infidelity has, perhaps, more powerfully than by any other cause, been promoted by our immense colonial possessions, whence both the religion and morals of the parent state are continually receiving a rapid deterioration. Those persons especially, are called upon to arm their minds with the best proofs that can be obtained of the truth of our holy religion, who, from their destination in life, are likely to be thrown into the society of the irreligious or the sceptical, or to have much intercourse with foreign countries, where, besides the infidelity which prevails, they are but too likely to contract, perhaps insensibly, that indifference to religion in general, which is apt to arise in the minds of those who reside long in countries where the establishment and form are different from our own. This indifference first insinuates itself into the mind under the specious name of liberality, and is conceived, perhaps, only to weaken the bigotted attachment of the nursery to our own peculiar forms; but it too soon discovers its real character, by producing a fatal lukewarmness in religion altogether*. pe may conceive himself to be likely to fall among sceptical associates, he may still, perhaps, find abundant cause hereafter to deplore his neglect of the opportunities afforded him of grounding himself well in the evidences of christianity, or to rejoice in having availed himself of them. Our temptations, even the suggestion of infidel doubts and difficulties, proceed not always from others; our own hearts and imaginations often become our most powerful tempters, and here probably, our great and spiritual enemy is culiarly active. A late eminent christian, Mr. Milner, of Hullt, a man of vigorous understanding and considerable learning, when several years after his entering into orders, he began to obtain correct views of the great doctrines of christianity, and at the same time a new warmth of earnestness for the souls of men, then also first began to be assailed with sceptical doubts, and for several years he was grievously tormented by them. The great Mr. Baxter tells us himself, in the history of his own life and times, that he likewise was extremely harassed with doubts of the same kind, even in the close of life, when he had been for many years a most successful labourer in the christian vineyard. If such men as these were thus assaulted, let none of us conceive that it is unnecessary precaution to arm ourselves with such weapons as Providence has graciousy provided, against the objections with which infidelity may attack our faith. It is here, as in other instances; a christian must make up his mind to endure with constancy the hour of trial. He is never promised a life of ease and security; on the contrary, he is plainly forewarned, that the way to heaven is straight and dangerous; he has a of fight to maintain, and powerful enemies to encounter; but he is provided with heavenly armour, and if But in truth, let the line of life and prospects, the connexions and circumstances of a man be what they may, and however little he worship a necessary part of his duty, remained wholly without religious instruction or the opportunity of public worship, in a place where they were exposed to the strongest temptations, at a period of life when those temptations would naturally be most powerful. The very habit hereby formed, of neglecting the public worship of God, is 'n the highest degree pernicious. *The writer of this article was assured by the late Dr. Maclean, whose situation at the Hague during 10 years, gave him an opportunity, which no man was more disposed or better qualified to employ, judging of the effect of foreign travel on the religious and moral character of youth, that in a great majority of instances it produced, even in those who had been religiously educated, infidel principles and loose morals. + Author of the Church History and other works. he faint not by the way, he is as sured of victory: if he be faithful unto death, he is promised a crown of everlasting life and glory. But were it less necessary for a Christian, on his own account, to make himself master of the proofs of our holy religion; yet has he no duties to perform to others? And if he would qualify himself solicitously to be useful to his fellow creatures in other ways, will he neglect the opportunity of enabling himself to render them a service, the effects of which may last for ever? In truth, Sir, it is here as in many other instances; love, if really vigorous, would supply the place of argument, and would urge us powerfully to the study I have been recommending; and here, according to the gracious ordination of Providence in general, while chiefly intent on promoting the happiness of others, we should be most effectually securing our own. I remain, To the Editor of the Christian Observer, SOME time ago, a friend put into my hand a treatise on anger. I think he told me it was well written, and I have since heard that it is well received among the higher circles. I do not recollect the name of the author, neither have I seen the book since; but it appeared to me, in the few minutes which I had to look into it, that the subject was treated in the usual way, anger being considered as sinful only, when it was directed towards improper objects, or exercised in an undue degree. To have just views on this point must be allowed, by every friend to religion, to be a matter of no inconsiderable moment, as this is a subject which has so immediate a reference to the necessary duty of self-examination. The government of the temper forms so striking a feature in the Christian character, that every thing which has a tendency to throw light upon the nature and extent of this duty, must be considered as important. The apostle says-that "if our hearts condemn us, God is greater than our hearts, and knoweth all things"but that " if our hearts condemn us not, then have we confidence to wards God."