more particular attention, to what the fpirit faith to the churches; what he faith to them as a body, not merely as individuals. The addrefs is made to them, in their collective capacity, in the paffage alluded to, in the Revelation of St. John. He was directed, by the great head of the church, to a gloomy profpect does this afford, us as it refpects pofterity! How foon and with what rapid ftrides will your children defcend to a ftate of heathenifm, and become nothing better than Pagan idolaters!Much remains to be faid on this interesting fubject, by way of argument, to convince all who need conviction, of the reafona-write a kind and friendly admoblenefs, obligation and utility of nition, to the angels of the feven the duty; and in anfwering ob- churches of Afia, fometime bejections or enquiries which it is fore the fall of the Roman empoffible fome may be difpofed to pire; that by repentance they make, plain and reasonable as the might avert the evils which imduty appears to be; but as I in- pended them. The main object tended no more than to fuggeft a of his epiftles to thofe churches few of the leading ideas, in hopes was to excite them to revive and that fome abler hand might be in- maintain a ftrict and regular difduced to take up the fubject, and cipline of their members, relating enlarge upon it as its importance to doctrine or practice; and to demands, I fhall clofe my re- forewarn them that if they contimarks by withing the divine effi- nued to neglect fo important a ciency may accompany every ef- duty, and remain impenitent, their fort, however feeble, towards en- candlestick fhould be removed, or lightening the ignorant, bringing the churches broken up. The to ferious confideration, fuch as event has fhewn how far they are thoughtless, and living fecurely obeyed the friendly admonition. in the neglect of religious duties, Like cafes require like remedies. whofe doom, if they continue What the divine fpirit faid to thus to live, and fo leave the the feven churches of Afia, he world, will be awful indeed! fays to all the churches of Christ, Which may GoD of his infinite in all ages. The churches of mercy prevent, for the fake of a Christ in America ought, theremerciful Redeemer. fore, to have an ear to hear what the fpirit faith to them; and, if it appears they are chargeable with "Thoughts on the Importance of thofe things, for which the Afi I Church Difcipline. Na day, like the prefent, when immorality and error greatly abound, the queftion is often put, 'what can be done? What is the Chriftian's immediate duty for the purpose of avoiding the evils impending ?-Various have been the anfwers to the enquiry, both wife and good. In addition to thofe, I would fuggeft one that has not been much spoken of; it is this, that profeffing Chriftians pay a Let atic churches were reprehended, of the Nicolaitans, yet they had left their first love. Are none of our churches guilty in this refpect? If they are, the threatning denounced, in cafe of impenitence, will apply to us as well as to them. To avoid the impending evil, repentance is the only means. It is of as much importance that churches keep and maintain their warmest affections, for their Lord and Mafter, now as it was then; and his difpleafure against them for the want of it, is as great now as ever. Another of thofe churches the spirit reproves, for holding corrupt doctrines, fuch as were fubverfive of the Christian faith. They were alfo warned to repent, or their candlestick should be removed out of its place. It may be afked, are there not fome herefies in our churches, as repugnant to gospel principles, as theirs were? If there are, no doubt but the fame fate will follow now as did then, unlefs timely repentance prevent. To another of thofe churches, notice is given, that their graces were weak and ready to die, and they were commanded to ftrengthen them, to be watchful and to repent. ply, that Chriftians do meet for focial prayer and conversation, in many places, but is it univerfal ? And where they do, what proportion of church members attend? Do they in general attend, or is it only a fmall number, not more perhaps than one quarter of the whole church? It was faid of the church in Sardis, that they had a few names which had not defiled their garments, and that they fhould walk with Chrift, in white, for they were worthy, but notwithftanding this the church was corrupt, and was reprehended as a body, and threatened with diffolution, unless they repented. The church of Laodicea was rebuked for a fin, which they thought nothing of; and that was lukewarmnefs. The opinion they had of themselves was, that they were rich and increased in goods, and had need of nothing, and knew not, that they were poor, and miferable, and wretched, and blind and