Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, September 13, 1836, Page 176, Image 4
* From the Southern Christain Herald.
44 On ihrtvrrect interpretation of the. Scriptures" j
Mr. Editor: Permit me to offer through ,
your valuable periodical a few remarks on an \
important passage in 1st Epistle o: Peter,
cfi. 18th 19th and 20th verses.
"For Christ also hath once suffered for sin,'
the for the unjust, that he might bring us
to God, being put to death m the flesh, but;
quickened by the Spirit: by which, also he'
went and preached unto the spirits in prison; (
which sometime were disobedient when once .
thelcig suffering of God waited in the days :
of Noah, while the ark was preparing, where
in few, that is, eight souls, were saved by wa- !
ter." " !
Dr. Doddridge remarks of this passage in
his Family Expositor that, * Ilardly any passage
has been more differently interpreted
than this, especially the phrase. 44 by which
a]so lie (that is Christ) went and preached
unto the s; irits in prison, which sometime 1
were disobedient when once the long suffering
of God, waited in the days of Noah while
the ark was preparing." Some understand it
of souls, who were in some lower place in
Paradise, or in a watch tower, waiting the
Redeemers coining: Others, of those in Ilell,
whom he delivered, to grace his triumph.
See Dr. Moore's Theological work, p. IS.,
Bishop Pearson on the Creed, p. 22S., Dr.
Doddridge himself in his Paraphrase thinks it
means, Christ spiritually preaching by Noah,
to sinners in his day, who rejecting the truth
and being disobedient were lost and are voir
spirits in the prison of woe and despair?and
this appears to be the more common interpretation,
and such is the new given of it, by a
late writer in the Charleston Observer.
The Romish doctrine of Purgatory, looks
mainly to this portion of Fcripture for its support,
if I mistake not. llenry and Scott, in
their commentaries coincide with the opinion
expressed by Dr. Doddridge. To differ
from such men of God, may seem presumptuous
at this day, yet I would, with great humility
suggest an interpretation which to ine
seems at I ast a r>laus\l*lz one and new, if more
incorrect than the former. My great objection
to its meaning, "The spirits of antedeluvian
rebels, now in prison" is the want of a
word in the original for the term now.
Christ "being put to death in the flesh but
quickened by the spirit; by which, (Spirit) also
he went and preached to the spirits in prison"?"in
the days of Noah"?Doth it m^an
that the Saviour jrrsorwlly went and preached
to the spirits in prison ?
No: But by Noah a preacher of riglioousness,
he went and preached to sinners, whose
state and character is figuratively represented
by the expression, " Spirits in Prison."
This same Apostle in his 2nd Epistle, 1st i
ch. last verse, says: "For the prophecy came i
not in old time by the will of man : but Holy
inen of God spake as they were moved by the
Holy Ghost," and again in his 1st Epistle, 1st j
ch. 10th and 11th verses he says, "Of which
salvation the Prophets have inquired and j
? ' 'v .1- ? 1 :,.j I
THE SEVEN SLEEPING CHRISTIANS.
In a volume of sermons by Bishop Jleber, !
he introduces one of the discourses with
this story, for the purpose of calling atten-;
tion to the great concerns of eternity and of
practical religion. His text is, 2 Cor. iv. IS.
" We look not at things which are seen, but '
at the things which are not seen.*'
" There is an ancient fable, told by the
Greek and Roman churches?which, fable
as it is, ma.y, for its be&uty and singularity,
well deserve to be remembered?that in
one of the earliest persecutions to which the 1
Christian world was exposed, seven Christian
youths sought concealment in a lonely j
cave; and there, by God's appointment, foil j
into a deep and death-like slumber. They
slept, the legend runs, two hundred years, till j
the greater part of mankind had received 1
the faith of the gospel, and that church, j
which they hud left a poor and afflicted or-1
phan, had 'kings for her fatfers.. and queens \
for her nursing mothers." They then at length
searcneu umgenuy, who prppueneu ui uiv i
grace that should come unto you; searching '
what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of!
Christ vhich icas in them, did signify, when it '
testified before hand the sufferings of Christ and ;
the Glory that should follow." It is evident;
from these two passages that" the Holy Ghost:
and the Spirit of Christ," are regarded by the
Apostle Peter, as the self same Spirit; one
Spirit, by the whieb, when Jesus was put to
death in the flesh, lie was quickened?made |
alive; And by which Or/ore he became incarnate,
he went and praeched through Noah, to j
rebel sinners.
