Google
This is a digital copy of a book that was preserved for generations on library shelves before it was carefully scanned by Google as part of a project
to make the world's books discoverable online.
It has survived long enough for the copyright to expire and the book to enter the public domain. A public domain book is one that was never subject
to copyright or whose legal copyright term has expired. Whether a book is in the public domain may vary country to country. Public domain books
are our gateways to the past, representing a wealth of history, culture and knowledge that's often difficult to discover.
Marks, notations and other maiginalia present in the original volume will appear in this file - a reminder of this book's long journey from the
publisher to a library and finally to you.
Usage guidelines
Google is proud to partner with libraries to digitize public domain materials and make them widely accessible. Public domain books belong to the
public and we are merely their custodians. Nevertheless, this work is expensive, so in order to keep providing tliis resource, we liave taken steps to
prevent abuse by commercial parties, including placing technical restrictions on automated querying.
We also ask that you:
+ Make non-commercial use of the files We designed Google Book Search for use by individuals, and we request that you use these files for
personal, non-commercial purposes.
+ Refrain fivm automated querying Do not send automated queries of any sort to Google's system: If you are conducting research on machine
translation, optical character recognition or other areas where access to a large amount of text is helpful, please contact us. We encourage the
use of public domain materials for these purposes and may be able to help.
+ Maintain attributionTht GoogXt "watermark" you see on each file is essential for in forming people about this project and helping them find
additional materials through Google Book Search. Please do not remove it.
+ Keep it legal Whatever your use, remember that you are responsible for ensuring that what you are doing is legal. Do not assume that just
because we believe a book is in the public domain for users in the United States, that the work is also in the public domain for users in other
countries. Whether a book is still in copyright varies from country to country, and we can't offer guidance on whether any specific use of
any specific book is allowed. Please do not assume that a book's appearance in Google Book Search means it can be used in any manner
anywhere in the world. Copyright infringement liabili^ can be quite severe.
About Google Book Search
Google's mission is to organize the world's information and to make it universally accessible and useful. Google Book Search helps readers
discover the world's books while helping authors and publishers reach new audiences. You can search through the full text of this book on the web
at |http: //books .google .com/I
/,
I
THE
GOSPEL ADVOCATE,
FOR
PROMOTING SPIRITUAL UNITY.
VOL. XIV.
EDITED BY A. J. BAXTER.
PVSTOR OF CWKSniSlI I'f,V:K CILAfRI,, E.VSTROURNK, SL'.S.SRX
All Promts ari.sing from this Magazine are devoterl to the assistance of the LordV
Poor Ministers and their Widows,
LONDON :
HOULSTON AND SONS, 7, PATERNOSTER SQUARE.
PRINTED BT
A. M. ROBINSON, DUKK BTRKET, BRIQIITON.
CONTENTS
PAGE
A God of Knowledge 53
A Just Man Perishing... 334
A " Little Flock " Still, or, Still a
Little Flock i8o
Always Triumphing in Christ 72
A New Year's Thanksgiving; 8
An Important Distinction 97
Bryan, Ruth, Letters by
29, 121;, 221, 251, 348
Characteristics of Our Age, The —
General Distraction 22
Prevalent Spiritual Apathy 148
Christ our Surety. 229
Contrast* and Parallels —
The Triple Blessing 15
Creatuie Failing, God Speaking, The 155
Dead to Sin 355
Did our Lord wash Judas's feet ? 367
Drying up of the Water of the Great
River Euphrates, The... 341
Egypt and the War 280
Election, Dr. Hawker on 237
Enduring Goodness 275
Essays on Hart s Hymns
33» 65, 129, 193, 257. 321
Euphrates, The Drying up of the Water
of the Great River 341
First Claim, The 266
Forgiveness 21
Fraternal Goodwill 279
Fraternal Intercourse 152
Funnell, the late Mrs. A 157
Furnace Work 83
God's way with Man from the begin-
ning 206, 231
€rood Shepherd and his Sheep, The ... ii
Gospel Confirmation 216
PA6B
Hart's Hymns, Essays on
33, 65, 129, 193, 2S7» 321
Hawker, Dr., on Election 231
Heaven and Hell versus Purgatory ... 314
Hervey on I John v. 7 240
Hold My Hands Tightly 310
Holidays versus Holy Days 116
Important Distinction, An 97
Incident in Early Life, An 55
Infallible Remedy, The 178
Ireland, the Papacy and the Curse 188
I will love thee, O Lord, my strength 225
Jehovah's Covenant Care 144
Jesus in all things 174
Jew and Gentile one in Christ 1 10
Letters by the Household of Faith—
Ruth Bryan 29, 125, 221, 251, 348.
Mary Levitt 94, 254 378
Oxenham, the late Mr 252
Tried Pilgrim, A 126, 317. 350
Thorpe Smith 62, 222
Stedraan, the late Mr. 160, 218, 315
Letters by the late Mr. Falkner 178, 262,359
„ ,, „ G. Stedman .. 79
,, by Mr. S. Rutherford 298
Levitt, Letter by the late Mary, 94, 254
Life and Peace 39
Lord's Day, The 214
Lord's Manifestations, The 278
Loved, Washed, and Dignified
270, 30i» 327
Miracles of Christ, The —
The Healing of the Impotent Man
at Bethesda's Pool 161
The Withered Hand Restored 289
My times are in Thy Hand 156
Nativity and the Star of Bethlehem, The 47
New Year's Address, Our I
New Year's Thanksgiving, A 8
CONTENTS.
PAOB
** No Condemnation." 51
Oar New Year's Address I
Personal Letters to the Editor —
The Path of Tribulation 26
A Village Pastor of three score and
ten 28, 91
An encouraging Word from New
Zealand 57
Waiting and Watching 59
Grace Omnipotent 61
The Changing and Unchangeable... 61
The Word with Power 93
A Pithy Greeting 118
Cast Down, but not Destroyed 118
A Sparrow Alone 121
Helps by the Way 122
Our Jubilee Memorial 250
A Kind Word from Old Pilgrims... 251
A Nonagenarian's Testimony 370
Another Aged Testimony 371
A Village Pastor 372
Pure Gold from Puritan and other
Mmes, 32, 64, 96, 128, 192, 224, 255
288, 318, 352 379
Power of Grace, The, 183, 198, 294
Protestant Statistics 56
Remarkable Conversion, A 114
Remarkable Escape 369
Rutherford, Extracts from,
2S» 52, S4» S5» 64, 96, 124, 143, 154
Saved by Hope 203
Sermon by Mr. Abrahams 11
„ „ Grace 86, 103, 270. 301 327
,, „ E.Vinall 144, 170
Short Obituary Notices 128
Smith, Letters by Mr. Thorpe 62, 222
Songs of Hezekiah, The 241, 305 363
Sound Counsel for all Exercises 227
Sovereign Mercy 331
Spiritual Perplexities 136
Star of Bethlehem,The Nativity and the 47
Stedman, Letters by the late Mr. G.
79, 160, 218, 315
PAOI
The Believer's Strength 353
TTie Claimed Jewels 42. 75, 139
The Kingdom and its Heirs ,.. 247
"The Lame take the Prey," 201
The Lord's Visits 359
The Rod and its Appointer 374
The Saving Appointment 86, 103
The Songs of Hezekiah 241, ^oc ^61
The Way of Life .. 262
The Will, the Soul's Index 336
Theology in America 283, 311, 344
Thoughts on Malachi iii, 16, 17,18,... 214
Time of the Nativity of our Lord,The 21a
Vinall, Notes of a Sermon Preached by
Mr, E i^ 170
Warm Zeal for Heaven 298
Where are you going to ? 18
Will the Soul's Index, The 336
Worldly Pleasures 8(»
Zion in Affliction 108
POETRY.
A Song for all the Year Round 15
Alone with Jesus no
Christ the Lord 47, 78
Christian Reflections 203
Conformity of Christ 231
David, My Servant, shall be king over
them 249
For the year 1882 39
Future Knowledge 280
Gentle Discipline 269
Habakkuk's Song 333 377
Nurture 217
Our Help and Shield 314
Plenteous Redemption 177
Resignation 301
Speak to my Heart 82
Tne Cross-Bearer .. 155
The Love of God 188
The Names and Characters of our
Lord 341, 362
The Reign of Grace 159
Under Pain and Sickness 124.
GOSPEL ADVOCATE:
FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIAN UNITY.
There is '* one Loid, one futh, Ofiie baptimi.'* — ^Eph. it. 5.
*' For by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or
Oentilee, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink
into one Spirit." — 1 Cos. zL 13.
*' Ye are all one in Christ Jesos. — Gal. iiL 28.
VoLUK XIV. Jaotaby, 1882. No. 157
KvV?
OUR NEW YEAR'S ADDRESS TO OUR READERS.
Deas Fexestds, —
those of yon whose faith and hope blend with theirs who
have crossed the stormy seas of Time and entered the
peaceful haven of Eternal Life (and with only snch we can
expect onr Magazine to find acceptance), we heartily desire in the
prospect of this opening year the sweetest and richest manifesta-
tion and enjoyment of the tender mercies of our God, in the
frequent visitations of the Dayspring from on high.
It seems almost incredible that thirteen years should have passed
away, bearing on the flood-tide of each month, week, day, and
minute, those countless changes which have transpired since first
this periodical was started. How many known and loved in
the Lord have during this space of time been removed from our
circle ! Brethren in the ministry, and brethren and sisters in
Christ, have disappeared from the scene of their toils, conflicts, and
cares to unite in the everlasting anthems of the glorified. We
could almost envy them their sacred repose in the bosom of ever-
lasting love. For we truly feel that we have not '' as yet come to
the rest and to the inheritance " (in glory) which, saith Moses, " the
Lord your Grod giveth you,'' Dent. xii. 9. In the beloved Saviour
we have indeed often by faith had a sweet antepast of it. We have
known experimentally the preciousness of Hart's description of the
believer's blessedness, when he
BecHnes his head on Jesus' breast.
Glides softly into promised rest.
And prores the Sabbath troe.'
f (
r»
^ THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
And we are Mlyi persuaded, whatever may be the sufferings and
sorrows of the people of God, and however potent and prevalent
unbelief may be in its workings within them, that there remains a
rest to them in the Redeemer's finished work — a rest into which
they shall|by the Spirit enter, and which shall surely be supple-
mented by the unbroken felicity of heaven.
But such creatures of sensation are we that, the circumstances
into which we are brought too much influence our frames and feel-
ings in seasons of adversity and darkness. As " the soul of the
people (of Jlsrael) was much discouraged because of the way"
(Num. xxi. 4), and in their dejection lost sight of all their past and
present delivering and supplying benefits — ^their escape from Egypt,
the Heaven- dropping manna, the rock-flowing stream, the never-
failing guidance of the pillar of fire and cloud — so is every child of
God prone to make too much of his tribulations, and infinitely too
little of the love, grace, compassion, faithfulness, and power of the
Hope and Saviour of Israel in the time of trouble. Deeply have
we suffered from this, and sometimes cried—
** How shall a heart that doubts like mine,
Dismayed at every breath,
Pretend to live the life divine,
Or fight the fight of faith !"
And doubtless our readers have often felt so too. How cheering,
then, to perceive it written of the man after God^s own heart, amid
one of the most painful of his bitter and frequent trials —
'^BuT David encouraged himself in the Lokd his God!"
"The Lord his God !" Sweet relationship ! Here the Infinite
I AM and a poor worm of the earth are seen in holy and indissoluble
union. The Omnipotent Jehovah is looked up to and trusted in by
a feeble speck of His creation, into which His Spirit has breathed
the breath of spiritual life, and made, in a Gospel sense, " a living
soul." With David it was a matter of life or death. Creatures
failed him at this trying moment. But the God Who had separated
him to the saving knowledge of Himself was unchanged. The
promises He had spoken with power to His heart were, in this fur-
nace to which he was subjected, to be equally tried and tested ; and
they were to be proved " pure words, as silver tried in a furnace of
earth, purified seven times" (Ps. xii. 6). Consoling thought !
The Lord in trying His children tries Himself. And what is the
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 3
result? All the dross is proved to be theirs — all the pure metal
His. His faithfulness endures the hottest fires and the strongest
floods.
" No change of mind our Jesus knows —
A true and constant Friend ;
Where once the Lord His love bestows
He loves unto the end."
Though most of the Lord's people, it would see m, have to wait
long ere they can say, ^^ The Lord is my God/' there is none who
can speak confidently of his state, and assume a rich blessedness
of experience, without this sacred confidence. The lack of this
casts the dark shadow over their pathway, crooks, crosses, and
temptations. And it is too apparent, from the many desponding
cries of David, that he was not always in the banqueting house
with the banner of love waving in full view over him. But this
did not affect the relationship betwixt him and the Go d of Salva-
tion : and this truth equally holds good of all the doubtinp^ mem-
bers of the one family in earth and heaven named. He Who has
said, ^^I will be their God, and they shall be My people" wili
never revoke His word, but all His acts shall prove His unaltered
purpose to abide by it. The two grand outward demonstrations of
this are, the mission of Christ and the work of the Spirit, while
Divine providence accomplishes all things in furtherance of the
decrees of grace. But not to enlarge on this great topic, it should
be observed that, as His people's God, He has said they shall
KNOW His Name (Isaiah Hi 6). And what says David of the effect
of this knowledge ? " They that know Thy name will pict their
trust in Thee : for Thou, Lord, hast not forsaken them that seek
Thee"(Ps.ix. 10).
See how beautifully this shows that the Lord draws all His chil-
dren by the work of the Spirit to Himself, their Salvation. Their
convictions, exercises, castings-down are all thus overruled to bring
them to His feet, while the knowledge of His saving and gracious
'^ Name " becomes His " Secret " with them, by which they are
attracted to plead, trust, and wait for all the help and final deliver-
ance they need, even as '' David encouraged himself in the Lord
his God.'' Never could he have done so had not the Lord revealed
His '' Name " to him, and favoured him with those distinguishing
marks of His favour which often led him to cry in times of neces-
sity, '' Show me a token for good."
4 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
And when, beloved, we review the manifest kindness wluch haa
thus far brought us through the appointed number of our trials, and
added another year to those years whose sorrows we shall know no
more,may we not well " encourage ourselves '^ in humble hope, if not
in triumphant confidence, " in the Lord our God/' Personally, we
long to attain to a fuller acquaintance with that '^ love of Christ
which passeth knowledge, that we may be filled with all the fulness
of Grod." For who that fears the Lord can question the words of
the poet —
•* How sweet to be allowed to call
The God Whom heaven adores my Friend !
To tell my griefs, to tell Him all.
And then to know my prayers ascend."
This only can beget a "confidence toward God" in times when the
enemy assails heart and mind, in those peculiar and innumerable
ways which his profound knowledge of human nature leads Him to
adopt, and which no creature power can withstand or creature skill
counteract. For " when he,'' as the Leviathan, " raiseth up him-
self the mighty are afraid ;" and only " by reason of breakings " —
the " breakings " of the force of temptation effected by the Omnipo-
tence of Grace — they, that is, the assailed ones, "purify them-
selves" — by resorting to the "Fountain opened for sin and unclean-
ness." And this fresh enjoyment of the unchangeable purifying
efficacy of the precious blood of Christ, in connection with the
everlasting love of the Father, adds to that " experience" which
"worketh hope" for all the future, and it is the confirming in us of
" the testimony of Christ " (1 Cor. i. 8). It enables us to realise
what He is to His believing people, even that which He hath Him-
self declared, namely. Him who " speaks in righteousness, mighty to
save." And with such a holy combination of merit, compassion,
and faithfulness to depend upon, all sincere seekers after the
Saviour have, on every hand, the most Scriptural reasons to encourage
themselves in the Lord their God, and to appeal with David for
further displays of His confirming loving-kindness and tender
mercy, saying —
" Show me a token for good."
Divine tokens vouchsafed become pledges on the Lord's part, and
evidences on the part of His people. His tokens of grace proclaim
Him to be their God, and them to be His people. The bow in the
THE 006PSL ADYOCATB. 9
cloud in the day of rain became the visible token of Jehovah's
covenant to Noah. Circomcision was the manifest token of that
covenant to Abraham. And the Seed of David^ Christ the Lord^
is the richest token of all of the self -same covenant^ into which
Jehovah has entered with Himself in His Trinity of Persons on
behalf of His elect : insomuch that the Father^ addressing the Son,
declares, ''I will also give Thee for a covenant of the people, for a
light of the Crentiles; to open the blind eyes, to bring out the
prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the
prison-house'* (Isaiah xlii. 6, 7).
And can we not say, beloved, that Jesus by His Spirit has sent
OS forth from the prison-house of nature ; that He has loosed the
yoke of Satan, under which we served divers lusts and pleasures,
and were bringing forth fruit unto death ? And what is all this,
but a sure token that His ^' invaluable blood '' was shed for us ? for
only by the blood of His covenant can such a deliverance be effected,
and only through its all-prevailing medium does the blessed Spirit
work both regeneratingly and sanctifyingly. When the Psalmist
says, '^ O Lord, truly I am Thy servant; I am Thy servant, and the
son of Thine handmaid : Thou hast loosed my bonds '' (Psalm cxvi.
16), what is it, but an acknowledgement of that saving work wrought
in his soul, to which Paul alludes when he says, " Being made free
from sin and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto
holiness, and the end everlasting life" (Rom. vi. 22). The soul.
Divinely begotten, and plucked from the grasp of Satan, is new-
bom for Heaven. Never shall it renounce the yoke of Christ for
the renewed bondage of ^' the god of this world."
** Not all the delusions of sin
Shall ever seduce him to death ;
He now has the witness within.
United to Jesus by faith.
This faith shall eternally fail
When Jesus shall fall from His throne,
For hell against both most prevail,
Since Jesus and he are but one."
To apprehend this by the sealing witness of the Spirit is the chief
desire of all who are interested in its blessedness. '^ Show me a
token for good," becomes the personal appeal of each. For as the
Lord is jealous of His people, so are they of His love. To see and
hear of others ftivoured to claim Him as their covenant God, and
6 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
able to speak of the Lord's love-visits, whispers, and secret bestow-
ment of sovereign favour, and to be left destitute of all these vital
privileges, is not to be endured without complaint by any who have
''passed from death unto life/' It begets a holy coveting of these
best gifts. We trace the feeling in the Spouse when she says,
''Tell me, Thou Whom my soul loveth, where Thou feedest,
where Thou makest Thy flock to rest at noon : for why should I be
as one that turneth aside by the flocks of Thy companions ?" To
know nothing of desire for the presence of Christ, the kisses of
His mouth (in the heart-spoken promises and assurances of His
love) ; to be content with a profession that has no tender feeling in
it, but rests entirely in the creature, is no mark of Zion's Heaven-
born children. A felt death, darkness, and subjection to vanity
often indeed prevail for a season, but they never reign permanently
in a true believer. Legal elements and carnal frames, attended
with mistrust of the Lord, and total want of access at His throne,
all the Lord's people have not seldom to suffer from. But they
are taught by the thorns and briars of the wilderness that without
Christ they can do nothing ; that the Lord has not given them a
foot of Moab's or Edom's land for their inheritance (Dent. ii. 5, 9).
No ; all praises to His Name ! Himself is His people's part and
their inheritance, as the spiritual tribe of Levi, the kingdom of
priests (Num. xviii. 20).
And what mercy is in this ! Without this arrangement of infi-
nite love we should, in spiritual matters, settle on the lees of a dead
profession, and in worldly matters, amid the cares of life and the
deceitfulness of riches, we should lightly esteem the Eock of our
salvation. Hence the Holy Spirit is from time to time stirring us
up, as an eagle stirreth up her nest, and by the pressure of many
and diverse circumstances, and the arising of divers events. He is
pleased to bring us to thirst, aspire, and cry after the Lord's
incomparable " tokens for good ;" as did Zion when she exclaimed,
" Yea, in the way of Thy judgments, O Lord, have we waited for
Thee." And to show the personal feeling of all her quickened
offspring, the plural is immediately changed to the singular, and it
follows : " With my soul have I desired Thee in the night, and with
my spirit within me will I seek Thee early" (Isaiah xxvi. 8, 9).
It is thus on the eve of the New Year we stand with our editorial
and ministerial work before us, and with our exercises, hopes.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 7
and fears about os^ and looking onto Jesus^ the Author and
Finisher of our feiith^ we cry, '' Show me a tokev for good**
Let Thy work appear unto Thy servants^ and Thy glory unto their
children. And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us ;
and establish Thou the work of our hands upon us; yea^ the
work of our hands establish Thou if (Psalm xc. 16, 17). Fain
would we so clearly perceive His wisdom and love in all His deal-
ings with us, and be so persuaded that all things shall work together
for our good, that in all our ways we may acknowledge Him, and
behold Him directing our paths : even as our beloved poet says —
** May we all our wills resign,
Quite absorbed and lost in Thine ;
Make us walk by Thy right rules ;
Lord, direct us — we are fools."
And seeing that from Eternity Jehovah has planned and ordered
everything in Grace and Providence relative to His people's salva-
tion, and amply provided for all their needs in their pathway,
though by the most mysterious ways and means, can there be any-
thing more consistent than to submit our choice and judgment in
all things to Him, saying, " Thou shalt guide me with Thy counsel,
and afterward receive me to glory '* (Psalm Ixxiii. 24).
But what Grace is needed to accomplish this subjection of self
to Him ! Satan, the accursed slanderer — as his name. Devil, im-
plies — ^is ever ready to suggest that it can only be wrought by a
blast coming upon everj-thing we hold dear. This is a gross
calumny on the character and dealings of the God of everlasting
love. It is true He doth often severely try the righteous; but so
impossible is it to define many of His dispensations in their opera-
tion on individuals that to attribute them to any human cause is to
widely err from the mark. Of this we may be assured : He will be
King ; He will ever hold the reins of government ; His counsel shall
stand, and He will do all His pleasure. Therefore may it be our
privilege, by the Spirit's grace, to be daily crying, if spared through
the year, " Show me a token for good," and doubtless the promise
will be ratified in our experience, " No good thing will He with-
hold from them that walk uprightly." Brethren and sisters in the
Lord, may the grace of our Beloved rest richly upon us all.
The Editor.
A JHEW YEAE^S IHAXX5«GIVISG-
^"Svw TL & sans of prtftfiP jxsaaat
Ti* WBW doKr Jjord sir wmnt IT
ht line lasigTKiigf' of mBiix of i^ LardTs ddldreQ on
Om Kev Tesa^^ mciriL IS^ — & >^^ii^ cf pndse aaiym^lmg
frcm) liKsr besn^ to Him WL: iuoli aJ&d ddcsn by^ ffis
^zae£, asid rerealed TmK> t^)f!ZL xbe Lord Jaeis Gfanst as
4K3zr Sa^cnir — ^tiienr bein^brDi2£!^ i^ br!uj£7£ tihiz^ *^w&iar as tte east
M irom iht -wem^ 90 far iiaidi H^ rBmored ^wsr nxnsgiioaBioiKs &txm
jg^aniu"^ axkd iksaa. behig cloiLdd in lihe aiD-perkid i^giiieaQSD^ of the
liurd -J^sis Omsi, libeT a^^pear in lihe sag^ of xiie Faiihfir aD fair^
imiiiUixx ^xit or wzxnkk^-^oomfshr tia\mg^ xhst oooneiliDes wiiich He
lasti3u pel iipom TJbfmn,
" A Bxmar riktthnil in l^ik^ nob Tfist,
And ^siTz»D2s: ^irssbai in liikKid.
Is ivBdapBd & * ' iih Chzsftt tr iaftSL.
And be litt iTMSt of God."
Oil, -viffit casi oompape miih a good liope in these licSi blessings;
Vo kxic*ir ilxai f-cc tiiDe and for ctermir ii znnst be veil with us ;
htci^ <me of lha2 bappnr number cho^eii in tbe Liord Jesus Christ
Vef .^rt: tbe foPTHJarion rf the irarld, to be *' an bear of God tbrough
Mow taririal do all tbe things of time and desztse a^^^ear in 00m-
pas^bcni wnh these stnpendoos blessings ! '^* Bless tbe LfOrd, O my
eon], 9Sid aJl tliat is within me bkss His holy iwme.^ ** The Lord
lath dose gteaat things for ns, wba^eof we ai^ giad.^
But wiib some ci God's children their hasps maT be bnng upon
tbe wiHowb; and in reading tbe above tbey wiD be ready to
fycla,TTn, "How shall we ang tbe Lorfs song?'* With suich I
woold most fediingly sympathise, well knowing the bitterness of
BDol whicb is expenoooed when tbe Snn of righteousness withdraws
His bright shining, and we are called to do basins in deep waters.
At saA a time we are tempted to say, ^' Is His mercy dean gone
for erer, and wiD He be favonnble no more ?" But, blessed be His
name. He is eTer faithfol to His word, *^ I will see yon again, and
joor hfiart shall rejoice.''
Therefore, I would say to sach, Encourage yoorsdves in the Lord
jKmr God, poor ont your hearts before Him, tdl Him all your com-
fdainte; wait upon Him, and hear what He will say unto yon. It
may be that He has some predoas word in store fcur you tliis New
Yearns Day, and that He bat delays to make you importunate. His
ezhoitatioiiis: ''Let Me see thy countenance; let mehear thyToioe,
for sweet is tby Toice, and thy countaoance is comely.'' Bv^ alas!
THS OOSFBL ADYOGATB. 9
how apt we are to be slotlifiil in prayer ; to be contented with walk-
ing at a distance from God; and when aronsed from our sleepy
state^ and we rise to open to our Beloved, we find He is gone. '^ I
opened to my Beloved, but my Beloved had withdrawn Himself and
was gone; I sought Him, but could not find Him; I called Him, but
He gave me no answer/^ May we in such a time of trial seek the
Lord earnestly, confessins: our manifold iniquities, and beseechinir
Him to grant lis a fresh a^lication of His i^rdoni^g love ; to ao^
for our help, and enable us again to rejoice in Him, as our all in all^
and in the language of the spouse to exclaim, " yij Beloved is mine,
and I am His.
My brothers and sisters in the Lord, will you bear a word of
exhortation ? Be diligent ; be vigilant. '^ The diligent soul shall
be made &it.'* '' Be sober, be vigilant ; because your adversary
the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may
devour.'^ Do not be satisfied with what you have already attained,
but seek earnestly after great and still greater things. If we have
any pursuit in which we wish to excel, or any art or science we
desire perfectly to comprehend, are we not very diligent in the use
of all means to attain these ends ? — ^not simply devote one day in the
week and an infinitesimal portion of the others to the study of it.
But, alas ! how small a portion of time do we devote to the con-
templation of high and heavenly things, to the reading of the
Word and good books ; to Christian communion, conversation and
prayer with one another; and to the worship of God either in
public or private. How then can we expect to go on our way
rejoicing in Him Who "loved us and gave Himself for us," if we
do not cultivate acauaintance with Him ; or to walk in that peace
'' which passeth all understanding,'' if not led to seek a growth
in grace and in the knowledge of Him Whose legacy was, " in Me
'peo/ceP
Oh, that it may please the Lord so to blow upon His fi;arden this
first day of another year, that the spices may now out abundantly;
and we wrest a blessing from God for the ensuing year.
'' He lores our importanity,
And makes Qf\xx catue His eare."
Ls there not cause in looking back upon our pathway thus far for
each one of us to testify,
'' My Jeeos has done all things well T*
It may have been through fire and fiood, through sunshine and
storm, through prosperity and adversity, through sickness, sorrow^
and suffering, much rejoicing in God and deep temptations : but
in the midst of all, to the honour of Him, we must acknowledge
He has sweetly sustained, comforted, and blessed, revealing Him-
1© THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
self unto us as a Brother born for adversity ; a Man of sorrows
aiid acquainted with grief, — as our compassionate and faithful
High Priest, —
** Whose love is as large as His power,
And neither knows measure nor end.*'
Truly the Lord our God has been with us, and overruled all
things for our spiritual good, — ^teaching us and disciplining us by
the exercises, afllictions, and trials which have more or less been
our daily portion, and so graciously sanctifying all unto us, that
again and again we have had to testify to His love, faithfulness,
ajid unchangeableness. And we have blessed and praised our good
and gracious God for those very sorrows and trials which to nature
seemed agonizing and overwhelming ; for in those deeps we have
so proved the mysteries and infinite depth of His love, and the pre-
ciousness of a dear Redeemer in His office-characters, that we have
been amazed at His condescension thus to reveal Himself to sinners
stich as we. that our too-frequently cold hearts may be warmed
to offer praise and thanksgiving to Him for His marvellous loving-
kindness towards us.
True rejoicing in the Lord is compatible with deep mourning on
account of sin, sorrows, afflictions, bereavements, or trials of any
kind. We may be pressed down heavily with our burdens, and yet
through the tender, loving-kindness and faithfulness of God prove
*' There's something secret sweetens all."
" The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him /' and O it
is blessed to understand this secret experimentally. May our
eyes be " ever toward the Lord'^ in our onward path, and we con-
tinually wait upon Him for the leadings and teachings of His
Spirit ; for grace to help in every time of need ; leaning on Him
for wisdom, strength, and all that we require, to resist our numerous
enemies from within and without. May He grant us earnestness
and diligence to follow the Lord fully, — ^not at a distance, and with
full purpose of heart to " press toward the mark for the prize of the
high calling of God in Christ Jesus.''
It is not revealed to us what may lie before us in the future, but
the blessing is that we "know in Whom we have believed,'' and
that " He is able to keep that which we have committed to Him
against that day." And we would earnestly crave of Him the
abundant outpouring of His Spirit, that we may be enabled to live
more fully to His honour and glory, be made an increasing blessing
to all around, and by our walk and conversation at all times show
there is a reality in the things we profess, and that it is our meat
and drink to do the will of Him Who has taught us by His Spirit,
and has drawn us to Himself, and so filled us with love to Him,
that we long to spend and be spent in His service.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 11
Our greatest trouble is sin — that sin whicli cleaves unto us and
mixes with and mars all that we do or think or say. But, blessed
be God, His gracious promise is, that we shall " be more than con-
querors" through the Lord Jesus Christ. To Him we desire to
coromit all His blood-bought family, blessing Him for His unspeak-
able goodness in past years, and begging Him to grant us an
increasing realisation of His love and faithfulness day by day
throughout 1882 ; that our wills maybe absorbed in His; "the joy
of the Lord be our strength," and we ever remember the exhorta-
tion : " Be not high-minded, but fear."
Thus may we be enabled to walk humbly, throughout 1882,
with Him who has revealed Himself unto us as our God, and daily
prove the sweetness of being in the spirit of the following lines :
" All that feeds my busy pride,
Cast it evermore aside ;
Bid my will to Thine submit,
Lay me humbly at Thy feet.
Make me like a little child,
Of my stren^h and wisdom spoilt.
Seeing only m Thy light,
Walking only in Thy might."
And to His name shall be all the praise and glory. Amen and
amen.
Cambs, Iota.
THE GOOD SHEPHERD AND HIS SHEEP.
BEING THE SUBSTANCE OF A SERMON, PREACHED AT REGENT STREET
CHAPEL, CITY ROAD, LONDON, ON LORD'S DAY EVENING, MARCH QTH,
1845.
BY MR. GEORGE ABRAHAMS.
" Bu/ he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him
the porter openeth : and the sheep hear his voice : and he calleth his own sheep
by name, and leadeth them out'' — ^John x.'z, 3.
ANY months have elapsed since the Lord led me to this precious
portion of His word. It was on a Lord's d2ly morning in the last
year, and, as far as I can remember, I did not go through half of it.
How it came to pass that it did not come into my mind again till thisday,
I cannot tell, any more than that God is a sovereign, and I am satisfied
that through many temptations and hurricanes His promise stands good,
that His word shall not return unto Him void. To believe of a servant
of God that he is guided and directed by God, is a very marvellous thing ;
and I believe there is little or no comfort or peace to any one, who does
not know whom he is hearing, how he is hearing, and taking heed to what
he is hearing. Those who go after every *Lo here* and 'Lo there,* I defy
them to tell me three months out of the year whom they are hearing, how
12 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
they are hearing, or what they are hearing. The word "bnt," in the
beginning of my text, makes it manifest, and I am bound to say so.
The " but " makes the difference : " But he that entereth in by the door
is the shepherd of the sheep."
This portion of the word, then, a little more minutely let us examine,
in which we
First, Take notice of the Good Shepherd speaking in the text.
Secondly, What is meant by the door.
Thirdly, What is meant by the porter that openeth.
Fourthly, The glorious office of the Good Shepherd, that calleth His
sheep, and that by name, and leadeth them out. " He leadeth them
from strength to strength, till every one of them appeareth before God."
Fifthly, It is necessary we should make a solemn inquiry, what evidence
we have that we are of the Good Shepherd's flock, and that we do belong
to Christ. This is, as far as I can remember, the way and manner in
which the Lord led me into this portion, when I preached from it on a
Lord's day morning.
First, As regards the Good Shepherd, I have just to speak as the
dear Lord may lead me ; for to be candid, I have no more recollection
of any particular sentence in my former sermon, than you have who
never heard it before. Well then, say some, there is no particular
occasion for you to mention that you have spoken from it before. I do
not know about that. Some of you might say, Oh, we heard it before.
But not to linger. How is this Good Shepherd to be known ? I kept on
pulling and trying and crying this afternoon — some of you know what I
mean ; Well, then, says the dear Lord, tell them there are three pro-
minent features : I am g«od, as I said to the young man, " Why callest
thou Me good ? there is none good but one, that is God ;" and the poor
man looked on Me simply as man, as many heretics do at this day-
Tell them I am good in My person. He declares that He is the essential
Son of God, the great Jehovah, as some of you heard last Thursday
night. " I am come that they might have life, and that they might have
it more abundantly." He is essentially good ; all that is good comes
Jrom Him, the fountain of all good and blessing. Thus the person of
our Shepherd is very good. Tell them, secondly, says He, that I am
food in My nature and office : for who else can be declared to be good*
in the sense in which God declared everything to be good at the creation.
God looked on all that He had made, and pronounced it to be very good ;
and there has not been one single being of us, since the days of death and
destruction brought into the worid by Adam's sin, that he has had any
snch name belonging to him. ** There is none good, no not one."
Why ? Because of sin.
" Sm's within us, all about us."
THE GOfiFSL ADTOCATS. 13
** We aie bom in sin, and shapen in iniqoitf ." And the dear sools taoght
of God, would tremble at the thoo^t of being called good, as standing
in tfacmsehrcs. But bete was a human nature, "hc^j, harmless,
midefiled, and sepa r ate from sinneis,'' and in this human nature He is
** voice." "door," and all to his people. His nature is good, and there
is nothing good but what is joined to it bj a mystical bond of union.
And as He is essentially good in His human nature, by which in all His
offices He is manifested to the church ; so He is good in Has divine
nature. Well, I said. Lord, that will do. And He said. Tell them, in
the third ]phtce^ that I am good, and M^ Good Shepherd emphatically,
in knre, c<mdescension and kindness to My flock ; for no shepherd loves
his flock to such a degree, as to lay down his life for his sheep. Thus
then a few words ccmceming the Good Shepherd.
My scctmd general heading is. The door : " But he that entereth in by
the door, is the shepherd of the sheep." Not only that He is this
gknioos divine Shepherd of the sheep. And the way that He is made
■anifrsf as such, is by His entering in by toe door. My enquiry th^
is» What is meant by the door ? The first verse of my chapter says,
" Veiily, verily, I say unto you, he that entereth not by the door into the
sfae^>-fold, but dimbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a
robber." The door is explained in the portion of God's word before us ;
that is, so far as scripture explanation goes. Scripture explanations are
of this kind, that after the Holy Ghost has explained what goes before,
tfaeie rrmainefh a great and mighty depth in the explanation. In the
seventh verse the dear Lord says, " Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the
door of the sheep :** all that ever came before Me are thieves and rob-
bers ; but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door ; by Me if any
man cater in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find
pasture." Thus the dear Lord says, " I am the door ;" therefore doth
not a mighty riddle remain : He is Himself the door, and yet He entereth
by the door. Thieves and robbers do not enter by the door, but climb up
some other way. Many, very many conjectures have beoi made of this
door. A door is the way into the building. It is written in the Word of
God (and yon will find it is applied to Christ HimselQ, in the fifth chapter
of Hebrews : '* For every high priest taken from among men, is ordained
for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and
sacrifices for sins : who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on
them that are ontof the way," dec. "And no man taketh this honour
unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron." '* He that is
called of GckI :" he must have a call from God ; he must be ordained of
God, be appointed of God. " So also Christ, glorified not Himself to
be made an high priest, but He that said unto Him, Thou art My Son,
this day have I b^otten Thee."
14 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
Now as regards this door, it is the Divine ordination
of the Lord God, Who is a sovereign in all His ways. Thieves
and robbers are not ordained to go in by the door, but climb up
some other way. They have no ordination, no charge. " He that en-
tereth in by the door, is the Shepherd of the sheep." Christ came as
ordained by God the Father to be the Great Shepherd of the flock; for
it is written in Isaiah xl., '' He shall feed His flock like a shepherd."
Many portions of God's Word in the Old Testament, in Ezekiel
especially, are applied to Christ as ordained by God the Father to be the
Shepherd of His people ; and in Isaiah, as I have quoted : '* He shall
feed His flock like a shepherd ; He shall gather the lambs in His aims,
and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with
young." And hence He repeated, times without number, in the days of
His humility on earth, that He came not to do His Own will, but the
will of His Father who sent Him. He sought not His own will : there-
fore whoever the man is, whatever his motives are for being a minister,
if not the glory of God, he is climbing up over the wall : neither am I
ashamed to say it, nor am I singular in doing so. Whatever is made great
things of, or made an idol of, that is to be spoken against by the
servants of God. What a mighty talk is made of ordination and
succession. That great servant of God, Calvin, says. Vocation is indis-
pensable, but ordination is only secondary. Vocation, is to be called by
Jehovah Himself; and this is the only door by which a man goes in
rightly. Christ was not to be left singular in this work of keeping of
sheep, but to have a number of servants, summed up in the Revelations
as the four beasts, or living creatures, in the four quarters of the earth,
and they shall stand till time shall be no more.
But I think there is something deeper in this door still ; for it regards
the door of the ordination of God. For though He is so full of compas-
sion and gentleness, yet He will at the end make it manifest who are His
servants, and who serve Him not. And though some may go on for a
long time, without its being known whether they have entered in by the
door 01 no ; yet by the Lord's people I think they might really be
detected before six months. The door into the sheep-fold is of the
same materials as the sheep-fold — Christ in human nature. By this
nature He has access to them, and they to Him ; this makes up the
grand access into the sheep-fold, for, as the poet says.
" God out of Christ is terror to my soul."
This door is the glorious incarnate love of Christ, by which there is a
way to God ; and until you see this door, your soul must sink within you
under the terrors of God's law.
(To he continued).
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE,
15
A SONG FOR ALL THE YEAR ROUND.
THE WEAKNESS WHICH EVER PREVAILS.
** And he halted upon his thigh." — Gen. xxxii. 31.
**My strength is made perfect in weakness." — 2 Cor. xii. 9.
" Out of weakness were made strong." — ^Heb. xL 34.
If thou hast met Gk>d*s an^l fair,
ICid clouds of darkest mght ;
If thou hast wept and wresQed there,
And He has brought thee light ;
Then, with the light that bringeth all,
TTi« loye has made thy pride to fall,
And though thy hea^ is strong and
free,
Tet thou hast learnt this mysteiy.
That strength in weakness lives.
If thou hast been where tempests hail,
And threatening storms oft lour.
Hast known the anvil and the flail.
Stood in temptation's hour ;
If through the darkness thou hast wept.
The beetling path of truth hast kept ;
If in the night, through listening ear.
The words of Loye have brought thee
cheer,
Then thou didst stoop to win.
If now, where'er thy steps may tend,
Thy faith beholds a well-known form.
And by thy side thou hast a friend.
The Angel of the storm ;
Then He who gave victorious grace.
That crown upon thy head to place.
Hath kill'd thy own strength in the
strife,
And given thee His Own regal life,
In which thy faith doth live.
And thus, although a Prince with God,
Self cannot lift its head;
For thou hast pass'd beneath the rod,
And thine own life is dead.
And though a crown is on thy brow.
The Hand which gave it laid thee low.
And He, Who raised thee from the
ground.
Through thy own victory gave a wound
In which thy strength hath root.
A strength, the birth of sorrow's night,
Fair child of many woes,
That throws itself on Gk>d's own might
And thus subdues its foes ;
O weakness ! last born, yet most true,
Each foe without, within subdue.
True source of strength, and only
known
To those who win and wear a crown ;
All heaven shall yet be thine.
W. P. B.
Brighton.
CONTRASTS AND PARALLELS.
No. 2.
THE TRIPLE BLESSING
And THE Thrice-repeated Salutation.
Numbers vi. 24-26 :— John xx. 19, 21, 26.
HEN the sin-offering, burnt-offering and peace-offering had
been duly presented before the Lord, it devolved upon
Aaron and his sons to bless the people with uplifted hands,
saying, '' The Lord bless thee, and keep thee ; the Lord
make His face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee : the
Lord lift up His countenance upon thee, and give thee peace."
The curse had been symbolically removed by the blood of the
victims presented upon the altar, and no impediment remained to
the pronouncing of the triple blessing. The majesty of the
Father's law had been typically honoured by the majesty of the
16 THE 008FIL ADVOCATE.
Son's offerings and the majesty of the Spirif s wilaiess was equally
attested.
The Father would now in His faithfulness and justice " blbss *'
with full and free remission, 1 John i. 9 ; and '' keep '^ through
His Own name the blood-redeemed Israel of His love, John xvii.
11. The Son, as the Sun of Righteousness, would arise with
healing in His wings, and ^'make His face shine upon'' those
whom He had redeemed from the power of darkness and the
shadow of death, Mai. iv. 2 ; and " be qbacious *' to them amid all
their unworthiness, sorrows and temptations in this wilderness.
The Holy Spirit would " lift up His countenance " upon them, in
removing the vail of unbelief and error, and enlightening the eyes
of their understanding, as the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in
the knowledge of Clmst, Eph. i. 17; and ''give them peace" in
believing the record God has given of His Son, and by applying
the atonement and appropriating the righteousness of Christ.
Nor shall any of the individual members of the Church of Grod
fail to share in this blessing. It was pronounced on Israel as a
whole — "The Lord bless Thee,*' &c. If analysed with eyes
anointed with the holy eye-salve, it will be found to include every
mercy and favour, in spiritual and temporal concerns, which the
Lord^s people need in order to their realization of salvation, and their
preservation, and glorification. And their rich inheritance is found
to be a legacy of " Peace." And if, as it is aflSrmed, it was on the
eighth day of the week that the priests thus blessed the people, it
corresponds with the day of the Saviour^s resurrection, and His
successive appearances to His assembled disciples. And if the
peace-offering was the last of the three presented, previous to the
blessing being spoken, it adds a force to that precious announce-
ment, which wound up with the gift of peace.
This one thing is clear : Jehovah emphatically empowered His
priests to make known His " thoughts of peace, and not of evil,"
as manifested through an accepted sacrifice. And each of the
Divine Persons was exhibited as joyfully participating in the
bestowment of favour. For in the Name of the Triune Jehovah, in
mystery, the triple benediction was uttered, and its comprehensive,
but full nature, embraced " peace " as its glorious end. For this
was the gracious design of the great Antitype's office, mission and
work; even of Him, Who "is our Peace." But not with "the
blood of goats and calves, but by His Own blood. He entered in
once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for
us." Heb. ix. 12.
In G-ethsemane, before Pilate's bar, and on Calvary His "precious
blood" had been presented before God, even before He ascended
within the vail. And as the risen Christ, Who had proved His
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 17
acceptance with the Father, He most kindly deigned to proclaim,
to those who loved Him, that " peace " which He had made '' by
the blood of His cross j " and this in the benediction-salutation :
''Peace be unto you.*'
It was on the first day of the week, when the disciples were
assembled with closed doors, for fear of the Jews, that He, Who
had swallowed up death in victory as " the Prince of peace," " stood
in their midst," when He so lovingly greeted them. The saluta-
tion, with His personal appearance, was for the confirmation of their
faith, and as a balm to their perplexed and troubled hearts. It was
the inauguration of that "government and peace^" of the increase of
which there is to be "no end." As their High Priest He had made
the atonement, and had come forth to bless His people with peace-^
the fruit of all His sore travail. And here we recognize the
parallel between Him and the high priest after His work was com-
pleted — although, in the fullest sense, it is consummated in the
mission of the Spirit from within the vail, where the Saviour is
enthroned with the Father on the blood-besprinkled mercy-seat.
On each of the three occasions when the Lord Jesus appeared
and said, " Peace be unto you," it was to the disciples as assembled
in a body ; just as the High Priest pronounced His blessing on the
people as a whole. John xx. 19, 21, 26. There is much sweetness
in this. It shows the unity of the members as one body in Christ ;
and that "peace" is "ordained " for each and all, Isa. xxvi. 12.
Nor can we believe otherwise than that " peace " from the Father's
love, the Son's atonement, and the Spirit's grace, was signified by
the Redeemer in His triple utterance of the sacred words ; and
that thus they became the substance, after the offering of His Own
body, of all that the High Priest's blessing contained, when he put
Jehovah's name upon His Israel, and ended His blessing with
" peace."
And thus in this parallel, which is here so briefly touched upon,
we find " peace," extended like a river in promise to the tried and
troubled members of the Saviour's body. In the world, tribulation
is appointed to be, in measure, their common lot ; but it is only to
make the " peace " in their Beloved all the richer and sweeter
when revealed. Peace follows the blood shed and presented to
the Father, as the grand testimony to the validity of the sacrifice
of Christ, and no conscience is too burdened, no heart too hard, no
conflicts too distracting for this Peace to prevail over. Peace in
Christ ; peace in the conscience, and peace in heaven, is the lot of
the thrice-blessed Israel of God.
18 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
'^ WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO?"
|HE writer of this little tract was a short time since travelling
in a train, when (on arriving at a Junction) one of the
company^s servants requested the passengers to produce
their tickets. One man, however, was unable to do so ;
when a sharp altercation took place. The servant in the employ of
the company demanded to know " where the man was going to,'*
when the poor fellow confessed he '^ did not know." The porter
then called for assistance, by saying there was a man travelling in
that carriage who declared he "did not know where he was going
to \" How the matter was settled I know not, as the train soon
moved on. This circumstance forced itself upon my consideration ;
while my heart ejaculated that probably there might be others in
the same train who were travelling to the most important of all
termini without any official ticket ; and more than that, like this
poor man, not really knowing where they were going to ! and what
is still worse, not caring either ! I hope my reader is not such an
one. It is however certain we shall all soon reach our goal ; but
under what circumstances is alone known to Him, "in Whom we live,
move, and have our being.*' And He has certainly laid down in His
word many plain waymarks, whereby we may know whether we are
upon the broad rails of "the lusts of the flesh, the lusts of the eyes,
and the pride of life" which " lead to destruction ;" or upon the
narrow, Christ-seeking, truth-loving, flesh-denying way, which
leadeth to eternal life. Let us, therefore, in all honesty to our
precious souls, search and try ourselves by the word of God (the
balances of the sanctuary), to see how matters stand between God
and us ; lest coming suddenly to the terminus of our earthly
journey, we should be found like the poor man referred to, without
a ticket ; and although it may be we have lived long, yet have
never been earnestly concerned to know where we are going to when
we depart hence to be seen no more.
This is the more important as we are informed, "There
is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end
thereof are the ways of death." (Prov. xiv. 12.) It is re-
markable to notice how particular most persons are when they
travel by rail to see that they are in time, and that they procure a
properly signed official ticket ; and these precautions are adhered
to even in short journeys ; hence, how careful they are lest they
should not be put down at the right station ! How strange it
seems, and yet how true it is, that we should be so careful over
small matters and yet be wholly careless and unconcerned as to
what shall become of us when we come to die ! It was this which
made Moses say of Israel, "0 that they were wise ; that they un-
THE eOSFEL ADVOCATE. 19
derstood this ; that they would consider their latter end/' (Deat^
zxxii. 29.) Alas ! for man while in his natural state ! He is being
'^ed captive by the devil at his will^^' allured bj all the pleasing
in&tuations of sin under the powerful influence of the god of this
world ; and he '%ves darkness rather than light because his deeds
are evil." To all such^ the scriptures proclaim (as with a trumpet-
tongue) from Genesis to Revelation, "The wages of sin is death !"
To all such^ we say sorrowfully and kindly, "You are in the wrong
train, my friends, you are on the wrong rails ! You have no true
ticket ! You have not considered ^where you are going to !' so that
if the train stops suddenly at the end of your journey it will land
you in darkness, in gloom, in perdition !" One poet in his writings
interrogated himself as follows, and you may do the same : —
Panse, my soul, and ask the question,
Alt thou ready to meet Gk)d ?
Am I made a real Christian ;
Washed in the Redeemer's blood ?
Haye I union to the Chnrch's liring Head ?
When Moses was journeying from Egypt to the promised land,
he said (in Numbers x. 29) " We are journeying unto the place of
which the Lord said, * I will give it you,' Come with us, and we will
do thee good ; for the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel.'^
Hence, it was clear, he " knew where he was going to ; for he was
led out of Egypt with his people by Grod's own hand and power.
He was not like the man in the train who did not know where he
was going to. And here we add, with regard to all whom the Lord
calls by His grace, that they are led earnestly to seek to know the
way of salvation ; nor can they ever rest satisfied till they know
they are in the narrow way which leadeth to eternal life. They
must know for themselves that they possess the right ticket : as the
beloved John said, "He that beUeveth on the Son of God hath the
witness in himself .'' (1 John v. 10). And as Paul said (in
Rom. viii. 9), " Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ he is
none of His." They must know where they are going to, for they
would not live and die in the dark for ten thousand worlds ! In
Heb. xi. 13, Paul calls all such " strangers and pilgrims on the
earth," " For they that say such things declare plainly that they
seek a country :" they desire "a better country (than this earth) that
is an heavenly ; wherefore Grod is not ashamed to be called their
frod, for He hath prepared for them a city." And it is clear that God
prepares all such for this heavenly city : hence P^ul said (in Col. i.
12, 13, 14), '^ Giving thanks unto the Father which hath made us
meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light. Who
hath delivered us from the power of darkness and hath translated
OS into the kingdom of His dear Son. In Whom we have redemp-
20 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
tion througli His blood, even the forgiveness of sins/' Peter
declared such to be "begotten again to a lively hope, by the
resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance
incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in
heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God, through faith,
unto salvation, ready to be revealed in the last time."
And now, dear Reader, we ask. Do you know where you are going
to when you die f Or are you wholly unconcerned about it f Remem-
ber, "the redemption of the soul is precious, audit ceaseth for ever."
(Ps. xlix. 8). Or if you really do desire to be remembered with the
favour the Lord bears to His people — if the cry of your heart is,
" Say unto my soul, I am thy salvation," then be of good courage,
for the Lord will in no wise cast you out. He filleth the hungry
with the good things of salvation, but the rich, and God- despising.
He will send empty away. To aU who seek Him He saith, "Come
now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord, though your sins be
as scarlet, they shall be white as snow ; though they be red like
crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isa i. 18.) Such will never die
without their ticket : they will never die in the dark : they shall
" know where they are going to :" for they are " in the way" and
''the way is in them" — even Jesus : for "He is the Way, the Truth,
and the Life;" and all who "live" and "die" in the Lord will soon
appear for ever in Eternal Glory with Him. (1 Thes. iv. 14.) Hence
it is written : "Mark the perfect (in Christ) and behold the upright,
for the end of that man is peace." Paul said, he " knew Whom he
had believed, and was persuaded that He (Christ) was able to keep
that which he had committed unto Him against that day" (2
Tim. i. 12); while in the 4th chap. 6, 7, 8 verses, he adds:
'TL have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept
the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of right-
eousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, shall give me at
that day ; and not to me only, but unto all them that love His ap-
pearing." And again, in certain prospect of Eternal Glory he said
(in Phil. i. 23) : "For I am in a strait betwixt two ; having a desire
to depart, and be with Christ, which is far better." Surely this
clearly proved that Paul "knew where he was going to !" So also
Job knew that his "Redeemer lived," and although "worms might
destroy his body," yet in his redeemed and resurrection flesh he
knew that he should see God; and for himself, and not another. He
knew " were he was going to." And all who possess the indwelling
of God's Holy Spirit know (more or less) where they are going to ;
or (to say the least) they all earnestly long for the Spirit's witness
within; while those who in faith are enabled to say, "My Beloved is
mine, and I am His," know they have their tickets signed and
sealed with the blood of the Lamb ! and that "whether they wake
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 21
or sleep they are the liord's.'' Reader ! may this be our happy
portion ; for then, unlike the man in the train, we shall know where
we are going to ; and shall not be taken by surprise when called
upon to give up our ticket !
m
Salem, Tunbridge Wells. T. Edwabda.
FORGIVENESS.
A CHRISTIAN OBLIGATION.
Beear Mr. Editor,
T is truly blessed to '' delight in the law of the Lord," and to
''meditate*' therein ''day andnight" (Psalm i. 2). Souls thus
&voured often receive sweet instruction from Him Whose
"lips, like lilies, drop sweet-smelling myrrV (Songs v. 13).
Such happy souls are no strangers to that holy familiarity with the
Truth, as expressed in Prov. vi. 22 : " When thou goest it shall lead
thee ; when thou sleepest it shall keep thee ; and when thou wakest
it shall talk with thee.'*
Having been favoured a short time since with one of
those timely instructive seasons, wherein the words of the
Heavenly Teacher produce a most abiding impression, I venture
to request a little space in the Gospel Advocate, that the attention
of your readers may be called to that all-important parable of our
liOTd as recorded in Matt. xviLi. 21-35. Replying to Peter's question,
" Lord, how oft shaU my brother sin against me and I forgive him ;
till seven times ?'* the Lord gave this astomshing answer: "I say
not unto thee until seven times, but until seventy times seven." He
then spake this parable, likening the gospel dispensation to "a
certain King which would take account of his servants.'' From
this we learn that Christ will not suffer lawlessness in His kingdom ;
all shall own His authority, and yield obedience to Hia laws.
" And when he had begun to reckon," one was brought unto him
which owed him ten thousand talents ; but when brought to re-
Eentance, his lord forgave him all that debt. Then follows a very
nmbling revelation of what is in man ; for the same man, whom
Ids Lord had freely forgiven a debt amounting to neaily two
millions, went out and found a fellow servant who owed him a
debt of about three pounds. Did he deal with his fellow servant as
his lord had just deBklt with him ? No ; but quite the reverse,
far " he laid hands on him, and took him by the throat, saying. Pay
me that thou owest," and went and cast him into prison. His
fellow servants seeing this were very sorry, and wisely went and
told unto their Lord all that was done. Nor did they tell their
Lord in vain, for his Lord soon caUed him to his bar, calling him a
wicked servant, denounced his cruel conduct, and deUvered him to
22 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
the tormentors. And then the Lord makes application of the whole
to his disciples, thus : " So likewise shall My heavenly Father do
also unto you; if ye from your hearts forgive not everyone his
brother their trespasses."
Is there nothing here to cause the closest self examina-
tion ? rather, we may well say with Jeremiah, " Let us
search and try onr ways, and turn again to the Lord. Let us lift
up our heart with our hands unto God in the heavens." Finally, in
honour of our adorable Lord, let us ever remember what is recorded
of Him : " For such an high priest became us, Who is holy, harm-
less, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the
heavens," Whose gracious words are these : " I will seek that which
was lost, and bring again that which was driven away, and will
bind up that which was broken, and will strengthen that which was
sick, but I will destroy the fat and the strong, I will feed them
with judgment.'' (Ezekiel xxxiv. 16.)
Shsmaiah.
i-^^U^,
THE CHARACTERISTICS OF OUR AGE.
I. — General Distraction.
jHERE may be some favoured nooks and comers in obscure
villages, so free from the innovations occasioned by the
changing and conflicting spirit of our times, as to be almost
unconscious of their existence. Occasionally a newspaper
or news-magazine may fall into the hands of the plain and simple-
hearted folks, and excite their wonder or their apprehension ; but
the unbroken calm that surrounds them soon dispels the feeling,,
and they relapse into their wonted quietude. Day after day passes
without any stirring events, except what may arise in the humble
domestic circle, or in the squire's house or the parsonage. Their wants
are but few, and are easily supplied. The squalid misery of London
poverty is unknown, and general health and moderate contentment
prevail.
Yet even in rural village districts such a tranquil condition of
affairs is now a rare exception. The adjacent railway station, or
its lines spanning the fields ; the rapidly passing trains, and the
postal telegraph flashing its momentous intelligence, have invaded
the quietude, and broken in upon all the old-fashioned ideas. The
nearest market town has become a centre of importance and news
unknown fifty years ago, and farmers and tradesmen, and those
they employ, feel most sensibly they have alighted upon different
times to those of their forefathers.
And what shall we say of our large towns, and, above all, the
great metropolis with ite four millions of inhabitants ? What is
constantly transpiring here we may well compare to what is
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 23
beheld in a spinning and weaving manufactory : where the intricate
machinery^ worked by steam power, is in full operation, the wheels
revolving, the bands flying around, the threads passing through
mysterious apertures, and all combining to utterly bewilder the
uninitiated looker-on. All appears a wild chaos, while the whirring
sonndSj accompanied by the monotonous but measured strokes of
the piston-rod, render the place a Babel. The massing of indi-
viduals together, and the marvellously increased facilities for pro*
ducing our various kinds of manufactured articles involves all this
confused noise, while the immense vehicular and pedestrian traflSo
in the public thoroughfares overwhelms the mind of the countryman
with a consciousness of his ignorance, while the citizen is absorbed
in the rush of affairs.
It was ''when men began to multiply upon the face of the
earth " that '' the earth was filled with violence," Gen. vi. 1, 13.
The increase of the human race has always been attended with an
increase of " corruption : *' for " evil communications corrupt good
manners,'* 1 Cor. xv. 33. If '' one sinner destroyeth much good "
(Ecc. ix. 19), what must be the effect when thousands follow his
pernicious ways ? Men cannot be banded together in any worldly
association without the effect of that association being felt. In the
army and navy, the contamination effected by a few depraved
individuals is generally admitted to be grea,t. It is the same in
the manufactory, the workshop, and every kind of establishment,
and it is not confined to sex. Women corrupt women, as men do
men ; and when the sexes mingle, as in many of our midland and
northern towns, the vice existing is proverbial.
The vast increase of the human race just previous to the flood
which Jehovah brought " upon the world of the ungodly," every
believer may well expect to see paralleled in the state of the popu-
lation of the globe at the time of Christ's second advent. For,
''as the days of Noah were, so shall the Son of man be,"
Matt. xxiv. 37. The vastness of the multitude involves an immense
struggle for the necessities of life, and the enjoyment of its super-
abounding carnal and unhallowed pleasures. And these two efforts
produce the worldly " Distraction " now so prevalent. In every
department of trade and commerce men are engaged in fiercely
competing with, and out-bidding and under-cutting one another,
BO that godly, honest men often find it hard work to obtain the
bread that perishes, and to '' maintain a conscience void of offence
toward both God and man." And never did " Vanity Fair " do a
greater trade. Its flaming placards, with the bold announcements
of its pleasure wares, in a thousand glittering forms meet the eye
on every hand, proclaiming 'Hhe madness of folly," and that
''vanity of vanities, all is vanity." Thus between the incessant
24 THE OOSPBL ABTOGATS.
toil for a respectable sabsistencey and the conBtant clamoar for
so-called relaxation^ in the ever^changing forms and colours of this
chamelion world's devices to ensnare those who " go right on their
way/' the hearts and minds of this earth's benighted children are
daily Distracted.
To this may be added the discordant strife of political parties^ in
the midst of which men are apt to oTerlook the Lord as '^ the
Gk)yemor among the nations^" and as doing according to His will
among the inhabitants of the earth. As a portion of those inhabi-
tants^ it is next to impossible for most of the Lord's people^ in the
various positions they occupy, to be free from political bias, but too
much absorption in the spirit— and who but the Lord can regulate
the extent ? — only serves to the production of leanness of soul and
distraction from better things ; for it is at variance with the tenor
of the words : " Let the potsherds strive with the potsherds of the
earth." And when we yet further add the superabounding of all
sorts of literature of the most fascinating character, how is the
distraction intensified by its means. Not to speak of the wide*
spread catering to the depraved passions of human nature, the
appeals made to the intellect, and the stupendous efforts to attract
the senses, together with the flood of error poured forth, all combine
to waste most of that little portion of precious time, reserved from
the business cares of life, and to lead away from the Scriptures
and Divine meditation into the wilderness of scepticism or miserable
carnality.
Nor these alone. For in the abounding profession of this evil
day what distraction is found. The pulpit bells ring a hundred
different changes. High, Low, Broad, Evangelical, in the Es-
tablishment, and Rationalism, Deism, Arminianism, and scores of
other principles among Dissenters, serve to keep up the devil's
changing peals. Men who are strangers to that ^^ anointing, which
is truth, and no lie," and which infallibly leads and keeps the true
pilgrim in the right path, looking unto Jesus-men, who are
guided only by a natural intellect and revile the faith which is of
the operation of God, see little to choose between one set of
doctrines or another. All, if they but mean well, are, say they,
to be judged as equally right and acceptable with their Maker.
The distraction produced by Satan's bell-ringers is as if a half-
dozen bands of loud musicians were performing different pieces
together in one building. The confusion is perfect. Who is to
know and decide which plays the most in accordance with the laws
of harmony ? Universal charity is called upon to act as umpire,
and his decision is that of the ''Ancient Mariner" —
** He prayeth best, who loyeth best
AU things both great and small;
THE GOSPEL ADTOCATB. 25
For the dear God Who loveth us,
He made and loveth all."
And so they "wrap up" a lie in their bosom, and deceive their
Bonis with a notion of the undiscriminating love of God, and the
non-necessity for the atonement of Christ. To this Popery owes
its great success. To this Infidelity is equally indebted. It is tbe
combined bands of hell who are playing these dissonant strains, the
great theme and design of all being Distraction.
And how often does the child of God amid all this feel the need of
being kept by the power of God the Spirit unto salvation. And as he
from time to time realises this keeping power, how can he sufficiently
adore the beloved Redeemer's forethought and prayer : " And now
I am no more in the world, but these are in the world, and I come
to Thee. Holy Father, keep through Thine Own name those whom
Thou hast given Me, that they may be one, as We are?'' John xvii.
11. And again: "I pray not that Thou shouldest take them out
of the world, but that Thou shouldest keep them from the evil,"
ver. 15. No; the providence of their covenant God — in the secret
of which the Son of God equally shares with the Father, He being
appointed to loose the seven seals of its sacred book — ^that Provi-
dence has not willed it that the wheat should grow unintermixed
with the tares, but rather to intermingle ''until the harvest,"
Matt. xiii. 30. In the workshop and market, in society and
in the sanctuary, the righteous and the wicked meet together, and
great is the trial it often brings upon the former. But the Keeper
of Israel, the faithful Shepherd of His sheep, will never forsake
the work of His Own hands : and '' greater is He (the Holy Spirit)
that is in them, than he (Satan) that is in the world," 1 John iv. 4.
The very distraction wluch the Lord's people encounter in their
daily intercourse with the ungodly, and when deprived of the
means of grace in isolated spots, is all overruled by the Spirit to
bring them to the feet of Christ, Who is their Peace, that in Him
they may possess that peace, and be of good cheer, feeling per-
suaded that " He has overcome the world," and that
** Christ, Who conquered /or us once,
Shall in us conquer too."
The Editor.
Oh, how sweet a thing were it for us to learn to make our burdens
lif ht, by framing our hearts to the burden, and making our Lord's will a
law. Rutherford.
Vain Rsgrets. — Our life is determined for us, and it makes the
mind very free if we give up wishing, and only think of bearing what is
laid apon us, and doing what is given to do.
26 THE GOSPEL ADVOOATB.
PERSONAL LETTERS TO EDITOR.
THE PATH OF TEIBULATION.
November 22nd, 1881.
Dear Sie, — I scarcely know how to put my thoughts into words
in writing to you, yet I cannot refrain altogether. I thought I
should like you to know a little more of the state of my mind. I
have not forgotten your last visit to L***. I was far from well
when I went, and it rained most part of the way. I think I caught
cold. I was inclined to turn back, as I hardly knew how to make
head against it. A thought struck me: it is not enough to be
'^ Pliable /' he that endureth to the end shall be saved. On I went
with a " Who can tell V One look from the Lord will cheer my
heart. On reaching the chapel I felt such a gloom come over me.
I thought no one in the chapel felt as I did. Such depressing and
desponding feelings. I sank in the deep mire, where there was no
standing. Then I cried unto the Lord, " 0, Lord, I beseech Thee,
deliver my soul." When I saw you go up in the pulpit I was
enabled to spread my case before the Lord. " Gracious Lord," I
said, ^^Thou art acquainted with all my concerns. Do in Thy
mercy speak a word through Thy servant to comfort my heart.
The first words of the chapter read quite broke down my spirit
and so melted my heart that I was broken all to pieces. I burst
into tears, and the language of my soul was, " Lord, Thou knowest
all things : Thou knowest that I love Thee." I did not know how
to keep silent till you were done. I wanted to be alone, so as to
give vent to my feelings. I could hardly walk straight out of the
chapel, I had so little bodily strength. In the afternoon I did not
feel well, and I was afraid I should not be able to go to chapel, but
when the time came I felt better. I earnestly besought the Lord
to give me strength of body, so that I could hear the evening's
discourse. My mind was so calm, and while you were preaching
it was so drawn from all below the skies, and I had such a view
of the Lord Jesus Christ as my God and Saviour, that I could then
take up the language of one of our poets where he says —
'* And while our faith enjoys the sight
We long to leave our clay,
And wish the fiery chariots, Lord,
To fetch our souls away."
I felt I could leave all my friends to hear the voice of my Beloved
saying, " Come up higher." ''Whom have I in Heaven but Thee ?
There is none upon earth that I desire besides Thee." Nothing de-
lights my soul like the Gospel when accompanied with Divine
power to my heart. I could often sit and listen to you for another
hour, if you had the strength to preach.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 27
Now I have something else to tell you. I went to bed that night
as happy in my soul as I could be, but I had not been in bed long
before I awoke feeling very ill — such a faintness came over me.
I threw off the bedclothes, not knowing where I was, and then
came on a violent attack of sickness, which lasted some time. The
pain in my body was very great. I got to the window, feeling as
faint as could be, threw it open, and sat against it the remainder of
the night until six o'clock the next morning, I did not call any
one, though I felt so very ill. My mind was very tranquil — not so
much as a murmur. All next day I was so ill, and so sore with the
pain^ that I was unable to leave my bed. I could not take what
my friend brought me : I had no appetite to eat or drink. I did
not leave L*** for two or three days after. It was named to Mr.
M***, who very kindly sent his car to take me home. I was very
pleased to accept it. My father is much the same. I had hoped
he would have been better. One night he dreamt that the Lord
was drawing him through the ceiling, and he began to bless and
praise the Lord. But mother woke him out of his sleep, and he
wondered what was the matter. He appeared quite himself for a
day or two, but it is not lasting. There is no trouble like the
mind. I have sometimes wondered if there is anything in us that
the Lord is displeased with, that He has permitted such a sore trial
to continue so long, and I am sure there is no one upon the earth
who would live a more godly life than I desire to live. It does so
make my spirits sink that I hardly know how to live under it.
Many prayers have we sent up to the Lord for his restoration to
health. He was a man of a gracious experience. I remember him
telling us of the Power that once fell upon him. He could not
reach his hat to go from the chapel, and had to go to bed the rest
of the day. But I see I must conclude.
Wishing you much of the anointing,
Yours very sincerely, M.
It must be distinctly understood that the above was sent us in
strict confidence, and not for publicity. But we believe the Lord
may be pleased to use it for the edification of some of His tried
ones^ and therefore print it ; nor must the writer take it as a breach
of privilege. It is wonderful what many of the Lord's children
have to pass through, mentaUv, physically, and circumstantially,
and how they prove the all-sufficiency and faithfulness of the Lord
in the whole of His dealings. And in every instance in which
Christ is glorified in the manifestation of Himself by the Spirit's
power in the midst of the trial, all is indeed well. Oar dear and
afflicted friend has our warmest sympathy and prayers; though
she is in spiritual thin^ favoured above many of the Lord's
peofde^ and would doubtless be envied by them. — The Editob.
28 THE GOSPEL ADYOGATB.
A VILLAOB PASTOB OF THBBB SCOBB AND TEN.
April 12tli, 1881.
Dear Sir, — I have enclosed, as usual, the postage stamps for the
OospeL Advocate. We sincerely hope this will find yourself and Mrs.
Baxter in health, both as it respects the soul and the body. I find
the full use of natural powers a very great blessing, and especially
in age. I am often astonished that my health appears more firm
and establibhed than it was at 30. In years that are gone by, that
portion of God^s most holy Word was often laid on my mind : '' Even
to old age I am He, and to hoar hairs will I carry you, I have
made and I will bear." I should not know I was old by feeling.
When I was completely cut down by the law I was afraid to ask
God to be merciful unto me, lest there should be hypocrisy in it,
but I thought I would look once more into my bible to see if there
was any hope. Opening it at 118th Psalm, the following portions
struck me very forcibly : '^ The voice of rejoicing and salvation is
in the tabernacles of the righteous. The right hand of the Lord
doeth valiantly. The right hand of the Lord is exalted. I shall
not die, but live, and declare the works of the Lord." Twenty-two
years passed before I was called to appear in public ; when I was
requested to read at Flimwell, when Mr. Pert was absent. I did
not think of going further than reading. I supplied as reader at
Battle and Flimwell, until one morning Mrs. Holt, whose house I
used to frequent, said to me, "Give me your sermons, Mr.
H ; the people say you do not want them. If you would
speak for a quarter of an hour only they would be satisfied. They
have nothing to say against the sermons (which were Mr. Philpot^s),
but they can understand you better." I used to make a few
remarks when reading the lessons. I said, " Give you my sermon,
Mrs. Holt, that's a likely thing now, is it not ? " She said the
second time, "Take and give me your sermon" — speaking very
abruptly. (Mrs. H. had been a former pupil of mine.) It suited
very well, for it so happened that I had two sermons in my pocket,
and only one service to take that day. Sometimes I had two. To
satisfy her I put one into her hand, and she was very well pleased,
and so was I, for if nothing came to my mind I should be at no loss.
However, the new birth came to my mind, and I spoke on it. After
service I asked the person who hired the room whether I was to do
as I did that morning, or whether I should read as before ? (He
had previously requested me to speak.) He said, " Do as you did
fcMs morning."
The Lord has indeed chosen not only the poor of this
world, ric^in faith and heirs of the kingdom of them that love
Him, J^lfMiiolish things of the world to confound the wise.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 29
And God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound
the things which are mighty ; and base things of the world, and
things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which
are not, to bring to nought things that are, that no flesh should
glory in His presence. How wondrous are His judgments, and
His ways past finding out : showing Joseph by dreams his future
exaltation, and then permitting occurrences to take place which,
to all human appearance, would prevent their fulfilment. The Lord,
according to promise, gave Abraham a son in his old age, yet de-
manded him to be sacnficed. But His secret will was different from
His revealed will, for it was evidently not the Lord^s intention to
allow him to be slain. He showed Abraham, by painful experience,
what it was to give an Only Son to be sacrificed for the sins of His
people; and it proved Abraham^s faith to be genuine, an in-
wrought, powerful, obedient, overcoming principle. Abraham is
rightly c^led the father of the faithful, and a true pattern of them
that believe to the saving of the soul. The Lord was graciously
pleased to allow Satan to try my faith by bringing the most horrible
blasphemies into my mind; but when he came in like a mighty
flood, driving everything before him, the " Spirit of the Lord lifted
up a standard against him," and set the feet of my faith so firm upon
the Rock of Ages that nothing could move them. It was as easy
now to believe, as it was difficult before, previous to the trial. I
now saw the Scriptures as I never saw them before : a Divine glory
seemed to rest on them. All nature appeared different. But forget-
ting the things that I passed through, I was for converting others.
It was only to turn from sin to God ; to believe in Christ ; what
happiness and peace they would have. The Lord says, " When a
woman is iq travail she has sorrow, because her hour is come ; but
when she is delivered, she remembereth no more the anguish, for
joy that a man is bom into the world." So is it with every Zionite ;
they rejoice that the Man Child is bom into the world. We unite
in christian love and best wishes.
Yours in christian bonds,
C. H.
ICetters bg % il0tt»ie|^olir d ^wil^.
LETTER BY RUTH BRYAN.
Bethel Cottage, Feb. 26th, 1857.
" The judgment is God^s^ — Dent, i, 17.
My dear one,— You say, will I write to yon ? Ah in very deed, I have
abundant canse to write, and speak too, of Him, Who is my Beloved and
80 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
my Friend, and ** Who is wonderful in counsel and excellent in working."
He overcomes me with His love and loveliness, and gives me many
days of heaven upon earth, let who will gainsay it. Oh, ever praise the
worthy, precious Lamb. Fear I shall write but a jumble. Have so
little time now. First, your other dear note was sweet and melting. You
seem to have lost the savour, but He changes not. Second, I marvel at
what you say of Sabbath, as Lady L told me you enjoyed the
afternoon so much. I need that word, "Cease ye from man whose
breath is in his nostrils," for I often find things are not repeated just as
they were. Third, I am glad you are enabled to leave your bodily ail-
ments with the Lord : that is the way to see wonders. I do not like the
pain in your back, neither did Mrs. B , unless it is the remains of
spinal affection ; but "He will make it plain." That word about not waiting
for His counsel is enough to say, "Wait." Dear friend, I am yours to
serve in any way you need, and I can, so let me know how you go on.
How gladly would 1 have had you share my feast on Sabbath, — dear,
holy, happy day ! One of the days of the Son of Man, all through. Very
memorable. It began with Ruth ii, 14, before going out in the morning.
I saw the parched corn to be precious Jesus, parched indeed in the fire of
Divine wrath for our sake ; and dipping the morsel in the vinegar I saw
to be like fellowship with Him in His sufferings. My soul did melt
before Him. and I went to the Sanctuary full of His matchless love, but
fearing the feast was ended, because I so often do not get so much out
when I have had it at home. During prayer at chapel Psalm Ixxx. last
clause of ist and the whole of the 2nd verse were powerful in my heart.
When the sermon began I got hearing for others, when the Lord said
in my heart Psalm xlv. 10, and then my mind was absorbed in Him, Who
made me forget all beside, and through the three services I was blessed,
which is very unusual ; and also at tea, when the minister and his two
friends were here, and the secrets of our Beloved were flowing from
soul to soul ; and again on Monday, when the love of Christ con-
strained him to come, and we were of one heart, and each brought out
the portions wherein we found Him. We had no time to talk about
-what others thought. How gladly would I have had you and two others
fitting down at our banquet. He does live in the blessedness of union
and oneness with Jesus. The first time I saw him in the pulpit I was
Tather naughty in despising his young looks, when these words came :
" There is little Benjamin with their ruler." I knew Benjamin is the
teloved of the Lord, who dwells in safety by Him, so this was a lift.
I heard better in the evening, but did not want to see him here, and
wished I could be out when Mr. Newton brought him, and thought if
I did see him I could not talk to him, and determined to be very still.
But, jiggH^jpiy plan was all wrong, for to my great wonder and joy I
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 31
found him in the very secret of " Christ, all and in all," and he has
gone through deeps to get at it. His coming here has been a blessing
to my soul. Now you know this is all personal and experimental ; as
to his being our stated minister, the Lord has " quieted me in Himself"
with these portions : ** The government shall be upon His shoulder;" and>
" But Marv sat still in the house," and " Sit still my daughter." Christ
is my House, in which I sit before the Lord and wait His will. From
the above I feel that I must leave the public part of the question until
the Lord tells me otherwise. I am not even able to ask for any certain
man, but I am caused to wrestle for a certain ministry : namely, the glad
sound of liberty " by the Trumpet blown over the sacrifice." So if
questioned about Mr. W coming, I mustbesilenc; but if questioned
as to my own hearing I must confess that I have specially had the
renewings of the Holy Ghost therein, and have found Him Whom my
sodl loveth. And in feeling that many will reject it, this verse has been
very sweet :
** If on my head, for Thy dear name,
Shame and reproaches be,
All hail reproach and welcome shame,
So may I follow Thee.'*
My dear friend, my soul is full of the blessing of the Lord. My heavenly
Naphtali yields me such royal dainties ; and out of this Asher, " His
bread is fat indeed." Oh ! would that I could pour into many a heart
what mine enjoys. A glorious Christ is heaven below, as well as above.
You need not fear ofifence in staying away, I quite understand it ; and
you can keep all this to yourself, and still say you have not seen me, if
it will keep you from perplexity. You need not be bewildered ; just
hear for your own soul, and leave all the rest ; the decision or judg-
ment rests not with you or me, or even those who are wisest, '* it is the
Lord." " He will work and none shall let it." And in thinking of the
various things which are working, these words have been much upon
my mind, " To do what Thy hand and Thy counsel before determined
to be done ;" and I find sweet repose in the storm on the bosom of love*
You will always be tossing while you listen to the restless waves of
creature opinion and will. You must come to my dear word : " My soul
wait thou only upon God."
At the Sacrament the minister prayed that we might each seek the
lowest place, and quoted that Jesus said, '' I am among you as one that
serveth ;" and then the Beloved said in my heart, ** None of you can
have the lowest place, for I have taken it. I was made a curse for you."
Oh, did not my soul sink in melting love at His pierced feet.
I have been enjoying Isaiah xxx. 25 and 26. When the towers of self
are brought down, and great * I ' slaughtered, what blessedness ensues ;
82 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
having nothing in self, but possessing all things in Him. Oh, what
a kernel do I find Him to be when the Spirit cracks the nut. I must
cease. Would I could be a warm coal to your heart — I mean a coal of
His love, which hath a most vehement fiame. Fare thee well.
In Him our most adorable and loving Lord,
Your own affectionate
Ruth.
Isaiah xxvi. 31.
PURE GOLD FROM PURITAN AND OTHER MINES,
Faith and its Exercises. — You that have faith, or pretend to it,
must look for trials. Graces are not crowned till they are exercised ;
never any yet went to heaven without combats and conflicts. Faith must
be tried before it be "found to praise and honour." It is very notable;
that wherever God bestoweth the assurance of His favour, there presently
followeth some trial (Heb. x. 32): "After ye were illuminated, ye
endured a great fight of afflictions." Some are cast upon troubles for
religion soon after their first conversion, like these as soon as
illuminated. When Christ Himself had received a testimony from
heaven, presently Satan tempteth Him. "This is My beloved Son" — and
presently he cometh with an "If Thou be the Son of God," Mat. iii. 17,
with Mat. iv. i, 3. After solemn assurance he would fain make you
question your adoption. So see Gen. xxii. i : "It came to pass that
after these things God did tempt Abraham." What things were those ?
Solemn intercourse between him and God, and the God of his seed.
When the castle is victualled, then look for a siege. — Manion,
Joy in Tribulation. — In ordinary crosses there are many reasons
of laughing and joy ; as the fellow-feeling of Christ. If you do not
suffer for Christ, Christ suffered in you, and with you. He is afflicted
and touched with a sense of your afflictions. It is an error in believers
to think that Christ is altogether unconcerned in their sorrows, unless
they be endured for His name's sake, and that the comforts of the
gospel are only applicable to martyrdom. Again, another ground of
joy in ordinary crosses is, because in them we may have much experience
of grace, of the love of God, and our own sincerity and patience ; and
that is ground of rejoicing, Rom. v. 3. " We glory in tribulation also,
knowing that tribulation worketh patience, and patience experience."
The rule holdeth good in all kinds of tribulations or sufferings ; they
occasion sweet discoveries of God, and so are matters of joy. See also
2 Cor. xii. 9, 10: "I glory in infirmities," and " take pleasure in in-
firmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." They are happy
occasions to discover more of God to us, to give us a greater sense and
feeling of the power of grace ; and so we may take pleasure in them.
Lastly, all evils are alike to faith ; and it would as much mis-become a
Christian hope to be dejected with losses, as with violence or
persecution. — Manion.
Fbbeuaby, 1882. the qospel advocate. 33
ESSAYS ON HART'S HYMNS.— LII.
Hymn 48.
'^ Heaven and earth shall pass away, hut My words shall not pa^s
away.'' — Matt. xxiv. 35.
MONG the precious names borne by the Friend and Saviour
of sinners, those of " Faithful and True" are not the lea«t^
Eev. xix. 11. These add the crowning lustre to all the rest.
Vain were all the promises had they been uttered by a fickle God.
Of the greatest questionable validity would the obedience and
atonement of the Lord Jesus be, were they not linked with His
intercession above, and were not that intercession based upon His
never-failing remembrance of His people.
In order the more forcibly to represent to His exercised and
doubting family this grand attribute of immutable faithfulness, the
Holy Spirit has placed on record words united to the most striking
imagery. Heaven's canopy, bestud with its glittering luminaries^
whose constancy has been observed from ages far remote, and
earth's lofty pinnacles, whose date no man can tell, are alike and in
turn brought before the reader of the inspired volume, to bear tes-
timony to the unchangeability of Him " Who is not a man, that He
should lie, or the son of man, that He should repent." Thus when
Jacob and Israel, in their diffidence, say, '^ My way is hid from
the Lord, and my judgment is passed over from my God," the
Lord in prefacing His notice of this dishonouring language, says :
" Lift up your eyes on high, and behold Who hath created these
things, that bringeth out their host by number : He calleth them
all by names by the greatness of His might, for that He is strong
in power ; not one faileth," Isaiah xl. 26, 27. The permanency of
Heaven with its lights and light-bearers, while Jehovah wills them
to remain, and the utter impotency of man to touch or affect them
in any way, constitute an argument for His Own supremacy over
all creatures, and His ability " to save even to the uttermost all that
come unto God by Him." For Jesus is the Ruler of the heavens ;
and ''by Him all things consist," Col. i. 17.
And when He deigns to show the glory and enduring nature of
His great saving work on behalf of His elect. He equally appeals to
what may justly be considered as the most stable of Bis creative
works, and puts the heavens first and the earth afterwards, saying.
84 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
''Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath:
for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall
wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in
like manner : but My salvation shall be for ever, and My righteous-
ness shall not be abolished,^' Isaiah li. 6. In all this majestic Old
Testament language, the faith of the humblest believer in Jesus will
recognise the same Speaker Who says, '^ Heaven and earth shall
pass away, but My words shall not pass away.*' And O what
sweetness underlies this truth ! He in Whom the heaven-born soul
trusts for pardon, peace, and eternal life, is He Who thus pledges
Himself to be, in the full manifestation of His gracious power and ful-
filment of His promises, ''the God of salvation, to Whom belong the
issues from death." It is He Who saith to the sin-plagued and law-
condemned soul, " Him that cometh unto Me, I will in no wise cast
out." It is He Who whispers to the distressed, disconsolate and
forlorn, '' I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee/'
In referring to the earth for contrast to Himself, His words and
works, the Lord selects what seems the mightiest monuments of His
power. For what the pyramids of Egypt are to man, that are the
lofty-crested mountains to God. Nothing can surpass the marvels
of the former, as the production of human skill and labour ; nothing
the latter, as the creative formation of Jehovah. How the former
were built may still be largely a matter of speculation ; how the
latter arose in their grandeur — some attaining a magnitude of seven
miles in height — must ever remain a mystery of Omnipotent power.
Yet when He would assure His people, " tossed with tempest, and
not comforted," of His unalterable concern for them, what saitb
He ? " For the mountains shall depart, and the hills be removed ;
but My kindness shall not depart from thee, neither shall the
covenant of My peace be removed, saith the Lord that hath mercy
on thee," Is. liv. 10. And when the faith of Zion can affirm, "God is
our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble," she can
also add : " Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed,
and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea," Ps.
xlvi. 1, 2. The Psalmist, also, filled with holy joy and admiration
at an imputed righteousness, which is of God through Christ by
faith, employs the same sublime speech, and says : " Thy righteous-
ness is like the great mountains" — or, "the mountains of God," Ps.
xxxvi. 6. And here again may be recognised the voice of the
THS GOSPEL ADYOCATS. 35
Beloved, Who says, '' Heaven and eartli shall pass away, but My
words shall not pass away.*'
Such language affords fine scope for the pen of a Joseph Hart,
and with spiritual approbation we follow him when he writes:
** The moon and stars shall lose their light ;
The sun shall sink in endless night ;
Both heaven and earth shall pass away ;
The works of nature all decay," Ver. 1.
Yet must we not be hyper-critical when dealing with these words,
nor draw misconceptions from what Scripture sets forth in a similar
way. It is certain that a fiery ordeal of a combined destructive
and purifying nature awaits this earth of ours, and that in the vast
and at present inconceivable change which this will effect, the
visible heavens will also participate. For Peter declares that,
" the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night : in the
which the heavens shall pass away (the very same words that
Christ uses) with a great noise, and the elements melt with fervent
heat ; the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burnt
up." For "the heavens and the earth which are now, by the
same word (that brought the deluge) are kept in store, reserved
unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly
men," 2 Peter iii. 7. Whether this universal conflagration will
involve the destruction of the vast planetary system ; or will bo
confined to the thorough transformation of all that now is presented
to view in the firmament around our earth and in the earth itself,
is what none can decide. Nevertheless, there is abounding con-
solation in the fact that "we, according to His promise, look for new
heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness," 2 Pet-
iii. 13. That promise was distinctly given by the mouth of Isaiah
(chap. Ixv. 17); and yet abides its fulfilment by the faithful
Promiser. It is, therefore, a solemn truth, — subject to that proper
development of its signification which only the Lord can and will
make known, and that by the event itself, that —
" The moon and stars shall lose their light ;
The sun shall sink in endless night.'*
For to Zion the sacred promise pertains : " The sun shall be no
more thy light by day ; neither for brightness shall the moon give
light unto thee : but the Lord shall be unto thee an everlasting
light, and thy God thy glory," Isaiah Ix. 19.
3j5 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
But while
** Both heaven and earth shall pass away ;
The works of nature all decay ;"
there shall no evil happen to those " who have fled for refuge to
lay hold of the Hope set before us'' in the Gospel of Christ. Hid in
the clift of the Rock, sheltered in the wounds of Jesus, the uni-
versal convulsion which shall rend, and fill with everlasting
confusion the proudest and stoutest hearts among the ungodly,
shall find all believers unappalled. The day of judgment and of
burning wrath shall fully endorse the words :
** But they that in the Lord confide,
And shelter in His wounded side,
Shall see the danger overpast.
Stand every storm, and live at last." Ver. 2.
Are there many of the Lord's redeemed and called, but doubting
and fearing ones, who can realise this ? — ^Were Christ at this
moment to appear " in the glory of His Father, and all the holy
angels with Him," ^^ in flaming fire taking vengeance on them that
know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus
Christ," that, in that very instant, all their legal chains would fall
off, their fears be chased away for ever, and their enraptured souls
exclaim, " Lo, this is our God : we have waited for Him, and He
will save us : this is the Lord ; we have waited for Him, we will
be glad and rejoice in His salvation," Isaiah xxv. 9. The thought
may appear incredible ; but it is none the less absolute truth.
And how do we know this ? Because it is declared that, ^^ when
He shall appear we — i.e., all the members of His body — shall be like
Him; for we shall see Him as He is," 1 John iii. 2. And if a
sight of Him by faith brings the imprisoned soul out of its bondage
and distress, how much more shall the full display of the Beloved
leave no more room for the questioning of His love and mercy ; but
'^ make perfect" our love, " that we may have boldness in the day
of judgment" (chap. iv. 17). It must be so : for all who are His
shall be made like Him : and what then could they fear ? Hence
they who by the teachings of the blessed Spirit have been led under
the sense of sin and guilt to the smitten Rock, to embrace it for the
want of a shelter, shall, in their transformation to the Saviour's
image, regard with complacency the terrors of the Lord ;
" Shall see the danger overpast,
Stand every storm, and Uve at last."
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 37
For Christ has promised this ; and we are assured that He will
*' come to be glorified in His saints, and to be admired in all them
that believe/* 2 Thess. i. 10. And this could never be, if to His Own
the day were other than '^ the marriage of the Lamb,'' and were His
bride not " ready'' for it. But the antitypical Esther shall be found
on the auspicious occasion thoroughly purified; namely : with ''oil
of myrrh" — the Spirit's unctuous application of the blood of the
atonement; and with ''sweet odours" — ^the graces of the Holy
Sanctifier, Esther ii. 12. And thus " arrayed also in fine linen,
clean and white, — ^the righteousness of saints," shall the bride stand
before her King and Husband : and then shaU be " heard, as it
were, the voice of a great multitude, and as the voice of many
waters, and as the voice of mighty thunderings, saying. Alleluia :
for the Lord God Omnipotent reigneth. Let us be glad and rejoice,
and give honour to Him : for the marriage of the Lamb is come,
and His wife hath made herself ready," Rev. xix. 6, 7. And you,
doubting child of Grod, whose hope of mercy rests alone in the
precious blood and imputed righteousness of the Lord Jesus, shall
share in the joy of that day; for the Lord hath declared it;
and
" What Christ has said most be fulfilled ;
On this firm rock belierers build :
His word shall stand. His truth prevail.
And not one jot or tittle fail." Ver. 3.
It is not material to the beauty or consolation in this verse ; but
it has often been with us a matter of question, as to how the second
Kne of this verse should read — whether in the indicative or impera-
tive mood. Does Mr. Hart mean it as an assertion, that " on this
firm Rock" all believers do build; or is it an exhortation for
believers to build on this firm Rock of the truth of Christ's testi-
mony that,
" His word shall stand, His tmth prevail.
And not one jot or tittle faiL"
We cannot decide this ; nor do we think any can. Either way it
is orthodoxical. Either way it proclaims Christ to be the only
Rock — the Rock of Ages. In the Saviour's words to Simon:
'* Thou art Peter, and on tins Rock will I build My church ; and
the gates of hell shall not prevail against it," Matt. xvi. 18, we per-
ceive the testimony Peter had delivered to the Godhead of Christ
compared to a Rock ; or^ rather, that Divinity itself, to which the
88 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
testimony was borne, is called a Rock. And thus the eternal
faithfulness of Christ, which is engaged to fulfil every word He has
spoken, is designated a " firm rock" by our beloved poet. And on
this all who have the faith of God's elect do build their hope of final
salvation : for were it possible that either the merits or the mercy
of the Lord Jesus should undergo a change, then must every
believer be resting on the quicksand of uncertainty. But
'* His word ihall stand, His truth prevail,
And not one jot or tittle fail."
And what is His word? In substance it is thus defined by
Mr. Hart :
** His word is tkis, poor sinners, hear ;
' Believe on Me, and banish fear ;
Cease from your own works, bad or good,
And wash your garments in My blood.* " Ver. 4.
This is the very essence of the Lord Christ's teaching, as our
Prophet, by His Spirit in the gospel. He first makes the sinner
"poor," 1 Sam. ii. 7. He then imparts a willingness to ^Tiear" the
truth. Job xxxvi. 10. He then in His Own sovereign time and
way speaks homo to the heart of the weary and heavy-laden soul.
Psalm Ixxxv. 8. His words bring faith into the trembling heart.
Dan. X. 18, 19. He banishes its fears by the assurance of His
mercy. Psalm xxxiv. 4. He instructs it to cease from self — that
is, "from its own works, bad or good," 2 Timothy i. 9. And leads
it to the Fountain opened in His side for sin and uncleanness.
There the soul is purified from its felt corruption and delivered from
its feared evils. Then the garments of the conversation are washed,
like those of the leper after he had been sprinkled with the ashes
of the burnt heifer. And, let all preachers and hearers mark this !
However plausibly statements may be made, and arguments adduced
to lead to any other method ; and however impediments may be
placed in the way of a Christ-needing soul, the sure unerring record
of Divine counsel and instruction from the lips of Him, Who has
redeemed His chosen to God by His blood, is summed up in this :
** Cease from your own works, bad or good,
And wash your garments in My blood."
This is the teaching the Spirit ratifies by His Christ-glorifying
work. This is the preaching He inspires in all His sent heralds.
The disease and corruption of human nature must indeed be felt in
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
39
order to an appreciation of this cleansing. But anything that beclouds
His blood's efficacy, and the welcome given by the Saviour to all
if^ho need it, is not of the Spirit of Christ, but may be traced to the
leaven of a legal spirit, and the insidious suggestions of the prince
of darkness : for only by the blood of the covenant are prisoners
4ient forth from the prison and sanctified in hope of eternal life.
The Editor.
FOR THE YEAR 1882.
''We are journeying/^ 8fc. Num. x. 29.
On our upward journey tending ;
Looking for the life to come ;
To the heavenly Canaan wending,
Oft we inly sigh for home.
Soon life's turmoil will be over ;
Soon, and every storm will cease ;
-Soon with Thee, Celestial Lover,
Thine shall " enter into peace.'
jj
By Thy Holy Spirit's drawing ;
By His unction in Thy Word ;
By His sweet internal calling.
May we press to Christ the Lord,
Sale m, Tunbridge Wells.
For the ** hope laid up in Heaven,"
Through each sorrow may we press ;
Through six troubles and through seven,
Bring us safely to Thy rest !
Oh preserve, uphold, and keep us
Through each tribulation great ;
Never, never, never leave us
Till we share in " Glory's weight."
Faithful is Thy Word unbroken.
Work submission to Thy will ;
All Thou hast to Zion spoken
Thou most surely wilt fulfil.
T. Edwards.
LIFE AND PEACE.
Mid Lavant, Feb. 3rd, 1854.
My dear friend and brother in the Lord, —
AY grace and 'peace be multiplied to you. I would not use
these words merely as a form of salutation, but my heart's
desire for you is that you may enjoy the very substance of
them. My dear Lord has, in His mercy and goodness, let
me enjoy this evening something of the blessedness of that peace
'^ which passeth all understanding,'' while I have been shown in a
measure what I owe to His grace. I often think it is but little we
«can know while dwelling in these poor tabernacles, compared with
what we shall know hereafter; but many times when the blessed
Spirit has come and shown me something of what I am^ and of
what Jesus is to me, I have been well nigh overwhelmed with a
sight of His grace. I am almost inclined to think that Jesus can
hsadly be so precious to you as He is to me ; but we will not fall
out on that ipoint. '' Unto you that believe He is precious :" and I
know He is your treasure and your rich portion, as He is mine — and
we^ and all His dear people, shall have the blessedness of growing
40 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
in grace, and of increasing in the knowledge and love of Him for
ever and ever.
Your letter this morning was very acceptable to me. I love to
hear His people say, as you did, " I must and will praise Him.^'
It is a grief that we cannot praise Him more than we do. But, my
dear friend, I am often brought, to fall at His dear feet, telling Him
He knows all, and entreating Him to get glory to Himself in me
and by me, and in which way it seemeth best to Him. And then, in
His goodness. He shows me He is glorified in the salvation of such
a poor, lost, wretched sinner as I am, or should have been, had not
a way been contrived by which I could be saved with an everlast-
ing salvation : and my dear Jesus comes and says, "I am the way.^'
O I shall be one of the brightest jewels in His crown, — if the most
undeserving shine brightest to the praise of the glory of His grace.
How shall I tell you what Jesus is to me ? I know you cannot tell
me, or anyone else, one thousandth part of what He is to you.
May the blessed Spirit — the glorifier of Jesus — reveal more and
more of Him to your soul and to mine.
I should like to have (and I think I have) boundless desires of
knowing what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height of
His love. Our desires and expectations may be boundless, when
we think that we are dealt with according to the merits of the Son,
and the love of the Father. In His great mercy He does sometimes
let me, for a time, lose sight of self and see none but Jesus : and
then it is as easy, as it is delightful, to bless and praise His dear
name : and I begin to wonder how I, and the rest of His people,
can think of doing anything else at any time. But, by and bye
this dear Sun of Righteousness withdraws, and then what gloom and
dulness comes on, even though He may not have given permission
to the enemy to come and harass and stir up all the wretched, God-
dishonouring feelings that are in our hearts. All day yesterday I
was dull and shut up, and could not rejoice in any of the blessings
which I knew belonged to me. But, my dear friend, I hope I am
Teaming to love all the Lord's dealings with me. I should like
cheerfully to set to work and learn His lessons, be they never so hard.
Well, we shall learn all He designs to teach us; for the blessed
Spirit will ^^ guide us into all truth" — and no other Teacher will
do for us. I find all I have ever learnt or seen, except what the
blessed Spirit has taught and shown, is altogether unprofitable.
But when He comes and tells us why we were led in that rough
path, and why this dark and trying dispensation was appointed for
us, all to prepare the way for making Jesus precious to us, how
love and praise spring up in our souls. I can, and do, cry out,
" Dear Lord, never let me fret and murmur at any of Thy leadings.
Do enable me to yield myself wholly up to Thee — come light or
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 41
darkness, joy or trouble; let me have no choice." And then all is
sweet peace, till the Lord again sees good to let me feel what it is to
have a wretched will of my own, desiring something or other that
He sees good to withhold, even while I know it is in love He
crosses me.
I find all His lessons come to one point — they bring me to know
that "without Him I can do nothing." I do hope, and believe I
feel, more and more of this every day. I want to feel it still more ;
for it is blessed living, when we are compelled to be calling on Him
all the day long. I hope I may soon know so much of my own
weakness, as not to dare to take my eyes off Jesus, and to be cease-
lessly crying^ " Hold Thou me up. Dear Lord, don't let me look
on the right hand, or the left ; but keep me looking unto Thee."
the blessing when He enables us to take all our cares, and
burdens, and hard cases, and fears and troubles to Him ! What a
friend, and councillor, and tender-loving Father I have found Him !
no words can ever tell. I have heard many of the Lord's dear
people speak of the first manifestation of Jesus to their souls as
being the most blissful ; but He has revealed Himself to me more
gradually than He does to some, and every time He breaks in
upon me, I think He is more precious than He was the last time I
saw Him. Sure I am, that every time He comes I wish to fall
lower in shame and confusion of face, when I think how I can sin
against such love. None but the Lord knows what blessed times
He has favoured me with ; and oftentimes He brings back the
remembrance of some of them, but all that is in His own hands.
1 cannot recall His sweet words which He has spoken just in a fit
season. And I do bless Him that I cannot ; for if I could I should
not be dependent on Him, and I want to lean on Him for all, more
and more.
If His people did but know what He is about to do when He
begins to strip and empty them, how readily would they cry out,
'^ Take all, dearest Lord, to make more room for Thyself." They
would not, as I have done (though I fain would believe He will
keep me from doing it again), try to hold fast the very things which
draw the heart from Jesus. I have parted with nothing, till He has
made me willing in the day of His power ; but I am a living witness
that He takes away nothing, but to give what is infinitely
preferable.
Now, my dear brother, I am afraid I may have wearied you ; for
I have not written as I should like to have done. I wanted to
bless and praise our dear Lord in every line I wrote. Do, if He
enables you, as soon as you have read this scrawl, entreat of Him to
bless me with a thankful, loving heart, and to enable me, and you too,
to live more on Him. A few days ago He gave me such a view of
42 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
the boundless riches that are treasured up for us in Christ, as I can^
not now recall, and I saw that the only way we had of honoring
Him, was by receiving out of that fulness and rejoicing in it. May
a great abundance of " love, joy and peace" spring up continually
in your soul. The blessed Spirit dwells in us, and should we not
look for the fruits ?
Whenever you will write to me. I shall be pleased to hear from
you. " They that feared the Lord spake often one to another/' &c. ;
and we may speak on paper. I do entreat the Lord to keep you
living very near Himself, that you may be continually drawing
fresh supplies of living waters to refresh your own soul, as well as
those to whom you preach. But that living water is within you, a
well of water springing up into everlasting life. I am enough in my
right mind this evening to be certain that all that comes us is, and
ever will be, just right. Our dark and light days, and mournings
and rejoicings, and all our feelings, are known and ordered by Him,.
Who so loved us as to give Himself for us. If I have written too
much you must tell me, and I will try and make my next letters
shorter, though I feel much inclined to make this longer. Yours,,
my dear friend, in the bonds of the everlasting gospel.
Maey Greenwood.
Communicated by M, Welland,
THE CLAIMED JEWELS.
" And they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts,, in that day
when I make up My jewels ; and I will spare them, as a man spareth
his own son that serveth him.'' — Malachi iii. 17.
'EFORE taking a running glance at the former part of this
chapter, I would just give the motive, or reason, for writing;
upon this portion of the word of God. The September and
two following months of the ^'Gospel Advocate'^ of the year 1880
contain my remarks upon Deut. xxxii. and the latter part of the 10th
verse, ^^He led him about," &c. There is this expression in it. Free-
will-mongers. I was told of this being hard upon my fellow believers,
which I certainly did not intend to be, as I did not feel a bitter-
spirit at the time, and I think the spirit of it all through would not
at all lead any one to assert this, if fairly treated : as it was rather
comforting, as far as lawfully allowed by the word of God, that is,,
to all quickened by the Spirit of God into whose hands it may comc
And feeling a desire to vindicate the truths of God, although in a,
humble way, through being constained, or feeling some zeal to doi
so, I herewith venture to say a word or two, as I may have to refer
to a remark or so made to me by the same person, bearing upon
the truths of the everlasting gospel. I make no further apology.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 43
Bat, in coming to the subject, we find in the Ist ver. of this iii. of
Malachi the Lord Himself, speaking through His prophet, says,
'' Behold, I will send My messenger, and he shall prepare the way
before Me : and the Lord Whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His
temple, even the messenger of the covenant Whom ye delight in :
behold. He shall come, saith the Lord of hosts/^ I would wish to
know how much of man's free will is to be found in the whole verse.
We have those two beautiful words, which they are found to be, when
spoken by God the Spirit, ^ will' and ^shalL' I will do it — not, if
they will accept of Me, or My salvation : as I think we shall be able
to prove salvation to be entirely of God to whom He will, when and
how, before we conclude this subject. Although John the Baptist is
here referred to, we find a greater than he spoken of, even the Mes-
senger of the covenant. Whom the people of God delight in. Not the
messenger of the old covenant, but of the one more glorious, even the
new (Jeremiah xxxL 31). He did come suddenly, when perhaps the
least expected ; and He will doubtless come in the same way when
He comes to take His saints all home to glory. And as if that were
not sufficient the Lord again says, "Behold, He shall come." Is
there no anticipation of that time — no looking forward to it — by
those who long to see Him as He is ? Then, in the 2nd verse we
have a solemn question put, "But who may abide the day of His
coming ?" Who could but for His coming as the Redeemer of His
chosen people ? In every other sense He will be as a consuming fire.
He will then try the works of men, whether they be good or bad ;
that is, manifestly : " And who shall stand when He appeareth ? for
He is like a refiner's fire, and like fuller's sope." They alone shall
stand for whom He came upon earth. A searching question, enough
to make the living examine themselves, and see whether they be in
the faith or not : as they alone will stand His all-seeing eye. "And
He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver : and He shall purify
the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they
may offer unto the Lord an offering in righteousness." He is
spoken of as sitting ; not in a hurry, but waiting until the furnace
has accomplished the purpose for which He intended it. It is said
that the refiner watches the metal until he sees his own face re-
flected in it. Is it not so with a precious Christ ? Does not the furnace
in the end bring about the reflection of Him in the object of the
furnace-work ? Has it not a tendency to give such souls a holy
boldness in the things of God ; to take away some of the dross, and
give a zeal for the honour and glory of a Triune Jehovah : as also
to wean such from flesh and sense ; to make them champions for
truth, and bum much of their wood, hay and stubble — ^however
much the process may appear contrary to these effects during the
praeeffh ? When the work is done by the furnace He then makes
44 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
quick work of it, and brings them out, but not before then. The
purging doubtless has reference to their works and dross ; purifying
cleanses them from such things just spoken of, that they may serve
Him acceptably with reverence and godly fear (Heb. xii. 28). When
brought into that state, we read of such an offering being
acceptable ; and find a full proof of it in the Psalms (li. 17) : ^^The
sacrifices of God are a broken spirit : a broken and a contrite heart,
God, Thou wilt not despise." Subsequently we read of God coming
to judgment for such needy people, and as a swift witness against
their enemies, &c. ; against those who oppress the hireling in his
wages !
Just in passing let me ask how many, in this our day, would be
exempt, who employ hands, and who wring and squeeze the last
drop of exertion, as it were, out of them for gain, and especially
out of His people ? How many keep up large establishments, whose
conduct would not bear investigating. But mark, they will not es-
cape His all scrutinising eye, though He may seem to be blind to
such conduct now in their cases, yet how often do we find such
carried away in a moment ! What will their ill-gotten gains do
for them then, but condemn all such as oppress the widow and
fatherless and that turn aside the stranger from his right and fear
not Me, saith the Lord ? Thank God, that though these oppressions
have an effect here, yet finally they shall do no harm : for we read
of "all things working together for good to them that love
God, and are the called according to His purpose." Rom. viii. 28.
