ther are our ears saluted by the | to the spiritual privileges of awful sound of the judgment God's people. John the Bap trumpet; nor do we see the si-tist, seeing their error and folly, lent dead bursting from their addressed them thus, "Think tombs. The dreadful Judge is not to say, within yourselves, not yet saying, in view of the we have Abraham to our Father, assembled universe, to those on for I say unto you, "That God the right hand, come ye blessed is able of these stones, to raise up of my Father-neither is he children unto Abraham." This pronouncing to those on the left passage denotes, that God is hand, depart ye cursed into able to convert sinners, and everlasting fire. These awful to build up his church, from the scenes are yet to come. Still, most unpromising materials.the one through which we are And although it might have its now passing is far more inter- accomplishment in the converesting than either of them.- sion of some of those hardened The present is the season on Jews, to whom John referred, which eternal life or endless was also illustrated in the sucmisery is absolutely depending. cess of the gospel, among idolaIt is acknowledged that these trous nations, under the minisfuture scenes, which are before try of the Apostles, after Christ's us, will be vastly solemn and ascension into heaven. The trying; but reflect, that they Gentile nations had, for many will be joyful or dreadful ac- ages successively, been invol cordingly as we now lay the ved in the most dismal state of foundation. The books out of darkness, superstition and idolwhich we are to be judged are atry. They are represented as now filling up. Would any sitting in the region and shadow one, therefore, have a view of of death. They committed every the most momentous period of species of abomination of which his existence, he need only look they were capable. round him at the present moment. The period has commenced. The scene is now passing before our eyes! Oh, let us realize how great a thing it is to live! Great encouragement for Christians to labor for the conversion of the heathen, founded on Matt. iii. 9. "For I say unto you, that God is able of these stones, to raise up children unto Abraham." HE selfrighteous Jews pri their descent from Abraham.They claimed an exclusive right A very striking description is given of their character and conduct in the first chapter of Paul's epistle to the Romans. They are represented as having "changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds and four footed beasts and creeping things.They worshipped all the hosts of heaven-offered their children in sacrifice to their idols. Yea, paid their homage to Devils. Indeed we cannot gain a clearer idea of their character, perhaps, in any part of the sa 1st chapter, and especially from 1 Cor. x. 26. the 29th verse. Being filled pondency, tho' they have long with all unrighteousness, wicked- | labored and prayed for the reness, covetousness, maliciousness,vival of God's work, seemingly full of envy, murder, debate, de- almost in vain. Since God Las ceit, malignity, whisperers, back- so frequently of stones raised ap biters, haters of God, despiteful, children unto Abraham, who can proud, inventors of evil things, tell but this or that careless or disobedient to parents, without hardened sinner may yet be arunderstanding,covenant breakers, rested in his course of impiety, without natural affection, impla- and be made a monument of sove cable, unmerciful. Yet among reign mercy? How often have these abominable nations God those who have spent their raised up many spiritual chil- substance in riotous living, and dren unto Abraham. long withstood the calls and Upon the preaching of the warnings of the gospel, been gospel, by the Apostles, multi-brought to bow to the sceptre of tudes from among them were converted to Christ-forsook the worship of their dumb idols and demons-renounced their filthy practices and horrid impieties, and became the humble, penitent followers of Jesus Christ, and the true worshippers of the living God. Churches were gathered to Christ-the holy institutions of the gospel, strictly observed, and many souls trained up for heaven, from those regions and shadow of death, where Satan's seat had so eminently been, and where he had long led souls captive at his will. Jesus of Nazareth? Many instances of the like nature, have taken place, in the late revivals of religion, in different places in these states. Numbers are now among the visible and the sincere followers of Christ, who, for many years appeared as unlikely to become Christians, were there nothing more than mere human means, as the stones are to arise into living men. 2. It may be inferred from this subject, that none should give up their attempts to Christianize the heathen nations, tho' their endeavors for that purpose have hitherto proved unsuccessful. Tho' considerable hath been attempted at different periods of time to propagate Christianity among the heathen nations in North-America, yet who can point out the season when ministers and Christians in general, These marvellous effects of the gospel upon the minds of those once so inconcievably remote from all good, may serve as a very clear and striking illustration of the passage under consideration, "For I say unto you, God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abra-have used their joint and perseham." Some useful inferences may be made from this subject. 1. That Ministers and Christians ought not to despair of the conversion of sinners, in the most degenerate times. Nor should they sink down in des vering efforts for the promotion held more than is meet, in regard to their charitable deeds, for the support of the Missionaries among them? he was an hungered they gave him no meat: Or because they refused to improve their worldly substance and Christian privileges, for the promotion of his kingdom in the world, for which end every blessing, spiritual and Is not God as able of these savages and barbarians, to raise up children unt● Abraham, as he was to convert those in a simi-temporal, is granted to men. lar condition, in the days of the Apostles? Has the promise, that he will give his Son the heathen for his inheritance and the uttermost purts of the earth for his poscection, ever been accomplished in its fullest extent? Then who can determine what may not yet be effected for their salvation, if a permanent foundation should be laid, for the support of faithful preaches among them? And should all the churches in the American States, aid this glorious design by their liberality and by their prayers, God may yet do wonderful things for their perishing 'souls. I entreat you, O ye Christians of every denomination, to take these things into serious consideration, and think while you are favored with a fulness of the means of religious instruction, multitudes of your fellow-men are perishing in sottish ignorance. Consider, also, that the small concerns and the little pains you take for their salvation, is a powerful witness against you, that you have but a small estimation of the privileges and blessings of the gospel yourselves. Such persons as place a true value on their spiritual