would just be analogous to the fervour that follows the crescent, cuts the body, travels on spikes, or throws itself under the car of Juggernaut. Wherever Christianity walks, she carries in her train all that can ennoble and dignify man the arts and sciences are her handmaids, and though in this degraded state of existence, knowledge is too often separated from moral purity; and she that "knows, and knows no more, her Bible true," is more acceptable in the sight of a holy God than the unsanctified mind that, like Lucifer, can almost scale the throne of Deity; still, knowledge is essential to the completion of the happiness of those whom the "king delights to honour." If they are to become like the Redeemer, they shall share a portion of those treasures which reside in him bodily. And for this reason I feel a pleasure in reading those journals of missionaries, which display men who can measure a mountain, sound a valley, describe a volcano, pick up a pebble, and classify a plant-while they are founding schools, rearing churches, and proclaiming to the ignorant natives the tidings of salvation. And though it be not essential to salvation, that the mind of the redeemed one be able to scan God's purposes, traverse the milky way, or descend into the bowels of the earth, and view, with curious eye, those wonderful remains and wonderful traces of existences and revolutions that laugh at the searching glance of history; yet, who that knows the pleasures which knowledge gives, will put from him that which can refine his taste, exalt his ideas, and liberalise and enlarge his heart? For my own part, I look forward to a millennium of knowledge-and when the moral regeneration of the earth is achieved, doubtless those who live to see the day, will see it accomplished by the truth preached, civilizing and improving the tempora! condition, as well as carrying forward into eternity, the prospects and the hopes of man.

Now there is a cry raising in the religious world against the undue influence and pursuit of knowledge, which may possibly have the effect of sometimes checking the use of it. There is indeed reason to fear. Satan, when he saw Christianity prevailing in spite of him, turned Christian, that he might better work his antichristian designs--and he can act both Pharisee and Sadducee, when he thinks it will carry a point or storm a position. But, let caution have control. If the Sadducee would bring every thing to reason, the Pharisee can sometimes let her fly away altogether. And along with this alarm which is sounding against the neological use of intellect, there is in modern religious biography a strong bias towards that lack-a-daisy, letter-writing, dairy-making egotism, which both enfeebles the judgment and corrupts the taste. Letter-writing and diary making are capital things in their own time and place-but ever since the days of the devoted, the heavenly-minded, and yet self-tormenting Brainerd, hypochondriacal young ladies, and sentimental young men, have evinced a strong predilection for writing letters and keeping diaries. Charity hopeth all things-and piety should ever be respected-yet, in spite of charity and piety, I cannot get rid of the idea, that papers and diaries never intended to see the light, were penned under the influence of the possibility of their being seen. It was something like this which tortured poor Cowper, and murdered Kirke White-and in reading the diaries and letters in some of

the most popular of the modern biographies, I have been pained in seeing how the writers not unfrequently pained themselves, and have had my feelings lacerated by the perusal of the manner in which they lacerated theirs. To all such persons, I think Scripture warrants us to say, "Apply to the physicians when you feel yourselves out of sorts-and do not charge God with forsaking you, or hiding his face from you, when it merely proceeds from a lowness of spirits, and a disordered organization." Perhaps one or two pictures will exhibit more plainly the force of these remarks.

ness,”