Looking at the 6th verse how we find it mangled, on the right hand
and on the left, by free-will making God as changeable as the wind.
" For I am the Lord, I change not ; therefore ye sons of Jacob are
not consumed." They make God to love a person one day, and hate
him another; but how does such a belief agree with Job xxiii. 13 :
" But He is in one mind, and who can turn Him ? and what His
soul desireth even that He doeth,'^ — even in spite of everything.
Several scriptures might be quoted in proof, if they were needed.
** The whole host of Satan, together combin'd,
Can't alter His purpose, nor yet change His mind,
Who, who, then can turn Him from His wise decree ?
From love everlasting, so rich and so free ?
'Ere the earth had a form, or Adam a place,
Salvation was plann'd for a remnant of grace :
He never will leave them — they never can fall,
No sheep will be absent, when Jesus doth call !
*
Although the Lord speaks of Israel's returning to Him and His
then returning unto them, we must ever bear in mind the characters
spoken to by Him : His chosen people, as a nation — not the Egyp-
tians. And again, " Where the word of a king is there is power.'*
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 45
Ecclesiastes viii. 2. But more, it has reference to the worship of
Israel nationally, or literally; and that is just how Ho deals with
nations. If they nationally acknowledge Him, He smiles upon
them; if they reject Him, He frowns. Depend upon it,
there is great reason to fear it is our case now. There appears
every evidence of our yet having to endure more of His frowns, if
He prevent not, if He stir not His people up to jealousy for His
honour. There is much need of humiliation, for us to be humbled
and bow down before Him. In the next verse He asks, "Will a man
rob God ?" And then tells them they had done it. Have not we as
a nation robbed Him (especially men in high positions, denying His
existence, and trying to prove the Bible to be false). There is much
of that spirit existing in all classes of society. Infidelity is fast
gaining ground, even in the so-called ministers of Christ. M^ty He
still have mercy upon us, and forgive our iniquities and sins I
Then in ver. 9 He tells them (Israel after the flesh) they "are cursed
with a curse ;" that the whole nation have robbed Him. And are ''we
better than they ?'' "No, in no wise.^' (Rom. iii. 0.) Yet the Lord
tells them what to do, and prove Him if He would not bless them,
&c. Has He not done it with pjngland ? Where has there bec^n
Buch a favoured place upon earth as our land ? Are we to have
Ichabod written throughout the length and breadth thereof ?
Were it not for the sake of the salt it contains — though they be
everywhere spoken against, and treated as the offscouring of all
things, we should have no hope. may He, for their sakes, still have
an eye of pity upon us, and spare us ! May Ho give us hearts to
acknowledge Him in all our ways, though He first chfisten us !
Should He spare, yet I feel certain He will first chasten. Then,
further on, the Lord declares He will rebuke the devourer for
their sakes (Israel). It is said, He begins first at His own houHO ; and
depend upon it, it is only too true. But is it not better to be dealt
with by Him than by either the world or the devil ? or even to be
left to one's self, so that He will have mercy upon us ? And the same
verse implies that the enemy shall only go so far ; then the Lord
will stop his career of destruction to His chosen people. '' And all
natiouH shall call you blessed : for ye shall be a delightsome land,
aaith the Lord of hosts.^* As a proof of the fulfilment of this verse
turn to I^Kalm cxlvii. 20 : '' He hath not dealt so with any nation.^*
Did not all those nations, who saw His wondrous works with Israel,
acknowledge the Israelities being a blessed people one time or
another ? Was not their fear upon those nations ? But more, will
not all the nations see the blessedness of the people of trod, when
they see their glory and honour? When the sea shall give up its
dead, &c. ; when all created men and women will be raised to re-
ceive their reward, they will be seen as blessed then, if not before.
46 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
Now comes a grave reproof for those whose bodies are the temples
of the Holy Ghost : " Your words have been stout against me, saith
the Lord. Yet ye say, what have we spoken so much against
Thee ?" Who that has experienced anything of a deep furnace
work can say, they are free from this charge ? Gan any ? Has
there been no rebellion, no hard thoughts ; and more, no hard words
against the best Friend they have ever had ? Such sayings, of
which the remembrance sometimes brings tears in their eyes, feeling
their ingratitude — and more, their devilishness ; that they should
ever dare to say such fearful and such awful things against Him,
Who could crush them in a moment : and would, were He like man,
as changeable as the wind 1 But in this same chapter and 6th verse
He gives the reason of His not doing it ; yet is it not a matter of
solemn awe — and sometimes a little gratitude in reference to His
long suffering? at least, it is so in my case, and has brought tears
in my eyes more than once, and has been the means of humbling
me in His sight ! Some years back, when passing through a fiery
furnace, I had such awful rebellion, which use d to make me tremble.
And once, before I knew the contents of this chapter, I had used
much such expressions as we find in the 14th and 15th verses to
a friend, who, the next time seeing me, told me he had found almost
word for word what I had said in the Bible. He warned me more
than once I should have to shed tears for such things. I did not
then believe it; but have had to experience it many times since then,
although I have had to feel myself to be the most unthankful and
hard-hearted being created. No one need crave to experience the
contents of these verses. If they do, and God allows them to go
through them, they will find it an awful state to be in, to their
cost, although it may be profitable in the end, and may redound to
His honour and glory ; yet, depend upon it, the devil is not idle in
such things. He paints God as black, or blacker than himself : but
we know he was a liar from the beginning. Although these stout
words have been spoken, how we excuse ourselves, and try to free
ourselves from blame, until He condescends to give a look, as He
did to Peter. Then we are, and then only, brought to weep at our
base ingratitude ! I have not a word to say against the charge made
in the 14th and 15th verses, as I have spoken the words with em-
f basis : and felt them to be true, and more, have felt God to be hard-
earted, as if He delighted in cruelty, and perhaps have said as
much here and there as any one against Him, but all to my
shame when in my right mind.
(To he continued,)
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
47
'' CHRIST THE LORD/'
Lnke ii. 11, 12.
Could we approach Jehovah as He dwells.
Hid in incomprehensibles ;
Veiling His presence in a light
For seraph's eye too pure and bright,
And building His eternal throne
High over all dominion :
The blaze would blind, confound, consume
usalL
Bat oh ! poor vesseb, broken in the faU,
With what sweet awe, and trembling joy
we see
Our Maker in our likeness made,
Our Sovereign in a maimer laid.
The Filial Glory swathed m our humility.
Submission, truth, and majesty divine
In His fair visage shine ;
And every loving look, and smile convey
The sweetness of that bosom where He
lay —
That bosom where He ever lies. Jn. i. i8
He from His ivory palaces —
A Priest for ever as a King of kings —
Biyrrii, frankincense, and cassia with Him
brings
To perfume His one offering on the tree.
A Rose that breathes the Father's grace
is He!
Un£Euiing, but unfol^ling beauties ever.
So full of blessing, and with Mercy's savour
So laden, that His garment's hem
Shall drop a healing balm on them
Who do but touch it with the hand of faith.
The Sun of love to sow 'mid nature's death
The light of life, and raise immortal bloom !
The Dayspring of a glory yet to come !
An ensign bright
On Zion's shining height.
To nation's wandering in the dark unfurled t
A Messenger from God to His lost world I
Whose words like heaven-reflecting streams
shall flow,
Singing glad tidings through these vales of
woe ;
Swelling their fruitful flood, and quick-
ening voice,
Until the deserts b-ossom and rejoice;
On their bright lx)5om5 bearing jojrs
supernal —
Joys, like their Source, unbounded and
etemaL
Redhill.
C. H. M,
THE NATIVITY AND THE STAR OP BETHLEHEM.
|HE advent of the Lord Jesus Christ must ever be a matter
of the deepest interest to all believers. That He Who is
" the mighty God,*' shoold be ^' manifested in the flesh" of
tme humanity is ^^ the mystery of Godliness,'* but such as must be
enquired into by all ^^ the godly in Christ Jesus.** Had He not been
bom. He could not have died ; and had He not died, there could
have be.?n no sacrifice for sin, no hope of everlasting lite. Precious
indeed is the declaration of everlasting love : ^^ Porasmuch, then, as
the children are partakers of flesh and blood. He also Himself like-
wise took part of the same ; that through death He might destroy
him that had the power of death, that is, the devil ; and dehver
them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to
bondage,** Heb. ii. 14, 15.
But while we are able to fix with tolerable certainty upon the day
of the crucifixion, the day of the Redeemer's birth is not left on
record. And Rome, ever busy with her superstitious appointments
and dogmatic decrees, has fixed it on the 25th of December. Not
till about 400 years after the incarnation of the Saviour was this
48 THB GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
period decided upon; and then it was in the face of strong
Scripture evidence to the contrary ; which they would do well to
weigh, who, after the Galatian method, are given to ^^observe days,
and months, and times, and years." Gal. iv. 10.
There were ^^ shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over
their flocks by night," Luke ii. 8, when "the Desire of all nations"
at length arrived, and in infantile form " was found in fashion as a
man." Now, it is admitted that there is not the slightest warrant
for supposing that in the month of December shepherds and their
flocks would remain in the open air during the night, October, or
the beginning of November, being the latest period in which this
was done; it often ending with September. Sensible of this
Gresswell, followed by Mimpriss (in the Oospel Treasury) have
laboured to establish April the 5th or 6th, the time of the passover,
and four years before the date called Anno Domini, as the veritable
period of the Saviour's birth.
But another witness has appeared on the scene. One of the most
remarkable works of the present day, entitled The Chain of Ages,
and written by a clergyman in the Establishment* and which ought
to be in the hands of all who, like the Bereans, take pleasure in
searching the Scriptures to see whether things that are aflSrmed
really are so. The author, a truly learned and scientific man, is
one of the few who labour to uphold in its integrity the Word of
God against the abounding cavils of infidelity, which arrays " the
oppositions of Science (falsely so called) " in antagonism to what
the Scriptures testify. In pursuing his investigations, Mr. Galloway,
among the vast number of topics which he discusses, refers to the
time of the Nativity, and the appearance of the star which guided
the Magi, or "wise men," to Bethlehem.
Like most others, perhaps, we had always regarded that " Star'*
as something miraculous, or a flaming meteor flashing through the
heavens. The thought had never impressed us that, if this were
80, the effect of its appearance and course would doubtless have
affected others besides "the wise men.** But the fact of Herod^s
sending for them, and " enquiring diligently what time the star ap-
peared" (Matt. ii. 7), and that, not until they had formally announced
the seeing of it (ver. 2), proves it to have been one of those heavenly
luminaries which, by the eyes of the multitude in general, is only
looked upon in the same way as the many others which equally adorn
the firmament and excite no curiosity.
Without entering into the astronomical details and calculations
placed before us in his great work, Mr. Galloway, to our mind,
very conclusively proves that the star was none other than that
called Spica, in the constellation Virgo, and which, after having
♦ Eev. W. Qulloway, M.A., and published by Sampson, Low, & Co. : price 168,
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 49
been seen at its rising by the Magi in their own country some
months before, woold be found by them stationed over Bethlehem
about September 29th, B.C. 1, (not B.C. 4, as usually stated) and
thus ^^ probably three months before its close." Mr. CJalloway, who
18 a sturdy opponent of Popery, points out the beauty of this pheno-
menon in the following passage (and it should be noted that he says
lie has submitted his reckonings to some of the ablest men in the
country, including, we understand, the Astronomers Royal of
England and Scotland, without being confuted.
" Certain devout members of the Ancient Eastern College of the Magi, oyer
irliu^ the prophet Daniel in his time was President (Daniel ii. 48 ; iv. 9 ; y. 11)
faithful to the observation of the tokens which Daniel had left to that scientific
body, are enabled to determine by the heliacal rising of a certain star at a set
ggaoon, the exact lapse of the measured time predicted for the birth of the pro-
mised Messiah. Accordingly, having made arrangements for their long journey,
ibey proceed after the winter to Jerusalem, preparatory to the next Passover,
and there make the inquiry, * 'Where is He that is bom King of the Jews, for we
have seen His star in the rising ( Greek), and are come to worship Him." Herod,
to whoee ears it comes, is troubled, and all Jerusalem with him, at the startling
inquiry. The Scribes are consulted as to where the Messiah should be bom,
and reply, '* In Bethlehem of Judea," according to the prediction of Micah
pCatt. iL 1-6). In these inquiries, and in the solemn consultation of the Scribes,
m whif^ Herod himself took part, it is not too much to allow that a few weeks
passed ; while the paschal solemnities were celebrating, and the Feast of Weeks,
•or of First Fruits, was drawing near. It is probable that these devout men from
the East, who undoubtedly held the faith of the Jews, religiously joined in the
obecrvanoe of these festivals. But, Herod, having sent for them, and diligently
iaqmied. what time the star appeared, directed them, according to the answer ot
the Scribes, to Bethlehem, and desired them, when they had found the young
^lild, to bnng him word again, that he also might go and worship him, or pay
limi homage. The star had, up to this time, afforded them no guidance beyond
ibe date of the Nativity of the Messiah. The time of its observed heliacal rising
was probably at the Feast of Tabernacles. But when at Pentecost, just after
tiie celebration of that festal day, they turned their isLO&s southward, to proceed
from Jerusalem to Bethlehem, the same star which in the East they had seen
in its rising just before the sun, but which, in the portion of the sun's annual
coarse that had elapsed, had now come into the evening, was beheld by them in
tiie sky just before them southward, and reached its stationary height in the
lieavens as they arrived at Bethlehem ; on beholding which they rejoiced with
0eat joy. It was not the star, but the directions given by the Scribes and by
Herod, which took them to Betlilehem. But they could not but be struck with
tiie circomstance of the same star, which had furni^ed the mark of the fulfil-
ment of tiie time, thus appearing before them in the sky upon that very journey.
Tlie interval of time would accord with its having passed into the early hours
of the evening, if they arrived at Bethlehem on the evening of the Feast of
Pmteooflt, or First Fruits, when they presented to the Lord that offering of their
Kret Fruits, "gold and frankincense and myrrh," together with the
offering of their own homage as the First Fruits of the Gentiles ; and if the
atar whidi marked the time when '* the Word made flesh" — ^literally, *' pitched
His tabermaele among us " (John L 14), — ^was observed in its rising on the first
day of the Feast of Tabernacles, and was, as seems most probable, the resplen-
dmtttar, "The Ear of Wheat" in the hand of "The Virgin,"— the star ".9/wca"
intlie Zodiacal ConstelhUian " Virgo,** We have already remarked on the
50 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
correspondence of names, in this case, to ** the Seed of the Woman/' — the off-
spring of ''the Virgin,^* the **Com of Wheat" which should fall into the-
froimd," — how sin^ar it is in its appropriateness, and that it may not be acd-
ental but pre-ordained in the mysterious providence of God, in anticipation of
the appointed time when the Word was made flesh, and '* pitched His taber-
nacle among us at that feast, on the day which is kept [in the Established
Church] as a memorial of St. Michael, the Prince of the Israel of Qod. I have
adduced sufficient evidence upon this subject to justify me in inviting the
exact calculations of astronomers."
We would simply add to the above that the astronomical sign of
the Virgin with and Ear of Corn did not originate with Rome, but,,
as Admiral Smythe states, was so represented ^' among tbe Orien-
tals.'^* Therefore there is nothing Popish in this remarkable inci-
dent. But the object we have in view in bringing this matter
before our readers is to cast some illustrative rays on another obscure
portion of God's word, and to expose the fallacy of regarding
Christmas as the time of the Nativity. We may at that season,
without offence, avail ourselves, as believers, of the general holiday
to assemble in the Lord's name and speak and hear of the wonders
of incarnate love, but let us ever be guided by the star of God's
unerring word. Of all lamps to the feet and lights to the path
there is none like that of Heaven. Its resplendent luminaries hava
long been the guide of the earthly traveller and sea-faring man ;:
without the aid of which they would in numerous instances have
Eerished — without which voyaging to any great extent would have
een an impossibility. So in our spiritual course, when neither sun
nor stars for many days appear and no small tempest lies upon us,,
we know how hope of being saved is taken away. Acts xxvii. 20.
But when the Star of Bethlehem arises and sheds its sacred rays;:
when the Incarnate Word shows Himself by His Spirit through the
written word, how soon changed is despair or despondency to
abounding hope, and the feelings of death and darkness to life and
light ! Yes : ^^ He hath abolished death, and brought life and im-
mortality to light through the gospel." 2 Tim. i. 10. And His lifb
is not more potent and indestructible than His light is infallible
in its instructive guidance. It leads out of the shadow of death, and
brings from bondage into the glorious liberty of the gospel. And the
scriptures are the great means by which the Spirit of Christ (Who-
was in the prophets, evangelists and apostles) works. Therefore to-
these it becomes ns to take special heed, and the more so that error
extensively abounds, and the deceit of our hearts and the devices-
of Satan are so great. Led by the Spirit, through the Star of the-
Written Word, to Christ the Incarnate Word, we shall find the Pearl
of great price, and willingly bow before Him, rendering the homage
of our hearts; while all we have as "gold, frankincense, or myrrh," will
♦ The Midnight Sky, p. 137.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
51
be laid at His dear feet. He being realised as an antidote for all our
ills and ailments, and as the everlasting portion of our souls.
The Editor.
It may not be amiss to append to this article Kirke White's famous
hymn on the same subject. Most may know it, but some may not,
When marshalled on the nightly plain,
Tlie glittering hoet bestnd the sky,
One star alraie, of all the train.
Can fix the sinner's wandering eye.
Hark ! hark! to Gk)d the choms breaks
From every host, from every gem ;
But one alone the Saviour speaks —
It is the Star of Bethlehem.
Onoe on the raging seas I rode.
The storm was kmd, the night was
daik;
The ocean yawned, and rudely blowed
The wind that tossed my foundering
bark.
Deep horrors then my vitals froze ;
Death-struck. I ceased the tidJe to
stem.
When suddenly a Star arose —
It was the Star of Bethlehem.
It was my guide, my light, my all ;
It bade my dark forebodings cease ;
And through the storm and danger's
thraU
It led me to the port of peace.
Now safely moored, my perils o*er,
I'll emgjirst in night's diadem —
For ever, and for evermore.
The Star ! the Star of Bethlehem !
"NO CONDEMNATION/'
London, J^ly^ 1881.
My dear Friend, —
AM truly sorry to hear of your increased sufferings and
affliction, and pray that the Lord may grant you enduring
grace, and strength equal to the day of trial. His gracious
presence being with you, although you do not always sensibly enjoy
it, proves that the sting of death is removed, that there is "no con-
demnation.'' " Christ being made a curse," has taken away all
condemnation from His people, and makes even death their gain.
" A little while," and He that shall come will come. And then,
farewell pain, and all the evils and afflictions of this life, and wel-
come Christ, and everlasting bliss.
How paiulul the way has been to you. How dark, at times, and
past your understanding ; but how many times has He drawn near
in the midst of pain and suffering, and spoken His word with such
bl606ed power to your heart that you have rejoiced in tribulation,
and have longed to depart to be with Him.
He is the faithful God. Our times are in His hand, and He will
not make the burden heavier than the strength He gives to bear.
May yon be enabled to trust Him entirely ; to be resigned to His
will, to do as seemeth Him good.
What a mercy to be taught to know the Lord. To see that
One pierced for yon, and your sins put away for ever by
62 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
His one offering. That precious blood of the atoning sacrifice is
the covering, and by it the Father declares : " I have blotted out
as a thick cloud thy transgressions, and will not remember thy sins.*'
And then to know that you are washed and purified, and stand
complete before God as a member of the mystical body of Christ,
and that soon you will realize in its fulness what now you have the
earnest of. Again, all the promises are " Yea and Amen in Him,**
and Ho is faithful to His word. He will not forsake the works of
His hands ; and He hath said, " I will never leave thee ;" and,
'' Wlien thou passest through the waters I will be with thee.*' He
will be with His people to the end, to bear them up, and bring
them through ; and nothing shall fail of all that He hath spoken.
Those who reach the haven of eternal rest have more or less
while hero a path of trial and sore temptation. David said, '' Out
of the depths have I cried unto Thee.'* And the Lord sent from
above, took him, and drew him out of the many waters. Jeremiah
cried out of the low dungeon, and the Lord delivered him; and Jonah
cried out of the belly of hell, and proved that " salvation is of the
Lord.** None ever cried unto Him in vain, or waited upon Him
and were ashamed. His gracious word is, "Him that comethunto
Me, I will in no wise cast out.**
It may ])leaHe the Lord to grant you much light and peace the
remainder of the journey, or He may permit the adversary greatly
to try you. Remen^ber all His dealings are in love; and no
temptation, or trial, can alter His eternal purpose. His covenant
is everlasting, and Christ hath obtained eternal redemption for us,
and ever lives to make intercession.
Darkness may intervene, and " weeping may endure for a night,**
but the morning will surely come — the Sun of Righteousness will
again shine, and the joy of the Lord will be your strength.
Now as Christ has removed all condemnation from His people,
there can be no separation from His love. What a sweet thought !
" One with Jesus.** Sorrows will cease, afflictions have an end,
temptations endure only for a time ; but the love of Christ is ever*
lasting ; there is no change in Him. And then, to be "for ever
with the Lord.** May He comfort your heart ; be to you a very
present help in every^ time of need, and keep you in perfect peace.
So prays, yours sincerely,
London. F. P»
Unbelief may perhaps tear the copies of the covenant which Christ
has given you ; but He still keeps the original in heaven with Himself.
Your doubts and fears are no part of the covenant ; neither can they
change Christ. — Rutherford.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 5$
"A GOD OP KNOWLBDaS/^
" But there is a Ood in heaven that revealeth secrets,'^
Daniel ii. 28.
Dear Sir, —
have thought much lately of the backwardness of many of
the Lord^s people in regarding His special interpositions for
them in His providence, thereby withholding the glory due
unto Him, and also what might be a means of encouragement to
His tried children.
Under these considerations I send the following for insertion in
the Advocate if you approve. All those concerned in the circum-
stances have long lain in the silent grave.
A minister, who had preached some few years in London and
other places, went with his wife and family to reside in a country
village, where he was settled over a small congregation. For many
years, being a family man, the tradesmen willingly supplied him
with goods, and he, not having much of this world, was glad to ba
accommodated with quarterly accounts : it being usual to settle
them after the quarterly collections, he having no fixed salary. Hia
principal creditor was a thriving tradesman, who regularly attended
his ministry, he was grocer, draper, &c. ; and as there was not the
competition in trade then as there is now, he was able to command
prices for his goods which many thought exorbitant. His shop was
often filled with customers all the day, and he was considered one
of the most prosperous men in the village. I do not know that he
made any profession of religion beyond his regular attendance on
the ministry.
On one particular Sunday the minister (a most quiet and in-
offensive man) was led to speak in a very solemn and searching
manner of the end of all things, and the vanity of riches. A
person who was present noticed the countenance of the before-
mentioned tradesman to undergo some remarkable changes during
the sermon, and quite believed the Word had taken an unusual
effect of some kind. On the following day he sent a note to the
minister, requesting the settlement of his account, saying that life
was uncertain and he wished the matter settled. This unexpected
demand threw the poor minister and his godly wife into great per-
plexity, being quite unable to meet the demand, and having no rich
friends to apply to for the loan of it, or any expectation from any
quarter before the usual collections ; in short, they had but one
refuge to fly to. Six days of painful anxiety passed without the
least light in the dark cloud which hung over them. On the
following Sunday the minister preached as usual, the tradesman
filling his usual seat. A gentleman from a distance had come into
^4 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
the village the day before to spend a few days with a brother who
was living there, and attended the chapel on that Sunday. After
the services of the day this gentleman had a strong impression on
his mind that the minister was under some particular trial. This
impression had such an effect upon him that he had scarcely any
sleep. After a sleepless night he arose early and walked the garden
until breakfast time, resolving to visit the minister as soon as he
<5ould, which he accordingly did. After some conversation he told
the minister of his exercise of mind the previous night, and wished
to know if he was under any particular trial, and whether it was
of a pecuniary nature. He was informed of the circumstances.
The cash required was immediately presented, and received with
much gratitude. The account was soon settled, and the glory given
to God. The tradesman continued his attendance at the chapel
while he remained in the village ; but having realised a fortune he
retired to a handsome residence some miles distant. Soon after he
was afflicted with deep depression, so that he could not take the
least pleasure in anything. This increased upon him so much that
he was taken to an asylum, where, after some months of deep mental
anguish, he ended his days. The minister lived a few years longer
in the path of tribulation, then ended his days in peace, leaving
many witnesses that his labour had not been in vain in the Lord.
Alas ! how few comparatively, even of the Lord's people, consider
themselves to be but stewards. Many look upon what the Lord has
given them as their own ; but He says, " The silver and the gold are
Mihey The cherished idol may be allowed to stand untouched;
but oh, how soon the Lord may send bodily or mental affliction, so
that all may be marred. The Word of God says, '^ Honour the
Lord with thy substance;" also, "Be not deceived, God is not
mocked ; for whatsoever a man soweth that shall he also reap."
<xood John Bunyan says in his riddle,
** There was a man though some did count him mad,
The more he gave away, the more he had.
He that bestows his goiods upon the poor,
Shall have as much again,
And ten times more.
2 Corinthians ix. 6.
Observer.
There are those who deem it a cruel thing to preach the doctrine of
the grace of God. I know of nothing that can give hope to the poor
sinner, but this truth, that the grace of God is free and sovereign. Krause,
Christ often heareth when He doth not answer. His not answerir^
is an answer, and says, — Pray on, go on, cry on ; for the Lord holdeth
His door fast bolted, not to keep you out, but that you may knock, and
it shall be opened. — Rutherford.
•^m
THE OOSPEL ADYOCATS. 5S
AN INCIDENT IN EARLY LIFE.
HEN I was a boy I was on my way, early one Sunday
morning, to feed some fowls and rabbits wbich were kept in
my iather^s timber yard, when, as I passed the door of a
public house, a tall man, a soldier, the son of Colonel White,
who lived in the neighbourhood of St. Ives (my native place),
accosted me and asked, "Do you know who I am?" I replied,
" Yes ; jojxr name is Robert White." " Well," he said, '* You go to
the workhouse and tell Drage, the porter, a gentleman wants to see
him at the Cow and Hare, and I will give you a j>enny. If he says,.
' Who is it V you say, ^ I don't know.' " As I had not been used
to go on such errands I suppose I hesitated, when he said to the
landlady, ''O he is afraid I shall not pay him; here is your
penny." I ran to the workhouse, when the master himself opened
the door. I delivered my message, when he said " Who is it ? Is
it Robert White." I replied as I had been instructed, " I don't
know."
No sooner had the words escaped my lips than I had a terrible
conviction of having conmiitted two sins. One lying, the other
sabbath breaking. Having been brought up to attend Church and
to live a strictly moral life, I was overwhelmed with terror at the
thought of what I had done, and immediately ran home. I did not,.
I believe, make any confession of this until some years after, when I
joined a church, and then I begged of them not to think that I
considered this as a spiritual conviction ; but that it had left such
an impression on my mind that I could not forbear relating it, as the
first instance when personal and actual sin was heavily charged on
my conscience.
I fear that there are many of our young friends, simple and
guileless in spirit, who have been thus basely tempted by wicked
men to their own sorrow. May they, like myself, have deep and
lasting spiritual convictions that may drive them to the cross of
Christ for shelter, and to the footstool of mercy for forgiveness.
But if these base ensnarers of our youth should die in their callous
state, they shall assuredly experience the awful sentence passed on
" whosoever loveth and maketh a he."
Watford, Jan., 1881. E. Skeelbs.
Go where you will, your soul will find no rest but in Christ's bosom»
Inquire for Him, come to Him, and rest you on Christ the Son of God.
I sought Him ; and I found in Him all I can wish or want.
Lose not sight of Christ in this cloudy and dark day ; learn not from
the world to serve Christ, but ask Himself the way : the world is a false
copy, and a deceitful guide to follow. — Rutherford.
5^ TS3: ^:«?3L. jl>t:c
:y HaVF; r..e»r[i izLT-rre?:^ zi rea*—^ xr^rr irQr!e on "Protes-
l;ii.ti*zi &L-i P:prrT:~ z-r::^ ^:nli =?:c b=^ cMT^TTig to the
crjryi:zjtiyzL zhiz tLi-f S* i naK*??* in wk:«A rr? r^lsasce can be
j^kb^f^ oz, '^.^^hrrjTS^.. Y',r'zzj?rj^z4yt, :c:i »:f tie -l»I'»? »=£IIi-?Tss governed
br Pr*:ne^t;i:ir.>- h :Tr icanT are r?:^ ^und-Er ib? rale c-f a popish
W'hil^z C: -trL.-e-T.i^ Xaiiions ar* er.d"eaT.>^irin^ to disenaaoe them-
neirtA ci x\e zrgf*< ca::g-rr::i? eleri:?:!!:.? -if Popery, wliat is the case
wfth OT3f*fri're% ? !• nvt P-.r-err in it* d-r-iible stream of Romanism
arid Kitoili^m ELakii.^ eTi-:rm:-as adTaco?* in tliis ration ? And is
not ocr GcjTrrriiiiieiit aetaaHv n»:-w seeking to carrr out the
abomir^atroTi oz oar f^endizi^ an ambassador to the coort of the
Mais of -SiTi * AL«o, a» in all Roman Cathvlic cT'ontries, Infidelity
aboaijd*, -o Lrfre in pr^jpordon to the advance of Popeiy, so is the
upresid of irj^'delitv; although these two m«?nsters zre sometimes
j^TTftittfrd to destroT each other, vet thev invariablv unite at all
otiiffT time* against the people of God, and the word of God !
A^hiy if "we gfj 3 little farther in the dissection of Protestantism,
how large a proportion is infected with that which has been well
called the spawn of Popery,— even Arminianism also with Rational-
j«n, Ac, !
Therefore there seems to me to be abundant cause for
humiliation in the present state of our country, and— if it might
pleaise Jehovah to inspire it — for crying mightily unto Him for the
removal of these evils, and for withholding (if it might be His will)
the jadgments that must follow.
Yours faithfullv,
Dec. 12th, 1881. J. F.' C.
[Our correspondent is perfectly correct, so far as the cause for
humiliation before God is concerned, at the still wide-spread and
lypreading inflaence of Popery in so-called Protestant nations,
specially including our own. But it is in the contrast — ^notwithstand-
ing iliiH prevalence of Antichrist — ^between what teas and what i^the
domineering and oppressive power of Rome that, all true believers
in the ultimate victory of Christ over it have occasion to " thank
God and take courage." We do not desire to over-rate the strength
of Protestantism or to under-rate that of the Papacy. Nationally ,
both in the church and in the state, there is a powerful alliance with
'' the Man of Sin.*' But as we are ever prone in the midst of a trial
to overlook or minimise our abounding mercies, while we magnify
the former, so is it with many in relation to Rome's doings. They
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 57
either are not well-read in historical facts, or they forget them.
The Papacy, ever jsince its rise, has been a restless, struggling power;
and will be until its destruction. It always has aimed to govern
by means of the rulers of nations, and ever will. But while we
deplore the tendencies and acts of certain of our own and foreign
legislators — and (to the amazement of many) especially of Prince Bis-
marck, let us not forget the time was when Rome commanded the
sword of every potentate, whilst now not one can be found to draw
it for her. And while Arminianism is correctly styled '' the spawn
of Popery,*^ and it has often been said that all Arminians would
join with it did opportunity offer, the recent address and threaten-
ing protest from the great Wesleyan Conference against any attempt
on the part of the Government to enter into political alliance with
the Vatican disproves the latter assertion. Neither is it correct to
say that Infidelity and Popery ^^ invariably unite^' against the people
of God ; though they are equally hostile to their faith. It is Zion's
mercy that they usually are at bitter variance. As we have already
said, let every effort be made to counteract the policy and doings of
Rome, but let us be calm, and not unduly alarmed, nor forgetful
of what Protestantism as a power has, by the grace of God,
already attained to. — The Editor.]
PERSONAL LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
Although none of the following letters were sent for the press, we think they possess
sufficient interest to constitute a justification of their publication. Many others similar in
spirit have we received, for which we also cordially thank our correspondents for their
expressed christian love and good wishes, having been unable to personally answer them.
AN ENCOURAGING WORD FROM NEW ZEALAND.
Wellington, October 1, 1881.
Dear Sir, —
have sent you a money order for one pound for the same pur-
pose as I have done before, the balance I leave in your hands
_ to use as you please. Dear Sir, I desire to tell you some-
tbjng in as few words as I can. I am truly thankful to the Lord,
through you. His dear servant, for those four articles on The Eternal
Covenant of Grace, because it was a singular incident to me. Just at
the time they came out, I heard a sermon from a minister of Jesus
—our Lord and Saviour, God — on the Psalms (1. 5), but he could
not open it clearly, in a gospel sense, to persons of the children of
God, and I was much perplexed about it. I read your four articles
and re-read them with much soul profit. I saw to be "joined to the
Lord is one spirit" — and who can separate ? I also saw that the Lord
Jesus Christ is the living covenant of grace : and I believe if the
58 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
-children of God would read those four articles, in the spirit of the
ivord, they would be more confirmed in the person of Jesus Christ,
as the living covenant of gi^ace, instead of resting so much on the
doctrine of the covenant of grace ; for the doctrine itself will do no
food without the person of the Son of God : for He was the eternal
on of God, therefore, He must b6 the living covenant of grace. These
truths have been very precious to my soul, after I was so perplexed
by that sermon that I heard. I think it would be far better for the
servants of the Lord not to speak on such texts as Psalm 1. 5, except
they could open them in a gospel sense, as the children of God
<jould understand them.
how my soul has been blessed in a word coming from my dear
native country. I have been in New Zealand more than 40 years.
We have between fifty and sixty children, grand children, and great
grand children, all well at present. Sir, you may think what deep
waters I have waded through, and the Lord is as precious to me
now as He was the first moment I saw His lovely face in the spirit
of His word. And I am truly thankful that He was so kind as to
tell us beforehand that we should have to pass through tribulation.
Although the dear Lord gave us a good starting point, yet when
the sun went down it was dark — because the sun never shines at
night. But the Sun of righteousness always rises in the morning
and gladdens our hearts. Dear Sir, may the blessed bond of the
•covenant bind us more together in one — even in Jesus Christ. May
the Lord bless your work of faith and labour of love, and all the
•children of God with you. I know you will bear with my poor
writing.
Yours truly, but unworthily,
John Kilmister.
We can assure our personally unknown, but spiritual recognised and esteemed
correspondent, that his letter is very cheering to us, and he must not think it a
liberty that we have taken in publishing it. The dear Redeemer, the work of
the blessed Spirit, and the discriminating truths of Gk>d, are the same in New
Zealand as in England. And the imion one feels in the Lord with all His dear
people, as we come to know them, be they scattered where they may, is an evi-
dence that there is but one family, **in heaven and earth," named of the Father
in our precious Jesus. May our humble efforts continue to be blessed to our
aged brother, and many more, not only in New Zealand, but, if the Lord will,
in numerous other places of the British dominions. We sometimes anticipate
^th sacred joy the final gathering together in the home above of all the now
-separated vessels of mercy, and the everlasting rehearsal of Jehovah's praises
for wonders wrought in salvation, grace, and providence.
The Editor
THE OOSPSL ADVOCATS. 59
WAITING Am) WATCHING.
January^ 1882.
My dear Fiiend, —
It lias been my intention for some time past to send yon a line>
then I thonght I wonld wait till such a time^ but most of all the
daily cares^ anxieties^ and perplexities of the way have intervened.
On Chiistiiias-day morning these words came with sweetness^ and
rested npon my spirit : " Throngh the tender mercy of our God,
whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited ns" I had a
sweet meditation npon onr glorious Surety as the dayspring in the
sinner^s heart.
While reading your New Year's address I could but notice the
similarity in your desires and mine of late. Sometimes I have been
led to beg submission to the will of God^ and in my poor petitions
to Him how often do the words you quote of dear Hart's form
a part:
" May we all our wills resign.
Quite absorbed and lost in thine ;
Make us walk by thy right rules;
Lord, direct us — ^we are fools."
I have had many trying things to encounter siuce I last wrote to
you. Unlooked-for troubles have come. When I say unlooked-
for, I mean from quite an unexpected quarter, for I have often been
expecting troubles of different sorts.
I told you the Lord had prospered my way in providence. True,
so He had ; and I believe it was to enable me to meet the emergency
that wonld arise. When I went to London I ascertained that where
I thought I should certainly have £12 to take, it turned out in the
end I did not take a penny. I had promised faithfully to pay a
lawyer in E**** £15, as an instalment to pay off a loan obtained to
erect my machinery when at C******^***, and with this £12 I
thought I could easily do it. But it came to this, all the money I
had earned, which I had hoped to have got a little start with, had
to go to meet this money. This, with other exercises, has at times
weighed much upon my spirit. These trials drive me to the Foun-
tain Head, and oh, what pleadings with Him to be kept from rebel-
lion.
** Dark are His ways of providence.
But fixed is His decree ;
My reason's blind and weak my sense —
llien, Ixird, remember me."
I should not have told you so much of this had I not informed
you before of the Lord^s gracious dealings with me in a providen-
tial manner.
This morning I had a little lift again ; for, when sitting down to
breakfast, I opened a letter from a friend and inside was a card.
60 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
ivith the words, ^^ Behold thy servants are ready to do whatever my
Lord the king shall appoint." It came from that friend who, as I
have informed you before, had it laid upon her mind that the Lord
intended me for the work of the ministry, when she knew nothing
at all of my exercises thereon. She told me when I went last March,
that she did not believe the Lord's full time was come to send me
forth, though her heart went out to the Lord all the way on her
journey to chapel for the Lord to be with me that day. When I
Haw her some time afterwards she quoted what I have mentioned
above. A few weeks back I was often calling in question every-
thing, and felt it could not have been approved of by the Lord; but
one morning, while on my knees before Him at family prayer, when
quoting the words of Jesus: "Thy kingdom come: Thy will be
done in earth as it is in heaven," — they entered into my very soul,
and oh, what a laying of myself at His dear feet I then felt, to be
anything or nothing that Ho might be glorified. This morning,
after receiving the card, and entreating of the Lord to lead me, the
words of the poet broke ray heart :
** Depend on Him, thou can*st not fall ;
Make all thy wants and wishes known ;
Fear not, His merits must prevail —
Ask what thou wilt, it shall be done."
O how I did beg of Him to enable me to ask for blessings He
designed to give, that I might not go contrary to His sovereign
will ; and afterwards how sweetly these words dropped into my
soul, " Behold, God, our shield ; and look upon the face of thine
Anointed.'' Here I saw a precious Jesus as my Daysman Mediator.
What a shield ! One able to resist all the fiery darts of the devil,
when they come in like a flood upon the soul. Is not this a token
for good ? Why,
** Here's our point of rest —
Though hsLTd the battle seem —
Our Captain stood the fiery test,
And we shall stand through Him."
Now I feel I must just tell you how much I have at times enjoyed
reading the Gospel Advocate this year. When I have felt the sweet-
ness of it on ray spirit I have thought, I will tell Mr. Baxter about
it when I write ; then the thought has come, he will think otherwise
of me than he ought to think, so through this I have been deterred
from so doing. Once I well remember breaking out, and saying :
" Bless him. Lord ; bless him ; bless him.'^ I have much enjoyed
at times your Essays on Hart's Hymns : and it is my sincere desire
a;nd prayer that He will spare you long to His church and people
here below, over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseer ;
and that it may indeed be, as you quote. Psalm xc. 16-17.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 61
I mast now close. May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, the
love of Grod the Father, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit rest
upon you and yours. So prays.
Yours affectionately
For the truth's sake,
A Waiter and Watcher.
GRACE omnipotent.
Birmingham, December 30th, 1881.
My dear Friend, —
Enclosed is Post Order for 2s. 6d., in pa^nnent for one copy of
Chspel Advocate for the ensuing year, wishing you all needful
grace and strength for you in your arduous work, and the Lord's
blessing resting upon the same. I cannot refrain from telling you
of the Lord's goodness in closing this eventful year, in having called
to a knowledge of Jesus, as his only hope of salvation, my brother in
the far-off land of Australia, without any outward means, but by
the inward teaching of the Holy Ghost ; giving him a sight of his
real lost^inful state, and leading him to Jesus for mercy and salvation.
And at His feet he has found mercy and pardon, filled with praise and
thanksgiving, enjoying that peace which passeth all understanding.
He was, to use his own words, " an unbeliever of unbelievers." A
child of many prayers, and in his early days heard the truth preached;
but to my joy, and his eternal gain, the Lord has preserved
him in all his wanderings, and in these last days brought him as
^'another sheep" into the fold of Jesus. He is now more than
sixty years of age. May we not say, " What hath God wrought ?"
Po Him be the praise. May the Lord " increase our faith," and
help us to hold on in faith and prayer to the end for ourselves, those
near by the ties of nature and friendship, and the church at large.
My kind christian regards to yourself and family, and all friends
eU) Eastbourne, Yours sincerely,
0. E. S.
the changing and unchangeable.
Leicester, December 3 1st, 1881.
My dear Friend, —
Herewith I send you a few more scraps from the pen of dear
Ruth« How time passes away. Another year gone, and oh, what
mercies have we seen during its course. And what a vast volume
of loving kindness and tender mercy has been the dealings of our
Gk)d, both in His holy providence and the aboundings of His invin-
cible grace with us, the most unworthy of all His children, up to the
present moment, all through our eventful pilgrimage, these sixty-
seven years, in the wilderness. And now we are spared to erect
62 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
another Ebenezer. '' Ood hath helped us hitherto" Surely we can
say^ as Moses said of Israel of old^ ''He led him about and instructei
him ; He kept him as the apple of His eye. As an eagle stirreth
up her nest, fluttereth over her young, and spreadeth abroad
her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings : so the Lord
alone did lead him, and there was no stranee God with him."
what a mercy to be drawn by the Fathers loving kindnesses to
Christ ; led by God Himself all the way, and kept leaning upon
B.im., feelingly dependent upon Him for everything. "Kept by the
power of Oody through faith, unto salvation, ready to be revealed"
Well, dear brother, it cannot be long at the longest before we shall
hear Him say, '' Come up higher" What a mercy, then, to be
found in Him.
" The Lord bless you and keep you. The Lord make His face
to shine upon you and be gracious unto you : the Lord lift up the
light of His countenance upon you, and give you peace.'' Prays
yours sincerely in Him,
R. A. B.
lttttx% bg % P0n»^|^x)lir ai Jaitj^.
LETTER BY THORPE SMITH.
8, Nichols Street, Humberstone Road,
Leicester, Feb. 4th, 1873.
My dear Cousin, — This morning's post brought me your letter
and the card. On visiting Buckminster, the first Sunday in
January, I received intelligence of the death of your beloved
husband, and of the two Gibsons, Edward Harvey, of Lon-
donthorpe, and W. Dickenson, of Lathy Lodge ; all whom I well
knew, and all younger than I am. And so I go about saying, with
dear Lyte,
'* Change and decay in all around I see,
O Thou, Who changest not, abide with me.'*
The omission of myself don't think anything about. When I
visited you in October, 1871, I was fully satisfied about your dear
partner's religion. I had known him from Kis youth, and admired
his sobriety and consistent conduct ; but I never was fully satisfied
about his religion until the visit I allude to, for I had not had much
opportunity of testing him before, although I had a favourable
opinion of him from all I did see of him. I wish I could say the
same of your brothers. I feel for your very trying situation, and
know by experience what it is to lose so wise a counsellor and such
an affectionate companion and steadfast friend, having done so in
THE GOSFKL ADTOCATS. 6S
ike dcadi of my last belored wife. ' I Iiaye nc^, nor can I f orgei
the sweetness winch dropped into m j bereaved heail on reading,
in a kind kcter I receifred from the late Mr. Abrahams, the fol-
lowing wordsy Tiz. : '' The Lord, mj brother, has taken awaj the
desbe cf thine eyes, bat not the desire of thine heart, for that is
Jesus!" Those wcvds were like ''apples of gold, in pictores of
silrei^ to me, for I could appeal to God, that He knew this was true ;
andy as m j dearest partner said on her death bed, " Thoa hast been
an idol, my dear!" bat added, ''Jesns first, and thee next."
"Ah/' I readied, ''that is it ; that is as it should be." I doubt not
Ton win feel your loss more and more, as you are led to remember
£r^ one and then another of the sweet seasons you have enjoyed
tiDgetber; but, as you justly observe, there are many sweet 'promise&
in the word made to the widow and the fatherless. I trust you will
be goided by the Holy SjHrit in all that concerns yours^ and
fanily, who are uncertain comforts, but certain cares. I am in my
70th year, and have reason to bless God for all His mercies, both
izi pryridence and grace, goodness and mercy having followed me
aO my days. On looking back for ->> years since I knew His
name, I am coFvered with shame and c-jufuirion on rejecting ap:>n
what little honour I have brought to His r^me and cause. How
c& I was ensnared by my light and fxrlish spirit; how oft
did I drink into the beggarly spirit of the world with which I was
called to mix ; and what fre^ g^t did I oft contract by not coming
sofficiently out from the world and all its vanities. I cannot draw
the siig^itest comfort from a well-spent life ; for on a review of my
whole profeaaora, I hate it : I wish it could be Uotted out from
■■der the &oe <rf the heavens. I idt erv out,
" Had I not Thy biood to plead.
The flight woold flink me to demyii."
And seme little comfort I find by them, and other such expressions
of good men. As again, that dear man of God, Mr. Hart, says,
**'Wha3eQnal make Taj j^sassre laoan,
Upwuds I cut my 6jcs and see,
Thoo^ I haiv nodun^ «A my own [but an\
MytitiMiui is immgnae in Thee.''
As Adam the first made shipwreck of everything, maz: is no longer
~ with a stock of inhoent grace, as some dream and talk of;
aD fplnegg is now treasured up in the second Adam, the Lord
Ten. I have been out this last month to several counties,
flwogh often sovdy cast down and discouraged on account of
tfevq[^lam fofced to bdieve (from the testimonies of thooewhot, I am
tmty know the Lord) that His word from my mouth
Boi rekani void. I have spoken in nearly sixty different places
Ae Loiid opened my mouth — aiittfeii years ago on the 2oth of
64 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
January last. I survey His dealings with astonishment, and cry
out, '' What hath God wrought V
My children are all well, I hope ; being scattered abroad : one in
Australia, two in America, two in Bedfordshire, one in Hertfordshire,
one in Cheshire, and one three-and-half miles from me here. The
Lord has showed me hard things, and made me drink the wine of
astonishment. His way to me has often been in the sea. His path
in deep waters, and His footsteps unknown ; yet I am constrained to
say, " He hath done all things well.'^ May He bless, guide, teach,
and keep you and yours in all your ways, and lead you into all
essential truth, is the prayer of
Yours, most affectionately,
Thorpe Smith.
P.S. — Give my love to your dear children all, and to all relations
and friends. Adieu. God bless you.
PURE GOLD FROM PURITAN AND OTHER MINES.
Sweet Thoughts. — I heartily desire that ye would mind your
country, and consider to what direction your soul setteth its face ; for
all come not home at night who suppose they have set their face heaven-
ward.
If ye never had a sick night and a pained soul for sin, ye have not
yet lighted on Christ.
Oh, what folly to sit down and weep upon a decree of God I for
who can come behind our Lord to alter what He hath decreed ?
Let Jesus Christ make a bridge or stepping-stone of me, provided
that His high and holy name is glorified in me.
Be not afhamed because of your guiltiness. Necessity should not
blush to beg. You are in the utmost need of Christ ; therefore knock
and cry, ^—Rutherford.
The Profit of Afflictions. — It was Tertullian's error to say that,
afflictions were to be sought and desired. The creature never knoweth
when it is well. Sometimes we question God's love because we have
no afflictions, and anon, because we have nothing but afflictions. In all
these things we must refer ourselves to God's pleasure ; not desire
troubles, but bear them when He layeth them on us. Christ hath
taught us to pray, '* Lead us not into temptation." It is but a fond
presumption to cast ourselves upon it. Philastrius speaketh of some
that would compel men to kill them out of an affectation of martyrdom ;
and so doth Theodsret. This was a mad ambition, not a true zeal. And
no less fond are they that seek out crosses and troubles in the world,
rather than wait for them, or by their own violence and miscarriages
draw just hatred upon themselves. Peter's rule is : " Let none of you
suffer as an evil-doer," i Peter iv. 15. We lose the comfort of our
sufferings when there is guilt in them. — Manton,
March, 1882. the oospifii. advocate. 66
ESSAYS ON HART'S HYMNS— LIII.
The Rainbow. — Isaiah liv. 9.
<( r;;^w^gj5 hearing ear, and the seeing eye, the Lord hath made
even both of them," Pro. xx. 12. How deaf and blind
spiritually is man, until grace in its omnipotence is exerted.
Wisdom may cry, and understanding put forth her voice. The
appeal may be made at the gates, at the entry of the city, at the
coming in at the doors, but all the while it is only outward it will
be disregarded. It is the inward voice of power that alone com-
mands and inspires obedience — " the obedience of faith.'' Neither
the threatenings of the law, nor the declarations of the gospel will
arrest sinners in their course, though "destruction and misery are in
all their ways," unless the Spirit's quickening operations attend them.
This truth, notwithstanding its solemnity, is full of encouragement
for those whose ears are opened to Divine discipline, and who have
obeyed the inward admonition to "return from iniquity" (Job xxxvi.
10), and who yet often fear that no really saving change has been
wrought upon them. Let them, with all they have to deject them,
compare their own willingness^ and occasional anxiety, to hear the
Lord's voice as "the God of salvation," with the indifference, enmity,
and stolid deafness of such as are still held fast by " the power of
darkness." Surely in the latter is fulfilled the word : " They are
like the deaf adder that stoppeth her ear ; which will not hearken
to the voice of charmers, charming never so wisely," Psalm Iviii.
4, 5. The thunders of Sinai awe not the unregenerate ; the melody
of Zion allures them not. " They know not, neither will they under-
stand ; they walk on in darkness : all the foundations of the earth
are out of course," Psalm Ixxxii. 5. And ^o it has ever been :
for it was
** When, deaf to every warning given,
Man braved the patient power of Heaven,
Great in His anger God arose,
Deluged the world, and drowned His foes." Ver. 1.
If the infinite nature of the merits of Christ, in which the elect
have so rich and abundant an interest, be duly considered, together
with the everlasting nature of the love of God towards them in
Christ Jesus, the long-suffering of Jehovah ^though it is ever a
matter of amazement and adoration to themselves), can hardly be
deemed so wonderful in its exercise towards them, as it is in His
66 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
enduring! with "the vessels of wrath fitted to destniction.** Not
for their^own sakes, does the Lord's " patient power," as Hart so
expressively terms it, refrain so long from cutting them off. But
there are so many connecting links in the chain of providence
between the lives of the ungodly and the natural existence of the
Lord's own children, as their posterity, that like as unrighteous
Ahaz was spared that Hezekiah might spring from him, so it is in
innumerable other instances, extending, at times, through several
generations of the wicked before the vessel of mercy is born. All
we can say of this, is expressed in the language of the apostle : "
the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God !
How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding
out !" Rom. xi. 33.
But surely in the case of the wicked " there is an end" to the
Lord's forbearance. For 120 years, while the ark was a preparing,
Jehovah tolerated the licentious scoffers of Noah's day. But
the flood came at last. " The Lord said. My Spirit shall not always
strive with man," Gen. vi. 3 : and so He still affirms with respect to
the day of fire yet in store. The Spirit of Christ in Noah, who was
one of the Lord's ancient prophets (1 Pet. i. 10, 11), strove with the
antediluvians ; that is, He contended by His testimony in the preach-
ing of the patriarch against their wickedness, and threatened them
with Divine judgments. But they " resisted the Holy Ghost," in
the same manner as did they whom Stephen so long after addressed
(Acts vii. 51) ; that is, they opposed with blaspheming ridicule and
scorn His solemn warnings by Noah, and turned a deaf ear to His
reproof.
And these scoffers are "the spirits" which are now "in prison," to
whom Christ by His Spirit in Noah "went and preached" in the days
of their disobedience, when once the long-suffering of God waited.
Waited ! — and how long ? Till the ark was ready for its fore-
ordained inmates. Even as now " the Lord is longsuffering," as Peter
says, "to usward" — that is, toward the entire elect church among
Gentiles as welljas the Jews — " not willing that any (of the members
of that church) should perish, but that all " — during the course of
time — "should come to repentance," 2 Pet. iii. 9. This could never
be, unless the Lord's longsuffering allowed the world to continue.
And that this is what Peter means, is confirmed by the language of
Paul, who, after referring to the electing and predestinating love
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 67
and grace of the Father's purpose, says, '^ Having made known
unto us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure
which He hath purposed in Himself : that in the dispensation of the
fulness of times He might gather together in one all things in
Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth ; even in
Him/^ Eph. i. 9, 10. And then will the end come; and awful
will be the position of the mockers and scofPers ; yea, of all out of
Christ.
And how sweet, believer, to be able to say, ^ For me this long-
suffering tamed !' For my sake were the words left on record :
'^ And therefore will the Lord wUit (even until my Surety came in the
flesh), that He may be gracious unto you, and therefore will He be
exalted (in the work of Jesus), that He may have mercy upon you :
for the Lord is a God of judgment : blessed are all they that wait
for Him." Isaiah xxx. 18. Surely He Who has waited and still
waits so long for His people, may now well claim to be waited for
by them. O for more of " the patience of hope !" the calm staying
of the mind upon Bis immoveable faithfulness, that we may be
fully assured in all our exercises that we shall not wait in vain.
The flood did its work, and that effectually. Let men with the
oppositions of science (falsely so-called) admit or deny the univer-
versality of the deluge, it was certainly universal enough to accom-
plish the entire destruction of the human species — Noah and his
family excepted — and also of every living substance, which was
upon the face of the ground, including, " cattle, and the creeping
things, and the fowls of heaven " — save those which were with Noah
in the ark. Gen. vii. 21-23. It must have been so ; for there is no
life, no security out of Christ, the true Ark.
Justice had drawn its sword ; judgment had been duly executed
on those " sons of God " — or " sons of the mighty," as it may be
rendered. These had ^^taken," with the violence of lust and rapine
(as the word "take" in scripture often denotes), the "fair"
'^ daughters of men " — namely, those in an inferior and subjective
state, and who were therefore powerless, if inclined, to resist. And
it is said in respect of their profligacy, " they took them wives of all
which they chose." Gen. vi. 2. The feudal state of the middle ages
may afford some parallel to this abounding iniquity on the part of
those in authority, as the barons often dealt with the wives and
daughters of their vassals as their ©wn i)roperty. This is, we
68 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
believe, the meaning of the earth being " corrupt, and filled with
violence :" and it provoked the wiuth of a just and holy God to their
eternal ruin.* But
** VeQgeance, that called for this just doom,
Eetired to make sweet mercy room ;
God, of His wrath repenting, swore,
A flood should drown the earth no more." Ver. 2.
Mr. Hart, it will be perceived, but follows the scripture narrative
in the use of the word, "repenting." He, like that scripture,
implies no more than Jehovah's change of conduct; i.e.,from destroying
to preserving. And though many have been the local inundations,
and many the lives thereby sacrificed, no universal sweeping away
of men by a flood, notwithstanding all their unimproved condition
and conduct, has transpired during the ages that have intervened
to this day, nor will there ever again.
* * That future ages this might know.
He placed ^'n heaven His radiant bow ;
The sign, till time itself shall fail.
That waters shall no more prevail." Ver. 3.
Much controversy has, we think needlessly, originated over the
first appearance of the " radiant bow." This at least we know, the
Lord never works a miracle, or deviates from the usual course of
the great laws by which He rules the universe, without a direct
necessity. Usually His very miracles are rather a display of Ccvtra
power, in accordance with those laws (as at the Red Sea), than a
subversion of them. Well-known as the cause of the rainbow now
is, it would indeed have been a surprising phenomenon had the
Sun's rays never before this period so acted upon the drops of rain
as to produce it. But if it had been beheld a thousand times before,
this much is suflScient for us, it had never, until the day when Noah
came out of the ark and offered his sacrifices, been revealed as an
emblem of Jehovah's covenant. Like that eternal covenant of
grace, of which it was the emblem, its existence may long before
have been a reality, but it needed the Lord's manifestation to make
it glorious in His people's eyes. Well does Hart proceed :
** The beauties of this bow but shine
To vulgar eyes as something fine ;
• We are fully aware that this interpretation is very different from that
which is widely accepted ; but it is that which commends itself to our judg-
ment asthoittost Scriptural.
THE 006PEL ADVOCATE. 69
Otbers inreetigate their canse
By medimiiB drawn from Namre's laws.
*' But what great ends can men pnrsne
From schemes^ like the^e, tmppnee them true ?
Desscribe the form ; the cauiie define :
The rainbow still remains a «gn«" Vers. 4 and o.
And thi«^ "sign^^ commit ates the shell and empty form in which
all graceless intellectual men discover nothing beyond its own beaaty*
And when in doll indifference the Lord's own people gaze apon it,
there i» no more soul-inspiring consolation drawn from its appearance
than from any other exhibition of nature's beauties and wonders.
Bat how different when the eyes are touched with the holy eye-
salve ; when the blessed Spirit takes of the things of Christ and
shows them to the soul ! Let it be pressed down under the weight
'A its owTi vileness; let a dread of the holiness of God be upon the
spirit ; let the heart be full of fears, and the tempter suggesting
that God's mercy is clean gone for ever, and that His promise fails
for evermore. And then let the rainbow after the thuuderstorm
be heen spanning the heavens with its exquisite arch ; let the heart
be moved by the Holy Comforter's remembrance of the Lord's
pledge of sovereign, unmerited mercy in connection therewith,
and all apathy will be put to flight, the soul will melt under a sense
of the sparing mercy and goodness of God, and magnify His name
that "all His promises are yea and amen in Christ," unto His
glory by us. Then it perceives the truth that, the heavenly bow
wrth its resplendent hues is
'* A logn, in which by faith we read
The caorenant God with Noah made ;
A noble end, and truly great !
But iKaoething greater lie« there yet.
** This bow, that beams with vivid lig^t,
TTf:senhi a 9ign to Christian fd^xt^
That God hsm sworn (who dares condemn ?}
He will no more be wratii with them.'* Vers. 6 and 7.
That '^ these are the true sayings of God," witness what He
d .-clares by His servant Isaiah : " For this is as the waters of Xoah
onto Me ; for as I have sworn that the waters of Noah should no
m^jrc go over the earth, »f9 have I sworn that I would not be wrath
with thee, nor rebuke thee. For the mountains shall depart, smd
th> hills be removed; but My kindness shall not depart from thee.
70 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
neither shall the covenant of My peace be removed, saith the Lord
that hath mercy on thee/' Chapter liv. 9, 10.
The covenant of grace is, then, that which is set forth by ^^the bow
in the cloud in the day of rain ;" and the three special views of it by
holy men of God, as recorded in the Word, may not be without signi-
ficance as to the relation of the holy and glorious Trinity to it. First we
have the Lord's giving it as a token to Noah, Gen. ix. 13-16. Then
there is EzekieFs vision of it in connection with " the likeness of
a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone;" of which he
further says, *^ And upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness
as the appearance of a man above upon it.'' Chap. i. 26-28. Lastly
we have John's testimony as to what he saw of it in the closing
days of the inspired record : " Behold a throne was set in heaven,
and one sat on the throne. And He that sat was to look upon like
a jasper and a sardine stone : and there was a rainbow round about
the throne, in sight like unto an emerald." Rev. iv. 2, 3. Thus in the
patriarchal, the prophetical, and the apostolic times the rainbow
appears, as the testimony of " a faithful and unchanging God " to
the verity of His promises and the certainty of their performances :
while the rich expository language of Isaiah, which we have quoted
above, amply demonstrates that the sacred and everlasting covenant
is what it represents. That Divine compact between the Triune
Jehovah, Father, Word and Holy Spirit, in which mercy and truth
meet together, and righteousness and peace kiss each other. In
which the seven-fold attributes and perfections of the eternal God
blend, like the various colours in the arched bow ; and blend, for
the salvation of His people. And in that blending is also exquisitely
set forth how that God is '^just, and yet the Justifier of him that
believeth in Jesus.'* The eternal plan was drawn and every pro-
vision made in this covenant by the Father's love ; the Son by His
work ; accomplished all which that plan devised all that was need-
ful to meet the great ends of law and justice ; and the Holy Spirit
watches over the working out of all its details of experimental grace
and providence in and upon the souls of the chosen ones.
It is a beautiful thought, as expressed by Mr. Brown in his
Hidden Mystery* (page 79) : " The three primary colours into
whiph a ray of light is divisible are red, yellow and blue, which
together form a ray of pure white light. I take them to illustrate
[*Ni8bet and Co.]
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 71
and exemplify the infinite justice, tlie onfatliomable love, and the
boundless mercy of onr God — attribntes of the Godhead which are
all communicable, and which God communicates by His revelation
of Himself in Jesus Christ to His people — all harmonizing likewise
frith His infinite Holiness, itself a communicable attribute. And
as these three rays together form but one pure beam of white light,
so do they serve all the more powerfully to illustrate the glorious
character of the Godhead, which is Trinity in Unity, and Unity in
TrinityJ'
But while there are only three primary colours in a ray of solar
light, these, as they are separated form seven rays — and only seven,
the emblem of perfection. These are red, orange, yellow, green,
blue, indigo and violet ; all of which appear in the rainbow, por-
traying the perfections of Jehovah's glory in the purpose and
promises of the Father's love ; the atonement, obedience and grace-
fulness of Christ ; and the beneficent operations of the eternal Spirit*
'* Thus the believer, when he views
The rainbow in its various hues,
May say, ' Those lively colours shine
To show that heaven is surely mine.
** * See in yon cloud what tinctures glow.
And gild the smiling vales below !
80 smiles my cheerful soul to sea
My Gorl is reconciled to me.' " Vers. 7 and 8.
" Happy i& the people that is in such a case ! yea, happy is that
pjople whose God is the Lord.^^ Were each ehild of God, as a
b'-liever in Jesus, enabled to attain to this blessed point, to be always
mindful of Jehovah's covenant, how would it lighten his load, and
smooth his pathway. But only the Holy Comforter can enable him
to do this. Yet as '^ the secret of the Lord is with them that fear
Him, and He will show them His covexaxt,'' what an encourage-
m ,'Dt is this for all who do ''fear the Lord, and think upon His
name/' to ''give diligence to make their calling and election
Mire.** The bow succeeds the storm ; and appears in the cloud.
S^> the storm, in which law, Satan, conscience and world are busy
and threaten to overwhelm the soul, and the cloud, behind which
the Lord veils His shining face. His mercy and His kindness, are to
bf succeeded by the rainbow's rich display. It is afterwardn, in the
ffud of the Lord's doings, there is the experience of His covenant
faithfulnes.'<, and the proor that He is " very pitiful;" nay more.
72 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
that '^ He rests in His love, rejoices over His people with joy," and
that " He will ever be mindful of His covenant," and of ^' the word
which He commanded to a thousand generations.*' Thus the
believer in every appearance of the bow in the day of rain may
truly say,
** Those lively colours shine
To show that heaven is surely mine."
And when the Spirit refreshes his soul with a token for good, he
may add with reference to those " lively colours !'*
*' So smiles my cheerful soul to see,
My God is reconciled to me."
The Lord grant this as the rich portion of all His doubting ones.
The Editor.
ALWAYS TRIUMPHING IN CHRIST.
West Meon, Petersfield, Hants.
Jan. 18th, 1855.
My dear Brother in the Lord, —
t INCE I received your last welcome letter (for which many
thanks), I have several times felt a great desire to write
and tell you of some of our dear Lord's kind and gracious
dealings with me. Numbers of things I wished to tell you
have come to my mind, but hitherto at times when I had not the
opportunity of writing. I know you like the old theme, which is
ever new, even Jesus : and O what a blessing that we should so
know Him as to find it our chief delight to be thinking, and
speaking, and vmting of Him. The last time I addressed you I
was full of "joy in the Lord." After I had posted my letter, it
came to my mind that I had forgotten to sign my name, as well as
having forgotten your post town; however I find the letters reached
you in due time. After I had written I felt still more joy spring-
ing up from the love of God shed abroad in my heart, and when I
was retiring to rest at night I wondered whether Paul's "third
heaven'' could be anything more blessed than what I then enjoyed.
I felt surely I have three heavens in one, while thus enjoying the
love of Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Then I was led to think. My
God is strengthening me for some trial. And not many days
afterwards I was led into one of the most painful places I think I
have ever been into ; but such a blessed one ! I never felt nearer to
my Jesus, nor found Him more precious. He was pleased in His
love and goodness to let me receive a wound in my feelings from
one of His Own people who is very dear to me ; but no words can
THE •OSFSL ADVOCATE. 73
tell the kind and tender manner in which oar Jesus was present to
heal.
My dear friend^ I must say^ and that from deep-felt experience,
that it is most blessed to be made entirely willing to suffer in the
midst of pain ; to feel that we would not if we could alter one single
thing ; to be brought to see that it is our '^ God of love " Who has
appointed our every cross. O the sweet and blessed fellowship
with Jesus that is felt ! and the words He spoke with His Own
voice tome : " If ye suffer with Him^ ye shall also reign with Him ; ''
and " as ye are partakers of the sufferings, so shall ye also be of
the consolations. And who ever suffered from wounded love as
our Emmanuel did ? and what but His iCghty power can make us
willing to be in the like place ? and what but His grace can make
OS love the hand that gives the wound ? Well, every fresh place I
am led into makes me more in love with all the ways of our
covenant God and Father. I feel as if all prayer might be summed
op into one : " Make me willing." O my Jesus, Thou, and only Thou^
canst teach us with our hearts to say " Thy will he done" And He
did (and does now) teach His disciples thus to pray. My dear
brother knows better than I can set forth, the wonderful power that
comes with some of the simplest words when He speaks them. I
think I told you in my last letter what fresh beauty I had seen in
words that were very familiar, when Jesus said to me, " Learn of
Me.'' Again and again those words have drawn my heart up in cries
for His teachings. O but I can^t tell you one half, nor a quarter
what I want ; but I do sometimes entreat of the Lord Himself to
show you the wonders He shows me. Many times within the last
few months the Lord has given me earnest cries for you : and you
know, and so do I, that He does not put prayers in our hearts and
then not answer them.
Besides what I have just been telling you of my dear
Lord's dealings with me. He has led in another trWng path.
In one week mv eldest sister and her husband were sum-
moned from this world. The death of my brother-in-law was ex-
pected, but there was no anxiety about my sister till the last day of
the year, when she was seized with a stroke of a}>oplexy and died on
Kew Year's day — her husband following on the 8th. I was not with
Ihem, as they cied in Devonshire. It is impossible I should say what
'* a present help in time of trouble " I found my God ; such a refuge,
strong support, " never failing Friend." And when I saw others
with no God to help or to go to in trouble, O how I was brought
low in love and wonder that He had made Himself known to me,
so that I could say and feel in full confidence, '' The Lord is my
Crod." My dear friend, do stop and say, '^ We do love and adore
Him more-than ever ! " " O what wonders love has done !" and
74 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
how grace triumphs over nature. I could not have believed, with-
out proving it, that the Lord could and would hush every rising
fear and anxiety ; for I had seen nothing to make me hope either of
my lost relatives had ever had a desire towards the Lord : but He
brought me to rest perfectly satisfied that every one of His chosen
would be saved, and He would not let me think I had more love
than He had, to desire any but the number given to Christ ought
to be saved. " Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right ?" But
before these awful and striking events took place amongst us, my
God had made both Charlotte Maidlow and me sensible that some-
thing more than ordinary was coming. He had so prepared us, and
kept us watching and waiting, and had led us into so many beauti-
ful verses which speak of "Help," that we several times said we
were going into a place where especial help would be required, and
truly He was " a Help." " I have laid help on One that is
mighty;" O dear brother what treasures are laid up in our Jesus !
and He often shows me wb can only honor Him by receiving out of
His fulness. He will. He does keep raising our expectations : we
are, and shall be more abundantly satisfied with His goodness.
Are you expecting great things ? You wrote a great thing to me
in the letter before your last, it has many times come to my mind.
You said, " I expect to enjoy all this faithful God has promised :"
and what a boundless store is that ! what limit canyon set ? Tell
me if there is any limit. Again and again have I been lost when the
blessed Spirit has been showing what we may expect, what our
precious Jesus has given us the right to expect. I do love to lose sight
of self and the creature, and with a single eye to see^none but Jesus,"
when we are contemplating how we are to be dealt with. I have a
sort of shudder (and 1 believe you will know why), when the
suggestion is put forth, " O but we are so unworthy." Yes, but is
Jesus unworthy ? and are not we one with Him ? that I could
tell you the things He has told me of the eternal indissoluble union
between Christ and His Church ; but He has told you Himself and
will tell you, and me too, yet more and more about it. " From ever-
lasting to everlasting," — and He has said," What God hath joined
together let not man put asunder." And we may say with Paul, '^ I
am persuaded that neither death nor life," &c., &c. I will not
say I envy you, but very often I think, What happiness for Mr.
Welland, to be called to set forth the wonders of the love of Jesus !
O may He draw your heart and affections more and more to
Himself, make you willing to be just what He pleases, to go where
He leads, to give up all He sees good to take. And I know He takes
and withholds nothing but what He makes up more than a hundred
fold, as He has promised. O press forward, casting away every
weight. We little conceive of the treasures awaiting us. Even the
THE GOSPEL ADTOCATE. 75
sips by &itli are beyond wbat we can think, except just while we are
tasting. Soon we shall see Him, and no clond between ; soon we
shall join in the ocean of love. Well I must stop, but very un-
willingly. Do (the Lord enabling you) write when you have the
opportunity. Why should our pens and tongues be still, when we have
such things to write and speak of ? Your last letter was just
rightly timed (to the Lord be the praise). It came with some letters
that brought us heavy tidings of death, and after reading those
and then your's, O what I saw of the contrast between those who
have the Lord for their portion, and those who know Him not !
The children of Israel have light in their dwellings ; and what
darkness elsewhere ! The night before I read your letter I went
to my God with a sinking heart, and He said, " As one whom his
mother comf orteth, so will I comfort you.^' Comfort came thus my
dear brother. My time is gone. All friends here would send love tf
they knew I were writing. My kind Christian love to you and to
Mrs.Welland. Do expect great things ; and they can only be received
by faith. '^ Only believe.^' It is His gift, not our work : this makes it
sure to us. "Lord, increase our faith," and I am not afraid (just
now) to say " Try it." I like to have it proved.
Dear Brother, forgive if I have made mistakes. I have hurried.
Yours, in the best bonds,
Mr. Welland. Maky Greenwood.
THE CLAIMED JEWELS.
(Continued from page 46. J
This fifteenth verse (Malachi iii.) has been quoted with vehemence
by myself, feeling the words to be true to the letter in my
case. Alas ! when the devil can picture a case seeming to cor-
respond with this, of the proud being happy and the wicked
being set up and even those who tempt God being delivered,
he so far gains his ends. Depend upon it, there needs only
two to come to fearful conclusions, — ^that is the devil aod
one's self. What fuming and fretting are we the sub-
jects of, under such circumstances, when left in Satan's
hands ! We come now to the portion taken as a text : "And
they shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I
make up My jewels : and I will spare them, as a man spareth his
own son that serveth him." We have here : 1st, the people, ^Hhey ;'*
2ndly^ whose they are — "And they shall be mine, saith the Lord : "
3rdly, what they are, "My jewels :" 4thly, His mercy towards them,
" I will spare them :" 5th, and lastly, the time, " when I make up
My jewels.''
76 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
Ist. "The people." Perhaps there are more mistakes made under
this head than any other, because character is altogether left out of
the question by most preachers in our day. I could not invite
people to come to and accept Christ — much less invite all — ^as it is
the Spirit's prerogative alone to invite. I ought rather to have said
it is His work to call by grace : as He does not waste His words in
inviting, but He calls effectually. " They." Who are they ? The
preceding verse tells us : " Then they that feared the Lord spake
often one to another : and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a
book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared
the Lord, and that thought upon His name." We have in this
verse the characters clearly marked out. " They that feared Him.**
It is not all that name the name of Christ that have a filial fear.
Turn to Matt. vii. 21 : "Not every one that saith to Me, Lord,
Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven ; but he that doeth
the will of My Father which is in heaven." Therefore, let those who
name His name examine themselves, and see whether they be in the
faith or not ; for of all deceptions that are possible to be experienced,
that is the most awful of all — to think they are going to heaven,
when they are on the broad road to hell. Listen to our Saviour's
Own words in Matt. vii. 22, 23, " Many will say to Me in that day,
Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name, and in Thy name
have cast out devils ? and in Thy name done many wonderful
works ? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you :
depart from Me, ye that work iniquity." It is possible to do all
Christ here says of them, and to be "workers of iniquity." They may
preach, and it may be all flesh, pride may be at the bottom. Bead
the first three verses of the xiii. of the 1st of Corinthians. They may
speak with not only tongues of men, but of angels, and prophesy,
and understand all mysteries, have all knowledge, and such a faith
as to remove mountains, and then give all their goods to feed the
poor, and their body to be burned, yet all to profit them nothing —
if uncalled by grace ! Therefore, the character here marked out is:
"Them that fear the Lord and think upon His name." The Lord does
not forget them. It is added, they "spake often one to another." We
certainly do not find so much freedom with fellow-saints as we
could wish ; still, there are those who do speak together, and the
Lord hears them and remembers them. A. friend of mine, who I
believe is now in glory, once told me, after a person had preached
from these words, this friend told him it ought to be now read
'^ seldom " instead of " often." Although there was too much ground
for the remark, still it is not always the case, and there is this con-
solation, it will not be so up yonder; there will be no jarring notes
there.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 77
Again, "they,'' Who are they? Tarn to Zephaniah iii. 12,
'^ I will also leave in the midst of thee an afflicted aad poor people,
and they shall trust in the name of the Lord." They are brought to
have no confidence in the flesh : not that they are all brought from
their own works, as it were, in a moment. Some are almost all their
lives hanging (more or less) on their own conduct ; others are
brought from it speedily — but all shall " trust in the name of the
Lord.'^ Take another passage referring to the people in Isaiah liv.
ll : "O thou afflicted, tossed with tempest and not comforted,
behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colours, and lay thy founda-
tions with sapphires." They are also despised. But is not that
suffering with Christ ? We read of His being " despised and
rejected," &c. They are often ridiculed for being afflicted, and
tossed about, and having no comfort. This same person (referred to
at the commencement) told me my religion, he believed, made me
miserable, but it ought (he said) to make me happy. I acknowledge
freely (with the Apostle Paul), "If in this life only I have hope, then
am I of all men most miserable," 1 Cor. xv. 19. But, coming to facts,
does this happiness, spoken of by the above person, wean from the
world, and lead to Christ ? If so, he was right : if not, there is a
needs-be for these afflictions and temptations, in order to
wean from sin and self and lead to a precious Christ. He also quoted
a portion from Paul's epistle : " Rejoice always, and again I say
rejoice," Philippians iv. 4. I see it is a misquotation by one of us.
It reads : " Rejoice in the Lord alway ; and again I say rejoice."
Such people do not give it one moment's thought that we are not
always in Christ (feelingly) as we could wish. But how can. we take
such passages literally ? If so, we must rejoice when asleep, as well
as when awake. But some have no changes, therefore they fear not
God. They are always on the mount — of which I know but little at
present, but hope it is to come. His quotation reminds me of some
trash I heard repeated by a free-grace man professedly, which was
this, that when some Wesleyan ministers met to settle the meaning
of this portion, " Pray without ceasing," some said one thing, and
some said another, and a little servant maid, hearing their conver-
sation, put them all to silence, by saying, when she got out of bed
she prayed, whilst dressing also ; then, whilst washing and dressing
the children, till she pretty well brought in every incident through
the day, and prayed throughout it all. But the narrator said nothing
about the time during sleep. I forget what he said she prayed for in
each circumstance ; but, for my own part, give me Sb duty like that,
and I am afraid I should soon be as rebellious as the devil could
make me.
I like the free-will offering: that is, when there are both
heart arid will. I do not mean Arminian trash; but, just for one
78
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
moment, should this come into the hands of an Arminian, let him
not think I cut him off root and branch, as I am fully persuaded
that thousands of the Lord's people are as full of Arminianism as
it is possible to be. And He does not bring them out of it all at
once, but it is generally " here a little and there a little.'' The heEirfcs
of many of His people are right, but not their heads. I for one
have no right to use the pruning knife, in the matter, as I was once
as rank an Arminian as most, and should have been so now had I
been left more to flesh and sense. Before leaving this part of the
subject, I would just refer to one more portion in reference to
chai-acter, which will be found in Rom. viii. and the latter part of the
1 7th verse: " If so be that we suffer with Him, that we may be also
glorified together,'* proving that those who sufEer for His sake are
the people spoken of as ''they,'' It has been well said '^o cross, no
crown !" I should like to have said more, but must leave this
part and go to the second : namely, whose they are, ''And they shall
be Mine, saith the Lord."
fTo be continued, J
''CHRIST THE LOR D."
Part 2.
(Concluded from page 47.)
On Him the Spirit like a Dove shall ; Before the fire of His all-searching eye
rest ;
In Him the nations of the earth be
blest ;
The deaf shall hear the everlasting
word,
The dumb shall sing the praises of the
Lord ;
The bhnd in paths of wisdom shall be
led,
The dead revive, and feed on living
bread ;
The lame shall dance, the prisoner go
free,
The debtor hail the year of jubilee.
Where serpents bask, or brambles
intertwine.
Shall smile the fir, the myrtle, and the
vine;
Where desolation sweeps the naked
rock,
Shall rest the shepherd with his peace-
ful flock ;
And in the wilderness a garden rise —
The sure, the true, perennial Paradise.
Eed Hill,
26th September, 1881.
Satan shall crouch, the hj'pocrite shall
fly;
The laurel wither in the cix)wn of pride,
And sin detested to the thicket glide —
Not there to rest, but with her crooked
sire
To breed new evil, and with man con-
spire
Against the Lord and his anointed Son,
The Heir of all things, and the Holy
One.
But all hell*s outpoured malice, without
loss,
He shall endure in triumph on the
cross ;
Its powers and principalities overthrow,
And spoil and gibbet them in open
show;
And found His kingdom, which shall
never cease.
In love, in power, in blood, in righteous-
ness, in peace.
CHM.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 79
LETTER BY THE LATE MR. a. STEDMAN.
Jireh Lodge, Sept. 13, 1880.
Dear Brother, —
COULD sympathize with yoa in your weak state of health,
being very pooriy myself, so as to be laid by two Sundays,
and yesterday had many fears in going into the pulpit
from extreme weakness. The affliction had its foundation
laid 12 months ago last January, when I was seized while in
London with inflamed throat, followed by bronchitis, and after-
wards congestion of the liver — the effects of which I have more or
less felt ever since. It reached gradually to such a crisis that I
coold relish (though this had continued months) nothing I ate; that
taking food was loathsome to me, and I lost flesh and strength too
rapidly. A few weeks ago (fonr, perhaps) I found my relish for food
returned, and ate some solid (having taken only slops for a fortnight);
but found it lie in the stomach two or three days, and at length come
back the same way it went in, and as it went, undigested, so that I was
fairly spent as to strength; and very depressed in spirit, and dark in
soul, with a heavy dull pain at pit of stomach like a hard ball, or bar of
iron. The Lord was hidden; prayer I had none, — I mean feelingly. No
cry ; no outpouring, faithless, and full of misery and anguish of soul, I
felt as a forsaken bough. Past, present and future afforded no traces
of the love of a covenant God — ^sensibly, I mean ; Satan labouring
hard, and he found many in my wretched heart that held with him.
This lasted till Sunday week, when on my bed readi ig 27th and 28th
Pss- In the former, the light of heaven beamed, and sprung up in my
heart, so that I felt relief,and was encouraged and enabled to get near
the throne; and from that time favoured in soul to tell the Lord all, and
to entreat His face. I do think I understand the path in the last
Psalm, believing God heard and answered prayer yesterday to my
gr^eat consolation, in exceeding, by His help, both in respect to the
body and especially the soul, and the ease with which I spoke sur-
prised me. I felt more comfortable myself after twice speaking and
then breaking bread, than for many weeks, and to-day feel stronger.
God is good. We have a good, kind, wise, and gracious
Master. I am such a fool that my iniquities need His fatherly
correction : and He lays it on me, and enables me to try and lay my
shoulders bare : entreating Him, ^ " Correct me ; but not in anger,
lest Thou bring me to nothing.^* Humble me, not to despise Thy rod,
nor faint beneath Thy chastening hand.' It has been good for me :
I feel a hope at least it has.
But so much of self again puts itself forth. I must introduce the
object of my writing, viz., to enquire how you are now. I hope
the Lord has had mercy on you in restoring your health and strength
again, and that on reading this you may have some g^und sufli-
80 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
cient to enable you to engage yourself to visit us here on the
26tli inst. If you can, it will afford myself and the friends great
satisfaction, and by God^s blessing they will have to bless Him too,
for inclining you to once more bear testimony to His love, faithful-
ness, and power.
Do, if you can. The change may be beneficial to you, and if you
can get away for a few days to prolong your stay here, I should be
glad to entertain yoa, having a spare bed and a place at table for
you, and I think I may say a hearty welcome.
My wife unites in love to you, and begging an interest in your
prayers,
I remain, affectionately yours in Christ,
Geo. Stedman.
WORLDLY PLEASURES.
THE THEATRE.
HAT fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now
ashamed V is a question which often occurs to my mind,
as it reverts to the foolish and sinful pleasures of my
youth ; while the solemn declaration added : ^' for the
end of those things is death,^' reminds me of the debt due to
Sovereign Grace, for having enabled me to escape ^^ the corruption
that is in the world through "lust." And how wide-spread and
diversified is that lust,'' or evil desire ! Assuming all manner of
fantastic and enticing forms and ways, it appeals to all the senses
of the flesh, and clamours for indulgence; while it keeps carefully in
the background " the end of all these things," which the Apostle
declares to be death. And true it is, to say nothing of the eternal
death, that in a literal and physical sense —
** Death's thousand doors stand open."
When we read of the appalling catastrophe at the theatre in Vienna,,
at the burning of which about seven hundred persons lost their
lives by fire, smoke, and being trampled upon ; and of various other
instances in which true or false alarms have been raised (some since
the above fearful incident), to the jeopardising of the lives of those
present, it shows us how close a connection there is between carnal
pleasures and grim " death." Every one for himself and none for
his neighbour, is the usual prevailing law on such dreadful occasions^
And though at a fire in a so-called sacred building, similar feelings
and conduct might be exhibited, leading to most disastrous results,.
yet the difference in the company and the place (supposing it to be-
one of the Lord's honoured temples), gives a different character to
the whole.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 81
It was the delight of my youth to frequent, at every opportunity^
the varioas theatres of London, though warned by an aged and
godly relation that probably some day the roof would fall in upon
and crash me. This not seldom put me about awhile when in th&
place, until amid its exciting scenes I forgot the warning. But
never shall I cease to remember how narrowly I escaped being^
suffocated by the pressure of a huge crowd, while struggling to get
into a narrow doorway at Sadler^s Wells Theatre, whither I had
gone with a relation to see a popular drama performed. I fought
for my very life, and called as well as able for mercy from those
who so cruelly thronged me ? But what cared they ? No :
*' the tender mercies of the wicked are cniel ; *' and to
them it was more important that they should not lose
an inch of the ground they had gained, than that I should
escape death. How I resolved then thSt if I got out safely I would
never enter a theatre again ; but whether I kept my vow or not, I
can hardly remember. Be that as it may, from the time the Lord
met with me He made the place a " Magor-misabib" — ^' a terror
round about " — ^to me.
Ah ! there is something truly awful in being summoned into
eternity from a play-house. To go from all the specious mockery,
and gewgaws, the pompous array in scenes and language for '^ the
lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life," and the
company of the coldly moral and openly vicious, to stand before the
tribunal of our Maker and our Judge. Never have I, notwithstand-
ing all the special pleading for the moral l€i<sons to he learnt at a
theatre, and with all the many times I entered -vvithin its walls, been
privileged to come in contact with those who could honestly testify
to the benefit received from its best of performances. I have known
many strictly moral go there ; but they were moral in spite of it,
and not because of it.
But of all things, to see a movement among the clergy and
dissenting miniiBters to bring about a union between the pulpit and
the theatre 1 To find in a large conference a paper read advocating
the stage as an adjunct to the teachings of the Word of God ; and
not a voice to be heard protesting against it! Can we
be surprised that at such a time the Lord^s voice is heard speaking
amid the fire at the Vienna Theatre, and in the threatening alarm
at that of Leeds, and at the Grecian Saloon in England, &c. ? And
what does it say ? " The end of such things is death." Shame on
men arrayed in pulpit attire, and who name the name of Christ, for
their unhallowed device. Let Baal plead for himself. The ungodly
will have their cai*nal pleasures ; and among their throng will ever
be found many who, on the Lord's Day, attend for duty and form's
sake some church or chapel, while their hearts' cry, " \\Tien will the
82 THE OOMPEL ADVOCATK.
Sabbath he gone, tliat we may buy and sell, and go to our preferred
theatre, opera, casino, music-hall,'' Ac. But woe unto those blind
/Elides ! who lead them by their sanction and approbation in this
merry dance of death.
For my own part, having " known the terrors of the Lord," and
the constraint of the love of Christ, the theatre could now afford no
pleasure or bait for me. "This is the way to the pit," — ^words which
may be seen at most theatres, and which arrested Cennick when
he was going thither, and led to his conversion— convey a solemn
admonition to those who wisely ponder them. Of God's house my
heart certainly says —
^ ' There my beet friendB, my kindred dwell.
There God my Saviour reigns."
And while often under a cloud, I cannot forget that bright and
blcjssed Sun of Righteousness, Whose rays have from time to time
beamed upon me, since they sent me forth from nature's darkness
and the shadow of death, and broke my bauds asunder. And as
one of the company of those " who fear the Lord and 'think upon His
name," my heart's desire is that of David : " Gather not my soul with
sinners." Grace has dissolved my connection with the theatre and
its patronizers, and as the friend of this world is an enemy of God,
so will the friend of God (a true Abrahamite) be an enemy of all
those things, " the end whereof is death," seeing that his peace and
happiness consist in the enjoyment of Christ's presence and favour,
in which is life.
Z.A.O.
" SPEAK TO MY HEART."
** Ilie companions hearken to Thy voice, cause me to hear i7.*' — Cant. viii. 13.
** Iwill allure her, and bri'ig her into the wilderness, and speak to her heart" —
Hosea ii. 14, margin.
** I have esteemed the words of His mouth more than my necessary food,^^ — Job
zxiii. 12.
Speak to my heart, my gracious, loving Friend,
Words warm and glowing, dropping comfort there ;
Let Thine own dew on my hard heart descend.
For oft I feel Thy words to me are rare.
More often would I feel Thine arm of love
Encircling my soul, and drawing me
To Thine own breast, revealing ** things ^.bove ; "
Yes, there it is. Lord, I would oftener be.
'Tis there I find the balm that soothes my soul ;
*Tis there my heart is cheered and I am fed ;
*Tis there I learn how Thou canst make me whole ;
7 here I can praise Thee for the feast that's spread.
TE. o*
THE GOSPEL ADVOCA
Cause me to hear Thy voice, Lo^d, even me ;
Others have heard tV, / would do so too,
Tis in Thy presence I would ever be
Hearing ^y words, long as I walk below.
No word of man can thrill my soul like Thine ;
Fm barren, cold and lifeless under all ;
Did ever one possess a heart like mine ?
One word I crave, — ^Lord, hear me when I call.
Tell me I'm washed in Thy most precious blood
And free from stain. Clothed in Thy righteousness
Complete in Thee I stand before my God,
Thou art my Advocate — my Great High Priest.
Without THEE, Lord, I wander, sin, and fall ;
My nature's vile, I cannot stand before
The tempter — hear me, O my All in all.
Put lum to flight and save Thy child once more.
Thy WOBD is pow'r and life, it wanns my heart ;
Urace, mercy, peace and joy it brings to me ;
It tells of love which will not from me part.
In spite of the returns I make to Thee.
Nought I possess, Lord, nothing can I give ;
My prayers are Thine, my faith, my love, my all ;
Still of Thy fulness let Thy child receive,
Speak to my heart, J^rd, let what will hefal,
K.B.
FURNACE WORK.
January 21, 1882.
My dear Friend,
,OME of my friends have asked, "How is it we never hear from
you through the Advocate ? *' Will you allow me a little space
in your columns to tell them that His not for want of affection
nor yet for matter, but silence to a great extent seems imposed
npK)n me. But I hope the day will come when the things spoken in the
closet will be proclaimed upon the house-tops. We are living in awful
days ; and if things grow worse for the next five years, as rapidly
as they have for the last ten, what a state shall we be in ? The sun
is going down over the prophets, and we
** Do not so for nothing gneve,
Alas I there's worse than nothing here."
I am at a complete loss to form a correct judgment of my own case^
trials, exercises, and experience I have much indeed to be
grateful for. He does not deal with me as my cruel sins deserve^
nor reward me according to my iniquity. But were things inter-
nally better than they are, or different to what they are, I should be
still more at a loss than I am to comprehend the meaning of por-
84 THE GOSPEL ADTOCATE.
tions of the word wtich have again and again been sealed upon my
soul with divine power. I find that faith must be tried before it can
be crowned ; and when we ask for faith we indirectly ask for trial.
When a sweet promise is sealed upon the soul of a child of grace
he thinks it will soon come, — in a few days or weeks. But look, it
has to be put into the fire first ; death must come upon it, and upon
all the means which lead to it. Indeed, whenever a promise is
made to me, while I do rejoice at the kind notice God is pleased to
take of me, and bless Him for it too, yet I begin to tremble for the
consequences. Faith is not a solitary grace. It works in unison
with patience, submission, hope, trust, and charity, and each of these
graces will come to the front. That which tries me most just now
is, is what I have felt, and thought to be true humility, really such.
If so, I know from the word what the issue will be. Perhaps some
able pen will tell us what real humility is. God, Who searches all
hearts, knoweth that I do not exaggerate one point when I say, that
most of the time since June, 1880, I have not known how to abase
myself enough in His sight.
It thus came about. I was one morning reading Proverbs
Ti. tind when I came to the '3rd verse I was powerfully
arrested : ^^ Do this now, my son, and deliver thyself, when
thou art come into the hand of thy Friend ; go, humhle
thyself, and so shalt thou prevail with thy Friend." At first sight
I said, ^' No ; I've nothing to humble myself about." Of course I
was looking at men, and felt that before them I could no more bow
than Mordecai before Ham an ; yet the words took stronger and
firmer hold: *' Go, humble thyself " ! how I fell upon my knees
before Him, and begged for instruction; for "My son" gave a
sacred charm to the verse. And while pleading before Him, a
sacred and holy light fell upon the clause, "When thou art
come into the hand of thy Friend." 0, how I saw in a moment
that it was His hand : —
** They are the sword,
The hand is Thine."
O how I begged Him then to work the required humility in my
heart, and never was prayer more speedily answered. He at once
(so to speak) turned me inside out, and showed me in some degree
what a base, vile, deceitful heart I had, and from my inmost
soul I cried out, " Behold, I am vile." Oh how deeply I now used
the words of Isaiah : " Woe is me ! because I am a man of unclean
lips, and I dwell among a people of unclean lips : for mine eyes have
seen the King, the Lord of hosts. ^^ Up to that date I built my
hope (to a wide extent) of deliverance upon my innocence and the
injustice of men; but these towers fell, and I fell too, flat before
Him. Oh what had I to confess, and humbly acknowledge in
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 85
the dust of self-abasement before His feet ! and how I kissed the
rod and justified its use. How now about self -vindication ? I could
not entertain it ; but only stand amazed at the long-suffering and
forbearance of the Lord with such a wretch. Oh how glad I was
that I had never taken the steps to clear myself so many had adWsed
me to take. I said^ I deserve it all, and ten thousand times more.
It is the easiest thing in the world to sing Hart's words : —
*' When the heart disclosed hetrays
All its hid disorders —
Enmity to God's right ways,
Blasphemies and murders," &c.
But it is a very different thing to be brought into the reality ; to
look at one's self with abhorrence and disgust. Oh, without the blood
of sprinkling how certain it is that eternal perdition would be our
lot. ^^ The Word of God is quick and powerful, sharper than any
two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul
and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discemer
of the thoughts and intents of the heart," Heb. iv. 12. For many
months this kind of exercise lasted, and still lasts. Jacob's words
fit me well : "I am not worthy of the least of Thy mercies :" and
David's too, " If He delight in me. He will bring me again, and
show me both it and His glory : but if He say thus, I have no de-
light in thee, behold here I am : let Him do as seemeth good in
His sight." I cannot persuade myself that I could have produced
this state of soul ; nor do I believe I could keep myself in it for one
hour. The vi. of Prov. vers. 3, is a precej^t, and precepts can only be
obeyed under the influence of the dear Holy Spirit. He who makes
the promise effectual, must also make the precept effectual, or both
remain but a dead letter. Here let me repose till He is pleased to
fulfil His sweet word : " I dwell in the high and holy place, with
him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit
of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones." I know
that what is His own work He will smile upon and honour, and He
chastens whom He loves. These facts often bear me up. It is
close work to be completely stripped ; yet it is needful work. The
Lord will, as He has done, and is still doing with me, sink the
ploughshare deep into the heart, and gash after gash will He make,
and discover what is lying beneath the surface. " Doth the plough-
man plough all day to sow ? " Yes, He does ; and ^' when He has
made plain the face thereof He casts in the principal wheat." God's
dear people shall make no mistake between His righteousness and
their own : for theirs shall be manifest as ^' filthy rags ;" and their
iniquities, like the wind, shall carry them away. But His! Ah, that
shiJl appear in its superlative grandeur : " I will make mention of
Thy righteousness, even of Thine only J'
86 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
** None but Jesus
Can do helpless sinners good.
What a truth ! felt or not felt. But those who have felt it can attest
it j the rest take it for granted because Mr. Hart said it.
Thus, dear friends, I have given you a few little hints (and they
are but hints) of the path I have for some time trodden, and I know
these lines will fall into the hands of many whom I love in the
truth. Will such of you who have at times ministered to my
necessities accept my hearty thanks for your great kindnesses.
Though deeply tried in Providence I dare not complain. I am out
of hell, and through the mercy of the Triune Jehovah, I believe I
shall be with Him when my work is done. Then, ^^ Wherefore
should a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his
sins V I often wonder why I am kept in this " desert place ;" but
" God is His Own interpreter, and He will make it plain.*' Oh
may He, of His will, this year make darkness light, and crooked
things straight -/' and till He does may He keep me low at His
dear feet : for I have so many proofs of the untrustworthiness of
my own heart, that I should be just as wise to trust Satan as it.
A sweet hope, sometimes, cheers me, and leads me to expect that
" when he hath tried me I shall come forth as gold.'* To my
ministerial brethren I send my best and warmest greetings. Ex-
pect the wrath of the foe, but expect the aid of the Captain. And
when well with you may God help you to remember
Yours affectionately,
Wadhurst. W. Winslow-
THE SAVING APPOINTMENT.
A Sermon by Mr. Grace,
Preached at West Street Chapel, Brighton, on Sunday Morning,
Dec. 28, 1851.
'^ For Ood hath not appointed us to wrath, hut to obtain salvation
hy our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or
sleep, we should live together with Him" — 1 Thess. v. 9, 10.
OW this text applies not to the world at large, but to certain
characters, whom the apostle has in a very striking manner
designated and set forth in the epistle which he is
writing to the church of God at Thessalonica, or the
church of the Thessalonians. They are ^' in" — mark the expression
— " IN God the Father, and in the Lord Jesus Christ." All through
the epistles of Paul, and through the Word of God, there is one
glorious doctrine maintained : that is, the eternal union of the
church with Christ, and God the Father, and the Holy Ghost. I
jook at them as one Divine essence; therefore, if I am in Christ, I
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 87
am in God the Father and in the Holy Ghost. Christ says, ^^ I in
them, and Thon in Me, that they may be one in Us/'
Speaking of God the Father and His elect. Now these are the
persons to whom the apostle writes this, and he gives us to know
by certain evidences how we are in God the Father and in the Lord
Jesus Christ. Now you know that election is a doctrine that is clearly
set forth in the scriptures of truth ; but while, as our poet Hart
knew, so you, if you are taught of God, have no hesitation in saying
that you believe with your heart, that " God's election is a trutV
that shines as a sunbeam through the scriptures of truth, yet you
add with the poet :
" Though Gtxi's election is a truth,
Small comfort there I see,
Till I am told by Gkxi's Own mouth
That He has chosen me."
If yo'd look into the 1st chapter of this epistle, you will see that
the apostle writes particularly on this subject : "Knowing,
brethren beloved, your election of God." Well, Paul, how do you
know it ? or how are they to know it ? " For our gospel came not
to you in word only, but in power." There is the grand difference
of hearing and preaching God's truth. Many hear the truth of God
with the outward ear, but never with the mental hear of the soul ;
it is never attended with Divine power in their heart. The apostle
says, " Our gospel came not to you in word only, but in power."
Now, there are many who receive the word, and they receive it
with joy ; but by and by a time of temptation comes, and they fall
away, and their religion is gone. But you may depend upon it,
where the word is received "with much affliction," it will follow you,
poor soul, let you be where you will, and it will be "with joy of the
Holy Ghost."
We read of the first coming of our Lord, and He was long looked
for ; and He was set forth by all the Jews that were indulged by
the Spirit of God, and they saw Christ in all the sacrifices in which
He was offered. " Abraham desired to see My day, and he saw it,
and was glad." He came in deep humiliation and infinite love to us
poor sinners ; took our nature upon Him, and became, though the
Ancient of Days, the infant of days, — ^born in a manger ! Ah, my
friends. Hart is well to the point in one verse of his Christmas
hymn. I am sure it is a truth ; and if you are taught of God you
will acknowledge it. It is said there was no room in the inn.
What for ? To show the deep humiliation. Hart says : —
" The crowded inn, Hke sinners' hearts,
(O ignorance extreme I)
For omer guests of yarioos sorts
Had room, but none for Him !**
88 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
Now, your heart and mine, by nature, had room for every guest
and every evil, and every abomination, but there was no room in
our hearts for Him. We are no better in standing than the Jews.
" For He came to His own, and His own received jBim not : but to
as many as received Him, to them gave He power to becom.e the
sons of God." When He appeared on the earth the first time it
was to take away His people's sins ; and He did so, and put them
out of the way, nailing our transgressions to the cross. And when
He bowed His blessed head and said, " It is finished !" there was
an end made of sin ; and that text has been, and shall be blessedly
fulfilled : " The sins of Israel shall be sought for, and shall not be
found." Payment for any debt cannot be made twice —
** First at the bleeding Surety's hands,
And then again at mine." '
Christ has made an end of sin, and brought in an everlasting
righteousness. Now I believe, through the grace of Grod, that
Jesus Christ appeared on this earth for this end ; and after He had
finished His work, He then demanded a rightful entrance into
His kingdom, as described in the 24th Psalm : "Lift up your
heads, ye gates ; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors, and the
King of Glory shall come in. Wlio is this King of Glory ? The
Lord strong and mighty ; the Lord mighty in battle.*'
Therefore, — and 1 speak it with reverence and with humility,,
and yet with full confidence in what I am going to assert — if there
had been one sin of the church unatoned for, at Christ's entrance
into heaven the gates would have been shut against Him ; and if
against Him, against us. And how could He have said, " I have
finished the work which Thou gavest Me to do ?" By His own
power He arose from the dead and ascended up on high ; and what
is blessed to conceive is, " He has received gifts for men.'' For
good men ? No ; for rebellious men ! Gifts for you and for me —
rebels and rebellious as we are. For our rebellion ? No ; but of
His own sovereign grace. This is my creed.
I also believe in the doctrine that the apostle here writes to the
qhurch of the Thessalonians about, in reference to the second
coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, that '^ He shall come again with-
out sin unto salvation." Now, in the 2nd chapter and last verse, if
I am not mistaken, we have the second coming of Christ spoken of :
" For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing ? Are not
even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at His coming ?"'
And in the chapter preceding the one from which I have taken the
text, the apostle gives an exhortation "not to sorrow" for the godly
dead "as those who have no hope : "For I would not have you to be
ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye
sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 89
that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also whieli sleep in
Jesus will God bring with Him/' &c. And so to end of chapter.
Do you know, dear friends, that I like reading such portions as
this. I tell you what it reminds me of. Sometimes when I read
the blessed scriptures of truth, and read my interest in them, it is
like an old man, — or a young man, if you like, — ^who, to gratify a
feeling he may possess, will go to his iron chest and take out certain
deeds and parchments. He looks at them and reads them, and he
says, " This property is mine ; there is no incumbrance on it. I
have a right and title to it, and these are my evidences.*' Well, I bless
my God that, though I have not many title deeds to property of an
earthly nature, yet I can read my Bible, and read my Father's name
in it, and my right and title to that blessed reversion that is laid up
for me. Do you ever take up the Bible in this way ? ^' Yes," says
some poor child of God, " I do ; but the book is dark and sealed.
1 read ; but though the promise meets my eye, it will not reach my
case." Well, then, let me say it is good for us sometimes to look
over the inventory of the things that belong to us. " For this we
say unto you by the Word of the Lord." Now mark, " We — not
you, not them — ^we that are alive and remain at the coming of the
Lord, shall not prevent them which are asleep." (To prevent, sig-
nifies that we shall not go before them.) " For the Lord Himself
shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the arch-
angel, and with the trump of God ; and the dead in Christ shall
rise fb^t." Mark further, they that are the dead that died in Christ
shall rise first in Christ. Now, if there is not a living in Christ,
and a dying in Christ, there will never be a rising in Christ. There
is a first resurrection ; and blessed is he that hath a part in it.
" Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together
with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air, and so shall
we ever be with the Lord."
My dear friends, I do not know what your feelings or thoughts
may be on this matter, to be for ever with the Lord. No more
going out ; no more sin ; no more separation ; '' and so shall we
ever be with the Lord." What does He say then ? " Wherefore,
comfort one another with these words."
To talk about the things of God, and those things that are con-
nected with our eternal salvation, how very much better than to be
talking of Mr. So-and-so and Mrs. So-and-so, or this great man or
the other great man. Bless you, I don't want to know anything
about it. I would not give you a ' thank ye' to go into any person's
house in the world, if all they have got to talk about is tlus great
man or the other great man. I am quite satisfied that every one
that is quickened of God has enough to talk about in-doors. Now,
then, the apostle says : '* But of the times and seasons, brethren, ye
90 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
have no need that I write unto you. For yourselves know per*
fectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night .'^
What times and seasons ? Why, we shall come to judgment.
What think you, poor soul ? Why, if not interested in the first
resurrection, it will be an awful case with you when the books come
to be opened. Take notice here, the apostle keeps up a grand dis-
tinction in this chapter, and separates, as every one that is here is
separated, into two parties. There is no intermediate line ; no third
class. They and you are either '^the children of the day" or "the
children of the night ;" either " children of light " or " children of
darkness. '* That is the grand distinction the apostle keeps up. " Ye
are all the children of the light and the children of the day. We
are not of the night nor of darkness."
Now, let us just notice, that all by nature are children of dark-
ness : and we continue in that darkness until it pleases God of His
sovereign mercy to deliver us therefrom, and bring us into His mar-
vellous light. Now mark, although this has a reference to Gentile
nations, it has a reference to every poor sinner that is enlightened
by grace and the Spirit of God. " The people that sat in darkness
saw a great light." "The light shone in darkness, but the darkness
comprehended it not." That was a distinguishing mark between
the Egyptians and the Israel of God : for while the Egyptians had
total darkness, the children of Israel had light in their dwellings ;
and therefore they were emblems of God's spiritual children when
He brings them out of darkness into His marvellous light. Christ
says, " I am the light of the world."
As soon as the grace of God in regenerating power is felt in
the heart, this text is exemplified : " My sheep hear My voice, and
I know them, and they follow Me, and I give unto them eternal life^
and they shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of My
hands.'* The effects of that light and life are communicated to the
poor sinner, now blessed to experience what Christ said when going
to Lazarus to raise him from sleep, " Are there not twelve hours
in the day ? If any man walk in the day, he stumbleth not, because
he seeth the light of this world. But if a man walk in the night,
he stumbleth, because there is no light in him." Why does he
stumble ? Because there is no light in him. Why do we see poor
sinners stumbling at the divinity of Christ ? stumbling at the doc-
trine of the Trinity ; stumbling at the incarnation of the Son of
God ? Why do we see persons in the profession of religion still
walking in darkness and sin ? Because they have no light in them.
So there are children of darkness and children of light, and they
are to be perceived.
