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the salvation of men, through faith in the Saviour's blood. When we take a comprehensive view of what has been effected in the East Indies by the Baptist Missionary Society, in little more than thirty years; it affords full proof that the door was opened, and as been kept open, by the Saviour's power, for the display of his merciful loving-kindness to those who were sitting in darkness and the shadow of death. And when a retrospect is taken of the means and instruments that have been engaged; the selfannihilating language must again be employed, which was first used in regard to the successful labours of Apostles, (an appropriate motto for every Missionary Society,) "Neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth, but God that giveth the INCREASE.".

united and fervent prayers of to their taste:-reading and FULLER, SUTCLIFFE, and Ry-bearing, in their own tongues, of LAND, in the study of the latter the wonderful works of God in at Northampton !-established at an Association of Ministers and Messengers in a small parlour at Kettering; when their united contributions only amounted to £13 2s. 6d. !-Carried into execution by two Missionaries only, embarking in the perilous enter prize of entering British India, not only unsupported by, but in opposition to the influence of its rulers! Not probably since the period when ABRAM, at the call of God, "went out, not knowing whither he went," has there been a greater instance of the power of faith, than when the simplehearted, consecrated CAREY, with a large family, went out to India, without any other assurance of support than that given by the promise of a few ministers without property, and a small Society without funds! Are not these instances sufficient to prove, that both the Society and its agents had but “ a little strength." But then, these men were eminently pious and faithful servants of Christ: they "kept his word;" and they did not deny his name;" and, therefore, He succeeded their plans; He provided them supplies; He bestowed upon them most surprising mental endowments; He gave them favour in the sight of the ralers; He preserved their lives for many years as workers to gether;" and still two out of the four, who planted the acorn, and watered it with their tears, and called down the influences of heaven upon it by their prayers, are preserved to behold the great tree to which it has grown; and to see the nations of India sitting under its shadow with great delight, while the fruit of it is sweet

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That such a small and zealous church as that of PHILADELPHIA, should have opposition from formal and pretended professors of Christianity, but who were, in fact, the agents and devotees of "Satan," belonging to his "synagogue," and not members of the church of Christ, is not at all surprising. They who were " Jews outwardly, and not inwardly;" whose hearts had not been circumcised, but whose whole religion was speculative and deceptive, consisting of lies and dissimulation, had set themselves against the work of God, and had attempted to prevent the Missionary plans from being executed. This is intimated upon their humiliation, and their being forced to acknowledge the distinguished favour bestowed upon the church, is thus predicted

also, will keep thee from the bour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world to try them which dwell upon the earth. It has been already mentioned, that history records that twelve members of this church suffered at the time when Polycarp endured martyrdom in the second century, either under Trajan, or Marcus Antoninus, or Septimius Severus. But it is most probable the period referred to was that of Dioclesian, about the end of the third century, which raged ten years, and extended its ravages even to the Island of Britain, when numbers of our British forefathers nobly sealed the truth of their profession with their blood. The pro

by the Saviour:-" Behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee." It is probable no revival has at any period taken place in any church, or denomination of Christians, but the part has been acted over again of SANBALLAT and TOBIAH, opposing NEHEMIAH! But, if like that distinguished servant of God, those engaged have replied, by their persevering conduct, to all their taunts, and flatteries, or threatenings, "I am doing a great work and cannot come down, why should the work cease while I leave it and come down to you?" it has frequently been seen, that these selfish opponents have become cringing sy-mise then intends, and it was cophants, and have crouched at the feet of those, on whose necks they intended to have placed their feet! The scripture saith, not in vain :-" When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.”

