SELF-POSSESSION AND CHRISTIAN PIETY EXHIBITED. 5 our temper and conduct be ever actuated by this heavenly principle of love. W. T. SELF-POSSESSION AND CHRISTIAN PIETY EXHIBITED UNDER NOVEL CIRCUMSTANCES. A DAY or two ago, I met with the following critique upon our Saviour's words, as given by St. Matthew, fifth chapter, and fortieth verse. "If any man will sue thee at the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also." "We are not required," says the writer," to give a cloak in every case to him who robs us of a coat; but it is equally manifest that we are required to give it not the less because he has robbed us: the circumstance of his having robbed us, does not entail an obligation to give; but it also does not impart a permission to withhold." Without any remark upon this critique, I give it you for two reasons: it brought afresh to my mind, with great power, an instance of self-possession and of Christian piety, as exemplified in the conduct of one of the old Methodist Preachers, in one of the counties of Ireland, many years ago, under novel circumstances; and, because the spirit, if not the letter, absolutely, of our Lord's words was acted upon, and with considerable effect. The The Preacher in question was journeying to the village where he had to dispense the word of life, according to the usual routine of his duty, and was stopped by three footpads. One of them seized his bridle-reins; another presented a pistol, and demanded his money; the third was a mere lookeron. The grave and devoted man looked each and all of them in the face, and with great gravity and seriousness said, "Friends, did you pray to God before you left home? Did you ask God to bless you in your undertakings today?" The questions startled them for the moment. Recovering themselves, one said, "We have no time to answer such questions: we want your money. "I am a poor swaddling Priest," was the reply; "but what little money I have shall be given you." A few shillings was all he had to give. "Have you not a watch?" "Yes." "Well, then, give it us." In taking his watch from his pocket, his saddle-bags were displayed. "What have you here?" was the question again. "I cannot say I have nothing in them but religious books, because I have a pair of shoes, and a change of linen also." "We must have them." The pious saint and Preacher dismounted. saddle-bags were taken possession of, and no further demand made. Instantly the Preacher began to unbutton his great coat, and to throw it off his shoulders, at the same time asking, "Will you have my great coat?" "No," was the reply: "you are a generous man, and we will not take it." He then addressed them as follows:-"I have given you everything you asked for, and would have given you more than you asked for: I have one favour to ask " "What is that?" of you." 66 That you will kneel down, and allow me to pray with you, and to pray to Almighty God in your behalf; to ask him to turn your hearts, and put you upon better ways." "I'll have nothing to do with the man's things," said the ringleader of them. "Nor I either,” said another of them. Here, take your watch; take your money; take your saddle-bags: if we have anything to do with you, the judgments of God will overtake us.' So each article was returned. That, however, did not satisfy the sainted man. He urged prayer upon them. He knelt down; one of the robbers knelt with him; one prayed, the other wept, confessed his sin, said it was the first time in his life that he had done such a thing, and it should be the last. How far he kept his word is known only to Him to whom the darkness and the light are equally alike; to Him whose "eyelids try the children of men." 66 It is many years since I read the above account; but the impression made upon my mind was such, that it is now as fresh and vivid as though it were only a few weeks ago. My authority for it is derived from a brief account that the late Rev. James Rogers, husband of the celebrated Hester Ann Rogers, published of himself, when in Ireland. He does not in his brief memoir give the Preacher's name; but he once gave it me in private conversation. I have often regretted my not having committed the name more forcibly to memory. I doubt not, but that in some of the Irish societies, some random copy of the memoir may be found, which will, in that case, corroborate the facts above narrated. K. THE LOSS OF THE SOUL. A WHERE this event takes place, there are sad and awful aggravations: and this is one; it is the man's own deed. "For what is a man profited if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" If the soul be lost, it is not the act of his neighbour, or of his Minister; it is the man's own act. This will be the terrible scourge of lost souls in perdition. "I did it; it was my own act: I bartered with my soul!" And, remember, that it is an incalculable loss. man may lose his property; he may calculate how much a man may lose his friends; he knows how many: but, O, if the soul be lost, who can tell the amount of that loss? If the soul perish, it is, once more, an irreparable loss, a loss that cannot be retrieved. A man may lose his health, and yet, by the blessing of Providence upon medical aid, he may become more healthy than before; a man may lose his property, his all in the world, and yet, by industry and the smile of Providence, he may become richer than before; a man may lose his friends, God may raise up others in their room; but, O, if the soul is lost, it is not for a day, a month, or a year, but for eternity; and it is that word "eternity" which gives emphasis to bliss or woe, to ease or pain, to hell or heaven. It is eternity which makes a hell of hell, and a heaven of heaven! -Rev. Dr. Newton. BASKET OF FRAGMENTS. O How heavy is my work when faith cannot take hold of an almighty arm for the performance of it! Many times have I been ready to sink in this case. Blessed be God! that I may repair to a full fountain.