(To he concluded^ D, V.y next month J
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 91
PERSONAL LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
A VIUAOE PASTOR OF THREE-SCORE AKD TEN,
Janoaiy 5, 1862.
Dear Sir, —
I cannot express wliat I felt when I read your "Characteristics of
ihe present Age ;" so sound, so straightforward a delineation of the
state of the professing church and the world in the present evil
day. Everything appears in confusion ; every evil propensity of
man's corrupt nature seems to be made manifest, lliere are, in-
deed, as the inspired word sets it forth, '^ Many devices in a man's
heart." So many worship, not the God of the Bible, but one of
their own or oth«^s imagination : as our former dear Pastor, the
Rev. E. Arriot,* used to tell them, they did not worship the Grod
of the Bible, but one of their own imagination.
I am quite satisfied respecting Mr. R. A*****'s ministry. WTiat
various plausible, deadly errors are continually coming forth.
When any came to the dear Lord in the davs of His flesh to be
healed of their maladies He completely restored them — not y»r-
liallj. So it is respecting the new nature, which He forms in His
dear people, whom He thought it not too much to shed His precious
blood for. He does not do things by halves : as he must, if Mr.
A* • * ♦•♦'s statements are correct. We canr.ot understand that he
should set forth so great an absurdity, as to say that man's nature,
which he brought into the world with him, was made perfectly
holy. If not, then, there is when regenerated a partial renewal —
having part in its corrupt, evil condition, and making part pure
and holy. How opposed to the imerring word, '' Behold,'^ says
the dear Lord, '' I make all things new." I implant in My people
a new life-giving principle ; or the life which Adam lost when he
fell, is restored in Me. In him all die — all Lave lost Divine life —
in Me they have it restored to them. My all-powerful voice calls
those who are dead in trespasses and sins into Divine life. They
are made new creatures in Me. They are cew-born ; '* Not of c»3r-
rupdble, but of incorruptible seed," which can never be destroyed,
in consequence of which they are clothed with immortality. '* I give
unto them eternal life." They bear My image ; are " changed into
the same image from glory to glorv, even as bv the Spirit of the
Lord.*'
By lite implanted they feel death in themselves — ^that is, in the
^€sh^ They did not fed it Bitter a spiritual manner until they
reccrred Divine life, neither did they have a right perception of
[•A Cluirch CTeigyinan.j
92 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
their true condition until ligtt from Him, Who is the light of life,
broke in upon them. " The natural man receiveth not the things of
the Spirit of God, neither can he know them /' for they can only be
discerned by the Spirit^s enlightening power. How it rejoices the
hearts of God's ministers when poor sinners feel death within them ;
for they are satisfied life has been imparted. Lazarus felt nothing
until the Lord's powerful voice called him into life, then he came
forth with grave-clothes on. So it is, when life enters a dead soul ;
they come forth with grave-clothes on. But the Lord of life and
glory commands His servants to take off these rags of corruption, and
clothe them with change of raiment ; and to bring forth that robe
which will reflect divinity through the never ending ages of eter-
nity.
But I will not tire your patience, who can handle these subjects
80 much better than I can. One of my hearers told me of a young
man who was living in service at W****** with a young lass.
My friend's son paid his addresses to her. This young man became
very seriously inclined. He used to read, or rather the young
woman read to him, he not having much education. He wanted to
find the right way. He said he would search until he did find it.
He went to S******* Church or Chapel, but could not discover
it; also to many chapels and places of worship at H*****, but it
was still undiscovered. He heard of the room at B ♦ • ♦ * *, where I
have preached. He went there and found the Pearl of Great Price.
He has settled down there, and I trust will find that the pasture
continues good, and no noxious, erroneous weeds come forth with
it. It is my earnest prayer that I may be kept from turning to the
right-hand or to the left — a straightforward, not circuitous,
course ; preaching Christ crucified, though it be to the Jews a stum-
bling block, and to the Greeks foolishness ; " for it is the power of
God unto salvation to every one that believeth," though the offence
thereof has not ceased.
May you find your hands greatly strengthened and your arms
made strong by the mighty God of Jacob. I rejoice that you have
not that fear of man which bringeth a snare. The dear minister,
who preached three months at H* ' **♦ in the early part of 1832,
when the rector died, told the hearers to pray for a minister who
had not the fear of man before his eyes. May our dear Lord and
Master hold up our goings in His paths, that our footsteps slip not.
I am so very glad and rejoice that you have set forth the Character-
istics of the present Age. My earnest prayer is that the sub-
scribers to the Gospel Advocate may benefit by it. May the
Great Shepherd of the sheep. Who, of His infinite goodness,
called you to the pastorate, still bless your work and labour of love,
giving you many seals to your ministry and many souls for your
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 9$
hire. I thank you for your prayers on my behalf. We unite in
christian love and best wishes to thee and thine,
To Mr. Baxter. Yours in Christ,
C. H.
THE WORD WITH POWER.
December, 1881.
My Dear Sir,
Before you leave ******* i have a desire to tell you a little of the
Lord's loving kindness and tender mercy towards me. On Lord's^
day, before I left home I had been reading in this month's " Sower" a
most wonderful thing by Mr. Flavel, called A day in Heaven. While-
I was walking along the road my heart went out to the Lord that He
would in mercy remember me, and enable me to enter into that rest
that remains for the people of God ; and that He would be pleased to
give you a text to confirm me of my interest in redeeming love and
dying blood. When you gave out the text, Isaiah xxv. i., I said
within myself, '^ How beautiful !" and something like a gentle voice
dropped into my very soul and said, ^^ Do you want anything better
than this ? I lifted up my eyes to the hills, from whence cometh
my help, and I exclaimed, ^^ Lord, Thou art my God !" I had not
the shadow of a doubt at the time. Nor do I now believe He will
stay in glory and leave me behind, — though you said the greater part
of the Lord's people have not arrived at this blessed assurance.
But I cannot rest satisfied ^^'itll anything short of this. In the even-
ing you carried my mind still farther, and I must confess to you,
sir, that I was lost in wonder and astonishment. The grandeur of
the Gospel so carried my soul away that I was so lost when I left
chapel that I could scarcely speak to any one. I did not know what I
said. When I went to bed I could not sleep ; my meditation was so-
sweet, I could not help blessing and praising the Lord, Who hath
redeemed my life from destruction, and crowned me with loving
kindness and tender mercy. ^^ Lord, I will exalt Thee, I will
praise Tliy name, for Thou hast done wonderful things ; Thy counsels-
of old are faithfulness and truth."
And now may the Lord in rich mercy be with you, and may a
double portion of His Spirit rest and abide with you, and that many
jn aMc****** may have to say your labours are not in vain, and that
many of the Lord's dear people may be brought to realize the
fulness of your text. The Lord give us a parting blessing and
crown your labours with success. Pardon me. Sir, if I have intruded
on your time.
Yours very sincerely,
Mr. Baxter. M.
94 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
Itittx^ bg il^t ^omtliolh rrf Jaitj^.
THE PEDIGREE OF MARY LEVITT.
A Letter by Hbrself.
Hull, Aug. 31, 1865.
My Dear Sister in Jesus,
I have received yours with great pleasure ; it gives me joy to
think I have some kindred spirits to converse with, and that you so
kindly accept my little scraps, which are simple, but sincere,
and from a heart that delights in loving and praising God. A
spirit of love and a spirit of praise are the gifts of God, to accom-
pany me all the way home, and to abide with me there in the land
of bliss and blessedness. I shall never part with them, no never;
they are the very nature and essence of the new principle within,
and proceed from the life of God in the soul. They can never
decay. I sometimes say, —
** O take Thy pining exile home ;
My soul for eatth was never born."
And yet perhaps when the time comes, when the sovereign will of God
<5alls me home, my old Adam will begin to tremble, and want to
cleave to the dust a little longer. But Adam will not be consulted,
and I am very glad of it ; for when God calls, and says, " Mary,
•come home," I must go ; and O may I have the response in ray
heart, ' I come, my Lord Jesus ; I come.^
I was taken very ill one night, I thought I was going. I said to
myself, 'Now then, how do I feel about it V I said, 'Thy sovereign
will, my Lord, be done.' I feel I am a very great coward at meet-
ing death ; but strength may be given when the time comes. I
have nothing to trust in, nor look to, but the Lord Jesus, the slain
Lamb ; and it is the Lamb in the morning and the Lamb in the
evening. I have nothing else to bring before God, and nothing
else is wanted. He is the one offering, and God Himself hath pro-
vided this Lamb, and hath made us acceptable in the Beloved.
bless His name, He shall be praised. He is "the praise of all His
saints." " His praise shall be continually in my mouth." From the
altar of my heart may the incense of prayer and praise be going
forth through the merits of a bleeding Saviour, " Who ever liveth
to make intercession." He knows what is best for us ; " all our
times are in His hand." I am glad they are ; I like my times to be
in His hand. It reminds me of a dream one night, when the Lord
spoke to me. He said, " I will open springs of water and streams
in the desert. It shall be desert all the way through, that thon
mayest see My hand." I awoke saying, " Lord, it shall be so." ]
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 95
was very pleased witli the dream, aud with my answer to the Lord.
I believe it was all from Him, and many a time I have seen His
hand.
**He leads me all my journey through,
And makes me more than conqueror too."
" We are more than conquerors through Him that hath loved us,'^
and we will waive the sheaf before Him.
I will now notice a little about my grandfather Levitt. He had
a small farm at West Ella, but he died before I was bom. How
often I have wished I had lived in his day ; I should have been a
companion for him. I have heard my father talk so much about
him that I could imagine I saw him. The Levitt's family were
great singers. There were many sons and daughters ; I think ten
brothers and sisters. They all attended the Calvinist Chapel at
Swanland, which was one mile from West Ella. Grandfather was
a very bad sleeper, and often sung hymns in the night ; and his
sons and daughters and the servant, hearing him singing, used to
all join him ; for at that time they slept in parlours on the ground
floor. I once met an old woman who had lived as servant with
them, and she told me the same. She said she never was so happy
in all her life, as she was when she lived in that family. I should
like to have been with them ; it would have just suited me. And
so conversant was my grandfather with Dr. Watts' psalms and
hymns, that if any one named the first line he knew the second.
His name was John Levitt. My mother's father was a shepherd
aud hind ; his name was Marmaduke Bailey, — a man that feared
Grod. His memory is blessed. Both my grandmothers' names
were Mary, but I don't know much about them. One of my grand-
mothers was dead before I was born, and the other died when I
was six weeks old. But there was a third grandmother, and her
name was Mary, — my mother's step-mother ; I remember her very
well, because she would not let us go into her garden to get berries.
at Hessle feast — ^for she lived at Hessle — and I and my brother
used to go to Hessle feast when we were children. My mother's
name was Jane, and my father's name was Richard : they are laid
in the churchyard at Kirk Ella, amongst a great number of th©
Levitt family, which has been buried there for generations. I
am drawing very near my mother's age ; she died at 66, and I shall
be 66 if I should be spared until the 17th day of December. I often
think this is my last year ; I never expected to reach her age ; but
I must linger until the appointed time.
** And when I*m to die, * Eeceive me,' I'll cry.
For Jesus hath loved me ; I cannot tell wny.
But this I can find, we two are so join'd.
He won't bo in glory and leave me behind."
S6 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
I think they are going on at Bethesda much as usual. I hear
Mr. W. twice a week — on Monday and Thursday evenings. Mr.
F.^s company are very few: it is very discouraging to the
preachers.
And now, my dear friends and sisters, accept my love, and
Relieve me yours in time and throughout eternity, in union to our
beloved Lord.
** Closer and closer let us cleave
To His beloved embrace ;
Out of His fulness still receive,
And plenteous grace for grace."
And now, to God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy
Ghost, be ascribed all honour, might, majesty, and dominion, for
•ever and ever. Amen.
Perhaps I have dwelt too long on my pedigree, if so excuse me.
Your loving sister,
Mary Levitt.
PURE GOLD FROM PURITAN AND OTHER MINES.
Make others to see Christ in you — moving, doing, speaking, and
thinking. Your actions will speak of Him, if He be in you.
Oh, if I could wear this tongue to the stump, in extolling my Lord and
Master !
Though you get strokes and frowns from your Lord, yet believe His
love more than your own feelings.
How little of the sea can a child carry in his hand ! As little do I
take away of my great sea, — the boundless love of Christ.
There are depths of love in Christ beyond what we have seen, there-
fore dig deep, and labour, and take pains for Him ; and set by as much
time in the day for Him asyoucan. He will be won with Xd^hoMx, "Ruiher/crd.
" Sometimes we come to them (the Donatists) saying, " Let us
•seek the truth, let us find the truth." They answer, " Keep what
you have : thou hast thy sheep, I have mine ; forbear to meddle
with my sheep, for I do not meddle with thine." Thanks be to God, the
sheep are not mine ; the sheep are His ! What hath Christ bought ?
Nay, let them be neither mine, nor thine ; but His Who hath bought
them. His Who hath marked them. Neither is he that planted any-
thing, nor he that watereth; but God who giveth the increase. Why
have I mine, and thou thine ? If Christ be there, let mine go
thither, for they are not mine : if Christ be here, let thine come
hither, for they are not thine. Let us kiss head and hands for pos-
4sessions, and let the sti'ange children perish.'^
Augustine on the Psalms.
ApBIL^ 1882. THE OOSPlfiL. ADVOCATE. 97
AN IMPORTANT DISTINCTION :
"Seeming to come Short."
Heb. iv. 1.
E gracious maimer in whicli the Lord has secured the ful-
filment of all His purposes and promises in Christy will be a
theme of eternal laudation on the part of His redeemed.
The ten thousand ways in which their own weakness and unworthi-
ness are exhibited during their pilgrimage— ^o themsehes, if not to
others, — needed the display of all that foreknowledge and watchful
care on the Lord's part^^of which all His people from time to time
are made deeply sensible^ and on which they found so many prayers
for sustaining and preserving mercy when their feet are well-nigh
slipping.
Very precious was the view the Psalmist had of this when he
penned the 121st Psalm, and asserted his "help'' as coming "from
the Lord, which made heaven and earth." The Omnipotence
which accomplished the mighty work of creation was no less, but
more gloriously, engaged in the work of salvation. For when He
"laid the foundations of the earth that it should not be removed
for ever" (Ps. civ. 5) — ^that is, " not removed" by the power of men
or devils, nor until His purposes of mercy were fully carried out — the
comer-stone on which those foundations rested was " Christ, and
Him crucified." And the same stability was to be imparted to
every vessel of mercy, to his personal and everlasting salvation.
For it is written of each : " He will not suffer thy foot to be
moved : He that keepeth thee will not slumber. Behold, He that
keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. The Lord is thy
keeper : the Lord is thy shade upon thy right hand." Psalm
cxxi. 2 — 5. What possible contingency can then arise, by which
the kept ones shall slip to fall, and fall to break their bones and
perish ? The deep-laid plots of hell; the deceitfulnessand desperate
wickedness of their own hearts ; the subtle flatteries and corroding
anxieties in this toilsome, wearying world, — shall they prevail ?
The sunshine of worldly prosperity, shall it wither up the vital
principle within them, and make them willing to part with Christ
for the baubles of time ? The cold moon-beams of adversity, shall
they chill their affections for the God Who tries them, so as to
cause them to turn their backs upon His truth and ways ? No :
The sun shall not smite thee by day, nor the moon by night," is
«
98 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
the promise (ver. 6). Shall all the special and accumulated evils of
this mortal life> backed up by indwelling sin and the power of Satan,
carry them away as with a flood ? No : " The Lord shall preserve
thee from all evil : He shall preserve thy soul/^ is the affirmation
(ver. 7). But amid all the intricate windings of their spiritual and
providential pathway ; their " going out" to war, their " coming
in'* for repose, shall no stratagem of the foe succeed in waylay-
ing and destroying them ? No : " The Lord shall preserve thy
going out and thy coming in from this time forth, and even for
evermore," is the final assurance, (ver. 8).
Such emphatic utterances of everlasting love, come fully within
the scope of the apostle's expression, " strong consolation ;" which
he asserts to be the appointed portion of the heirs of grace and
glory from their covenant God. Heb. vi. 17. And sweetly does
he distinguish between them and those reprobate apostates, who
bear the '^thorns and briars" only, who are "nigh unto cursing, and
whose end is to be burned " : saying, " But, beloved, we are per-
suaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation,
though we thus speak" (ver. 9). And on what evidences did that
persuasion rest ? On their love to the brethren — that mark, which
John characterises as the proof of having " passed from death uuto
life." " For," adds Paul, "God is not unrighteous to forget your
work and labour of love, which ye have showed toward His name,
in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister" (ver. 10).
This communicating of temporal supplies to the Lord^s poor and
needy, was thus a "work and labour of love" — "love to the
BRETHREN ;" and when animated by this heavenly principle, the gift
of the " cup of cold water " in nowise loses its " reward." It is
therefore characteristic of the people of God to " show the proof
of their love" to Christ by ministering to His saints, and espe-
cially to His heralds of mercy, the preachers of the gospel.
While, however, the Lord^s covenant counsels of peace effectually
secure the safety of all towards whom His " thoughts of peace and
not of evil" extend, and while they are all made to partake of
those distinguishing evidences of His Holy Spirit^s inward work
and workings, which the unregenerate are void of, it is apparent
from the Scriptures, and equally so from the complaints and ac-
knowledgments of the Lord^s people in general to this day, that
they often fail to realise what the Trinity feel towards and have
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 99
done for them. The Father's electing love — how they question its
choice and hold of them ! The Son's redeeming blood and imputed
righteousness — how they doubt their interest in these ! The Holy
Spirit^s quickening, enlightening, and leading grace — ^how often
do they apprehend they are strangers to these vital necessities !
Now the apostle, in Heb. iii. and iv., is dealing in a special way
with " the rest" that remains *' to the people of God,'' in contrast
with the rest promised in the earthly Canaan to the ^' Israel accord-
ing to the flesh." Into the latter tens of thousands never entered,
who left Egypt under Moses and traversed the waste howling wil-
derness for years. '' They could not enter in because of unbelief."
Heb. iii. 19. The covenant, under which the Lord dealt with them
as the natural seed of Abraham, did not provide faith /or them, but
left them under contingent stipulations to the powers of nature.
As the certain result, they failed to believe, and, consequently, they
also failed to obey ; and hardened their hearts in the day of pro-
vocation. " They turned back and tempted God, and limited the
Holy One of Israel." Ps. Ixxviii. 41. They limited both His power
and faithfulness. And although a reflection of this limitation in
the true believer's day of dijffidence will also appear, it does not, as
with the fleshly Israel, "reign unto death." For "Jesus, the
Author and Finisher of our faith," is pledged so to communicate
from His fulness " the Spirit of faith," that it is " given them on
the behalf of Christ" both to "believe" and "suffer." Phil. i. 29 : the
faith being necessary that the ordeal of suffering may be endured.
The national Israel suffered, but they did not believe ; and as the
consequence they rebelled to their destruction. But for the most
despairing and questioning child of God the power of the Holy
Ghost is reserved, to fill them, in the Lord's own time, " with all
joy and peace in believing." Rom. xv. 13 ; so that a bold and
decided negative may be given, as the poet intended it should, to
the question he proposes ;
•• Shall babes in Christ, bereft
Of God's rich gift of faith,
Be to their own will left,
And sin the sin to death P
Shall any child of God be lost,
And Satan cheat the Holy Ghost F"
" Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter (into the
promised rest), and they to whom it was first preached entered
100 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
not in because of unbelief^ again He limiteih a certain day^ saying
in David, To-day, after so long a time ; as it is said, To-day if ye
will hear His voice, harden not your hearts," Heb. iv. 6, 7. This
gracions extension of time is ^^for the elects^ sakes," that they may
not come short of the promised rest, but " obtain the salvation
which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory," 2 Tim. ii. 10. And
this rest they realise in two ways; viz., 1. in Jesus by faith;
2. in heavenly glory with Christ.
To be favoured with the Spirit's witness so as to enjoy union with
and acceptance in the Beloved, and to feel " there is now no con-
demnation," in time or at the bar of G-od in eternity, how sacred
and stable the *' rest" it produces. Without this there is no solid
confidence — no establishment in the frames and feelings of expe-
rience. Only as faith is brought into exercise upon the merits
and fulness of the Lord Jesus, only as the soul is enabled to rest
in Him, committing all its sins, cares and concerns into His faith-
ful and all-sujB5cient hands, can it cease from its own works, as
God did from His, and enjoy the repose flowing from His finished
salvation and everlasting righteousness. And it will not be dis-
puted by any taught of God that, only on the ground of everything
being completed by the dear Son of God, will any enter into the
heavenly Canaan's rest.
But the particular point with which we have to deal is
found in these words of the apostle : " Let us therefore pear, lest,
a promise being left us of entering into His rest, any of you
should SEEM to come short of it." Heb. iv. 1. The ^'rest"
being heavenly, and therefore antitypical, the ^^ promise" which
sets it forth cannot be conditional, like that associated with the
carnal Israel and the earthly Canaan. The spiritual and eternal
'* rest" being obtained by, in, and through the Eedeemer*s obe-
dience and sacrifice, the ^^ promise" relating to it must also be IK
Him — and one of the chief of all those which "in Him are yea,
and IN Him amen, unto the glory of God by us." There is there-
fore no possibility of failure either in the Promisor or the promise,
and, as the consequence, all the spiritual Israel " must enter^' into
their appointed "rest."
And yet the apostle appears to hedge and fence this grand
assurance round about with a cautionary admonition or exhorta-
tion, as if 9om9 contingency were involved; "Let us therefore
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 101
fear^ lest, — any of you should seem to come short of it/' We have
already shown that he regarded them, by the fruits of the love they
displayed towards their needy brethren in Christ, as those to whom
the "things that accompany salvation" pertained, and hence, as
Abraham's true seed, and " heirs according to the promise" (chap.
vi. 9). Why, then, this careful language ? in which, mark, he also
inolades himself — " Let us therefore fear." Would he have them
live the trembling, apprehensive life of legal slaves, and to be always
qnestiomng the love and- favour of the Lord towards them?
Impossible. He rather desires that, with all tenderness of spirit
and filial reverence for so good and gracious a covenant Grod, they
may ever with lowliness of heart and mind, under a sense of their
owai sin and weakness, and the superabounding of grace towards
them, be animated by a holy jealousy for His honour, and so cleave
to Him in private and conduct themselves in public, that they may
not grieve the Holy Spirit of Grod, whereby they are sealed unto
the day of redemption. The " fear" he desires to be displayed, is
that which is described as " a fountain of life, to depart from the
snares of death." Prov. xiv. 27.
For it is certaru that, though sin is so put away by Christ that it
can never appear against His redeemed to their condemnation,
neither can anything be laid to the charge of God^s elect, as they
stand complete in their glorious Head, so as to invalidate their title
to the eternal '' best," yet the indulgence of the flesh, in a loose,
careless, and worldly deportment, will certainly be attended with a
suspension of the Holy Spirit's witnessing, and the withdrawal of
the Lord's manifestive presence and consolations. And then will
holy confidence give place to backwardness at the throne ; and this
will be succeeded by a cloud which will conceal the brightness of
the Lord's loving countenance. Should Satan then be permitted to
assail, and troubles arise in sickness of body and adversity in cir-
cumstances, the soul will for a time become an easy prey to a
thousand gloomy apprehensions, and " seem" like one forsaken of
his God. And this is the seeming to comb short of the rest.
Moreover, in every case in which the Lord's people fail to read
their
" title clear
To mansions in the skies,"
ihejr '* ssbm to come short of it." Wherefore we have this other
102 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
important expression of spiritual desire in the samo epistle, from the
inspired apostle's pen : " And we desire that every one of you do
show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end ;
that ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and
patience inherit the promises'* (chap. vi. 11, 12). And with this
agree Peter's words : " Wherefore the rather, brethren, give dili-
gence to make your calling and election sure : for if ye do these
things, ye shall never fall; for so an entrance shall be ministered
unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and
Saviour Jesus Christ." 2 Peter i. 10, 11.
The Lord's name be magnified, there is no danger of His chosen,
redeemed, and called people finally coming short of anything He has
promised, prepared, and secured to them in His dear Son ; but there
is a SEBMINQ to do so with very many of them; so far as their ap-
prehension and enjoyment are concerned. And while
** 'Tis not for good deeds, good tempers, nor frames ;
From grace it proceeds, and all is the Lamb's,"
yet it is consummate folly to suppose that the Holy Spirit does not
honour His own work ; and that when He stirs up His people to
" give diligence'* in "seeking first the kingdom of God and His
righteousness," they reap no blessed fruits from their earnest pur-
suit after their beloved Lord. Doubtless in most of those instances
of persons being highly favoured, there has been a preceding deep
experience of the exceeding sinfulness of sin, and the strength of
law and Satan's workings, which the Holy Spirit has overruled for
good, by warmly urging them to flee for refuge to lay hold on the
hope set before them. And of all the Lord's tried ones it holds
good : " Lord, in trouble have they visited thee ; they poured out
a pi'ayer unto Thee when Thy chastening was upon them." Isaiah
xxvi. 16. Nor is it a light matter to be thus under a weight of
trouble, and to " seem to come short" of the Lord's delivering
promises ^and power. But it is the mercy of all God's people that
the coming short for a season is but a seeming — ^not a reality.
It is but a temporary, not an eternal withholding of the bliss of the
inheritance to which they are entitled in Christ. But when the un-
speakable nature of that bliss, as enjoyed by faith, is properly
apprehended, how should it stimulate those who fear Him to the
prayerful and consistent display of that " fear" which the Lord
has implanted in their hearts; as it is written : ^' Wherefore gird up
tmm
THE G08FBL ADVOCATE. 103
the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the
grace that is to be brought unto yoa at the revelation of Jesos
Christ ; as obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to
the former lusts in your ignorance, but as He which has called
yon is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation." 1 Peter
i. 13 — 15. The space is indeed narrow between Pharisaic zeal
and Antinomian security, as Hart phrases it ; but the Holy Spirit
can show it. May He deign to do so.
The EnrroB.
THE SAVING APPOINTMENT.
A Sebmon by Mb. Qrack,
f Continued from page 90.J
A child of light, who is a child of Gk>d, is distinguished from
a child of darkness. He may know what it is to walk in
darkness, and have no light shining in him : but still he is
a child of light, though walking in darkness, and that candle which
is lit up is the Spirit of God in the heart of the child of God :
" Who is among you that f eareth the Lord, and obeyeth the voice of
His servant ; that walketh in darkness and hath no light, let him trust
in the name of the Lord, and stay upon his God." Now here
is an exhortation given ; therefore, says the apostle, '^ Let us not
sleep as do others." Mind you, there is a sleep of death. Now
they may be said to be asleep, when they are insensible to the
thi^s o/ God. And I aUo knJ; that a c Jd of God may get into
a sleepy, careless indifference to the things of God. There is a
sleep of the church that is described in the Canticles : " I sleep,
but my heart waketh. It is the voice of my Beloved that knocketh."
Ah, there is a secret something left in the child of God contrary to
an unregenerate person. There may be a sleeping, but there is a
secret something at the bottom that he possesses, that a mere pro-
fessor is destitute of. The teaching of God the Holy Ghost he
never had nor ever will. What a paradox ! " I sleep, but my heart
waketh." The heart. I look on the heart as the centre of affection*
What is religion without affection ? The affection is the first thing
that is touched. It was so when God brought poor Ruth out of
Moab. Her affection was touched. " Behold, I have loved thee
with an everlasting love." That love was given her in Christ,
"before the foundation of the world.'^ But, says affection, I will
draw her unto Me with the bands of loving kindness. God uses
the rod and also the law for His children's chastisement, and by
tins we are brought to know that the law works nothing but wrath
in the sinner's heart. But there is a secret compunctioi^ ^ ^je^cst^\>
104 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
somethiug that is not produced by the law. Our affections are
touched : there is a grieving for sin — a brokenness of spirit and
deep humility are felt that never came from the law. " Let us not
sleep as do others : but let us watch and be sober."
There never was a man more fond of sober-minded people and
sober-minded christians than I am. Highty-flighty here-and-jbljiere
professors I do not like. Ah ! but where do you find a man or
woman blessedly established in the things of God ? The apostle
does not write to the church of the Thessalonians meaning that they
are not to be drunk with wine. What, drunk ! a drunken pro-
fessor ! I ti'ow that it may be said they that sleep, sleep as in the
night. I have thought if drunken creatures could have a view
when sober of what they are when drunk, surely they would
never get drunk again. Ah, bless you ! that would not have any
effect on them, you may depend upon it. If I am speaking to drunk-
ards, I say, none will ever get into the kingdom of God as a drunkard;
drunkenness is a damnable sin. Indeed, say you. Yes, it is ; so is
every sin without the atoning blood of Christ. The text is not speak-
ing of drunkards ; but if I should be speaking in the hearing of
any poor soul addicted to this sin, I hope the Lord will give him
eyes to see his folly.
You have heard me tell you the story of a godly man that, just
as he had taken his text, saw a man come into the chapel drunk :
and when he had read his text he pointed to the man and said, ^^ No
drunkards shall inherit the kingdom of heaven.'' It touched his
heart ; he was sobered at once, and he went home in deep distress
of soul and told his wife he was sure to be damned. The poor
woman thought she had got another pest. She had had another
husband, and he was a Methodist, and she was determined she
would never have another Methodist. But she had such a Method-
ist as she did not dream of; for he was bedridden for 25 years, and
died rejoicing in free, sovereign, distinguishing grace.
But, says the apostle : "Not fornicators, nor drunkards, nor thieves,''
— no, nor "a covetous man shall ever enter into the kingdom of God."
But it is not being drunken with wine that the apostle means : there
is another way of being drunk besides this. Drunkenness leads to
so many evils, that there is not an evil practised but what a man is
liable to commit when drunk. Now I say if a man is eaten up
with the cares of the world, and intoxicated ^th covetousness, the
very vitals of religion are eaten. Not but that he may be a good man
at the bottom, and he may have the root of the matter in him ; but
let a man be eaten up with the things of the world, and I will venture
to say he has no relish for the things of God : they are nauseous to
him. Ah, my friends ! if you belong to God, and you get into any
of these things, God will not leave you then ; but wonder not 2
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 105
you should go into Jonah's hell. God has plunged many a poor
child of His into such circumstances, as to go down to the depths
and to have the bars of the earth wrapped about him ; but Grod
will save him. Yes ; He will save him. I once knew a man that
was one of the most grasping, covetous men, as a godly man, that
ever was. And the man went on so till pretty nearly the end of
his race. But God stopped him, and He made him so sick of it,
that for some time before his death he would not suffer any one to
mention anything about money to him. " I have had enough of
it. I don't want to hear anything about it."
Ah, my friends ! there are some of us who know what it is to have
these buyers and sellers turned out of the temple of our hearts and
to have the heart raised above them. " Let us who are of the day be
sober." Well, I hope there are some of us who are of the day. Blessed
be God the sun has risen on us ; the light has shined in our hearts.
We may walk in darkness, but we are not children of darkness, but
of the day. Well, then, " let us be sober ;" let us bo sober minded ;
let us walk as becomes those who make a profession of faith in
Christ, ^^and put on the breastplate of faith and love." A blessed
breastplate it is, faith and love — twin graces I call them. Where-
ever there is love there is faith, wherever there is faith there is love.
1 take them as twins, and neither of them is barren. Now I believe
when faith of the operation of the Spirit of God, and the love of
God, which is a fruit of the blessed Spirit, are shed abroad in the
heart, I believe when this is the case, the child of God can do
anything. What is there that the child of God cannot do whea
love is in operation ? He can walk through the land like a monarch
when he has got on the breastplate of faith and love. " This is
the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." When faith
is in the heart and love is in exercise, what sweet- obedience we
render to God, having for an helmet the "hope of salvation."
You may understand the Lord Jesus Christ Himself as the helmet
of Salvation if you have Him as the hope of salvation. He is
the Hope of Israel, and the Saviour thereof in the time of trouble.
" For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation."
But I mean yet to abide by my intention, and that is not to
preach too long. I am to myself the neatest mystery that ever
existed. I am sometimes like a poor weary creature, the body
languid and worn, and at other times when well in body I am like
a stupid ass — no life, no energy, no power. No power for prayer, no
power for preaching, no power for reading, and yet it is a fact that
when I come to stand in the pulpit, I often find and feel the pre-
sence of my God with me, and I know that His presence cheers — I
know that it is all-suflBcient for a man. Well then, first let mo
notice the situation in which man is by nature.
106 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
You know it is rather degrading to persons who are elevated in
life, and shining in society for others in a different station to meet
them and say, '^ Well, I remember you when you were a little boy
playing about with the dirty boys in the street." Well, I would
not do such a thing as that, but I will take on me, by the ^frace of
God, to show the loathsome state of man by nature, and also that
by nature we are children of wrath, even as others, and unless I
debase the creature and lay the sinner down, how shall I exalt the
redeeming love of Christ ? As soon as ever our parents fell by
transgression, that moment we were brought under God^s curse
and exposed to His wrath : and that is what the apostle means, and
he has made a very clear distinction, that we are by nature children
of wrath, even as others. We are brought feelingly and ex-
perimentally to know that we deserve the wrath of God, that we
are no better than others who are left to endure that wrath. And
yet in a state of nature and under the workings of actual con-
viction, and under the first teaching too of God the Spirit, the poor
sinner will try to make up matters and to make composition with
the Almighty. Yes ; he will make fair promises and vow that he
will perform this, that, and the other, but never one does he per-
form. When finding that he cannot accomplish this, like a sinking
man that cannot pay his full debts, he wants to compromise with
his creditors, and he offers to make up matters with Christ. He
will do so and so, if Christ will make up the residue. But the deeper
and deeper the Spirit of God leads him, he sees that he is
exposed to the dreadful wrath of God, and there is nothing before
him but a fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation
that shall devour the adversaries. I tell you, my friends, when you
get there it will bum up some of your righteous doings. There is
the dreadful majesty of the law, and then perhaps the poor soul sees
the greatest sin that he has committed was in trying to be a co-
worker with Christ. And he now sees that what the law saith, it
saith to them that are under the law. You ask that poor sinner
what he deserves and what he expects. He will tell you, " Deserve,
indeed ? I deserve nothing but hell." He can full well enter into
what David says : " If Thou, Lord, shouldest mark iniquity,
Lord, who shall stand ? " But, oh, there is a blessed turn. '^ But there
is forgiveness with Thee, that Thou mayest be feared, and plenteous
redemption for them that hope in His mercy. Therefore let Israel
hope in the Lord, for with the Lord there is mercy and plenteous
redemption." Ah, what a turn there is in the poor sinner's heart.
This poor sinner is equally deserving of wrath as those who are
left under it. And he acknowledges that if God were strict to mark
iniquity, that He must cut him off and banish him from His
)resence. But this text that I have read to you, that " God has not
TfiB OOSPRL ADVOCATE. 107
appointed us to wrath^ but to obtain salvation by onr Lord Jesus
Clmst^ Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should
live together with Him," — let but such a text as this drop into
tie poor sinner's heart who fears the fearful looking for of judg-
ment and fiery indignation that shall devour the adversaries ; let
this but drop into his heart, that God has not appointed him to
wrath, and he is melted down in contrition of souJ before Grod and
with godly sorrow for sin. .
We read in the scriptures of truth of vessels of wrath as well as
vessels of mercy ; but some people say, you had better let that alone,
better not touch on that because it distresses the children of God.
I tell you whatever leads to self-examination and secret prayer and
to searching the Word uf Gud is good : and, iudee/1, if such things
are not to be preached, why are they in the Book of God ?
In the ix. of Komaus we i-ead of " vessels of wrath fitted to des-
truction" and "vessels of mercy afore prepared unto glory." Now
what made this difference ? The sovereignty of God's grace.
My dear friends, now if you read in the second chapter of the first
epistle of Peter you have a text equally striking : ^^ Unto you there-
fore which believe," says the apostle," He is precious ; but not unto
them which be disobedient, the stone which the builders disallowed,
the same is made the head of the corner, and stone of stumbling
and a rock of offence, even to them which stumble at the word, being
disobedient ; whereunto also they were appointed." A stone of
stumbling. Who are they that stumble at the word, but they
that walk in darkness, as I told you just now. But mark the
sovereignty of God — whereunto they were appointed — ^they were
appointed. Were then those vessels of wrath even fitted for
destruction as the vessels of mercy are fitted for glory ? Well
then, we may well say at the close oi this service, " What shall we
say to these things V if God be for us, who can be against us *f" If
such is the fact that there are vessels of wrath, what can we say to
it ? As we read again, that the iniquity of the Amorites was not
yet full. When a man is left of God he will go on in sin. There is no
restraining power ; he remains under the curse of God, and dying in
sin he proves that he is a vessel of wrath. " But G^d has not
appointed us to wrath."
Let me just mention this as an evidence to find life in the soul.
Has God quickened you ? Are you a child of light and of the
day ? Has sin ever been a burden to you ? Have you ever known
what it is in the presence of a heart-searching God to come with
the language of the Psalmist and say, " Search me, O God, try me,
and know my thoughts, root out every evil way from me, and lead
me in the way everlasting." Now I should take upon me to say
that if in sincerity of heart you have ever come before God with
108 itLE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
that prayer, you are not a child of darkness, but a child of the light
and of the day.
Now may the blessed Lord the Spirit lead you to Him with the
prayer of the publican, " God be merciful to me a sinner." Amen.
ZION IN AFFLICTION.
Ware Eoad, Hertford, Feb. 8th.
My Dear Sir, —
The enclosed is a copy of a letter received from a daughter of the late Mr.
Harrow, to whom many of Mr. Bourne's letters are addressed. I hope you may
think it worthy of a corner in your magazine. * Our little Church,' of which
she speaks is under the pastorate of Mr. W. B , who succeeded the late
Mr. G . The moumfmness is occasioned by the many deaths we have had
lately amongst us. Within the last eighteen months, the whole of which time
my beloved mother has been upon a bed of suffering, nine have been taken
away, and since the death of our dearly beloved minister, no loss than twentjr-
five of his members have, we hope, joined him. Out of a small church this
number is great, and we find few to take the place of the old tried ones. My
mother's case is an encouragement to many. She has been, and is still enabled
to testify in her old age (86), and in the midst of pain, of the Lord's faithfulness
to the word ujiou which He has caused her to hope. Left a widow 36 years ago,
with nine children (several afflicted) He has enabled her to carry on a little
business, and His hand has been mercifully seen in ruling and over-ruling for
her, and is to this day ; and she is enabled to acknowledge Him in all her ways,
and is now desiiing to wait, but often longing for the Lord to come and take
hf r to Himself.
I visited Eastbourne some years ago, when it was my privilege to become ac-
?uainted with dear Hunnisett, Lee and his wife, and Oausden, a poor old man
met on the road, and whoee memory will always be pleasant to me. I heard
of the death of the three former, but did not of his — though doubtless he has
been gathered home before this.*
I remain.
Yours (I hope) in Christian bonds,
Mr. Baxter. Fanny Drummond.
January 19th, 1882.
My Dear F. —
Thank you very much for your kind letter. I am always glad to
hear about the friends at H- when I am absent. I was so sorry
to hear about the death of dear Miss S though I was afraid
from all that I heard, she would not recover ; I also felt very much
the sad news of dear Mrs. M ^s decease. What a mournful time it
[• Yes, he too has passed away ; for as with the cause of truth to which our
correspondent refers, we have also been called to experience in our time many
severe losses by death. They oonstituted one of the chief links in our leaving
our first pastorate ; and duiing the fifteen years we have been at Eastbourne
many of the worthy aged ones besides those mentioned have been removed. A
brother minister alpo writes : ** During the last fifteen months I have lost two
first cousins, a son-in-law, my dear wife, a grandchild, three valuable and
tried deacons, and as regards members of the church, the number is appalling.
With death you will thus see I have been made painfully familiar ; but blessed
beOod, Jesus lives,*' &c. — ^The Editor.]
tHB GOSPEL ADVOCATE. lOO
has been for our little churchy bat I sincerely hope and believe^ 'tis
a blessed exchange for them. The longest life^ how soon it is
passed ! And howdreadfal it would be, if we had not some real evi-
dences of another world which lasts to all eternity, where no more
sin, sorrow, or pain is ever known, bat all love, — " for ever with the
Lord,'' — a little of which we have tasted in this world. And
*' If such the sweetness of the stream.
What must the fountain be ?**
Whom to know is life eternal. I wish I knew more of Him, but
as we travel through this world, would we part with the little we
do know of Him ? I know I would not. 'Tis the greatest pleasure of
my life to go and tell the Lord all. And if you only knew the many
timers lately I have had to go to Him, to make the very crooked
things straight, and the many rough places plain, and to feel and
say, ^ do manage it for me,' and the wonderful way in which it has
beiwi in everything over-ruled for good, and better to me than all
my fears, I feel sure you would join with me in saying. What a good
Cxod He has been to me ! and ''Praise God from Whom all blessings
flow." And the words : "Acknowledge Me in all thy ways^ and /
will direct thy paths,'* and,
" Will for thee work,
And in thee too.
And euide thee right.
And bring thee tlmiugh :"
and '* You are not of this world, for I have chosen you out of the
world:" and " Ye are not your own, for ye are bought with a price,"
and many such comforting words have come, that 1 am full at times.
Forsaken I am uo% though I feel it a solemn thing to die, and know
not when, where, or how I may meet with death ; yet I know it
must come sometime even with me, and I am not always favoured
with faith or assurance to trust. But I know what it is to have
both, and do sincerely hope my religion may be real, and that I
may never be deceived. I don t know what 1 should do, if such
were ever the case with me, but I trust it will never be. To feel He
in our Friend at the last, and that nothing can separate, what a
mercy. may we leave a living testimony, and a dying one too,
behind^ that " all is well." My cry is, " Keep me as the apple of
Thine eye ; hide me under the shadow of Thy wings." " Keep
me from evil that it may not grieve Thee," for I feel I am so full
of hateful sin. I would live without, but I cannot. But, as Mr.
Hart says:
" *Tis not for ^ood deeds, good tempers, nor frames ;
From grace it proceeds, and all is the LamVs ;
No goodness, no fitness, expects He from us :
This I can well witness, for none ooold be worse.**
110
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
I feel I have all evil in my heart, which is soon stirred up too ; but a
secret something keeps it back at times, and that sweetens all : you
know the secret, don t you ?
Yours very affectionately
Iv. M.
ALONE WITH JESUS.
Alone with Jesus I
'Tis here I love to be.
Here unbelief is banished ;
The prisoner is set frtje.
Alone with Jesus I
My head upon His breast !
He smiles in love upon me —
My soul 's at peace and rest.
Alone with Jesus !
I nestle to His side,
And call Him Gk)d and Father —
My Jesus crucified.
Alone with Jesus!
I bow before His throne ;
He sees and hears my moaning,
And marks each secret groan.
Alone with Jesus !
I feel my Saviour *s near ;
And all my sin and sorrow
I pour into His ear.
Alone with Jesus !
He claims me for His own, —
** Jjookup, My child, thy Father's
here ^
*• Thy Father and thy God !"
Brighton.
Alone with Jesus !
His mercy I entreat,
To guide a doubting sinner home.
And from temptation keep.
Alone with Jesus I
My heart is filled with love ;
O may I praise His precious name
Until we meet above.
Alone with Jesus !
May I thus often be.
If Thou, dear Lord, wilt draw me
there,
I'll soon run after Thee.
Alone with Jesus !
I would but cannot stay.
My Saviour sees 'tis best for me
To hide His face away.
Alone with Jesus I
My own and precious King ;
Saved by Thy blood and righteousness
Thy praise for aye 1*11 sing.
May we all with Jesus
Meet around His throno —
Praise Father, Son, and Spirit —
Tho glorious Three-iu-One.
M. BAX.
l^^Wf.
JEW AND GENTILE ONE IN CHRIST.
jRULY, Mr. Editor, the nations of Europe are passing through
a momentous period. Events connected with the ancient
people of God crowd upon us to such an extent that no
Christian can view them with indifference, but must
recognize the Divine fulfilment of God's promises towards the
scattered people of His choice. The harrowing scenes. recorded of
the fie: dish cruelties committed by professed Christians on the
inoffensive Jews in Russia and Poland have roused the hatred of
the English nation to those deeds, and drawn forth the sympathy
of all parties towards their persecuted fellow creatures. The fact
that no less than. 10,000 victims have been sacrificed to rapine, lust
Hud fire, besides '900 families being completely ruined, calls for the
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. Ill
prayerful intercession of God's Church in England at a throne of
Grace that the enemy may be put down, that the Gospel of peace
and goodwill may flow into the hearts of our eTewish brethren, and
that God would arise and avenge His own elect among them, who
are *' beloved for the fathers' sakes."
The return of fugitive Jewish children to Palestine for residence
at Jaifa through the States of Austria, by means of the Jewish
Alliance Emigration Council, is a striking evidence of the devotion
of Israelites to the land of their forefathers and of their adoption.
" The angel or messenger of the Lord " declared to the house of
Jacob upwards of 3,000 years ago that " No league should be made
with the inhabitants of the land," Judges, ii. i. The Jews,
as representatives of Juda)a, have conformed to this message
down to the present time, yet wherever they have been located,
thrift, education, and civilization have attended their families. We
see that the blessing to their father Abraham was twofold : a natural
one; they were to be as the " dust of the earth /' a spiritual one; their
seed was to be as the " stars for multitude." It is as a stone fruit,
the kernel is within the shell, the life-giving principle is within the
outward casket ; an Israel is within an Israel. The remnants of
this nation, scattered over all the earth, still possess advantages
which would belong to no other people in similar unhappy
circumstances. Their natural ingenuity and industry, the strength
of their religious zeal, the literary treasures of their holy writings,
secured to them everywhere admittance and success, and preserved
their natural character. They found proselytes and old believers
in all countries of the Roman Empire, and in the east as far as the
valley of the Irrawaddy in British Burmah, where some thousand
families have settled since the Babylonish captivity and remain
faithful to the Mosaic ritual at the present day, neither have they
disobeyed the angelic message, " Not to make a Itagiie with the
surrounding inhabitants of the land." One of the earliest fruits of
their union into Patriarchates in the east was the collection of the
traditionary expositions of the Old Testament, A.D. 200. This
immemorial purity of a seed whom the Lord has blessed with faith-
ful Abraham, forms an irresistible advocate to our Indian
Missionary subjects in Burmah, of the truth and Divine protec-
tion of Grod towards His ancient people, and thus they become
pioneers, in the hands of the Lord the Spirit, to open the way to Him
Who is Da\dd's Son and David's Lord, Jehovah Tsidkenu.
But alas ! in criticizing the blindness that has "happened in part'*
unto Israel, let the Gentile Church learn a solemn lesson in the ex-
perience of God's righteous retribution towards all who profess His
truth, love His Word, and make mention of His name. Fallen mau
ever tends in his nature to earth, and shows himself "earthly^ sensual.
112 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
devilish/' and the carnal indulgences so explicitly forbidden by the
Mosaic ritual are committed alike by professors and profane in this
land of ours, falsely called Christendom.
When we seek a spiritual interpretation of the league which the
sons and daughters of Zion are apt to make with the bosom enemies
within, we shall find that idolatry in the form of inordinate affec-
tion is the most common foe to the peace of a Christian in his daily
walk with God. When this Canaanitish dweller in our land is suffered
tp exercise its baneful influence, the throne of the heart is in a
measure shared with the Best Beloved, the King in Zion, and the
rise of this spirit of idolatry within is known by its drawing the
disciple of the Lord Jesus Christ into forbidden paths, and away
from the Giver of the creature to the gift, and thus the heart is
closed to and forgetful of the source from whence the gift came.
The Apostle levelled this rebuke in writing to the Church at Rome,
Chap. i. ver. 25. Whenever a partaker of Divine grace is found to be
guilty of such evil work, the league once made with this enemy to
God's honour and Christ's supremacy is followed by bondage of
spirit, barrenness of heart, coldness to the Best Beloved, and a
distrust of God's Providence. Look for instance at the opposite
conditions of belief and unbelief, of a natural tie bound down by
the Almighty command of obedience and submission, first in
Abraham, who, in the sacrificial offering of him whose seed was to
inherit the promised blessing, yet accounted that God in Christ was
able to i*aise up this seed even from the dead, and then in contrast
view the overwhelming agony of soul which the sweet Psalmist of
Israel betraved at the death of his unnatural son, " Would God I
had died for thee, Absalom, my son — my son !"
A league made in the heart of a believer with another inhabitant
of this land of Canaan, viz., love of money, is sure to be followed
by a suspicion of God's Providence, and a distrust of His watch-
fulness in the daily steps of our life. And these fruits are often
attended with an independent spirit, as we learn in the fall of good
Hezekiah, who was so carried away by this unholy alliance, that he
was glad to show to a set of heathen messengers all the precious
things and treasures in his house and in all his dominions ; but
uttered not a syllable of the bounteous mercy of the God in Whose
Almighty hands his breath and his riches were, and in Whom he
lived and moved, and had his Royal being. Not so with his godly
progenitor, who publicly declared that both riches and honour
came from his God, for all the store that he possessed flowed from
this Divine hand and was all His own, and of that had he been
privileged to give back to the Author of his mercies. What a
reversible picture of human pride and humility of spirit does the
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 113
Holy Ghost set before His Church in the conduct of these two
righteous men (see 1st Chronicles xxix. 12. 16., Isaiah xxxix.)
The fear of man is another meretricious dweller in Canaan, and is
often found to act the part of the "strange woman," solemnly warned
of in Proverbs dth chap., 7th ver. When an allegiance is formed
with this enemy, the poor bondaged spirit has abundant argument
at hand for his cowardice a.nd untruthfulness, eating his own lies,
wiping his foul mouth, and saying, " I have done no wickedness."
(Proverbs 30th chap., 20th ver.) God's mirror sets us a sad picture
for reflection in the disciple who cowered under the maid's asser-
tion : " Surely thou art one of the despised Nazarenes, thy speech
betrays thee." We all know alas ! alas ! what followed ; until the
eyes of ineffable love and pity met the criminal and broke his hard
heart (as William Huntington puts it) on the feather bed of infinite
mercy and sovereign grace, and overcame him (Song of Solomon
6th chap., 5th ver.)
What a contrast does the valiant Apostle to the Gentile church
furnish us : " What, mean ye to weep and to break mine heart (with
your carnal persuasions) ? I am ready not to be bound only, but
also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus."
Thus we gather from the whole tenor of Scripture that the
precepts set forth in the Mosaic ordinances and commands were
embodied and fulfilled in every jot by the Great High Priest of
our profession — Emmanuel. He set the Lord Jehovah ever before
Him, and did always those things which pleased Him. The law of
perfect love to God the Father and to fallen man was exhibited in
His life and in His death. He had none on earth that He desired
before Him. And in this spotless pattern of ^^ a well spent life," on
behalf of His bride, the Church, He preaches moment by moment
to her that she is to have none other God before Him, and that
the throne of her heart is never to suffer a rival there ; the bridal
bed must be that of a chaste virgin. Canticles 1st chap., 16th ver.
He has won her affections here, and bound her by indissoluble ties
of a covenant signed in blood and sealed with love, and when the
sacred moment draws near that mortality is to be swallowed up of
life, she will have no other song of triumph, and no other object to
glory in but in her Beloved, whilst —
*' Kind angels are brining lier fast as she list,
And up she goes singing Hosanna to Christ."
Brighton, Geo. Corfe, M.D.
February, 1882.
The strongest man in the family of God is ;he man who feels he cannot
go one step but as the Lord upholds him. — Krause,
114 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
A REMARKABLE CONVERSION.
(A Reprint.)
MAN of God went to live in a village where none cared for
anything beyond this present life. He was a stranger indeed
among them. Early and late he laboured in the fields ; but
the Lord of the whole earth had ordained a blessing for this dark
hamlet when He sent His servant there, and a river of the water of
life was to flow through this solitary man, unseen by all save the
One that keepeth Israel, and neither slumbers nor sleeps.
Yet the servant of God was not required for the ministry to for-
sake his calling, but to follow the Lord in it. He lived in a poor
thatched cottage on the outskirts of the village ; and, when his
work was done, seated by the low casement of his room in summer
time, he rested his weary heart in close communion with his
heavenly Friend. Dispirited by intercourse with the mocker and
profane, he refreshed himself with new contemplations of the
covenant of grace, or pondered over the promises which he was
every day proving for himself were priceless treasures for constant
use.
As he communed with God alone, and poured forth his soul in
prayer, a woman of ill character passed by the cottage door ; the
sound of the stranger's voice arrested her steps, and she lingered
by the casement. She listened. Never before had she heard a
soul speaking to the God of its life in such glad thanksgiving for
redemption through the blood of the Crucified, or imagined such
holy boldness in approaching the Holy One, by her unsought : it
seemed a new language to her ears. The prayer ceased. The
listener, astonished and perplexed, went on her way, and the
solitary man, the charge of angels, lay down to sleep. None but
God saw that tiny rill of life that followed a sinner's steps, whisper-
ing, " Come. And let him that heareth say. Come. And let him
that is athirst come ; and whosoever will, let him take the water of
life freely.'' Another day passed. The woman again took up her
station in the twilight to listen, and the freedom from condemna-
tion in which the stranger rejoiced, seemed to bind her in chains of
misery unfelt before. Her occupation was a degrading one. She
possessed a voice of remarkable power and sweetness, her husband
frequented the taverns in the neighbourhood, and she accompanied
him, for he procured from the landlord or his guests the beer or
spirits he thirsted for, with the price of his wife's company and
songs.
Day by day the singer marked the man of God, to see if his life
contradicted his desires after holiness ; for his prayers set a sign
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 115
ipon him^ and she watched for his halting week after week^ and
ifatched in vain. While in many a conflict, and in humble broken-
less of spirit, this lonely man seemed to himself a cnmberer of the
jronnd, as far as bringing any honoor to God was concerned, yet
shrongh him flowed the living stream which should turn ''the
mldemess into a standing water, and the dry ground into water-
iprings/'
The servant of the Lord slept, unconscious of his ministry, little
dreaming that the words he had spoken to the Lord in the silence
3f that summer evening were disturbing the midnight orgies of sin-
ners to whom he had never spoken, and who had never heard of
bis existence. The woman's heart was heavy, and she could not
iing. 6he turned away in bitterness of spirit from the scene in
•rluch she had hitherto been content to dwell. The anger of her
husband raged against her -, his gains were gone, and all the means
[>f procuring his evening's wild revelry were over. His persecution
Mlded to the poor creature's distress, but it was as nothing in com-
parison to the weight of misery on her heart. Heavier and heavier
pressed the burden of her sins ; the way of escape she knew not ;
despair took possession of her soul. Satan now thought that the
prey was his own ; he whispered that " in death there was no re-
membrance ; " but the enemy added not, " and after death the
jadgment."
The heart-stricken woman saw onlv one way, and she determined
to rid herself of a life become intolerable to her. One morning
irhen she thought herself secure fi-om interraption, she went to a
oeighbouring stable, and tying a noose into a rope, fastened it se-
curely to a beam in the roof, and prepared to end an existence too
miserable to be borne. But as her foot was on the edge of the loft
from which she premeditated casting herself down, the praise and
bhanksgiving of the sti^anger for redemption through the precious
blood of Jesus came flowing into her mind and arrested her. She
knelt ; she repeated again and again the words of the prayer which
had taken her captive ; such sweetness came with the words, " Re-
deemed ! pardoned ! through the precious blood of God's dear
Son ! " As if the flood-gates of her tears had opened the way for
prayer, it poured forth in a wondrous tide. The sinner wept at
the feet of Jesus ! The prey was taken from the mighty. Hour
after hour went by ; she heeded it not ; and daylight had faded
into evening before her new-bom joy alhnved her to perceive that
the day was spent, and she was saved !
WTien the servant of the Lord returned to his solitary room, it
Was to find a rejoicing child of the faith awaiting him, the fruit of
those davs that seemed of no account, save that he walked in
tellowsfaip with Jesus. Ue had lived neai* the fountain ; the stream
116
THB GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
tliat flowed in refreshment througli his own soul, had given Ufe to
the weary one without.
Year after year, from many a prayer-meeting, arose the voice of
the rescued minstrel, clear and strong, in strains of praise to the
Lord and Giver of life. And not alone ; her husband was by her
side, the first to give heed to her words, and to believe her witness
to the Lord's long-suffering mercy to himself.
Heaven alone can declare the harvest of that lonely man who
walked with God. From The Remembrancer, May, 1881.
HOLIDAYS versus HOLY DAYS.
OW different are Divine from human appointments and insti-
tutions ! Whatever is of God conduces to the benefit of the
creature — especially the redeemed creature; while what-
ever is of man, has usually Satan at its root, and mischief and
misery at its end. Holidays are busy times in the devil's workshop;
while holy days are for the spiritual service of the God of Salvation.
As one who has had a share in the arduous occupations of life, and
toiled for years at a sedentary business, I know the value of
occasional relaxation. But it has not been my lot to share in mnck
of it. I have laboured 1^, 14, and 16 hours in a day, and had
respite (excepting the Sabbath), only at Easter, Whitsuntide, and
Christmas. Nor have any of those times done me the same amonnt
of good as the rest obtained on the Lord's Day.
It is not however my desire to speak against the brief hoUdays
which are now granted weekly to thousands of young persons in
places of heavy business. If they have wisdom to utilize these
opportunities for physicial health and moral improvement, so far so
good. But I often fear that public houses and cigar divans and
other equally objectionable places are the greatest gainers by the
half -holiday movement. A few may seek intellectual advancement—
the greater part will be for trifling, expensive, and exhaustive
amusement. For thus by the devil, as Quarles puts it, is this poor
world turned and whipped round about.
But holidays, as the appointments of a corrupted Christianity and
apostate church — that of Rome — bring an invariable curse in their
train. The multitude of them in papal countries, with their attend-
ant idleness and poverty and crime is well known. And to the
reflective and spiritually-minded christian the times, as observed in
England, are times of increased dissipation and vice with the un-
godly, and times of temptation and often of persecution to himself.
For it may be that he is in his family circle and the round of his
acquaintances " a sparrow alone." Grace has arrested him, and
left i^em. The Holy Spirit has quickened him from death in
it
THE OOSPBL ADVOCATfi. H7
trespasses and sins, wkQe they still remain in the embraces of the
wicked one. As the consequence, they are all for the boisterous
mirth and jovial pleasures with which, let us say, Christmas for ex-
ample ie associated. The Pantomime, the dance, and carnal songs
are all the rage. But he dares not to engage in any of these things,
" because of the fear of God/' His corrupt nature may strive to
obtain a measure of fleshly gratification in some way or other ; and
the light of the Lord's countenance may be withholden, so that it
is a sorry period with his soul; while he is exhibited as a mark for
the wit, scorn, and pity of those who are unable to discern him in
his character of "a new creature in Christ Jesus." 1 Cor. ii. 15.
And thus it often happens at these so-called festive seasons that ^' the
days of famine " are the portion of the believer, and he starves in
tiie midst of the worldling's plenty, feeling neither in the world,
nor yet wholly separate from it.
Often have I wished the day called Christmas, under the above
circumstances, namely, in the midst of worldly associations, as Job
wished the day of his birth : ^' Let it not be joined to the days of
the year, let it not come into the number of the months." Chapter
iii. 6. At Easter or Whitsuntide, if the fields were sought by train
at some distance from London, the company of the throngs of the
merry-mad pleasure-seekers had to be endured, with their song-
Biiiging, inebriation, &c. ; but at Christmas there was no escape, as
immemorial custom bound one to the social and health-drinking
dinner-table with many of its after transactions. What a relief
frhen the time had passed — excepting the sting on the conscience,
for the measure of conformity to the world which had been indulged
in. Truly ^Ho be carnally minded is death."
While therefore rest from exhaustive toil is undoubtedly much
to be desired at other times than the Lord's Day, when the child of
Gtod may inhale the fresh and invigoi-ating air of sea and fields, and
endorse the grand truth : '' All Thy works praise Thee, Lord,
and Thy saints shall bless Thee," it is well when this can be done with-
out any connection with Rome's established holidays. For there is
no repose in earth's pleasures ; her children are wearied in the
greatness of their way, and find vexatious toil as the end of all their
pursuits. And why so ? It is because the Lord's blessing does not
rest on the appointments of superstition and carnality : and only
where that blessing does rest, is there no sorrow added by Him
therewith- Doubtless the great arch-fiend chuckles with delight
at what he has accomplished in the name of Religion. The carnival
at Naples derives all its eclat from the priestly prescribed Fast ; and
Bome has toiled for the flesh of men, more hardly than the Lord's
servants for their souls.
Z. A. O.
118 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
PERSONAL LBTTEKS TO THE EDITOR.
A PITHY GREEllNG.
Rose Bank, Reigate, Jan. 21, 1882.
My dear Mr. Baxter and brother beloved in the Lord, —
RACE, mercy, peace, and love be multiplied unto thee and
thine from the Fountain-head of all covenant blessing.
" Grace," which will keep thee in spite of all felt un-
worthiness ;
" Mercy," to meet thee in every necessity ;
" Peace," in every time of perplexity and couHict or toil ; and
" Love,'*'* to warm and cheer when all around, within or without,
is cold, dreary, and desolate. Amen and Amen.
May you richly enjoy the promise to be conferred on all the pro-
mised seed, " In blessing I will bless thee,'' is the prayer and
heartfelt desire of your brother and companion in tribulation,
Calvin Maetin.
CAST DOWN, BUT NOT DESTROYED.
14, Sotheron Road, Watford, Feb. 12, 1882.
Dear Brother in Christ Jesus, —
May the blessing of God rest upon you both in your editorial
and ministerial labours, and under all your afflictions and tempta-
tions may you realize the sustaining power of Divine love.
I have been prevented from fulfilling my engagements ou
account of the increase of my bodily infirmity, and have thought I
must resign all. I hardly feel justified for the present in publish-
ing them, as I am still in a very unfit state for long journeys. But
I have cei'tainly felt some improvement in my health the last two
days, and I think it arises from the blessing of God on a very
simple remedy, prescribed by my doctor for trial, as he would not
take the responsibility of administering anything beyond unless I
went to a surgeon of one of the London hospitals, and underwent
an examination. I have already submitted to this twice, and the
pain and exhaustion produced was so great that I must decline,
unless I feel that it is absolutely necessary.
If my complaint is incurable, I want to leave myself in the Lord's
hands and seek of Him patience to bear it, and grace to sanctify it
to me for His glory and my profit.
But I sometimes think that after all it may only be for a season,
and Divine power may again raise me up to comparative health and
strength, and the goodness of the Lord open to me a door where I
may be yet employed in feeding the poor of the flock. I have now
been afflicted about two years, yet have' travelled much and had
uch strength given me for the work, and I believe the nature
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. US
J complaint has very mucli relieved the pressure on the
to which I was rather liable. Is there not reason for grati-
)ven in our deepest afflictions ? We may always see therein
token of Divine favour.
iclose you a little scrap which I composed some time ago
suffering racking pain of body. I do not wish to burden
)ut perhaps some of the Lord's afflicted ones may read it with
pathetic spirit, and thus the unity of the mystic members of
be made manifest. In the last, as printed in the Advocate,
were two errors : "porter" should have been "master,"* and
Jkeeles " should have been " G. Skeeles."
dear wife is almost wholly confined to the house with heart
aint. She dare not go out except when the sun shines, and
mly a little way, and returns quite exhausted. She unites
ne in Christian love to yourself and Mrs. Baxter, hoping that
re both well.
J words of the Psalmist were very sweet to me this morning
a Ixxxiv. 2) : " My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the
\ of the Lord ; my heart and my liesh crieth out for the living
' How sweet to feel a union and to long for communion
ihose who are interested in redeeming love. This is surely a
of Divine sonship, for the beloved John says, "We know
we have passed from death unto life, because we love the
ren."
Believe me, my dear Brother,
Yours very sincerely in Christ Jesus,
Geo. Sejieles.
cse receiving the above, another Letter has come to hand from our afflicted
r, recording the departure from this world of his dear partner, Mrs. Maby
keeles, whose dying testimony, as we learn from the memorial card,
• I feel it a very solemn thing to come actually into the presence of death,
have been convinced of my state as a sinner by the Spirit of GK)d. I hope
fled to Jesus Christ, as the only refuge of the lost and ruined. I have
Br trust. And I hope all will be well with me at the last."]
append Mr. G. Skeeles' letter.
Watford, March 11th, 1882.
dear Brother in Christ Jesus, — I enclose this (a memorial
which vnll inform you of a very severe loss that I have sus-
i. I have been expecting it for a long time. Every night
I retired to rest, I knew that I might find my dear partner
by my side. When she went out for a walk 1 knew she might
)ught home dead. And every journey I took, the same thing
ontinually on my mind.
ded to the above, I have for two years at least been deeply
ed with a complaint in the bowels, which caused me the most
* See page 55, line 10 from top.
120
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
distressing pain. I have preached with my soul full of life and im-
mortality, and my poor body pierced as with arrows.
I had been compelled at length to give up all my engagements,
and then followed the closing scene of my dear wife. After shems
gone, I was compelled to take wholly to my bed, which I have occupied
with but little change since. I could not follow her to the grave,
but witnessed the funeral procession from an upper wimdow. But I
have been graciously supported, and I feel thankful she will never
suffer more herself — and that she is not here to hear my groans and
to witness my intense sufferings. I have received many marks of
sympathy and kindness from my own Christian friends in LondoE
and in the country, as well as here. But the general interest mani-
fested to me under my bereavement and my suffering has been of a
most overwhelming nature. I have had a visit from a Minister of
another denomination to-day, who before he left offered up such i
solemn prayer, and his conversation was so deeply spiritual that it
quite cheered me. I have known him many years and always thonght
him a good man, though we should not fully agree on doctruoal
truths. It is pleasing that a stated ministry of 18 years in the town
has, under the blessing of God, been attended with the good
feeling of the religious denominations in this town (which is now
very large) towards me. I am now under treatment by a very
skilful medical man, and have some hope that, though the com-
plaint is incurable, yet I may enjoy a little relief for my few remain-
ing days. I can say, my dear brother, I have no wish of my own,
as *^ whether I live or whether I die, I know I am the Lord^s." I
feel the comfortable support of those holy truths I have preached
to others — and tha,t to an extent which many of the Lord's people
cannot possibly know, who do not sit under a clear statement of truth.
0, what a debtor to free and sovereign grace. From 16 years of
age I have loved and walked in " the truth as it is in Jesus." I
cannot write much, so that I turn to you, and ask you kindly
through the Gospel Advocate to let my friends know how sweetly I
am lying in the arms of everlasting love, while under very paiirfiil
trials.
I should very much like to hold a little personal communionwitk
you. True I lie wide of your path and must not expect such a favour:
but if any of the Lord's dear servants have an hour to spare on
journey, and could do it without much expense or inconvenience, I
should be so glad to see them.
I hope that yourself and Mrs. Baxter are well. Please accept my
warmest Christian love, and wishing you the enjoyment of every
spiritual blessing in Chiist Jesus.
I remain, yours truly in Him,
George Skebles.
THB GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 121
A SPABBOW ALONE.
January 22, 1882.
^ Dear Sir, — I feel it my duty, althougli a stranger to you person-
■iPy^ — ^but not a stranger to your writings, for I have, indeed,
pnjoyed your "New Year's Address*' to us poor, lost, undone
aiiiniirs in and of ourselves, — to write to you, and I do sincerely
^ffifpe that yon may be both bodily and spiritually helped by the
•-blessed Spirit to maintain your pastoral and editorial work, for
sake of the dear Lord's people. I feel it incumbent on me to
you of the dear Lord's goodness to my heart, after so fierce a
cane and storm as I related to you when last I troubled you.
J|]|y and it was a storm, indeed ! I have not forgotten it, nor the
"^imax^for it was at that juncture that I felt it abate when, I think,
said, " I shall sink !" when the great I Am said, " I sink too !"
sir, it was a climax ; and in the street too. I had walked to
wer-street Chapel and nearly back, when the battle abated with
memorable words. I think, also, I must have spoken aloud
Itometimes, for I remember looking to see if there was anyone
{(elirnd me, but I saw none. I think I gave utterance to the words,
^'^It is hard ! it is hard !" Ah, sir, it is fresh upon me now while
K write ; and then that piece of poetry, " I will help thee," in last
Month's Advocate, — I have read it again to-night. But oh, sir, it
VBS almost more than I could well bear ; it is so personal. I should
Kke it printed in letters of gold, it is so beautiful. True, if the
pK>r soul is enabled to reply, as I was privileged to do, and use it
MB my own ; for it was but a very gentle — oh, so gentle — ^a chiding,
Hial it did not hurt me. It was only momentary, yet it abated
Hbe roughness of the storm.
The good person at Nottingham who wrote that piece must
.ve known something of a storm I should think, or I do
aot see how he could have penned the lines so minutely,
and with such a nicety ; but still he was not a servant nor
M poor weak woman.* It is true, sir, in every sense of the word,
tiiat I have not one creature in this world that I can communicate
with : they seem either to shun me or are afraid of me. I know no
iieason, only they do not understand me, and so cannot believe me.
Wliat I felt keener than anything, is, not being able to relieve my
poor distressed and distracted mind, all on account of not being
able to leave the future alone. But, sir, the dear Lord knows I fain
would gladly have done so if I had been able; but I was not. I
lad been out of a situation nearly three months ; and going after
jdace after place, as many as eight in one day, and every one a
denial — I being too old ; and I know that when I cannot work I
* Our oarrespondent will perhaps be surprised to know it was a woman that
wnto it— Ths Editob.
122 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
m
cannot live — the body mnst be ted ; but the dear Lord was so good
throughout all, with His presence to comfort and to cheer me,
when I was able to hear it, and He was pleased to give me quiet
nights, which was a great mercy. He has given me a place to
live in for a time ; how long I cannot say : but to all appearance I
give the greatest satisfaction, as I have not had a cross word or a
fault found yet. I have been here five weeks yesterday ; but I fed
it is very temporary; it was got for me almost without any
trouble on my part. It is a business house. I never lived in
one before ; but the place suits me much, if I have but my health
and strength to .do the work. It wants great management;
young people cannot do it. They are always changing tlieir
servants, or have been only keeping one ; but management is the
chief thing, and I feel very tired at the end of the day. I do p
have my Sundays nearly alone, but I have scarce been out yet, for
I am glad to take all the rest I can, for the poor body's sake. Ah,
sir, I never thought of being too old to work in my younger
days ; and the body was very little studied then. Now it is all
my anxiety how I am to live ; but I believe the worst is past.
Concerning that, the Lord alone knows what He has enabled me to
pass through ; but I believe He will supply all my needs while in
the wilderness.
From your humble servant,
A Spabbow Alone.
HELPS BY THE WAY.
March 2, 1882.
My dear Sir, — I think it is about eight years since I first heard
you preach, and 1 have a sweet remembrance of it to this day:
"Happy art thou, Israel, who is like unto thee, people saved by
the Lord," and I think I may truly say from that day to this there
has not been a day that you have been absent from my thoughts. I
hope you are well in health and have much of the Master's pre-
sence. The Lord make you a blessing to the people wherever you
are called to preach. Very few know the real value of a Gospel
minister. I have thought much of Elijah and Blisha — ^what won-
derful love. "As thy soul liveth I will not leave thee," said Elisha,
and the Lord granted him the " double portion." I have no doubt
they were men of deep feeling and corresponding expression. I
think I can enter a little into his feelings when he saw his master
no more. It is said "he rent his clothes." Well he might. It was a
token of sorrow with God's ancient people. Oh that the Lord
would stir up His people to seek Him more earnestly, that they
may not rest satisfied without this " double portion." I cannot rest
satisfied in that which I have received. I want fresh tokens of His
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 123
>ve to my soul. How very sweet have these words been to me :
' Blessed is the man that heareth Me ; watching daily at My gates,
raiting at the posts of My doors : for whoso findeth Me findeth
ife, and shall obtain favour of the Lord." ^^Then shall we know if
re follow on to know the Lord. His going forth is prepared as
he morning, and He will come unto us as the early and the latter
ain.'' How nice is the dew when it descends upon our souls. The
jord gave me a little of this the last Lord's-day under Mr. Fraser.
lis text was from 2 Peter i. 16 : ^^For we have not followed cunningly
levised fables, when we made known unto you the power and
oming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eye-witnesses of His
oaiesty.'* I hope to see you very soon. The Lord come with you
ind. prepare our hearts to receive it, and that all intruders may be
cept in the background.
What a nice frame of mind I was in the Tuesday mom-
Xkg I was at ******. I stood looking out of my friend's
nindow, and I had an unusual desire to see you pass by :
aot as Zacchaeus had, who climbed up into a sycamore tree, but out
if pure love to you as a man of Grod. It was but a few minutes
before I saw you pass by. I can scarce describe my feelings. I
blessed and praised the Lord that ever you came into these parts ;
that the Lord should so bless the word to my soul, who am not
worthy of the least of His mercy nor the notice of you. His servant.
I could not help shedding tears that such love was shown to me.
Why did He not pass by me and take another far more fit for the
kingdom of heaven than I am ? Several of my companions have
been out down in early life, having no hope, and without God. in
the world, and why have I found favour that the Lord should take
notice of me, seeing I was a stranger ? We thank you for what
you have sent. I have read them through and through. I see
you have several calls on your way here. May the Lord stand by
and support and comfort you and give you journeying mercies.
Wherever the Lord sends His messengers there is sure to be a
Sebecca. A true Gospel minister has the Lord at his right hand.
He puts words in his mouth, strengthens him to deliver His mes-
BSkge. And what a mercy it is to be made willing in the day of
His power to leave all that we have, and to say with Rebecca, " I
will go." How often is it with a minister they stand by the well
of water, faith not being in exercise ? They have nothing to draw
with, and the well is deep. They are sorely tried. " Faith is the
rift of God," and this every believing soul knows. I felt very much
LOT a young man that I once heard preach. He could scarcely come
at anything, and he had no learning to fall back upon. I met with a
young man a long time ago. He told me what a sweet lift he got
under your preaching. He had been on the borders of despair —
124 THB GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
thought there was no hope for him. The Lord sent the word toluB
hearty and raised him from his despairing state. He said^ with tears
in his eyes, '' If Mr. Baxter is right, it will one day be well with me"
It is very encouraging to a minister to hear that his ministry is
l)le8sed to the people, and when the Lord has a word for us how it
tells upon our hearts. We are like Rebecca retoming from the
well, looking upon the jewels, the precious promises of the Gospel
With love, I remain,
Yours dincerely,.
A GLEitNU.
3C
UNDER PAIN AND' 8IGKNES9,
My mortal part, companion of my soul
These threescore years.
How oft have I been clogged and checked by thee!
Pain would- my spirit fly from thy control.
To part with tears.
And bathe herself in heaven^s immensity.
Yet, still> to part with thee, through whom I act.
And render clear
To sensual eye, what otherwise would' be
Dark and obscure — ^although an inward fact —
Fills me with fear.
And makes me shrink from vast futurity.
But why these fears ? Thou art by Christ redeemed
Witji precious blood.
And shalt be raised by Him both sound and whole ;
To share with those by Him beloved, esteenved.
Their heavenly food.
In sweet re-union with my purged soul.
Submit, then, inferior part.
To the decree
Which says, ^ "To dust fchou must return.^*
^ That spirit, whose sad cumbrance now thou art,
' Give liberty !
^ Lie down and take thy sleep till morning dawn.*
Watford. G-. Sebjblbs.
Strive to make prayer, and reading, and holy company, your del^ht ;
and when delight cometh in, ye shall, by little and little, smell the sweet-
ness of Christ, till at length your soul be filled with Christ's sweetnetf.
—Rutherford.
THB GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
125
Urfterft tj % P0ii«iJ^bf uf Jritj^.
LETTER BY RUTH BRYAN.
loasly Beloved^
I tkinkmuch of you in the conflicting opinions which surround
doa ; but it will all^ in the Lord's hand^ tend to strengthen^ stablish^
ad settle' you in Him^ above the fogs and mists of creature ' yea
jid nay.* I aiEt hoping it will be with you according to the diear
rord I am so enjoying: ^'It was but a little that I passed by them,
rat I feond Him Whom my soul loveth." May you pass by them
pa) sJly and listen to what your Lord will say, and seek to follow
iiBt; for "in keeping His commandments there is^eat reward.'*
Verily, it is no misfortune to be alone with Jesus. When creatures
ore all gone it is a luxury ; and when self is all gone it is the climax of
»liss ! Then, indeed, is absorption in Him. And there are such
icasons even here below; and the more we live by faith, the more
ve shall realise it. I can say, as an aged minister did whom I once
anew, " I do not mind who says it is only judgment-faith, while I
bel the oil running down my back.'* Ah, that is it : it is the home
witness. " He that believeth hath the witness in himself." If
ifheTB cannot read the new name in his white stone, he has greater
nitness than that of man : and as kept believing, or in the exercise
il faith, the witness is clear. " For he that liveth and believeth in
lie** — NOT hds believed, but present tense, believeth ; daily, hourly
^-'' shall never die.** Christ is our life ; and thus by faith we see
*, and^ ** bear witness that this is indeed that Eternal Life which was
Mrith the Father, and was manifested unto us ;'* and that amidst all
3fur changeabilities, our life is hid with Him in God, where our sin
ind death cannot reach it, or touch it. These things work in the
Besh ', but as we live by faith, we do not judge after the flesh ;
knowing this, that " our old man is crucified with Him, that the
body of sin might be destroyed** — counted a dead thing — and we
live in the Spirit, walk in the Spirit, "rejoice in Christ Jesus, and
have no confidence in the flesh.'* We do not reckon by that rule.
EiiB better doings and its worse doings are all nothing ; they are all
Hailed to the cross, that we may glory only in the Lord, and in
^nion-privilege reckon by the doings of our Surety, and overcome
by His blood, and triumph in His righteousness, and find that
** there is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ
Vesas ; who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.*'
This blessed way of wisdom is " hid from the eyes of all living.**
It is the dead — those who are crucified with Christ— that find it ; for
*' Destruction and death say. We have heard of the &bme thereof
126 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
with our ears." Tlirougli the death of self, we come to enjoy Christ,
the hidden wisdom, as the resurrection and the life, and the death
of self can only come by His cross.* " God forbid that I should
glory, save in the cross of Christ, by Whom the world is crucified
unto me, and I unto the world. "Dear, precious Lord, ''in life we
are lovely and pleasant to each other, and in death we are not
divided." We died with Thee, and shall live in Thy love and
presence for ever and ever, — ^the second Adam and Eve in the
paradise of God. Who can help rejoicing in " Jesus only ?"
Ever yours,
Ruth.
* This may be taken as a beautiful adaptation, but it must not be understood
as an interpretation of Job xxyiii. 22, which was the first portion dear Buth
heard us preach from. Editor.
LETTER BY A TRIED PILGRIM.
9, Birchin Lane, Nov. 17, 1856.
My dear Brother in the Lord, —
HAVE a little time to spare, and desire to employ it in a short
communication, looking up for the blessing of the Lord to
rest upon me and you in all these means of intercourse. I
thank you for the very kind letter last received, and heartily
coincide in all its contents. In the matter of S* * * * I get as faff
as you do, and there I stop. I desire to hear the voice of the Son
of God, saying with mighty power and effect, " Follow Me." I
deplore my wretched inability to enter into the precious blessings
of knowing Him, of seeing His beauty, experiencing His rich grace
and heart-breaking and heart-melting dying love and rising and
reigning glory. Of all the poor worms of earth in whom is no
breath, who cleave to the dust, who abide in desolate places like
dead men, I seem one of the most worthless, and hence I often feel
straitened in letter writing, standing in doubt of myself, and com-
pelled to give such a dismal account of matters from time to time.
But I feel it is a blessing that I have one who knows much of the
path of life, and who is willing to Dear with me and ready to
counsel, instruct and encourage my feeble spirit. You are, through
covenant mercy, raised up to enjoy that saving knowledge of, and
vital experience and communion with, the Holy One of Israel, which
I have so long hoped for, asked for, and waited for ; but, alas, seem
still so far from attaining, being tossed about and bewildered with
natural faith, natural hopes, natural understanding, and fleshly and
habitual profession, &c., &c. Out of this labyrinth I am utterly unable
to come forth, until the gracious Redeemer says to me, " Go forth,
show thyself ; I have redeemed thee, thou art Mine." But at pre-
sent^
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 127
" I tire and faint and mope and mourn.
And seem bat barren still,'*
And all my efforts are insufficient to answer the question^
'* Do I loTe the Lord or no ? Am I His or am I not ?**
Thus you see I am a poor creeping thing yet ; cannot " lay hold on
Chrijst by His death" with feeling, with love, and assurance by theHoly
Ghost ; but after my unhappy cogitations and inward searchings I
can only come to this one point, " I wait the visits of His grace,^'
and
'' New life from Him I must receive, before for eon. I rightly grieye."
My hope is thus simply upon what His almighty arm can
do, what He hath promised to do, in the sovereignty of His
grace and redeeming love; but I find it hard work to reaUy confide
in this while " my house is not so with God,*' my evidences all
suspicious, my thoughts empty and unfeeling, and several terrific
rocks of &lse profession, in my own past observation, portending
nothing but gloom, and fear, and tremendous ruin ; and thejiistice
ai the Divine Sovereignty acknowledged in it all. In these things I
am like a ship at sea, and cannot find the '^anchor sure and stead&st,''
but wonder where it will all end, and feel myself hopeless, guilty
and wretched, unless the Arm of the Lord is revealed for my de-
Hverance and rescue. But the general knowledge, by reading and
hearing, concerning the hopes, fears and comforts of the Grospel,
which I have obtained, seems to mock me as theory without life and
reality in my own case : and thus from what I pass through, I feel
now '^ as clay in the hands of the potter." And while detailing these
doleful things I desire never to lose sight of the Hope of Israel, but
to speafc to His honour, and make mention of His wondrous works,
Qjifar OM I have been led to experience them in the outward tokens
of His goodness, wisdom and power, and in the ordering of my
steps hitherto; in saving me from so many snares, dangers and evils,
and in giving me the least hope in His mercy. My complaints only
respect my wretched self. I had need come as the poor Gentile
woman, low in the dust, seeking, as it were, a crumb from the
Gospel table, as an earnest of the fulness of the blessing of the
Gospel of Christ. The Lord grant it. Amen.
I must go on seeking the Lord and His strength O may a set
time of favour soon come :
" A light to shine upon the road that leads wu to the Lamb."
I am like a dumb man, and cannot write what I would to
tibe praise and honour and glory of the Friend of Sinners;
but I desire to love Him, to become feelingly His child, to be cut
off from every sin and made meet for His kingdom. The Lord keep
me, and perfect that which concemeth me for. His great name's sake.
Bemember me at the throne, dear brother, and the Lord enrich
128 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
you with all covenant blessings^ and unite us now henoef orth and
for ever in Himself.
Very hastily I have scribbled this. Excuse it. ^e are all in
health still, thank God, and I hope you are so favoured.
I desire ever to remain,
Your sincerely affectionate and hopeful
friend in Christ,
Thos. a. Williams.
PURE GOLD FROM PURITAN AND OTHER MINES.
^^ Many cry in tribulation, and are not heard. Paul cried that
the thorn in the flesh might be taken away from him, and he was
not heard for it to be taken away ; and it was said to him. My grace
is sufficient for thee ; for My strength is made perfect in weakness.
Therefore was he not heard; to the end that man may unde^
stand that God is a Physician, and that tribulation is a remedy for
salvation, not a punishment for condemnation. While under
treatment thou art cauterized, cut, criest out, : the physician heeds
not for thy wish, but he heeds for thy health."
*^ To his profit, Paul was not heard ; to condemnation the devil
was heard. He asked to tempt Job and it was granted. The
devils asked to go into the swine, and they were heard. Devils are
heard, an apostle is not heard : but they are heard unto condemna-
tion, the apostle is not heard (hut) unto salvation." Augustine on.
the Psalms (pages 152 and 153) vol. 1.
" Adam on the dunghill" (that is Job) " was more guarded than
Adam in Paradise. For Adam in Paradise consented to the
woman, that he should be sent out of Paradise : Adam on the
dunghill rejected the woman, that he should be admitted into par-
adise. What then does that Adam on the dunghill, travailing
with immortality within, without outspread with worms, what says
he to the woman ? Thou speakest as one of the foolish women
speaketh. What ! shall we receive good at the hand of God, and
shall we not receive evil ? " Augustine on the Psalms.
SHORT OBITUARY NOTICES.
Died in the Lord, February 20th, Mr. James Francis Crompton,
of Peckham, London, aged 59 years. — February 26th, Mrs. Annie
Elizabeth Meadows, the beloved wife of Mr. George Meadows
(Town Clerk of Hastings), aged 57 years. — March 4th, Mrs.
Mary Ann Skeeles, the beloved wife of Mr. George Skeeles, Minister
of the Gospel, Watford.
May, 1882. the qospel advocate. 129
ESSAYS ON HARTS HYMNS.— LIV.
Hymn 50.
" Charity never faileth.'^ — 1 Cor. xiii. 8.
UMANITY and Divinity, how essentially different ! Not
of creature love can it be affirmed that it '^ never faileth,"
but only of the Creator's. Mortal love, having attained
the object of desire, often sinks into cold indifference;
or, being disappointed in its aim, gives place to bitter hate.
And why ? Because selfishness is more or less at the root of all
earthly affections, seeking jper^onaZ gratification, while pursuing the
beloved person or thing on whom the heart is fixed. Exception ta
this can only exist in a Being so supremely happy in Himself that,.
in His pure Essence, He cannot receive any additional pleasure or
delight ; and such perfection of Being is found only in Jehovah.
The all-surpassing excellency of "charity" or "love," as de-
scribed by the Apostle in 1 Cor. xiii., is not therefore to be under-
stood of the love of men or women ; however strikingly it may in a
reflective measure be occasionally exemplified among them. The
Author and inward Worker of the believer's spiritual " faith " and
hope," is equally to be honoured as the Fountain of this
charity." It is the very essence of Himself, for " God is love."
And in its covenant display the Father, the Son, and the Spirit
equally unite, to the salvation of the elected millions who constitute
the Church of God.
There are various ways in which " love " is to be regarded as
superior to "faith" and "hope," but chiefly in this: while the
former is so gloriously and inseparably associated with the very ex-
istence of Jehovah, the two latter, though His own gracious gifts and
powerful operation, become closely identified with the redeemed
creature, and proclaim that creature's dependence on the God of
salvation. But without extending prefatory remarks in enlarging^
on this vital and interesting topic, we will try and follow our
beloved poet in his evangelical definition of the truth.
*' Faith in the bleeding Lamb,
O what a gift is this !
Hope of salvation in His Name,
How comfortable 'tis !" — ^Ver. 1.
The cobwebs of creature duty, will, and power, are swept down by
130 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
this experimental assertion, without the noise and parade of theo-
logical strife. With " the bleeding Lamb " stretched on the sacri-
ficial altar before His eyes, and a deep sense of the mercy that has
enabled him, a once hardened and defiant rebel, to submit in loving
faith to that soul-humbling method of pardon and justification, the
poet feels that this could not be of himself, but was wholly to be
ascribed to the free gift of God, Eph. ii. 8. And " what a gift ! "
While millions are perishing in unbelief to be made a partaker of
/Hhe faith of God's elect/' Experiencing continually within the
workings of potent unbelief, yet enabled notwithstanding to cleave
to the Lord with purpose of heart, and to desire Him as ^^ the
chiefest among ten thousand," Who is " despised and rejected of
men" dead in sins, how mysterious and wonderful ! To have no
*^hope" of salvation except "in His Name," and to possess a
'' good hope through grace " that that Name avails for his eternal
welfare, this is the lot of every true believer, for it is the heritage
of all who fear the Lord. And
" How comfortable 'tis '*
when drawn forth into sacred exercise. "For we are saved by
hope," Rom. viii. 24. It keeps the head above water in the floods,
and encourages the fainting heart when seemingly cast out of
Jehovah's sight, like Jonah in the whale's belly, to look again to-
ward His holy temple, Jonah ii. 4. Nor can we abound in this
inspiring grace unless "the God of hope" fill us " with all joy and
peace in believing, by the power of the Holy Ghost," Rom. xv. 13.
To these most blessed graces must be added
** Knowledge of what is right ;
How God is reconciled ;
A foe received a favourite ;
An alien made a child." — ^Ver. 2,
How much is implied in this ! By partaking of ^' the tree of
knowledge of good and evil " our first parents lost all " knowledge
of what is right/' and entailed the baneful effect of a perverted
understanding upon all their posterity. Hence a solemn threaten-
ing pertains to all who are not redeemed by Christ from the curse
of the law, and emancipated from the chains of error by the Spirit
of Truth — even this: "Woe unto them that call evil good and
good evil ; that put darkness for light and light for darkness ; that
put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter ? Woe unto them that
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 131
9ge wise in ikeir own eyes and pmdent in their own sight,'' Isaiah
T. 20, 21. Men who are thus subverted in heart and mind, are
invariably on ^od terms with themselves, and entertain a high
opinion of their own wisdom and pmdence. But when the illomi*
Dating rays of the Sun of Righteousness, with their truth and
^'rijfW-displaying grace, shine in upon the soul, there is an
unmasking of all self-deception.
'' Knowledge of what is right '' discovers the sin of the sinner
in its exceeding sinfulness, even that which was most secret, by
placing it in the light of the Lord's holy countenance, Psa. xc. 8,
for '^ all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light,
for whatsoever doth make manifest is light," Eph. v. 13. And this
terminates that dreadful delusion which prevailed, and the lie pre*
viously held fast in the right hand can no longer be retained*
Creature merit is consumed like the moth, and the moisture of
power for spiritual action is turned into the drought of summer.
But all this is an ordeal of love and mercy. It is intended to
lead to the glorifying of Christ in the believer's experience and to
tiie heartfelt knowledge of
** How Qod is reconciled."
We have previously explained this phrase as employed by Hart,
and on more than one occasion. It is an inversion of Scripture
language, which testifies that God was in Christ reconciling the
world {i.e., elect Jews and Gentiles also) unto Himself, &c., 2 Cor.
V. 19. But as our poet is strictly referring to the ''knowledge** and
enjoyment of experimental reconciliation, on the part of a soul that
has apprehended the wrath of God, there is no heterodoxy in the
words as so used, though it behoves us to be careful in imitating
the style without a clear reference to the same point. That there
is no room to challenge Mr. Hart's meaning is evident from tho
two concluding lines, which continue the same subject :
*' A foe received a favourite ;
An alien made a child."
Such language cannot refer to the view Jehovah took of His people
in His eternal choice of them in their perfect and " altogether-lov-
ing " Head, Christ Jesus. In Him they never were " foes," never
"aliens.*' In Him, no iniquity, neither perverseness could be laid
to their charge. In Him, everlasting love embraced them with un*
182 THB GOSPEL ADYOCATB.
mixed approbation from eternity, and will gaze upon tlirough eter-
nity with the same undivided feeling.
But how different this glorious fact from the feelings of the
quickened soul, bowed down under the weighty sense of its past
enmity to and alienation from God ! The apostle expresses his
own deep-felt view of the matter thus : " Among whom also we all
liad our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling
the desires of the flesh and of the mind ; and were hy nature (not as
Tiewed in covenant love), the children of wrath even as others," Eph.
ii. 3. The parable of the Prodigal fully illustrates the matter. Oome
to himself, bowed down with shame and self-reproach, he retuma
to his father's house as one who had been a " foe *' and an *' alien."
But the Father's love triumphs over all his son's unworthiness,
and proves that his heart's affection had not failed, thougb \a&
child had failed in dutiful obedience. For Divine ''charity
never faileth." Not without cause did David, when overwhelmed
with the loving kindness of his bountiful Grod, exclaim, '* And is
this the manner of man, OLord God?" 2 Sam. vii. 19. No, in-
deed it is not. Therefore with equal admiration and wonder does
John write : '' Behold what manner of love the Father hath be-
stowed on us, that we should be called the sons of God," 1 John
iii. 1. And it is impossible to too highly value the gracious work
of the blessed Spirit, Who, by means oi faith, hope, and knowledgej
grants to poor sinners the sacred privilege of tasting the ineffeible
bliss of Jehovah's love ; for it is as our poet writes :
" Blessings, my friends, like these,
Are very, very great,"
because they are the infallible evidence of interest in that " eve^
lasting covenant " which " is ordered in all things and sure." Yet
Mr. Hart adds :
** But soon they every one must cease.
Nor are they now complete.
Faith will to bliss give place ;
In sight we hope shall lose ;
For who need trust for what he has,
Or hope for what he views P
The little, too, that's known.
Which, children-like, we boast.
Will fade, like glowworms in the sun.
Or drops in ocean lost."— Vers. 3 — 5.
THE GOSFEL ADTOCATZ. 133
We win not illustrate the adage of gilding gold or painting the
lily^ by commenting in an explanatory manner on this clear elacida^
tion of Gospel truth. One thing only would we note : the humility
of mind and heart which becomes those most favoured with an
abimdance of faith, hope, and knowledge, seeing ^^it doth not yet
appear what we shall he" The similes of the " glowworm " and
the '^ drops " are admirably saited to remind as what we are : the
former^ of oar earthly origin and tendencies, the latter, of oar inst^
bility. Gen. xlix. 4. Even now, when onr beloved Lord shines
npon as, oar little light as glowworms ceases to be visible : and
what then will it be when ^' we shall see Him as He is I" Gladly,
in His dear presence, we now lose oar tiny drops in Himself : and
what will it be when we shall behold Him ^' face to face 1" It is the
Batare of drops of water to unite and lose their individuality. And
%o will the Charch in her completed fulness in her Lord, by parting
with her corruption, lose sight of self, and all that is now so selfish.
Tain, and boastful in her members. In the boundless ocean of the
Triune Jehovah's love the largest and the smallest drops will meet
and be absorbed for ever. Glorious thought ! The Lord hasten it
in His time.
*' But love shall still remain.
Its glories cannot cease ;
No other change shall that sustain.
Save only to increase." — Ver. 6.
In this the great supremacy of the Heavenly Charity is manifest.
When Faith, by which we embrace the Saviour, cleave to the pro-
mises, and overcome the world and Satan, is no longer needed ;
when Hope, by which under the dark cloud we search for the bright
light and anticipate the Lord's appearing, has no place left for its
services ; when all the Knowledge we derive from communications
to faith from Him, Whom we have not yet seen, shall be swallowed
up in the " far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory " which
shall be ''revealed in us," even then shall love break forth in infinitely
brighter splendour. For then shall the espoused queen put on her
bridal attire, and stand at the Lamb's right hand in gold of Ophir,
Psa. xiv. 9. And inasmuch as the nature of what is reserved for
that auspicious time, God has revealed by His Spirit unto us whom
He hath called, both Jews and Gentiles, and as we prove that every
fresh and farther display of Himself intensifies our love to Him, it
184 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
must be that in the eternal unfoldings of Himself our love will be
capable of no other change,
** Save only to increase."
Nor can a shade of doubt be cast over the declaration :
^' Of all that Ood bestows
In earth, or heaven above,
The best gift saint or angel knows.
Or e'er will know is love." — ^Ver, 7.
In confirmation of this the wise man tells us that ^^ loving favour"
is rather to be chosen " than silver and gold/' Prov. xxii. 1, and
that '' if a man would give all the substance of his house for love,
it would utterly be contemned," Song viii. 7. For in its nature it
is infinite, unchangeable, omnipotent, and everlasting. On the
Lord's part, it binds Him to His people and them to Him for ever.
And in all the dear Redeemer did and suffered for their sakes, and
in all the unwearying grace, tenderness and care the Holy Spirit
displays in His heart's work, there is the strong and steady deve-
lopment of the Father's purpose and choice, and the perfect demon-
stration that "Charity never faileth."
We have often admired the next verse :
" Love all defects supplies ;
Makes great obstructions small ;
*Tis prayer, *tis praise, *tis sacrifice,
'Tis holiness, 'tis all."— Ver. 8.
There is the reflected shadow of this in deep and true human affec-
tion. How willingly blind it is to what, in the eyes of others, are
glaring defects in the beloved object. How easily and readily it
supplies his or her deficiencies, by a thousand excuses and pallia-
tions, which others would not tolerate. And as to the old proverb,
'^ Where there's a will there's a way," it specially holds good of the
will of '^ Love." '^ Obstructions " that would daunt and deter
others from moving, are overcome by the energy of fervent regard.
Witness Jacob's natural love to Rachel : ^' And Jacob served seven
years for Rachel, and they seemed unto him but a few days, for the
love he had to her," Gen. xxix. 20. Witness also the devotion of
Jonathan's spiritual love for David, in braving the wrath of his
father to the jeopardising of his own life, that he might save his
friend's, 1 Sam. xviii. But what are these instances but poor and
weak in comparison with " the love of Christ, which passeth know-
ledge V^ That love which, in full view of all the suffering it entailed
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 135
upon Him, exclaimed, '^I will ransom them from the power of the
grave ; I will redeem them from death : death, I will be thy
plagues ; grave, I will be thy destruction : repentance shall be
hid from mine eyes," Hos. xiii. 14. This is the love that supplied
all the defects of poor, unworthy Zion, in providing her with an all-
sufficient salvation and justifying righteousness in the face of an
accusing world and devil. This ''made all ohstriictions small,^^
tjausing every valley to be exalted, every mountain and hill to be
made low, the crooked to be made straight, and the rough places
plain, when in the fulness of His heart's desire He was manifested
to take away sins. And this same love shed abroad in their hearts
by the Holy Ghost is at the root of all believer's devotions, not-
withstanding the presence of so many fears and so much legality.
For by this they are inspired, while even dreading Divine wrath, not,
like Cain, to go out from the presence of the Lord, but to desire
and seek Divine favour. Thus '' ^Tis prayer ;^* in that it secretly
impels their desires for the presence, blessing, and promises of
God. " 'Tis praise ;'' in that it prompts their grateful acknowledg-
ments of mercies received. '''Tis sacrifice;" in that, as it wrought
in Him, it constrained their Lord and Master to give His life a
sacrifice for them ; and, as it works in them, it enables them when
called to do so, to make for His sake sacrifices of self and worldly
interests, yea of life itself : which none of the unregenerate can.
''^Tis holiness ;" for as it is the very essence of the Holy One of
Israel, so, in its communicated form, it is the very essence of the
'' new man " within the believer, which " after God is created in
righteousness and true holiness," Bph. iv. 24, and which, in its con-
nection with " the fear of the Lord, is a fountain of life to depart
from the snares of death." In fine, '"Tis all;" in that both in
God and His redeemed people it constitutes the chief character-
istic, without which nothing else in grace and mercy would or
could have been imparted by Him, or received and displayed by
them.
It is too true that there often appears a suspension of its opera-
tions in the dejected soul and in the carnally-minded believer. The
former, by reason of darkened evidences and soul- desertion, can-
not feel the inward springing up of this blissful principle ; and the
latter, in the indulgence of a worldly spirit and carnal ease, lacks
the freshness of its influence in the absence of the Beloved. But
136 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
the fire still lingers among the smouldering embers, and only needs
to be stirred from time to time by the Spirit of God in order to
discover its indestructible vitality. Yes, we are absolutely depen-
dent on " the Spirit of love " for all we feel of this Divine grace.
And in these days in which, because iniquity abounds, the love of
the many ♦ (i.e., the most) has waxed cold, it will be well if the Lord
stirs us up to unite in the precious prayer with which this hymn
closes :
" Descend, celestial dove,
With Jesus* flock abide I
Give us that best of blessings, Love,
Whate'er we want beside." — Ver. 9.
In His character as " the dove '* the Holy Comforter is set forth as
the Lover, in union with the Father and the Son ; and ^^ the love
of the Spirif is no less intense than Theirs. The redeemed
"flock'' He watches over, and will surely abide with for
ever. But He becomes the proper object of prayer for this that
His indwelling may be known, felt, and enjoyed. And as all in-
crease in this " best of blessings " depends upon His unctuous
grace, may He gi'aciously vouchsafe unto writer and reader that
enlarged measure that shall infinitely more than compensate for
the lack of intellectual gifts and worldly greatness — those idols of
an unredeemed world.
The Edftor.
SPIRITUAL PERPLEXITIES.
MID all the varied experiences through which the children
of God are called to pass, the greater portion of them
(if not all) increasingly enter into the words of the Apostle
Paul : " For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being
burdened.'^ " Burdened " with the body of sin and death, which
mars all we set our hands unto, and again and again dashes all
our good resolutions, we bitterly prove that "in our flesh
dwelleth no good thing," and " when we would do good, evil is
present with us."
We hate and abhor ourselves for those sins which so cleave
unto us, and we are ready to faint by the way, feeling we have bo
power or might against them ; " we groan, being burdened." We
ask the Lord to give us victory over them, and to grant us a daily
* So the Original reads.
THB GOSPEL ADYOCATS. 137
growth in grace ; but we forget the discipline that is necessary to
prodace these effects. And when the Lord answers onr prayer by
showing us the hidden evils of our hearts ; permitting some trial
to come along which reveals them instead of granting our request
for increased communion with Himself, and that we may be
enabled to glorify Him by our walk and conversation, and be
made a blessing to His church and people, we are cast down and
dismayed, fearing the Lord does not hear our cries. We are
tossed hither and thither; lose our quiet anchorage in Him
Who has been revealed to us as our wisdom, righteousness, sanctifi-
cation, — our all in all, and we are grieved and sorrow-stricken that
we thus grieve Him. We cannot understand our path ; we are
perplexed, and sink lower and lower, until the Lord is pleased to
arise for our help, and show us that these exercises are sent to wean
OS from ourselves, and to lead us to cleave more closely unto the
Lord Jesus Christ, that we may prove His strength made perfect in
our weakness. Thus do we, by the Holy Spirit^s power, cast
anchor in Grod's unchangeable love and &ithiulness, and '^ wish
for day.''
In His own good time God appears for us, putting all our
enemies to flight, and in His light we see light ; we then remember
that —
** Leat on our lees we should rest,"
*' The Canaanites dwell in the land,"
and also that —
** The humblest soul is most like Him"
We perceive all this discipline has been necessary to humble our
proud hearts, to show us unsuspected sins, to lead us to feel our
own utter weakness and inability to do anything good, or to exer-
cise any grace, that our help at all times must come from God. In
Hijf strength only do we stand, and through Him alone can we
overcome. Who, " by one offering, hath perfected for ever them that
are sanctified," and Whose promise is, " I will put My laws into
their hearts, and in their minds will I write them ; and their sins
and iniquities will I remember no more."
This is a blessed portion for the child of God at all seasons, but
especially so when passing through deep conflict and mourning on
account of ^' sin that dwelleth in m^." ^lay the Lord so strengthen
and increase our faith, that we may be enabled to realise the
blessedness of our sonship, and of being of that happy number
who have "boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of
•Jesns." May we have much communion with Him as our High
Priest, and be enabled to " draw near with a true heart in full
assurance of faith," prayerfully seeking for grace to '* hold fast '*
188 THE OOSPBL ADVOCATE.
the profession of our faith^ and to take heed of the exhortation^ to
" consider one another, to provoke nnto love and good works,"
remembering the price with which we are bought, even the
precious blood of Christ. Therefore ought we to show forth His-
praise, by seeking in all things to walk according to His word and
example.
" when will Gk)d our joy complete,
And make an end of sin ?
When shall we walk the land and meet
No Canaanite therein ?"
Not in this time-state; we must wait until it pleases God to
call us to lay down this body of sin and death, and to enter into
the joy of our Lord. Oh, may we press forward with much
earnestness, humility, and meekness until this blessed time arriYSS.
Holding fast our "confidence, which hath great recompense of
reward :" and whilst we grieve that sin will so cleave unto us, let us
remember "that our warfare is accomplished, our iniquity is
pardoned," and rejoice in our completeness in Christ Jesus, and
that nothing can separate from His love.
As Ruth Bryan writes, " Here may I live, here may I die,
resting on the Person and work — the sufferings and death — of a
glorious Christ. There is no sinking there except into the abyss of
love ; where our sins, when sought for, can never be found." Rest
assured, the more we are privileged to walk in these paths of holy
faith, and quiet confidence, and peace, the more tender and lowly
shall we be, abstaining from even the "appearance of evil.*' Sin will
be an increasing grief to us, because it dishonours Him in Whom
we delight, and Who is the beloved of our souls. Our one great
desire will be to adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all
things — Him " Who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us
from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people zealous
of good works." Oh that these " good works " may abound in us
more and more, and we be enabled to " walk in Christ Jesus as we
have received Him,"
" Neither lifted up with air,
Nor dejected to despair ;
Always keeping Christ in view,
He will bring us safely through."
" The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all." Amen.
Gamhs, Iota.
Faith is the looking off from ourselves, and believing what God has
told us of Himself — God makes a proclamation, man will not believe it,
but the Holy Spiritmakes him believe it. — Krause.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 139
THE CLAIMED JEWELS.
