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If we are one with Christ, we shall be one with her through an endless eternity. The distance between us is only such as may be passed in a moment, and in the twinkling of an eye. There is a fellowship among all the redeemed above and below:

The church on earth and all the dead,
But one communion make;
All join in Christ their living Head,
And of his grace partake.'

But, Oh my beloved friends, we must follow that Saviour whom the departed loved, and honoured, and served, if we would hope to meet her in peace and joy on the further side of that swelling flood which she has now crossed. We can never have fellowship with her, if we are strangers to Him in whose arms of everlasting love she is now embraced. Were it permitted to her on this sorrowful occasion to communicate with us, how emphatically would she plead with us to receive and follow the Saviour! Could she open her lips to her beloved children, Oh how tenderly and pathetically would she enjoin them to give their young hearts to Christ. Could she speak to her fellow-worshippers on earth, how earnestly would she entreat them to lay aside all their indecision, and to be found on the Lord's side. Could she take counsel with her beloved husband, as a minister of Christ, how would she encourage him to beseech sinners to be reconciled to God; to warn men, whether they will bear or forbear;' to strip false professors of all the disguise they wear; to deliver himself, without reserve, of the whole counsel of God; to place the awful realities of eternity in such striking lights as to induce the guilty and the lost to flee from the wrath to come.

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"Oh, brethren, it is a world of earnestness and truth into which the deceased has entered. She now sees things as they actually exist. The sophistry and disguise which obtain in this world have no place in eternity! Happy will it be if the death of this amiable and beloved saint should lead to deep heart-searchings in this whole assembly to-day. Melted and moved by the occasion, may our hearts be effectually subdued by the power of omnipotent grace! While we blend our sympathies with the afflicted pastor of this church, in the great bereavement which he has sustained, may we each realize for ourselves the awful moment, when we shall feel the mortal pang; when the body shall return to dust, and the spirit to God whe gave it; when our connection with time shall terminate, and our residence in eternity shall commence; when our never-dying souls shall pass into the immediate presence of our Judge, and be fixed in an interminable condition of bliss or woe. Oh, beloved friends,

VOL. XXVI.

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let not this affecting occasion pass away without some hallowed, some lasting result. Let our tears be tears not only of brotherly sympathy and kindness, but of deep repentance for sin; let the sight of that coffin, that shroud, yonder open grave, remind us of our own; let the removal of one so beloved proclaim in our ears, so as to reach every individual heart in this assembly, the words of our Lord, Be ye also ready; for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.' Take heed, brethren, lest death should overtake you in an unconverted state. Tremble, lest any of you should die out of Christ. Yield not to the prevalent and dangerous habit of procrastination in the great concerns of salvation. At this moment of intense interest, when we are about to deposit in the dark and silent tomb all that was mortal of our departed friend, surrender your heart to Him who announces the joyful message, ‘I am the resurrection and the life; he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live; and whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.”

"Oh, dear friends, may you live the life, and die the death, of her who is now hidden from our eyes! As the last enemy approached her, her countenance assumed a strange and seraphic brightness; all her features were clothed with a smile of oppressive beauty, as if some light not belonging to this world had fallen upon them. Her eyes, which had been closed nearly the whole day, were opened, and looked tenderly and wistfully for a moment, and her gentle, blessed spirit fled to that region of peace to which it properly belonged.' 'Let me die the death of Margaret Legg, and let my last end be like hers!'"

On sabbath, Dec. 12th, the Rev. S. Curwen, of Reading, delivered a solemn and impressive funeral sermon, from Job xix. 25, "I know that my Redeemer liveth,' &c., to the largest audience the place is ever remembered to have contained. The memory of the just is blessed!"

MRS. FRANCES MORREN.

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DIED, NOV. 28, 1847, Mrs. Frances Morren, wife of the Rev. J. W. Morren, aged 73. Her long life was devoted to the service of her Redeemer. She was beloved by all who knew her, and died greatly lamented. The Rev. Josiah Viney delivered an excellent funeral discourse, from Job xxiii., on Lord's-day morning, Dec. 5, to a large and serious congregation.

