THE FREE CHURCH OF ENGLAND MAGAZINE.

THE ATTRACTIONS OF THE CROSS.

A WORD OF ENCOURAGEMENT TO THE SERVANTS OF CHRIST.

"Who is sufficient for these things?" Brethren, our sufficiency is of God. Oh, to be taught by the Holy Spirit, to be wise to win souls. to Christ, to be faithful unto death, that we may receive a crown of life!

'Tis not a cause of small import

The Pastor's care demands,

But what might fill an angel's heart,

And filled a Saviour's hand.

Let us aim, holy brethren, especially to convert souls; to edify the Church, to build it up in the principles and practice of the Gospel; to preach the Gospel in the very spirit and manner of the Gospel; to extol Christ in His divine and official character: to set Him forth as our Prophet, Priest, and King-the great High Priest of our profession-our Intercessor at God's right hand. Let us dwell much on the Divinity and Personality of the Holy Spirit; on the doctrine of the total depravity of human nature; the absolute necessity of regeneration of heart; of the saving and enlightening power of the Holy Spirit; the progressive character of true piety in the soul, of holiness of heart, and devotedness of life to God.

We do not say we want less of intellect in the pulpit; but might we not have more of what our fathers termed "savour," "unction," spiritual point, terseness-in a word, more heart and soul?

We want not so much the elaborate essay, the finished, polished, magnificent discourse; our people ask not so much for an intellectual feast, as for food for their souls: they want not so much learned criticism, as Gospel sermons; they want not so much the opinions of learned doctors in the pulpit, as to know the "mind of the Spirit," and to arrive at the will of God.

Beloved brethren, we think we see it more than ever: in order to do good, there must be primitive simplicity, godly sincerity, spiritual earnestness, with the pure Word of Life. "And I, if I be lifted up, will draw all men unto me." "And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in him, should not perish, but have eternal life." "Be

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hold the Lamb of God, that taketh away the sin of the world." And what motives may we gather from a believing view of the Cross of Christ? "Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth." "The blood of Jesus Christ, his Son, cleanseth from all sin." "He is able to save to the uttermost all them that come unto God by him." "This is a faithfulsaying, and worthy of all acceptation. That Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." "And the Spirit and the Bride say, Come."

Oh, the wonderful attractions of the Cross! Poor sinner, weak believer, cast down soul! go when you will, you are always welcome. Go just as you are, you shall be received. Go as often as you like, and behold a smile, a sweet token of love. Yes! there is still mercy to pardon, grace to help, power to save, and love to melt the stoutest heart-at the Cross.

Could we bring together a specimen of the different characters who have been saved there, what a sight would be seen! There are the lame, the blind, and the halt; there is the poor, dejected, trembling soul; there is the sinner-vile, polluted, so debased as not to be able to forgive himself, weeping, groaning, before his Saviour. But the voice of Jesus sounds: "Thy sins, which were many, are all forgiven thee. Go in peace, and sin no more." And "if any man sin, we have an Advocate with the Father." "My peace I give unto thee." Oh, there is such a mixture of feeling; such a feeling of wondrous love; such a thrill of spiritual delight-it is "joy unspeakable, and full of glory." Angels catch the feeling, and with rapturous delight say in heaven, "Worthy is the Lamb," while saints on earth join in chorus, "Victory through his blood."

Brethren, we love to linger about the Cross, as the central point of attraction to the sinner's soul; the place for faith, of refuge, of present and everlasting life. And, we have seen many of the eyes of the blind opened; many of the ears of the deaf unstopped; many of the lame made to walk, many of the dead raised to spiritual life again, at the Cross of Calvary. We have heard the song of the drunkard turned to a hymn of praise, the voice of the swearer turned to prayer, the stoutest hearts softened, and souls prepared for the kingdom of heaven-grace exchanged for glory; but never one sent empty away; never one rejected; never a soul disappointed or deceived. There weeping has been turned to joy, and heaviness to gladness of heart; there God and the sinner have been reconciled; Christ has smiled with mercy; the Holy Ghost has given joy and peace in believing; and the glory of God in the Church has been felt and seen.

We entertain a high opinion of the piety, the talents, the laboriousness of the Ministry of the present day. We believe there never was a time when the Church possessed a better race of men-such an amount of sanctified talent, such an active, energetic, devoted body of faithful servants of the Lord, good ministers of Jesus Christ, as now. We have

a ministry in which, under God, we may well be proud-men whose hearts are bent upon doing good, men whose influence is mighty in the Church and in the world. We love the Ministry, we love the Churches, we love all the brethren in Christ. "Be steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord." "Hold fast the form of sound words." "Be instant in season, and out of season." "Sow the seed beside all waters." "Feed the flock over which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers," and soon you shall have your reward. Be faithful unto death, and soon now the Master will say to you, "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter ye into the joy of your Lord."

Brethren beloved, let us more than ever be men of prayer, men of study, men of faith, full of the Holy Spirit and truth, "not shunning to declare the whole counsel of God."

