whom it was said, "These are not of the world, even as I am not of the world." To preclude a plausible objection, I will remark, that I am acquainted with some young ladies who have been brought up in the way I recommend; and they are by no means deficient in the decorums or proprieties belonging to their sex and stations. Such proprieties are the native result of a cultivated mind, and far superior to those acquired at the dancing-school. I may also instance a very respectable body of people (the Friends) whose gentle manners and modest appearance, notwithstanding their plain language, is much more pleasing, and certainly more becoming Christian women, than the affected delicacy of many of our young people, who seem as if they had studied " the sixteenth verse of the third chapter of Isaiah," as a model instead of a rebuke. I admit the plea that many make, who say, if they debar their daughters from fashionable follies, they will take a prejudice against religion; that is, I doubt not its truth; but they should rather say, it will increase their prejudice; for they at present know little of religion but as a restraint. The mixture of gospel-sermons (if truly such) and dancing parties and card-tables, is very heterogeneous; both can certainly not be relished by the same persons. I conclude with saying, that I firmly believe if things ga on in the present course, a torrent of licentiousness will break into our churches, and God himself will speedily make a separation between them and the world by chastisement, and in judgment; then such temporizing parents will be called to greater sacrifices than those which they now shrink from, and to take up heavier crosses than those which they now refuse. 1 am, Sir, respectfully yours, EUODOS. P. S. I am aware that music nay, in a religious family, be made an innocent recreation; and, what is more, that it may contribute to animate devotion, whether social or private; but I exclude it from my schools, because, as it is now circumstanced, it is easier to banish than to regulate it, according to the spirit of that Athenian law, which banished a citizen when his influence was so great as to endanger the state. REMARKS ON A SENTIMENT OF GILBERT WAKEFIELD, Dear Sir, To the Editor. The following very singular sentiment is expressed in a letter from Gilbert Wakefield to the Rev. Mr. Milner, Fellow of Queen's College, Cambridge, preserved in the first volume of his Life, written by himself, page 184 (note). The letter is dated "Liverpool, Nov. 13, 1778." Speaking of the divine and human nature of Christ, this celebrated apostle of Socinianism says, "That the hypothesis of two natures seems to agree best with the words of Scripture, I do not deny; but maintain it to be directly adverse to the scope and tenour of the Sacred Writings; and to contain, notwithstanding the qualifications of so much ingenuity, impossibilities and contradictions." O mirabile dictu! What are we to conclude from this assertion? That the words of Scripture are adverse to its scope and tenour, since the doctrine of two natures agrees with the first, and is adverse to the latter! Unhappy writers of the New Testament! it is at length discovered that ye have not the felicity of choosing words expressive of your own thoughts! that your language is calcu lated to mislead! nay, even that your words directly and naturally hold out a doctrine, which it was the scope and tenour of your writings to deny!" Tis strange, 'tis passing strange! 'tis pitiful, 'tis wondrous pitiful !” QUERE. By what secret communication did Mr. Wakefield discover" the scope and tenour" of the Scriptures, if their words maintain a doctrine adverse to them? or, how are we to judge of the meaning of any writing, but from the "words" in which that meaning is expressed? Some ingenious Unitarian may possibly, in due time, when the world shall have received a little more of this secret light, discover that this very paper, Mr. Editor, is a defence of Socinianism; and that, although the "words seem to agree best" with the Calvinistic system, yet the "scope and tenour" of it is directly adverse to it! This is, I suppose, the rule of reverse illustrated in the "Village Dialogues" with so much ingenuity. Mr. Wakefield has well concluded this extraordinary letter in the following words: "You will readily perceive' these to be the cursory observations of one who pretends to no very accurate or extensive information on the subject." Mr. Wakefield was an excellent scholar; but I may be permitted in the exercise of the right of my private judgment, to pronounce him not a very valuable Theologian. Peckham. I am, dear Sir, yours, &c. W. B. C. ON BUILDING PLACES OF WORSHIP. NONE should be built but where, from the maturest considerations and experience, it is deemed really necessary. No superfluous or unnecessary expence ought to be incur red in any thing belonging to such an edifice, except when the same is defrayed by such person or persons as propose it. 1 These undertakings should always be managed by persons of some responsibility; as also by such as are, from their knowledge and experience, adequate to such matters. Mini sters ought but seldom to be forward in their interference in such concerns, partly because, in general, they are not sufficiently acquainted with such matters, and partly, because their continuance in any place is attended with too much uncertainty. Every church or congregation intending to build a chapel, ought to advance something considerable among themselves, and not to depend almost entirely on the assistance of the public. If three hundred churches were to contribute three pounds each towards any case well authenticated and recommended, it would amount to nine hundred pounds; which, I believe, would be much more than is usually obtained by travelling through most parts of the kingdom for it, and spending a great part of it besides; whereas the above plan might be realized with very little expence, as most denominations have their monthly, quarterly, or annual meetings; at which these affairs might be easily transacted. To realize all this, no more is necessary than for sixty persons in each congregation to subscribe one penny each every month, and the whole would be made up; and, perhaps, among all the hearers, this might be applied