naked. Are none of the churches now liable to this charge of being lukewarm? Are there not great reafons to fear that all of them are more or lefs guilty in this refpect? If fo the afpect is alarming in proportion to their guilt. Chrift fays he will fpue fuch churches out of his mouth. Are there not ftrong fymptoms. of this malady among us? Do not profeffors act and talk, as though they had, in their opinion, religion enough, and were as ac May not this be faid of fome of the churches now? Are there not ftrong fymptoms of this manifeft at the prefent day? Do the churches, as a body, exhibit that lively and fervent zeal for the caufe of Chrift and his kingdom which the times call for? Is there no defect in watching over and admonishing one another as Chriftive and zealous in the caufe of tians? Are they not cold and in- religion as they ought to be? As different in fome important du- to fome important duties, 'called ties; fuch as focial prayer and for at the prefent day, are they Chriftian conferences? Duties not indifferent about them, whepeculiarly calculated to inftruct ther they are performed or not? and animate them in their Chrif- If thefe matters were duly examtian caufe. It may be faid in re-ined, no doubt but it would pro duce a conviction, that a reform- will be more Chriftian affection ation is greatly needed. Church and kind offices towards the meandifcipline, as pointed out and eft members of the Church than commanded by Chrift and his ever before. No doubt church apoftles, appears to be an impor- difcipline duly adminiftered extant mean for correcting fuch hibits Chriftian affection in a disorders; and it is among the ftrong light; for, fays one who fruits that are meet for the repent- had experience of it, "let the ance neceffary to prevent the righteous fmite me, it fhall be an threatened calamity. excellent oil that fhall not break my head." True Chriftian affections are diftinguished by a beautiful fymmetry and proportion, regarding all the commands of Chrift, according to their weight and importance; hereby all men may know we are his difciples. It is often mentioned in Chriftian conversation, that the aspect of things is gloomy and threatening, on account of the increase of impiety, infidelity and contempt of author One defcription of the church, in its moft perfect state on earth, is that she looketh forth as the morning, fair as the moon, clear as the fun, and terrible as an army with banners. A well difciplined army, every man in his place and rank, with his warlike habiliments in fhining order, every one having his eyes and ears open to the motion and command of his general, with banners held up in their places, looks terrible, and does more to dishearten an encounter-ity. ing enemy, than the irregular movements of a mob of tenfold the number. That regular and ftrict discipline which the laws of Chrift's kingdom require, would be equally impreffive upon the enemies of the church in the fpiritual warfare under the command of Chrift, the great Captain of our falvation; and would do more to damp and difhearten infidels and oppofers, than any thing else that belongs to the Chriftian warfare. It is matter of great rejoicing, at the prefent day, that there is fuch an effufion of the Holy Spirit, whereby many are awakened and brought home to Chrift, and the churches replenished with new members. But is not this bright profpect darkened by a deficiency in difcipline and Chriftian watchfulnefs? It is faid, when the fet time to favor Zion is come, her fervants will take pleasure in her ftones and favor the duft thereof; that is, there May it not be inquired whether this is not in a great measure owing to lax discipline in the churches? For the churches of Afia were faulty in this refpect; they were warned of their danger and threatened with diffolution, unless they repented. They did not obey the divine admonition, therefore the threatened evil has long fince been executed upon them. We have no evidence that their fins, at the time of the warning, were greater than ours are. Have we not then the greatest reason to fear, from neglecting this important duty, that we shall feel the fame unhappy confequences? Surely we have. Let us attend to a few of the laws of Chrift's kingdom, and alfo to the state of the churches, and fee how far they are practifed, and it must appear there is need of a more careful and ftrict difcipline than now exifts. James iv. II. "Speak not evil one of ancther, brethren; he that fpeaketh privilege to be under the watchful care of the church, and objects of the brotherly affection of every individual member, according to covenant engagements at the time of admiffion; but where lies the privilege if nothing be done, by either, excepting only in cafes of the groffeft