to the Waldenses the pension from this country, of which they had been long deprived. The lords commissioners of his Majesty's treasury in consequence gave directions for issuing the sum of 1000l. as the amount of certain arrears due to such pastors as were actually in the exercise of their respective functions, from the year 1804 to 1807. This sum having been placed at the disposal of the committee for the fund raised in this country for the relief of the Vaudois, it was resolved, after due inquiry into the several claims of the parties, that it should be divided in the following manner :-77. to each of six pastors now living; four of whom are still in the actual exercise of their respective functions; and the other two, either on account of age or infirmity, are retired from the performance of their pastoral duties;-the interest of 761. to a pastor now living, but removed from duty;-4621. to three widows, ten sons, and thirteen daughters, of deceased pastors. By another order of the lords commissioners of his Majesty's treasury, the treasurer has received the sum of 2771, being the annual amount of the royal pension formerly paid to the Vaudois pastors of Piémont: and has informed the moderator and the pastors of the several Vaudois churches, that the foregoing sum would be transmitted to them in half-yearly payments The following is a brief statement of the means now in operation amongst the several Protestant States upon the continent, as well as in England, for the general relief of the Vaudois. 1. The hospital at La Tour, in the Valley of Luzerne, was opened, for the reception of patients, in the month of May, 1826. During the course of the first year, the number of patients admitted was sixty-four. For the support of this hospital, the London Committee contribute 1201. a-year; the Berlin Committee the same annual sum; Holland, 100l. a-year; and, by the subscriptions raised in the Evangelical Cantons of Switzerland, and at Genoa, Turin, and other places, the authorities in the Valleys have been enabled to purchase land in the neighbourhood bringing in a rent of about 801. a-year, which is to be applied to the use of the hospital. 2. The house formerly belonging to the pas tor of Pomaret, a village situated very conveniently at the junction of the two Valleys of Perouse and St. Martin, has recently been fitted up for a dispensary, and will soon be opened for dispensing medicine and medical advice. 3. For a very long period there have existed, in each village or commune, one large school and some smaller ones, in which the children of both sexes are assembled together, and taught the elements of reading, writing, and arithmetic. These schools are supported, in a great measure (if not entirely), by fixed and annual contributions from Holland. The necessity of schools for girls only had long been felt; and since the first of August, 1826, four schools of that kind have been established at four different points of the Vaudois territory. These schools have been put under the super 4. The sum of 201. a-year has partly for the encouragement o grammar school at La Tour; the assistance of young perso the ministry, who are now pur dies at Lausanne and Genev or (rector of the grammar-sche and paid by certain authorit and there is reason to think tha for rendering this school mc means of the surplus arising fr upon the subscriptions raised i maintaining and educating yo tended for the ministry, five long been established-four a one at Geneva. We rejoice to witness the which have resulted to this lo interesting people, from the s fellow-Christians, and at an rate as scarcely to deserve m that our countrymen will con ber their claims upon Protesta and that the measures in p benefit will, by the blessing their spiritual as well as the fare. From the Winter's BY THE REV. JOSEPH REPLENISHED from the sto Oft would I ask this heart Dost thou with holy ardou To make thy best, though Dost thou, in confidence a Rise daily to thy Friend al And there, beyond the va Present thyself a sacrifice Art thou, amidst the scene Still mindful of thy heave Is it thy privilege to pray, And offer praises, and obe Canst thou, recovered from Pronounce the Saviour all It is the Saviour's outstre That bows thy will to His And brings thee to thy de Beneath the eternal merc There be it thine to seek And there remain for eve From the Evangelica THE ERROR OF How can Balaam be held of wickedness-was he no the Apostle Peter calls him tory proves him to have been events show that his prop Were not all prophets goo book of God informs us, tha less multitude which shall judgment-seat of Christ, t who will lead for admission 437 In this particular we behold an astonishing have cast out devils, and in thy name have done many wondrous works?" and the Judge will display of that struggle, which sometimes takes say unto them, "I never knew you; depart place between an enlightened judgment and a Thus we vicious heart. Before him stood the chief serfrom me, ye that work iniquity." perceive, that a prophetic spirit was not always vants of Balak, king of the Moabites, holding the companion of a sanctified heart; and that the rewards of divination in their hand; prea humble, believing mind, is far more to be de-senting at the same time this urgent request sired than the most splendid abilities. The history of this gifted, but wicked man, will furnish much to instruct and admonish us; and likewise show the madness of those who follow his pernicious ways. I. He foretold the glory of Christ, and the destruction of his enemies. 