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such, it is not a copy of the original Certificate, which is the best evidence, but a copy of the Register, which makes it merely a copy of a copy.

I have not cited cases to prove my positions, not thinking it necessary for the purposes of this letter. This, however, can be done, if required. What I have written is sufficient to shew, that no Registers of Dissenters, as such, can be received as primary evidence.

I cannot help again expressing my astonishment, that so little notice has been taken of this very interest ing subject, especially after an able pamphlet, written by a Dissenting Barrister, was reviewed in your and in other Magazines in the latter end of the year 1823. This pamphlet contains the law more fully on the subject, and is well worthy the consideration of all Dissenters. Is it not then a duty which the Baptists owe to themselves, that all disqualifications attending the profession of their principles should be removed, and more especially owing to their posterity, that the fatal break thus made in the chain of descent, should instantly be endeavoured to be repaired?

If this letter should be inserted, I will continue the subject, by considering my second proposition.

A Baptist, registered at Dr.
Williams's Library.

ON SLANDER. THE late Rev. Robert Robinson, in Claude's Essay on the Composition of a Sermon, (Vol. II. p. 362,) remarks on the following sentence, Deluded people censure and slander others. "Mr. Claude considers slanderers that execrable class of bad men, as trafficking in two sorts of commodities, actions and principles. First, they are collectors, carriers, wholesale and retail venders of all the improper actions that are

performed within their circle. Far from the Christian disposition of pity, they take an infernal pleasure in propagating evil, and in aggravating it with a hundred false circumstances. Most congregations have one of these; (happy if they have but one!) he is a great newsmonger, though he declares nobody hears so little news as he; a great dealer in secrets, though, good soul ! nobody hates whispering so much as he does; he is excessively busy, though he never goes out of his way; he would be mistaken for one of Samson's foxes, were we not to observe his total want of sense; he is, in a word, the Jack Ketch of the society, who executes all the criminals that fall into his hands. All this is wicked: but what shall be said of a wretch, who proceeds to censure the principles of good actions! No words can express the guilt of such a man. To him may

be truly applied the words of a prophet, In thee is found the blood of the souls of poor innocents. Jer. ii. 34.

What king so strong

Can tie the gall up in the slanderous tongue?"

ON PROFITABLE READING. PAUL gave this advice to Timothy, Give attention to reading, 1 Tim. iv.

13.

There are two extremes. Some read a great deal, but never meditate. Aristippus considered these very properly, as great eaters who digest nothing. Mr. Claude advised one of this sort to read nothing for three or four years, as if he had said, (adds Bayle) you have eaten enough; now digest. On the other hand, This is absurd, if they profess a written religion. Those who neglect reading the scriptures, the record which God has given of his Son, act most unwisely : most injuriously. It is as if they expected to live without eating at all.

some never read.

Miscellanea.

MENNONITES.

LETTER, No. VII.

Enkhuisen, Sept. 26, 1820. I ARRIVED here late in the evening, and the next morning sought out the Mennonite Baptist Minister, a Mr. de Jongh. He was glad to see me, and as he was on the point of going to meeting, we walked there together. 1 heard him preach from Jer. x. 1, 2. The text appeared to me at first rather singular, but as he proceeded, I found that he

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Writings.

No. VII.

W. H. A.

had chosen it, in reference to the late Familiar Illustrations of the sacred eclipse of the sun, which it seems had made a great, and rather uncomfortable sensation amongst many in the humbler walks of life about the neighbourhood. His object in the discourse was, to dissipate their fears, by pointing them to a Sun that suffers no eclipse; even the Sun of Righteous

Dess.

Immediately after service we retired to the vestry, where with minister and deacons, we discussed the object of my journey. It was observed by some, that contributions were made, by many of their number, to the Rotterdam Missionary Society, and this was argued from, by others, that little or nothing more could be expected from them. To soften objections, I stated, that credit was certainly due for what they were doing for the Rotterdam Mission, and hoped they would rather increase than grow weary in their welldoing, but that there might be others of the friends, who had hitherto taken no interest in any Mission, who might feel well disposed to ours. After a tolerably long sitting, I went to dine with one of the deacons, a relative of our excellent friend Mr. Mescaert, of Rotterdam. During dinner, and after it, the conversation flowed nearly all in a Missionary channel. Mr. de Jongh, is, I think, decidedly favorable to our object, and will bring it forward at the next church meeting they have. I was glad to find that, as at Hoorn, the Mis

VOL. XVII

MAL. iii. 3." And he shall sit as a

refiner and purifier of silver; and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them unto the Lord an offering in righteousas gold and silver, that they may offer

ness."

A reference to the process by which gold and silver are purified from their dross, will tend to illustrate this very interesting passage. In this operation, the refiner not only places his crucible on a hot fire, but heaps fire around and above it. Under this process, it, at first, throws out a dark and offensive smoke; which, as the heat and its effects increase, becomes less offensive, until it altogether ceases, and the silver becomes beautifully white. The point of requisite purity and perfection is, when the refiner sees his own likeness reflected in the pot. How admirably does this illustrate the gracious process by which, through means of affliction, our heavenly Father carries on the work of purification in the hearts of his children.

