count of no part of our conduct, "the name of God and his doctrine be blasphemed."Let each one ask farther, 4th, Am I taking a lively and deep interest in the cause of religion? Are the salvation and the prosperity of my soul, the glory of the Redeemer, and the progress of his work on earth, the things of chief importance in my mind? or are they only with me secondary matters? How would the real feelings of my mind at a throne of grace, morning and evening, reply to this question? Do I indeed enter into the cause of God, as he did who said, "If I forget thee, O Jerusalem?" &c; (see Psal. cxxxvii. 5, 6.) When I see religion in a low state, is my prayer respecting the church the "prayer of the destitute ?" And am I one of those "remembrancers of the Lord, who will give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth ?" The glorious Head of the church, who took such a deep interest in her redemption, and who now takes such a deep interest in her prosperity, knows well how it is with all his professed people in this respect and can we suppose that he will greatly delight in those of her members-can we suppose that he will not frown upon those of her members, in whose minds his cause has not the chief place?—Another important question here will be, 5th, Is my Christian love such as must be felt? Have I this evidence of having "passed from death unto life, because I love the brethren ?" And is my love such, and is it so manifested to those with whom I am in Christian fellowship, as to have a powerful tendency to keep alive that heavenly principle in their minds? When I see them, do I feel toward them as the brethren of my Lord and Saviour? When I am in my closet, do I remember them in this capacity? When I meet them, do I give them an expression of brotherly kindness? And when they are in any trouble, do I act towards them as I think I would do towards their Master? Is my Christian love such as to constrain the world to say, as of old, Behold how these love one another? Jesus Christ said to his followers, "A new com mandment give I unto you, that ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." Now, if this new commandment has not a peculiar weight upon our minds; if we are not paying a most sacred regard to it, is it any wonder that he should not smile upon us? What suppose the world can bring no well-founded charge against uswhat suppose our observance of every church-ordinance be most punctual; the Saviour has "somewhat against us:" and it is somewhat of a very serious nature indeed, if we have "left our first love," or if our Christian love be not such as must be felt by brethren, and seen by the world. And until the world see and feel an attraction in the love of the members of a Christian church, we need not expect that there will be many accessions of a right stamp to that body.Once more, inquire, 6th, Am I really profiting by the means of grace? Have I this evidence of being "planted in the house of the Lord," namely "flourishing in the courts of our God"-"growing in grace, and in the knowledge of the Lord Jesus"-" filled with the fruits of righteousness," &c.-making progress in conformity to the image of God's dear Son? Does my profiting thus appear unto others from year to year? If not, how can I expect that the Head of the church will smile upon me? What can we look for but the frowns of the great Husbandman upon that vineyard, the trees of which are producing no good, no abundant return for all that is done for them? and is it any wonder that he does not plant more there? O! it is an alarming consideration for members of a Christian church not to be making progress year after year, in the knowledge, and in a conformity to, all the will of God. (Compare Isa. v. 1-7. with John xv. 1-8.) : The end of all this "searching and trying," is to "turn unto the Lord." In so far as we are wrong, we are in effect away from him and it will not be well with us-we shall neither greatly enjoy the blessing, nor be made a blessing, till we turn to him, till we turn from whatever he has against us, till we put away all evil-till, with an eye to the blood of Emmanuel, mourning over our every sin and failure in the divine will, we "turn unto the Lord with our whole heart.” M-, Jan. 20. 1819. J. W. SIR, TO THE EDITOR OF THE CHRISTIAN HERALD. January 20. 1819. THE time for the meeting of the Congregational Union is drawing near. The advantages of that Institution are now so well understood, and so generally acknowledged, that it is unnecessary to point them out. The letters that are inserted in the Annual Reports are very satisfactory; and none who read them can deny, that good effects have resulted from the Union. Yet, Sir, might not more be done in this way? It is to be doubted how far the churches are to be justified in contributing so largely to Foreign Missions, while they send so small a sum, comparatively, to the funds of the Union, which are intended to promote the spread of the Gospel in our own country. When we look at the yearly contributions, they bear no proportion to the sums which are raised, even amongst ourselves, for other purposes. I do not say we should suspend all help to the Baptist, Missionary, and other Societies, till we are entirely freed from incumbrances at home; but we should let the thoughts of our own immediate wants regulate our conduct in the distribution of our charity. Sir, there is one thing that bears down with a most grievous weight the hearts of our brethren-the remaining debts on their meeting-houses, which they are unable to clear, disqualify them, by the payment of a great interest, for making suitable provision for those who labour among them. If they could by any means be eased in this respect, they would go on much more comfortably. Discouragements of this kind greatly dispirit and damp exertion. What I would humbly propose, is, that an account be given in by the churches, of what sums they would respectively require, to give them effectual relief. Let us know the extent of the evil. Then let us act in the matter, as in the sight of a heart-searching God. Let each of us seriously consider what he owes to Him who redeemed him, at such a price, from misery and destruction, and what he can spare for his sake. Let a fund be established, for the purpose of paying off the debts, under the direction of a distinct Committee; and let the word go forth, "It is expected that every man do his duty." We have yet resources, would we but apply