and moft heinous offences, while all other faults are overlooked, or nothing done, agreeably to Christ's rules to reform them? evil of his brother, and judgeth But are not these duties indifpenfible? Can men be loyal fubjects to Chrift, who live in the daily breach of them? Can that be a true church of Chrift, that fuffers them with impunity; and do not exert themselves according to the rules given by Chrift, and his apoftles, to reclaim them? Chriftians are commanded to exhort one another daily, left any be hardened through the deceitfulness of fin. Can it be faid that they are clear from blame in this matter? It is confidered a great It is worthy of serious confideration, whether the threatening afpect of things, arifing from the encroachments of the enemy of our peace, will be changed for the better, until our ears are more opened to hear, what the fpirit faith to the churches, refpecting things that are amifs, and which must be repented of or we feel the bitter confequences. To be hoping, and wishing, and earneftly defiring better things, and better times, without proper exertions made, according to directions given in the law of God, will never deliver us from our troubles, nor fet our feet in a large place, or put a fong of praise into our mouth, nor establish our go To imprefs the thought a little, it may be well to take a view of a case of distress that happened, to the Ifraelitish church, under the care of Joshua, at the time they were commencing the conqueft and poffeffion of Canaan. The anger of the Lord was fhewn against them, in a defeat of their army, against Ai, and a flaughter of a number of their brethren, at which the hearts of the people melted like water; the cry no doubt was, as at this day, what is to be done for our relief? Jofhua, with the Elders, fell proftrate in the duft before the ark of Get He that hath an ear M TO THE EDITORS OF THE CON- GAZINE. GENTLEMEN, THE fubftance of the fol erable clafs of young perfons, at the time of their admiffion as members of the vifible church. If in your judgment, it will not fuperfede the publication of fomething more generally useful, you are at liberty to infert it in the MagaTROPHIMUS. Beloved in the Lord, HE friends of the Redeem TH er and his kingdom, who witnefs the prefent tranfaction, have great joy at feeing you join God, and made their complaint | new name. and interceffion, until even tide. let him hear what the fpirit faith But the Lord roufed them from to the churches." their fupplicating posture, and let them know the caufe of their calamity, and their remedy. "Ifrael," faith he, "have finned, and tranfgreffed my covenant, which I commanded them. thee up, wherefore lieft thou thus on thy face? Up, fanctify the people, and fay fanctify your-lowing was addressed to a confidfelves; there is an accurfed thing in the midst of thee, O Ifrael, thou canst not ftand before thine enemies, until ye take away the accurfed thing from among you." Here it may be remarked, that the charge was againft Ifrael; the whole congregation were treat-zine. ed as guilty. But it was Achan, the fon of Carmi only, that had done the fact; the people were chargeable with the crime until they fhould look out, and punifh the offender, and carry into effect the law in fuch cafe providing yourselves unto the Lord, in ed; and until that was done, all other things would be unavailing; they could not make the leaft advance, against the enemy, nor make any progrefs towards inheriting the land which God had fworn he would give them, until this was done. Now, faith the apofile, "all these things happened unto them for enfamples; and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come. "Behold," faith Chrift Jefus, " I come quickly hold that faft which thou hast, that no man take thy Him that overcometh, will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he fhall go no more out and I will write upon him the name of my God, which is new Jerufalem, which cometh drawn out of heaven from Cod: and I will write upon him my crown. folemn covenant with him and his people. While the ways of Zion mourned, they have been praying for her profperity, in the falvation of your fouls. They now find, by happy experience, that "He who goeth forth weeping and bearing precious feed, fhall return again with joy, bringing his fheaves with him." The propriety of your prefent proceeding, and of your being hence denominated difciples of Jefus, depends on your vital union to him, and your refemblance of him in fpirit and conduct. The evidence of an holy life is fairly expected of you, for fupporting the good confeffion which you have now made before many witneffes. How important, that you henceforth fhine as lights in the world! Remember that the eyes of JEHOVAH are upon you; that |