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doubtless fulfilled in the history of the Philadelphian church, as, also, of all the churches which continued to "hold the head," and to "keep the word of his patience;" that this terrible storm, though it might try them," would not destroy them, but that the blood of the martyrs should become the seed of the church, perpetuating and increasing it! And, probably, the church of Philadelphia survived the exist

Reference is again made, by the Saviour, in this address, to the Angel of the Church at Philadelphia, of their " having kept the word of his patience;" or having patiently endured the persecuence of those monuments said to tions to which a profession of the gospel had exposed them. This probably refers to the persecutions endured in the times of Nero, about 66, or DOMITIAN, at the close of the first century; about which time it is probable this revelation was given to John. There is an allusion to future trials, and to a period when" all the world;" that is all the kingdoms tributary to the Roman empire, should be involved in persecution for the purpose of "try-glory HE will be a defence." iug them" who professed Christianity. "Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I,

have been erected by DIOCLESIAN, to perpetuate the boast of his having destroyed all the manuscripts of the scriptures, and to have exterminated Christianity from the world. Let a church of Christ but manifest a sacred regard for the authority of his word, and a patient adherence to his commands, and it will find, "He will be a wall of fire round about them, and a glory in the midst of them, and upon all that

The second coming of Christ is mentioned as an event which would not be long deferred, but

It is in connexion with these coinmendations and exhortations, and this inexpressibly gracious promise, that the Saviour, as in his prayer in Gethsemane, “re

AN EAR, LET HIM

would, comparatively speaking, be" quickly," or "in a very short time." This is the language of Him "with whom a thousand years is as one day, and one day as a thousand years." This consi-peats the same words," which he deration is urged upon the church, had in every epistle so emphatito encourage them to perseverance: cally uttered: "HE THAT "Hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown." The purity, and patience, and zeal, and labours, the church had manifested, were its "crown," its dignity, and glory: and, while they held fast" their profession, and maintained their distinction, no man" would be able to deprive them of it;-whether false and lying professors, who envied them, or malignant and cruel persecutors, who wished to destroy 'them:

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HATH HEAR WHAT THE SPIRIT SAITH UNTO THE CHURCHES." If the conjecture be correct, which appears to be probable, that the church at PHILADELPHIA is held up as an example of what all the CHURCHES of Christ should be as to missionary zealand ardour in promoting and extending the gospel; and that it was commended because of its having employed its "little strength" when so much opposed, The promise, to every individual and in the midst of great persecuconqueror, is of vast magnitude, tion, in such an eminent degree; and probably refers to the hea- then, indeed, this concluding apvenly glory prepared by the Sa-peal is very emphatical, and most viour for all his faithful people, awakening! There are churches by the allusion to the temple in even now, who have done noJerusalem, in which were two re-thing, nor attempted any thing, markable "pillars," inscribed to send the gospel to the heathen with the names of" JACHIN and BOAZ." So all faithful believers, when he shall make all things new, shall be brought into the Temple of God in the heavenly Jerusalem, to go no more out; having both the name of God their Saviour, and of the sacred church, as it were, written upon them, in characters legible, that all may read and so indelible that nothing shall ever erase."Him that overcometh, will I make a pillar in the Temple of my God, and he shall go no more out and I will write upon him the city of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is New Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God; and I will write upon him my new name,”

in pagan countries, or to the papists in Ireland, nor to the unchristianized Protestants in the villages adjacent to their towns where they reside. The Spirit of God speaks to these churches, saying," The time is far spent, the day is at hand: put off therefore the unfruitful works of darkness, and put on the whole armour of light.”

There are other churches which, though they have instituted a monthly prayer-meeting, for the spread of the gospel, and have contributed annually to Missionary funds; or have even encouraged brethren from among themselves, to labour in heathen countries, are far, very far inferior in zeal to the church at Philadelphia; and that, not

the sincerity of their profession, and for their devotedness in the service of Him, by whose name they are called--who live, with

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withstanding the spirit of the times is so much more favour able to encourage exertion, and promises so much more success, than when the rulers of the earthout calling the inmates of their were pagan! Does not the Spirit dwelling together, either morning of God say to these churches, or evening, either on the Lord'srespecting Missionary exertions, day, or on any other day, except as by the directions of his word, it be when a minister spends an so, also, by the openings of his pro- evening at the house, or when a vidence," Whom, if you bring pious friend is on a visit there. forward after a godly sort, ye This conduct, while it evidently shall do well: Because, that for shows a disregard to the positive his name's sake they went forth, command of God, also indicates taking nothing of the heathen. great, negligence relative to the We, therefore, ought to receive spiritual concerns of those placed such, that we might be fellow under their protection, and who helpers to the truth?" are, of all others, the most likely to be influenced by their example; and, even admitting the fact, that they pray in private, stilk the selfishness of the principle is completely at variance with that benevolence that unrestrained philanthropy, and desire to benefit others, which the gospel inculcates and commends.