66 Balaam, the son of Beor, hath said, and the man whose eyes are opened hath said: he who heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the Most High, who saw the vision of the Almighty falling into a trance, but having his eyes open: I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh. There shall come a star out of Jacob, and a sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth." -Num. xxiv. 17. This had a partial accomplishment in the types of Christ; but it is in the great Antitype that we see its completion. At the birth of Jesus the star appeared, and guided the wise men to Jerusalem; and they said, "Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his Star in the East, and are come to worship him." Here are both the sceptre and the star; and in the messages which the adorable Saviour sent the Asiatic churches, he says "I, Jesus, have sent mine Angel to testify unto you, I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star." This sceptre-bearing Saviour sits upon his holy hill in Zion, having dominion over the hearts of multitudes who were once his enemies, but who have been made his willing subjects in the day of his power: and he will proceed with his conquests until he hath the heathen for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession: then all his enemies shall be his footstool. Reader! this is a glorious and a dreadful subject: it so penetrated the heart of David, that he exclaimed, "O, kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way when his wrath is kindled but a little: blessed are all they who put their trust in him." II. Balaam had grand conceptions of the character of God. When speaking of the faithfulness of Jehovah, he said, " God is not a man that he should lie, nor the son of man that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?" Was there ever a more beautiful and encouraging description of this attribute of Deity? Knowing also the paternal care and love of God to his saints, he said, "How shall I curse whom God hath not cursed, and how shall I defy whom the Lord hath not defied? There is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there Jigination against Israel. Blessed is he from their master:-"Let nothing, I pray thee, IV. After parleying with the temptation a season, he yielded. And is not this invariably the case? P says, Resist! fight! flee! but never par ah! if temptation be not vigorously resiste the commencement, the tempter will take vantage, and renew his attack with do force. Conscience generally decides rig the first time; but should its decisions be glected, and trampled upon, it loses its ene and becomes seared as with a hot iron. not all of you, who may hear or read this collect the bitter hour, when you also ce to watch, resist, and pray? when you tre the dictates of conscience with contempt thus Satan overcame you? "And Balaam up in the morning and saddled his ass went with the princes of Moab ;" for lust, it hath conceived, bringeth forth sin; and finished bringeth forth death. 438 because he went, and the angel of the Lord | VI. Although his heart was wholly engrossed with the hope of acquiring riches, yet he completely failed in all his expectations. On his arrival at Court, he and Balak united in offering costly sacrifices, thinking thereby to conciliate the mind of God towards them. They also ascended the hills, and took different views of the Israelitish camp, expecting that the moment might arrive for the ruin of that favoured people: but it was all in vain. At last Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together, in rage and despair, and said unto him, "I called thee to curse mine enemies, and behold thou hast blessed them these three times; therefore now flee to thy place. I thought to promote thee to great honour, but lo! the Lord hath kept thee back from honour." Poor wretch! he fancied that he could serve God and Mammon, but he offended both. Ah! how he must have been chagrined when all his hopes were blasted! VII. He uttered an ineffectual wish for future happiness, but neglected to use the means appointed for attaining it. righteous, while he was formin Those well known words, so often quoted, were the words of Balaam-"Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his." What was there to prevent it? If he had been truly in earnest for the blessing, he would have broken off from his sins, and sought mercy from his offended God; but while these were the words of his lips, his heart was full of enmity against God. He cannot openly curse Israel, for he knows that they are blessed, yet he attempts their ruin, and nearly succeeds. Moses says, that "through the counsel of Balaam the Midianitish women caused the children of Israel to commit a trespass against the Lord, and the Lord punished the people with a plague on account of it;" and Christ explains this diabolical transaction, by showing us that "Balaam taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things Cerificed to idols, and to commit fornication." Thus far we have traced th duct, and end of Balaam, an that it is very dreadful. Let tle farther, and see what ad derive from it. 1. How pitiable is that man supremely fixed on riches and This was the case with made him fight against the st of his conscience, and tramp that he knew of God, and I But suppose that he had suc deavours, and Balak had give full of silver and gold; what availed, when he came to laun Could he bribe the Judge of Could he purchase salvation w O, no! the treasures which m are not current in the world t going. Beloved, let these t into your hearts. We brou this world, and it is certain thing out. ed, What comfort do many afford them upon a dyin is like a thorn in their pillo their breast-a millstone ro One ungodly man, in great ex 'My kingdom for a hor for a horse!"-and in a mom flection, many would part with treasures, for a well-grounded life. O reader! bring the ma own bosom, and ask yourself tion, "What is a man profite whole world, and lose his ow sured, that if you have no bet the highest earthly honour, y eternity in wishing you had 2. How frequently do men ruit of the world find that they have lost their souls and the world too? Wo unto these followers of Balaam! Very few of them attain their object. The riches which they are seeking, take wings and fly away. Among the thousands who are panting after wealth, ah! what crosses, what reverses, what disappointments! Yet, disappointments, often repeated, will not make them turn away from these dying vanities, and seek the unsearchable riches of Christ. No, no! speak to them on this glorious subject, and they reply, "Don't talk to me of your religion. I hope I am not deficient in my duty (a favourite phrase with the undutiful); at present all my exertions are needed for my family: at some more convenient time I will think of your observations." Some have