As to the correctness of the interpretation I j
would give to the phrase?" Spirits in Prison,"
I wiill quote but a single passage?Isaiah 01
cli. 1st verse?" The Spirit of the Lord God
is upon me; because the Ixml hath annointed
me to preach good tidings unto the meek: he j
hath sent me to bind up the broken hearted, !
to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the !
opening of the prison to them that are bound." i
Now when many hundred years had passed j
away from the time this was uttered bv the
Dw\t?hot Tcoio k aftr>r tknt tkp Snn nf fJnrl he. !
JL 4VJ/UVV vM??* v.
came incarnate, he read this passage of Scripture
in a Synagogue and closing the book and j
looking around on his attentive audience "he !
began to say unto them this day is this Scrifu
ture fulfilled in your ears"?Luke, 4th ch. 21st j
verse.
So then Christ did in person proclaim to the j
Jew's, " liberty to the captives and the open,
ing of the prison to them that were bound." i
"Captives sold under sin," imprisoned in igno- f
ranee, and unbelief.
The foregoing interpretation seerns to me j
natural and relieves the passage of scripture
from the many difficulties attending the othor ,
modes of explanation. If there be objection
to this exposition on the part of any of your :
Christian readers the writer of tliis article, j
would be glad to see them offered in your pa- '
per. - Kxox.
-
awoke, and entering into their native Ephe. ! scl
sus, so altered now that its streets were alto-1 til
gether unknown to them, they cautiously in- j art
quired if there were any Christians in sic
that city! 'Christians!' was the answer,' rol
we are all Christians here?' and they heard co
with thankful joy the change which, since
they left the world, had taken place in the 33
opinions of its inhabitants. On one side, they du
were shown a stately fabiric, adorned with a wl
gilded cross,and dedicated, as they were told, ye
to the worship of their crucified Master; on
another, schools for the public exposition of
those gospels, of which, so short a time be- 1
fore, the bare profession was proscribed
and deadly. But no fear was now to be en- ^
tcrtuined of those miseries which had encir- ,
cled thecmdic of Christianity; no danger .ia
now of the rack, the lions, or the sword; the
emperor and his prefec:s held the same fai h ^
with themselves, and all the wealth of the *!?
east, and all the valor and authority of the tl
western world, were exerted to pro ect and
endow the professors and the teachers of ,.
their religion. 1
? - ' ?4 ! co
"ifut joyiui as uicsu iiuuigs musi ui ium .
have been, their further inquiries arc said to
have met with answers which vcrv deeplv :
l 1<XI
| surprised and pained them. They learned } .
[ that the greater part of those who called
I themselves by the name of Christ were
strangely regardless of the blessings which
Christ had bestowed, and of the obligations
which he had laid on his followers. They
Stl
found that, as the world had become Chnst|
ian, Christianity itself had become worldly;
and, weared and sorrowful, they besought
j of Cod to lay them down asleep again, cry- j
I ing out to those who followed them, *You
have shown us many heathens, who have u
i given up their old idolatry, without gaining
anvthing better in its room: many who are
j * { cc
of no religion at a!i; and many with whom I
j the religion of Christ is no more than a cloak , j'j
of licentiousness, but where, whore are the i jj
Christians V .And thus they returned to ! their
cave; and there Cod had compassion i
on then), releasing them, once for all, from j
that world lor whose reproof their clays had
beon lengthened, and removing their sof.ls to _
the society of their ancient friends and pas- : ?
tors, the martyrs and saints of tin earlier and ?
a better generation." j y
t::k ciibistjan spirit.
> I
It was the noble determination of Sr. \ p^
Pan! to spend and be spent for Christ. This j ve
was not the passionate resolve of one j pL
wrought up to a high degree of excitement, j (jj
but his ordinary temper and disposition? j ^
the natural and spontaneous production of j (fr
grace in his heart. Such is the disposition j y:]
of every one, who feels that his heart had | pC
been dilated by the Spirit of (Jo J, and a holy ; L,n
impulse given to bis actions. The spirit i mj
of Christianity is utterly opposed to that nar- j fe(
rowncss of sou', which immures itself with- i W(
in itself, and measures the claims of others j mJ
by the personal inconvenience or benefit j
which will accrue to the individual whose cj(
aid is invoked. This is not the spirit of j)a
Christ?it has a selfishness and sordidness fC(
about it, which can find 110 congenial cle- w(
merit in the victim of the cross, nor in that j fie
benevolence which impregnates the very j
air uc breathe, and prepares our daily pp
comforts and enjoyments. hjs
lie who has felt the love of God shed pa
abroad in his heart, feels that there are cords ra,
many fold, and strong binding him to his jCi
Redeemer, and motives irrestible, urging no
him to live for Christ. His cause is the cr,
Christian's cause. Ilis soul feels the thrill j Clf
of delight at its triumphs, and mourns when i ^'n
the adversary prevails. For this he plans, j
and labors, and pleads, bestows his treasure J v}(
and offers up his prayers. The field of his j ap
vision is the kingdom of Christ?his in- !
