of new members. Endeavouring to make passages of scripture prove more than they are capable of proving, has done injury to the cause of God. The church at Jerusalem received Saul on the recommendation of Barnabas, and he was afterwards with them coming in and going out at Jerusalem. This implies what I should contend for on the admission of members into our churches; but to make it absolutely necessary that every person should come before the church, and make a confession of his faith, and give an account of his religious experience, appears to me improper and unnecessary. If the person who wishes communion has no objection, let him do it and, as I said before, let him be even encouraged to do it, for the church may thereby receive edification and comfort; but if he have an objection, and cannot do it with pleasure to himself, let nothing be imposed upon him. It being confessed by lota that a church has power to adopt any regulations upon this subject, which are not incompatible with fundamental principles, let some other method be devised. It is not for me to give instruction to our churches in this particular, but they will bear with me if I state what seems to me to be right. Satisfaction of the real religion of the person who requires admission into the church being all that can be desired; if he have any objection to come before the church, why may not two or three of the members be deputed by the church when assembled at their church-meeting, to have serious conversation with him upon the things of God, and of his knowledge and experience of the work of God upon his heart? This deputation might bring their report to the next church-meeting, and if, to the best of their judgment, he be really a pious person, and none of the members know any thing to the contrary, I can see no reason why he may not be admitted as a member of the church. If this plan were indeed established as a general, or even as an invariable rule in churches, the whole of their members would be concerned in it, and there could be no danger of preference or partiality, murmuring or disputings; it would, for ought I know, be decent and in order. But if any church choose to act differently, I have nothing to do with it; nor would I have any quarrel with them on that account. All I desire is, that nothing be contended for as essential to church-fellowship, what the sacred scriptures have not made so. With best wishes for the prosperity of Zion, I am, brethren most sincerely yours, SAMUEL GREEN. On Singing in Public Worship. To the Editor of the Baptist Magazine. SIR, I was gratified to observe in your Magazine for August, that a subject which has frequently engaged and oppressed my mind, had been taken up by one of your correspondents, and treated in a way eminently cal culated to bring home conviction to the consciences of those whom it concerns. I allude to the paper on "The Melody of the Heart." Without affectation I can assure you, Sir, that my mind has been severely pained in reflecting, that in the congregations to which I statedly administer, there are so many individuals who Sabbath after Sabbath mock the Divine Majesty with a solemn sound. It is a subject which I have brought forward again and again, both in private and in public, and I hope not without success; 3 1 though, in some cases, I fear, with little effect, except to call forth the censure of those whose prejudices and interest I may have opposed. My object in making this statement is, for the purpose of calling the attention of your readers, and especially of ministers, to this subject, as I am afraid it is one that has not received that serious regard which its high importance demands. If I can, in any humble degree, co-operate with your esteemed contributor to correct the abuses which I fear prevail in our congregations, I shall unfeignedly rejoice. But it may be enquired, what antidote would you propose for the cure of the evil of which you complain? Or how will you prevent persons from making use of language with their lips to which their hearts are strangers, who by thus mocking God, incur the awful guilt of hypocrisy? In reply I am free to confess, that I see almost insurmountable difficulties in the way of effecting a radical cure; for so long as the praises of the church of God ascend promiscuously with those of men of the world, this evil will prevail less or more, in every assembly. But surely it is worth the effort of every minister, and of every other follower of Christ, to endeavour to lessen this evil; by shewing the criminality of unconverted persons joining in those hymns especially, which breathe the devout, the grateful, and elevated feelings of one whose heart is expanded with the love of God. For instance, what pious mind is there, that is alive to this subject, that does not shudder at hearing a choir of singers (perhaps the greatest part of whom may be young persons, outwardly moral and virtuous, but alas! destitute of grace in their hearts)* stand up, The Writer knows more than one choir of this description. and in the presence of the heart- Or thus address the Saviour, My transport and my trust: Surely, Sir, the impropriety and sinfulness of such procedure as this, must be so obvious to every enlightened mind, as to need no arguments to prove that it is an awful trifling with sacred things, a direct insult on that glorious Being who has declared, that he will not be mocked with impunity; but that "whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap." What, we ask, shall an individual make a direct appeal to the God of heaven, Sabbath after Sabbath, that he is the Sovereign of his heartthat he is the spring of all his joys that he is the glory of his days, and the comfort of his nights-whose heart is "enmity against God!”