Imagens da página
PDF
ePub

ology, the thing has ceased out of their hearts. |its Theology the capacities of a free, rapid These things may be condemned as antiquated, but they express ancient truths. An old oaken, iron-bound casket is quite suitable to the crown jewels of the oldest kingdom on earth, of truth and righteousness.

and world-wide expansion. But why does not the Church experience such an expansion? It has accomplished something; why has it not done immeasurably more for the cause of the Master? Through its four Boards it has given no small extension to the truth at home and abroad; why has it not planted ten

only one? And why has it not preached the Gospel in every land—yea, to every creature under heaven? Whether we measure the

It belongs, secondly, to this supreme tribunal to cherish the spiritual life of the Church. We should ever bear in mind, that vital pi-churches in this country, where now there is ety is the very substance of faith in our Theology. The assent of the understanding to our doctrines, as clear definitions from the Word, is not, necessarily, a faith in the doc-spiritual forces with which our doctrines are trines themselves; it may be no more than a clothed, or trace out their proper developfaith in the processes of an impregnable logic. ments, or examine the history of their We are not saved by receiving our Catechism achievements, we are conducted to the huas true, nor even by believing in justification miliating but certain conclusion, that the enby faith, but by believing in Christ. Ours is ergies now dormant in our Church immensely the high office to conserve our Theology; exceed those that are in action. We seem to but this we can do in no other way than by resemble, by a strange anomaly, both the cherishing in the Church the spirit of genuine | faithful and the unfaithful servant in the paand unaffected piety. We should give earnest rable; the faithful, to whom the Master gave heed that we do not allow other sentiments the ten pounds, and the unfaithful, who went to take the place of this in our hearts. Let and hid his lord's money. The question us beware of a church-membership, which is forces itself upon our consciences, why does the token of bigotry, as distinguished from not a church which rests upon such a founcharity, which is the bond of perfectness. A dation fulfil more perfectly its office? Let selfish love of the Church as our church, is the judgment which this inquiry brings to the possible; an unholy pride in its numbers and house of God begin at the pulpit. Does the learning and wealth and influence and moral ministry faithfully preach our peculiar docpower, is possible; liberality to our Boards trines? It has been thought that such preachbecause they enlarge our borders, and so give ing is uninteresting to the hearers; or, if not greater consequence to ourselves, as Presby-wearisome, disbelieved; or, if not rejected, terians, is possible; and zeal for our polity, unpopular; or, if not unpopular, practically as republican and free, while it is compact and phalanx-like, is possible; nay, these are sins that do easily beset. Let our Theology teach us better things than these. Let it plant of men. in our hearts that sweet and blessed mystery,derstanding of not a few by the force of a the life that is hidden with Christ in God. Let complete and irresistible demonstration. Unit move us to cherish, in all our communicants, popular? They are endowed with a sort of the divine life, which shall lead them to ab-fascination, constraining those who heard hor their sins, to cleave to the Saviour, to frequent the closet and the family altar, to love the house of prayer and the communion of the saints - — a life which shall generate in their bosoms an intelligent, perpetual zeal for the honor of God in the salvation of soulsa life which shall thirst after God, even the living God.

powerless. But what injurious mistakes are these! Our doctrines uninteresting? When clearly expounded, they compel the attention Incredible? They master the un

them yesterday with fixed aversion, to hear them to-day with profound attention. This preaching powerless? Let no man say, that within the precincts of a church which has gathered into a single graveyard the ashes of Samuel Davies, Archibald Alexander and Jonathan Edwards — the first memorable for the awakening power of his sermons; the Our subject enforces, not less powerfully, second, trying the spirits and discerning even the third great duty laid on this high judica- the thoughts of our rising ministry; and the tory, even the duty of giving to the Gospel the third, preaching a sermon on the doctrine of widest possible extension. election, which was mighty in the converWe have seen that our Church derives from sion of sinners; and delivering another, so

seven years ago, the revocation of the edict of Nantz drove, from the kingdom of France, more than five hundred thousand Huguenots. They fled to all the Protestant States of Europe, to England, to the Cape of Good Hope, and to the shores of the western Con

