people to assemble, from six in the evening, when this was the hour appointed, till eight. Again, June 30th: Irish Testament read. The poor man, although a Roman Catholic, seemed to love the truth, shed tears abundantly, and said he was heartily sorry he could not read a book which told so much of the Saviour. I read for them many of these precious promises which are contained in the word of God, exhorting them to repent, and turn from their sins, and to love and serve that God who first that whosoever believes on him should not loved us, and “ gave his only-begotten Son, perish, but have everlasting life." They all should come and read for them as often as I thanked me for my visit, and requested that I could. But, from the thirst for spiritual know not able to attend to half the places I am asked to. At the close of another month, I feel abundant cause of renewed thankfulness to Almighty God, and renewed diligence and exertions in the good cause. Since my last, I have endeavoured to carry the Word of Life into many of the back streets and lanes of this town, where, notwithstanding the long-continued exertions of our Society and others, ignorance, inattention, and indifference to the concerns of eternity, still awfully prevail. Still even here much good has been done. And I am fully convinced, that every faithful effort to rescue this people from moral dark-ledge that exists in this neighbourhood, I am ness, by reading, and expounding, and distributing among them the word of God, will meet his approbation, and finally prove abundantly effectual here as well as every where else; therefore, instead of feeling discouraged | at the slow and almost imperceptible progress of the gospel, I, for my own part, would thank God, and take courage. Indeed, I often feel encouraged, even under discouraging circumstances, on remembering that the gospel must ultimately prevail, and have free course, and be glorified. But God works by means. His people must therefore persevere in reading and expounding the Scriptures, and above all in praying for the conversion of sinners, and the progress of divine truth. In my journal for this month, you will find sixty-nine visits recorded. On most of these occasions I have had an opportunity of reading and expounding the Scriptures for persons in a family capacity;—and although in some of the families where I visit I am merely tolerated to read, on account of a fear to incur the displeasure, yet, in the majority, I am well received, and requested to continue my visits. Where I cannot read, I generally leave a tract or two, which I find are commonly read by persons who would not venture to handle the Scriptures. I also enjoy many opportunities of conversing with individuals where reading is impracticable; and I hope, when I get more generally acquainted in this town, that my opportunities of usefulness in this way will increase.-May the Lord grant that my faithfulness and diligence may also increase! You will be glad to learn that I have succeeded in establishing a weekly lec. ture in Barnaderig Row, where from ten to fourteen persons, who hardly ever hear the gospel elsewhere, are in the habit of regularly attending. Adam Johnson, date March 31st, writes to Mr. Sharman : Feb. 18. Read in the house of John M. the third and fourth chapters of John; and before I ceased reading, the house was almost thronged with persons who came to hear my John Monaghan, April 30th, writes to Mr. Sharman :-- On the 4th instant, having visited a man who about three months ago refused to hear the Scriptures read in his house, on the ground that they were prohibited by his priest, and to whom I then gave a tract, called "The True Catholic," which he said he would not take were it not merely for its familiar title. On entering the house, I found him sitting close by the fire, with a Testament on one knee, and the tract on the other-reading alternate portions in each. On inquiring where he had got the Testament, he told me that on reading the tract, he found it was very good; and as it referred to the Scriptures, that he borrowed the Testament to see if the passages were fairly quoted or not. "But now," said he, " my curiosity has turned out well, for it has brought me to the conclusion, that the Testament is not what it was represented to me, but that it is the unerring word of God: I will therefore read it in future." I have since visited this man, and have reason to believe that he is frequently engaged in this laudable work. On the 4th instant, visited John Is also, when I read the thirteenth of Romans. Being induced from a certain motive to select this chapter, I made some observations as I proceeded; particularly from the eighth verse to the end of the chapter. And I have some good reason to hope, that the Lord has been pleased to bring his own word home with power to the minds of two individuals at present, whose violent and angry spirit towards each other has been since that time turned into love and kindness. Patt Brennan, April 30th, writes to Mr. Sharman : I am in the habit of visiting a poor family in D., to whom, I trust, the Lord has blessed