seals of their ministry, and with their blood as well as through life they gave evidence of the validity of their baptism, although the ordinance had been dispensed in a corrupt church from which they took their departure. We believe there are much error and many superstitious rites in the churches of the nations; and we think the Roman Catholic is not only the largest, but the most corrupt of them all. We give it, notwithstanding, as our opinion, that it would be unjust to rake up the ashes of the Protestant martyrs who were baptized in the popish church, and declare them all unbaptized heathen, and we consider of course that baptism by a Romish priest does not need to be set aside as invalid. Baptism is not to be repeated."

A. I never urge such a concurrence of antiquity as an argument, except to those who plead for it. Yourself not leaning to human authority in these matters, forbade me to introduce any other than that of the book. I never liked to hear the Presbyterians calling the popish church Antichrist, and then pleading for their right to minister in things divine as good and valid, because they got it from this same Antichrist.

R. Till something entirely new occurs to my mind on the subject of our conversation I will not again introduce it. But I wish for an interview on other matters as soon as opportunity serves.

A. I shall be ever glad to spend with you a leisure hour on whatever subject interests your heart.

EDITOR.

From the Christian Index.

CARSON ON BAPTISM.

THIS is a powerful work; not calculated, however, to be popular. It is intended for the learned, and by them should be read. Paidobaptists and sprinklers should read it, and give up the question. Mr. Carson has demolished their last resort, and left them in deplorable destitution of scripture and reason for their belief and practice. His chief excellence consists in fixing and determining, by reference to classic usage in the Greek language, the very words on which the controversy must turn. These words are hunted out in many particulars, their invariable import settled and defined beyond all possibility of question or evasion, and the whole dispute about the mode of baptism is thus reduced to a single point. We know not that we ever read an abler piece of judicious, manly criticism. Mr. Carson is a Scotchman, and a minister of the gospel. He has had Mr. Ewing and Dr. Wardlaw in his eye, throughout the performance. These gentlemen had each made out an article in support of the fashionable error of infant sprinkling. They are imbecile in the hands of Mr. Carson. He drives their theories and criticisms into confusion, and forces into a dismal explosion all their fine conjectures.

• REMARKS.

THE Editor of this paper having seen the three gentlemen above named, and having been intimately acquainted with two of them, begs leave to say, in further commendation of them, that Messrs. Ewing and Wardlaw, both Scotchmen and ministers in Glasgow, are the pas tors of Independent congregations. Mr. Carson, an Irishman, once a member of the Presbyterian church, as were Mr. Ewing and Mr. Wardlaw, differs from the other two only on the question of infant baptism. They are all men of the highest order as respects talents, education, and moral character, and are equally able advocates for the weekly celebration of the Lord's Supper. The congregations over which they preside meet every Lord's day to break the loaf. Their arguments are as conclusive on that subject as Mr. Carson is represented to be on this darling Baptist concern, viz: "the mode of baptism." EDITOR.

LITERAL FULFILMENT OF PROPHECY."

TO do justice to the students of prophecy, we should give them the conclusion of the article begun in our last No. from the work of JAMES A. BEGG. To have the whole force of the passage now given, it would be expedient to preface it by a second reading of the part extracted, in No. 6.

The subject of prophecy is daily eliciting more attention, and an increase of light must be the result of the discussions now in progress. In this, as in other matters, we desire to give our readers all sides; not merely the views consonant with our own, but those from which we must dissent. In this way they are better prepared to judge for themselves. The views of this author are rendered much more plausible from the fact that his principal rules of interpretation will give the results which have been approved by the fulfilments already agreed upon; and therefore, had he written one hundred years before the coming of the Messiah, or two thousand years ago, he would have come to the results which distinguished the times of the Messiah. But as we have given place to him, we shall reserve a more full examination of this work until a more convenient season.

EDITOR.