instinct with the terrors of the Lord, as to bring his audience to their feet, and compel the preacher, who sat behind him in the pulpit, to start up with the exclamation, "Mr. Edwards, Mr. Edwards, is not God merciful too?" The sepulchres of these men are with us unto this day, and so is their The-tinent. Invited by the genial climate of the ology; but where is the spirit of profound South to the infant colony of Carolina, large meditation and importunate prayer with numbers of these exiled people of God found which they prepared their sermons? Where rest, some on the borders of the Santee, and is their vehemency and tenderness of utter- others on the banks of the Cooper river. The ance? Where their annihilating reply to the latter company built their house of worship disputers of this world, their masterly appeal in a little village, a few miles distant, called to the understanding, and their onset on the Charleston. Thither, on the Lord's-day, they conscience? were borne on the bosom of the river, by the And then let the judgment pass to our ruling gentle flow of its waters, or the motion of elders and deacons, to all our two hundred the oar, or the ebbing tide. In their forest thousand communicants, men, women, pa- homes, and in their humble sanctuary, they rents, children, masters, servants - all. wept for joy, as the voice of their supplicaWhere are the people who are mighty in tions, and the melody of their songs, rising prayer, full of the faith and the Holy Ghost? upon the tranquil and fragrant air, stood conWhy are revivals of religion rather diminish- trasted with the carnage and terror from ing than multiplying in frequency and power? which they had fled. This is the ancient Who among the rich, give heed to the apos- Carolina. This, too, is Charleston. Near us tolic charge, to do good, to be rich in good is the site of the first house of prayer. Yonworks, ready to distribute, willing to com-der is the Cooper river. There are the fields municate? Who among the poor imitate her in which they set up their dwellings and doexample, which is spoken of in all the world mestic altars. There the rich and odorous where this Gospel is preached? Why does vegetation of the early summer repeats for our Board of Foreign Missions entreat the us the life it lived for them. Around us lies Church in vain to send the bread of life to their dust, awaiting the resurrection to meet starving millions? Why is our Board of Do- their kindred dust, as that too shall rise from mestic Missions fainting under pecuniary em- the graves of murdered saints beyond the barrassments in the very heat and stress of seas. Here, in this presence, are their chilits great work? Why is our Board of Edu-dren. The blood which moistened the beaucation suffered to deplore, from year to year, tiful valleys of Languedoc and Tours, which the want of candidates for the sacred office? stained the waters of every river, and the Why does not our Board of Publication ex-pavement of every city, from the English pound and vindicate our faith in every man-channel to the Mediterranean, now runs in sion in the city, and in every log cabin in the wilderness? Here is our Theology not only embalmed in our standards, but received into our hearts. Here are its forces and its developments, many and mighty. Here are our ministers and churches and missions and schools and colleges and seminaries of sacred learning. Here are all the elements of a redeeming power on earth; a paramount, permanent, expanding power. Why do we fail to realize its efficacy?

the veins of those with whom we worship God this morning. With what unanimity these adhere to that ancient faith, a stranger may not presume to inquire. But they are our witnesses, this day, that in Faith, Order, and Worship, our Church is identical with their own ancestral church in its pure and heroic day. Not these alone; for here are they, also, whose fathers brought hither, many generations ago, the living and fruit-bearing stock of Presbyterianism. Let these, our This venerable court of Jesus Christ is, by brethren, partake with us of the root and fatdivine appointment, the tribunal to which ness of the olive-tree, and let believers of such inquiries belong. And not less appro- every name, and them who believe not, dispriate to them is the place of its present de-cover in our proceedings and in us, no spirit liberations. Nearly one hundred and sixty-of contention, or uncharitableness, or evil

[blocks in formation]

Far, far beyond the rolling spheres to realms of endless day;

around,

Beyond the twinkling stars which gem the universe
And far beyond the limits of creation's utmost bound.
And Oh! what rapt emotion then the ransomed spirit

Now, Fathers and Brethren, the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work, to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus What deep, ineffable delight through all its being Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

For The Casket.

LINES.

BY MISS M. M. D.

Say, hast thou ever wandered forth, at sunset's fairy hour,

To watch the radiant orb of day in all his glory's power, As, poising o'er the western hills, he bids a bright farewell

To mountain high, to spreading plain, and woody, winding dell,

Gilding the loftiest forest boughs with light's departing ray,

Ere in his kingly majesty to rest he sinks away.

At such an hour I've stolen oft to some sequestered nook,

In silence and in solitude upon the scene to look;

fills!

thrills!