—Brainerd. He so made preaching his work, and was so much taken up in it, that he was often in watchings a great part of the night, besides his pains in his day-studies. Wilkinson's Preface to Strong's Sermons. Two persons, I believe a husband and a wife, but of that I am not sure, and it matters not, being very much at variance, referred their quarrel to him. Each accused the other, and both declared themselves to be without blame. Mr. Howels heard them very patiently, and then he said, "My judgment is this, Let the innocent forgive the guilty."-Bowdler's Memoirs of Howels. Stated seasons for prayer returning at regular periods, are peculiarly necessary to preserve this duty in its full vigour. He who prays at such seasons will always remember the duty; will form his schemes of life so as to provide the proper place for performing it; will be reproached by his conscience for neglecting it; will keep alive the spirit of prayer from one season to another, so as to render the practice delightful; and will be preserved uninterruptedly in the practice by the strong influence of habit. He who prays at accidental seasons only, will first neglect, then hate, and, finally, desist from, the duty.-Dwight. THE WATCHMAN. A SERMON. THEOLOGY. "Son of man, I have made thee a watchman."-Ezekiel iii. 17. THE Prophet Ezekiel was the son of Buzi, a descendant of Aaron, of the tribe of Levi, and, consequently, was a Priest as well as a Prophet. He began to deliver his prophecy while a captive, together with his countrymen, who were placed on the banks of the river Chebar in Mesopotamia, where he was favoured with a divine revelation, in which he beheld a representation, or, as he himself reverently expresses it," the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord." The word of the Lord came expressly to him, and he received his commission by an audible voice, attended by a powerful influence of the Holy Spirit. His name, which signifies "God will strengthen," was happily expressive of that inspired confidence and fortitude which he displayed, both in supporting the adverse circumstances of the captivity, and in reproving the sins and idolatrous practices of his countrymen. The sight, however, which was given him, of their extreme wickedness, and the terrible things which he had to show unto them, seem to have affected him exceedingly; for he says, "The Spirit lifted me up, and took me away," &c. (Ver. 14, &c.) The Prophet was a watchman unto the rebellious house of Israel; and all Gospel Ministers are watchmen to the church, and to the world. Let us consider the character, qualifications, and office of a watchman. I. HIS REQUISITE QUALIFICATIONS. CHARACTER AND 1. He must be a man of good repute. No court nor corporation would, if they knew it, elect an indifferent character to the office of a watchman. A man of loose habits, a disorderly, quarrelsome, dissolute, idle, dishonest man, is the most unlikely person in the world to be a watchman: hence wise men always appoint to that office persons of steady, honest, and industrious habits. And such must be the Lord's watchmen. They, too, must be men of good repute; not, it is true, with all men, for that is quite impossible. The world will love its own: the carnal mind is enmity against God's people, as well as against God himself; and those who are in the flesh will still persecute those who walk after the Spirit. But they must sustain a good name amongst the righteous, amongst the children of God, the excellent of the earth. They must be temperate, not only in meat and drink, but in thought, word, and action. They must be peaceful; not stirring up strife, but preventing it. They must be honest, not only in their secular concerns in the world, but in all their intercourse with God and men. And they must be industrious; for God approveth not of idleness in any man, but an idle, indolent, careless watchman is an abomination in his sight. The church and the world suffer while such officers sleep. 2. He must produce proofs of his past fidelity and good management. When a man applies for the office of a watchman, he will generally produce some credentials from his former employers, declaring, not only the respectability of his character, but also his abilities, and his faithfulness in the discharge of his duties. Such credentials ought every spiritual watchman to produce. Has he been some time a member of the church? Evidence ought to be produced that he has been a steady and consistent one. Has he already occupied some station in the church? Proof ought to be adduced that he has discharged the duties of that office with fidelity and good management. Is he the head of a family? It should appear that he has regulated his own household well; for if he know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God? Is he himself under paternal influence? He should afford proof by his conduct that he has honoured his father and his mother. In short, he ought to be an exemplary member both of civil and religious society. 3. He should have discernment, ingenuity, and courage. He should be able, by prudent foresight, to judge of probabilities, and so to manage affairs that the peace and safety of the city may be secured. He should have sufficient prowess and adroitness to find out any mischievous and evil intentions; and if he have to come in close combat with an enemy, he must have courage to withstand him. And the Lord's watchmen must not be novices: they should be men of strong minds, good understandings, sound judgments, and courageous spirits. Human learning, it is true, is not abso lutely necessary, although the more of this they have the greater will be their advantage; but they must be well instructed in the word of God; and they should be well acquainted with the human heart, and with the devices, suggestions, and stratagems of Satan. Thus they should be prepared to promote the general interests of mankind; to labour for the safety and prosperity of the church, and to oppose the enemies of truth and religion, not with carnal weapons, but with the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And in the achievement of all these designs they will need patience, prudence, and discernment: they must be" wise as serpents and harmless as doves." 