(Concluded from page 78.J
There is no consent of the creature asked, but the plain, solid,
and firm affirmation, "They shall/^ &c.; leaving no doubt or
uncertainty in the matter. It has been said (and I endorse
it), that the Lord would ransack all hell, but what He will have His
own, and would drive all the devils mad rather than lose one of
them ! Turn to Eomans ix. 15, and three following verses, " For
He saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy,
and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion. So
then it is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of
Grod that showeth mercy. For the Scripture saith to Pharaoh,
Even for this same purpose have I raised thee up, that I might show
My power in thee, and that My name might be declared throughout
all the earth. Therefore hath He mercy on whom He will have mercy,
.and whom He will He hardeneth." Plainly proving. He will save
His own : also that His sovereignty is manifested in choosing them out
of the world. As a further proof, moreover, of His having a people,
we find this fact in Isaiah xliii. 21 ; ''This people have I formed for
Myself ; they shall show forth My pnxise." They are His by
^reatton, as He is the creator of all ; but they are His by choice, as
He chose them out from the rest of mankind, and Christ redeemed
them, and the Spirit quickens them : so they are His specially, in a
three-fold sense, more than the world, as the latter are only His by
oreation. Again, in speaking of Israel according to the election of
grace. He says in Jeremiah xxxii. 38, "And they shall be My
people, and I will be their God." Another of those blessed shalls
and wills. As God creates children without their consent, so He
chooses a people in the same sense, and afterwards makes them
willing in the day of Christ's power. As a further proof of election
being a solemn truth, turn to Romans ix. 11 : "For the children
being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the
purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but
of Him that calleth.'' And in the 13th verse, it reads : " As it is
written, Jacob have I loved, but Esau have I hated." If such
language does not prove election and predestination nothing does !
If those people who are so full of free-will, and perfect haters of free
jgrace, were brought to see His sovereignty, as He has brought me to
feel it, they would have to be still, instead of finding fault with
Him ! I see sovereignty stamped upon every thing, especially con-
<5eming myself. The following lines were given me through hear-
ing the sovereign truths of God evil-spoken of : —
How oft we hear the world arraign
The great Jehovah at their bar !
140 THE OOSPEL ADVOCATE.
Witli envy, scorn, and witli disdain,
They try HIS holiness to mar !
Whatever men may have to say
Against Jehovah's sovereign will,
Both vessels doth He make of clay
To honour — or dishonour still !
His righteous justice He will clear.
When at His bar condemned they'll stand.
Who never knew His love or fear.
By that despised but mighty hand.
Bfis sovereignty can have no bound ;
His favour cannot be removed ;
For ALL who shall in Christ be found
Have been from everlasting loved.
Tliirdly. What they are, "My jewels." We all know jewels to bfr
Bet store by. With what care people try to preserve and protect them
from thieves. And will a glorious Jehovah be less careful about His
t'ewels, who shall live when the world shall be no more ? To show
low much He thinks of them, mark what He caused the Prophet
Zephaniah to write (iii. 17th) : "The Lord thy God in the midst of
thee is mighty; He will save; He will rejoice over thee with joy;
He will rest in His love; He will joy over thee with singing '* — ^very
different conduct to what such meet with from the world, whether
it be the professedly Christian or profane world. Although they ar&
often treated as the mire of the streets, still they are precious in
His sight; even their "death" is said to be so. God would not
make jewels for everlasting, and leave them to prepare themselves
for it ; no, He prepares them, in every sense, for what He created
them. There is one point especially I wish to look at respecting
these jewels spoken of, and it is this : There is often a great deal
of polishing required before they are brought to perfection, and so
it is, in a spiritual sense. Some poor tried souls have to experi*
ence this — how they are (as it were) rubbed in first one way,
and then another, till they feel almost rubbed out of life ; and it is
as though they had neither soul nor body left. Hart might well
say:
From sinner and from saint
We meet with many a blow.
Never mind the blows, if they do us no harm : we read as much —
'^All things work together for good to them that love God,'^
&c. The shining will far outvie the polishing, however much pain
it caused to such who are thus polished, and who feel ready to halt.
I would just say (and I have as much need of the consolation as
yourself). Cheer up, dear child of God, though the polishing be rough
the shining shall be glorious ; and as sure as thou art polished here
so sure shalt thou shine up yonder, when thy polishing days are
gone, or over. And, moreover, mark this, it is left on record, Daniel
THB OOBPEL ADYOCATS. 141
xil. 3: ''And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness
of the firmament ; and they that tarn many to righteousness as the
stars for ever and ever." Christ will shine brighter than that, and so
shall we, if He be precious in our eyes; for we also read : " We shall
be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is " (1st Epistle of John
iii. 2). One glance at a dear Redeemer will evidently repay for
all the roughness of the way. But more : we shall be ever with
Him. And now, poor tried child of God, will it not be worth as much
as these light afflictions — will it not be a wonder, how we could
fume and fret over these things as we did ? When we shall bask in
the sunshine of everlasting love, the glory will be such as we can
form no idea or conception of. We may be, and doubtless are>
counted fools now ; but shall we then, when our polishing days are
over, and our shining ones enjoyed ? Speaking as we understand
things now, it may be there is little of singing with thee at present ;
but fear not, thou wilt doubtless sing as loud as the rest of the
blood-bought throng. Perhaps thou hast thy times, when thou
canst say,
** My soul anticipates the day ;
Would stretch her wings and soar away
To aid the song, a palm to bear,
And bow the chief of sinners there."
Those who are now thus employed were doubtless — more
OP less — as low as we are now ; therefore may it be our encourage-
ment to look forward to that blessed time, when we shall be free
from everything of a hurtful kind. To be separated for ever from the
devil and his angels, will be no light thing, and also from this body
of sin and death : for although God allows His jewels to be treated
sometimes in a very peculiar way, His eye is none the less upon
them, watching over them to do them good. Some jewels are more
expensive than others, and some are valued more than others ; but
Gk)d*8 are all alike, all cost the same price — nothing short of the
blood of a precious Christ : all are chosen by the same Father, all
redeemed by the same Christ, and all quickened by the same Spirit:
it took the same power in all cases — ^nothing short of almighty !
He would not part with one for the whole world ; they are His
special treasure, which He delights in 1
Fourthly. His mercy towards them, ^^ I will spare them .^' Take
away " mercy " from a needy sinner, and what do you leave him ?
What can he look forward to but a blank ? We read of His mercies
in Lamentations iii. 22 : " It is of the Lord's mercies that we
are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.** How sweet
that word mercy sounds to guilty sinners ! It is not justice that
they delight in, but mercy ; although in the right sense they delight
in justice, because it was satisfied by Christ. He fulfilled all its
M% ' THB G03P£L ABYOCATS.
demands, therefore it has no claim on any one of His redeemed
ones. He stood in their stead, He paid the full penalty for their
guilt ; therefore justice has no claims against them. Jesus freed
them all. Peter's sin in denying Christ with oaths and eursei^
could not sink him into hell, because he found mercy in Jesus
Christ, through His atonement. A free-grace preacher (?) said jusi
lately, if Peter when first challenged by the maid had offered an
eiaculatory prayer, he would not have fallen. If so, why should
Christ have said (when Peter affirmed he would go to prison
and to death with Him), as recorded in Matthew xxvi. 34:.
'* Verily I say unto thee, that this night, before the cock
crow, thou shalt deny Me thrice." Such language about the
ejaculatory prayer, to me, seems to try and make Him a liar:
though this, of course, was never intended by the preacher : yet if
his remark be true, and Peter had done it, where would have been
Ood's mercy ? Would Christ's work have been perfect ? and where
would His whole Church have been had there been the slightest
flaw in Christ's atonement, or error in His forewarning ? Would not
the devil have taken an advantage of it ? But, after all, it is our
mercy that there was no flaw, and no need of Peter offering the
prayer, as Christ knew he would commit himself. Again, looking
at His mercy, how beautifully it is expressed in Psalm ciii. 17:
*' But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon
them that fear Him, and His righteousness unto children's
children." We here find His mercy to have no beginning, and it is
to have no end ; and the fear He gives them is a preservative. Bead
Jeremiah xxxii. 40 : "I will put my fear in their hearts, that they
shall not depart from Me." Mercy is at the bottom of it all ; tato
that away, and there is nothing left !
When any one begins to pray, if he prays aright, it iB
for mercy, and it will be the theme all the journey. Pari
thought it no light thing. Look at what he thought and felt
himself to be in his 1st Epistle to Timothy i. 13: "Who was
before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious ; but I ob-
tained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief." How his
former conduct was the means of keeping him humble all the rest
of his days upon earth. Though he had been a persecutor, still God
had mercy upon him, because he was a chosen vessel of His — one
of His jewels — therefore His mercy extended to him ; perhaps there
are few, who feel themselves so little worthy of mercy as he did.
Jehovah^s mercy is not straitened: look at Psalm Ixxxvi. 5:
*f For Thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive ; and plenteous
in mercy unto all them that call upon Thee." All those that call
from a deep sense of their ruin, and standing in need of mercy. He
will spare by delivering them out of the hand of the enemy
THB OOSPEL ADYOCATS. 143
and from the evil day. He will spare thein in spite of everytliing
that may oppose ; He will spare them, that they shall not go to hell.
But now to come to the 5th and last part. The time:
*' When I make up my jewels.'^ Let no free-will person imagine
that sentence to mean that they were not His before. It means
nothing of the kind : but it will be manifest at that day when He
makes up His jewels, not only to angels and men, but to the devil
and his angels. And what must be his spite then, if he could
exert it, against all those over whom he shall never more have any
power ; and what will be the pang of their enemies when they shall
see them glorified ? I don't suppose, for one moment, it will be in
Heaven, as nothing is to enter there that defileth ; so, in that sense,
they will not see them nor Christ in His glory. But it is of no
great moment, where it will take place. I sometimes wonder what
the sight will be of the whole creation of mankind beiilg present at
the judgment and sentence of the wicked. We read that ^^ every
eye shall see Him, and they also that pierced Him,'^ (Revelation
i. 7.) Those that have blasphemed Him, and set Him at nought,
they will see Him ; but not with pleasure, but shame. He will then
treat such with contempt, and they shall go into everlasting despair
and contempt. But that day will unfold, or reveal, such secrets as
are little thought of now ; men's actions will then be seen, their
motives will then be weighed in the balances of equity and justice ;
for there will be no injustice there. We read of such wishing for
the rocks and hills to fall upon them to hide them from His presence.
With all their boasted confidence now, they will have none then ; but
will wish they had never been born. But not so with those who
love His appearing — not so with those who are watching and
waiting for His coming without sin unto salvation, when He shall
gather the bodies of His one universal church together from the
ionr comers of the earth, from, or out of, every nation, kindred,
iongufe, and people, where they shall be of one mind and one
spirit, and all rejoice in the One Object — Father, Word, and Spirit
— One God blessed for evermore ; where they shall go out no more
from His presence. " In Thy presence is fulness of joy ; at Thy
right hand there are pleasures for evermore," Psalm xvi. 7.
May the Lord bless these few remarks to His tried family for His
name's sake. Amen.
Camberwell. J. W. Clark.
The rock does not shake nor change, though the sea may ebb and
flow round it.
It was good for me to come hither (to a prison) to learn a new
mystery of Christ — that Christ's promise is to be believed against all
appearances. — Rutherford.
144 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
JEHOVAH'S COVENANT CARE.
^^ As an eagle stirreth up her nest, flutterpth over her young,
spreadeth abroad her wings, taketh them, beareth them on her wings;
so the Lord alone did lead him.^* — Deut. xxxii. 11, 12.
'Mid the desolate crags of this sin-riven worid.
Where the tempest is bom, and hell's vapours are curled.
On the rugged, and dreary, and lightning-scathed peak,
In His terrible eyry, all lonely and bleak,
Jehovah has chosen to cradle and rear
His offspring, ordained to a happier sphere.
But fear not, confessors, stand fast in His name !
Amid danger and weakness, temptation and shame.
Ye shall learn to confide in your Saviour above,
To live in His life, and abide in His love.
Overshadowing you is the wing of His care,
Omniscient to guard, and almighty to bear.
As the eagle forsakes not her shelterless brood,
But warms them, and feeds them, yet callow, with blood :
So His chosen and faithful ones, feeble and few.
Their Saviour will cherish, defend, and renew.
Till, winged, they ascend the invisible height.
And dwell in the presence of Infinite Light.
Brighton, C. H. M.
1st February, 1882.
Notes of a Seemon Preached by Mr. E. Vinall,
At Counter Hill Chapel. Deptford, on Tuesday Evening, May 5tli,
1874.
" God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.^
— Psalm xlvi. 1.
E see here that our attention is called to God being a refuge;
also a strength, and a helper, and that a very present one,
and under circumstances of trouble. This is not to speak
of God at a distance, or as an unknown God, as Paul says,
when at Athens, he saw an inscription, " To the unknown God."
I understand that these Athenians worshipped all kinds of gods,
and so included '* the unknown God." But this furnished Paul
with a subject. We are not going to call your attention to an
unknown God, but to one that I hope you and I have some know-
ledge of. Mr. Hart says,
** This God is the God we adore;
Our faithful, unchangeable Friend;
Whose love is as large as His power,
And neither knows measure nor end.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 145
*Tis Jesus, the First and tlie Last,
Whose Spirit shall guide us safe home :
We'll praise Him for all that is past;
And trust Him for all that's to come."
This was a great deal for Joseph Hart to say ; and if we look at
it, it will be a great deal for you and me to say, —
** We'll trust Him for all that's to come,"
for we cannot always do this. I will give you another of his
liymns : —
*' Dream not of faith so clear
As shuts all douhting out ;
Rememher how the devil could dare" —
lie did dare : he did attempt ; but it was only an attempt*-*
** Remember how the devil could dare
To tempt even Christ to doubt."
There are election doubters, grace doubters, vocation doubters, and
perseverance doubters. What a mercy when we can withstand
them all.
I will look at the text. 1st. — It embraces Trinity in Unity.
^' God is love V^ — don^t forget that.
"Whom once He loves He never leaves,
But loves them to the end."
<xod loves His people in Christ, the Son of His love. Therefore
Christ will bear all the blame for ever if He does not bring all
liis Benjamins to God. All the Benjamins must be brought to the
Father, and Christ will say, '^ Here am I, Father, and the children
that Thou hast g^ven me.'^ " For as many as are led by the
Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.*' Do you want an evi-
dence ? Does God the Holy Ghost lead you ? '^ They shall come
with weeping, and with supplications will I lead them.'* However
long you may be before you come to Him — it may seem a very long
time to you — ^but you are on the road if you feel your need of
■Christ.
** All the fitness He requireth
Is, to feel your need of Him."
Lots of people talk of Christ and mercy, and say, ^' Lord, have
mercy upon us." And if you say to them when they come out of
church, '^ You ask for mercy ; what have you done ? Do you really
feel your need V^ I fear in many cases it would be proved only
mockery.
The writer of this psalm says, '^ God is/* — ^he does not say it in
the past tense, God was ; no, but present, God is — past, present, and
to come. When we speak of God, we must speak of Him as one
eternal NOW. But when we speak of the time here, we must speak
of it as past, present and to come.
146 THE OOBPSL ADYOOATB.
The Psalmist must have had some experience, for he says, " Gk)d
is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble ; there-
fore will we not fear, though the earth be removed, and though the
mountains be carried into the midst of the sea/'
God said there should be cities of refuge, that the slayer thai;
killed any person unawares might flee thither. He might run for
his life. " A coward," say you. no ; not a coward to run for
life : for in the heat of feeling the avenger might slay such a one.
So he could flee to the city of refuge. The roads were to be par-
ticularly looked to, and the word '' Miklat*' (refuge) to be put
upon posts where two roads met, to show the way to the city of
refuge.
** He that hath made his refuge Gk)d,
Shall find a most secure abode."
My dear friends, " we all deserve eternal death, and thus we all
are even." We have all sinned and come short of glory ; but look
to Jesus, my dear friends ;
** None but Jesus ; none but Jesus,
Can do helpless sinners good."
Life is very precious. I dare to say, when one was near enough
to see the city of refuge, he thought. My strength is nearly gone.
This refuge, my friends, was to save natural life. Then how much
more important is it to think of our souPs salvation, when we have
the exhortation, " Flee from the wrath to come !" We must have
this decided for ourselves — ^Are we in the City of Refuge ?
** Other refuge have I none ;
Hangs my helpless soul on Thee."
What a blessing that the Lord reveals this. " Thou shalt call His
name Jesus, for He shall save His people from their sins :" He shall
save His people from the wrath to come. What does He say?
'^ Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth, for I
am God, and there is none else." This seems a great deal easier
to me than fleeing to the city of refuge. This is not said to the
dead, — as those in our day who call upon the dead and the
blind to look unto God. I never knew a blind man to perceive
things, or a dead man to feel. If there were such a one, he would
be a curiosity. There must be spiritual eyesight or there will be no
looking to God, and this eyesight must be given by God.
If you were in a room with the shutters closed you might think
it was all sweet and clean; but open the shutters, and let the rays of
the sun come in, then you will see there is plenty of dust. Just
like the sun coming into the secret chamber of the heart and
revealing the sin in every comer, when you say, I never thought I
had such a heart, I never thought it could be so sinful. Solomon
prayed for such characters at the dedication of the temple. He
THE GOSPEL ADYOCATB. 147
said^ " If there are any that know the plague of their own heart,
bnm and pray unto Thee ; and also those that are carried captive, if
in their captivity they turn unto Thee, then hear Thou in heaven
rhy dwelling-place, and when Thou hearest forgive."
I am much inclined to think that Daniel was one of these ; and
Aough the decree had passed, yet this Daniel of the captivity was
found praying night and day as aforetime, with his window open
boward Jerusalem — toward where the Temple had stood. Could he
see the place? No; but he could look toward it. For Solomon
had said, Anyone that looked toward it.
" Other refuge have I none ;
Hangs my helpless soul on Thee."
Is He your only refuge ? Is He your only hiding-place ?
*' Hail, sovereign love, that first began
The scheme to rescue fallen man !
Hail, matchless, free, eternal grace,
That gave my soul a Hiding-place.
Ere long a heavenly voice I heard,
And mercy's angel-form appeared;
She led me on with placid pace
To Jesus, as my Hiding-place."
When I look at the 8th of Proverbs, it seems to confirm our
text. " Then I was by Him, as one brought up with Him, and I
was daily His delight, rejoicing always before Him ; rejoicing in the
liabitable part of His earth ; and My delights were with the sons
of men.
'^ Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid."
Moses desired to see the Lord's glory, and God said, '^ There is
a place by Me, and He put him into the clift of the rock" — the
rock Christ. '' He is a tried stone, a sure stone, and a precious
comer stone." God put Moses in the rock, and on the rock, and
God declares that He is well pleased with every poor sinner that is
in this rock. So He passed by and proclaimed His name : " The
Lord, the Lord God, merciful and gracious, long-suffering, and
abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, for-
^giving iniquity, transgression, and sin, that will by no means
clear the guilty." "But," say you, " if this is the case, what is a
poor guilty sinner to do ?" Friends, go to Jesus ; for in Him there
as foil satisfeu^tion.
'^ He shall see of the travail of His soul and shall be satisfied; by
His knowledge shall My righteous servant justify many ; for He
«hall bear their iniquities. Therefore will I divide Him a portion
with the great, and He shall divide the spoil with the strong,
because He hath poured out His soul unto death, and He was
numbered with the transgressors, and He bear the sins of many^
and made intercession for the transgressors."
(To be continued.)
148 THS GOSPEL ADYOCATl.
CHARACTERISTICS OP OUR AGE.
II. Prevalent Spiritual Apathy*
" While the bridegroom tarried they all slumbered and slept.**
Matt. XXV. 5.
HUS predicted the Heavenly Bridegroom Himself; and
thus it has come to pass. For yet He tarries ; as yet
we see Him not. " The heaven has received Him until the
time of restitution of all things^ which God hath spoken
by the mouth of all His holy prophets since the world began,**^
Acts iii. 21. But He will come again, and that speedily — ^'come,
to be glorified in His saints, and admired in all them that believe/'
2 Thess. i. 10.
Meanwhile "the spirit of slumber" — an evil influence firom
'^ the prince of the power of the air," has fallen on the great mass
of the Christian profession, and infected both the foolish and the
wise virgins with its stupefying effects. They all slumber and
sleep : and in an age when, in a worldly sense, men were never more
wide awake in the pursuit of the things that perish with the using.
An age that, by its rapidity of motion in every department of
human labour, calls for the constant putting forth of mental and
physical energy.
Here and there some warm-hearted and highly-favoured ones are
to be met with, who have quitted the bed of sloth and carnal ease
to seek " the Beloved " in the streets and lanes of the city. Noir
and then may be alighted on some precious, spiritually-minded
person, who is seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteous-
ness. But these are exceptions — rare exceptions to the prevailing
rule. And these are mostly to be found in the midst of tribulation.
They may be compared to the rich forced grapes in a heated con-
servatory — being brought to a state of perfection *'in love" by the
extra warmth they have experienced, both in trials and mercies, from
their covenant God. These also may and do have their drowsy
seasons; but they are not of long duration. They may sleep; but
it is " not as do others.'^ Roused from time to time by a knocking ai;
the door, and by the sound of words, uttered by One Whom never
man spake like, they are aroused by the pleasing recognition to
open to Him, and cry, " It is the voice of my Beloved V* Happy
souls ! they
** hear and follow
Jesus, speaking in His word.**
If like Mephibosheth " lame in the feet,^' it is often their privilege
to sit at the King's table, and to receive those sweet portions from
Him, which they who are grovelling among the "muck-rakes" of
the world are strangers to.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 149*
But the preyailing apathy is^ notwithstanding these cheering
exceptions^ a solemn and marked feature of oar day. The
absorption of mind in, not only the struggle for life, but the general
desire for the rapid attainment of wealth, is highly prejudicial to-
tlie welfare of the soul. The abounding conformity to the world's
spirit and pleasures, among those who assume the profession of
religion, is also a bait and a trap to many of the people of God, who
have but a shallow experience of either law or Gospel, and who are
but seldom
" driven with fear, or drawn by love.**
Society with its parties and amusements tells upon them, and leads
to the neglect of the reading of the scriptures, and a cold, per-
functory attendance on the means of grace. From week to week
they remain in this carnal state, receiving no visits or tokens from
the Lord to refresh their spirits and invigorate them in His ways.
Yet they are not altogether at rest within; for a legal spirit
leavens them, and often forebodes some approaching trial, by which
they fear their nest will be stirred up, and they be bereaved of
their comforts and prosperity.
And what of the pulpit at the present time ? Are not its
Occupants in the main fast asleep ? Not as respects their intellectud
efforts. No : never were these more zealously applied. All the sciences
vre invoked, and the vast stores of popular and erudite literature
ire drawn upon to rouse into action. But to rouse what ? Not the
piritnal desires of the heaven-bom soul after Christ and the
aiowledge of salvation by the forgiveness of sins. Not to stimulate
o the giving of all diligence to make calling and election sure,
i'ot to pursue after a richer and fuller acquaintance with the ever-
Eisting love of God the Father. For what care the popular men
nd. their carnal flocks for these things ? It is to these things they are
sleep : while their peril is as great as his who sleeps at the top of
, mast. These are the idol shepherds : (so-called for their devotion
o their numerous idols, whether they be those of ancient Babylon,,
i-reece or Rome, or the modem gods of Rome, or the Esthetics of
efined Morality and Intellectuality) ; and their aim is to glorify
laman Nature and deify Carnal Reason.
It is thus they "lull to sleep" the consciences of the carnal
hrong, who gather together to listen to their lectures, and to
rorship their talent, and drink in the rich strains of music provided
or their entertainment. And thus that " Kingdom of God," which
* is not in word but in power," becomes the laughing-stock vrith the
ashionably religious ; and its preachers are despised, as was David by
dichael when he danced before the ark. For them the Lord's
able and the card table, the church (or grand chapel) and the
ipera house, the sacred anthem and the strains of Venus and
150 THE GOSPEL ABYOCATB,
Bacchus must be blended together. And their an^t-spiritual directors
and guides are willing and anxious it should be so, and practically
set them the example, in order to prove (in a sense the poel
meant not) that
** EeHgion never was designed
To ma^e our pleasures less."
Yes : they are all slumbering and sleeping. It is "the dream of a
night vision " which they are enacting ; in which it is *' as when a
hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth ; but he awaketh, and
his soul is empty : or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and behold lie
drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul
hath appetite," Isaiah xxix. 8. What a fearful awakening will be
theirs, when the cry is raised at midnight : " Behold, the Bridegroom
Cometh ; go ye out to meet Him ! " Matt. xxv. 6.
It is thus the world may be full of activity in the business of
life; and a blind and empty profession may be putting forfeli
herculean efforts to convert the world, and religion may be so
fashionable as to be able to show herself in silver slippers, and still
the Redeemer's words are fulfilled in the face of it all — ^' While the
bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and slept.'^ But it is
specially in the sleep that has fallen upon Zion and her sons that
the great enemy of souls has found his opportunity. " While mm
slept. His (the Son of Man's) enemy came and sowed the tares,"
Ma4}t. xiii. 25. The spiritual apathy as to the glory of Christ and
the interests of the one family in earth and heaven named, and wifli
xespect to the insidious workings of error, have afforded time and
^cope for Satan to scatter his pernicious seed. Sects have been
wakeful enough over their own aggrandizement ; they have f oagU
for forms and contended for their respective order, but the
great commandment of the Lord Jesus, emphasized by its sacred
repetition, to "Love one another," they have slept over, and at times
would rather have seen their opponents annihilated, than hear of
their flourishing as honoured of God. For sectarist^ never re-
:alize this indisputable fact, that the Lord the Spirit only hononrs
« party for the measure of spiritual truth and grace He has vonch-
rsafed to it, while He has no pleasure in any, in what constitntes ite
•distinctive character as a sect. This applies to all the divisions and
«nbdivisions in Zion without exception — ^both in the so-called
Establishment, and among Dissenters of various shades. Faithful
men of God, both eminent and unrenowned, have not been confined to
any party, \)ut, as the Lord has willed, have laboured in their
respective spheres, and sounded an alarm in the Lord's holy mountahi
to the arousing of the many sleepers in Zion.
But their number and influence have not kept pace with the vast
increase of the population, and the increase of erroneous teach^
THB GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
l&I
Hiat they are almost ^'hid in a comer." Many of our greai^
us liave no stated sound ministry whatever. Others are limited
the humblest gatherings. A deathlike sleep rests over such
568 as York, Leeds, Liverpool, Newcastle, and many others, and
iges not a few, where, except for the Bibles and an occasional
^azine, no sound of the Gospel trumpet would be heard. Can the
mailing apathy be wondered at ? In places where the truth is pro-
med it is undervalued. In places where it is longed for by a
it is not to be had, but Popery, Ritualism, Arminianism, or
)logy abound, and advance by stealth or with waving banners.
To small cause of the supineness to which we refer is to be found
he ease, comforts and luxuries of life. They who lie on couches
ivory are not likely to be " grieved for the affliction of Joseph,"
OS vi. The indulgence of the flesh in splendid and well-
lished houses, is scarcely compatible with sympathy with Zion
he dust. Great grace is needed for the enjoyment of the lawful
iforts of this life, and true spirituality of mind. Though we
ibt not that the Spirit, in His work upon the few rich as well
the poor, would still, did the time and circumstances call for
Bad them forth to "contend earnestly for the faith once delivered
he saints,^* and to " count all things but loss for the excellency of
ist Jesus their Lord.'^ But we see little of this spirit : and
J our fear that thus for some time matters will remain, to the grief
he Lord's sent heralds and of His devoted sealed ones, "who sigh
: cry for all the abominations done in their midst." Vain is the
> of man. The Spirit must be poured upon us from on high,.
3re " the wilderness " can " become a fruitful field." His sacred
lence alone can rouse up the Lord's people to a proper
rehension of their present privileges, in contrast to theirs who
e persecuted and martyred for Christ's sake, and constrain them
li in public and private not to be slothful, " but followers of
m who through faith and patience now inherit the promises.'*
t savour of the dear Redeemer's name, when it is " as ointment
red forth " shall animate His people with holy jealousy for His
our and glory, and enable them to estimate this world's
lables at their proper worth, and, like Moses, *' to esteem the re-
ich of Christ as greater riches than the treasures of Egypt."
1 when this is so then can they, while not slothful in their
ointed business, be " fervent in Spirit, serving the Lord." For
he market, the workshop, the counting-house, the field, or any
jr place, they thus prove that the Lord is not confined to locality
K^cupation ; but dwells with the broken heart and the contrite^
it.
»ut let it not be forgotten that even the apathy, which we now-
lore, is one sign among the many of the Bridegroom's approaching-
152 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
advent. How long it may be delayed we know not. But it is well
to have the lamp burning and the loins girded, and to be like
servants who watch for the coming of their Lord, that when He
knocketh we may open immediately. Fain would we desire to
be kept by the Spirit^s power so "looking for that blessed hope, and
the glorious appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ," that we may not
*' sleep as do others."
The Editoe.
PEATERNAL INTERCOURSE.
14, Sotheron Road, Watford,
Feb. 5th, 1882.
My dear Brother and fellow labourer in the Gospel of Christ,—
'T has been our lot to meet on some few occasions, but we
have not had the opportunity of conversing together on the
things of God.
When I visited Edenbridge, you were one of the subjects of
conversation with our friend Mrs. Chandler. And I could not help
feeling my mind drawn toward you as an aged servant of Jesus
Christ, and that I should like to communicate with you, to en-
•courage you in your declining years, and give you a few of those
thoughts which I trust flow from a living spring of grace implanted
in my heart ; as our Lord signified to the woman of Samaria:
^^ Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never
thirst ; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of
water springing up into everlasting life."
What poor desolate and desert hearts are ours by nature,
through original sin and transgression. Every principle defiled,
and every secret corner armed with rebellion against God. Our
boasted ability to serve and obey God, flows from our ignorance of
the fact that, " the heart is deceitful above all things and des-
perately wicked — who can know it V
The first step to our recovery from the effects of the fall, is a
knowledge of this, imparted by the Holy Spirit. And where these
things are discovered, the fruits of the Spirit will be manifested in
confession and abhorrence of sin — and of our whole state of trans-
gression — before God. Sin and rebellion must be repented of
before forgiveness can be enjoyed. Not in a state of actual
hostility and rebellion — but when the heart is broken and contrite,
when the arms of rebellion are laid down at the feet of all-conque^
ing gi'ace, do we receive that rich and comforting assurance, "Thy
sins which are many are all forgiven thee.''
O how gracious the Lord is to give us these discoveries of ou^
selves in His Own light. The Psalmist says, " Thou settest our
THE (K)SPEL ADVOCATE. 159
iniquities before Thee, our secret sins in the light of Thy counte-
oance/' But why do we not rebel against this discovery and become
faiardened in sin ? Is it not because He gives gracious warmth
IS well as Divine light — ^which breaks the heart down in contrition
uid sorrow at His footstool ? No light bestowed upon our depraved
jondition — ^if unaccompanied with efficient grace — would lead us
io approach His mercy-seat as humble suppliants, to sue for pardon
md forgiveness through Christ Jesus. No, we should rather arm
>urselves more fully in rebellion against God.
Jehovah hath declared of His Church, that " He will destroy in
ilds mountain the face of the covering cast over all people, and the
Fell that is spread over all nations." What a mercy to be brought
in union with the true Church, to live as humble dependents upon
sovereign grace — disclaiming all merit of our own, and trusting
in the Person of Christ, and His blood and righteousness, for
acceptance before God.
But Christ must be revealed in us, by the power of the Spirit,
Ebs well as revealed to us by the sacred testimony of the Scriptures
before He can be truly and savingly embraced. True faith in Him
as an all-sufficient Saviour, is the first of this personal and s])iritual
manifestation and revelation of Him to the soul — the eyes being
opened to apprehend the beauty and glory of His Person, the
excellency of His character, and the grandeur of His atonement.
Such are enamoured with His Person and overpowered with the
charms of His love and grace.
This "faith which worketh by love,'^ cleaves to Him as the great
necessity of the soul in its ruined condition, and as the sea of bliss
in which it finds its happiness and delight in its restored state.
This is true conversion wrought by the mighty power of God.
This is [the new birth, which our dear Lord and Saviour enforced
the necessity of on the mind of Nicodemus. It is a translation
from "the power of darkness to the kingdom of God's dear Son.*'
It is a resurrection from a state of spiritual death to a state of life
and activity toward God. His service then becomes perfect free-
dom, and employment therein affords the sweetest satisfaction.
The indwelling of the Spirit of Christ gives both will and
capacity to engage in the sacred service of heaven, and bestows
upon us a relish for the declarations and promises of the word of
God — ^inspires a reverence to the Divine rule — and fills the precepts
of the Gospel with the sweetest melody, so that as the sheep of Christ
we " hear His voice and follow Him." From this principle of grace
arises real hatred to sin, separation from the world, and a godly
jealousy of our own hearts.
* The world uow drops its charms,
My idols all depart ;
154 TBie aosFEL advocate.
Soon as I reaoh my Saviour's arms
I give Him all my heart."
The world " think it strange that we run not with them to the
same excess of riot ;" but they would no longer think it strange
could they have a sip of this living and life-giving spring, and
learn for themselves the sacred and sweet restraints of Divine grace
upon the heart and conscience.
But I must now draw to a close. I hope in reading tlds you will
have the charity to receive it as dictated by a sincere heart, desirous
in some feeble manner to express my love to you directly and
personally, before we leave this wilderness-state to cross the Jordan
and enter into our everlasting rest. When we meet on. those
eternal hills, we shall have full opportunity to express our minds to
each other, and in that state of perfection our ability to do so will be
infinitely increased.
I hope you are well in health, and that you have much liberty
and enjoyment in our dear Master's service. You are much older
than myself, and, from what I hear, possessed of great bodily
activity. I have just closed my threescore years — one half of which
I have been employed in preaching the word, whilst ^' these hands
have ministered to my necessities." Not being of a strong con-
stitution, it is almost a wonder that I have been able to continue so
long in the work ; but I have had to seek of the Lord daily strength
as well as my daily bread, and have found " Him faithful Who has
promised." I am now under a cloud of affliction from an inward
infirmity which seems to baffle medical skill. I have been obliged
to give up one engagement at Chichester on account of my weak
state and the length of the journey. The future sometimes looks
dark, but I want to trust myself wholly in the Lord's hands, show-
ing that ^Hhe darkness and the light are both alike to Him." I
hope I shall not be a useless log, but that the God Who redeemed
me will employ me whilst spared for the good of His chosen, and
for His own glory.
Accept my warmest Christian love, in which my dear wife (who
is suffering very severely from heart disease), unites.*
Believe me,
Yours sincerely in Jesus, the sinner's Friend,
Geo. Skeelbs.
Mr. T. Whittle, Croydon.
*From our last month's issue it will be seen that Mrs. Skeeles has passed
away. — ^The Editor.
God hath made fair flowers, but the fairest of all flowers is Chris/,
Christ's blood on the head is the greatest curse ; Christ's blood on
he heart is the richest blessing. — Rutherford,
THE OOSPBL ADYOCATB.
15^
TBDB CROSS-BEAEEE.
Methought, while miising wearily
Oyer some heavy care,
This cross is far too great for me,
Its weight I cannot bear.
If it some other size could be,
Or different were its fit ;
I might then bear it patiently,
But now I can^t submit.
Oh, can my Sayioiir surely know,
For He is kind and wise ;
And is my heavy weight of woe
All open to Hjs eyes ?
Oh, that He would my cross remove.
Or give me aught but this ;
I cannot see 'tis sent in love,
Nor prize it if it is.
Thus in a fretful pining mood
I judged the God of Grace ;
And failed to see that He was good,
Or wise in any case.
light
a
When from the clouds
appeared;
The sun shone forth so bright,
Mypainful cross, that I had feared,
nas lustred with its light.
The Saviour spoke in accents mild ;
I knew the gentle voice ;
'This trial, I laid on thee, child ;
* This cross it is My choice.
' I once beneath the cross did bend,
* And yet I took it up ;
' You only feel the lightest end,
'And do but sip My cup.
'And will you murmur, or repine,
* Or seek a smoother way ;
* Or want a brighter path than Mine
* To realms of endless day ?*
He gently raised my drooping head.
And wiped my filing tears ;
My Jesus smiled, my sorrow fled.
And all my rising fears.
I hugged my cross, and loved it too,
It seemed so light to bear ;
When I could feel that Father knew.
And He had placed it there.
Jesus, make me love Thy will.
And feel 'tis right and best ;
My unbelieving spirit still.
And grant a mind at rest.
Till weary, worn, I reach that shore
Where burdens are laid down ;
To bear my heavy cross no more,
But wear a heavenly crown.
AlDYL.
Brighton, Jan. 1882.
CREATURE FAILmO— GOD SPEAKING.
Portsmouth, April 1882.
Dear Mr. Editor,
jHERE is a remarkable expression in Cant. v. 6 : " My soul
failed when He spake," which has been variously interpreted.
Experimentally, it is the emotion of the gracious soul when
ivoured with a more than usual manifestation of her Lord's love.
it least that is how I have always taken it — ^whatever commentators
aajr say. And yet the context in the same verse, will admit of another
leaning too. How often, in what I may call Providential discipline, do
re see creature-defection, and the consequent chiding of a loving
father. Then the child's heart fails while He speaks. The speaking
oay be in love ; but furnace-work is not pleasant work, as I from
fxperience can testify. ^^ My soul failed when He spake," has been
156 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
my experience over and over again. There are sorrows. There are
baptisms. This creature-failing, then, indicates anxiety, dismay,
perplexity ; joined it may be — but sometimes not — ^to a gradous
grieving at the recollection of His counsels unheeded, and felt in-
difference to His promises.
And speaking humanly (not theologically) the times are perilous.
God is speaking — and statesmen are failing. The effects of legis-
lating in favour of the popery in Ireland, has brought about tie
results which every real lover of his Bible and his country foresaw
would be brought about. How so-called christians can uphold such
a policy as has been pursued towards truth and error in Ireland-
is to me a mystery. " my soul, come not thou into their secret;
unto their assembly, mine honour, be not thou united."
Trusting you may find room for these somewhat discursive re-
marks.
I remain.
In covenant bonds.
Sincerely yours,
Milton. P. H. Good, M.A.
''MY TIMES ARE IN THY HAND.'^
September 25, 1881.
My dear Friend, —
,E must remember that all our times are in God's hand, as
the psalmist says. Not only times of sufferings, or of
going hither and thither, or the times of our worldly
circumstances in general, but our times for His service.
He is the best judge when it is time for us to act ; and althougb
we may have planned this and that, and that with His undoubted
approval, we must await His times for carrjring out our plans into
action. Jericho was undoubtedly to fall, but not until it had been
compassed seven times. The Philistines were to be delivered into
David's hand ; but he must await God's exact time for smiting
them. "And the Philistines yet again spread themselves abroad in
the valley. Therefore David inquired again of God. And God
said unto him, Go not up after them, turn away from them, and
come upon them over against the mulberry trees. And it shall be,
when thou shalt hear a sound of going in the tops of the mulberry
trees, that then thou shalt go out to battle ; for God is gone fortk
before thee to smite the hosts of the Philistines." No time is lost
in any enterprise which is spent in prayer about it. God never fo^
gets His promises ; but He likes us to remember them, and to show
by our pleading that we do so. High up is peace. It is when we go
high enough that we become calm. It is God's Spirit only that can
lift us up into all communion of light ; it is that Spirit that can Uft
THB GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 157
118 liigh enough. Nothing good can be done without Christ, and
the influences of the Holy Spirit. Through Him our thanksgivings
are received, and through Him there comes an answer to our
prayers. The Lord knoweth how to give good gifts to His little
ones — ^rest in weariness, joy in sorrow, strength in weakness, life in
death, victory in conflict : and so I have found it. Dear friend, h
your experience the same ? Then let us rejoice together, taking for
our motto the grand old text, "Rejoice in the Lord alway, and
again I say. Rejoice.^'
Yours affectionately, in Jesus,
A Silent One.
To Mr. Pepper,
THE LATE MRS. A. FUNNELL, OP LEWES.
To the Editor of the " Gospel Advocate.'*
Southover, Lewes,*
My Dear Sir,— April 17th, 1882,
^HE enclosed short account of my late dear wife was read by
Mr. Welland in Jireh Chapel on the Sunday after the
funeral. Many friends having expressed a wish to have it,
I thought I had better have it put in the Gospel Advocate,
Now, dear Sir, if you have no objection, will you insert it in your
next issue ?
I sincerely hope you are well, also Mrs. B. and family.
I am, dear Sir,
Yours truly in Gospel bonds,
Mr. Baxter. AIfbed Funnell.
My dear Pastor, — Southover, Lewes.
You kindly asked me to put down a few of the last sayings
of my dear wife. I now comply with that request, but wish to say
that I did not take them down until after her death.
I pass over more than forty years of our happy union. For some
years she was greatly aflOiicted. I shall never forget the 26th of
December, 1881. Her speech was much afPected. We were sitting
together. She burst into tears and said, '' I have been afraid the
Lord would take you first. What could I do if left alone ?*' I
aaid, " My dear, I think from all appearances it will not be so."
She said, '^ Oh, what should I do without a refuge !" then quoted
the following lines with great emphasis :
^* 'Other refuge have I none ;
Hangs my helpless soul on Thee :* "
mnd after a pause said, ^^ If I perish, I will perish at His feet ;"
shortly after repeating the same words. Many other things she
cc
158 THS GOSPEL ADVOCATB.
said at the time^ but I could not understand what thej were.
At another time I quoted the verse :
'* A guilty, weak, and helpless worm,
On Hhj kind arms I fall ;
Be Thou my strength and righteousness,
My Jesus and my all."
She said, " That is my verse/*
Often she expressed herself a great sinner, but all her hope w»
in Christ. She was in great distress once, and said, " I fear th^
Lord has forsaken me." I replied, " He will never do that ; the^
Scriptures say, ' Having loved His own that were in the world. He
loved them unto the end:' " which seemed to relieve her mind. She^
said to a dear friend, " The doctor thinks I shall not be here long.''
She replied, " It does not much matter, if it is to a brighter and
better home you are going to, does it ?" " Not if I were quite
certain,'* she said. A few days after the same friend asked,
Are you satisfied? have you the comfort you craved for?'^
Yes,'' was the reply. " You are quite happy ?" " Oh, yes." We
could understand but little after this. Nearly the last words we
heard were, "Eock of Ages — ^peace, peace." She breathed her
last at 12.25, March 24th, 1882.
I give a few extracts from a letter written to me by a friend wha
visited her often, especially during her last illness. She says : " I
have put down a few things said to me at different times by the
dear departed one. She was very reserved for some time, but
after she was enabled to open her mind she spoke freely, and told
me much of her exercise of mind, and when the Lord first im-
planted His fear in her breast, and of the good hope she had at
limes felt under the ministry of the late Mr. William Crouch, of
Wadhurst, and Mr. Penner, of Hastings. Also she received much
comfort of soul from the ministry of Mr. Vinall, sen. Before she
joined the Church she had deep searchings of heart before the
Lord, which caused her to cry unto Him, to beg Him, if she were
not right, to make her so."
Her affliction was of that nature that at one time she suffered
under great depression of spirit, followed by much excitement and
often irritability, over which she had no control. On one occasion,
not long before she was confined to the house, she had been resir
less all night, and wondered how it would be with her in the end.
She was in great agony of mind, and felt afraid she had no foun-
dation to her religion. In her distress she cried to the Lord, when
suddenly the words came with much sweetness, " He is a Bock '1^
and she felt she was resting her soul's salvation upon Christ.
Nearly the last time she attended the week evening services she
said she had had a good time. The hymns were sweet to her, and
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
159
Mr. Morris was led to ask for what she felt she needed. Mr. Wel-
land was also very encouraging, and she found it good to be there.
The next day (Saturday) she was very comfortable, and longed for
Sunday that she might go again to the house of God. She did so,
bat had no comfort. She grew weary of the service. Her nerves
were in such a state she did not know how to bear anjrthing. She
wras much distressed about this, thinking that, if she were a child
rf God, she should not feel so. She was in a very calm state of
mind during the greater part of her last illness, feeling that all
P70uld be well in the end.
My dear Pastor, I cannot express my thanks to you. • My wife
coked for your daily visits anxiously, and although she said but
ittle, I can assure you, my dear Sir, she greatly prized those
seasons and enjoyed your prayers, saying, " How very kind of Mr.
WTelland. How much mercy there is in this affliction I" H^r
ittachment to you as a minister, from the first time she heard you
iown to the last was very great, and she frequently expressed
jreat concern for your comfort and prosperity.
I can truly say, " The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away :
)lessed be the name of the Lord."
Your affectionate deacon and brother in the Lord,
Alfred Funnell.
Mr. M. Welland.
THE REIGN OF GRACE.
Blind ¥^tchmen often cry aloud,
And boast of proud free-will :
They labour hard within the cloud
Of nature's darkness stili.
No power but His, Who dwells on high*
By His ahnighty grace,
Can make a sinner groan and sigh,
And run the hearenly race.
O Holy Ghost, reveal Thy power,
Appfy Christ's precious blood !
And in Thine Own appointed hour,
Do bring me near to God.
My doubts remove, my fears subside.
My soul can then rejoice ;
For evermore with me abide,
And let me hear 7"^^ voice.
Thy voice can comfort my poor soul
When I in darkness dwell ;
It makes my wounded spirit whole.
And brings me forth from hell .
God*s witnesses are often bound
With chains of unbelief ;
They prostrate fall upon the ground
Till they obtain relief !
Molested with some evil thought.
By ntgAt as well as day :
But Christ has all my battles fought,
And bore my sins away.
Predestination ! O how grand !
From all eternity !
Which rescued all the blood-bought band
From sin and misery !
J. Freeman.
160 THE OOSPBL ADVOCATE.
^tiim frg % P0ii»e|^x)Kr oi J'rilj^^
LETTER BY THE LATE MR. STEDMAN.
Southborough, June 26, 1879#
Dear Friend, —
Everjtliing looks sad and gloomy, and most sober-minded
persons' hearts, I think, are failing them for fear of those things
which seem coming npon us, and very few people know what to do.
'^ The Lord reigneth/' and His word must stand,
** His truth prevail,
And not one jot or tittle fail."
flow desirable to be enabled to obey the word : '^ Come, My
people, enter thou into thy chambers, and hide thyself until these
calamities be overpast : for the Lord," &c. Sis (people) have a
chamber — a word in which they have been made to hope — a doc-
trine, an attribute in which they have been enabled to rest. I only
yesterday was agreeably surprised by the remembrance of the first
word I ever remember to have been given me to hope in, viz. :
"There is hope of a tree if it be cut down.'* My hope arose out
of this. I was cut down, I am to this day that "cut-down tree'*
very often in my feelings. Another word was : '^ This is the whole
house of Israel, which say, Our hope is lost, our bones are dry,
and we are cut off for our parts." The promise made to these, the
Lord's slain people, is often now a chamber into which I am en-
abled to retreat at times : and 1 believe these little chambers will be
as so many retreats to mo in a stormy day to the end. Such I
may say of the doctrines of " effectual calling," " the pardon of
sin," " the Spirit of adoption," " the bringing up out of the grave,'^
" the horrible pit of David," aud " the pit of corruption of Heze-
kiah," and other deliverances the Lord has wrought ; and but for
these I have not at times any ground of hope. In one or other of
these I am enabled to tell the Lord my present distress, and often
find I can get near Him, when enabled to get into one of these
closets, where He has in days past been pleased to bring me.
"Thou hast been my help;" " Thou hast known my soul in adver-
sity," &c. I find it sweet at times to remind Him of former
mercies, and I sometimes believe He is not angry, but manifests
the contrary ; that He is pleased with a poor bairn's prattle in this
way by granting a smile or kiss — ^a touch or soft word, which
breaks the bone of contention, melts the heart, warms the aSeo-
tions, relieves the soul, lifts the affections above. " A few mor^
rolling suns at most " I can, I hope, sometimes sing with pleasure.
Gr. Stsdxan.
JUHK, 1882. THE OOSPEL ADVOCATE. 161
THE MIRACLES OF CHRIST.
No. IX.
THE HEALING OF THE IMPOTENT MAN AT BBTHBSDA^S POOL.
John V. 1-16.
EXT, in the order of time, to the healing of the man sick of
the palsy, stands this miracle of the Son of God, — accord-
ing to the ablest chronologists, — though most ordinary
readers would regard it as following the healing of the nobleman's
son, as recorded in the previous chapter. But if this be of little
moment, the dealing with the difficulties of some of the details of
the present narrative imposes a weight of responsibility on any
injudicious treatment of it. For it will be perceived by readers of
the Revised version that a part of the 3rd and the whole of the 4th
verse is omitted from the text ; though a note in the margin states
that '^ many ancient authorities insert (the same), wholly or in part.'-^
The Lord, by His Spirit, so guide our meditation that we may be
preserved from error.
We are informed in the opening of this chapter, after the things
referred to in chapter iv., that " there was a feast of the Jews ; and
Jesus went up to Jerusalem," ver. 1. This feast was the Passover; and
it was the second the Saviour had attended since His entrance on
His public ministry. The third was identified with His crucifixion.
But we thus behold Him fulfilling the Ceremonial law, the same as
the Decalogue, by His unfailing obedience. " Made of a woman,
made under the law, to redeem them that were under the
law," it is no unimportant declaration that the enlightened
believer discovers in the account of his Lord's attending
each feast. By His holy assiduity, as the Father's servant, in
waiting on His will and pleasure at all times, our Heavenly Lover
made that " feast of fat things and of wines on the lees/' for all
His chosen poor and needy, which the Holy Spirit reveals to their
&ith, and enables them to partake of "in due season."
'^ The sheep market,'' or rather " sheep gate " (as it is better
rendered in the Revised version) ; through which the animals in-
tended for sacrifice were brought into the temple, is next adverted
to (ver. 2). The passage of Jesus through this would foreshadow
His being " led as a lamb to the slaughter ;" though it is not said
that He passed through it on this occasion. Near this gate was the
162 . THE OOSPEL ADVOCATB.
famous pool called Bethesda, i.e., The House of Mercy, or, according
to some ancient authorities, its name was Bethsaida, ot Bethzatha—
a matter immaterial to the subject before us. SuflBce it to say that,
although great research has been made into the question of the
true site of the " Pool," it is not satisfactorily determined." Dr.
Robinson conjectures it to be identical with what is now known as
the ^Fountain of the Virgin,' and 'the same with the " King^s
Pool " of Nehemiah, and the Solomon's Pool of Josephus.' But
its interpretation, The House of Mercy, and the Redeemer's miracle
there, will perpetuate Bethesda in the affections of Zion's children ;
for Mercy and Jesus Christ are inseparably connected, in the purpose
and promises of the Father ; neither is any display of this gracious
attribute of Jehovah made out of Him.
" Five porches," we read, existed in this place, in which "lay a
great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered," ver. 3.
Various have been the senses in which these " five porches " have
been treated, in the spiritual use of them by commentators. Hun-
tington says : ' These five porches may be emblematical of the
different points of light in which the elect of God may be considered.
1st. They were from all eternity in the purpose of God. 2nd. and,
as chosen in Christ Jesus, they may be considered as in Him :
according to Jude, "preserved in Christ Jesus and called :" Jude 1.
3rd. They are likewise in the promise of God : " A seed shall serve
Him, and it shall be accounted to the Lord for a generation,'' " The
children of the promise are counted/or the seed," 4th. They are in the
covenant of grace : "J have made a covenant with My chosen, I have
sworn unto David My servant : His seed will I make to endure for
ever, and build up His throne to all generations," And oth. They
must all be brought into a state of grace, and to be of the house-
hold of faith. Others, who say ^ The healing waters are truly to be
had in Christ,' aiB&rm the " five porches " to represent His ' five-
fold ' Name, as given by Isaiah in chapter ix. 6, and as traceable in
Psalm Ixxxix. thus : Wonderful : ^ee verses 5-13; Counsellor: vers.
14-18 ; The Mighty God : vers. 19-25 ; The Everlasting Father, (or
Father of Everlasting Life) : vers, 26-33 ; The Prince of Peace : vers.
34-37. Now all these, with various other deductions, are to be
viewed as scripturally instructive and profitable adaptations of the
'^five porches ;" but it is unwarrantable to regard them as infalKble
interpretations of what was positively represented thereby. The
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 163
ord of God covers a wide field of spiritual signification ; but
;sons derivable from it must always be carefully distinguished
>in that which constitutes its direct meaning; otherwise there
>uld be no end to fanciful applications of its all-sacred truths.
The congregated " multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt,
bhered," correctly represents the gathering of sensible sinners to
3 place of '^ Mercy." Who but they can prize it ?
** Mercy is welcome news indeed
To those who guilty stand ;
Wretches, who feel what help they need,
Will bless the helping hand."
ipotence, or utter weakness, the certain result of the Fall, is
iritually felt by none save the Divinely ^^ sought oUt," quickened
d eouvinced. All beside vaunt their power to accomplish what-
er the Lord requires, and cry with foolish Israel, ^' All that the
►rd hath said will we do, and be obedient,'' Exodus xxiv. 7, and
11 even ask with the silly rich one, " What lack I yet ?" Matt. xix,.
. But even as the after exhibition of infinite holiness, amid the
mderings and lightenings of Sinai, made the self-sufficient one&
ail at the presence of God, and beseech they might not hear the
rd's voice any more, but that Moses might intervene as the
diator between God and themselves, so a stripping discovery of
, by the Spirit's application of the law in its spirituality, brings
svn the boasted ability of the flesh, and renders the soul feelingly
potent, like the "' blind, halt, and withered."
^ Blind,'' — the soul can no longer trust its natural intelligence,
e eye ot the keenest natural reasoner can never perceive, so as to
lize, what Jesus Christ is in His person, work, offices and
iracters. It can never penetrate the mysteries of God's kingdom
I Word in company with heart-feeling. It can never trace the
jerimental pathway in its strange ins and outs, ups and downs^
okedness and straightness. ^^ Salt,^' — the soul is impeded in
its advances by its lameness : for ^' the legs of the lame are not
lal :" when it would do good, evil is present with it. It can
ther run nor walk in the way of the Lord's commandments by
) unaided power of a fleshly inclination. While it gropes for the
II like the blind, it stumbles as if it had no eyes, and is '^ ready
halt " at every besetment of the world and devil, and at every
jtacle that arises in the course of the Lord's dealings in grace or
evidence. " Withered/' — the sinews of human vigour are dried
164 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
up, and a painful stiffness, or dead paralysis, affects the sluggish
heart and mind in the things and ways of God. Such a combinar
tion of spiritual ailments will strip the crown of pride from a
boasting head, and lay the soul in the dust before the Lord of the
whole earth. And, led by the Spirit to the Pool of the House of
Mercy, there it will wait, in hope of experiencing the same healing
others have been blest with.
But now we arrive at the first difficulty connected with the text.
In the Authorized version we are told that the motley throng were
" waiting for the moving of the waters. For an angel went down at
a certain season into the pool, and troubled the water ; whosoever
then first after the troubling of the water stepped in was made
whole of whatsoever disease he had,^^ vers. 3, 4. Now all this expla-
nation is rejected and expunged as a spurious interpretation by
what is termed " a consensus of modern editors, including Tisehen-
dorf, Tregelles, Alford, Westcott and Hort." Nor may the
judgment of such a formidable array be lightly set aside, especially
when endorsed by the Revisers in the New Version. But if the
evidence of men like the learned Dr. Bloomfield is to be regarded
it would appear that the prevalence of Materialism in our day,
which dislikes all such reference to spiritual agency as is indicated
by "an angel going down at a certain season into the Pool and
troubling the water,'' is at the root of the chief opposition raised
against the text. After critically expatiating on the subject at some
length and quoting various learned authorities and MS.S., Bloom-
field says : " The words must therefore be retained, and interpreted
in the best manner we are able. . . . The plain and obvious
meaning is, that God had endued the Pool with a preternatural
healing quality, and, in the communication of it, employed one of
His ministering spirits ; not however, as we have any reason to
think, visibly. Certainly, the circumstances of the narrative (as
that only the first who entered after the commotion of the water
was healed, and that all disorders, not those only which medicinal
waters heal, were cured, and that instantaneously and invariably)
utterly exclude the notion of an3i:hing short of miraculous agency.
And if the circumstance of the angeVs going down be thought (as it
is by Doddridge) to ^ involve the greatest of all difficulties in the
Evangelists' [account] (which however is far from being the case) we
may (with that commentator and Bishops Pearce and Mann) suppose
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 165
thsbtj the sanative property was supernatural, and commnnicated
during a short period, as typical of the ' fountain opened for the
purifying of sin by the atonement of the Messiah (the prophecy of
Zechariah being thus realized into a typej, and that the Evangelist
in thus mentioning the descent of the angel, speaks according to
the opinion of the Jews, who ascribed all the operations of God's
Providence to the ministry of angels.' Yet even Doddridge (while
writing thus) admits that they and St. John had ' reason so to do,
since it was the Scripture scheme that, these benevolent spirits had
been, and frequently are, the invisible instruments of good to men.'
Surely, then, what was right in them cannot but be right in us, and
the common view (of the words disputed being genuine) is the more
to be adhered to, as giving no countenance to a most unsound and
dangerous principle, on which I have animadverted in my Note on
the Demoniacs, Matt. iv. 24 — ^" viz., that which denies the agency
of evil angels and spirits, and attributes their working to merely
natural causes.
We have thus extensively quoted from Bloomfield's Greek Testa-
ment in order to meet learning with learning — not indeed our own,
but of scholars who are not to be despised. To this we will briefly
add the testimony of one of the chief Revisers connected with the
New Version, Dr. Ellicott, Bishop of Gloucester and Bristol, who
while deciding for the omission under consideration, and calling it
'* a gloss, ^ says : " It is interesting to note how a gloss* like this has
found its way into the narration, and, by ninety-nine out of every
hundred readers, is now regarded as an integral part of St. John's
Gospel. We meet with it very early. It is found in the Alexan-
drian MS., and in the Latin and early Syriac versions.f TertuUian
[in the Srd century'] refers to it. This points to a wide acceptance
from the second century downwards, and points doubtless to the
popular interpretation of that day. It explains the man's own view
in verse 7, and the fact of the multitude assembled round the Pool,
(verse 3). The bubbling water moving as it were with life, and in
its healing power seeming to convey new energy to blind and halt
and lame, was to them as the presence of a living messenger of God
•The italics are ours. — The Editor.
fDr. Bloomfield asserts that there is only the authority of 2 MSS., 2 very
inferior versions, and Nonnus for omitting the words. Dr. Gill does not refer
to any opposition to the genuineness of the passage. — ^The Editor.
166 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
They knew not its constituent elements, and could not trace the law of
its action, but they knew the Source of all good^ Who gave intellect
to man and healing influence to matter, effect to the remedy and
skill to the physician ; and they accepted the gift as direct from
Him. Scientists of the present century will smile at these Christians
of the second century. The Biblical critic is glad that he can re-
move these words from the record, and cannot be called upon to ex-
plain them."*
We fear we have wearied the patience of some of our readers by
-the above lengthy extracts. Others will accept of their importance
on the ground of the greatness of the subject and the impossibility
of dimissing it off hand. The summary of the evidence compels
us personally to accept the words as genuine, which the scientific
'^ Biblical critic is glad he can remove from the record,'' The
natural "bubbling up *' of the spring discovered and described by
Dr. Robinson, and believed by him to constitute the ancient Pool
of Bethesda, and which has an intermittent flow, we cannot receive
as one and the same thing as " the troubling of the water by the
angel." Neither can we receive the statement relative to the
angel's visit referring to the superstitious and medically ignorant
notions of the people, for in the form it appears it is plainly the
declaration of the Evangelist.
The whole transaction beautifully displays what the 1st chapter
of the Epistle to the Hebrews sets forth ; namely, the infinite
superiority of the Son of God to angels. Up to the time of His
incarnation they largely figured in the Lord's dealings with His
ancient Israel. And their name in a prominent way, as the Angel
of the everlasting covenant, the Son of the Father bore, and still
bears. But His glory in the instantaneous healing of the poor
wretch, for many years lame, without the intervention of the watery
medium, was a revelation of the super-excellency of His glory. It
is still the mission and delight of angels " to minister for them who
shall be heirs of salvation," but they cheerfully resign their every post
of honour to Him of whom the Father hath said, " Let all the angels
of God worship Him." No need to seek their aid, or implore their
intercession, as do the blinded Romanists, In Jesus all that poor
sinners need is found ; His name, authority, and power being equal
to all emergencies, sins, and sorrows.
* Commentary on St John. We may add the italics in the concludiug para-
graph are ours. — The Editor.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 167
In the " waiting for the moving of the water/* a lesson is con-
veyed to the Christ-needing soul : for it was " at a certain season"
rendered miraculous. So our redeeming Lord has His set times
for manifesting His healing power. And while only one (he " who
first after the troubling of the water stepped in) was made whole of
whatsoever disease he had/' it is otherwise with the Saviour's all-
sufficient grace. For with Him ^^ the first shall be as the last, and
the last as the first /' and numbers have no effect upon His un-
limited power. it is well to be continually waiting upon Him and
for Him. Faith and patience are indeed put to the test in so doing;
but they are richly rewarded (and all of the freest grace) " in due
season." The influence of this sure persuasion made the Psalmist
say, in order to quiet his troubled heart, " My soul, wait thou only
upon God ; for my expectation is from Him. He only is my rock
and my salvation ; He is my defence, I shall not be moved," Psalm
Ixii. bj 6. And this holy confidence is crowned with the prophet's
words : " For since the beginning of the world men have not heard,
nor perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen, God, beside
Thee, what He hath prepared for him that waiteth for Him," Isa.
Ixiv. 4. We now return to the Pool of Bethesda.
•^ And a certain man was there which had an infirmity thirty and
eight years/' ver. 5. So long a period bespeaks the confirmed nature
of the complaint, and that human skill had not availed to cure it.
And admitting the lack of medical knowledge on the part of the
Orientals, to which all travellers unite in testifying, the long-standing
nature of this poor man's infirmity, which had deprived him of the
use of his limbs, rendered his case hopeless on all natural grounds.
Nor is it possible to say how long he had lain at the pool. But tlie
Saviour knows nothing of human impossibilities. They only serve
to magnify " His eternal power and Godhead."
^' When JesiLs saw him lie, and knew that he had been now a long
time in that case, He saitJi unto him. Wilt, thou, he made whole ?"
Ver. 6. Sudden and unexpected usually are the Lord's interposi-
tions, confirming the poet's words :
" The saints should never be dismayed,
Nor sink in hopeless fear ;
For when they least expect His aid
The Saviour will appear."
Not that we regard the man in this narrative as a saint ; but he
serves to illustrate the dealings of the Redeemer with His infirm
168 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
and desponding children. " For the Lord shall judge His people,
and repent Himself for His servants, when He seeth that their
power ia gone, and there is none shut up or left," Deut. xxxii. 36.
As little as this poor creature anticipated his cure in the manner,
and at the time it occurred, do most of the Lord's people expect
their various deliverances to be wrought. And how probing the
question, " Wilt thou be made whole ?" It seemed like the mocking
of the hope and miseiy of the helpless object before the Saviour.
But no : it was but a test of faith or unbelief. And no faith was
exhibited in the reply, " Sir, I have no man, when the water is
troubled, to put me into the pool : but while I am coming, another
steppeth down before me" Of itself this answer would not proclaim
the man to be wholly destitute of grace ; for, in other instances,
wherein the Lord Jesus displayed His healing power there was
mingled a large measure of dull diffidence. And every child of
God may find working in his own heart the same want — ^if not of
knowledge and understanding, yet of faith, when he is brought
face to face with the promises of the Lord in His written word in the
midst of apparently hopeless circumstances. It is then the eye, not
seeing the Lord, wanders after the creature, and in vain, and cries,
"I have no man to put me into the pool." Thus felt David:
*' Refuge failed me; no man cared for my soul." And because
man fails it is concluded that Jehovah will also fail to deliver.
And when, as with this poor man, the distressed child of God sees
others able to step down before him, and partake of the healing
flowing from the fountain opened for sin and uncleanness, it adds
to the depression already felt, and prompts even to despair."
" Jesus saith unto him, Rise, take up thy bed and walk," Ver. 8.
Thus does the voice of Omnipotence silence the bewailing language
of creature weakness. Thus does the hand of Omnipotence impart
what human reasoning could not believe to be possible. Thus does
Omnipotent compassion stoop to the low estate of creature misery.
And in every spiritual case that Omnipotence will prove that it
never mocks a humble hope or deceives a sincere trust. '' Wilt
THOU BE MADE WHOLE V shall Only, in the case of His elect, quicken
the desire of the heart to a more earnest appeal for help, and
answer the same with " Rise, and walk."
^' And immediately the man was made whole, and took up his bed
and walked : and on the same day was the sabbath" Ver. 9. The
THS GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 169
instantaneous effect attending the word of the Lord Jesns pro-
claimed his absolute Divinity ; for, unlike prophets and apostles,
He never invoked the name of God, in a manner indicative of
dependence, when performing His miracles. "His Word was
WITH POWER." No doubt of His ability ever could have place in His
mind. No effort could He make without the firmest assurance that
the desired result would be accomplished. And this, believer, is the
JESUS, with whom thou hast to do. This is He Who saith, " Come
unto Me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give
you rest." Matt. xi. 28. This is He on Whom your soul's salva-
tion depends, and Who is now enthroned as your Advocate with
the Father. In the means of grace " the moving of the waters^*
may be often lacking, but the heaUng shall not be delayed beyond
the time appointed. " For He will speak peace unto His people,
and to His saints," and make good His word, " I a^m the Lord
that healeth thee.''
It is not within our present purpose or compass of space to
follow the effects of this miracle on the carnal Jews. It was on the
fiabbath — a day often honoured of God in the old Testament times
for spiritual working, though distinguished by His resting from
earthly creative acts ; and which finds its counterpart in the present
Lord's Day. The sabbath may be defiled by carnal men and
formal professors and Satan and his children be silent. But let
the Lord work and there is rage and malice enough. As to the
spiritual condition of the poor creature who was healed, Hunting-
ton remarks : " This man does not appear to me to be one of God's
elect, for there is not one covenant blessing pronounced on him —
such as his being called 's. son of Abraham,' or (told) that his
* faith had saved him,' or (it being said) ' Thy sins are forgiven
thee,' or ' go in peace,' as was commonly done, when the recipient
of a cure was a chosen vessel. Christ came into this world to save
sinners, and took the name of Jesus because He would save His people
from their sins : but He says nothing of salvation to this man, but
leaves him under a strict command, ^ Sin no more ;' and intimates
that a heavier judgment would ensue if he broke it — ' lent a worse
thing come unto thee.' But man has no power against sin. A strict
commandment, armed with a threatening sentence, makes sin rage
the more, and Satan labour the harder. . . From the whole there
does not appear one &vourable symptom that this man belonged to
170 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
the election of God. He, with many others, receives temporal
mercies, deliverances, and benefits, when not one thing that
accompanies salvation appears upon them."
We cordially endorse the above remarks of Huntington ; while
in conclusion we again direct attention to the whole subject as
fraught with rich instruction to believers on the Son of God. The
House of Mercy still abides, both where Jesus reign's above, and in
the Lord's courts below. The healing waters are ever flowing in
the faithfully proclaimed gospel ; but now as then, it is the Saviour's
voice that does the work. A soul made willing meets a willing and
almighty Saviour, and a certain cure crowns the longest waiting,
and avails in the worst of cases. May the blessed Spirit awaken
in every anxious soul the prayer of the spouse : " Thou that
dwell est in the gardens, the companions hearken unto Thy voice :
cause me to hear it.'* The Editor.
Notes of a Sermon Preached by Mr. E. Vinall,
At Counter Hill Chapel, Deptford, on Tuesday Evening, May 5th,
1874.
(Concluded from page 147^.
Then the writer of this psalm must have had some knowledge of
this refuge, and of " the great rock in a weary land."
When the dove went out of the ark, she could find no rest— no
peace, so she returned to the ark. So does the poor soul to the
rock Christ, for in Him doth all fulness dwell. Some think to
have an outside religion is all right ; but I say, it is all wrong — all
wrong ; we must have heart-work.
" True religion 's more than notion ;
Sometmng must be known and felt."
To them that believe Christ is precious. Has he been precious to
you ? Has there ever been a time when you could say. He is
precious ?
" Sinners can say, ard none but they,
How precious is the Saviour."
Can we say He is our Hiding-place ?
The next pai-t of our text is — Strength. " Thus saith the Lord,
let not the wise man glory in his wisdom, neither the mighty man
glory in his might; let not the rich man glory in his riches.'*
We will look at a man who, we should have thought, had no weak-
ness ? Who is this but that valiant apostle of Jesus Christ — Paul ?
He says, when writing to the Corinthians, " I knew a man in Christ
about fourteen years ago (whether in the body I cannot tell or
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 171
whether oat of the body I cannot tell^ God knoweth)^ such an one
caught np into the third heaven. And I knew snch a man (whether
in the body or out of the body I cannot tell, God knoweth), how
that he was caught up into paradise, and heard unspeakable words,
which it is not lawful for man to utter. Of such an one will I glory,
yet of myself I will not glory, but in mine infirmities. Though I
would desire to glory, I shall not be a fool, for I will say the truth;
but now I forbear, lest any man should think of me above that
which he seeth me to be, or that he heareth of me. And lest I should
be exalted above measure, through the abundance of the revela-
tions, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of
Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.**
8ome take this to mean one thing ; but I take it to mean two.
We may take it as we like : all of us have the privilege of reading
the Bible, and we may enjoy our own opinions in anything non-
essential. I think the thorn is one thing and the messenger of
Satan another. Some people think it was sin. I don*t believe
Paul ever gloried in sin.
God's people have thorns. Some people are poor — ^brought up
poor, and have every prospect of dying poor ; but if they are rich in
Christ, they are not poor. Pride is a thorn to some people. I am
inclined to think that most people are proud. There are various
forms of pride. Some like to be very neat ; their pride consists in
that. Some like to be very showy, and some like to be thought a
great deal of. Take care your pride don't have a down^U.
Paul's thorn was to prevent his being lifted up above measure.
*' For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart
from me. And He said unto me. My grace is sufficient for thee, for
My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore
will I glory in mine infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest
upon me." ^' They that wait upon the Lord shall renew their
strength ; they shall mount up with wings as eagles ; they shall run
and not be weary ; they shall walk and not faint.*'
There are various ways of waiting upon the Lord. Wait upon
Him in prayer, and in the means of grace, and in meditation.
Often in meditation we receive a meal, and go on the strength of
it for many days.
How many persons have come under a sermon languid and
weary, and so refreshed by a word or two that has been spoken,
and it has appeared to them so striking they have said, '' He
must have known all that I have been thinking about ; but 1 think
I am a stranger to him." And thus they have found that which
they have spoken in the closet proclaimed on the house-top.
We find in Hebrews that ^^ women received their dead raised to life
again^'' others '^ out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant
172 THE G08P1L ADVOCATE.
in fight, and turned to flight the armies of the aliens.** I never was
in the army naturally, and never wish to be ; but I think there must
be many faint hearts among the soldiers the day before a battle.
There must be many who would wish to turn back, and I dare to
say some try one thing and some try another. But, my friends, in
such times God is the best to fly to when you hear the great Hon
roar. He has made me tremble many a time. When you hear the
enemy coming in with a blast as if to blow all that is good away,
then you fear ; but you fear most in the night.
John Bunyan is quite right there. For in the night the enemy
has the most advantage. There are many who have read the Holy
War. I don't know whether you are familiar with it. The night
time is the time for the enemy, as Bunyan says. The Mansoulians
went out at night after their day's victory with the doubters.
Captain Credence, Captain Experience, and Captain Grood-Hope, all
went forth from sally ports animated with their day's victory, and
soon came up with the enemy and astonished them all at first ; but
Diabolus soon rallied his forces. The Devil is very like a wild
beast : for they see less in the light^ and go forth and take their
prey in the night-time when it is dark. But presently Captain
Credence was wounded, and had to hobble back into his quarters
again. They well remembered that night's work. So don't engage
with the enemy in the night-time, but in the day-time when you
have light.
" In Me ye shall have peace." " In the world ye shall have tribu-
lation ; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
At another time they went forth to meet the Diabolonians. The
enemy came forward, but there was no Emmanuel in the field ; but
there was a messenger from Emmanuel that after another onset
Emmanuel would be there. Then the enemy began to wonder what
was the matter. Then came Emmanuel into the field, and met
Captain Credence. What a dreadful battle this was for the
Diabolonians. A great many of them were trodden under foot, and
Diabolus himself had to flee and lie down in his den to mourn his
defeat. But if he has lain down you must not think that he is dead
for all that. Hart says : —
** To be steadfast in believing,
Yet to tremble, fear, and quake—
Every moment be receiving
Strength, and yet be always weak."
** To be fighting, fleeing, turning.
Ever sinking, yet to swim ;
To converse with Jesus, mourning
For OTirselves^ or else for Him."
'^ As thy day so shall thy strength be." What a mercy to have
strength for the day; but we are too often anxious about themorrow*
THi8 008i>£L ibVOCATE. li^
But let us look at our text : " God is our refuge and strength, a
very present help in trouble."
He is not only a help, but " a very present one.'* We often feel
weak in time of trouble. The Apostle Paul says : " When I am
weak, then am I strong." Have you not proved it so ? Have not
your prayers been like a stench in your nostrils, and seemed like an
old horse going round-and-round a mill. I seem to get quite
tired of them ; and sometimes I think that God must have got quite
tired of me. But presently our experience is a little different, and
the poor soul cries to God, and says : '^ O Lord, I am in trouble,
undertake for me." '^ Lord in trouble have they visited Thee ; they
have poured out a prayer when Thy chastening was upon them."
When the word " pour " occurs, I think it means something more
than just dribbling out. It seems that you have so much to say
that you must pour it out to the Lord. Jacob said : " I will not let
Thee go, except Thou bless me." You know Jacob greatly feared
his brother Esau. He says : " Deliver me, I pray thee, from
the hand of my brother, from the hand of Esau ; for I fear him lest
he come and smite me, and the mother with the children." And
before day-break was come Jacob was left alone; for he had sent
his wives and children over the brook before him. " And Jacob
was left alone, and there wrestled a man with him until the break of
day." And He said : '^ Let me go, for the day breaketh." And
Jacob said, " I will not let Thee go until Thou bless me. And He
naid unto Him : What is thy name ? And he said, Jacob. And He
said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel ; for as a
prince hast thou power with God and with mau, and hast prevailed.
And Jacob asked Him His name, and He said : Wherefore is
it thou dost ask after My name ? And He blessed him there," I
think there is a great deal in that : '' And He blessed him there."
" Trust Him, He will not deceive ua —
Though we hardly of Him deem ;
He will never, never leave us,
Nor will let us quite leave Him."
''God is our refuge and strength : a very present help in trouble." We
do not get the help before the trouble ; but we get it in the trouble.
''And I will bring the blind by a way that they knew not ; I will lead
them in paths that they have not known ; I will make darkness light
before them and crooked things straight : these things will I do
unto them, and not forsake them." " I will bring the third part
through the fire." Ah ! poor things ; they tremble when they come
near the fire and feel the heat of it. "I will bring the third part
through the fire, and will refine them as silver is refined, and try
them as gold is tried ; they shall call on My name, and I will
hear them. And I will say. It is My people ; and they shall say.
174 THB GOSPEL ADVOOATB.
The Lord is my God." All the children of God have troubles.
Perhaps one child of a family gets into trouble about religion, and
his parents say, Our boy seems getting into a strange way. How
dull he seems ; and perhaps he has no one to tell his trouble to.
But I wonder whether he goes to' his chamber and tells his God
about it. I should think he does.
There are some people who do not mind how they get rich, and
others are anxious to get into debt. Whereajs it is not so with the
child of God : for if they have a debt they want to pay it as quickly
as they can. I will add an instance and then close. There
was a poor man died in debt. He was a good man. What?
say you, a good man die in debt ? Yes, my friends ; you don't
know but what he might have died suddenly. When he was dead
the poor widow went to the prophet lamenting her loss, and said :
'^ Thou knowest how that thy servant my husband feared the Lord,
and the creditor has come to take my two sons to be bondmen.
And he asked her what she had in the house. She said she had not
anything but a pot of oil. So the prophet told her to send and
borrow all the vessels she could, and shut the door and pour out
the oil. It kept pouring till all were full. She asked her sons to
bring her another vessel. They replied : There is not a vessel
more, and the oil stayed. What was to be done now ? She was to
sell the oil and pay the debt, and live upon the rest. How wonder-
ful it was ! 0, say you, I don't expect such things now. O don't
you ? What God do you worship then ? because the God that I
worship is the same. I am one that believes in miracles. My life
is a miracle, and you would say so if you heard it. " God is our
refuge and strength ?" Is He your refuge, your life ? May God
give you faith to trust in him.
" Trust Him, He will not deceive us —
Though we hardly of Him deem ;
He will never, never leave us,
Nor will let us quite leave Him."
Amen.
JESUS IN ALL THINGS.
A LETTER BY MARY GREENWOOD.
Mid Lavant, Chichester,
December, 1855.
My dear Brother in the Lord, — I have not of late found an
opportunity of writing to you, but I have many times wished to do
so. I received with pleasure the letter you kindly wrote to me
while I was in London, and the contents of it caused me to rejoice
on your behalf. Our God has done great things for us, whereof
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 175
we will be glad. Will my brother (the Lord enabling him) soon
feivour me with another letter ? and let me hear a little about the
way in which our dear Lord is dealing with him ? It is a ^' right
way, be it which it will, however much " sight and sense ^*
may urge that it is wrong. O the blessedness of being brought to
" walk by faith, not by sight V and again, O the blessedness of
knowing where the power comes from which enables us thus to
walk. I hope my dear brother is becoming more and more weak
and helpless in himself, so that all the day long and for all things
he is obliged to keep " looking unto Jesus ; " knowing feelingly
that without Him he could do nothing. May the Lord give you
deeply to enjoy that sweet paradox : " when I am weak, then am I
strong.'' I long to feel yet more of what Paul felt when he wrote,
" I take pleasure in infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest
apon me." Well, we have the same blessed source to draw from
that Paul had, and the same Author and Finisher of Faith to do all
for us. Sometimes I prove that I have no desires at all heavenward,
and then desires spring up as boundless as I feel the love to be that
kindles those desires. A few hours since I felt like a stone (and
not "3. lively stone") and now I am beginning to feel that a small
''fulness" will not satisfy. I would like something beyond the
ocean's fulness. Well, He Who gives desires will satisfy them to the
utt-ermost. May He enlarge ours !
The Lord in His great goodness has brought me back again
to Lavant, after an absence of a vear-and-a-half. I returned
on the 21st of this month. He has very blessedly brought
to my remembrance, since I have been back, some of His gi*acious
dealings with me during the last 18 months, and I have been
broken down in love and wonder, feeling that no language
can set forth what I have proved of the faithfulness and loving
kindness of our God. Truly He is " the God of all grace,'^ and to
make Himself known to my soul He has been leading me in fresh
paths, making "a way in the sea and a path in the mighty waters ;"
doing wonders, and giving eyes to see them. If I could tell you a
hundredth part you would break out in praising Him as I long to
do. Come let us own those are sweet bitters, and pleasant pains,
and welcome crosses, which He makes the means for endearing
Jesus to us, and for giving us the blessedness of knowing what it
is to have '^ fellowship with Him." However much Nature shrinks
at times, I am obliged to go on crying in the words of a hymn given
to me many months ago :
** Nearer, my God, to Thee, nearer to Thee !
E'en though it be a cross that raiseth me !
Still all my prayer shall be
Nearer, my God, to Thee."
176 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
During my stay in London, the Lord in His great goodness led me
amongst a few of His dear people who are gathered together at
JRehoboth Chapel, in Princes Row, Pimlico. Mr. Freeman has
lately been appointed pastor to them. I have cause to bless
the Lord for His goodness on that point, for I found very
sweet refreshment in communion with them, which I hope^ if ft
be His will, may be continued by writing. I love to be shown the
Lord's hand in all we meet with, and every day, and to see His
iiq,nd is guided by His love. There seemed many difficulties in the
Vay to hinder my meeting with the poor despised flock, of which it
is my blessed portion to form a part, and I could not but admire
the way in which hindrances were removed. my brother, nothing
is too hard for our God, and this He has been especially proving to
me of late. I really feel ashamed of the wretchedness of our hearts
in ever "limiting the Holy One of Israel *' with our unbelieving
^^ Can this be V when He has said, " It shall be done." I was ready
to say that it was impossible, placed as I was in London, that the
same blessed nearness and sweet communion with the Lord could
be kept up. "I must be robbed,*' my unbelieving heart said. But
" the Lord is our keeper/' and His great power and tender watchful
care were displayed in a manner that melted my heart in love and
thankfulness. He has promised to be with us in all places whither-
soever we go, and we find Him faithful to that promise. Where
should we stray to, and whither end, were His upholding power
withheld for a moment ? Bless His name, even when He permits us
to take a step in our own way. His purpose is of love, to humble
and prove and show us what is in our hearts.
My dear brother, I long to hear that you are growing in
grace, and in the knowledge and love of our Lord Jesus Christ.
If so it is in tribulation's path. The Lord has given me (of
late) many joyful reaping seasons, but before such times. He
!|ias led me through a time of " sowing in tears." How sweetly
they are set over against each other ! Oftentimes in seasons
of joy I have shrunk at the thought, "What is coming?" and
again, while groaning under trouble or temptation, comfort has
come in the certainty that I shall come again with rejoicing,
bringing the sheaves, and praising Him who makes all things
work together for our good. I grow very jealous of every feel-
ing of comfort, or ease, or quiet, if Jesus Himself is not enjoyed in
it. I must say, to the praise of His grace. He keeps up continual
exercises, to oblige me to be ever crying for help, or praising for
deliverance. I have not seen much yet, since my return, of the
dear friends in Chichester — ^they are, I believe, much as usual. On
Sunday last, I heard a name-sake of yours (a Mr. Welland) preach
at Zion. I have not heard whether you are likely to come thiis way
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 177
at present. Wherever you may be led I hope you may be enabled
to exalt our precious Lord. May He make Himself so dear and
precious to your soul that you must speak out of the abundance of
your heart and tell your hearers what a God your's is — what a
Portion, what a Rock, Guide, Counsellor, Friend, and Father. My
fioul thirsts to know more of Him — of His unsearchable riches.
With kind Christian love to Mrs. Welland, and wishing you the
best blessings during the coming year.
Yours, my dear brother,
In the best bonds affectionately,
Mary Greenwood.
^^ PLENTEOUS REDEMPTION.'^
*' Let Israel hope in the Lord : for with the Lord there is mercy,
und with Him is plenteous redemption. ^^ — Psalm cxxx. 7.
Blind, dead is the man who no beauty can see.
Thou radiant Centre of wonders, in Thee !
What prospect can charm us where Christ is not found ?
With Him we are rich, we have all, and abound.
If friends are uncertain, forgetful, and few.
His love is unswervingly faithful and true —
A friend who is nearer than mother or wife ;
A Lover Whose death is a fountain of life.
The Father's eternal complacence in Him
Is a sea of delight where a sinner may swim —
A bosom of infinite paps, whose full store
Springs ever and ever to nourish the poor.
And freely descends to the weak and oppressed
In multiplied pardons and banquets of rest.
Be each sin as a devil, each lust as a hell.
His blood is almighty to purge and to quell ;
Were their numbers as vast as the sins of our race,
What are numbers when cast into infinite grace ?
No shade, and no straitness in Jesus is found.
But extentless extension of love without bound.
Dear Saviour ! My spirit rejoiceth in Thee !
Thy bountiful mercy that floweth to me
Hath depths that no wisdom created may trace.
And heights that are lost in the heavens of Thy grace.
Brighton,
2nd March, 1882. C. H. M.
178 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
THE INFALLIBLE REMEDY.
A LETTER BY THE LATE MR. FALKNER.
NO. V.
Margate, April 28tli, 1817.
Dear Friend, —
I am much obliged by your kind letter of the 19th inst., and glad
to hear you are safely removed to your new habitation with a pros-
pect of being comfortable. May it please Almighty God to givfr
you and yours many a happy day in the enjoyment of the comforts
of this life, with a heartfelt sense of His goodness in providing you
with the blessings needful for your time-state, which is an unspeak-
able favour, when we consider the gpreat distress that is now in the
world.*
The account you have given me of the state of bondage
you experience, is that which all quickened souls feel. "The
wicked have no such changes, therefore they fear not God ; they are
not troubled as other men." But the Lord has promised to hear the
sighing of the prisoner : and I do verily believe He has been pleased
to manifest clear answers to my distressed soul, when there has been
but few petitions put up, only through the intercessions of the Holy
Spirit with groanings that could not be uttered. "The heart
knoweth its own bitterness, and a stranger intermeddles not with its
joy." Darkness may endure for a time, but Christ, the true " light of
life," will very soon arise with healing in His wings, making manifest
that true comfort and consolation which shall chase the mists of
darkness away. The sensible presence of Christ is such " a feast of
fat things " as will fill the soul " with all joy and peace in believing,*'
and will be more than full payment for all the distress it has passed
through, of whatsoever nature it may have been ; which I hope ere
now you experience in measure : but should the darkness of the
mind and bondage of the soul continue, I should be happy to pre-
scribe some suitable medicine.
The only physician skilled in your case is Christ alone;
you should go to no other. The highest honour you can
put upon Him is to take Him at His word. When the
woman with the issue of blood put forth an act of faith upon the
power of Christ, the cure was immediately effected. May God give
you the power to do likewise, and the Object of your faith shaU
make you whole ; your wound of unbelief shall cease to run, and
your strength and confidence in Christ shall continually increase
till you come to the stature of a man in Christ. I shall treat a little
*An allusion to the sad effects produced by and following the Peninsular
War, which had only recently terminated by the utter overthrow of Napoleon
Buonaparte ; when the price of food was very high, almost equal to a time of
famine. — The Editor.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 179
on the benefits of this medicine, of which I hope it may please the
^ood Spirit of God to enable you to make a perpetual plaister, and
to apply it to the heart — the fountain from whence comes the greatest
part of our troubles in this life. This medicine being constantly
nsed will perform the most wonderful cures ever known by any man
in this world, and it is certain to make a safe cure. Yo\iyfir.st aim
should be to ttee the medicine : secondly, to j)ray that it may be
applied: thirdly, to live upon it: fourthly, to truift in it. The
medicine is the true Balm of Gilead, which is no other than the
blood of Christ. Now, as I am satisfied that you belong to the
family of the faithful I shall speak of the medicine to you as such.
First, you should consider that the blood of Christ reconciled us to
Ood the Father, as the Lawgiver, when we were enemies ; our wicked
works manifesting the same, we being in the common case and con-
dition of all mankind. Secondly, we are redeemed by the blood
of Christ, the price paid down, which was as much as was demanded
for our transgressions. Thirdly, we are pardoned through the
eflSieacy of the blood of Christ, which is equivalent to all demands.
Fourthly, we are sanctified through the blood of Christ ; this being
the washing away of all the filth from the body mystic, or the per-
fect cleansing of the whole Church, or of all the elect. Fifthly, we
are redeemed from a vain conversation by the precious blood
of Christ, and the Spirit of God applying the same, our consciences
are purged from dead works, or such works as shall not profit us.
Sixthly, it shall cleanse our consciences from the guilt of sin ; it
«hall take away all accusation ; remove the filth of sin and the love
of sin ; and keep the soul in that continual peace that the devil, the
world, and sin shall never remove. It is a fountain open
continually : its virtue is the " same yesterday, to-day,
and for ever." It will "never lose its power." Whatever
troubles you have, it will always take the sting away. It
cures the body. It cures the soul. It is a cure for all our woes. It
Has " obtained eternal redemption," and it is all our salvation. May
the blessed Spirit bind this about your heart; and never, never lose
sight of it, for all our benefit is contained in it.
Thus I have endeavoured to set before your mind some of the leading
benefits contained in the blood of Christ. This balsam never fails to cure
all that ever apply to it. One hour's meditation on it will be of
more use than pouring over the malady for fifty years. Again,
think of that predestinating love of God to your soul in quickening
you when you were dead in sin — pouring out on you the Spirit of
Srayer — drawing you from every false way and work, to Christ
esus— setting Him before your mind as the only Saviour of sinners
—inviting you to come to Him just as you are, promising that He
will never leave nor forsake you, and telling you because He
180 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
(Clirist) lives, you shall live also. The invitations, promises, faith,
covenant blood, and all the blessings which God's hand and heart
have to bestow, are made sure to us, we being the children of
God through the quickening power of the Spirit. ^^ And if ye ar&
Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed," and heirs of the promises ;
*^ which are all yea and amen in Christ," and made sure to all that
partake of the love of Chris c.
May God the eternal Spirit enable you to drink abundantly, a»
the beloved of the Lord, out of the river that makes glad the city
of God, and it will remove all your guilty fears, and make manifest
your dwelling in God, and God's dwelling in you. Let the love of
God to us in Christ Jesus be your daily drink, and feed on the
Lamb of God Who bore our sins in His Own body on the tree;
and may the good Lord keep you in the full enjoyment of the
blessings of a triune God, Father, Son and Spirit. Amen.
You wish to have the account of trials, &c., I have passed through
for now these four-and-twenty years continued, but it is not in my
power to grant your request. I have been bred a soldier in the-
camp ; have always been at war, and always a conqueror through
the Captain of Salvation. I believe I never had at any oni^
time of my life so much opposition as at present ; but victory is
certain. My enemies fight with malicious lies, slanders, and such
like, which are weak against the truth. My weapons are mighty,
through God, and I think I may defy the devil, the world, and sin
to get the victory ; for " the Strength of Israel will not lie,*' nor
"suffer His faithfulness to fail." And the covenant between God and
my soul in this matter is, that while God is pleased to give me food
and raiment, and keep the spring flowing, I will neither fear men
nor devils. Christ alone is my fear, therefore ^^I will not fear what
man can do unto me."
With respects to • — ^
I remain your sincere friend, for Christ's sake,
N. F.
i(^V9-
A "LITTLE FLOCK" STILL, or STILL A "LITTLE
FLOCK."
^HE recent statistics of our secular press on the attendanee^
at public worship, while presenting to the minds of the
Lord's flock a very saddening tale, may, I think, teach
some important lessons of reproof and also of comfort.
If I am not mistaken, this is the result : Out of the entire popu-
lation of our earth — above fourteen hundred millions — only three-
hundred millions (at most) are nominally Christians ! and amongst
these nominally Christian nations what a mixture is included, —
Papists, &c., &c.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. tSl
But coming to our own country, — ^the land of bibles, cliurclies,
missionaries, sermons, schools, Eevivalists, Salvation- Armies, reli-
gious newspapers (so-called), and multitudes of efforts and organi-
sations, the very heart of Christendom — after fifteen hundred years*"
effort. What is the result? This, that out of a population of
thirty-five millions, eighteen millions seven hundred thousand
make no profession of religion, attend no place of worship ; in
other words, only 53 per cent, of the entire population even nomi-
nally acknowledge God. But when we come to dissect again, how
sad is the result. How many, or rather, how few, of the outward
worshippers are worshippers " in spirit and in truth ?" Without
judging — for God alone can decide — this much we know, " that all
are not Israel " who are called such. How many attend public wor-
ship from form or custom, to satisfy conscience, to meet a friend,,
for respectability, &c. May we not fairly decimate our congrega-
tions ; and oh ! what a result would turn up, saddening and dis-
heartening to God's real child, if the strength of His real church
depended upon numbers, or if the mark of His own Gospel were-
universal triumph. But the opposite is God's mark. Still it is a
"little flock," and Divine purpose still follows the Gospel every-
where. " It shall not return to Him void, but it shall accomplish
His purpose and prosper in the thing whereunto He hath sent it."
What are the lessons, then, which may be learned from thia
subject ?
I. These revelations ought to carry a severe reproof to all the
host of Free-willers. Oh, say many, " the Gospel has failed in its
design," or " the Church has missed her mission," — basing this^
foolish idea on the erroneous notion that the design of the Gospel
and the mission of the Church is to convert the world. Vain and
tinscriptural assumption ! Still we cannot blame, but pity these
poor deluded ones, knowing that God only has taught us better.^
Elatiomilism and Free-will fill our churches. They are twins by one-
^ther, the devil, whose skill consists not always in ridiculing reli-
gion, but often in imitating it, as the Egyptian sorcerers with their
rods imitated Aaron. But as then Aaron's rod swallowed up theirs,
io will it be again. Satan uses professing Christianity to serve
tiis purpose as much as infidelity. Rational religion ! This is the
3ry of the day. "Growing intelligence," say they, "has out-^
jrown old ideas of Bible truth," and in these " enlightened days,"
fchis " advanced age," men want something which natural reason
2an accept — a " progressive religion to meet the times." So say
thousands who pass for Christians, and preachers also. Another
class, whose teaching meets at the same point, though slightly
different, argues that all that is needed is to send out preachers ;
ind religious truth propounded to a man of fair intelligence will
182 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
naturally commend itself to bis faith and judgment ; that all men
have power to accept it, to embrace its " reasonable claims," and
become Christians. Yet with all this boast of reason and human
power, What has it done ? Has it filled our churches ? Oh, ye
Babel-tongued army of earnest workers, always running to meet-
ings, and ever ready to tell others what you do, but never what
God has done for you, look to results. Would not many of these
very zealous folk, always in a blaze of excitement, be more in their
place at home with their families, where they might do good ? and
is it not too true that the more zeal some have the more harm they
are doing ? Here is the reproof from these statistics. God has
not owned their much labour to convert men. How could He?
He has never sent them. "By their fruits ye shall know them.'' Men
who ridicule the "old paths," who preach "another Gospel/' who
deny " Divine sovereignty,*' " entire ruin," and the " need of the
Divine Spirit " to conquer man, who make man stronger than God ;
who make religion only a science or system of doctrines, to be
taken up at will, just as one may believe any other system of doc-
trines, these fruits betoken the nature of the tree, and their fruits
{their doctrines) insult God by making Him a disappointed Deity.
What a. strange contradiction ! " The Gospel was intended to convert
the world," say they. God longs for the salvation of all men. Man
has power to accept the Gospel," and yet, after 1,800 years of effort,
so small a result ! But for blindness, surely all must see the absur-
dity.
But II. This not only brings reproof, but comfort to God's own
child.
How so ? It confirms the Scriptures. There I read that instead of
a universal spread of Christianity, or a growing accession to the Church,
the very opposite is predicted. God has said it. " In the last days
there shall be a great falling away — a departingfrom the truth," men
having "itching ears," the prevalence of "doctrines of devils," so that
men " would not endure sound doctrine." There I find the object
of the Gospel is to " gather out " of the world a people — His own,
His elect, which were chosen in Christ and given to Him before
the world was. Has God's purpose failed ? Has He been defeated?
Has the gospel lost its mission ? Must something else be added to
it ? Nay, child of God, you know it is not so, " His purpose must
stand, and He will do all His pleasure." Yet it is as true this day as
ever, " He shall see of the travail of His soul and be satisfied.'*
It is as true to-day as ever, " My word, which goeth forth of My
mouth shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish My
purpose and prosper in the thing whereunto I have sent it." Mark :
His word, and from His mouth. It is as true now as ever, " As many
as were ordained to eternal life believed" — not one has missed, not
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 18$
one more has been added — ^^ All that the Father hath given to-
Christ shall come to Him.'* The true church stands secure. '^ Grod^s
own flock/' though "little/' though a flock of slaughter, is walled
around ; strong, not in free will, or fleshy goodness, — but in Him :
and though the "great he goats," who laugh at doubts and fears, and
the weepings and mournings of God's children, may "thrust at them/'*
and by erroneous doctrine, false shepherds may " draw away many
after them," pleased and charmed by this rational religion, free
and easy, never offending anybody's doctrine ; we know that " the
sheep will not hear them :" for, saith the glorious Lord, "They know
My voice, and a stranger will they not follow, for they know not
the voice of strangers." the impregnable defences of Zion !
A highway — " no ravenous beast shall go up thereon ;" and though,
like Bunyan's pilgrim, often afraid, the lion is chained, and tho
gweet word of a covenant God is sealed home : " Fear not, Jacob,
I have redeemed thee, thou art Mine." the mercy, to be able
to discern between things which differ ; to have the soul based upon
" the sure mercies of David," eternal mercies ! covenant favour ! !
What child, taught of God, could sit under a ministry of free-will,,
creature-endowments, rationalistic Christianity? Not one. They
most have " children's bread." They want something, which when
*' reason fails with all her powers," " when they walk in darkness
and have no light," "when the heart is overwhelmed within them,'*
and '^ God's ways" are mysterious, "in the sea" — a sea of trouble^
temptations, and snares; something strong, unchanging, eternal^
His covenant — His power. Himself, Who is over all, in all, and for
all His people. May you and I, dear reader, know what it is to
walk by faith, not sight — to have Him as ours. Then if there are few
with us, or we stand alone. His presence will satisfy. Amen.
Liverpool. B. V. Scott.
THE POWEE OF GRACE.
Dear Mr. Baxter.
In looking for an old letter the other day I came across the en-
closed substance of sermons of our late and highly esteemed pastor
Mr. G. Abrahams, and thinking they would be esteemed by the
Church of Christ, and that they had been buried long enough, I
send them to you. They were writen by my beloved brother
Joseph, who was called home to glory in the year 1853, in the 29th
year of his age. He was called by grace under the blessed ministry
of ilr. Abrahams, at the early age of 16, rather in a remarkable
manner, on Christmas morning, 1840. After some of the family
had gone to chapel that morning, he came home, and it came on to
rain, so his dear mother said to him, " I think, Joseph, you had
J 84 THB GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
better take some umbrellas and go and meet them coming out ;" he
did so ; and got to chapel when the discourse was half done. And
soon after he sat down Mr. Abrahams again repeated his text,
Isaiah Ix. 1 : " Arise, shine, for thy light is come ; and the glory
of the Lord is risen upon thee ;" and the word entered with divine
power into his heart ;* and in his bible he makes this remarkable
foot note to this verse : —
** This pure white stone contains a name,
Which none but who receives can read !"
And in a letter he wrote some time after to his dear sister, who
was at that time on lier dying bed, and now in glory, in speaking
of these words, he sjiys, " Arise ! What was I to arise from ? Was
it not from sin ? Arise from darkness into the marvellous light of
the Lord : from the power of the devil unto God : from desponding
fears, and from dark despair. To arise and consider that the way
I was in was the way to hell, leading down to the chambers of
death. And was I to arise and shine out of this state. Yes ; but
not in such a hurry. Seek ye first the kingdom of Grod and His
righteousness, and all these things shall be afterwards added to' you.
It was near ten months before ever I was led to see any light at all j
and it was while Mr. Abrahams was preaching our dear uncle's
funeral discourse. His text was. Job v. 26 : " Thou shalt come to
thy grave in a full age, like a shock of corn cometh in his season."
O what a day that was to my soul ! I shone because the light of
the Lord came into my soul. Without Christ shines there is no
more light in the soul than there is light in a blind man^s eye
naturally. This light is the love of Christ in a poor sinner's heart.
Whom He loveth he scourgeth, and chasteneth and trieth as gold
is tried ; and the soul that has ever had any of the love of Christ in
his heart will surely come forth pure and spotless before the real
presence of his Maker. " This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all
acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,
of whom 1 am chief." I am sure of it, as I know that my God
reigneth in Zion. To know the height, the depth, the breadth,
and length of Thy love, makes my poor soul rejoice. It is deeper
than the hell that I was in. Oh yes ; wider than the sea ; higher
than the heavens, and longer than the earth. Dear Lord, cans't
thou save a poor polluted sinner ; the wretch that feels his need of
Thee ? " Fear not, thou worm Jocob, for I am with thee ; be not
* Dear Mr. Abrahams, on being told how the word had been blest to him,
informed us how his mind had been exercised the day before this Christmas for a
text, and could not get one. The Christmas morning came ; no word, no text,
tiU he was eating his breakfast, when the dear Lord dropped the word into his
heart with power, light, and unction, so that he felt it was some sx>ecial word ;
which it proved to be in my dear brother's case.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
m
dismayed, for I am thy God ; I will uphold thee by the right hand
of My righteousness." Lord, make known the everlasting truths
of Thy Gospel.
Dear sister, when this heavenly love comes into the soul,
it bringeth such sweetness with it, and so fills the soul with
love, that I am glad to retire to any corner to pour out my soul
in prayer and praise to my God, the living God. Lord,
what is man that Thou art mindful of him ? and the son of man
that thou regardest him ? When this love comes into the soul, the
glory of the Lord comes with it, and rests upon it. Dear sister,
as the hart panteth for the water brooks, so panteth thy soul for a
manifestation of the love of Christ, to speak peace to thy heart, and
to say to your soul, " I am thine, and thou art Mine." But you
have this love in you, though perhaps have notr had it shown to you ;
for ^^ blessed are they that hunger and thirst after righteousness."
Jesus himself, you see, pronounces them blessed. O Lord,
strengthen my dear sister ; kiss her with the kisses of Thy lips ;
manifest thyself to her in a clearer manner than Thou hast done ;
Lord, Thou seest her weakness : if it is Thy will to receive her to
Thy dear self, Thy will be done. O Lord, be Thou her guide, her
strong rock, her covert from the tempest, her hiding-place. O what
a blessed shelter to have Christ for a hiding-place. my Jesus,
be thou her all^even unto the sleep in Emanuel, God with us. Ho,
ye that are heavy laden with sin, weary of this dying unbelieving
world ; you that have a longing desire to be with Christ, come unto
Me. If you come by faith I will in no wise cast you out. I will
give unto you rest. Dear Lord, be thou with a worm, that every
moment feels a greater need of Thee. How unworthy am I, to
speak before such a loving Lord. Behold, Lord, I am vile ; and in
my flesh dwelleth no good thing. Behold, what manner of love is
this that the Father hath bestowed, that we should be called the
children of God. Dear sister, I stated in a letter a few of the dangers
of the way which you questioned me upon. Did I think that the
Lord had brought me over those troubles which were mentioned,
and whether Christ had ever said, " Son, thy sins are all forgiven?"
Dear sister, on Monday last, these words came : " Though your sins
be as scarlet, they shall be white as wool." " I will put my laws
into your mind, and write them upon your heart." " Your sins
and iniquities will I remember no more." And I firmly believe
that when Christ sows the seed of love in the hearts of His people,
their souls are so quickened, so enlivened, that they pass from death
unto life, and into condemnation never will come. Oh, no ; no
condemnation can be brought against the sons of God. A
purchase for them He has wrought, and washed them in His blood.
His work He will never leave. All that His heavenly Father gave
186 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE,
His hand securely keeps. True faith is this : Bleissed are they that
that have not seen, and yet have believed. Be of good cheer, I
have overcome the world. I have destroyed death, and him that
hath the power of death, that is the devil.. Then a quickened soul
never dies ; it only sleeps in Jesus.
Dear sister, you asked me what society should I choose if I had
my choice. If not kept by the Almighty, you might guess what
society ; but as the Lord has shone in at the window of my heart, I
would rather suffer affliction with God's people rather than have
any earthly pleasure that fadethaway. O, no, not for any earthly
treasure would I change my joy ; but rather lay up treasure in
heaven, where moth doth not corrupt, and where thieves cannot
break in and steal. Lord, let the Sun of Righteousness descend
and warm our cold hearts. Now, Lord, would I bless Thee for
thus filling our natural mouths with the things most fit for our frail
bodies. Dear Lord, we pray Thee to fill our souls with gospel
manner ; with the bread of eternal life ; but most of all we thank
Thee for Thy most precious blood. Tis this blood that all onr
hopes of heaven depends on. may Christ, in His infinite mercy,
lead us ; that we may love Him. Bring out once again my dear
sister ; bring her. Lord, to her mother's house, within Thy church,
that she may learn that affliction worketh for good to them that
love God ; and " our light affliction, which is but for a moment
worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory ;"
there to drink of the spiced wine of the juice of the pomegranate.
'* Let not conscience make you linger ;
Nor of fitness fondly dream ;
All the fitness He requireth
Is, to feel your need of Him.
This He gives you ;
'Tis the Spiiirs lising beam."
Dear sister, you said that you were a quickened soul. It is none
but the Almighty God can quicken a soul. Whom He quickeneth,
He loveth. May the grace of God the Father be with you ; may
the love of God the Son dwell richly in you. may His love rest
and abide with you for ever. May the sweet communion of God
the Holy Spirit be with you now, henceforth and for ever.
Amen.
" Behold what manner of love the Father hath," " that we should
be called heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ." " Herein is
love, not that we loved God but that God loved us, and gave His
only begotten Son as a propitiation for our sins." " He was made
sin for us Who knew no sin ; that we might be made the righteous-
ness of God in Him." May the love of Christ dwell richly in your
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 187
lav- vou be ricli in faith, waitinor for the comiiis' of our
'avioor.
