Christian observer

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NEW SERIES. NO.
FOR THE DIFFUSION OF TRUTH AND THE SUPPORT OF THE PRINCIPLES OF THE PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH IN THE UNITED STATES.
A. CONVERSE, EDITOR:—134 Chestnut Street.
Sotttiiern meliflfous Celefltaph.
PHILADELPHIA, FRIDAY, MARCH 3, 1843.
ommiiss'iiASjr ©^jJsum^f'iiiEc
LETTER TO A MINISTER.
[The following extract of a letter, from an excellent minister to a brother in the ministry, laboring amid the depressing trials of want and pecuniary embarrass¬ ment, ia furnished for this paper at our requRst. It points to the exhaustless sources of consolation and support, to which the people of God should be ever looking—especially when subjected to the evils of poverty and want.—En.]
In your happiness and success, (as a minister,) I am, indeed, happy; and, in all your afflictions and embarrassments, I think I can sympathise with you. But, my dear brother, the work will be soon ended wilh you and me. We are pro¬ bably through the longest portion of our earth¬ ly pilgrimage. Let us endure, as good soldiers of the Cross, whatever God, in his providence, may put upon us, while we are yet here. If we are his children, all evils shall be overruled for good, both to us and his cause, with which we are connected. This earth is not the rest of the saints. It never has been : and, in the economy of salvation, it is divinely arranged that it never shall be. To this my mind has been very strong¬ ly turned, for a year or two past; and how to end the Christian course well, in full exercise of Christian affections, and in the faithful perform¬ ance of all duties to my fellows around me, is of more interest to me, than the inquiry, how I may make my habitation sure here. And, dear bro¬ ther, what if earthly property is swept awayl— Why, nothing at all; if, nothwithstanding that i wreck, and that loss, we are conscious of hav¬ ing done right. Bearing that about with us, it will be a siTiall matter to be "judged of man's judgment."
. God, who feeds the ravens, and clothes the grass, can and will take care of tho.se who trust and serve him. Be, therefore, my brother, cour¬ ageous. The fate of the patriarch of Uz, nor the evils which fell on Paul, and on Paul's Mastei', who had not "where to lay his head," have not fallen on you. But if they or kindred evils should visit you, or me, or both of us, and with¬ out one mitigating circumstance, with the Chris¬ tian hope of a heavenly and eternal inheritance, we may be cheerful still.   But I must cease to
write, and leave space for brother .  Make
my respects to Mrs. , and all your family ;
and believe me, as ever, your obedient brother and servant,  ,
Feb,, 1843.
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SUSTAIN YOUR MINISTER.
[From the Christian Family Magazine.] The pulpit is a consecrated place; it is the grand watch-tower of the church. Ministers of the gospel occupy a station of immeasurable importance; their trust is one of tremendous re¬ sponsibility, for to them is coiTimitted the care of immortal souls.
So important was the trust of the Roman sen¬ tinel, that it was death, death inevitable, for him to be found asleep on his.guard. But hov/ much more important and sacred are the interests which the watchmen in Zion are called to guard and defend ! If they are unfaithful, if they sound not the trump of alarm on the approach of evil, it is at the peril of the church—it is at the peril of their own souls.
Ministers of the gospel are styled, " ambas¬ sadors for Christ." Men sent on an embassy, to ;negoliate a treaty of peace between contending ^kingdoms, are mere worms sent to their fellow- [worms. But ambassadors sent forth under the lanctions of the Son of God bear commissions [of fearful interest, of weighty responsibility.
