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PREFACE.

ON completing the fourth volume of the Christian Advocate, the editor would devoutly acknowledge the goodness of God in enabling him thus far to continue his labours, with the hope that he has not laboured altogether in vain.

This Miscellany may now be considered as having obtained an establishment, which, under proper management, will ensure its permanency. Its patronage indeed must still be regarded as scanty, if compared with the extent and resources of the church to whose service it is specially devotedwhose doctrines it advocates, and whose institutions it aims to defend and promote. Yet the increase of subscribers, in the year which is closing, has been greater than in any preceding year; and the pecuniary avails of the work are now such as to afford its conductor a moderate compensation for his toil. But in his laborious vocation, the editor is chiefly animated by evidence which he thinks he ought not to distrust, that the contents of the Christian Advocate: have commended themselves to the decisive approbation of many of the most-pions and intelligent of its readers, in more than one denomination of Christians; and that his work has efficiently co-operated with other works of a similar character, in checking error, in diffusing knowledge, in prompting and encouraging Christian effort and enterprise, and in promoting, generally, the interests of evangelical religion, pure morals, and sound literature. It has been gratifying to learn that in some places, and to a considerable extent, this Magazine has been circulated and read, without cost, among the friends of the subscribers-It would be still more gratifying, if such of these gratuitous readers as can well afford it, would become subscribers for themselves. Yet let them, by all means, continue to read without charge, rather than neglect to read at all.

To those who have furnished articles for insertion in the Christian Advocate, and to all who have used their influence and exertions to extend its patronage, the editor returns his cordial thanks; and he respectfully solicits the continuance of

assistance and favour-for which he hopes never to be found ungrateful. It would give him real pleasure to mention the names of certain individuals, to whom he holds himself particularly indebted. But he is not authorized to do this; and till he is, he will not hazard a trespass on the feelings of others, for the gratification of his own.

Several improvements, which it is believed would add considerable value to the contents of this Miscellany, have been in contemplation. Some of them, it is hoped, will appear in the next volume. But the editor is of the mind that it is better to exhibit improvements made, than to pourtray them in promise.

The completion of a volume of his work, and the close of the year, ought forcibly to admonish the editor, and may not unaptly remind all his readers, that every present engagement, and life itself, is hastening to a close. THEN, let us remember, the solemn inquest, involving the destinies of eternity, will be made, how we have passed our probationary existence; how every year, and day, and hour of time has been employed; by what motives we have been actuated in all we have done; whether, in the course of life, we have been supremely influenced by a regard to the glory of God, and to our own best interest and that of our fellow men; whether we have lived for eternity more than for time; whether we have been laying up treasure in heaven, or only on the earth. These inquiries, therefore, should command our most serious attention, while investigation may be: salutty. Seriously pursued, the inquiries cannot fail to bring home the conviction to every conscience, that transgression and neglect have left us no hope of an acquittal by our final Judge, but from a personal interest, secured by unfeigned faith, in the atoning merits and prevalent intercession of the Lord Jesus Christ. To him, therefore, let the eye of faith be constantly directed; from him, as the inexhaustible source of all spiritual supplies, let grace and aid be earnestly sought, to perform with increasing activity and effect every incumbent duty; that at length-justified by his righteousness, sanctified by his Spirit, and formed into his likeness-we may be admitted to the rest and the reward "which remain for the people of God."

THE

CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE.

JANUARY, 1826.

Keligious Communications.

The following discourse was committed to the press, immediately after it was delivered; and a subscription for the copies of a small impression, was opened at the same time. Contrary to expectation, the number of copies subscribed for, was greater than the number printed. Hence, some of the subscribers, as well as some others, who have since expressed a wish to obtain a copy, have been disappointed. These considerations, together with the importance and general interest of the subject discussed, have determined the editor to give the discourse a place in the Christian Advocate. Those of his readers who may already possess copies, will excuse the appropriation of a few pages to the gratification of others, and to the promotion, it is hoped, of a most important charity.

THE CHRISTIAN DUTY OF CHRISTIAN

WOMEN.

A Discourse, delivered in the Church of Princeton, New Jersey, August 23d, 1825, before the Princeton Female Society, for the Support of a Female School in India. By Ashbel Green, D.D. in India. By Ashbel Green, D.D. Published at the request of the Society.