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DANCING.

Home Chronicle.

A CHRISTMAS ADDRESS TO THE YOUNG.

DEAR FRIENDS,-Perhaps you will be surprised to hear that there are Christian ministers who look forward to the present season, which is, on many accounts, so agreeable, with a feeling of dread, and that that feeling is awakened with regard to you. Now is the time for "Christmas parties;" parties at which there is much innocent hilarity, and an unusual amount of domestic and social enjoyment. This, so far as it does not (to use a Scripture phrase) “war against the soul," so far as it does not disincline us to devotion, or unfit us for it, no one would wish to check. But the most innocent mirth may be carried too far. The head and the heart may be so filled with earthly things, that the word of God may become unfruitful in us Occasional cheerfulness may become habitual levity; and while, as an excuse for that levity, it may be pleaded that there is "a time for all things," those who glide into this snare will find that they have no time for the discipline of the heart and communion with Heaven.

It cannot escape notice that the beginning of the year, as it is a time of special privilege to the young, so it is a time of increased danger. Thousands of ministers, at that season, preach "sermons to young people," calling on them to forsake the world, to begin a life of self-denial and holy watchfulness, and "to seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness." In some instances these sermons produce corresponding purposes and attempts; but do you think, my young friends, that there is no danger even amidst an innocent cheerfulness, of a forgetfulness of this great concern? When party succeeds party-when all is excitement-when all sorts of accomplishments are displayed-when new acquaintances are rapidly formed, and amusement becomes a study and a business, is it not too likely that the poor consideration of dress will occupy more attention than the state of the heart, and to be admired of men will be thought more of than being accepted of God?

In your "Christmas parties" there is one amusement which ought to have no placedancing; an amusement which sometimes finds its way into religious families, and into which the younger members of our churches, and those who are under hopeful impressions, are occasionally drawn. Yes, they give way to the enticement; but it is generally with an uneasy conscience. They

are not sure that the practice is quite right; they have some fear that it will prove an hinderance to personal religion; they apprehend it may seem inconsistent to some around, especially in them; they think of pious friends, and are troubled; they think of their minister, and would not like him to know; and so, at first, there is much to overcome. A rule of Scripture has been broken, and the heart is not at rest. That rule is Whatsoever is not of faith is sin;" that is, whatsoever is not done with a conviction that it is right.

And then, whereas there was the expectation beforehand that the amusement would be followed (especially the next day) by a feeling of compunction; this is not always the case. Another state of mind sometimes ensues; indifference comes on; adverse opinions are set aside; self-justification leads the individual to despise his censors as narrow-minded; or secretly to murmur against Christianity, as putting on us a yoke too strait, a burden too heavy. Now begins spiritual declension, and "the things that remain are now ready to die."

It is possible some may ask us, "Where is dancing forbidden in the Bible?" And the same person might ask, "Where is card-playing forbidden?"" Where are races and theatrical amusements forbidden?" These things are not condemned by name, we admit; nor is it necessary they should be so, as long as we read in that blessed book, "Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world-grieve not the Holy Spirit of God; give none offence, neither to the Jew nor to the Gentile, nor to the church of God; abstain from all appearance of evil; be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind."

Surely it is not without reason that the great majority of Christian parents have been led to the decision not to have their children taught dancing; and that, in a great number of boarding-schools, the practice is excluded on principle, and that at a sacrifice to the Christian heads of those establishments. It should weigh with you that, on this subject, there is scarcely a shadow of difference amongst truly Christian ministers, in or out of the Establishment. If it is a duty to abstain from the appearance of evil, here are thousands of men who will tell you that dancing has that appearance to them.