his word. The woman has been confined to the bed of affliction for six months past. I have visited her every week to read, and speak to her about the way of salvation. The poor woman has such a love for what she heard, that she gets her daughter to read the Testament for her; and if she meets with any thing she cannot understand, she will mark it until I come. I visit another family in the same neighbourhood, that I have strong reasons to believe has benefited by hearing the Word of Life. They have the Scriptures in the house, and read it very carefully. The priest spoke to them some time ago, about reading the Protestant Book, as he called it. "I never will part with that Book," said the woman, "for it is the Book of God." "Well," said the priest, " 'you have done with me.' "If you done with me," said the woman, "for reading and hearing the word of God, I have no objection." So the priest went away in a rage, and the poor woman has not troubled him since, and I hope she never will. Again, 30th June:— In my last journal, I mentioned that I was in hopes that the brother of a priest would be baptized soon; now I am happy to say that my hopes have been realized. On the first Lord's day of this month R. T. and J. C. were baptized, and added to our little church. This man has been the second Roman Catholic that the Lord has been pleased in his mercy to add to his church during the last quarter. May the Lord hasten the time when the little one will become a thousand, and the small one a strong nation! When I first visited this man he was a bigot, and very ignorant of the way of salvation as it is revealed in the word of God; but it pleased the Lord to bless the reading of his own word to his soul, and to grant him a desire to hear it. He was one of those, in human estimation, that would be the last to submit his judgment to the standard of truth, for it may be well said that the lion is turned into a lamb. His wife is also weaned from the soul-destroying system of popery, and I trust she loves the truth. She acknowledges that it was the change that she discovered in her husband's conduct that first gave her a desire to hear the word of God. From this we may learn the importance of letting our light so shine before men, &c. Cregg has been educated in one of our schools, taught by that useful and faithful man, John Monaghan. He did not miss any opportunity of impressing the truth on the tender minds of his pupils, and now he has cause to rejoice that it is appearing like the bread cast upon the waters. This young man's father and mother I trust have been brought to the knowledge of the truth; his father is a candidate for baptism. I have been kindly received by the people this month, and I have reason to say that I met with several useful opportunities. May the Lord grant a blessing to his word, and his holy name shall have all the glory! Mr. Bates, July 3, writes to the Secretary :Dear brother, This last month nothing of importance has transpired. I have been enabled to pursue my labours as usual, and by the blessing of God I hope I shall not labour in vain. This country, and this province in particular, is in a very different state now to what it was thirty years ago, as regards the means of religious instruction. In my rambles one day over the bogs about Mountain River, I took up a book, in which was an extract from the Hibernian Society for 1806, speaking thus: "The province of Connaught, in the west of Ireland, seems to be the mcst destitute of instruction of any part of that country. Only two ministers in all this extensive district are reported as known to preach the gospel." Now there are not only two, but many; and I hope that the Lord may crown our labours with success. The schools this last quarter have not been very well attended. The reason, however, of the children's absence does not arise from any dislike to our mode of instruction, but from their engagement in the field at labour. The school at Kilcummin is very thin, and has been for a short time, which has arisen from the persecution of a friar in that neighbourhood. Several times he has visited the school, and turned the children out; but by and bye I hope that the storm will blow over. A short time ago I received a note from Mrs. West, saying that she had sent me a box containing books, premiums, &c., from London. Several times I went to the carrier, to see if he had arrived, thinking every day almost as long as a week. But at length he came. One morning, while I was at breakfast, a knock was at the door, and I immediately looked out of the window and saw the carrier with the box of hooks. The door was instantly opened, and the box brought into the kitchen. I wanted no more breakfast now the books were arrived. Out came my knife to cut the strings, forgetting at first the economy that I had been taught at home, in striving to save the string and paper, that I might have it preserved to tie up any parcels of my own that I might have to send. Very soon, however, the box was uncorded and opened, and all its valuable articles, books, frocks, shirts, bibs, &c., were all laid open to view. My