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and gratification to his honour and glory.

Hence it is, that selfish men are often in danger of mistaking a kind of natural gratitude, which they feel towards God, when He does them good, and prospers their enterprises, for a true and holy love to God; whereas, it is but simply the approbation and enjoyment of their own interest, as flowing from his Providence. Christ himself teaches, that to love those who love us, is no very exalted excellence; since He assures us, that even sinners love sinners, and can feel very well disposed to requite a kindness. There is indeed, no doubt, a great deal of supposed love to God and to Christ, which arises from the very lowest and most unmingled selfishness. A man, by some means, imbibes a persuasion, that God loves him, has done him much good, and is going to do him much more: nay, he goes further, and persuades himself, that Christ died for him, and will save him. This is enough to excite his love and gratitude; and he talks how ardently he loves God, and how much devoted he is to the Saviour. This is but a concise view of the religion of these selfish teachers. They in fact, have the boldness to assert, that the highest motive a sinner has to love God and Christ, is, because he has received great favours from them, and expects still greater.They say, that abstract views of the excellency of God's character, are too remote, too exalted, too far removed from human conception, to be the proper foundation of love and admiration; that, whatever they may be to higher orders of creatures, they are far too pure, exalted, and refined, to operate as motives on men.

miserable, and blind! A man m have all this religion, may be f of it, and full of zeal to promo it; and yet have none of the spi of Christ. Is there, then, no su thing as a divine character? H Jesus Christ no character, whi can be apprehended, and suprem ly loved, unmingled with one co sideration of self? Whence h arisen all this noise about grea ness, amiableness, excellency character, even in men, which fil all books, and which has been t highest object of admiration, par egyrick, and delight, to men, all ages?

"Ah! it is all nothing-all to remote and abstract to hit huma faculties. I can love nothing, bi what does me good. I must per ceive its connexion with my inter est, or I cannot feel any regard fo it." This is selfish language; an it is sordid enough.

The character of God is suffic iently manifested to his rationa creatures, to command suprem and universal love and admiration There is no character among the heroes and patriots of history, s fully displayed, so prominently evident, so easily and clearly ap prehensible. This infinitely glo rious character, is collected from what God has revealed of himself his nature and attributes, his prov idence and grace, in his works and in his word.

A man comes and tells me, that a neighbour of his has done him a very great kindness, has paid for him a sum of money, and rescued him from prosecution, and from prison. What if I should say to him in reply, he has, indeed, been very kind, and laid you under peculiar obligations: but I know that man well; in what he has done for you, he has only exhibited the charO wretched religion! Self-de-acter, which he is universally known ceived pretenders to godliness! O to possess. He has done thousands selfishness in perfection-base-of such acts, in the course of his

life; and thousands of people have shared in his beneficence. The whole of his fortune is devoted to the benefit of mankind; and the various resources of his mind are exhausted in promoting all sorts of improvements; in founding hospitals, seminaries, and liberal and charitable institutions. He has made great improvements in the agriculture of his whole neighbourhood, and has done more to encourage the arts and sciences, and to promote human happiness, than any other man of his time. But, 'Hold, says the man, that is all well enough; but it is nothing to me. I feel no interest in these abstract views of character. The good he may have done to thousands, and all his great and benevolent plans, do not strike my feelings at all.Let them be extolled by those, who

A WORD TO PREACHERS. How often shall a plain sermon, (when the preacher aims not to be seen, but rather to show his Lord) be blessed to the conversion, establishment and happiness of immortal souls; while pompous orations and laboured performances shall evaporate in sound, or produce no spiritual good; or, if they

were, or will be, interested in, and This man benefitted by them. has paid a hundred dollars for me, and therefore, I love him. It cannot be supposed, that I can be affected by the good he has done to others; and above all, that I can be so abstract and metaphysical, as to run back to consider his character and disposition, prior to the consideration of his actions, and which lie at the bottom of his conduct. That would be all nonsense, or, at best, far too refined for me. I like the man, because he has done me good; he has promoted my interest, and, therefore, I can feel great regard for him.'

What ought I to think of such a man? I should, I confess, consider him as a blind, unfeeling, selfish wretch!

WHELPLEY.

are remembered for a while, they are remembered, not for God's glory, but for the praise of those dying creatures, who made them. A poor employment this, to speak and write for the breath of worms, which is, at first, corrupt in itself, and soon vanishes into nothing.

Serle's Hora Solitaria.

Religious Antelligence.

Revivals of Religion, and the en- | revivals of Religion in six Col

couragement derived from them to Education Societies.

