self surrounded by dangers in this state of exile. And, if thou raisest thine eyes at what is to come, thou hast much cause for fear, considering the terrible judgments of God which will come upon thee. Thou oughtest to be timid and sad in this vale of tears, rather than vain-glorious and joyous; since even the good works that thou doest, thou knowest not whether they are acceptable in God's sight, nor yet how long thou wilt persevere in them. "Let him who thinketh he standeth," says the apostle, "take heed lest he fall." If, with the grace that God has given to thee, thou art vain-glorious and proud, thou wilt be deprived of it. Thus speaks the psalinist: "In my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved." Because he trusted vainly in himself he fell, according to what he says: "Thou didst hide thy face from me, and I was troubled." If thou doest any good, it is from God. What reason then is there to boast of the good which is not thine? They who seek the vanity and outward glory of this world are foolish virgins, and bring vessels without oil. If thou glorifiest thyself, thy glory is nothing. If the angels, who are great in power and might, seek nothing but the honour and glory of God, how much more ought a mean and mortal man to humble himself, casting from himself all vain-glory! Learn, miserable man, to be lowly of heart, in order that thou mayest find the grace which the bad angels lost through their pride and vanity. Poetry. HYMNS FOR THE SUNDAYS IN THE YEAR. BY JOSEPH FEARN. (SUGGESTED BY SOME PORTION OF THE SERVICE FOR THE DAY). (For the Church of England Magazine.) FIRST SUNDAY AFTER CHRISTMAS. "Thou shalt call his name Jesus; for he shall save his people from their sins." How many hear of Jesu's name, And know not what it neans! It passeth, as the idle wind, 'Mid common things and scenes. And some there be who know the sense, But the deep mercy of the word It means, a "Saviour from our sins"; To rescue from the power of guilt For this he left his glorious throne, To die for those his Father loved, And 'tis the gracious soul alone No heart that harbours lust and pride, O, who that knows the power of sin NATIVITY HYMN*. BY COLONEL BLACKER. (For the Church of England Magazine.) UPLIFT the voice of melody," Your choicest numbers bring, Of grace divine the song shall be, And mercy's flowing spring. We'll celebrate the mighty love Of him who, thron'd on high, Descended from that throne above To suffer and to die. Uplift the voice of melody, To hail the glorious morn That saw in Bethlem's manger lis The wondrous virgin-born. We'll follow in the shining train Of that seraphic band, Whose voices bore in choral strain The tidings through the land. Uplift the voice of melody, He comes a ransomed world to bless, Uplift the voice of melody, Hosanna to the Lord, GLORIA PATRI. (For the Church of England Magazine.) PRAISE ye God the Father, Praise ye God the Spirit, 8.X.I Sung by the choir of Hacknahay school, to the Heber's Jerusalem. London: Published for the Proprietors, by JOEY HUGHES, 12, Ave-Maria Lane, St. Paul's; and♪ procured, by order, of all Booksellers in Town and County PRINTED BY ROGERSON AND TUXFORD, 246, STRAND, LONDON, extent of forest territory, and to protect it jealously from the encroachments of any rival. He reposes habitually in a state of listless inactivity in his habitation; and, unless roused, his movements are slow and indolent; but if attacked he is active and powerful, and defends himself, when driven to extremity, with determined resolution. He is, consequently, dreaded by the natives. The general colour of the orang is a deep chestnut. The size seems to vary considerably, from three and a-half feet to nearly seven. The female is generally smaller than the male. Many young orangs have been at different times brought to England; but none have long survived the change of climate. They hobbled along the ground, and swung the body forwards between the long arms as if they had been crutches, treading on the outer side of the foot. Their address in climbing was extraordinary: they used their hands and feet as hooks, and did not bound from one branch of a tree to another, but swung themselves on, being enabled by the great length of their arms to reach to a vast distance: their movements were deliberate, but free and unconstrained. They have seemed to be gentle, playful, and intelligent; but they were impatient of confinement, and subject to paroxysms of anger when disappointed, uttering a whining cry, and even screaming with rage. SKETCHES. BY THE REV. DENIS KELLY, M.A., Minister of Trinity Church, Gough-square, Fleet-street, London. No. LXX. THE DIOTREPHES SPIRIT. "Desire of power, on earth a vicious weed." DRYDEN (Absalom and Achitophel). I CANNOT but regard it as a very remarkable instance of God's providential care and guardianship over his church, that nearly all the various forms of error, and the various descriptions of character which have been most inimical to the church, showed themselves, in their incipient stage, in the times of the apostles; so that we have the immense advantage of possessing the actual judgment which was passed on these errors and these characters by the apostles themselves. described in the inspired volume nearly all the errors (at least in their germ) which proved so fatal to the church of God in after-ages, along with the apostles' strong and pointed condemnation of the same, insomuch that the apostles appear to be writing rather for the benefit of after-ages than