Public Affairs.

1826.)

mon by the Rev. Luther Hart, Plym- July 12.--Rev. Heman Rood was orouth.

dained over the Centre CongregationJuly 5.-Rev. THOMAS SAVAGE was al Church and Society in Gilmantown, installed at Bedford N. H. Sermon Mass. Sermon by the Rev. Mr. Edby the Rev. Mr. Whiton.

wards, of Andover.

Public Affairs.

a

United STATES.-The late Fourth of the revolt have subsided. Entire tranJuly, being the fiftieth anniversary of quility it is expected will be shortly reAmerican Independence, was celebra- stored, by the presence of the Liberated with more than usual splendour tor, who is returning from Peru, and throughout the Union. The day is bringing with him a force of 12,000 men rendered memorable by the decease, to the seat of disturbances. General almost simultaneously, of two of the Paez is likely to be condemned as a most distinguished signers of the Dec- traitor. laration of Independence-the late ven- It was perhaps not to be expected erable John Adams, ex-president of that the fortunes of such a man as the United States, who departed this Bolivar should not awaken envy in the life at his residence in Quincy, near bosoms of some who were companions the close of that day, in the midst of with him, and competitors for fame, its rejoicings, and his distinguished in the Colombian revolution. It was successor, 'THOMAS JEFFERSON, whose apparently an ebullition of this passion death occurred at Monticello, a few that occasioned the late resignation of hours earlier on the same afternoon; the vice-president, General Santander, the former in the ninety-second year who gave as his principal reason, “the of his age—the latter, in his eighty: danger to liberty, resulting from the fourth. Great respect has been paid prolonged continuance in power of one, to the memory of these illustrious men, and that a military man.' by the general Government, at Washington, as well as by the local author- BRAZIL.–Don Pedro, it is said, has ities in various parts of the Union. refused the crown of Portugal, and

Mr. Gallatin has recently embarked given the kingdom to his daughter, to take the place of Mr. King at the Maria de Gloria, whom he proposes to Court of St. James. Besides other to marry to his brother Don Miguel. matters in dispute, there remain to be He seems therefore to have cast himsettled the following important ques- self on the fortunes of his Brazilian tions :-the north eastern boundary; empire, preferring a solitary throne in the navigation of the St. Lawrence; the western world to a less conspicuthe boundary of the North West Coast ous seat among the crowned heads of of America; the Colonial Trade; the Europe. Slave Convention.

Respecting the war with Buenos

Ayres, little can be said. In the latter COLOMBIA.—Considerable excitement part of February, Admiral Brown, of has existed in this republic, in conse- the Patriot squadron, made a not very quence of an insurrection which broke formidable demand of the surrendry of out at Venezuela, in the latter part of Montevideo, which being refused, a April. The head man in this disturb- cannonade followed, but with no imance of the peace is General Paez, a

On the other hand, man of some distinction among the lib- the Brazilian fleet has received a new erators of his country. His motive in commander, and the blockade of La these proceedings, so far as it may be Plata is now strictly enforced. gathered from his language and conduct, appears to be disappointed am- GREECE.-How the war goes on in bition. Imbecility appears to have this ill-fated country, since the lamentmarked his measures, and all appre- ed fall of Missolonghi, we are not dishensions of any serious results from tinctly informed. Hopes and rumours

a

of anticipated relief to the poor Greeks, to suspend its activity in all its operafrom an invasion of the Turks by Rus- tions, without exception, until my fursia, have at length been put to rest, by ther permission. You are hereby emthe surrendry to the Russians of Mal- powered to extend this my order to all davia and Wallachia. These long de the committees, branches, and associa. manded provinces have it seems at tions, connected with the Society, length been given up by Turkey in throughout Russia, and at the same the

desperate hope of saving the less time to obtain a particular account of valuable territory of the Morea. What all property, moveable and immoveable, ever therefore may be the issue of her in houses, lands, books, inaterials, and struggle with the Greeks she will money, belonging to the Society, whercome out from it greatly weakened in ever these are to be found, and to fur. her resources for future wars and in- nish me with the most accurate and cir. expressibly more odious in the view of cumstantial information possible there. the civilized world.

