forward to Calvary, each pilgrim sing-and "sing ye unto the Lord, for he hath ing as he goes, "Perhaps he will admit my plea, triumphed gloriously; the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea.' "Who is like unto thee, O Lord, among the gods? Who is like unto thee, glorious in holiness, fearful in praises, doing wonders?" Let those who are employed in the service of the Redeemer, go forward. We think that the means to be employed for the prosperity of the churches are a steady adherence to truth, a constant regard to unity of feeling, and a simultaneous effort for success. Recognising in all these the necessary influences of the divine Spirit, we say,, Go forward in a steady adherence to truth. It is often thought by good men that reference from the pulpit to denominational peculiarities is unnecessary and injudicious. We reply to this, if the opinions that we hold are merely denominational, they are worthless; but if they can be proved to be the peculiarities of the gospel system, they are worthy to be proclaimed upon the house-top. Outward prosperity, arising from concealment of the truth, is not to be desired. That prosperity is real and enviable, which the truth, under God, secures. How happy would every minister of Christ be, if upon his death-bed he could say, "I have kept the faith;" "I have not shunned to declare the whole counsel of God." "Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip." Again, Let those who are ready to halt in the christian course, take encouragement to go forward. We talk of our trials, and often exclaim with the psalmist: "We are ready to halt, and our sorrow is continually before us." But how small is our courage when compared with that which distinguished the lives of early christian heroes. The apostle of the Gentiles suffered perils by land, perils by sea, perils by false brethren, weariness, painfulness, watchings, hunger, thirst, cold, and nakedness: "but," said he, none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my course with joy." Trial is not necessarily connected with despondency. Nay, it is a theme for rejoicing that we are made partakers of Christ's sufferings, that we are counted worthy to suffer for Christ's sake. Perhaps no people were ever placed in a more perilous position than were the Israelites at Baalzephon. Rocks on either hand, the sea before them, the Egyptians in pursuit. But hear the command given to Moses: "Speak to the children of Israel that they go forward." Let this be taken, distressed believer, as a parallel case to your own. You are beset by sin, Satan, and the world, and an ocean of difficulties lies before you. Yet the command is, "Go Go forward in a constant regard to forward." "What," you ask, "am I to unity of feeling. For this purpose you walk through the sea, or can I, like must be prepared to make sacrifices, not Jesus, tread the surface of the billows?" of principle, but of prejudice. Just as Forget not that with God all things are in the marriage state, "not only both possible. He who taught the waves to must love, but both obey," so must it be roll, can in a moment restrain their fury. also in the church. Every member is He who made the sea, can turn it into expected to be a lover of the brethren. dry land. And for the confirmation of But is he to yield obedience to them, your faith, listen to this sweet promise: when his station in life, or advantages "I will get me honor upon your ene- in education, are superior to theirs? mies." Could you only catch a glimpse Hear what the apostle says: "Be kindly of the future, how quickly would the affectioned one to another in brotherly apprehensions of the present vanish love, in honor preferring one another.” away. Imagine that your course of And again: "Submitting yourselves one trial is finished. You look back upon to another in the fear of God." And the wondrous path you have trod, and should some additional reason for this you see all the fearful destruction of those kind of humility, so contrary to human who desired your hurt. Let some in-nature, be required, take the example of spired Miriam bring hither her timbrel, our blessed Saviour, "who took upon himself the form of a servant." "Let, How far have I contributed to Zion's the same mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus." misery? To what degree have I provoked God to withhold his blessing from Go forward in a simultaneous effort her? How far does my present course for success. We do not expect you to tend to lower the tone of her spiritualconvert sinners; that is the work of ity, and to spread desolation around her? the Holy Spirit. But we expect you to Oh, christian friends, strike at the root use those means which God has ordained, of the bitterness that troubles us. Spare and which he has promised to bless. not yourselves. What is your hidden life Let your money, your talents, your before God? What has it been? God energies, your all, be laid upon the altar forgets not the past while unconfessed, of the sanctuary. "I beseech you there- even though the present promise well. fore, brethren, by the mercies of God, Here the evil began-hence the correcthat ye present your bodies a living tive must spring. Had the solemn seasacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, son