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CHAP. XVIII.

er the peculiar bedience by the nce by promises of they should become ever!

FIRST CHRISTIANS.

ZAN eminent commentator thus speaks of them:-All that bered were together, meeting as frequently as possible in

the same

place; and such was their mutual affection and love

to each other, that they had all things in common. (Acts, ii. 41 to 47, iv. 31 to 37.) And this generous principle went so far,

that those who had estates, or any other valuable substance, sold their possessions and effects, and readily divided the price of them to all their brethren, as every one had particular necessity; and they continued resolutely and unanimously in the temple at the appointed hours of public worship every day; and at other times they associated as frequently as they could, breaking bread from house to house; each family making entertainments for their brethren, especially for those who were sojourners in Jerusalem. And they partook of their common refreshment with the greatest joy on the side of those that made the entertainments, and with disinterested simplicity of heart in those who received them, and on all sides with the sincerest sentiments of devotion and friendship. Such was the effect the Gospel had upon them; and in this manner they went on, praising God for the riches of his grace to them, and having in the general that favour and respect among all the people which so amiable and benevolent a conduct would naturally secure. And the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom they had given up their names, added daily to the church considerable numbers of those happy souls who by this means were saved. (Dr. Doddridge.) Dr. Mosheim also says, in reference to the primitive Christians, that there reigned among the members of the Christian church, however distinguished they were by worldly rank and titles, not only an amiable harmony, but also a perfect equality. This appeared by the feasts of charity in which all were indiscriminately assembled, by the names of brethren and sisters, with

IN CANAAN.

© the true source of so

nsporated such

hey mutually saluted each other, and by several circuma like natnre.-(Eccl. Hist.)

vident that men may live as above described without of parting with their possessions, that is, under onstitution. And it appears, from sacred writ, all things common was well pleasing to God, as at grace was upon them all. It is, therefore, why, if all mankind had happily been of one as these first converts were, they might not eir example; and, if at the period we are cony thy might not have so continued to the present

J. An interesting account of the celebration of the agapæ, by the Hindoo-Syrian Christians, on the coast of Malabar, has been afforded by Dr. Claudius Buchanan. At certain seasons, the agapæ, or love-feasts, are celebrated as in primitive times. On such occasions they prepare delicious cakes, called appam, made of bananas, honey, and rice-flour. The people assemble in the churchyard, and, arranging themselves in rows, each spreads before him a plantain-leaf. When this is done, the clergyman, standing in the church-door, pronounces the benediction, and the overseer of the church, walking through between the rows, gives to each his portion. It is certainly an affecting scene, and capable of elevating the heart, to behold six or seven thousand persons of both sexes, and of all ages, assembled and receiving together, with the utmost reverence and devotion, their appam, the pledge of mutual union and love. (As quoted in Burder's Works.) Something similar to this, on a smaller scale, is practised by the followers of the late Mr. Wesley in this country.

CHAP. XIX.

CHRISTIANS IN ALL AGES.

1. We have seen that in a society constituted according to the divine will, all should be righteous; all educing nothing but good to each other, and loving God with their whole powers. This is a truly Christian association.

2. Of what unspeakable importance it is that society should be rightly constituted is scarcely in anything more apparent than the consideration, that as it is only when all do the will of God, the great objects of association can be educed;-by some

tinguished beyond all other nations in living under the peculiar government of Heaven, dissuaded from disobedience by the severest denunciations; and allured to obedience by promises of the highest happiness, one of which was that they should become a great and mighty nation, and endure for ever!

CHAP. XVIII.

FIRST CHRISTIANS.

1. AN eminent commentator thus speaks of them :-All that believed were together, meeting as frequently as possible in the same place; and such was their mutual affection and love to each other, that they had all things in common. (Acts, ii. 41 to 47, iv. 31 to 37.) And this generous principle went so far, that those who had estates, or any other valuable substance, sold their possessions and effects, and readily divided the price of them to all their brethren, as every one had particular necessity; and they continued resolutely and unanimously in the temple at the appointed hours of public worship every day; and at other times they associated as frequently as they could, breaking bread from house to house; each family making enter tainments for their brethren, especially for those who were sojourners in Jerusalem. And they partook of their common refreshment with the greatest joy on the side of those that made the entertainments, and with disinterested simplicity of heart in those who received them, and on all sides with the sincerest sentiments of devotion and friendship. Such was the effect the Gospel had upon them; and in this manner they went on, praising God for the riches of his grace to them, and having in the general that favour and respect among all the people which so amiable and benevolent a conduct would naturally secure. And the Lord Jesus Christ, to whom they had given up their names, added daily to the church considerable numbers of those happy souls who by this means were saved. (Dr. Doddridge.) Dr. Mosheim also says, in reference to the primitive Christians, that there reigned among the members of the Christian church, however distinguished they were by worldly rank and titles, not only an amiable harmony, but also a perfect equality. This appeared by the feasts of charity in which all were indiscrimi nately assembled, by the names of brethren and sisters, with

which they mutually saluted each other, and by several circumstances of a like natnre.-(Eccl. Hist.)