Adieu, dear sister.
From your loving brother,
Joseph.
weeks before his death he had this remarkable dream. In
un I dreamt I was dead, and that my soul was a Tery
r formed thing, somewhat like unto the figures you see in
•ches, — cherubim's heads with winsfs. There was also another
th me, but who it was I did not know. We were hovering
ering about in the air, till suddenly, as it were by chance,
? to a place with gates similar to Xunhead cemetery, at which
ked, and the porter opening asked us what we wanted ? We
1 we wanted to go in. He answered, '* You cannot come in
OT see" he said, '* how you have spent your lite ! see how
3 spent your sabbaths of late ; you cannot come in here.**
' said, *' I know it ; but tell me not of them, for I came here
- the merits of Jesus Christ my Saviour." Finding he did
'u the gates to us, we both flew over them, and kept
^ and hovering about in the air for about three weeks,
I of a sudden I found myself alone at the same place ; and
knocked for admissiou, as I had done before ; and again
er opening asked me what I wanted here. I answered, I
to go in. He replied, " You cannot come in here until you
rged." I answered, ''You can purge me;" and
itel y I saw a line of blo«.»d descend to me, and I put forth
1 and took a handful thereof. He said to me, " You must
rh that." •• Oh," I said, " I must have that." '• Well," he
" AVhat will you do with it ? I immediately applied it to
head, my nose, my tongue, my hands, and my feet. The
omediately flew open, and I went in.
dream was repeated ; and there his dust now lies in sure
tain hope of a blessed resurrection. A few days before
uture, he said to his father, who was then sitting by his
?, *•' Don't you see them, father ?" pointing his finger to
•ner of the room ; " They are waiting for me, and I am
> go-
IRE is nothing between a guilty sinner and a Holy God but
>d shedding and the righteousness — the imputed righteous-
Christ. Everything short of this is Papacy." 6. Coxbb.
Gospel is such a declaration as condemneth all manner of
isness, and preacheth the only Righteousness of Christ.
LUTHSS.
188
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
THE LOVE OF GOD.
The love of God !
O wond^rous theme! Immortal
strain.
Tho' wonders teem in mortal brain,
It's brightest beam, is lost amain —
In love of God.
The love of God !
Delightsome thought, we shall it
share:
In vain 'tis sought for, anywhere.
If not in oft and fervent pray'r —
In love of God.
In love of God
Ne'er groweth faint, but e'er is
strong !
Makes sinner saint ; and loyeth long ;
A blest restraint to old or young —
In love of God.
The love of God !
What wide contrast to human love !
A prey to blast, so prone to rove ;
And fading fast whene'er we move —
In love of God.
The love of God !
Whate'er can break ? which for His
own,
The heav'ns must shake, the earth
be gone ;
Than, to forsake, those fix'd upon —
In love of God.
The love of God !
Here some mistake : Tho' He create
For His own sake — bear righteous
hate
To some He make, the crook is
straight —
In love of God.
The love of God
Doth mercies spread o*er all man-
kind :
Yet tho' His bread we all may find,
"We mercy need — ^that feeds the mind
In love of God.
The love of God
Hath difference : while some receive
His providence, that with life leaves,
Alone ffis saints for ever live —
In love of God.
The love of God
In brightest hue is seen if with
His justice too : instead of death
As our just due, gives living faith -
In love of Gt)d.
The love of God
Can guilty spare : here hope I have
His love to share ; since He will save,
For heav'n prepare, who mercy
crave —
In love of God.
The love of God !
O, matchless grace — ^by nothing
bought.
Hath it a place in reader's thought?
Would I might trace that thou art
taught —
In love of Gt)d,
The love of God
Is thy enquire ? Oh me possess.
Such keen desire in righteousness.
This kindled fire within thy breast-
In love of God.
D. Brooks.
IRELAND, THE PAPACY, AND THE CURSE.
'ET us with all calmness and solemnity take advantage of the
sensation produced throughout our country, by the horrible
assassination of Lord F. Cavendish and Mr. Burke, to enquire
how far Rome may be linked with those abounding atroci-
ties in the sister Isle, and how the self-evident curse of the Most
High there prevails. To politicians we leave the discussion of party
errors and the bandying of recriminatioiLS. "Let the potsherds
strive with the potsherds of the earth." That our rulers for a long
series of years have been conceding to the cry of "Give, give," raised
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 189
by the horseleach (Rome)'s two daughters — Secular and Spiritual
assmnptions^ — is only too manifest : and their success has been
according to their merit — a heritage of discord, confusion and
rebellion.
It will sound strangely in the ears of some, that England forced
Popeiy upon Ireland; but it is nevertheless too true. Seven
bundred and ten ycirs ago Ireland was more Protestant than
^England. It was our Henry II. who for the sake of obtaining
dominion over Ireland engaged with Pope Adrian, to compel by
force of arms the Irish to renounce their evangelicjd views, and to
embrace the popery that then ruled the English National Church.
In vain did the Irish resist. Henry prevailed, and as the con-
sequence Peter's Pence (a penny from every family) has since been
paid into the papal treasury from conquered Ireland. Xo wonder
our God has never blest the union of the two countries. Nor will he
until instead of confirming the Pope in his seat there, the grand
effort of England be to evangelize that fruitful, barren land. A
land whose natural resources are wonderful ; but which is rendered
barren bv the curse of God.
And what is the history of Popery in every country ? It is that
of oppression, deceit, murder. The yoke of the priesthood has
ever become in course of time intolenible. Its hold on the people
only relaxes with the development of its true character, in rapacity,
licentiousness and tyranny. When an absolute monarch rules in a
popish realm, under his shadow the hierarchy for a season may
defy popular dislike, and flourish under his patronage and protec-
tion.
Ireland's position in this respect is quite an anomaly. Subject
to a power which for the past three centuries-and-a-half has been
professedly Protestant, and she in the majority of her people not
having returned to the principles of the Reformation, and her land
largely owned by Protestants, she has ever been an easy prey to the
insinuations and suggestions of her Jesuitical holy fathers.
Let it be admitted that in many instances great wrong has been
done (if not personally by the absentee landowners, by their agents) ;
that oppression with poverty has often ground the natives down to
the dust, has this led the priests to show their sympathy in relaxing
their demands ? Have they lowered the condition, ' No penny, no
paternoster.' Have they striven by an honourable effort to en-
lighten the people, to guide them in a peaceful and legal path to the
righting of their wrongs ? No : such a course would have been fatal
to themselves. They have availed themselves of the people's
ignorance for accomplishing the vilest purposes. Personal wrongs,
real or imaginary, have been turned to the Papacy's account. Bitter
hatred of Protestant England has been with untiring zeal infused
190 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE,
into the people's minds, and the dissolution of the existing Union
between the two countries has been set forth as an indispensable-
necessity. The ignorance, dirt, squalor, laziness, which stigmatize^
every priest-ridden land, form good soil for Rome's seed, and " the
harvest becomes a heap ** of confusion "in the day of grief and of
desperate sorrow. When famine prevails. Protestantism is the cause.
Whatever ill may happen, it is traced by the crafty priests to the
same root.
The Jesuitical maxim that the end sanctifies the means, puts the
whole of Rome's accursed machinery in operation, and has ever done
so since Ireland submitted to the fatal yoke imposed on her by the
power of England's Henry. Seething sedition, open rebellion^
cruel mutilation of animals, secret assasinations, open murders,
wholesale butcheries, all have been called to play their part from the
days of the Stuarts in the efforts of Rome's priesthood to sever
Ireland from British authority. Each quarter or half century has
witnessed some frantic display to this end. And our rulers, with few
exceptions, have learnt nothing. They play into the hands of the
authors of nearly all the mischief. They aim at conciliating the
irreconcilable priests. These men who, by the key of the confessional
hold the lock of the people's consciences in their power, must of
necessity be privy to most of the crimes committed. By their
threats or admonitions they can command the evil-doers to perform
the most atrocious work. Yet for the benefit of these men our
senators legislate, and hope for peace by these means.
But it is not for Rome's interest for Ireland to be satisfied and in
peace. The beast was seen by John to arise out of the restless sea,
Rev. xiii. 1 — the convulsions of the Western Empire; and the
distraction of nations still affords its finest opportunity for mischief.
It is ever plotting in quiet times ; it is powerfully active in troublous
times. In politics, it can be intensely Conservative, Liberal,,
or Radical. In religion, it equally becomes " all things to all men."
But its aim is to mystify and confound. Hence when an awful
occurrence, like the murder of the Chief and Under Secretary for
Ireland occurs, or in a great movement like that of the Land League,
the priesthood can and do act opposite parts ; the one appearing to
condemn in their pastoral addresses and appeals what the other
upholds and defends. Thus is dust blown into the eyes of our
senators and thousand of professing Protestants. And this is what
we witness at the present time, and Rome with her hands ^^ defiled
with blood and her fingers with iniquity '* hides herself from public
view behind this double screen. And how long will England remain
blind to this ?
The day is fast coming when the prediction shall be fulfilled in
England (one of the ten horns) as in the case of the other nine. In
France, Italy, and other priest-ridden continental countries the people
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 191
liave long been growing weary of tlie dominating power of priestcraft-
Infidelity, its firstborn, laughs at the imbecility of its parents ; and
unable to distinguish between truth and error derides everything
sacred. But the Lord Who reigneth ^vill doubtless use this as other
things to be Rome's scourge. His purpose is that all the ten horns
*' shall hate the whore, and shall make her desolate and naked, and
shall eat her flesh, and burn her with fire.'* Rev. xvii. 16.
The ^* flesh" of Rome is not her spiritual power^ but her body
politic. The overthrow of Austria by Prussia, and then of France
by united Germany, has paved the way for this. But every country^
even infatuated England and America, — ^for the latter sharp pains
and conflicts being certainly in store, — shall come to the resolute
determination that Rome must have no consideration shown to her.
Her decrees must be abolished, her slaves have no power to smite.
A great crisis is impending. Till its consummation arrive things will
go from bad to worse. The spread of Popery, under the refined name
of Ritualism in Great Britain, and its vast increase in America, pro-
claims a mighty struggle to be in reserve. We are not of those
who think the active battle will be fought only by Zion's children.
No : the time is coming when men of the world will have to fight
for their liberties such as a priestly caste would never tolerate. In
the Reformation of the 13th and 15th centuries, though men of
God led the van, the majority who took part in the overthrow of
Rome's body politic, were men of the world, but men sickened with
its farce and oppression. So we believe it will yet be. The Lamb,
and His called and chosen and faithful followers, will contend on
Divine grounds and for the honour of His Father and His own
name^ but multitudes who see only worldly advantage accruing
from Protestant principles will unite, by legislative means and per-
haps force of arms, to destroy the vast pretentions of " the Man of
mn and Son of predition,** and thus will peace and prosperity be
shared by lands like Ireland.
Societies like the Fenian, the Ribbon, the Moonlight, &c., whose
atrocities are exhibited after the manner of the infamous butchery
in Phoenix Park, will all hasten on the eventual accomplishment of
God's exhibition and destruction of Antichrist : of whom it is written :
** In her was found the blood of prophets, and of saints, and of all
tliat were slain upon the earth." Rev. x\aii. 24. The spirit of the
Apostate Church from the time of her arising is thus identified with
all the bloodshed nationally prevalent : for it is a question whether
Home, through her countless confessors in the courts of Kings and
Councils of Republics, has not had a hand in all the wars that have
arisen since her day.
But " strong is the Lord God that judgeth her." And He will
not lack the means in His appointed time for her utter irremediable
t>verthrow. He knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light
192 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
dwelleth with Him. There is no counsel or device against Him;
for His counsel shall standi and He will do all His pleasure. But
when we read of the lamentations of kings and merchants of the
earth over Rome's fall, it makes one almost tremble at the fore-
shadowing of vast revolutionary elements being brought into
motion which, like the convulsions of an earthquake, shall cast
mystical Babylon's earthly power and splendour like a millstone into
the sea, while its spirit shall ultimately be consumed by the Spirit
of the Redeemer's mouth, and destroyed by the brightness of Hi»
coming. And Ireland shall share in the deliverance or punishment.
Blood has long been crying for vengeance. It is crying still, and
shall be answered by Him Who saith, " Vengeance is Mine : I will
repay, saith the Lord." The Editor.
PURE GOLD FROM PURITAN AND OTHER MINES.
God ministers not the Spirit by the works of the law. The law
of faith, and the Spirit always go together ; " After ye believed
ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.'* We are under
the law of faith to Christ ; and God ministers the Spirit by the
hearing of faith. Nor is the law the strength of grace, but the
strength of sin; for, ^^The strength of sin is the law." The rod
of the Lord's strength is His gospel, which is " the power of God
into salvation to everyone that believeth." Huntington.
God hath several ways wherewith to exercise his people. Divers
miseries come one on the neck of another, as the lunatic in the
gospel ^ fell sometimes in the water, sometimes in the fire / so God
changeth the dispensation, sometimes in this trouble, sometimes in
that. Paul gives a catalogue of his dangers and sufferings:
2 Cor: xi. 24-28, ^In perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils
by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the
wilderness, in perils in the city, in perils in the sea, in perils among
false brethren !* Crosses seldom come single. When Godbeginneth
once to try, He useth divers ways of trial ; and indeed there is great
reason. Divers diseases must have divers remedies. Pride, envy>
covetousness, worldliness, wantonness, ambition, are not all cured
by the same physic. Such an affliction pricks the bladder of pride,
another checks our desires, that are apt to run out in the way of the
world, &c. Do not murmur, then, if miseries come upon you, like
waves in a continual succession. Job's messengers came thick and
close one after another, to tell of oxen, and house, and camels, and
sons, and daughters, and all destroyed. Job i. Messenger upon
messenger, and still with a sadder story. We have ^ divers lusts,'
Titus iii. 3, and, therefore, have need of ^ divers trials.* Manton.
July, 1882. the gospel advocate. 193
ESSAYS ON HAET'S HYMNS.— LV.
Htmn 51.
''And when they had nothing to pay He frankly forgave them both.**
— Luke vii. 42.
a
;E ordeal through which every vessel of mercy passes in
order to " glorify God for His mercy " is, in every instance^
more or less painful and distracting. Whether the heat of
the furnace to which the Lord submits His precious metal
be ordinary, or seven times hotter than usual, it is always sufficient
to discover the dross of human nature, and to prove the heart of
the most morally-disposed to be " deceitful above all things and
desperately wicked." The Fall of man has not only depraved, but
blinded and cauterized him. Could he see and feel what he is in
his native condition, he would not continue to flatter himself in his
own eyes until, by some open manifestation of wickedness, ^^ his
iniquity is found to be hateful." Ps. xxxvi. 2. Nor will the Lord
permit this in Zion : for heart-work, the fruit of the Holy Spirit's
gracious indwelling, shall stop the mouth from boasting in all cases^
and bring in each soul guilty before God. And then how true —
'* Mercy is welcome news indeed
To those that guilty stand ;
Wretches that feel wnat help they need,
Will bless the helping hand I" Ver. 1.
'* A-s cjld waters to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far
country," Prov. xxv. 25. And such is the news of "mercy."
Flowing from the river of everlasting love, it is one of those streams
wliich make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacles
of the Most High, Psa. xlvi. 4. Ezekiel appears to refer to its
manifestation through the mediation of the Lord Jesus, when he
describes the waters of the sanctuary as issuing from under the
threshold of the house, and at the south side of the altar,
chap, xlvii. L Comparatively unseen, until God was manifested in
the flesh, were the extensive purposes of mercy, especially as they
related to the Gentile elect, and until from the altar of Christ's
aacnfice, the abounding of grace was revealed. Eph. iii. 5, (J. Then
tlie riches of Jehovah's mercy became apparent ; and the good news
was proclaimed by Apostles and their successors — every sent
194 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
ambassador for Clirist, however humble, to the comforting of those
who needed it : for only those
** Wretches that feel what help they need
Will bless the helping hand-"
A Peter sinking in the waters, and a Pharisee on the dry land of
self-security, are not likely to equally appreciate the outstretched
arm of an almighty Jesus. Souls at ease in Zion, and they who
know the plague of their own hearts, can never hear with the same
sensations the good news of Sovereign mercy. Morally, none will
dispute the fact, that
" Who rightly would his alms dispose
Must give them to the poor ;
None but the wounded patient knows
The blessings of his cure," Ver. 2.
But spiritually, how great the opposition to this consistent state-
ment. The " alms " of Divine favour must be given to the Christ-
despising moralist ; the " cure " to those who never felt the wound
produced by the arrow of conviction. So frothy professors contend;
i.e., such as recognize " Mercy" as at all needful : while many of their
number rather regard the heavenly boon in the light of a debt due
to those who are workers for Jesus. This is a striking feature in
the profession of our day. The grand old truth — " To him that
worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his
faith is counted for righteousness'' — never was held in more general
contempt than it is now. To win the crown of everlasting life, man
must be a co-worker with God. The Holy Spirit's work is nothing
more than a general influence operating upon all, of which all must
avail themselves, and work out their own salvation. The free-will
of man must decide the matter of salvation, or Jesus Christ will
have died in vain. Such is the general teaching.
This Babel structure thus is rising day by day, higher and higher,
while Zion prostrate in the dust is scorned and derided of her
enemies. But the truth abides :
" We all have sinned against our God,
Exception none can boast,"
The only ^^ exception " consists in the knowledge of the fact. In
mount Zion the face of the covering and the vail spread over all
nations is destroyed ; on the rest it remains. " By the law is the
knowledge of sin ;" and this knowledge comes by Divine teaching
and discipline, and all Zion's sons and daughters experience this in
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 195
their respective measure. They all therefore feel they need salvation.
Elach one is concerned to possess the enjoyment of pardoning mercy ;
'* But he that feels the heaviest load
Will prize forgiveness most." Ver. 3.
The greater the pressure on the heart and conscience, the greater
the anxiety to " taste that the Lord is gracious." When convictions
are very gentle ; when temptations are not distressing ; when the
providential pathway is not rough, grace may be in the heart, but
its inward working is seldom strong, and its outward manifestations
seldom very distinctive. Through fire and through water, the
wealthy place — ^the fulness of Christ — is reached. In trouble the
Lord is visited as at no other time, and the prayer is poured out,
with importunity unknown at other times, when His chastening is
upon the soul, Isa. xxvi. 16, 17. Hence it follows that, the deliverance
of the most heavily-burdened is usually the clearest and most com-
plete, so far as the realization of an interest in the atonement of the
Lord Jesus and the electing love of the Father ; while the remem-
brance of the past often serves to abase the soul in admiration at
the unmerited goodness of God. And so it is written : " That
thou mayest remember, and be confounded, and never open thy
mouth any more because of thy shame, when I am pacified toward
thee for all that thou hast done, saith the Lord God," Ezek. xvi. 68.
But however deep the sensations of conviction, and knowledge of
the broken-up fountains of the great deep within may be, '' who
can understand his errors ?" Psa. xix. 12,
** No reckoning can we rightly keep ;
For who the sums can know ?
Some souls are fifty pieces deep,
And some five hundred owe ! Ver. 4.
Though each one partakes in heart and nature equally in the
original transgression of Adam, great is the difference in practical
guilt. And though heart-sins, set in the light of the Lord's counte-
nance, are quite suflScient to sink into the depths of despair, yet, it is
evident from innumerable instances that, gross outward sins leave the
deepest impression on the guilt-stricken conscience, and appear to call
loudest on the justice of God for the execution of vengeance. And
when evil thoughts are brought into the dire account, and accumulated
diqrs and years stored with these seeds of iniquity are pondered by
the Lord's people, how can they 1ceep a reckoning ? How can they
hnow the sums. Admitting the words in their highest sense to be
1&6 THE GObl'EL ADVOCATE.
thoB*? of iLe wuleftft Surety, in a subordinate and truly personal sense
they ^}M:jmf- the language of aii quickened souls : *' 3Gne iniquities
have taken hold njxjii me, js^.* tLat I am not able to look up ; they
are more than the hairs of mv head : therefore mv heart faileth me,"
P«a. xL 12. Whether it be fifty or five hundred pieces, if the debtor
lia* no ahM:fts to >fet against the debt, he is equally helpless and
hoi>eless. So with all God's children. They are reduced to bank-
ruptcy in every case. They can lace neither law nor justice on natural
groundi^. Their only hope murjt rest upon the sovereign clemency
of the Heavenly Creditor. If His bowels of compassion fail them,
they must sink in despair, and perish.
It is now the riches of the glory of the Father^s grace, in His
kindness towards His chosen in Christ Jesus, begins to be exhibited
in the gosj>el. The Holy Spirit reveals Him Who was Surety for
the stranger, and Who smarted for it. The beloved Redeemer swore
to His own hurt to discharge the obligation incurred by His
fneml>ers, and changed not. He paid the price in precious blood,
and perfect righteousness, and holds the cancelled bonds in readiness
to display before the wondering eyes of His redeemed, when the set
time to favour them as prisoners of hope arrives. That set time is
when they give up all for lost ; when it is with them, like as it was
with the Egyptians before Joseph, in the days of famine, who said,
*^ We will not hide it from my lord, how that our money is spent;
my lord also hath our herds of cattle ; there is not ought left in the
sight of my lord, but our bodies and our lands." Aye : but the
lands must go too ; and then they shall have seed for their food.
Then comes the acknowledgment: "Thou hast saved our lives;
let us find grace in the sight of my lord, and we will be Pharaoh's
servants," Gen. xlvii. 18-25. In accordance with this, and the
sweet tenor of our Lord's parable of the two debtors, Mr. Hart
beautifully writes : —
** But bo oui debts whatever they may,
However great or small,
As soon as we have nought to pay,
Our Lord forgires us all.
'Tis perfect poverty alone
That sets the soul at large ;
While we can call one mite our own
We have no full discharge.*' Vers. 5-6.
Most important is the instruction conveyed in the commentary on
our Lord's words, as found in the last verse. The " perfect poverty ^^
THE GOSPEL ADYOCATB. 197
associated with the souVs enlargement ; the possession of '' one mite'*
forming an insuperable barrier to its ^' full discharge.^ ' Let all
seekers of Jesus crucified, note this well. Those painfully trying
sensations which are inseparable from this *^ perfect poverty ^^
are absolutely necessary, that Christ may be exalted in the free gif t
of pardon and justification. Even as the man was bom blind, " that
the works of God might be made manifest in him," John ix. 3 ; and
as Lazarus must sicken and die " for the glory of God, that the Son
of God might be glorified thereby,^* chap. xi. 4 ; so in the reducing
of the souls of His people to that extreme penury that they have
** nothing to pay^' to their God for anything, spiritual or temporal,
there is this great end in view, — ^to bring them to feel the bliss arising
from the declaration, " I will love them freely," Hosea xiv. 4.
Then the prison doors fly open, and the gracious Redeemer appears
in all His loveliness as the Deliverer of the poor when he crieth ; of
the needy also, and of him that hath no helper. Then is the prayer
answered: "Bring my soul out of prison, that I may praise Thy
name," Psa. cxlii. 7 : for all the praise is now ascribed to sovereign
mercy and tender compassion.
But ''one mite " held in reserve; any duty, frame, feeling, con-
sistent act, or legal spirit, indulged and depended on as necessary
to the obtaining a smile or token for good from the Lord, will bar
the wav to the fulness of the blessinof. The Lord, in condescension
to His children's infirmities, will not, it is true, deal with them
wholly as bond-slaves. The bowels of mercies which ever sound
within Him toward them, will not suffer Him to turn away from
doing them good. But He will bring down their heart with labour ;
He will weaken their strength in the way ; He will cause them, like
the poor woman with the issue of blood, to spend all they have upon
" physicians of no value ; " He will make them totally insolvent, so
that the cry shall no more come forth from their lips, " Have pa-
tience with me, and I will pay thee all;" but, " God be merciful to
me a sinner." And then He will appear to their joy, and in the total
remission of all sin, by the application of the atoning blood of Jesus,
will command their release ; knock off their fetters, and bid them
with broken hearts to *' go in peace.'*
This is the "full discharge'* to which the apostle so beautifully
and boldly refers to : " If God be for us, who can be against us ?
He that spared not His Own Son, but delivered Him up for us all.
198 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
how shall He not with Him also freely given us all things. Who
shall lay anything to the charge of God's elect ? It is God that
justifieth. Who is he that condemneth ? It is Christ that died,
yea rather, that is risen, again. Who is even at the right hand of
God, Who also maketh intercession for us." Rom. viii. 31-34.
Thus out of prison the soul comes to reign with its Eternal Lover and
Ransomer. In Christ it realizes itself beloved, chosen, complete,
and accepted, and all the return it can ever make is, to love Him
with His Own love, and place the crown upon His head, saying,
^^ Thou art worthy, for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God
by Thy blood." Mercy now reigns triumphant.
The Editor.
THE POWER OF GRACE.
[The following letter is one of the series written by the young man whose conversion
and death were recorded in our last under the above title.]
December .2 5th, 1842.
Dear Caroline, — ^According as my brother has before told me your
request, and again reminding me, I have now set down to write to
one, as lam informed, who was "a stranger and foreigner,*' but now "a
fellow citizen with the saints and of the household of God/* I have
been looking, as it were, for somebody out of our circle, that they
might write to me, so that I could answer their letter. So if you
are fond of your pen, please to return. But what have I to
write about ? I suppose you say, " of things touching the King."
Well, my heart is inditing a good matter, and out of the abundance
of my heart my pen writes. First, then, I must take the liberty to
inform you it is Christmas day, — my spiritual birthday,— a day
much to be observed to the Lord, for bringing me out of Egyptian
darkness into the marvellous light of the Son of God — my dear
Jesus, — and to follow after His reapers ; and truly I can say, that
goodness and mercy have followed me all the days of my life ; and
shall I trust in God and be confounded ? No, but hope still in God,
Who hath brought me to the fold that the Lord hath blessed. You
know what I mean ; and do you know my God is such a bountiful
God too, that He orders His reapers to let fall a fewhandfuls of corn
for the purpose, so that the poor gleaner is become like Naphtali,
'^ satisfied with favour, and full with the blessing of the Lord." And
as to the possessions, I am told they are so inounense that eye hath
not seen, ears have not heard, neither hath it entered into the heart
to conceive it ; and, to tell the truth, in ]?iy own mind I often think
that instead of these beautiful possessions, hell is my portion, and
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 199
my lot. For like the Israelites, i sing the praises to my God for
His manifold blessings, but yet I so soon forget His wonderful works.
Truly I can say, " 0, the long suffering of my Grod ! " but though
many are the temptations, troubles, darkness, and all the horrible
thoughts and workings of this wicked heart, yet the Lord in His
own time delivereth me, and giveth me a hope still to cleave to Him.
I thank God, I can say that the grace of God is above all these
things ; and I have at times come off a conqueror through Him that
was made perfect through sufferings.
Dear Caroline, I have cause to bless God to all eternity, and to
marvel greatly at the goodness of God in the glorious and
wonderful way He brings His people to His blessed fold. God will
work ; and who dares to hinder ? "I will do all My pleasure,"
Baith the Lord. sing unto the Lord, for He is my rock and
fortress, and my deliverer. I will sing of salvation entirely free
and complete, through the blood of the Lamb : —
" Dearly we're bought, highly esteemed;
Redeemed, with Jesus' blood redeemed."
What wonderful condescension of our blessed Christ, to highly
esteem such poor helpless, needy, self-emptied, sin-perplexed, law-
condemned sinners ! but it is only such that need the good Physician's
care. But why, dear Jjord, dost Thou manifest Thyself to us and
not unto the world at large ? The Holy Ghost answers the question :
I have loved you because I would love you ; and ^^ I will have mercy
upon whom 1 will have mercy." Whom I will I harden, that the
purpose of God according to election might stand. So you see,
dear Caroline, that it was all for love. Have you a real interest in
this matchless and eternal love ? If you have, I can congratulate
you, as one who is led to see yourself a sinner saved in the purpose
of Jehovah from all eternity ; and - it was everlasting love that
decreed thy salvation. Chosen by God, " elect according to the
fore-knowledge of God," preserved by our precious Christ, Who is
all in all in our salvation ; and quickened by the Holy Spirit. Thus
a threefold cord cannot easily be broken. O what a blessed thing
it is for a poor guilty, hell-deserving sinner, that a precious Christ
should undertake the work of our redemption, become our surety, —
and so finished transgression, made an end of sin, brought in everlast-
ing righteousness, and sealed our pardon with His blood. There is
comfort for the comfortless, hope for the hopeless, salvation for the
lost, and they that know it and feel it too, will sing a blessed
song of praise when they are melted down at the goodness of the
Lord ; and their song will be '^ Worthy is the Lamb Who was slain,
Who hath redeemed us unto God by His blood ; to Him be glory and
dominion, both now and for ever.'^
200 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
Dear Caroline, were we always to be thus exulting under the
sensible comforts of the Holy Spirit, how little should we know
of our own deceitful wicked hearts ; how liable should we be
to be puffed up with '^spiritual pride, that rampant beast,"
and fancy ourselves the cheerful favourites of heaven. The
heart of man, what is it like ? some are afraid to tell ; but
I am not, therefore I say, it is like a little hell. In the times of
darkness and desertion, then, even then, we ransack our heart,
and find it indeed a foul sink of iniquity — a Babylon of unclean
birds and spirits. I find it so, and, if I speak for the rest, they find
it so too. " Behold, Lord, I am vile ! I have heard of Thee by
the hearing of the ear, but now mine eye seeth Thee, wherefore I abhor
n^yself, and repent in dust and ashes." Dear Lord, I am quite unable
to do anything of myself, all my sufficiency is of a covenant God, and
when deserted, as it were but for a season only, by Him Whom my
soul loveth, like Asaph I cry out, "Is His mercy clean gone
for ever ?'^ But it is only to try our faith and patience, to receive bless-
ings with greater thankfulness. I might just as well try to move a
mountain, or create a world, as kindle the least spark of divine love in
my hard, dull, dead, and cold heart, till Christ, the Sun of
Righteousness, arise with healing in His wings. Here, dear Caroline,
I must conclude, for I have tried your patience long ago. May the
Lord bless you and keep you ; may the Lord teach us to number
our days that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. What poor
creatures we are : yea, our breath is in our nostrils, and we know
not how soon it will be, when we shall sin and sigh no more. May
the presence of the Lord be with you, and may the Holy Spirit give
you peace — even that peace which passeth all understanding. Now
unto Him that loved us, giving every pledge that love could give,
freely shed His blood to save us, gave His life that we might live,
be the kingdom and dominion, and the glory, ever more.
Your brother in the Lord,
Joseph Portee.
P.S. — This letter was written to Miss C. Seales, who afterwards be-
came my beloved partner in life, but long since has entered into her
eternal rest, to be for ever vnth her loving Lord. Sam. Porter.
How rare that toil a prosperous issue finds,
Which seeks to reconcile divided minds.
A thousand scruples rise at passion's touch ;
This yields too Httle, and that asks too much ;
Each wishes each with other's eyes to see,
And many sinners can't make two to affree.
What mediation then the Saviour showed
Who singly reconciled his church to God !
Dr. John Owen.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 20l
"THE LAME TAKE THE PREY/'
UT certainly not by their own power and might. If it were only
" of him that willeth and of him that runneth," these poor
ready-to-halt creatures would fare but badly. In the king-
dom of our Lord J esus Christ it is the weak one who is to say,
" I am strong :" for " He giveth power to the faint ; and to them that
have no might He increaseth strength." Isa. xl. 29. By mortal
strength '' shall no man prevail." The Lord " delighteth not in the
strength of the horse ; He taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man.
The Lord taketh pleasure in them that fear Him, in those that
hope in His mercy." Psa. cxlvii. 10, 11. And these are the lame
ones.
Lameness is generally occasioned by one of three causes : (1),
either it is from the birth 3 or (2), it is the result of after disease ; or
(3), it proceeds from some special accident, as an explosion, a blow,
a fall, &c. That which is from the birth may either arise from
hereditary disease or malformation. The man at the beautiful
gate of the temple was "lame from his mother's womb," Acts iii. 2.
Beloved Jonathan's son, Mephibosheth, who when David became
king sat at meat at his table, was " lame in his feet," from the age of
five years, and that by reason of a fall, being dropped by his nurse,
when she fled with him from apprehended danger. 2 Sam. iv. 4.
The spiritual lameness of those who are ordained to " take the
prey," is, in a metaphysical sense, connected with all three of the
above-named causes ; as by the teaching of the blessed Spirit they
all discover and acknowledge. Being shapen in iniquity and
conceived in sin, to their naturally corrupt birth they trace the
condition in which they find their hearts and minds, in their
attar alienation from the holiness of Jehovah and the purity of His
law. The sore pain and weakness suffered by those who
experience their lameness in the ways and things of God, make
** the whole head sick, and the whole heart faint." With Paul
they cry, as they fail in all their efforts to clime the heavenly ladder
by natural efforts : " The good that I would I do not ; but the evil
wliich I would not, that do I." Rom. vii. 19. A broken tooth and
a foot out of joint are equally unreliable when put to the test : and
as " the legs of the lame are not equal," Prov. xxvi. 7, so they find
uncertainty associated with all their attempted movements in the
ways of righteousness. And this is a birth-calamity, and a life-long
trial.
But it is also traceable to a Fall — a Pall unparalleled in the
magnitude of its effects. Adam by his one fatal act of dis-
obedience maimed himself and all his posterity. And it is a mercy
to be sensible of it, and to be brought to attend to the admonition :
202 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
** Vaunt thy native strength no longer :
Vain's the boast ; all is lost ;
Sin and death are stronger."
Moreover there are many incidents which befal a believer in
passing through this world which occasion lameness. To say
nothing of the outward indulgence of sin, which, in the case of
David, made him go halting all his days, the secret plague and power
of it often deprive the soul of all its vigour for a season ; nor do
temptations, worldly cares, and the many and varied occupations
of life fail to serve to the same end. But it is an unspeakable
mercy when, notwithstanding all the combined causes of the
lameness which affects all the people of God at certain seasons^
straight paths are made for the feet, so that that which is lame is
not "turued out of the way,'' Heb. xii. 13. Under the law lie
was cursed who laid a stumbling-block before the blind, Lev. xix.
14, and the Lord was not less careful of the lame. And under the
Gospel dispensation woe to him who, as a preacher or teacher, turns
aside from the truth of the Gospel, and the simplicity which is in
Christ, those who are
" Bruised and mangled by the fall,"
for whatever their incapacity, the Lord of pilgrims, Who hears the
cry of the poor and the sighing of the needy, becomes the main-
tain er oE their cause.
Mephibosheth's partial plea of lameness for not accompanying
David in his temporary flight, did not serve to wholly counteract
Ziba*s previous report, and to prevent the loss of portion of his
land, 2 Sam. xix. 24-30. But it shall not fare so with the Lord's
lame children : for with Him " the lame take the prey." And this is
when " the prey of a great spoil" is " divided" by the glorious
Captain of our salvation, Isaiah xxxiii. 23. In the fruits of His
illustrious conquests all His people share — the weak as well as the
strong. As David " made it a statute and an ordinance for Israel"
that, '^ as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part
be that tarrieth by the stuff : they shall part alike," 1 Sam. xxx.
24. 25 ; so it remains established in Zion " unto this day." And as
^' the lame" only " take" what their gracious Lord gives them, we
read : "He hath given meat (literally, ' prey') to them that fear Him;"
Psalm cxi. 5. The work of hunting down, and slaying and spoiling
all our spiritual adversaries, was that of Christ. And all that He
did and suffered becomes spiritual "prey" ; and the '*lame *' take it.
It is thus the Gospel is so rich in its provisions for the poor
despised incapables and f or-life incurables " in the kingdom and
patience of Jesus Christ." Their infirmity shall not be their
destruction; their lameness their starvation. Their bounteous
THE GOSPEL ADYOCATB.
203
Bedeemer compassionates their weakness and insufficiency^ and
while salvation is declared to be " of God that showeth mercy, they
are secure of receiving and partaking of what the blood and
righteousness of the Lord Jesus has obtained for them.
Aquila.
CHRISTIAN REFLECTIONS.
Beloved of my God ere I fell
In Adam, the first of my race,
Redeemed from curse, and from hell.
And made a partaker of grace.
In my Saviour's obedience clad,
And washed from my sins in His blood,
With joy I shall lift up my head.
And stand in the presence of God.
And there, with ten thousands of saints.
Made white in the blood of the Lamb,
To Him WTio redeemed me from death,
Salvation and honour proclaim.
No more to be harassed by sin,
To sigh and to sorrow no more —
For ever with Jesus shut in.
His glories in bliss to explore.
A. G.
''SAVED BY HOPE.'^
Wadhurst, October 7th, 1880.
My dear Friend, —
THANK you for your kind little note ; and " if the Lord
will/' I will be with you on the day named. I told
you in my last brief note that I had much I could write to
you about if time allowed ; but then when one has time the
matter seems to be missing, or, in the interval,
** The tempter sly
AflRrms it fancied, forged or vain."
Yet I know it is impossible for me to create what I experienced in
June, July, or August : and, believing it was of the Lord, I'd gladly
liave the same repeated. Real humility of soul is as much of the
Lord's creating as the sun that shines above our heads. It first
arose in this way : — I was reading at the breakfast table Prov. vi.,
and was powerfully arrested with verse 3, ^^ Do this now, my son,
and deliver thyself, when thou art come into the hand of thy Friend ;
mOy humble thyself, and make sure thy Friend.*' I soon sought to
06 alone, and, feeling the powerful application of the text, begged
to be taught its meaning, when the words " My son " seemed anew
to revive and declare my sonship. " Deliver thyself." I asked,
*' How can I ?'* When thou art come into the hand of thy Friend.
Oh, how in a moment I saw that I was in His hand ; I saw that
men were His sword ; but the hand was His. Oh, how I tried to
discover what lay behind it. I had been striving with the rod ;
seeing only the hands of men. But oh, when I saw that it was His
liand, how passively I could lay myself at His dear feet. While I
204 THE gTospel advocate.
saw only men^s hands, I kicked and fought ; but when I discovered
that it was His hand, I was in a moment as submissive as a babe.
When I saw only the hand of men, I was full of self-pity ; when I
saw that it was His hand, I was filled with self-loathing. *' Humble
thyself." Never will or can the soul do this : but when the Lord the
Holy Spirit takes the work up, then the soul can and does humble
itself in the lowest dust; and so in my case. Oh, how He opened
up to my view my vileness, baseness, and depravity. How I
wondered that He had borne with me. How clearly I saw light
ill His light. His Word was quick and powerful, sharper than
any two-edged sword, piercing to the dividing asunder of soul and
spirit, of the joints and marrow, and was a discerner of the thoughts
and intents of hearts. Oh, I cannot tell you what deep self-abase-
ment I felt for days and weeks.
Could I now complain of the treatment of men ? No;
but felt a wish to show them some permanent act of affectionate
friendship. I was thus dumb before Him. "I was dumb, I
opened not my mouth, because Thou didst it,'' Psalms xxxix. 9.
^^ Humble thyself." Oh, yes; I could then, in sackcloth and
ashes. It is impossible for me to relate how the word cut,
tried, and searched me; and what union of fellowship I had
with Jacob in, "I am not worthy of the least of all Thy
mercies." How I was lost in wonder at Isaiah's language (chap vi.
5). Like him I heard the seraphim cry, "Holy, Holy, Holy;" and
like Him, " the posts of the door moved at the voice of Him that
cried." "Then, said I — ah 'tis only then, when the holiness and
majesty of the Lord is seen — "Woe is me! for I am undone;
because I am a man of unclean lips, and I dwell in the midst of a
people of unclean lips ; for (mark) mine eyes have seen the King,
the Lord of hosts." " What !" I cried, " is Isaiah here ? was tlus
the language of this great Prophet ? Can it be that the Lord's
eminent Isaiah should have thus to speak?" Oh, with what
brotherly affection did I embrace the dear prodigal, — " Father, I
have sinned against Heaven, and in Thy sight ; and am no more
worthy to be called Thy son." How struck I was with this sweet
fact, that no sooner was Isaiah brought to this point, than one of
the bright seraphims flew to his side ; and the Father ran to His
humble son. This bore me up greatly, and I felt that I had no
hand in this business. Dan. ix. was also verv sweet. His humble
confession of his sins and the sins of his fathers suited me well,
and fitted my very soul. Job's confession, too, seemed peculiarly
ada])ted to my experience, " Behold, I am vile !" Like me. He had
for years been vindicating Himself, declaring His innocence and the
cleanness of his hands ; but, when the Lord took the case in hand,
^tJijyi^e cried " Wherefore I repent, and abhor myself in dust and
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 205
Now, but for a secret support, I must have, sunk under
this ; but ^^ so shalt thou prevail with thy Friend,' * and twenty such
like passages, were encouragement to faith and prayer. A sinner
in idea, oily needs a Saviour in idea. But those complaints ; those
deep confessions ; this inward self-loathing, are not mere modes of
speech, but infelt realities. Those deep inward exercises made
room indeed for the Lord Jesus, and gave me anew to prize His
complete and finished work. Another thing, too, kept springing
up ; and that was a spirit of gratitude. I cannot tell my friend how
grateful I felt for a piece of bread. How I thanked Him for the
roof above my head ; and then how sweet were the words ^' Offer
unto God thanksgiving, and pay thy vows unto the most High ;'*
and, ^^ Call unto Me in the day of trouble, I will deliver thee, and
thou shalt glorify Me.'* This for some days was like an "apple of
gold in a picture of silver;" for I could say, "Lord, Thou knowest
the inmost secrets of all hearts ; that I do offer Thee thanksgiving ;
and I do call upon Thee in this day of trouble, and Thou hast said,
* I will deliver thee.' Oh, be as good as Thy word." Again and
again, I thought He would soon arise and help me; but no sooner
does He withdraw His influence than I am just as before — lumpish,
cold, and dead. One thing I would gratefully remember : that is,
during years of trial I have been upheld in physical strength. An
event occurred early in the year that nearly killed me. I said, " I
shall not survive this." I was prostrated with sorrow, and could
only eat or drink as forced by a sense of duty to do so ; but thus
far His hand hath held me up. Oh may I yet live to speak His
worth and commend Him to His dear tried and sorrow-smitten
ones. I am certain that mere letter Calvinism is of no use to God's
saints in the furnace of affliction : and I am also sure that a minister
at ease in Zion is only acceptable to those who are settled on their
lees. We read of "the sure mercies of David ;" but not of the " swift
mercies :" they are swift when the time comes. When " the King's
business requires haste," then " He will ride on a cherub and fly ;
yea. He will fly on the wings of the wind." Our time is always
ready.
I hope you are all well, and that your crops are well got in ; and
that they will fetch remunerative prices. Godly farmers have had
much to try them of late. But, " say ye to the righteous. It shall
be well with him." I wonder if you can use the confiding language
of the Prophet Habakkuk, 3rd chapter, last three or four verses ? If
you can, you are a sweetly-favoured man, indeed. But this you
and I both must learn, that our faith stands only in the power of
Grod. Excuse the length, and believe me to be ever.
Yours affectionately,
Mr. Newnham, Waldron. W. Winslow.
206 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
GOD'S WAYS WITH MAN FROM THE BEGINNINO.
THE lord's COMINQ AND CONSUtfMATION OF ALL THINGS.
Psalm xxv. 14; Pkovebbs xxv. 2.
ROM the word of God we learn, that man, after the flesh,
failed in every position in which it pleased God to place him.
He at once fell under the power of Satan, lawlessness
increased, sins multiplied, and nx) Seed of the woman arose
to crush the subtle foe, who had brought in the ruin. On the con-
trary, man filled the earth with ^^ corruption and violence," and
become so bad that " God repented He had made him" (Gen. v. i6),
and destroyed the world that then was with a flood. Again : brought
out fresh from the ark to possess the purged earth, he soon
failed in his government, and went on from bad to worse, till
God at length confounded his plans of self-aggrandizementat Babel.
In process of time God called him out as a separate nation, and
entrusted him with His law ; but here he tailed as signally as before,
breaking the commandments ere ever (in their written form) they
had reached the camp. Thus tried as a nation, which should have
executed God's judgments ; and tried again under sovereigns, who
fihould have been the dispensars of God's righteousness,
we have over and over again the same sad and dreary tale of
failure, rebellion, and ruin. Indeed, the favoured nation proved
as bad as the heathen by whom it was surrounded, and not only
"learned their works," but the descendants of David were them-
selves the corrupters, instead of the righteous governors of the people.
The first man, therefore, had indeed been proved, and that to the
utmost as to his powers and ability to carry out God's governmental
commands ; and we find that, even in the promised line, the seed of
Abraham and of David failed as disastrously as all the others. Now,
it had been fully demonstrated, that man in the flesh — whether in
the line of promise, or out of it — could not fulfil God's designs, or
bring in God's promises of purposed blessings to the earth ; he was
therefore finally set aside, and the manifestation of the scheme of G^d's
earthly government postponed, until the Second Man, the Last Adam,
the Lord from heaven, should come. Tha One who gathers in His
own Sacred Person all the promises, and all the purposed blessings
in heaven above, as well as the earth beneath : Who alone is worthy,
as well as able, to administer God's righteous government in all its
varieties and glorious fulness, in all parts of His dominions. All
this we have faithfully recorded in God's infallible Word- First,
how the chosen nation was divided. Then how the larger portion —
that is, ten out of the twelve tribes — was carried into captivity,
from which they have never returned. Lastly, how that the two
remaining tribes, with the royal line of David, were taken prisoners
to Babylon, some two hundred years later.
THE G08FEX. ADTOCAIX. 207
Tkn we kam dnt, so bar as esatVkj g€fwemmeat is omoemed,
tfe Jews were at once given up antfl the Second Man was brooglit in^
■nd, with this long abandonment of the Jews, oommenoed " the
tnes of theCrendles:" — that is, the period daring- which the sceptre
of earthlr dominion is entmsted to the Gentiles instead of Israd.
Iliese " times of the GentQes," began with the kingdom of Babjion
head of gold in Nebnehadneziar's dream. Then we have
kingdom cj the Medes and Persians — sjmbGdixed bj the breast
md arms of sQver; and the Greek monarchy, set forth in the belly
■■d thighs of bra^ ; afto* this, we find '^ the times of the Gentites"
dnng^ their natnie, as symbolized by the ir«>n and day mingled
fcogether, — that k to say, the rale is divided among the several
kiHg»i>m^ of various origin, and divers in character, although aU
DKfcctected with the dismembered Boman empire.
Bat another vision shows as that this is also the last stage, and
shape of the Empire. That is to say, the Boman domcnian
to revive in a federal form, under the pret^dency of one
necially energised by Satanic power; and it is when it has reached
Ins idiase that judgment will come down upj>n it, — a " stone cot
nthoat hands" fallmg on the Gentile powers and crushing them to
pKces ; after which it grows into a ni*>untain, so that it fills the
tatMth, or, as interpreted by D&niel (chap. ii. -14/. In the days cf
tfcese kings ^diall the God of heaven set up a ktogdom which shall
■ever be destroyed ; and the kingdom shall not be left to other
people : bv:t it shaU break in pieces, and consume all the kingdomsiy
■ad it ^hall stand forever," ^c.
So it was, while these " times of the Gentfles " are running their
Dsorse, that the Jews (that is, the two tribes forming the kingdom
rf Jadahv fulfilled the seventy years of captivity foretold by the
pn>pLet Jeremiah. At the close of that period tha* Babylonian
kingdom having been destroyed, and the Persian established on its
ndns : the king) Cyrus, issued a decree, permitting the Jews of
the captivity to return to Jerusalem ; in virtue of which, a small
bandy without p»>litical power, or recognised pj«sition, ioand their
ny back ^o the ruined city, and s«»n afterwards baih the Temple.
Again, af:er nearly a century, the same Gentiie p>>wer gave a oom-
■andment to " restcre and build Jerusalem." Nvw it is from this
biter commandment that Daniel's projrfiecy of seventy weeks dates,
■luch is divided into three parts. First, of seven weeks ; second,
rf sixty-two weeks; third, of one week. During the first part,
Aat of the seven weeks^ the city was rebuilt. The second part, thai
if sixty-two weeks, com|Hrehends the time from the completion of
lie city to the cutting oft of the Messiah. Thethird part, thai of
ne weekr which yet awaits accomplishment, carries " the times of
lie Geotiies'' to a close, '* finishes the transgTe:^«^jfn" of the Jew9,
208 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
and "brings in everlasting righteousness:" that is, tlie Desolator
being destroyed, and the Messiah's kingdom established on earth,
the very place of His humiliation shall bear witness to His glory.
The Jews, as we have seen, had been politically discarded, till
'^ The Messiah should come/' Well, in process of time, He did
come, heralded by John the Baptist, and the kingdom was
proclaimed to the nation with the call to repentance. But man in
the flesh proved himself no less incompetent to repent and turn to
God and receive His Messiah, and so obtain blessings through Him,
than he had before shown himself incompetent to carry out any
one of God's purposes in his own strength. No, indeed ! " God
manifest in the flesh" only drew out the bitter enmity of man's
heart, and his utter selfishness, and the more fearful display
of his desperate opposition to all that is good and holy. For the
Jews, instead of receiving Him as their rightful sovereign, crucified
Him between two thieves. Now the effect of this rejection was
two-fold. The blood they shed was designed, according to " the
determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God," to be the means
by which He would not only accomplish eternal redemption for
His Church and people, but also righteously reconcile all things
to Himself, entirely blot out sin, and thus lay the foundation of
all true blessings, as well for the Gentiles as the Jews ; the earthly
and the heavenly, where there is no distinction ; all made one "by
the blood." But the immediate effect of the crime, so far as the
Jews were concerned, was, that their " house was left " (to them)
'^ desolate'^ until they should say, " Blessed is He that cometh in
the name of the Lord." And the kingdom, instead of it taking
the manifested prophetic shape, in which the Jews should be the
head of the nations, assumed — until the time of Israel's repentance
— a mysterious, hidden form, connected with Christ in heaven, and
in which the Gentiles were the special objects of God's favour, both
in providence and grace.
True, the first summons, after Christ's resurrection, was addressed
to the Jews, calling on them again to repent, and thus to receive
the kingdom in manifested glory ; because Christ had prayed for
them from the cross, ^^ Father, forgive them," &c. But, on their
refusal, the kingdom definitely assumed the mysterious form, the
natural branches being broken off, or, out of, the olive tree ; and,
the wild olive tree — or Gentiles — ^being graffed in. There was indeed
then, as now, and always, " A remnant according to the election
of grace." But " blindness in part happened to Israel." They
failed to see God's " grace and truth come by Jesus Christ." So
the nation, as a whole, was cut off from their former favours, while
the Gentiles took for a time the place of pre-eminence in God's
dealings.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 209
Yes, just as the political displacement of tlie Jews brought in
ihe times of the Gentiles ;" so now (on the national rejection of
irist) the moral and religious make way for " the coming in of
B Gentiles." And it was only when this took place that Israel
illy became, " Lo, ammi/' — not My people, — though they had in
3t long ceased to be God's centre of government on earth. Still
was not until the people, with their rulers, rejected and crucified
e Son of God, that God set the nation entirely aside for and
ring " the coming in of the Gentiles." That is, while God is
[ling out a people from the nations to His name, for heavenly
Dry, God's bestowment of earthly blessings is suspended,
respect of the Jews, through the corruption and violence
the nation — culminating in the death of God's dear and
jU-beloved Son. Or, to speak according to Daniel's prophecy :
[ter the sixty-ninth week, when the Messiah was " cut off ;'*
id mercy will not again begin to flow, till after the fulness of the
sntiles has come in, and God once more displays His purpose
•nceming the whole earth. Meanwhile, the Gentiles are brought
to more than the vacant place of privilege, and consequently
.'eater responsibility to God and his neighbour ; even as Christian-
7 is superior to " the Jews' religion." But nominal Christianity
iled as signally as did Judaism under the law (of course the
ection of grace always holds good in the power as well
5 in the purpose of God) ; for the greater part have never accepted
hrist even in name; and that portion of the world, called Christen-
>m, which has at any time nominally owned Jesus as Lord, has long
?come a leavened mass, corrupted to its very core. And the small
crinkling of true believers in its midst have themselves, alas !
^ased entirely to present a testimony, as the " one body," and, sad to
y, rent into many conflicting sects and parties, have long
81 sight of, and kept in the back-ground, the very leading feature
all the apostles' preaching and teaching, that glorious bond of
lion, not keeping the heart and eye on the one and only centre, and
'he blessed hope," even the Lord's return for His saints. And we
e all around the sad consequences ; christians have become hardly
stinguishable from the world around them. This is, alas, too true,
''en of God's own dear children, who ought to be " the light of the
orld :" which is simply impossible so long as their object in life,
^eir pursuits in the world, and the character of their walk, are
"ecisely the same as the world's. Nevertheless God is longsuffering
usward (the elect) and not willing that any should perish ; it is also
ost certain that "the Lord is not slack concerning His promise;" for
"a little while" " the trumpet shall sound, and the dead (believers)
all be raised incorruptible, and we (the living believers) shall be
210 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
changed." This is the undated, but nevertheless, ever-present hope
of the Chureh. When the " coming of the Lord^' for His saints
has happened, Christendom — the remaining branches grafted in
the olive tree having failed to remain in the goodness of God, will
be cut off. The fulness of the Gentiles having come in, the
corrupt mass of professors left behind will be dealt with by God in
righteous judgment. Judicial blindness will overtake them;
'^ Because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be
saved; and for this cause," &c. 2 Thess. ii. 10^12.
Hereford. (To be continued.) H. Lawpord.
THE TIME OF THE NATIVITY OP OUR LORD.
Dear Mr. Editor,
AVING had my attention expressly directed to your article
on the Nativity in the February number of your '' G.A.'*
it has deeply interested me, as also the extract from
Mr. Galloway's work. Though I think he is wrong as to the year
of the Nativity, I nearly agree with him as to the time of the year.
The year B. C. 1, would bring him into conflict with Roman history
and the times mentioned by St. Luke. Having given a good deal
of time and study to the subject of Chronology and the Nativity
and history of our Surety and Substitute, the Lord Jesus Chbist,
I venture to affirm that all your readers may take St. Luke's
historical statements as absolutely correct.
The first historical point of time given by St. Luke is, the decree
of Augustus, (ii. 1). There have been various opinions expressed
as to the time when this decree was issued, and also as to the
extent of the decree, but we must understand " those days" to
relate to the time of the birth of John the Baptist; that is rendered
necessarv bv the context. As to the extent of the decree. Dr.
Lardner, after a most searching criticism of the whole sabject in aU
its hesiriugs, reads '' the irhole land " instead of "all the world ;'^
and he gives several instances of a similar rendering of the Greek,
and understands it to mean the whole land under Herod's jurisdic-
tion. Augustus, having had his mind prejudiced against Herod>
issued this decree to tax Herod's subjects, to humble Herod. And
Josephus says, that they, the people, took the oath of fidelity to
Ca?sar and to Herod. With respect to the time when this assess-
ment, or taxing, was made, all learned men seem pretty well agreed
that it was about one year, or two years at most, before Herod's
death. But there has been a very great diversity of opinion res-
pecting the time of Herod's death : nevertheless, I believe it can
be proved, if historical testimony is at all to be relied on, that h&
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 211
died a little while before the Passover B.C. 2. If this date is
accepted^ it will harmonise with all the other historical dates
mentioned in connection with our Lord's nativity and life upon
earth ; and it will only be necessary to go one year back for the
time of the decree of Augustus, as that will leave sufficient time for
all the events to transpire that are narrated to the death of Herod
and the Passover that immediately followed.
About the time this decree was executed, Josephus gives
an account of a great disturbance in Herod's court, and of
Jiis having put many to death on account of their adherence
to some things prophesied by a Pharisee, or the Pharisees,
about the time of taking the oath. There is one event in
connection with this which Dr. Lardner seems to have over-
looked, as I am persuaded that if he had laid hold of this
fact, it would have enabled him to reconcile the events with more
•exactness : that is, the prophecy of Zacharias at the circumcision of
his son, John Baptist. You will remember this took place nearly
€ix months before the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ, and it is said,
*^ and all these sayings were noised abroad throughout all the
hill country of JudeaJ^ Whereas, Dr. Lardner seems, to have
understood the prophecies of Simeon and Anna, when the child
Jesns was presented in the temple, as the occasion of the distur-
bance in Herod's household. That, you will perceive, would make
a full six months difference in the time, and according to my
opinion, would not harmonise near so well with the events as
narrated. Moreover, it is nowhere implied in the narrative, that I
am aware of, that our Lord Jesus Christ was born before the en-
rolment, or assessment, took place. It is simply stated, '^ that
-while they were there, the days were accomplished" And as I
understand this matter, there was an additional reason, besides the
taxing, for delay ; that is, the great feast of the seventh month was
at hand ; when all the males twenty years old and upwards were re-
-quired by the law of Moses to present themselves before the Lord.
The events said to have occurred after the issuing of the decree
for the taxing, are : — Antipater, Herod's eldest son, is said to make
a journey to Rome ; seven months is the time allowed for that.
During this seven months Pheroras, Herod's brother, dies. After his
death a conspiracy is discovered criminating Antipater as the chief
plotter to take away the life of Herod his father by means of
poison. Ambassadors are sent to Rome by Herod to accuse Anti-
pater, and soon after, upon additional evidence of his guilt, another
«et of ambassadors are sent in haste. In the meantime Antipater
had returned, and was arrested and put into prison. The Magi are
supposed to arrive from the east, and the slaughter of the infants to
take place, though this is not mentioned in Josephus. One Judas
212 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
and one Matthias, public teachers, persuaded their scholars to pull
down Herod's golden eagle from over the gate of the temple. They
were arrested and sent to Jericho, tried and condemned, and were
burnt alive, ''and that very nightf^' says Josephus, ^' there was an
eclipse of the mooii." Another Matthias, the High-Priest, was de-
posed, and his wife's brother Joazer made High-Priest in his stead.
Herod's disease increased upon him so much that, upon the advice
of his physicians, he went beyond Jordan to the warm baths at
CalliiThoe. He returned again to Jericho, where he conceived ou&
of the most horrid acts of cruelty I have ever read of, to ensure a
mourning at his funeral. While giving orders for their murderous
action to be carried out, letters came from Rome giving Herod
authority to do as he willed with his son Antipater, who was soon
after put to death, and Herod himself died five days after. Not
long after the funeral ceremonies, the feast of the Passover
occurred. According to my calculation the Passover B.C. 2
would occur April 16th, and I am of opinion the eclipse men-
tioned by Josephus occurred the 19th of January preceding.
I have made the calculation of the eclipse by the rules of
astronomers, and from catalogued eclipses, and I arrive at the
result that, the middle of the eclipse would be about half-past seven
o'clock in the evening and would be nearly total. I am aware tin*
calculation is liable to be disputed, but I should like to see it
demonstrated.
Supposing that this calculation is correct, the order of
events I place as follows : The birth of John Baptist at
the latter end of April B.C. 3; the issuing of the decree of
Augustus immediately after. I allow two months for the people to
prepare to be enrolled, and another two or three months for the
enrolment. This would bring the time down to September. I place
the birth of Jesus somewhere about the 10th day of the seventh
Jewish month (I do not presume to fix the exact day), which would
be about the 17th of October, B.C. 3. Then we must allow forty
days for the purification, see Luke ii. 22. This would bring us
down to the 26th of November, leaving two months nearly for the
arrival of the Magi, before the eclipse, and two months more after
the eclipse to the Passover B.C. 2, which was the Passover that
followed soon after Herod's death. Thus, I place all these im-
portant events within less than a year without any crowding, leaving"
ample time for each to be accomplished in due order.
Passing over the incidental mention of Jesus going up to Jerusa-
lem in his twelfth year, I come now to the fifteenth year of Tiberius,
when John Baptist began his ministry. After John had baptized »
good many people, it is said, Jesus himself being baptized, received
' eavenly acknowledgment of His Sonship — ^' began to be about
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 213*
thirty years of age," (iii. 23). The fifteenth year of Tiberius began
August 19th, A.D. 28. Supposing this baptism to have occurred
the first week in September, Jesus would then be thirty years with-^
in about six weeks. After His baptism He was forty days in the
wilderness, after which ^^he returned in the power of the Spirit unto
Nazareth,'' and, as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on
the sabbath day, and " stood up for to read, and there was delivered
unto Him the book of the prophet Esaias, and when He had opened
the book He found the place where it was written. The Spirit of the
Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel
to the poor; . . . and, to preach the acceptable year of the lord."
'^And He began to say unto them, this day is this scripture folfilled
IN YOUR EARS.*' What do we understand by this " acceptable year
of the Lord ?" And, " This day is this scripture fulfilled in your
ears ?" Listen ! " And thou shalt number seven sabbaths of years
unto thee, seven times seven years; and the space of the seven
sabbaths of years shall be unto thee forty and nine years. Then
shalt thou cause the trumpet of the Jubilee to sound on the tenth
day of the seventh month, in the day of atonement shall ye make
the trumpet sound throughout all your land. And ye shall hallow
the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout all the land ; unto
all the inhabitants thereof; it shall be a jubilee unto you; and ye
shall return every man unto his possession, and ye shall return every
man unto his family." Lev. xxv. 7-10. May we not understand
these words, " I'his day is this scrijoture fulfilled in your ears/'
to mean in their fullest extent, that this was indeed the accept-^
able year ; the opening year of the great jubilee of gospel grace ?
But you will naturally ask, was this indeed a jubilee year ? Yes, I
believe it was the end of nob merely a jubilee year, but of the thirty-^
third jubilee since Joshua took possession of the promised land.
Thirty-three years and a half is almost unanimously agreed to be
the length of Christ's life upon earth. How appropriate is this
thirty-third jubilee ! " Be it known unto you therefore, men and
brethren, that, through this man (Jesus) is preached unto you the
forgiveness of sins ; and by Him all that believe are justified from
all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses."
Acts xiii. 88. The law of Moses proclaimed liberty to all the in-^
habitants of the land to return to his possession and to his family.
But here we have a jubilee of freedom from sin and its guiltiness ;
yea, from all things we are justified by faith in the certain sound
of this jubilee trumpet. How glorious this jubilee appears in this
light ! How it enhances all the ordinances and typical feasts of the
Jews, when we understand in what manner they were the shadow
of better things to come ! And when we understand this great
214
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
jubilee of gospel grace is only typical of a still more glorious jubilee,
when Jesus will come to be glorified in all His saints — when in tlie
resuirection of the body free from all the fetters of sin and fleshly
lusts, pure and holy love will be possessed in its highest fulness:
then indeed will be a jubilee op glory : " We shall be like Him,
for we shall see Him as He is."
Leicester, John.
P.S. Perhaps it will be as well to explain how this seventh month of the forty-
ninth year could be the recommencement of the fiftieth-;^ear. Tisri, which in
the text is called the seventh month of the Sabbatic year, is the first month of
the civil year, so that half of the civil year is past when the ecclesiastic year
begins.
THOUGHTS ON MALACHI III. 16, 17, 18 VERSES.
N this verse of Holy Writ we have an example set before us
of the Christian. Here, it does not mean one who professes,
and calls himself a Christian, for his state to-day is much
the same as it was a year ago. They of Israel who feared the
Lord, do most assuredly allude to the true Christian. He knowing
himself to be at peace with God, walking humbly and closely with
his God, delighteth in doing good, of ttimes acquainting others with
the sweet name of Jesus, of His abounding love, and the peace of
God that passeth all understanding.
It passeth knowledge that dear love of Thine,
My Jesus, Saviour ; yet this soul of mine
Would of Thy love, in all its breadth and length,
Its height, and depth, its everlasting strength,
Know more and more.
Those believing ones "spake often one to another." They had faith
in Him, and desired to learn more of Him. We see plainly the
Lord heard them. He was listening, while they were talking. Yes,
the Holy One of Israel said, " Where two or three are gathered
together in My name, there 1 am in the midst of them.'' Matt, xviii.
20. Paul says, he is not ashamed to speak of Christ, for His Gospel
" is the power of God unto salvation, to everyone that believeth,
to the Jew first, and also to the Greek," Rom. i. 16. Happy
are we who can join with Paul. But alas, how very often Christ
is denied even amongst us.
Communicating one with another, and conversing with the best
of friends, yet still we linger and hesitate to speak of Him, " the
Omniscient, Omnipresent Saviour,'' Whose habitation is in the
heavens. This shows perfectly well the need of faith, — ^faith only,
to be strengthened by Jesus. Let one and all ask for this blessing.
In Matthew, 10th chapter 32nd and 33rd verses, we read what our
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 21&
Saviour Christ says of denial : If we deny Him, He will also deny us f
then for us there will be no admittance through the gates of Heaven..
Let us carry into effect verse 32 ; to confess Christ, and He will
confess us. "And a book of rememberance was written for them
that feared the Lord." In Revelation, 20th chapter 12th verse, we
have recorded the Book of Life, out of which all nations of
the earth shall be judged in that great and terrible day of the Lord.
The two last verses are in reference to the judgment ; when God
shall come to make up His jewels : " They shall be Mine," saith the
Redeemer, " and I will spare them as a man spareth his own son that
serveth him." So that to love, serve and fear God here, will be to
us everlasting happiness hereafter ; for
Who would not be where Jesus is,
And serve Him without fear ?
The last verse refers to God's Israel returning and discerning between
the righteous and the wicked. In Matthew, 25th chap, and 32nd v.,.
we are told that God shall separate them. The righteous shall Ho
seat on His right hand, and the wicked on His left hand. Then shall
He say to those who have loved and served Him faithfully, " Come>
ye blessed of My Father, inherit the kingdom of Heaven prepared
for you from the foundation of the world." Then, will He also say
to those on His left hand, "Depart from Me, ye cursed, into ever-
lasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." Matthew 25th
chapter 34th and 4l8t verses. It is certain if we trust in Jesus we
need not fear the day of His coming. For those who do not yet
know Jesus as their Saviour, I would entreat that they may be led
to take heed to the last warning : "Depart from Me," and "Flee
from the wrath to come," and to seek Him, the only Saviour, Who
ever liveth to make intercession for us.
26, Senior-street, Harrow-road, W. E. Bovington.
London.
THE LORD'S DAY.
The Lord's holy day — the sacred memento of the risen Saviour's
triumph over death, how grandly and calmly does it stand out in
am its distinctiveness from Romish and pagan devices ! Well is it
said by George Herbert,
** day, most calm, most bright !
The fruit of this, the next world's bud ;
The world were dark but for Thy light :
Thy torch doth show the way.'*
Specially is this day honoured by its Appointor. The work of tho
Spirit by means of the preached gospel has doubtless been wrought
more upon it than upon any other day. Witness the day of Pente-
cost. And how often has the sacred rest associated with the name of
216 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
Sabbath been, by the power of the Holy Comforter, realized in His
glorifying of the Lord Jesus in His people's hearts on this day.
" His rest shall be glorious !" It is so. Have we not felt it,
beloved readers ? Not indeed limited to the first day of the week.
No ; blessed be our covenant God, He has many other holy days.
Every time He visits, speaks to, and smiles upon us, it is a hallowed
season — a holy day. Jesus is our Sabbath. And ^^ we which have
believed do enter into rest " — a rest that calms the troubled heart,
and brings full vigour to the desponding mind, and even imparts
strength to the weakly and prostrated body. For, in a thousand
ways. He is " the health of our countenance " Who is " our God."
No reaction follows the occupation which these holy days of
heaven bring to the believer, while the worldling is nearly always
the worse after his holidays. We go in the strength of the meal
brought by each gracious manifestation of sovereign love, and " the
joy of the Lord" becomes our " strength '' for future toils and trials.
For God in Christ Jesus has sanctified all His holy days, and
blessed them to His people for ever ; the earnest of which He has
given in the Sabbath of the Resurrection, and the bestowment of
His Holy Spirit. Josiah.
GOSPEL CONFIRMATION.
121, High Street, Gosport,
May 15th, 1880.
To Mr. Geo. Oakshott and Mrs. Green,
My dear aged friends and fellow pilgrims to the inhabited city
prepared of God for a prepared people, grace and peace be multi-
plied.
I wish you what I pray for on my own behalf, that you may grow
in grace and in the knowledge and love of that same Redeemer
Who became poor, though He was rich in everything — being the
rightful possessor of Heaven and earth, that we poor worms, who
had nothing but sin, might be rich through His poverty ; putting us
into possession of durable riches and righteousness. And astonishing
as it is, yet is it true, for blessed Paul says : " For all things are
yours," whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world,
or life, or death, or things present, or things to come;
all are yours ; and ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's." And again:
*' If children, then heirs, heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ."
What are bank notes, gold, or jewels, compared with these things,
to which add an " eternal weight of glory ?" Dear Lord, give us more
precious faith, that we may " comprehend (or apprehend) with all
saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height, and
know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge."
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 217
It is the promised Comforter Who testifies of these things^ gi^'iiig^
3 to know and feel their Divine reality ; and it is our privilege to
raj for this blessed Teacher, that He would condescend to come
id show us these things, as expressed in the 8th verse of the 4th
lapter of the Epistle to the Philippians ; the Lord help us ^^ to
link on these things/'
And now that our sand is almost run through, and our days on
irth are drawing to a close, we want confirming, — not by a bishop
I earth, but by our Lord Himself. Good Joseph Hart says : —
" He is the Son to free ;
The Bishop He to bless ;
The full propitiation He ;
The Lord our righteousness."
''ell then, dear friends, let us try to comfort one another with
ese words. And, as we do not often meet face to face, may He
Tio can bless a word written be pleased to bless our correspondence,,
id put it into our hearts to pray for each other ; for truly it is
rongfa much and varied tribulation that we must enter the
ngdom ; and we have His own blessed word on our side : " Fear
>t, little flock, it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the
ngdom/' Wishing you an abundant entrance into the same,
I remain your junior brother,
Alfred Hammond*
NURTURE.
Deut. xxxii. 11, 12.
'Mid the desolate crags f)f this sin-riven world.
Where the tempest is born and thick vapours are curled :
On the rugged and dreari', aud lightning-scathed peak,
In a terrible evrv, all lonelv and bleak,
Jehovah has chosen to cradle and rear
His offspring, ordained to a happier sphere.
But fear not, confessors, stand fast in His name :
Amid danger, and weakness, temptation and shame
Ye shall learn to confide in your Saviour above.
To live in His life, and abide in His love.
Overshadowing you is the wing of His care.
Omniscient to guard, and almighty to bear.
As the eagle forsakes not her shelterless brood.
But warms them, and feeds them, yet callow, with blood.
So His chosen and &ithful ones, feeble and few.
The Saviour will cherish, defend and renew.
Till winged, they ascend the invisible height.
And dwell in the presence of Infinite Light.
t Feb., 1882. C. H. Bf.
218 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
LETTER BY THE LATE MR. STEDMAN.
Robertsbridge, February 13, 1880.
AM sure that they who knew the truth of the gospel under
the late Mr. Vinall, sen., find ^^ that which is wanting cannot
be numbered" in almost all Calvinistic preachers. 'Tisnot
what 18 said, but what is not said that is wanting. How
deficient is the ministry of the day in what is the hardest part of
it, as appears by Paul's solemn charge to Timothy, (2 Tim. iv. 1, 2),
namely, reproving, rebuking, exhorting with all longsuffering and
doctrine. Our times bear the features of the times portrayed in
the history given in the four last chapters of Judges. The key to
the whole of the said scenes is the word — the significant word, "There
was no king in Israel in those days, but every one did that wliich
was right in his own eyes." In chapter xviii. 7, it is said, " They
were quiet and secure, and there was no magistrate in the land that
might jpit^ them to shame in anything." Thus they lived careless
as to maintaining good works, which none are concerned about
but those who truly believe (Titus iii. 8). Many will preach nothing
but the cardinal doctrines of the Gospel, and they have hearers
determined to hear no other : but as to rebuke, reproof, and exho^
tation to holiness of life, as a natural consequence of union to
Christ, it is laid aside by preachers with the good liking of the
hearers. But what the scriptures assert as sound doctrine (2 Tim.
iv. 3,4) these spurn and sneer at as legal. Are not these a terrible
^ort of " blind leading the blind " into the pit, without halting and
fearing, and in the security of a false confidence, which Satan
encourages the poor deluded ones to believe is mighty faith, which
admits of little (if any) doubt at all, in some cases I have met with.
This was not the character of Mr. Vinall's ministry. It did not
lack these condiments (rebuke, reproof or exhortation) to needful
vigorous and faithful self-examination, prayer, and diligent painful
labours to be right and found right, coupled with an inward
principle of love to God and His laws, to walk worthy of His high
calling — which they prof ess before men for their profit (Titus iii. 8);
but first and specially that God may be glorified and honoured, and
Hisname hallowed in their body and spirit. These, at times, they hope
are His,by choice, purchase, conquest and their own voluntary surren-
der ; though often, nay, more or less daily, assaulted by sense, reason,
unbelief, and Satan's temptations, as to the reality of their faith,
hope, or love. Hence they are kept alive by the feelings of death
in their souls. Awalce by the burden of sinful sleepiness. Safe by
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 219
the felt sense of danger from enemies seen and felt. Strong by felt
and absolute weakness. Bold by the felt timorousness and fear :
as Hart says^
" Let the danger make thee bolder :
War in weakness, dare in doubt."
Their joys come out of sorrows — Mercies out of miseries — Riches
out of poverty — Blessings out of cursing — Salvation out of des-
truction, and Heaven out of hell. At least I find it so, which
makes a daily cross, and the great and much tribulation through
wliich the highway to God's kingdom lies; which in God's mercy
is made a maul to my pride, destruction to my wisdom, strength,,
knowledge, and self-sufficiency : and these judgments of His, in
the way of which God's children wait for Him, like Jordan's waters^
clean and pure, rapid and irresistible, wash away all the fleshly
confidence they have into the Dead Sea : and would carry their
souls to hell, did not the ark appear with those who bear it with
feet in its waters, and arrest its course with a " Deliver him from
going down to the pit, for I have found a ransom." Hence the-
poor sinner goes through the judgment and comes out of the
terrible ordeal blameless, unreprovable, without spot or blemish, or
any such thing. Thus " the just lives by hia faith — We which live
are ahvays delivered unto death " — " Bow down sense and reason.
Faith only reigns here." Hence the soul struggles for life in the
feeling of death — ^for faith in the feeling of unbelief (where it
feelingrlv at times sinks in mirv clav where there is no sensible
standing) — for hope, in the midst of desponding doubts and
dismay. Yea at times one has to go into hell to find Heaven (as to
our feelings). In all these things is the life of the soul. We often
ask the Lord to feed us with " knowledge and understanding," as
He has promised to do. The former, if unaccompanied with the latter^
is dangerous in the extreme. "Naked knowledge all is vain." Gt)d's
rple are fed with both. The unscriptural notion of sinless perfection
justification from before time, or as some say, from the time He
arose from the dead, — wliich He did for our justification, and which
is a glorious truth, affords no proof that I am justified any more
than if you prepared a dinner for me do I benefit by it, unless I
eat it. " taste and see." None can understand the sweet
soul-satisfying dainties God has spread but they who taste and see :
(i.e.) understand by experience either the terror of God in his law,.
or the love, good will, compassion and favour of God in His Gospel>
but by believing which is tasting, eating and drinking to satiety.
" Notion's the harlof s test
By which the truth's revil'd.
The child of fanc^, finely drest ;
Bat not the livmg child."
220 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
Hence the Holy Ghost goes on to speak of the amount of the above
in Rom. v. after saying He (Christ) "rose again for our justification."
"Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God," &c.
No peace can be enjoyed by the fact of Christ^ s rising again for
our justification without faith which worketh by love, " and that not
of ourselves (either in principle or act), it is the gift of God," as is
clearly set forth in Hosea xi. 4 ; no more than a dinner being
prepared for a hungry man can satisfy his hunger by the bare
knowledge of it. To this end he must eat. For myself I daily
feel more and more my end drawing near, and the thought of
appearing before God is proportionately weighty and solemn. At
times the sinkings of soul in terror and dismay lest I should miss
the mark of the prize are indescribable. On the other hand, when
equally, or rather more heavily weighted with sensible consolations
and joy of the Holy Ghost, accompanied at times with an agony of
mind, as the thought that I must, if I live, come down from this
altitude into darkness, sore conflicts, and doubts again, together
with Satan's challenges as to the being of a God — of a Heaven or
Hell — that the scriptures are true, and if these are realities, what
proof have you of being one of His? What close corners has the
enemy driven me into with these challengings, and then bragging
that I could not answer him, which I have been obliged to admit
before him at times. Once and again when the Lord (I trust) in
mercy has brought this test again and again to my mind, and I
have said, "Well, I do not know, Satan, that I am His, or that I am
not His. But it is written : " The foundation of God standeth mrej
having this seal, (it is the great seal of Heaven), the Lord knoweth
them that are His." This is the secret evidence sealed; to which an
open evidence is always appended and sealed to (viz.) : "And let him
that nameth the name of Christ depart from all iniquity." Such
as do so indeed groan under sin daily, and lay their prayers before
the Lord that they may turn away from their iniquity and unde^
stand, i.e., experience His truth, the Gospel of His Son, Daniel
ix. 13. Hart defines a just man by this very thing truly and
substantially —
** The spirits of the Just,
Ooimn'd in bodies groan
(not those of the unjust),
'Till death consigns the corpse to dust,
And then the conflict's done."
G. Stbdman.
I^To the above important lettera few remarks may be appended without detriment
to it or to the excellent writer. Probably none, or few, have pa^ssed through mow
than we of '* the terrorsof law and of Gk)d." But having experienced the power of
deliverance, by the Holy Spirit's application of the Uood and righteousness of
K/hrist, we would not haye the Lord*s people to gather from the above that
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 221
^hey are not to expect to live free from daily anxiety about death and their
foture eternal state. This would be misleading in the extreme. The confidence
of the Apostle is what the Spirit can convey to all His people ; and which he does
convey to many : ♦* I know Whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is
able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day." Also :
** J am persuaded that neither death nor life . . . shall be able to separate
ns from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Yet too true it is
that, there are many who live on bare doctrine (sound and clear), who know
nothing of its sweetness in the enjoyment of salvation by Christ and the smiles
of the Lord, and whose bold and light conduct sets at defiance those precepts
which relate to tender walking in the fear of the Lord. These characters we are
exhorted to shun, Jesus is on their lips, but Satan in their lives and
tempers. On the other hand, had it pleased the blessed Spirit more to fav(»ur
our good brother, he would have hardly dwelt so much on the dark
aide, while none the less faithful in exposing ** the child of fancy," as dis-
tinguished from " the living child." The Lord's people being, as Peter affirms,
•* called unto liberty," it behoves us to be careful, while probing and testing, not
to lead into bondage and impose a legal yoke on those who are redeemed from the
corse of the law by the precious blood of Christ, — a course of teaching which so
exalts Mr. Hart as a gospel poet.
The Editob
LETTER BY RUTH BRYAN.
Drops of Latter Rain.
rLESS the Lord, my soul, and all that is within me bless
His holy Name, that here the Spirit hath flowed as oil
from vessel to vessel ; and the Lord hath given the instruc-
tions of wisdom to His wayfaring pilgrims, though fools,
and of the weaker sort, and the baser sort too. Thine, Lord,
is the power, and the glory, and the majesty. All this heavenly
store Cometh of Thee ; and in pouring back praises, " of Thy own
'wre give Thee.'' Thou art worthy Lord. " Now, therefore, we
thank Thee, and praise Thy glorious name.''
Surely, again I met the King of Princes in His lowly garb this
morning in the 3rd chapter of Lamentations. Oh, did He not say
"^^ Behold Me, behold Me !" " I am the Man that hath seen affliction
by the rod of His wrath," — not wrath against the precious person
of His Son, but wrath against the sins of His people found on
Him ; because Himself had laid them there. " He hath laid on
Him the iniquities of us all ;" therefore the wrath descended upon
Him to the uttermost that those sins merited ; and therefore '' He
is able to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by Him,"
because those huge sins yf eve on that precious person. "He hath
led Me (said He) and brought Me into darkness," &c. "Against
3£e (not you, My bride) is His hand turned. He hath led me into
dark places, as they that be dead of old," &c.
O the depths ! the depths of matchless love, which went to
the depths of hell to save " His sister, spouse." Truly, "if I make
222 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
my bed in hell, Thou art there/' to bring me up again ; for no hell
remains to those for whom He felt all this affliction of wrath. But
I need not go on. Read it ; and if you have found Him therein,
there is more dew in the deep yet couching beneath. How beauti-
ful is verse 22 ; the " WE " comes in, — Christ and His bride. Not
condemned in those fires of wrath where his humanity was. ^' Th&
bush burning with fire and yet not cofisitmed.'* Oh, may the Spirit
turn us aside from all else to see this great sight. Truly it was of
the Lord's covenant mercies that the tire was kindled on Him Who
was strong to bear; while we in Him were safely housed from
harm. He covered our head in that day of battle. He bore it
all ; and was unconsumed ; and now because He lives we do and
shall Uveaho, Ho was cast off (see verse 31 ; see also Psalm Ixxxix.
38, &c. ; and Matthew xxvii., 43 to 46) ; but there is nearness for us.
He had the frown that we might have eternal smile ; and He wa&
not cast off for ever, but has entered the Holy place for us ; and
we have entered in Him ; and shall enter by Him, (Psalm xxiv, verse
3 to end; Hebrews ix. 1:!, and x. 19). Oh praise Him; praise
the worthy Lamb. " Had we a thousand hearts to give ; a thousand
hearts should all W lliine : for Thou wouldst nil them all." And
now as you have }wssed by the great Him for the little him ; pass
by the little him for the ynat flim, who so fiUeth all things that
possessing Him without any other object, there is no lack ; and
forsaking all for Him you shall find all in Him. What a satisfying
portion is our heavenly Elkanah, "Who ever loves His poor barren
Hannah; and siu-s, "Am I not better to thee than ten sons ?'*
Yea, Thou art our Heaven alK»ve and below. " It was but a Uttle
I passed by them but I found Him.**
lilt has do wed out as it tiowed in; and no man can retain tlie
Spirit, but He can bring the bread up again "on the waters of the sod
after iiu\iiy days/* \^EccIe$. xi. 1 ; Psalm cxv. 1).
Ever yours,
Ruth.
LETTER BY THORPE SMITH.
S, Xichols-street, Humberstone-ioad,
Leicester^ April 6th, 1875.
IX^dr Cousin, — 1 was agreeably surprised to receive a letter from
you yesterday, and hope by its cv^ntents your sool is kept alive
in famine ; for in those jdaces where the gospel is preached only a
verv few times in the vear« it mav be s^vled, in a certain sense, a
famine of hearing the word of the Lord. It fe, howeTer, tbe sole
prerogative of God to quicken and keep the sools of His people
aliTeat any and all times ; and this I have found, for o2 years past.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 223
He generally does by the use of the rod and furnace. Both are in
the hands of Infinite Wisdom, and my fool's back has oft required
them. The last twelve months have been attended with more
affliction on me than any year of my life, and I walk in much dark-
ness ; finding, as dear Hart says,
** my latter stages worse,
And travel much by night."
I am often sorely tried to know the difference between nature
wrought upon, and the operation of God's Spirit: for I am a man
of very tender feelings, and cannot read an affecting narrative
without being moved to tears. I have been much tried about
these things for years, and am plagued with them still. I know
that the comforting visitations of the Holy Spirit sink me in the
dast of self-loathing and self-abasement, and lead me to exalt the
Lamb of God above everything, and crown Him Lord of all.
These visits, with me, are short, transient, and far between. I oft
cry, '^ Lord, suffer me not to be deceived; search me and know
my heart, and see if there be in me any lurking sin indulged in ;
make it known, and purge it, by fresh applications of the blood of
Christ to my conscience." I know believers are called to walk by
faith and not by sight ; yet I am like a child mourning after the
breast. I have much enjoyed Bourne's Letters, and oft feel
ashamed of myself when 1 read them ; as I do those of our late
dear pastor.* I much enjoyed an hour with Mr. Wakefield a few
weeks ago ; found him a well-taught man of God. I have had
some sweet letters from the sons of dear Mrs. E. Shelbourn, late of
Hough : two of them are, I believe, truly taught of God. She was
one well taught. Few of my correspondents wrote more spiritual
letters than she. I hope her husband is a man taught of God.
O, what a pitiful, paltry, false profession is the great bulk of the
profession of this day. It tends to lead me to dig deep ; to heart-
searching; coming to the light daily, dreading the thought of
being deceived.
If you come to the Conference, you can have nice and comfort-
able lodgings with Mrs. Lee, a widow with one daughter ; a good
woman, I believe ; a niece of the late Mr. Poyson's (who married
a Shaw from Grantham — the Royal Oak). She was a widow of
Hilton's, of Stathern. Mrs. Lee lives in Erskine-street, nearly
opposite to Zion Chapel (Mr. Hazelrigg's). I expect to come home
from Donnington on the Thursday, and shall not be able to get
to the first morning's meeting, but hope to be at home for
tea, and in good time for the evening meeting, and Friday too all
day. I shall be glad to see you and yours, and treat you at my
lodgings. If you come before I arrive home take a cab from
*Mr. Joseph Chamberlain.
224 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
the station, and tell cabby to drive you to Mrs. Lee's, Erskine-street^
just by Zion Chapel ! She will direct you in all you require I
doubt not j you can drop her a line if you think well. I have^
seen her and spoken to her about you and your girl if you come ;
and she at once said, I can lodge them ! I don't live more than six
minutes' walk from her. Give my love to all your dear fatherless
off-spring, and all my relations and friends around you. Whea
last at G I called on Mr. Ogden, Mrs. Whittaker, and Mrs.
Nixon. Death has been busy amongst us here, and amongst our
Newark hearers. The Lord bless, guide, teach, and keep you and
yours, me and mine, evermore, from all evil, to His kingdom and
glory. I remain, thine truly in Jesus, my only hope,
Thorpe Smith.
PURE GOLD FROM PURITAN AND OTHER MINES.
Infidelity is a poisonous tree, growing on the dunghill of a
depraved heart, and is known by its variegated foliage, its deadly
fruits, and its baneful influence. Its foliage (public pretensions ) ex-
habits specious colours, such as reason, liberty, and pleasure, which
appear on the face, but madness, slavery, and desperation, are
underneath the leaf.
Its fruits are brought forth in abundance, producing the most
destructive effects. Arrogance, selfishness, revenge, and licentious-
ness, are among its prominent productions, and appear conspicuous in?
the lives of many of its abettors; others ( yea, the worst of infidels)
assume the name of Christianity, while they blasphemously deny all
its distinguishing glories, and treacherously attempt to tear out its
vitals, by disputing the Godhead of Christ. These have eaten of the-
Pharisaical pride which grows on the same poisonous tree, the very
]uices of which are enmity against God.
The baneful influence of Infidelity, whether openly professed, or
hidden under the name of rational religion, is seen and felt in so-
ciety, in the social circle, and sooner or later in the sinner's awful
case. In society, it is the demon of anarchy — in the social circle, it
is the assassin of happiness — ^and in the sinner's awful case, it is the
seed of depair. It robs man of everything dear, and gives him
nothing in exchange — it blinds his eyes, shuts his ears, and hardens
his heart ; it opens the door to every vice — sears the conscience —
gives a licence to base passions, and, at last, plunges its mad victims
into everlasting torment. Reader ! beware of this pestilential
effluvia, which is spreading all around you, and against which there
is no antidote but the grand realities of the religion of Jesus, which
have been counterfeited in various ways, subjecting them to the
sneers of infidels. J. Irons.
August, 1882. the gospel advocate. 225
"I WILL LOVE THEE, O LORD, MY STBENGTH/'
,E love Him, because He first loved us," is the grand
truth pervading the entire of Holy Scripture, and ratified
in all ages in the experience of the Lord's people. It is
as the Lord reveals His incomparable love, and sheds
it abroad in their hearts, by the Holy Ghost, that their love is
enkindled in return. For what are they in and of themselves ?
Although so precious in the Lord's eyes and purposes ; so honour-
able in their standing and acceptance in the Beloved, in Whom they
have "redemption through His blood," yet in themselves they are, and
feel so, by the Spirit's teaching, " wretched, and miserable, and
poor, and blind, and naked," Rev. iii. 17.
But faith and prayer, prompted and wrought by the blest Spirit,
bring them into a happy acquaintance with the fulness of the
Savi(jur. His ^' durable riches and righteousness" become realized*
Their convictions, apprehensions, sufferings and sorrows are over-
ruled to cause them to " cry nnto the Lord in their trouble : and He
saveth them out of their distresses." Psalm cvii. And every
believer who has thus been delivered well understands the effect
thereby produced. No language can express it more correctly and
sweetly than this : "I love the Lord, because He hath heard my
voice and my supplications," Psa. cxvi. 1. The pent-up springs of
gratitude and praise are set free by the hand of love that brings the
salvation hoped and prayed 'for : " He causeth His wind to blow,
and the waters How." All winter ends with the appearance of the
Behoved. The snow, the storms, the floods, the beating winds
cease ; fears depart with them, and
** LOVE triumphant reigns."
It was in that memorable day when " the Lord delivered him
from the hand of all his enemies, and from the hand of Saul," that
'* Da\dd, the servant of the Lord," in the holy delight of his soul
(as if unable to contain his feelings any longer) cried out, " I will
love Thee, O Lord, my strength." His life from the plains of
Bethlehem, where he watched the flocks of his father, even to the
throne of Israel and Judah, which he at length ascended, was one
of the most varied and trying in its nature. If he inherited literally
"now, in this time, houses and lands" — (which, with the major
portion of the Lord's people, are usually to be taken wholly in a
spii-itnal sense, even when they forsake all for Christ) yet David
226 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
found it was "with persecutions/' Mark x. 30. Hunted, like a
partridge upon the mountains, by Saul ; subject to the fickleness of
the people ; harassed by the factions raised by rival leaders, as Joab
and Abner ; disgraced in the persons of Ammon and Absalom ;
betrayed by Ahithophel, and cursed and assailed by Shimei, the
Psalmist in all was constrained to view the hand of the Lord, and
to ascribe his support under, and extrication out of his perils, to the
Lord as his " strength." And losing sight of his kingly dignity,
he places on record the 'past as experienced by him in these lowly
words : " This poor man cried, and the Lord heard him, and saved
him out of all his troubles," Psa. xxxiv. G.
Considering that in addition to all he endured in his temporal
struggles amid the vicissitudes of life, that he was one of the most
exercised of men in soul matters, David was in a special sense a
miracle of upholding power. He was also as singularly favoured
with clear evidence of the covenant love of his God. No language
in scripture excels his, in claiming the Lord as his portion, or in
describing in prophetic style the glories of the Mediator as seen in
the promises "afar off.^* He rises as high, as in his seasons of de-
pression he sinks low. Like as in mountainous regions the valleys
lie at the greatest depth from earth's summit, so it is usually the
case, even as it was with David, that they who nestle closest and
most frequently in the bosom of everlasting and electing love, sink
into the deepest exercises — we do not say, despair. For revealed
grace and mercy is ever of a confirming and establishing nature,
and makes the distinction between the father and babe in Christ.
But how warmly glows the inspired penman's heart; how in-
flamed are all the powers of his soul ; how thoroughly captivated
are his heart and will, as he exclaims, " I will love Thee,
Lord, my strength !" He stands on the borders of the heavenly
Canaan. His toils are nearly over. His enemies have all been
subdued. He lives in the affections of his people. But, above
and beyond all. He Who was then to come in the flesh is enshrined
in the sanctuary of his soul. He, of Whom he says, " I will go
in the strength of the Lord God; I will make mention of Thy
righteousness, even of Thine only,*' has become sole monarch of
his heart. He finds no place for self, earth, or creatures. His Grod is
all in all to him, and absorbed he cries, "I will love Thee.'*
With the light of the Sun of Righteousness beaming refulgently
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 227
upon his eyes, he can see nothing of this world's honours and toys.
All he is, and all he has attained unto, is of the richest grace. His
Grod, his Saviour, has led and brought him through all his trials, and
His strength has been to him " the strength of salvation."
Thus shall all God's chosen, when He turns their captivity, as
He surely will in every case in due season, — proclaim the praise of
the Lord, and magnify the riches of His mercy, while their love like
a flowing stream returns to Him whence it first proceeded.
The Editor.
SOUND COUNSEL FOR ALL EXERCISES.
Fareham, March 24th, 1881.
Dear Sir, —
I send you the following letter, not knowing if you will think
proper to re-publish it, for the encouragement of the tried and
deeply exercised family of (xod, written in the year of my
Tiati\'ity : — G.O.
Leicester, October, 31st, 1800.
My dear sister in Christ Jesus,
I received yours, but had not time in town to acknowledge
the receipt of the same. I thank you, but am sorry for the needless
expense, as times are hard, and the pockets of God's children
seldom overladen with the treasure which constitutes a portion in
this life. I hope to turn the trinket into a Galeed, or a pillar of
memorial, to be in future a witness against me, or a monitor to me,
if I should forget when I am indulged with secret access at the
throne of grace. The impulse you have for some time been unaer
that your faith would be tried, is, I think, a lesson from the anoint-
ing which is from above. God the Holy Ghost is not only to guide
US into all truth, but He is to shew us things to come ; which inward
teaching is true, but not always perceived, nor attended to till the
calamity comes on or is over. " The thing which I greatly feared "
(says Job) " is fallen upon me ;' and that which I was afraid of is
come unto me. I was not at ease, neither had I rest ; neither was
I quiet, yet trouble came. Genuine faith will abide the fire, but
untried faith is not to be depended on. God's word, as well
as God's Spirit, witnesseth that bonds and afflictions abide the
saints. To be previously alarmed is to be equipped beforehand.
That, as the fool in the gospel laid up goods for many years, so
should we in times of indulgence lay in a stock of prayers against
future desertions. " And now, also, when I am old and grey-
228 THB aOSPEL ADVOCATE.
headed, forsake me not" (saith the Psalmist), " Thou God of my
.salvation." To listen to the warning, to be instructed by it, and to
be much in prayer to God, before the trial comes on, quenches the
fi(Ty furnace before we are cast into it. The fear, trouble and great
distress of Jacob at the report of Esau's approach with four hundred
men, were ten times worse than the meeting of him ; for instead of
killing Jacob, he kissed him. But then Jacob had wrestled and
prevailed with God and man, and had obtained a promise of com-
pl(»te victory in answer to his prayer, before he vtjntured himself
over the river Jabbok. Mv dear sister knows how to make the
application.
Moreover, forget not that God is a present help in time of trouble.
** When tliou passeth through the waters, I will be with thee, and
through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou
f^isseth through the tire, thou shalt not be burned, neither shall the
flaiui^ kindle upon thee." Thou hast His word with thee ; let that be
thy comfort, thy counsel, and thy meditation, in the course of thy
pilgrinnige ; and then thou mayest take the same to be thine inherit-
ance ; for truth shall be *' settled in heaven," and mercy shall be
** built up for ever," in the promised glorification of all the elect of
God,
Again, as thou hast mentioned to me some of thy distress, on
account of thine inbred corruption and evil tempers, let me counsel
my dear sister upi>n these things. It is the law — the moral law,
And nothing else, that discovers these things. " By the law is the
knowledge of sin." '* AMien the commandment came, sin revived
and I died," and evil tempers are stirred npby the same. "The law
worketh wrath." Looking to that, striving to keep it, and labouring
under it, brings the wrath revealed in it upon us ; for this stirs up
our enmity against G\^d. Walking in the faith of Christ, and look-
ing to Uim« changes us into His image. Looking to the law, like
the Galatiaus, is gvnng wivug. *" The foolishness of man perverteth
his way/* says Si^lomon, " ar.d his heart fretteth against the Lord."
Lev^iit K^ndagv^, and the tear of death and wrath, aU come from a
brvien law : even as a man who has robbed, killed, or done violence
is never sate, never easy, because the laws of his <»antnr are against
them. Therefore look to the Saviour, cleave to £Liiii, and abide in
Him. ^' He that abideth in Me bringech fonh muck fnm.**
Rurewell mv dear sister, the God of all ffrace be witli thee and
thine- So prays thy a&ctiorLite friend and brodier in the Lord
Jesus Christ,
W. HUNnXGTOX.
Mt Icre to the Captun.
[T€fT m«KT thau3ths to desr friexid Aquib^ for his miticle caa die
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 229
Blood of Atonement. Dew, unction and power have been the sweet
effects attending it to my anxious soul.
May grace, and peace be with him, and with all the blood-
bought family of God. Amen and amen.
That precious blood atones all sin,
And fully clears from guilt ;
His mercy is for ever sure.
It makes the foulest sinner clean,
For 'twas for sinners spilt ;
His mercy is for ever sure.
He raised mo from the lowest state,
When Hell was my desert,
His mercy is for ever sure.
I broke His law, and (more than that,)
Alas, I broke His heart :
His mercy is for ever sure.
My soul thou hast (let what will ail)
A never chan^;;ing Friend :
His mercy is for ever sure.
When brethren, friends, ami helpers fail
On Him alone depend :
His mercy is for ever sure.]
Gr. Oakshott.
CHKLST OUR SURETY.
*^ / had foHiul David Mij mrvant ; with My holy oil havf I
anointed Him.'' — Psalm Ixxxix. 20.
(HE al>ove poitiou of Holy Writ having been affixed to rny
mind with power in the night season, and followed me for
some time, it led me to consider of what importance it could
be to me. Upon consideration I find it to be a matter of vast im-
portance to me, a guilty and hell-deserving sinner, that a Surety
has been "fonnd. It amounts to this, — "Deliver him from going
down to the pit, I have found a ransom," Job xxxiii. 24. One
poet says,
** Our ransom and peace, our surety He is,
Come, see if there ever were sorrows like His."
The passages that, follow the text I have quoted, show what our
Surety was anointed for ; — that His seed should be made to endure
for ever, and His throne as the days of heaven. If His children
forsook His law, and walked not in His judgments ; if they broke
His statutes, and kept not His commandments, then He would
visit their transgression with the rod, and their iniquity
with stripes. Nevertheless, His loving kindness He will not utterly
take from them, nor suffer His faithfulness to fail. "Once have
I sworn by My holiness that I will not lie unto David. My
covenant will I not break, nor alter the thing that is gone out of
My lips." When God could swear V>y no greater. He sware by
Himself, saying, " Surely blessing I will bless thee," Hebrews vi.
13, 14. So it follows,
230 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
'* Believers in Jesus, how blest is your case I
Ye are heirs of His glory, and trophies of grace ;
Though strangers awhile in an enemy's land,
Your portion is sure, for the Lord is at hand."
But some poor troubled soul will say, — How may I know whether I
have a saving interest in Christ, and am a partaker of His exceed-
ing great and precious promises ? I answer/ by the effects. Have
you a longing desire for a Surety ? Do you see your own righteous-
nesses as altogether filthy rags ? Is the language of your soul," Give
me Christ, or else I die ?'' or, is it the opposite language ? — " Depart
from us, we desire not the knowledge of Thy ways," Job xxi. 14.
One thing Christ was anointed for was, to communicate a new
nature to His poorer brethren ; which is repentance towards God,
and faith towards Christ. That new nature is imparted in regenera-
tion. An apple graft cannot bring forth crabs, and that which is
born of God cannot sin. The old nature of man is sin itself, and
brings forth nothing but sin in the sight of God ; and that lurks
in the regenerate, although subdued. For it is written : " The
elder shall serve the younger." The new nature implanted is holy
and divine ; and, as Mr. Hart says, —
** When on the boughs rich fruit we see,
*Tis then we cry, A goodly tree."
Another effect of being made a partaker of saving grace in the case
of notorious sinners, is a reformed life. I do not believe there is
any such thing as a true reformation, but what is derived from the
fountain of life. Peter says, ^' Whom God hath sent to bless you,
by turning every one of you from your iniquities," Acts iii. 26.
However, those who are rightly taught will not rest in then*
reformation. This would only be another form of self -righteous-
ness. With those who have been more outwardlv moral it is more
difficult to discern the change. But another thing our Surety was
anointed for was, to work out a perfect and complete righteousness,
such as the law demanded ; and all of us, both little sinners and
great must be clothed in it. This He gives freely to all who feel
their need, in justification; for "He is the end of the law for
righteousness to every one belie veth." See Paul's Epistle to the
Romans.
*' And lest the shadow of a spot
Should on my soul he found.
He took the robe the Saviour wrought
And cast it all around."
Thus we see Christ is anointed a Surety and representative of all
His redeemed ones; and as the holy anointing of the High
Priest of old descended to the skirts of His garment, so Christ
having entered the Holiest of Holies, His benefits descend to every
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
231
vessel of mercy ; He being exalted to give them repentance and
remission of sins. " Great deliverance giveth He to His King ; and
showeth mercy to His anointed, to David, and to His seed for ever-
more,'' Psalm xviii. 50.
Brighton. George Brooks.
CONFORMITY TO CHRIST.
*' Christ as a Son [faithful] over His Own house,'' — Hebrews iii. 6.
'^ Holiness hecometh Thine house, Lord, for ever,'' — Psalm xciii. 15,
(A Reprint),
Thou art holy I O to be
One in hoHness wijh Thee ;
Pure in purity, as Light ! —
Pleasing in the Father's sight.
I by nature am not so ;
All is sin and death and woe ;
All cornipt and filthy too ;
Loathsome in Jehovah's view.
But (O wonderment of grace !)
I desire to see Thy face.
Whence this longing ? can it spring
From a deadly noxious thing ?
From a mind that hateth Thee ?
With its carnal enmity
Questioning Thy right to rule ?
Showing that 'tis but a fool. —
No, the source is from above
In the boundless sea of love.
1880.
" Grod is Love :" and so I prove.
Love to Him springs from His love :
Thus this longing after Thee
Must of Thine Own nature be,
Pure and spotless, free from sin,
Thine eternal Life within.
Tyrant sin's dominion gone,
Griad Thy rig:hteou8 rule I own.
Now Thy Spirit leadeth me
In the paths of liberty ;
Passing through this weary world
With truth's banner bright unfurled ;
Warring against sin and self.
With its love of power and pelf :
Clad in panoply complete ;
Made in Christ, for glory meet ;
More than conqueror by faith
In Ilim Who conquer'd sin and death.
H. M. H.
GOD'S WAYS WITH MAN FROM THE BEGINNING.
THE lord's coming AND CONSmCMATION OF ALL THINGS.
(Concluded from 'page 210^.
When the church shall have been taken to be for ever with the
Lord (1 Thess. iv. 13-18,) and the Gentiles — the olive branches
grafted in contrary to nature — ^have been cut off, the natural
branches will be "grafted in, for God is able to graft them in
again." That is to say, the church interval being over — finally
closed time — according to the prophetic order, once more begins to
run its interrupted course, and the unfulfilled week of DanieVs
prophecy is told out to its solemnly glorious completion — for the
end is glorious. Now it is with this week commence the judgments
which precede and usher in the day of the Lord, in due order for
the establishment of the Messiah's kingdom, as unfolded in the body
of the Book of the Eevelation (Chap. iv. 22, also Matt. xxiv. and
XXV. chapters.) These judgments may be broadly divided into
four disftinctively different classes.
232 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
First, we get the Jews — the two tribes — and that before the rest
of the Israelitics will be restored to the land after fearful troubles,
from which a portiou only will escape. It was the Jews who re-
jected Christ, it will be the Jews who will receive the anti-Christ,
who will enter into league with "The Prince that shall come" — ^tlie
last phase of the Gentile powers — and will worship his image ; "the
abomination of desolation set up in the holy place " — the culmin-
atiii<>- height of wickedness, man set up in the holy place as God and
worshipped, which brings down immediate judgments from God.
Still there is " the remnant according to the election of grace."
S(^nie faithful ones who will refuse to have any part in these last
disgusting scenes of wickedness, and lawlessness ; who will in conse-
quence be persecuted with fearful persistency, and pertinacious
malignity ; many of them as we know will be killed, and the rest
with many cruelties driven into exile. The time will be one of
untold tribulation — emphatically " The great tribulation '' — and,
but for its shortness, "no flesh could be saved." But this is the
very time the Lord Himself will "appear" — and we, the church, who
have been caught up to Him, and with Him — "in power and great
glory," will destroy that wicked with the brightness of His coming;
and the followers of the anti-Christ with the sword of His mouth.
Thus, " easing Himself of His adversaries and avenging Him of His
enemies." And the effect on the nations will be "like a refiner's
fire, and like fuller's soap." But those who " shall abide the day of
His coming** — the purged remnant — who "come out of the great
tribulation" washed and made white in the blood of the Lamb—
"' shall be a holy people, their dross purged away, their judges re-
stored as at the first, and their counsellors as at the beginning, and
eTerusalem shall be called the faithful citv." " Thus shall Zion be
redeemed with judgment, and her converts with righteousness.''
