find ample explanation in his ready and never- great and persevering efforts in doing good, failing philosophy. He allows no sanctifica

can escape this charge. Every virtue which ition of the vessel for the Master's use, and no shines in the conduct

of men, devoted to their : interposition of the Master's hand to fashion Saviour and his religion, must be darkened by

it to his own design, and to apply it, so fash- the same shadow; and every holy feeling, pioned, as the instrument of his own purpose. which glows in their hearts, be considered as s With'him the instrument is all-it is self- deriving its warmth, rather from the artificial

motive and self-efficient. This would be con- fermentation of earthly principles, than from sistent enough, if Mr. Southey considered the fire of the altar.” pp. 54–55. religion an opinion, and a ceremonial. I do him the justice to allow, that there are pas

We forbear to make further extracts, sages in his work which embody higker con- because we think the author extremely

ceptions of its nature. He allows that, by unjust and uncandid. Let any one of E the preaching of Mr. Wesley, drunkards - were reclaimed, sinners were converted, the our readers compare the expressions

penitent, who came in despair, were sent of Mr. Southey, as they occur in his => away with the ful assurance of joy; the dead work, with the distorted and garbled

sleep of indifference was broken ; and often- form in which they appear in this retimes his eloquence reached the hard brute view, and it will be at once seen, how

heart, and opening it, like the rock of Horeb, - made way for the living spring of piety which much of the art of a controversialist is

had been pent within. I will not make a there exhibited. The author asserts man an offender for a word,' nor stop now that the doctrines of methodism are the to show, that eloquence was not adequate to doctrines of the church of England ; produce such effects, and that the spring of piety, pent in the hard brute heart, is rather and he is guilty of that common era poetick imagining, than a truth of experi- rour in disputants of begging the ques,

ence. Itis enough, that Mr. Southey allows, tion at the very outset. Because the - in this passage, a change in the hearts of church teaches the doctrine of justifi

men, produced by the preaching of a zealous cation by faith only, therefore she and holy minister of Christ, a change, as he teaches it in the sense in which the elsewhere expresses it, in the habits and

moral nature of the proselytes.' But in all methodists choose to understand the = this, divine agency is not allowed. Mr. terms. Because she speaks, continual· Southey has bis collection of causes underly, of the necessity of being renewed

command, and, at the given signal, they fail by the sanctifying influences of the not to place themselves at the head of every Holy Spirit, therefore she teaches the remarkable result of this kind, and to assert

Because an exclusive claim to its origination.” p. 33 doctrine of the methodists. -35

her writers often speak of that assu“ The charges of enthusiasm, which our au- rance of faith, which the pious Christhor fixes upon certain irregularities which tian enjoys, when the Spirit of God appeared in the early part of methodism, and beareth witness with our spirits, that which now occasionally appear, shall be preseotly examined. With respect to these cir

we are the children of God, therecumstances, a rule less severe is to be applied fore they meant, by these expressions, to the remarks of the author. There are exactly what Whitefield and Wesley considerations, connected with them, with meant. In this way it is certainly very which he can scarcely be supposed to be familiar; and considerable allowance may, and easy to prove any thing. The justify. ought to be made for his opinions, though ing faith of Mr. Wesley, to use his own even here he has not always argued so fairly words, is a syre trust and confidence as his own principles, defective as they are, in God that through the merits of Christ would have warranted. But no such con

the sins of the particular individual cession is to be made, when he resolves into enthusiasm, all those hallowed feelings of zeal who has this faith, are forgiven, and for God, and tender compassion for man, he reconciled to the favour of God. It which shone so conspicuously in the great in is that faith which no one can have struments of the revival of religion in this without knowing that he hath it, though country in the last century. If Mr. Southey many imagine they have it, who have be correct, then I know not what man, in any church, distinguished by more than ordi- ít not. Whosoever bath this faith nary ardour of religious sentiment, and for is freed from sin; the whole body of

