204

DIVINE BENEVOLENCE.

ments of this attribute not incongruous with the benev- of the righteous to run parallel with their existence. olence of the Divine nature, but they are positively For the miseries of those wretches who shall be "set indebted to this benevolence for their existence. Do forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternot misunderstand me. I would not confound the Di-nal fire," will constitute a motive scarcely less powerful vine attributes any more than I would "set them at jar." to insure the obedience of the inhabitants of heaven Although justice be an attribute distinct from kindness, than the ineffable pleasures which they shall be permityet they both mutually and equally inhere in the essen- ted to enjoy. Whereas, if there were no hell for the tial nature of God, which is love. The Divine benev-wicked, and they were permitted to enter heaven proolence or love, is as really though not as ostensibly miscuously with the righteous, the latter would be cordisplayed in the chastisements which are administered rupted by the association, as there would be a lack of to the people of God, and the fiery vengeance which motive to secure their indefectibility. We do not say is poured upon his enemies, as it is in the undisguised that, under all circumstances, this kind of motive would and positive blessings which are lavished upon saints be necessary to secure the indefectibility of the inhabion earth or seraphs in heaven. Yes, paradoxical as tants of heaven; for were there no incorrigible transit may appear to some, those very expressions of the gressors in the universe, a patient continuance in welljustice of God which are apparently so severe in their doing, on the part of the righteous, during a term of aspect, are the natural and necessary results of that probation, would superinduce such an inclination of love which constitutes the moral nature of God. the mind to piety and virtue as, in connection with the What work so proper to interest infinite benevolence exquisite rewards thereof, would insure the impeccabilas the promotion of the general interests of the uni-ity of the righteous, whether men or angels, to all eterverse-the securing the greatest possible good to all nity. But since there are willful and incorrigible transthe free, moral agents who are the subjects of the Di- gressors in the universe, for the reasons already assignvine government? Surely this is its proper work. ed, they must be driven away into everlasting punishNow it is not difficult to prove that this cannot be ac-ment, or else the righteous themselves would not be complished without the exercise of that moral attribute certain of life eternal. If what we have said on this of the Divine character-the justice of God-an attri-subject be correct, it follows that the pit of perdition is bute which, in its exercise, awards eternal life to them who persevere in well doing, and "indignation and wrath, tribulation and anguish to every soul of man that doeth evil." As the righteous Governor of the universe, it is the province of God to legislate for his subjects. The laws which he enacts must be guarded by sanctions to insure obedience. For a breach of those laws will not only necessarily, or by virtue of the act itself, subject the offender to misery, not only will it invade the rights of Deity, but also be a bane to society at large. If free agents were permitted to do as seemed good in their own eyes, without any fear of retribution in case of transgression, we can very readily conceive how the contagion of bad example would spread through the various ranks of society, destroying with the virtue the happiness thereof, as well as nullifying the government of God. Now to preserve the universe from such disasters as these, the benevolence of God's nature, exerting itself by the attribute of jus-ness of God; but they are not the proper subjects tice, prompted him so to frame the sanctions of his thereof-they have forfeited all claim or title thereto. law that the greatest possible good, eternal life, shall But there are other beings in the universe who are its be the reward of obedience, and the greatest possible proper subjects-who have not forfeited their claim, evil, eternal death, shall be the wages of sin. If these whether primitive or restored-a claim which God sanctions do not constitute considerations sufficiently most graciously admits. Now if, as we have already powerful to secure the obedience and consequent hap-proved, the rewards of Divine benevolence cannot be piness of free moral agents, it is difficult to conceive how that can be effected. And although there are many of God's moral subjects who willfully "cross his love and die," yet there are others-I doubt not a great majority, angels and men-who, by the force of these motives, are preserved in a state of holiness and happiness; and the application of the penalty of the law in the case of those who transgress, will be an effectual means of causing the rectitude and felicity

the prison-house of the universe—a place designed by God for the confinement of "all that offend, and them which do iniquity;" so that they may not corrupt and injure the good. It is also "a furnace of fire," in which the wicked endure positive and exquisite punishment, so that "the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever," as an "example" to the universe of intelligent and holy beings to deter them from sin.

Now, because these condemned wretches are not, when doomed to this state of punishment, the subjects of the Divine benevolence, as exerted by the attribute of goodness, therefore some conclude that the Divine benevolence is incompatible with their punishment. But this is a gross mistake; and it is the result of a partial or prejudiced view of the subject. We grant that so far as the damned themselves are concerned, there is no expression of the goodness or loving kind

secured to the righteous without the exemplary punishment of the wicked, that punishment is not only not incompatible with, but is absolutely the necessary result of benevolence.