Yes, and so " the destruction of the transgressors, and of the
sinner shall be together, and they that forsake Jehovah shall be
consumed." But this is all preparatory, even before the elect rem-
nant of Israel — the lost ten tribes — will be brought back and made
to inhabit the land-
Second, and altogether beside these purging judgments which
we have looked at, there will be other solemnly righteous acts of
retribution reserved for that dreadful period of visitation. On
Babylon as a whole, but especially on the utterly corrupt carcase of
the well-known, long, and highly favoured Christendom who will
continue in their mock ceremonies, and religious amusements until
they shall " come into remembrance ;" and the blood-shed, and the
crimes committed in the sacred Name of Christ, will be most righte-
ously avenged. " The beast " and his confederates — whilst they
themselves are engaged in following a still more horrible and fear-
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 2*33
ful delusion — will " hate the whore " and " make her desolate."
Yes ; the very powers who created her, fed her vanities, and sup-
ported her extravagances, and so readily became the willing dupes
to her witcheries, will turn upon her with unparalleled bitterness,
bringing against her the very cruel acts and bloody deeds they
themselves — or the powers they represent — had been her ready
instruments to execute to its bitter end ; but the tables will then
be turned, then indeed " the cup which she hath filled shall be
filled to her the double." Rev. xvii. and xviii.
Thus then, and altogether besides the fall of Babylon, is particu-
larly shown the final doom of that soulless profession of Christ — all
that heart sickening and lifeless ecclesiastical organization which will
survive — and probably more than revive — when all true believers
shall have been removed to " the Father's house " above. But now
it behoves us to most carefully observe by whom, and by what
means this apostate body of all manner of confusions — ^these conuipt
systems of men, Satan's counterfeit of the body of Christ — are alto-
gether destix)yed. Why, to be sure it is by the beast, and his
coadjutors ; the very same — representatively — who stood cliarged
with having committed fornication with her, and her harlots. Yes,
indeed, it is that wicked head of — and with — the Gentile powers
whose pride and blasphemy will at length draw down the light-
nings of God's avenging wrath. Then this impious chief, with **the
kings of the earth " in league with him '*take counsel together,
against the Lord, and against His anointed," and fill up their
measure quickly. Psalm ii.
Tliis associated Gentile dominion in the third class will be dealt with
in the judgments of the last week of the seventy weeks of Daniel's
prophecy. This confederacy, headed by "the Prince" energised by
Satan, will form a league with the mass of Jews and their false
Christ, and will gather together their forces to battle, when Christ
will appear in His glory, followed by the armies of heaven : will
take the b(^ast, and false prophet, and cast them alive into the lake
of fire ; and afterwards destroy their followers with the sword that
proceeded out of His mouth ; and so bring to a perpetual end " 'Hie
times of the Gentile :" — that is the period during which the sceptre
of the government of the world was entrusted to their hands
because of the failure of Isra^^l.
4th. — But there is also another class of judgment which must
necessarily include the whole of the Gentile powers who have suc-
cessively held the right of government as a tnist from God (how-
ever little they liave valued it as such ; or however much they may
have valued it as such ; or however much they may have used it for
their own glory instead of His) clearly tliis does not include the
whole of the nations or of all the people of the earth, but those
2S4i THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
only uuder this sceptre of Gentile dominion as indicated under the
several phases of the prophesies in the book of Daniel. For thi*
sceptre passed from the Babylonian, to the Persian; from the
Persian to the Greek ; from the Greek to the Eoman ; and again,
as revived — its final phase — to that wicked king, whose pending
doom we have been looking at above. But this fatal confederacy,
as between the Jews, and the last phase of the Roman dominion,
will be directed against a power which at that time will threaten
Jerusalem with destruction. And this power which God uses, hke
the Assyrian of old, as a scourge to the unfaithful Jews will, when
the hour of judgment comes, itself also be visited ; for when half
the city has been carried off, then the renmant of the people accord-
ing to the election of grace shall be saved, and delivered alive for
the Millennium.
Now this will bring to a close these preliminary judgments. The
nations having been thoroughly purged, Babylon consumed, the
last Satanic form of the Gentile dominion overthrown : and the
enemies who sought to destroy Jerusalem scattered and thinned,,
and driven back, Christ's kingdom will be established on earth.
The saints who have come judged out of "the great tribulation**
will receive dominion under Him; the rest — that is those of the
nations of the Gentiles — ^will be divided into two classes; and
rewarded, or punished according to how they had received, and
their manner of treatment, of some whom the Lord so graciously
refers to as '^ These My brethren/* ever such a feeble remnant of
saints, who had been driven into their midst for His Name sake,
carrying their testimony with them : but so reduced, harassed, and
wasted by the persecutions of the beast and false prophet as to have
a claim on their sympathy equal to His Own. But the great feature
in all this, and the principle object of all is the entire fulfilment of
all God's counsels concerning the earth, and the carrying out of His
eternal purposes according to His holiness in the glorious person of
His Own unparalleled beauty — " the Second Man the Lord from
heaven," Who alone is worthy to receive the dominion : and Who
alone can use, and duly exercise the same at once and entirely for
God's glory, and for man's best good in every state of blessing.
For from hence we see Satan will be cast into the bottomless pit :
and "the Bride the Lamb's Wife *' is seen in a figure for glory and
for beauty, as the New Jerusalem coming down out from the heavens
from God, having the glory of God (Rev. xxi. 10 ; xxii. 5 ; see also
chap. XX. 4-6), '^ prepared as a bride adorned for her husband, and
will reign with Christ a thousand years. And it is Christ Himself
who will constitute, and be to them in deed, in truth and in love,
their abiding place for ever — that is the ^^ whole families of heaven'*
— the church, and the heavenly saints.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 235
Bat oh ! It is indeed terribly solemn to trace the bitter and
inciirable hatred of the heart of fallen human natnre, and that
especially toward God who always stands in direct contrast by re-
quiting' always good for evil ; this the natural man cannot bear.
No! **a thousand years," experienc:? of Christ's righteous, holy,
bicrssed, and glorious rule, in goodness, truth and love, will not
suffice to change the nature of man. Oh, no ! for no sooner is
Satan loosed from his imprisonment of absolute restraint, than the
nations rebel ; but only to be destroyed with d*»vouring fire from
heaven (Rev. xx. 7-10). For this is the verv last of the manv
terrible outbreaks of human wickedness. Yes, thanks be to God ;
this indeed brings the world's history of iniquity to its solemnly
^orious close. The earth is burnt up, the elements melt with fer-
vent heat : and no place is found for them. Then the dead, who
had no part in the first resorrection, are rai<ed, and judged, accord-
ing to their work.s, and are cast into the lake of fire. Observe
they are rai^d before judged : so it is in resurrection life they are
ca«t into the lake of fire ; and as they were judged solely on the
ground of their works, not one escaped the lake of fire. So
>5atan. Death and Hades are all similarly committed to perpetual
destmction from the presence of the Lord.
ATliatthen? The last enemv has been destroved — totallv van-
quished — at length by righte<^>us judgments executed — and that
according to the glorious work of reconciliation founded on the
blood of His cross, and (irod's answer is complete : for we get new
heavens and a new earth as a consequence ; in which righteousness
not only reigns — as during the " thoiLsand years" — but permanently
dwells. That is, Christ having ruled in truth, and by righteous
judgments till He hath put all enemies under His feet. Then as
a matter of fact we fthaU see all things under Him : still Himself
subject as the very ilaii in all this glory — as the flighty conqueror
wholly for God delivers up the kingdom to God, and that mani-
festedlv in the beaut v of love and holiness. " God is all and in all.'*
Xo more estrangements by reason of human guilt and failure ; no
longer a matter of faith, for God makes His tal>emacle with man,
and love abides for ever.
Xow, as such are the blessed and solemnly glorious facts con-
cerning this poor perishing world — as traced out for us in the word
of the living God — and as this is the sure and certain prospect
before the world, we would ask with all solemnity, " Are these the
very things even Christians are looking for ?" Amidst all the tall
talk of modem progress, all the straining after improvements, edu-
cation and culture, and all the boast of the bright future in store
236 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
for thi3 very world which God has declared to be irreparably sunken
iu iniquity, and only ripening for these great and sore judgments
we have been looking at, and to wliich the world is fast hastening.
But alas ! christians iu general have totally failed to grasp the
solemn truth — ^that God's judgments are indeed looming over the
whole scene — and, sad to say, Christendom as a whole stand more or
less affected in the intoxication of this world's banquet. So much
so that they do not heed the fingers of the hand tracing on the wall
the fateful words, MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN— more
blind than Belshazzar to all the solemn warnings God has given.
Yea, are they not ever fostering the false hopes of the world, in those
very things against which they should be protesting ? But instead
of which they themselves are eagerly floating along these pleasurable
streams of modern progress in blissful ignorance that it is certainly
sweeping them down its fatal rapids to the crush and roar of im-
pending judgments. Ah! soon, we know not how soon; but cer-
tainly not before ^^ the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven
with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of
God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first ; then we which are alive
and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds,
to meet the Lord in the air ; and so shall we ever be with the Lord"
(1 Thess. iv. 16-17). Oh, bless the Lord, we shall be with Him in
person as well as in Spirit, heart and affection. But then, what will
become of modern progress^ and all these things of which man so
vainly boasts ? What will then be the fruit of all their organisa-
tions and associations for the making of a something out of
that nature which scripture declares to be wholly and only ^^enmity
against God ?" Or to bring something good out of the very
world which has rejected and crucifled its rightful Lord, only
because He was entirely good and holy ? But we have seen the
end of all. These boasted ecclesiastical organisations when
bereft of believers will have nothing Godward — will indeed he
nothing more nor less but a putrid corpse, so hateful to the
nations, that they will burn it to ashes. So alas, the noisy
and scheming party of progress, though turning in utter disgust
from this ghastly mimicry of Christianity to the latest novelty
of the day, will be given up to " strong delusions that they
should believe a lie," &c., &c., 2 Thes. ii. 7-17.
Oh ! Beloved in the Lord ! Have we, as believers, in truth and
in love, God's thoughts about what is passing before us ? What
are we looking for, and hastening unto in the goodness and
grace of God ? Ai-e we taking heed unto His way, or are we
" minding earthly things ?'' As others ^^ whose end is destruction,'*
&c., lightly esteeming, if not despising, these solemn warnings of
these sacred scriptures, and so burying ourselves in the vam
THE GOSPEL ADVCKJATE 237
pursuit of seeking to improve that which God has pronounced to
be so utterly bad as to be beyond remedy ? Or, have we given up the
First man — the old Adam — entirely ? And, as it is our privilege,
do we " reckon ourselves dead indeed" in order that we may be
practically ^^ alive unto God ;" in truth and in love One with Him
Whom the world has rejected : " Whom the heavens must receive :'*
to Whom God has given a place at His own right hand — ^^for ua/*
Oh ! " Blessed hope !" Now, we are privileged to be waiting with
Him, as well as for Him — though the day and hour remains a secret
in the bosom of God. ^^ Behold, I come quickly,'' &c., is the watch-
word for us. Because for sure He must first come for us : and we
be with Him in the glory, in our ^^ glorious body like unto His
glorious body :" and righteous judgments executed on this sin-
polluted world. Then, and not until then, shall the world's real
improvement be brought about to perfection, and that by the Lord
Himself, in His own sacred Person — the Second Man; the Last
Adam ; the only One Who can, and will carry out God's purposed
blessing for the earth, as well as heavenly bliss ; and also establish
God's rule of righteousness and true holiness. Amen.
Hereford. Henry Lawford.
i^^^
DR. HAWKER ON "ELECTION."
jHE mystery of election, which now excites so much bitterness
in the breast of the carnal, while it calls forth the unceasing
wonder of all the redeemed, will cease to be a mystery
and surprise when the children of the kingdom and the
children of the wicked one shall be found arranged under
their respective heads, and Christ is beheld encircled with His
family, and the devil with his. The whole congregated world will
at once and intuitively discover that the election of grace included
the whole of Christ's kingdom, and that the rejection of the rest
(as they are called in Rom. xi. 7), referred only to the kingdom of
Satan, Matt. xii. 6. And here the mystery ends.
This great truth, indeed, was preached to the church, and by the
Lord Himself immediately on the Fall. For when the Lord God
pronounced sentence on the old serpent, the devil, (so called. Rev.
xii. 9.) these are His words, '^ And I will put enmity between
thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed," Gen. iii.
15. Mark the expression, thy seed ; that is, the seed of the ser-
pent ; and her seed, that is of the woman ; most decidedly showing
that the serpent has a seed as well as the woman. And these are
not angels, for there is no propagation of angels by seed ; neither
in scripture are they ever so described. But the seed of the
serpent are men, as are the seed of the woman — or of Christ, Who
238 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
is meant by the seed of the woman. And hence we find the
different seeds uniformly marked through the whole Bible.
The apostle John declares Cain to have been of that wicked one,
meaning the devil. John does not say he was tempted of that
wicked one to slay his brother ; but he was of him, that is, his
seed, 1 John iii. 10-12. And the Lord Jesus thus marked the
whole race. He called them serpents; a generation of vipers
which could not escape the damnation of hell. Matt, xxiii. 33.
And in the parable of the good seed and the tares, Jesus in so
many words declared that, ^' the good seed were the children of the
kingdom, and the tares the children of the wicked one. The enemy
which sowed them is the devil." Matt. xiii. 24-40. And if pos-
sible, in yet stronger terms, Jesus said, " Ye are of your father the
devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do." John viii. 44.
Observe, in all these descriptions the Lord does not say they were
led away by the temptations of the devil, and acting as his servants
and vassals; but that they were his children and with whom,
therefore, what they did was as natural, having the same nature as
it was their father to do so.
On the other hand, the Holy Ghost has marked the features of
the children of Christ, and shown the sure promises God hath given
concerning them. They are said to be a people whom God hath
formed for Himself, who shall show forth His praise. Isaiah xliii.
21. '^ A remnant in the midst of many people." Micah v. 8. '^A
chosen generation." I Peter ii. 9. And concerning whom the Lord
the Father hath said to Christ, '^ I will pour My Spirit upon Thy
seed and My blessing upon Thine offspring." Isaiah xliv. 3. "As
for Me, this is My covenant with them saith the Lord ; My Spirit
that is upon Thee, and My words which I have put in Thy mouth,
shall not depart out of Thy mouth, nor out of the mouth of Thy
seed, nor out of the mouth of Thy seed's seed, from henceforth,
and for ever." Isaiah lix. 2 1 . What can more decidedly show the
features of character of the seed which mark each ? And whast
can determine the doctrine more strongly in proof of the two
kingdoms ?
I have often thought, that had we the faculty of discerning spirits,
(as Paul had when filled with the Holy Ghost, he declared Elymas,
the sorcerer, to be a child of the devil. Acts xiii. 10), it would not
only solve a thousand problems which now often perplex the Lord's
people, but it would for ever put a stop to the presumptuous
reasonings of weak and foolish men, who would fain have more
mercy than the Lord, and are therefore very angry with Him re-
specting election.
Let me not, however, be mistaken. I speak not as though I
thought it were desirable to possess such a faculty in the present
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 239
life. Far, very far from it : sure I am it would be productive of
many evils, and therefore it is in great mercy withheld from us.
But I merely say that, if we could discern spirits, it would so
damage the pride of the human heart that none would be found
any longer to arraign God's wisdom and God's justice in the exer-
cise of election. For who would then find fault with God in with-
holding grace from the seed of the serpent ? Every child of God
would then see the impossibility of giving it. And in instances
where, until that discernment was made, a man might lean in
wishes towards another ; yet when seen, he would no longer cherish
such in his bosom, but do as Moses did when he saw his rod turned
into a serpent, flee from before it. Exod. iv. 3.
But let it be remembered that though we do not possess such a
faculty in the present life, and cannot therefore ofter distinguish
the precious from the vile, yet our ignorance of the different seeds
makes no difference in the seeds themselves. Christ's kingdom and
Satan's kingdom ; Christ's seed and the serpent's seed are in the
world, and as distinct from each other as light and darkness, and
as impossible to coalesce and become one as the clay and the iron
which the monarch saw in his vision. Dan. ii. 43. The great day
of the Lord will explain all, and then the justice and sovereignty
of God will be unfolded, and the world shall see that God's election
hath included the whole of Christ and His seed, and the repro-
bation extended to Satan and his seed. Not one of the little ones
of Christ's kingdom will be found shut out. Not one of the brood
of the serpent taken in. Each kingdom will be marshalled under
their respective heads ; and the whole plan of the Divine govern-
ment being laid open to view, will call forth unceasing praise to
God, and everlasting joy to His church in Christ Jesus.
But conceive what paleness, what horror, what anguish of
soul will overwhelm those men at the discovery, who in this life,
merely from their own presumptuous reasonings, and in direct oppo-
siticfn to holy scripture, have impeached the Divine justice in
election, and dared to say and write such things of God as I
tremble but to read, and consider too blasphemous even to copy
off on paper. Is it not with an eye to such the apostle speaks, when
in his description of the last day, he saith, " Behold, the Lord
cometh with ten thousands of His saints, to execute judgment
upon all, and to convince all that are ungodly among them, of all their
ungodly deeds, which they have ungodly committed, and of all
their hard speeches, which ungodly sinners have spoken against
Him. Jude 14, 15. And while such men must be struck dumb in
everlasting silence, the song of Moses and the Lamb will burst
forth in unceasing acclamations of praise from the whole election of
240 THE GOSPEL ADTOCATE.
grace to tlie Grod of their salvation. " Great and marvellous are
Thy works. Lord God Almighty. Just and true are Thy ways,
Thou King of saints/' Rev. xv. 3.
[From Hawker's Six Discourses on the Person, Godhead, and
Ministry of the Holy Ghost.]
HERVEY ON 1 JOHN, v. 7.
" There are three that bear witness in Heaven, — the Father, the
Logos (Word) and the Holy Ghost, and these three are One." But this
we are told is a surreptitious text, foisted by the bigoted espousers
of a certain favourite set of doctrines- The only resource
this of our opposers, when their case becomes desperate, when
conviction flashes in their faces; when every other subterfuge fails;
then the pretence of spurious, and interpolated reading is trumped
up. It is not to be found, they cry, in some very ancient copy ;
perhaps, the Alexandrine MS. acknowledges no such passage. But
this I must be allowed to question. I dare not take our adversaries'
bare word ; especially since some of the declared enemies of ortho-
doxy are not the most exemplary for truth or integrity. How-
ever, granting that there be no such text in the Alexandrine MS.
for my part, I should not scruple to abide by the universal testi-
mony of all editions, in all countries, much rather than to give up
myself implicitly to the authority of a single MS. I should think
it much more reasonable to conclude, that the transcriber of that
particular copy had through oversight, dropped some sentence,
rather than to charge all the other copies with forgery, and the
editions of all ages with a gross mistake. Consider not only the
apparent difl&culty, but the moral impossibility of corrupting the
sacred books in that palpable manner, which this objection would
insinuate, at a time when every private Christian valued them more
than life, and spent no day without a diligent contemplation of
them ; at a time when each particular sect read them constantly in
their public assemblies, and watched over the genuineness of each
text with a most jealous eye. Would it be an easy matter to intro-
duce a surreptitious clause into an ordinary will, after it had been
solemnly proved at Doctor's Commons, and one authentic copy pre-
served in the archives ? If this is scarce possible, how much more
likely is it, that anyone should be able to practice so iniquitously
upon the inspired writings, when not one only, but unnumbered
copies were deposited in the most vigilant hands, and dispersed
throughout the world.
Hbrvet's Lbttsbs.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 241
THE SONGS OF HEZEKIAH.
<€
i'^W.
The Lord was ready to save me : therefore we will sing my songs
to the stringed instruments all tJie days of our life in the house
of the Lord,^^ — Isaiah xxxviii. 20.
No. 1.
|HE son of one of the worst of men, we trace in Hezekiah one
of the most illustrious instances of the sovereignty of
grace. Never from so vile a root as Ahaz, — of whose
abounding wickedness, in the time of his distress, the striking
commentary of the Holy Spirit was, " This is that King Ah.iz"
2 Chron. xxviii. 22, — could it have been imagined so gracious a
descendant would have arisen. But thus, when things have come
to their worst with His people, has the Lord usually brought
^bout a change for the better, and in His loving kindness and
tender mercy turned their captivity. Judah was reduced to the
lowest depths of infamy, misery, and contempt, at home and abroad,
through the persistency of Ahaz in profane idolatry — "for the
Lord brought Judah low because of Ahaz King of Israel ; for he
made Judah naked, and transgressed sore against the Lord," ver.
19 : and Hezekiah appeared doomed to an heritage of ruin and woe
when he ascended the throne.
In the calamities of their nation and day the spiritual elect of
Abraham's natural seed had to largely participate ; for God^s
<5hosen still share in national and local visitations. But not in the
same way as the ungodly. The hand of the Lord on them is the
liand of love ; and tender compassion regulates the course, and
directs the issue, in all their portion of tribulation. Trouble is the
believer's seed-time : deliverance the reaping of the harvest. While
Ahaz ruled, Jehovah was not without His witnesses ; nor they with-
out a few choice hearers, though the bulk of the nation was led by
the vicious example of the monarch. Renowned Isaiah, and less
known Oded (2 Chron. xxviii. 9), to speak of no others, delivered
their messages in the ears of some whose hearts the Lord had
touched, and their testimony bore fruit in the days of Ahaz's wise
and honoured son. Just as in the vicious age of the Stuarts
England was specially favoured with Puritan men of God, whose
ill-requited labours, at the time, afterwards yielded fruit which
remains to this day.
242 THE G08PBL ADVOCATE.
But it is not our wish to extend our observations on Hezekiah
further than his " Songs " take us ; and they will be found to
occupy a wider sphere (if our judgment is correct) than is usually
assigned to them by readers of Holy Scripture. These '' Songs'*
we view as inspired compositions; of which, said the king, '^e will
sing them to the stringed instruments all the days of our life in
the house of the Lord," Isaiah xxxviii. 20. No other sort of com-
positions would have been deemed suitable for Jehovah's service in
the sanctuary. As were David's, so must these have been, dictated
by the Spirit of God, and approved as such by the priests and
Levites. But shall we find them in the sacred canon ? and if so,
where ? The book of the Psalms we believe contains them. But
it is so usual to regard all that have no name attached (unless they
carry palpable evidence on the surface of being subsequent to his
day) as the compositions of David, that by this means judgment
often errs, though the sweet truths set forth lose nothing of their
sweetness and preciousness, when applied by the Holy Spirit to the
heart, though their authors (or more properly their inspired agents)
are unknown.
Four Psalms have been impressed on our mind as specially com*
prising those which Hezekiah calls, " My Songs." These are the
cxv, cxvi, cxvii, and cxviii : and their very order as well as
contents is in harmony with that conviction. They testify to the
leading features of that king's day, his threatened overthrow by the
most idolatrous power in the world ; his deliverance ; his zeal for
the house of the Lord ; his sickness ; his restoration ; his going up
to the house of the Lord, and his joyful confidence in Jehovah's
mercy. Some of the things he utters are just what we might
assume to come from David ; a few, in his depression, what Asaph
might be thought to have penned. But the peculiar style of the
whole indicates Hezekiah alone to have been the writer ; and it will
not be unprofitable to examine this.
We begin with the cxv. It begins with ascribing a glorious
victory to the true and living God, and the disclaiming of all share
in the same : '^ Not unto us, Lord, not unto us, but unto Thy
name give glory, for Thy mercy, and for Thy truth's sake," ver. L
■The destruction of Sennacherib's army by the blast of Jehovah's
nostrils we accept here as intended to be acknowledged. And re-
membering the defiant words of Rabshakeh in the name of the
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 243
proud Assyrian monarcli, and tlie scorn they had poured upon the
God of Israel, and what had come of it, could any language be
more forcible ? — " Wherefore shoul d the heathen say, Where is now
their God ? But our God is in the heavens : He hath done what-
soever He hath pleased." Vers. 2, 3.
The powerlessness of the Assyrian idols in contrast with the
vindicated majesty of Jehovah, is next referred to in the most de-
precatory way : " Their idols are silver and gold, the work of
men's hands. They have mouths, but they speak not '' — ^whereas
the Lord had spoken and answered His afflicted servant^s cry.
'' They have ears, but they hear not '' — whereas Jehovah had heard
the voice of him that blasphemed and reviled Him. '^ Noses have
they, but they smell not" — whereas the Lord had smelled the sweet
savour of the prayers addressed to Him. ^^ They have hands, but
they handle not" — whereas the Lord's right hand and holy arm
had been made bare in the bringing into the dust of death and
destruction the ruling power of the world. ''Feet have they, but
they walk not " — whereas the Lord had walked upon the wings of
the wind in avenging His Israel and glorifying Himself. " Neither
speak they through their throat" — whereas the \oice of the Lord is
powerful and full of majesty, and shakes the wilderness and breaks
the cedars, and the Assyrian, like a lofty cedar, had been compelled
to bow before it. And thus had the deluded and boasting idolaters
been made to prove with respect to their idols that " they that
made them are like unto them ; so is every one that trusteth in
them," vers. 5-8 — ^for Bel and Nebo alike had stooped before the
might and majesty of Jehovah.
We may next perceive in the address to Israel what had been
HezekiaVs desire for the repentance and reformation of the nation
under his rule, including the restoration of Jehovah's worship :
**' O Israel, trust thou in the Lord : He is their help and their
shield." Ver. 9. Israel had been a sink of idolatry, and fain
would the king see her remain in firm allegiance with her Grod. Under
Ahaz she had trusted for help to Assyria and her gods : now she
is exhorted to trust for help and shield to Jehovah only. They
had proved the difference between the false and the true, and
Hezekiah desired there might be no more national apostacy. And
seeing the priests and Levites of the tribe of Aaron were grossly
involved in the idolatrous sins of the people, and needed to be
244
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
purified before they could properly attend to the ceremonial pre-
scribed in the defiled temple, their monarch next appeals to them
by the remembrance of this, saying, " house of Aaron, trust in
the Lord: He is their help and their shield." Ver. 10.
It is a sorry account that is given in 2 Chron. xxix. of the con-
dition of the priesthood in those times. Everything relating to
Jehovah's worship had been so long in abeyance, nay more,
thoroughly perverted, that sufficient priests could not be obtained
for the slaying of the victims, and many of them were indifferent
to the work ; so that it is said, j" the Levites were more upright in
heart to sanctify themselves than the priests.'' Ver. 34. But the
faith, zeal, and patience of Hezekiah had triumphed over all these
impediments, and in His song he aims at confining " the house of
Aaron" to their true position in relation to Divine worship. And
in declaring the Lord to be their help and shield, he points out the
true sense of their protection, supply and defence in every evil day,
and as it had been witnessed in the downfall of Sennacherib and
the destruction of his hosts.
Then in a more close and endearing way the gracious monarch
looks around upon the spiritual '^ remnant according to the election
of grace," such as they who obeyed His word^ when his messen*
gers to the different tribes to summon them to the first passover,
were despised and mocked by the deeply corrupted and idolatrous
infidels among them. 2 Chron. xxx. 10 : "Ye that fear the Lord,
trust in the Lord ; He is their help and their shield," ver. IL
With these Hezekiah would of necessity feel the closest affinity.
They in the strictest sense were his own people. Grace had
brought him, the rich man, low, while it had exalted them. They
had united with him in wrestling with the Lord for his deliver^
ance in the evil day, and had rejoiced with him in beholding it*
But they needed the exhortation in the future. And though trust
is the fruit of faith, and faith is the work and operation of Grod,.
yet is the blessed Spirit pleased at times to work by the inspired
exhortations in His Word, to trust in the Lord. Nor can we de-
mur to the words of the poet :
** To trust Him endeavour, the work is His Own ;
He makes the believer, and gives him his crown."
Sweetly does the good man revert to their past experience of
JehovaVs covenant care ; '^ The Lord hath been mindful of us,*'
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 245-
Sweetly does lie draw with apostolic clearness the influence that the
past reflects to the future : " He will bless us/'
** Whom once He loves He never leaves,
But loves unto the end."
The God of Israel is " without variableness, or shadow of turning/^
He will ever perfect His work ; He will ever save to the uttermost.
Past help will not suffice against future foes and perils ; but it pro-
claims what shall be done for those who trust in the name of the
Lord. And sweetly does the inspired king include all distinctions
in his comforting words ; " He will bless the house of Israel ; He
will bless the house of Aaron. He will bless them that fear the
Lord, both small and great/' vers. 12, 13. In the deliverance front
Egypt the "little ones" were specially named, Exod. x. 9, 10; so
in their preservation in the wilderness. Num. xiv. 81 : and the dear
Saviour affirms of all who are such spiritually : " It is not the will
of vour Father which is in heaven that one of these little ones
should perish," Matt, xviii. 14. And thus does Hezekiah testify
that the blessing, '^even life for evermore," shall come on "the
small" as well as "the great," on the feeble as well as the strong, who
''fear the Lord," in all the fulness of its blessedness. For it is the
new covenant mark ; as the Lord hath said, " I will make an ever-
lasting covenant with them, that I will not turn away from them, to-
do them good ; but I will put My fear in their hearts, that they
shall not depart from Me," Jer. xxxii. 40. "The fear of the Lord ia
(therefore) to hate evil," Pro v. viii. 13 ; and it " is a fountain of life,
to depart from the snares of death," chap. xiv. 27. Thus in the
evil dstys of Ahaz it wrought in Grod's remnant to preserve them
from the popular course of evil, and when Hezekiah ascended the
throne and purged the land and temple, they would be the most
zealous in carrying out his and their Lord's pleasure. For them,
therefore, the king has those "good words, and comfortable words,"
which proclaim them the subjects of future blessings.
The mind of Hezekiah appears next to revert to Jehovah's pro-
mise to Abraham,, that his seed should be as the stars of heaven for
multitude, and as the sand by the seashore innumerable. And
while he noted how war and pestilence and famine had reduced the
number of those he called " the remnant that was left," his words
to them in the present Psalm are full of the confidence of faith
and hope : " The Lord shall increase you more and more, you
246 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
B.nd your children.'^ The reason follows : " Ye are blessed of the
Lord which made heaven and earth/' vers. 14, 15. The spiritual
seed, those who were and are Jews inwardly, their circumcision
being that of the heart, are all included in this sacred declaration.
Zion shall never want for offspring. Instead of thy fathers shall
be thy children, whom thou mayest make princes in all the earth."
" For He" to whom this promise pertains, " shall see of the travail
of His soul and shall be satisfied." " He shall see His seed. He
shall prolong His days, and the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper
in His hand." Of Him, heaven and earth's Maker, they are blessed.
" Blessed with all spiritual blessings in the heavenlies in Christ,
being chosen in Him before the foundation of the world." Blessed
with the renewing grace of the Holy Spirit, even the fear of the
Lord, and destined to enjoy pardon, justification and peace, when
the Comforter is pleased to deliver their sin-convinced souls from
legal thraldom, doubts and fears. But we must revert to our
points.
Hey.ekiah seems to indicate in the verse following the eternal
supremacy of Jehovah, notwithstanding He may in His inscrutable
wisdom be pleased to give possession of, and the rule and authority
over the earth, to those who, like mighty Assyria's potentates, were
but carnal children of fallen Adam : " The heaven, even the
heavens, are the Lord's ; but the earth hath He given to the chil-
dren of men," — or "the sons of Adam," as the Hebrew reads.
Ver. 16. And trulj^ this is one of the greatest of mysteries, as it
often involves the sorest trials, through their cruel oppression of
the Lord's people. Egypt, Assyria, Babylon, Greece and Rome all
bear witness to this. The great majority of those who '^ prosper in
this world" and '^increase in riches" are " the ungodly." Spreading
themselves like a green bay tree they overshadow (not as protectors,
but as tyrants) the Lord's poor and needy ; and did not He to Whom
both heaven and earth rightfully belong defend them, their lot
would indeed be appalling.
But the king beholds the mighty ones of Assyria as having
fallen, and by Jehovah's wrath, while he had escaped their
sword and a fatal illness; and in the joyful remembrance he
cries : " The dead praise not the Lord, neither any that go down
into silence. But we will bless the Lord from this time forth
^nd for evermore. Praise the Lord," vers. 17, 18. For the
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 247
Assyrian dead, as for all who perish in their sins, '^no praise*^
«ras in reserve in the mansions of bliss. The " silence/^ to which
bheir proud hosts were hushed when the blast sent them to death,
^11 never be broken by hallelujahs of triumph on their part.
But the delivered ones, Hezekiah and the remnant who with him
feared the Lord, could offer thanksgiving with joy. And from that
^'time forth," even through all the ages of time, while the dead in sin,
and dead in perdition, know nothing of praising a God of grace, or
a redeeming Christ, but are " silent in darkness," the Lord's Zion
shall so opportunely receive His mercies, aid, and delivering grace,
that their jackcloth shall be exchanged for gladness, their sighs
shall be turned into songs, and their praises shall bless that covenant
Grod Wlio hath blessed them for ever.
The Editor.
fTo be continued).
W^i.")
THE KINGDOM AND ITS HEIES.
May 28th, 1882.
My dear Friend,
IHE royal family are, by Divine appointment before-
all worlds, heirs of that kingdom of grace here, and of
glory hereafter, which cannot be taken from them, and
which they cannot be prevented from entering and finally
possessing. 'Tis given them freely by Triune covenant settlements of
love and grace, for their everlasting inheritance, and shall continue-
vhen all other kingdoms shall be no more. This was typed out in
all the Lord's sovereign dealings with His people of old, therefore-
said the man of God, Joshua, "Thou art a great people, and hast
great power, thou shaltnot have one lot only." The dignity, safety,,
felicity, and all the unspeakable bliss and joys of heaven, with thai}
eternal weight of inconceivable glory, arising out of the good-will-
and righteousness of Jehovah, treasured up in Emmanuel for all
the Lord's chosen and redeemed people, consist in their eternal-
union to, and everlasting standing in, Christ Jesus their Lord,.
Whom Jehovah hath before all worlds appointed heir of all things-
to the church, which is His body, the fulness of Him that fiUeth all.
in all. sweet, soul-comforting, God-glorifying mystery of free,
sovereign, and unmerited goodness, love and giace ! Hence the
greatness of all that fear God. They are loved with an everlasting
love of Father, Son, and Spirit : as it is written : " The Lord appeared
of old unto me, saying. Yea, I (Jehovah in covenant) have loved thee-
with an everlasting love, therefore (according to covenant engage*
248 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
ments which cannot be broken) with lovingkindness have I drawn
thee/'
Hence the family cry of all the King's children, in their
longings after their Lord's smiles and heart-cheering presence.
Here is Divine power, human beauty, complex excellency, incarnate
attraction, with odoriferous delights, by which our adored Ishi
•allures His bride from the love of terrestrial objects and subject,
brings her into the wilderness, speaks comfortably unto her heart, and
assures her of His unequalled, unchanging love to her : the response
of which is from her very soul by the energy of the Spirit, ^',Let Him
kiss me with the kisses of His mouth." The church in all her indi-
vidual members implores her Lord to embrace her, with kisses in
the plural. O yes, daily, and every day; for she is taught of Him to
feel and say, " Whom have I in heaven but Thee ? and there is none
upon earth I desire in comparison with Thee.") "For Thy love is in-
finitely better than wine," or all the good things thou canst bestow
on me in this life. " Because of the savour of Thy good ointments,
Thy name" (that is, all that our Lord is to us, in the exceeding
greatness and infiniteness of His person, in His offices, chai'acters,
relations) "Thy name is as ointment poured forth," — in all the gracious
purposes of Jehovah, in all the blessings of eternal redemption, in
all the promises of (lod, in all the doctrines of His precious Gospel,
in all the unctuous operations of the Holy Ghost, and in thy ever-
lasting kindness in saving thy whole church in Thee with an ever-
lasting salvation. " Therefore do the virgins love Thee," and in
spirit pray, " Di-aw me, we will run after Thee."
O the infinite blessedness of an union to Christ! This when
made known and revealed to the mind by the Holy Ghost,
brings the soul into the unspeakably sweet and great privilege
of communion with God, in the liberty and holy freedom of
sons and daughters of the Lord God Almighty, to see and enjoy
that which the highest attainments of the sons of pride in the
vanity of life are total strangers to. The Lord causes His
dear children highly to prize, and with tenderness of conscience,
gratitude of heart, in humbleness and meekness of spirit, to walk in
their new-birth privileges with delight ; for the wisdom, riches, and
greatness of this dying world, are vanity and foolishness with God.
And so the regenerate child of God shall find it, when he, through
indwelling corruption and temptation, sets his heart upon it. This
is not his lot, his rest, or his portion. may these make to them-
selves wings and fly away. But Christ the Lord is his portion, his
rock, and his refuge. This, believer, is thy greatness: "Jesus Christ
the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever." All besides is death, for
it is written : " He taketli the wise (in their own esteem) in their own
craftiness." And again : "The Lord knoweththe thoughts of the wise,
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 249'
at they are yam. Thei'ef ore let no man glory in men^ for all things
e yours, whether Paul or ApoUos, or Cephas, or the world, or life,
death, or things present, or things to come (promised and prayed
p), all are (now, in the mind of the Lord) yours, and ye are Christ's,
id Christ is Grod's." Lord, increase our faith, that the comfort be
LTS also, with a knowledge of Thee ; that our delights be more
»undant]y in and from Thee ; that we love, worship, adore, bless^
id praise Thee, Who art the Lord of hosts, "a crown of glory, a
adem of beauty'' unto all Thy blood- washed, redeemed people, and
r '•' a Spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and
rength to them that turn the battle to the gate." Lord Jesus ! may
i, hy the sweet energy of the blessed Spirit, in the cout-emplation
The?e, our God, King, Kinsman, Redeemer, and Saviour, triumph
Thee at all times. Thou, Lord, hasi said, that without Thee we
n do nothing. This, through Thy gi-ace, we feel, therefore, again
J implore Thy much needed and kindly-promised strength.
Yours affectionately in Jesus,
A Silent One.
> Mr. Pepper.
DAVID MY SERVANT SHALL BE KING OVER THEM."
Ezekiel xxxvii. 24.
Take the harp and the tabret, ye freed men, and sing !
(4n foith in the dance to meet David your king !
Sint^ out of vour heart with melodious voice
Till the wa5itef» of the earth and the mountaiuf? rejoice.
Hib goodness declare, and His mercy proclaim,
And honour your mighty Deliverer's name.
For He comes ! Bv His scars and the blood c>f His slain.
He cometh with vengeance. He cometh to reign.
All hail. Thou Desire of all nations ! Oppressed,
Discomfited, wearied, we long for Thy rest.
Dear Day spring of freedom, and concord, and peace.
The light of Thy Advent shall bring us release
From the darkness of sin, from its thraldrom and weight :
From the night-owls men worship as holy and great.
Shine on us, O Love ! Smile on us, Grace !
Come fill, and o'erflow us, enfold and embrace.
Let the light of Thy beauty encircle our brow —
Our wisdom, our judgment, our diadem Thou.
In Thy secret, sweet influence come as the dew.
The feeble to strengthen, transform, and renew.
;250 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
May the least be as David, and hasten the hour,
The noon of Thy splendour, Thy seven-fold power,
When the nations shall learn and acknowledge Thy wajrs,
And the earth be an altar of incense and praise.
O burnish us all into arrows of light —
Our battle- bow Thou, and our quiver of might ;
Then on the bright heaven of Thy majesty ride.
And wear us as arrows of truth by Thy side.
To pierce to the centre and quicken to life
The hearts of the children of malice and strife.
' The Nursery, C. H. M.
Near East Hoathly.
PERSONAL LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
OUR JUBILEE MBMORLA.L.
37, New Kent Road, S.E., July 9th, 1882.
Dear Sir, — It did truly do my heart good when I read of tlie
Lord's goodness to you at your jubilee meeting. May peace and
unity exist to the end of your days amongst you and your flock.
But I said to myself, I can give him nothing. But I am. enabled at
times to think of you to the Lord, when the blessed Spirit brings
you and others of God's sent servants before me: and I do beg Him
to keep you all faithful to His Word, and preserve your lives to
sound aloud His fame and Name for many years to come, if His
blessed will ; for true trumpeters are scarce now-a-days. Oh, what
blasphemy is being spread abroad ; most lamentable to think of.
My poor prayer is to the dear Lord to make and keep His own
people honest and true to their colours. " If Baal be God, serve
him,'* I say. ^^If God be God, serve Him," with mind and heart,
fully and unmixed. For
** 'Tis perfect poverty alone
That sets the soul at large."
True liberty. I know that our God knows all that is taking place;
for not the smallest thing could take place without His permission ;
at the same time I think it calls upon God's people to be on their
watch-tower, and to cry aloud to Him, for the abominable sins tliat
are done in the land, and to spare this our guilty nation. I almost
say sometimes to myself, " Would to God there was a little pe^
secution going on among His people, that it might stir them up,"
for I cannot but think that the Church of Christ is in a very low
spot, and real vital religion at a low ebb. It is with grief that I sa.y
it. But, dear sir, forgive ine if I am wrong, God's power alone is
wanting ; that is ev^erything to a child of God.
A Sparrow Alone.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 251
A KIND WORD FROM OLD PILGRIMS.
Fareham, July 10th, 1882.
To my very dear Brother in Christ, — Being rather shaky this
morning, but having a desire to write to one whose face I have
never seen in the flesh, yet having read the Advocate some years,
and having received grace for the obedience of faith in some small
measure, by the same Spirit which worketh by love to you and the
brethren, I am desirous you should know, by the above books, I
have, with my dear aged sister, felt greatly instructed, settled
and established concerning soul matters, therefore I feel deeply in-
debted to God, in thus raising you up at such a time of dearth of
hearing the gospel, when the work and operation of the Spirit is so
little insisted upon as the ground of all spiritual teaching tending
to confirm and establish all that are wavering and halting between
two opinions. Yet how great the mercy to come to an establish-^
ment in doctrine, principle and experience, and especially to feel
the power of God leading us into the practical and essential feeling
of Titus ii. 11 to the end, which St. Paul so prefixed in all his epis-
tles, — with "grace, mercy and peace be with you, from God our
Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ." I thank my God always
on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Christ
Jesus, that in every thing ye are enriched by Him, in all utterance,
and in knowledge, even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed
in you (1 Cor. i.)
Dear Sir, please to receive the enclosed letter we have received
from our much beloved friend and brother Mr. Hammond, with
very many thanks to God for mercy received by him and many
friends in hearing and answering prayer on his behalf.
We are, dear Sir, yours in bonds of love and union in Spirit,
G. Oakshott,
M. A. Gkeen.
Ittkx^ bg % P0ii^e|^x)lir 0f Jaitj^.
LETTER BY RUTH BRYAN.
Good-Friday Morning.
How did my soul at breakfast dissolve in Psalm xxii, especially
the first part. Never did I see and feel so fully before how our
precious Head and Husband agonized under unansivered petitions ;
how Helookedat others who were delivered and seemed to feel less
and lower than all. Oh, He is a precious companion in tribulation ;
having suffered, being tempted. He is able to succour them that are
tempted ; having suffered being deserted. He can feel with thpse
252
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
who feel alone ; and having felt the anguish of being unanswered,
He can walk and talk with those who are sayinjr, '^ Mine eyes fail
while I wait for my God." Oh, He is wonderful wherever vfe find
Him, and His bosom is a precious resting-place wherever we may
be. May we consider Him to-day, and be let into the depths of HLs
suffering love, and sit beneath that solemn cross,
** Where Jesus' blood in rivers flowed
For love of worthless me."
Rivers of love and blood drown mountains of guilt; and prostrate
into nothingness, the abominable monster SELF. Its high towers
can never nse in atoning blood, for Christ is all and in all.
** rd creep beside Him like a worn,
And see Him die for me."
He said, " It is finished !" of the work and penal suffering, but
He will never say ifc is finished of the love and the glory ; and
therefore the tide keeps rolling in afresh when we seem to have got
to the lowest low water. Mark ! — I know not how to leave off,
I am yours, in the once- suffering Lamb, — Amen.
R. B.
[One word on the expression *' vnanstcered,^' as appHed by beloved Euth to
some of the Saviour's petitions. She was too sound to imply that her Beloved
ever offered a prayer not according to the Father's willy and hence received no
approving reply : for this would invalidate the perfection of the Eedeemer's
work and intercession, and oppose His own words to the Father, ** Ifcaow that
thou hearest Me always." All dear Ruth intends is an a/j/>aren^ or seemirgbf
delayed reply. — The Editor.]
A LETTER BY THE LATE MR. OXENHAM.
Guildford, March 14th, 184U.
My afflicted distressed sister in the Lord, — What shall I say to thee
in answer to thy sorrowful epistle. That thou art in the footsteps
of the flock is manifest, for the like affliction and sorrow was felt by
the patriarch Jacob, who said, respecting his children, " Ye will
bring down my grey hairs with sorrow to the grave.'' But mark
the patriarch's end when on his dying bed, he said, ^^ I liave waited
for Thy salvation, O Lord," drew up his feet in the bed, and entered
his eternal rest.
Many have been the trials and afflictions of my sister ; but hitherto
the Lord hath helped her ; and although no affliction is joyous, but
rather grievous; yet they are amongst the "all things" that shall
(not may) work together for our good.
I know by sad and painful experience the answer. My poor uu-
believing heart hath replied, " But how can this or that distressing
event work for good ?" Blind carnal reason cannot reconcile these
things with the word of promise, and well did Mr. Hart express
•it : —
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 253
** Could we see how all were right,
Where were room for credence ?
But by faith, and not by sight,
Christians yield obedience."
I can feel for and sympathise with you ; and my prayer shall be
that the God Who hath fed thee all thy life long, and Who hath
manifested His love to thee in Christ, and given thee amidst all
thy fears, trials and afflictions, a good hope through grace, will
support, comfort, and strengthen thee by His Spirit in the inner
man ; and depend upon it, when thou arrivest at thy Father's house,
(and the time cannot be far ofi), thou wilt look back at thy journey
through this wilderness, and say, " My God and Saviour hath done
all tilings well."
Paul, who had suffered cold, hunger and nakedness, yet says,
^' these Light afflictions.'^ Yet how often have you and I called
them heavy ? for Paul's faith to look beyond this vale of tears,
and realise some of the blessedness of the saints above. This is
done not by looking on '^ things temjyoral/' for they are too often
miserable ; but by looking to things '^Eternal/' and trusting on the
faithfulness, love and power of our most kind God and Saviour.
Hath not God delivered my sister in six troubles ? Will He not
in the seventh ? Yes, surely, for He hath in faithfulness said, " I
will bring you through fire and water ;" and that " neither life nor
death, nor things present (however dark and distressing), northings to
come, " be they what they may, shall ever separate us — poor^ sinful,
unworthy us — from His love.
Our Sister Holloway hath long been tried by an afflicted taber-
nacle. If still in the body give my kindest Christian love to her,
as by your account she will soon reach her eternal home.
The poor woman's afflictions have not been her family, but a
frail tabernacle ; but all must have a cross to take up and carry.
Onr forefather's motto was : "No cross, no crown.^' Who would
therefore in their right mind, but act the part of Moses ? — "choose
rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than enjoy the
pleasures of sin for a season," which must end in eternal death.
•Cheer up, therefore, my sister ; a few more trials and then we'll bid
an eternal adieu to sin and sorrow.
Dame unites in love to you, Mrs. Seest, and all our Christian
friends, with your brethren.
Thos. Oxenham.
P.S. — Whether we shall be able to take a journey in May, I must
leave. I think I informed you in my last that I was suffering from
influenza, which hath so weakened my voice that I cannot engage
^ family prayer, and have but faint hopes of ever speaking again in
?ubUc.
254 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
My partner took it of me, and is now suffering from a great deal
of fever and debility, but hope the means may be blest to her re-
CO very. Whether our friends the Dunkites are alive we know not,
having no tidings from them since Christmas, to whom, Mr. Parsons,
and friends at Lewes, &c., &c., give our Christian love. Farewell.
LETTER BY MARY LEVITT.
Hull, February 7th, 1872.
Dearly beloved in the Lord, our. unchangeable Friend, Father,
Judge, and Saviour. In Him I trust, on Him I depend, and unto
Him I look, and on Him cast all my care, well knowing that I am safe
in His hand. I have long since ceased from man whoso breath is in
his nostrils. There was a time in my experience when I thought too
much of a man, a servant of the Most High God. I thought him
infallible, but God shewed me my mistake, and I had some very
severe discipline. Only God knows the heavy trial I had to pass
through. The lessons I then learnt are not forgotten, nor ever
will be. They are not to learn over again now when I am old and
have other troubles : no, sufficient for the day is the evil thereof.
We must take up our cross and follow Christ, through evil report
and good report. I have always found His grace sufficient. I know that
" all things work together for good to them that love God, and
are the called according to His purpose." In the world we must have
tribulation ; but Jesus says, " in Me ye shall have peace.'* As you
truly observe, "great peace have they who love Thy law, and nothing
shall offend them." Oh, no, we rise above everythiiig,
** Aud siu^ the Lamb that once was slain.
And shout His endless praise."
I was very pleased to read our brother's letters ; I often wondered
we never heard from him. I wish I could have been with you all
on Monday, but you had my heart with you. He g^ve me good
advice in his letter ; but my Lord had been before him and settled
the matter. My mind was made up to be still, and leave it all with
God, while I watched and looked on. The angel will work won-
drously : —
** Forward, then, with courage go.
Long we shall not dwell below,
Soon the joyful news will come.
Child, your Father calls, Come Home.*'
^ly few I'emaining daj's will soon be numbered ; my sorrows will
soon be over ; and I shall be beyond the reach of all my foes, both
external and internal —
"Where flesh and sin no more control
The sacred pleasures of the soul."
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 255
'''The Lord knoweth them that are His/ 'and He will take care of them
and bring them to the desired Haven, where they would be.
Nothing can hurt God's children. It may trouble them for a time,
and try their faith and patience ; but God overrules all for their
^ood. I generally carry my troubles to the Lord. I know He will
undertake for me. He has always been my Helper, and He will be
to the end ; " so henceforth let no man trouble me, for I have the
mark of the Lord Jesus." I have had these words sounding in my
ears very loud many days and nights : "J/* they cry at all tmto Me I
will surely hear their cry.'' That's enough I said, —
" I'll cast my burden on the Lord,
And lean upon HIS FAITHFUL WOED."
It is very blessed to have applications of the Word: first one passage
of Scripture and then another floats in my mind. God talks >vith us
by His Word, both in public and private, and we love to hear Him.
*' With Him I daily love to talk,
Of Him my soul delights to talk."
I do not want to contend with bad spirits, there is no profit to my
-soul. I cannot live upon dust, I want to be praising God and living
upon the best things. Nothing short of God can satisfy me. Well
now, my dear sister, let us rejoice together, for the Lord hath done
^eat things for us and great things in us. Unto Him be glory,
might, majesty, and dominion, for ever and ever. Amen.
With my best love to you, and all my Christian friends around
you, . Believe me.
Dear Mrs. Machin,
Yours in sincerity and truth, in the bond that cannot be broken.
Mary Levitt.
PURE GOLD FROM PURITAN AND OTHER WHNES.
The Lord's design in His People's Afflictions. — For your
-comfort consider four things: 1. God's aim in your afflictions
is not destruction, but trial; as gold is put into the furnace
to be fined, not consumed. Wicked men's misery is " an
evil, and an only evil," Ezek. vii. 5. In their cup there is no
mixture, and their plagues are not to fan, but destroy. But to
godly men, miseries have another property and habitude : Dan. xi.
35, " They shall fall to try, and to purge, and to make white ;" that
is, in times of many persecutions, as was that of Antiochus, the
figure of antichrist. 2. The time of trial is appointed, Dan. xi.
35 : " They shall fall to try, and to purge, and to make white, even to
the time of the end, because it is yet for a time appointed." You
are not in the furnace by chance, or at the will of your enemies ; the
256 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
time is appointtMl, set by Cxod. 3. God sitteth by the furnace
prying and looking after His metal^ Mai. iii. 3 : " He shall sit as a
refiner and purifier of silver." It notes His constant and assiduou.-;
care that the fire be not too hot, that nothing be spilt and lost. It
is a notable expression, that of Isa. xlviii.9, 10 : " For My praise will I
refrain; I have refined thee, but not as silver;" that is, not so
thoroughly. Silver or gold is kept in the fire till the dross be
wholly wrought out of it. If we should be fined a« silver, when
should we come out of the furnace. Therefore Grod saith He will
" choose us in the furnace," though much dross still remain. 4.
Consider this trial is not only to approve but to improve ; we are
tried as gold, refined when tried. So 1 Peter i. 7, "That the trial of
your faith being much more precious than gold that perisheth :" or
more clearly in Job xxiii. 10, " When He hath tried me I shall come
forth as gold." The drossy and scorious part or matter is severed,
and the corruptions that cleave close to us are purged and eaten
out.
Manton.
The Sure Foundation.- — Wliat is the foundation of the Christian^
hope ? Not innate moral excellence ; not enlarged and critical
knowledge of the sjicred text ; not punctual discharge of relative
duties ; not diligent use of the ordinances of religion ; not sacra-
ments, nor fastings, nt^r prayer, nor almsgiWng ; not forced pro-
gress in the way of holiness ; not past excitement, nor present peace
and enlargement of heart ; not visions, nor graces, nor expediences,
— these do not ci^nstitute the foundation of the Christian's hope.
Of some of these, his judgment is that of Paul, — ^What things
wen^ gi\^y^ to me, thi>se 1 counted loss for Christ.' Of others he
makes the lawful, the scriptural, the believing use; while the lan-
guage of his unfeigned self-renunciation ever is, 'Lead me to the
Kock that is higher then I.' That Rock is Christ. To expand the
ideas condensed in that one word, ' Christ,' — the foundation of
the Christian's ho|>e is the promise of Jehovah, recorded in Hi*
Word, confirmed by His oath, ratified by the blood of the everlast-
ing covenant, eWdenced by the resurrection, secured by the as-
cension of Jeans, and revealed to the hearts of His chosen by the
Spirit of His grace. — The late BUIwp of Carlisle.
Co-WoRKKKs. — ' *' My Father worketh hitherto and I work"—
all things^ past, pn^sent, and to come. If He created it so didL
If He hath governed the affairs of it, so have I : My hands have
vriolded the RCt^ptre with Him, and Grod never did anything without
My advioe and counsel.* ITieso things were so stupendously strange
tluit they made the cnnial tJew ^^^ld and mad. Gt)ODWiN.
Septembeb^ 1882. tuk gospel adyocatb. 257
ESSAYS ON HARrS HYMNS.— LVI.
Hymn 52.
Praying for UeUitiontf.
OT the lea«t excellency displayed by Mr. Hart in his hymns
is the variety of subjects introduced. Doctrinal, experi-
^ mental, and practical themes, are all handled in a
Kcriptural manner, and tliat Religion which Arminians stigmatize
as narrow J is made to exhibit a breadth, as world-wide as the
Gospel sanctions. It is an utterly false charge against those who
vitally believe in the sovereign freeness and discrimination of
Grace, that, accounting themselves God's elect, they care nothing
or little about others. It is, on the other hand, very true, that
they are often willing to take favourable views of those who are
bound to themselves by the ties of relationship, which they would
not do in the case of strangers. Kvery believer must at times be
conscious of this ; and equally so, that the Lord, Who ^^ seeth not as
man seeth,'' will not endorse his flesh opinions.
Grace and nature are essentially diverse; and yet they often
seem to assimilate. Like two river-streams, arising in opposite
directions, they may in their c^^urse incline at certain points in a
parallel, but they speedily branch off again, to meet, perhaps, w(y
more till thev are lost in tlie ocean's fulness. ITiis is noticeable in
the family history of all the Lord's people in Holy Writ. Abraham
would have Ishmael live before his God. Isaac loved Esau, be-
c:au>^e he did eat of his venisoB : and David loved with inordinate
fondness his Absalom : doubtless because of his handsome person^
ITiat all these gracious men, including Eli and Samuel with their
.ungodly sons, prayed earnestly and often on their behalf, there can
be no doubt : but in each case it was Natural Affection, not the
Spirit of God tliat prompted their petitions. And yet, remembering
that it was a personal sense of the need of mercy tliat led them to
plead for its extension by the Lord to their offspring, and that that
personal sense of need arose from the operations of grace within
them, it is not easv U) draw a clear line between the two influences.
Jjove is the essence of vital religion, and relative affection is in*
separable from natural feelings. And when persons have passed
through much exercise alK>ut their own souls, and know something
258 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
of " the terror of the Lord/' in His infinite holiness and wrath
against sin ; when they have learnt " Except a man be bom again
he cannot see (nor ' enter into') the kingdom of God ; and that an
interest in the blood that cleanseth from all sin is indispensable to
eternal salvation, it would be strange indeed if they felt no concern
for the souls of those united to them by the close bonds of natural
affinity ; as wife, husband, father, mother, parent, child, and even
wider branches of relationship. But let us follow our esteemed
poet :
" Kind souls, who for the miseries moan
Of those who seldom mind their own ;
But treat your zeal with cold disdain,
Eesolved to make your labour vain ;
You whose sincere affection tends
To help youi* dear, ungrateful friends,
That think you mad, or foes, or fools,
Because you fain would save their souls." Vers. 1, 2.
Very homely is this address ; but the subject admitted of no finely
spun phraseology. It is a picture of every-day life in the social
circle, where God has by His Holy Spirit ^' made to differ*^ one or
more from the rest of the family. A barrier is thus erected
between that warm intercourse of a carnal nature that formerly
existed, and the Saviour's words 'are verified : " I am come to send
fire on the earth ; and what will I, if it be already kindled ?
Suppose ye that I am come to sena peace on earth ? I tell you,
Nay ; but rather division : for from henceforth there shall be five
in one house divided, three against two, and two against three.
The father shall be divided against the son, and the son against the
father; the mother against the daughter, and the daughter against
the mother; the mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law, and
the daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law." Luke xii. 49, 61-53.
And most painful and distressing is this " division'' to all. On the
part of the separated it calls forth grief, that those who are left are
so blind and dead to their danger. Oil the part of the latter it
provokee hatred and hostility, both in words and deeds.
As we write this our memory goes back to the period when the
Lord singled us out and implanted His fear in our heart. What a
revolution it wrought in our family circle ! An excellent relative
with whom we were placed in business, and who had even shown
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 259
the kindness of a father (in the place of the one we had lost in in-
fancy), instantly became excited with the strongest antipathy, and
great was the tax upon faith and patience. Nor does the believer
always shine in the encounters that take place — at least, we know
we did not. Driven to despair by the wrath of God in the con-
science ; held fast in legal bonds, and , nearly at our wits' end by
awful suggestions — ^the fiery darts of the wicked, little could we
endure the reproaches, taunts, oaths, and curses that were often
showered upon us. Often were we betrayed into hasty and angry
retorts ; and as often did the fears of death and hell increase upon
us, as Satan turned on us as accuser, and the law in its holy
terribleness denounced our imperfection. But when the Holy
Spirit brought us into an experience of Christ's salvation, and
bade the Tempter flee, all was changed. We could then in the
Spirit, and under the power of our Redeeming Master, bear with
ease what was before intolerable, and pray for him who had despite-
fuUy used and persecuted us. Nor can this ever be done in a
legal spirit. From Christ the " sweet fruit of the lips is found j" both
that which is yielded to God in praise and prayer, and extended to
men, in rendering blessing for cursing, and kindness for injury.
Full of zeal at the beginning of their spiritual career, many (if
not most) of the Lord's people, — forgetful of their own indebtedness
to grace for their own regeneration and conversion — foolishly
imagine that they have but to speak to, and exhort those they
love, and they will bring them to feel and see as they do. Fond
delusion ! They will also venture to " cast their pearls" (the secret
sweets they are favoured with) before those who prove to be
*'sw4nej" and who "trample" the jewels by their ridicule "under
their feet," and turn again and rend them with blasphemous speeches.
This is hard fare ; but it is needful, that the truth may appear in
all its rich lustre that *^ the excellency of the power is of God, and
not of us." However ardent, loving, persevering be the appeals of
the children of God to those they love in the flesh, " until the
Spirit be poured from on high," the wilderness will remain a
wilderness, and their hearers will
"Think them mad, or foes, or fools,
Because they fain would save their souls."
^' Mad'^ — because they have quitted what, to a worldly eye, seem to-
be substantial things, for what are re^'arded as the vain prospects
260 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
of an unseen and unknown Future. ^' Foes^^ — ^because they stand
in the way of, and oppose and rebuke the course of unbridled lusts
and pleasures pursued by the votaries of fashion and iniquity.
^^ Fools'' — because there appears no sense or reason in '^ the mystery
of the faith" they profess — " for the preaching of the cross is to
them that perish foolishness" — and because they (i.e. believers)
attribute great importance to what the world accounts but as
trifling matters in the way of speaking and acting.
We need not say much on the words
** Because you fain would save their souls."
It is a phrase in accordance with Paul's, " If by any means I might
save some/' Rom. xi. 14; and James', "Let him know, that he
which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a
soul from death, and shall hide a ^multitude of sins," chap. v. 20.
Salvation, as here spoken of, has no reference to creature merit, or
efficiency; but exclusively to instrumentality. God's only Agent
in merit is Christ, with His blood and righteousness ; His only
Agent in efficiency is the Holy Spirit, with His regenerating power.
But man becomes an instrumental agent in the Spirit's hands.
Yet in the small manner of success — so far as the range of man's
efforts are extended — in proportion to his failures, all God-taught
men will prove instrumentality , of itself, simply means inefficiency. It
is the earthen vessel without the heavenly treasure. It is th© trumpet,
without the living breathing through it. It is the sword, without
the potent hand wielding it. And it only proclaims the truth of
Christ's words : " Without Me ye can do nothing." And hence in
the opposition offered to the most disinterested and loving efforts
there is cause for self-humiliation before the Lord, and more
dependent appeals to Him in the face of all discouragement. And
it is this Mr. Hart counsels :
** Though deaf to every warning giver,
They scorn to walk with you to heaven,
But often think, and sometimes say,
They'll never go, if that's the way ;"
** Though they the Spirit of God resist,
Or ridicule your faith in Christ ;
Though they blaspheme, oppose, contemn.
And hate you for your love to them.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 261
' ' One secret way is left you still,
To do them good against their will :
Here they can no obstruction give ;
You may do this without their leave.
'* Fly to the throne of grace by prayer,
And pour out all your wishes there ;
Effectual, fervent prayer prevails
When every other method fails." Vers. 3-6.
The tears and declaration of Christian when summoned to go
on pilgrimage made no sufficient impression on his wife and
children to induce them to accompany him. Bunyan understood
this, and so did Hart. And so does eveiy godly parent. " Unto
God the Lord belong the issues from death ;" and until He works
" vain is the help of man." In the wider connexions of relationship,
to which reference has already been made, and in which the sub-
jective state of children to the parents' will (which often curbs
what would otherwise break forth into serious displays of animosity)
has no influence, there is freedom of speech in reviling frequently
indulged in ; although in every instance where grace encounters
carnality the words equally apply : " The carnal mind is enmity
against God : for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed
can be." Rom. viii. 7. The godly parent may watch with aching
heart and tearful eyes the sullen determination, visible on the face
of some of his children, to break loose as soon as possible from
what they deem religious constraint. The services at family
worship and in the sanctuary of God are tolerated with ill-conceived
dislike and mortification : for they see no beauty in the Saviour
that they should desire Him. To them, as to the Jews, He is " a
root out a dry ground." And in every case in which open
opposition is offered to the read, expounded, and proclaimed word
of God, both young and old
** The Spirit of God resist :"
for it is then His testimony, and not man's words that they rise
up against. And how utterly the reverse is their state to that of
theirs who are poor and of a contrite spirit, and tremble at His
word. Isa. Ixvi. 2. it is a blessed sight to see a holy reverence
manifested in young persons for the Scriptures : such as that
shown by our Edward VI. when he rebuked a companion for
placing a bible on a chain to enable him to reach a shelf beyond
262 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
his height. Whoever fears the Lord can never lightly tamper with
or gainsay His truth in Holy "Writ.
But supposing it is so, that such as have ungodly relations whose
eternal welfare is close to their heart, are rebuffed and reviled on
every occasion they venture to approach them on the hated subject
of reliofion : What then? '^ The throne of grace'' remains. There
sits enthroned the Mighty Conquerer of Satan, sin and world;
^^ exalted a Prince and a Saviour" to give "repentance and the
forgiveness of sins.^^ Let Him in this ^'secret way'' be appealed to.
The captains in the Holy War failed, and were compelled by peti-
tion to invoke the personal aid of Emmanuel. He acceded to their
requests, and thusthey prevailed. This is how all believers must act.
Nor daunted, nor silenced by the working of Satan in those about
whose salvation they are concerned, they must only the more ex-
clusively look to Him Who is "mighty to save" and pour out their
hearts before Him. True ; He may not see fit in every instance to
grant them their requests. Their hearts may be fixed where the
Lord's is not. They may be praying for them for whom Jesus did
not pray. They may will what Jehovah wills not. They may be
uttering desires which the Holy Spirit does not prompt. But they
must be gainers and not losers by their supplications. Ishmael
was blessed and Esau too, 'providentially^ for their fathers' sakes,
even though they had not Isaac and Jacob's spiritual portion.
And the Lord thus often hears prayer on behalf of a godly man's
relatives when He does not save their souls. But forasmuch as
His secret purpose is unknown, and can only be known by His
Own development of it, let all believers urge their suit, hoping
against hope, and remembering,
** Effectual fervent prayer preyails
When every other method fails."
The Editor.
"THE WAY OF LIFE."
A Letter by the Late Mr. Falkner.
No. 6.
Dear Friend,
It has pleased God to give you some foretaste of His heavenly
kingdom, by making known to you the way of life j giving you to
taste that He is gracious, and making manifest something of His
everlasting love to your soul, which doth beget in you a true desire
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 263
of enjoying more of the same. This can only satisfy you ; for we
can never love God, or desire to have fellowship with Him, only as
we are led to taste that He is gracious. The desire of the spouse
in the Canticles was, that God would draw her, then she could run.
There is no running but by the Spirit's drawing. There is no joy
in hope, or in faith, but under the droppings of the Father's love.
The true drawings of the Father's love are manifest in the heart by
producing true desires after Him, by being led to the throne of
grace ; there experiencing the influence of the Spirit, as the Spirit
of prayer, enabling the soul to unbosom all its wants before the
Lord ; enlightening the soul in the knowledge of Christ ; mani-
festing His name to be precious to the soul; setting forth the
glorious fulness of the Father's love as displayed in the merits of
His dear Son, and creating a true desire of a personal enjoyment
of these saving benefits in the soul. Now as the true light of
Christ beaming from Him as the Sun of Righteousness dispels the
dark clouds out of the human mind, rends the veil of ignorance
from the understanding, and makes us delight in the Lord, so the
receiving of Christ, the embracing Him, and trusting to Him, mani-
fests our safety. Experience in Him makes us happy, and all the
glorious fulness of His merits will be increasingly opening to our
view ; our interest in them will be continually unfolding to our
souls by the blessed Spirit, Who will be ever testifying of Jesus
to us. This will be the joy of faith till we shall experience all joy
and peace in believing, which will prove a death blow to unbelief;
the worst enemy we can have in our own house. May it be your
happy experience to believe on Him Who justifieth the ungodly.
The people of God in all ages have been a tried people. It is
^^ through much tribulation we must enter the kingdom of God;"
and this hath been the constant experience of the church of Christ.
The Lord in His providence has seen fit to place them in such
straits and difficulties that none but Himself could deliver them ;
and all for the advancement of His own glorious grace, and the
good of His chosen, that He might teach them to trust Him in the
most trying circumstances, and so might learn to live by faith upon
His faithful word of promise. Wherever the Lord gives grace He
is pleased to try it — -often in the furnace. " Everyone whom the
Lord loveth He chasteneth." And sometimes under these exer-
cises we are ready to call in question whether the Lord is for us, or
against us ? But, blessed be His name. He has promised to deliver
us, and He is faithful to His promise ; which I will endeavour to
show you, by bringing such testimony from the word of God as
may be a ground of confidence to enable you, in all your troubles,
to trust in the Lord.
201 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
Ill the fir.st place, I wish you to take notice of the history
of Joseph, where you will fiud the hand of God from his
first dream to the fulfilment thereof, and so on to the conclusion
of the history. Secondly, the singular account of Moses, from his
]>ii1:li to his death. Thirdly, read the account of the carr^-ing of
til*.' Jewish nation into the Babylonish captiWty. Fourthly, observe
the" death of Haman, how the Lord brought it about, and the pre-
servation of the Jews from the dark and devilish designs of their
enemies. My desire in referring you to these accounts is, t<:) show
you wliat the Lord can do for His people in a sovereign way : His
pC)wer ruleth over all, and He holds the hearts and hands of all men,
turning them whither He \\'ill. In the next place, I wish to call
^our attention to the means by which tiie Lord brings about such
great deliverances, and that by His providence, bringing His people
into such straits that His hand may be conspicuously seen. All
they have to do is, to carry their troubles to a throne of grace, and
lay them before the Lord, looking only to Him for deliverance.
This vou find was the conduct of the children of Israel at the Red
h>ea. They cried to the Lord, and He heard and delivered them,
and destroyed their enemies. He was with them in the cloud — in
the pillar — in the manna — in the rock — and in the brazen serpent;
and so with them till they obtained the land promised to them
many hundred years before. " that men would praise the Lord
for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of
men !'* Look again at the three children in the fiery furnace, where
they Imd only to look to God by prayer, and the Lord was witli
them by His personal presence to preserve and comfort them, and
to destroy their enemies. You find Daniel in the same state making
his prayer three times a day unto the Lord, and his perfect safety
ill the lion's den. Many other instances might be found of the
Lord's singular deliverance of His people in a way of providence,
but the great blessings He has manifested in a way of grace will be
a greater encouragement to you to take all your wants to the Lord,
even the worst of all your thoughts, words, and ways ; entering in-
to His presence only in the merits of Christ Jesus, our alone
Saviour, having your eye fixed on that only sacrifice for our sins.
Paul, the jailer, and the three thousand who were pricked in the
heart, all cried to the Lord, and He heard their cry, and delivered
them in the knowledge of Jesus Christ. Manasseh being in sore
trouble cried unto the Lord, and He saved him. Da^ad, after his
fall, cried to the Lord for a fresh sense of His pardoning love to
]je manifested to him. Hezekiah withstood the Lord's prophet
Isaiah, and looked only to the Lord (by prayer) who cured his body,
and cast all his sins behind His back. Rebel Jonah cried out of the
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 266
belly of the fish, where the Lord put him, for the encouragement of
His church in their hopeless state to cry to Him.
John encourages us to come with all our sins, and tells
us for our comfort, that '^the blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth
ns from all sin (mark, all sin), and Who stands as an advocate
before God to plead the cause of all the "church and to
maintain its efficacy in the conscience. This blood is our discharge
before God by way of merit, that we may know the preciousness
of the blood of Christ. The ground of all my hope and confi-
dence is from those blessed manifestations of God to my soul in an-
swer to prayer: whether I look at the sinful state which my soul
was in, without any possible way of escape to my view, or the many
difficulties in providence, or my bodily infirmities, or those various
temptations that I have experienced ; and I can truly say, that God
in Christ Jesus is my only refuge ; in prayer depending alone upon
Him ; looking up to Him for all ; having no stock in hand, but
-what daily comes from Him ; and, blessed be God, He has never
failed me to the present moment. With respect to what I have to
say in the way of preaching, the Lord is pleased to keep me alto-
gether dependent upon Him, and I hope and trust He ever will,
that I may be continually weak in myself, and that the strength of
God may be manifest. This weakness in hearing I learned many
years ago, and by it I was taught to look only to the Lord for the
power in which I stand. I hope the Lord will teach you to cease from
all men, in the best of whom there is no dependence ; but in Him
there is everlasting safety. Look up to the fountain, Christ, till you
can go from Christ to the spring-head set up in God's eternal love
to your soul before the world began ; there you will find an over-
flowing spring of life to the joy and comfort of your heart. If you
say, the troubles I have barely hinted at, are the least of your
present trials, keep this by you till you have more of them ! Then
you will find the throne of grace will be your only refuge, and by
observing your daily mercies which the Lord will be pleased to
bestow, you will be encouraged to go to Him for more. In this
way the Holy Spirit will be pleased to lead you onto a life of faith,
in which the word of God, the promises contained therein, with the
sweet invitations manifested to your soul, will be encouragement
for you to trust in Him Who cannot lie to any that come to Him.
Take notice, that the oath of God is made for the comfort of those
that fly to the refuge Christ Jesus alone.
Elizabeth Keene is no more as to this life. I spoke from the
last clause in the 54th verse of the 15th chapter of the Corinthians
twice on the Lord's Day. Accept best respects.
From yours, in Christ Jesus, N. F.
266 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
THE FIRST CLAIM.
^^ But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness ;
and all these things shall be added unto you,'* — Matt. vi. 33.
N the above words we have a most solemn admonition, fol-
lowed by a very precious promise ; but we daily prove our
inability of ourselves to take heed to the exhortation, to
give the ^^firsf place to the things of God. Such is the
natural tendency of our hearts to turn aside from Him, that we
require constant discipline to keep us seeking the kingdom of God
" first." We are so apt to be " cumbered with much serving/' to be
careful and troubled about many things appertaining to this life, to
be drawn aside by the things of the world; and when this is the
case, as a natural consequence, we become lean in our souls, slothful
in Divine things, and unfruitful.
Let us consider a little what it is to place a thing " first" — the
wide range it involves: "first,** not merely occasionally, but
always and constantly "first." 'Thus, if we are enabled to follow
the exhortation to " seek first the kingdom of God," our first
thoughts on awaking in the morning will ascend to Him for help ;
that He will grant us His Holy Spirit to teach, lead, and guide us
into all truth ; that He will enable us to cleave to Him with full
purpose of heart, and grant us a daily growth in grace and in the
knowledge of Him. Whatever we undertake, our first thought will
be for the blessing of God upon it, and in all our actions we shall
desire His Spirit to lead us and teach us in the way He would have
us go. We shall prayerfully seek to Him for grace and strength to
resist all that is evil, or even that which has " the appearance of evil."
Our one great desire will be to honour and glorify our good and
gracious God, Who has raised us to a hope in His mercy.
" First," is to take the precedence of all other things ; and when
the cry is "first" put into the heart, "What must I do to be
saved ?" " God be merciful to me a sinner," we are in such a dis-
tressed, anxious state, that the kingdom of God and His righteous-
ness is "first" with us ; we come into the meaning of the words,
" The kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it
by force." And it is a great blessing for those in whom God
carries on the work with such power that their importunity will take
no denial ; they " ask," " seek," and " knock' ' continuously, until
He arises for their help and grants them a hope in His mercy : thus
proving that seeking the kingdom of God is " first" with them,
by pressing forward and pursuing the narrow path with all dili-
gence, until they are endued with power from on high to claim
their sonship, and to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as their
Saviour and Redeemer.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 267
The pathway of a child of God will ever be one of conflict and
warfare ; " For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spii'it
against the flesh;" and "when we would do good evil is present
with us." We daily prove that of ourselves we can do nothing
good ; that all power must come from Him " in Whom we live, and
move, and have our being." That it is He alone Who " worketh in
us to do," and Who can enable us with earnestness and diligence to
press forward.
But if the seeking the kingdom of God is " first" with us, there
will be a lamenting all that is opposed to a growth in grace, and
earnest prayer to Gt)d that we may be enabled to overcome all
from within and without that will retard growth in the Divine life.
Deeply we have to mourn our iniquities, which so frequently grieve
the Holy Spirit and cause Him to withdraw His gracious influences,
and with weepings and supplications we return to Him, confessing
our sin and begging Him to pardon us, to grant us a fresh appli-
cation of the blood of sprinkling, and to speak peace to us, so that
we may be enabled to rejoice in Christ, though so cast down,
troubled, and distressed by the difficulties of the way, and groaning
under the body of sin and death, which frequently causes God to
hide His face from us.
^^ First." Sometimes it pleases the Lord, by deep affliction to
cause us to seek His kingdom ^* first."
•* He blasts our gonrds
And lays us low,"
and so embitters all in this life, that we feel there is none to whom
we can go for help or comfort but Himself ; all in this world fails.
And blessed be His name, when He is pleased so to sanctify
whatever trial He sends that we are led to flee to Him "first"
for all that we need, O how blessedly He appears for us, pour-
ing " oil and wine" into our wounds, unfolding the riches of His
love unto us, and granting us such sweet communion with Himself,
that all in this world appears as nothing in comparison with these
blessed rcfvelations of His love, faithfulness, compassion, and
power. O ye, who are troubled and tried, come " taste and see
that the Lord is good." Ask of Him, and He will give to you
liberally. He delights in our importunity, and will withhold no
good thing from us. Be not satisfied with walking at a distance
from Him. In Him there is healing balm for every wound, and
none but they who have proved Him can imagine how blessedly He
at times indulges His tried and tempted children with such rich
out-pourings of His love, that they are constrained with the apostle
Paul to glory in infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon
them.
268 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
Seek, then, " first" tlie kingdom of God, and beg of Him that
you may not be drawn from Him by an over anxious care respecting
the things of this life, nor by worldly conformity.
The blessing of God upon families, estates, business, and all
necessary things of this life will avail us far more than all the
thought or anxiety we can take. This blessing is frequently for-
feited by an undue care, which takes the "first" place instead of
the things of God; and then woe be to the liveliness of the soul,
growth in grace, or fruitf ulness in Divine things. Instead of this
we sink into a lukewarm state, like the Laodicean church, and con-
sider ourselves rich and increased in goods, and know not that we
are wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked. The gospel feasts,
whether in public or private, are neglected. Like those bidden to
the feast in the Word, some have "land,'* some "oxen,'' others
relatives that claim their attention ; and the diligently seeking
^' first" the kingdom of God and His righteousness is neglected.
It is forgotten that the promise is. Do this, and " all these things
shall be added unto you."
O that it may please God to put forth His power so abundantly
in His children, that they may arise and shake themselves from the
dust of sloth, worldly conformity, covetousness after this world's
goods, over-anxious care, or whatever besetting sin comes be-
tween God and our souls, or the seeking His kingdom " first" and
above all things.
May grace be given us daily to commit all that concerns us with
regard to this life into the hands of Him Whose promise is, " All
these things shall be added unto you."
Have we not abundant cause to testify of God's faithfulness to
His word hitherto ? Our path may not have been what we should
have chosen ; but God, Who is Love, has ordered every step of the
way in tenderest love. All the discipline has been needed to wean
us from ourselves^ from all around us, and to lead us to set our
hearts and affections on things above. And doubtless many of
God's children can join with the writer in desiring to bless Him
for His goodness in taking such pains with us, to keep us near unto
Himself; and we can truly testify that even a little communion
with Him far transcends the highest happiness this world can
afford. And the afflictions and trials of this life are light indeed
in comparison with what we enjoy in Him, and in walking with
Him day by day in faith, hope and love, and the enjoyment of that
peace which passe fch all understanding.
The furnace is bitterly trying to poor nature, but it is frequently
in those seasons that we are the most favoured with revelations of
the true riches, happiness, and consolation we possess in Christ, and
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
269
at times He so reveals Himself unto us that we long to be with Him
for ever, where sin will no longer mar all, but we shall be enabled to
love, praise, and adore Him for evermore, as we vainly desire to do
here.
May all His blood-bought family be enabled to cleave to Him
more fully, and to shun all those things which will draw us from
following Him "first." May we be very vigilant against our
adversary the devil, who goeth about seeking whom he may
devour, and frequently assails us in very specious ways to draw
us fi'om God; also be very watchful against the deceitfulness of
our hearts, seeking to God earnestly for daily — nay, hourly —
grace and strength, to "war a good warfare," that we may be
" more than conquerors through Him that loved us."
Truly mav we exclaim, " Lord, righteousness belongeth unto
Thee, but unto us confusion of face." We loathe and abhor our-
selves for our manifold iniquities when favoured with a view of
the Lord's pacification towards us, and we go to Him in all our
felt weakness, sinfulness, and helplessness, to beg Him to under-
take for us, and to enable us to show forth His praise, and so to
live to His honour and glory, that by our walk and conversation we
may testify that "wisdom's ways are ways of pleasantness, and
all her paths peace."
" The very God of peace sanctify fus) wholly ; and I pray God
(our) whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto
the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." Amen.
Iota.
GENTLE DISCIPLINE.
" Thy gentleness hath made me great.'' — Psalm xviii. 35.
A REPRINT.
Gently the Summer dews descend
O'er all the earth by night :
Gently the sunbeams, in the Spring,
I/iffuse their radiant Hght :
Gently the Winter Snowflakes fall,
Eobing in white the ground :
Gently the Autumn breezes blow,
When all is calm around.
But not in Nature's realm alone,
This influence we find ;
Our God by gentle discipline
Oft educates the mind.
The rushing wind, the raging storm.
The mighty hurricane,
Exhibit His resistless power,
And tell His wondrous Name.
But though we tremble as we hear
Through these His awful voice ;
More oft His tender tones of love
Bid every heart rejoice.
Gently He weans us from the world.
And love of earthly things :
Gently each treasure He withdraws.
To which our fond heart clings.
270
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
Gently each idol He removes,
From every cherished shrine :
Gently each tendril He unclasps,
Which we too closely twine.
Gently He checks our rising pride,
And curbs our vain self-will ;
Teaching us oft through faithful
friends,
Who thus His work fulfil.
Gentlv He leads each burdened soul.
And gives the weary rest ;
Gently the little ones He calls.
Ana clasps them to his breast.
Gently He lays his hand on some
Who fain would labour still ;
And whispers, " I would teach thee
now
To bear, not do. My will.
His gentle dealings with His own,
Soothe many an aching heart ;
Which else would find it hard to be&r
In faitii, its weary part.
Father ! we praise Thy Name for all
Thy gentle discipline :
Ne'er may we need a rougher call,
Our grateful love to win !
ECILA.
LOVED, WASHED, AND DIGNIFIED.
A Sermon by Mr. Grace,
Preached at Regent Street Chapel, City Road, London,
ON Sunday Morning, Oct. 12, 1848.
" Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in Hu
Own blood : and hath made us kinqs and priests unto God and Eis
Father; to Him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. — Kev.
i. 5, 6.
jHE words of my text form the song of the cliurcli militant
here below, at times, and furnish the church triumphant
above with that unceasing praise and adoration, not only
to Christ, the second person in the Trinity, or the Eternal
Son of God, but to each Person of the blessed Trinity — one God,
Who is Father, Son and Holy Ghost — one God in essence.
Now, it appears from the scriptures of truth, from what is
recorded here, that there was a needs-be that John the Divine, — who
is so called, I suppose, to make a distinction between him and John
the Baptist, — that this man should be banished to the Isle of Patmos
to have a revelation of the things of God concerning the church of
God to the end of the world ; and, if I recollect right, John was
cast into a cauldron of boiling oil and came out unhurt. Now, dear
friends, it is very evident to me that a man's life is preserved until
God has accomplished all things that He has intended by him, and
he is immortal till his day and generation work is done.
** Plagues and deaths around me fl/,
Till He bids I cannot die ;
Not a single shaft can lut
Till the God of love sees fit."
And not only was it true that John's spiritual life was preserved;
but his natural life was preserved also ; and therefore they thought
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 271
if they could not kill him they would banish him to Patmos ; but
that could not be done without the permissive will of God. No,
no ; in that Isle it was that John was to have the favoured revela-
tion of the things of God. Now this should afford us some con-
solation. If John was preserved in the cauldron of boiling oil ; if
Daniel was preserved in the den of lions ; if Shadrach, Meshach,
and Abednego were preserved in the fiery furnace ; '^ think it not
strange/' beloved, '^concerning the fiery trial'' of your faith, '*as
if some strange thing had happened unto you." You know the
promise of God stands to you now, as much as ever it did to the
patriarchs of old : '^ When thou passest through the waters, I will be
with thee ; and through the floods, they shall not overflow thee,"
&c. And why is it that all the elect are sometimes put into the
furnace ? Sometimes we have a variety of things outwardly and
inwardly ; but when I am brought to this consideration, — ^that there
is not an inward conflict or an outward trial I have but what is
ordained of God, it has often afforded me consolation in these
things. He sits as a refiner, and you know we are His property—
His gold — and not one particle of it shall be destroyed, because the
refftier knows the very time when the metal must come out of the
crucible: and so does our blessed Master. He knows when He
will bring out a vessel fit for the Master's use : and it is not to
purge us from our sins, as dear Kent says ; no, but to purge us
from our dross, —
** They were nmnbered
On the Scapegoat's head of old."
Now, some people make so much of their aflSictions, as if they
were meritorious. No, no ; I have merited all the aflSictions I have
had by my sins ; but the blessed Jesus is the only atonement and
only satisfaction that has been tnade to law and justice for all the
' sins of the church of the living God.
Time would fail me, or any talented man, to preach to the full
extent of the text I have got before me : " Unto Him that loved us
and washed us from our sins in His Own blood," &c.
Why, look ; there is a volume contained in every word. But
the blessedness of it is this ; when we are enabled to adopt the
language and say, " Who loved me ;" " Who loved us," as John
includes himself in the ^' us."
I. — Now, first, it will be necessary to speak of character — the
character of those who put in their claim to this ^* us." If I have
strength to speak a little about character, it will be no new doctrine.
No ; I know, dear friends, you have not only Christ preached here
in the fulness of His salvation, but also you know what it is to
have the creature debased, and to be laid low in the dust ; because
272 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
if we never know what it is to be laid low in the dust we shall
never stand in need of washing. Xow, if I have a people
before me — and I dare say I have some — a people who have
never had the carnal enmity slain ; well, friends, if you have not,
you cannot heartily assent to the doctrines of grace. You may say
tlie doctrines of grace and election are very harsh doctrines. Why
now say you, Is it to be credited that ever Grod should make
creatures, and leave them to be damned ? When things come to
be ])ut in such a way as this, there is that in the human mind that
revolts at it. But, fi*iends, let me put it in such a way as that it
will be more palatable, — I mean, that it will not so much, grate on
your ears.
Now, when Grod put Adam in the garden of Eden, he told hira
the day he ate of the fruit of the tree of knowledge of good and
evil, in that day he should die. Well, he did eat of the trtje, and
did die spiritually, and the image of God was lost in him, and the
image of the deWl stamped on him. Now God would have been
just if He had damned all the world : but it was His sovereign
pleasure to set His love on a certain portion and part of the
human race before ever Adam fell ; and, therefore, remember it is
an act of sovereign grace that even any should escaue the punish-
ment due to us. Well, then, what becomes of the others ? They
were left in the ruins of the fall, and there they are now. Some
people seem to think it not right to speak of the doctrine of repro-
bation, as well as of the doctrine of election. They are both set
forth in the scriptures of truth. But if you were to take an hour
to talk about it, if God chooses to take one and leave another, are
we to arraign Him at our bar, and say, '^ What doest Thou ?'' In
Romans ix. you read : " Nay, but man, who art thou that repliest
against God ? shall the thing fai*med say to Him that formed it,
Why hast Thou made me thus ? Hath not the potter power over
the clay, of the same lump to make one vessel unto honour, and
another unto dishonour ? What if God, willing to show Hia
wrath and to make His power known, endured with much long^
suffering the vessels of wrath fitted to destruction." The one is
fitted to destruction and the other is appointed to eternal glory.
And shall we ask and say, " Why hast Thou done this ?" My dear
friends, when sovereign and electing love takes hold of poor sinners
here, yon see, we are all dead in trespasses and sins ; but yet, ac-
cording to the eternal purposes of Jehovah, pivdestinated to eternal
life ; and we find it runs in the glorious chain of salvation : " Far
whom He did foreknow. He also did predestinate to be conformed
to the image of His Son. Moreover, whom He did predestinate, them
He also (^ed ; and whom He called, them He also justified ; and
THE GOSPDL ADVOCATE. 273
'whom He justified, them He also glorified." So that our fflorifica-
tion is also connected with and arises from the foreknowledge of
God, and His love that emanated from Himself from everlasting.
^' Having loved His Own that were in the world," blessed be Grod,
•** He loves them to the end." Thus, though it does not appear so
a>t times, those that He predestinated to eternal life are also pre-
destinated to eternal glorification.
Now, in their original condition there is no difference between
the elect and the non-elect ; and here it is where God fir»t mani-
fests that choice which, as one quaint author says, " He loved His
people with a dateless love." There is no date to God\s love ; for
*' He appeared of old" to Jeremiah, "saying. Yea, I have loved
thee with an everlasting love." While I was meditating last even-
ing a little upon the word "everlasting," I felt we didn't take suflB-
cient notice of such a word. We look at it ; but we doa't suffi-
ciently consider it. It never can be lessened ; never can be lost.
When you and I have no sense of the love of God, yet remember,
there is no alteration of His love to us — it beats the same for ever
and ever. This love was manifest first in the eternal council of
peace, that was settled in eternity. Now, when we come to go
back to the ancient settlements of God, — that is, the covenant
transactions between the Three Blessed Persons of the Holy Trinity,
we see the manifestation of this love. God the Father gave His
people to His Son. p]qual love was manifested by God the Son ;
as it is set forth in Isaiah vi. : " WTiom shall I send, and who will
go for us ? And the prophet said. Here am I, send Me." He that
redeems His bride. His church, which He had accepted at the hand
of His Father, that in time the whole of our sins should be removed,
a»nd He would render perfect satisfaction, and justice should bs
satisfied for every sin that the church of God should ever commit
as long as there is a church in the world.*
These are some of the things that were done before there was
time. . God foreknew — foresaw — that Adam, as a free agent to
istand before God, would fall, and therefore provision was made.
These are some of the things that you often hear in this place, and
not only here, but I daresay in other places ; and blessed it is to
hear them — but more so to receive them in the heart. You may
have all t^e knowledge of this in your judgment and not a particle
-pf it in your experience. Oh, are you an experimental man ? I am.
And if you have not an experimental knowledge of these in your
eonscience, they will never bring salvation to your soul. I first
begin with that verse that Brewer has written in his " Hiding-
"• This may properly be termgd an adaptation rather than an interpretation of
the words in Isaiah yi.
274 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
place/^ You know, he speaks there of having no hiding-place
at all: —
•* But thus the eternal council ran, —
Almighty love ! arrest that man ;
I felt the arrows uf distress.
And found I had no hiding place."
Oh, my dear friends, that the Lord might condescend of H»
goodness and mercy to grant that some poor sinner coming here
this morning, knowing nothing of himself or of firod, might knoir
something of the goodness of God, by sending an arrow of con-
viction dipped in blood to arouse them. If you read Ephesians ii.,
there you will have it explained. In the first chapter the character
is spoken of. The apostle says : " Blessed be the Grod and Father
of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath blessed us with all spiritual
blessings in heavenly places in Christ, according as He hath chos«i
us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be
holy and without blame before Him in love. Having predestinated
us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ unto Himself, ac-
cording to the good pleasure of His will."
Well, now, take the second chapter, at the beginning, and the
apostle says : " And you." Who ? Paul. You that were ''chosen
in Christ before the foundation of the worid!" You that were
'^ predestinated unto the adoption of children." '' You hath He
quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins." " Wherein in
time past ye walked according to the course of this world, accord-
ing to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh
in the children of disobedience. Among whom also," and so on.
Again, " and were by nature the children of wrath even as others.'^
But now comes such a sweet verse, that has sometimes so brought
me to a stand, that I have wondered with holy admiration : " But
God, Who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved
us even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with
Christ. By grace ye are saved." Look, my dear friends, look !
Loved us before we had a being in the world ; when dead in tres-
passes and sins, loved us ; and in open manifestation of this love,
" quickened us together with Christ. By grace ye are saved.^*
Now here begins the first evidence of that love. Well then, wj
dear friends, if your enquiry is : Am I really and truly one of thoaa^
characters that are chosen to eternal life, and awakened, calledi
and quickened by God the Holy Ghost; one that is coming and
fleeing to Him by the love of God ? recollect you may want the
internal evidence of it, and yet have it. Now I consider that the
first awakening is neither more nor less than raising a poor sinner
to newness of life in Christ Jesus. For if you go to the third
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 275
-chapter of John you, will see what our Lord says to Nicodemus :
**' Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God/^
This is an infusion of life to a soul dead in trespasses and sins. I
do very much like to bring out some of these little ones, that have
scarcely got their eyes open. You know in the church of God there
-are babes that cannot digest strong food. That I am a quickened soul,
sliall I ever know, sir ? they ask. That has been the grand thing with
Tne, — ^to know if I have even been a recipient or partaker of that
life recorded in the word of God. Now, recollect, it is from the
&,vour, grace and love of Him, that we have been convinced of sin ;
and this will be evidenced. For instance ; there is no such thing
as breathing in a dead body. Well, so a person that is dead in
trespasses and sins never breathes after God ; for their language is,
^' We desire not Thee, or the knowledge of Thy ways." And the
evidence of life is the breathing and desire after God. Now you
know as well as I do what is the evidence of life in a new-born
child. ^' Is it alive ?" we inquire. O yes, it is alive ; it breathes.
Furthermore, there is not only breathing, but something of the cry
of the Spirit in the heart. Presently we have a full proof that the
child lives, for it cries. And you find when the Lord sends an
arrow of conviction into the heart of a poor sinner dead in trespasses
arn d sins, there is a cry. What cry is it ? A cry for mercy. Observe S aul
of Tarsus. I haye no hesitation in saying that man could make long
prayers, in public and private too ; and yet he never prayed with
ihe understanding till quickened by God the Holy Ghost. Do you
think, then, that the prayers of the unregenerate are not acceptable
to God ? We are told in scripture — and I take that as my guide —
thst " the sacrifice of the wicked is an abomination to the Lord.'*
fTo he continued, J
ENDURING GOODNESS.
^* The goodness of God endureth continually.'* Psalm lii. 1.
OWEVER firm the belief in this truth on the part of the Lord's people
may be, in a general way, it is only by the arising of special incidents
that their faith in it is confirmed. That " goodness," which in grace
-quickens and convinces their souls, and leads them to the opened
VOUNTAiN for purification, is also engaged in every movement of providence
in sustaining and preserving. The bountiful care and never-sleeping eye
of a coyenant God ministers to every absolute need, and guards and fences
from impending evil.
The recent serious accident (so-called)on the Great Eastern Railway
276 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
between Cambridge and Ely exhibits this, when the down express w»
thrown off the rails throujrh a piece of iron which had been broken off and
cast from a previous up- train. Many wi re seriously injured, and one has
since died, yet in the midst of the calamity ** the iroodness of God " was
most conspicuous towards some who ** in the Lord,'' and by the ties of
loiij? friendship are very dear to us both at Littleport, in the Isle of Elj^
and at Portsmouth. We take the liberty of inserting the following aocooni
lis written by our esteemed friend CommanHer Key shortly after the
ac?cident occurred :
The first sign of the accident was the break being applied suddenly, thafc
our cai-riago being so stopped as to throw us forward showed something
wna wiong. The carriage then jumped off the line and tilted partly on its
side, when we heard a crashing and unusual noise, the carriage behind oars
crushing into ours and pressing the back seat and partition upon us bat
not so as to iam us. The relief when hU was at rest was f2:reat. Finding
tlic door fixed I jumped out of the window, and with the help of a man
lifted out my wife, nurse and children. Care was quickly taken to stop
trains both 'ways. I then went to help the hurt ones, many of whom I
iH)uld hear gn)aning. All were quickly got out and laid on the grass at
the sides. The train was completely wrecked except a few near carriages.
The engine and tender were on their side in a wet ditch, the carriages
iieaivst to the engine were on their sides and across the line : our carriage
seiMued annihilated one side, the next one being inside it. When [ returned
to it for our small luggaije I had to enter it from the back through the
yap made. I was indeed ai!hasi at the sight of it. A few feet more mast
have killeil or seriously injured us all. I walked along the train raised
my hands and praiseil and blessed the Lord for His goodness. I spent my
time in re^H'uting simple gos^K^ truths to the wounded and giving stimu-
lants and refivshmenis. General and Canon Brereton had their legs badly
bivken, a Mr, and Mrs. Oushin.:. whc> with two children were going tobaiy
his mother in Norfolk, had their legs also badly broken, children not hurt. A
dentist of Cambridge and a divtor of Lynn deserve mnch praise for un-
wcariiHl exertions in binding up wonnds and setting broken joints of
ti^lKnv passet\gi^rs. Shirt* were torn up, cnshions cot open and parts of
oar«*iiViics were us^\l ti>r splints and ^^dmsr. *c, fi>r joints. Several snf-
tx>rTHl gn>at |Miin. The accident ix.'carred ahoat 6.45 p.m. and abontfonr mileft
8.N\\ \^f hly» a\Hl Ivforv dark trains came from both ways with workmeo
and a dvx^tor, and bv dusk x\\^ woi^t cases, that is, four men and one
\^oman« were plavxvi in a gaarvVs van for Cambridge and the lesser harts^
i^noh a* btx^ken arms. eu;s. bmise*, *o , were helped into the train tor Ely.
Oar nur^\ Mary Brown, and [ wvni wish the injured to Canibridge. When
tlH^ri' txir\> tram oars with ihi? class bn>keuoac onesideaod the wuodworkof tbfr
w indow* <ut aw^y woiv u«si wi4.. a spring oarj forcarrving ihenoi to Addea-
bi\H^k<^*s IK^spita*. alvut onoand a halt xi.es. I was wi:h them there till about
twehe and saw the sur^jioal :ry>a;mer.:. when I left with our passenger
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 277
doctor and dentist (Dr. Rowell and Mr. Geo. Cunnindiam) for refresh-
ment at an hotel and to sleep, our nurse also. Our feelinjrs during this
3readfal scene were varied. In the accident both Mrs Key and I were sup-
Sorted by a sense of God*8 providential care, but spiritually 1 was much
epressed from the sad scene of misery entailed by sin on sinful man.
This was enhanced by the want of response to the .c^ospel truths which I
spoke to the sufferers. The power of Satan over both matter and spirit is
evidently permitted by God, as in the case of Job, chap. i.l2 ; Christ Himself,
Luke xxii. 53 ; and the poor woman in Luke xiii. 1 6. I found some relief on
enterino: the hospital ward and reading: ** Christ our Peace" in larjje letterson
the wall. After a short night's ref?t I rose early, and after soraewrestlinj? in
prayer with the Lord, had a sweet experience of His peace in my soul, with
B firiBsh dedication of all I am and have to His service. The line was
cleared and repaired in the ni.eht — the rails had been torn up and bent —
BQd by morning train 1 travelled to Ely and on to Littleport over the same
spot. My wife suffered a sharp bruise in the back, but is asrain up and
BJ)oat. The children, thougrh much frightened, are now perfectly happy
and bright as usual. I would add, that my hat, which was on the seat
Bt the time, was so jammed between the next carriage and the fore part
of ours that I could not get it away. May the Lord teach us all the
lessons necessary by this severe ordeal, and bless it to all
Yours, &c.,
July 31, 1882. Ben. H. Key.
To the above may be added that our beloved friend, Mr. Joseph Martin,
who was in the same train, had an equally narrow escape of life and
limb, being only a little bruised near the knee. Now as we contemplate
the terrible scene which such an occurrence necessarily creates, how forcibly
does it remind us of our constant dependence upon the Lord in all our
goings out and comings in, while it demonstrates that His ** goodness
endureth continually." Never in this world will all the hair-breadth
escapes of travellers by rail be known even by themselves. Overwearied
signalmen and pointsmen, a flaw in the heavily- taxed machinery, and many
other causes contribute to imperil life ; and only the watchful eye, and
omnipotent hand of Jehovah could amid all these " hold our soul in life,
and suffer not our feet to be moved," even in a natural sense. To His
ever-enduring " goodness" we owe all our mercies in this life : and if to
them we can add the blessings of salvation and justification in Christ
Jesus, a good hope through grace, and the sure prospect of li^e everlasting,
it is our unspeakable privilege to belong to that elect number, of whom it
is written : " Happy is that people, that is in such a case ; yea, happy is
that people, whose God is the Lord," Psalm cxHv. 15. The Lord richly
sanctify all His dispensations to us.
The Editor.
278 TOE GOSPEL ADVOCATB.
THE LORiyS MANIFESTATIONS.
121, High Street, Gosport, April 9th, 1880.
My dear friends in the best of Friends,
I do not forget you, though you have not heard from me in
answer to yours, which is always welcome to your junior in years
and in grace.
I wrote to Mr. Ormiston for the book some time since, but have
received no reply. And now I would humbly desire to write a few
lines, hoping that He Whose words are words of life noiay be pleased
to communicate a word in season to your souls. He knows just the
spot we are in, and what is suitable to our present want. And we
know that a word fitly spoken in the heart by His Spirit, is " like
apples of gold in baskets of silver .^^ As Jeremiah said : '^ lliy words
were found and I did eat them, and Thy word was unto me the joy and
rejoicing of my heart." And the sweet psalmist knew the same
blessed secret. He said, " How sweet are Thy words unto my
taste ; yea, sweeter than honey unto my mouth.^*
My dear friends aiid their unworthy brother are not ignorant of
the sweetness of His word when it comes fresh from His lips ; for
His kisses are sweet kisses. I wish they would oftener come; ''for
His love is better than wine.^^ Alas ! He keeps distant, and stands
afar off, so that I have to say, ^' How long. Lord ? Why hidest
Thou Thy face ? Why art Thou so far from helping me ? When
wilt Thou come unto me.'^ And if He gives a touch, or a knock,
and I rise to open to Him He is gone, and I return to my own
place again. Sometimes, while speaking I am favoured with life
and feeling, and can speak with some authority, and do hope the
Lord is pleased to bless His truth from my poor lips; but in private
prayer I seldom find access ; and this tries me, because this is one
of the blessedest privileges of a christian ; and having knovm
through mercy the sweetness of finding liberty at a throne of grace,
it pains the soul to get no audience. " Therefore, I charge you,
daughters of Jerusalem, if ye find my Beloved, that ye tell Him,
that I am sick of love;" or, as we sometimes say, '^Love-sick."
I have no doubt there is a cause for His absence ; He has such an
intimate knowledge of us, and of our sins of omission and com-
mission, that He sees it needful and for our profit to stand behind
our wall. Oh, that He would show flimself through the lattice
and grant a glimpse now and then of His loveliness ! so that we
may know that He is only waiting His time to reveal Himself more
^conspicuously to our hearts.
It is our mercy to know that
** Whom once He loves He never leaves,
But loves them to the end."
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 279^
Accept Mrs. Hammond's love and best wishes to you both and
^ Miss Colbrook, and from e
Yours in the faith of the Gospel of God,
- Mr. G. Oakshott. Alfred Hakmond.
FRATERNAL GOOD-WILL.
July 19th, 1882.
Dear Sir, — We rejoice greatly that the friends have proved their
high esteem which they have for your labours among them. You
are certainly highly favoured of the Lord in putting you over a
people whose hearts He has opened to receive the truth in the love
of it, — fruit-bearing branches ; quite an honour to your ministry,
proving their faith by their work ; gladdening your heart, causing
you to rejoice that your labours have not been in vain in the Lord.
The pastures which you have been privileged to lead them into
prove to be good, and not mixed with poisonous errors; — ^not
''another gospel, which is not another ;*^ but the true, everlasting
gosj)el of the grace of God — Christ crucified : " to the Jews a
stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness ; but to them who
are saved Christ the power of God, and Christ the wisdom of God.^^
" How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him that
Ijublisheth peace ; that bringeth good tidings of joy ; that pub-
isheth salvation ; that saith unto Zion, Thy God reigneth." How
do the mountains flow down at His presence ; the thunders of
mount Sinai silence when He cometh forth, proclaiming liberty to
the captives ; the prison doors fly open when the great Law-fulfiUer
and Sin-at oner manifests Himself; the darkness disperses when the
glorious Light of the World breaks in upon the poor benighted
one. " Sing, O heavens ; and be joyful, O earth ; and break forth
into singing, O mountains, for the Lord hath comforted His people,
and will have mercy on His afflicted." For the afflicted people He
will save; but will bring down the high looks of the proud. "O
give thanks unto the Lord, for His mercy endureth for ever. Let
the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom He hath redeemed from
the hand of the enemy, and gathereth them out of the land ; from
the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south.
They wandered in the wilderness in a solitary way ; hungry and
thirsty, their soul fainted in them. Then they cried unto
the Lord in their trouble, and He delivered them out of their
distresses.^' Sinai's thunders alarm them; Zion's arms embrace them.
We unite in sincere christian love to yourself, Mrs. Baxter, and
family, and friends.
Yours in bonds never to be broken,
A Village Pastoe.
-280
THE GOSPEL APVOCATB.
FUTURE KNOWLEDGE.
" Wkat I do thon hnoxceat not notv, but thou shall Tcnow here- '
after.^^ John.
Hereafter, — yes 'tis hidden now,
Clouds rise, mists intervene,
Hereafter we shall surely know
What now cannot be seen.
These pensive sighs, these gloomy days.
The aching of this heart
Will one day end in loudest praise :
** We know now but in part."
We see things in a riddle now,
And judge from sense and sight :
Hereafter we shall humbly bow
And own God's way was right.