66

sin is destroyed in him; he is freed from Mr. Wesley's Letters, published by fear, having peace with God through Dr. Priestley, p. 70. “I myself have Christ, and rejoicing in hope of the been a witness to the Holy Ghost fallglory of God; and he is freed from ing upon Mr. Whitefield and his bearers, doubt, having the love of God shed oftener than once.” Gillies' Life of abroad in his heart, through the Holy Whitefield, p. 94. Those who expe. Ghost which is given unto him, which rienced “ the pangs of the new birth," Spirit itself beareth witness with his fell to the ground, like persons struck spirit,' that he is the child of God.” hy lightning, and lay grovelling in unThis freedom from sin, and fear, and speakable agonies, till they suddenly doubt; this perfect confidence, in the sprung up full of joy, and possessed mind of each individual, that he is ac. with the assurance of salvation. Jourcepted with God, is what the metho- nals passim. Sometimes they were dists mean by justifying faith; and as- seized with horrid fits of involuntary suming this to be the faith spoken of in laughter, “ sometimes screaming out the scriptures, and in the articles of the that they were damned, and, grinding church of England, the author of the their teeth, they longed to tear their work before us maintains, that Mr. preacher to pieces, and thus made their Southey not only does not possess it meeting-house resemble the babitation bimself, but that he is at war with the of apostate spirits.” There were occhurch of which he professes to be a casions on which they asserted " that sound and orthodox member, and is in the blood of Christ ran down their arms fact an unbeliever.

and throats; or that it was poured like To enlarge upon this head would warm water on their breasts and hearts." head us into an investigation of the dis- Hampson's Life of Wesley, vol. ii. p. tinctive tenets of methodism, for which 70. 74. “ I dwell in Christ, and Christ we have neither space nor inclination. in me; he frequently manifests himWe shall, therefore, exhibit only a few self in such a manner, that it throws extracts, which will at once show our me into an agony."

Whitefield. Lett. readers to what we object. “ I am 229. See bishop Lavington's Enthuone of many witnesses of this matter siasm of Methodists and Papists comof fact, that God does very frequently pared. passim. And Nott's Bampton (give the divine call) during a repre- Lectures, p. 241 to 254. sentation (how made I know not, but Mr. Watson admits, that a certain not to the outward eye) of Christ, irregularities appeared in the early part either hanging on the cross, or standing of methodism,” and that they appear. on the right hand of God." Wesley as now, “occasionally," p. 54; and again, cited by Hampson, vol. ii. p. 55. “I that "too great an encouragement to

. saw the fountain opened in his side- noise and clamour” has “ occasionally'. we have often seen Jesus Christ cruci- been given “ in their religious meetings, fied, and evidently set forth before us.” and “ too much stress' has been laid Bishop Lavington, vol. i. p. 51. “ upon the excitement of the passions." ing in the utmost agony of mind, there p. 130. He doubtless meant to lead was clearly represented to him Jesus his readers to infer, that these extrava. Christ pleading for him with God the gancies have becoine uncommon. If Father, and gaining a free pardon for such is the case in Great Britain, we him.” Coke's Life of Wesley, p. 329. heartily rejoice; but it is far from be“ A young man, as he was going to re- ing the fact in this country. Any one ceive the sacrament, had God the Father who has attended a methodist camp come to him, but he did not stay with meeting, knows to the contrary; and bim: but God the Son did stay, who even in their common meetings for pubcame holding his cross in his hands.” lick worship, such scenes occur as can