The archangel who burns brightest in glory, iapd stands nearest the throne of God, can be iii- |j,VBsted with no higher honor than to bear the ist of an ambassador from the Court of Heaven this revolted and apostate world. Every de¬ leted servant of the Lord Jesus is an ambassa- fbr Christ, ''Now, we are ambassadors for irist; as though God did beseech you by us, H&e pray you, in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God." What are the temporal interests of a kingdom, compared with the weighty responsi¬ bilities which are entrusted to him who is sent to negotiate a treaty of peace with ruined meiil Tlie interests of the former are finite and tem- po;rary; of the latter, infinite in their bearing, ^pd eternal in their duration. The one will per- igh in the wreck of nature and conflagration of worlds, while the other will be as indestructible and lasting as the throne of the Eternal! •i|f such is the work of gospel ministers, such tKe amazing interests entrusted to them by the Head of the Church, may we not mostearnest- ^|)|b$ad that they be sustained] ~ ''be it from us to bespeak for the ministers irist, as MEN, any special honor, or favor, is not due to others of equal rank in so- The respect due to them arises from the ofhce they bear, and the fearful conse- which would follow, should that miiiis- sspised which God has ordained as the _ ,,,. istrument of redeeming the world. "He thattvaeareth you heareth me, and he lhat de^ipi- aetll you despiseth me, and he that despiseth me 5th him that sent me." your eye over those lands where the pul. ¦ lost its power, where the gospel and Sab- lavc long ceased to e.xert their life-giving jlbces upon the souls of men, and you be- ^ night of intellectual and moral darkness, ild you, then, honor the great God our Sa- ^hose interests the ministers are appoint- llead and defend-would you behold the of grace m the church-would you pro- salvattou olthu.e who are dead in tres- .you wiUdchght to honor the gospel min- |toveryouinlheLord ^PCi mm
in.purtam method of .uslaining your
Ith his'.rn'V'f ^"^' ^""'' Por^onafinflu- Itfth.s  gteat plans of usefulness.    How
Christ, to feel ^^^^^t^:Tr ^' ily-united with him in his In. nl 1 , I  '"'" l2lUd.|ipthe Redeemer's I'n'gdom-"' ^''"" '"^ . While in his closet and sludy, and in h UCjll^ministrations, he sees ihe pic. Jortl prosper in the work of his hand.,. "^'le hour of severe labor and trial, nmhin 3r and animate his soul more than lu feol l^he is not alone; that in sympathy and elfun )eople are united with him.    The influence FEW, thus joined together in  the church, bo greater than that of many, very many' Be plans and energies are divided and di's- Nd.  The motto, "united we stand, DiviDtin t^i'L," is of great practical importance to the >!> us well as State.
r'l^' siiccessrul issue of battle, much, it is V^^-^t depend on the skill of the general; I" tlie hour of perilous onset, what can he ^'"^Ic-handed and alone, but to retreat or irpH V "'"'•^'^•'•"f Christ, surrounded bv a sreu, divided people, can do uutiiino.   Pal-
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ohe&^aSig it must
lis pub- ^asnre of the Is, as well as ;can
sied will be his arm, powerless will be his ef¬ forts—and the enemy of all righteousness will prevail.
2. Sustain your minister in his fidelity. His commission is from no earthly prince; it is from Heaven. As a man of God, he must be faithful, though it be at the risk of interest, reputation, and life. Should he be time-serving, or shun to declare the whole counsel of God, he may peril the dearest interests of the church; he may see perishing men slumber over their immortal wel¬ fare, and at the bar of the Judge he may be con¬ demned as a traitor.
May not one important reason, why the em¬ pire of sin remains comparatively so unbroken in our midst, be owing to the want of higher mo¬ ral courage in the church? For the honor of the Saviour, for the purity and enlargement of Zion, for the safety of our children, and for the good of perishing sinners, the servants of Christ must be sustained in their fidelity.
3. Cheer your minister by your presence in the house of God, and at the slated meetings of the church. Give him your warm sympathies and kind offices; administer to his necessities of your good things; yet, while you leave him to preach to naked walls afid empty pews, you will greatly lessen his usefulness, if not break his heart and send him to an untimely grave. This is strong language, but the truth is stronger.— Few things are more comforting and inspirit¬ ing to a public spieaker, than a crowded house.
If your minister possesses the spirit of his holy office, he has chosen his subject and prepared his message with much anxiety and prayer. He has adapted his discourse to the present wants of his people: but when he enters the house of God, and finds most of those absent for whose benefit he has brought his message, well may his heart faint within him, and he complain, in his closet, "Lord, who hath believed our reporf" How can those fair-weather, half-day hearers, ex¬ pect to receive extensive, saving benefit, though placed under the administration of the most able, faithful, and successful gospel ministry'?
4. Shield the character of your minister from the assaults of the wicked. It may be taken for granted, if he is a faithful and devoted follower of his Master, that he will be persecuted for the gospel's sake. The most able and successful men have ever borne the severest shafts of the common enemy.
Amidst these assaults, let the church give her united influence for the cause of truth and righteousness, and the shafts of the enemy will fall powerless at her feet. We ask for those who bring the gospel into disrepute no shelter¬ ing influence, though they bear the commission of the sacred oflice.
How often might a few words, from some in¬ fluential members of the church, when the cha¬ racter or motives of the minister were misunder¬ stood, misrepresented, or impugned, have result¬ ed in immeasurable good. How guarded ought parents and members of the church to be, in all their words and actions, lest, through their influ¬ ence, they cause the gospel to be dishonored.