Another remark well worthy of making, is, that pure gold will endure the hottest fire for many months, without appearing to lose any of its weight; and so the afflictions with which the people of God are exercised, burn up their dross and tin, but leave the grace 2 H

of God in their hearts undiminished, 50,000 people assembled in a street or and shining brighter to his praise.

REV. xiii. 10. Here is the patience of the saints."

PATIENCE is the guardian of faith, the preserver of peace, the cherisher of love, the teacher of humility: Patience governs the flesh, strengthens the spirit, sweetens the temper, stifles anger, extinguishes envy, subdues pride; she bridles the tongue, refrains the hands, tramples on temptations, endures persecution, consummates martyrdom: Patience produces unity in the church, loyalty in the state, harmony in families and societies; she comforts the poor, and moderates the rich; she makes us humble in prosperity, cheerful in adversity, unmoved by calumny and reproach; she teaches us to forgive those who have injured us, and to be first in asking forgiveness of those whom we have injured; she delights the faithful, and invites the unbelieving; she adorns the woman, and approves the man; is loved in a child, praised in the young man, admired in an old man; she is beautiful in either sex, and in every age. Behold her appearance and attire: her countenance is calm and serene as the face of heaven, unspotted by the shadow of a cloud, and no wrinkle of grief or anger is seen in her forehead; her eyes are the eyes of doves for meekness, and on her eye-brows sit cheerfulness and joy: her mouth is lovely in silence; her complexion and colour that of innocence and security; while, like the virgin, the daughter of Zion, she shakes her head at the adversary, and laughs him to scorn. She is clothed in the robes of the martyrs, and in her hand she holds a sceptre in the form of a cross. She rules not in the whirlwind and stormy tempest of passion; but her throne is the humble and contrite heart, and her kingdom is the kingdom of peace.

BISHOP HORNE.

NEH. viii. 8. "So they read in the book in the law of God distinctly, and gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading."

In this chapter, as a late ingenious writer remarks, we have a short, but beautiful description of the manner of Ezra's first preaching. Upwards of

large square, near the water gate, and it was early in the morning of a Sabbath day. A pulpit of wood, in the fashion of a small tower, was placed there on purpose for the preacher; and this turret was supported by a scaffold, or temporary gallery, where, in a wing on the right hand of the pulpit, sat six of the principal preachers; and in another on the left, seven. Thirteen other principal teachers, and many Levites, were present also on scaffolds erected for the purpose, alternately to officiate. When Ezra ascended the pulpit, he produced and opened the book of the law, and the whole congregation instantly_rose up from their seats and stood. Then he offered up prayer and praise to God, the people bowing their heads, and worshipping the Lord with their faces to the ground; and at the close of the prayer, with uplifted hands, they solemnly pronounced, Amen, Amen. Then, all standing, Ezra, assisted at times by the Levites, read the law distinctly, gave the sense, and caused them to understand the reading. The sermons delivered so affected the hearers, that they wept excessively; and about noon the sorrow became so ex. uberant and immeasurable, that it was thought necessary by the governor, the preacher, and the Levites, to restrain it. They, therefore, reminded the congregation, that a just grief might run into excess-that there was an incon gruity between a festival and lamentation-and that on this festival there were singular causes of extraordinary joy; they were delivered from captivity, the law was restored, and they, the very poorest of them, had been made, by the pains of the preachers, to understand it. "Go your way," said they, "eat the fat-drink the sweetsend portions unto them for whom nothing is prepared." Be not discouraged ―religious joy is a people's strength. The wise and benevolent sentiments of whole congregation, and 50,000 trouthese noble souls, were imbibed by the bled hearts were calmed in an instant. Home they returned to eat, to drink, to send portions, and to make [holy] mirth; they had understood the words that were declared unto them. Plato was alive at this time, teaching dull philosophy to cold academics: but

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WAS you not pleased, Sir, with the tune we sang to the last hymn?

I confess I was. You know I am fond of singing. It is a delightful part of public worship.

I was sure you would. There is such a happy combination of sounds, which are solemn, and yet cheerful.

This is indeed the style of music which I prefer for public worship. There is one thing, however, which I think we should be more concerned to attain in reference to our singing.

What is that, Sir? Every one is of opinion that our choir has greatly improved the last few months.

So it has; and I rejoice that this is the case. I want you to improve in every thing. Yet you are not, I fear, always in proper harmony.

I

Not in harmony! Sir! This opinion must arise from an incorrect ear. bardly ever hear a discord among us. I refer, my good friend, to the Melody of the Heart.

And what, Sir, do you mean by the Melody of the Heart?

Why, I mean, that the principles and feelings of the heart should be in unison with the sentiments uttered by the voice. Thus, if you are singing a hymn of praise, and the heart be in melody, it will glow with gratitude. Or if you should be singing a Psalm expressive of penitence, then, if the heart be in melody, it will be conscious of deep

humiliation on account of its transgressions.