And in our own churches, it is not too much to say that this amusement is a breach of the understood conditions of membership. No minister amongst us would

"propose" a person who practised it, and who declared the intention not to give it up. No church would receive one who was not willing so far to forego conformity to the world, and abstain from offending the consciences of his brethren.

But why all this severity ?, it may be rejoined. Do we mean to shut out of heaven those who are not over strict? Is all religion to be found on the side of those who think it a sin to smile?" Far from it. It is with sorrow we write anything which may appear to bear hardly on some whose kindly tempers, whose generosity and uprightness would put the morose and niggardly professor to the blush. With the ascetic and the censorious we do not sympathize. Their virtues are in general too nearly allied to economy to have much moral weight; but here you have to do with the best portion of the church, and with an all-observing world. Nor amongst the Saviour's flock should the sincere be despised, whatever their weakness. Knowingly to do anything that may shock the feelings of one of the least of Christ's brethren; to do anything, that, while unnecessary in itself, may lead such an one into sin, is to incur a fearful responsibility.

The persons whom I address would not practise dancing, we are sure, if they viewed it as any more than an agreeable and exhilarating exercise, unconnected with the most distant approach to indelicacy. You would feel justly indignant if any one should insinuate the charge of your compromising the claims of a decorum the most exact. But still you must admit, that in this amusement, in all circumstances, there is an amount of familiarity that exists nowhere else; and that the large number of dances that come under the description of waltzing, are really objectionable for the reason now hinted at. Why will some professors who dance never practise waltzing, but because they think the latter is inconsistent with modesty? So then here there is confessed danger. You have but to cross a narrow boundary to be exposed to an influence fraught with peril, not to spiritual-mindedness alone, but to ordinary

virtue.

And as dancing is objectionable in itself, so it is in its accompaniments. An extravagant and scarcely becoming style of dress, untimely hours, frivolous society, display, in all its forms, a peculiar excitement, which, when once tasted, is apt to bring the soul under its power, and to become what is denominated not "a taste," but "a passion." These are some of its accompaniments, and you will find none of them helpful to you in fulfilling your course,” and “laying hold upon eternal life."

Dancing is objectionable not only in

itself, and in its accompaniments, but in its tendency. It points towards the world, and not the Cross. It is one of the steps towards the enchanted ground "of dissipation." But a slight partition separates some dances from all, private dances from public balis; these from the masquerade, and that, again from all sorts of corrupting entertainments On the other hand, it is hard to see how any one can practise dancing in any form, especially under the present circumstances, and with the present convictions of the church of Christ, without coming to feel some distaste for the exercises of the closet, and some alienation from those whom he has been wont to call his best friends, because they are the friends of the soul.

Should any youthful church-member, or inquirer, remain unconvinced by what has been advanced, the writer has only to request, in conclusion, that such individual will so far regard the advice now tendered, as to make the subject a matter of prayer. VIATOR.

FAMILY RELIGION, WITH ITS ENCOU

RAGEMENTS.

For the Evangelical Magazine.

DEAR SIR,-Some months since, I communicated a short account of a beloved and lamented friend, Mrs. Brough, the widow of a deacon, and daughter of a former minister of the church now under my care, which was inserted in the Magazine. On that occasion I traced back her ancestral genealogy, on her father's side, the Rev. John Rogers, to the celebrated John Rogers, the martyr, from whom she was the eighth in lineal descent, and noticed the uninterrupted transmission of piety in the successive generations of that family, as an encouraging instance of the Divine fidelity and marked favour, to those who had

evinced a noble courage and consistency in

the cause of truth. Since that communication was made, I was exceedingly struck by some facts stated by the admirable commentator, Albert Barnes, in his work on Isaiah, bearing on the same point, and bringing out similar results in the American brauches of the same family. Illustrating that beautiful passage, Isa. lix. 21, which has so extensively cheered the hearts of pious parents, in reference to the interest of their descendants in the blessings of the covenant, he says, "There is no promise of the Bible that is more full of consolation to the pious, or that has been more strikingly fulfilled than this. And though it is true, that not all the children of holy parents become truly pious; though there are instances where they are signally wicked and abandoned, yet it is also true, that rich spiritual blessings are imparted to the