of private devotion never been which is your reasonable service." "Be neglected or abridged,—had that sacred ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abound-hour never been sacrificed to the waning in the work of the Lord; forasmuch dering thoughts of a chilling worldlyas ye know that your labor is not in vain mindedness, had the prayerful meditain the Lord." tion of the precious volume never given place to other works, nor even to the critical reading of its own facts and H. J. B. PERSONAL RELIGION, AND ITS RE- mysteries by the individual christian,— LATIVE CHARACTER. CHRISTIAN influence is a talent of the highest order, of the most extensive character. Wheel within wheel revolve on this single axis. One word, uttered in the exercise of faith, has not unfrequently been traced in result to distant and varied spheres, and doubtless its echo has only died away in eternity. As individual christians, we hourly exert an influence upon the church; our daily thoughts and movements, either advance or weaken her interests. The christian is a marked man; all eyes are upon the christian; and he stands in the world, either as a defence and ornament to the church, or as a hindrance and disgrace. No christian can be neutral. The neglect of a right influence is, in effect, the exertion of an evil one, and every christian is held responsible for both. Zion had yet retained the holy bloom of spiritual health. Have we not too often caused an estrangement between God and our own souls, and then harboured the estrangement? Have we never risen from our knees conscious that our prayers have been but the chattering of the crane, and yet have we not turned aside, too proud, too cold, too slothful to run and hide in that bosom of forgiving love whence we have never been spurned? We blush at the remembrance of our guilt; may we henceforth blush at its commission. Our intercourse with heaven should be one unbroken chain; but if individual links be torn asunder, connection must be partial, influence must be lessened. Why is God withdrawing his sensible presence from the church universal in this our day? The chain of communication has been broken, and individual We notice-I. There is but little doubt members have broken it. Hear the voice that the depressed state of the church of Jehovah, "The Lord is with you universal is mainly attributable to the while ye be with him; if ye seek him he existing low state of personal religion. will be found of you; but if ye forsake It is a solemn fact that Zion's distress has him, he will forsake you." It is only been occasioned by individual guilt. Far as our intercourse with heaven is mainbe it from us to cast the first stone attained that we can advance in the divine others; self-condemnation turns it inwardly; but, with the tenderness of christian solicitude, with the gentleness and meekness of Christ, we would entreat our fellow-christians to ask themselves individually and prayerfully, life ourselves, or promote the spirituality of the church. Converse with God, which to man in his primitive state was as natural as existence, is the summer sun of the believer's life. The graces of the christian may germinate in the heart, but they need the balmy yet invigorating influence of heaven's atmosphere, the genial showers of heaven's grace, and the bright beams of heaven's love, if they are to shine to the praise and glory of him who called them into being. The regenerate mind is "the habitation of God through the Spirit," it is the abode of the Father and Son; how awful, then, is that state of soul which leads the individual to be forgetful of his solemn consecration, and listless as to the communion he is entitled to hold with the glorious Trinity! That such a state of mind is possible to those "created anew," scripture hath warned us, and experience evidences. The Shecinah is withdrawn from Zion, because her children have forgotten her God. Perhaps there are no christians who do not deplore the present state of religion; but the mere expression of sorrow will effect nothing unless sorrow itself tell powerfully upon the soul in the privacy of the closet. Christian friends, before Zion rises in glory, we must have individual humiliation in the place of self-conceit― individual revival in the place of personal declension. We need secret wrestlings in the stead of frigid acknowledgments; in a word, we must each take our own share of Zion's guilt, and our own share of Zion's misery, and laying both before the Lord, we must beseech him to cancel the one and remove the other. It may be urged that the present state of Zion is but the fulfilment of prophecy respecting the latter days, and therefore we are to expect it. Assuredly so; but are we to settle on our lees when iniquity abounds, saying, So would we have it; the scripture hath spoken it? Perish the thought that any christian would systematically endeavour to cast barrenness over Zion; but is not such the result of the thoughtless, wavering conduct of many who, whilst with one hand they professedly plant the desert, with the other wrest the choicest flowers from the fruitful hill. Undoubtedly, individual sloth and inconsistency have caused the universal decline of spirituality, and we think that it