I am afraid, Sir, that you are right; but then, there are many in the congre gation, as well as ourselves, who are wanting in this.

It is but too true; and I deeply regret it. There are no discords so of fensive in the ear of heaven as those of the heart.

I frankly acknowledge, that I was so delighted with the sweetness of the music, that I did not think of the sentiments of the last hymn.

This, surely, is very lamentable, and must be very displeasing to the great God, whose eye is ever on us.

Assuredly, Sir, it is wrong.

It appears, indeed, very shocking, when we seriously think of it. Let us examine the last hymn; you will then, perhaps, understand more fully what I mean, by the Melody of the Heart. "There is a fountain, fill'd with blood, Drawn from Immanuel's veins; And sinners plung'd beneath that flood, Lose all their guilty stains."

To sing this verse with melody in the heart, is to be conscious of joy and gratitude that God has laid help on ONE who is mighty to save. It is to feel, as the Apostle felt, when he said, "Thanks be unto God, for his unspeakable gift!"

"The dying thief rejoic'd to see
That fountain in his day;
O may I there, as well as he,
Wash all my sins away."

If we sang this verse as we ought, we experienced much holy pleasure in the reflection, that the salvation of the gospel extends even to the chief of sinners; and our spirits ardently desired an interest in all the great blessings procured by the atoning blood of the Lord Jesus. And did all utter the words with such feelings?

I fear not, Sir.

"Dear, dying Lamb, thy precious blood, Shall never lose its power; Till all the ransom'd church of God,

Be sav'd, to sin no more."

tion in the infinite efficacy of his atonLove to the dear Saviour,-cxultaing blood-delight in the thought, that all the ransomed flock of the great Shepherd shall be brought to live in his presence, where they shall never sin any more, are the leading scntiments of this stanza of this beautiful heart, is to be conscious of this love, song. To sing it with melody in the exultation, and delight.

"E'er since, by faith, I saw the stream, Thy flowing wounds supply; Redeeming love has been my theme, And shall be till I die."

Well,-who sang this verse with the proper melody? He who could recollect a period in his life, when, as a lost sinner, he saw, by faith, the merit of the blood of Jesus,-who was enabled to rest on it for acceptance with God -whose heart was so full of grateful joy, that his tongue could not help celebrating the infinite love of the Saviour, and who determined, in the strength of Divine grace, to celebrate it for ever. Did all the congregation sing it with this melody? Certainly not. Some have no genuine faith. They have never seen the precious, the inestimable stream, flowing from the bleeding heart of the Lamb of God.

What, then, Sir, did they say what was false, in the presence of God?

Undoubtedly they did. I am often pained on this account. Ministers should speak to their hearers on this subject.

"And when this lisping, stamm'ring

tongue

Lies silent in the grave; Then in a nobler, sweeter song,

I'll sing thy power to save.'

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This last verse proves that there is a sad want of melody of heart in our congregations. Many who sang it, never think seriously of dying. I am sure of this. If they were going to a foreign land, never to return, would they not make some preparation for it? They would. If men thought aright of the eternity on which they must shortly enter, they would think much of it; they would anxiously inquire how they might enter on it happily; but this they do not. And yet the world's noblest prize shrinks into nothing, when contrasted with this momentous question, How can I inherit eternal bliss?

Could each say, I bave such a wellfounded scriptural hope of entering heaven, that when my body is in the grave, I have no doubt but that my happy spirit will be celebrating, among the sons of light in glory, the omnipotent power, and the boundless grace of the Lord Jesus? What! Could the careless, the impenitent, the man who is going on in his sins, the unbelieving, the prayerless, the scorner, say this? Yes, indeed, he might SAY or SING it, -but if his conscience were awake, it would tell him, that he was giving utterance to a palpable falsehood.

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OI much wish, that all in our congregations would weigh the sentiments they utter in their sacred songs, lest they mock the Almighty with SOlemn sounds, on thoughtless tongues ;" and he should say of them, as of the Pharisees, They honour me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.

Are you so happy, Sir, as always to sing with the melody of the heart?

Certainly not; yet I hope I am concerned that I may do so. I fear that we all more or less, offend in this matter. There are verses of hymns which I sometimes feel it right not to sing; and I sing others, praying_mentally that my heart may more and more accord with the sentiments contained in them.

I do think that there are some psalms and hymns expressive of such elevated devotion, that it is somewhat wrong to introduce them into the public services of a promiscuous congregation. I have been pained to hear persons of no piety, in whose hearts the world was evidently enthroned, singing,

"Could I command the spacious land,
Or the more boundless sea,
For one blest hour at thy right hand,

I'd give them both away."

O, my young friend,-we should think seriously before we go to the house of God,-we should attentively weigh the sentiments which are advanced by his ministering servants, and when invited to join the Psalmody, we should be careful that we utter nothing but what is true before the great Searcher of all hearts.

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