I hold this argument to be incontrovertible, and consequently subversive of the opinion, that because "God is love," therefore he cannot inflict eternal punishment on incorrigible transgressors. This representation of the Supreme Being is perfectly enchanting and inspi

EARLY CHRISTIANITY.

ring to the Christian; but it exhibits nothing but terror
and despair to the incorrigible transgressor. It bars the
door of hope against the man that knows not God, and
obeys not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, as
effectually as the awful threatening which declares that
he "shall be punished with everlasting destruction from
the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his
power, when he shall come to be glorified in his saints,
and to be admired in all them that believe."
Galveston, Texas, May 6, 1841.

EARLY CHRISTIANITY.

205

The proconsul then informed him that hereafter the assembling of the Christians in any place, and the frequenting of their burial-grounds, where the ardor of their faith was wont to be increased, was forbidden under pain of death, and dismissed him from his presence.

It was, as yet, only intended to separate the bishops from their people; but this band, supported by the influence of the Spirit, could not be scattered by any earthly power; and soon we find that not only the bishops and clergy, but even women and children, after being beaten with stripes, were condemned to imprisonment and to labor in the mines-detected, probably, at their meetings or at their burial-grounds.

The bishop Cyprian, meanwhile, at his place of

A leaf from the annals of early Christianity. Translated from exile, (Curubis,) was constant in his attentions to the

the German by T. G. M.

spiritual and temporal wants of his people, and displaying his sympathy for their sufferings by words and actions of love. He sent to them for their temporal relief and support, large sums of money from the treasury of the Church, and from his private income; and

THE Emperor Valerian was, in the commencement of his reign, very favorable to the Christians; but from the year of our Lord 254, he changed his manner, and began to persecute them. The persecution was, how-wrote to them: ever, not at first a bloody one, but only aimed at depriving the congregations of their pastors, and more especially of their bishops. The pagan rulers rejoiced in the expectation of being easily able to subdue the Christians, when they had removed the bishops out of the way, and in this way accomplishing their design without bloodshed.

The proconsul Paternus commanded the bishop Cyprian to appear at his tribunal, and said to him, "The emperors Valerian and Pallienus have issued a decree to me, wherein it is commanded, that such of you as have not heretofore observed the ceremonies of the Roman religion, should now embrace them. I ask, therefore, are you a Christian? What answer do you make?"

Cyprian. "I am a Christian and a bishop. I know no God but the one who created the heavens, the earth,|| and all that in them is. This God we Christians serve, and to him we pray day and night for ourselves, for all men, and even for the prosperity of the emperor himself."

Proconsul. "Will you adhere to these sentiments?" Cyprian. "A good resolution, founded on the knowledge of God, cannot be changed."

The proconsul then informed him, that, by the imperial edict, he must go into exile; and after explaining to him that the decree included not only the bishops but the elders, demanded of him the names of the elders who resided in the city.

"In the mines, your bodies will not be refreshed by beds and cushions; but you will be sustained by the consolation and joy of faith in Christ. Your limbs, wearied by labor, lie upon the ground; but it is no affliction to be there with Christ. When the outer man is contaminated with the filth of the world, the inner man will be all the more purified by the Holy Ghost. You have there little bread; but you live not upon bread alone; but also upon the word of God. You are not sheltered from the cold; but he that is clothed with Christ has clothing and ornament in abundance. In that place, too, your faith can suffer no diminution, even if you are deprived of all opportunity of partaking the supper of our Lord. Even if you cannot there celebrate this most precious supper, you may still make to Christ a most acceptable sacrifice; for the Scriptures declare that a bruised and contrite heart is a most grateful offering unto God. Bring, then, even yourselves as a pure and holy offering.”

"Your example," thus he wrote to the pastors, "is followed by many people who have professed the faith and been crowned with you-those who are bound to you by the strongest love, and whom (though some of them were youth and little girls) neither prisons nor mines could separate from their pastors. What a power of a victorious conscience! what a triumph in your hearts to walk in the mines with imprisoned bodies, and yet with hearts that feel their authority, to know that Christ is with you, and is rejoicing in the

Cyprian. "Your laws justly denounce the trade of || sufferings of his servants, who enter, according to his informers, and I shall, therefore, give information con- way and example, into the kingdom of eternity." cerning no one; but you can find them in the parishes which they superintend."