4. A watchman should be healthy and strong, able to bear exposure and fatigue : a soft and delicate person is a most unlikely subject to be a watchman. The Lord's watchman should also be strong and vigorous. If he have a strong robust body, so much the better for him but it is not bodily strength, but spiritual power, that is essentially necessary. He must be a man "full of faith and the Holy Ghost;" strong in faith, giving glory to God; and mighty in prayer, wrestling with the Lord. He must not be one who is soon weary and faint in his mind, and ready to give up his work of faith and labour of love; but he must have that zeal for the Lord of Hosts, that love for precious souls, that regard for the prosperity of the church, which will stimulate him to active and powerful exertion, that will force him to put his whole soul into his work, and count nothing too hard to endure so that souls may be saved and God glorified. is 5. He must be properly appointed. It not sufficient that he assume the character of a watchman himself, nor is it a proper certificate that he has been approved of and chosen by other watchmen, unless he be duly elected and nominated by the proper authorities. A man may set himself up for the Lord's watchman, and Jehovah will say to him, "What hast thou to do to declare my statutes?'' Or his fellow-man may appoint him to that office, and the Lord will say unto him, "Who sent thee?" Although it is right that the voice of the people should call a Minister to his office, and although it is right that he should be properly recognised by his brethren, yet he ought to have a higher call than those. He should have a special call by the Spirit of the Lord, and a providential one by a request from the church, without his interference. Without these qualifications and certificates, he cannot be considered as a properly authorized spiritual watchman, a Gospel Minister: for how can he preach unless he be sent? In the case of Ezekiel, our text says, "Son of man, I have made thee a watchman." 6. He must have a proper dress and light. A watchman is generally distinguished by his peculiar garment and his lantern. And by these marks ought the Lord's watchman to be identified: he should be clothed with humility as with a garment, and adorned with the graces of the Holy Spirit. He should also have much divine light. He must walk and commune with, and imitate, Christ; and the Lord says, "If any man walk with me, he shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life." He should dwell near the great fountain of light, that he may receive the happy reflection; and that he may receive and retain the light till he himself become a burning and a shining light, emphatically and really a light of the world! II. THE WATCHMAN'S OFFice. 1. One part of his duty is to tell the hour. It was the custom in ancient times, and indeed it is the practice yet in many places, for the watchman, as he passes along the streets, to call the hour of the night. The Lord's watchmen, too, must call the hour: they must remind mankind of the shortness of human life and the approach of eternity, and exhort them so to number their days that they may apply their hearts unto wisdom. They must lift up their voice like a trumpet, and alternately cry, "The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if, by reason of strength, they be fourscore years, yet is our strength then but labour and sorrow; so soon passeth it away, and we are gone." Time flies; your life is a shadow; you spend your years as a tale that is told; your days are swifter than a weaver's shuttle; your life is a dream; your time as a stream glides swiftly away; every beating pulse you tell leaves but the number less; your life is vanity; you are but dust. What is your life? it is but a vapour. The bell tolls; your shroud and coffin will soon be ready; eternity approaches. Prepare to meet your God. 2. Another part of the duty of a watchman is to protect the persons and property of the inhabitants from villains, accidents, and offences. In like manner ought the church to be protected by the Lord's watchmen. They must watch over the THEOLOGY. souls and the graces of the inhabitants of the holy city of refuge, and see that neither the lust of the eye, the lust of the flesh, the pride of life, the present evil world, nor the old serpent, pirate any part of the Lord's inheritance. They must be on the look out, that no fire of wrath break out amongst them; and when any misunderstandings, evil surmisings, envyings, strife, or jealousies, are likely to break out, and kindle up into hatred, malice, or revenge, they must quench the flame by timely admonition and kind expostulation. All that are sick, poor, destitute, or afflicted, and those who are but young disciples and weak in the faith, they ought to make the objects of their peculiar attention. 3. It is another part of the watchman's duty to give an alarm when any doors are left open, or places unprotected, or when any danger is near. The spiritual watchman must do likewise. When he beholds any door of temptation left open by imprudence, any avenue to the heart unprotected by unwatchfulness, any old bosom foe approaching, and carelessness and wickedness gaining ground, he must sound an alarm. The commission of Ezekiel was given in the following words :of man, I have," &c. (Verses 17-22.) This commission extends to all Ministers of the word; and woe be to them if they give not timely warning, they do not declare the whole counsel of God. "Son 4. The watchman has to give an account to the Governors or Magistrates of anything important that has occurred, and of the present state of the city. And the Lord's watchman has to lay before him any conversions, improvements, declensions, good or evil, that have transpired in the church, and to present them before the throne of grace. ANON. 9 luxuriantly there. And though he hears a voice of remonstrance within, he refuses to regard it. Stealthily he leaves the fold, or boldly he breaks away from it. The coveted pasture tastes sweet at first. His roving feet are tempted forward, and for is The a brief hour of sunshine he fancies that THE LORD OUR SHEPHERD. READING HYMNS. THAT part of the services of the sanctuary which consists of the reading of the psalms and hymns, is most apt to be passed with a careless performance; and yet the best effect of the whole service |