How often has an unguarded, imprudent re¬ mark destroyed the good impressions of a ser¬ mon on some awakened mind! A disrespectful conversation has, doubtless, not unfrequently re¬ sulted in the dismission of a devoted minister of the gospel. A sneer from a parent may preju¬ dice the mind of a child against his pastor, and prove a strong barrier against the gospel for ever.
3. Sustain your pastor^ by administering to his temporal wants of your abundance. In no age of the church have the ministers of Christ been characterized for their affluence. The divine preacher and Saviour of the world was so poor, that "he had not where to lay his head*" Is it strange, then, that his disciples and servants should be characterized for their dependance on the church for a sustenance 1
In this enlightened age, few things are more affecting than to see ministers of the gospel, who, by their oflice, are cut off from the means of pro¬ curing their own subsistence, and who give their labor and lives forthe spiritual benefit of their people, placed in circumstances of want and pecuniary embarrassment. We are told that ministers must not preach for monet; we an¬ swer, they must have money for preaching.— Some—too many in the ministry—are so poor— that, were this a day of miracles, and had they the faith of Elijah, they might be fed by "ra¬ vens." Yet, no duty of the church is more clearly taught, both in the Old and New Testa¬ ment, than that of providing ample support for the servants of Christ. Seethe provision which God made for them under the Jewish dispensa¬ tion. Read, also, the strong language which the apostle uses on this subject, 1 Cor. chap. 9, etc.
While vve drop a kind word of admonition on this delicate and important subject, we cannot forbear saying, that most of the churches of our respective denominations evince a most noble and praiseworthy example of kindne.«;s and liber¬ ality in the support of their ministers.
Those annual and occasional presents, which many churches are accustomed to make to their ministers, are of great importance—not, per¬ haps, so much on account of their pecuniary value, as for the salutary influence they secure, as tokens of respectful remembrance, and as pledges ofa continuance of their social union of hearts so much to be desired between pastors and their people.
And what an additional influence might min¬ isters have over the youth and children of their charge, were they in the habitannually of making some such expression of their respect for their ministers! Let youth, let families and congre¬ gations, vvho have not been accustomed to such efforts, make the experiment; and if they re¬ ceive no rich blessing in their basket and store, this may be the means of binding, not only their minister, but the gospel closer to their heart, and in the life to come they may reap a rich reward.
6. Sustain your minister by your prayers. The ablest divines, men who possessed the profound- est learning and erudition, have felt the need, not only of high moral feelings and the graces of Ihe Spirit, but of all the helps which God has instituted in the church to secure success in their responsible work. Even the chiefest of the apos¬ tles could often break forth in the strong lan¬ guage of dependance, "Brethren, pray for us." When Aaron and Hur held up the hands of Moses, the God of battles gave success to his people ; but when, in the prolonged and sangui¬ nary struggle, they became faint and weary, Amalek prevailed.
When the people of God humble themselves, and unitedly invoke the Divine benediction upon tlie efforts of his servants—when they hang all their hopes of success and Heaven on the Cross of Christ, it is then that God delights to bless the efforts of his ministers, and is pleased to enlarge the borders of his kingdom.
Can it be doubted that the reason why minis- tRrs are often unsuccessful in their work, and "by pastors are so frequently removed from uieir charge, is referable to the neglect of united, importunate prayer in the churchi
Some of our readers will remember the perti¬ nent answer which an able and godly minister to one of his people, un his
didl" The clergyman said he was alarmed at the query which he had expressed, and declared I there was one reason which might be given, but which prudence, perhaps, would dictate best to j withhold. The inquirer earnestly requested his pastor to make known to him that reason ; when, to his great astonishment, he declared, that he HAD LOST HIS PRATER-BOOK. "Lost your pi'ayer- book, sir! I never knew that you used a prayer- book." The pastor, wilh emotion and tears, re- pfied—"My church is my prayer-book. They, I fear, have ceased to offer up united and sirong cries to God for my success as formerly. I can¬ not PREACH!"
THE REIilGIOUS NE^VSPAPBR AS AN AUXIIil- ARY TO THE PASTOR.
We commend the following article, from the Ver¬ mont Chronicle, to the attention of brethren in the ministry who feel an interest in the usefulness of the Christian Observer. It contains practical suggestions which deserve consideration.
A correspondent who has doubled, twice over, the number of subscribers for our paper in a church aided by the Missionary Society, remarks that his most successful arguments were derived from strictly religious considerations, and espe¬ cially from the relation of that church, through the Missionary Society, to the fraternity of churches for which the Chronicle is a constant medium of Christian intercourse. It was felt that those who were benefitted by the liberality of the churches, ought to cultivate an acquaintance with their benefactors, and also to avail them¬ selves, as much as possible, of all the means of religious improvement which the united action of the churches, in various ways, might put within their reach. It was obvious that the reli¬ gious paper generally circulated among the churches was of the highest importance in both these respects.