quiries and efforts are circumscribed by no I is
other limits than the wants of man, and the an
promise of usefulness. Has he bv assum- an
ing the vows of the sacraments entered fuliy 0f
within the pale of the church? It was not tj1(
to enjoy inglorious sloth, but that he might ce]
be a laborer in the Lord's vineyard, lias jnf
tic consecrated all that he has lo his Saviour? |eg
It was not that they should he wasted in a(T
self-indulgence, or hoarded np to rust in
uselessness, but that they might be employ-1
ed in promoting the glory of Cod and good | y0
of men. lie and they are 'to spend and be j
spent for Christ.' This determination will tj0
lead him to advanceevery scheme by which Jc,
God may be honored?to watch with so- tjie
licitude the openings of Providence, and ea- (jC(
gerly to embrace every opportunity of doing ni(
something in the great cause. Slh
There arc secular employments and tern-; ]es
poral duties not to be neglected, which re-! 0f
ligion enjoins us to discharge with fidelity j 0f
and punctuality. Rut the great business of j hir
the Christian in this world is to live tor eter- jJU]
nity?the main objects of this life have re. jej
ference to the kingdom of God. If our urt
tirst concern be to amass wealth, or take co,
care of it, to secure all the comforts which jjy
we desire lor ourselves and our families, or bu;
to gratify some other passion whose influ- <
ence may control us, and we give to religion vo,
and the soul only fragments of time, and q|k
fractions of money, which can be spared jur
without imposing any degree of constraint am
upon ourselves, are wc living for ourselves js t
or God. Are we not exhausting life in the (
pursuit of that which Is unworthy such dcvotion?
Do we not sacrifice our greater in. yC1
terests tor the less? IIow little satisfaction. ne<
will be felt by us when at the close of life
we shall be compelled to review our course,
and discover that although bound by sol- tj0]
enm engagements to 'spend and be spent
for Christ,' we have devoted our affections, mc
our powers, and all our efforts to secular thj,
concerns. We may have amassed those tjV(
perishing riches which God may make a pc
curse instead of a blessing to our offspring; aa3
and feel that for this sordid portion we have jiv
been traitors to our Benefactor, and sold as
our souls to death.?Southern Churchman, i agj
fici
The Virginia Conference Sentinel in 110- '
ticing the Seventeenth annual report of the mil
Missionary Society of the Methodist Epis- bot
copal church, says: her
" There are, under the carc of the Socie. ^atl
ty, twel\c foreign and aboriginal Missionary cas
Stations, on which there art 48 missionaries,!
3.752 church members, 30 teachers,and 921' Pv'
lolars. There are Domestic Missions in so
of the annual Conferences in which there j pi
> 17,174 church members, and 118 mis- j lie
naries. Among the slaves in South Ca- i bli
ina there are 1,710 children under a | th
urse of catechetical instruction. m
"The treasurer's report presents $61,- bi
7 81 as the aggregate amount received sc
ring the year, being $22,802 19 above w
mt was collected during the preceding fil
ar; expended $50,087) 87)." m
? : cc
rIrcwt from a work by l)r. Burgess, oj Eng- | cj
fam/, entitled Greece and the Levant, in 1854. j j
The most interesting object now in Ath- j j
s is doubtless the American Missionary j,
hool, which, for the last four or five years, i
sbeen conducted bv Mrs. Hill. Theschool ! 1
it" i 0(
use entirely built by the Americans, is an |
ifice of stone, and stands in the very J
ora or market-place where Pauli disputed j .
a., until flint mot him ' ^ PQtnrdaV ! t
|j> 1X111 iiivou mill IIIV/I, ? ,?J .
