Imatges de pàgina
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While here I had a public and unexpected discussion with an atheist. Entering the hall where he was lecturing I heard him close his lecture with the following remark : "That nothing ought to be believed that could not be mathematically demomonstrated; and as the existence of God could not so be thus demonstrated, it ought not to be believed. But as a report of the argument was published in several newspapers and magazines, I extract the following from the Liverpool Courier, of course omitting the name.

On being invited to take a position on the platform, he said he had no intention of wading through the continent of mud which the lecturer had been so long constructing; he should only fasten upon his two closing remarks, namely, that nothing should be believed that was not susceptible of mathematical demonstration; and that the existence of God not being susceptible of mathematical demonstration; ought not to be believed. Now, in relation to the first position, it was a fundamental axiom in mathematics, that every circle must have a centre; but he need hardly tell the lecturer, that while it was absolutely necessary to admit this centre, its existence had never been demonstrated. "Let this table" said Mr. laying his hand upon a circular table which was on the platform, "be considered a yard in diameter: now, I cut it into two equal semi-diameters; now where is the centre? It is not in either of the semi-diameters, for they are equal; and if it be in one it must be in other; so you prove too much, for you show that there are two centres in one circle, which is an absurdity, and destroys the very thing that you are trying to establish. It cannot be between them for they are in contact. You are thus driven to this conclusion,-that this mathematical centre is a point devoid of parts, namely, a spaceless point-something that does not occupy space. Now, as all entities occupy space, if this centre does not, then it is not an entity: ergo, it is a nonentity, that is—nothing! So much for the lecturer's first proposition, that nothing ought to be believed that is not susceptible of mathematical demonstration.

"This conducts us to the second proposition, that the existence of a God is incapable of mathematical proof. Let us test this assertion. And here I hope the lecturer will signify his admission or rejection of the premises laid down as I proceed.

66 First, then, attraction either resides in matter, or it does not reside in matter."

It was admitted to reside in matter.

"Secondly, it is equally diffused through matter, or it is not equally diffused through matter."

Admitted, that it was equally diffused.

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Thirdly, repulsion resides in matter, or it does not reside in matter. Admitted to reside in matter.

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Fourthly, it is equally diffused through matter, or it is not equally

diffused."

Admitted, that it was equally diffused.

"Here are two per

"Now mark the result," continued Mr. manently antagonistic forces, equally resident in matter, equally diffused through matter, equal in extent, and equal in power; these forces are said to be the motive power which moves all bodies. But it is one of the most self-evident propositions of Euclid, that where equal is equal to equal, the result will be equal; in other words, that where two forces of equal strength are in antagonism the result will be the establishment of an equilibrium; not motion, but quiescence or rest. Thus, if you take a pair of scales and place a pound weight in each, you establish an equilibrium which will remain for ever undisturbed, unless interfered with by some external agent. If, on the other hand, it is contended that attraction is stronger than repulsion; then, once stronger, it will for ever remain so, and drawing all bodies into

one agglomerated mass, again the result would be, not motion, but rest. If, on the contrary, it be said that repulsion is the strongest, then every particle of matter dilating and expanding to its utmost tension, would fly off into space, which being filled with a concourse of disconnected atoms, again the result would be, not motion, but rest.

"But nothing is at rest; suns, systems, planets, stars are all in rapid motion. What, then, is the power which has destroyed the equilibrium of these two antagonistic forces, and which has given to the universe that motion which they are ever striving to prevent? We find no evidence of its existence in matter; yet it is evidently superior to matter, since it controls the motions of matter, and neutralises the tendency of those laws and forces which reside in matter. Now this power, which without residing in matter, is evidently superior to it, constantly acting upon it, overcoming its inertia, and compelling it into motion, we call God. God! the inevitable word which terminates all our studies, the grand climax to all our knowledge, shining like a mysterious star upon the bodies of both worlds, revealing to us the moral liberty of this, the moral justice of that."

Mr. 's argument, certainly one of the most lucid, forcible, and original, for the existence of God which it ever fell to our lot to hear, seemed to make a great impression upon the audience, more especially as his opponent declined to reply in "consequence of the lateness of the hour," though it was not quite ten o'clock !

JAMES HAMILTON IN DEATH.

Our Own Fireside, in few words beautifully opens to us the dying chamber of the late Dr. Hamilton:

"Our God is love when nature falls,

Then fix thy gaze above;

And calmly wait till heaven reveals
How life, death-all is love."