In many other cases, it has been found that a serious talk in church meetingabout circulating the Chronicle, as a matter of religious duty and a means of religious improvement, is one of the best ways of obtaining subscribers.
We happen this morning to receive three pa¬ pers containing facts relating to this subject, which we place together, in the hope that they may be of use to some of our readers, and espe¬ cially to ministers who wish to establish among the families of their charge a constant religious influence.
The first extract is from the New Hampshire Congregational Journal. The Editor lately re¬ quested his brethren in the ministry to obtairifor him three new subscribers each. In his last pa¬ per the Editor acknowledges the three names from a pastor who has lately entered upon one of the most unpromising fields of New Hamp¬ shire, which is already, under his care, begin-j ning to bud and blossom as the rose. The pastor had sent ten or twelve subscribers where there were none before. In sending "the three," he writes :
Notwithstanding the little effort which has so recently been made in behalf of your paper, | and the little prospect of doing any thing more art present, if the attempt should be made, I felt it aprivilege to make an effort to respond to your request, believing it to be one of the ways in which I could most effectually accomplish the | object for which I am laboring.
I found it much ecisier to add to our short list,' of subscribers in this place, where the walls of Zion had been so long broken down, than I might have anticipated under existing circum¬ stances. And thus others will doubtless find it, .where they make any movement, much or little, for the attainment of so desirable an end. The Lord prepares the way, then calls upon his ser¬ vants to go out and sow the seed of divine truth, (and with both hands,) where there can be any hope of a harvest. I can but regard a well con¬ ducted religious newspaper to be almost an i?t- dispensable auxiliary to the ministry. And though it may cost the pastor a little effort, and a little sacrifice, if he is a man of God, and cares forthe good of his people, he is repaid a hundred fold in the consciousness of having in this way con¬ tributed to the glory of God, as he beholds the moulding influence of such a publication over families, parents, and children, drawing them to the house of God, to Christ, and to heaven.
In connexion with this case, the Editor re¬ marks, very; truly, that " the religious newspa¬ per of any State is the great agent of the Mis¬ sionary Society, addressing every congregation, | entering every family, and speaking through the' Whole week; in this day of active thought, uni¬ versal intelligence, and restlessness, it is in¬ dispensable to tbe union and advance of every church."
Our second example is from the Christian Mir¬ ror. A letter from the pastor of a very feeble church is quoted, in which he says:
For two years past I have been unable to find any individual willing to subscribe for the Christian Mirror, until two weeks ago last Sab¬ bath. I then asked the members of the church and parish to tarry after divine service, when I stated that we were behind the other Christian societies in town in regard to our religious pa¬ per, that while we were taking but three copies of ours, one of those societies was circulating more than fifty copies of the Christian Herald.
And the result is, in connexion with a part of three days to circulate a subscription paper, drawn up by a member of the parish, we have obtained twelve new subscribers for the Chris¬ tian Mirror.
Doubtless the pastor would have obtained his twelve subscribers, or, at least, part of them, two years sooner, had he adopted the same course.
The third example is ofa different kind. It relates to a large and flourishing church, whose pastor has led them in the way for a long series of years, and whose ripe experience has taught him how his labors may be most profitably be¬ stowed. The New England Puritan says:
A clergyman in this State, whose labors among the people of his charge, for twenty years past, have been signally blessed by the Holy Spirit, writes under date of Feb. 1st, as fol¬ lows : " I have set out with a determination that every family in my parish, which does not enjoy the reading of any other religious paper, shall have the reading of the Puritan. In order to ef¬ fect this, I make an arrangement with rich fami¬ lies in every neighborhood to lend their papers to those who are so poor that they cannot afford to pay for them. I have been much more suc¬ cessful than I expected to be when I commenced the effort. If every Congregational minister j would do the same, I am persuaded that a vast amount of good would be done to their people. It seems to be impossible for any family to read the Puritan, without derivingessential advantage from it for time and for eternity."
It may be proper for us to add, that, as the re- suit of his effort, more than eighty copies of our paper have been subscribed for within a few weeks by the people of his pastoral charge.
sion of heavenly mysteries. Aut still there is a simple grandeur in the fact, that-God has set forth his Son to be a propitiation sufficient to si¬ lence the impatient clamors of sophistry, and to carry to all serious and humble men a firm convicliou that the law is e.xalted. To minds of that description, the immaculate purity of the di¬ vine character, its abhorrence of sin, and its inflexible adherence to moral order, vvill present themselves, in the cros.?, in a more impressive light than in all other objects. .,.,,..¦.
