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and their destiny be fixed for ever! THE LORD GRANT THAT WE MAY FIND MERCY OF THE LORD IN THAT DAY!

The following testimonies to the character and worth of the deceased must be highly gratifying to his family and friends.

TRUSTEES OF THE EVANGELICAL
MAGAZINE.

At the half-yearly meeting of the Trustees, held at Stationers' Court, on Wednesday, the 27th of June, the following resolution was unanimously adopted :

"The Editors and Trustees of the Evangelical Magazine cannot allow themselves to proceed with the ordinary business of the present meeting, without, in the first instance, giving expression to those feelings of sincere but submissive lamentation which have been called forth by the recent death of the Rev. George Burder, the respected and successful editor of this work for the space of more than twenty years. They cannot forbear testifying to the lively sense which they entertain of the devoted excellence of a character which, for more than half a century, presented a rich and varied exhibition of those graces and virtues which shed lustre on the Christian profession, and which fitted him for extensive usefulness in the church of God. Having been associated with the late venerable deceased in many works of faith and labours of love, they feel themselves called on to record their recollections of the wisdom, prudence, candour, meekness, devotion, and purity, which uniformly characterised the whole of his proceedings. "But while they would refer with becoming affection to the distinguished excellence of their deceased friend, they would not forget the source whence sprung both his character and his usefulness. He well knew his obligations to divine and sovereign grace; and to that grace, as his surviving colleagues, they would ascribe all the praise. "To his bereaved family they would offer their affectionate condolence, and in doing so, would venture to remind them of the honour and privilege of being so nearly allied to one whose name will be associated, for many generations, with the revival of religion which has taken place in the present century of the Christian era. Their prayer is, that all who were honoured to enjoy his friendship, and to mingle in his society, may be enabled to follow him, as he followed his Lord and Redeemer."

TRACT SOCIETY.

At a meeting of the Committee of the Religious Tract Society, 5th June, 1832, the death of the Rev. George Burder having been reported to the committee, it was "Resolved unanimously,-That this Committee, on receiving the intelligence of the decease of their venerated friend, the Rev. George Burder, desire to express their sympathy with his bereaved family and church, and to record their great obligations to him as one of the founders of the Institution, and as the author of several of its tracts, especially of twenty-four Cottage Sermons, twelve Sermons for Seamen, and twelve Sermons for the Aged; by which important publications he being dead yet speaketh, and will long continue to speak, in various languages, of the glories of the Saviour, of the way of salvation, of the dangers of sin, and of the beauties of holi

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LONDON MISSIONARY SOCIETY.

(Extracted from the Minutes.) "Resolved, That the Directors cannot receive information of the removal, by death, of the Rev. George Burder, without being led, not less by a sense of what is incumbent upon them as the representatives of the Society at large, than by their own feelings as individuals, to offer to his family the expressions of their sincere condolence on the bereavement they have sustained by the decease of their revered parent."

"The Directors are sensible, that instead of indulging the feelings which spring from worldly sorrow, they are called to cherish those which arise from a firm belief of the happiness of that transition which their long-esteemed friend, and former colleague, has made from the sufferings of mortality, to the perfect blessedness of that state into which he has entered." "They would further bless God for the example held out to themselves and others, by the devotedness and manifold labours of his long and eminently-useful life, in promoting the kingdom of the Redeemer in the world, particularly in the work of missions to the heathen; and more especially in his relation to this Society, as one of its founders; and in the office of gratuitous Secretary, which he zealously and effectively filled for nearly twenty-four years."

"The Directors present, at the same time, their sincere condolence to the church and congregation in Fetter-lane, on the loss which they have sustained, by the decease of their much-loved and faithful pastor; and to the surviving pastor of that church, on the removal of his greatly-revered colleague."

ON THE DEATH OF THE REV. GEORGE BURDER.

"Our fathers,-where are they?"

