the The praise to ourselves we wish not to ascribe, The glory is His who lays claim to the bride. A subject so sweet imparts warmth to my heart, I feel quite inclined for a song ere we part; What say you, my friend? in what tune is your harp? Shall we strike the note flat? nay, rather a sharp; The theme of salvation demands we should raise The highest of notes when our Saviour we praise. Yet though I feel willing to aid in the song, I see very clearly my chords are not strong; Perfection below we're taught not to expect, Then surely these trifles must not be a check; I'll use my endeavours no discord to throw, While Baca's dark valley I'm called to go through. My hope will I cherish, my fears they may crowd! I know the sun shines, though I'm under a cloud. With warmest affection to Him I com- REBECCA, my sister in Jesus our Friend; Extract from a Letter. THE "SALOPIAN EXILE." I have entered my sixtieth year, and what shall I say? Why it is by grace of God I am what I am. I have learned that it is not age that kills sin; for if sin break not out, it is raging within; contaminating the mind, the understanding: neither can anything, but the mortification of it by the Spirit, effect a change, and that does not abate the unpleasant feelings of the soul under the conflict. Like two armies on neutral ground, whichever gains the victory, the harvest-field suffers, and the husbandman feels disquieted in the meantime. I have no resource but in the boundless grace and perfection of our Lord Jesus, and it is not often that I am favoured by a clear and definite view of Him who is essentially the ALL of his people's comfort. But this brings me to the foundation of all hope-the immutable love of God in Christ; by which I mean that it is his interest in me, and not my frames and feelings, that insure my final safety. For I have seen him, when racked with pain and distressed by poverty, carrying all the designs of his Heavenly Father into effect, so as to insure the glory of all to God, while love and mercy were exhibited in all his dispensations towards me. I then saw that all was mercy, all was right. But in health my soul seems tossed, confused with the perplexing nature of his dispensations. "In the multitude of thoughts within me," says the Psalmist; there seems such confusion within me, that I cannot find my way out; sometimes the "union" seems to await me; sometimes I am led to think, "What have I to do with futurity ?" sometimes I am a little affected with the special providence of God, and believe he careth for me; but in general my grief arises from the want of that grace which neither despises, nor faints under, the rod. I murmur that I murmur, and complain that I complain. Amidst it all, I think I feel a greater growing up into Christ in all things, and a greater love to heaven as a place of freedom from sin; and, as a sight of Jesus transforms, so I seem to long more to see him, that I may be like him "who died unto sin once, but now liveth unto God." "Without controversy, great is the mystery of godliness," within as well as without. H. P. ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT. We have received a kind and judicious letter from a correspondent signing himself "Amicus," in allusion to the letter of Publius Lentulus which appeared in May. If that letter tended in any degree to enthral the minds of any of the feeble-minded of the Lord's family, by causing them to indulge the idea of a material substance when approaching the throne-which is a species of idolatry -we heartily regret its appearance in our pages, and pray the Holy Ghost to overlook our shortsightedness, and remove any stumbling-block which we might thereby have thrown in the way of our readers. It is no uncommon trap of Satan to endeavour to delude the minds, especially of young believers, by bringing before them, as they come near to God, ideas of the person of Christ, and so on, and, ere the poor soul is aware, to lead it out into a species of creature-worship and adoration, ultimately involving the soul in a maze of perplexity, from which the power of the Holy Ghost alone can extricate it. The only satisfactory and safe way by which to approach the throne, is, under the gracious influences of the eternal Spirit, to acknowledge a holy, blessed, and incomprehensible Trinity-a Triune Jehovah, whose nature and existence no finite creature can define; nor does that faith which is of the operation of the Holy Ghost in the heart, ever wish to pry into it. As we have said before, even so we say now, it is the privilege of faith to embrace the simple testimony of Scripture, in reference to the Holy Trinity-"There are Three which bear record in heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost, and these Three are one." As the church journeys through the wilderness, she worships and adores this her Triune God; sometimes led out in sweet contemplation upon the Father's everlasting love in choosing the church, and giving it into the hands of Christ to redeem; at other times lost in admiration of the boundless love of her adorable Emmanuel in his great redemption-work; and anon sweetly drawn out in acknowledgment of the office and work of the Holy Ghost in carrying home conviction to the hearts of his elect-guiding, instructing, and leading them on in the chequered pathway of the wilderness. This is how the church acknowledges a Trinity in Unity and a Unity in Trinity, without wishing or attempting to define or satisfy the scepticism of a carnal mind. Here she sees the Lord Jehovah Jesus through a glass darkly, and is privileged, as the Holy Ghost is pleased to give her utterance, to make known her wants unto him; there, in eternal light and glory, the veil shall be taken away, every mystery explained, and faith itself shall be lost in the beatific vision of God and the Lamb. ORIGINAL POETRY. A FEW THOUGHTS ON HEARING THE THUNDER, Sunday, January 3rd, 1840. [After the awful intelligence which, during the last month, has reached England, of the destruction of the Island of St. Domingo by earthquake and fire, we have thought the following lines-embodying, as they do, so much that is full of consolation to the real believer not altogether inappropriate.