^rning, being Sunday, I was invited by j1
r. Hill to go and see the juvenile asscm- ; j
r in its best order. The infant school is i
nducied i:i the same manner as our own ^
England. I have no time now to offer ^
u any reflection upon tiiis eflort of Christi
zeui. I can only say it filled n?y mind
til great delight, and appeared to me to ' .
ien a cheering prospect for the future des- j. 4
iy of Athens. I ^
"After this interesting visit, I proceeded ; ^
the house of the Missionary, and had the i ^
tisfaction of performing divine service and j
eaching to a congregation of about twenty j
rsons. The audience consisted of a few j
itish travellers like ourselves, a few Piiil. j
llenites, who iiave established themselves > ^
Athens, tlic household of Mr. and Mrs. j
ill, and two or three of his assistant teach- : S?
s, who understand English. Can you j
mceivc any thing more joyful than such j J
i occupation as this, within view of Mars* i
iil 1 Resides, I am one of those who bevc
that the Gospel is seldom preached j ^
vain."'
ci
ministerial fidelity.
Remarkable and important is that saying
-Let us have grace whereby ice may serve j ?
on accept ably y with reverence and godly 1
ar: for our God is a consuming fire. i. |
cry observable also is the language of j j
avid : 1 will go to the altar of God,to God j 0
) exceeding joy. May the import of these J1
issages united, exert its force on your
xy soul, whenever you take the lead in 41
iblic worship! Then your graces as a
iristian, and your gifis as a minister, will
i exercised at the same time. Your
aces being excited, you have communi- j
i with God ; your gifts being exerted, the i ~
ople are edified. Whereas, were you to j.
ter the pulpit merely to exercise your j,n
inistcrial talents, though others might be 111
* 1
.1 by the truths delivered, your own soul j
f !ir? fvicp of i ^1
7U1U Olcil X 11 AO* A ivuij *4.7 luw W4V~ v? j .
my who preach the gos|>cl. j
But what a figure in the eye of Omnis-! P1
?nce must that preacher make, who is not I aI
bitually desirous of exercising devout af- j
:tions in the performance of his public | VJ
)rk! Like an index on the high road, j w
directs others in the way to heaven, but !
walks not in it himself. lie may pro- c|
esy with Balaam, or preach with Judas;
5 learning and knowledge, his natural j
rts and spiritual gifts, may excite ad mi- | rc
tion and l>e useful to others; hut, being ( ar
stitute of internal devotion, his heart is j!?
t right with God, and he is a wretched j,n
mature. Sounding hrass or a tinkling !t0
mbol, is the character by which he is i ^
own in sacred Scripture. |t,(
When, however, commencing public ser- 8*
:e, it is needful to remember that you
pear not only as a worshipper of God, m
t as a minister of Christ. Being such, it j Cf
your indispensable duty to preach Christ ! u
d not yourself: that is, with sincerity j ?J
d ardor, to aim at displaying the glories i ~
his person and the riches of his grace,
i-. x?i.- i-!?i 1 .i... _ hi
i spirnuaiuy 01 111s Kingdom unu me e.\- i
Hence of his government, not your own !
jenuity or eloquence?your parts or | J"
irning. Guard, then, my brother, as I
ainst the most pcrnicous evil?guard, as
vour very against converting the j at
m 9 t 4/1
spel ministry into a vehicle to exhib.t j
ur own excellence : or prostituting the ! *.
ctrine of Christ crucified to the grutifica- j J1
n of your pride or thut it may be a pan- j *.
rto your praise. For who can estimate j'll
\ magnitude of that guilt which is inclu-1.
J in sucli conduct ? Yet, with this enor- \
>us and horrible evil, I cannot forbear jtei
specting, many ministers arc more or j nc
s chargeable. Nay, to the commission ! ?.r
this outrage on the honor of Christ and | sa
grace, every minister should consider I ^11:
nself liable. For so polluted arc our jt0
ids, that without grace preventing, we j Pr
ile ever}' thing we touch. So depraved Sc
s our hearts, that we are in danger of j t"1
uinifting a robberv on the jjlorv of our I
9 ? 9
ine Lord, even when it is our professed i ?r
sincss to exalt it. | to
* As, when entering on public devotion, \ w'
i should endeavor to act becoming your th"
iracter, under the notion of a guilty crea- s0
e in audience with the King Eternal, and ^
1 as a minister of Christ, whose business
n flicnlnv liic (flnrv sn vnn nrn further 1 I)r,
v, u.^/..v ^ rconsider
yourself as the servant of his nn
urch. When standing up to address ed
;ir people, it should ever be with an ear- | tin
?t desire to promote their happiness, i In
iey having chosen you to the pastoral yc
ice,?you having accepted their invita- lai
l, and being now solemnly ordained to I thi
7 O y
imporiant service?that mutual agree- w<
nt, and the interesting transactions of ag
s clay, should operate as a threefold mo- " I
2 to the faithful performance of your pub-, in
work. Yes, you are bound affection- va
iy to aim at doing them good, by laying G<
ine truth before them in such a manner wi
is adapted to enlighten their minds, to br<
set their hearts, and to promote their edi- re?