of. The sale of the Holy Scriptures

already printed in Slavonian and RusRussia. The present Emperor of sian, as also in the other languages in Russia is not less hostile to the dissem- use among the inhabitants of the Rusination of the Scriptures among his sian empire, I permit to be continued subjects than was his predecessor at the fixed prices. Whether the measure which he has (Signed,) NICHOLAS. recently taken to suppress their circu- His Eminence immediately ordered lation was dictated by a fear of those a stop to be put to the printing of the of high standing in his court, or by the versions at present in the press, &c. belief that this light from Heaven and to make up the accounts as soon would too clearly discover the dark as possible." deeds of tyranny, or by personal hosility to the truth, we are not sufficient- BURMAH.-The war which was lately ly informed to judge. But whatever announced as being terminated, has may have been his motive, we cannot been renewed. A preliminary treaty but smile at his impotence, and rejoice had been signed, with apparent sincerin the belief that this measure will be ity, on the part of the Burmese ; hos. overruled to give a more extended cir- tilities had ceased; the parties mingled culation to the word of life, and we in friendly intercourse; and all wore would hope to the effectual enlighten the aspect of a speedy and settled ing and conversion of his empire. peace. But the whole affair is said to

The following decree is directed to have been an artifice on the part of the the Metropolitan of St. Petersburgh. Burmese, and at the expiration of

“Having taken into consideratior. the armistice hostilities were again the representations of your eminence, commenced by the British, in an at. and of the Metropolitan Eugenius, re- tack on Maloun which they captured specting the difficulties which present together with a considerable quantity themselves to the progress of the cause of military stores and money. At the of the Russian Bible Society, and con- last dates, the invading army was adsidering your opinions well founded, Ivancing towards the capital. order you as President of said Society

THE

CHRISTIAN SPECTATOR.

No. 9.)

SEPTEMBER.

(1826.

It is by

Religious.
For the Christian Spectator.

And this is important not only ON THE CONNEXION BETWEEN THE because of its influence on the CLOSET AND THE PULPIT.

preacher's manner in the pulpit,

but because also a prayerful spirit It may be said with truth that the is necessary to secure the attainmost important branch of a minis- ment of correct doctrinal views. It ter's labours is his preparations for is not impossible indeed that an the pulpit. This subject embraces unsanctified man may have correct the character of the instructions speculative views of doctrine ; but he gives, and the ability and spirit the investigations of such men are with which they are brought for- always of doubtful result and always ward; or the united productions of suspicious. Those who humbly his head and heart. The connex. wait on the teachings of Christ, ion between the closet and the have special promises. pulpit, and the influence of the one asking we obtain, and by prayer on the other is therefore very close that we draw near to God. There and exceedingly important. When is an intimate connexion between a a minister rises to lead in the de- a spirit of piety, and the perception votions of a congregation, and to and cordial embrace of the truths announce the messages of the most of the Gospel. A prayerless man high God, he discloses not only the never had the spirit of the Gospel. . powers of his mind, but the quali- But any true Christian is a man of ties of his heart, not only the dili- prayer.

The doctrines of grace gence with which he has laboured accord with the humble feelings in his study, but the manner in which which are the constant attendant of he has prayed in his closet. His sincere and persevering prayer. I character and success as a minis- have never been acquainted with ter will depend on the influence no any one, nor have I ever read of less of the latter than of the former. any one, distinguished for a spirit It is in vain that he is learned, elo- of prayer and devotion, who did not quent or impassioned, if he be cleave strongly to the doctrines of not also a man of prayer. He will grace. This is a touch-stone of never be a safe teacher-he will no ordinary value in the trial of never be a profitable minister, if he spirits whether they be of God. do not appear himself to burn with It has indeed afforded me great the fame of an ardent devotion, satisfaction in the adoption of those and speak with the persuasive elo- doctrines by which the grace of quence of one, who comes from be- Christ is exalted, to reflect that fore the throne, warm with the im- they are uniformly received by the pressions of heavenly scenes. The most prayerful, and commend themeloset of a minister, therefore, selves most to my admiration and should be near his pulpit. choice, when hy persevering anel 1826.--No. 9.

56

fervent prayer,

He may

I feel that I draw expound the truth to others, and near to God. If I ever doubt them, beseech men in Christ's stead to it is when I think most highly of, be reconciled to God. He must, and therefore have the greatest therefore, be a man of prayer. reason to doubt, myself.

writing and studying his sermons, Again, this preparation is the only he needs that divine illumination means of arriving at true eloquence which prayer only can supply. in the pulpit. Eloquence is a term Study may indeed give him a view