-ED.] HARK! hark! what awful noise is that I hear, Rolling, and then rebounding through our sphere ? It breaks my slumber, starts me from my bed, Are earth's huge pillars now about to fall? And flash succeeding flash, the vivid lightnings spread. Thoughts such as these did at the moment fill My mind, by sweet repose beclouded still; But these ideas gave place to recollection, And calmly brought my mind to this reflection: Why should I fear? rather let me rejoice; That sound majestic is my Maker's voice. Hark!, for the voice of God in nature breaks; Why then alarmed, my soul? thy Father speaks. The Sovereign of the world, the skies, and seas, The "God of glory, thundereth" when he please. One with thy Saviour, safe in Jesus' hand, No harm can e'er befal the chosen band. Come death to him, how, when, or by what means, The end's the same, 'twill snatch from earthly scenes His soul, from this vain world of sin and woe, To that bright land where sorrow none can know. All that to Him are given, with him shall dwell, Our God is faithful and immutable; Conscience will speak, and this his mirth annoys; If in this state when he resigns his breath, Sudden damnation comes with sudden death. No hope beyond the grave whereon to rest, Dread of eternity will fill his breast. But shall a child belov'd shrink back with fear Whenever he his Father's voice shall hear? Speak how he will, by thunder, whisper, storm, It is his Father still, who will not harm; The whispers to his heart in accents sweet, One, in himself so helpless, poor, and vile, Is happy, when beneath his Father's smile; One of his jewels, lov'd as Jesus' bride, Protected, let whatever here betide. Safe in his hand, though death should sudden come, So suddenly he'll reach his bliss, his mansion, and his home. His Father's habitation's there with him he'll ever be, And join the throng around the throne thro' all eternity. EBENEZER. REFLECTIONS ON THE INCARNATION OF CHRIST. HARK! hark! what sound is that that charms my ears, (Luke, xxvi. 13, 14.) "Yon eastern star shall lead you to the place (Matt. ii. 9.) Where lies the Mighty God,' the Prince of Peace;' (Isa. ix. 6.) An inn in Bethlehem, a mean abode, (Matt. ii. 5, 6; Micah, v. 2.) Shelters the Lamb, th' eternal Son of God." (John, i. 29; Prov. viii. 23-30.) So may the voice of mercy, love, and peace, (Prov. viii. 4, 5.) (Psalm cxlvii. 18; lxvi. 17.) And may the Lord, "The Bright and Morning Star," (Rev. xxii. 16.) Conduct me safe to heaven by wisdom's ways, (Psalm cvii, 7.) To dwell with Christ midst light, and joy, and praise. (John, xiv. 3.) Oh may the tenant of this " mean abode," (Eph. iii. 19.) 16.) (Luke, xxiii. 33.) Onward we'd move to Calvary's rugged mount, (Luke, xxiii. 45.) (Matt. xxvii. 52; Luke, xxiii. 44.) (Matt. xxvii. 53.) The sun, as though asham'd, withheld its light; Ere long the rock which held the King of kings (Luke, xxiii. 53.) With shouts of triumph of the celestial bands, (Psalm xlvii. 5.) The everlasting doors wide open fly- (Psalm xxiv. 7, 8.) (Rom. xv. 13.) Oh may my heart be filled with joy and peace, Break, break, my heart, at yonder wondrous sight; (Acts, vii. 34.) (Acts, iii. 15.) (Col. ii. 15.) lower earth, (Isa. lx. 2.) While darkness, gross darkness spreads this (Psalm cxix. 130; John, vi. 63.) Then shall I walk the path that leads to bliss, (Psalm cxix, 105.) POETRY. THE TIME OF LOVE. THE love of Jehovah to me O how great! "Thy works cannot save thee, 'tis nought but Shed on Calv'ry's summit can cleanse thee from sin; Look to me and be saved, wash now and be clean." The word of the King was accompanied with The day of salvation, th' acceptable hour, The things of my Jesus, and peace to me Invincible grace! how rich, sov'reign, and free Was that which Emmanuel extended to me! When fearing the wrath and just vengeance of God, To have pardon revealed through Christ's precious blood. Made wise to salvation and justified quite, Though darkness surround, and the Lord Yet, bless his dear name, to th' election of grace His care will not cease, nor his presence remove Again he'll appear, and will manifest love. My soul, gloomy seasons thou oft has been in, When Satan has roared and accus'd thee of sin, And a host from without thy peace have assailed, God's love never varied, nor faithfulness fail'd. While travelling here with my face Zionward, Thy visits renew, oftentimes, dearest Lord; The love of the great Three-in-One let me sing, Till above in that ocean of love I shall swim. Bethersden. TO A FRIEND, ON HIS BIRTHDAY. The worlds were made; and did, to prove his love, To thee much earthly comfort; he has spread Thy table with his bounty; and, to fill Thy cup of temporal bliss, hath bless'd thee Joys and sorrows, and on whom thy heart may Love; one who, like thyself, is lov'd, and bless'd, Thus, brother, thou art bless'd indeed; and thus Beneath his care, who hitherto has led ELIHU. Thee on in safety, and who will, in death, E. M. L. P. |