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partake of the nature of divination, which is contrary to scripture and reason. To divine by the Bible, as we have observed, is an abuse of that sacred Book, which reveals all that we need to know respecting our conduct, our character, and our condition, for time and eternity, without the aid of divination. To divine by the casting of lots, is a presumptuous appeal to God to decide what he does not mean to decide by his common providence. He did, indeed, permit some persons, under the Old Testament, to appeal to him by lot, on some important and extraordinary occasions; but he has given no such permission to Christians under the New Testament; and therefore they have no right to appeal to him by lot to decide any All publick as well as private lotteries are unreasonable, unscriptural, and criminal, whether approved by parental, or legislative authority. They are no less pernicious in their tendency, than criminal in their nature. They have often ruined both the fortunate and unfortunate, who have been concerned in them. Those may expect to be frowned upon, who tempt the Lord their God, by appealing to him without his permission. To play cards, either for wagers, or amusement, is totally wrong, because it implies a lot, which is an unpermitted and presumptuous appeal to God. But to divine by them, is still more criminal. It is a species of divination, which ought to be universally despised and condemned. Nor can divining by cups be justified. Though it seems to be a very trifling matter to count, observe, and give significancy to little specks and dots, yet it is of the same nature, and discovers the same undue de

sire to pry into the secrets of futurity, as the more serious and important modes of divination, and is as really displeasing to God, who has forbidden the practice in every form. But do not some or other of these heathenish modes of divination prevail here, in this land of Gospel Light? By which, the Bible is profaned, the Sabbath is profaned, time, talents, and property are abused, religion is neglected, and error, superstition, and vice are sanctioned and promoted. It highly concerns parents, guardians, and all men of power and influence, to condemn, prevent, and suppress all such evil practices as have been mentioned; and especially card playing, which is a most fruitful source of almost every other vice.

To neglect sup

pressing these evils, is to partake in the guilt of them; and very likely, to share in the punishment of them. The neglect of one, will not excuse the neglect of another, in respect to this important duty.

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Another remark suggested by this subject is, that mankind are naturally enemies to God. They have always been disposed to forget and forsake their Creator, and to bow down and worship some false and inferior deity. God's people of old were addicted to idolatry, that the strictest laws he made, and the severest punishments he threatened, were insufficient to restrain them from it. If the hearts of men were naturally right with God, they would naturally love his character and rejoice in his government. But they have, by nature, a carnal mind, which is enmity against God, not subject to his law, neither indeed can be ; and this leads them to love and serve any other god, rather than

the true God. Though gross to give joy and satisfaction to all idolatry is avoided in this coun- mankind, and restrain them from try; yet more refined and reput-all murmurings and complaints able idolatry is almost universally under his government, and all practised, in some way or other. undue measures to extort from Numerous modes and forms of him that knowledge of futurity, prying into futurity are invented which he has wisely and merciand pursued, which discover a fully concealed from them. He disposition to foretell and defeat has revealed as much as can do the purposes of God, which he them any good, and concealed has not revealed. They distrust only what would be detrimental the infinite wisdom and goodness to them. Mankind are always of God in the government of the disposed to abuse the knowledge world, and place greater confi- of futurity, which God reveals to dence in the wisdom and goodness them. He foretold several thouof his most blind and inveterate sand years ago, that Canaan the enemies. No person was ever son of Ham should be a servant of anxious to foreknow future events, servants; and from this predicwhich God has not revealed, tion whole nations have conwithout distrusting divine provi- cluded, that they had a right to dence, and being disposed to ob- enslave the Africans. God forestruct the operations of it. It is told to Hazael, that he should be practically saying to God, "We king of Israel, which led him to will not have thee to reign over slay his master and usurp his us." Thousands, who will not throne. It is a great mercy to own that they ever bated God, this depraved and restless world, cannot deny that they have mur- that God has concealed so much mured under his government, and of futurity from them, and rehave used means, and perhaps, strained them from ten thousand employed others to use means, errors and evils, which they to obstruct or evade the divine would bring upon themselves, if they could, by any means, penetrate his secret counsels.

purposes. Their own hearts, therefore, testify against them, and pronounce them enemies to God, who would, if they could, flee out of his hands.