During the last winter, there were revivals of Religion in five schools, taught by beneficiaries of the American Education Society. During the last year, there were revivals of Religion in five Academies, viz. in Hampton, N. H. in Philips' and Amherst, Mass. in West Nottingham, Maryland; and in Abbeville, S. C. During the Jast eighteen months, there were

leges, viz. in Williams and Amherst, Mass. in Dickinson and Jefferson, Penn. in Hamden Sidney and Washington, Vir. In the Colleges and Academies of the Middle and Southern States, mentioned above, there were never revivals before; and therefore they are regarded by Christians generally, at the South, as opening a new era upon their literary institutions. Bost. Rec.

"In the different denominations of Christians in the United States, more than four hundred congregations are reported as having been blessed with Revivals of Religion, during the last year. In the Presbyterian church, ninety-eight; in the Congregational, one hundred and thirty-nine; in the Baptist, ne hundred and seven. The number of hopeful converts, in these revivals, according to the most accurate computation which could be made from the returns, exceeds twenty-six thousand.

Ann. Rep. of Amer. Educa. Soc.

PALESTINE MISSION. Extract of a letter from Rev. Mr. Fisk, American Missionary dated at Jerusalem, April 28th, 1823.

If in

"I have walked around Zion; I have walked over Calvary; I have passed through the valley of Hinnom; drank of the waters of Siloam; crossed the brook Cedron; and have been in the gar den of Gethsemane. The next day after my arrival, I made my first visit to the tomb of Lord. my I did not stop to enquire, whether the place pointed out as his sepulchre, is really such or not. this there is any delusion, I was willing to be deceived for the moment.-I looked at the dome, which covered the tomb, and burst into tears. I entered and kneeled by the marble, which is supposed to cover the spot where the body lay. My tears flowed freely, and my soul seemed moved in a way I cannot describe. I dedicated myself anew to my Lord.-It seemed then as if Jesus Christ, the Son of God, had really suffered, and risen from the dead. The period of time that had elapsed since his death, diminished, as it were, to a moment. The whole seemed present and real. O what sufferings! O what love! Dear Brethren, it was for us He bled and died. Shall we not then live to Him? He died to save

us from sin? Shall we not then avoid sin in all its forms? He died for us-Can we then be unwilling to make efforts and undergo privations to save others?-But, alas! how little do I see around me of the efficacy of that blood, which was shed on the cross!-I suppose at least three fourths of the inhabitants of Jerusalem deny the Divinity of our Lord, and the atoning efficacy of his death, and I fear all, or nearly all the rest, adore his Mother and Disciples with almost as much apparent devotion as Himself. We are surrounded by dangers, and we tremble at every step; yet the Lord our Redeemer protects us, and I hope, will protect us. Trusting in Him, we will go forward. Brethren, pray for us; and O, I entreat you, live near to Christ. Meditate much on his

love, his death and mediation.This will show you the world, with its distinctions, pleasures, and strifes, in the proper light. May that Saviour, who died here, bled and died for and me, fill our you hearts with his love-may we be world to us, bearing about in our crucified to the world, and the body the dying of our Lord Jesus Christ. Your brother, &c.

PLINY FISK."

The following account of a Revival of REVIVAL OF RELIGION. Religion, contained in a letter addressed to the Editor of the Christian Herald, from the Pastor of the church at Augusta, will be read with interest. He observes:

I embrace the present opportunity to give you some account of the glorious work of God among the people of Augusta. This work commenced about the middle of last June. For some time previous to this there had been in the church a lamentable want of the unity of the spirit." The "gold had become dim," and "the most fine gold changed." Notwithstand

66

ing this general declension, however, there were some Christians who mourned over the waste places of Zion," and wept in secret for the pride and folly of those who were perishing in their sins. In the course of the spring, church conferences were appointed once a fortnight; where each member present, both male and female, gave a brief statement of their feelings. These meetings were, at first, attended in the several districts in the town. Here indeed, it was, that, by some, there was heard "the sound of a going in the tops of the mulberry trees;" and Christians began to prepare themselves for the help of the Lord against the mighty."

The eighteenth of June was appointed by the church for a day of public humiliation, fasting and prayer. It was surprising to see the vast multitude which flocked to the sanctuary. The wretched cold state in which the church had been for a number of years, and the perishing condition of sinners, who were starving upon the imperfections of Christians, were brought to view, and awakened the attention of the "careless in Zion."This day will forever be had in thankful remembrance. Some signs of spiritual life appeared in the church. Many a fervent prayer was offered up, and many a tear was caught in the "Lord's bottle." Indeed from this day, the tone of the place was changed. "According to this time it shall be said of Jacob and of Israel, what hath God wrought?"

