ORIGINAL ESSAYS.

XL.

DISAPPOINTMENT.

"Vanity of vanities, saith the preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity."-Eccles. i. 2.

THE perusal of our motto will preclude both the necessity and propriety of entering into a detail of the cares and sorrows of the worldly, so naturally suggested by the subject marked down for present observation. The reader will recollect that these papers have been composed, from the commencement of the series, with an eye to the title of the work in which they appear, and have had as little to do with topics of a contrary nature as the circumstances attending their preparation would allow. It is not, generally speaking, that we do wrong to such subjects when elucidating their various branches by reference to carnal things; neither is it conceived that, by an occasional départure from those that are strictly and wholly spiritual, we désert the post we have assumed. But the human heart is so earthly and sensual that we feel the force of rigid constraint to pursue our course with all prudence, lest we sink the object at which we aim, in the effort to be approved of men.

It is our desire, on this occasion, to note a few instances of the origin and influence of disappointment in the chequered experience of the believer, that we may bring to remembrance some of the strong consolations' which are always at hand, and often cheer the heart, in the time of need.

1. The young convert is subject to disappointment from misconception of the general dealings of God with his people. If he have come to Christ in the day of youth, or when but partially favoured with the ordinary means of grace, or while encompassed with stouthearted enemies to God and his truth, he is liable to peculiar obstructions and difficulties, in addition to those which he begins to find prevalent within. Should he have found mercy with the Lord by means of teachers not thoroughly trained to the services required in the school of Christ, his pervading feelings will tell to his brethren the disadvantages under which he labours. Many young disciples, even though adorned with hoary hairs, have been misled by statements of the pleasantness of a religious life, and have expected to travel in peaceful paths to the end of their pilgrimage. Some have misconstrued the faithful directions of their elders, and, notwithstanding the possession of a spirit of fear and of a sound mind, have found frequent cause to deplore the errors of an immature judgment. Others, though convinced by painful experience that they have entered a thorny road,' seek to pluck the flowers and to taste the sweets which are distributed along the path, rather than to be shod with the preparaVOL. V.-No. 52.

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tion of the gospel,' that they may pursue their way surely and with safety.

That disappointment should ensue, is not surprising to those who have made good the greater part of their journey; but the young, heedless, and often hasty traveller, discouraged to find his impediments increase, becomes alarmed, and sometimes gives utterance to the state of his mind in loud and bitter complaints. Each new difficulty brings its peculiar and unexpected trial, and he forebodes such aggravated ills as he knows are too weighty in his own strength to be borne. At these times the Lord's hand is interposed. These are the seasons for which he waits to be gracious. And in whatsoever character he reveals himself the sorrowing believer learns that it is with seasonable aid: according to the degree of weakness to which he is reduced, is strength vouchsafed: according to the magnitude of his necessities, he is supplied with needful good.

2. The advanced christian is seldom less subject to disappointment, though it will be found generally issuing from a different cause. His conception of the dealings of God with his people may be correct. He may hold close communion with God, being strong in faith, abounding in hope, and filled with love. He may know what it is to follow hard after the three favoured apostles, and to realize the beamings of the transfiguration-glory; or with that other favoured apostle he may have received a third-heaven revelation. The church and the world may have taken knowledge of him that he has been with Jesus; and, like the disciple of Joppa, he may be full of good works and almsgiving. And yet it will appear that he also in his heavenly course is the subject of disappointment.

In the case of the young traveller, this weather-beaten pilgrim is prepared to expect the outpouring of his complaints, and to listen to his loud lament;' and without surprize he lends an ear to those doleful sounds. But who may describe the frequent astonishment of junior pilgrims, when told that their long tried brethren endure from step to step, and from stage to stage in their journey, disappointment as deep, and sorrow as severe as themselves ? That our fellows, Zion-ward, may walk more closely with us on the way, we will state briefly a few particulars.

Disappointment results from the loss of the presence of Christ. The believer is acquainted in a high degree with his exalted privileges. By the spirit of adoption he is enabled to claim mystical relationship with Christ. From effectual calling, he traces the mercies of the covenant to their grand origin. The sovereign purposes of Jehovah, the choice and adoption of the church, and his own interest therein, are revealed to him. He rejoices in the manifestation of divine grace, and worships God in spirit and in truth. As a son in the redeemed family, he has access to the throne of his heavenly Father, and is found habitually making known his requests and receiving favours thence. From plentiful communications of grace, and holy freedom engendered by frequent answers of peace to the prayer of

faith, he is raised above his foes and his fears, he rejoices in Christ Jesus, and has no confidence in the flesh.

But his is not an unclouded day. He is still in the wilderness, and exposed to the lowering cloud and the roaring tempest. To-day he walks in the light of the sun; a bright scene is spread above and around him. Each grace of the Spirit is active in the service, and to the honour of its divine Author. The Father's love beams resplendantly on the face of Christ, and is reflected on his peaceful countenance. To-morrow, clouds arise and overcast his horizon, gather together and increase to an impervious veil; the glorious sun is no longer seen, and the darkness in which he is involved is portentous of the approaching storm. The beams of the morning arise before him, faintly prefiguring the glory and felicity he enjoys in his soul; anon, the shades of the evening fail in representing the gloom and the sadness which reign within. Such are the diversities of light and shade in the experience of the advanced christian. Such are some of the sorrowful results of loss of the presence of Christ.