Let us, amidst the aboundings of error, keep close to the Bible, close to the Cross; seek to depend more entirely upon God the Holy Spirit. Let us love our order of faith, stand by our order of service; let us love and cultivate the spirit of devotion and of zeal which characterised our fathers and the Puritans. Let us, in one word, have more of the Spirit of Christ, and then learn to "bide our time," to stand in our lot. The day is coming when our Church will be specially needed. Better times for the true Church of God are coming; the day of truth is dawning; and the day of triumph (perhaps) is not far off. Christ is all, and in all—“ That in all things He may have the pre-eminence."

He is the great Head of the Church; the everliving, all-prevailing King in Zion; His glory He will not give to another. He will secure. the victory, and His own Church, which He has bought with His own blood, shall be complete. "He shall see of the travail of his soul, and be satisfied."

What is required in the present day, is unity of action, hearty cooperation between our pastors and Church members. In many of our Churches the pastor has too much to do, and the deacons and members, too little. We must more than ever be co-workers, and join heart and hand together. The pastor ought not to do all the work himself. It is not to be expected that one man should do everything; there are diversity. of gifts, and they must be brought out.

The minister's principal place is the study and the pulpit. The deacon's place is the care of the pastor, of the temporalities of the Church and of the sick. The Church member's place is to attend the means of grace, to promote prosperity, to follow peace, to love Christ, and to glorify God. "All we, being many, are one body." We are brethren beloved, and the success of Christ's cause must be dear to all our hearts.

We long to see more harmony, more united action, more love in our Churches. Brethren, take your people by the hand, and let them have a

place in your hearts. Christians, take your pastors by the hand, give them a large place in your hearts; "esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake;" cheer their hearts by speaking kindly to them, treating them with due respect, by liberally supplying their temporal needs, by telling them what God is doing for your souls through them. Assist them heartily in the good work of the Lord. Form one, each of you, form one holy, devoted, happy member of the Christian Church, and soon we shall form "one whole family in heaven." And what a splendid scene will then be presented to our view, what consummate delight shall we all then enjoy, and what untold happiness shall we all then possess ! "And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of the Lord did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day for there shall be no night there. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it." "And I looked, and lo! a number no man can number, out of every nation, kindred, tribe, and tongue; these are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb; and therefore are they before the throne of God and of the Lamb." Patriarchs and prophets, apostles and martyrs, ministers and peoples, some from the East and some from the West; and they sit down with "Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven."

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Millions of the infant tribe, millions of our young men and maidens, millions of fathers and mothers, husbands and wives, brothers and sisters, relations and friends-" one whole family in heaven;" with Christ, and like Christ, for ever. "We go no more out at all."

See how glorious the angels! How beautiful the spirits of the just made perfect! How beatific the Persons and the themes upon which the mind shall dwell, and the eternity of its range of thought! See how elegant the robe of righteousness, how perfect the harp, how sweet the song, how dignified the crown! "Worthy is the Lamb, for he was slain for us! Victory through the blood of the Lamb."

We think we see the beloved pastor and his flock; Sunday-school teachers and their classes; parents and their children, welcoming each other in heaven. "Here Lord are we, and the children thou hast given to us." In heaven-in glory everlasting-no more sighs, no more pains, no more tears; for God himself shall wipe all tears from off all eyes.

Most blessed place! most happy, glorious eternity! may we all enter in and join the sacred host. "Unto him who hath loved us, and washed us from our sins in his blood, be blessing, and glory, and honour, and praise, for ever."

The grace of Jesus Christ is consummated in glory: the number is made up, the jewels are all counted, the Church is complete, the one family is united, the "Church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood," is glorified with Christ in the house of His glory. Congleton.

F. N.

DYING RICH.

What a solemn thing for a Christian man to die rich! Imagine the Master auditing the accounts with him who has left a large fortune behind him. If he who had hid one talent was cast into outer darkness because he laid it up, instead of using it in his Master's service, what will be the doom of him who year after year has been hoarding up wealth which he could never use! Think of the poor who are pinched with cold and hunger!-think of the heathen who have never heard the sound of the Gospel!-think of the millions who have never read the Bible! And you are but a steward; again and again you have said you are not your own." Ah, will not this be the language of Christ to many a man at the great and decisive Day-"Out of thine own mouth will I judge thee, thou wicked servant"?

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T. D.

FIFTEEN REASONS WHY I ATTEND CHURCH ON WET OR DRY, COLD OR HOT SUNDAYS.

1. Because God has blessed the Sabbath-day, and hallowed it, making no exceptions for the state of the weather.

2. Because I expect the minister to be there, and should be surprised if he should keep away on account of the weather.

3. Because my presence is more needed on the Sunday when there are few than when the church is crowded.

4. Because by staying away I may miss the sermon which would have done me good, and shall lose the prayers which bring God's blessing.

5. Because my example may influence others; for if I stay away, why not others?

6. Because on any important business bad weather does not keep me at home.

7. Because bad weather seldom keeps people from the concert, ball, or theatre.

8. Because a fear that my clothes might suffer shows that I think more of them than the beauty of holiness which God so approves.

9. Because I am Christ's soldier; and he is a poor soldier who retreats because of the rain.