Father. on me the grace bestow, Unblamable before thy sight, Whence all the streams of mercy flow; To me, for Jesus' sake impart, And plant thy nature in my heart. Little grace may be true grace; but little grace is next to no grace; and therefore weak grace is seldom discerned. Just as those "motes" or "atoms," as they are called, which are small particles of dust, and fly abroad in the air, are true bodies, but they are invisible bodies: thus while faith is but as "a grain of mustard seed" (Luke xiii. 19), it may be true, but it will be hardly seen. When love to God is (as a small spark of fire covered with a heap of ashes) smothered with too great a mixture of sensual and carnal affections, it is not easily discovered or found without much search; but faith grown up to a tree, and love blown up to a flame, cannot be hid; for thus they render themselves most visible and manifest. That poor woman that had lost her groat, was forced to "light her candle," and sweep diligently her house," and to look long before she found it, because it was but a drachm-a very small piece (Luke xv. 8); had it been a talent, or shekel of the sanctuary, it would have been more easily found. Let the print be true and exact, yet if small, it is often not legible, especially to weak eyes. If you would attain to assurance, labour to make your calling more sure in itself, by growing eminent in grace.-Fairclough. SATURDAY. "Behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you,... yea, what ind gnation, yea, what fear." . . . .—2 COR. vii. 11. Return, O holy Dove, return, Sweet messenger of rest! I hate the sins that made thee mourn- It is the nature of true grace to gather strength by every wound. Grace gathers strength by contraries, as fire doth when it is compassed about with coldness by an antiperistasis. By all a Christian's falls his graces grow brighter and stronger. At the long-run, a Christian, by all his falls loses nothing but his dross, his chaff, his scum, his filth. Now he that finds his sins thus overruled for the good of his soul, he is certainly a gracious soul.-Brooks. SABBATH. "I have spoken peace to my people and to my saints; but let them not turn again to folly."-Ps. lxxxv. 8. Lo! I take thee at thy word; My foolishness I mourn; Unto thee, my bleeding Lord, However late, I turn. Has God graciously remitted us our arrears ?-let us pay our rent more punctually for time to come. Every day is a rent day with us, and we must be careful, by filling up time with duty, and doing the work of every day in its day, to pay our rent duly; and wherein we come short, balance our accounts with the blood of Christ, which cleanses from all sin, by a renewed application of the virtue of that to our souls; and thus keep touch with him who is, and ever will be, faithful to us.--Henry. MONDAY. "Behold, I have set before thee an open door."-REV. iii. 8. Find in Christ the way to peacePeace unspeakable, unknown: By his pain he gives you easeLife by his expiring groan. Immediately upon Adam's sin, the door of com-¡ munion with God was locked, yea, chained up, ar no more coming nigh the Lord: not a soul could ha any access to him, either in a way of communion this world, or of enjoyment in that to come. It w Jesus the Mediator that opened that door again, and in him it is that we have boldness, and access with confidence.-Flavel. TUESDAY. "Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path."-Ps. cxix. 105. Divine Instructor! gracious Lord! Teach me to love thy Sacred Word, O that with hands and hearts lifted up to heaven, ye would adore the free grace of Jesus Christ to your souls! How many round about you have their eyes closed and their hearts shut up! How many are in darkness, and there are like to remain, till they come to the blackness of darkness which is reserved for them! O what a pleasant thing is it for your eyes to see the light of this world! Bless God, and boast not: rejoice in your light, and beware ye sin not against the best and highest light in this world. Jesus Christ intended, when he opened your eyes, that your eyes should direct your feet. Light is a special help to obedience, and obedience is a singular help to increase your light.-Ibid. WEDNESDAY. "Take heed lest he also spare not thee."-Rom. xi. 21. If grace be offered and refused, What is the sinner's plea ? For sin God spar'd not his own Son, And think'st thou he'll spare thee? If one might have expected sparing mercy and abatement from any, surely Christ might most of all expect it from his own Father; yet you hear God spared not his own Son. Sparing mercy is the lowest degree of mercy, yet he abated him not a minute of the time appointed for his suffering, nor one degree of wrath he was to bear. "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God." Woe and alas for evermore to that man who meets a just and righteous God without a Mediator! Whoever thou art that readest these lines, I beseech thee, by the mercies of God, by all the regard and love thou hast to thy own soul, neglect not time, but make quick and sure work of it.-Ibid. THURSDAY. "When the poor and needy seek water, and there is rone, and their tongue faileth for thirst, I the Lord will hear them, I the God of Israel will not forsake them."-ISA. xli. 17. I thirst for a life-giving God For him that on Calvary died; Which gush'd from Immanuel's side! Lord, make us as hungry as we are empty, and thirsty as we are dry. Lord, if thou deal with us according to our sense of need, we will get little; but Lord, we plead thou wilt deal with us according to our real need and thy royal bounty, and then we will be right enough.-Willison. Edinburgh: Printed by JoHN JOHNSTONE, residing at 12, Windsor Street, and Published by him at 2, Hunter Square. London: R. GROOMBRIDGE & SONS. Glasgow: J. R. M'NAIR & Co.; and to be had of any Bookseller throughout the Kingdom. 