heart beat with gratitude on account of the kindness of our English friends, whilst an observer might have witnessed a few tears stealing down my cheek, and falling upon the ground. Thanks, many thanks to the Committee for their valuable present, as the Condensed Commentary appears as if it would be useful to myself, and, by the blessing of God, make me useful to others. Thanks to all the other good folk of England, both known and unknown, for creasing our knowledge which others enjoy; but we are not forgotten. Our kind friends in England send us books, frocks, and bibs; but in addition to all this, I am sure that they remember us at a throne of grace. Brethren, pray for us when kneeling at a throne of grace, that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified, even as it is with you; and that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men, for all mèn have not faith. It is a blessing to have a Bible in a Christian country, but much more so when you are dwelling in a heathen land. In order for British Christians to know what the Bible has done for them, they must go to Ireland, or some heathen country, and see what the people are without. the frocks, bibs, buttons, thimbles, and other | advantages and many opportunities of inarticles too numerous to mention, which are sent for the poor children. I often wish that our kind friends could see and know the hearts of their missionaries when they receive them, and could see the poor children to whom they are given. Their little eyes will shine, their faces smile, and their little hands rub one against another for joy as they receive one of these premiums for their good behaviour and constant attendance. But then there is a Commentary for each reader, and I am sure that they will feel thankful, very thankful for your kindness too. May the Lord bless the givers and bless the receivers ! May we all have more of the liberality of the poor woman, more of the love of John, more of the zeal of Paul, and more, much more of the spirit of Jesus, then all will be done for his glory. The presents you have been kind enough to send for myself and the readers are valuable in themselves, but then they show that you do not forget us. We are in a dark corner of the world, and shut out from many A few hours after I received them, I gave Mr. Mulhern his, and putting it under his arm, he went home with his heart beating for joy. In the evening I took Mr. Mullarky's up to his house, and those two readers who live in the country have theirs in their own possession. THE BAPTIST MAGAZINE. SEPTEMBER, 1838. OBSTACLES TO THE PROPAGATION OF TRUE CHRISTIANITY IN FRANCE. SERMON II. BY MONSIEUR J. H. GRANDPIERRE. Translated from the original French. THE NAME OF GOD IS BLASPHEMED AMONG THE GENTILES THROUGH YOU, AS IT IS WRITTEN.-ROM. II. 24. WE must be just; the obstacles to the extension of evangelical truth do not arise solely from the world; they may also be imputed to the Christian church. They are not entirely confined to those who reject the gospel; they are found, in part, with those who profess it. After having enumerated the first, therefore, in a preceding discourse, it is now necessary to mention the second. A fortnight ago, from this pulpit, the church was the accuser of the world; to-day she becomes her own accuser before the world, and makes to it her confessions. The fact that she has never, that I am aware of, pretended to be infallible, much less without sin, may diminish her repugnance to this act of courage and frankness. For of whom is the church composed? Is it of saints who are liable to no falls, who are subject to no weakness? The gospel has never said so. Christians themselves have never imagined it. The most correct idea that can be given of it, in accordance with Scripture and experience, is that of a vast hospital filled with the diseased process of recovery, peopled with the convalescent who are beginning to try their strength. We see there the blind, who have recovered their sight, it is true, by the light of the Holy Spirit, but who can at present only distinguish many objects confusedly, who perceive them either nearer or more distant than they in VOL. I.-FOURTH SERIES. actually are, who mix and confound them. We find paralytics, to whom the word of the Son of God has granted the free use of their limbs, but who need exercise in walking, and who, unaccustomed to hold themselves up, go groping, stumbling, and sometimes falling. There we meet with the leprous, who have, indeed, been cleansed from their defilement at the fountain of grace, but who are subject to the symptoms of their old disease, spots of leprosy which grieve and repulse, and prove that if the venom of sin has been energetically combatted in its outward manifestations, it is still but too active within, in the seat of life. Errors of judgment, narrowness of views, spiritual infirmities, moral weaknesses, want of humility, absence of charity, falls, scandals of divers sorts and degrees: this is the sad spectacle which the church but too often presents to the world, the most direct result of which is to increase the prejudices