ition. ori
fhough the occasional exercise of your
nisterial talents in other places may be nw
h lawful and commendable, yet, as it is foi
e only that you stand in the pastoral re- tec
on you ought, except in extraordinary he
;es, to fill this pulpit yourself, and not the
vc the deacons to procure supplies, in a j soi
carious manner, while you are s* rvfng ' to:
me other commuity. It is here, as a 1
iblic teacher, that your proper business i
is ; and here, at the usual times of asseming,
your voice must be heard. When
e pastor of a church discovers any incliition
to avail himself of any pretext for
:ing absent from his people, in order to
rve others, he gives reason for suspicion,
hatover his pretences may be, that either
thy lucre, or a lust of popularity, has too
uch place in his heart; and that lie acipted
the pastoral cilice rather as an artie
of convenience, than as .matter of duty,
is indeed, much to be lamented, that,
ough Dissenting ministers in general justexclaim
against the non-residence and
e holding of pluralities, which are so
imnion among the clergy, yet the conduct
'some pastors among the Nonconforists,
makes near approaches to that of
uralities in our national establishment,
id is a violation of pastoral dutv.
You should seek, with peculiar care, to
itain the approbation of conscience in
ich of your hearers; as appears by the
llowing words. "By manifestation of
e truth, commending ourselves to every
rnnarirtirn in thp. xifht nf (imi."
Ll ll> O VVI?UV?W ? IV *<?v ?^ .
his illustrious passage presents us with a j
e\v of Paul in the pulpit, and a very soma
appearance he makes. He has just
ien adoring in secret, at the feet of the
lost High; and from converse with the
lost Holy he is now going to address his
How-sinners. Penetrated with the impornee
of his office, and the solemnity of his
resent situation he manifestly feels?
2 seems to tremble. Nor need we won.
ir : for the subject on which he is to
>eak, the object he has in view, and the
itness of his conduct, are all interesting
id solemn to the last, degree. Truth,
onscience, and Ciod?the most impornt
and impressive thoughts that can enter
iciiuman mind?pervade his very soul.
Evangelical truth is the object of his dis-1
t r i rv ?
jssion; and tbe omniscient noiy unc is
ic witness of his conduct. An example,
lis, which you, arid I, and every minister
f the word are bound to imitate. Make it
our diligent endeavor, then, to obtain the
^probation of conscience from all tha.t
oar you : for without deserving that, none
f your public labors can be to your honor,
r turn to your own account, in the great
ly of the Lord.?Booth's Pastoral Cations.?
mother's and a sister's prayer answered.
Within a twelve month, there came from,
?, one of the West India Islands, to the
nited States, a man of business. He was
truth, a man of the world ; deeply imicrsed
in its cares, and prosperous in
iaping a golden harvest; with wliich he
linly hoped, ere long, to be satisfied and
ippy. ilis inissson led him to all the
"incipal cities on our Atlantic borders;
id in them to associate with a most re1
1 * % tt n
>ectaDie class oi our mercnauts. lie nrsi
sited a soutliern city; and while there,
as led, in the providencn of God, to listen
the preaching of a zealous and devoted
ergyinan of the Prostestant Epispocal
lurch. His attention was arrested and
s mind deeply solemnized with eternal
alities. lie visited intervening cities,
ul at length reached Boston. There he
ok lodgings in the Mouse. The
lpressions made by divine truth were not
be effaced from his heart, although ho
as much occupied with mercantile opera)ns.
He stiff thought of his soul, and bein
to set upon it a higher value than upon
e world. He went to hear a faithful
inisterofthe Methodist church, and his
invictions of sin were heightened. He
ent again and again; till, by the blessing
'God, and the operations of the Holy
host, he found a Savior, and embraced
m in faith, and became a joyful witness of
c triitli Snrrr\i m/lrwl nc In* WHQ hv the '
s? li UMI? KJ 141 I VU1IUVV4 UU MV I. , |
orid, on all sides, hearing constantly the
n of its business, and the noise of its folly
niscnlled pleasure,) indeed engaged for a
irt of the day in the former, and associated
the meals, with many devoted to the latr,
he did abstract his mind from worldly
oughts, so as to spend hours daily with
s God, on his bended knees, seeking .
ivine illumination in prayer and reading
s word.
lie was now a changed man. lie felt
within. He showed it in his very counnance
and manners. Yes! and he was
>t made a witness for Jesns to be dumb!
to testify only on certain great, occa3ns!