will be by individual repentance and energy that the church will regain her position. II. We would institute the enquiry, How can individual christians endeavour effectually to revive the interests of the church universal? By a sacred personal influence upon local ministers, churches, and congregations. Our daily walk and conversation bear direct relation to our pastor and the church with which we more immediately stand connected. Our secret life tells powerfully upon our pastor's soul, and upon the prosperity of the church. We expect our pastor to toil for us daily in prayer and meditation, but do we ever ask, What does my pastor expect of me? We expect the church to lend her sympathies and to own us as members, but are the joys of the church our joys? are her sorrows our sorrows? Alas! neglected pastors and withering churches tell too plainly of careless members, of prayerless professors. Church-membership is a solemn tie, a sacred and responsible relationship, and should never be entered into without special consideration. In selecting a minister, our professed object is, that, under the Spirit of God, he should train our souls for heaven. We look to him, subordinately, for spiritual teaching. But do we remember that the duties of pastor and people are relative? Is there no teachableness of disposition required on our part? is no affectionate gratitude due for all the pleadings and solicitude expended upon us? and knowing that our pastor is but "a man of like passions with ourselves," is there no cogent reason wherefore our importunity should be engaged that "the earthen vessel" should be filled with the "heavenly treasure," and wholly sanctified to the Master's use? Oh! christian brethren, if in every prayer of ours, our pastor had a share, he would be more holy, more happy,—we should be more edified, spirituality would increase, and mutual interest would be strengthened. prayerless people cannot be an affectionate, an interested people; and where there is neither affection nor interest, cold-heartedness and supineness will be found. As individual christians we can do but little for the host of the Lord's messengers; but every church-member has a positive influence upon his individual pastor, of a beneficial or opposite character. So it is with the church. Individual effort is, in itself, but as a drop in the ocean in its bearing upon the extended borders of the church; but the effort of every individual in each section A of the church, will produce that concentration of energy which is the secret principle of diffusive excellence. Every church-member is placed in the church as a fellow-helper with the pastor of her interests. To strengthen the weak, to soothe the afflicted, to warn the careless, and to encourage the young, should be the care of each one connected with the church. As individuals, we need a more self-denying spirit, for the advantage of our brethren. We meet with the spirit of the world in the church, and we to often retaliate in the spirit of the world. Self and its avaricious disposition, are at the bottom of all church | dissensions. We seek to have our convenience consulted, our standing respected; and we forget, meanwhile, to "look upon the things of others." Brethren, self is the monster of sin-benevolence is the child of the church. "He that would be the greatest among you, let him be your servant." If we would have a holy influence upon the church, we must forget sinful self, and lay out spiritual self for the benefit of the body. As individuals we exert an influence upon local congregations. They watch our conduct. If they see us interested in pastor and people, they will catch the spirit. If they find us solicitous about them, they will have their hearts and sympathies drawn out, many timid souls will be encouraged to join in holy fellowship with the people of God, and many a careless sinner will enquire, Why do these people care for my soul? Who can tell the result of such enquiry? Shall we not endeavour to raise it? Shall we not affectionately respond to it? Shall we not prayerfully watch its fruits? Dearly beloved in Zion, ponder these few suggestions. Ask yourselves,-Can a low state of personal religion be otherwise than displeasing to God, when its effects are so ruinous and so extensive,— when its opposite would produce such happy and holy consequences?-How much of my minister's coldness and depression may be laid to my charge?— How many aged saints may be grieved, how many young converts may be thrown off their watch-towers, and how many enquirers may be silenced, by my inconsistencies? Seek to know the amount of your influence, and its legitimate direction. Both will be more extensive than you expect. Exert all for good. Bring all to bear upon the church. Live for Christ. Live for the church. Let nothing discourage you. Take all to God. Leave all with God. He will bless every effort made in faith for the good of Zion and for his glory. A new period of time has opened upon you. Henceforth resolve to be no longer indifferent to Zion. Seek to be a promoter of her interests, a comfort to her pastors, a blessing to her children, a pillar in her temple, a witness for her in the world. In a word, carry out the principles involved in your solemn profession-I