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the call on them to repent and do their first works. Brethren! there is no hope for the church while she remains unhumbled-while she throws the blame on God-while she looks every where for the causes of her unfruitfulness, except to her own backsliding, impenitent, and unbelieving heart; but let her lay it to heart-let her be broken-hearted; let her be clad in sackcloth and ashes, then will God arise and come forth from the invisible abode of his glory, to raise up and glorify the church.

"Often before, but especially of late, have I been deeply grieved on account of the comparative unsuccessfulness of my ministry; but for this I would heartily thank God, that the churches to which I have ministered, have increased every year of my labours among them. To see this, or any church, actually lessen under my care, would either break my heart, or render it callous as the nether millstone."

Let it not be imagined that the Baptist churches are in a worse condition than our own. I have now before me the report of a county association of independent churches, which has for many years published a table of their numbers. From their report of 1839, I learn that these 17 churches have 34 village stations, and 2095 Sunday scholars; and yet that they received as the fruit of all their means of usefulness but 91 persons, and lost by death and removals 60, giving an increase for the year to the whole associated churches of but 31 persons, or less than two persons to each church! This is a state of things still worse than any thing revealed by our Baptist friends, and I fear, from the character and standing of that association, that other associated churches amongst us could not produce a more flattering statement, if in truth they should possess the moral courage to look their true position in the face. I will, therefore, venture to urge on the pastors and deacons of our churches, that they will first, as a necessary means of knowing the state of their own flocks, prepare the spiritual statistics of their respective communities; and that, for the information and improvement of the associations with which they are united, they will then combine those returns into one general result, for the benefit of our whole connection. There are, I know, two or three objections which are often urged against these returns, to which I will address myself before I conclude.

Some object to this as if it were sinful, and quaintly say they will not number the people." This reference to the case of David, as recorded 2 Sam. xxiv. 10, is surely not intended to esta blish the principle that a census of the population is contrary to the will of God? If so, Moses transgressed more than once; and the Judges, too, who appear also to have taken at different periods a census of the people. The sin of David, in my judgment, was one of omission, and consisted in appropriating the people to himself, as sovereign, before the half shekel had been paid to the Lord as ransom money for their souls. Exod. xxx. 12. There is, then, nothing in the act of numbering the people that can in itself be displeasing to God, else we should not have such frequent references to the act, and illustrations borrowed from it, as are found in the sacred writings. Psalm lxix. 28; lxxxvii. 6; Neh. vii. 5; Ezek. xiii. 9, &c.

The other objection relates to the alleged mischievous effects which such returns produce upon those who are successful, leading them to self-complacency, and a glorying against their brethren.

Spiritual success is usually granted to those ministers whose own souls prosper and are in health. Such men are not novices, puffed up with pride. Their usefulness is the result of a process which has taught them that "neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth: but God that giveth the increase." They will, therefore, observe any decided success they may enjoy as a proof not of their own excellence, but of the unmerited grace of their Master in heaven.

But what is the probability of the abuse of this practice, when compared with the advantages which would result to our churches, and our body, if they were to "examine themselves, to prove their own selves." Would not many pastors and churches awake to the fact that they live and labour for themselves, but make no aggressive movements upon the frontiers of darkness, and that while they pray for the increase of the kingdom of Christ, their languid efforts and fruitless prayers scarcely maintain the numbers which years ago were enrolled amongst them? QUÆSTUS.

ON DECAYED AND DECAYING CONGREGATIONAL CHURCHES.

(To the Editor.)

DEAR SIR,-Only a sense of duty could induce me to refer to the subject of this paper. It is a difficult and a delicate one, and may seem to some to be intrusive. And yet, when the interests of our denomination are damaged, and, what is worse, the souls of men are lost by the evils of which I am about to speak, I feel that some one ought to bring the matter before our brethren. I refer to Congregational churches which have declined and are now at the lowest point of efficiency, and to others that are undergoing the same process of deterioration, and threatening the same unhappy result.

It is of no use to disguise the fact, that in some of our towns-t may be county towns, and other important and central stations-the cause of Christ, in connexion with our denomination, has sunk to the lowest state consistent with existence at all. It is true, there is still the appearance of life-the various institutions of the present day supply occasions for a sort of factitious vitality-like the shocks of the galvanic battery upon a dead animal. So that when the anniversary of the Sunday-school or of the Missionary Society comes round, there is an unwonted stir and an unnatural movement given to the body, but it soon subsides again to its torpid or dying state.

In the mean time, the interests of religion in the town and neighbourhood are suffering the greatest injury. The congregation, once considerable and influential, has dwindled down to one-fourth of its original number; the best of the people, once zealous and useful in their immediate locality, are either disconraged, or have died off, and they have had no successors. The young people, and sometimes others more advanced, seek a more lively and thriving community, and a more energetic ministry. The pastor may still be loved and respected by numbers, both within and without his own circle, but

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he has arrived at an age when the powers of the mind are incapable of accomplishing what is required in the present day of active movement and of determined competition, and sometimes of fierce opposition. The energies of the body are enfeebled, and many duties cannot be performed which in former years were discharged with pleasure and benefit. His pulpit labours might have suited another state of society, but are not adapted to meet the wants of the present generation. The consequences can easily be imagined-nay, they need not to be imagined, they are matters of fact. The large congregation has dwindled down to a small, very small, one; the vigorous body of people, once the joy and rejoicing of the heart of the pastor, now presents the mere outline of what it was. The new generation has been attracted by a more popular style of preaching, or has sought for mental, if not spiritual, aliment in other communions, while the national Establishment has drawn some of the wealthier class into its ranks. All this has grieved the heart of the pastor, who still feels attached to his people, and wonders that they should leave him. He feels few of his infirmities; at least, if he admits some of these, he considers them counterbalanced by an increase of experience and ability to guide and comfort his flock. And most likely, if the state of our churches was very healthy, and the condition of society different from what it is, and spiritual religion was more valued than the mere ad captandum preaching of a certain class in the present day, the labours of the aged pastor, who had for thirty or forty years ministered to his people in holy things, would be valued far more than the showy productions of younger, and, it may be, more vigorous minds.