— Shall that man appeal to Christ that he is precious to his soul-that he is his transport-his trust, and his supreme treasure-whose affections-whose hopes-and whose treasure are in the world! What, will a man, we again repeat, thus mock God to his face! To lessen this great evil, I would most respectfully, but most earnestly submit, whether ministers of the gospel who "watch for souls as those who must give an account," should not more frequently, and more specifically bring this subject before their hearers? And whether in public worship, hymns of a general nature should not be more frequently substituted for those which bear particularly on Christian experience? The writer also begs leave to submit to his brethren in the ministry, if it is not of great importance, for them to inculcate frequently upon those persons in their respective congregations who meet for improvement in singing, (especially if they have any doubt of their piety) the paramount importance of their hearts and lips being in unison? By so doing, might not this evil be diminished-the minds of many be saved from much painful feeling -the souls of individuals from much sin-and the Divine Being from much dishonour? I would close with expressing my hearty assent to the sentiment of your esteemed correspondent, “Ministers should speak to their hearers on this subject," and with the wish and prayer, that every worshipper of God may have that scripture engraven upon his heart as with a pen of iron, "Let us have grace whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: for our God is a consuming fire! Yours very respectfully, Miscellanea. MENNONITES. LETTER, No. X. Texel, Oct. 2, 1820. MY passage from the Helder, from whence I last wrote, has been favour. able. Mr. Hookstra saw me safe on board. The Mennonite Baptist church nearest the spot where I landed, lay at a distance of about three miles, in a village called Burg; and where also Mr. Fenstra, its pastor, lives. I walked there without delay with a person who served me both as porter and guide. At the first call I did not find him in, nor at the second. A message, however, came some time after to the inn to say, that he would be glad to see me in the evening at six, and I went accordingly. At first I thought my reception rather cold and phlegmatic. He was very inquisitive, and the questions were such as soon convinced me that I had to do with a shrewd and intelligent mind, which by the way is no disadvantage to a good and great cause. As we proceeded into the subject of the Mission, I could perceive more affability in Mr. F.'s manner, and more confidence. I was glad, among other things, to learn from him that there was another Baptist church about the centre of the island, at a village called the Horn, and as I had expressed my intention to visit it, he kindly offered to call and take me next morning, which he did in a conveyance. The pastor of this latter church is a Mr. Rijwijk. Nothing could be more hospitable and affectionate than the reception I met with from him. He offered me, from his heart, both bed and board, and pressed me to tarry there some time. I was very sorry the lateness of the season obliged me to decline this offer. He regretted I should have taken up my quarters at an inn, but hoped ere long to receive me under his roof as a friend and brother. Mr. R. is a very zealous and benevolent character, and has contributed by bis pen much to the instruction of the youth of his denomination. Mr. F. baving to go his pastoral rounds with one of his deacons, left me soon after our arrival at the Horn. These pastoral rounds are pretty common, especially in North Holland, among the Mennonite Baptists. On such excursions among the flocks, the pastor is accompanied by one or other of his deacons, who take it in turn. Each household is visited on such occasions, and should there be any offences or quarrels between members, or any thing out of joint in other respects, care is taken to set all to rights previous to the administering of the Lord's supper, which takes place four times in the year, so that each member may come up to that solemn and affecting ordinance to the edifying of each other in love. After dinner I walked back with Mr. R. to Burg, where the evening was passed at Mr. F.'s in company with a clergyman of the reformed church. Our conversation flowed in almost one unbroken stream, upon topics connected with the spread of the Redeemer's kingdom, and