Out of the abundance of his heart
s mouth spake. He has now returned
his home, to carry a pearl of matchless
ice ; and, in the benevolence which the
ispel inspires, to use his utmost endeavors
at those endeared to hint by the ties ot"
fcction and blood may not receive the
ace of God in vain. Nor will he be soon
rgotten in your city, among the brethren
to rejoiced over his repentence, or by
use impenitent individuals whom he be- :
tight in the ardor of his first love, to seek
2 Savior he had found.
But what has all this to do with the
ayers of a mother and a sister ? Let
2 tell you, the ntan thus hopefully convenes
the son of a mother in Israel! and
3 brother of the wife of a missionary in
dia! The former lias been for many
ars, an ornament in the church in Engid,
and now stands waiting but to hear
s blessed intelligence, that her son who
is lost is found?who was dead is alive
ain; and like Simeon of old, she will say,
jord now lettest thou thy servant depart
peace, for mine eyes have seen thy saltion."
The latter was so in love with j
id's word, that to enjov and be benefitted
th its glorious truths, she made the lie2W
language her study, that so she might
id it in the characters in which it was _
iginally penned. i
Who can doubt that the prayers of that j
>thcr and tkat sister, going up continually 1
the son and the brother, widely separa
1 from them as he was, were heard, and 1
was blessed in his soul on account of
jm? Mothers! who have impenitent
3S and daughters, pray tQr them. Sis- *s!
i\ .10 have brothers : i !; ve v .tb th'.s
world, go to God in faithful prayer for
them; lor the lervent, effectual prayer of
the righteous uvailcth much.?Pastor.
From the Southern Churchman.
How far Christian Denominations may safe-!
hj co-operate in Conducting Religious Insti-,
tut ions.?There is so much good sense in the !
following remarks on this subject which we
copy from a London Missionary paper, that
we take pleasure in recommending it to our
readers. We think it correctly lays down
the rule which should determine the question
proposed in the caption:
"The limit of combined religious action
c*
only include, with safety and peace, those
cases where, as in the Bible Society, religious
opinions are not at all called into qites-1
tion; or where, as in the Religious Tract So.
ciety, essential principles, common to all I
who act together, are alone brought forward
. i
and subordinate principles, which the parties
do not agree, are pretermitted, as not necessary
to salvation, though important toj
the full edification of the Church.
"Wisdom and charity, we conceive, re-!
rjuire that all plans which cannot be placed,'
completely and practically, under one or!
other of these two heads, should be conduct- j
cd exclusively by those who agree in all the
great points of doctrine, and worship, and !
discipline, which are essential to the full
purposes of their union. If the time should
arrive, when the terms of communion in
the Churches of Christ shall be so enlarged
as to embrace those who are at present separated,
there will then naturally follow a wide
co-operation in religious labors; but it will \
still remain as we concicve, immovably true
that members of different communions can
act efficiently, harmoniously, and consistently
together, only under one or other of the
two cases which we have stated. The experience
of our different societies fully hears
us nut iu this view.
"In cases such as that of our Home Missionary
Societies, where living agents must
he employed in acting personally forreligious
ends on a living population, not only 1
must topics he brought forward on which
Churchmen and Dissenters are not agreed;
hut if it were possible and proper to merge
these topics, yet that difficult task could not
he entrusted to living agents of every habit
of mind, speaking on the spur of the occasion,
when it is lound to require the calm
deliberation of a body of thinking and candid
men to prepare publications of such a
description. I
"To all the praises which are given to the
mutual love of true Christians we most cordially
subscribe. We desire to love every
man who loves our Lord. We count our
differences lighter than the dust in the bal
?iMtk fiiitti. u-lnnh the
auuc, as ^Ullipuivu mm Htut W.U., - Holy
Spirit awakens in the souls which lie
has renewed, and which works by Jove to all
the commands and promises of God.? !
Where regeneration, and faith and love are
?there God is? And with such men may
our souls be gathered forever.
"It is not quite fair to draw captivating pic.
turcs of harmony and love, with an implication
that these senses are realized among
those only who merge their different views
of worship and discipline, which yet are allowedly
indispensable to the full edification
of the individual Christian and of the. whole
spiritual body. While human nature is
what it is, and the Christian Churches retain
their present terms of communion, our
brethren so circumstanced must be more j
than human wholly to escape suspicions.;
heart-burnings and jealousies, and to feel |
themselves at once consistent and unimpe-,
ded in their actions; and we urge more limited
co-operation 011 our brethren, because
charity can be most confidently exercised
and most fullv maintained, when we act
- 1 ?A kU
Wit!) tliose Willi wnom >ve ugice, uuu uiu ,
God speed to all who, with the preservation !
of a'i essential truth, do yet piously differ i
from us.
