1205 Answers to Queries. 1206 phraseology, knows that coming to are chargeable with all the conseChrist is another word for believing quences of their errors, as their preupon him. If there is choice in unbe-vious guilt brought the spirit of darklief, as is evident from this passage, ness and delusion into their minds. there must be choice in belief also. Man is therefore culpable for not believing the truth, and the reason why ANSWER TO A QUERY ON MILDew in the arguments in support of truth do not appear satisfactory to his judgment, is because his judgment is perverted, and perverted by his own choice. MR. EDITOR. WHEAT. SIR,-I transmit you the following I am, Sir, most respectfully, Edinburgh, 23d Oct. 1821. "THE rust in wheat is by far the Query 3.-" Is the Exercise," &c. CERTAIN moral truths are evident to all minds. We do not inquire into the origin of this evidence at present, nor are we shaken by the changeableness of virtue as pleaded by the ablest advocates of infidelity. In addition, however, to these universally evident moral truths, there are others, the knowledge and belief of which are essential to our salvation. To acquire a knowledge and belief of these, something more is necessary than the exercise of that faculty by which the demonstration of a problem in Euclid is comprehended. Great philosophers in modern, as well as in ancient times, have been great infidels. "The carnalgreatest calamity to which, in an agrimind of man understandeth not many truths of vital importance, or, if he understand them, still they are foolishness to him." What is requisite in addition to the exercise of judgment, is a pure intention. "If thy eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness." Matt. vi. 23. A pure intention is inseparable from a constant endeavour to reduce what we know to practice. "If any man will do His will, he shall know of the doctrine whether it be of God." John vii. 17. Query 4." Is a Man," &c. He is not to be blamed, if he has been always sincere. Otherwise, because when he knew the truth, he neither embraced nor loved it, God may have given him up judicially to a reprobate mind, to believe a lie. From what I have read and observed, I feel convinced that those who hold opinions opposed to what are styled the essentials of religion, never did search the scriptures, or inquire after the truth, with a sincere and unprejudiced mind. Therefore, though they now believe what appears to them to be truth, they cultural point of view, this country is liable. As it originates from corruption, and the growth of the fungus tribe, it seemed to me most probable that the use of saline manures would be found the most efficacious preventive. Many circumstances, already communicated to the public, tended to justify that idea, and it is now in a great measure confirmed by an experiment that has just been reported to me by Mr. Andrew Robertson, at Almond Myrehead, near Linlithgow, about 16 miles from Edinburgh: "On the 1st of November, 1818, Mr. Robertson sowed 28lbs. of marine salt on three falls of sandy land, mixed with seed wheat. This is at the rate of 26 bushels per Scotch, or about 20 bushels per English acre. The crop was reaped on the 27th of August, 1819, and the part salted produced at the rate of about three bushels per acre more than the rest of the field. The whole crop was much injured by the rust, excepting the part that was salted, which, though not altogether free from In some districts, it is called blight or mildew. It affects the straw, and not the kernel, as smát. 1207 Answer to a Query. 1208 it, yet the injury was very inconsider- this sense; and to make known the able, and perhaps would have been ideas of the querist more fully, there totally avoided, had a greater quantity should have been a comma inserted been made use of. Mr. Robertson after the word perfect, thus not allowthinks that it will be better first to ing the action of the verb made, to pass sow the wheat separately, the salt to on to the object knowledge. be sowed and harrowed in afterwards, for he found that the wheat did not spring up so well, in consequence of its being sown in immediate contact with the salt. Sprigg considers the affirmative idea as neither scriptural nor philosophical; but as he has not advanced any proofs of the correctness of his ideas, from either of these sources, I should have considered it totally useless to make any remarks of a controversial description, had I not regarded the subject as one fraught with instruction and interest. I proceed to remark, that, "there are many, who, having lost their godly friends, have rather been disposed to wish that their friends might know what was taking place among their connections on earth, that they might carry on a sort of mental converse with