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almost any part of the world; and, urged by the obligations of gratitude and near relationship, which elsewhere have no existence, are abundantly more forcible! Ought not something to be attempted, and that with a seriousness, vigour, and per severance proportioned to the importance of the object itself? It ought to be matter of serious deliberation, and most earnest prayer, to find out some hitherto untried, or, if not wholly untried, yet much neglected, me

which it is preached, the congregations are far from being large-it will appear, that of those who attend upon evangelical worship; not to say, those who among them truly worship God in spirit and in truth, who are a still smaller number, the proportion is exceedingly small. Can we rationally conclude, that the aggregate of such amounts to two hundred thousand? If so, we shall leave a million, or, even after the deduction of such, as from their age or infirmities, are incapa-thod of endeavouring to rescue ble of attending on religious some of these immortals from worship, several hundred thou- ignorance, vice, and death! sands, who are, beyond all dis- Do not think, my dear sir, that pute, living like heathens; and, this business belongs not to though bearing the Christian you. If you suppose this, I name, "without God in the would appeal to your consciworld." Has this fact been suf-ence, in the language of a most ficiently attended to? If it interesting passage of scripture, had, would not the ministers already referred to," Doth not and friends of religion, while he that pondereth the heart rethey are laudably exerting them-gard it; and he that keepeth selves for the benefit of their thy soul, doth not he know? fellow-creatures abroad, as well And will he not render to every as in the different parts of our man according to his works?" own island, exert themselves It certainly is your business; it with much more vigour for the is the business of every one who thousands within the limits of sustains the character of a mi the city in which they reside, nister, to do every thing in his and who are daily within their power to save souls. If he ken? I recollect being told of neglect it, he will incur the threatening denounced against the unfaithful watchman; the blood of souls will be required at his hands. "Arise, for this matter belongeth to thee; be of good courage, and do it."

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zealous clergyman, when preaching in the precincts of a celebrated university, not long after the present missionary efforts had commenced, who, when noticing and applauding those efforts, added, "I wish a society were formed for the purpose of sending a mission I can really scarce refrain from a similar wish respecting London. Surely, its claims are as great as those of

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In my next, I shall point out to your attention, some of the means you may adopt to promote the spiritual interests of this vast multitude of perishing immortals. Yours, &c.

PHILO LONDINENSIS.

ON

SPIRITUAL CONVERSATION.

IT requires but little acquaintance with the religious world, fully to understand, that the conversation of many professors of religion is as carnal and worldly as that of persons who make no profession at all. This must grieve the minds of good men, because, on this account, religion often suffers in the estimation of those who are unacquainted with its native beauty and excellence.

opportunity which fairly offers itself to speak to the glory of God, our own comfort, or the edification of others. The gift of speech is a noble faculty, and was, doubtless, intended, by our Creator, to be used to the best of purposes. Yet, in the use of it, I presume, most of us must acknowledge we are guilty; not having kept our tongues from evil, nor our lips from speaking guile. It is a serious and humbling consideration, that our nature should be so far fallen from God as to This evil does not stop here; dishonour him so much by the the same spirit too generally tongue, which, when rightly prevails even among the mem-employed, is one of the distinbers of Christian churches; guishing glories of man. But and it does not unfrequently though this is the case with happen, that those who have those who are not renewed in made the most solemn avowal the spirit of their minds, it of being the disciples of Jesus should be far different with Christ, are not distinguished such as are taught by divine from others by their speech grace, not to yield their "membeing good "to the use of edi-bers as instruments of unrighfying, that it may minister grace teousness unto sin." to the hearers." It is not an Religion supposes a warm indiscriminate conversation that attachment to Christ and his we wish to recommend. Many cause. The love of God shed truths and many instances of abroad in the heart is the prethe Lord's goodness to his dominant principle. "Out of people, which afford matter of the abundance of the heart the comfort and ground of encou- mouth will speak. A good man, ragement to those who feel the out of the good treasure of his influence of those truths, and heart, bringeth forth good experience that goodness, may things." The name of the Sanot be proper subjects of com-viour, and redemption through munication to those who are his blood, will be delightful strangers to the power of god-subjects of conversation to such liness. a man. Though other things require our attention, and must, from circumstances, frequently be subjects of discourse, yet the doctrines, precepts, and promises of our holy religion will be our most animating and delightful themes.

But, while we ought to be careful, lest, by an injudicious discussion of divine things, religion should suffer, we should also take heed that our discourse be congenial to its holy mature, and that we lose no

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we could scarcely think or
speak of any thing but Christ
and his great salvation. Reli-
gion was alive within us, and
we were ready to say,
"Come
and hear, all ye that fear God,
and I will tell you what he hath
done for my soul." Psalm lxvi.

It is highly proper it should When we reflect upon the everlasting love of God displayed in the gift of his Son, to recover us from our fallen state-upon the sorrows and sufferings through which the Redeemer passed in order to accomplish that recovery-up-16. But is it so with us now?

on the love of the eternal spirit in enlightening our understandings, subduing our wills, and applying the blessings of redemption to our souls; how is it possible we should either think or speak of such infinitely great and glorious favours, without a peculiar glow of affection? We are hastening to the house of our Father, where we shall enjoy the felicity of the Divine Presence, and behold the infinite excellencies and eternal glories of the blessed Immanuel.

We feel our backwardness, we seem to mourn over our languid frame, saying, "O that it were with us as in months past!" But why this change? Is not the Lord still the same, and does not his faithfulness and truth continue to afford ground of comfort and joy to his people?

