laying his hand upon the blasphemer's shoulder, said; "My friend, God has done many things for Christ's sake, and perhaps he will do THAT too;" and passed on. The reproof, quite as original as the imprecation, went to the wretch's heart; and was the occasion of his turning from the power of Satan unto God," and becoming an exemplary follower of that Redeemer whom he had been in the habit of insulting. "A word spoken in due season, how good is it?" The power of Jesus to save, bow mighty! His grace, how free! A STRANGE SIGHT. It is indeed a strange sight to see those who complain they can do nothing without Christ, labouring hard, and those who boast they can do great things, standing idle, to see those who renounce all dependence upon their good works, abounding in good works; and those who expect to be saved by their good works, living in neglect of good works, and doing the works of the Devil. Davies. From the Christian's Magazine. Illustrative of the difference between a speculative and practical knowledge of the truths of the gospel. With the most splendid talents and highest improvements, the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. Whatever difficulties may arise in drawing a discriminating line between the rational powers of the mind, in its ordinary exercises, and those which relate to God and the spiritual life, it is very certain there is an essential difference between them. The express declarations of scripture establish this difference, and it is daily confirmed by observation. Learned men are not always pious. Nay, among those who have advanced far in science, and acquired great repu tation for their extensive researches, and vast erudition, are often found the most implacable enemies to both natural and revealed religion. With all their knowledge, they are ignorant of the only true God and Jesus Christ, whom to know is life eternal. They have not discovered the spirituality of the divine law, its principle, and extent; nor understood the scope of the gospel, the duties it enjoins, and the blessings it reveals. Those who have been effectually called out of darkness, and by renewing and irresistible grace, brought into marvellous light, are conscious of this difference and willing to acknowledge it. But as the greatest number of these were, previously to their conversion, uninstructed in the doctrines of salvation, and had, perhaps, never read the sacred scriptures with attention, the comparative estimate of their former knowledge cannot, by themselves or others, be accurately ascertained. A very singular instance, which illustrates the difference between speculative and practical knowledge, and which is worth preserving, is sent for that purpose to be inserted in the Christian's Magazine. Dr. Dwas a man of strong mind and extensive reading; of an amiable disposition and polished manners. He had nearly finished his course of studies in the university of Groningen, and had obtained the degree of Doctor of Philosophy, a grade in literary honours conferred by some universities on the continent of Europe. He had published a Treatise in Latin, de Systemate Leibnitiano, de vera miraculi Notione, et de speciali Dei Providentia, which established his reputation as a scholar of the first rank: As he had devoted himself to the study of theology, he left Groningen in the year 1767, and came to Utrecht, where the most celebrated professor in theology, at that time drew students to attend his lectures from every quarter. Dr. D professed a deep reverence for the Christian religion. He had studied the doctrines, was thoroughly learned in the arguments by which they are maintained and defended, and had determined soon to enter into the ministry. But with all his learning and decent profession, he was a stranger to the saving influence of divine grace; and had never experienced the converting power of the truth upon his own heart. He was satisfied with a speculative knowledge, and supposed that nothing more was necessary to fit him for the ministry, or render him safe as it respected his own peace and happiness. A friend, who was in habits of intimacy with him, calling one morning to see him, observed a pensive air, and an unusual seriousness mixed with distress in his countenance, which prompted an immediate inquiry respecting the cause of his disquietude. Without the least reserve, he communicated the state of his mind, and the occasion which had produced it. The preceding evening he had received a letter, which informed him of the death of an excellent man, the Rev. Dr. N, whom he greatly loved, and with whom he had lived in the strictest bonds of friendship from early youth. Oppressed with grief, he first felt the pangs which such an event is calculated to excite. But the