THE

Baptist Magazine,

JANUARY, 1816.

ON THE NEW YEAR.

NOTWITHSTANDING the tens of thousands who, during the past year, have gone into eternity, the world is still furnished with inhabitants; and the various offices which they left unoccupied, are again supplied. "One generation passeth away and another cometh;" and though in many things" their way was their folly,"-yet their posterity approve their sayings," and are pursuing the same course of "vanity and vexation of spirit."

depravity, which is sown in the hearts of all, will produce an abundant crop of disobedience, misery, and death. During the succession of three hundred and sixty-five days, parents will take a long farewel of their affectionate children;-pastors will preach their last sermons to their afflicted flocks;-judges and senators will finally vacate their important stations;-and monarchs will for ever resign the purple, sceptre, and diadem. Respecting persons of The commencement of the every description, it is doubtless present year will be noticed written in the councils of hea as an era of universal peace. ven, "This year thou shalt The storm which agitated the die." We hope the year will continents of Europe, Asia, and not terminate without having America, is hushed to silence. witnessed events full of divine The din of war is no longer heard. goodness and mercy towards The sword is returned to its the dwellers upon the earth. scabbard. The soldier resumes May we not expect, that the the employment of the hus- various means employed for bandman. "Come, behold the disseminating evangelical truth, works of the Lord, what desola- will not be altogether in vain tions he hath made in the earth. Will not this "handful of corn, He maketh wars to cease unto sown upon the tops of the the end of the earth. He break-mountains, shake like Leba eth the bow, and cutteth the spear in sunder: He burneth the chariot in the fire."

Though the fierce demon of discord and war may not be permitted, in this year, to ravage the earth; yet the seed of

VOL. VIII.

non ?" and the accessions made to the church of Christ, be numerous and flourishing," as the grass of the earth?" Is it not probable, that, in this year, there will be for many "a time to be born" again? And, re

specting whom, parents and ministers, with adoring praise, will repeat, "Even from this time it shall be said, What hath God wrought?"

ing the various concerns which relate either to the present life, or to that which is to come, the word of inspiration says, "Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest."

Among the numerous readers of this Essay, it may be presumed, many will this year be numbered with the dead: and the tongue now employed in articulating its contents, be silent Let the unconverted reader in the dust! Is the reader a reflect, that while he is impeyouth who has attained that nitent, and neglecting the "great period of life, that he feels salvation," he is without "a himself released from the re-hiding place from the wind, or straints of " tutors and gover-a covert from the tempest." nors:" or, who is anticipating He has no security that the terthe pleasures of connubial en- mination of his present existence joyment? or, is he a trades- will not be the commencement man, engaged in the hurry, or of an eternal state of misery. immersed in the cares of busi- Let him then "turn to the ness? or a miser, who is adding strong hold as a prisoner of house to house, or field to hope;" remembering, that " field? or, a thoughtless spend- is the accepted time, that now thrift, who, with his compa- is the day of salvation!" nions, is saying, "Let us eat Let the unfruitful member and drink, for to-morrow we of a Christian church, who, in die?" Such persons are, in ge- the eye of infinite wisdom, is a neral, unconscious of the short-"cumberer of the ground;" be ness and uncertainty of time, and are saying, "Soul, take thy rest, thou hast much goods laid up for many years!"

" On this side, and on that, men see their

friends

Drop off, like leaves in autumn; yet
launch out

Into fantastic schemes, which the long livers
In the world's hale and undegenerate days

Could scarce have leisure for."

Let it be considered, that eternal consequences depend upon the use or abuse of the time allotted to each individual! Could the writer and reader of this Essay be even assured, that they would be among the survivors of the present year, still their "time will come to die;" and, therefore, respect

thankful that the Lord Jesus has "let him alone another year." But it may be, probably, the last year his long-suffering will thus be exercised: and the order may be given, "Cut it down." Every consideration of threatened wrath, and of extended mercy, should rouse to exertion in every good word and work. Let all such hear, and attend to the exhortation, "Work while it is called to-day, for the night cometh wherein no man can work."

Let the indolent and unfaithful shepherd, who is feeding himself, but not the flock, tremble lest, before the end of the year, his "days should be num

bered." How will such a one meet his offended Lord, when he shall say, "Give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward?" To have the blood of souls, who have perished through his negligence, required at his hands, will be, in the highest degree, dreadful. Let such ministers tremble, "lest, whilst they have preached to others, they themselves should be cast away."

according to the instructions given in the scriptures.