Proconsul. "I tell you, then, that I shall commence to-day a thorough search throughout the province."

"Of all the passions, jealousy is that which exacts Cyprian. "Our rules forbid self-accusation, and your the hardest service, and pays the bitterest wages. Its ordinances also discourage it; but if you search you || service is—to watch the success of our enemy; its will probably find them."

wages to be sure of it."

206

name.

Original.

A RELIC.

A RELIC.

|the word "Profile," painted on a board nailed on a tree. You cast your eye in the direction pointed out, and on a high peak of bare rock is presented a complete pro

the appearance of a Revolutionary worthy, his threecornered hat a little disproportioned by the assaults of the enemy. So exact is the resemblance to the human face, that one is inclined to think it the work of art; but as you proceed along the road winding round the hill, instead of a front view of the old man's countenance your eye rests only on cragged rocks, and you find the profile is formed of many projecting crags, so arranged as to present the appearance of one solid rock. Kittredge, the temperance agent, pronounced the old gentleman a cold water man, from the emblem at his feet. This was a pond of pure water, the source of one of the head branches of the Merrimac river. LOUISA E. A.

DEAR BROTHER HAMLINE,-About a year ago, being in Alexandria, D. C., I called to see my excel-file of the human face. The old man has somewhat lent friend, father Robbins, well known, especially to the preachers of the Baltimore conference, for his attachment to Methodism. I believe the venerable old gentleman loves every thing that legitimately bears its honored As a relic of former days, he has preserved with religious care an original letter of Rev. John Wesley's, which I believe has not been published to the present time. It is in Mr. W.'s own hand; and being on one page, father R. has put it in a frame, and hung it up And who does not say that it deserves this distinction? I was permitted to take a copy, which I did, stating at the time that I should expect to see it published by the proprietor, or in failure thereof, should send it for publication myself. In fulfilling my promise, (as I have not seen it published,) I send you an exact copy. The lady to whom it was written is not known. Its genuineness, however, cannot be disputed the autography is evidently Mr. Wesley's, according to fac similes preserved by Dr. Clarke and others.

as a mantle ornament.

Original.

MR. HAMLINE,-On the night of the 24th April, my parent was seized with an apoplectic fit, (the third attack,) and for nearly three weeks her life was in imminent danger. By the blessing of God upon our efforts, she is restored to her family and friends. Her recovery, under circumstances so unfavorable, that scarce one ray of hope gladdened the hearts of the loving and the loved that watched around her couch of suffering, demands a tribute of gratitude to Him who has heard our prayers. Will you allow the following

London, Feb. 22, 1777. My Dear Sister-It is devoutly to be wished for that we may rejoice evermore; and it is certain the inward kingdom of God implies not only righteousness and peace, but joy in the Holy Ghost. You have therefore reason to ask for and expect the whole Gos-memento of grateful feeling a place in your "Reposi

pel blessing. Yet it cannot be denied, that many times
joy is withheld even from them that walk uprightly.
The great point of all is, an heart and a life entirely
devoted to God. Keep only this, and let all the rest
go. Give him your heart and it suffices. It seems
the providence of God has called John Stratton to that
labor of love. If he were to depart from the work, I
doubt whether he could be clear from the blood of
those men. Let him go on in simplicity, and sooner
or later he will see the fruit.

I am, my dear sister, your affectionate brother,
J. WESLEY.

tory," where, perchance, some one, whose heart is
it with kindly sympathy?
glowing with gratitude for similar mercies, may gather

O, thou, who fill'st the rainbow-circled throne,
Lowly we'd bend on adoration's knee;
With grateful feeling we would humbly own
A mother's precious life restor'd by thee!
We'd own the wisdom of thy every deed—
Admit thy right to use the chast'ning rod—
Humbly acknowledge that we ever need

The kind correctives of our guardian God.
And we'd proclaim, in tones joyous and clear,

(Thou who dost guard the portals of the grave!)
"Thine ear's not deafen'd, that it cannot hear"-
"Thine arm's not shorten'd, that it cannot save!"
No! for "thine ear" was open to the prayer

Borne on the noon-tide, morn, and evening breeze,
That plead with thee a mother's life to spare-

To raise a wife-a friend from fell disease!
No! for "thine own right arm" was bar'd in power,
To drive dread Azrael to his dark domain;
Thy blessed hand uprear'd life's drooping flower,

And rais'd the lov'd one from the couch of pain.
And now, great Father, from thy viewless throne,
Where angels vail their sight with radiant plume,
Our humble song of joyous praises own,

And all our hearts with gratitude illume!