What Jesus does we often scan
Through unbelieving teais :
Hereafter when we see His plan.
We'll wonder at our fears.
And though we won-y and rebel.
Hereafter, oft we prove
Our Jesus doeth all things well ;
His dealings are in love.
Those very clouds we fear to mfet,
That rise hke swelling woes.
Are but the dust beneath His feet
He scatters as He goes.
Brighton.
He often on these clouds doth nde,
Some blessing to convey.
And while he doth some purpose hide,
'Tis thus He takes His way.
Then walking in the dark, down here
We grope our path along,
And full of anxious care and fear
Think all God's dealings wrong.
But He is working in the light,
And we poor creatures try
To judge with our short feeble sight
The God that dwells on high.
Forgive our follies, God of love !
And still each rising fear,
Till we shall the "hereafter" pro^e
In endless light up there.
And when our doubts and fears arise,
And sighs heave from our breast,
Oh come and bring before our eyes
That land of endless rest.
And as by faith we get a view
Of that ''hereafter" bliss,
'Twill cheer our hearts and help m
through
This thorny wilderness.
AlDYL.
EGYPT AND THE WAK.
OW strange it seems that England should now be in collision
with the ancient land of the pyramids and the sphynx!
That the land whicli occupies so wide an extent in
the pages of Holy Writ, and according to its predictions
has become " the basest of kingdoms/' so that it was not to
^^ exalt itself any more/' (Ezek. xxix. 15), should now be
the centre of interest ; and that the people who, for the space
of about 2,400 years, according to prophecy, have been with-
out a native princely ruler, and subject to the sceptre of
a race of slaves, (Zech. x. 11), should be in conflict
with one of the greatest of modem nations is something surely
very extraordinary. It must be attributed by those who abide by
the testimony of the Scriptures, and are not led away by the dis-
traction of contentious politicians, to the hand of the Lord; of
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 281
'Whom it is written : " He doeth according to His will in the army
of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth : and none can
stay His hand, and say unto Him, What doest Thou?'' Dau.iv. 35.
To trace the details of the rise, course, and fall of this most
-wonderful of all historical countries, would require more space and
time than we have to spare. Nebuchadnezzar crippled its acquired
l>oundaries ; Persia under Cambyses conquered it. Alexander the
Crreat ruled it with a rod of iron. Rome swayed the sceptre over
it ; and after a series of humiliating changes it became subject to
t>he power of Turkey and Mohammedan rule. And, if the declaration
of those who appear capable of judging is received, it is the religion
of the false prophet that has largely to do with the present impor-
tant disturbance of order and serious hostilities.
By a singular coincidence the rise of Mohammedanism was nearly
contemporaneous with that of the Papacy, and (as we showed some
time ago in several articles) the latter in its image-idolatry became-
the chief suiFerer from the precepts of the Koran being carried out
-with tribute, fire, and sword by the fierce followers of Mohammed.
These two flagrant impostures have been the curse and scourge of
so-called Christendom for over 1200 years, and it would seem that
the dominion of either was not to last more than 1260. That t he-
power to compel nations by war to submit to the pope*s decrees was
troken in 1866 by the great victory of Prussia over Austria, and
confirmed by that of (rermany over France in 1870, none can justly
deny. And if A.D. 606 be reckoned as the time of the Papacy's
definite arising with Universal pretensions the 2G0 years expired
in 18()(>. And if Mohammedanism arose in definite form in A.D.
622, the 1260 years would bring us to the present year 1882. We
merely offer this as a suggestion.
It would seem that at the present time there is a prevalent feel-
ing" among the Mohammedans that the waning power and in-
fluence of their religion is to be speedily restored by the appearance
among them of one whom they call a Mudhi, or Right Director.
And a certain Sheikh Ahmed, who resides at Mecca, and assumes
to belong to the family of Mohammed, has issued a fiery address in
which he assumes to have received a vision and revelation from the
prophet imparting to him a mission of reform, and which has, it is
asserted, been circulated largely in Asia Minor. Nor can any yet
tell the course that Arabi (the great leader with whom our armies
have to deal), or the Sultan of 'JMrkey, whose sympathies are
suspected to be with him, may yet take ; Moslem fanaticism has long
looked with a jealous eye on the growing wealth and influence of
England and nominally christian natives, in contrast with its own
diminished authority ; for Kgypt herself has shared in the benefits
282 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
arising from intercourse with Europe, notwithstanding the still de-
graded condition of her people ; and were Arabi to prevail, it is
believed that it would be the triumph of Mohammedanism, and that
degradation would be tenfold increased among the lower orders of
Egypt, with the ruin of all the prosperity that has resulted from
Western enterprise.
It will therefore be remarkable if England is to be the cliief
means of this blow to Islamism. And the recent refusal of the
Lascars to go in our ships to Egypt shows how they view Britain's
position and conduct : though it may be justly doubted whether
our Government have the slightest idea of the nature of their
undertaking, or are in the slightest way concerned to bring about
such a result, further than commercial interests are concerned. We
know that the major part of Liberals and Conservatives would
rather help than injure Popery, and that they would take one step
willingly to work out Jehovah's purposes on Islamism is more than
we credit them with : especially with the fact before our eyes that in
India, the various Governments in office were long opposed to everj
effort to suppress the gross idolatry coupled with Hindooism. No:
it is too much to expect carnal men — nominal professors of
Christianity though they may be — to do anything that is for the
glory of the kingdom of the Lord Jesus and the accomplishment
of Jehovah's purposes. But believers should look above and
beyond human agency. The present war (so far as the motives of
those who have to carry it on are concerned) may be unjust or
otherwise. This cannot invalidate the fact that '^the Lord is a
Man of War,'' and He is determined to "fulfil all His counsel." We
may justly condemn or approve, as the circumstances require, the
actions of our rulers, but let us at the same time watch what is
wrought by the Lord. through them as instruments.
It is an interesting truth that, while the most ancient of all the
nations of the earth has, according to prophecy, been shorn of aD
its ancient splendour and power, there is not a line in the Bible that
predicts its utter extermination, like that of Babel. While infidelity
grows proud in its assumed triumphs over Revelation, Egypt and
the Jews confront it with an invulnerable phalanx of evidence.
All that was written of the abasement yet miraculous preservati<w
of them has thus far come to pass. And what of their future f
What mean the words of the prophet ; " In that day shall five
cities in the land of Egypt speak the language of Canaan, and
swear to the Lord of hosts ; one shall be called. The city of de-
struction. In that day shall there be an altar unto the Lord in the
midst of the land of Egypt, and a pillar at the border thereof to
the Lord. And it shall be for a sign and for a witness unto the
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 28^
Itord of liosts in the land of Egypt ; for they shall cry unto the
[iord because of the oppressors, and He shall send them a Saviour,
knd a great one, and He shall deliver them. And the Lord shall
be known to Egypt, and the Egyptians shall know the Lord in that
lay, and shall do sacrifice and oblation; yea, they shall vow a vow
into the Lord, and perform it. And the Lord shall smite Egypt ;
tte shall smite and heal it : and they shall return even to the Lord,
uid He shall be intreated of them and shall heal them. In that
lay shall there be a highway out of Egvpt to Assyria, and the
&jssyrian shall come into Egypt, and the Egyptian in Assyria, and
the Egyptians shall serve with the Assyrians. In that day shall
[srael be the third with Egypt and with Assyria, even a blessing in
she midst of the land : whom the Lord of hosts shall bless, saying,
'* Blessed be Egypt My people, and Assyria the work of My hands,
ind Israel Mine inheritance," Isa. xix. 18-25.
Two stages in the history of the past have been regarded as
Ealfilling all the above. 1st : the three centuries before Christ
irhen numbers of Egyptians became proselytes to the Jewish re-
ligion and the Old Testament Scriptures were translated into
ffreek by Egyptian Jews, and an altar to the Lord erected in the
land. 2nd : the Pentecostal era, after the deatb and glorification
jf the Saviour, when Egypt and the region of Assyria largely
jhared in the blessings of the Gospel together with the Jews.
But there may be reserved a third era, now not far off, when the
glorious Gospel of Christ shall pervade Egypt and the vast district
in Asia where imperious Assyria once dictated to all the nations
And peoples known to her. We dare not assume to prophesy : our
adm will be attained if this brief article leads the Lord's people
k> look for the further development of that approaching Kingdom
>f their Bedeemer, which they pray to come, and that with speed.
The Editor.
THEOLOGY IN AMERICA.
A DIALOGUE BETWEEN JONATHAN AND JOSEPH.
^ONATHAN, the American schoolman, being very desirous
that Joseph should be taught theology, sends him a
periodical entitled the "Pittsburg Christian Advocate,"
containing the rules and doctrines of the American Methodist
Episcopal Church, the reading of which gave rise to the following
dialogue between Jonathan and Joseph.
Jonathan (to Joseph) — How happy I am to be privileged with an
opportunity of communicating my thoughts to you, feeling truly
interested in your spiritual welfare. I shall now avail myself of that
284 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
1 have long wished for, namely, — to discuss a few topics with yon
relative to the doctrines of Methodism. I guess you won't be
otfended, will you, Joseph ? Now, Joseph, there is oue thing I
wish to impress upon your mind. One branch of our theology »
" Human Accountableness /' which you will do well in examining
1 guess you know that we are all free agents, and endowed witl
ability to discern Ijetween virtue and vice. That it is for man him-
self to decide whether, in the use of his reason and conscience aiid
the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, he shall build up for himself*
destiny of blessedness, or whether, perverting those attributes, he
shall go forth to a destiny of ruin.
JoHe.i)h — Well, Jonathan, in plain terms, 1 envy not your position.
You talk of " reason and conscience," and before that you set npa
poor fallen dead sinner (Kphes. ii. 1) as a god, to decide his own
destiny. Human reason is as blind as a bat (Deut. xxviii. 29), and
you trust it with the important helm to watch your eternal interests;
having consigned your ship and cargo into the hands of blind
" reason" and a natural ^' conscience." Thc^ latter is only a natural
monitor, which can be bribed (1 Sam. viii. 3 ; Amos v. 12), and you
left as a wreck drifted on the sands of delusions (Isaiah Ixvi. 4;
2 Thess. ii. 11). JJesides, are you aware, Jonathan, that a "natural
man discerneth not the things of the Spirit of God V^ (1 Cor. ii. 14).
And hero you set him forth as a man endowed with abilitv and
disc(Tnment in all s])iritnal things, although the scriptures tell yon
positively that " tlic^ dead know not anything" (Eccles. ix. 5). And
tlien, to mak(^ the case look a little better, you ' tack^ upon blind
'* reason" and natural " conscience," " and the gospel of the Lord
Jesus Christ." This reminds me of an old ship, wrecked ^vitiiI
the precincts of a })lnce called Kden, the firm of which, I beliew,
is as old as Adam that lay claim to her. However, they were deter
mined to mak(^ her sea-wcn'thv (nice more, and from that davtotte
have n(»v(T ceased ])ainting her and caulking her (2 Kings ix.oO;
fler. iv. 'M)). T\w paint blisters and spoils, and the caulking material
used to stop up the leakage is called filthy i*ags (Is. Ixiv. 6); but of
course you would not like that any party should directly charge yon
with tliis, and therefore beg a favour (making your own propositions,
which is very natural to natui-al men), namely, *^ We will eat ow
own bread, and wear our own apparel; only let us be called by Tky
name to take away our repreach" (Is. iv. 1). " Vii-tue" is saidtobe
a moral goodm^HS which a natural person (so inclined) may acquin".
by dint of perseveranct*. And in this wonderful progression, h*"
Hliall build up for himself "a destiny of blessedness^' upon his own
Handv foundation, a description of which is given in the following
worclH : such people "shall be likened unto a foolish man, which
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 285
iNiilt his bouse upon the sand ; and the rain descended and the
fl«,»ods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house, and
it fell; and great was the fall of it" (Matt. vii. 26, 27).
Jonathan — Mj dear friend, when I commenced this topic, it was
not my intention to enter into an analysis of the doctrines (not
m detail), but to give you some of the leading features. I think
you omitted to cut me a sUce out of the last few words in my
paragraph in your running comment. But listen to me, Joseph,
And who would not rather assume the risks of such a constitution
than be without its possibility ? Who would not rather pass on-
^rard to the skies by his own pi*eference, and in the expenditure of
<mU practical personal diligence, than to be arbitrarily lifted into
iiie enjovment of the hoiLse not made with hands, eternal in the
keavens ? Is it well and essential that Divine grace dispose and
assist us in the way of righteousness ? but for even Divine grace to
compel us along the path to immortality would be to do violence to
oor nature ; to divest our course of all virtue, and to preclude all
liigh reward. \'erily, it is sweet to be free. There is genuine
Inxury in the assurance that we own ourselves — ^that only God is
greater than we ; and that He respects the manhood He has cou-
ferreA upon us. The power of determining our own ways, and
constructing our own characters, and mapping out our own future,
is not to be lightly esteemed, or bghtly surrendered.
Joseph — I have a few words to offer you in return, my friend,
^which I hope will have their effect. I always avoid, if I can, an
argument for mere argument's sake, ^^y, Jonathan, where have
you been to learn these erroneous doctrines. Not in the Bible;
nor at a throne of grace. WTiere, then ? In your colleges, where
you make bishops by scores, and parsons by hundreds. Where
men learn to preach as parrots learn to talk, and give lectures upon
* Telegraphs,' ' Railways,' * Art and Science,' ^ Botany,^ 'Anatomy,'
^Astronomy,* 'Physiology,' 'Phrenology,' 'Geology,' 'Philosophy,'
Ac. And when you profess to be master of all these arts, you fail
ilien, if you cannot clothe your sermon in the gorgeous robes of
eloquent politics, — and you know 'tis impossible to climb up into
your " holy orders" in any other way. And I may truly add that,
flbonld you fail to attain to this state of "American Methodist
perfection," as sure as you live, Jonathan, your " piece of bread"
may lie on the shelf untd it is mouldy ere you get put into a
^' priest^s oflice." Well, my friend, if I omitted something in my
last reply, I will try to remember you in this. You say. "And
'who would not rather assume the risk of such a constitution, than
l>e without its possibilities." It appears from these words, your
■mlvation is a matter of speculation ; an assumption of risks — a trade
286 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
of uncertainties — a foolish virgin lamp-profession — no oil in the
vessel (Matt. xxv. 3.) Aye, to be sure ; but you can soon rectify
that by saying, " I go sir/' as you abound with oil wells. And
besides, what an honour it must be to you to go " a warfare at your
own charge," and "pass onwards to the skies by his own p^efe^
ence." And what an advantage you have on your side. "Who
would not rather pass onward" in their own strength, and espe-
cially being their own choice, towards — if not " to the skies" — if to
only have it said, after his decease, " He worked hard /^ "he strove
well 'y^ "wonderful in the means /' " see what an amount of good
he did;" "how strict he was in keeping our rules;" "what a
pattern of moral virtue;" " he must have eaten the ten command-
ments ;^^ " but somehow he grew dark in these things at the last."
And no wonder, for even unto this day, when Moses is read the veil
is upon their heart (2 Cor. iii. 15).
But while you glory in having made your choice, Jonathan, God's
people glory in Him Who made choice of them (Ephes. i. 4). And
with all your boast "in the expenditure of all practical personal diH^
gence" to obtain — not a prize, because you strive unlawfully, but— a
blank ! Which is not the case with those whom Jesus " loved with
an everlasting love," called b}r the Holy Ghost, saved by His grace,
" raised them up from a death of sin to a life of righteousness :'*
" Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling; not accord-
ing to our works, but according to His Own purpose and grace, which
was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began" (2 Tim. i. 9).
We can glory in nothing save in " eternal redemption." There lies a
colossal and an immortal expenditure of blood, onf^ drop of which
would quench hell out were it to drop in. And this biood-shed-
ding was for the remission of all the sins — ^both past, present and
to come — of all the election of grace (Rom. xi. 5). And it wonld
be as well, while you are reading the reference, to read the two
following verses, which will explain it more fully. Sovereign
grace to a poor, blind, ruined, wretched, helpless, hell-deserving
sinner, would be esteemed as a glorious lift into the spiritual enjoy-
ment of the children of God ; and afterwards, and all the way, kepi
by the power of God, through faith, unto salvation, and taken to
" the house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." Bnt
you disdain the help that God^s children are compelled to receive
ore they are "lifted into the enjoyment" you speak of. Here it
appears is no small difficulty, — to confess what you don^t beUeYe;
but being thoroughly shamed out of it, you whisper faintly, '^B
is well and essential that Divine grace dispose and assist us in tie
way of righteousness ; but for even Divine grace to compel ua
along the path to immortality,would be to do violence to ournature/*
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 287
Well, Jonatliaii, and may I be allowed to ask you what that
is in your nature that prompts you to utter such unheard-of
arrogance (except within the pale of your own dear Methodistical
Episcopal Church) ? Ah, it is well — and only just, well and essen-
tial — -that Divine grace dispose and assist, though we could of
^ur own free-will and natural strength accomplish the task alone,
JU3 we abhor that word " imputed' ' righteousness. As you have
<;alled for an explanation of that which exists in your nature, and
prompts you to these utterances, now, Jonathan, I hope the truth
will give you no offence, but it is pride of heart ; and that first
made its appearance in " Lucifer, the son of the morning,^' for
which he was cast out of heaven. For to be compelled to worship
Jesus, when God gave the command, "Let all the angels of God
w^orship Him," Satan, like you, refused ; feeling that very act would
smd did "do violence to his nature.^' And to give all the honour
and praise, and power and glory to Jesus, was just what Satan
declined to do, seeing it would divest him of all meritorious
rewards due to pious, pompous " virtues" like his ; and then his
proud, independent spirit echoed, " Verily it is sweet to be free."
"^^ There is genuine luxury in the assurance that we own ourselves
— ^that only God is greater than we, and that He respects the man-
liood he has conferred upon us." What "luxury^' to stand upon
ihe hill-top of your own conceit! and see ourselves "in the
assurance" of thiat which nobody else sees besides you ! What a
aize you must be on your side of the Atlantic ! How do you feel,
Jonathan, when an ox comes down to your water to drink ?
Why, of course, you treat him with contempt, and say " that only
God is greater than we." Well, it is an act of great condescension
on your part to admit as much as this. And, pray, what has that
dignified piece of "manhood" you boast of to do with the
salvation of the soul ? This question might have been saved, had
I recollected that yours from first to last is a system of fleshly
n^orship, and that "that which is bom of the flesh is flesh," and
^^ they that are in the flesh cannot please God." Neither can you,
wliile you claim "the power of determining your own ways, and
constructing your own character, and mapping out your own future."
These mighty wonders are among the first-born of your strength, as
abeir size is so prodigious. O the wonderful power of freewill !
"Who can conceive a millionth part of " the power of determining
thy own way ?" We believe " there is a way which seemeth right
onto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death" (Prov. xiv.
12) ; and that "the ways of a fool are right in his own eyes" (Prov.
xiL 15). However wrong it may be in the eyes of others, who take
ihe views of the Bible, and not of a mortal, upon such important
288 THE G08PBL ADVOCATE.
things as these ; coustructing railways, tunnelling throagh rockv
mountains, constructing Great Easterns, conducting Abyssinian
expeditions, and constructing plans of campaigns, for thoroughly
effecting and giving one of the most disastrous and crushing blows
to one of the most powerful nations in the world, together with
building pyramids, are all in the shade, far behind, compared with
the ''determining," "constructing," and "mapping out" our
future. The Bible says, God leadeth His people " in paths thej
have not known.*' And also, "I will bring the blind by a way
they know not ;" and that " the steps of a good man are ordered
by the Lord.'* Jeremiah prays, "That the Lord thy God maj
show us the way wherein we may walk" (Jer. xlii. 2). Which is
a proof clear enough that God's children can neither '^determine,"
"construct," nor "map out" their future or destiny; and those
who can will be " lightly esteemed" in their own estimation. And
the idea of surrender would be a thousand times more galling than
the surrender of Paris was to the French. J. F.
fl^o be continued.J
PURE GOLD FROM PURITAN AND OTHER MINES.
But for a Season. — There is a " needs be " for these trials and
temptations, or God would not have appointed you to walk in such
a path. If there were nothing before your eyes but\the inheritance^
incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, and you
were looking forward to be put into the peaceable possession of it
at death, without any intermediate trouble or sorrow, you would
not be walking in the path of tribulation through which,
and through which alone, it is declared that we must
enter the kingdom of heaven. You would not be a
partaker of the sufferings of Christ, which you must be, if
you are to be a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed. Yott
would have, therefore, no " fellowship of His sufferings,'^ no being
" made conformable unto His death," no " bearing about in the
body the dying of the Lord J esus," nor being " delivered unto
death for Jesus' sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made
manifest in our moiiial Hesh." Beside which, you would be no com-
panion for the poor afflicted family of God; you would have few errands
to the throne of grace ; few openings up of the Scripture to vonr
mind ; few discoveries of the pity and compassion of Him Who is
touched with the feeling of our infinnities, and little sympathy with
the Man of sorrows. Your smooth, easy, even path, would set you
tar away from the choicest saints of God, and from the best part of
living experience. /. G. Phil^wt.
OCTOBEB, 1882, THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 289
THE MIRACLES OP CHRIST.
Xo. X.
The Witheeed Hand Restored.
Matt. xii. 9-14, Mark iii. 1-6, Luke vi. 6-11.
OMPLAIXTS and diseases, in all their strange and dis-
tressing variety, appear before us in the Gospels to bear
witness to the eternal power and Godhead of Flim "Who is
our Hope.' ' Neither does any t hing more display the innate depravity
erf the unregenerate heart and the enmity of the carnal mind against
God, than the hostility of the lea ding professors in the Saviour's day
at His merciful kindness to the miserable sufferers. Nothing He did
pleased them. His preaching exposed the hollowness of their
religious pretensions, and His miracles confounded their adverse
and blasphemous assertions respecting Him. Sabbatarians of the
strictest sort, the Pharisees and their followers assumed to abstain
on the seventh day from everything that savoured of secular occu-
pation ; though, like the modem Jews, they did not object to the
employment of Gentiles in what they deemed unlawful for them-
selves. But the spirit of the sabbath, as god's best, they never
understood. And when He Who alone honoured it in accordance
with the scope of Jehovah's institution stood before them, their
hate knew no bounds : and could they have hindered the perform-
ance of His benevolent work, they would, whatever the loss sus-
tained by the Lord's glory and the creature's comfort. But, "I
will work, and who shall let it ?" applies to all those decrees of
mercy which in His mediatorial character He is pledged to carry out
as the Executor of the Father's goodwill and pleasure. How consol-
ing this truth to the Lord's afflicted and timorous when the Spirit
shines upon it and reflects it in their hearts. " My counsel shall
stand, and I will do all My pleasure," is the answer to all insinuated
impossibilities, and, ^* If it be marv^ellous in the eyes of the
remnant of this people in these days, should it also be marvellous in
Mine eyes, saitli the Lord of Hosts," is a rebuke to all questioning
as to ways and means. •
Our present subject takes us to Capernaum. The site is now
disputed, only a mass of ruins being left. There our blessed Lord
fixed His abode, as a prophet without honour in His own country—
a place exalted to beaven by His presence, and debased to hell by
290 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
its antagonism to Him. It was the sabbath following that on
which He and His disciples had walked through the corn fields^
and He entered what appears to have been the chief synagogue
in the place, or the one to which He usually resorted ; and as Luke
i;iforras us (chap. vi. 6.) " He taught tbe people," although Matthew
and Mark are silent on that point. What gracious results were
produced by His teaching, the Holy Spirit does not inform us. On
the contrary, we are shown how, in the face of the preaching by God
Incarnate, the human heart, instigated by the powers of darkness,
could develop its worst propensities. And if so, why should the
Saviour's heralds wonder when their testimony meets with con-
tempt, and their persons with hatred ? " It is enough that the dis-
ciple be as his Master, and the servant as his Lord.'^ But most self-
evident is the fact that, the greatest enmity towards Christ and His
messengers has been exhibited by men " having the form of godli-
ness." Human nature unstripped of its filthy rags, and wrapped
up in an assumed righteousness, can never feel other than bitter
enmity towards those who expose it. It was quite enough for the
confusion of the Pharisees to be brought into close contact with
that Holy One, Whose Divine simplicity in goodness formed so striking
a contrast to their own guile and thinly- veiled hypocrisy ; and an
incident was ready, like a spark, to kindle the flame of malice within
them.
Matthew says, ^*And, behold, there was a man which had his
hand withered," chap. xii. 10; and Luke (with whom Mark agrees)
adds : "And the Scribes and Pharisees watched Him whether He
would heal on the sabbath day,*' chap. vi. 7.
The '' hand ^' throughout Scripture is the emblem of operative
power. The hsind ^'withered'* therefore becomes the symbol of
• impotence. It cannot lay hold or make use of anything. And,
spiritually — we say not, morally — this is true of all men. Spiritually
— towards God, all is weakness and inability with fallen man, how-
ever morally — towards man, there may exist power to do many
things — a power, nevertheless, for which man is indebted to the
qualifying gifts (physical and mental) and providence of God. The
vitalizing and invigorating sap has been dried up by original sin.
The hand that once was free to do whatever man listed has lost its
pristine vigour. It laid hold on the tree of knowledge of good and
evil in Eden, but was not permitted while there, under the covenant
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 291
of works, to lay hold on the tree of life. Gen. iii. 22-24. And
Adam has transmitted his withered hand to each of his posterity.
But who knows ? who feels this ? Only they whom the Spirit has
quickened to spiritual life. Only they who, under fear of wrath,
have striven to lay hold on Jehovah's mercy and promises in their
own strength. Only they who have put forth every effort to believe
and take the Lord at His word, and have utterly failed. No
Arminianism can survive this ordeal. No duty faith can glory, when
thus weighed in the balances and found wanting. The grand truth
has to be submitted to that, not only the merits, but the grace-
strength of Christ must be put forth on behalf of the utterly helpless
one. And when will the dear Saviour afford His needed succour ?
Will it be really on His holy day ? Shall His resurrection power be
grlorified on the day that commemorates the auspicious event ? No
matter : it is alwavs sabbath when Jesus works and blesses. It is
the soul's peaceful resting time.
But there are watchers. There are those on the look-out who
hate the Healer and have no compassion for the diseased. These are
the false shepherds, the self-seeking pastors, who, from the days of
Jeremiah and Ezekiel until now, have the woe denounced against
them for not strengthening the weak, nor binding up that which
was broken. Heads of the people they may be, of those who are
described as " the fat and the strong ;" but they have no sympathy
nvith him that has the withered arm. Their preaching proclaims
that " God helps those that helps themselves." Vain is the hope of
"him that is without power .'^ Job xxvi. 2. Their exhortation bids
the sinner take hold of Jesus and rejoice ; they can only reprove
those who assert their inability to do so.
Many are the allusions in the Psalms to watchful observers of the
good man ; and most of them point to the treatment of the gracious
Messiah. And as the Scribes and Pharisees with eager eyes beheld
the man with the withered hand, they instantly revert to Him
Whose fame as the compassionate and infallible Healer was known
throughout all that region. And assuming a pious zeal, which
served as a temporary mask for their deceit, they ventured to
approach the Lord Jesus, and to ask Him, saying, " Is it lawful to
heal on the sabbath days ? that they might accuse Him," Matt. xii.
10. "But," says Luke, "He knew their thoughts and " — instead of
directly answering them — He "said to the man which had the
292 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
withered hand, Rise up, and stand forth in the midst/' Chap. vi. 8.
Up to this time there does not appear to have been any expec-
tation on the part of the afflicted one that he would be thus singled
out for healing mercy. He was sitting with many others, listening
to the life-eternal truths dropping from the lips of Him into Whom
the Father had poured all His grace, and perhaps he was hoping
he mi^-ht yet share in the Saviour's beneficence. But suddenly lie
was aroused, and called to occupy a prominent position in the midst
of friends and foes to illustrate the power and authority of the Lord
Jesus. And well does this exemplify the way of the Lord still.
Long afflicted, weary and spent, little imagining deliverance is so
near, the Lord's people, bowed down with guilt and incapable of
any spiritual work, are often thus suddenly brought into all the
prominence of a gracious manifestation of sovereign mercy and heal-
ing power. From sitting in the dust of despondency they are
aroused to stand forth as fclie witnesses of the Lord's " strength of
salvation." The voice of the Beloved bids them " Rise up, and
come away" from all that bound them in sorrow and silence before,
and ''or ever they are aware their souls are made as the chariots of
Ammi-nadib." wondrous voice ! irresistible call ! ^' And lie
arose and stood forth." Obedient to Him who commanded him
thus to act, the man serves well to exhibit the willingness of all the
Saviour's redeemed in the day of His power. It is now His turn to
questi(m.
'' Then said Jesus unto them, I will ask you one thimg : Is it law-
ful on the sabbath days to do good, or to do evil ? to save life or to
destroy it ?" Luke vi. 9. Let it be remembered that it was stated
just before that our Lord "knew their thoughts" — and those
thoughts towards Himself were in the fullest intent those of murder.
Could they have destroyed his life on the sabbath, " the end/* as
with our modern Jesuits, would have " sanctified the means/' how-
ever evil in their nature. But, '' Is itlawfuV asks the Son of God,
"to do good," in healing, or " to do evil," in seeking to accuse Him,
without just cause, unto death by stoning ? Were they resting
from malice, and consequently from evil on the sabbath, while they
condemned His activity in deeds of mercy on that day ? But the
Saviour presses them still closer. " And He said unto them. What
man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it
fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 293
lift it out V* Dared they deny this ? No, rigid Sabbatarians as they
professed to be, they would serve their own interests by preserving
a beast from destruction or injury, as an act of scripturally-approved
humanity, while they loaded with obloquy the disinterested kind-
ness of God Incarnate. But, added the Lord Jesus, ^' How much
then is a man better than a sheep ?" — one who has a soul, and especially
one that is dear to the heart of everlasting love, and is waiting for
the health-restoring grace of His salvation ? Shall man be careful
over the beasts that perish when they are his property, and shall
not Jehovah care for His flock, yea, of each sheep and lamb per-
taining to it, when it is not His will that one of the little ones should
perish ? " Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days,^'
Matt. xii. 11, ]2.
How cogent yet gentle was this remonstrating argument ; but
they who heard it '^held their peace, ^' Mark iii. 4, for their hearts
were encased in steel, and their minds blinded with proud rage.
The gracious Healer perceived this, for we are told He " looked
round about on them with anger, being grieved for the hardness of
their hearts, *' ver, 5, Nor is this difficult to understand, or to
reconcile with the Lord^s fixed purposes concerning them. What-
ever display of Nature's depravity appeared before the eyes of
Christ, it could only affect His unspotted soul with anger and grief.
As the sin-bearer of His people. He had to endure for them the
penalty of all transgressions, and sin in every form was hateful and
grievous to His immaculate purity.
Having surveyed the silent foes whose countenances proclaimed
their pent-up malignity, the Lord Jesus addressed the afflicted
man, saying, " Stretch forth thy hand. A iid he stretched it out ;
and his hand was restored whole as the other,'' Mark iii. 5. The
deed was done — and on the Sabbath. The God-man had wrought
a work in the fullest confidence of His Father's approbation ; even
as He said, "I do always those things that please Him." A needy
recipient of merciful kindness had his ^ heart gladdened by the
healing bestowed, while the Pharisees " filled with madness," Luke
vi. 11, "went forth, and straightway took counsel with the
Herodians against Him, how they might destroy Him,'' Mark iii. 6.
It is thus Satan and his emissaries ever display their enmity
against the work of God. Need the believer then wonder at the
opposition he encounters from " the fiery darts of the devil," or men
294 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
robed in their own vain righteousness ? Proving, like the man with
the withered hand, that their own weakness and inability to do any-
thing cannot prevent the Saviour working and reaching their case^
their deliverance is beheld with mortified rage, and desperate
hatred. Rather would carnal professors hear of no salvation, than
that which is accomplished sovereignly, and in the Lord's time and
way. But, eternal praise to the riches of grace ! ^^ surely His sal-
vation is nigh them that fear Him ; that glory may dwell in our
land,'' Psa. Ixxxv. 9. The withered hand that fain would lay hold
on the Hope set before it in the Gospel, and touch the hem of that
sacred garment of salvation and robe of righteousness, which send
forth the infallible healing virtue, and provide a covering for the
naked, that hand shall receive the desired power : for " He will
fulfil the desire of them that fear Him ; He also will hear their cry,
and will save them," Psa. cxlv. 19. And all is accomplished when
the Saviour speaks. The Holy Spirit echoes His words with power
in the hearts of His people, and
" Gives them firmly to believe,
And to enter into rest."
No longer do they hesitate to accept the consolation of the Gospel ;
no longer are they staggered at the promises through unbelief. With
delivered Hezekiah they can exclaim : " What shall I say ? He hath
both spoken unto me, and Himself hath done it.'' The voice of
authority and empowering mercy has bid them " stretch forth the
hand," and they with ease have been enabled to do so, and can now
lay claim to all that God has laid up for them in Christ, and ratified
as theirs experimentally by the witness of His spirit. " Lord in-
crease our faith." The Editoe.
THE POWER OF GRACE.*
Nov., 1840.
My dear Sister Jane,
KNOW of no enjoyment comparable to that of solitary com-
munion with our God ; to converse with Him in the desert
— this is enjoyment indeed, to freely seek from my Father
and my Saviour all that I need. " Blessed is the man that
trusteth in the Lord, and whose hope the Lord is : for he shall be
as a tree planted by the waters, and that spreadeth oat his roots by
the river ; and shall not see when heat cometh ; but his leaf shall be
* See page 183.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 295
green, and sliall not be careful in the year of drought, neither
shall cease from bearing fruit/^ O that I and yon, dear sister,
may resemble such a tree. O give me to drink of the loving
waters of heaven — that water which flows from the everiasting
rock, even from the riven side of our precious Saviour. Under
these reflections of the mercies of a covenant God towards me, a
poor sinful worm, did the loving waters flow, and filled my soul
with joy unspeakable. Great is the goodness of the Lord ; His
mercies endure for ever. Yes ; " Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard ;
neither hath it entered into the heart of man, to conceive the things
that God hath prepared for them that love Him.^^ On Sunday
morning we had such a sermon ! Of a truth it may be said that
Jesus was in our midst. " In Whom also we have obtained an
inheritance.'^ In Christ we have obtained this inheritance. Yes,
there is an inheritance, a rest that remains for the people of God.
Bless the Lord, my soul ; for my God doeth wonders, and His
mercy endureth for ever. How do we obtain this inheritance ? By
being predestinated according to the purpose of Him Who worketh
all things after the counsel of His Own will. Bless His precious
name ; because we are filled with the fulness of Him that filleth all
in all. I sometimes think that I could go and live with Christ.
But, oh, how could I appear with all these mountains of sin and
uncleanness ! Could I take them with me ? 0, no ! I could not
do such a thing ; though my master* vainly supposes he could.
Dear Lord, bow Thy heavens, and make these mountains flow down
and melt Hke wax, and be lost in Calvary, at Thy presence. The
voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous.
The right hand of the Lord doeth wondrous things. The right
hand of the Lord is exalted. The Lord is my strength and my
song, and He is become my salvation.
My dear Sister, when I look back at years that are past, I behold
how I grieved you ; and many times how I grieved the hearts of
the excellent of the earth, my parents, by hardened unbelief and
proud disdain of that precious book of life, which now is my blest
portion and my meat and drink. Bless that precious Name, Whom
to know is life eternal, that God, Who is rich in mercy, with the
great love wherewith He loved us, hath quickened us who were
dead in trespasses and sins ; and broken down the middle wall of
partition between us, so making peace, by abolishing the law of
commandments contained in ordinances, for to make in Himself of
twain one new man. By grace we are saved. So surrounded am I
with infidels and profane and abandoned persons ; and I have
always noticed that in our profession (surgical) five out of ten are
• Alluding to the gentleman he was then an assistant to.
296 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
infidels. Is it not an almost incredible inconsistency of the liuman
mind, that those who by their profession are called upon to attend
the children of men from the cradle to the grave ; who are sur-
rounded with disease, sufferings, and death ; who each day behold
the vanity and wretched misery of our earthly existence ; — ^is it not
surprising that they should think the least of that God Who has
declared, " I kill and I make alive : I wound and I heal ; neither is
there any that can deliver out of My hand V Alas ! how often
amidst afflictions and anguish, when surrounded with all the solemn
anticipations and painful circumstances of death, they treat with
scorn Him Who bore our sorrows. Who is the Friend of sinners, and
the Giver of life everlasting ; at Whose command the dead arise
from the silence of the tomb ! Surely, then, it is not by the con-
templation of earthly objects that the sinner is turned from the
error of his ways. Even if the day of judgment and the horrors of
the bottomless pit were made manifest to the eyes of the unbeliever,
still his heart would indulge in mocking and derision.
Dear Sister, once we were such, we were partakers with them ;
we were sometimes darkness, though now we are light in the Lord.
I will make you willing in the day of My power. Such were we.
But we are washed, we are sanctified, we are justified, in the name
of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. And deeply do I
feel this unspeakable mercy during the discourses. I am not in that
darkness, blessed be God. There is a heaven : those that are there
enjoy the presence of their God and their Saviour. " When I
consider the heavens, the moon, and the stars, which Thou hast
ordained. Lord, what is man, that Thou art mindful of hira, and the
Son of man that Thou regardeth him ?" Every eye of the children
of God, and every heart shall be fixed eternally upon that Saviour ;
and the sentiment of every soul through vast eternity will be,
"Whom have I in heaven but Thee?" And the choir of God's people
on the earth, their voices will vibrate and redound with glory to
Thee, saying, " Whom on the earth do we desire beside Thee ?"
" It is in Thee we live, move, and have our being." " I will be
their God, and they shall be My people." Oh, what tongue could
express that precious love of God ? the mercies of Emmanuel — God
with us. His name is Jah: he rideth between the cherubims. Let
glory be given to God — to that precious Son ef God, Who bore the
chastisement of our peace, and was crucified for us. Oh, what an
insight of the sufferings of Jehovah the prophet ' Isaiah had, when
he writes: " He shall come up as a root out of a dry ground; in
Whom there was no form nor comeliness, nor any beauty that we
should desire Him." Yet, Thou blessed Lord, Thou are the "fairest
of ten thousand, the altogether lovely." The smell of His garments
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 297
are like myrrh, aloes, and frankincense, and all the cliief spices.
*^If ye see my Beloved, tell Him/' saith the Church, " I am sick of
love." " Whom have I in heaven but thee ?" The prophet saw
Him several hundred years before His birth, and rejoiced to see
His day. " He saw it and was glad." When he saw the bright,
the Morning Star, he rejoiced with exceeding great joy ; unspeakable
and full of glory. He saw Him " despised and rejected of men, a
man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;" and he beheld Him
stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. Zechariah also, with the
eye of faith, beheld the sword of the Lord awake to strike the
Shepherd, and the Man which was the Fellow of the Lord of Hosts.
O my Jesus, Thy sufferings must have sunk Thee, when Thou was
made a curse for us. On the anguish of those moments, when the
Son of God, clothed in our flesh, was sorrowful even unto death,
and cried out in the bitterness of His soul : " My God, My God,
why hast Thou forsaken Me ?" Deliver my soul from the sword :
save me from the mouth of the lion ! View Him also in the garden :
His soul sorrowful, being in an agony : His sweat pouring out like
great drops of blood on the ground. Remember that when He had
*^ offered up prayers and supplications, with crying unto Him that
was able to save Him from death ;" and we read *^ He was heard in
that He feared" ; yet He gave His life willingly for sinners such as
we ! Blessed Lord, what manner of love is this, that we should
be called the sons of God !
Dear Sister, to the Lord our God belongeth mercy. Yes,
abundant mercy, loving kindness and redemption. Blessed be the
Lord our God. Well, dear Sister, let us go unto the Lord ! and
ask that we may receive with meekness this good and perfect gift
which is from above ; and come to Him Whom the Father has given.
Come to Christ our Saviour. For our Lord has declared, " Him
that cometh unto Me, I will in no wise cast out ;" and has promised
also that He will at the last day raise up every one that believeth on
Him. Dear Sister, the christian does not lose that which he
returns into the hands of his Heavenly Father : he gladly resigns
his earthly nature. It is not forced from him ; he willingly
resigns it. David laid aside his shepherd's garb, when anointed
King of Israel. The redeemed of Christ wished to depart hence,
when it is no longer needful for them to remain upon earth. The
aspiration of their souls is : " When shall I come and appear before
God ?" Let us walk in wisdom — toward them that are without ;
redeeming the time : " till we all come in the unity of the faith, and
of the knowledge of the Son of God unto a perfect man : unto the
measure of the statue of the fulness of Christ.' '
298 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
" Jesus can make a dying bed
Feel soft as downy pulows are ;
While on His breast I lean my bead.
And sweetly breathe my life out there."
Your loving Brother,
Joseph Porter.
WARM ZEAL FOR HEAVEN.
LETTER BY 8. RUTHERFORD.
S. Rutherford to Carsluth (Letter 119. p. 386. vol 1.)
(Comm i^nicatedj .
Much Honoured Sir,
LONG to hear how your soul prospereth. I earnestly desire
you to try how matters stand between your soul and the
Lord. Think it no easy matter to take heaven by violence.
Salvation cometh now to the most part of men in a night«
dream. There is no scarcity of faith now, such as it is ; for ye
shall not now light upon the man who will not say lie hath faith
in Christ ; — but, alas ! dreams are no man's rights.
Worthy Sir, I beseech you in the Lord, to give your soul no rest
till ye have real assurance, and Christ's rights confirmed and
sealed to your soul. . The common faith and country-holiness, and
week-day zeal, that is among people, will never bring men to
heaven. Take pains for your salvation ; for in that day, when ye
shall see many men's labours and conquests (a) and idol-riches lying
in ashes, when the earth and all the works thereof shall be burnt
with fire. Oh, how dear a price would your soul give for God's
favour in Christ ! It is a blessed thing to see Christ with up-sun,
and to read over your papers and soul accounts with fair day-light.
It will not be time to cry for a lamp, when the Bridegroom has
entered into His chamber, and the door is shut. Fy, fy, upon blinded
and debased souls, who are committing whoredom with this idol clay,
and hunting a poor wretched, hungry heaven, a hungry breakfast,
a day's meat from this hungry world, with the forfeiting of God's
favour, and the drinking over of their heaven over the board (b) {as
men used to speak) for the laughter and sports of this short fore-
noon ! All that is under the vault of heaven, and betwixt us and
death, and on this side of sun and moon, are but toys, night-visions,
head-fancies, poor shadows, watery froth, godless vanities, at their
best, and black hearts, and salt and sour miseries, sugared over,
and confected with an hour's laughter or two, and the conceit of
riches, honour, vain court and lawless pleasures.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 299
Sir, if ye look both to the laughing side, and to the weeping side
of this world, and if ye look not only upon the skin and colour of
things, but into their inwards, and the heart of their excellency, ye
shall see that one look of Christ's sweet and lovely eye, one kiss of
His fairest face, is worth ten thousand worlds of such rotten stufF,
as the foolish sons of men set their hearts upon. Oh, sir, turn,
turn your heart to the other side of things, and get it once free of
these entanglements, to consider eternity, death, the clay-bed, the
grave, (c) awsome judgment, everlasting burning quick in hell, where
death would give as great a price, (if there was a market, wherein
death might be bought and sold,) as all the world. Consider
heaven and glory. But alas ! why speak I of considering these
things which have not entered into the heart of man to consider ?
Look into those depths (without a bottom) of loveliness, sweetness,
beauty, excellency, glory, goodness, grace and mercy that are in
Christ : and ye shall then cry down the whole world, and all the
glory of it, even when it is come to the summer bloom ; and ye shall
cry, " Up with Christ ! Up with Christ's Father ! Up with Eternal
Glory ! *'Sir, there is a great deal less sand in your glass than when
I saw you, and your afternoon is nearer eventide now than it was.
As a flood carried back to the sea, so doth the Lord's swift post.
Time, carry you and your life with wings to the grave. Ye eat
and drink, but Time staiideth not still ; ye laugh, but your day
fleeth away ; ye sleep, but your hours are reckoned and put by hand,
(d) Oh, how soon will Time shut you out of the poor, and cold, and
hungry inn of this life ! and then what will yesterday's short-born
pleasures do to you, but be as a snowball melted away many years
since, or worse ! for the memory of these pleasures useth to fill the
soul with bitterness. Time and experience will prove this to be
true ; and dying men, if they could speak, would make this good.
Lay no more on the creatures than they are able to carry. Lay
your soul and weights upon God. Make Him your only best-
beloved. Your errand to this life is to make sure an eternity of
glory to your soul, and to match your soul with Christ. Your love,
if it were more than all the love of angels in one, is Christ's due,
other things worthy in themselves, in respect of Christ, are not
worth a windle-straw, (e) or a drink of cold water. I doubt not but in
death ye shall see all things more distinctly and that then the
world shall bear no more bulk than it is worth, and that then it
shall couch and be contracted into nothing : and ye shall see Christ
longer, higher, broader, and deeper than ever He was. blessed
conquest (f ) to lose all things and to gain Christ ! alas ! how poor is
your gain if the earth were all yours in free heritage, holding it of
any man of clay, if Christ be not yours ! Oh, seek all midses, (g) lay all
300 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
oars in the water, put forth all your power, and bend all your
endeavours to put away and part with all things that ye may gain
and enjoy Christ. Try and search His word, and strive to go a
step above and beyond ordinary professors, and resolve to sweat
more and run faster than they do for salvation. Men's mid-day
cold and wise courses in godliness, and their neighbour-like, cold
and wise pace to heaven, will cause many a man to want his lodging
at night, and to lie in the fields. I recommend Christ and His love-
to your seeking ; and yourself to the tender mercy and rich grace
of our Lord.
Remember my love in Christ to your wife. I desire her to learn
to make her soul's anchor fast upon Christ Himself. Few are saved.
Let her consider what joy the smiles of God in Christ will be, and
what the love-kisses of sweet, sweet Jesus, and a welcome home to
the new Jerusalem, from Christ's own mouth, will be to her soul,,
when Christ will fold together the clay tent of her body, and lay it by
His hand (h) for a time, till the fair morning of a general lesurrection.
I avouch before God, man, and angel, that I have not seen, nor can
imagine a lover to be comparable to lovely Jesus. I would not
exchange or niffer (j) Him with ten heavens. If heaven could be-
without Him, what could we do there ? Grace, grace be with you.
Your soul's eternal well-wisher
Aberdeen, 1637. S. R.
Foot Notes to the above.
(a) acquisitions.
{b) To drink anything over the board, to formally renounce it, as a seller
formerly did when he drank to the purchaser on delivery to him of the goods,
sold, and wished him luck in the purchase.
(c) Awful.
(d) Laid aside, as finished.
(e) A rush. A windlestraw is a withered stalk-crested dog'd-tail grass.
(/) Acquisition.
(j?) Means.
(h) Laid aside as having served its purpose.
(/) Barter.
[There are various expressions used in the foregoing letter which many will
undoubtedly deem legal ; but if taken in the sense Eutherford intended, and
according to the times in which he lived, and the regenerated state of the person
to whom he wrote, this opinion will be softened down. It is searching and
likely to do good to supine souls, although we should hardly feel justified in
expressing ourselves in such terms. Nevertheless we view it as signifying no
more than — '* Give diligence to make your calling and election sure." — TBS,
Editok.]
THE OOSPEL ADTOCATE.
301
tt
RESIGNATION.
Not my will, but Thine be done.
3>
A REPRINT.
"Thy will be done;" whate'er betide
'tis best.
In Thy safe keeping I can calmly rest ;
Nothing shall harm the lambs of Jesu's
fold.
Guarded by love unmeasured as un-
told.
If dark my path, I cannot, cannot fear,
Whilst bv such tender arms Thou
draw\st me near ;
"Tis there I learn to know, close bv
Thy side,
What 'tis to trust in Thee, e'en tho'
Thou chide.
Past — Present — Future — All — is in
Thy hand.
Every event doth come at Thy com-
mand;
121, Kensington, liverpooL
"All things shall work for good;*'
those I can't trace,
I fain would leave, and lean upon Thy
Grace.
Father ! I would not take one step
alone.
Lead through this Wilderness Thy
little one.
May all my joys and all my sorrows be
Blessings that draw me nearer unto
Thee.
Thou Kindest of the kind, to Thee I
flee,
Mid earthly changes let me cling to
Thee;
Oh let me nestle 'neath Thy fond
embrace,
Besting till I shall see Thee face to
face.
M, J. S. HODOES.
LOVED, WASHED, AND DIGNIFIED.
A Sermon by Mr. Grace.
(^Continued from page 27b).
Now there is anotlier evidence, and that closes all I say. There
is faith. " Without faith it is impossible to please God.'^ Saul was
very zealous, as he thought ; but it was not according to know-
ledge. The Lord met with him going to Damascus, and said to
him, " Saul, Saul ! why persecutest thou me ? And he said, Vfho
art Thou, Lord ? And the Lord said, I am Jesus Whom thou per-
secutest ; it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." And Saul,
trembling and astonished, said, " Lord, what wilt Thou have me to
do ? And the Lord said unto him. Arise and go into the city, and
it shall be told thee what thou must do.'^ Well, when the Lord
appeared unto Ananias, He said unto him, "Arise, and go into the
street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas
for one called Saul of Tarsus, for, behold, he prayeth." Now, we
have no evidence that that man prayed till he was quickened by
302 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
God the Holy Ghost. And in the same way the poor publican.
Here are two characters in opposition to each other ; the one resting
on his good deeds. And perhaps there are some of you come up
here, this morning, who think you can almost come up to him.
That man^s prayer was not prayer at all ; it was telling the Lord
what good things he had done for Him. But here is a poor man
brought to the place of the stopping of mouths. And here is the
turning point between the professors of the day and real possessors.
One that really knows what it is to have the law brought home in
its internal power. The law can never give life ; it makes a poor
sinner quake. It takes hold of him and binds him fast. But it is the
blessed Spirit of God in the heart of that poor, quickened sinner
that puts up a prayer, ^' God, be merciful to me a sinner." Ah,
dear friends, if ever that prayer has gone up from your heart,
depend upon it God has mercy in reserve for you. Because
you have prayed ? No, no : the Spirit of God makes intercession
for you. He always prompts the poor sinner to lift up that prayer
that He intends to answer. The Lord will have mercy ; He is
waiting to be gracious; "And blessed are all they that wait for
Him."
"Now unto Him that loved us." I have been more particularly
speaking of the love of God the Father, and the Holy Ghost in His
quickening manifestations of love to a poor sinner ; but this is an
open manifestation of the love of Christ in the work of redemption.
Christ entered into covenant with His Father that He would give
full satisfaction for all the sins of all the election of grace ; not one
left behind. I tell you how it used to be with me when I heard
such things as these. It always came short. I said, ^ It is true ;
but have I any interest in them ? I know that by His Own sacri-
fice He has for ever put away sin from the elect, and it never can
be charged on them. But is it for me?' I would give God no rest
till He had given me a feeling of it in my heart ; but oh, as Mr.
Hart says, —
*' What wondrous grace was this !
We sinned, and Jesus died !
He wrought the righteousness,
And we were justified.
We ran the score to length extreme,
And all our debt was charged on Him 1"
Well, now. He accepted at the hands of His Father, His church.
His bride, and in the fulness of time; — on the very day, the very
time appointed from everlasting — " God sent forth His Son, made
of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under
the law; that they might receive the adoption of sons.'' And in the
eighth of Romans it is said : " For what the law could not do, in
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 303
that it was weak, through the flesh, God sending His Own Son in
the likeness of sinful flesh. Mark you, dear friends, in the likeness
of sinful flesh — not sinful flesh itself. That shows the humiliation
of Christ, the condescension of the Son of God, " that He passed by
the nature of angels,'* and took our nature. When ? (as a godly
man, an old divine, asks), When in its virginity, before Adam fell ?
No ; He took the nature of the virgin, but " He was holy, harmless,
undefiled, and separate from sinners /' and though made in the like-
ness of sinful flesh, what was it for ? " That He might condemn sin
in the flesh. That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled
in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."
'^ Unto Him that loved us.'' Christ's love was manifested in taking
our nature into union with His Divine person. Look at the Ancient
of Days becoming an Infant of Days ! And it is well for us when
by the teaching of the Holy Ghost, we are led to consider the
humiliation of Christ, and the wondrous love of Christ, when He
became, as it were, an Infant of Days — born in a manger ! Now
come, poor tempted child of God ; you perhaps are sometimes ready
to say, 'Well, I do think there is no one so tried and exercised as I
am ; I am thwarted and crossed in all I put my hand to. If T
think I am going to do a little here or there, everything goes
wrong.' Look, for a moment, at the Lord of Life and Glory;
everything at His beck and control ; Who lives in the bosom ol
His Father, and yet becomes an Infant of Days — lies in a manger,
where the horses and cattle lie ; for His parents had no money to
I)ay for a lodging when they went up to be taxed — there He was,
aid in a manger ; and, as Mr. Hart says, —
** The crowded inii, like sinners' hearts,
(0 ignorance extreme !)
For other guests of various sorts,
Had room, but none for Him !
What a description of the state by nature of the human he.irt !
Room for every abomination, but no room for the Lord Jesus
Christ. Ah, here was love ! He passed by the nature of angels,
and took our nature upon Him. Now, if we trace the love of Christ,
— all His days were days of suffering, and He is expressly called,
'* a Man of sorrows and acquainted with grief ;" and you never read
in the scriptures of truth that Christ was ever seen to laugh : but
He was seen to weep — a Man of sorrows, and acquainted with
grief ! All suffering and ignominy was cast upon Him in the
day of God's anger, when He calls for the sword of justice
to awake against the Shepherd, against the Man that was God's
fellow. Here was His love ! — His love from everlasting. Then we
come to the open manifestatiop. ef it in the work of redemption for
us poor sinners. '^ Who hath loved us." Now we find when John
304 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
is speaking of His love, it is first recorded that " Jesus having loved
His Own which were in the world, He loved them to the end." In
the epistle to the Romans it is said, *^ Scarcely for a righteous man
would one die ; yet peradventure for a good man some would even
dare to die." Just take notice how this reads : " Scarcely for a
righteous man." Supposing that a good man did dare to die for
another that was a good man ; did he die to make expiation for his
sin ? Impossible ! It must be love prompts him ; and it must he
great love to step in his shoes and die for him. But yet a man
could never make an atonement for sin ; not even by his death.
" For, the redemption of the soul is precious, and it ceaseth for
ever." Now comes the sweet text, full of sweet breasts of consola-
tion : " But God common deth His love toward us, in that while we
were yet sinners Christ died for us.'' Now, recollect, it is for some
special and particular persons : and Christ, speaking to His dis-
ciples, says, " Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay
down his life for his friends." Only look, my dear friends, and
wonder with holy astonishment — ^^ Friends !" But such was the
case, that our blessed Jesus laid down His life for us — ^when ? —
when we were traitors, rebels, in open rebellion again Him ! It was
then He laid down His life for us.
^^Unto Him that loved us." Now go and see what that love
is. Look at Him in the garden of Gethsemane ! when the weight
of God's wrath alighted on Him, as the Head of His church ; when
that load must have sunk a thousand worlds to the lowest hell !
But He came forth. He undertook as the Covenant Head, and He
had strength to bear — and but strength to bear. " What shall I
say? Father, remove this cup from Me." I think the passage
ought rather to be read thus : " What ! Shall I say. Father, remove
this cup from Me ? For this very end I came into the world." He
came by covenant arrangement to fulfil it, and here we find that
God did not spare His Son in the least ; and not the least particle
of that wrath due to the church of God but what was poured out on
Him, and He suffered the full wrath of God for every sin that ever
the church of God did commit, or ever would commit.
" Awake, sword, against My Shepherd ; against the Man that
is My Fellow, saith the Lord of Hosts ; smite the Shepherd and the
sheep shall be scattered, and I will turn My hand upon the little
ones." He had signed His hand and could not go back ; neither
did He wish to do so ; for it was love that brought Him to it, and
carried Him through. But now trace Him a little further, — ^fco
Golgotha, to Calvary, where the cross was erected, that He at thafc
time should render a perfect satisfaction. The sword of Divine
justice was drawn from its scabbard. Here alone it was that that
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 305
«weet portion of God's word was fulfilled : " Mercy and truth have
met together, righteousness and peace have kissed each other/'
Here law and justice were satisfied. Here the election of grace was
let go free.
" Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in
His Own blood.*' " Loved us !" says some poor sinner. *^ Loved
me ! What ! was I included V says some poor sensible sinner.
^' What ! was my name enrolled in the Lamb's book of life ? Was
I one that was given to Him in covenant ? What, me! a vile
wretch, who have broken His laws, transgressed His command-
ments, gone such extreme lengths in iniquity as I have ?" I would
say, if there are present such characters as these, under a feeling
sense of their being poor, perishing sinners, I would say, ^He died
for you : and to redeem you from this present evil world.' Now a
natural person can have no more conception of this than I have of
Hebrew characters; none at all. But you know it is a perfect
work. *^ He is a Rock, and His work is perfect." Nothing can be
added to it or taken from it. All the sacrifices pointed to this one
sacrifice. And it is said, after He had made satisfaction for ever.
He sat down at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty on
high ; and when He bowed His head He gave up the ghost and
said, "It is finished !" He died for our sins, and rose again for
our justification. Well, then, " Herein is love, not that we loved
God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation
for our sins." And, therefore, " greater love hath no man than
this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. But God com-
mendeth His love towards us in that, while we were enemies, Christ
laid down His life for us."
" Who loved us, and washed us from our sins in His Own
blood." Particular emphasis is here laid; our sins in His Own
blood ; distinguishing His blood from all the blood of beasts and
goats and bulls offered up under the old dispensation. They could
never take away sin.
fTo be concluded, D.V., in our next. J
THE SONGS OF HEZEKIAH.
" The Lord was ready to save me ; therefore we will sing my songs
•on the stringed instruments all the days of our life in the house of
the Lardy — Isaiah xxxviii. 20.
No. 2.
|HE gracious deliverance, which the Lord works for His
people in this life, though perfect in their nature and
degree, are not so complete as to secure against fresh trials
and dangers. " Many are the aflBictions of the righteous ;
^':^M'}
306 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
but the Lord deliveretli him out of them all/* is a declaration m
which the great Head of the church and all His elect members-
equally participate. From time to time the Lord^s hand has to be-
outstretched to reach and save His sinking ones ; and His innu-
merable and diversified promises to His poor and needy serve
powerfully to prove that they are often brought into such circum-
stances where His help is imperatively necessary.
Hezekiah had been saved from Sennacherib and his hosts ; but
another foe advanced against him with black banners and riding
on a pale horse. Death followed by Hell advanced, in grim
silence and with threatening looks. The tumour which had formed'
increased in size and malignity, weakened his physical powers, and
left him prostrate. And
" Lo, the seer Isaiah came,
With words to damp the expiring flame,
And strike the dying dead :"
^' Thus saith the Lord, Set thine house in order : for thou shalt die^
and not live."
The king was evidently in a great strait ; but while in an evan-
gelical sense he knew Jehovah could not change His mind and
purpose, he was also well aware that both he and his people were
temporarily dealt with according to a national conditional covenant^
which promised life to Jehovah's worshippers, and threatened death
to apostates. On this fact Hezekiah relied, while casting himself
on the free mercy of His God, and evidently not feeling sufficiently
comfortable in his soul to welcome nature's dissolution ; or unwill-
ing to die before he had completed his reforming work. So turning
his face to the wall he prayed : *^ Remember now, Lord, I beseech
Thee, how I have walked before Thee in truth and with a perfect
heart, and have done that which is good in Thy sight.*' We know
the result : Hezekiah was restored. And it is our full conviction
that he penned the cxvi. Psalm as a tribute to the healing grace-
experienced, just as he penned the ex v. on the occasion of the
destruction of the Assyrian hosts. And how sweet are the opening
words : '^ I love the Lord, because He hath heard my voice and my
supplications. Because He hath inclined His ear unto me, there-
fore will I call upon Him as long as I live." Vers, 1, 2.
How rich the vein of vital godliness in the soul revealed i»
this language. The Lord is loved by His people — not as they are
loved by Him, ^^ freely," but — on the ground of what He does for
them. Because His gracious ears receive their petitions and His-
almighty arm works salvation for them they love Him. Nor is it
possible otherwise to feel any affectionate regard for the Holy One*
of Israel. The relation of the sinner to Him, in a legal sense, i»
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 307
-only capable of exciting dread. " He that loveth is bom of God
und knowetb God" — knowetli Him as the God of salvation to
Whom belong the issues from death. And every time He merci-
fully regards the prayers of His people in their distress, it arouses
^thin them the holy resolution in all future troubles to make Him
their refuge, and to appeal to Him alone.
It appears certain from what follows, that Hezekiah was not
favoured with the joy of salvation or established in the sacred
assurance that to him " to die was gain." He says, " The sorrows
of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me : I
found trouble and sorrow,'' ver, 3. This was productive of greater
•dismay than the threats of Sennacherib and the blasphemous confi-
dence of Rabshakeh. For to a soul, sensible of the reality of the
world to come, and the importance of being fit to appear before the
final judgment seat of the unerring Heart- Searcher, no trouble and
sorrow can be so great as to the prospect of being called to encounter
death, without a firm and full persuasion, of interest in Him Who is
^' the Resurrection and the Life." But
* ' Wresthng prayer can wonders do ;
Bring relief in deepest straits."
'* Upon the name of the Lord, the true God, Whose hand had laid
his Assyrian foe in the dust, Hezekiah called in his distress. His
words were the utterances of his over-burdened heart : " Lord,
I beseech Thee, deliver my soul :" and he was heard and answered.
And now what says he of his Deliverer ? ^' Gracious is the Lord,
and righteous ; yea, our God is merciful. The Lord preserveth
the simple : I was brought low, and He helped me," vers. 5, 6.
How low he was brought, we gather from Isaiah's record of his
mental distress : I reckoned till morning, that, as a lion, so will He
break all my bones : from day even to night wilt Thou make an
end of me. Like a crane or a swallow, so did I chatter, I did
mourn as a dove : mine eyes fail with looking upward : Lord, I
^un oppressed ; undertake for me," Chap, xxxviii. 13, 14. This is
to sink in deep waters ; to stick fast in the horrible pit and miry
-day; nor can free-will and duty-faith exist in such an ordeal.
The Lord must undertake the great work of rescuing, otherwise the
soul must perish in its affliction. And how grievously does the
-character of Jehovah shine forth in the eyes of His people, when
He thus with outstretched arm exhibits His tender concern for
their welfare in time, and their safety in eternity. Never had
Hezekiah been brought so low; never had he been so helped.
And a sense of his utter unworthiness appears to have deeply
affected him on this account ; as it does all Grod^s people when thus
308 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
dealt with. He classes himself among the '^simple*' ones. And
the original does not mean (as the word '^ simple'* in Scriptore some-
times does) the sincere — those withont gnile; but ' the foolish^ —
those who are ewrily enticed and led a^trmj. And, as his conduct
proved, in the case of the ambassadors sent from Babylon to en-
quire of his health, and the wonder God had wrought in the sending
back the shadow of the sun ten degrees, the King shared largely in
the common fixAinh tendency to be beguiled with flattery and
ostentatious display. The words in the Psalm seem to acknowledge
this, while he praises the Lord for His preserving power. Poor
human nature ! how little can it bear of prosperity without being
inflated with pride and self-importance ; and how little can it bear
of adversity ; without sinking in despondency. O it is well to be
** Neither lifted up with air ;
Nor dejected to despair :
Always keeping Christ in view ;
He will bring us safely through."
Were the Lord to deal with any of His children "after their folly,*'
His rod would never be off their backs. But He deals not with
them after their sins ; neither rewards them according to their
iniquities. Nevertheless He so regulates His dispensations that He
brings each one to cry, in remembrance of what they have been and
are," God, Thou knowest my foolishness, and my sins are not hid
from Thee." " So foolish was I, and so ignorant, I was as a beast
before Thee.'*
*' My foolishness I hate."
And thus ^^ brought low" in spirit, as well as in circumstances, the
help required is vouchsafed effectually, and grace in its sovereign
freeness triumphs over all their worthlessness.
Now the dear man of God would fain be embosomed in the love
of his Heavenly Friend and Redeemer : ^^ Return,*' says he to his^
roving heart, " Return unto thy rest, my soul ; for the Lord hath
dealt bountifully with thee." The restless dove must return to the^
ark. There is no place for the sole of her foot on earth's waters.
Sensible of his wanderings and wavering, this true-hearted heir of
grace is constrained to acknowledge that hountifulness which the^
Lord had displayed in his restoration to health and vigour ; adding:
*' For Thou hast delivered my soul from death, mine eyes froitt
tears, and my feet from falling," ver. 8. And these are the three
experimental essentials earnestly coveted by all who are taught of
God the Spirit their need of Christ. For the soul to be delivered from
the apprehension of eternal death, and the dread of bodily death,,
how blessed ! The Lord to so sweetly and effectually reveal Him-
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 309"
self and show His power in seasons of spiritual or temporal trial
and distress, that He thus wipes away all tears from the eyes, how
desirable ! The feet that were slipping fast to be so upheld by
mercy that they have not fallen by means of the tempting beset-
ments of the pathway, what a cause for gratitude ! In his very
soul Hezekiah felt this, and we recognize in his words as recorded by
Isaiah the very sentiment : " Thou hast in love to my soul delivered
it from the pit of corruption : for Thou hast cast all my sins behind
Thy back. Chap, xxxviii. 17. And he thus proceeds : ^^ I will walk
before the Lord in the land of the living." V"er. 9.
That this "land of the living" meant in its direct significa-
tion in the mind of the king, earth, as the place where all the
naturally living reside, in contrast with the grave, and its in-
habitants, "the dead,^* we cannot doubt. For had he not said
while sinking in his affliction, " I shall not see the Lord, even
the Lord, in the land of the living : I shall behold man no more
with the inhabitants of the world'' ? Isaiah xxxviii. IL And
when his deliverance came, had he not exclaimed : " For the
grave cannot praise Thee, death cannot celebrate Thee : they that
go down into the pit cannot hope for Thy truth. The living, the
living, he shall praise Thee, as I do this day " ? vers, 18, 19. And
yet in the reduplication of the words, ^^ The living, the living,'* we
may certainly trace a two-fold ufe as dwelling in the thoughts and
heart of Hezekiah : for to every believer, physical life, if associated
with a spiritual death in trespasses and sins, is not worthy the
name.
** For life, without Thy love,
No relish can affoid;
No, not a drop of real joy.
Without Thy presence, Lord."
•
To " walk before the Lord in the land of the living," and as one
of the doiihhj'^' living'^ to praise Him, thus signifies to be found
among His people, and to serve Him in all humility and with
filial love and tender fear: thus " \>'alking before Him," as a child
of that Abraham, to whom the Lord said, while his name was yet
Abram, " I am the Almighty God ; walk before Me, and be thou
perfect." Gen. xvii. L " Perfect \" and in what sense ? " Perfect
IX LOVE," tormenting fear beiug cast out. IJohniv. 18; this, there-
fore, is that perfection to which all God's children are exhorted to-
a.spire, that the chains of legal bondage may be removed, and
they view Jehovah as their covenant God and Father, and not
under the hidings of His face conclude thai His mercy is clean
gone for ever, and that He hath forgotten to be gracious, and in
anger hath shut up His tender mercies. And in this ^^ walking
310 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
before Him,^^ what jealousy will there be for His honour and
glory, while self is crucified, the world lightly esteemed, and
everything that savours not of Christ is trodden under foot.
The Editoe.
(To he continued).
iC-i^^;
^^HOLD MY HANDS TIGHTLY."
)HE following occurred between myself and own daughter,
a fair curly-haired little girl of then three summers. The
little one was suffering from a severe cough, and her papa
gave her some medicine. After tasting it, she said, '^ I don't want
it, mamma, I can't drink it," pushing the glass from her. I said,
^^ Dear papa knows best, darling, and it's to cure your cough." She
answered, " I don't want any medicine at all, I dou*t ; 'tis nasty
medicine." "Very well," I said, "leave it on the table, but you are
griev^ingpapa." In a moment (while trying hard to keep back the big
tears) she said, "Yes, mamma dear, I will take it; I don't wan't
to vex my papa. You hold the glass for me and hold both my hands
tight." After drinking it, she said, " Wipe my eyes, I such a silly
little dirl to cry ; kiss me again, mamma, I not cry next time."
What a lesson this incident teaches every child of God. Our loving
and wise Father ofttimes sends His children trials of various kinds,
personal weakness, domestic affliction, bereavement, denial of some-
thing upon which they had set their hearts, or it may be, the Father
has withdrawn the realization of His presence and favour, and there
are numberless little crosses making up every-day experiences. Be
it what it may, crosses great or small (and what is a cross to one is
no trial to another) we frequently want, as the little one with the
medicine, to push it away, or to take it just now. Our Father
loves too wisely, too fondly, to allow His children to have their own
way, and often, when we find no way of escape, we cry, " Dear Jesus,
let me realise Thy presence, come quite close, be so near, so dear,
that all else shall be as nothing. Make me very patient, anxious to
do and suffer all Thy will. Help me to learn the lesson Thou art
teaching. Take my hand in Thine, give me child-like faith, and may
I in some feeble measure reflect Thine image, that Thou mayest be
glorified."
Then, when entirely submissive, passive, anxious to know no will
but His, we find that the trial, the cross, becomes light, because
cheered and sustained with His loving sympathy and presence.
And how we chide our littleness of faith and, as the little child
said, " How silly I was, I not cry again," so we resolve never to
doubt or distrust our loving Father in His dealings towards us. But
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 31 1
as with the child, the next dose of medicine brings the tears and folly
again. So it is with God*s people, as foolish and nnbelieving as
ever, and yet loving children withal.
May we daily, hourly, seek to live in close communion with our
pfrecious Jesus. May His Holy Spirit lead us into all truth, help-
ing us to realize at all times, be our path in life rough or smooth,,
(and our Father knoweth which is best and safest) that all things
are working together for our good and His glory.
Liverpool. C. Scott.
THEOLOGY IN AME RICA.
fContinued from page 288. J
Jonathan — Well, Joseph, I see but little chance of converting
you, so long as you hold those opinions. I guess those are the dan-
gerous doctrines we have so often been warned to avoid in America.
However, i can but try, if I fail, to open your eyes and soften
your heart. And I assure you there shall be nothing wanting, as
legards my logical powers to effect this great work, as I believe
ife will add no little to the revenue of our praise. But accepting^
tlie privileges and pleasures of such an endowment, we cannot avoid
the acceptance of its concomitants and consequences. To be free,
is to be responsible; to be capable of distinguishing and knowing
between right and wrong, is to be accountable. Life on earth is a
scene of probation. To every man there is allotted a task. On
every one there is an obligation to work out an appropriate char-
acter : according to this character is present peace and also future
frficity. If we spend our lives in the love and service of Him,
Ae God over all. Who has made us, and endowed us as we are>
"we secure for ourselves thorough and abiding well-being ; but if
"we disregard and disobey Him, we secure for ourselves a heritage of
misery. That our choice may be made manifest, and that an appro-
priate allotment may be assigned us, there is coming a period of ex-
amination and award — an hour when the Lord shall bring every
"work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or
"whether it be evil. On no subject is the testimony of the sacred
scriptures more explicit and emphatic than on this. Everywhere
they either declare or assume that every one of us shall give an
account of himself to God; that we must all appear before the judg-
ment seat of Jesus Christ ; that Jehovah hath appointed a day in
"which He will judge the world in righteousness, by that Man whom
He hath ordained : and that amid the appalling sublimities of that
day, the dead, small and great, shall stand before God, and the
books shall be opened ; and the dead shall be judged out of those
things which are written in the books according to their works.
-312 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
Joseph — I know not how it is^ but really, Jonatlian, I fear yon have
almost got out of your depth, — or, rather, so far in deeps so pro-
found, — ^that it behoves you to be cautious ; but perhaps you can
swim, if so, you may escape being drowned. Please excuse me.
But if your sophistical acumen could be auctioned off to the best
bidder, there is a fortune for you the moment the hammer drops.
When men are theologically wrong, both in head and heart, at the
commencement of their religious career, we think it is no wonder, if
they are given up to " their own delusions," if grace prevent not.
Intellectual endowments give a large amount of pleasure; being
only the privilege of some, not the common lot of all. Besides,
there are but few but what would rejoice in the acceptance of all the
attendants that necessarily follow. '^To be free is to be responsi-
ble." Strange logic ! quite in strict keeping with all the rest;
just as if you had said, ^* To be free is to be bound." Let us look
at the scriptural meaning of what it is " to be bound.'' In the first
place, God's people are bound fast under sin, guilt, Satan, and law;
the cords of their sins are the bands or pinions that bind them ;—
they fall down where there is none to help. For in this condition
they cannot help themselves, nor give a ransom for a brother.
This is bondage with a witness ; and in this state they become
chafed and sore with murmuring, until they are like ''a wild bull
in a net." The cord that binds them is called ^affliction andiron,''
because of its tightness and strength. And, like the solitary hart
when wounded, ''they all mourn apart" — "mourn sore like doves,"
and mourn as deeply as those who are "in bitterness for their
first-born;" their lips quiver, and their belly trembles ; and under
a "freewill" surfeit they cry out with Jonah, " Out of the belly of
hell cried I." " Salvation is of the Lord." This takes place under
a feeling sense of their utter incapacity to do anything
for themselves. But what is it "to be free?" It is to be
unfettered — not to "be responsible," as you say, but to be delivered
from the galling yoke of sin, Satan, law, wrath, guilt and con-
demnation, by the application of Christ's love, blood, grace, and
righteousness, by the power of God the Holy Ghost, to a broken
heart and sin-smitten conscience. They are now free born. '' Not
of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of
God" (John i. 13). "If the Son, therefore, shall make you free,
ye shall be free indeed" (John viii. 36). The way I have just
described is the way God brings His Own people, according to
the truth of His word, and the incontrovertible testimony of tens of
thousands.
Now, my friend Jonathan, will you have the good-
ness to compare notes. I dare say you would scorn a road like
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 313
this, liaving trod your beautiful macadamized Methodist Episcopal
Church so long. WeU, we are now compelled to glance at your
probation scheme. What a mercy to have the Bible unfettered !
What an energetical go-between you are — a willing something
'^ between right and wrong" — an accountable probationer, on trial,
in order to see what you would turn out to be. As if the all-wise,
infinite, unerring Creator could not foresee what He should make,
and what it would be at after He had made it ! Doth not the infal-
lible word declare, '^ I knew that thou wouldest deal treacherously
from the womb." " He that teacheth man knowledge shall not He
know V ^^ The Lord knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are
vanity." When the Lord speaks of proving and trying, it is not
on His own account; there is no deficiency in His knowledge or
foreknowledge (1 Peter i. 2) ; but the foreknowledge of God and
His Divine sovereignty you ignore altogether. I can understand
what it is in the way of trade, when men take slaves on trial or pro-
bation for a given time, and should they not prove according to
what they have been represented, they have been returned. The
same with horses : and .precisely the same with Methodist Episcopal
Church preachers. If they have not come up to your orthodox
standard, have you not returned them, or sent them back to your
own schools at Jericho until their beards have grown a little longer ?
although they themselves grow no wiser through the instrumentality
of their teachers in God's plan of salvation, which accounts for this
long string of " accountableness" of yours. Here you speak of an
" allotted task" '' to work out an appropriate character." If I am
not mistaken, you have got your work cut out for you hore, Joni-
than. This would be a problem for Euclid, and such a task for
Jonathan that he never undertook in his life, and one that is certain
to be left unfinished, though he tugs and toils at it until he takes
his last gasp. WTien you have worked out this appropriate charac-
ter, which I suppose is perfection in the flesh — if ever you do mend
that — ^for the sake of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and all the
professing world, by all means get it photographed (if it costs your
Conference a shilling) lest it fade or vanish away, for you would
never see the like again. And my reason for wishing you to do
this is, simply, because I know such appropriate, task-working,
image-making, responsibles, accountables, probations, obligations,
&c., will neither stand wind nor weather, wash nor wear. Such
aeriel bridges are only the workmanship of spiders, or like that
man-made (for the most part) religious mania in 1859 and 1860, and
which soon evaporated like the exhalations of a lake, or like a gos-^
simer carried away in the wind. Do you remember this, Jonathan?
fTo be continued J
314
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE,
(<
OUR HELP AND SHIELD.
Be is our help and our shield,** — Psalm xxxiii. 20.
I long so much— so very much —
To serve my Lord aright ;
'Guinst Satan's tight relentless clutch
I struggle day and night :
And yet at times so weak am I,
I cannot fight, I onlj' sigh,
And beg that He my help would be
And from the tempter set me free.
I oft have thought that, had I birth
In those glad days of yore.
When He, our Lord, was here on eaith
To save us evermore;
And had I sat at His dear feet.
My happiness had been complete,
' That I had never caused Him pain
By sinning o'er and o'er again.
Aug. 14th, 1881.
But when I think on Peter's fall,
And ponder Judas' crime,
I feel the weakness of it all,
And see that, in all time,
Whate'er our state, whate'er our place
If He but hides from us His face.
We cannot on our strength rely.
We sink in sin, and sinning die.
Then, oh, my God, look down in loye,
And guide my faltering feet
To that blest path that leads above,
To Thy sweet mercy seat :
What can we fear, if but Thou'lt guide
Our steps ? and, let what else betide,
We're free from Satan and alarms
While sheltered by Thy loving arms.
G.L.
HEAVEN AND HELL VERSUS PURGATORY.
** Man dtefh, and wasteth away ; yea, man giveth up the ghost, and where h
he r — Job xiv. lo,
HAT says revelation upon the question, "Where is he ?" If I look
the precious Word of God through, I find a description of a scene
of bliss or a scene of woe awaiting mortals, but I find not one
word about a purgatory. The devil coined that wicked, crafty, money-get-
ting notion, to cram down the throats of Popish priests, — and they did not
want much cramming, but swallowed it down greedily. They know it is
-a fable and a lie, but ** by this craft they have their wealth.'' My Bible
knows of no such thing. The contrast is set down by my blessed Lord
in the death of the Christian and the worldling. Lazarus died, and
was at once " carried by angels to Abraham's bosom," without dropping
•him into any limbo on the way. The rich man died, and found no place
out of which the Popish priests could pray him ; but it is said imme-
diately, ** in hell he lifted up his eyes, being in torments." Now if I were to
give you no other scripture than this, does it not amount to demonstra-
tion, that all idea about an intermediate state is a perfect fable, a ridicu-
lous invention, a cunning piece of priestcraft for the duping of the mul-
titude ; and that the Word of God in asking the question, ** Where is
he ? " holds out no other prospect, than that he is either in heaven, or
in hell ? in the glory prepared for him or in the despair that awaited him ?
But let me just add to this the declaration of the Saviour relative to the
^thief upon the cross. He cries for mercy ; he pleads with Jesus to " re-
'member him when He comes into His kingdom." He feels his ruin, and
THB GOSPEL ADVOCATE. SIS
asks for the salvation that is in Christ ; and Jesus does not say in reply,
'• You are an old and notorious sinner, a hardened and wicked wretch ; and
you have not had an opportunity of confessing to a priest, and he has not
given you absolution, and therefore you must go to purgator}- for forty
or fifty years, and then if your relatives can find money enough to pray
yon out, I may perhaps admit you to heaven." Instead of that He says,.
•* To-day shalt thou be with Me in Paradise." Then if we ask of man^
that dieth and wasteth away, " Where is he } " he is with Christ in Para-
dise — or he is with demons in despair.
Life, death, and hell, and worlds unknown.
Hang on His firm decree ;
He sits on no precarious throne,
Nor borrows leave TO BE.
His proN-idence unfolds the book,
And makes His counsels shine ;
Each opening leaf, and every stroke
Fulfils some deep design. — Watts.
Chained to His throne a volume lies,
With all the fates of men ;
With every angel's form and size
Drawn by the eternal pen.
\tiitx% bg \\t Pon^^l^oto of Jait^.
LETTER BY THE LATE MR. G. STEDMAN.
Robertsbridge, July loth, 1880.
Dear Friend, — Hope you are favoured to see the difference
" between him that serveth God and he who serveth Him not/' as
Obadiah had it given him to do. The formalist, is portrayed in
Elsau and his offspring (Edom), who is called ^' Jacob's brother" — ■
born of the same mother, and begotten by the same father. Even
so God giveth gifts to servants still, as well as to sons. Jacob
spake of all the Lord did for them in Eg}'pt as to brethren ; but
Kved to prove he was casting pearls before swine, and casting
bread to a dog (Numbers xx. 14-21). Wherefore Israel turned
away from him, as Paul admonishes Timothy to turn away from
those under the gospel who had a form of godliness but denied the
power of it. ''None are to remain of Esau" (Obadiah 18). " But
upon mount Zion shall be deliverance ; and there shall be holiness,.
and the house of Jacob shall possess their possessions." Esau is
one-twelfth of Jacob's house.
These tribes of Jacob are extant in the regenerated of the Lord
at this day. Reuben — "vision of a son :'' even Christ revealed in
the heart. iSimeow,—" he that hears, obeys, and is heard." Levi —
"joined" — ^joined to the Lord. Judah — "praise:" "This people
have I formed for Myself; they shall show forth My praise.
}>
'316 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
Zehulun — ^^ dwelling:" one in whom God dwells, and lie dwells in
God. Issachar — ^^ reward or recompeuce :" one who has believed
the gospel and is recompensed by the witnessing of the Holy
Spirit promised, whereby he is sealed unto eternal redemption.
Ban — '^he that judges or judgment." The sinner who judges him-
self by God's rule, and so is not condemned with the world. Tea,
judges all things himself, but is judged of none. He bows to no
judgment or sentence save that of God : " Let my sentence come
forth from Thy presence." Gad — " a band ; happy ; one armed
and prepared." The soul is indeed happy, even when embedded
in miseries, when Christ blesses him. Blessed be ye poor,—
mourners, hungerers, and thirsters after righteousness ; meek, per-
secuted, and falsely accused. These are the happy ones, and these
are fully armed with effective weapons too : although to sight and
sense they are just the reverse. Yes, they live by faith and not bv
sight. Asher — ** blessedness or happiness." Ah, do not these
flourish in abundance in love ! " Happy is the man whom God
■correcteth." Whom He loves He chastens. Blessed is the man
that endureth temptation. Oh, these sweet blessings come down
to us, shall I say, strained through these dark clouds. Naphtali—
^^my wrestling." Have not you and I something or things of our
own which we had to wrestle hard for ? Aye, choice things too ;
though the bringing them forth was sore travail. Joseph—
*^ adding," " increase." He was indeed a Nazarene ; a branch in
feeling separated from the stock and other branches by the branches
themselves for 24 or 25 years. What, a withered branch add and
increase ? Sense and reason, aided by human nature, says. Nay,
impossible; but God, and true faith too, confirm the thing in the
soul. One more of the household — little Benjamin — ^^ the son of
my right hand." His mother called him Benoni — ^^ the son of my
sorrow" — our sorrows, and the deepest, yield the son of our right
hand. The right hand denotes strength or power. Is not the joy of
the Lord our strength ? Does not this spring to us out of sorrows;
and the deeper they are the greater the joy ? These constitute the
House of Jacob, who are to possess their possessions; while
Jacob is to be a fire and Joseph {i.e., the houses of these respec-
tively) a flaine, and Esau's house to be as stubble ; and they shall
kindle in them and devour them, according to Malachi i. 4.
I must confess I have been almost wicked enough at times to let
in something like this to my heart respecting this short prophecy:
It is no use reading this scripture. But, what does it contadn ?
A full, solemn and terrible, yet glorious account of professor and
profane ; of those who fear God and those who fear Him not.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 317
Those who know the power of godliness and they who only know
and are content with the form. And I often am inquiring, What
am I ? Which side am I ? And am obliged to rest sometimes when
challenged, on this word : " The foundation of God standeth sure ;
having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are His."
G. Stedman.
LETTER BY A TRIED PILGRIM.
Friday, Jan. 3rd, 1857.
My beloved Christian Brother,
I feel disposed to write you a few words this morning, having
vtime on my hands. My mind has been impressed with the account
of the Lord's dealings toward you, which you gave me on Tuesday
night last ; and I cannot but feel impressed with the impending fulfil-
ment of the purpose of the Eternal God made known, unto you his
♦servant concerning your appointed position as an ambassador of
X^Jhrist. My poor, feeble, ignorant mind, alas, is often so much
perplexed with itself and its lack of revelation in the ^^ knowledge of
Jesus," that these wonderful displays of the Lord's covenant designs
•seem too high for me, and I cannot attain unto them, yet I desire to
rejoice in the wondrous grace and favour shown towards you, and
hail with unfeigned joy the word of the Lord going forth with
power, savour and eternal success from your mouth, as His Spirit
shall give you utterance. may you feel much of His presence,
and be anointed with all that grace and unction of the Lord the
Spirit which you stand in need of, and may He grant you sweet
evidence that He is your strength and shield, and all your salvation.
I feel much interested as to your grandfather's state, — whether
he has left the body or no, and should like to know if that has taken
place, according to the intimation given to him. What an unspeak-
able mercy to have a desire to depart and be with Christ, to be
prepared to appear in the presence of God, saved from sin, and
fear, and guilt, and shame — accepted in the Beloved ! When shall
I attain to this ? I often ask myself : but the Lord is a God of judg-
ment, and I desire to wait for Him to do all things for me according
to His sovereign will.
Another year having commenced, I am reminded how short the
time has 'been since I sent you a few words of salutation upon the
opening of the last, and while reviewing what has been my course
iand the Lord's dealings, I must endeavour, like Paul in olden time,
318 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
to '^ thank God and take courage/' with the strong conviction of
our dear poet :
** Weak in myself — in Him I'm strong,"
His Spirit's voice I hear ;
The way I walk cannot be wrong.
If Jesus be but there."
On New Year's mom I was musing upon Hart's words —
** No trifling gift or small,
Should mends of Christ desire :
Eich Lord, bestow on all
Pure gold well tried by fire :
Faith that stands fast when devils roar,
And love that lasts for evermore."
To this I could add my hearty Amen — and pray that this year
may be fraught with blessings from above and great grace and
mercy to us through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Whenever you can make an opportunity, do favour me with a
visit ; or if that is not practicable, may I crave a few lines, — however
few, does not matter, though I highly prize every sentence I receive^
just to let me know how you are — and concerning your experience
in preaching Christ. I must conclude my feeble note praying the^
Lord to be with you and bless you, and your dear mother and
relatives in the kingdom of grace. My partner joins me in kindest
regards.
Your affectionate Christian brother,
T. A. WILLIAMS.
Mr. A. J. Baxter.
[The above was written to us just after the Lord had brought us out
into the ministry, and when the dear aged relative referred to (who
for twenty years sat under Mr. Huntigton) was passing away to his
eternal rest — The Editor.]
PURE GOLD FROM PURITAN AND OTHER MINES.
Scripture Interpretation. — "As God is the author of
His law and word, so He is the best interpreter of it. The^
Scripture having an impress of Divine wisdom, holiness, and
goodness, must be regarded according to that impress with
a submission and meekness of spirit and reverence of God in it.
But when, in our enquiries into the word, we enquire not of God
but consult flesh and blood, the temper of the times wherein we
live, or the satisfaction of a party we side withal, and impose gloss
upon it according to our own fancies, it is to put laws upon God,
and make self the rule of Him. He that interprets the law to bol*
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 319
-fiter up some eager appetite against the will of the law-giver, as-
cribes to himself as great an authority as He that enacted it."
Charnock.
Perhaps many that sit under my poor ministry will recollect
«ome of the observations here brought together which they have
heard by word of mouth in my evening lectures. I write as I speak
without much attention to style or manner, and if God, the Holy
Ghost, Whose blessed office it is to glorify Christ, should graciously
condescend to bless this little work when I am no more ; and if
any of those among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom
of God should, as they read these lines after my decease, call to mind
what they have heard in my personal ministry and say : — '^ We re-
member those words as they came warm from his heart, which we
now read, while his ashes are mouldering in the grave," the very
thought comforts my soul in the moment of writing.
Haweeb.
Prayer. — " When God saith unto thee. Ask what thou wilt, what
^It thou ask ? It is not anyone, but Almighty God that said. Ask
■what thou wilt (Matt. vii. 7). If of possessions thou art a lover, thou
wilt desire the whole earth, that all who are born may be thy hus-
bandmen, or thy slaves. And what when thou hast possessed the
whole earth ? Thou wilt ask the sea, in which yet thou can^st not
live. In this greediness the fishes will have the better of thee.
But perhaps thou wilt possess the islands. Pass over these also ;
ask the air, although thou can'st not fly; stretch thy desires even
unto the heavens, call thine own the sun, the moon, and the stars,
because He who made all said. Ask what thou wilt : yet nothing
•wilt thou find more precious, nothing wilt thou find better, than
Himself Who made all things. Him seek, Who made all things,
and in Him and from Him shalt thou have all things that He
made. All things are precious, because all things are beautiful ;
but what more beautiful than He ? Strong are they ; but what more
strong than He ? And nothing would He give thee rather than
Himself. If ought better thou hast found, ask it. If thou ask
ought else thou wilt do wrong to Him and harm to thyself by pre-
ferring to Him that which He made, when He would give to thee
Himself Who made." Augustine on the Psalms.
The Better Inheritance . — ^As for bodily health or strength, worldly
peace or prosperity, gains or projects, riches or honours, favour or
affection, kindness or civil treatment from this world, letjit not be
once expected nor once mentioned among you as becometh saints ;
320 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
for these things are not in the covenant ; they are no part of the^
better inheritance ; for these things are seen, but the great reward
is nob seen ; these are temporal, but the portion is eternal. But is
there no better reward for present services, even in this life, than
temporal things ? Oh, yes ! His favour is better than life itself,
and His countenance as a cloud of the latter min, which often dis-
tils precious drops, which serve to soften the clods, and prepare it
for the reception of the word of life. Let us glory in our infirmi-
ties, for these keep us from confidence in the flesh ; let us glory in
reproaches, for these keep us from having fellowship with unfruit-
ful works of darkness ; for he that is a friend of the world is the
enemy of God. When the outward man decays, " the inward man
is renewed day by day." And even bodily pains are intended to
eject us out of this earthly house, that we may be admitted into our
house that is from above, where the inhabitant shall no more saj,
" I am sick." And knowing we have such a hope, what have we to
fear, seeing that our whole work is to cleave to Christ, to
follow, and to endeavour to please conscience ? How can
we be poor that have God for our portion ? This is not
our rest, because it is polluted ; this is not our home or our
dwelling-place, and we are called strangers, pilgrims, and wayfaring
men. We know we have turned the corner, gained the sununit,
and are going down the hill ; the valley of the shadow of death is
at the bottom, then comes Jordan, and on the other side is the chief
mountain, the fountain of life, and the everlasting hills. Set your
heart on this heavenly country, where we shall see our best Beloved,
and enjoy each other^s company and conversation for evermore.
The Lamb in the midst of the throne shall feed us to the full, fill
us with light from His sweet face, and with love, joj, and peace
from His heart. W. Huntington, S.S.
A Needs-be.— If, then, in the Divine wisdom there is a "needs
be " for a path of tribulation, happy are we if we are, through God's
teaching, in this path. You think sometimes that you could bear
any trial but that which is laid upon you. Bui, depend upon it,
God has selected out of the variety of manifold trials and -temp-
tations that very trial which shall most suit your state and
circumstances. Take another word of the apostle to encourage
you. They aie but " for a season." Is it not far better for you to
be a poor, despised, afflicted, tempted saint of God, with the faith
of God's elect in your heart, and the kingdom of God in your
breast, pressing and struggling oi: through a sea of diflSculties to
reach the heavenly shore, and to take possession of that glorious
itiheritance, than enjoy all that the world could lay at your feet ?
J. C. Philpot.
November^ 1882. the gospel advocate. 321
ESSAYS ON HART'S HYMNS.— L VII.
Hymn 53.
Faith is the Victory.
>AITH, in its relation to the i&nished work of Christ, can
never be too clearly understood. It is asing almost stereo-
typed phraseology to say that, never was it (in proportion
to the population) less properly apprehended than in our day ; but
it is nevertheless only too true. And the result is seen, when care-
fully examined, to be far more solemn than is generally imagined.
For that result proves to be this : The setting forth of a Jesus Christ
in name. Who in person and work is not " the Son of the Father in
truth and love," while the faith, of which so much is said and
written, is neither the gift nor work of God the Spirit, and therefore
not that of His elect, nor saving in its nature.
These are strong assertions, but there is little difficulty in sub-
stantiating them. And if so, what delusion can be compared with
that now so prevalent ? It was the nearest approach of Paganism
to the worship of Jehovah that was the most effective in leading Israel
into idolatry. " They feared the Lord (Jehovah), and served their
own gods,'* is the scathing word of exposure concerning this evil,
2 Kings xvii. 33-41. And this marked the mongrel worship of the
Samaritans ; of which our Lord said to the woman at the well, '* Ye
worship ye know not what," John iv. 22. To be worshipped in
Spirit and in truth, the Lord must reveal His Son in the heart and
understanding, Gal. i. 15, 16. "Ignorance," to Rome's children,
may be " the mother of devotion," but in Jehovah's Zion, it is
SPIRITUAL KNOWLEDGE that is SO. " This is life eternal," said Jesus
in His prayer to the Father, " that they might know Thee, the only
true God, and Jesus Christ, Whom Thou hast sent," John xvii. 3,
whUe the beloved Apostle affirms : " We know that the Son of
God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know
Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, even in His Son
Jesus Christ. This is the true God and eternal life," 1 John v. 20.
In the little hymn now before us we shall perceive that Mr. Hart
uses very guarded language in its opening lines. Doubtless he had
in view the peril we have named, and which always prevails in the
greatest degree in a day of religious excitement, such as is invari-
322 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
ably associated with " Revivals/' and which existed in his time, led
on by Whitefield and Wesley. Let us observe his words :
" Whoe'er believes aright
In Christ's atoning blood,
Of all his guilt's acquitted quite,
And may draw near to God." Verse 1.
Is there then a wrong way of believing ? and if so, how is it to be
distinguished ? No child of God will challenge the importance of
these two questions. Personal anxiety to be right will urge all who
feel the solemn importance of soul matters, to desire a clear answer
to them. And why should our poet speak of believing '' aright/'
if there were no danger of that which is the reverse ? If ^' there is
a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the
ways of death,'' Prov. xiv. 12, there is no sense in which this is so
likely to be verified as in a religious sense, and in the great point
of FAITH it rises before us in all its vital importance.
The only way in which the sterling nature of faith can be known
is by its effects ; even as we judge of the good or bad tree by the
absence, or presence, and quality of the fruit. And those effects
are absolutely and indivisibly associated with
** Christ's atoning blood. "
To v^iew that blood in a superficial or hap-hazard light is utterly
derogatory to the dignity of Christ's person. As One of the
Divine Persons in the glorious Trinity, and the One Who was spe-
cially appointed by the Father in His everlasting love to His people
for the purpose of redeeming them to God by His blood, the
eternal Son is not to be lightly regarded in His character of Jesus
Christ. As " the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever," He
claims co-equal honour with the Father who sent Him. And as the
pouring forth of His blood was so effectual to the accomplishment
of the great designs of grace in salvation that it is declared, " He
entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal re-
demption for us," Heb. ix. 12, it is evident that the Father has
eternally accepted His one offering for sin, and affirms, '^ He shall
see of the travail of His soul, and shall be satisfied," Isa. liii. 11.
It is thus the atonement (by which the church is reconciled unto
God) is exclusively the fruit of Christ's blood-shedding, while His
righteousness (in His perfect obedience to all the demands of the
law) is to stand immovable while creatures all pass away, and when
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 323
the heavens and earth undergo their final change^ Isa. li. 6^ 8. On
Him alone, therefore, salvation depends for merit, and upon the
Holy Spirit for all preparation fitness. " Salvation is of the Lord ;"
in its provision, accomplishment and revelation. Faith, of and
in itself has no merit, nor (if genuine) pretends to have any. It took
no part in the great work of the Surety of the everlasting covenant.
It offered no atonement, it made no peace with law and justice, nor
can it. The blood of Christ alone claims that honour. Faith
receives the knowledge and enjoyment of the atonement from
the Spirit's inward witnessing of Christ, and it is dependent on that
witnessing for all it realizes.
By the eye of this spiritual grace, Christ and His atoning blood
are beheld invested with the highest dignity and the greatest power.
He that has prevailed to receive the book from the hand of God
the Father, and to loose its seven sacred seals, is looked upon as no
impotent person, but as having all power given unto Him in heaven
and in earth,'' Matt, xxviii. 8 ; power over all flesh that He may
give eternal life to as many as the Father hath given Him, John
xvii. 2. To be interested in His death, and held in the keeping of
His hand, are felt to be the grand security of the soul for ever. The
claims of His blood, as having put away all sin, are regarded as
irresistible, as the answer to all legal charges, and the accusations
of Satan and conscience. By its justice-satisfying agency,
faith believes there is boldness granted to enter into the very holiest,
Heb. X. 19 : i.e., when the Holy Spirit is pleased to apply it and to
sprinkle the heart from an evil conscience : and faith is assured
that all who are justified by the shedding of that blood shall be
saved from wrath through Him, Rom. v. 9.
The Lord Jesus and His sacrificial work are thus exalted in the
estimation of every one who
*' believes aright
In Hi a atoning blood,"
to that pre-eminence which gives weight and solidity to their
views and feelings with respect to the atonement and its efficacy,
which may be looked for in vain among the ready singers and
noisy shouters who make it a theme of the lips, while their belief
is that the Lord has so arranged matters that that atonement
should have no influence with Him, unless the creature give it
324
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
validity by an effort of the will and self-wrought credence.
They name Jesus, they sing of Jesus, they pray in His name, but it
is not the Jesus Whom (rod hath " exalted with His right hand a
Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance unto Israel and the for-
giveness of sins.'*
Now
** Whoe'er believes aright
In Christ's atoning blood,
Of all his guilt's acquitted quite,
And may draw near to God."
That is, such a believer possesses the indubitable evidence that his
guilt has been purged away by the shedding of that blood. He is
cleared and exonerated from all law-charges, and as God has no
account standing against him, he, feeling this,
** May draw near to God,"
"having boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus."
This perfect justification and acquittal it will be seen rests entirely
on the ground of the j)a^^ atonement. The 'present access by
the faith ot Jesus, is wholly attributable to the work and
witness of the Holy Spirit : as it is written : " In Whom we have
boldness and access with confidence by the faith of Him," Eph.
iii. 12. " For through Him we both (Jews and Gentiles) have access
by one Spirit unto the Father.*' Chap. ii. 18.
*' But sin will still remain ;
CoiTuptions rise up thick ;
And Satan says the med'cine's vain.
Because we yet are sick.'* Verse 2.
But where does sin remain ? Not in the book of law-accounts
before the Lord, for the precious blood of Christ has put it away
for ever out of the sight of infinite justice. It remains in the nature
which every redeemed soul derives from carnal birth. It remaim
also on the conscience of every soul convinced of sin by the Holy
Spirit's revelation of the law in its spirituality, until removed by
the application of the Saviour's ^* atoning blood." And even when
purged away from the conscience it " will still remain ^' in the
nature, and in the most exemplary show its presence and power at
times, in the temper, words, and ways. The scripture biography
of every saint confirms this, as does the life-history, and experience
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 325
of all the Lord's children of modern times ; "for in many things
we offend all," James iii. 2. And the great enemy of souls, as
** the accuser of the brethren/' is not slow to avail himself of the
knowledge he possesses of the sinfulness of the flesh, to suggest to
tkose wlio writhe under the lash of a guilty conscience and the
uprisings of a depraved heart, that there is no proof that the
*^ medicine," the balm of Gilead, is in their case a remedy. If Jesus
were their healer, would they thus be sick ? Did not each of those
who was healed physically by Him, receive a cure so complete in
itself as to be perfectly delivered from the malady with which they
were previously infected ? With respect to sin-purgation, it is not so.
The disease still rankles in the body of sin and death after the con-
science has felt the good Physician's touch, and heard the words,
*^ 1^hy sins be forgiven thee." How can this be reconciled ? It is
plain, suggests the tempter, that
** The med'cine's vain,
Because we yet are sick."
But there is an answer to all this special pleading of the adver-
sary. Those whom the Saviour healed, were not thereby freed
from all liability to future bodily ailments, or even physical death.
**A worse thing" might befal some who had been set free from
sore iiitirmities. And as it has pleased the Lord, for some wise end,
even the magnifying of sin-subduing grace, not to remove sin out
of His people's mortal frames till they revert to dust and arise re-
newed in the resurrection morn, the blood of Christ does its work
effectually by the Spirit's power, as the soul's "medicine," in
removing the guilt of sin from the conscience, as the sure earnest
of the future perfect emancipation of both soul and body from the
dominion and indwelling of all corruption. Let the devil, there-
fore, urge what he may, we may reply with our beloved poet :
** But all this will not do,
Oar hope's on Jesus cast ;
Let all be liars, and Him be true,
We shall be well at last." Verse 3.
The earnest of this certain assurance is possessed by all who
*^ have received the atonement," and all those elders who " obtained
a good report through faith," died in the faith of it. The great
326 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
mystery of the co-existence of sin and grace in the same person^ and of
the incessant warfare arising from it, may not be clearly apprehended
by all the Lord's people, but the great fact is indisputable by
them. Hence the chief point worthy of attainment by them is, the
knowledge of an interest in the *' atoning blood." Whoever is
privileged to realize this, apprehends the certainty of everlasting
life. All who oppose this, whether devils or men, are to be
accounted " liars,'' for their antagonism to the sayings of the Lord
Jesus, Who thus testifies : " Whosoever liveth and believeth in Me
shall never die," John xi. 26. " If a man keep My saying {i.e.,
cleaves to the Word of the truth of the Gospel) he shall never see
death," chapter viii. 51. But not to lose sight of the idea put forth
by Mr. Hart, of being healed by the medicine compounded of the
blood, righteousness and grace of the Lord Jesus, and yet still to
find
" Corruptions rise up thick,"
coupled with the God- wrought assurance that
" We shall be weU at last,"
all this is borne out by the dear Saviour's words, '^ Now ye are
clean through the word which I have spoken unto you," John xv. 3.
For the then jpresent and after infirmities of the Apostles had no
effect upon the power of that healing which they had experienced.
In confirmation of which, let the following language of Paul be
observed, in which the deep sense he possessed of the abounding of
sin in his flesh, together with his final deliverance, is unmistakeably
expressed : ^^ wretched man that I am ! who shall deliver me
from the body of this death ? I thank God through Jesus Christ
our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God,
but with the flesh the law of sin," Eom. vii. 24, 25. No sentence
could more clearly demonstrate the correctness of our poet's
assertion relative to himself and all the Lord's cleansed but sin-
plagued children (let Satan impugn it as he may),
** We shall be well at last."
The Editoe.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE, 327
LOVED, WASHED, AND DIGNIFIED.
A Sermon by Mr. Grace.
fConeludued from page WbJ.
Now we come to the washing. I consider this washing signifies
.purging; for in the scripture I read to you, '^ almost all things
inder the law were purged by blood." This was a washing,
> urging, or cleansing from sin. Now this was done entirely in the
eternal purpose of Jehovah ; and, as a good man says — ^I won't
jontradict him — God the Father was the first that trusted in Christ;
rave Him credit for the accomplishment of what He had undertook
o do from everlasting. And He has viewed His 'church from ever-
asting as " without spot or wrinkle, or any such thing," as in Christ.
3ut in the fulness of time it was that He was to a<x;omplish that
vhich He had undertaken to do. And this washing signifies that
ie removed in one day the iniquities of His church, so that when
lought for, they shall not be found. Why so ? Because they are
»st into the depths ot the sea. Now there are some parts in
he deep ocean where no bottom can be found. And here they
)jre sunk where they can never be found ; for the love of God is an
K^ean without bottom or shore ; and here it is that the sins of God's
>eople are cast. In that day the iniquities of His people shall be
;ought for, and not found. What day is that ? The day of
itonement. It is thus Christ's having made satisfaction for the
;ius of His people in the day of atonement, they were washed
iway, and shall never be brought to the remembrance of God
he Father. Well but, say you, this is a long way off. Bless
Jod, it' it is so, if you are not satisfied without the power of it.
rhousiinds of the people in this metropolis are satisfied without this.
!t is a clear truth ; but to have a personal application of this is
vhat the people of God are not satisfied without.
** Washed us from our sins in His own blood." Now, we read
ihat the priest made atonement for sin, and the high priest went
3nce a year into the holiest of all to make atonement for sin. But
3ur great High Priest has made atonement for sin once for all.
This washing certainly sets forth that there is a need of washing.