We should never want subjects for conversation were we heavenly in our meditations, and holy in our desires; we should frequently recollect the nature and consequences of sin; the pity and compassion of the Lord towards us while we were living in ignorance and rebellion; the nature of that state from which we have been deli

glorious hope which the gospel gives to those who believe in Jesus Christ. Shall we, who

mable price of the Saviour's blood, be silent in his praise? God forbid! "Bless the Lord, O our souls! and all that is within us, bless his holy name." Psalm ciii. 2.

Do not children, on their journey home, frequently speak of their father's house, and of the pleasure they expect to enjoy there; and should not Chris-vered by divine grace, and the tians often speak of that incorruptible and undefiled inheritance which awaits their possession? In this state, how-have been bought at the inestiever, the things of time are apt to engross our thoughts, and to gain so much of our attention, that, in some instances, it seems as though our high birth and exalted privileges, as Christians, had either escaped hearts have been divided beour thoughts, or lost their tween God and the world, and power to engage our affection. earthly things have had too I am fully persuaded, that a great a share of our affection, little reflection will convince it is no wonder if our convermost of that we feel a consi-sation has become worldly. derable degree of cold indiffer- We frequently lose the relish ence towards heavenly and divine for spiritual converse in the things. There was a time, when dust and bustle of this life.

us,

VOL, VII,

3 P

But if our

REMARKS

ON

GREEN.

We should also beware lest | spiritual things, furnishing us we suffer by light and vain con- with useful remarks; so that versation. Foolish talking and our conversation would be made jesting are not convenient for up of words fitly spoken, which the people of God. Eph. v. are as apples of gold in pictures 4. Not suitable to their cha- of silver. racters as saints, nor agreeable Dereham. to the divine will. There are few things more unprofitable to Christians than vain and idle discourse; it unfits the mind for pious reflection and religious exercises it produces a barrenness of soul which a good man must lament. We should, therefore, take heed to our ways, that, in this respect, we sin not with our tongues. any man seem to be religious and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain." James, i. 26. Contentious and angry talk-larly into the statement of the ers, in refraining from this argument contained in the sepractice, would find the saying cond conversation. There is a of the wise man true, "Whoso view there given of the import keepeth his mouth and his of circumcision as a seal of the tongue keepeth his soul from righteousness of faith, which is troubles." Prov. xxi. 23. We not, at least, that usually taken may speak to display our wit of it in the discussions respectat the expense of our comfort, ing infant baptism. It was, in a and a single word may cause good measure, new to myself us hours of uneasiness. "The when it occurred to me on extongue is a fire, a world of in- amining this subject; at least, iquity." It will readily be con- if I had seen it before hinted fessed by all those who feel the at, I had never seen it followdepravity of human nature, that ed out to its consequences, and, great wisdom and prudence in this way, it had escaped my are necessary to order our con-notice. It was chiefly to have versation in a suitable manner. the view suggested of this part True piety, a familiar ac- of the argument fully examined, quaintance with the word of that I thought of publishing at God, and a proper attention to all on this controversy. I had passing circumstances, would always before found myself emenable us to speak to edification. barrassed with the argument in Our minds and memories, judg-support of infant baptism, dements and affections, would, in rived from the analogy between time, become storehouses of baptism and circumcision. I

NUMBERS, XVI. 38,

&c. In connexion with a late Review in this Magazine, of a Publication entitled Eugenio and Epenetus, or, Conversations on Infant Baptism.

To the Editors of the Baptist Magazine. "If I HAVE every reason to be satisfied with the manner in which you speak of my publication in general. I could have wished, however, that you had entered a little more particu

The former is the common view taken of this subject, and that on which the supposed. analogy between circumcision and baptism is founded. the conversations above-mentioned, I state what appear to me insuperable objections to this interpretation, and my reasons for decidedly preferring the other, which represents circumcision as a seal.or memorial of a general truth.

never was satisfied with the ham did, his faith will be common method of getting quit counted to him for righteousof that argument by explain-ness. ing away, in a considerable degree, the spiritual nature of the covenant with Abraham, and making circumcision chiefly refer to a right to the land of Canaan. But, if the interpretation I have given of circumcision, as styled a seal of the righteousness of faith, be found, on examination, to be tenable, while it secures the spiritual view of the Abrahamic covenant, it will, at the same time, I am persuaded, tend most effectually to destroy the argument which has been so often and so strenuously urged in support of infant baptism, from the analogy it is supposed to bear to circumcision.

It is from having lately discovered a striking illustration and confirmation of this part of my argument on the passage in the book of Numbers abovementioned, that I now request your attention to it. Permit me, however, first, to remind you, and your readers, of that particular view of circumcision which, I conceive it fitted to illustrate and confirm.

I remark, in general, then, that when circumcision is called a seal of the righteousness of faith, there are two senses in which the expression is capable of being understood.

In opposition to the first interpretation, I remark, first, that, if circumcision be viewed as sealing something to the individual, it is extremely difficult to see what it sealed, or that it sealed any thing to all those called to receive it. Here I show, that in many cases it cannot be viewed as sealing to the individual, either temporal or spiritual blessings.

A second argument against this interpretation is, that it does not appear, that even where adults were called to submit to circumcision, a profession of faith was necessary to their receiving it. Here I endeavour to prove, by a variety of passages, that if any slave, for example, refused to submit to circumcision, he was liable to be put to death; and that this is the import of the uncircumcised soul being cut

First, It may be understood as implying, that certain bless-off from the people. ings are sealed to the individual partaking of this rite; or,

Second, That it is merely a seal, confirmation, or memorial of a general truth, that whosoever believeth as Abra

A third objection to supposing it sealed something to the individual, is derived from the case of Ishmael. Though he was expressly called to be circumcised, it was as expressly

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