TO AN ABSENT FRIEND.

THE SAMPLER.

VARIETIES OF MIND.

primeval state? Then that spark shone in all its brilliancy-then he was spotless and innocent; but, at present, he is degraded, and he has lost that happiness which he before enjoyed. Even now, however, he shows himself superior to other creatures; but let him beware of being proud of a bestowed eminence.

AMONG the contemplations of the thinking and inI LIKE the sampler. Neatly framed in plain mahog- telligent, the varieties incident to the human mind will any, with a glass cover, it wears the appearance of a not be overlooked. What is man? He is indeed a decent, respectable old friend. It serves as a remem-creature; but he possesses a spark which was imparted brancer of by-gone days, pleasantly and profitably by the Almighty. What, we may ask, was he in his spent, and is a token of early genius and industry. Beside, the inscriptions upon it are often of such a character as to inspire and cherish religious, devotional feelings. For instance, after practicing on the alphabet, in various forms, the young seamstress is likely to exercise herself in working upon her sampler the initials of beloved names, such as a father, a mother, brothers and sisters. Years after these letters have been woven into the canvass, the eye glancing upon it calls up the recollection of those absent, it may be, departed friends; and then of early, perchance of pious admonitions, and paternal prayers. The mind thus called into action, will run up with the alacrity of youth to the very dawn of its remembrance, and then, more slowly retracing its steps, travel down the history of the family, carefully gathering up every incident of joy, of sorrow, and of bereavement, and bind them up in a single volume, to be stored away as precious treasures in the secret chambers of the soul.

We are all at present liable to passion, and subject to change. It is pleasing to observe this not only in other persons, but also in ourselves. At one time cast down, at another time cheerful, we are, and must necessarily be influenced by circumstances; and we bend to them all, being affected in as many different shapes as there may be circumstances to cause the variations. Prosperity elates us; we should, therefore, remember that we do not exceed proper bounds; nor indulge so much in our joy, that we should be unable to bear sorrow whenever it may come. Adversity depresses us; Christians can bear it with patience, knowing that this world is not their home and resting place: others can tell better than we can, how they endure it.

People are too often apt to lay their losses and gains to fortune: I think that a good and wise Providence ordains what shall befall a man; that there is no acting at random. Sometimes a man has to blame his own negligence, when adversity overtakes him. Act with a good conscience in all things; humbly rely on the

This is not unmixed pleasure, yet there is pleasure in it, mingled with a kind of savory sadness, that induces the soul to steal away in the sweet solitude of holy contemplation, which may terminate in the closet before the throne of the heavenly grace, in a shower of penitential tears. And as in the natural, so in the spiritual world, after the storm is broken, the sun of hope will beam forth more brightly and benignantly || Almighty; act up to the great doctrines of Christianithan before.

ty, and the precepts of our blessed Redeemer; and you Again, the sampler often has wrought upon it some will be his care, and he will give you needful things favorite verse, perhaps one with which the mother was for body and soul. Those who despise our holy religwont to beguile the hour, when pressed with the bur-ion, have no consolation afforded them in the season den of domestic care. The sight of such a poetic fragment, will call up the recollection of that honored, perhaps sainted mother; and who, under such circumstances, has not proved the truth of the divine record, that, by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better?

of adversity: they are worse off than even the Roman moralist, who was a heathen. He could with rapture adopt those words so consoling to his mind, "O præclanum diem, cum ad illud divinam animorum, consilium cœlumque proficiscar; cumque ex hac turba et colluvione discedam."

There is one passion so closely knit with the human heart, that I cannot forbear mentioning it; viz., sympathy. In misfortunes, as they are called, half the sting is blunted, if sympathy extend her aid. But for the assistance of kind friends, many a one could hardly have sustained the heavy burden. So strong is the desire of sympathy, that we often hear people recount their troubles, I could almost say, with a sort of satisfaction. In fact, the desire of it is inherent in human nature; and all must allow its beauty.

Who, that has experienced the burden of ill-timed mirth, would wish to feel it again? There is a season for every thing, both for mirth and sorrow. Nature will have her way in this imperfect state. Perfection will not arrive till the immortal spirit, unfettered from the shackles of flesh and sense, shall enjoy its primitive freedom and blessedness.