for their own. 46 We see This remark applies more particularly to their condemnation of that spirit to which I have given the above name, the Diotrephes spirit,' or the spirit of self-exaltation. Their animadversions upon this spirit seem to have been written rather in anticipation of the evils which that spirit would yet inflict upon the church, than on account of those which it had already inflicted upon it. For it is manifest that, just in proportion as the church would extend its boundaries upon earth, and include within its pale large numbers of the intelligent, the wise, the learned, the rich, and influential, in the same degree would the pernicious effects of the prev lence of this spirit be exhibited. And, admitting this to be the case, we may deduce as a necess inference from it, that there never has been an when the practical mischief resulting from working of such a spirit would be more likely be deeply felt than our own. One of the che racteristic features of the present times is the degree in which the principle of combination, of associated influence, of united or confederate action, is understood, appreciated, and carried out. There never has been an age in the history of the church which could boast of such large commanities of good and wise and intelligent and holy men, formed with a view to the promotion of those causes which have for their object the glory of God and the good of mankind. Never was there a time when we witnessed so much of the power and virtue of associative influence as now: never was there a period when such successful efforts were made to bring large numbers together, and make them combine their talents and energies to carry out great and useful objects. But this is the very circumstance which tends to make a spirit of self-exaltation, " Diotrephes spirit," the more pernicious and dangerous. For, as the very life and cement of such unions must be subordination, and friendly and harmonious co-operation, so must the intrusion of a contrary spirit, a restless, impatient, self-seeking spirit, be fraught with proportionate mischief. And, alas! no one can look at the church in the present day without seeing on all sides too plain manifestations of the evil consequences of the spirit which the apostle has condemned in such unmeasured terms. This "Diotrephes spirit," this aspiring, restless, seli seeking spirit, is the bane of Christian usefulness. It is found to make its way into all our associa tions, our institutions, into all our organized assemblies, from those which grasp the work itself within the scope of their benevolent designs and efforts, down to the little society which has for its object the instruction of the children, or the relief of the poor of a small district. We behold the "spirit of Diotrephes" entering int them all, to mar the good work that is doing, create disunion and strife, to weaken the hands those that would serve the cause of God. Ho good have we seen prematurely overcast by # many a flattering prospect of great and extensi intrusion of this spirit! How many a wellplan of usefulness have we seen frustrated by spirit! how many a good work, which had bee carrying on happily and prosperously, brought to a sudden and untimely termination by th spirit entering in and marring and spoiling ali! We see a class of men in the church, who p sess an intelligence, a zeal, an activity, which seem fitted to make them most useful auxiliaries to the cause of Christ. They appear to be anxious to de good, to practically serve the cause they espouse. It looks as if their whole soul was bent on this object. They are characterized by uncommen energy of character. They seem to have "the glory of God and the good of their fellow-men" | ciple of the Saviour is humility, self-diffidence*. at heart. They are always speaking of setting Instead of taking the first place," the uppermost plans of usefulness on foot. They bring to the room," he would take the lowest. Instead of cause untiring industry, much liberality, and a leading and putting himself and his own plans willingness to make every sacrifice of personal foremost, he would follow. Self-conceit or conease. But all these excellent qualities are spoiled tempt for the judgment of others, an overweening by this "Diotrephes spirit," this desire for pre-opinion of his own judgment, the desire for sueminence. They must be first: they must take periority, a nervous impatience of any thing like the lead: they cannot take a subordinate part: dictation-these are not of the essence of religion. they cannot even brook an equal. These are They are the contrary. They are the dictate of they who must do all, or they will do nothing. pride, and not of true Christian zeal. The beauIf you will act on their plan, if you let them lead, tiful characteristic feature of "the man of God" let them originate, there is nothing which they is his promptitude to sacrifice all personal conwill not do for you. But they cannot or will not siderations in his zeal for the advancement of the fall in with or adopt the plan of any other. Let great cause of truth and holiness. He rejoices to them be the first consulted, they will do all that see that cause advance, no matter how or by can be done. But, if another is allowed to take whom. He is "willing to be any thing, or to the initiative, they will not co-operate. So jea- be nothing;" to take any part in it, a leading lous are they on the point of the superiority of or a subordinate one, so he may best serve it. He their own