ignorance and immorality generally prevail, I always take it for granted, that the effects of his ministry will soon be more or less visible: that the Lord's day will be better observed, the place of worship more frequented; that there will be some instances, at least, of profligates becoming sober, of careless sinners excited to a concern for their souls, and that some persons who had long lived without God in the world, will begin to worship him in their families. I know that in such cases there will be pretenders found, like tares among the wheat; but I always expect there will likewise be such instances of real reformation, both as to religion and to moral conduct, as shall put gainsayers to shame and to silence, and satisfy candid and attentive inquirers, that a change so beneficial to individuals, to families, and to the community, was the effect of the doctrines delivered to them, and with which they were before unacquainted. The very different effects of that preaching which represents Christ as a creature, and sets aside the necessity of his atonement, I have often had the occasion of observing, when introduced amongst a people, who have before been favoured with what I deem, and assuredly know, to be the true Gospel. In proportion as it has been received, a regular attendance upon public ordinances, a care to maintain family worship, a spiritual frame of conversation and conduct, have gradually declined. Where moral essays are substituted for the truth as it is in Jesus, where men are taught to seek their resources in their own powers, and to consider themselves as already wise and good, the preacher may perhaps please the ear, but he will seldom affect or mend the heart. In our days it may be truly said, "Virtus lau" datur et alget." Fine encomiums upon the beauty of virtue abound; but Christian virtue, the love of God and of man for his sake, is only to be attained by faith in the blood of the Lamb, and the word of his testimony. Since, therefore, the principles you once embraced, are best suited to comfort you under affliction, to give you a solid ground of hope in life and in death, and evidently found to be the most efficacious to promote the fear of God, and the good of society; I hope you will in future beware of the sophistry of those teachers who would deprive you of your gold, and can only give you counters in exchange. I commend you to that good Shepherd, who can pity and restore his wandering sheep; And remain affectionately yours, OMICRON. TO MISS **** ****, ON HER BIRTH-DAY. 1. WITH sweet song the lark, and thrush, On the day when you were born, Welcom❜d in the happy morn. 2. What a cheering soft perfume, From the hedges drest in bloom, And the gay enamell'd meads While the sun, with pencil'd beams, Gilds the hills, the trees, the streams! 3. Yet before another year, (Pleasures are short-liv'd below,) Frowning Winter will be here, Rob'd in clouds, and storms, and snow: All these beauties then will fade, All look blasted, cold, and dead. 4. Spring an emblem is of youth, Hasting on to with'ring age; Oh that this important truth Might each youthful heart engage! Ev'ry pulse, and ev'ry breath, Nearer brings our winter, Death. 5. You, I trust, delight to think On the change which many dread; Here you taste, but there shall drink Pleasures at the fountain head. Has not Jesus, by his love, Taught your heart to soar above! 6. Endless spring will there prevail, There the flow'rs unfading grow; Solid joys that never fail, How unlike to all below! Grief and sin will then be o'er, And our sun go down no more. You may 7. well record your birth, Born to such a glorious bliss; All the kingdoms of the earth Are but toys compar'd with this. 'Tis not worth the while to live For such joys as earth can give. 8. Saviour! till her life shall end Guide her steps, and cheer her heart! Be her shepherd, husband, friend, Daily grace and peace impart; May her bright example show OMICRON. EXTRACTED FROM THE EVANGELICAL MAGAZINE. THOUGHTS ON THE DOCTRINE OF THE HOLY TRINITY. I BELIEVE that there are beings superior to us, at least in our present state, whom we call Angels. But what I can collect from the Scriptures concerning their nature and powers is very indistinct. I never saw an angel, and therefore am at a loss how to conceive of him. How poor, then, must be my conceptions of the great God! The revelation he has given of himself in his Word, is undoubtedly fully adequate to the state and wants of mankind; but it can be rightly understood, so far only as it is accompanied by the further revelation of his Holy Spirit. And as the knowledge of believers is progressive like the light, which advances from dawn to day, I hardly expect that any human form of words can equally and exactly express the apprehensions, even of all who are truly taught of God." A child may repeat such a form no less accurately than a man, but he will seldom annex the same ideas to what There are likewise children, yea, babes in he says. |