As winging through infinitude its eager, upward flight, The pearly gates their radiance pour upon the ravished sight,

As nearer and more brightly still those heavenly glories
beam,

And spires and crystal palaces upon the vision gleam,
Till past the pure, celestial gate, the blessed seraph

stands

Within the New Jerusalem, amid the angel bands,
Who ever walk the golden streets, and sing in strains
unknown

The praise of the Eternal One, who sits upon the throne.
SHELBY COUNTY, KY.

EARLY IMPRESSIONS.

BY THE EDITOR.

AN important reason why children should receive a religious training, is, that early im

I've laid me down beneath a tree, whose deep o'er-pressions are generally the most lasting; and

hanging shade,

me there,

Forgetful of the toil of day-its sorrows and its care. My soul has strayed to other realms, which evermore appear,

often a single impression gives the tone to the Seemed but alone for hallowed thought and self-com- character of the whole future man. Few munion made; seem to be aware of the extent to which this And yielding to the influence which breathed around remark is true, although the truth of it is generally admitted. The characters of men are as different as to their genius, their pursuits, the turn of their minds, and every thing else, as their countenances are different one from another. And all these differences are, doubtless, owing to the different dispositions of their mothers, who had the forming of their infantile minds, and to a thousand other circumstances not now to be traced, that early gave a direction or turn to their minds.

In evening's calm and silence, to earth and us more

[blocks in formation]

the impression, made at such an age, and un- | only taught him that there is a God, but he, der such circumstances, ever be effaced from as it were, printed this great first truth in his his mind? There is no doubt it laid the foun-mind in such a way that he could never fordation of that deep and unceasing hatred to the very name of Rome, which ever characterized that great general, and has rendered his name so illustrious in history.

Take an incident of another kind. When George Washington was, perhaps, not more than four years old, his father sowed some garden-seeds in a bed, in such a manner as to form his name when they came up. One morning, George was greatly surprised to find his own name growing in the garden, and, almost breathless, came running in to tell his father of the strange phenomenon. Nor would he be satisfied till his father went out to see such a strange sight, and gave some explanation of it. At first, his father made as if it was nothing, but this did not satisfy George. He asked his son, if he did not think his name might have grown there by chance. But George contended that somebody must have done it-that it could not have grown there by chance. His father then told George that he was right, and that his name had not grown there by chance, but that he had planted it there. And he improved the circumstance, which was what he had designed it for, to convince his little son of the existence of a God, who is the creator of all things, by calling his attention to the indications of wisdom and contrivance everywhere to be observed. He referred him to his own body, so curiously and wonderfully made, remarking that he had hands exactly fitted to handle things with; and feet to walk and run with; and beautiful white teeth to chew his food with, when he was hungry; and eyes to behold the light, and all the beautiful objects which God had made; and ears to delight him with the charms of music, and to hear his father talk to him. And thus he went on, by other simple illustrations, to convince George, how every thing had been made and adapted to some wise and good purpose. And who can believe, that George Washington ever could have been an Atheist after that? Or who can doubt, that the lesson he then received, laid the foundation of that profound reverence for the character of the Supreme Being, ever evinced in the life of that great and good man? At that tender age, when impressions are so easily made, his father not

get it. And the influence of it was seen in his life, in every station which he ever occupied. See the truth of this in his inaugurals and messages, as President of the United States. What a deep sense of piety and dependence on the Divine Being do they breathe! in which respect they are models of writing, which succeeding Presidents have feebly attempted to copy after. Who can tell the value of a single impression on the mind of a young person, when made at the right time, and in the right manner? It is said, that the celebrated Paley was indebted to the most trifling circumstance for all the greatness and celebrity he attained to, in after life. When he was a young man at College, he wasted his time and energies in dissipation and indolence. A fellow student said to him, one day, " Paley, you are a fool for spending your time as you do. I am rich, and you are not; and besides, I never can rise by study, for I have not the talent; but you have talents which will make you command the respect of the world, if you apply yourself." Paley had never thought of this, and at once his eyes were opened. He did from that moment apply himself, and now his name does command the respect of the world.

For The Casket.
FUTURE DESTINY.

BY J. D. REAGAN.

Where, Man, shall thy dark spirit rest,
When earth shall fade and be no more?
Or what thy great and last behest,
When Time shall waft thee from her shore?