-

2. It is evident that men may live as above described without the necessity of parting with their possessions, that is, under the Perfect Constitution. And it appears, from sacred writ, that the having all things common was well pleasing to God, as we read that great grace was upon them all. It is, therefore, difficult to imagine why, if all mankind had happily been of one heart and one soul, as these first converts were, they might not have followed their example; and, if at the period we are considering, why thy might not have so continued to the present hour.

3. An interesting account of the celebration of the agapæ, by the Hindoo-Syrian Christians, on the coast of Malabar, has been afforded by Dr. Claudius Buchanan. At certain seasons, the agapæ, or love-feasts, are celebrated as in primitive times. On such occasions they prepare delicious cakes, called appam, made of bananas, honey, and rice-flour. The people assemble in the churchyard, and, arranging themselves in rows, each spreads before him a plantain-leaf. When this is done, the clergyman, standing in the church-door, pronounces the benediction, and the overseer of the church, walking through between the rows, gives to each his portion. It is certainly an affecting scene, and capable of elevating the heart, to behold six or seven thousand persons of both sexes, and of all ages, assembled and receiving together, with the utmost reverence and devotion, their appam, the pledge of mutual union and love. (As quoted in Burder's Works.) Something similar to this, on a smaller scale, is practised by the followers of the late Mr. Wesley in this country.

CHAP. XIX.

CHRISTIANS IN ALL AGES.

1. We have seen that in a society constituted according to the divine will, all should be righteous; all educing nothing but good to each other, and loving God with their whole powers. This is a truly Christian association.

2. Of what unspeakable importance it is that society should be rightly constituted is scarcely in anything more apparent than the consideration, that as it is only when all do the will of God, the great objects of association can be educed;-by some

rebelling against this holy will they necessarily influence their fellows. And though God will assuredly conduct righteous men through all the difficulties that attend their earthly probation, finally making all things work for their good; those who rebel against Heaven incur a most serious responsibility, in rendering it necessary for both their fellows and God, to be constantly engaged in counteracting; (as far in reference to the Most High as is compatible with man's free agency,) the effects of their wickedness.

3. Nor must it be forgotten that the continued neglect on the part of men here to love their fellows and their Great Creatorin other words, to cultivate the benevolent affections, unfits them for the joys of the blessed; even supposing, what they have no warrant to expect, that they will be forgiven for the guilt they have contracted on earth.

4. The injunction from above, perfectly to obey the divine law, though absolute on all collectively, cannot always, even by good men, be individually obeyed as it ought. This, as we see, arises neither from their conduct nor the constitution of things as it emanates from Heaven, but the wickedness of bad men; with some of whom, so far from being on terms of intimate union, it is the righteous man's duty to come out from among, and be separate. It is, however, especially incumbent on all Christians to do no act whatever whereby those with whom they differ, or those from whom they are obliged to separate, shall be able truly to charge them with being in any degree the authors of the difference or separation. If one man do wrong because another does, he may possibly inflict a greater injury than he has sustained; or, if this is not really the case, his opponent may think so, and retaliate. Thus the strife may become interminable. It is, therefore, apprehended to be the duty of every Christian to maintain the most intimate union with all other Christians, provided always, that he do not in thought, word, or deed, give encouragement to anything unholy by so acting. 'I wrote unto you,' says Paul to the Corinthians, not to company with fornicators; yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world.' Were he now addressing us, his language would undoubtedly be much like this. It is, therefore, no inconsiderable point of wisdom, for the faithful servants of Heaven, so to pass through their mortal career, with regard to each of their associates; as to extract from the connection whatever is good, and, as far as possible, avoid what is pernicious to either party; thus humbly endeavouring to do all to the glory of God!

5. Some indulge in foolish eccentricities, thereby rendering themselves obnoxious to those about them. One eccentricity only is allowable among good men,—the noble one of being with

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