THE CHRISTIAN MISCELLANY, AND FAMILY VISITER. FOR THE YEAR 1853. VOLUME VIII. LONDON: PUBLISHED BY JOHN MASON, 14, CITY-ROAD; SOLD AT 66, PATERNOSTER-ROW. 1853. PREFACE. THE Editors of the "CHRISTIAN MISCELLANY" cannot put a last hand to the Volume for 1853, without presenting sincere and respectful thanks to the numerous body of subscribers by whom this part of their labour has been encouraged. They have also to acknowledge, very gratefully, that their address to contributors, and suggestions as to contributions, last year, met with a very gratifying response, and that they are indebted to many for communications which they have had the happiness of publishing; and are scarcely less indebted to another class, for papers that have not been published, although all received-so far as they can remember-have been characterized with piety, excellent intention, and good-will. In short, the review of correspondence and editorial occupation during the past year awakens thankfulness to the Father of all mercies, and tends to revive their confidence in the prospect of another year. To express their own desire and hope in regard to this publication would only be to reiterate what has been said already; but it may be right to state the feeling which just now predominates in their own mind over every other. Recollecting that this "Miscellany" is more extensively made use of by the great body of Wesleyan Methodists, of all classes, for Sunday reading, than any other periodical; and supposing that there are few Class-Leaders, Sunday-school Teachers, and Local Preachers into whose hands it does not fall; they are anxious that the spirit of each Number should be in harmony with that of every Christian reader, and that the topics selected should be such as to coincide with the sacred pursuits of those who labour to extend the work of God. Amidst the great variety of objects which naturally present themselves, it is difficult so to manage the selection as to gratify the desire for variety, and yet to keep any single object in such prominence as it really deserves. Perhaps, however, the friends of religious education and of Christian Missions will remember that Schools and Missions have not been forgotten. The monthly "Notices," indeed, and occasional articles in other Wesleyan publications, afford a constant provision of intelligence; but the Editors of the "Miscellany" trust in the zeal of several of their correspondents for a constant supply of such papers as will interest and profit the labourers in our Day and Sunday Schools. General readers, however, may be assured, that unremitting care will be taken to set before them at least as good an entertainment as they have had hitherto. And, finally, and with the utmost earnestness, the Editors present their affectionate respects to their ministerial brethren, and beg them, during the month of December, to render their wonted assistance in making up long lists of subscribers in their Circuits for the year 1854. Some other Clergy toil with an assiduity, to say the least, that challenges us to continue this part of our work with the diligence accustomed from the days of Wesley until now. We wish to circulate a cheap and not unuseful periodical among "the masses;" not to bring back again the mummeries of the fourteenth century, not to preach up apostolical succession and baptismal regeneration, not to denounce brethren of other denominations as if they were aliens from the church of Christ, but "to spread vital godliness throughout the land." In this better work all concerned may be assured that God will help them if they do it earnestly and humbly, and persevere in faith, truth, and charity. And it must not be forgotten, that, while the propagators of infidelity, and of incentives to all sorts of immorality, deluge the country with pestiferous vehicles of all that is calculated to corrupt the public mind, it is the duty of all Christian people to promote the circulation of such works as may, by the Divine blessing, counteract the evil. Families ought to be provided with such periodical supplies as are likely to displace what is of bad, or even doubtful, tendency. THE CHRISTIAN MISCELLANY, AND FAMILY VISITER. JANUARY, 1853. EBENEZER. EBENEZER was the name of a stone raised on the battle-field where the Israelites had suffered two disastrous defeats by the Philistines. In the first contest they appear to have been the assailants; for "Israel went out against the Philistines to battle, and pitched beside Ebenezer." In this engagement they were defeated, and lost four thousand men. In the second conflict, to secure success, they "sent to Shiloh for the ark of the covenant of the Lord," concluding that with this symbol of the Divine presence in the camp, victory over the Philistines would be certain. But God was not with Israel, they had offended against Him by their wickedness and idolatry, and again they fled, suffering a "very great slaughter;" "and the ark of God was taken, and the Philistines carried it away from Ebenezer to Ashdod." Finding its possession a curse to them, they returned the ark to Israel; but continued to exercise the rule of conquerors over them. The Israelites seeing in their oppression the folly of having suffered their hearts to "go after strange gods, they lamented after the Lord." Then Samuel, the Prophet of Israel, exhorted them to repent, and to "serve the Lord only;" assuring them that if they did so, the Lord would deliver them out of the hands of their enemies. On their promising obedience, Samuel engaged to pray for them, and directed them to assemble at Mizpeh. Then the lords of the Philistines hearing of this gathering, "went up against Israel," and the people were greatly afraid, and entreated Samuel not to cease to pray for them. The Prophet, therefore, offered a burnt-offering, and cried unto the Lord, and the Lord heard him; and when the Philistines drew near to battle, they were smitten before Israel, and were subdued all the days of Samuel. To perpetuate the remembrance of this victory, Samuel took a stone, and placed it in a conspicuous station between Mizpeh and Shen, and gave it the name of Ebenezer, signifying, "the stone of help;" saying, " Hitherto hath the Lord helped us. Thus the name of the monument was to remind them of help obtained in the day of trouble, and to give a double lesson of instruction, as to their own weakness, as well as the Lord's power. When they were alone, they failed; but when God was with them, they prospered. The example of Samuel is worthy of the imitation of saints in all ages. The help of God ought to be acknowledged and remembered; and it is well to appoint special times for the observance of this duty, that from the recollection of the past may be gathered encourageVOL. VIII. B |