Disappointment is felt from the defection of his companions in the faith. It was not the Lord's pleasure to allude to the consequences of the departure from him of those who took offence at his doctrine; yet from the character given them it may be conceived what those effects were on the minds of their brethren: " many of his disciples when they had heard, said, this is a hard saying, who can hear it?” observing that they were his disciples' who were thus offended, it may be concluded, that among them were such as had held sweet converse with the twelve, and who had hung with delight on the lips of their divine Master. It is a matter of doubt whether, in departing from the literal presence and ministry of Christ, they are to be considered as given over to a reprobate mind.' The solemn consideration that "from that time many went back and walked no more with him," is in proof that they had walked with him, and communed with him and his faithful disciples. Probably they were of the description of the wayside hearers in the parable. But whatever might have been the impression on the minds of those who maintained their stedfastness, as to the character of these separatists, their grief must have encreased at every recollection of past intimacy and fellowship. Yes, the disappointment is great which succeeds the loss of companions in the faith.

The conduct of faithless brethren is indelibly engraven on the tablet of the heart and memory, and each line of the affecting record teems with argument for renewed sorrow. Whether former interchange of sentiment and feelings, or the mutual advantages of free intercourse on all things relating to spiritual prosperity, be contemplated, disappointment, stern disappointment, adds dejection to the fallen counterance and grief to the soul. "Hosanna to the Son of David: blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest!" He is the friend who loveth at all times,—who sticketh closer than a brother. He is the brother born for adversity.

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Our brethren, while reading, will have followed out these ideas to an extent far beyond the ability or the means we have of collecting them. Peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.

SIR,

AN ANSWER TO ELAM AND JESSE HOPWOOD.

(To the Editor of the Saints' Treasury).

ACCORDING to the title of your Magazine I take it for granted you will act impartially with your various Correspondents, and give them all an opportunity of defending themselves as far as God's truth is concerned, which is the saint's best treasure, and ought to be carefully protected in your Magazine. Having read Mr. Jesse Hopwood's reply to Elam in your Magazine for this month (July) respecting an accusation of being unsound in the faith, which I did not intend noticing; but on being informed, and in the perusing it over again, I perceive he hath sent it out as a conclusive answer to my pamphlet, under the very specious appearance of satisfying one of his own kindred, namely Elam, in order to creep out, at least with the appearance of having made some kind of a defence, after having kept in the back ground for six months; in which defence he has endeavoured to cast a dismal darkening shade over my pamphlet, (which exposes his error); and, in the end, very awfully and presumingly appeals to the day of judgment in a fragment, which puts me in mind of his solemn appeals and pressing invitations to his hearers, to be informed of his errors when they see them, or hear any thing drop from his lips repugnant to God's word, whereas the first word of plain and honest dealing of this kind is sure to shut them out of his company for ever after, which conduct carries with it an indication of conscious guilt instead of innocence. I shall, therefore, Mr. Editor, make a few remarks on Elam's request, and the Rev. Jesse Hopwood's presumed defence in answer thereto, and have to request as a favor, that you will give them a place in your next Number. In the first place, Elam informs you that he obtained by favor a perusal of my pamphlet, which he declares contains matter of a very serious nature in connection with a right understanding of the truths of the gospel, which most certainly is the case. He goes on, saying, I choose to be known to the public only under the enigmatical form of four initial letters;' and then acknowledges that I am not ashamed of my name, as it appears twice in my book, which renders a reason for withdrawing from the communion of the Rev. Jesse Hopwood, of Union Chapel, Chelsea. Elam, then complains of my uncouth manner and lack of conception in conveying my feelings, which renders it rather a difficult affair (or troublesome task to him) to understand the precise nature of my charge against the Rev. Jesse Hopwood; and as to the appendages that follow my let

ters, and particularly my exposing the errors in conduct of the above gentleman, Elam presumes that neither himself nor the public have any thing to do with, GRANTED; but the real saints of God have : for Christ himself declares, "by their fruits you shall know them." What Elam calls the appendages to my letters I have no doubt are very offensive to some, for they contain the marrow that is concealed in the bone of contention between the free sons of Zion, and her bastard race; on which account, I have published a second edition of my book, with a few more appendages to it, which will afford sufficient and ample ground for close enquiry (according to Elam's judgment) seeing it comes forth as a solemn charge (he says) against a young and aspiring servant of Christ.' Elam then names the charge, and says he is not disposed to require any scripture proof from his friend for what he advances; all he wishes is, for Mr. Hopwood to give a public explanatory statement on the important point. This will satisfy Elam, but not God's saints. How any servant of Christ can give any thing like an explanatory statement on any important point of doctrine, without producing scripture proof, is, to me, a mystery itself that wants explaining. Elam then goes on, saying, he has reason to believe Mr. Hopwood is an occasional contributor to your Magazine, and presumes the pages will be open to him for the above purpose, in order to convince his friends of the soundness of his creed, which Elam is convinced can never take place by means of my singular pamphlet. Thus much in answer to Elam,

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Now, as it respects Mr. Hopwood, you will please to observe, Mr. Editor, in the first place the above Rev. Gentleman declares, he should not have thought it necessary to notice the (solemn) charge brought against him by a person (he says) who never was a member of his church, and consequently can have no very special claim upon his attention (the honor of the Almighty is here entirely left out of the question). In answer to which, Mr. Editor, by your permission, I will put a few questions to that gentleman, and leave his own conscience to answer them. Pray, Sir, what is it that constitutes and makes a member of your church? Is there any other ruling voice than your own? Do you not receive those that offer themselves to you entirely on your own judgment? Have your deacons and elders any authority in this matter? Why and wherefore did you press me so frequent to sit down with you at the Lord's table, acknowledging yourself thoroughly convinced of the sterling nature of my experience in divine things, and likewise of the reality and genuineness of my conversion to God? What made you rebuke me so frequent for not sitting down with you, and that even in the presence of the church in November last, after you had administered the ordinance? And how came you to administer the ordinance to me in December? On which day fortnight it was, that you broached the capital error, that still calls aloud for an explanation. Surely this young divine must have been under a strange influence thus to act towards an in