FAMILY WORSHIP.

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To the real Christian-the man who has felt that he is a sin ner, who daily feels it, and who has applied to the Lord Jesus Christ for the pardon of his sins, and for the justification of his person in the sight of a just and holy God-to him, who, consci ous of his weakness-sensible of his inability to perform one act without a portion of sin attached to it-who knows well, that it is alone by the sovereign and un, merited grace of God that he is kept from the defilement of the world--and who feels it his duty, as well as an inconceivable privi: lege, constantly to kneel at the footstool of Divine Mercy, and supplicate a continuance of that grace a supply equal to his wants to such an individual I presume, or, at least, I hope, it is unnecessary to urge the propriety of Family Worship. But, I fear, there are many-yea, very many, who would consider me exceedingly uncharitable, were I not to give them full credit for

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Would I could persuade every parent-every one who presides at the head of a family, and who nameth the name of Christ, to begin from this day to assemble the children of their hopes, and the servants who minister to their wants, and who strive to promote their comfort say, to begin from this day to meet, with all the members of their household, morning and evening, (were it only for seven or ten minutes,) and to call upon the name of the Lord to implore his blessing on their behalf to thank Him for mercies received, and entreat Him still to furnish them with health and strength, to enable them to fulfil the various duties which devolve upon them; and, above all, to plead for them that their sins may be forgiven, that their hearts may be renewed, and that they may live to his ho

nour and glory. Could I but persuade those, who never yet have erected an altar in their house, to do so immediately, and to do it with the determination of offering prayer and thanksgiving thereon for one year-I can engage, if they love the ways of holiness, if indeed they are sincere in their professions of attachment to the Saviour-they will not, at the expiration of that period, feel disposed to relinquish a measure so fraught with interest, so well calculated to advance the well-being of their own souls, as also the souls of those within the sphere of their devotions.

the blessings here alluded to, connected with an unremitting attendance on Family Worship, are truly great and desirable; yet these are not all. No, the half has not been told them. They will do well to remember, that their example, in this particular, as parents or masters, will go far in influencing the conduct of their children, and operating on the lives of their servants, when removed from under their guidance, and when themselves are laid low in the dust.

The children, who are now scarcely capable of judging between good and evil, will, in a few years, become parents, and will have the direction of the affairs of a family; it is hardly possible they will then forget those wholesome, those godly practices, which distinguished the paternal roof, and in which they had participated; if not from a pure motive, from a sense of duty. The servants, also, in their turns, will assume a different character; and, though in a more

For all the members of a family thus constantly to meet before they enter on the business of the day, to crave success in their endeavours, and preservation from the numerous accidents with which the path of life is strewed; and again to meet before they retire to rest, to commit all their concerns into his hands, who is only able to keep them from destruction, and to ask protection amid the dangers which lie con-humble station, it will not be the cealed under the veil of darkness, less gratifying to know, that they and from the designs of wicked have carried with them a remem men, is certainly a delightful brance of the pleasure which they employment, and tends much to had often experienced in the seralleviate the sorrows and dis- vice of God, and whose service tresses of which we are all, more they conceive essential to their or less partakers-to subdue happiness, in every situation, and those little animosities, and close in every condition, to which they up the various inlets to angry may be called. strife, which intercourse with the world often creates-and it, also, promotes that love, on the part of parents and children, of servants and their employers, which never appears so lovely as when sanctified by the love of God-as when blended in one common aim to increase the mutual happiness of each other.

But, whilst every Christian parent or master will readily admit,

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I am aware that, after all this care, many a heart-rending groan has been wrung from the bosoms of pious parents, when surveying the course which an ungodly child pursued, or when called to weep over the grave, to which his love of sin had prematurely consigned him; yet, will the sensations excited by such a circumstance, be, in some degree, assuaged, by the

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