AM A CHRISTIAN. ELUZAI. Obituary. MRS. FANNY THORNTON. LORD'S-DAY, Dec. 10th, a sermon was preached by Mr. Christopher Woollacott, in Wild-street Chapel, occasioned by the recent death of Mrs. Fanny Thornton, of Somers' Town. She was the oldest member of the church. Her husband, who survives her, is in his eighty-second year, and has long been a member. Four of her children, and several of her grand-children, are also members. The text was Job xix. 25-27. It had been chosen by herself. Seldom has it been the privilege of the writer of these few lines to witness a more remarkable instance of the power of divine grace than that presented in her life and death. It was wonderful to see the meek submission with which she endured pains, which were frequently excruciating, and to contemplate the holy triumph with which she anticipated the glories of the heavenly state. A narrative, drawn up by her eldest son, a deacon of the church, | in her attendance upon the means of was read at the close of the sermon. The following is a copy, and it is hoped that the perusal of it may awaken in those who read it, the same interest which was felt by the numerous congregation who listened to it. "It has been stated by my dear departed mother, that she received her first religious impressions about fortytwo years ago, under the ministry of the late Mr. Stollery, in Chapel-street, Soho, whose preaching she was invited to attend by a serious acquaintance, with a view to her obtaining that spiritual instruction and comfort she at that time peculiarly needed, being much distressed in mind at the loss, by death, of a beloved child; and having no experimental knowledge of divine truth, to afford relief in that trying, though merciful, dispensation. Being convinced of her fallen, guilty condition before God, and longing to obtain a knowledge of salvation by Jesus Christ, she earnestly sought instruction from a preached gospel, and the Lord's people generally, whom she now esteemed as the excellent of the earth. In the course of divine providence she became acquainted with a neighbour, and other members of this church. They used to hold prayer-meetings at their habitations, which were indeed precious seasons to my dear mother, and others of her family. She was induced to attend Wild-street, to hear the word from our late respected pastor, Mr. Waters, who had just commenced his ministry there. His instructions, and those of the before-named individuals, and above all, a careful and prayerful perusal of the New Testament, resulted in a determination in my mother's mind to unite herself with the church. She was accordingly baptized by Mr. W. in the year 1810, and united to the church here, of which she has ever since remained an honorable member. "With the advantage of a ministry much blessed to her soul, the kindest and most friendly intercourse of experienced christian friends, who watched over this plant of grace with the tenderest solicitude, it might well be expected that the best effects would be produced; and she was indeed regular and devout grace, and most anxiously concerned for the spiritual welfare of her dear husband and children. Never was she more delighted and happy than when she could gather the Lord's people around her in her own dwelling for social prayer and christian converse, that her own soul might be profited, her family instructed, and the bond of love strengthened in the hearts of the members of Christ. She faithfully reproved sin in others, and desired more of the sanctifying influences of divine grace in her own heart. To worldly pleasures and enjoyments she was decidedly opposed, often expressing her surprise that any, and especially christians, could find delight in things so vain and insignificant. Many a time has she reminded us, with great emphasis, 'No man can serve two masters,' referring to her own example as a practical proof of her sincerity; in fact, her utter disregard of, and contempt for, worldly pleasures, was one of the most distinguishing traits of her character throughout the whole of her life. "Passing over much of her history for the sake of brevity, it ought perhaps yet to be mentioned, that, though the duties of domestic life left her but little time for other occupations, yet she was ever ready to embrace opportunities of doing good. Visiting the sick and dying was with her a favorite employment, because she delighted in administering to their comfort, and directing them, through a crucified Redeemer, to brighter and better worlds. Frequently has she been heard to say, when thus engaged as one of the visitors of our 'Sick Man's Friend Society,' 'Oh, how I should like if it were the Lord's will, to be always engaged in this way!' "At length a painful and distressing accident occurred, viz., a compound fracture of the knee, occasioned by a fall, which at once laid her aside from the active duties of life, and rendered her incapable of attending the house of God. By the blessing of God upon medical skill, she was, however, so far restored as to be able to go out a little, though but seldom to reach so far as her own place of worship afterwards. During a considerable period, she attended Mr. Everett's ministry, in Middlesex-street, Somers' Town, under which, and others, |