tors, and the whole world against them, in every age; and yet inhabiting their own deserts, and retaining their own character, despite of all revolutions and changes in human affairs, is an irrefutable demonstration of the divine mission of Moses and the truth of the Pentateuch.What name, Eliza, was given to the well at which Hagar received this oracle?

Eliza. It was called Beerlahairoi; but I do not understand this hard

name.

Olympas. It was a sort of dedicatory name: "A well this is to the Living One, who now sees me." She intended it to be a memorial of the interview which she had with the angel of Jehovah who had spoken to her such strange words concerning her progeny for so many ages to come. And is not this case worthy of our observation and regard? In the 86th year of Abraham's age, an Egyptian slave gave to Abraham and the world a child of such lawless liberty and freedom of life, that he transmitted for so long a time, to so many millions, such a love of liberty, plunder, and rapine-such a hatred of the restraints of social life of cities, towns, and settlements-that, like a wild ass, (phere Adam, a wild ass-man,) "his house should be the wilderness, the barren land his dwelling, and that his hand should be "lifted up and stretched out against every man, and every man against him." You must mark a few singular particulars in this case. 1. This is the first time in the history of man in which we read of the appearance of an angel. 2. It is the first time that we have the name of any person given by the Lord before he was born? 3. This is the first time also that a nation's history for many an age was pronounced before its origin, not having any special relation to the Messiah; and it is the first time in ancient history in which the outward condition of both mother and child was so diametrically opposed to the spirit and character of all their posterity. Upon the whole, the history of Ishmael, from first to last, affords a monument imperishable as the mountains of the truth of prophecy, and of the divine authenticity of the Bible. The following notes from two distinguished persons must finish our present lesson:

"They dwelt in tents in the wilderness as long ago as Isaiah's and Jeremiah's time-(Isai. xiii. 20; Jer. iii. 2)—and they do the same at this day. This is very extraordinary, that "his hand should be against every man, and every man's hand against him;" and yet that he should be able to "dwell in the presence of his brethren;" but extraordinary as it was, this also has been accomplished, both in the person of Ishmael and in his posterity. As for Ishmael himself, the sacred historian afterwards relates, chapter xxv. 17, 18, that "the years of the life of Ishmael were a hundred and thirty and seven years; and he died in the presence of all his brethren." As for his posterity, they

dwelt likewise in the presence of all their brethren: Abraham's sons by Keturah; the Moabites and Ammonites, descendants of Lot; the Israelites, descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; and the Edomites, descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Esau. They still subsist a distinct people, and inhabit the country of their progenitors; they have from first to last maintained their independence; and, notwithstanding the most powerful efforts for their destruction, still dwell in the presence of all their brethren, and in the presence of all their enemies." Bp. Newton.

"The region inhabited by the Arabs is not remote or insulated, separated from social life; and, therefore, exempt from the influence which naturally results from intercourse with other countries. It is situated in that portion of the globe in which society originated, and the first kingdoms were formed. The greatest empires of the world arose and fell around them. They have not been secluded from correspondence with foreign nations; and thus attached, through ignorance and prejudice, to simple and primitive manners. In the early periods of history they were united as allies to the most powerful monarchs of the East: under their victorious Prophet they once carried their arms over the most distinguished kingdoms of the earth; through many succeeding ages the caravan of the merchant and the companies of Mahometan pilgrims passed regularly over their deserts: even their religion has undergone a total change. Yet all these circumstances, which, it might be supposed, would have subdued the most stubborn prejudices and altered the most inveterate habits, have produced no effect upon the Arabs; and they still preserve unimpaired a most exact resemblance to the first descendants of Ishmael."—Richards.

A. C.

EXCURSIONS-No. II.

