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FRIENDLY VISITOR.

No. 242.]

NOVEMBER, 1838.

[VOL. 20.

ON BUILDING CHURCHES.

Many eyes wander over the pages of the Friendly Visitor, and some do not disdain to turn to them, to whom is given the power and the will to do good. I think the Christian world is awaking to a better sense of the duty of benevolence: and on all sides I see more and more of a Christian spirit which seems to say, "Only let me know what I ought to do for others, and I am ready."

I often please myself with thinking, that there are materials in existence for the world's recovery from its state of curse and misery. God has only to turn all into a right channel, and to bless and sanctify existing resources, and we shall soon see a state of millenial blessedness.

Do we want funds adequate for missionary labours? What a fund would be formed from the trophies of the Temperance cause, if that cause universally prevailed. The duties on spirits, to say nothing of those nasty superfluities, snuff and tobacco, I am afraid of saying what a sum they amount to.

Then again, if the wealthy did but feel that they are only stewards; and that they must give to others as the Lord has blest and prospered them, how much would be done to equalize human happiness.

Now, it may meet the wishes of some ready and willing steward of the Most High, if I suggest what appears to me one of the most certain and important channels of doing good in our day. I have no hesitation in recommending, as the best of all good works, the Building of Churches. I need not remind my readers, that as eternity is beyond time, so is the good aimed at the soul infinitely beyond that which is shown. to the body. And helping to build a church is doing

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good by wholesale. It is throwing a concourse of people under the immediate influence of that adorable Being, who in an especial manner comes down into his temples on earth in the way of grace and mercy. And

it is not only doing this for those who are now worshipping therein, but it is extending the benefit to generations after generations yet unborn. Truly, if any thing specially leads me to hope well for our country, it is the spirit of Church-building which is everywhere at work. Christians in England seem at length resolved that God shall in very deed dwell among them: and that none throughout the realm shall be destitute of the blessing of a little sanctuary. Even the most unlikely persons are induced to come forward. Yes, the miserly, and those who have heretofore been careless and ungodly. I have been perfectly amazed to see the munificence of many who were scarcely ever known to give a shilling to charity in their lives.

But my reader may say, "This is all very true, but what can I do?" Now, I think there can scarcely be a reader who does not know of some new church near him which he might help forward. I can only say, that I am so deep in church building on all sides, that I scarcely know how to get on. No sooner is one finished than another comes forward with its claims. But now to shew you how much may be done, not only in the way of helping others, but of commencing the work in some needy district, let me give you a little church-building story from Syria, from the country in which our blessed Lord lived and laboured, and which in its present dark, oppressed state, lying under the Mahommedan power, is little likely at first sight to set an example to Christians in England.

We have lately had a great treat in the visit of a dear Christian from Syria, Assaad Yagood Kayat. 1 know nothing that more tends to confirm ones own faith, than to see a Christian from a far distant land, with the same spiritual feelings, and the same experience. Time would fail to give any thing like a full account of all the interesting things that were related

by this dear man. But one story you must have. He was secretary to the consul at Beyrout: and was thus appointed to travel through the country with Sir Robert Inglis and some other Englishmen, all of whom can, of course, vouch for the truth of his statements. One evening, they came to a village near Anti-Lebanus, called Ita. On asking if there were any Christians in the village, they were told that there was one Christian family, and only one, and that was the blacksmith's.

There was a population of above 2000 souls, and only one Christian family.