-Now it is evident, that any mistaken notions on the nature of sin and duty, in any particular, must necessarily affect the state of our hearts in the work of self-examination. If any thing be considered as sinful, which is really not so, the heart of the righteous may be made sad. On the contrary, if any feeling or action be regarded as innocent, which in reality is sinful, the heart may be filled with confidence and joy, at the time when it ought to be humbled with penitential sorrow. Impressed with the importance of this subject, I wish to call the attention of your correspondents to the following note, which I have copied from Dr. Guyse's Exposition, on Ephesians iv. 26. "Be ye angry and sin not."-" Be ye angry, is not to be taken as an exhortation to anger, which alas, we are natu rally too prone to of ourselves; and yet it intimates, that all auger in its own nature is not sinful, but may be allowable upon just occasions, as it is in itself an innocent passion, planted in the original frame of human nature, to be exercised in a proper and decent manner; and was so, by the blessed and holy Jesus himself. (Mark iii. 5)." Here it will be observed, that anger is stated to be an innocent passion, and consequently it is allowable upon just occasions. It is moreover stated, that this passion was planted in the original frame of human nature." And as a proof of its innocence, it is asserted, that this passion was exercised by our blessed Lord, himself, referring to Mark iii. 5. where it is said, that he looked upon them with anger.' These opinions, 12 P On the Importance of Manner in the Pulpit. I confess, do not agree with my To the Editor of the Christian Observer. IT has been truly said, "That virtue herself becomes more acceptable, when she appears in an agreeable form." The strongest arguments may fail to convince, unless the powers of persuasion be exerted to apply conviction; and even inferior arguments may succeed where the expression is lively and the manner agreeable. During a part of my life, I attended the preaching of a Minister no less eminent for the excellence of his matter, than defective in his manner of communicating it. Happily, habit, combined with a strong desire of sound instruction, soon so far overcame my perception of this defect, as to dispose me to receive whatever fell from him with thankfulness and respect: I even became impatient of hearing the blemish of a bad manner imputed to him. Still, Sir, I was not insensible of the defect; it was but too frequently forced upon my notice: for I seriously believe, that many, whom I occasionally took to hear him, were indisposed to the reception of true Christian doctrine, by disgust at the manner in which they had heard it proposed. Now the most polished diamond, unless it be advantageously set, will lose a part of its brilliancy, and blame justly attaches to the artist, for not having disposed it so [JAN. as to produce its proper effect. The wisdom of the serpent should surely in like manner be exercised, in availing ourselves of all those means by which the cause of God may most effectually be promoted. MANNER then, claims a very decided attention on the part of the Clergy. It is idle to reply, let our congregations attend to what we say, not to how we say it: for what is the fact? What is the strongest impression felt by most congregations after the sermon? May it not be collected from the answers so commonly given to this question, How did you like the preacher? How often do we hear, his matter may be good, but his manner is unpleasant, he is too low-he is too quick-he is inattentive- he wants animation - he considers preaching as a task," with various other objections of a similar nature? Nay, is not the defect of a bad manner sometimes brought forward to justify a desertion of the parish church, for one where the service is more agreeably performed? On the other hand, even where little more than a barren morality is preached, unaccompanied by the motives or the sanctions of the Gospel, how often is the audience satisfied, even with the manner alone! Of this some popular preachers in the metropolis afford a striking instance. Amongst no description of the clergy have I found that cast of pulpit manners to prevail, which, in my opinion, should distinguish the ambassadors of Jesus Christ. Those who consider preaching merely as a periodical labour, either run over their discourses in a negligent manner, or adopt a heavy methodical style of speaking, which, from its monotonous regularity, wearies the attention, and is equally unimpressive. Others, who seem to be more in earnest, and who occasionally bring forward the peculiarities of the Gospel, and some even of those who rightly divide the word of truth, unhappily use an artificial, high-toned, spouting, or theatrical manner, which savours rather of studied design, than of simplicity, and thus lose a great part of that effect, which their sermons might otherwise produce; while not a few who seem to be engaged, with their whole hearts, in the propagation of the faith," as it was once delivered to the saints," are either rustic and slovenly, or harsh and violent, and thus, like the fabulous toad, the precious jewel in the head is neglected, on account of the ugly and venomous aspect of the creature that contains it. Some few however, I have heard, who are honourably distinguished from all these descriptions of preachers, who so happily blend elegance with simplicity, affection with reproof, persuasion with sincerity, and earnestness with moderation, even in manner, that my heart has been insensibly led to conviction, although my own defects. have been drawn in their nicest and most discriminating shades, and attacked in their tenderest and most covert points But that we may better ascertain what it is which constitutes genuine excellence of manner in the pulpit; let us consider who are the clergy? Is not the ministry of reconciliation committed to them? Are they hot ambassadors for