Arabella, "though younger once than she is now," is not yet past the bloom and vigour of life. Music and ladies ought not to be dated; and it would be unfair to guess the age of our fair friend, and one especially for whose character in the entire, respect is most undoubtedly due. From her earliest infancy she was delicate in constitution-and the delicate body acted upon the delicate mind, giving it a melancholic tinge, with a solitude loving sympathy. A religious education was not lost upon Arabella-the work of the Spirit of God appeared visible, even when young-and I would be far indeed from the impiety of daring to sneer at "the beauty of holiHad she been let alone, her character might have become more and more conspicuous as she advanced in years; and simplicity and humility adorned every action. But her simplicity and her humility were spoiled by praise; and she was told so often that she possessed both, that she began to get proud of both; and of all pride, the pride of humility and the pride of simplicity are the most nauseous. She unfortunately formed the idea that she had not been thoroughly converted, because she had not come through waters deep enough to swim in; and forgeting that whosoever believeth now, is in a saving state, whether he have been driven or drawn to the Saviour, she tormented and teased herself night and day about it, till her health began to decline. After this idea was removed, she resolved to keep a diary, and like others, whose course she admired, mark every day's doings by finger posts. Now, people in the ordinary walks of life might let diaries alone. Let them run from day to day their little round of duties, and fill their station with cheerfulness and patience and avoid diaries. But Arabella became a vigorous pen-woman. Late at night, when the family were asleep, and she in great need of imitating the example, would the light from her little closet window stream across the street, as she sat up to write to some dear friend ten miles off, or to record every derangement of the nerves, and every touch and twinge of headache and toothache that happened to annoy her. The suicidal effect of her literary labours, displayed itself just as it displays itself in every instance of a similar kind. It increased her austerity, sharpened her hu mours, made her tremblingly alive to all she did, and caused her to walk in the eyes of even her friends, like a man on a cake of cracked ice. Now this jealous sensibility over body and mind, when it proceeds from a lowly self-abasement, is the beauty of Christianity; but, when prompted by a lurking, pharisaical pride, and a secret consciousness that what is diarified in solitude and silence may chance to be proclaimed one day, even in this world, upon the house-tops, it is apt to bring a laugh of derision from the light-minded and foolish. The slightest touch upon her feelings, the slightest stroke of wit, yea, even the slightest smile, made her look to the cause, when even a philosopher would have found it hard to find a canse; and, while registering her raptures on "the mount," she occasionally forgot her conduct in "the vale;" and, while guarding against foolish talking, she would sometimes overlook churlish talking; and, while redeem

VOL. XI.

E

ing the time, she sometimes forgot there was a way in which it might be religiously misspent.

But it would be indeed a sad want of charity to omit her praiseworthy qualities. A more indefatigable collector of subscriptions could not be found, even on a ladies' committee. Were you but to mention a place which was destitute of Gospel light, all her feelings were roused, and neither herself nor her friends would obtain rest, until either the possibility or the impossibility, for the present, of giving assistance, could be ascertained. True, her zeal might lead her to overlook the chances of a missionary settlement; and climate and station were but secondary things, when compared with an outfit, an ordination, and the bustle of preparation. But all that was abundantly made up by the patient attention, the indefatigable earnestness, which excited her pursuit of a case of distress at home; and, though here again, sometimes rather sharp, and even impertinent, in some of her interrogatories, she yet made an excellent visiter in any society for relieving distress and wretchedness. Nothing could damp the determination that brought her out to church as the weekly Sabbath revolved; wet or dry, warm or cold, there she was, kneeling devoutly, and listening attentively; and though not unfrequently joining in the foolish adulation that spoils a favourite minister, she could tell them their faults too. story, however, which she heard once on a time from her dear, dear pastor, gave such a fresh stimulus to all her zeal, her devotedness, and activity, as to merit detail.

A

"An insane woman was met in the streets of Bagdad, carrying a lighted torch and a pitcher of water, by a dervise, who asked what she meant to do with them. 'With the one,' said the woman, I am about to set fire to heaven, and with the other extinguish hell, that man may henceforth love the Deity for his own sake alone." "For his own sake!" ejaculated Arabella, "what a lesson that teaches us!" Straightway, she set herself to do an impossibility. She utterly forgot that the reason why depraved man loves God, is because He first loved us-and that even the love of cherubim and seraphim, proceeds as much from what He made them and preserves them, as from the contemplation of God as GOD. After enduring months of suffering in the vain attempt to cast out every earthly thing that would mingle in her love to Jehovah, her views were in a measure corrected, by reading attentively the vision which Isaiah saw. There, she perceived the pure spirits approaching with reverence to the throne of Godhead, and proclaiming the thrice Holy-while the prophet, under the consciousness of a sinful nature, filled with fear, fell on his face, and could not look up with confidence till his "iniquity was taken away, and his sin purged." Moreover, she perceived that all the encouragements to hope in the mercy of God, were based on this idea"there is forgiveness with Thee, that Thou mayest be feared"-and, in all probability, her life was saved by the enlargement of her understanding; for had she gone on in her course, the grave would shortly have closed upon the vain attempt TO LOVE GOD FREE FROM EARTHly imper

FECTION.