actually used this language to me, and I beg them to reconsider the subject. Who wishes you to neglect your shop, or your trade-your farm, or your merchandise? we wish you to be diligent in business, and fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. Remember, you have souls as well as bodies. Your souls cannot die. Your bodies shall rise again. You must live forever. An eternity is before you; and we wish you to prepare for an eternity of bliss; and thereby escape an eternity of torment. I call upon you to consider these things. Is it not the greatest infatuation to spend your days in the pursuit of trifles, and let the one thing needful lie neglected? The adorable Saviour came into this world to save sinners-shall he not save you? Ah! if he do not, you are eternally lost. He graciously receives all who come to him-will you not run into his arms and seek shelter from the wrath to come? Shall not men who are guilty, ruined, condemned, and liable to suffer damnation, seek that blessing which Christ so dearly purchased, and so freely gives? Will you follow Balaam till you lose both worlds? God forbid! Look unto Jesus! Here you will find no disappointment. Every one who believes in him, shall be saved. I urge it upon you as infinitely more important than all other things, and I beseech you not to neglect it another moment. 3. What numbers are there who, like Balaam, have some idea of what they ought to be, yet have not decision of character boldly to declare it. Wo unto these followers of the madness of the prophet! They have knowledge sufficient to make them miserable, but not determination enough to become happy. Their views of God keep them from going all lengths with the world; and yet they hanker after it, and go as far as they can like a fish at the bait, which, though seemingly conscious of danger, yet nibbles till it is caught. Beloved reader, be thou very decided. Halt not between two opinions. The favour of God is on one side, and his power on the other. Choose his favour and 4. Are there not ministers of the sanctuary who run greedily after the error of Balaam for reward? Wo unto them! A craving, eager desire for money, in a minister, is a disgusting sight, and an awful proof of the state of his soul. "I have coveted no man's silver or gold," said one of the most laborious preachers of the Gospel; but there were teachers who, in former times, fleeced the flock and starved the sheep; and they are not all dead in the present day. It is true, that Balaam was not a teacher of religion, but he had grand conceptions of the Deity-uttered prophecies-said he was directed by the Almighty-pronounced a benediction or the people-and wished to die the death of the righteous; yet, although these were his engagements and expressions one day, on the next he was with the enemy: and is it not just the same with those men who, on Sundays are making long prayers, and delivering sub lime sentiments respecting the Eternal; whilst on the other six days of the week, they are living as if there were no God? Ah! "it is ar awful thing to preach sermons on salvation and yet fall short of it-sermons on damnation and yet fall into it-sermons on Christ, and yet neglect Him-sermons on the Spirit, and yet resist Him-sermons on faith, and yet re main unbelieving-sermons on repentance and conversion, and yet remain in a state of sinsermons on a heavenly life, and yet live afte the course of the present world." O, Lord arise in mercy, and remove such stumbling blocks out of the way. Amen. 5. There is another error of Balaam whic proves the destruction of multitudes, that is being satisfied with good wishes. "Let me die the death of the righteous, said this wicked man, although he made no e fort to secure the felicity. On an average, ten thousand die every yea in our city (London): vast numbers of the grow up to maturity, and, no doubt, at times have good wishes; but how few turn from th error of their ways, and evince their true re pentance, by bringing forth the fruits of a hol life! Beloved, have you never heard that goo wishes take no man to heaven? Bunyan say: that "the way to hell is paved with goo wishes;" hence we hear Pharisees, Saddu cees, liars, defrauders, Sabbath-breakers, adu terers, fornicators, drunkards, spendthrifts, an a long list of other ungodly persons, saying "I hope it will be well with me at last; I wis to die the death of the righteous," &c. I te you, Sirs, this is all mockery, if it be not ac companied with an earnest seeking of mercy a fervent calling upon God, a forsaking every known sin, and an application to Jesu Christ as the only Saviour. O, rouse from these delusions. Escape from these refuge of lies. Let no man deceive you with vai words, nor let Satan deceive you with fals 440 ing-and that when he dies, his spirit come the inmate of the like animal, a the hand of retribution will treat hi hath treated others. But it is very di discover what is the creed of those m can throw themselves into a violent ra a dog, and swear horribly to a horse, the madness of their hearts on some po out brute. Surely the tender mercie Lastly, As there are so many er which men fall, and are destroyed, let Pe care to build on a good foundation. Not on our official character. Balaam a Prophet, and Judas Iscario Apostle. pious father's house! There you could have 7. Parents! furnish your children with a practical illustration of the happiness of avoiding Balaam's error. Run not after him yourselves, and that will 8. There is much in Balaam's error to re- Not on our influence. Princes sol vours of Balaam, and offered much f operation. Not on our good wishes. Never wa wish than Balaam's. Not on our works. It would be t great work if we could prophecy, or devils; but many who have done that in hell. Therefore, let all our dependan Christ. He is a sure refuge. He is foundation. He is the Lamb of G taketh away the sins of the world, a soever trusteth in Him shall never founded. From the Sailor's Magazine. Which waters earth, nor thence retur ers: With flowers of promise fill the worl Let the rich fruits of Righteousness above, JUSTICE and MERCY kiss; FAITH Worl In light, joy, freedom, be the Spirit "Cease!" But to a world of pardon'd sinners- |