1 THE CHRISTIAN TREASURY. 445 NOTES ON MADEIRA. BY THE REV. JAMES JULIUS WOOD. FOURTH ARTICLE. THE bigotry of Popery was, at one time, very | intense throughout the Portuguese dominions, and nowhere more so than in Madeira. To such an extent was it carried, that burial was denied to Protestants who happened to die in the island, and their bodies were thrown into the sea. For many years past, however, the case has been different. The numbers of British subjects who settled in Madeira for trade, rendered some relaxation of this bigotry necessary; and the occupation of the island by British troops for many years, during the last European war, secured for foreign Protestants a fair share of liberty of conscience. This liberty has been expressly recognised and confirmed in the Constitutional Charter granted by Don Pedro. Tit. i., art 6, of that charter is as follows:-"The Roman Catholic Apostolic religion shall continue to be the religion of the State. All other religions shall be allowed to foreigners, with their domestic and private worship, in houses appointed for that purpose, without any exterior appearance of a church." There seems, therefore, to be entire liberty of conscience secured to foreigners-a complete right to exercise their own religion. The British subjects in Madeira consist of two classes-those who have fixed their residence there, and those who visit it for a longer or shorter period on account of their health. They have formed two congregations-the one Episcopalian, the other Presbyterian. The Episcopalian congregation is the older of the two, and has existed for many years. Their chapel cost about £16,000, though one scarcely sees how so much money has been expended on it. In conformity with the law of Portugal, it presents no appearance of a church externally, but a good deal of pains has been bestowed on the interior, though it can hardly be said to be either commodious or elegant. According to the provisions contained in the Consular Act, one-half of the current expenses of maintaining public worship in this chapel is borne by the British Government, and the other half by the congregation. Some years ago, the state of religion among the British residents was at a very low ebb. Business and pleasure wholly engrossed their time. The Word of God was neglected, nay, almost unknown; the Lord's-day was systematically profaned; immorality extensively and glaringly prevailed; and men sinned openly, and with a high hand, as if there were no God to see or to judge on the earth. Matters are vastly improved now. The present incumbent in the No. 38. Episcopal chapel is a gentleman of irreproachable character, a scholar, and possessed of some name in the scientific world from his acquaintance with natural science. He is a rigid observer of the rubric; and, by precept and example, urges on his people strict attention to the requirements and forms of the Church. From the respectability of his private character, his general kindness in his intercourse with his people, and the earnestness and perseverance with which he has urged on their attention the Church and her rites, he has succeeded in causing a pretty general attendance on the Church services, and in rendering disreputable open and gross immorality. In Madeira there is, at the present day, no small discussion on religious subjects, and among Protestants an average outward respect, at least, to religious ordinances. This state of matters, however, has unquestionably, in a certain measure, been brought about by the labours of Dr Kalley among the Portuguese, which have engaged a large share of the public attention, and by the formation and influence of the Presbyterian congregation. These have excited observation, have been the subject of conversation and discussion, have brought religious truth often and in various ways before the public mind, and thus have exercised a salutary influence on the Protestant community at large. It is deeply to be lamented, that, with all his respectability, and science, and kindliness of disposition, the minister of the Episcopal chapel is decidedly and strongly an adherent of the Tractarian party in the English Church. He has been carrying out to the fullest extent the views of that party in regard to the rites and ceremonies of the Church. That, indeed, would be of comparatively little consequence, did he not also teach the distinctive doctrines of that school, which are deadly poison to men's souls. Many of the Protestants in Madeira are persons who have received intimations of the approach of an insidious and fatal disease, or who are already within its grasp. If they have been roused truly to think of their state as sinners, and look around for a Saviour, they need to be affectionately and joyfully told that Jesus Christ came to seek and to save that which is lost; that there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved; that he that believeth shall be saved, and that he that believeth not shall be condemned; that whosoever will, may take the water of life freely; and that Jesus is able to save to the uttermost those who come unto November 14, 1845. God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make ing, on lease, a large room, which, at considerintercession for them. If the alarming threat- able expense, they repaired, and fitted up as enings, or the actual and decided attacks of a church. In this they meet at present. It disease have failed to rouse them, a solemn, is seated for between one hundred and thirty affectionate warning-note needs to be sounded and one hundred and forty, and for some years in their ears - the Word of God, weighty, past has been fully let; but as the congregation sharp, powerful, needs to be opened up and have only