We may justly conclude from what has been said, that there is great reason to rejoice, that the Lord reigns in the kingdoms of nature, providence, and grace. He is able and disposed to do what is wisest and best, in respect to every creature and every event in the universe. He has reserved times, and seasons, and events in his power, and will not suffer any thing to be done, or any event to take place, which he will not overrule for his own glory, and the good of his friends and faithful servants. This ought

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Finally, this subject exhorts all to place a cordial and unshaken confidence in God, the supreme disposer of all events. There is perfect safety in trusting in the Lord Jehovah, in whom is everlasting strength. He will keep them in perfect peace, who trust in him. He will constantly employ all his perfections to promote his own glory, which will necessarily promote their holinesss and happiness, through every period of their existence. There is but one alternative before you. You must either trust in God, or in lying vanities which cannot profit. You are weak and dependent creatures, and un

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der an absolute necessity of placing your trust in God, or in yourselves, or your frail impotent fellow creatures. Why should you halt between two opinions? If the Lord be God, trust in him, and him alone.

For the Christian Magazine. EXTRACTS FROM THE JOURNAL OF

MRS. MARY C. ATKINSON.

In the year 1822, several persons in the East Parish of Attleborough, Mass. gave satisfactory evidence of being renewed by the influence of the Holy Spirit. Among them was a young lady, nineteen years of age, of an amiable disposition, a cultivated mind, and peculiarly interesting in her deportment. She was a daughter of the late Deac. Chase Moulton of Rehoboth. From early childhood she had enjoyed the advantages of religious instruction and pious example; and was, previously to her hopeful conversion, moral and exemplary. When however the Holy Spirit convinced her of sin, she was far from being satisfied with her own character. She was deeply sensible that her morality was consistent with a total alienation of heart and life from God; and when humbled before him, she cast herself as the chief of sinners, on his distinguishing mercy. We received her into the communion

and fellowship of the church, with more than usual satisfaction and confidence; and many of us rejoiced in the hope that God would make her a lasting blessing to the church in this place, especially to our youth. But the Lord's ways are not as our ways, nor his thoughts as our thoughts.

In the month of May she was received into the church. In

June, she was married to Samuel Atkinson Esq. of Chillicothe, Ohio. In three or four months from the time of making a profession of religion, she left us for a distant part of the country; and in less than two years, she was removed from the church militant, to join, as we have reason to hope, the church triumphant.

From the time of her conversion, till within a few months of her death, she kept a journal, in which are related various exerci. ses of her mind. From that journal, which was found among her papers after her decease, the following extracts are made, with the hope, that though dead, she may speak for the benefit of the living.

Attleborough, April 6, 1822. Almost nineteen years have rolled away since I first saw the light; but O, how little have I done for the glory of my Maker. The death of the best of fathers, an affectionate brother and a beloved sister, were solemn warnings to me to prepare to meet my God. But instead of profiting by these repeated and great afflictions, I had hard and presumptuous thoughts of the God of all grace. Thus I went on, adding sin to sin, apparently ri pening fast for destruction. Although blest with the best of religious instruction, yet I had become an infidel in theory as well as in practice; and had long in my heart denied the existence of God. But the first of last month, I was brought to realize that Í was in the hands of a sin-hating, sin-avenging God. And through his infinite mercy, I humbly trust, that I became reconciled to him, and could say from my heart, 'thy will be done.' Since that time, my views and feelings have been very different from what they

were formerly; and I think, religion is now my chief joy. O may I not be deceived; but be prepared by the influence of the Holy Spirit, to spend an eternity in the society of angels and just men made perfect, singing praises to God for ever and ever."

"April 12. For some time, I have entertained a hope, that I had passed from death unto life; but am I not building upon a sandy foundation? I find so much selfishness remaining in my heart, that I am afraid my motives are all mercenary. May I realize the awful danger of self-deception. I can have no excuse for such criminal conduct, for I have every opportunity, which I can possibly desire, to know on which side I am; and if I should now rest upon a false hope, how great will be my condemnation!"