privileges, and have a proper estimate of their own souls, are always solicitous that their fellow creatures of every nation, kindred, tongue and people, should share with them in the great salvation. It is their hearts desire and prayer to God, that the gospel of Christ might have It is idle for the inhabitants of this flourishing country, to plead their inability to contribute a sufficiency for this purpose, when so much is expended yearly for the support of luxury and extravagance! It is truly an affecting thought, that the heath-free course, run and be glorified. en are going to perdition by hundreds, and by thousands, for the want of religious instruction, and yet multitudes are wasting large sums daily, for the gratification of their fleshly lusts.Nor will many persons spare a cent or lift a finger to rescue the benighted Pagans from darkness and ruin! Such ought to take heed lest Christ, at the last day, shall sentence them to depart, forever from his presence, into everlast- | ing fire prepared for the Devil ɛnd his Hagels. Because, when If you therefore have tasted and seen that the Lord is gracious; if you have become heirs of the purchased possession; if you have learnt the worth of your own souls-will not your bowels yearn over the poor heathen? And will you not exert yourselves in every way, in which God in his word and providence directs, to promote, if possible, so benevolent and so glorious an object as that of Christianizing and saving the heathen in this land? AMATUS. A Letter to a Brother lately recovered from sickness. I DEAR BROTHER, hear that you have been very sick. From this, I can do no less than offer to your consideration a few serious reflections. To glorify and enjoy our maker is the great end of our existence. In this way, and in this only, may we rationally expect any true and lasting happiness. Our state, by nature, is deplorable beyond all conception, and, unless we look well to the interest of our souls, the loss of them will very soon teach us their unspeakable worth. You will readily assent to all this, but my great object, in this letter, is to prevail with you to conduct accordingly. When very young, you was brought down, by the providence of God, to the borders of the grave. However, in his tender compassion he spared your life, and restored you again to health. Since that time, he has followed you, every day, with his goodness, and has not been unmindful of you, even when you was most forgetful of him. While his hand has been laid heavily upon thousands around you, and many have been sent down to sleep in the dust, you have been defended both from sickness and death, and have had cause, above most others, of your acquaintance, to speak of the loving kindness of the Lord. You have enjoyed every necessary advantage for obtaining a saving knowledge of the truth, and laying a sure foundation for future and eternal felicity. God has not left you (to his praise alone be it spoken) to run so great lengths in exter nal impiety, as he has many youth at the present day. And this is not all; his spirit has often moved on your heart, and tenderly solicited you to be wise for yourself-to accept freely an interest in that Saviour, whose blood alone cleanseth from all sin, and to share forever in the unsearchable riches of his kingdom.I intreat you to think seriously on these and innumerable other instances, of divine kindness, which I cannot now mention; then ask yourself this plain, but solemn question, What returns have I made to the Lord for these unspeakable favors? Will it be dealing with too much plainness to say, that while you have offered a bleeding Saviour, the poor compliment of a few external services, you have cruelly denied him a place in your heart? What answer you are prepared to give to such queries as these, is best known to God and your conscience. It is worthy of remark, that judgments as well as mercies proceed from infinite kindness. As tho' unwilling to let you alone, or to leave any method untried, which might be effectual to your salvation, God has at length visited you with the rod of affliction.If I was rightly informed, you was brought down to the side of the pit; at least you had reason to apprehend, that your sickness would be unto death.What now would be your statę had you gone a little farther, and launched into eternity? Why did you not take the other step, and bid the world, your friends and all farewell? Was it because you had the keys of death in your own hand, and could go or stay at pleasure? Oh, how astonishing the good ness and forbearance of God! to be mentioned or even thought of in comparison of that shocking ingratitude, which you will be guilty of to the kind bestower of all good, unless you immediately chuse him for your God and portion. Your brother and sincere friend. the voice of God, loudly pro- A Letter to a new married couple, claiming to you the vanity of the world, and warning you to make haste in securing that better part which death itself cannot take from you. When groan ́ing under the violence of a disease, which threatened your dis-solution, did you not resolve, that, if spared, you would never be overtaken again by sickness 'unprepared for death? Whatever your thoughts might be, it will certainly be folly and even ⚫ madness not to seek first the kingdom of God and his righ'teousness. Very soon, you must be, not on a sick bed, but in the silent grave. from a Brother. DEAR BROTHER & SISTER, T HE following is a testimony of my affectionate concern for your welfare and happiness. United in a most important relation, one to another, you will probably be partners of each other's joys and sorrows, till the bonds, by which you are connected, shall be broken by the hand of death. The mutual happiness of the sexes is one important end, designed in the marriage institution; nor will it ordinarily fail of being answered, unless by some criminal fault in the parties united. To them, it is, therefore, exceedingly important, that neither of them should do any thing to plant, or nourish the seeds of misery.Every wise precaution should be used to prevent the beginning of evil. Multitudes, surrounded by many circumstances favorable to a life of happines, are miserable in a great measure, through their own fault.— Did those who enter the mar In view of these reflections, dare you indulge the thought of living a single day in a careless neglect of your soul? But should you do it for a number of years, and then on a sick bed, should be alarmed with the apprehensions of appearing before your judge, and with a view of your aggravated guilt, could you forgive yourself or expect forgiveness from your abused Sovereign, for having neglected your present opportunities, and dis-riage relation begin and perseregarded the late admonition of vere, as they ought, in a firm reProvidence? What your views solution to promote eath other's or resolutions are at this time, I happiness, in every way consistknow not, God knoweth. Not ent with a good conscience, the to regard the advice of an af- bitter plant of domestic misery fectionate brother will be un- would be nipped in the bud-it grateful; but this is unworthy would not spring up and flourish |