this lasted till ten o'clock. It is very pleasant to observe, that brotherly love and mutual forbearance in matters of religion are visibly on the increase; and it cannot be doubted that Missions have much contributed to this happy change. I say a change, for many recollect when it was far otherwise. The Baptists exchange pulpits now with the reformed church in many parts of Holland. This, fifty years ago, would have been thought as extraordinary as for a Protestant minister to preach for a Roman Catholic, and vice versa. The two Mennonite Baptist churches on the Texel are composed of about eight hundred members, and which, if I am correctly informed, make about one half of the population. Piloting ships in and out of the Zuider Zee, fishing, extensive rabbit warrens, and feeding sheep, for which the island appears well suited from the richness and delicacy of its grass, these are the principal sources of subsistence to the inbabitants of the Texel. I purpose setting off to-morrow for the sea-coast in search of a vessel to embark for Friesland. I am always yours, W. H. ANGAS. Enkhuizen, October 4, 1820. VOL. XVII. 473 veyance from the Texel to the coast of Friesland, where, however, a packet goes from twice a week across the Zuider Zee. As I cannot leave this for the opposite coast before next week, I shall, in the mean time, do what I can to deepen any Missionary impression I may have made on my first visit to this place. I am anxious to be amongst the churches in Friesland, where I understand the Mennonite Baptists are more numerous than in any other part of the United Provinces; till I have that pleasure, I remain Yours always, W. H. ANGAS. Dissenters' Registers of Births. SIR, with a few lines on this subject, from I am induced again to trouble you reading a letter in your last month's Magazine, signed G. .... omitted to notice one species of Regis. The writer therein states, that "I ter which became primary evidence whenever it could be established, and upon which therefore it was important no doubt should be thrown," viz. a Register in the family Bible by the parent. . serve, that my letters in the Magazines on to observe, that " pondent's letter will have a tendency to make Dissenters rest contented with the imperfect mode of registering which they now adopt. I will suppose a suit instituted in the Court of Chancery, that the birth of one of the contending parties, was, on the hearing, consider ed a material feature in the case-that the party was a Dissenter-that no Register of Baptism could be produced, and that the only evidence to prove the fact was, the entry in a family Bible. This question must then be sent to a jury to decide; who on such evidence as your Correspondent mentions, as having been produced on the recent trial at York, would most likely be satisfied. Admitting then, that such evidence could be produced, (but at the same time remembering how very often the contrary would happen) the fortunate Dissenter would incur all the expense of a trial at law, to prove that, which had his parents exerted themselves as they ought to have done, to procure from the legislature a proper Registry, the production of an extract from it would have instantly settled the question. As to the plan suggested concerning Wills, it seems to me that innumerable objections would occur. In the first place, how many Dissenters have nothing to leave-if they have, then immediately after a child is born a Will must be made and at every birth or marriage, either a fresh Will or a Codicil must be drawn-most likely a professional man would be employed each time, and thus an endless expense would be incurred. If the parents themselves dictated the Will, then there would be the risk of its being ambiguonsly expressed, and thus give rise to a Chancery Suit. The case also of posthumous children occurs to me, how could this be provided against? As to what your Correspondent recommends, of the son reciting in his Will who his parents were, it cannot surely be supposed, that at any time this will form as good a Registry as the parochial ones; for what is to hinder an unprincipled man from reciting some rich persons to have been his parents, calculating at some time or other, the advancement of his family by such means? But this suggestion as to Wills, your Correspondent recommends only in case of "no general Register being provided," and thus in For the relief of superannuated Preachers and Missionaries, and their Widows, of the Brethren's Church To the Society for propagating the Gospel among the Heathen 2000 4000 5000 10,000 50,500 2000 6000 - 20,000 The last-mentioned sum is to constitute a fund, the interest of which will be expended in the education of pious young men for the work of the ministry. The residue of his estate, valued at more than two hundred thousand dollars, is bequeathed to the said Society for propagating the Gospel among the Heathen, to be appropriated from time to time as the Society shall direct. I is calculated that the interest of this money will constantly support twentyfive Missionaries. Mr. Haga, who had no patrimonis! |