T. DAVIS.

A true "poet of the sanctuary," the gifted James Hamiliton, whose "Mount of Olives," and "Life in Earnest," are heirlooms to the Church Catholic, has "fallen asleep "-gone home. Seldom has a loving life ended more lovingly, A brother who went to see him shortly before his death, gives this touching record :

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"He was no way surprised at seeing me step into his room, and welcomed me in his own peculiar manner,- My dear William, how glad I am to see you! How kind of you to come so far.' 'I have just come,' was the reply, to let you know, dear James, how many of us are envying you your happiness in being so near home.' 'I sometimes hope it may be so,' was the rejoinder, 'and yet I may perhaps be disappointed.'No, James, dear, you won't be disappointed in this, for you cannot be long here; you will be at home in a day or two or perhaps in few hours.' He then brightened up, and gave us such a loving look. 'O William, you have brought me good news indeed; how kind of you to tell me this!'

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"After a short silence, the conversation was resumed. I have been preaching lately from these words: Whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord;" and I have been much interested in finding that in the Greek, the expression in next verse-to be absent from the body and present with the Lord-may be rendered at home with the Lord, at home, because of His being there; at home, because the family are gathered there! Oh, how beautiful! how beautiful!'

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he exclaimed.

And that is the meaning of "I go to prepare a place

Then, after a pause he

You are strong and well;

for you;" I go to make it a home for you.' continued, 'O William, you are a happy man, and you have the privilege of preaching the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ.'

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Asking for his brother's wife and children, and being told that they had all sent their love to him, he said, 'Oh, do you know I am lying in love, and hemmed in by love on every side; there is nothing but love around me; I don't say within me, for I am not so full of love as 1 should be. Here his failed."

Is not this James Hamilton all over over?" Lying in love; hemmed in by love on every side; nothing but love around me; only too little love within me." What genuine thankfulness and humility! It was the very fulness of his love that made him feel a shortcoming; he loved so much that he never could be satisfied that he loved enough. And there was no weakness in his love. It was not feeble sentiment, but strong manly affection; for it was love in the truth, in the truth of God, the truth as it is in Jesus.

The epitaph on his tomb might

He "being dead, yet speaketh." well be written, "He exemplified the truth—

"He only yet has learnt to live,

Whose life is love.""

A LETTER BY THE LATE MR. TIPTAFT.

DEAR SIR,-Having met with a letter written by the late Mr. Tiptaft. I forward you a copy for EARTHEN VESSEL; it contains much weighty manner. Yours, &c.,

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J. ELDERKIN.

"For as the sufferings of Christ abound in us, so our consolation also aboundeth by Christ."-2 Corinthians i 5.

MY DEAR FRIENDS, I have heard of your illness, and also of your recovery; I hope that you can bless God for the trial. You will be glad to near that my soul was much blessed last night; and during this day I have shed many tears. I could scarcely shave myself, and my eyes are quite red with crying.

A friend sent to know how I was this morning; my answer was, "Much the same in body, but well in soul." A man should have a' particular religion to use such language; he should know both parts of a work of grace in his soul. I have not had such a blessing since January, 1843. I was blessed in my soul on the 18th July, but not in the manner that I have been this time; the blessed promises were applied, and the highest hymns of assurance suited my soul, such as Gadsby's 158th,

and,

"Sweet the moments rich the blessing,

Which before in cross I spend," &c.

"When Jesus with his mighty power," &c,

And such proofs of the Lord's loving kindness to me at this particular time I value highly; how often have I prayed that my last days may be How often have I said that it is a mercy to be well laid in

my best.

the grave; a long sickness is a heavy cross; but it is in the furnace and fires that the soul prospers, and is in health. There is not much to live for in this time state. If things please the flesh, they will deaden the soul; and if they do not please the flesh they make us murmur and fret. It is a trial to be silent, but I cannot murmur without considering that I have in my feeble way preached salvation by grace for more than two thirds of a century. I keep hearing, for my encouragement, that I have not laboured in vain, either in London or the country. What a high value Bunyan set upon his seals; I trust I may say that I value them more than gold and silver. What are riches and honours compared to spiritual blessings and Divine enjoyments? I do not envy those who are anxious to see all the new peep-shows, or those who are labouring hard to gather together a large heap of gold dust: "Godliness with contentment is great gain.