not but excite, in every serious and so the floor, often bruising their heads and ber mind, the most painful sensations. faces. And the hair of the females, thus We happen to have lying before us a affected, which was before put up in letter, from a respectable physician in the smoothest manner, now points in the state of Illinois, of as recent a date ten thousand directions ; and the camas the twenty-fourth of last October, in brick gowns, which, before, were as which he gives the following narrative wbite as snow, are now covered with of the state of religion in that quarter. the dust wbich has been collected from "With regard to the religion and mo. the floor. Others have the laughing rals of the inhabitants, nothing favour. exercise. They are affected with an able can be said. I did not think that involuntary laughter, so loud as to any part of our happy country was so drown the stentorian voice of the destitute of men who had any regard preacher, who occasionally stops in for these important subjects. All, who his discourse, to offer thanks to the subelong to any sect, are either presby- preme Being for the special influence terians or methodists. The presbyte- of the Holy Spirit,' which is then derians have nearly the same notions, monstrated among his pious bearers."* and resemble the Calvinistick congrega. We need hardly ask whether this tionalists of New England. The me- looks like the religion of the scriptures, thodists are more superstitious than any or like the sobermindedness displayed people I ever before saw. I attended in all the devotional services of the a meeting on the sabbath ; but the church. The effects attributed by wild and frantick actions of these poor Messrs. Wesley and Whitefield, and their deluded people, excited in my breast followers, to the operations of the Holy the strongest emotions of pity and dis- Spirit, Mr. Southey has chosen to regust. During the sermon, many fe- solve rather into a morbid excitement males, particularly those possessed of of the mind, operating upon a partial a sympathetick or nervous tempera- derangement of the animal functions. ment, were affected with the genuine The question between them is not conbysteria. Others were thrown into cerning the truth or falsehood of alconvulsions, or affected with what is leged facts, but concerning the motives here called “ the jerks,” involuntarily of agents, and the causes of actions. throwing their heads backwards and The parties, therefore, are completely forwards, with so much rapidity, that no feature of their countenance, nor

* The following remarks, in continuation, even the figure of their head, could be

on the state of religion, not being connectdistinguished; and they are often so ed with the subject of methodism, could not much exercised by the Spirit,' as with propriety be iaserted above ; but we they term it, on these occasions, as to think them too important to be omitted. labour under bodily indisposition for a

6. There is not a single congregational or considerable length of time afterwards. There is one presbyterian missionary, who

presbyterian minister settled in the state ! Many, who are apt to be affected with receives a small compensation from the Con“the jerks' sometimes abstain from pub- necticut missionary society; but even he lick worship, so great is the pain ac

thinks of soon removing from the state. The companying these convulsions. When

people of New England contribute their mo

ney to support the gospel among the distant any persons are exercised by the Spi. inhabitants of Asia; while fifty thousand rit,' they are generally affected in the people, in the single state of Illinois, are

But all are not exer- wholly destitute of the preached word.”cised in the same way. Some dance What a field is here opened for the exertions and leap about the floor, and at length of Christ will refuse to contribute, as God

of the benevolent; and what zealous disciple they commence whirling upon their hath blessed his store, to extend to his brethheels, until they fall, as if dead, upon ren the privileges which he himself enjoys !

same manner.

6

at issue; all attempts at reconciling Is God; and such at the first rise of being, them would be vain; and we leave it At heaven's formation was He; still the same, to our readers to judge, which is most When deeds of mystery fulfil themselves !

Yet, at Messiah's death, ye shall confess, likely to be in the right.

And seek my throne with the new-chosen 3 (To be continued.)

prayer That terrour shall extort. For should mine

arm

Eloa rose,

Refuse t' uphold ye, at that hour of dread, For the Gospel Advocate.

The blood of God shall drag ye down to .

nought; EXTRACT FROM THE MESSIAH.

And, though created deathless, ye would end. Translated from the original German of The all-eternal ceas'd : And wond'ring Klopstock.

clasp'd

Their guiltless hands th' immortals. God (Continued from p. 99.)

look'd down

Where Eloa stood. The seraph saw, and Walk'd pensive forward long, and then re- read pli'd :

The words upon Jehovah's front depict, Close by the golden pillars, stand reveal'd And turn'd towards the sons of heaven,

and Tables of prophecies, of lab'rinths full.

spoke : There rest the books of life, that by the Children of holiness, long chosen just, breath

Look on your God, and know his inmost soul Of powerful winds are opened ; and I see Thought upon ye, when first he had decreed Names of Christ's future followers written Mankind's salvation. Ye have wish'd to view down,

That day of joys, and Jesus to behold. And crown'd with blessing; each one to par- Rejoice ye spirits, heaven's Sire is here, take

The first, the last, the all-compassionate ; The joys of immortality: 'Tis like

Him, whom no thing created can conceive; The books of the world's judgment. Like Bless him ye children. God, Jehovah, deigas the rush

course

Race after race shall greet you in their turn, From every circle there shall ye behold
Till each, complete a spirit train like ye, The far-spread nature teem with newer
Seek the stern judgment seat, for them so charms;
bright!