"The legitimate conclusion from this literal fulfilment of Prophecy in times past surely is, that predictions concerning the future will have a similar accomplishment, and that, as Jesus was really born of 'a virgin,' so will he also 'come with the clouds of heaven,' when there will be 'given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages should serve him.' Is. vii. 14-Dan. vii. 13, 14. That, in the day of his power, he will as certainly come to Egypt 'riding on a swift cloud,' as, in his humiliation, he entered Jerusalem seated on an ass. Is. xix. 1-Zech. ix. 9. That as 'the spirit of whoredoms in the midst of Israel' has hitherto blinded them, that 'they have not known the Lord,' they shall 'know that the Lord

of hosts hath sent' him, when he shall inherit Judah, his portion in the Holy Land. Hos. v. 4-Zech. ii. 11, 12. That as, when formerly he tabernacled with men, he brake not the bruised reed nor quenched the smoking flax, so shall he yet 'go forth as a mighty man, stirring up jealousy like a man of war.' ls. xlii. 3, 13. That as he really submitted to oppression and affliction, while he opened not his mouth,' so will he, in the day of his fierce anger, 'destroy and devour at once.' Is. liii. 7; xlii. 14. That as the humble Shiloh truly came ere the sceptre had departed from Judah, so will the Lord, when he builds up Zion, appear in his glory. Gen. xlix. 10-Ps. cii. 16. That as, when formerly he appeared in our world, the Jewish nation saw in him no form nor comeliness,' so will he be 'the desire of all nations' when he comes again. Is. liii, 2-Hag. ii. 7. That as, at his first coming, he was truly a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief,' he will, at his return, rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in his people.' Is. liii. 3; lxv. 19. That as the children of Israel have really remained "many days without a king and without a prince,' 'so they will, in the same sense, have this reproach removed, when, in the latter days, they 'shall return and seek the Lord their God, and The Beloved, their King,' Hos. iii. 4,5. That as he who is to be Ruler in Israel' was really born in Bethlehem, so, when he has 'returned unto Zion, he will dwell in the midst of Jerusalem." Micah v. 2--Zech, viii. 3. That as 'the city and the Sanctuary' were really destroyed by 'the people of the prince' who came to execute the vengeance of God, so will the House of the Lord of hosts 'be built' again when he is returned to Jerusalem with mercies.' Dan. ix. 26--Zech. i. 16. That as really as his disciples 'hid their faces from him' in the hour of his distress, shall 'many people and strong nations come to seek the Lord of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the Lord.' Is. liii. 3-Zech. viii. 22. That as on Calvary he really 'made his soul an offering for sin, so will he reign in Mount Zion, and in Jerusalem, and before his ancients gloriously.' ls. liii. 10; xxiv, 23."

What valid reason can be offered for putting a spiritual interpreta tion on the one class of predictions, in the above series, which was not extended to the other? Notwithstanding the unbelief of the Jews, those concerning his sufferings and death were fulfilled to the very letter; and what is there in the language of the other which should induce us to adopt a system of interpretation so opposite in its nature? This mode of spiritualizing certain prophecies appears the more exceptionable when we perceive, that while one clause of a sentence is allowed to have a literal signification, another is understood spiritually, although there be nothing observable which can direct to such a change--the system being still farther encumbered by the difficulty of managing certain portions which will in no way bend to such accommodation as it requires. Have we, then, no reason to fear that in thus introducing an unauthorized system of prophetic interpretation, we may be "teaching for doctrines the commandments of men"? Instead, therefore, of unreasonably persisting in adherence to such opinions, and putting upon prophecy a meaning it cannot

bear, let us inquire whether the more natural and the more obvious sense be not that which the Spirit of God designed. The answer to this inquiry may perhaps be read in the fact, that prophecy has hitherto been fulfilled in its proper sense; while the consequences of abandoning this mode of interpretation by the Jews, form a beacon which ought ever to be kept in view. By overlooking the plain declarations of his sufferings and death, they would not receive the despised Nazarene as their anointed Lord. Let us not, in defiance of their pun. ishment, reject the more numerous declarations of his coming and kingdom in glory. Let christians attend to the lofty descriptions of the holy prophets-let them weigh their united evidence--let them examine the multitude of these predictions, and the sublimity which pervades them--let them consider the harmony with which they all bear testimony to His coming and abiding with his people and let them then reflect whether it is probable that all these promises, clear as they seem, and literally as prophecy has hitherto been fulfilled, do not in reality imply, and afford evidence of the truth of Christ's personal reign on earth during the Millennium."