Christ? Is it not their office to beseech apostate man in Christ's name, and in Christ's stead, to be reconciled to God? Having then to sustain the sacred character of Christ's representatives, ought they not, as much as possible, not only to imbibe the spirit, but to imitate the manner of their Lord? What then was the manner of Christ? To formalists, to the selfrighteous, to the impenitent, to the presumptuous, it is invariably a manner of open and manly reproof; but to persons awakened to a sense of guilt, to the sincere penitent, to the believing disciple, it is invariably that of the most winning mercy, the most forgiving love, the most attractive condescension. Affection is the characteristic of our Saviour's manner; his reproofs are delivered with affectionate dignity, and are tempered by love. Even the severest of his discourses (Mat. xxiii.) that which contains, "Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?" contains also, "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, &c."-Love pervades every thought and word and action of his ministry. Let the clergy then imitate their master in this: reconciliation is their proper object: every imperfection of mauner, therefore, which tends to convey a contrary impression; every harsh, negligent, or formal mode of delivery, which is inconsistent with lively affection, and with an ardent zeal for the welfare of souls; does but remove the preacher farther from persuasion, and in that degree frustrate the purpose of his embassy. I am well aware, that a minister is not only to speak and exhort, but to rebuke also; but then he is to rebuke in love, and though he knows and ought to exhibit the terrors of the Lord, yet he is to persuade men with meekness and love, to flee from the wrath to come. That "the feet" then "of those who preach the Gospel of Peace" may be "beautiful" indeed, let the Clergy cultivate simplicity of manner, which is the great secret of pleasing: and in order to acquire simplicity, they must be really in earnest. There must ever be something of affectation or negligence in any manner, which is unaccompanied by an earnest solicitude to save souls. Whereas a person really in earnest, will adopt every mean by which his object may be most effectually attained: he will correct whatever may obstruct or weaken his efforts: he will lop off what is redundant: with wholesome care he will smooth whatever is harsh: he will anxiously labour to discover that manner, by which reproof may be rendered convincing and even acceptable. With the grace of God upon such endeavours, he will be likely to produce, on the minds of sinners, the same effect as is feigned to have been once produced, by the reproof of the angel Zephon, on the author of sin. -his grave rebuke Severe in youthful beauty, added grace His loss. But perhaps, it may be said, "what is the chaff to the wheat?" I answer, compared with the wheat its value is small indeed; but if the goodness even of the chaff tend in any measure to recommend the wheat, that labour is not lost which is spent in winnowing it. Besides, an earnest endeavour to attain a good manner in the pulpit, seems necessary to prove our consistency with that true Christian love, which becomes all things to all men, that by all, even the least, means which are lawful it may save some. BOETHOS. To the Editor of the Christian Observer. THE hand which traced the lines inserted in the Christian Observer, under the signature of Titus, (Christ. Obs. for 1805, p. 461) is now mouldering in the dust of the gravesuch are the vicissitudes of the present scene! I think the queries contained in that letter might have been better stated; yet while I truly honour the pious motive which excites the jealousy of Defensor in his reply to Titus; (Christ. Obs. for 1805, p. 585) I am persuaded, that Titus did not mean to lessen the force of any moral obligation,but rather to insist on those which are formed between God and man, by the redemption of the world; relations, which I conceive to be the basis of the divine economy that took place after the fall of Adam, by which the world is now governed, and according to which it will hereafter be judged. As a lover of peace, I would suggest the following consideration. Since it is evident that repentance cannot be enjoined by the same law which requires sinless obedience, so neither can faith in a propitiation: yet no one can doubt that repentance towards God, and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ are (under the Gospel dispensation) duties; and duties of high and universal obligation. (Acts xvii. 30. 1 John iii. 23.) Now since the very nature of duty implies the existence of some law, either virtual or explicit, does it not follow, that this controversy respecting the law of the Mediator, is a mere logomachy ? SOPATER. To the Editor of the Christian Observer. I BEG leave to remind you of your promise, made to me and the public, of giving in the course of your useful and valuable work, a list of such theological books as you approved, or would recommend, for clerical students of the Church of England, together with some hints of the order in which it would be proper to read them. Two years have now elapsed, since the first hint of snch intention was given in one of your magazines. I am of opinion that your execution of that intention would be of great use in promoting the increase of knowledge and sound divinity among the ministers of the Gospel, and through their means, the prosperity of the Church. I hope you will not suffer many more months to elapse, ere you attend to this particular. I remain, in admiration of your work, and with ardent wishes for its extensive circulation, if possible, into all lands, Φιλόθεος. We invite our learned correspondents to contribute their suggestions on the above important subject: and if they were to add to the list which Posos requires, at Catalogue raisonnée of a select theological library proper for Clergymen, |