For God hath sworn, that when the finish'd
But now depart, ye angels of the Highest,
And bid each ruler of God' works prepare Of the now passing century hath revolv'd,
To celebrate this solemn day of joys,

He will establish a new day of rest; So chosen, so mysterious, so sublime! A second sabbath, holier, greater far Joys be to ye, Messiah's prophets, too; Than that ye knew, immortals of the skies, Joys such as God knows only, ye shall know! And lov'd to celebrate, when first the world 'Tis from your bodies of mortality

Sprang from the nought of ages. Seraphims, Now mouldering into dust, and ripe to ascend Ye knew how nature, beauteous then arose ; That he, who God and man is, doth spring And how the stars of morning bent their heads forth

To their Creator. But Messias now Anew to life immortal. Hasten all

And heaven's bright Son, will mightier deeds Το yon bright sun lit up by Jesus' cross, perforin. And ye shall see from far the blessed deeds Haste ye to tell his creatures, a new day And awful reconcilement done by him A sabbath, thro' his sufferings, shall arise That your Redeemer and God's chosen is. And God hath named it th' eternal baud. Descend ye, by yon downward path of light:

(To be continued.)

:

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

DOMESTICK.

General Missionary Society.
Confirmation in Boston.

The board of directors of the domestick On Sunday the twenty-fourth of March, and foreign missionary society of the protesthe right reverend the bishop of the eastern tant episcopal church in the United States of diocese, administered the apostolick rite of America, have, at a late meeting, passed the confirmation, at St. Paul's church, in the af. following resolution : ternoon, to twenty-one persons ; and at 6. That the reverend Jackson Kemper, reChrist church, in the evening, to eight. verend Benjamin Allen, and Richard Dale,

esquire, be a committee to ascertain the most Missionary Meeting at Boston. important stations, to which our attention can On Monday evening, the fourth of Februa- be directed for missionary purposes, and ry last, a meeting of the friends of the church, make report at the annual meeting, (May of both sexes, was held at the Marlboro' 23,) for the consideration of the board; and hotel, in this town, for the purpose of taking likewise to inquire for missionaries, and remeasures to enable the Massachusetts epis- port the names of those they may deem fit copal missionary society to go promptly into for that office." vigorous operation. The meeting was called In compliance with this resolution, the at the request of that society, and, although committee abovementioned solicit communi. the weather was somewhat unfavourable, it cations upon every subject connected with was well attended. After some discussion of the objects of the society. They wish to the subject, votes were passed expressive of ascertain, what are the states, territories, or the importance of the object in the opinion of vicinities, which demand the earliest attention those present. It was also voted that a sub- of the board; what prospect there may be of scription be opened to obtain funds for the the practicability of establishing a mission society, and to request each church in the among the aborigines of this country ; and state to form an auxiliary society; and like what clergymen, or candidates for holy orwise to invite the churches in Izaine to unite ders, are willing to devote themselves to mis

Committees were appointed to sionary labours. With regard to those who carry these votes into effect. On the eleventh may be disposed to become missionaries, they of March, an adjourned meeting was held, at require satisfactory testimony respecting their the same place, when the subject was further qualifications ; and with respect to the stadiscussed." At each meeting, papers were cir- tions to which their attention should be directculated, and a little more than four hundred ed, they request to be informed of the num. dollars, annually, were subscribed. Further ber of those who profess to belong to the subscriptions have since been obtained by the church-their ability to support a clergycommittee, the amount of which we are not man-their desire to be supplied with the able at present to state.

with us.