them :" a very ANSWER TO A QUERY ON THE KNOW- natural wish, surely! Such a one LEDGE OF DEPARTED SPIRITS. IN reference to the subject discussed in the following article, we have received several papers, the writers of which take the same side of the question with the author of this which is inserted. One of these, written by Biblicus, avowedly controverts the reasonings and conclusions of Sprigg. The others refer to the original question. But as the substance of what they have respectively advanced is comprised in the selection we have made, they will perceive the reasons why their communications are not given to the public. EDITOR. inspired that beautiful sentiment of Cowper, "My mother, when I knew that thou wast Say, wast thou conscious of the tears I shed? When Samuel rose from the dead to announce to Saul the result of his battle with the Philistines, the prophet's denunciation was a proof that he was acquainted with the present circumstances of the king, and that he also knew what would happen to him, for," to-morrow," saith Samuel, MR. EDITOR. shalt thou and thy sons be with me," SIR, I have to beg your indulgence, 1 Samuel, xxviii 19.-When Moses while I make a few remarks in reply and Elias appeared on the mount at to an essay (col. 988) on the state of the transfiguration of our Lord, we separate spirits, by" Sprigg." In are informed, that they "spake of his referring to the query, (col. 863) which decease which he should accomplish gave rise to the above article, I find it at Jerusalem," Luke ix. 31. Hence extremely ambiguous: judging from we may infer, that they knew the the punctuation, it appears to be al-time, place, and circumstances, conlowed by the querist, that the souls of the dead have some acquaintance with the events which occur in this world; but the object of the inquiry is, whether their knowledge is of conside-swered by this sacrifice; and if so, rable extent, and to render it more explicit, it should have been expressed," Have the spirits of the dead formed any perfect knowledge of what transpires in this world?" But your correspondent has not understood it in nected with that great event; and we may moreover conjecture, that in their conversation they would particularly remark the great ends to be an we may reasonably suppose that they would attentively regard the state of the earth, ulterior to the introduction of the christian dispensation, that they might ascertain, whether those purposes were accomplished, for which 1209 66 66 are thus dignified, may not human spirits unbodied have the same office? Our Saviour, when he rewards the faithful servant that had gained ten pounds, bids him take authority over ten cities, Luke xix. 17. And Jesus told his disciples, that they should sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel," Matthew xix. 28. Another argument in favour of this idea, may be gathered from the appearance of apparitions, whether it Christ "gave himself a ransom.' Jesus told the Sadducees, relative to separate spirits, "They neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels which are in heaven," Mark xii. 25. "Neither can they die any more, for they are equal to the angels, and are the children of God," Luke xx. 36. Angels are ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation," Heb. i. 14. The spirits of the just are as angels, in their enjoyments and engagements: ergo, they are mi-be by some peculiar garb of etherial nistering spirits also. And how much," says Mr. Wesley, "will it add to the happiness of those who are already discharged from the body, that they are permitted to minister unto those they have left behind! An indisputable proof of this we have in the 22d chapter of Revelation, When the Apostle fell down to worship the glorious spirit, whom he seems to have mistaken for Christ, he told him plainly, I am of thy fellow-servants the prophets;" not God, not an angel, but a human spirit. Angels are messengers from earth to heaven, as is the case of Elias, 2 Kings ii. 11, and from heaven to earth, as in the case of Gideon, Judges vi. 12; of Manoah's wife, Judges xiii. 3; of the Virgin Mary, Luke i. 26; and of the birth of Jesus Christ, when a hierarchy of the heavenly host united, and sang, Glory to God in the highest," &c. Luke ii. 19-23; and we may reasonably suppose, that it is through their communications, that there is joy in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, Luke xv. 7. This repentant sinner may have connections in heaven; and will not they join in the celestial joy? 66 "Can the grave those ties dissever, With the very heart-strings twin'd?" 66 subtlety, or any other way, that they appear, we know that "millions of spiritual creatures walk the earth," and that they sometimes become visible to the eye of