"We arc well aware of the duty of laboring
to be perfectly joined together in the same
mind and the same judgment: for it is the
want of this which imposes on Christians
the necessity of these restraints on general
co-operation. While, however, they continue
short of this consummation,they may be
joined as one in holy charity; and in proportion
as they approach this unity of mind and
judgment, they may be joined together in
unity of holy action.
A Sensible Question?Mamma, said a (
child, my Sunday school teacher tells me j
that this world is only a-place in which God ;
lets us live a little while, that we may prepare I
for a better world. But, mother, I do not see i
any body preparing. I see you preparing j
to go into the country?and aunt Eliza is
P *
preparing to come here. But I do not see
any one preparing to go to heaven. If every
body wants to go there, why dont they try
to get ready??Juvenile Miscellany.
Give God the glory of all thy good, and
leave lor thyself only the shame and punishment
of all thy evil.
New Books.
Harmony of Divine Truth by Williston,
Puller's Works,
Gaston's Collections,
Mrs. Heman's Works complete in 1 vol.
Hookers Family Book of Devotion,
Christian Brahman,
TVTpmnir of Mrs. Elks.
Nevin's Thoughts on Popery,
Do. Practical Thoughts,
The Marthas, by Phillip,
Boston on the Covenants,
Dodridges Rise and Progress,
Young Wife's Book,
Daughters Own Book,
The Hebrew Wife,
For Sale at the Book Store.
Cheraw, July 25th, ,
Books.
Rollin's Ancient History, Robertson's work's
MarhalTs life of Washington, Washington's
writing's by Sparks vols. % 3, 4, 5, 6?Ramsay's
Universal History, Plutarch's lives;
Mitford's Greece. Life and writings of John
lay, Bancroft's U. States. England and American,
Rush's Memoranda.
Spanish Segars.
4000 best quality. For Sale bv
J. .VALLOY&Co. I
J-Oi'y :e. 35 tf.
New Goods.
TIIE Subscriber Respectfully informs his
friends and the public, that he has just reccived
his
SPRING AND SUMMER GOODS,
Consisting of a very general and well selected
assortment of Groceries, Hats, Shoes, Crockery,
Hardware, and Cutlery. Also, Paints, Drugs die.
Persons wishing to purchase in this market,
would do well to call and see.
M ALCOA/ BUCHANAN.
May, lTth 27 tf.
26,000 SUBSCRIBERS?
Philadelphia Mirror.
THE splendcd patronage awarded to the Philadelphia
Saturday Courier, induces the edii
tors to commence the publication, under tb?
above title, of a quarto edition of their popular
I journal, so long known as the largest Family
| Newspaper in the United States with a list of
near TWENTY.SIX THOUSAND SUB\
SCRIBERS. The new feature recently intro.
j duced ot furnishing their readers with new books
i of the best literature of the day, having proved
! so eminently successful, the plan will be contin
! ucd. Six volumes ot the celebrated writing of
I Captain Marryatt, and sixty-five of Mr. Brook's
\ aluable Letters from Europe, have already been
published without interfering with it's news and
miscellaneous reading. The Courier is the lar- ' ^
gest and cheapest family newspaper ever issued
in this country, containing articles in literature
Science, and Arts; Internal Improvement; Agriculture;
in short every variety of topics utu'lly
introduced into a public journal. Giving foil
accounts of sales, markets, and news of the latest
| dates.
It is published at tho low price of ?2. Fori
this small sum subscribers get valuable and entertaining
matter each week enough to fill a common
book of200 pages, and equal to 5.2 volumes
a year, and which is estimated to be read, weekly
by at least two hundred thousand people, scattered
in all parts of the country, from Maine to ?
Florida, and from the sea board to the lakes.
The paper has been now so long established as
to render it too well known to require an extended
prospectus, the publishers, therefore, will do
no more than refer to the two leading daily political
papers of opposite politics The Pennsylvanian
says?"The Saturday Courier is tho
largest, and one of the best family newspapers in
the Union;" the other, the Inquirer aua Daily
Courier, says, "It is the largest journal published
in Philadelphia, and one of the very best in the
United States." The New York Star says?we
know nothing more liberal on the part of the dormant
talents of our country, than their unexam.
pled liberality in offering literary prizes."