posterity of those who serve God, and who keep his commandments. The following facts are well known to all who have ever

made any observations on this subject. (1.) The great majority of those who become religious are the descendants of those who were themselves the friends of God. Those who now compose the Christian churches the world over, are not those generally who have been taken from the ways of open vice and profligacy, from the ranks of infidelity, or from the immediate descendants of scoffers, drunkards, and blasphemers. Such men usually tread, for a few generations at least, in the footsteps of their fathers. The church is composed mainly of the descendants of those who have been true Christians, and who trained their children to walk in the way of pure religion. (2.) It is a fact, that comparatively a large proportion of the descendants of the pious themselves for many generations become true Christians.

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Some of the most devotedly pious people of this land are the descendants of the Hugonots, who were expelied from France. A very large proportion of all the piety in this country has been derived from the "Pilgrims" who landed on the rock of Plymouth; and God has blessed their descendants in New England and elsewhere, with numerous revivals of religion. I am acquainted with the descendants of John Rogers, the first martyr in Queen Mary's reign, of the tenth and eleventh generations. With a single exception, the oldest son in the family has been a clergyman, (a minister of the gospel.) some of them eminently distinguished for learning and piety; and there are few families now in this land, a greater proportion of whom are pious, than of that family."

He proceeds :-"The following statistical account made of a limited section of the county, not more favoured or more distinguished for piety than many others, accords undoubtedly with similar facts which are constantly occurring in the families of those who are the friends of religion. The Secretary of the Massachusetts Sabbath-school Society made a limited investigation this year (1838), for the purpose of ascertaining the facts about the religious character of the families of ministers and deacons, with reference to the charge so often urged, that their sons and daughters were worse than common children.' The following is the result. In 268 families which he canvassed, he found 1,290 children over fifteen years of age. Of these children, 884, almost three-fourths, are hopefully pious; 794 have united with the churches; 61 entered the ministry; only 17 are dissipated; and about half only of these became so while with their parents. In eleven of these families, there are 123 children, and all but 7

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pious. In 56 of these families there are 249 children over fifteen, and all hopefully pious. When and where can any such result be found in the families of infidels, of the vicious, or of irreligious men? deed, it is the great law by which religion and virtue are spread and perpetuated in the world, that God is faithful to this covenant, and that he blesses the efforts of his friends, in endeavouring to train up generations for his service. (3.) All pious parents should repose on this promise of a faithful God. They may, and should believe that it is his design to perpetuate religion in the families of those who truly serve and obey him. They should be faithful in imparting religious truth; faithful in prayer; faithful in a meek, holy, benevolent example; they should so live that their children may safely tread in their footsteps; they should look to God for his blessing on their efforts, and their efforts will not be in vain. They shall see their children walk in the ways of virtue; and when they die, they may leave the world with unwavering confidence, that God will not suffer his faithfulness to fail; that he will not break his covenant, nor alter the thing that is gone out of his lips."—(vol. iii. p. 602.)

If you agree with me in opinion of the above extract, its insertion will gratify, Dear Sir,

Your brother in the gospel,
ALFRED BISHOP.

Beaminster, Dec. 9th, 1847.

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Since the abolition of the plan of admitting menibers in classes, the rule is, that a minister may insure for any annuity of not less than 101., nor more than 50%. The rule also provides that any member already insured for a less sum may increase his insurance to any amount not exceeding 50l, EXCLUSIVE of any addition arising from surplus funds. The writer, doubtless, fell into the mistake by overlooking the latter clause of this rule.

Yours, my dear friend, very truly,
JOHN HUNT, Secretary.

Rev. Dr. Morison.

RECOGNITION.