a short lease of their present church, applied. And with regard to those who are and as it is situated in a noisy locality, and is living in health, exposed daily to the influence too much crowded for such a climate and anof Madeira Popery, mingled faithfulness and dience, they have resolved to build a place of affection should be used towards them. Cruel worship in a convenient situation, and of a it were to heal the wound of any of these suitable size. A considerable sum of money slightly to speak words of peace when the has already been obtained for that purpose; but holy anger of God yet burns-to direct to a the larger part of what is required is still wantremedy of no efficacy. Baptismal regeneration, ing. There are many in the British Islands justification by works or inherent righteousness, who have sojourned for a time in Madeira, or the apostolical succession necessary to the who have had relatives or friends sojourners in ministerial office and to the reality and efficacy that distant land; and if they have learned to of the sacraments, the miraculous change of value Christ and his salvation, they doubtless the elements in the Supper into the body and experienced what a comfort it was to them to blood of the Lord, the authority of the Church, enjoy a preached Gospel, or to know that its and the merit of Church services, constitute consolations were ministered to those who were the chief part of the teaching in the Episcopal dear to them, when in circumstances which chapel. Surely the teaching of the Word of greatly required it. Some of these have already God is very different. That Word says: "Ex- contributed of their substance to aid in building cept a man be born again, he cannot enter the a Presbyterian church in Madeira, and others kingdom of God. In Jesus Christ, neither cir-will, doubtless, help in this really important and cumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumci- interesting work.* sion, but faith, which worketh by love. Being justified by faith, we have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. Born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever." During the winter months the communion is dispensed every Lord's-day; the chapel is open for public prayers twice every day in the week; and there is regular service every saint's-day: which things have, indeed, a show of wisdom in will worship; and they are well suited to furnish a hollow resting-place for the soul to those who, being ignorant of God's righteousness, go about to establish a righteousness of their own. It was the unsound doctrine taught in the Episcopal chapel which caused the formation of the Presbyterian congregation. Several pious Presbyterians having been led, in the providence of God, to sojourn in Madeira, found that, by reason of the doctrine taught by the Episcopal clergyman, it was impossible for them, either comfortably or conscientiously, to attend on his ministry. They asked first a Mr Barry, a preacher of the United Secession, and afterwards Dr James Henderson of Glasgow, to conduct public worship in the Presbyterian form. A Scotch merchant gave the use of his drawing-room; and a few assembled there to hear the Gospel as they had heard it aforetime in their own land-the way of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Subsequently, a liberal-minded Portuguese gentleman granted a public room at his disposal as a place of worship on the Lord's-day; and at a later period, the congregation succeeded in obtain But besides the personal interest which those who have been in Madeira, or who have had relatives or dear friends there, must feel in the maintenance of a preached Gospel in that island, the station is itself of such importance as to deserve the support of the people of God. The congregation is comparatively small; but it is collected from all parts of the British Islands, and often includes in it persons of rank, wealth, and influence. Whatever may have been the state of religion in the place from which they came, in the place of their sojourn they are brought under a preached Gospel in circumstances very favourable for being impressed with it. Then the congregation almost totally changes every season; so that, though it be small at any particular time, yet, in an aggregate of years, a large number of persons are connected with it, and reap its benefits. Besides, it forms a point of very delightful union for Christians of different denominations. Episcopalians, righteously dissatisfied with the unscriptural teaching in their own chapel, are to be found regularly worshipping there, along with their Free Church brethren, and members of the United Secession, of the Establishment, and. Independents, and Methodists, and Relief, and Baptists, and Original Burghers, and occasionally Romanists, and even Quakers. Many of these sit down at the same table to commemorate our Lord's death. Such union is very delightful; and it is not without its influence in promoting a spirit of union and Christian love among the people of God belonging to different denominations, wherever the future earthly lot of these indi Subscriptions for this purpose will be gladly received by our Publisher, No. 2, Hunter Square. THE MARTYRS OF THE ISLES. viduals is cast. Nor does this union involve any abandonment of principle-not anything that is held to be truth is given up. The points which are essential are those on which all God's people are agreed. The points on which they differ there is little reason to advert to. 447 deceased was but little known, the attendance is usually very small: four or six fellow-countrymen often constitute the whole company. Probably not one relative is present. The English burial-service is read partly by a Roman Catholic, who assists the Episcopal clergyman on these occasions. No