mortals; thus, when the Syrians encompassed the city of Dothan, to take Elisha: "And when the servant of the man of God was risen early, and gone forth, behold, a host compassed the city with horses and chariots; and his servant said unto him, Alas, my master! how shall we do? And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us, are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw, and behold the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire, round about Elisha," 2 Kings vi. 14, 15, 16. "To popular stories of ghosts and goblins," (says a late publication,*) "we give no credit; but we certainly do hear on some occasions, such positive assertions, made by most sensible and respectable persons, that we can scarcely deny the fact, that the spirits of departed friends do sometimes appear." But to proceed. S. remarks, "But we little think how new, how strange, how absorbing, must the things of the eternal state be, to those entering "To proceed one step farther," upon them." Allowing this to be corsays Dr. Watts, some part of the rect, it it quite irrelevant to the prehappiness of heaven is described in sent subject; the query does not rescripture by crowns and thrones: why gard the commencement of that etermay not we suppose that such souls, nal state, but the continuation of it. whose sublimer graces have qualified True it is, they are new beyond our them for this dignity, may rule the conception, and that as yet we are nations even in a literal sense? The strangers to the glory that shall be scripture gives a hint of such employ-revealed; "for eye hath not seen, ments in the angelic world. Do we not read of Gabriel and Michael, and their management of the affairs of Persia, and Judea, and Greece, in the book of Daniel? Now if angels No. 35.-VOL. III. nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them 4 H * Encyclopedia Londinensis. 1211 Answer to a Query. 1212 represents the spirit as a pilgrim and that love him," 1 Cor. ii. 9. But in what sense are they absorbing? surely they do not absorb their love, for God is love; and the nearer they approach to God, the more they assimilate to him. The love of our neighbour is a necessary consequence of the love of God, and therefore this cannot be absorbed by the things of their eternal state. And is this love shewn by considering what great happiness their friends will be sharers of, should they chance to arrive in heaven, and in taking no share in guarding them from evils, offering no alleviation to their distresses, and in administering no supply to their necessities? The things of the eternal world do not absorb the memory of those resident in it, for in heaven they sing, "To him that hath loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood," &c. Rev. i. 5. plainly proving that they remembered the process they underwent for the purgation of their iniquity. Those good principles which we possessed on earth remain unabsorbed by the things of the eternal state. Among these we may class gratitude to benefactors. Sprigg inquires, whether a person "Make to yourselves friends," (saith thus situated, can be attracted by the Christ,) "of the mammon of unrigh-trifling scenes on earth? Certainly teousness, that when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations,” Luke xvi. 9.; that is, distribute your goods to the poor, that when you die, the sharers of your beneficence, who have passed into the skies, may receive you with open arms, into that state of eternal bliss. not: But what does your correspondent mean by trifling scenes? He explains himself in the next sentence, by saying, "Can the soul, present with the Lord, ever look off from him, to converse with those below?" That is to say, Christian converse is a trifle! "No," says Sprigg, (answering his own question, and then, as if S. inquires, in the next place, "Is thinking that a little too confident, as it possible that the heaven-bound he had only commenced with considepilgrim, who has been conducted by ration, continues,) "it is best to supthe Shepherd of the flock, through pose that spirits departed have no the valley that lies between-who ap- concern about the trifles passing here." proaches the gate of heaven, and real- True, but are all terrestrial occurizes the end of his faith-can be at- rences trifling? Is the salvation of so tracted by the trifling scenes on many millions of souls of no imporearth?"