judgment, so impatient are they of any rises above all low, paltry, personal, selfish conthing which looks like the counsel or the dictation siderations, to the height of that noble selfof another, so fearful are they of encroachment, devotion which is befitting so great and holy a they cannot take any part except you give them cause. He is willing either to offer his own plan, the lead. Let the scheme devised by another be or to adopt another if it be better. This was the ever so admirable, yet, if it be another's and not spirit of the apostle: "What then? notwiththeir own, this is enough to make them stand aloof standing, every way, whether in pretence or in and decline co-operation. truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice:" "though I be nothing;' neither is he that planteth any thing, nor he that watereth any thing." The same will be the spirit of the Christian: so that good is done, he is willing to be employed in any office, however subordinate, "to be but the hewer of wood and drawer of water to the temple of the Lord." O how much strength and valuable help is thus lost to the church! How are some of the best agencies which it employs for carrying out its great objects rendered null and void by a spirit of this kind entering into it! How many an advantage that seemed on the very point of being gained over the "great adversary" has been lost by reason of this spirit! All It is more of a spirit like this which is now * seemed prepared for making a successful assault wanted. I am aware of nothing that would imupon his kingdom; but then came on the de-part more life and vigour to our various religious bating "who should be the first? who should be the greatest?" and in the meantime the opportunity is lost; and the plan, which if carried out bade fair for accomplishing such happy results, is brought to an untimely issue. The flame of zeal dies out; and they who possessed many qualifications for effectively serving the cause of Christ retire in disgust, and even seem now to be actuated by an unfriendly feeling. -- and charitable institutions than a larger infusion of this spirit into them. Could we once see all the servants of the Almighty--men of talent, zeal, piety-merge all personal and private feelings and considerations in their great and paramount desire to serve his cause; would they recollect the great common enemy they have to contend against, and let this unite all dissentients on minor points just as the sudden appearance of a forA spirit like this is to be condemned and midable enemy has often in times of war acted lamented even where temporal and transient upon those who were called to fight against him interests only are at stake. It is unworthy-O, would men but think of the number, the even of mere men of the world. It bespeaks strength, the activity, the subtlety of their spiritual a little, narrow, jealous mind on the part adversaries, and of the comparatively few who are even of those who are influenced by no upon the Lord's side; would they but learn the higher motives than worldly motives. But, when true secret of their strength, and understand more such immense interests are at stake, as must be of the element of happy, friendly, brotherly union the case where the salvation of souls and the ex- and co-operation; did we behold all in the true tension of the kingdom of Christ upon earth is spirit of Christian humility willing to follow inconcerned, such a spirit is censurable in the last stead of lead, willing to be the servants and midegree. We, therefore, can well understand why nisters instead of masters, O how blessed and how this spirit should be the subject of such pointed abundant would be the fruits of this humility! condemnation in the word of God; for this spirit, That which now so hampers and fetters Christian if suffered to grow and prevail generally, would be the very bane of the church. It is for this reason that the sacred writers are so sedulous in inculcating a spirit the direct contrary. They exhort believers to merge all personal considerations in their unanimous desire to serve the common cause; and, if the genuine influence of Christianity were felt, a spirit the very opposite to that I have condemned would manifest itself. For one of the unfailing marks of the true dis mind in the case of a much and deservedly respected nobleman; one who gives promise of yet being a powerful auxiliary * An illustration of this remark occurs to the writer's to the cause of religion. On his first coming under serious impressions of religion a few years since, he called on a clergyman in a neighbouring parish, expressed to him an anxious desire to make himself in some way useful; and his utmost wish was to be permitted to visit some of the poor of in short, to be allowed to occupy himself as a district visitor the parish, "the fatherless and widows in their affliction ;" In some obscure court or alley in his parish. effort, that which is now such a drag upon the wheel of Christian usefulness would be taken off; the energies of good and faithful men would flow in one undivided channel; and then, as a consequence of this, we believe that a measure of success would attend their labours far exceeding any thing which the church has as yet been permitted to witness; the true principle of subordination as well as of combined action would be understood, and their immense power would be manifested; all in their several vocations and ministry would be content to be in the place which Providence has