Hast thou a truth on which to hang

Thy destiny, thy being's all?
Or, wilt thou meet the mighty pang,

Which must thy soul's great life enthral?

Midst Jordan's stream of turbid gall,

When life's last chord in woe is rent,
What mis-spent hour canst thou recall,
In which to mourn and to repent?

What pledge of lasting good is thine?
What heart-felt hope of future bliss ?
What evidence from The Divine,

That thou a home shalt find in His ?
What object doth thy heart approve,
To love, to worship and enjoy?
Let that be right!-there give thy love,
And life, and heart, and whole employ.

In Truth, and Righteousness and Love,

Enlist thy being's hope and end: For on the Word from God above, Thy faith and happiness depend.

Here, all that Hope and Blessing hath,
Their richest treasures shall unfold,

And drop in fullness on thy path,

The joys that never can be told!

Here hang thy trust, e'er thou shalt part

From Mercy's seat and Grace's shrine !

Then thou shalt in thy peace depart,

And endless life and bliss, with God, be thine!

ST. LOUIS, Mo., June, 1852.

From the Olive Branch.

SELF-CONQUEST.

BY FANNY FERN.

ous, that's all; I'm so glad that you're come home."

Harry felt sure that wasn't all, but he forbore to question her further, for he felt very sure she would tell him in good time.

The truth was, Harry's mother had been lecturing her daughter-in-law all the morning, upon the degeneracy of the times-hoped she wouldn't think of putting on all the fine things her friends had been so foolish to rig her out in! times were not now as they used to be! that if Harry gave her pocket money, she had better give it to her to keep, and not be spending it for nonsense! that a young wife's place was in her husband's house, and she hoped she would leave off that babyish trick of running home every day to see her mother and sister. Emma listened in silent amazement: she was a warm-hearted, affectionate girl, but she

"WELL, Bridget, what do you think of the was very high-spirited. The color came and bride?"

went rapidly in her cheek, but she forced back the tears that were starting to her eyes, for she had too much pride to allow her to see them fall.

"Oh, she's a pretty young thing, but if she had known as much as you and I do of her husband's mother, she never would have come to live with her. She's a regular old hyena; After old Mrs Hall retired, she sat for a moand if she don't bring the tears in those blue ment or two, recalling her words—“ babyish!” eyes before the honeymoon is over, my name to love my own dear home, where I was as a isn't Bridget. Why she's the most owdacious cricket from morning to night; where we all old thing; she overhauled all her wardrobe sang and read in mother's dear old room, and yesterday, before she could get here; and as father and mother the happiest of us all— I passed through the entry, I heard her mut- "babyish!" "I won't be dictated to,” said tering to herself silk stockings! humph- the young wife: "I am married, if I am only ruffled under clothes! wonder if she thinks nineteen, and my own mistress;" and the reI'll have 'em ironed here! embroidered night-bellious tones would come up in spite of her caps! silk dresses! destruction and ruin!"

"I'll tell you what, Bridget, there never was a house built yet that was big enough for two families to live in, and you'll find out that this won't be, I reckon."

"What! tears, Emma! tears!" said the young husband, as he returned from his counting-room one day, about a month after marriage, and, with a look of anxiety, he drew her closer to his breast. "Tell me, you do not so soon repent your choice?"

The little rosy mouth was held up temptingly for a kiss, and in those blue eyes he read the answer his heart was seeking.

determinations; but then she thought of Harry, dear Harry, whom she had learned to love so well. Her first impulse was to tell him; but she had a great deal of good sense, if she was young, and she said to herself, "No, that would not do; then, he'll have to take sides with one or the other, and either way it will make trouble. It may wean his love from me; no, no, I'll try to get along without; but I wish I had known more about her before I came here to live."

And so she smiled and chatted gaily with Harry, and hoped he had set it down to the account of nervousness. Still the hours passed slowly, when he was absent at his business, and she felt uneasy every time she heard a step on the stairs, lest the old lady should

“What then? is your pet canary sick? can't you dress your hair to suit you? or, are you in despair, because you can't decide in which of all your dresses you look the pret-subject her to some new trial. tiest?"

"I wonder what has come over Emma," "Don't be ridiculous, Harry," said Emma, said one of her sisters, "she has grown so laughing and crying together: "I feel nerv-grave and matronly? I half hated Harry

« AnteriorContinuar »