-A pilgrim is one who travels, tance? Is all the economy of proviusually, journeys of devotion; the dence, into parts of which angels have adjective, heaven-bound, intimates desired to look, is it all non-essential? the place of its destination, and in- Jesus says, that a sparrow shall not forms the reader that this journey is fall to the ground, without the obserstill in continuation. Were I not vation of the Father of the universe; rather inclined to believe that latterly yea, the very hairs of our head are the ideas of Charon, Styx, and Cer- numbered. If such circumstances as berus, had been abandoned, I should these are not beneath the notice of be inclined to consider this sentence that Being, who is the great, the holy, as having reference to the valley and the high; occurrences between where the Canes abide, and where which there is such an amazing diffeNox and Erebus hold their doleful rence, and events of such great imabodes. In the first part of it, Spriggportance, will not be deemed trifling, 4 1213 Observations on South Shetland. nor overlooked, by the blessed in heaven. Sprigg observes further: "The soul reaping the sad reward of its unrighteousness, may desire to look out of its burning lake towards the earth again, but its intense pain will not grant it permission." Incorrect again; for the rich man in the gospel regarded his five brethren, and recognized the beggar in Abraham's bosom. But why should such a soul desire to look out of its burning? Can this afford it any pleasure? Can such souls regard with satisfaction a life of iniquity? And is it a gratifying reflection to observe many in a state of salvation, whose opportunities were not more extensive than their own? to consider, that had they accepted the offers made them of mercy, by God, they would have enjoyed the felicity of eternal vision? Alas! this must increase their torment, this must cause additional weeping and wailing. To sum up the whole :-Is it best to suppose that the cold hand of death will dissolve the tenderest ties of nature? Is it best to suppose that the epicurean worm, when he feeds on the inanimate corpse, will also devour the recollection of the dearest friends? Is it most reasonable to imagine that the attachments connected with the names of father, mother, brother, sister, &c. will all be forgotten? If they be, how can they ever again be united? The eternal separation of the affections is an idea at which the heart revolts. Bad as human nature is, there are few, very few, who do not feel the bonds of consanguinity. If your correspondent's soul is of such a description as to feel no regret at the idea of death being an end of all earthly ties, he must indeed be an anomaly. I leave this subject with your readers, and begging your forbearance with my prolixity, I remain, your's, truly, Truro, Nov. 23, 1821. RICHARD. 1214 Christ is "God over all," it is utterly impossible that it can be a truth of subordinate magnitude. The simple statement of it is enough to show that it must rank as a first principle; an article of prime importance, a foundation-stone in the temple of truth: -a star of the very first magnitude in the hemisphere of Christian doctrine. For my own part, I believe it to be even more than this: a kind of central sun, around which the whole system of Christianity, in all its glory, and in all its harmony, revolves. On this principle we cease to wonder at the seeming contrarieties. If, then, this be a key which fits all the wards of this seemingly intricate lock, turning amongst them with hardly a touch of interruption, catching its bolts, and laying open to us, in the easiest and completest manner, the treasure of divine truth; if this be a principle, which, in fact, does produce harmony and consistency in the word of God, while the rejection of it, on the contrary, gives rise to difficulties without number: is not this, of itself, a strong presumptive evidence that the principle is correct, and well founded?" OBSERVATIONS ON SOUTH SHETLAND. (With a Sketch.) SINCE the discovery of these distant and desolate islands, many accounts have been published respecting them. But from what source soever the information has been derived, they all concur in describing them as barren, uninhabited, and in every respect dreary. It was our good fortune to be possessed of all the leading facts which related to them long before their existence was announced to the public; but at the particular desire of our correspondent, who was in the first vessel that ever touched on these inhospitable shores, we omitted giving it publicity until several weeks had elapsed; and it was not until some reports had found their way into the world, that our embargo was taken off. This circumstance enabled the conductor of a weekly journal to announce the existence of these distant lands to the public, just before the day of publication with us arrived. Of this inciIF it be indeed a truth, that Jesus dent he has readily availed himself; MR. EDITOR. SIR,-If the following extract from Wardlaw meet your approbation, its insertion in the Imperial Magazine will oblige, your's respectfully, Penzance, Nov. 5, 1821. P. V. |