But so it is, that the state of our denomination, combined with the elements of society at the present time, require a more vigorous, attractive, and popular ministry than can be supplied by those very excellent and beloved men who have nearly worn out their lives in the service of their divine Master. The congregations are reduced in number, in energy, in usefulness. They see this, but perhaps they are hardly willing to admit to themselves the true reason. The cause of Christ around is weakened, and when these good men die, or are compelled to give up their charges, from total inability to attend to them, the people can hardly be brought back again, though the most energetic and most excellent ministry succeeds; apathy has been produced in the town-the population has not been excited to extended or continuous activity on the great objects of christian benevolence. The church of Christ that, in other circumstances, would have exerted a powerful and salutary influence on all classes and denominations, has for ten or twenty years just kept itself alive, without acting on others, or producing a spirit of zeal. The result has been exceedingly painful. Some important towns are almost lost to our denomination in consequence of the continuance of this state of things, or there is only one church where two or three, or more, ought to have been established.

But what can be done? This is my difficulty. I write for the very purpose of confessing the difficulty, and begging your correspondents to consider what should be attempted in such cases, in con

sistency with two things-the rights of our churches, and the greatest kindness and sympathy towards our aged pastors or others, whose causes have been reduced to the lowest point consistent with the form and name of a church and congregation. Many lament this state of things, but how can we interfere is the question? I do not say that it is a defect in our system that we are unable to interfere ecclesiastically in such cases. And yet, if nothing be done personally, or in a brotherly manner, and matters continue in the same way, or rather grow worse, we shall have bitterly to lament the ruin of interests that might flourish, and beneficially affect the counties. where they exist. I write to open the question. Many have talked about it in private. Wherever I go, into various counties, I meet with lamentations as to the tenacity with which certain brethren hold by charges that are fast departing from them, though they have promises of being secured against pecuniary suffering. Why should a subject like this be concealed in the circles of private friendship or of ministerial intercourse? It is surely better to look fairly at the evil, and obtain, if possible, the judicious and kind opinions of those who can mingle in the counsels which they offer on this subject, faithfulness to the cause of our common Lord, a consistent regard for the interest of our denomination, and the greatest tenderness for the feelings of our brethren, who, by the providence of God, and by the very course of nature, are placed in their present position. I remain yours,

X.

AN INQUIRY RESPECTING A SECOND PENTECOST.

(To the Editor.)

SIR,—I read, in the "Church History through all Ages," by Rev. T. Timpson, the following statement: that

"It is a chief principle in the religion of Jesus Christ, that the influences of the Holy Spirit are indispensably necessary to make a Christian, and especially a qualified and successful missionary, or minister; and it is probable that, before the universal extension of the Redeemer's kingdom among all nations, there will be another effusion of the Holy Spirit, little less eminent than that on the day of Pentecost."-page 37.

I do not quarrel with the respected author of this sentence. In the latter clause of it, which I have put in italics, he only echoes the general cry from the pulpit and the press, that a second Pentecost is to be expected ere the world will be converted. May I take the liberty to ask, through your pages, on what is the probability of this opinion founded? Is it scriptural? if so, it is certain, and not probable.

I think it of the utmost moment, at once, to secure correctness of theological sentiment upon this point-for the influence of an erroneous opinion must be mischievous. We should therefore have a treatise on the present hope of the Christian Church-explaining, upon

scriptural grounds, whether it be an effusion of the Spirit, or the coming of Christ. Will some one of your correspondents, "mighty in the Scriptures," favour us with a paper on the subject? It may be that, upon examination, we shall be led, with our millennarian brethren, to look for and haste "unto the coming of the day of God:" and that, instead of praying and waiting for the conversion of the world to Christ, we shall be planning and working to bring about that blessed event; "and so much the more as we see the day approaching." I write this, simply desiring information, and being, as you know, quite opposed to the dogma of a millennium.

Paris.

Αληθης.

AN HYMN, ON LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE OF THE

WESTMINSTER CHAPEL.

REJOICE, Oh Earth! 'tis Heav'n's decree,
Thy Realms and Tribes the Lord's shall be,
Prepare thy Songs, thine Off'rings bring,
That praise may wait for Sion's king.

He comes! Hosanna to the Lord!
No frowns array; He wears no sword:
His kingdom comes in joy and peace,
And everlasting righteousness.

Come King of Kings! come Lord of all!
We hear Thy wheels; we hear Thy call;
To Thee we bend, to Thee we bow;
Come quickly, come, Lord Jesus! now.

We build a House where Thou may'st come,
Whom once the Earth denied a Home.
We build that here Thy Saints may prove,
And Sinners learn that Thou art "Love!"

E. SWAINE.

RHYMES FOR THE TIMES.

No. I.-A RECENT DEBATE.

WHAT priest shall judge, where prelates disagree?
Cries EXETER "Subscription meaneth not

That who subscribes, believeth every jot."

Saith PRIMATE OF ALL ENGLAND-"I protest

'Gainst truth of that, by some so free confess'd,
That practice 'tis of clergy to subscribe
Who yet the articles not heart-imbibe ”
Rejoineth NORWICH-" Ne'er yet did I know
One clergyman who had subscrib'd him so-
One clergyman who so coerc'd his soul
As to avow that he believ'd the whole."
Retorteth LONDON-" Baby! I know better!
All who subscribe believe the very letter."

A LAWYER.

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