WHERE are the men of God, whose pious zeal,
Glowing with heavenly warmth and sacred fire,
Flamed like the beacon on the towering hill,
To cheer our souls, and teach them to aspire ?
Another, and another, disappears,

Another father of the church hath fled;
Sinking beneath the weight of lengthened years,
BURDER is numbered with the silent dead!

But late we met him in the house of prayer,
And while he told a Saviour's power and grace,
We marked the eloquence of feeling there,

Poured from his lip and beaming in his face.
For though the outward man was veiled in night,
The steadfast eye of faith was strong and clear :
'Twas Nature's eventide; but sacred light

Dawned on his spirit from a brighter sphere.

Now we have stood beside the silent tomb,
The last lone dwelling of his mortal clay,-
Unconscious tenant of that dreary home,

Till the "awakening" of the world's last day.
But, while we shared the sadness of that hour,
HOPE shed a cheering ray athwart the gloom,
And FAITH's untiring wing our spirits bore

Beyond the shadowy precincts of the tomb.
Revealed truth! thine heaven-born, gracious light,
Has pierced the dark domain of conquering death,
Dispersed the shadows of eternal night,

And given new glories to the eye of faith.
JESUS-thine Author, Subject, and High Priest-
Hath trod our earth, hath breathed our native air;
His life, his work, his death, his glorious rest,
Are all our trust, and all our souls' desire.

Could we, then, wish to stay the spirit's flight,
That lately sojourned in this vale of tears;
But now released hath soared to worlds of light,
Far from the reach of mortal cares or fears?
His work in Time is done! but who can know
What now employs his heaven-adapted powers,
Where Mind-a frail exotic here below-

Blooms in the glory of its native bowers?

No! We will praise the grace that changed his heart,
Made him the instrument of good to men,
Then called his soul to share a glorious part
In the high triumphs of Immanuel's reign.
And shall his memory perish ?-Never!
High in the record of undying fame,
By truth inscribed, and to endure for ever,
To Jesu's glory shall descend his name.

Not on the marble column that may serve
For those, who else would be by all forgot,-
His monument we may, perhaps, observe
In Caffre Kraal, or in an English cot;

Or 'midst the happy South Pacific Isles,

On which the "Sun of Righteousness" hath risen, Where "Burder's Point" in Christian gladness smiles, Blest with the influence of the reign of heaven.

Σ. Σ. Η

THE SIGNS OF PROSPERITY IN A CHRISTIAN CHURCH, AND THE BEST MEANS OF PROMOTING SUCH PROSPERITY.

A CHRISTIAN church being an association of converted persons, whose objects are the improvement of each other's Christian character, and the conversion of the ungodly, such a society may be said to be prosperous when these objects are in a due degree accomplished by its members.

In order to their accomplishment, it is manifest that affectionate union, and zealous co-operation, are necessary. Sympathy with each other, mutual love, a common sense of individual dependence on Christ, a supreme regard to his will and honour, together with universal activity, are indispensable. The persons composing the society must feel that their common relation to Christ, and joint participation of the same benefits, by the same means, constitute an inseparable bond of union amongst themselves. Their interests, privileges, honours, pleasures, duties, prospects, enemies, and dangers, being essentially the same, they have every reason for being of one mind and one heart, striving together for the faith of the gospel.

A natural consequence of such an identity of feeling will be voluntary and frequent association for religious exercises, such as the observance of divine ordinances, conversation, prayer, devout consultation, and combination, with a view to more effective exertion. Every individual being furnished by Heaven with the capacity, desire, and means, of making conquests, will take his stand in the ranks of a compact force for the suppression of iniquity, and the triumphs of holiness.

But, besides their united and larger assemblies, it is natural, and very useful, for church-members of the same age and sex, to meet together in smaller and still more confidential bands, in which a more free and unrestrained interchange of thought and feeling will be productive of augmented interest in each other's welfare-a more complete separation from irreligious society and mutual facilities for the discharge of duty.