assigned to each. "The foot would not say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body: the ear would not say, Because I am not the eye, I am not the body." All then, instead of exalting and dignifying self, would "in honour prefer one another." And the world would then see what an admirable grace and virtue is real unaffected Christian humility, and what a powerful moral engine is combination in the high scriptural sense of that much-abused term. IMPROVE YOUR TALENT*. FINDING in scripture that God not only chose learned men, such as Moses and Paul, as setters forth of his word, but unlearned men also, as mentioned in Acts iv. 13- Now, when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were ignorant and unlearned men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them that they had been with Jesus"-I was emboldened, after reading the word of God, with prayer for his blessing (and, therefore, trusting that in spirit I have been with Jesus), and feel that, as far as my calling extends in the station of life in which it has pleased God to place me, I am warranted in endeavouring, as follows, by communicating my thoughts to your readers for their edification, to promote his glory; which should be the chief aim of all who have scriptural grounds for believing that they have been redeemed from the curse of the law, which requires perfect obedience, by the one oblation and perfect obedience of him whose blood alone cleanseth from all sin, and who now sitteth at the right hand of God, carrying on his intercession for penitent and believing sinners on earth. In the first place I would state that, on reading Matt. xv., I was struck with the method which our Saviour took of showing how he deals with his own children by trials of their faith. For instance, he would have us learn by this history of the woman of Canaan that it is to humble, contrite, and persevering Christians, who entertain a sense of their own unworthiness, that he grants an answer to prayer. Again, on reading Luke vii. I was struck with our blessed Saviour's convincing means of teaching the self-righteous Pharisee how defective were his views of the method of salvation, and that, until a man was made sensible by a right understanding of the law of God, under the teaching of the Holy Spirit, as extending to the very thoughts and intents of the heart, that he had contracted a debt which he could * We received the above piece as a letter from a correspondent: we think the lesson it conveys worthy of being noted: we therefore give it a place in our columns.-ED. never pay pay to divine justice, he would never be found at the feet of Jesus. And, though we cannot testify our love to him in the mode pointed out on that occasion by our Saviour, yet we may all do it now that he is not bodily present with us, by keeping his commandments and observing his sayings, "Inasmuch as ye have done it to one of the least of these my brethren, ye have dite it unto me" (Matt. xxv. 40). Now, what an encouragement is here givent turn to a good account the talents, or even the one talent, which God has given to us, and for the improvement of which every one of us will have to answer at the judgment-day: "Cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness” (Matt. xxv. 30). By way of following up what I have already advanced, I would mention an anecdote which has been related to me on undoubted authority, in order to show how the glory of God and the eternal welfare of a fellow-creature may be promoted by a word written or spoken in season, and in making this communication for the benefit of your readers, I will give you the very words of my informant: "The history of his wife, whom be married only a few months ago, is a very remarkable and interesting one. From the age of twelve years she wrote and published enough to find herself in clothes, viz., prose and poetry in magazines, clever nonsense' she called it. A few years go a letter fell in her way, in which her writings were spoken of as showing great talent, adding, 'What a pity the writer is not a Christian! She and all her family were Unita rians [Socinians]. These few words made a deep impression, and never left her mind. She gained an introduction to the excellent clergyman who penned them, was invited to his house, and became every thing his most sanguine wishes could desire, a thoroughly humble-minded Christian.” 6 G. H. MY WHOLE CLASS IN HEAVEN". "O, IF I saw only one in my class turn to the Lord; if but one were saved, how happy I should be! what encouragement I should feel to go on with the work." Thus, fellow-teachers, we speak; thus, perhaps, we pray. Yet why bat one? Why not all? "O," you say, "that would be presumption: I dare not ask so much.” And why not ask so much? Surely it is becaus we have so little faith. We are not straitened i our God, but in ourselves. "We have not, beca we ask not." One of Israel's sins of old was the they "limited the Holy One." Partake we of their sin when we say, "I dare not ask s much"? If the four who bore the palsied man to our Lord had returned for another and another, and brought each with equal faith, would the power of healing have been put forth on the one for their faith, and denied to the ten or the twenty brought thither by them with like faith? Assuredly not. Or ought they, whose faith overcame every obstacle for the first, to have waxed weaker because others needed the same healing? Can the foun * From the "Church of England Sunday School Quarterly Magazine." |