THE churches of Cincinnati, Louisville, and Nashville, 1 have said, ought to exert a mighty influence in society. They have numbers, intelligence, and wealth enough to do much good-to be golden candlesticks, and to illuminate and sanctify the world, infidel and sectarian, around them. The powers that control human destiny now are the infidel, the sectarian, and the Christian-three spirits easily distinguishable. The infidel hates the forms as well as the reality of Christ's religion; the sectarian loves his own idea, and worships only with those who bow at the shrine of his own opinion; while the Christian walks and worships by faith in the facts of Christ's gospel. The spirit of the infidel and the full-bred sectarian are, though opposite in some points, cognate and homo. geneous in others. There is the idol SELF in both; and the spirit that impels to action is i both cases earthly and sometimes demoniacal. The sectary is, indeed, often imbued with so much of the gospel light and spirit, as to be greatly tamed and subdued by it; and hence we often see the Christian triumph in one and the same person over the sectary.But, alas! in numerous instances the sectary triumphs over the Christian, and in that case the spirit of the separatists is as rife and insolent as the spirit of the world-it is earthly, sensual, and devilish.

Now the Christian church is in profession and in spirit, and ought to be in character, opposed to both the one and the other. Our churches in cities, therefore, need a good deal of scriptural intelligence and piety to cope with the sinister influences that more Immediately concentrate around and against them. Bible classes, much Bible readings, much preaching the word, much exemplification of its fruits in the graceful behaviour

and kind actions of the brotherhood, are essential to that eminent usefulness which is sought and desired by all who are imbued with the proper spirit of reformation and primitive Christianity. The spirit of proselytism is every where much in advance of the spirit of holiness in all the professors of the present age. Future historians will as certainly refer to this our day in illustration of the mania of partizan proselytism, as we are wont to call up the dark ages in proof of the dark and desolating reign of Papalism No physical disease was ever more infectious than the moral pest of partizan zeal. Jt carries with it the whole man, body, soul, and spirit. A Gillite will debate for a whole moon to win a metaphysical proselyte, who would not spend an hour to convert a sinner from the error of his way. So will his opponent. The pharisaic zeal which compassed sea and land to make a proselyte, was but a type of the zeal of our own times But how Isuch worse many of these converts are after than before their conversion, it is not for us to say. He that knew the heart could say, that the pharisaic converts were worse than even their converters; but how much better or worse the moderns, I confess my inability to ascertain.

We have a portion of that spirit; at least I opine that I have seen, and still see, indieations of it: nay, I have seen all over the land more zeal to augment congregations than to promote their intelligence and sanctification. The zealot for his party goes for its increase; and, therefore, the sanctification of the converts is always subordinate to the increase of the body. The weekly meeting is relished only as a season for preaching the gospel-not as a day for the perfection of saints. The supper, social prayer, social praise, doctrine, or teaching, are placed in the rear: while all prominence is given to the means of conversion. I have long observed the increase of these indications, and think that the time has come when it has become necessary to invite the brethren to take into their most solemn consideration, Whether they are not more inspired with the spirit of proselytism than with the spirit of holiness-whether there be not more relish for preaching and converting, than for teaching and learning-more aspirations after numerical superiority, than after a more elevated spirituality-and a more ardent desire to see the denomination grow in respectability in this world, than to grow in grace and moral excellence.

It is long since, even in the days of the Christian Baptist, that we deprecated a congregated mass of ignorance and carnality under the banners of the Christian profession. Nothing could be more blighting and blasting to the profession of reformation than a large assemblage of carnal, selfish, ignorant, and worldly professors We used to say

we would prefer a hundred spiritual volunteers, well armed, equipped, and disciplined, to a thousand of the drafted, enrolled, and traditionized militia of the present day. The bane of Paganism, Mahometanism, Papalism, Judaism, and legalized Protestantism, is the popularity, number, wealth, and consequent ignorance and sensuality of the votaries of these antiquated superstitions. Overgrown obesity is not more alarmingly ominous of speedy dissolution, than the swollen stature of religious parties without the animating and salutary power of knowledge, faith, and holiness A paralysis or apoplexy is the most natural end of all great hierarchal overgrown popular religious associations. The more spirit the more life always. The more piety and morality, the more power and the more happiness.