"April 18. Should I live to the age of man, how short will be the time compared to eternity! But I know not, that I shall live a year, a month, or even a day. And am I prepared for that solemn change, which I must sooner or later experience? Am I prepared to stand before the awful bar of God and be judged according to the deeds done in the body? Am I prepared to submit willing. ly to the divine will, even in accepting the just punishment of my sins? Do I love God supremely?

'Tis a point I long to know, Oft it causes anxious thought; Do I love the Lord or no? Am I his or am I not?

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things appear to me then, on which I now set a high value. I wish to give myself wholly and unreservedly to God,-to make his glory my only aim; but how much cause have I to humble myself in the dust, when I consider how little I do that is worthy a rational and immortal being. Assist me, O God, I beseech thee, to give myself wholly to thee-to dedicate my life to thy service; and if the favour is not too great for such a wicked, hell-deserving wretch to ask or even hope for, O grant that I may spend an eternity in thy presence.

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"April 20. Another week is gone and numbered with the years beyond the flood. And now, O my soul, what improvement hast thou made? Have I not added largely to the long catalogue of my crimes, by the cold and formal performance of my duties?

'If I turn my eyes within,
All is vain and dark and wild;

Filled with unbelief and sin,
Can I deem myself a child?'

To-morrow I shall be propounded to the church; but how little do I deserve the privilege of uniting with a church of Christ? Am I not utterly unworthy to meet with true believers at the table of the Lord? O thou great Jehovah, who knowest the iniquity of my heart, thou, from whom nothing is concealed, grant, if I am indeed destitute of grace, that I may not pollute a visible church of thine."

"April 28. The weather being stormy, I could not attend public worship. When I recollect how many sabbaths I have voluntarily absented myself from the house of God, I am astonished that this great and invaluable privilege is not wholly denied me. How of

ten has this holy day hung heavily on my hands and every expedient, which was not utterly inconsistent with decency, been resorted to, to pass away the time? I am an astonishing instance of the long suffering and patience of the most high God. How much cause for the deepest self-abasement? What would be great humility in another, would be presumption in me. I will then strive to take my proper place. I will endeavour to give God all the glory, and take shame and confusion of face to myself. And wilt thou, eternal Jehovah, condescend to assist a poor, feeble worm of the dust? Without thee I can do nothing."

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"April 29. Awoke in a good frame this morning. The first words which occurred to my mind were, Why should a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins.' May 1 never forget them. Determined to spend this week in preparation for the solemn duties, which I shall soon perform, if accepted by the church. May I do this in singleness of heart, looking constantly to God for direction. Formed a resolution this morning, never to shut my eyes to sleep, without considering the possibili. ty of soon sleeping the sleep of death, and examining my heart to see, if I am prepared to exchange worlds."

"May 19. Sabbath morning. Since writing the above, I have passed through a very solemn and interesting scene. I have given myself to the most high God, by a public profession; promising, with his grace assisting me, to walk in every respect as becomes a disciple of the meek and lowly Jesus, and have commemora. ted his dying love with the dear saints around his board.

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'Tis done, the great transaction'■ done;

I am the Lord's and he is mine.

He drew me and I followed on, Charmed to confess the voice divine. Now rest my long divided heart; On this delightful centre rest. With ashes who would grudge to

part,

When called on angels bread to feast.'"

"May 25. Saturday evening. How sweet, how solemn the commencement of the Sabbath?

'Day of all the days the best,
Emblem of eternal rest.'

Who can sufficiently prize the privilege of being placed in a land of gospel light and liberty? God would have been perfectly just, had be placed me in a land where Sabbaths and sanctuary privileges are unknown. Millions of my fellow beings, equally deserving, are overshadowed with the dark mists of paganism. But if these precious privileges, with which I am surrounded, be misimproved, how greatly will they add to my condemnation. May this consideration quicken me, that I may make my calling and election sure; and may I, while imploring mercy for myself, never forget to pray for those, who bow the knee to vain idols-who know not the true God."

"May 26. All thy works praise thee, O God, and shall man be silent? Oh no. Let this day bė witness to our adorations.. Let thy saints worship before thee in the spirit of holiness. May it be a day long to be remembered, as one of great refreshing from thy presence."

" June 8. I am brought to the close of another week. A few more weeks and I shall probably be a stranger in a strange land. I shall quit the place of my na

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