them. Let us offer before the world this proof of our love. When the assistance of other churches is required, you know the pastor is dispatched to solicit donations. He trudges from town to town, he goes from house to house; and what pain it must give to the feelings of any man of the least sensibility, can be conceived only by those who have ever set out on such a begging expedition. Have pity on a brother in distress, when he comes, and send him not empty and heavyhearted away. But, why not prevent the necessity of so humiliating a mode of application? Why suffer him to take so far a journey from his own home, and from his beloved flock? Should the plan I have suggested, or any other similar to it, be adopted, I know one, at least, who is ready to put a sum, as the Lord hath prospered him, into your hands, Mr Editor, or into the hands of the person who shall be appointed to receive the subscriptions. Might not well-wishers to religion think of such a scheme, and of the Congregational Union, when they make a final settlement of their worldly affairs? I profess not to enter fully into this subject: I only throw out a few hints. I hope it will be taken up by some abler pen, who will do it justice. I am sure it is a good cause. May it be advocated with ability and success! There is reason to expect, that a more minute and extended inquiry into the ways and means of raising a sum sufficient for carrying into effect the proposal I have mentioned, will be furnished from another quarter. Sir, your correspondents favour us with sensible remarks on Scripture and divine subjects, and we are edified; but I would have them sometimes direct our attention to the consideration of local existing circumstances; as Philologos, in the well written paper on Itineràncies, in your Number for December last, which does credit to the author. I have seldom seen a better communication appear on your pages. You will hear from me again, if the Lord spare; but if not, you may consider what I have now addressed through you to the Public, as the last words of AN OLD FRIEND. STRIKING PROVIDENCES CONNECTED WITH THE SIR, TO THE EDITOR OF THE CHRISTIAN HERALD. I Now sit down to give you some account of a very remarkable dispensation of Providence, which took place at West Town, parish of Tarland, Aberdeenshire, in June last, when was there on a preaching excursion. A I left home on the 14th June. I proceeded on my journey about sixteen miles that night, and slept in an inn. Monday the 15th, I reached Bridgefoot, in the parish of Tullich, about fifty miles from home, and preached at five, P. M. to a good congregation. Proposed family worship at nine; many people attending. I read 2 Cor. v. and addressed them at considerable length from ver. 17. to the end of the chapter. Tuesday the 16th, I had an appointment to preach at West Town Tarland, at noon; the place of meeting was in the dwellinghouse of John Ewan, where I had preached sometimes before. When I came to West Town, I found John Ewan busily employed at his labour in the field. Though not expected, yet I was received by him with joy. He immediately sent his children with some others, to invite the people to sermon. It is my usual practice, when I am about to make these excursions, to prepare and write the outlines of a few discourses; and in preparing these, I usually, at the time of writing them, assign to each the place where I mean to deliver it. I have often found the benefit of this plan as a means of preventing my mind from being perplexed in respect of the choice of a subject. The subject I had intended to preach from in J. E.'s was Acts xiv. 1.; but I could not fix in my mind any two ideas VOL. VL N together, on this or any other subject, excepting Isaiah lv. 6. which I meant to deliver on the following day, at a place where there is always a numerous congregation. At last the people began to assemble; in a few minutes I was surrounded by a greater number than I expected. No alternative now remained, but either not to preach at all, or take Isaiah lv. 6, 7. I submitted: and, I may safely say, that I never enjoyed greater happiness and freedom, than when addressing my hearers from that interesting passage. The infinite condescension and love of God to guilty men appeared truly wonderful, when considering the character of those who are invited-the import of the call and invitation-with the motives and encouragements annexed. I hope it was my most earnest desire, that all my hearers would hearken to, and comply with the kind Redeemer's inviting voice. My hearers at the same time appeared very attentive. After I had concluded the discourse, and just before I dismissed the congregation, feeling, I trust, deeply interested in their eternal welfare, I addressed them in nearly the following words:"My dear friends, I cannot dismiss you without once more beseeching you frequently to revolve in your minds the very solemn and interesting truths which have, at this time, been addressed unto you. Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, &c. I have said, that these words imply, that if you seek not the Lord now, a time may come, and who knows how soon, when you will seek him but shall not find him. See Proverbs i. 24-27. Now, supposing that, instead of this day at noon, my engagement to preach here had been to-morrow noon, perhaps some now present, to whom the Lord has been saying, Seek me now, and you shall find me, may, by that time, be where the inviting voice of Jehovah is no more heard; but, because I called, and ye refused-therefore I will laugh at your calamity, and mock when your fear cometh. May the Lord in great mercy draw every soul present to himself." The people immediately retiring, kindly shook hands, thanking me for visiting them, and requesting a return of the favour as soon as in my power. I sat down. While some dinner was getting ready, John Ewan entered into conversation, and appeared much affected, and bewailed his having paid little or no attention to the concerns of his soul. I advised him to neglect them no longer, but to bestow upon them the utmost attention. But, he replied, I shall be able to ken (know) but little now, be'es (i. e compared with) what I might have known had I begun sooner. True, said I, but you may remember how you said to me to-day, that as you were rather late with your labour, you would endeavour to make up by lengthening your yockings, and increasing your diligence. Apply the same rule to the |