MARK XIV. 8.-First part.
"She hath done what she could-."

These words are found in the narrative of a very interesting incident, in the life of our blessed VOL. IV. Ch. Adv.

Redeemer. Six days before the Jewish Passover at which he entered on his last sufferings, a supper, or festival entertainment, was made for him at Bethany; a village in the environs of Jerusalem, frequently mentioned in the evangelical history, and particularly memorable as the residence of Lazarus, whom he raised from the dead. The supper was made at the house of one Simon, a leper; who, it is highly probable, had been cleansed by the miraculous power of Christ. Lazarus was a guest at this entertainment; which some suppose was made, either wholly or in part, at his expense; and his sisters, Martha and Mary, were both present. With her characteristick activity, Martha served at the supper-table; and Mary, with her wonted reverential love to her Lord and Redeemer, and animated no doubt with the liveliest gratitude for the interposition of his almighty power, the tomb, gave him, on this occasion, in calling her beloved brother from a signal expression of her sense of obligation, and of the high estimation in which she wished that others should hold him. She had made should hold him. She had made preparation for this expression of her gratitude and love, by procuring an alabaster box of the most costly and fragrant ointment; such as was then used about the persons of individuals the most distinguished by birth or office that with this she might anoint her benefactor, whom A

she also knew to be the long expected Messiah, the Prince of peace. His recumbent attitude, then always in use at the supper table, was peculiarly favourable to her design. Approaching him in this reclining posture, she broke the box of liquid Nard, and poured it, first on his head, and afterwards on his body and his feet. And then, while the house was filled with the odour of the ointment, this holy devoted woman kneeled at the feet of Jesus, and wiped them with the flowing tresses of her hair.

Christian sisters, are you tempted to envy your sister Mary? To envy the opportunity she had to express, in a most striking and affecting manner, her humble, ardent attachment, to your common and adored Redeemer? Envy not but imitate her. Opportunities still occur, to express love and gratitude to your unseen Saviour, by acts as acceptable to him as that of Mary was; and which he will, ere long, acknowledge and reward, before the assembled universe.

Who would expect that any disciple of Christ could disapprove of such a testimonial of reverence and esteem, as that which he received from the sister of Lazarus? Who would not rather expect, that the whole company would witness it with delight, and applaud the happy ingenuity by which it had been devised, and the lovely enthusiasm shall I not call it-with which the device was executed? But it was not so. Judas was among the guests. He, it has commonly been believed, had been appointed the purse-bearer of the holy family, from his reputed integrity, care and capacity, in the management of pecuniary concerns. His opinion therefore, on a point of economy, especially when that which might be saved was to be given to the poor, would naturally have much weight with his fellow apostles; knowing too, as they well did, that their Master had never affect

ed worldly honours, nor required any extraordinary expenditure for his own gratification. They therefore joined in the murmuring which began with Judas-Not suspecting that he was hypocrite, thief, and traitor, all in one; and that he only wished that the "three hundred pence," (about fifty dollars of our money) for which "the ointment might have been sold," should have been added to the common stock; that he might carry off a richer prize, when he should abscond with the whole; which it appears he had, about this time, determined to do— Not in the least suspecting any thing of all this, the other disciples were influenced by the suggestions of a base and wicked avarice, to join in the murmur, that there had been, on the part of Mary, a profligate waste of property, which might have been applied to a better purpose.

The whole of this murmuring, Christian friends, both in its origin and tendency, was, in my apprehension, exceedingly like the complaints which we have lately heard from certain quarters, that much money is wasted-is wantonly and foolishly thrown away-in professed attempts to honour Christ, by sending his gospel to the heathen and the Jews.

But the Saviour vindicated Mary, and reproved her calumniators. Her views of duty, dictated by her liberal spirit, and her warm and generous heart, were far more correct than their calculating and coldblooded reasonings on the subject. The Saviour reminded them, that every duty must have its proper time and place. The poor they would always have with them, and would never be without an opportunity to show them kindness; "but me (said he) ye have not always."His departure from them was now just at hand, and whatever tokens of their regard he was to receive must be speedily bestowed, or the opportunity for bestowing them

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