For tlie Cliristian Oliserver. PEACE-BREAKERS IN THE CHURCH.
The peace of the church has been repeatedly broken in modern times by the war of opinion. J^en with more heat than light, of more zeal than knowledge, form theirplan for promoting a good object, and in their ardor to accomplish it, they cannot rest till they convert the church and make her an auxiliary in carrying out their reforms. No matter what may be the views of older or wiser men, the reformers of our days are too self-confident, and have too good an opinion of their own wisdom to listen to the counsels of others. The following remarks from Henry de¬ serve the attention of such men.
"There are those that rouse up 'strife andcon- tention,' that foment divisions, widen breaches, incense men against one another, and sow dis¬ cord among brethren, by doing the work of him that is the accuser of the brethren. Strifes and contentions that have been laid asleep, and be¬ gun to be forgotten, they awake, and industri¬ ously raise up again, and blow up the sparks that were hid under the embers. And if'blessed are the peace-makers,' cursed are such peace-break¬ ers that make parties, and so make mischief that spreads farther, and lasts longer, than they can imagine. It is sad to see bad men warming their hands at those flames which are devouring all that is good in a nation, and stirring up the fire too."
more signally blessed. Let the God of all grace be praised. And let ministers and Christians every where, engage most faithfully in pious and persever¬ ing efforts to persuade their fellow sinners to repent and turn unto God. Here we are obliged to labor, eve¬ ry one in his own field, as all find there as much vvork as they can possibly perform. We go out to as¬ sist each other, only for short seasons, and in cases of special urgency. S. McKee.n.
Bradford, Ft., Feb., 1833.
——~v*r^l
gave
following interrogations:
making the
,      . ,    , "Sir, do you, of late,
preach with that success wilh which once you
ATONEMENT OP CHRIST.
"I am aware (says Robert Hall,) that a cold and skeptical philosophy may suggest specious cavils against the doctrines of revelation on the subject of the atonement—cavils which derive all their plausibility, not from the superior wis¬ dom of their authors, but solely from the inade¬ quacy of hum^ reason to the full cqmprehen-
Por the Christian Observer. REVIVAIi IN PORTSMOUTH, N. H.
[From a Correspondent of the Christian Observer.] Portsmouth Feb. 20th, 1843. Mr. Editor,—In a letter to you some time since, I alluded to the state of religion in this place, and spoke of an interest which was be¬ ginning to be manifested in my congregation. I am happ3' now to say that we are enjoying a precious revival, a few particulars of which may not be uninteresting to your readers.
About eight or ten weeks since we appointed a meeting for conversation with ihe impenitent on Monday evening, and at the first meeting there were ten persons present. On the follow¬ ing week the number was more than doubled, and within a few weeks the meeting was so fully attended, that we were obliged to divide it, and meet the youth and children in the afternoon, and the adults in the evening. Last Monday we had about seventy adults, and nearly eighty children present, some of whom give good evi¬ dence of having become converted to God. At the last communion we admitted nine persons by profession to the church, and a number stand ready to come forward at the next communion. The minds of most of these individuals have been for a long time interested. Those who have within a week or two entertained a hope, we do not think it best to hurry into the church, but prefer to give them time for self-examination. Every week we have cases of special interest coming under our observation, and it is truly af¬ fecting to listen to the remarks made by some of our young converts at our prayer meetings. Among the children there is a very great inter¬ est, although I do not think that all who attend our meetings for conversation feel deeply. Many of them do, and vve hope and pray that they vvill all, ere long, be brought into the kingdom. The youth and children hold prayer meetings, as well as the adults, which we hope will be productive of much good.
There are various features of this revival which are very pleasing. One is, that it com¬ menced and has progressed under the ordinary means of grace. We have no extra preaching, no undue excitement, but the work is quiet, deep, and carried forward, "notby might nor by power, but by the Spirit of God." The members of the church are very active, and much fervent prayer is daily offered at a throne of grace. All our meetings are solemn and delightful. The hearts of Christians seem to be drawn together by the chords oflove, and strong desires are felt by all the friends of Christ, that every member of the congregation may become a subject of the revival.
I hope that we shall have the prayers of Chris¬ tians abroad, that this work may extend until all the inhabitants of Portsmouth are brought to bow under the power of a Saviour's dying love. In some of the other churches in the place, inter¬ esting revivals are in progress. The number of conversions and inquirers I have not learned.