tear is shed; there is, it may be, a feeling among the few attendants that one who came, like them, for health has failed in finding it, and perhaps so may they; and perhaps all are struck with the indications of loneliness and friendlessness in a foreign land which the little funeral presents. The services of the Episcopal clergyman have lately, in various instances, been dispensed with, and the funerals conducted according to the mode usual in Scotland; only, as the fineness of the climate admits of it, the prayer, instead of being in the house where the death has occurred, has generally been offered up by the minister at the grave. Connected with the Presbyterian Church is an excellent and rapidly increasing library, theological and miscellaneous, already containing upwards of five hundred volumes. It is open on the most liberal terms, and for a small annual subscription, to all who choose to avail themselves of it, whether they attend the Presbyterian church or not. There is also a library at the Episcopal chapel, but it is wholly under the control of the clergyman, and his High Church or Tractarian principles have given a decided High Church and Tractarian complexion to it. He refused to admit one of Dr James Buchanan's works on Affliction, because he found in it a recommendation that elders of the Presbyterian Church should visit and pray with the sick. Such are the means of religious instruction provided for our countrymen in Madeira. May [Written on hearing of the persecution of the Protestants at the Lord amend what is wrong in them, and prosper what is according to his own will! Verily, sinful immortals on the brink of eternity need the truth pure, plain, and affectionate. There is a burying-ground set apart for the British; for Popery tolerates not the burying of heretics in her consecrated places. It is kept in beautiful order, and is a very interesting and deeply affecting spot. There many a pilgrim from the British Isles, in search of health, has found a resting-place. The geranium, the rose, and the fuschia blossom gay over those graves of strangers, where dust, far from its kindred clay, awaits the morning of the resurrection. Most of the inscriptions tell that the tenants of these foreign graves were young in years. And as one gazes around, and wanders from walk to walk among the tombs, he sometimes thinks how many sorrows and anxieties found here an end-how many hopes were here extinguished -how many affectionate, sorrowing thoughts from distant lands have visited this little spot! And, passing from what has been to what shall be, one sometimes thinks who of all these seekers for health sought and found the Saviour -who of them shall come forth with joy to meet him at his coming? And as he rests in the thought," O Lord God, thou knowest," there comes, as it were, a still small voice from every grave; and it says: "Let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither let the mighty man glory in his might, let not the rich man glory in his riches; but let him that glorieth glory in this, that he understandeth and knoweth me, that I am the Lord which exercise loving-kindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth." "Prepare, prepare now, earnestly, and above all things, to meet thy God." The funeral of a stranger in Madeira is often a very humbling and impressive sight. If the THE MARTYRS OF THE ISLES. Madeira, and particularly of the condemnation to death of Maria Joaquina.] A vOICE comes o'er the waters!-a voice of thrilling sound! Yet long the powers of darkness had held dominion | And the Martyr's voice was joyful as he calmly sank there; And rites of horrid cruelty polluted all the air; And the cliffs that frown above them, and the waves that round them roll, Spoke of wrath, and not of mercy, to the terrorstricken soul. By the drear expanse of Ocean, that compassed them around, They were severed from the nations that knew the joyful sound; And the winged winds swept o'er them, and the billows lashed their shore, But no tidings of salvation to these distant isles they bore. But the Lord hath not forgotten them; his eye was on them yet; to rest, While the poison chilled his life's blood, or the spear transfixed his breast. And sweetly did the hallowed voice of adoration swell From the glad lips of the captive in Madeira's lonely cell; For his trust was in the God of truth, whose “ Word could not be bound," And he knew the seed his hand had sown was springing all around. For the Lord's hand was not shortened, and it could not be restrained; And the light had beamed on many a soul where darkness late had reigned; And what though bonds await them, if to Christ they dare to flee? And the time had come to favour them-the time Yet none of these things move them, for the Truth that he had set; And he sent from far his messengers-his trusted ones, to bear The words of hope and comfort to these dwellings of despair. hath made them free. Yea, their life they count not dear to them, but calmly wait the day That calls them for their Lord's dear sake, if so he wills, to lay Then burst the song of praise from those who, washed Their mortal bodies in the grave he robbed of all its And still the angels speak to her as on that morn they spoke, When from the slumbers of the tomb the Lord of life awoke; And now she sorrows not as those for him who "mourned and wept," For she knows that "Christ is risen, the first-fruits of those that slept." Then hush the voice of wailing!-raise high the voice of song, Ye saints who out of weakness through faith have been made strong! O sweetly beamed the light of truth on Madagascar's Patient in tribulation, and calm in midst of strife, isle; And many a heart was gladdened by a heavenly Be faithful unto death, and yours shall be the crown of life. J. G. SMAIL. |