A Christian church may be said to be

prosperous just in proportion to the scriptural knowledge, purity, spirituality, devotion, and activity, of its members-in proportion as they live under the influence of truth, and recommend it to others -in proportion as their tempers and characters exemplify and illustrate its nature and tendency-in proportion as their several families and localities witness and enjoy its salutary influence and happy effects-in proportion as the ignorant are instructed, the inquiring directed, and the wicked converted by their agency; so is the measure of their true glory and prosperity.

As means of promoting such prosperity, it will be found useful for the pastors to call the serious attention of the churches to the marks of religious declension-furnish them with judicious questions for self-examination-and apply such stimulants to their minds as are most adapted to excite to vigilance, prayer, and exertion.

Among these stimulants to be employed, we may mention instances of pre-eminent devotion and beneficence-the unparal leled excellency of true holiness-the superlative happiness springing from exalted piety and zeal the beauty and utility of Christian union and fellowship-the ob ligation to mutual love and joint co-operation arising from a common relation to Christ-the tried efficacy and omnipotence of prayer-the brilliant prospects of the church as exhibited in the prophecies and promises of Scripture-the glorious records of the righteous in eternity -the intimate connexion between ends and means in the divine arrangements— the suspension of the triumphs of Christianity upon the faith, prayers, and activity of the church-the brevity, uncertainty, and frailty of the present life-the snares, temptations, and perils of our mortal condition-the magnitude of the work to be accomplished by the churchand the ineffable dignity and honour attaching to those who are working for and together with God. Bassing bourne.

C. M.

THE BOOK OF ENOCH.

I AM anxious to draw the attention of the public to a matter of no small interest in sacred literature, inasmuch as it is closely connected with the Scriptures. It is very well known that Jude, in his epistle, quotes the book of Enoch: "And Enoch, also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousand of his saints to execute judgment upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them of their ungodly deeds which they have ungodly committed, and of all their hard speeches which ungodly sinners have spoken against him." Now the book of Enoch, from which this passage is quoted, was well known to the early fathers, and is very generally mentioned with respect. Irenæus thus alludes to the fourteenth and fifteenth chapters of the book: "And also Enoch, being well pleasing to God without circumcision when he was a living man, went on an embassy to the angels, and was translated, and is preserved yet a witness of the just judgment of God; since the angels who transgressed fell into condemnation, but a man pleasing to God was translated into salvation." (p. 319. Edd. Gralbe.) Tertullian also quotes the seventh and eighth verses of the ninety-seventh chapter. And Faustus, the Manichæan, as seen in Augustine, quotes the books of Seth and Enoch as of authority in his day. Augustine tacitly assents to their authority (ix. 3. Edd. Benedict.). Now the book of Enoch seems to have been lost to the western churches about the ninth century, though it was known to be in existence in the east, and amongst the Abyssinian Christians, by modern travellers. Bruce, in his journey to the source of the Nile, met with two copies, which he purchased; and presented one to the Bodleian library, at Oxford, and the other to the King's library, at Paris. The Oxford copy in the Ethiopic language and character was unnoticed till Dr. Lawrence brought it before the public, translated into English, with a valuable preface, in the year 1821. This translation was accompanied with notes, and in every respect was an able performance; except that the learned translator was anxious to prove that it was a forgery circulated amongst the Jews about two centuries before our Saviour's birth, in which theory I think he completely failed. About the year 1828, this

translation was withdrawn from circulation, and every copy was bought up with the utmost activity. The cause of this suppression is not certain; but it is thought that some short-sighted persons had impressed the translator with an idea that, if the book of Enoch became well known, the opponents of Christianity might make use of it for building an argument against the authority of Jude, who could quote from such a book: and here I should observe, that the passage seen in Jude's epistle is in its regular place in Dr. Lawrence's translation. That foolish policy which makes some timid theologians have recourse to concealment and suppression in order to support Christianity, can never be too much deprecated; for, besides that it partakes of the dark policy of a Jesuit, it is manifestly useless in these days, when every thing is sooner or later brought to light, either by friends or foes. There is nothing in the book of Enoch to alarm an advocate of the authenticity of the Christian Scriptures, and much may be found in it of great interest, and well deserving serious attention. I, therefore, give this short notice of this curious book, in order that it may take the attention of the readers of this magazine to a subject worthy of further inquiry; and I should strongly recommend the work to be republished, if a copy can any where be found. I had a copy for a short time in my possession, and from it made the following extract of a prophecy relating to our Saviour.