to four or five cases annually; which probably would be adequate to all demands. This would not interfere with the large contributions of opulent persons; but it is designed to render the contribu tions of the poor more efficient, and to make the burden more equal. Much care ought to be taken in the choice of trustees,— in the construction and management of deeds of trust, the making and disposing of bequests and legacies, the transfer of trust, &c.; all of which, together with other matters of a like nature, can be effectually and safely done only by consulting and employing learned, sensible, and conscientious lawyers. ON THE SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE It is a Scripture canon, "That they who preach the gospel should live by the gospel." This is in strict analogy with other things. Why should any one wish or expect to enjoy the labours of gospel-ministers for nothing, any more than the assistance of lawyers or physicians, or any other professional men? If every hearer were to contribute but one penny a week, in addition to what is already provided, it would render the situa tion of most ministers tolerably comfortable. As to the very few ministers that have some property independent of their salary, why should they be expected to spend it in the service of others, especially when it is well known that such property is but seldom, if ever, acquired from what they receive for their service? In the national church there are provisions, consisting of tithes, dues, church-fees, offerings, imortuaries, &c. These are not mentioned either to excite envy, or to be adopted as models; but to shew the necessity of adequate provisions being made for the support of every class of professional men, who devote their time and talents to the service of others, and especially when this service is rendered to the spiritual welfare of the souls of mankind. Surely now," the labourer is worthy of his hire." Dissenters, in respect to property, are adequate to every just demand that can devolve upon them respecting their economy and concerns; but it may be justly said, that, in many respects, they are not so prudent, active, liberal, and persevering as they ought to be. Let there be no just reason for saying, that the influence and effects of good sense, prudence, property, and good manners, are more apparent and conspicuous in the world than they are in the church of Christ.-As much has been said and written on this subject of late, it is the less necessary to enlarge upon it here. H. H. W. Sir, SINS OF TRADE. To the Editor. I WAS much pleased lately in reading an Essay in your last volume, "On the Iniquity of Traffic," and it led my mind to a few thoughts, which I venture to hope may be useful to others, especially as they will run in a train somewhat different from those of your ingenious Correspondent. To some persons, I know the subject will appear legal; but I do not think the misapplication of this term as a reproach, should deter us from a subject, not unworthy the notice of Prophets and Apostles, and in which our Lord himself hath condescended to lay down the golden rule of equity: "Whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, do ye even so to them." In pointing out some of the sins which too often attach to trade, I will briefly delineate a few characters, which I consider as highly reprehensible; and though nothing personal is intended, yet, if the consciences of any of your readers should P apply these characters to themselves, it may be better to listen to their remonstrances now, than to be tortured with them on a death-bed. The first character I would sketch is the dashing tradesman. He is generally a man of no property; but having a little credit and a good deal of self-confidence, fits up elegant premisses, and gives extensive orders, with little or no regard to the means of payment. Now, though credit is essential in trade, and no man can ensure success, yet to sport with the property of others, where there is no reasonable probability of paying, is certainly criminal and inexcusable; especially as such persons generally launch out into the same extravagance in their personal pleasures, or domestic economy. I wish no professors fell under this reproach; but, alas! there are too many who "make a fair shew in the flesh, who speak great swelling words of vanity;" and who, by such deceptions, obtain honourable and confidential situations in the church, by which means the gospel is reproached, and their brethren not only scandalized, but duped, perhaps to a considerable amount. The second character I would introduce is the fawning tradesman. Abatement is an essential article in his system. He knows how to ask a good price; but either in consideration of personal respect, or to ensure your recommendation and future favours, he will serve you at prime cost, or under; tho' after all his condescension, perhaps he sells dearer than the plain tradesman, who makes no abatement. This folly owes its origin, in a great measure, to the weakness of buyers, who never think they purchase cheap enough without allowance. "It is naught, it is naught," saith the buyer, in order to beat down the seller: if he succeeds, "when he is gone his way, then he boasteth *" of his bargain, and of his skill in marketing. The third person I shall introduce is a near relation of the preceding, and I shall call him The puffing Tradesman, whose goods, if you will believe him, are "the best and cheapest in all the world:" nay, so condescending and obliging is this gentleman, that, to ensure your custom, he will sell his articles for less than they are manufactured, having, we must suppose, some secret method of procuring them, which may be explained in a subsequent paragraph. And here, by the bye, Mr. Editor, we have to thank your Publisher for many important communications of this nature; especially from the worshipful tribe of Quack Medicine Venders. * Prov. xx. 14. In reply to the hint of this and other Correspondents, we beg leave to say that our object in admitting Advertisements on our Cover, and Bills to be stitched in, is to aid the Profits for the benefit of the Widows; which would be much injured by their rejection. At the same time, we have repeatedly cautioned our readers, that the Advertisements inserted |