ON Thursday, November 13th, an interesting service was held in Ebenezer chapel, Suadwell, when the Rev. Henry Harrison was recognised as the pastor of that church, and successor to the late beloved Messrs. C. and C. J. Hyatt, The Rev. Dr. Reed presided; the Rev. Messrs. Ransom, Jeula, Woodhouse, Seaborn, Talbot, Saunders, Mirams, and other ministers, took part in the service. The chapel was crowded to excess, and the occasion was one of hallowed solemnity and encouragement.

menced his pastoral duties in this most extensive field of labour, at the close of the year.

REV. GEORGE NICHOLSON,

ON Lord's day, the 28th ult., the Rev. George Nicholson, B.A., of Highbury College and London University, commenced his pastoral labours at King-street Chapel, Northampton.

CHRISTIAN MUTUAL PROVIDENT SOCIETY.

ON Thursday evening, December 9th, a lecture was delivered at St. Thomas'ssquare Chapel, Hackney, by the Rev. Jas. Sherman, of Surrey Chapel, on the object and importance of the Christian Mutual Provident Society.

Mr. Sherman stated, with great clearness and force, the advantages secured by small monthly payments, which entitle the members to relief in sickness, annuities in old age, sums payable at death to widows and children, and endowments to children and adults. Mr. Sherman powerfully urged the claims of this Society, as founded on a basis of the greatest security, arising from the accuracy of very minute details, and very widely extended calculations.

At the close of Mr. Sherman's able and interesting lecture, Mr. Charles Burls, the secretary, gave a very effective address to the meeting. He was followed by the Rev. Algernon Wells, of Clapton, and the Rev. Dr. Cox, of Hackney, who had kindly given up their lectures on that evening, in order to afford to their congregations the opportunity of attending the meeting. They united with Dr. Burder, who presided at the meeting, in urgently recommending the formation of a branch Society for Hackney and Clapton, which was resolved on unanimously.

A committee, of eight gentlemen, selected from the congregations of the above-named ministers, and of the Rev. Dr. Pye Smith, was appointed to organize a branch Society.

PROVINCIAL.

REMOVAL.

THE Rev. R. Roberts, of Parkgate, near Liverpool, where he has laboured for the last nine years, with great success, has accepted the unanimous invitation of the Congregational church, Stayley - Bridge near Ashton-under-Lyne, and com

REV. G. NETTLESHIP.

THE Rev. G. Nettleship, late of Yelvertoft, in the county of Northampton, has accepted the unanimous invitation to the pastorate over the Independent church and congregation at Chilton, Somerset ; and entered on his stated labours on the second sabbath in December.

ORDINATIONS.

ON Tuesday, the 2nd of November, the Rev. I. Young was publicly ordained pastor of the Independent church at Chulmleigh, Devonshire. The Rev. W. O'Neill, of Witheridge, commenced the services by reading the Scriptures and prayer; Rev. R. Thomson, M.A., of Ilfracombe, delivered the introductory discourse; Rev. J. Buckpitt asked the usual questions; Rev. T. Sharp, (late pastor of the church,) offered the ordination prayer; and Rev. B. Kent, of Barnstaple, gave the charge.

An interesting service was held in the chapel in the afternoon, when a piece of plate and an easy chair were presented by the church and congregation to their late pastor, in appreciation of his services among them for nearly forty years.

In the evening, the Rev. J. Buckpitt, of Torrington, preached a very impressive sermon to the people.

ON Friday, the 27th of August, 1847, the Rev. Isaac Francis was ordained over the newly-formed Congregational church at Kirkheaton, near Huddersfield, Yorkshire. The introductory discourse was delivered by the Rev. R. Skinner, of Huddersfield; the Rev. R. Bell, of Brighouse, proposed the usual questions, and received the minister's confession; the ordination prayer was offered by the Rev. Jas. Scott, of Cleckheaton, and followed by a charge from the Rev. John Cockin, of Holmforth.

In the evening, a sermon was addressed to the people, by the Rev. John Glendenning, of Huddersfield.

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