The next week a meeting of enquiry was appointed, six attended, deeply concerned to know what they should do to be saved. The number that attended these meetings increased in about six weeks to between fifty and sixty. Other meetings were multiplied, and almost every day new cases of coa

viction and conversion were detailed. Some of the most wealthy and influential men were among the first who were heard to say, "Come all ye that fear God, and I will tell you what he hath done for my soul." About one hundred and fifty have been introduced into the glorious liberty of the sons of God. The aged, middle aged, and youth, are among the number. There has been a number of very remarkable conversions. It was,

at first, thought proper to give a short history of some of them; but it is, at present, deemed inexpedient.

There has been indeed from the commencement until now, different operations, but the same Spirit. In some instances there were excitements, probably occasioned by particular addresses, and which proved but transient; but in general, the work has proceeded like the building of Solomon's temple.

The work still continues, and we hope that another hundred and fifty will soon be added, and so on, till there shall not be room enough to receive the blessing."

"Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Amen, and Amen."

Yours respectfully,

BENJAMIN I. LANE. Augusta, Oneida County, N. York, December 3, 1823.

DECLINE OF MAHOMEDANISM. The following important Communication, says the London Baptist Magazine for October, may be depended upon as authentic; it is from the pen of a gentleman whose rank and character render his testimony indubitable,

"You ask me if the Mahomedan religion is on the decline; I answer, in Persia they can scarcely be called Mahomedans: they are Deists, if any thing, and are ready to re◄ ceive the Christian faith. A few such men as Mr. Martyn would soon effect a change. You cannot conceive the eagerness with which

over the second church and society
in Farmington, Ct. the Rev. HAR-
VEY BUSHNELL. Sermon by the
Rev. Dr. Perkins, of West-Hart-
ford. The Church and society are
happily united, and it is hoped a
blessing from the Great Head of
the Church may descend and rest
upon them.

they ask for his translations of the
New Testament. I have distribut-
ed several hundreds, and could
have done so with twice the num-
At
ber, if they had been sent me.
Mecca, the resort is so much fallen
off, that not one in a hundred (per-
haps if I were to say two hundred,
I might be nearer) now goes, for
those that did. Indeed the reven-
ues in consequence of this have so
SELECTED POETRY.
much decreased, that in lieu of 1. By whom was David taught
overflowing treasuries, the Otto-
man government is obliged to make
large remittances for the payment
of its officers and troops. Those
pilgrims who now resort make no
offerings or presents; they are sat-
isfied with going. Indeed, from
my own observation, after a resi-
dence of near twenty-four years
amongst the Arabs and Persians,
I can safely say that Islamism is
fast falling to decay."

ORDINATION.

On the 17th of December, the Rev. EBENEZER NEWHALL was ordained, as Pastor of the Congregational Church and Society in Oxford, Mass. The services were peculiarly solemn and interesting. Introductory Prayer by the Rev. Mr. Pond, of Ward. Sermon, eloquent and appropriate, by the Rev. Mr. Nelson, of Leicester.

INSTALLATION.

On the 14th of December was installed in the pastoral office,

To aim the dreadful blow,
When he Goliah fought

And laid the Gentile low?

No sword nor spear the stripling took,
But chose a pebble from the brook.

2. 'Twas Israel's God and King,

That arm'd him for the fight,
Who gave him strength to sling.
And skill to aim aright.

Ye feeble saints, your strength endures,
Because young David's God is yours.

3. Who order'd Gideon forth,

To storm th' invader's camp,
With arms of little worth,

A pitcher and a lamp?
The trumpets made his coming known,
And all the host was overthrown.

4. O, I have seen the day,

When with a single word,
God helping me to say,

My trust is in the Lord,
My soul has quell'd a thousand foes,
Fearless of all that could oppose.

5. But, unbelief, self-will,

Self-righteousness and pride-
How often do they steal

My weapons from my side?
But David's Lord and Gideon's Friend
will help his servant to the end.

TO CORRESPONDENTS.

It will be the endeavour of the Publishers, to issue each number of this work, on the last day of the Month, whose date it bears.

It is requested, that Communications may be forwarded, post paid, as early in the month, as convenient.

Those Gentlemen, who have obtained Subscribers, are desired to make a return of their names, or of the number obtained, as soon as practicable. A neglect of this, may occasion a delay of the second number; as but few of the Proposals, which were sent at a late hour, have, as yet, been returned.

As some copies of this Number, will be sent to Gentlemen, who are not known to be Subscribers; if they do not wish to be considered as such, they are respectfully requested to return such copies, by Mail or otherwise, before the time of publishing the second number.

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