sensibility of nature soon gave place to other reflections, and aroused anxieties and feelings of a different kind. The death of his friend introduced his own death to view. He realized the possibility of being also cut down suddenly in the prime of life. Eternity, with all its solemn importance and consequences, impressed his soul: then, for the first time in his life, he was convinced of his misery. He then saw and felt that he was a guilty, depraved sinner, that he had no resources in himself, no righteousness of his own. Alarmed and distressed, he had passed the night with conflicting passions, and sought consolation in vain from all he knew of the gospel. He had now become as calm as, under such impressions it is perhaps possible to be, and appeared sincerely desirous of instruction. "Tell me," said he, with great eagerness, "tell me where and how a wounded and accusing conscience can find peace? What must I do to be saved?" After some observations which were judged applicable to his present exercises, his friend referred him to the precious atonement of the divine Redeemer, and the imputation of his perfect righteousness,* by which the greatest of sinners who believe in Jesus, are justified. But of this, added his friend, you need no information; you are intimately acquainted with the doctrines of the gospel. "It is true," he replied, "it is true, I am acquainted with those doc * *We believe that the sinner is justified by the atonement of Christ. But that the perfect righteousness of Christ is imputed to the sinnar, we do not believe.Editors. trines. I have studied them, I understand them individually, and in their connexion, and can explain them to others, and defend them against adversaries. But my knowledge is merely speculative, I have only viewed them in theory as perfect and divine; but never applied them to myself. I know not how to repent, or how to believe. I know no more how to approach a throne of grace as a condemned sinner, or with what exercises and in what way to come to Jesus, than the most ignorant creature on earth. "Sit down," added he," and instruct me." An instance so striking and pointed seldom occurs, where a man of great learning and information, even in the truths of religion, was laid as low at the footstool of sovereign grace, as the most ignorant sinner; and where the difference between speculative and experimental knowledge is so clearly displayed.--It need only be added, it pleased the Lord to direct his humble convert, and bring him through faith in Christ, to joy and peace in believing. He became sometime afterwards a Minister, was settled in the church, and as highly respected for his piety and usefulness, as he was before for his erudition. He is probably still living, and bearing testimony from his own experience, to the necessity of a new heart, and the teaching of the Holy Spirit to salvation. The writer of this anecdote is himself the friend alluded to above. He has a perfect recollection of the affecting interview, and can vouch for the truth of this little narrative. Religious Entelligence. The unfavourable changes which have recently taken place in the Russian policy, have been such as to palsy in a great measure, the efforts of the Russian Bible Society, and to cause the suspension of all the Scotch Missions in Russia, except the station at Karass.-The Bible Society, which for several years, pursued so distinguished a course, and promised to supply with the word of life, not only the Russian population, but the numerous Heathen and Mahomedan tribes of that wide extended empire, is now completely paralyzed in its exertions, and appears to be dying a lingering death. In consequence of the powerful opposition which was raised to the Bible Society, Prince Galatzin, its noble President, retired from that office; he, at the same time, resigned his situation as minister of religion, and a Russian Admiral was ap. pointed in his place. Its no less excellent Secretary, Mr. Papoff, who visited this country about two years ago, and who was connected with the censorship of the press, was afterward put on his trial by the Criminal Court, respecting a book which had been published by Pastor Gossner, in which there were some reflections which were considered as somewhat unfavourable to the doctrine of the Greek Church relative to the Virgin Mary. Several others were also involved in the same prosecution, two of them pious men. Pastor Gossner himself, who, though a Catholick, is said to be a most eloquent, evangelical, and useful preacher, had, previously to this, been ordered away from Petersburg on a few days notice. The powers of darkness, in short, appear to be mustering their forces in the Russian empire: the measures pursued seem to be a part of that general