I cannot undertake to discuss this subject in all its length and breadth. What I have to say, on this branch of your office, has been derived, chiefly, from experience and observation, and will show its relation to yourself, to your Creator, and to your fellow-worshippers.

The importance of the subject may be inferred-From the nature of your office: "We will give ourselves continually to prayer, and the ministry of the word," Acts, vi. 4.-From the consideration, that ministers are called to pray publicly, in a great variety of circumstances-From your religious character, as a dissenter. A dissenter, as such, rejecting pre

Let the humble, zealous servant of Christ, increase his exertions; and, by his study and persevering aim to exalt his king, and to increase his dominion, provoke others to activity in this holy warfare. The year may not close before HE, who has entrusted talents to his use, may return and de-scribed liturgies, should be doumand an account of their improvement. Then those servants who, through grace, have been "faithful unto death, will receive the crown of life." They shall exchange their labour for eternal rest;-the company of saints upon earth, for that of the "spirits of the just made perfect" in heaven; and the afflictions of time for the glories of eternity.

IOTA.

Extract of a Letter to a young
Minister,

bly careful to cultivate the gift of prayer ;—and, From the fact, that some very eminent preachers are remarkably deficient; as, on the other hand, some, who excel in praying, do not appear to advantage when addressing their fellow-creatures.

I shall begin with a few remarks on what relates to yourself.

1. Recollect that you appear, not only as an official professional man, but in the character of a worshipper with your fellow-worshippers; in the cha

RESPECTING PUBLIC PRAYER.racter of a sinner with your fel

low-sinners.

PRAYER is an address to 2. Prepare your heart to seek God, presented in the name of the Mediator, on behalf of ourselves, or others; deprecating evils, and supplicating good things; in dependence on the promised aids of the Spirit, and

God. As you would not preach, so neither should you pray, without preparation. I would not be understood, however, to advise you to study words beforehand, so much as things. Ho

"The matter being provided, the words will freely follow." See, on this part of the subject, Job Orton's Letters to Dissent-read in private. Wherever you are ing Ministers and Students; called to take the lead in public published by the late Mr. Pal- worship, you will find it useful mer, of Hackney. to read, before sermon or before prayer, a small portion of holy writ. Your preaching is but a commentary; let the people always hear first the text itself.

2. Be, as much as possible, the representative of the whole congregation. Consider that all are supposed to speak by the mouth of one.

3. In praying for the king, there should be no fond expres sions, on the one hand; for you are required to pray for him, because he is the supreme ma

while you profess to speak to your Maker. Nor let it appear as if you were speaking of God, to some other being, when you are expected to draw nigh to the throne of the Eternal, who waits to be gracious. It is, confessedly, a matter of some difficulty to follow this direction strictly. Every man fails, perhaps, more or less; but, as it will eminentlygistrate; and, on the other hand, serve to gird up the loins of your there should be no tinge of mind, and to promote real de- party politics, no speaking evil votion in yourself and in others, of dignities, no public censure you should aim at it. Solilo- on the measures of administraquies, pious wishes, and ejacu- tion. Our king, George the lations, may suit the closet, Third, is venerable on account but, when you pray in public, of his age and affliction his they are improper. long reign-his moral character

4. It is better to speak rather his domestic virtues-his attoo slowly than too fast. See tention to religion-and his rank Eccles. v. 2.A sinful man, among sovereigns; but I would chattering to his Maker, with a not speak of him as venerable, tone of bold familiarity, in the nor of his family as illustrious, presence of a congregation, is a before God; for, in the preshocking scene of profaneness. sence of the divine Majesty, all Thirdly, I shall only add a kings are as "grasshoppers," and few thoughts relating to your" all nations before him are as fellow-worshippers.

1. It appears highly improper to speak of presuming to come into the divine Presence. Recollect, that you have a most ample and explicit warrant, in the form of commands-of invitations of promises. You have a directory in the Lord's Prayer. You have a great variety of the prayers of good men preserved in the scriptures. You have recorded examples of successful petitions, and gracious answers. You have the oracle of Jehovah, proclaiming, with a loud voice," Mine house shall be called an house of prayer for all people." Isa. lvi. 7.-After all this, can it be accounted presumption?

nothing." Nah. iii. 17. Isa. xl. 17.

4. Sympathize with all, your fellow-worshippers through the world. It animates the heart, to think that God is able and willing to listen to so many at one time, and to give us a participation in those immense showers of blessing which de scend from him.

5. Avoid dark allusions to difficult passages of scripture. You might as well pray in an unknown tongue.

6. A meretricious, painted, rhetorical style, is not the natural language of the heart, but the artificial language of the head, or the play of the imagination; and, therefore, is ut