DEVOTIONAL.

A SOLILOQUY BEFORE PRAYER.

"IF I regard iniquity in my heart, the Lord will not hear my pray er." Now about to fall upon my knees before my Heavenly Father, does it not become me to examine how I feel disposed to all his children? If I forgive not from the heart every Brother that has trespassed against me, my Heavenly Father has said by his Son that he will not forgive me. Qught I not, then, to search my heart diligently how it stands affected to all the holy brethren, and towards all mankind? Am I at variance with one of my Father's children, for whom he has as much affection as for me? If so, is it enough that I am satisfied that I am in the right and that he is in the wrong; that he is the ag. gressor and I the aggrieved? Say not, O my soul, that it is enough! Thou must feel for him as for an erring brother; thou must carry up his case to thy Heavenly Father, and plead with him that thy brother may feel that he has erred, and be converted to God and thee. Thou must not only speak for him, but thou must feel for him, or thy Father cannot feel for thee.

But does it seem doubtful whether thou mayest not have been the occasion of the estrangement of his affections from thee, and consequently of his aggression against thee? then be humbled, O my sou!; expiate thy own fault; extirpate the bitter root of this discord: for if thou do it not, how canst thou speak to God for thy brother! The errors of thy heart, thy secret wanderings from the way of peace, he will set before the brightness of his face, and thou shalt be ashamed before him.

But hast thou abundant evidence that he has treated thee unkindly, wantonly, most ungratefully-then remember thy numerous faults,

thy own base ingratitude to thy Heavenly Father; how often thou hast feasted upon his bounty, and been satisfied with his goodness, and yet the incense of thy gratitude ascended not to the heavens: nay, thou hast abused his favors upon thy lusts, and forgotten his mercies. Remember these thy wanderings; then resentment against thy offending brother will not agitate thy bosom; neither wilt thou meditate evil against him, but thou will plead with God to lead him to repentance, that he may be reconciled to his brother and forgiven his transgressions.

And is there, O my soul, on the face of all the earth, one of thy brothers, one of thy Father's children, whom thou hast injured and to whom thou hast not made reparation? then how canst thou lift up thine eyes to him who said "first be reconciled to thy brother," until thou hast set on foot some ministry of reconciliation, and redressed the wrongs which thou hast inflicted on a brother? Let me beseech thee, before thou approachest the throne of mercy, as thy happiness depends much more upon the state of thy feelings to all mankind, than upon their behavior towards thee, ask thyself--Hast thou an avowed enemy, an unfaithful friend, an unworthy neighbor; is there one of Adam's race against whom thou indulgest one unkind feeling, one unfriendly desire, on whom it would please thee that any calamity would fall? then be assured thou art not right in the sight of God, and canst not be heard when thou callest upon him: "for he who turneth away his ear from the law, even his prayer shall be an abomination." When thou makest thy prayer to the Almighty; when thou comest into his presence, thou must not only cherish all affection for thy friends and brethren, all good will to the great family of man, but in the spirit of repaying blessings for curses, benevolence for hatred, kindness for the iujuries of thy most bitter foes. When thou breathest kindness to all the sons of men; when thou feelest the glow of ardent affection for all the beloved of God, and canst pour out thy supplications for all men with all the intensity of godly sincerity, then the Lord will make thy peace to flow like a river, and thy joy like the brightness of the morning-then will thou feel thyself refreshed as the parched field when the clouds gently pour their treasures into its bosom. "Thou shalt go forth with joy, and be led forth with peace: the mountains and the hills shall break forth before thee into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands."

EDITOR.

ADDRESS TO CHRISTIAN WOMEN.

THE following letter from Mr. Judson, the Baptist Missionary in Burmah, merits an almost unqualified approbation. A few technicalities excepted, we can give it a very cordial recommendation to all the christian matrons and sisters in the Union. I am glad of an opportunity of publishing, from the pen of this distinguished Missionary, an article of such importance, especially as we took occasion at

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