Arabella's case is not an uncommon one-and even when such persons come to see their errors, the faults and foibles they have contracted cling to them through life. God requires mercy, rather than sacrifice. The other picture I would present, exhibits, in another point of view, the influence of feeling in the search after truth, when not sufficiently controlled by knowledge and judgment.

The parents of Amicus Veritatis were Scotch Cameronians, staunch,

L

stern, and sturdy, possessing all the peculiarities of their peculiar party, with no small share of its piety and devotedness. They carefully trained up their children in the way they wished them to go-set before their eyes a fair example of the power even of gloomy Calvinism, in teaching to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, mingled at the same time with a cordial affection for four-hour sermons, and a patient zeal in undertaking tes and twenty mile walks on sacramental occasions. They plumed themselves highly on their complete and total separation from Antichrist, both in word and deed, and yet all the while were fast fettered by one of his chains. Deeming themselves to be walking in the light of Scripture purity, they disdained to listen to any preacher of another sect-and set down those of their own communion who did so, as having "itching ears." If their own worthy minister (and he was a worthy and a good man) happened to be prevented, by any circumstance, from "holding forth the word," in their own place of worship, they never dreamed of going any where else, but stayed at home, and carefully read "the Buke." In this respect they differed widely indeed from the followers of the Pope. The sacred volume was not to them "a spring shut up, and a fountain sealed;" for by the law and the testimony did they strive to measure both doctrines and deeds-and duly morn and even were the family gathered together to attend the reading, as it is emphatically called. The shortness of the breakfast hour shortened their morning devotions-but in the evening the psalm was regularly sung, or rather crooned, to the same tune which had been regularly used for a long series of years-and then the patriarch of the family, after reading the chapter in his own quiet and monotonous tone, would accompany it with remarks not inappropriate; and afterwards kneeling down, breathe a heart-felt prayer to the Father of the spirits of all flesh, imploring for his household, mercy and grace, that they might be kept from falling, and guided all their journey through, until they arrived at the Canaan above. Ah! their worship was indeed "worship in spirit and in truth." Though the services were occasionally prolonged until the junior portion of the family were asleep-still the prayer ascended from sincere lips, and faith unfeigned-no human or angelic mediators were entreated to intercede for the worshippers-in the one name alone were all their supplications presented, and all their mercies craved-aud walking by faith in the Son of God, they pursued the even tenor of their way, with a conscience void of offence, both towards God and man.

Amicus was a favourite from his birth; and as he was a "douce auldfarrent chap," the favouritism was not thrown away. One thing, however, vexed his parents-as he grew up, he manifested symptoms of what they termed "a new-fangled disposition;" and this was first observable by sundry objections to the lengthy sermons he was accustomed to hear, and occasional scruples to commit to memory the huge portions of Scripture assigned him on Sunday afternoons. As he got older, he manifested still more of it-endeavoured to break through the regular mill-horse round of duties, which were scrupulously and unswervingly observed in the domestic course of instruction and devotion-and at times absented himself from the meeting-house, if any popular preacher happened to be near at hand. The truth was, that Amicus, though an obedient and obliging son, was labouring to follow in the wake of the "march of intellect," and the light was pouring in through the crevices of the Cameronian shutters with which his mind had been darkened. He had sense and penetration enough to observe, that pious as his parents and their party might be, their religious system tended to contract the mind, and tinge it with gloom-and as he

« PreviousContinue »