system for arresting the progress of light, and for involving the nations in all the darkness of the middle ages, which has of late years constituted the distinguishing characteristic of the policy of most of the Continental princes. Boston Rec. & Tel. THE MISSIONARIES IN BURMAH SAFE. It is now a long time since our churches have been held in painful suspense with respect to the fate of the Rev. Dr. Judson and his wife, Missionaries at Ava, in the kingdom of Burmah. This suspense is now happily ended by a letter from Edward A. Newton, Esq. of Calcutta, to Mr. Evarts, the Corresponding Secretary of the Board of Missions. It is dated Calcutta, May 23, 1825, and is as follows: My Dear Sir,-It gives me infinite pleasure to acquaint you, that Mr. and Mrs. Judson are alive and well. Accounts have this day been received of them. They have been liberated and sent with other European prisoners to treat with the British Commander for peace. Peace will undoubtedly be made immediately, and all be well. I request you to give all possible publicity to this communication, On We learn from various parts of the country that the contemplated union between the United Foreign Missionary Society, and the American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions, is hailed as a most auspicious event by the friends of both institutions. no subject within our recollection has there been more perfect unanimity. From the North and the South, and beyond the Alleganies, the same voice of firm and decided approbation, is heard. Let all, who feel for the spiritual wants of mankind, make this an occasion for more fervent prayer for a blessing upon Missionary labours and of more active efforts to awaken our great community to the present inviting condition of many countries now stretching out their hands for the Gospel. BIBLE SOCIETY. Ib. A Society was organized in the court-house at Indianopolis, (Ind.) the 25th of Nov. 1825, entitled "The Auxiliary Bible Society for Marion Co. Indiana. The New-York religious papers state, that the premium of fifty dollars, offered some time since for the best Tract "On the duty of professors of religion, and especially those who have wealth, to consecrate their property to the spread of the Gospel," has been awarded to the Rev. DANIEL A. CLARK, of Amherst, Mass. There were no less than 46 competitors. Dedication. Dec. 1,-A new and commodious Edifice was dedicated to the worship and service of God in the East Parish in Attleborough. The reading of a select portion of the Scriptures and introductory prayer by Rev. James Barney of Seekonk; the dedicatory prayer by Rev. Elisha Fisk of Wrentham; sermon, by Rev. John Furgerson; concluding prayer by Rev. John Wilder. The Music was well chosen, and performed in a manner highly to interest and gratify the numerous and respectable a audience. The Sermon by the Pastor was very appropriate to the occasion, and indicated strong and original mind, cultivated by study, and enriched with Theological acquisitions. The building itself and the unanimity with which it was erected and completed, do great honour to the people in that place. The cordiality which subsists between the Pastor and the Church and Society, promises peace and prosperity to that part of Zion. Ordinations and Enstallations, March 5,-Rev. Mr. BRUSH was ordained Pastor of the Presbyterian Church in Indianopolis, Indiana. Sermon by Rev. John F. Crow. April 13,-Rev. BAYNARD R. HALL was ordained Pastor of the Church in Bloomington, Indiana. Sermon by Rev. Isaac Reed. June 4,-Rev. ALEXANDER WILLIAMSON was ordained as an Evangelist, in Charlestown, Indiana. June 4,-Rev. TILLY H. BROWN was ordained Pastor of the United Churches of Bethlehem and Blue River, Indiana. Sermon by Rev. Isaac Reed. August,--Rev. STEPHEN BLISS was ordained at Vincennes, Indiana, to the work of the Ministry. At the same time, Rev. Mr. SCOTT was installed Pastor of the Church at Indiana. November,-Rev. HENRY H. F. SWEET was ordained Pastor of the Church in Palmer. Sermon by the Rev. Mr. Ide. December 27,--Rev. STEPHEN M. WHEELOCK was installed Pastor of the Congregational Church in Warren, Vt.; and on the same occasion, Rev. GEORGE FREEMAN was ordained to the work of an Evangelist. Sermon by Rev. Mr. Chandler of Waitesfield. December 28,--Rev. JAMES D. KNOWLES was ordained Pastor of the 2d Baptist Church in Boston. Sermon by Rev. Prof. Chase, of the Theolog. Institution, Newton, TO CORRESPONDENTS. F. is received and will be duly noticed. We are obliged to our Correspondents who have enriched our pages with their valuable productions, and we sincerely hope that they will still favour us and the publick with their communications, and that others will contribute to our work from their Theological treasures, |