The Albeny Mercury of March 16th, 1836
says, "the Saturday Courier, is decidedly the best
Family Newspaper ever published in this or any
other country, and its value is duly appreciated
by the pnblic, if we may judge Its contents aro
agreeably varied, and each number contains more
really valuable 'reading matter* than is published
in a week in any daily paper in the Union. Its
mammoth dimensions enable its enterprising pro.
prietors, Messrs. Woodward & Clarke, of Philadelphia,
to re-publish in its eolumes in the course
of a year, several of the most interesting new
works that issue from the British uress: which
cannot fail to give to it a permanent interest and
render it worthy of preservation. To meet thewishes,therefore,of
soch of their subscribers as desire
to have their numbers bound, they have de
tcrinined on issuing an edition of the Courier in
the quarto form, whiqh will render it much more
convenient for reading when it is bound in a vol.
ume and thus greatly enhance its value."
THE QUARTO EDITION.
Under the title of the Philadelphia Mirror,
will commence with the publication of the Prize
Tale, to which was awarded the prize of $100,
written by Miss Leslie, editor of the splended
Annual the Token, and author of Pencil Sketch,
es and other valuable contributions to American
Literature, A large number of songs poems
tales, &c. offered in competition for the $500
premiums, will add value and interest to the
succeeding numbers, which will also be enriched
by a story from Miss Sedgewick author of Hope
Leslie. The Linwoods, &cM whose taleuts have
been so justly and extensively appreciated, both
at home anu abroad.
This approved FAMILY NEWSPAPER is
strictly neutral in religious and political makers
and the uncompromising opponent of qtiaker of
every kind.
MAPS
In addition to all of which the publishers intend
furnishing their patrons with a series of engraved
Maps, embraceing the twenty-five States
of the Union, &c. exhibiting the situation, &c.
of rivers, towns, mountains, lakes, the sea board
internal improvements, as displayed in cannals,
rail roads, &c., with other interesting and useful
features, roads distances, &c. forming a complete
Atlas for general use and information, hand,
soineiy executed, each distinct map on a large
quarto sheet, ut an expense which nothing rat
the splendid patronage which for six years past
has been so generously extended to them, could
warren t.
TERMS:
m. TIL-K J.I.I.!. 0.< l__ i_ _?:11
1 no l nimucipmn oaiuiuajr vvuiwi v suit
continued in its largo form at the same price as
heretofore. The Philadelphia Mirror, being a
quarto edition of the Saturday Courier, -with its
increased attractions, and printed op the best
fine while paper of the same size as the New York
Albion, will be put at precisely one half the price
of that vain able journal, vi2, Three Dollars per
annum pavable in advance (including the Maps.)
WOODWARD A CLARKE/
Philadelphia.
ItrThc paper will be sent in exchange to such
newspapers as may oblige us by publishing our
advertisements. may 14.
THE SATURDAY NEWS,
AXD
LITERARY GAZETTE:
A Weekly Family Newspaper, devoted to Literature,
Criticism and Fine Arts, General Intelligence,
News.
Price Two Do liars per annum?payable in ad
vance.
ON Saturday, July 9, 1836, the snbecribets
will commence,"in Philadelphia, the pub.
lication of a new weekly newspaper, under the,
above title.
The News will embrace every variety of light
literature, including Tales, Poetry. Essays, Crit-.
ici8in, Notices of the Fine Arts, the Drama, See
The original matter will be supplied by writesrof
the first eraminence. A regular correspondence
will be maintained with Washington, and
the principal Cities of the Union, and arrange.
mon. a nr., in l*rOCTBS8 by Whieh ffOBI Ell.
rope will be constantly famished.
Attention wiII be pud to eefefing at tbe ear.
liest possible date, the choicest productions of
the English periodieal press. Popular novels.
I will not be suffered to interfere with a general
variety. The latest news and ?11 items winter,
esting intelligence will invariably farm pest of
the contents.
The News will be printed on a folio sheet of
the largest class, and wifl famish as large an
amount of reading mutter as any weekly paper
now published in this country. It will be con.
ducted in a spirit of the most fearless indepen.
dence. All allusion to party politics, or sectarian
religion will be carefully avoided.
LOUIS A. GODEY.
JOSEPH G. HEAL.
MORTON HcMICHAEL.
Agents of this paper will be allowed the uaua
commission.
Six copies furnished far 10 dollars.
All payments to be lhade in advance.
Orders free of postage, must be addressed to
L. A. GODEY. & Co,
No. 100 Walnut street, Philadelphia.
IT Our editorial friends, in the country will
oblige us by inserting the above prospectus, end
accepting a exchange.
^8