a which applies to thoughts, feeling, of revealed truth, but not a love language and action, all of which for it; and, therefore, it will not must combine to render a man truly be enforced with a fervour and feeleloquent. It consists in such a ing, which will attend the truth union of force, impressiveness, and that comes from the heart. These persuasion as produces conviction divine influences are needed in the on the mind of the hearer, and study of the minister, and the spirgains his affections. It is what the it of them must be infused into all French call onction, and is defined he writes, as well as into his conby Johnson, (unction) as “any versation and prayers. thing which excites piety and devo- The minister who does not make tion; that which melts to devo- this preparation for the pulpit will tion.” Such eloquence is an at- be destitute of true comfort and tainment of the greatest importance probably of true success. to the minister of religion, and we have what he calls comfort, but it confidently say it can be success- will be hollow and unsound-it will fully cultivated no where but in the be intellectual or imaginary, not closet. The spirit he there im- solid and satisfying. He may have bibes gives at once warmth and success, but it will be in gaining gravity to his manners, point and admiration to his person, complienergy to his thoughts, and the ments to his understanding, the cold power of a natural simplicity to his assent of the head, or the embrace language. Without this spirit, his of a superficial feeling. The founeloquence may be that of art, but will dations of depravity will remain never be that of unaffected and im- undisturbed in the sinner's heart, pressive nature, of simple and melt and religion, as a matter of feeling ing piety. He may please, astonish, and experience will remain unand captivate the mind, but will pro- known. If it be admitted that duce little impression on the heart, God may use an unsanctified minand do but little for the cause of his ister as an instrument in convertgreat Master.

ing sinners, it is not the expectaThis is the only promising means tion on which he has taught us to of gaining

the help of the Holy Spir- calculate, and instead of leading it. The Holy Ghost is promised, souls to Christ, such an one will be not to reveal any new truths, but to likely to lead them to perdition. lead the minds of Christians into Success is founded on the truth, the truth. These influences on when accompanied by the Holy the soul of man are absolutely ne- Spirit sent down from heaven; and cessary to enable him to understand, where do we look for these influreceive, and love the truth as it is ences except in answer to prayer? in Jesus. This vine assistance One of the most able and successis now as necessary to a spiritual ful ministers of New-England has understanding and cordial reception said, that while engaged in the of divine truths as it originally was study of divinity he spent half his for the inspiration of them. Of all time in prayer, and were he to be men, the minister most needs this

placed again in the same situation understanding. He is called to he would spend still more time in

that duty. Another, who is an or- to inquire for the Author of the va. nament to society and the church rious objects that come in his way. at this day, on being asked in what When he perceives any change in true pulpit eloquence consisted, those objects, he at once concludes replied, s in having prayed well in that some agent has been concernthe closet." All this comports well ed in the affair. But the atheist with that favourite maxim of Lu- can open his eyes upon this globe ; ther," Bene precasse, est bene upon its wonderful and variegated studiisse.”

P. P. structure and appearance, --its

fountains, rivers, lakes and oceans ;

its mountains and its plains; its A SERMON.

trees and plants ; endless in their

variety and curious in their strucProverbs xiii. 15.-The way of transgres- ture, and yet he can see in them no sors is hard.

evidence of design, and denies that It is said of Wisdom by the same they had a wise and intelligent Au. inspired writer who penned the thor. He can view the endless text, that “ her ways are ways of variety of animals--beasts, reppleasantness, and all her paths are tiles, insects, fish, and flying fowl, peace.” But the multitude of -and the wonderful organization mankind invert the meaning of this of the animal creation ; and here declaration, and also of that in our too, he can see no evidence of a text. They declare in practice, wise Creator. He can behold man, and many of them substantially in with the complicated and yet har. language, that wisdom's ways are monious machinery of the human hard and unpleasant; but the ways body, and the more wonderful soul of sin, smooth and easy. Still, which inhabits it, together with all however, the words of inspiration the powers and faculties of the soul; are words of truth :-the way of and even here, he can see no márks transgressors is hard. They do of wisdom and design, pointing him not all, indeed, take precisely the to a Creator. He can then survey same ground. All cannot be athe- the starry heavens, and behold the ists. All cannot wantonly deny or regular and harmonious revolutions pervert the fundamental truths of of the planetary system, and the revelation. Some even put on the numberless fixed stars that glitter form of godliness, whilst they deny in the firmament and show forth its power. But, though they do their Maker's praise ;-and yet, not all walk precisely in the same amid all this host of wonders, dispath, their several paths are side playing the power, and wisdom, by side, in “the broad way,”- and benevolence, and glory of their " the way of transgressors ;” and Author, he can see no evidence “is hard."

sufficient to convince him that there The declaration in our text needs is a God. The universe had no no proof; because it is a declara- Creator ; and if it had a beginning, tion of God. But it may be illus- it sprung from chance. trated and enforced, by considering But how exceedingly hard it the various grounds which are ta- must be for the atheist thus to erad. ken by the different classes of trans- icate the first principles of his nagressors. The declaration is true, ture!--and that, for the purpose of

1. Of those who deny the exist- indulging his sinful desires to the ence of God. They deny the first utmost, without feeling his account. principles of human nature ;-prin- ability to that God whose existence ciples which every child acknowl. he denies. But after all this pain. edges. The child no sooner lisps ful struggle with himself, does he his native tongue, than he beging really believe there is no God ? Js

that way