"In that hour was, the Son of Man invoked before the Lord of Spirits, and his name in the presence of the Ancient of Days. Before the sun and the signs were created, before the stars of heaven were formed, his name was invoked in the presence of the Lord of Spirits. A support shall he be for the righteous and the holy to lean on without failing; and he shall be the light of nations. He shall be the hope of those whose hearts are troubled. All who dwell on earth shall fall down and worship before him, shall bless and glorify him, and sing praises to the name of the Lord of Spirits; therefore the Elect, and the concealed One existed in his presence before the world was created, and for ever. In his presence he existed, and has revealed to the saints, and to the righteous, the wisdom of the Lord of Spirits; for he has

preserved the lot of the righteous, because they have hated and rejected the world of iniquity, and have detested all its works and ways, in the name of the Lord of Spirits. In those days shall the kings of the earth, and the mighty men, become humble in countenance. In his presence shall they fall and not be raised up again, nor shall there be any one to take them out of his hands and to lift them up; for they have denied the Lord of Spirits and the Messiah. The name of the Lord of Spirits shall be blessed!" p. 49.

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THE CLAIMS OF SUPERANNUATED MINISTERS.

DEAR SIR,

PERMIT one who is a fellow-labourer, and in circumstances of comfort, through the medium of your miscellany, to give publicity to a subject which has long and often pressed upon his thoughts.

In advocating whatever is humane and Christian, the Evangelical Magazine has ever been the steady and unwearied friend; and the wide circulation which it has obtained secures to its merciful proposals something of that consideration, at least, which their authors desire.

Amid all the noble institutions which adorn our native Isle, and render her the admiration of the world, ONE, it strikes the writer, is yet wanting;-namely, an institution or fund exclusively directed to the assistance of those holy men, whom early affliction, or length of days, has disqualified for further labour in the vineyard of the Lord.

Few of our brethren, comparatively, can look at earthly wealth as their attendant. For the greater part, they and their growing families are dependent upon the voluntary offerings of the people among whom their labours are spent; and when they look at the future, and think upon the period when the buoyancy of youth, and the vigour of riper years, shall be succeeded by the decrepitude and weaknesses of old age, the sigh of deep anxiety WILL heave the bosom.

That such as have filled the office of the Christian ministry with fidelity, ardour, zeal, and with unsullied reputation, should, in their declining days, when every energy fails, be left the mere objects of charity, dependent upon the bounty of the passing Samaritan, is what the Christian church should devote every energy to obviate or prevent.

With this in view, the writer thus seeks to bring the subject before his brethren, the churches, and the readers of the Evangelical Magazine. Why might not a permanent fund for the object stated be established ? Surely, as protestant dissenters of the congregational order, we have the resources within ourselves. Suppose there are, within the United Kingdom, 1,500 organized churches. From these, at the average of one pound each, £1500 per annum might be raised. To the above sum, let every pastor whose annual income reaches a certain maximum, subscribe not less than a definite sum, hereafter to be determined, annually. These amounts, together with donations, bequests, lay-subscriptions, and, if practicable, collections, would make a clear income of some thousands per annum.

To give stability to the measure, a certain capital should be at first realized. But on this, and other closely connected particulars, such as trustees, qualifications of applicants, &c. &c., I forbear at present enlarging. I merely throw out the above hints to provoke further laudable discussion. The plan is worthy of consideration. Let but some of our leading brethren in the metropolis and the country take up the matter, and the churches all around will be found ready to co-operate. Should this communication lead some of your more able correspondents to resume the subject, the writer will feel happy at uniting his efforts with theirs, in the accomplishment of an object so necessary and important.

I am, Dear Sir,

Yours, &c.,

HUMANITUS.

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