If there is a need of washing, there must be a filtliiness by
nature, and it is by the first teaching of God the Holy Ghost w^e
get to know this. By he teaching of God the Holy Ghost, the
church speaks of this : " We are all as an unclean thing, and all our
righteousnesses are as filthy rags ; and we all do fade as a leaf." Turn
a^iu to Isaiah vi. : "Woe," says he, "is me, for I am undone."
^riat is the matter ? what is the cause ? " Because I am a man of
fjclean lips." How came you to know it, Isaiah ? " Mine eyes
328 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
have seen the King, the Lord of Hosts." If you have a discovery
of this, the holiness, righteousness, and purity of God has thus
brought you to see that you are a poor unclean sinner. Well,
then, this is antecedent to washing, dear friends. And if we are
not brought to see our filthiness by nature, we shall never dulj
appreciate this washing by the blood of Christ. We need a
washing in the fountain of His precious blood.
There is a threefold washing, two of which do not particularly
refer to the washing of my text. In the epistle to Titus, there is
^^the washing of regeneration and the renewing of the Holy
Grhost." And in Ephesians v. you read : " Husbands love your
wives, even as Christ also loved the church." What ! the Esta-
blished Church ? No. God has some of His church in the
Established Church. I am not sectarian, though some people say,
'' Gi*ace, I never saw such a people as yours are in my life ; all
your people are going to be saved, and all the rest will be lost !"
It is not so ; I no more believe all the congregation that come to
hear me at Brighton are elect than I believe all you are. I am not
judging; it is not my prerogative. I am not going to judge
churchmen, dissenters, Arminians, or anyone else. With all my
soul and body I would stand up and oppose the damnable heresy
of Socinianism, and all who deny the divinity of the blessed Son
of Son. Do away with His divinity, and you must be damned
to a man. But, blessed be God, we have not so learned Christ
^' Husbands love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church,
and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify and cleanse it
with the washing of water by the word ; that He might present
it to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle, or
any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish."
That He might redeem it to Himself a peculiar people. And this
was with "the washing of water by the word.'*
Now you go to that portion of the Word of God in the gospel of
John, where you find that Christ, in the humiliation of His hesirt,
takes a towel and goes and washes His disciples' feet ; and when
He goes to Peter, " Lord," says Peter, " Thou shalt never wash
my feet." I don't wonder much at Peter's saying that. ^ No,
Lord, You shall never degrade Yourself by washing my feet— ^
poor dirty fisherman's feet.' Well, ^ If I wash thee not, Peter,*
says Jesus, ^ thou hast no part with me.' ' Then,' says Peter, ' if
that be it, ^' Lord, not my feet only, but also my hands and my head."
Jesus saith unto Him, "He that is washed needeth not save to
wash His feet, but is clean every whit ; and ye are clean, but not
all." Well, you see there were some that were clean outwardly.
He washed Judas' feet, but never washed him in the fountain of
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 329
His blood. "Ye are clean," says Christ, "through the word I
have spoken unto you" — the washing of regeneration — washing of
water by the word.
But now we come to the blessed washing I have spoken of :
** In that day there shall be a fountain opened." Who for ?
Why, for the characters I have been speaking of, the church of
God. Then let us come to a personal experience of it. Dear
Cowper says,
'* There is a fountain filled with blood,
Drawn from ImmanuePs veins.
And sinners plunged beneath that flood
Lo:se all their guilty stains.
The dying thief i-ejoiced to see
That fountain in his day ;
And there have I, though vile as he.
Washed all my sins away."
^Vhen I was in London two years ago, in the other part of the
town, as I came out of the pulpit a dear old man came to me
and said, ''Sir, thirty years ago I altered that verse to 'there
would I' ; but blessed be God I don't want to alter it now. I can
say
* There have I, though vile as he,
Washed all my sins away.'
Why that made it look different altogether; 'there ham I.' "
Well, then, though this was done in the eternal purposes of
Jehovah ; though it was done when in the day of atonement the
sins of all the elect were i-emoved, here comes the application of
it ; for, as Mr. Hart says,
"'' When to me that blood's applied,
'Tis then it does me good."
When sin is charged on the conscience, it is too heavy to be
"borne. I believe when a man preaches the truth he cannot be too
simple in setting forth the word of God. Perhaps some of you
say, " Is it some open revelation when we come to know this ?"
I assure you, my dear friends, I used to think so. But the Lord
was not in the whirlwind nor in the fire ; but in the still small
voice. A blessed faith's view of Christ crucified for me. A
poor sinner imder the law has his eyes turned to Mount Sinai.
He hears the thunderings of Mount Sinai, and the terrible tempest
and sound of words, that so the children of Israel said to Moses,
**Let us not hear these things; but speak thou to us." But
when the set time to favour Zion is come, the poor siunei-'s eye
is turned from Mount Sinai to Mount Calvary, and he is brought
to feel the preciousness of that blood, which not only made atone-
330 THE GOSPEL ADYOCATE.
ment for sin, but brings peace to a guilty conscience, and wabhes
the soul from defilement, and sets him at a happy liberty. Now
the poor sinner, looking at himself and despairing of salvation,
is led to look to Jesus, and feeling the efficacy of that precious
blood brought to him by the power of the Holy Ghost, he asks,
^' Where are my sins that I felt ?" — it may be but yesterday. I
will tell you how it was with me. The next day I was walking
out, and I said, " Dear Lord, where is the burden of my guilt and
sin that I felt yesterday ?" And the Lord was so condescending
at that time that I never asked Him a question but He answered it.
He said, " The blood of Jesus Christ cleanseth us from all sin."
Now we have it in the past tense, " Washed us from oar sins in
His Own blood ;" in the present tense, " The blood of Jesus Christ
cleanseth us from all sin." And when there is an application of
that blood to the conscience, we find it to be a cleansing blood — ^a
fountain for sinners to plunge in. And when it is brought home in
the power of the Holy Ghost, we say, ' What wondrous love it is,
that Jesus should have shed His precious blood to redeem us
from all iniquity, and given us a personal application of it !' Fur-
thermore, " and made us kings and priests unto God and His
Father.''
Now this part of my subject I donH know that I shall speak from
other than in this way, for a few moments. Supposing a poor
beggar in the streets, in the most abject poverty, were taken by our
Sovereign, and not only washed from filth and dirt, but clothed,
this would be a great thing. But think what God has done for
us ! Supposing our Sovereign were to adopt that child as her own —
wondrous love indeed ! — she could not make it a prince or prin-
cess, or give it a title to the throne. But that God should have
taken us — enemies and traitors to His throne— apd not only loved
us, washed us, and clothed us, but raised us from the dust, and
from the dunghill of our nature, and made us kings and priests, and
raised us to a throne of glory. The children of God are heirs of a
kingdom, and faith puts us in possession of it. '^ Hearken, my
beloved brethren, hath not God chosen the poor of this world, rich
in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which He hath proraised to
them that love Him ?" Therefore, says the Lord, ^' Fear not,
little flock, it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the
kingdom.'* But, remember, we are not born kings; it is alone
by virtue of our union with Christ. It is the sovereign act and
pleasure of God, that He has made us kings : and not only kings
to have a kingdom, but, bye and bye, as the apostle Peter says, to
posse.s " an inheritance which is incorruptible, undefiled, and which
fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who ai-e kept by the
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATJB. 331
power of God, through faith, unto salvation, ready to be revealed in
the last time." Well then, not only kings, but priests also.
Every one of God's dear children is a priest, because they offer
sacrifices; and none but they ever offer sacrifices acceptably.
*^ But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy
nation, a peculiar people." These are the priests — not Popish
priests — not man-made priests. You need not go into the Church
of Rome for priests ; there are plenty of others. These priests
are consecrated and set apart by God with holy oil, which ran from
Aaron's head down to his beard, and to the skirts of his garments.
John says, '^Ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye
know all things." Again, "And the anointing which ye have
received of Him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man
teach you, but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things,
and is truth, and is no lie ; and even as it hath taught you, ye
shall abide in Him."
May God command His blessing on these few words, for His
dear name's sake. Amen.
SOVEREIGN MERCY.
A GLIMPSE AT THE LOEd's PERSONAL DEALINGS.
Barrow Hill, Staveley, Chesterfield,
March 10th, 1868.
My dear and well-beloved Sister, in our precious and adorable
Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ, —
SEACE be with you, — that is, Jesus be with you experimentally
in your heart, for "He is our Peace.'^ Without Him, without
the sensible enjoyment of Him in our hearts, all is disorder,
confusion and strife. Is it not a wonder that " peace" is ours
at all ? Oh what envious, obstinate, corrupt, and rebellious stuff we
are made of. The heart deceitful, the flesh corrupt, the thoughts
evil, the desires devilish, the whole nature knmity against God.
O wonder of wonders, love appears ! Jesus is love. Jesus, in
Whom all the glorious perfections of the Godhead shine with
resplendent brightness, comes, and in our poor heaving bosoms
takes up His abode. He warms our hearts, and gently leads us
into the knowledge of the covenant and counsels of peace. He is
our Daysman, our Umpire, just the One WTio can argue out the
points of difference between our souls and the arch-enemy. In
Him, beneath the "shelter of His atoning blood ; ( for He has made
peace by the blood of His cross ;) in Him, clothed in that glorious
robe of righteousness, which is peace, and the effect of which are
332 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
'' (iniotnosH and assurance for ever;" aye, in Him we safely abide;
in Him we enjoy sweet fellowship. Partners with Jesus Christ,
having a joint interest in all the concerns of grace which the
Father committed to His trust before all worlds, we join in each
()th(»r*s joys and sorrows, and love to hail each other, as fellow-
pilgrims by the way with kindly greetings, which plainly tell
that w(^ are only lodgers here, and that we are bound for the
sanu^ home, to enjoy the sweets of that land where Jesus is all in
nil. What rich, astonishing grace to think, even for a moment,
that the Father, by His good Spirit, gives a precious Jesus, WTio
is tluMlelight of His heart, to cheer and comfort us down herein
this cold land of disquietude and discontent ! When Jesus, by
the communications of the over blessed Spirit comes, the storms
of (Nirth all vanish, Heshy turmoils cease, the horrible din of war
with sin, Satan and the Hesh ceases, and the peace of God
(.1 MS I IS) rules in our hearts. Does it not ravish the soul, and
st't it on firo of love, to know that in the face of all our innu-
merable sins and iniquities we are ONK WITH HIM ?
'* As He is, so are we in this world." Where He is, so are we;
what lie has, so have we; when He fails, so do we. Bless His
de.ir and holy name, He can never fail. In Him we are, so we
are always safe. We bless His name, for that fear which He
halh planttnl in our breasts, — even that is Himself He is our fear.
How sweetly this came to dear old Jacob's mind. Greu. xxxi.
•1.2 nud o-i.
I feel nnieh obligtnl for the letter you sent me of that dear old
wv>m;in, Mary Ijevitt. I wish you would send me her address.
Thanks for the little dots in your pilgrimage. The first mani-
festation of life in me ^-as when I was but a child. Under the
ministry of a clergyman of the Church of £ngland, Patrick
Joseph OMit^irv, Incumbent of St. Jude's Church, Canal Street,
Anoimts, Manchester, I first trembled at the word. Oftentimes
1 wmdd have gladly exchanged places with the beasts which
ptTish, btH,\^use 1 thought, ** There is no hell for themT* and I could
siv and ftn^l that damnation was my deserved portion. The dear
old clergyman tiH>k a sJHH^ial interest in me, but, though I loved
him, I loved the world and sin and death better. I passed on
in this state, until bv the mvsterious hand of Jehovah, Who
never makes mistakt^, I was placed on the staff of the Man-
chesier City Mission. Amort* detestable hypocrite never assumed
such a jH>sitiou. I had not been in this place long before Grod
tiH>k eflfective m«tsun»s to o}^n up to me the awful situation I
ocoupied as a mere fleshly pn^fessor. Jesns, in His finished work,
iras set before my e>"es, which gave me to see that I, in myself
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 333
was a j&nished sinner. But what beauty did I see in the glorious
truth, '^ Complete in Him !'' I sought the company of my dear
old friend, the sainted Parks, of Openshaw, who is now chanting
before the throne. We were one in the Lord until he was taken
home. Why should I say " until he was taken home ?" We
are one still. Even now I enjoy sweet communion with him in
our glorious Head. God knows, heaven is all the sweeter and
dearer to me because dear O'Leary and Parks are there. In
1859, the Lord sent me to labour among the colliers at Haydock,
where the Turtons live. The Lord blessed the word with signs
which have followed. The last day of November, 1866, the
Lord in His good purpose, and in the chariot of His providence,
carried me over here, where He is evidently blessing His Own
truth to the souls of many of the scattered flock. 1 am placed
here as Scripture Eeader, but not under any clergyman. Church
service I conduct in the church on the hill, morning and evening
each Sunday, and superintend the Sunday School. I hold one
cottage meeting in the week, on Wednesdays, at 7.30 p.m. The
Staveley Coal and Iron Company support me here.
I shall, D.V., be in Chesterfield shortly, and will make enquiries
for you concerning Mrs. V . Hoping to hear often from
you, and expecting to meet you " at home," at " our Father^ 8
hoard ;" aye, and
** Upon the throne
We'U sit with Christ the Lord ;
Eternal joy shall be our own :
So speaks the faithful word.
In Heavenly glory we shall shine, —
O grace, distinguishing, divine!"
Yours in a precious Christ,
Thomas Bradburv.
HABAKKUK'S SONG. Part 1.
"Rest in the Day of Trouble.'*
Habakkuk iii. 16-19.
"7'AoM art my lamp, Lord,^' — 2 Sam. xxii. 29.
Is your brook, believer, like Cherith, run dry ?
Do your fig trees, all withered, yield no more supply ?
Is your song hushed to silence ? No, faith being strong.
It still may be yours to sing Habakkuk's song.
Though the fruit of the labour of years be lost, — all !
No wheat in the gamer, no herd in the stall ;
Remember, that promise to you doth belong,
" ril never forsake." Then sing Habakkuk's song.
334
TBre GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
Say not, '' God forgets me/* — it cannot be so ;
The " hairs of your head are all numbered," yon know.
Yon are ** graved on His palms.*' Should not faith then be
strong,
And, sweetly submissive ? Sing Habakkuk's song.
Like Joseph and Daniel and Paul, thus may you
ITie truth of your Lord's all-sufficiency show;
And He will be glorified, O thien be strong.
And in all tribulation, sing Habakkuk's song !
If you have been true in your service to Him,
'Tis not in earth's sorrows your soul's joy to dim ;
Rejoice in the trial of faith that grows strong.
As it, in the furnace, learns Habakkuk*s song.
If you to yourself have this sorrow procured.
Then surely with meekness it should be endured :
Yet doubt not His love : pray in faith to be strong.
With penitent tears singing Habakkuk's song.
For O, is not love a sweet balm to the scul ?
He chastens to bless us ; He wounds to make whole ;
He loves while refining — should faith not be strong.
And, trusting love's purpose, sing Habakkuk's song ?
Yes ; let earthly good fail us, or earthly streams dry.
We still can rejoice in our treasure on high ;
O dear fellow pilgrims ! while marching along.
Let us glorify God and sing Habakkuk's song.
Communicated.
A JUST MAN PERISHING.
" There is a just man that perisheth in his righteousness." —
Ecclesiastes vii. 15.
AVING had a personal and intimate relative who has lately
passed away, and in whom the above passage of holy writ
had a literal fulfilment, I purpose, by the help of the Holy
Spirit, to offer a few remarks thereon. The cry of '^ A man
overboard !'* does not fail to cause consternation and alarm ; but it is
as true now as when the divine seer wrote : " The righteous per-
isheth, and no man layeth it to heart ; . . . none considering the
righteous is taken away from the evil to come" (Is. Ivii. 1). That the
just man may perish in his own righteousness is evident (Eze. xviii. 24),
both from the text quoted and also from the case under considera-
tion. But it will be asked, In what sense can a just man perish ?
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 335
Does not David say, " I have been young, and now am old, yet have
I not seen the righteous forsaken" ? (Psalm xxxvii. 25). I answer,
Who ever did see the righteous forsaken of his God ? Paul says,
'^ Persecuted but not forsaken ; cast down but not destroyed ; per-
plexed but not in despair" (2 Cor. iv. 8, 9). To the justified man
the promise reads : " I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee"
(Hebrews xiii. 5). How then does a just man perish in his righ-
teousness ? Why, in the same way that Lazarus of old perished
(Luke xvi. 20 — 2). The same as in the case I have referred to.
But, perchance, the Grod Whose eyes run to and fro the earth, and
seeth not as man seeth, sent His invisible messengers — as in the
case of Lazarus, so with every one of His elect — "to gather them to
Abraham's bosom." What becomes of all the solemn mockeries of
the rich man's funeral, so prevalent in our day ?
I think this comforting to the poor tried children of God to know
in these perilous and trying times — with many of whom, doubtless,
it is a desperate struggle to pay their way, to keep their heads above
water, and with very many to obtain the bread that perishes — that
while a just man may and does perish in his outward estate, that
God is faithful to His new covenant promises, which pertain to
eternal life.
But having looked at the text, to see what it means, in reference
to a just man perishing in his (own) righteousness, let us consider
for a moment what it does not say. It saith not. There is a just
man that perishes in Christ's imputed righteousness. No ! blessed
be God, our Heavenly Father ; there is no such thing as that.
You may search the scriptures from Genesis to Revelation ; —
** If this foundation be destroyed,
What can the righteous do ?"
Do ? Why there would be nothing to do but sit down and en-
courage all the blackest thoughts of despair ! But as Christ
finished the work His Father gave Him to do (John xvi. 4), on
behalf of poor, lost, ruined, and guilty sinners, it is, " Open ye
the gates, that the righteous nation that keepeth the truth may
enter in."
It was the favourite theme with the dear departed, who forms the
subject of this letter, to dwell upon the merits of Christ — His blood
to atone, His righteousness to adorn, and that there must be a con-
tinual striving for these blessings, saying, ^^No fighting, no victory;
no victory, no crown." His name was John Brooks, born June 3rd,
1798; died August 12th, 1882, aged 84. "Blessed are the dead
which die in the Lord."
Brighton, Sept., 1882. George Brooks.
336 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
THE WILL THE SOUL'S INDEX.
\KVj needle of the compass does not more faithfully indicate
the North ; the pole-star itself does not moreincontroTertibly
define its position ; nor does the sun more clearly determine
the course of time and the seasons, than '' the will of man" evinces
his spiritual estate. Whether " dead in trespasses and sins," or
"passed from death unto life," the will remains the evidential index.
It shows where and what a man is, and whither he is going. If
held fast in Satan's bands, or delivered by the Almighty Saviour's
command, " Loose him, and let him go,'* the proof of either is to
be found in the state of the will.
The o])position of its natural inclinationto God, both in the law and
in the gospel of His Son, is demonstrated in countless and ever-vary-
ing ways. The law is too austere in its holy claims, to be received
in its entirety as the mind of Grod, and the gospel is too abasing
to human power and pride, to be esteemed as worthy of acceptance.
But in a form, modified by the ideas of the creature, the law is
more acceptable than the Gospel ; for by it there is at least some-
thing required of man in the way of doing. But the gospel, which
repudiates all such doing, and declares that *'it is not of him that
willeth (according to the flesh), nor of him that runneth (according
to the precepts of the law), but of God (in and through Christ) that
showeth mercy," this is intolerable to the carnal mind, which is
"enmity against God." And, animated by this •'enmity," the will
of the unrenewed man will negative all God's affirmations relative to
the way of salvation, and choose its own path.
" We will not have this man to reign over us," is its cry in
answer to the words, '* Kiss the Son, lest He be angry, and ye
perish from the way, when His wrath is kindled but a little."
Psalm ii. 12. To submit to the righteousness of Christ, without
any of its own, and to the sovereignty of free and discriminating
grace, is intolerable to pharisaic pride. The Saviour marked this in
His professing opposers. He read their thoughts. He knew they
had no place for Him in their affections. And yet they would and
did " search the scriptures of the Old Testament," thinking in them
they had ".eternal life :" and -these very writings were they which
testified of the Lord Jesus as the Messiah. But they did not desire
to perceive this, and were filled with deadly hostility to Him.
Aware of all this He in the most emphatic way declared (for there is no
rejected invitation implied in the words) : " Ye do not will to come
to Me (for so the Greek reads) that ye might have life." John v. 39, 40.
No ; they willed to '* have life" in their own way ; "they sought it
not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law : for they
stumbled at that stumbling stone'* — Christ. Rom. ix. 32.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 337
To argue for the freedom of man's will from the text just quoted,
when it so plainly shows the will of those to whom the Saviour
thus spoke to have been in the greatest bondage to Satan, law, and
sin, is indeed an anomaly. To substantiate a positive from a
negative outdoes the usual Latin style of asserting a positive by two
negatives. To assert that carnal men may come to Christ if they
will or plta.se, when they have neither will nor pleasure to do so,
is like all the other Babel-talk and vain theones associated with
Arminiauism. For if there be any spiritual liking, pleasure, and
desire to come to Christ, "the Fountain of life," for pardon,
justification, peace, and all needful grace, and to take up His cross
daily, and deny self, sin, and the world, it evidences the possession
of a new nature, from which proceeds a heavenly icill, and which is
*' after God, created in righteousness and true holiness.'* Eph. iv. 24.
The new birth must precede the nevv*will : and hence of all the
spiritually-begotten sons of God it is affirmed : " Which were bom,
not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man,^
but of God,'' John i. 13. And again : of His Own will begat Ho
us with the Word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of
His creatures," James i. 18 : and yet again : " Being born again,
not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the Word of God,
which liveth and abideth for ever," 1 Pet. i. 23. All that these
various declai-ations comprise, is contained in the words of the
Lord Jesus to Nicodemus, " Except a man be born again, he can-
not see the kingdom of God," John iii. 3. But let us further trace
the will as an index of the unregenerate state.
This is marked out with unerring precision in certain portions of
the Word of God, whereby it is shown that just as the natural man,
— high-flying and zealous professor though he be — has no inclin-
ation to come to the Christ of God and the fulness of His merits
for "life" — so in every such instance there is fully manifested
in varions ways the will for the world, its children, lusts, and
pleasures. We shall notice at present but two : distinguishing
therein, at the same time, between the worldly-minded saint
and the dead professor.
1 . James iv. 4 : " Whosoever therefore will be a friend of the
world is the enemy of God." If this implied that a temporary bias
of the mind towards the world Jind its vanities proved a man to be
the "enemy of God," what child of His could escape the charge?
But it is not so. The will here acts as the index, and shows in the
-conHant hent of the afPections and pursuits, where the treasure and
the heart are. For the sake of worldly society, with its joys and
pastimes, religion is ignored and slighted as a bore ; a wearying
tiresome thing. Christ, in the written and preached word, and His
338 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
people's company and place of assembly are despised and forsaken^
until the very name of religion is a stench in the nostrils — a thing^
for the morbidly melancholy, women, and fools. Gay society, and
worldly honours and amusements, are the powerful attractions, and
everything popular and gratifying to the flesh is sided with. Who-
soever WILL {i.e., is determined to) be thus " a friend of the world,"
must be the '^ enemy of God/' For the restrictions of His Word
and the teachings of His faithful ministers are set at defiance, and
cast behind the back, and only they who will " prophesy smooth
things" and not disturb the guilty comicience can be tolerated by
these earth-bound ones. And of such it is further written : " If
any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For
all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the
eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world."
1 John ii. 16, 17.
By the force of the sweeping current of time-affairs, in business,
and by the tempting baits set before the eye and appealing to the
ear, the Lord's children often find their little bark floating down
towards the rapids of worldly absorption. But the implanted fear
of the Lord, by which they are kept from departing from Him,
(Jer. xxxii. 40), raises the cry within their souls, ere they are
utterly carried away, " Turn away mine eyes from beholding
vanity, and quicken Thou me in Thy way." . Psa. cxix. 37. They,
therefore, are " not of them that draw back unto perdition, but of
them that believe to the saving of the soul." Heb. x. 39. Nor
can their love to the people and house of God be extinguished, how-
ever it be damped at intervals. The language of David in this
respect finds its echo in every member of the Lord's family : ^* Lord,
I have loved the habitation of Thy house, and the place where
Thine honour dwelleth. Gather not my soul with sinners, nor my
life with bloody men." Psalm xxvi. 8, 9. In eternity, as in time,
he desired the home and society of the beloved of the Lord, as
essential to his own happiness and peace.
2. 1. Tim. vi. 9: "But they that will be rich fall into
temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts,
which drown men in destruction and perdition." Here the will
with respect to wealth expresses the fixed determination to pursue
and obtain it, let the difficulties and perils that lie in the path be
great as they may. For to be born rich, or to rise from poverty to
affluence, has been given to some of the heirs of God and joint-heirs
with Christ Jesus. Even as of the father of the faithful it is said,.
"And Abram was very rich in cattle, in silver and in gold," Gen.
xiii. 2. So also became the ot her patriarchs. Though, let it not be
overlooked, Abram failed not to give Melchizedek "tithes of all,'*"
TiTE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 339
diap. xiv. 20. He hoDOured the Lord with his substance^ and
Trith the firstfruits of all his increase. It is the restless, g^rasping,
^grndging spirit of insatiable avarice which is pointed at, and
condemned. " They thai will be rich,'* whose sole or chief aim is
g'old, great is their danger. What horrid and multitndinons
•crimes have been committed by its worshippers ! What servile
drudgery, painfnl privations, and unjust withholding from the
family, needy kinsfolk, and poor in general, have marked the
miserlv soul in its infatuation. On this the curse of God has ever
rested. Achan's wedge of gold, was the death of him in Achor's valley.
Gehazi^s talents of silver, obtained from Xaaman, led to his in-
-cnrable leprosy. And the Saviour's solemn sentence is, " Ye can-
not serve God and mammon." Matt. vi. 24.
It is to be lamented that among those of the well-to-do of the
Lord's people, with rare exceptions, the will to be rich too often
largely predominates, and leaves them far from realizing the
■sweetness of the truth, " It is more blessed to give than to receive.'*
Acts XX. 23. From a deplorable lack of apprehension of the fact
Ihat *' the Lord loveth a cheerful giver," and that with Him the
rule is that, " if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according
to that a man hath/* some who have an abundance of '' this
world's goods" are regulated in giving towards the support of the
Gospel ministry, or to the necessities of the poor, by the worldly
policy of reckoning the number of supposed contributors (in which
the larger part maybe but in ordinary or even poor circumstances).
And thus they give a comparative trifle, which may be in accordance
with the number, but certainly is not in proportion to their own
position , as compared with that of those among whom they count
themselves. It is often thus the Lord's servants and excellent
societies suffer more loss by the presence of ungenerous wealthy
men than by their absence. For their conduct affords a pretext for
no exertion on the part of any. For why should a man with a
family, whose income does not realize more than £-50, £100, or £150 per
annum, be expected by those whose incomes are ten, twenty, or thirty
times greater than his, to give (as many do) half as much, and which in
the Lord's sight is twenty or fifty times more than they ? Respecting
the poor widow's two mites, in contrast to the gifts of the rich to the
Lord's treasury, the Saviour declared : " Of a truth I say unto you,
that this poor widow hath cast in more than they all." Luke xxi. 3.
Therefore, says the Apostle to Timothy : " Charge them that are
rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in un-
certain riches, but in the living God, Who giveth us richly all
things to enjoy ; that they do good, that they be rich in good
^works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate ; laying up in
340 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come^
that they may lay hold on eternal life/* 1 Tim. vi. 17-19. For well
has Hart written :
" If profit be thy scope,
Diffuse thy alms about :
The worldling prospers laying up,
The christian lajdng out.
Eeturns will not be scant,
With honour in the highest ;
For who relieves his brethren's want
Bestows his alms on Christ."
The Lord grant the power of His Holy Spirit and the shedding'
abroad of His melting and constraining love in the hearts of all His
wealthy children, that they may awake, shake themselves from the
dust, and arise to a sense of the happiness flowing from Gospel
liberality : for ^* the liberal deviseth liberal things, and by liberal
things shall he stand." Isaiah xxxii. 8. And surely it will be a
cheering recompense to them to know that they have the blessings
of the Lord's poor, and are remembered in the prayers of His
servants. And thus they will escape the perils of those who " will
be rich.^'
We have felt compelled to write thus, and perhaps for some wise
purpose, having read of and witnessed something of the great
abounding of the evil in the professing church. The Lord grant
our words may not be in vain. We now in conclusion notice the
WILL as the index of regeneration.
" Thy people shall be willing in the day of Thy power," says the
Father to the Son, Psalm ex. 3. And so it comes to pass when the
Spirit of Christ takes up His dwelling in their hearts. Then is
their will " turned as clay" to His " seal." No longer can they
urge their course in wild, careless, daring opposition to the Word
of the Lord. No longer can Satan, sin ana world command their
ready obedience to their calls and offers. A sense of sin, wrought
by the Holy Spirit, embitters the pleasures of this world, and
brings the awful realities of the world to come home to the heart
and mind. And great is the restlessness and misery while they are
kept wholly in the dark as to the Lord's purpose towards them.
But at length the i'ountain of living waters arises before them
in the Gospel, and their souls, parched and *' ready to perish," are
led to them. Now their will becomes an index of their state; for
the invitation runs : " Whosoever will, let him take the water of
life freely.'' Will they, like the carnal or Pharisees, pay no heed?
No : they need the water; they can only obtain it freely, as they
have no money to pay. They have a will for it. They by sorely-
experienced thirst and pollution have been prepared by the Lord
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 341
Himself for its streams, that they may drink and be purified. How^
blessed, then, this word, "whosoever will!" It is a portion of
the heritage of those who fear the Lord's name. It is the word of
grace to all who have ears to hear and a heart to receive it. The
fulness and freeness of sovereign grace, in the perfected atonement of
Christ, are manifested in gentle beauty before their eyes, and as those
made willing they shall, in God's time, drink, and live for ever.
A spiritually-inclined mind, and a Christ- directed will, are an index
safe and sure of having been delivered from the power of darkness,,
and translated into the kingdom of God's dear Son. The Editor.
THE NAMES AXD CHARACTERS OF OUR LORD.
"/«?/i Alj)ha/' — Rev. i. 8.
What names, what love-titles our Saviour bears !
What honors the blessed Pre-eminent wears !
Lo ! He is our Advocate, ever prevailing ;
The Author of faith that is fixed and unfailing ;
Altar of sacrifice, incense, and praise;
Alpha of Wisdom's inscrutable ways ;
Adam the second, in Whom we have life ;
Armour to cover our head in the strife ;
Apple-tree, fairer than trees of the wood.
Yielding us fragrance, and shelter, and food ;
The covenant Ange I Who goeth before ;
The Almighty, Whose word is our hope, and our power;
The Ark of our safety, our All-in- All gain ;
Our Apostle of truth, and confirming Amen.
C. H. M,
THE DRYING UP OF THE WATER OF THE GREAT
RIVER EUPHRATES.
Dear Mr. Editor,
F you think the following lines will throw a little light on the
present page of the world's history and be interesting to
your readers, I place them at your discretion to use as you
think proper.
Prophecy is a part of theology, the diligent and persistent study
of which is calculated, with the guidance and attendant blessing of
the Holy Spirit, to convince the student of the eternal and unerring*
prescience of God extending to all events that transpire in this
world. With God there is no one event contingent, all is fore-
known : hence, He declares, *' My counsel shall stand, and I will
342 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
do all My pleasure/* While, in a manner, some of the most
momentous events in history have seemed to depend on the will and
judgment of one man, even to the apparent possibility of falsifying
some of the most remarkable predictions on record, yet Grod
foreknew for certain how the man's will and judgment would
decide. Take the case of Zedekiah, King of Judah, as an
illustration, See Jer. xxxviii. 14-23. The prophet says to the
king, " If thou wilt assuredly go forth unto the king of Babylon's
princes, then thy soul shall live, and this city shall not be burned
with fire ; and thou shalt live and thine house : but if thou wilt not
go forth to the king of Babylon's princes, then shall this city be
given into the hand of the Chaldeans, and they shall burn it with
fire, and thou shalt not escape out of their hand. Obey, I
beseech thee, the voice of the Lord, which I speak unto thee."
One is almost ready to ask. What would have been the consequence,
had Zedekiah obeyed the prophet's most earnest exhortation?
Jeremiah exhorted the king to obedience with as much earnestness
as though he had never uttered a prediction respecting the
destruction of Jerusalem by Nebuchadnezzar. But not only did
God know how the king would decide, but also the exact manner he
would attempt to escape. SeeEzek. xii. 1-13, especially the 12th and
13th verses, and compare with Jer. xxxix. 4-5. And bear in mind that
Ezekiel was with the captives in Babylon at the time. Well might
the apostle Peter say, " We have also a more sure word of prophecy ;
WHERE UNTO YE DO WELL THAT YE TAKE HEED, aS untO a light that
shineth in a dark place," 2 Pet. i. 19. Seeing the fulfilment of
every prediction God has caused to be recorded in His holy word
is absolutely certain, and no scheming or cunning of man can
prevent it, our business then is to seek to understand the sure
word of prophecy. May the Lord fulfil His promise, and grant us
the Holy Spirit to lead us and guide us into all truth.
There are three scriptures especially, according to my judgment,
that will help us to understand recent events in Egypt. The first
is, the contents of the sixth trumpet, Eev. ix. 13-21. The loosing
of the four angels which were bound in the great river Euphrates,
have long been understood to apply to the invasion of the Turks
into Europe ; and it is a historical fact that they come from beyond
the Euphrates, and were led by four sultanies. The other details
enumerated by the angel of the sixth trumpet, have all been inter-
preted to agree with the manner of the invasion ; and the next
scripture will, I think, describe the extent of the overflow of the
water of the great river Euphrates. You will find the words in
Dan. xi., beginning at the second clause of the 40th verse. I may
just premise that the 36th to 39th verses describe the rise and
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 343*
character of the papal hierarchy. The first clause of the 40th verse ;
^^ the king of the south shall push at him /' I believe, applies to the
Saracenic war, and which is further described by the angel of the
fifth trumpet, Rev. ix. 1-12. Then we come to the second clause,
which reads thus : " And the king of the north shall come-
against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen,
and with many ships ; and he shall enter into the countries, and
shall OVERFLOW AND PASS OVER. He shall enter also into the glorious
land, and many countries shall be overthrown. He shall stretch
forth his hand also upon the countries, and the land of Egypt shall
not escape. But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and
of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt ; and the
Libyans and the Ethiopians shall be at his steps." Now this
scripture gives a very fair description of the invasion of the Turks,
and the extent of the Turkish Empire, as it has existed for more
than four centuries since the capture of Constantinople. The^
prophecy seems, therefore, so clearly to apply to Turkey, I cannot
see how anyone who seriously considers the text can dispute it..
And I think the third scripture will still further confirm the
correctness of this application. The third scripture reads thus :
^^ And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river,
Euphrates ; and the water thereof was dried up.'' Rev. xvi. 12.
There is no need whatever to stumble to understand what is meant
by ^' the water drying up." The angel's interpretation of " the
waters, where the whore sitteth," in the xvii. chap, and loth verse
isy ^^ peoples ; and viitUltudes, and nations, and tongues.'' The
drying up of the water of the great river Euphrates, will, there-
fore, mean the decay of the Turkish power. The drying-up process
has, I believe, been going on for at least thirty years ; and events
have followed one another so rapidly of late, that all who study
these things, must be aware that the Turkish Empire in Europe
has been considerably curtailed. And note this, the drying up of
water off land, does not necessarily mean that the land will be
impoverished, but rather enriched thereby. So all the states in
Europe that have been redeemed from under the Turkish yoke, are
socially and commercially richer. And now, to all appearance,
Turkey is likely to lose all power and sovereignty in Egypt. Of
course, I cannot say positively, that the diplomatists will so decide;
but it seems very probable. At all events, let us hope that the war
will open a door for the social and commercial, and, if it please God,
the spiritual, regeneration of Egypt. Dear Mr. Editor, you will
perceive how easily I could have enlarged on this subject. I hope I
have not marred its usefulness for brevity's sake ; as I felt obliged
to consider your space. I am, dear Sir,
Leicester, Sept. 23, 1882. Yours sincerelv, J. W.
544 THE OOSPBL ADVOCATE.
THEOLOaY IN AMERICA.
(Concluded from page 288.^
I see your " future felicity" depends entirely upon your own work-
manship, — " If we spend our lives in the love and service of Him,
the God overall, Who has made us as we are." What nook or snug
■corner did you get in, Jonathan, to escape the fall ? and if so, you
were the only one ; but I know you did not, because the Bible says,
'* Wlierefore as by one man sin entered into the world, and death
by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned"
(Rom. V. 12). But as your vocabulary is silent concerning such
things as these you are not likely to say anything. When you said
speaking of " us as we are" did you mean before we fell in Adam,
or after. In reading your words upon this subject, you say, '' if
we disregard and disobey Him we secure for ourselves a heritage of
misery." When " the Lord God took the man and put him into the
garden of Eden, to dress it and to keep it, saying, Of every tree
of the garden thou uiayest freely eat, but of the tree of the know-
ledge of good and evil thou shalt not eat of it : for in the day
thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die," Genesis ii. 15, 16, 17,
did not Adam " disregard and disobey Him" by partaking of the
forbidden fruit, and secure both for himself and all his posterity,
*' a heritage of misery ?" How will you, nay, how can you, retrieve
this loss ? You propose, but your i)ropositions are wider of the
mark than the two Antipodes. It is a positive declaration of the
Bible that all have sinned, and that all are dead in trespa.sses and
sins: as dead as regard spiritual life, as a man is literally or
natui*ally when mortal life is extinct. And yet you put all these
dead men in a state of probation, to work for life, and to live and
serve God with. And to accomplish this, you set before them the
resuri*ection of the dead, the last assize or day of judgment, the
opening of the books, when the dead sliall be judged, the tribunal, the
appointed inquest, according to their works. If you had known
what it is to have a part in the "first resurrection," for Christ
says, " I am the resurrection and the life," and what it is "to be
raised from a death of sin to a life of righteousness, and born
again to a lively hope through the resun^ection of Jesus Christ from
the dead" we should have heard a different tone from vou.
You forget, Jonathan, (if you ever knew) that God's people are
judged here, and that the God of the quick and the dead sets up a
tribunal in every sinner's conscience, and tries him in this court, as in
a case of life and death, heaven and hell. And in these balances of
the sanctuary he is either condemned or acquitted. Though the
poor sinner from head to foot is clothed with guilt and shame, and
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 345-
can only cry, "God be merciful to me a sinner," yet cry he will,
until he hears the reply : " Deliver him from going down into tha
pit, I have found a ransom," Job xxxiii. 24. The words — surety
and substitution — are as foreign to you as salvation by grace. This
is strange in your ears is it not ? There will be a judgment, and
you tell us the books will be opened, but you don't tell us what
those books are. I know what those books were unto me, when
Grod the Holy Ghost first convinced me of my sinnership. The
first book that was opened before my eyes was opened by Moses, to
show me the contents of a broken law, and a catalogue of sins and
transgressions more in number than the hairs of my head, the
sight of which crushed me and rent my heart asunder, and which caused
me to cry : " Lost ! lost ! damned for ever !" and, "God be merciful to
me a sinner." The second book was the book of conscience, which
acted like nitre upon green wounds. Here I was smitten with con-
victions innumerable, full of accusations. I felt left without excuse,
with my mouth in the dust, crying, " If so be there may be hope."
Helpless and undone I lay until a gleam of hope was given, and
then a third book was opened, called the book of life, containing
my worthless name. This broke me down in sweet contrition and
humility before the Lord. This book of life was full of Christ; the
leaves of which, together with the Bible, I felt were " for the healing
of the nations." Then I could say with David, " He brought me up
out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a
rock and established my goings. And He put a new song in my
mouth, even pi-aise unto our God. Many shall see it and fear,,
and shall trust in the Lord." Psalm xl. 2, 8. A fourth book
was opened called the book of Providence. This caused me to
.wonder no little. 1 was a wonder to many, but the greatest wonder
to myself. And how it was the Lord should have manifested
Himself to me and not to the world I could not tell, as I felt myself
the chief of all sinners. And then to trace the Lord's hand in my
preservation. Ten thousand providences and deliverances could now
be seen, and God's caring for me, and watching over me were a
fulfilment of that sweet portion : ^' Preserved in Jesus Christ and
called," Jude L
A fifth book was opened, called the book of creation. I never
saw the beauties of creation disclosed in such grandeur, as they
appeared when opened before my spiritual vision. The world
around me seemed as though it had put on its holiday dress and
held carnival on this occasion. Hills and vales, skies and wood-
lands, winds and waters, all seemed in harmony together. While
I, a poor, grace-saved sinner, was blessing and praising the Lord for
His salvation to me, as His Own sovereign gift. And I feel highly
346 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
favoured when the Lord in rich mercy condescends to open these
books and shine in them even now. To me it is a token of salvation, but
to some would be a token of perdition, Dan. vii. 10; Rev. xx. 12.
Woe unto you, Jonathan, or any other person, if these books are
not opened before you in time : " For there is no work, nor desire,
nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest."
Bccles. ix. 10.
Jonathan. — I perceive you and I differ a little in our opinions,
Joseph. But don't you think after all that we act the wiser part in
setting all these terrific things before the people ? We do it with a
good motive, hoping the people will be alarmed at these things,
that they may leave off their sins and wicked pursuits and become
virtuous, and set a pattern of moral goodness, worthy of being
copied : it is not to be told the amount of good such colossal
monuments of piety are capable of doing in the world. I shall now
give you one mode of procedure. The tribunal before which we shall
undergo our appointed inquest is one of the strictest impartiahty,
is the one bar in all the universe where unalloyed justice will be
dispensed. In the world several circumstances interfere with the
dispensation of a proper award to the members of civil society.
Human vision is bounded, crime may be perpetrated beyond the
precincts of observation, testimonjr may be wanting to the com-
mission of the crime, and thus the perpetrator may escape both
detection and punishment. The position of the criminal sometimes
proves his protection. His social prominence shuts the eyes of the
officers ; prevents investigation, puts a spell on the jury, or calls
forth executive interposition. The insignificance of the criminal is
sometimes his exemption. His very littleness in the estimation of
those around him, under some circumstances, and in some localities,
shield the violator of the law. Indeed, obscurity shields the trans-
gressor.
But these circumstances do not extend their shadow to that
august place where the Lord of all sits in judgment on the creatures
of His hand. There is nothing to be hoped for as respects the ignor-
ance of the Judge. He knows all things. His eyes go to and fro
throughout the whole earth, and are in every place beholding the
evil and the good. He sees the play of every thought, the movement
of every affection, the curve of every arm, and the path of every
step.
Joseph, — I feel rather delicate in expressing my suspicions, or I
really should say that my friend Jonathan has either been a judge
or a coroner, if not both. Well, and granting these surmises to be
correct, does it not augur well for a man in those circumstances or
occupations to use a fitting amount of gravity, and especially if he
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 347
takes upon Mmself the oflBce of a bishop. It is true he must quit his
other callings, but is not barred from retaining any relic of his
calling. Should it prove in any way advantageous, such as i)assing
opinions and giving advice : ' strict impartiality,' ' appointed
inquests,' 'unalloyed justice/ 'the bounding of human vision,'
'perpetration of crime beyond the precincts of observation,' 'a
want of testimony to the commission of crime,' ' the possibility of
the perpetrator escaping detection and punishment,' ' position of a
criminal sometimes prove his protection.' * His social prominence
in society may tend to blind the eyes of the greatest officers of the
law,' 'prevent scrutiny,' 'bribe the jury,' 'the insignificance of the
criminal sometimes is his exemption,' ' the criminars littleness in
public estimation may shield the violater in some localities,'
* obscurity, or eminence, may shield the transgressor.' " But these
circumstances do not extend their shadow to that august place
where the Lord of all sits in judgment on the creatures of His
hand."
Should aD you have stated in your depositions be strictly true,
which we see no reason to doubt, "It will neither add nor
diminish to the condemnation of them which are condemned
already." John iii. 18. If God can change (which is impossible)
I see no reason that you should not change as often as you Hke^
and work out " an appropriate character "to fit you for that
station, or any other station you choose. You are, according to
your own theology, quite competent to mark out your own way
to heaven, although you say "I go. Sir," but never take a step--
as all religious somnambulists do. What a marked difference there
is between the Apostle Paul and you. WTiere he speaks of the
potter having power over the clay, — ^the literal figure you believe
in, — but what does this imply ? Just what the infallible word says
it does : "What if God, willing to show His wrath and to make His
power known, endured with much long-sufFering, the vessels of
wrath fitted to destruction : and that He might make known the
riches of His glory on the vessels of mercy, which He had afore
prepared unto glory?" Bom. ix. 22, 23. You, who boast so
much of marking out your own way, have just as much power in
moulding your own clay ; and for anyone to point you to the Holy
Ghost, AVhose power and prerogative alone it is to raise the dead
sinner from his grave of corruption and free-will presumption, save
them by His grace, and give them life, love, peace and joy, by saying,
"Loose him, and let him go," would "do violence to such natures"
as yours. In having occasionally a little conversation with your
theologians, there is little or no difference, as you have all been to
one college, and are tarred with one brush, and with very few
•348 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
exceptions, I fear (though if I err in this, I would err on the side
of charity), taught by the same spirit, 3 Kings xxii. 21, 22 ; which
is anything but favourable to God's people, as old Micaiah shall
be called in for to witness.
Then you go on to say, which in my humble opinion is settiug
down all you have advanced on a small scale as regards its intrinsic
work : " But these circumstances do not extend their shadow to
that august place, where the Lord of all sits in judgment on the
•creatures of His hand.'* I am quite of the same opinion, Jonathan;
for when you read God's word upon this subject, it has quite
another sound and another meaning with it. It is either *' Come ye
blessed," or, ^^ Depart ye cursed." "As the tree falls so it lies," and
as it leans it generally falls ; and where death leaves them judgment
finds them. ^' He that is unjust, let him be unjust still : and he
which is filthy let him be filthy still : and he that is righteous let
him be righteous still : and he that is holy, let him be holy still."
Rev. xxii. 11. This is the substance of truth; not the shadow
which you and I, Jonathan, would do well to ponder. One line of
this sterling truth yields a thousand times more satisfaction than
broad acres of empty harangue. " There is nothing to be hoped
from the ignorance of the Judge. He knows all things. His eyes
go to and fro throughout the whole earth, and are in every place
beholding the evil and the good. He sees the play of every thought,
the movement of every affection, the curve of every arm, and the
path of every step." Infinite wisdom foresaw the ignorance of His
people, and caused a sacrifice to be offered for it. Num. xv. 24, 25,
at which time in their un regenerated state God winked at it,
Acts xvii. 80. The late J. Fletcher.
LETTER BY RUTH BRYAN.
'*In returning and rest ye shall he saved, in quietness and confidence
shall he your strength/'
" And she said. It is welL'^
My dear Girl,
HAVE read your note with all the sympathy of a fond heart,
and must write half a line, because yours is smarting ; that
is, unless a leaf from the dear Tree of Life has come to heal
it. I hope it may be so ; but if not, it will come, and again
you shall praise Him, and sing heartily, " He hath done all things
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 349
well." Methinks He is saying, " Return unto Me;" and, "Fear not,
I have redeemed thee ; thou art Mine." " Who art thou, that thou
jshouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and the son of man that
shall be made as grass ? The grass withereth and the flower fadeth,
— (creatures and creature-loves are full of change) — but " the word
of our God endureth for ever." The Word that was made flesh,
and dwelt amongst us. He is " the same yesterday, and to-day, and
for ever." Here you may recline and repose without fear of rebuff.
Here you cannot be too ardent, or expect too much. Return ! He
has bled for you — died for you ; His dear heart has been laid open
by the sword of justice, and only love was found in it — pure love to
the very bottom. He does deserve all our heart ! and He knows
^we woidd give it ; but He knows, too, that flesh has not lost its sen-
sibilities, and that we are not all spirit. And, moreover, the guilt
of our very wanderings after other lovers was laid upon Him. Yes,
all the sin of our unfaithfulness did He bear in His own precious
body on the tree. Oh, what a friend is Christ to thee and me !
Return unto Him as thy Beloved. " Return to the Almighty," and
** thou shalt be built up." As for the matter in hand. He knows thy
aching heart ; so tell Him all about it. He formed the sensibilities
of our nature, which bring some of us many pangs. He will suc-
cour ; He will deliver ; He will proWde. "Xo good thing will He
withhold from them that walk uprightly." Keep teUing Him all
you feel and fear ; that is the best way to lose the burden, and will
keep from any shyness creeping in because of the feelings towards
a creature. Hide nothing from Him, and communion will grow
sweeter, while with shame for your weakness you hide your blush-
ing face on His dear bosom, and feel His Own precious blood take
all the guilt away.
Dearest, I wish you may be able to give all up into His dear
hands. It is better to trust in Him than to put confidence in
princes. Seek to live in His will, for all that will is love ; and may
you be helped to look away from the creature, and say with David,
'^ I will freely sacrifice unto the Lord." It T\'ill not be without pain
to the flesh; but to resign what is valued makes the sacrifice more
worth having. May the love of Christ constrain and enable you.
" My grace is sufficient for thee." ^' He maketh the storm a calm,
so that the waves thereof are still." I do so enjoy those words, —
** That human heart He still retains,
Though throned in highest bliss."
Ajid so we have His tenderest sympathies; He knows all, — all
about us at this very moment. Fear not ; it shall be well ! *^ He
will guide thee with His counsel, and afterward receive thee to
350 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
I was going to send a verse or two out of Isaiah liv., but there is
so much in it, so precious, you must read it all. I need not say I
feel for you. May our precious Jesus come in and solace your soul
with His love, which is " better than wine/* Lean not on earth;
it will pierce thee to the quick ; 'tis
** But at best a reed ; ofttimes a spear."
Come up from the wilderness of self and creatures, leaning on the
Beloved, in whom I am.
Yours affectionately,
Ruth.
LETTER BY A TRIED PILGRIM.
32, Adelphi Terrace, May 4th, 1857.
My dear Christian Brother,
» AY the Lord grant me the grace I need to write you a few
words of christian affection, which I have so frequently
essayed to do lately but without effect. I think I may
however assert my feeling the strongest attachment and
regard toward you notwithstanding; and although my own
characteristics as regards spiritual things are peculiarly unhappy
to myself, and perhaps almost vt earisome to you, I feel constrained
to say something by letter.
I cannot say much upon my own experience of the reality,
preciousness and vital effects of the Gospel of Christ of late. A vain
testimony of a vision out of my own heart I abhor. I hate trading
with a stock of dry notions, as Huntington describes. And there-
fore while the wilderness is not turned into a fruitful field, I cannot
give any account of the " heavens dropping from above ; the skies
pouring down righteousness, and righteousness and salvation
springing up together," through the fiat of the Covenant Jehovah.
But this I can say, that there are times with me when, like the
captive exile, I hasten to " be loosed, that I may not die in the
pit;'' — ^when the realities of the future press my spirit hard, and
make me cry and ask and knock and struggle to get a hearing,
though beset with sore evils, and a mighty obstacle for ever
driving me back, — dead formalism, Divine rejection and ultimate
shame and everlasting contempt. But I am brought more and
more to this one point, that the work of the Holy One of Israel can-
not be hastened, and that it is " not of him that willeth, nor of him
that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy." And though I hate
the notion of a do-nothing religion, yet I cannot find any way of living
action in myself ; but can only hope to work out my own salvation
by the inworking of the sovereign God of all grace. For this display
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
351
of eternal mercy I am daily askings not desiring to look at self^ bat
that I may partake of the life which is in Christ Jesus ; that I may
not be among the false ones who have His name^ and that's all. And
being so much tossed about with doubts and apprehensions of my
own state and standings I am the more drawn towards you, as one
so highly distinguished in the grace of the Spirit, and so capable
of casting up the highway, you having attained to much of that
everlasting consolation and good hope through grace that I have to
lament my destitution of. 1 can rejoice in what the Lord has done
for you ; for His wonderful counsels and excellent working have
been manifest indeed; and it is the desire of mv soul that the riches
of His grace may flow abundantly through your instrumentality to
many, and to myself also, according to His blessed will. I am
often asking, "When shall I come and appear before God?"
*' When will He cause me to approach unto Him, to dwell in His
courts V^ Is He my God ? Is He reconciled to me in and through
Jesus, and shall I be brought to Zion at length ? For I seem all
wrong, and can't feel anything like life or faith or conversion.
The state of several around me often baffles all my understanding.
They seem enigmas of religion, and I often seem like them. This
confusion of things makes me long to hear the "voice of the
turtle ;" the voice of Him WTiom my soul desires to love, that He
would send out His light and truth, and teach me and lead me as
my Almighty Shepherd in the way everlasting. The words of
Daniel Herbert are often in my mind. They are remarkably
descriptive of my feelings and encouraging at times —
What \a this point you long to know ?
Methinks I hear you say, 'Tis this,
* * I want to know I m bom of God,
An heir of everlasting bliss.
^* I want to know Christ died for me,
I want to feel the seal within,
I want to feel His precious blood
Was shed to wash away my sin.
** I want to feel more love to God,
I want to feel more life in prayer ;
But when I look within my heart
It almost drives me to d^pair.
'* I want a mind more firmly fixed
On Christ, the everlasting Head,
I want to feel my sool alive
And not so barren and so dead.
'* I want more faith — a stronger faith,
I want to feel the power within,
I want to feel more love to God,
I want to feel less love to sin."
So where a want like this is found
I think I may be bold to say,
'* The Lord hath laid within that soul
What hell can never take away.*'
I have to lament many shortcomings and ev41 influences of late :
unto me belongeth shame and confusion of face. My only plea
to the last must be the mercy of God through a crucified
Redeemer. " Nothing can preser ve my going, but salvation rich and
tree" I think I may venture to say, there is " a company of two
armies :" sometimes I love, sometimes I Imte ; sometimes hope, some-
times fear, but all teaches me there is no help for me but in Jesus.
352 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
He can pardon, He can subdue, He can quicken. He can cure. He
is able. I hope, in His blessed name, I shall find Him ready and
willing to save me by His Almighty arm, that I may praise Him for
ever. Amen. Excuse my saying more just now.
I hope in the love of the Spirit I may subscribe as.
Your affectionate friend in Him,
Mr. A. J. Baxter. Thomas A. Williams.
PURE GOLD FROM PURITAN AND OTHER MINES.
Paradoxes. — Pilgrims in a strange country, as vessels of mercy in
seas of affliction, blessed with grace, and burdened with corruption,
endowed with faith, and plagued with unbelief ; with patience and
peevishness, with submission and opposition, resignation and strong
rebellion ; meekness and hardness, fortitude and cowardice ; a
willing mind and reluctant flesh, real obedience, a strong resistance.
Persons who act to this character, says Huntington, must expect
their path to be this great paradox. The way lies through crooked
places made straight, rough places made plain, through darkness
and through light, through tire and through water, through tribu-
lation and the way of pleasantness; in deaths often, and alive always ;
by evil report and by good report ; by the shadow of death, and
by the path of life ; through days of prosperity, and days of adversity;
— ^with much sweetness and a deal of bitterness ; heavy crosses and
strong consolations ; flourislung like a branch, withering like an herb ;
often refreshed, and often parched; boasting of fatness, and com-
plaining ; leaping for joy, and sinking in grief ; triumphing of victory,
complaining of captivity ; — days of laughing, and weeks of mourn-
ing ; by the valley of vision, and the valley of Baca, by the mount
of transfiguration, and by the mount of corruption ; with the wings
of a dove, and the body of death ; — what an in-and-out, round-about
journey is this for the christian ! This makes the Shulamite (says
Huntington) appear as it were the company of two armies — black,
but comely, — as the tents of Kedar, as the curtains of Solomon ; as
poor, yet having great riches ; — foolish, and yet made wise ; as
the offscouring of the earth, and yet the excellent of it ; as base,
and yet honourable ; as well known, and yet unknown ; as illirerale,
yet taught of G-od ; as dying, and behold we live ; as turners of the
world upside down, yet the pillars of it ; as pests to society, yet
the salt of the earth; — as troublesome inmates, and yet moiv
excellent than their neighbours ; as lilies among thorns — as lamb?
n the midst of wolves.— 'Communicated.
Decexbee, 1882. the gospel advocate. 353
THE BELIEVER'S STRENGTH.
i(
The joy of the Lord is your strength" — Nehemiah viii. 10.
ONTRAST is necessary to make known the proper differ-
ence subsisting between things. Darkness set against light,
and sorrow against happiness, make the latter to appear the
brighter and more blissful. And were the Lord^s people
strangers to the shadows in experience they would not so enjoy the
sunshine when it is granted. There was a great contrast between
the glory of Solomon's temple and that which arose under Zerub-
babel, and all in favour of the former, so far as material and
architectural beauty were concerned. But the Lord, Whose eye
rested not like man's with admiration on the gold, silver, marbles
and cedars, took a different view of the two buildings, and behold-
ing in it the presence of Him for Whose nghteousness'sake He was
well-pleased, and Who was to magnify the law and make it honour-
able. He caused Haggai to say : ^^ The glory of this latter house
shall be greater thau that of the former, saith the Lord of hosts :
and in this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts.''^
Chap. ii. 9.
This was a gracious reason for rebuking the lamentations of the
aged who wept as they thought of the disparity between the past
and present temples. It was also a great encouragement to the
young, who, not remembering the former house, gave vent to their
jubilant feelings at seeing this structure begin to rise. The
spiritual ones among the motley throng that gathered round Ezra,
Nehemiah, and their coadjutors, would learn from Haggai^s an-
nouncement that the advent oi: their Lord the Messiah was to be
expected in connection with this building, and fresh hopes and
praises would be called forth from their hearts to the God of all
grace. But the spectacle was full of contrast, and it involved con-
fusion : *^ The people could not discern the noise of the shout of
J]oy from the noise of the people : for the people shouted with a
oud shout, and the noise was heard afar off." Ezra iii. 13.
But it was when the weeping predominated at the hearing of
*' the words of the law" — that law which pronounced the curse,^
and desolation upon the disobedient people — that Nehemiah and
Ks^ra interposed. Well they knew that
" Repentance without faith
Is a sore which, never heaUng,
Frets and rankles unto death."
tliey woul d not therefore have them swallowed up with overmuch
borrow. To realise what that law set forth in all that had
^^fallen their country and countrymen was well. But the Lord
354 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
had returned to them with mercies. His face was beginning again
to shine on them. His afflicting hand was being removed. They
were to prove His unchangeable favour as a covenant Grod, and
that '* His mercy endureth for ever." " Go your way," said
Neiieraiah, " eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions to
them for whom nothing is prepared : for this day is holy unto the
Lord : neither be ye sorry ; for the joy of the Lord is your
strength."
It is thus the Lord appears to cheer and raise His mourning and
desponding people still. Were they to sink overwhelmed with
sins, fears, and legal dread of Him, no glory would He reap from
their sanation by the work of His dear Son. In the death of
Christ " light was sown for the righteous ;" and in His resurrection
it broke forth with Him from the tomb, to be reflected upon them in
due season by the work of the Holy Spirit. " For the joy that was
set before Him," the Lord Jesus '^ endured the cross, despising the
shame ;" and that " Joy" is to be participated in by His redeemed.
" Enter thou into the Joy of thy Lord," is the greeting that awaits
all His beloved ones, who serve Him " in newness of Spirit, and
not in the oldness of the letter :" for it is His Own Joy — that
which He has derived from His pains and toils, the glory follow-
ing His humiliating abasement. It consists in the eternal lie^ht of
the Father's countenance ; His unqualified approbation of all He
has done and suffered, in laying honour and majesty for ever upon
Him.
Jesus, as Mediator, is thus strong in *^ the joy of the Lord" the
Father. It makes His pleading as His people's advocate irresisti-
ble. It crowns Him as the Saviour with all that dignity which He
speaks of in His having power over all flesh, that He may give
eternal life to as many as the Father hath given Him. John xvii. 2.
And the "Joy of salvation" is to the child of God the source of all
his spiritual " strength." Without it, his life is a weary burden,
his pathway thorns without arose. Bound down under conviction;
apprehensive of judgment and wrath to come, no pleasure can he
take, like the worldling, in the vanities of this world. He has no
'^ strength " for wayfare or warfare only as he receives some token
for good, some taste of " the joy of the Lord."
Satan cannot be encountered ; the law of God cannot be looked upon
with comfort ; the world cannot be overcome ; the cross providences
of his Maker the christian cannot behold working together for
his good, unless he is favoured to taste that " the Lord is gracious."
To drink deeply of this bliss, he must know his '^ election of God."
He must read his name engraved on the palms of his Redeemer's
hands, and on the breast-plate of His heart. He must be favoured
THE OOSPBL ADVOCATE. 355
with the Spirit's sealing witness that he is an heir of God, and
joint-heir with Christ Jesns. And to partake in any humble
manner of it, he must have those secret touches which the Holy
Ghost, as " the finger of God," now and then vouchsafes, to take
away the heart of stone, to melt the affections, influence the desires,
and bring him to dissolve under a sense of the Lord's goodness
and tender-mercy to him.
The more the soul draws upon and from the fulness of Christ by
faith, the more it receives of this joijy and the stronger it becomes ''in
the Lord and the power of His might, and in the grace which there
is in Christ Jesus.'' Apart from this it is soon spent and becomes
faint and weary. Like a plant unwatered the believer languishes
in all the privileges of devotion ; in prayer, reading the Scriptures,
and in public worship. '' The joy of the Lord" gives wings to fly
with, yea, it is the constraining power of the love of Christ shed
abroad in the heart by the Holy Ghost.
The Editor.
" DEAD TO SIN."
'* What shall we say then ? Shall we eontinne in s^in, that grace
may aboutid ? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to s^in, live
any longer thereiyi" — Rom. vi. 1, 2.
-*^^^IN is the greatest enemy with which the children of God have
to contend; and to those who are kept walking humbly
and tenderly with Him, it is a source of continual mourning
and grief. The more they are indulged with communion
with God, the gfreater will be the sorrow that
** Sin will to (them^ cleave."
And frequently will they long for the time when they shall be freed
from the body of sin and death, and serve God without weariness
or any sin intermingling.
But with mere professors of religion it is the same in the
present day as it ever has been. They, being destitute of the
knowledge of God, cannot understand the secret hidden life of a
child of God, and consequently affirm that a belief in the doctrines
of election, justification by faith, and final perseverance, lead to care-
less walking and the ignoring of good works. But, blessed be God,
we who are of the true circumcision " have not so learned Christ."
" We know that we have passed from death unto life," " because the
love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost," the
fruit of which is love to the brethren, and love to good workf^ — that
we may show forth the praises of Him Who has taught us by His
Spirit, and " called us out of darkness into His marvellous light."
356 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATH.
Our greatest delight is to honour and glorify Him Who shed His
precious blood for us, and "by Whose stripes we are healed/' And
whilst we rejoice in the blessed fact that our sins are put away for
ever by the one offering of Christ Jesus, we mourn on account of
sin, our earnest desire being ever to remember that " His Own self
bare our sins in His Own body on the tree, that we, being dead to
sin, should live unto righteousness ^ And we daily seek to God
for grace and strength to overcome the sin of our nature, and the
corruptions of our hearts ; remembering the exhortation :
" Wherefore, gird up the loins of your mind : as obe-
dient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the
former lusts in your ignorance : but as He which hath called you is
holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation (or living. Re\'ised
version). Because it is written : Be ye holy ; for I am holy."
The more we are favoured with communion with God, the more
earnestly shall we press after this holiness, to which we are exhorted
in so many places in the Word, and prayerfully seek to be enabled
"through the Spirit (to) mortify the deeds of the body,'' and by
dying daily to ourselves and to the world show forth our love to
Him in Whom our "Life is hid." "For (we) are dead, and (our)
life is hid with Christ in God."
We read in 1 Cor. iii. 16, " Know ye not that ye are the temple
of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you ? If any man
defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy, for the temple of
God is holy, which temple ye are." Owen writes thus : " It is the
Spirit Who mortifies and subdues our corruptions. Who quickens us
unto life, holiness, and obedience, as He dwelleth in ns, that He
may make and prepare a habitation meet for Himself. The
principal reason and motive which we have to attend unto it (the
mortification of sin) with all care and diligence as a duty is, that we
may thereby preserve His dwelling-place so as becometh His grace
and holiness. And indeed, whereas (as our Saviour tells us) they
are things which come from and out of the heart that defile us ;
there is no greater or more forcible motive to contend against all
the defiling actings of sin, which is our mortification, than this, by
the neglect hereof the temple of the Spirit will be defiled."
In another portion he writes : " The Holy Ghost enters into no
soul as His habitation, but at the same instant He dethrones sin,
spoils it of its dominion, and takes the rule of the soul into the
hand of His Own grace. Where He hath effected this work, and
brought His adversary into subjection, there He will dwell, though
sometimes His habitation be troubled by His subdued enemy. The
souls and minds of them who are really sanctified, have continually
such a sprinkling with the blood of Christ, and are so continually
THR ♦HJcfEL adto»:at£- 357
pofTiied br Tirtue from His •saeriface and MAtkfUy sa^ that tiurr are
iL-rTrrr ttrtH'ieii habitation-- for the Holj Spirn of Goi'^
H'>w woiidn[fii» and komUm*^ thJB* th^i^ogbt, that Gc^ br His
Sfjir:: eo!ideHresLds to dweQ in ^ach a» ^e! aceordiiig' to His
gr^el^jZLt d£clar&rkrn : ''^ I will dwell in tikroi, and walk in chem ; and
zaej ^^haU be mv fe^jfl^^ and I will be their GodJ^ Wlien bj £aith
We are enai^d to r«aiize this inefsttmable ble^§sing> '^ that we dwefl
In Him, aad He in cl*, b»rca£L=e He ba» giv-ri. g? ^ His. Spirit," and
ar*^ faToared with even a little tarfte of Hi> k/vii — a glimpee of tho«e
3jn.^«eatchable richer which we po«*»«» in Chrisc Je?=ii5^ — how we are
tzlied witb wonder, lore, detight, and admiration, and ardentljr wi^
ihat we coold always enj'>T the experience of the?e Uessngs, and
walk in. tiient to the hon^icir of God. But. ala» ! when we woold do
fp.'*-"! eTi' L- pr»ft#!it with a.<-
" A.^nx best L-r ^sainigti aad «iped wirh iizu
O-ir aH i* c^itiiiiig worth-""
A£.'i w^ ♦. tt^rs. walk with oar hfcad> bowed d>wn on accoiint of that
'Mr. wDLich maiT- ail jrith which we hare to do.
Tii*jire who are et*rHuerf to th-r a^jCcriiLe^ vf the Bible -'Calrini^tie
ti .••Ltr.j:;e* a* thtrj are '^rried, iiecaaae the/ were jRT>fe*fied and
:.i.i4rit by thax -Liine-': ^rrsjit •■: G-jd, C-^.!»-irt are atter .^ftrangers
"J. z\-: ^joI-LiiaL&tkng %~LiirW'!- trcsr cLildren *^ji ix»>d LiTeof thenL?elre»,
OT ♦.£ t£» ^lOT-s and cfToarL* that ascend ro ih- Throne of £rrac»:r on
acci-rint '.'f cnat ^m which dwetleth in them.
>■ far fr»jEQ. feelinsr that they mar walk CirrLf:i?.-lT. and wilfoIlT an,
becriix-=e ther a>re hle^re*! with a -weet a-r'xn'.nc'e rhit their *rn-r are
t.r-wTiven, and that G:*! will perfect that wLicL o^ncemeth them and
enabLe them to per^erere unto the end, never leaving '/r forsaking*
^em ; their greatest trial l> that ^ dwell •? :n thefr natnre, and thej
kn'' w that nnless ther watch onto praTer. and dilisrentlr fifirirt
a£rairL?t the world, the ffesh, and the deTiI, thej will continaallT be
foiled in the conflict ^ gnere the Holr Spirit, and dishon^Kir Him
Who ha^ redeemed them with m< bLx^. Then, instead of walking
in rke enjoyment of that peace *^ which p<i^reth all nnderstanding'/'
G* d win withdraw His presence, will hide Ht« fece from them,
cia.«ten them for their iniquities, and permit them to go in dark
path.* at a dt=tance from Himi?elf- And to th«-j6e who hare been
farO'Tire^l to enp^y a cEo^e walking with G'.d^ i: ii indee*! a bitter
rri?il to tind their *^Betored Ita?;, witbdrawn Him.'iel^ and 'LV, z^^zie,"
and to come into the experience of the wordr : ^^ I stooght Him, bat
I c^nld not fed Him, I called Him, bat H'r g"^Te me no answer."
We know that in. all age^» there erer has '^>een, and in fntnre erer
wili be, a dirersty :uihong^5t God's children. And it l* a great
mercT for tho««e who are «o kept by the mighty power o€ God that
358 THE OOSPIL ADTOGATE.
they do not sin openly, or walk wickedly, and thus dishonour Him
Whom they profess to serve.
We are compassed about with a body of infirmity ; the heart is
desperately wicked and deceitful above all things, and our evil
nature leads us into temptation : added to which our great adversary
Satan, is ever ^^ going about as a roaring lion seeking whom he may
devour," and various are the specious forms in which he tempts
the children of God.
They who go astray have to suffer deeply on account of the error
of their ways under the chastening hand of God, and none but
• themselves know what they pass through under the hidings of His
countenance, through fear that they have neither part nor lot in the
matter. But blessed be God, He will remember His covenant with
them, and they " shall be saved ; yet so as by fire."
It is indeed an infinite mercy and blessing to have an assurance
that God will never forsake the work of His Own hands, but will
subdue sin in us by the indwelling of His Spirit ; giving us victory
through the blood of the Lamb, conforming us to His image, and
enabling us to maintain the conflict between the old and new natures,
until He calls us to lay down the former, and takes us to be with
Himself for ever and ever.
** Sinners ! join the heavenly powers,
For redemption all is ours ;
None but burdened sinners prove
Blood-bought pardon, dying love."
Then may we take courage and go forward in the strength of
Him Who has conquered sin for us, and has promised that we shall
be more than conquerors through Him.
And may we by our lives deny the assertions which are cast upon
the truth of God, and show that, by the love of God which is shed
abroad in our hearts, we are constrained to love and serve Him,
our greatest grief being to grieve Him in Whom is all our delight,
happiness, and blessing.
Thus, with mingled feelings of gratitude to God for all His
infinite mercies, and with grief for our manifold iniquities and
short-comings, may we look back upon the present year which is
drawing to a close ; and with praise and confession plead the
merits of the dearly beloved Son of God, and beg that we may be
enabled in His strength to go forth conquering and to conquer, and
by our daily walk and conversation in the future, adorn the
doctrines of God our Saviour.
** In Thy presence I can conquer,
I can suffer, I can die ;
Far from Thee I faint and languish,
Cambs. O, my Saviour, keep me nigh." Iota.
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 359
THE LORD'S VISITS.
No. VII.
A LETTER BY THE LATE MR. FALKNER.
Margate, October 24th, 1817.
Dear Friend, — I am much obH<2fed by your kind letter, which I
should have answered before, but have been very busy. Our friend
Mrs. P. sends her kind love to you. She is at present as well as
can be expected ; very ha])py in the midst of a great many troubles,
and I doubt not will so continue, it being the happy lot of those
who live on Christ alone ; unto which attainment I trust (through
the grace of God given you in Christ Jesus before the world began)
you are pressing forward. It gave me much pleasure to read the
account of the Lord's meeting you while reading the third sermon
of Dr. Crisp. I have no doubt in my mind of your being brought
to a satisfaction of your everlasting interest in Christ Jesus.
These visits are often a prelude to a clear manifestation: these
are the cords of love with which the Lord has j)romised to draw His
])eople to Himself. The church maketh this declaration, that, "the
Ijord hath api)eared of old, saying, I have loved thee with an ever-
lasting love, and with loving kindness have I drawn thee;" and
doth beg that God would so draw her, and leaveth this testi-
mony that He hath so drawn her. And the remembrance of it is
n;or(j sweet than wine — that it leaves an abiding sense of the same
in the soul — that it removes those clouds of darkness out of the
mind — manifests how the Lord makes anew heart — how He renews
the^ will — enlightens the understanding and turns us from darkness
to His marvellous light— which is the forgiveness of our sins — where
the inheritance of the saints lies, even in the everlasting fulness of
Christ. This drawing of the Father begetteth hope in the soul. It is
by this love manifested in the heart that we are enabled to believe.
It is this love that casts out our guilty fears. It is in this love we
are enabled to cry," Abba, Blather" ; and our consciences are purged
from dead works, that we may serve God in newness of life, and
not in the works of the flesh. It is in this love that we embrace
Christ as our only Husband, and are held in perpetual wedlock to
Him.
In this love we are enabled to bring forth fruit unto God ; to
hold on our way, and bear up under every discouragement : the
Lord having promised, "the righteous shall hold on his way,
and wax stronger and stronger." It is this love of God manifest
in my heart that is the most clear evidence of my election ; this is the
bond of the eternal union of my soul to Christ. Love is the substance
of all the merits of Christ. Love manifest in my heart produces all
860 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
the graces of the Spirit, and brings them into lively exercise.
Love will never fail : it is the fulfilling of the law : it rem,oves the
power of unbelief and makes sin truly hateful. It is love that lifts
me above the curse of the law, the wrath of God, and the forebodings
of eternal death. Love teaches me to despise the frowns of the
world ; it enlarges my heart, and produces repentance that shall
never be repented of agam. Love is the feast of fat things ; the
river of life ; it keeps my soul in perfect peace ; it is springing up
in the heart of him that believeth in Jesus unto eternal life. Love
quenches all the fiery darts of the devil, and all the lusts of the flesh.
By this love we shall be kept blameless in body, soul, and spirit,
before God. This shall be the support of our soul on a dying bed;
and this love of God we shall enjoy to all eternity. In the manifest
favour of God our mountain stands strong ; it is in His absence we
are troubled. It was in the sensible presence of Christ that the
disciples' hearts burned within them; but in His absence we fall
into great darkness. This should teach us two things ; first, that
it is a distinguishing mercy of God for us at any time to enjoy His
favour; secondly, that we can not retain it by any power that we
possess, which should teach us to look up to God alone in Christ
Jesus for His presence to be manifest in the most lively sense in our
minds ; that we may continually enjoy the blessed state of them
that know the joyful sound of free grace flowing through the
Redeemer's blood — that we may walk in the light of His countenance
all the day long, and make mention of Christ's righteousness only
— that we may go on from day to day receiving out of His fulness
grace upon grace, that we may be rooted and grounded, settled,
strengthened and established in Christ, and so be delivered from
the works of the law.
" Now he that is entered into Christ, ceaseth from his own
works as God did from His," being complete in Christ. This
is our only place of perpetual rest, and to this I hope it will
please the good Lord to bring you : but till you enjoy it, you will
at all times experience dark seasons. Yet be not discouraged, for
light will come in the morning. Were I to write much to you on
the subject of darkness, I should present to your imagination things
so gloomy and wretched, which make their appearance in the absence
of the true light ; such awful scenes of wickedness in the human heart as
would make you shudder ! The wickedness of the heart cannot be
easily set forth, when the unclean beasts of the forest do creep forth.
There is unbelief, the root from whence all evil proceeds : there is
calling in question the truth of the Bible — the merits oE the Son of
God — the love of God to His church — the operation of the Spirit —
the very being of a God. The fool hath said in his heart " There is
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. ' 361
310 God." It is by the discovery of these things I am made a wit-
ness " that the heart is deceitful above all things and desperately
wicked;" that " the thoughts of the heart are only evil, and that
<?ontinually ;'^ and that "he that trusts in his own heart is a fool."
In this darkness I have envied the happiness of every living creature,
being filled with all the blasphemies of Satan. I have had the same
thoughts Job's wife had, with every evil thought, I think, that ever
passed through the mind of any human creature, and never did I
find that I possessed any power to relieve myself, until it pleased the
good Lord to manifest His love to my soul and chase the powers of
darkness away; causing me to enjoy His loving-kindness, in which
I could rejoice with joy unspeakable, and full of glory. While this
lasted I could go on happily, and under such visits have hardly
known whether I have been in the body or out. I divided that
part of your letter which respects yourself and God's dealings with
your soul, into three parts : first, the manifest love of God to your
soul : secondly, the darkness that followed — this was the way the
Lord was pleased to lead me : thirdly, the only refuge of the soul
in the dark.
It is an unspeakable mercy to every quickened soul, that
before he beholds the light of life, Christ Jesus, he has the
privilege of going to God in prayer in his sins, uncovered, and in
his blood: and in this state the Holy Spirit is pleased to indite his
petitions. God is pleased to receive them in the merits of Christ,
and to manifest His great mercy to the soul by enlightening him in
the knowledge of Christ ; by giving him hope, and encouraging
him at all times to come to a throne of grace, in all cases and con-
ditions, m the midst of his sins. In my last I endeavoured to draw
your attention to the way in which it has pleased God to appear
for His people in their greatest distress and difficulties; making
manifest the most conspicuous deliverances in answer to prayer.
These things must be observed, or how shall we come to live by
faith ? and till then we can only live by sense, just as my good
friend does when the Lord is pleased to shine in her so»l. When
the soul is taken up into oneness with Christ, the life is then enjoyed ;
there is the light too in the Word to guide my way ; a straight way
which there is no turning out. This is hard to be believed by those
who hover about the mount ; but I hope it will plftase the Lord to
lead you to walk only in this way, and you will find it a way of
continual pleasantness, and the paths peace. In this way you will
see the blessedness of all the invitations and promises — the comfort
of the word — the security of the oath — the blessings of the everlast-
ing covenant, which contains the fulness of a sinner's salvation.
Access to a throne of grace is a privilege peculiar to the elect of
362 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
God : it is what no natural son of Adam ever did enjoy, or ever will
in that state ! It belongs to the election of grace, and is made known
by regeneration in the heart; one blessed fruit of the Spirit's
dwelling in our heart is the great power of God manifest in deliver-
ing us out of the kingdom of Satan, and translating us into the
kingdom of God's dear Son, by Whom we have access into the
presence of the Father through the merits of Christ alone. One
great evidence of our election is, the faith and power of God, by
which we believe. " He that believeth hath the witness in himself."
In my last I attempted to show you, that the throne of grace was
the only safe and certain way for any to go in, carrying all their
troubles there, whether of mind, body, or estate, and T am a witness
that the Lord is a God that heareth and answereth the cries of the
needy. By the Lord's answer I have in a measure been enabled to
live by faith ; and by the gracious answers He shall be pleased to
give you, you shall be enabled to trust in the Lord daily, and to
know that, what He is to you in the most prosperous state of your
soul. He is in the darkest — that He is "the same yesterday, to-day
and for ever."
Give my best respects to Mrs. K., and I hope from this time to
her death she will know nothing, in point of dependence for salva-
tion, but Christ and Him crucified. Tell her it is a great satisfaction
to me to believe that my sins were placed to the account of Christ,
and that in His payment I obtained a full discharge. My kind
love to the little babe that used to refuse the breast of consolation.
I am happy to learn that she grows and begins to run alone. Tell
her to look well to her standing ; to see that it is in Christ alone,
to look straight forward unto Him, and if she should fall down, to
go to the fountain to wash, and not to dirty water.
Yours in the Lord Jesus,
N. F.
NAMES AND CHARACTERS OF OUR GRACIOUS
LORD.
(Continued from jpage ^4A.)
His names are like ointments of holiest savour ;
They speak our Beloved, they breathe of His favour.
The Breaker to level impassable mountains ;
The shadowing Branch by perennial fountains :
The only-Begotten, and Brightness of God,
Who spread the blue heavens like a curtain abroad,
But maketh the heart of the meek His abode.
THK GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 363
The Bearer of Burdens we could not have borne ;
The Bishop to comfort the weak and forlorn.
A cluster of Camphire, a bundle of Myrrh,
A Buckler to all who would serve Him in fear.
Our Brother, Who reigns all events to control ;
The Bruiser of Satan, the Bread of the soul.
And the Bridegroom, Who married a destitute one.
And gave her His nature. His joy and His throne.
O Saviour, my spirit rejoiceth in Thee !
Thy bountiful mercy, that floweth to me,
Hath depths that no wisdom created may trace.
And heights that are lost in the heavens of Thy grace.
C.H.M.
THE SONGS OF HEZEKIAH.
"The Lord was ready to save me : therefore we will sing my songs
on the stringed instruments all the days of our life in the house of
the Lord" Isaiah xxxviii. 20.
No. 3.
(Psalm cxvi. Continued from page 310.^
IHE storm over, the tempest-tossed soul can review its past
perils and remember its feelings and its fears in connection
with its deliverances. It is thus Hezekiah details his ex-
perience in what he had gone through. " I believed,
therefore have I spoken : I was greatly afflicted : I said in my
haste. All men are liars." Psalm cxvi. 10, 11. What was the
nature of his faith ? What that of his hasty unbelief ? Hezekiah's
faith rested, in its chief aspect, in the promise of the Messiah, and
the resurrection fiom death in union with Him; for the apostle says,
" We having the same Spirit of faith, according as it is written, I
believed, and therefore have I spoken ; we also believe, and there-
fore speak ; knowing that He which raised up the Lord Jesus shall
I'aise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you,'' 2 Cor.
iv. 18, 14. In thus speaking Paul quotes distinctly what we regard
as Hezekiah's words in the Psalm under consideration. Nor will
the fact of the gracious king's unwillingness to die invalidate the
iact of his firm belief in the resurrection of the just. Job sank
quite as low, yet affirmed his faith in the same glorious truth.
Chap. xix. 24-26 : although Dr. Kicto and others have cast a doubt
on the meaning of Job's words.
But further, Hezekiah believed the promise of Jehovah's national
covenant, that long " life and favour " were in general the portion of
864 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
those wlio observed His worship, whatever exception to the rule might
in the mystery of His providence occasionally be exhibited. But his
own case seemed to form a painful exception, and the rising power of
unbelief led him in his haste to say, '' AH men are liars." That is,
all who had spoken to him of long life and prosperity in the service
of Jehovah had apparently deceived him : as his words in Isaiah
xxxviii. declare : ^* I said in the cutting off of my days, I shall go
to the gates of the grave, I am deprived of the residue of my years:
Mine age is departed, and is removed from me as a shepherd's tent :
I have cut off like a weaver my life : He will cut me off with pining
sickness : from day even to night wilt Thou make an end of me,'*
vers. 10, 12.
In the bitter hasty cry of " All men are liars," Isaiah himself
may also have been included ; for had he not written : ^^ Say ye to
the righteous, that it shall be well with him : for they shall eat the
fruit of their doings ?" chap. iii. 10 ; and again : " If ye be willing
and obedient ye shall eat the good of the land ?" Chap. i. l9.
But how could Hezekiah thus feast if he were to be cut off in the
prime of his life? It is thus that the Lord's providence often
seems at variance with His promises ; and " no man knoweth love
or hatred (on the part of God towards him) by all that is before
him" in prosperity or adversity. This crossing of the hands in the
bestowment of the blessing has called forth many a " Not so, my
father," from perplexed Reason ; and it has invariably been i^lenced
by, " I knowit. My son, I knowit," Gen. xlviii. 18, 19. Nor shall the
charge ot falsehood or faithlessness ever rest on the dealings of a
covenant God; for
'* His word shall stand, His truth prevail ;
Aiid not one jot or tittle fail."
How powerfully is this illustrated in the succeeding sentence :
*' What shall I render unto the Lord for all His benefits toward
me?" — Words perfectly analagous to the king's language in
Isaiah : " What shall I say ? He hath both spoken unto me and
Himself hath done it." Chap, xxxviii. 15. The resemblance be-
tween the two utterances is too great to admit of much doubt on
the part of any that they came from the lips of the same person.
O, it is blessed to be so vanquished by the Lord's goodness as to
be at a loss what to say and what to do in honour of His holy
name. A broken heart, a melting spirit, an overflowing soul can
only be produced by His loving kindness and tender mercy.
Overwhelmed by the display of the Lord's regard for him,
Hezekiah sinks in abasement at His feet, and while utterly at a loss
to make any worthy return, exclaims, " I will take the cup of salva
tion, and call upon the name of the Lord. I will pay my vows un
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATB. 365
to the Lord now in the presence of all His people." Vers. 13, 14.
All he could present was an acknowledgement — and that should be
public as well as private. "In the presence of all His people/* he
would magnify Jehovah's grace as it had been extended to him.
With " the cup of salvation *' in his hand he would approach the
Lord, and proclaim Him as the Almighty Redeemer of his soul
from destruction and his body from death, and testify that all he
had passed through had been for his good. And with this his
words iti Isaiah accord : " Lord, by these things men live, and in
all these things is the life of my spirit : so wilt Thou recover me^
and make me to live."
This restoration to life leads up to the beautiful passage which
follows in Psalm cxvi. : " Precious in the sight of the Lord is the
death of His saints,'' ver. 15. And this is parallel with that sweet
declaration : "He shall redeem their soul from deceit and violence ;.
and precious shall their blood be in His sight." Psa. Ixxii. 14.
The high estimation in which Jehovah holds His people is hereby
exhibited. In all His dispensations He is jealous of their well-
being. His words, " Since thou wast precious in My sight thou
hast been honourable, and I have loved thee," proclaim His
purposes to be directed wholly to their welfare ; so that their death,,
in its time, place, and manner, is as particularly ordered as their
life in all its supplies. Hence every believer may sing :
" Plaguea and deaths around me fly,
Till He bids I cannot die :
Not a single shaft can hit
TiU the God of love sees fit."
This was the burden of this part of Hezekiah's song. His omni-
potent Friend had arrested the stroke of death and granted a fresh
lease of life to the extent of 15 years in full.
So kind an interposition bound him in affection closer and
closer to his God : " Lord, truly I am Thy servant ; I am Thy
servant, and the son of Thine handmaid : Thou hast loosed my
bonds." Ver. 16. But why does Hezekiah speak of his mother as
the Lord's handmaid ? Was it because she was His steadfast
worshipper, while her husband, the infamous Ahaz, was steeped in
idolatry. Her name we are told was Abi, and that she was the
daughter of Zachariah, 2 Kings xviii. 2. David tilso refers to his
mother by the same term : ^' Save the son of Thine handmaid,^*
Psalm Ixxxvi. 1 6 ; and it does seem to imply she also was a godly
woman ; a true daughter of Sarah. And if this were so in Hezekiah's
case, remembering how great the influence of the eastern mother
over her offspring even to years of maturity, it is not at all im-
probable that her instruction, and the tuition of those she employed
3G(3 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
to aid her in her efforts, were the means by which the Holy Spirit
preserved him from the contamination that on every hand abounded,
and led him to cleave to Jehovah and His worsiiip in secrecy. In
no other way can we trace the leading of the Lord' in this good
king's conduct. He was twenty years old when he began to reign,
but, like Josiah, he instantly began the work of an evangelical
reformation. It may be remembered that our Edward VI. said,
'^ he was brought up among the women" until he was about six
years old, and in his ninth year he ascended the throne. And none
with propriety can dispute the fact that the Lord has largely used the
influence of woman to impress the truths of the Gospel in early life
on the minds of His people, and probably to an extent man has
never been employed.
But, whatever the instrumentality, the work on Hezekiah's soul
was the Lord's. "Thou," says he, "hast loosed my bonds." He
therefore almost repeats his soul's resolution : " I will offer to Thee
the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the
Lord. I will pay my vows unto the Lord now in the presence of
all His people, in the courts of the Lord's house, in the midst of
thee, Jerusalem. Praise ye the Lord." Vers. 17-19. In reply
to his interrogation, " What is the sign that I shall go up unto
the house of the Lord ?" h© had received the assurance, " On
the third day thou shalt go up unto the house of the Lord,"
2 Kings XX. 5. This was truly, miraculous. That in the
course of so short a period " the deadly boil'* should be so
thoroughly cured and his strength so completely restored
that he should be able to take part in the temple service was,
humanly speaking, impossible. But not so with God. Blessedly
was he brought to prove this. His youth renewed as the eagle's,
he rises from his sick couch, and with holy joy enters " the courts
of the Lord's house," in the midst of his beloved Jerusalem, and
there he pays the vows of thanksgiving which his mouth had spoken
and his lips had uttered when he was in trouble, while the loud
refrain of hallelujah rends the skies, as the godly unite with their
loved monarch in praise to Jehovah, who had averted a national
calamity by preserving their king.
In all this there is "the deep that coucheth beneath." This
Psalm was composed for Zion's use in all future ages, while it con-
stituted the expression of Hezekiah's special and personal ex-
perience. The sorrows, the prayer, the deliverance, the loving
gratitude, the heart-felt praise, set forth in its contents, are all
portrayed in what God's people still are made acquainted with,
in the Lord's work on their souls and the trials and tribulation in
the world. The conclusion of the whole matter is the turning of a
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. 367
sore captivity, and the breaking forth of Kght in the midst of
darkness, and the resounding of hallelujah where silent gloom
threatened to prevail for ever. " Praise ye the Lord,^' is the key-
note for all God's children to take up the strain and join the
■chorus ; and when the Lord appears to their joy, they can do this
with the same ease and comfort as before it was impossible. In
Hezekiah's case, and in that of all the elect poor and needy, who
•cry day and night unto the Lord, the promise is fulfilled : " Call
upon Me in the day of trouble : I will deliver thee, and thou shalt
glorify Me :" for the Lord hath not said to the seed of Jacob,
^* Seek ye Me in vain."
** His very word of grace is strong
As that which built the skies ;
The voice that rolls the stars along
Speaks all the promises."
The Editor.
(Psalms cxvii. and cxviii. to follow).
DID OUR LOED WASH THE FEET OF JUDAS ISCARIOT?
Dear Sir,
see it stated in the latter portion of the sermon by Mr.
Grace in this month's " G. A.," page 328, bottom line, that
Jesus washed Judas' feet. After a careful comparison of
all the four evangelists, I have almost come to the conclusion
that Judas Iscariot was not present either at the washing of the
disciples' feet, or at the Lord's supper. But upon a further
examination, there is a question arises in my mind as to which
supper is referred to when our dear Lord humbled Himself to teach
His disciples this lesson of brotherly love, and washed their
feet.
As the Apostle John is the only one who gives the account of the
w^ashing of the disciples' feet, it seems to me the second verse of the
thirteenth chapter might be supposed to take up the narrative
again from the ninth verse of the twelfth chapter, and so connect
the washing of the disciples' feet with the supper held in the house
of Simon the leper, at Bethany. See Matt. xxvi. 6 and 10
verses. Mark xiv. 3 and 10 verses. It was at this supper that
Judas took offence at the reproof he received for finding fault with
the use of the precious ointment. The Apostle John leaves no
room for doubt on this matter, as he says that it was Judas
368 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
Iscariot wlio said, ''Why was not this ointment sold for three*
hundred pence, and given to the poor ?" He further says, "This
he said, not that he cared for the poor ; but because he was a thief,,
^nd had the bag, and bare (bore) what was put therein." If this^
supposition is correct that the second verse of the thirteenth
ohapter of John connects, or takes up afresh, the narrative of
the twelfth chapter, ninth verse, then all the evangelists agree that
it was two days before the passover that Satan " put it into the heart
of Judas Iscariot to betray Jesus," and three of them agree that it
was after the reproof he received for finding fault with the use of
the precious ointment ; and that from thence he went fco the chief
priests to make his bargain. See also Luke xxii. 3-5.
Then I think we can gather from a careful comparison of all the^
evangelists that all the twelve were present at the Paschal Supper ;.
and that while eating the Paschal Supper Jesus made the
important announcement : " One of you which eateth with Me shall
betray Me." Then comes the questioning amongst the disciples:
"who it should be that should do this thing." Peter beckoned to
John that he should ask of whom He spake. "Jesus answered, he
it is to whom I shall give a sop, when I have dipped it. And when
He had dipped the sop. He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of
Simon He then having received the sop went immediately out.**
John xiii. 24-30. There is no account in John of the institution of the
Lord's Supper, so that all he relates is confined to the Paschal
Supper. And as there was no sop in the Lord's Supper, it
appears to me the Lord's Supper was instituted after Judas had do-
parted; and that the address from the 31st verse of the xiii. chapter
to the end of the xiv. chapter of John was given before they departed
to the Mount of Olives ; where I think Jesus spoke the xv. xvi. and
xvii. chapters of John. And the beginning of the xviii. chapter
says that Jesus went with his disciples over the brook Cedron,
where was a garden.
Dear Mr. Editor, — If you think this will be useful to provoke-
the readers of " Gr. A." to a diligent study of the holy
Scriptures, I pray God we may each and all of us enjoy the
presence of the Holy Spirit to teach and lead us into all truth, for
His name's sake. Amen.
Leicester, Nov. 7th, 1882. J. W.
[The abov-e explanation quite meets our view of the matter,,
while it throws light upon a very important subject. The Editor.}
THE GUSPKL ADVOCATE. 369
A REMAKKABLE ESCAPE.
[The following was narrated in a letter to one clo.sely related to us, and as it is from
the pen of one whom the Lord met with many years since under our ministry, we feel
the greater interest in the ca.se. It is indeed marvellous how the writer should have
•escaped, but for many years she has been the special subject of the Lord's kind provi-
dential care, and, above all, of the exceeding riches of His grace. The Editor,]
South Devon, Oct. 24, 1882.
My dear Friend,
HAVK indeed great cause for mucli thankfulness to the Lord
lor all His love and goodness in providing me with such a
home, where such great and precious privileges are mine,
and no one in the least interferes with me in anything.
I must tell you of a narrow escape I had by the sea, getting shut
in by the tide. Having gone to Teignmuuth, and intending to
walk on the sea wall to Dawlish, which is about two miles, and a
lovely walk — there are two walls^ one above the other, and the
aippcr one parts the railway, while the lower one is to walk on. At
high tide the sea overflows both walls. I was on the lower one,
«.nd there being seats I sat for sonu* time watching the sea, which
was very rough, and being in deep thought did not notice the tide.
I suddenly bethought myself, and, looking round, to my horror
found myself shut in, and not a soul about. The sea on my right
hand had reached the upper wall, and very high rocks were on my
left. My only way of escape was to climb the wall and drop on the
railway. My great fear was that if a train came out of the tunnel
close by I must be killed, as it was a single line. With a groat deal
of trouble I got on the wall, the sea spray coming on me as fast
as possible. I could not hear any train coming, for the noise of
the sea. Then I was frightened to drop, it was so steep; and after
hanging on as long as possible with my hands I let go, and it
shook me dreadfully. The moment I stepped ofE the line, getting
•close to the rock, a train rushed out of the tunnel. Had it come
but a minute sooner I certainly must have been killed. The engine
driver looked after me as far as he could see. Then I had to walk
•ulong the line to find a way out, and found I had to get over
another wall and drop into a lonely-looking lane. ([ heard after-
wards that it was called Smugglers' Lane). The drop was much
deeper than the other. However I did it it is impossible to tell,
and not to be hurt in the least, only shaken. I cried for joy
when safe.
So I am sure the Lord's continued goodness and mercy have been
over me. He heard my prayer for help on that sea wall. I am
£retty mindful now how I go about the sea. All my friends that
ave seen the place of my adventure say, they cannot understand
370 THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
however I escaped being hurt in some way. But the Lord's great
care and goodness have been constantly over me, as I have proved
over and over again^ and I can say, " Surely goodness and mercy
have followed me all the days of my life/' He has been my shield
in many dangers, seen and unseen, up to the present ; and I love
Him, because He hath heard my cry many times in trouble, and I
have found in Him a faithful and unchanging friend. Although at
best there is a sadness in my life, and the prayer that suits me best is,
" God be merciful to me a sinner," yet at times, when perhaps
reading His word to the sick, such a ray of light enters nay own
soul, as to draw out such joy and love as to make me feel He is still
my Lord and God. Then He is so unspeakably precious to me,
that I could wish He were always thus nigh. I should then have
nothing to wish or to fear ; my summer would last all the year.
I do sincerely trust that you are favoured with much of the Lord's,
presence in these your last days, and that at eventide may it be
light. So prays
Your very sincere friend,
S. A. G.
PERSONAL LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.
A nonagenarian's testimony.
Maresfield, March 6th, 1882.
My dear Friend, — I hope you and Mrs. Baxter, and your dear
mother and daughter, are all well As to myself, I can only say
the outer man is fast failing, afflictions increase upon me, and the
flesh will have so much attention and sympathy, it prevents me from
enjoying better things ; but our good Lord is very loving and
pitiful — " He kncweth our frame, and remembereth we are but
dust.'* We read, *' Happy is the man that hath the God of Jacob-
for his help." Jacob seemed sometimes like me, a poor worm ; but
when heavy trials and great enemies came upon him, his God waa
always a present help — according to His promise — in trouble. I
have but few companions to commune with ; sometimes have
friends come, and bring a little bit of iron with them, and when we
can strike a light, I find
It warms our cold hearts with heavenly heat,
And sets our souls on fire.
How nice is a little heavenly love and heat ! It brings former times to
our remembrance. Before I knew I was truly bom again, I remember
I could not sleep for many nights, fearing I should be lost and go to
hell. I then read and prayed many nights, searching the Bible for
THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE. ' 371
all the promises I could find. There were many very suitable, but
one passage always followed : " My soul refuses to be comforted.^*
And much afraid was I the convictions would pass away, and I
only bring forth wind. But after many long nights and days, the
change came from misery to joy, and "peace passing all under-
standing." At the time I was building a stack of com. I seemed
to feel as if I was in another world. I had a little Bible in my
pocket. How glad I was to get under a tree cr hedge to read the
103rd Psalm. The first verses came to me with peace and joy, and
abode with me many days. It was in the year 1816. Everything
was a pleasure ; work was no toil ; there seemed a charm in the^
prong in my hand. But, alas ! soon after this deliverance I had
to endure a great fight of afflictions ; but my broken heart and con-
trite spirit taught me that good lesson the apostle said he had learnt :.
in whatsoever state he was in he had learned to be content. He
knew how to be abased and how to abound. I was kept so humble
I could kiss the ground. " Before honour is humility." After some
time my faith was tried and honoured by the good Lord. I have
been sometimes lately almost ready to ask to be born again^
although that was done almost 70 years ago.
Your love and old age must cover all mistakes.
Ever yours in the best of bonds,
D. Weller.
ANOTHER. AGED TESTIMONY.
Fareham.
Dear Mr. Baxter, — We feel exceedingly interested in what yott
have written on immortal Hart's hymn 49th, " When deaf to*
every warning given.'* The riches conveyed to our minds while
reading and perusing the same, causes a fresh rising beam to-
spring up in our hearts, under the influence of the Holy Ghost ;
uniting us heart to heart, seeing and feeling as we do that he that
sows and they that reap may well rejoice together; — putting-
cause and effect side by side, and in ploughing, digging, a,nd in
searching, we plough, dig, and search in the same field, for the
same Pearl ; and in thus working out what is wrought within,
we safely conclude we have not, and shall not labour in vain, know-
ing the Great Husbandman has said, " The labour of the righteous
tendeth to life" ; and where the root of the mattei* is it produces
a fertile branch, that bareth the fruit in its kind, — as I once
heard from the mouth of old Mr. John Vinall while preaching
in a raalthouse at Stedham. Speaking of the sower that went forth
to sow, he described four sorts of hearers in their characters. 8ume
seed fell into good ground, and the good ground he described as an
872 THE OOSPBL ADVOCATE.
honest and good heart ; and an honest and good heart is a heart
made so by (rod the Holy Ghost. And I can witness to the truth
of the same : for at that time I found in my heart the very opposite
to everything that was honest and good ; and to this day I feel
that if there is anything good it is put there. It is the Holy Spirit's
power by which alone we can work out our own salvation, though it
be with much trembling, and mixed with filial fear ; we still plough
in hope and sow in hope ; and at the time pray He will fulfil
His promise : '^ When the poor and needy seek water, and there is
none, I the Lord will hear them, I the God ol Jacob will not forsake
them. I will open rivers in high places, and fountains in the midst
of the valleys. I will make the (seemingly) dry land springs of
(living) water."
That the Lord may strengthen your hands, and give you by His
Spirit tokens for good, both to your own comfort and to the souls of
those favoured to sit under your present and future ministrations,
is and shall be the prayer of
Geo. Oakshott.
AN AGED VILLAGE PASTOR.
Dear Sir, — I have as usual enclosed the stamps for the Gospel
Advocate, I sincerely hope yourself, Mrs. Baxter, family aud
friends are quite well. My earnest desire and prayer is, that the
*^ Characteristics of the present Age" may be the means of bringing
many to consider the true position in which they stand before Him
unto Whom all heaits are open ; all desires known ; and from Whom
no secrets are hid ; that sleepcTs may awake and arise from their
death-like slumber and trim their lamps, so that when the Bride-
groom cometh they may be prepared to meet Him. A godly
woman once told me that she had prayed I might have a watchful
spirit. I am quite satisfied she did, for I was made more watchful
than I had hitherto been. Another, whom I was lodging with, and
used to speak a few words in prayer with of a morning, begged
that I might have a greater discernment of the doctrine of election.
Although I liad previously been brought into it, I certainly had
more distinct views afterwards.
What a rich blessing it is to be with the Lord's praying people!
What an unspeakable favour for the dear Lord to pour out upon
the purchased of His blood the Spirit of grace and supplications, by
which they have access through Himself unto the Father. What a
close communion there is with the Lord and His beloved Zion!
Though she is apparently hidden, and though too many of her
children are in a cold, lukewarm state, with but little signs of spiritual
life, yet she is not dead ! True, she is in a slumbering condition ;
THE GOSPEL ABTOCATB.
373:
nothing seems to arouse her. Notwithstanding, when the Spirit
puts power into the call, recorded in Isaiah lii., " Awake, awake, put
on thy strength, Zion ; put on thy beautiful garments, Jeru-
salem, the holy city. Shake thyself from the dust, captive
daughter of Zion,'' then will she come forth as " a bride adorned
for her husband."
*' What Ohridt has said must be fulfilled ;
< >n this firm rock believers build;
His word shall stand, His truth prevail,
And not one jot or tittle fail."
I desire to give glory to Him to Whom alone it is due, that Ho
does not leavi5 me in the ])ulpit to put my own construction on His
pure and holy word, nor suffer me to darken counsel with words
without knowledge. May I ever be enabled to join in with Kin^
William III. of most blessed memory, who said to the bishops of
the Church of England in body assembled, after making a speech
which well deserves to be written in letters of gold, " I trust it will
not be supposed I am speaking to you a speech which I have got by
heart ; no, I am declaring to you my real and genuine sentiments..
'^I'lie words which you hear from me, are indeed spoken with my
mouth, but they flow from my heart. ^' I cannot but believe he-
ol^eyed my dear Lord and Master's exhortations, and having had a
real desire for the water of life created in him, came to Christ and
drank; and that it was in him "a well of water springing up into
everlasting life.*' ^^Understanding," Solomon says — who asked for
wisdom and received it from the Lord — " is a well-sj)ring of life to
liira that hath it." If we possess that " we know that the Son of God
is come," as well as if we had seen Him when on earth, for He hath
set up His kingdom in our hearts, and " hath given us an under-
.standing that we may know Him that is true, and we are found in
Him that is true. This is the true God and eternal life."
No more with trembling heart I try
A multitude of things ;
Still wishing to find out that point
From whence salvation spnngs.
My anchor's cast — cast in a rock,
AVhero I shall ever rest
From all the labour of my thoughts,
Or workings of my breast.
What is my anchor ? if you ask
A hungry, helpless mind,
Diving with misery for its weight,
'Til finnest ground it find.
What is my rock ? 'tis Jesus Christ,
Whom faithless eyes pass o'er ;
Yet there poor sinners anchor may,
And ne'er be shaken more.
Yours in the Lord,
C. H.
3*74. THE GOSPEL ADVOCATE.
THE ROD AND ITS APPOINTEE.
'^ Who kiwweth not in all these (things) that the hand of the Lord
hath wrought this ?" Job xi. 9.
;F it is Jehovah Who gathers the winds in His fists, and
measures the waters in the hollow of His hand ; if He has not
resigned His control, in these modern days of intellectual
progress, over the laws and forces of Nature, but still *'rideth
upon the wings of the wind," and causeth the rain to come, '' whether
for correction, or for His land, or for mercy," then may we be sure
that the hand of the Lord has of late been visibly outstretched
against England. Let whatever imaginary influence be attributed
to the comet which this year has visited us, the conclusion with
«very true believer must be the same, that that (still mysterious)
phenomenon is as much under the Lord's authority as either of the
elements we have named. And if it has had to do with the wild
^les and descending torrents which have wrought such havoc on
the continent, and produced such floods in Britain, the whole is the
Lord's doing and not man's. For man, with all his proud boasting,
is as impotent as ever in directing, regulating, or restraining the
force of the wind and water, when they receive their command from
above to accomplish their work of devastation.
Many and great were the apprehensions as to the fate of the
harvest in the month of August last. The intermittent but super-
abundant rain threatened to destroy all the hopes of the husband-
man. But mercy interposed. 
Open Library