which naturally exist in the heart of man against the truth, by presenting the gospel in a false light, discrediting in his eyes the divine word, repelling him, constituting him its enemy, causing him to calumniate it, and to blaspheme the holy name of God. Thus this Christian church which has received from its Divine Head the glorious mission of hallowing the name of God among men, is the cause, through its negligence and folly, that this adora 3 G ble name is blasphemed among the Gen- | pardon; but they have no inclination tiles. Humiliating truth, my brethren, which will be rendered but too evident by the developments we are about to make; and from which I pray God, from the very bottom of my soul, that each one of us may derive lasting and salutary lessons. Let us place in the first rank of those on account of whom the name of God is blasphemed in the world, those who profess the gospel with the mouth, but deny it by their conduct. And here I do not refer to the mass of pretended Christians, who believe themselves in a state of salvation because they have received the waters of baptism, and have communed at the Lord's table. The net is too wide to ensnare; every man, however little seriously inclined, knows what opinion to form respecting such, and will not hastily infer the falsity and inefficacy of Christianity from the worldly lives of people who have never understood it, and who give to it less attention than to any earthly thing. We here characterize persons who would be offended were we to confound them with the mass of nominal Christians, who make a sufficiently open profession of the gospel, who are perfectly acquainted with its doctrines, who can distinguish it from every other system, who prefer it to the precepts of human morality, who constantly frequent places where it is faithfully preached, who are engaged with it in private, who join the society of sincere Christians, who even appear on certain occasions to manifest zeal for the advancement of the kingdom of Christ, and whom, notwithstanding, the gospel to which they incessantly appeal, has neither regenerated in heart nor life. Whether actuated by a spirit of imitation, susceptibility of new impressions, love of novelty, dissatisfaction with the world, weariness of themselves, or by still lower motives, interest, vanity, party spirit, love of opposition, they have adopted with extraordinary facility evangelical truths, and even the tone, manners, and some of the habits of Christians, without a fundamental, essential change having been effected in their character and conduct. They are with few exceptions, what they have always been, save the profession of the name of Christ. They have only accepted the promises of the gospel without its duties. They like to hear of grace and for the self-denial and warfare of the Christian life. The gospel cries to its disciples, "redeem the time;" but by a life useless to themselves and others, the persons of whom we are speaking consume in vanities time which has wings, flies away, never to return, and of which they must one day render account. The gospel commands its disciples to "make no provision for the flesh to fulfil the lusts thereof;" whilst the principal concern of these pretended followers of Christ is to please and satisfy their taste for the enjoyments and luxuries of life, to multiply their earthly delights, and to indulge their inclination for ease, or the pleasures of the table. The gospel forbids its followers to "lay up for themselves treasures upon earth;" but these men regard the riches which providence has assigned them less a means of serving others, than of contributing to their own pleasures. To supply the insatiable desires of luxury, vanity, and the flesh, they have always abundant resources at hand; to relieve the unfortunate, to propagate the gospel, to advance the kingdom of God, they have an astonishing difficulty in opening their treasures, and what they do draw forth on such occasions is much more fit to cover them with confusion than to do them honour. The gospel commands its disciples, "not to be conformed to this present evil world;" but they pay no attention to this precept. Less from station and duty, than from taste and a worldly spirit, they habitually frequent the society of the children of the world, with the same ease and pleasure that they assist in a religious assembly, thus practising the unhappy secret of being christians with christians, and worldly with the worldly. The gospel enjoins its disciples to "put off the old man" with his affections, and to "be renewed in the spirit of their mind," and they have never seriously thought of striving with their natural defects, but remain habitually the slaves of their temper, frivolity, rashness, curiosity, affectation, or any other evil disposition. Ah! are not these men, Christians by the profession of the lips, but proving themselves heathens by the heart and life, the most formidable enemies of the cross of Christ? Adversaries of the gospel in ancient and modern times, Celsus, Porphyry, Lucian, Julian, and you Voltaire, Helvetius, famous encyclopæ |