It has occurred to me since this revival com menced, that it is important in every large pa rish to have one evening ir^ the week set apart for conversation by the pastor with the impeni tent of his congregation. There are, or ought to be, always some who are sufficiently interested to converse for a few moments upon the subject of their souls' salvation, and such a meeting as this vvill draw them out. If none comply with the invitation, after the meeting is established, then the church should be kindly urged to increase their efforts, and prayers, and faith, until some are led to inquire what they must do to be sav¬ ed. At this day, when God is ready to bless the feeblest efforts, we have every encouragement to labor for the immediate conversion of souls.
Yours, truly, , R. W. C.  t^j^f'*^^^**^**^-'
REVIVAIi IN VERMONT AND N. HAMPSHIRE.
The following is a letter from tbe Rev. S. McKeen, Pastor of the church in Bradford, a town on the west¬ ern bank of Connecticut river, which is the boundary line between the States of New Hampshire and Ver¬ mont. ^
This is indeed a glorious day for Zion—a day when the hearts of God's people are made glad, and angels are rejoicing over many sinners repenting, and con¬ secrating themselves lo the service of the adorable Redeemer. In this part of the valley of the Connecti¬ cut, on both sides of the river, revivals are frequent, extensive, and powerful. Almost every town is more or less blessed. For what God has done, and is do- in<r in this town, we feel most heartily thankful. The time has not come for greater particularity; but I do not believe that this immediate region has ever been
THE MORAVIAN CHURCH.
The Church of the United Brethren sprang from a little flock of Christ, which had preserv¬ ed the doctrine and discipline of the Primitive Church, during successive centuries, but was pur¬ sued by unrelenting persecution through the dark period of the middle ages. The church, under its present name, was formed in 1457, about sixty years before the Reformation, out of the wreck of the Bohemian Church, which had escaped into Moravia after the martyrdom of John Huss. There, previously to the time of Lu¬ ther, they employed the newly-invented art of printing in disseminating three editions of the word of Godin thevernaculartongue. The pu¬ rity of their doctrine and discipline was gene¬ rally acknowledged and commended by the Re¬ formers.
In 1467 they obtained Episcopal ordination from Stephen, Bishop of the Waldenses, and, be¬ fore the close of the fifteenth century, established numerous congregations in Bohemia and Mora¬ via. These were soon exposed to the bitter enmi¬ ty of the Romish priesthood. In 1544, a time of sore trial commenced, which issued in the' expulsion of many of the faithful ministers and members of the church, who, scattered through Great and Lesser Poland, Lithuania, and Prussia, preached the gospel in countries which had long been destitute of scriptural light. The last persecution broke out in the year 1620, and was attended with the gradual destruction or suppression of 200 of their churches in Bohemia and Moravia, the small and oppressed remnant seeking refuge in the neighboring kingdom of Saxony. Here, as it were, in answer to the fer- { vent parting prayer of John Amos Comenius,the last resident Moravian Bishop, they found a place of rest and security on the estate of that eminent servant of God, Count Zinzendorf, and formed a settlement in 1722, to which they gave the name of Herrnhut. After due examination of their claims, the Count assisted them in maintaining their ecclesiastical constitution, and preserving their polity and order, the validity of which was fully recognised by the British Legislature in the year 1749.
In 1735, some of the brethren visited England, on their way to North America, and, in the early part of 1738, brother Peter Bohler formed an in¬ timate acquaintance with several clergymen and students in London and Oxford, to whom his tes¬ timony of the free grace of God in Christ Jesus was greatly blessed. On tbe 12th of May the first society in connexion with the Brethren's Church was established in Fetter-Lane, by the advice and under the direction of Bohler, and four years after, those members of the Society who felt themselves called to enter into closer fellow¬ ship with the Moravian Church, were formed into a regular congregation by brother A. G. Spangenburg. This event took place on the 10th of November, (20th of October,) 0. S.,) 1742, in Little Wild street, Lincoln's Inn-fields, where the brethren at that time had a place of worship, and it was followed by the establishment of similar congregations in various parts of Great Britain and Ireland.
May the spirit of our forefathers, which render¬ ed them both willing and able to do and to en- dure all things, for the sake of Christ their Lord and Master, rest on this little flock, and may all its members be found faithfully " keeping the word of Christ's patience," and " walking wor¬ thy of the vocation wherewith they are called, with all lowliness and meekness, with long suf¬ fering, forbearing one another in love, endea¬ voring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace!"—Amen.