The good order, the good discipline, and the scriptural edification of the Christian communities, to my mind is, in the year 1841, a matter of much more transcendant importance than the gaining of fifty thousand new converts Were the churches all now walking in the fear of God, and in the consolations of the Holy Spirit, in the fulness of the blessing of Christ, in ten years from this time they would gain more every way in heaven and in earth than they could do in their present general order, were they for four year to come to increase twenty per cent. per annum under the present administration of affairs. Better would it be to cease proselyting altogether, and to get the churches to earry out their profession, than to continue, as many of them now are, with their regular annual additions. True, indeed, we have some evangelists who`should always be engaged in the work of conversion: that is their peculiar gift. But better were it far, sinat

those not so peculiarly gifted were all the time, for at least a year or two, employed in elevating the standard of family and congregational piety-in bringing up all professors to a more exemplary display of the Christian virtues-and especially in promoting the great interests of closet, family, and church devotion. But of this we have much to say, and not easy nor agreeable to be uttered, since many of our fellow-laborers are inore attached to big meetings and big conversions, than to the beauty, holiness, and happiness of those already joined to the Lord. We desire the work of conversion to go on; but in order to the eternal salvation of the converted, and in order to the conversion of the world we would rather see the zeal of proselytism outstripped by the zeal of family and church perfection in the ways of the Lord. But here I must break off for the present.

A. C.

A BANK WORTH HAVING.

It is a cry often heard in these times, that Banks won't discount. We know a bank whose vault is well stored with the richest treasures, which is opened to all who are disposed to apply, and which through all the pressure, has been as ready to discount as in the most prosperous times. Gentle reader, if you are content to quit speculation, and willing simply to make your mark, you can be accommodated. This Bank has a perpetual charter, and is known as the Grand Bank, or Terra Firma; an entrance may be found upon the sunny side of most of our hills.

Its keys, which you grasp without gloves, are the plough, the spade, and the hoe. The only security it requires is industry, endorsed by temperancǝ, and it seldom offers any thing but substantial currency. Those who have made themselves lean by complaining of hard times and the scarcity of money, need only try one experiment, and the sooner they take the responsibility the better.

Exchange paper.

THE WILL OF MR. BARTLETT.

We learn that the late William Bartlett, Esq. of Newburyport, has bequeathed $50,000 to the Theological Seminary at Andover-making more than $200,000, as the total amount of donations to that Institution. The estate of Mr. Bartlett proves to be about half a million of dollars in value, most of which, except the bequest to Andover, is given to the grand children of the deceased. National Intelligencer.

SUMMARY OF NEWS.

Brothers J. T. Johnson and Holton held a meeting at Colemansville, Ky., at which 19 persons were immersed.-Brother Johnson, while on a visit to Madison county, immersed 8.Brother Tichenor, of Edgar county, Illinois, writes, "Eleven persons obeyed the Lord in the last few days"--The church in New York city now numbers 180 members. They occupy the meeting-house, No. 80, Green street, where they will be glad to see all brethren who visit the city.

Wadsworth, Ohio, May, 1841

On my way home from Bethany I immersed two persons; at Georgetown and Cadiz 9; and at New Lisbon 17; making, since I left your place, 28 persons.

J. H. JONES.

next.

News from the churches and other communications omitted, shall appear in our

E to L

I HAVE just arrived in this place in anxious expectation of receiving letters from the United States. In this, alas! I am disappointed.

This is a beautiful town, and the centre of a wealthy trade; but it owes nothing to the kindness of nature. The rocks of Madrepore, of which it is built, have been taken up from the bottom of the sea. The only water fit for drinking is collected in cisterns. The climate is very hot and unhealthy; arid sands surround the northern portion of the town, while to the south nothing is to be seen but ill-drained marshes. Upon a rocky islet, protecting the harbor, stands the fort of St. Juan de Ulua, still in a dilapidated condition since the bombardment of the French.

By a vessel about to sail for New York I send you, in the accompanying packet, a correspondence which I have lately held with a young and valued acquaintance. It is chiefly upon converting power, and I wish, my dear L., to have your judgment of the manner in which I have treated this subject, which you know has been so much controverted. It was during my stay in the city of Mexico, that I was introduced to my young friend R. who is but a few the United States, having been during this time in a mercantile house years from in Mexico. He was delighted to converse with me of our native land, nor was I less pleased to learn from him the customs and character of the Mexicans. Having been piously brought up in a Presbyterian family, he has a great reverence for the Divine character and the holy scriptures; and is, 1 believe, truly solicitous to know the truth, though I found him, as I thought, a little prejudiced against our religious

VUL V.N. 8