Well, Assaad sallied forth, and found them. The meeting, as you may suppose, was pleasant on both sides, especially as something more was discovered than the mere name of Christian. The blacksmith

told his history, and a truly interesting and instructive one it was. Finding a family getting up around him, he began to fear that they would suffer from the want of the public means of grace. They had no church, no minister, and what was to be done? He resolved, if he could do no better, to remove to some other town or village where there was a church, unless he could succeed in building one at Ita. A grand family conference was held as to the possibility of building a church. "My wife (said he) so far from being taken up with the cares and bustles of our large family, and led to throw difficulties in the way, was the one to remove them, and to encourage us. Our lads (she said) are growing stout and strong; they will dig the foundations, they can carry stones on their backs, I can help them myself to carry stones and make the mortar; and to have money to pay a mason, we can do for a time with a little less of every thing; one meal less in the day, a little less sugar,' &c.-" So off he went to

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the Mahometan governors of the town, who in general are fiercely opposed to the Christians. He told them at once of his difficulties, that his family were growing up, and that they would soon marry and form a colony, and that he must take them near a church. "No, (said they) we can never part with you: you shoe our

horses so well, and are so needful to us, that we cannot part with you." "Well then, will you let me build a church?"Yes, (said they) if you will have nothing to make a shew, no bell, and so forth." The poor blacksmith returned home quite overjoyed; and soon every hand was at work, and the church was built. And just as Assaad made his visit, the question began to be pressed, how could they get a minister? Would not one of your sons be suitable?" said Assaad. 18On making further enquiries, he felt his way to encourage) this plan, and the young man was sent to the Patriarch of Antioch, by whom, after a satisfactory examination, he was ordained; and now he is fixed as the his father's church.

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pastor of Who then can be disheartened by any difficulties inf the way of church-building; and who, with such ans example before him, is not led to consider seriouslys whether there may not be some channel or other by which he may help forward this glorious work. It is true, bare walls are nothing in themselves, nor the best means of grace; but the God of mercy is pleased to bestow the blessings of his grace through their instrumentality; and therefore while we never fail to look to him for the influences of his Holy Spirit, we must do what in us lies to form the appointed channels by which they may be communicated.

Seventeen or eighteen hundred pounds will, in most places, build and endow a handsome church, to hold. 500 people. There are many readers of the Friendly Visitor who may well consider whether they could. make a better return for the prosperity wherewith God has blessed them, than by undertaking the building and endowing of a church in some needy district. The law gives them the appointment of the minister for ever; and what numbers through succeeding generations may rise up and call them blessed.

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THE LITTLE RED BOOK.”ADOW OR 897

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Among our passengers was a young woman about 17, who, having spent the winter in and about New York, was returning to her friends in the west. Most of one day's journey there sat on her right hand a respectable farmer from Ohio; a man of sound principles, and who, by his observations, must have seen much of men and their manners. He appeared to be about 50. On her left sat a young man about 22, in the vigour of life and health. Our farmer, in answer to a question by a passenger, when speaking of the inhabitants of the new settlements, observed, “ Wherever : there was a church and a stated minister, the people, for five or six miles around, were more orderly, circumspect, and sober, than were those who did not enjoy this privilege." This observation drew forth the remarks of the young man; he had been to college, and was studying some learned profession; he spoke long and loud about witchcraft and priestcraft; said the laws of Lycurgus were better than the laws of Moses, and the Bible of Mohammed was better than the Acts of the Apostles. He said the stories about hell and the devil were only invented to scare the ignorant, and that death, at the most, was only a leap into the dark. But, ahl this leap in the dark ! we little thought we were so near the pres cipice, and that in a few minutes our courage would be put to the test! It had rained for the last twenty-four hours; the road was bad, the snow and ice was melting, the horses were sinking to the knees, and the driver swore he would take to the river. We thought that he was in jest; but, finding him turn in that direction, the passengers, one and all, remonstrated, but to no effect. At every stopping-place, while the horses drank water, he had drank rum." He was now at that point, that he declared he feared neither death nor the devil.

This scene took place between Newburgh and Catskill. We knew the ice had been strong enough to bear a hundred sleighs; but the rain had run from the frozen hills on each side, and the ice was now covered to the depth of at least two feet of water; the wind was fresh, and the waves rolled as if no ice was under. Our fears arose from our danger of getting into air-holes, which could not be seen, as all appeared but one sheet of water. At this moment the rain ceased, and snow began to fall in broad flakes, so thick and so fast, that the driver could hardly discover the head of his leaders,

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