THE SABBATH ESSENTIAL, TO NATIONAL. GREATNESS.
The following remarks from Rev, Mr. Cheeteb's Address to the New England Society of New York, contain truth which deserves the serious consideration of all vvho love God or their country:
'•5, The next possession and element of Na¬ tional Greatness, which I must notice, is the Christian Sabbath. We possess this blessing through the goodness of God, in greater purity perhaps than any other people. The perma¬ nence of our institutions, the perpetuity of our freedom, depends greatly upon the carefulness with which we guard and preserve it. Here I am compelled to say, that there is a great insen¬ sibility to the preciousness and the preserving power of this blessing. A thousand times better the austere strictness, with which our Puritan ancestors observed the holiness of this institu¬ tion, than the looseness which too often charac¬ terizes their descendants in regard to it. In ge¬ neral, a nation's prosperity has been and is pro¬ portioned to the sacredness with which it keeps the Sabbath. The reasons are as simple and plain as the daylight. Wherever the Sabbath is kept, it makes holy and well educated families. It infuses into the poor and ignorant a sense of .the blessings of cleanliness, knowledge, and virtue, and an ambition to possess them. It links the weeks of households, villages, cities, Qommunities, with a golden chain of order and love running through them. It is the education of a nation, where, one-seventh portion of our time, we are all at school together. It promotes industry, and yet the checks it from over-task¬ ing the tired frame of the laborer or the working mind of the student, by the obligation of a hea¬ venly leisure intervening. By recalling the bu¬ siest worshippers of Mammon from the vortex, and the din, and the strife of our external world of selfishness and avarice, to the quiet fireside, as well as the solemnity of the Sanctuary, it in¬ creases our sense of the blessedness of home, makes homely blessings more precious, quick¬ ens the pulses of affectionate hearts in the ties of the family constitution, and prevents the utter weaning of the heart from home, in men vvho would otherwise live in the world and be of the world entirely.
But this is not all:—our Sabbath is a dayof sacred rest, but not indolence ; it is a day of in- .tellectual and spirtual awakening; a day in which a great, onward, lofty impulse is given simultaneously to the minds of a whole people, in the bringing of themes before them, which are a study for the intellect of angels. So that the Sabbath, as God has instituted it, does more to enlarge and invigorate a nation's mind, than all other causes. It is like a periodic inundation of the Nile, after which the week itself is sown ) and harvested with virtues and blessings. This, most certainly, is the grand reason for the intel¬ lectual superiority of Protestant over Catholic countries, where the Sabbath is merely a waste and dissipation of the national mind, and con¬ curs, with other causes, with the multiplicity of other Feast Days, to sap the energies and mo¬ rals of the people. In proportion as we neglect the Sabbath, vve open the door to the same evils ] I" which every where meet the traveller in Romish countries.
This institution then is the constituted safe-
VOL. XXII. NO. 9.
guard, in Divine Providence, of all our bless¬ ings. No nation can carelessly permit the ha¬ bits of neglect and profanation of its sacredness to 'creep upon her cities, and not be deeply in¬ jured. Those Sabbath nuisances, that from time to time spring up through the profligacy of indi¬ viduals, oughtto be destroyed as soon as attempt¬ ed. I have witnessed much profaning of the Sabbath, and in many forms; in countries where such profanation was esteemed a virtue, and where, though allowed, it was esteemed a sin ; but, all things considered, I have never seen a more disgraceful form of such profanation, than here in this city, under the very eye of the au¬ thorities, prevails in the daily Sabbath sale of polluted and polluting public journals.
Importance of Christian Education. 6, Connected with the Christian Sabbath, an¬ other element not merely of national greatness, but, considering the peculiar nature of our in¬ stitutions, of national existence, is that of A Christian-Editcation. Education alone vvill not save us. Much has been said, and justly, on the necessity of general intelligence as the ground-work of public institutions; and alarm¬ ing facts are arrayed as to the increasing igno¬ rance of the people of the United States. But intelligence alone is not the qualification which the peculiar nature of our institutions renders necessary. Goodiiess, moral goodness, is re¬ quisite, integrity of character, sincere patriot¬ ism. That this is that part of a Christian educa¬ tion, which is needed more than knowledge, I hesitate not to affirm. Without it, the universal diffusion of knowledge will but prepare this country to become a mere gladiatorial arena of contending parties, where pride, selfishness, passion in every shape, may have room to battle for the victory. Now, it is not Common Schools alone that can make a Christian education ; if they be separated from the Gospel, or the Gos¬ pel separated from them, it is plain that they do but train the evil in men's hearts fora more skil¬ ful, desperate, unprincipled conflict for victory, antl what are called the spoils of victory.