In my present state I have but little hopes of preaching again. I was ill here twenty-five years ago. I have to bless God that I was raised up again. I wish to be grateful for the good health I have had for twenty-four years. Dr. Shawe, of Leicester, came to see me on the 24th. He called on Tuesday, when in the neighbourhood, and he told me that I was not so well as when he last saw me. What a very great mercy to have a religion of the right sort; and be made fit for this particular blessing. I have no cancer, but a sore throat, and suffer more; may the Lord bless me with patience and resignation. Death is a solemn subject. Those who can say that they are not afraid to look death in the face, should have a particular religion, and should be very grateful. How awful to be deceived in important matters! The real children of God like a searching ministry, that they may be well exercised whether they are right in doctrine, experience, and practice. Real repentance, real faith, and real love, are very important matters. Both minister and hearers must die for themselves. What a very great Friend Christ is to those who really believe in Him! Real faith and love will produce real fruit. It will be thirty-seven years next January since I professed to fear God. O what mercies and blessings of various kinds I have received, but how little my heart is melted with gratitude! It was well with me this morning, I could say My Jesus hath done all things. well." I could not murmur this morning about the past, nor fret about the future. You, in your large ungodly city, will be glad to hear of my soul being blessed in such a manner. "The Lord trieth the righteous. Many are their afflictions, but the Lord delivereth them out of them all." "It shall be well with the righteous." Those who fear God in your large city will be tried and exercised in various ways. The fear of God is a great treasure, and those who have such a treasure should not murmur about trifles, without having their consciences condemned. May the Lord bless those who love and fear His name in town. What a warning in the earthquake for ungodly England! Give my love to Mrs. C., and all enquiring friends. Yours affectionately,

Oakham, Rutland.
October 15th, 1863.

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WILLIAM TIPTAFT.

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THE grave is not the last home of the body, but is the middle station between time and eternity. The grave at the angel's blast will deliver up the body, and it will be changed; the sinner's body for everlasting pain, and the body of the saint for eternal joy. Flesh and blood will neither enter heaven's glory, nor hell's woe, but each will be fitted for its state. At the resurrection morn the spirits of the just will enter their bodies which they put off in death, and the lost soul will also enter the body. Saints will enjoy an eternity of peace and the sinners an eternity of sorrow. Oh, what a mercy to have part in the first resurrection. The murdered brother of Cain has been a long number of years in his grave, yet he shall rise at the call of the archangel, leaving all the marks of his murder in his tomb: there shall be no mildew on his brow, nor the cold damp of the grave upon his cheek. He shall come forth fresh and glorious, and Abel's soul shall be permanently joined to his glorified body, in which God shall be praised to all eternity. What a long sleep shall Abel have compared with the corpse which shall be buried a week before the judgment of the great God. Lazarus being in his grave four days may remind us of those who shall, like Lazarus, be called from the grave a few days after their interment. Yes, men may be dying while angels are preparing for the judgment. While the gravedigger is making ready the six feet opening for his fellow-creature, the gates of heaven may open, and the angel fly forth crying, Come to judgment ! come to judgment! If the world continues as it is now till time's latest hour, how different will be the state of man in that sad day of judgment. The infant will just have started on its journey. The young man will be pressing through life's battles. The old man will be breathing out his soul while kind attendants wipe death's dew-falls from his fading brow. While life and death are doing their work, the Son of Man may come in his glory to judge the world. Then shall the dead arise, both small and great, and appear before the judgment seat of Christ. Death's employment then shall cease, the graves shall be emptied, and for ever closed. The sands in time's glass will now have run through. The chapter will be full, and the school days of man will be ended. Blessed are such as love his appearing. The believer's soul will have more of heaven than the body before the body was carried to the grave. The soul had passed the city gates of glory, and all the time the body lies in the grave the soul is rejoicing in the upper world. One Sabbath the man of God may abdicate his body, and on the next re-enter. Some will be but a short time in the cold earth. In this they will be like their Master Jesus, who rose on the third day. But whether we be long or short time in our cold damp lodging place, let us as the saints of the living God remember that while our bodies are dead in the tomb our spirits will be singing the loud praises of Jesus in his Father's house above. Yes, while the mortal eyes shall be closed by the touch of death and blind to all the beauties on which they ever gazed, the spiritual will be delighted with the splendour of the mansions in glory. The one will look from crown, to crown from angel to saint, and from the saint

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