For tlie Cliristian Observer.. MirLERISM AND LITERALISM 11
Brother Converse:
I was gratified with the explanation given in the last number of the Observer, (Feb. 17th,) re¬ specting your late remarks on Millerism.   Your "late remarks" on this subject often appeared to  me peculiarly  objectionable—in  that, they wore the aspect of trifling with a most solemn subject.   I regard Mr. Miller as being exceed¬ ingly presumptuous, in speaking so confidently of the precise time of the end of all things; but I do not feel myself justified on this account, in sneering at the man as a wild fanatic, or joining in the sceptical scoff, athis opinion of ihespeedy "coming of the day of God."   "That awful day will surely come,   the appointed hour makes haste," and when it is actually but one year, or one month distant, the unbelieving and scotfing world will be saying, as at present, '¦'¦Whereis the promise of his coming ?"    One thing is cer¬ tain, that awful event will come  "as a thief in the night;" and on the best authority, vve are as¬ sured that in such an hour as men think not, the Son of man will come.    Constant watchfulness, therefore, is the duty of all.
I agree with you that the excitement on Mil¬ lerism may be fraught with disastrous conse¬ quences to the souls of men. Should the speci¬ fied time pass by, without ushering in tbe second advent of the Saviour, many of the disciples of Miller vvill, I fear, become altogether sceptical, as to this wonderful event. They are so confi¬ dent that 1813—1844—is the appointed time for its arrival, that its non-appearance then will be in their view a failure of the promise of his com¬ ing. In this way, I apprehend the most serious consequences from the prevalence of his senti¬ ments on this point. Still I think it behooves those vvho wonld enlighten the public mind on this subject, to apply themselves to the work with all sobriety of mind, and with the seriousness that becomes so grave a theme.
My object in taking up my pen at this time, is to say a few things on a topic, which, in the opinion of many, is closely allied to Millerism. I refer to the vievvs of the Literalists, which of late are beginning to engross the attention of the Christian community in England and Amer¬ ica. The attempt is made by some to cast odium upon Literalism, by identifying it with Miller¬ ism. But there'is ho' affinity between them.— The only point of resemblance'in these two sys¬ tems, is the speedy personal appearing of the Son of Man. The Literalists, however, general¬ ly do not speak confidently as to the time of the Saviour's second coming; and he will come, in their view, to establish his glorious kingdom and commence his millennial reign on the earth, and not, as the Millerites say, to wind up the af¬ fairs of this mundane system. This disclaimer vvill answer forthe present; and if any of your correspondents vvill present the evidence to .show the identity of Millerism and Literalism, I will weigh it with candor, and yield my convictions to its influence.
You are aware that the Literalists believe that the coming of the Saviour will be pre- millennial; and that this awful event is probably not very far distant—that it is so near as to re¬ quire all to watch, lest when the Lord cometh they be found sleeping. But for some time past, many remarks in your excellent and useful pa¬ per have spoken pointedly against such a senti¬ ment. To this I make not the least objection. [I allude to the fact, merely, as-a reason for the exercise of your patience and the indulgence of your readers, while I make a few suggestions, by way of apology for those vvho consider the pre-millennial advent of the Son of God as pro bably very near, even at the door.
Observing from your late remarks, my dear brother, that your patience must not be unduly taxed by any "monstrous assumption," 1 vvill en¬ deavor to guard against this error, so that you may not be tempted above what you can bear. I premise in the outset, to make no "extravagant assumption;" I vvill but venture,  modestly, to ask a few questions ; and draw a few inferences from your own  principles.     You admit "the second coming of Christ is a most interesting and glorious truth, distinctly revealed and wor¬ thy of all acceptation.   It is a truth in which all have a deep and solemn interest."   I need not ask, in view of this statement, whether the doc¬ trine ought to be proclaimed, and urged upon the attention of all as a motive to repentance on the part of sinners, and fidelity on the part of Christians'?    This you  will admit.    But if you affirm confidently, that the second coming   of the Saviour vvill not, cannot take place for at least 1000 years, what influence can the motive have upon the minds of your hearers or readers ¦? Will the religious teacher who entertains such an opinion, press this motive with any tolerable earnestness upon his hearers, or vvill the care¬ less be likely to be influenced by it under these circumstances'!  It would be marvellous indeed, did any such results follow?   In my opinion it would be no more productive of good than the preaching which calls upon men to repent, and in the same sentence cautions them against the dangerous heresy of supposing that they can repent.
But let me further inquire, my brother, whe-