. DAVID M'KINNEY,
Editor and Proprietor.
REV. T. N. M'KINNEY, ASSOCIATE EDITOR.
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REV. DAVID M'KINNEY,
Pittsburgh, Pa.
The Clock of Unman Life.
'Tie oue o'clock—the silvery chimes
Arc ringing soft and low,
Over an infant's cradle bed,
As it swings to and fro ;
While smiling near, a mother bends,
Listening to the clear bells
flinging the babe's sweet advent hour,
In her heart's deepest wells.
Tinkle!, tinkle! soft and clear,
On the loving mother's ear.
'T is two--three—four in merry peals,
Bells strike the passing hour,
While bliss pours in through every sense,
As on this mortal shore
The tripping feet of childhood fly.
While air, and earth, and sky
Are full of joy, and childhood'i bells
Are ringing clear and high.
Jingle t jingle! clear and high,
Ring the bells of childhood's sky.
Nov five and Biz ring on the ear,
In deeper golden notes,
And tender chimes, and loving peals,
Round youth's sweet dream-life floats.
Those notes are filling every sense
Of Ate young maiden's life,
And their soft, mellow lullabys
Bush every thought of strife.
Love me, love me, ring the belle,
As round fair youth their music swells.
'T is seven now—'tis eight-4.3s nine;
And deeper sounds the bell,
As in the solemn march of life,
They ring with fuller swell;
And tell of strife, and toil, and care,
Of grief and sundered ties,
And to the heart subdued by grief,
They are ringing in the sky,
Of rest above, where Jesus dwells,
Come home, come home, they faintly
I=
'T is ten o'olook--the vanished hours
Ring out their warning tones , ;
The silver notes of infancy
And golden ohimee are gone.
The past is all a fleeting dream;
The future, oh, how grand I
As 'mid its deep and solemn peals
With parted lips we stand.
Ding-dong, ding-dong, it slowly rolls,
Pealing the requiem of souls.
The clock has struck eleven—harkl
The awful moments pass,
'Mid muffled bells we hear them die,
And watch time's hour-glass.
Solemn and slow, we hear their ktiell,
They ring of ended strife,
There's More of tender joy • than grief
Which tolls of endless life.
Oh t . joyful knells, life's evening bells,
Of conflicts past, their music tells.
'Tie twelve o'clock—the midnight hour
Rolls out its thrilling knell,
Alt! not of grief, and not of death,
Does its deep tell. '
To Christian souls—so high! so grand !
Are the bright hopes it rings,
That 'mid the solemn knells of time,
The parting spirit sings,
As midnight bells fade soft away,
'T is endless one in upper day.
'Tie endless one in that bright world,
One everlasting , day;
Hours have pealed their last farewell,
And minutes passed away.
'T is one effulgent, brilliant noon, > •
One flood of light and love;
One solemn never-ending now
In that Sweet home above.
Ohl the deep joy of evermore,
When waking first' on that blest shore.
-Episcopal Recorder.
" 'tor the kresbyterlan - Banner
Pour Nodes of Benefleente;.'
It must be a matter of vast moment and
little anxiety to every pastor and elder
have,at heart the beneficent operations
he .Church, .how they shall most sue-
Fully develop the latent charity of the
mob, and , properly cultivate the habit of
ng to the Lord. One thing of great
)rtance in the successful, development
she scheme.of systematic beneficence is,
mode in which the annual collection is
in up. I cannot help but think that •
of efficiency in our system of benef<=
operations arises sometimes, at least,
our,, faulty modes of gathering the
is income. If one mode is better than
her, is it not well that we should know
' adopt it ? If one mode is preferable
:other for, one class of our churches, is
important that we should know that
in order that the very best mode-may
topted for churches in the city, and in
town, and in the country ; providing
be not one mode applicable to all, and
one the very best known. I propose,
, with your permission, to notice very
a few modes, perhaps ordinarily fol
by Our churches, noting some of the
qualities of each, and also some of
• bad, or at least doubtful qualities :
by a faithful comparison we mailearn
is the preferable, or else lead others
;gest the very -best mode discOvered.
j the minds and lieartx of all the men
women and children deeply imbued
: the spirit of benevolence, the manner
exercising their beneficence would not
sf so much importance. For then where
was the will there would be way.
:lties in any or all the ways of making
Itions would be overcome; the interest
.iat the Lord has given would be fully
heartily paid, whether the Lord„.4olo
half-yearly, or quarterly, or, eix,times
••, as he does now for the six regular
s of our Church.
mode is by the use of the bag.
has advantages and disadvautWS.
advantage is, that it-.maintains,tits
,ary principle, leaving .sit ..optional
sr to give or not ; and also, whether
or little. This mode has perhaps the
outward restraint of any of those we
notice. But few can see whether a
lives or not; and, none can know, ex
)d, much he, gives. This.mode
time; it can be done quickly : and
s a matter of importance with some
Is and elders, if we may judge them
s rapidity of their movements, giving
but barely time, and others no time
• The little observation I have had
:is particular is this : that the elder
is the most careful to give time
and every one, little and big, old
sung, male and fetuale,'an, opportunity,
sy far the largest amount.. ,And this
of all the modes. Where a collec
ts taken every Sabbath for other than
regular annual objects of Christian
. . + .
_
t
r .
A- - triavit cli t ( annti+
iu , .:, ‘•......._,/ •
VOL. XI., NO. 23
beneficence, the bags are perhaps the best,
as time is saved and not much from each
one is expected. But if they are also used
for the annual collections, we think they
fail to realize as much a 3 by some other
modes. The minister may faithfully re
mind the congregation that it is not an
ordinary morning collection that is being
taken, but one to which they give but once a
year, and a purely beneficent object too, but
still the result to some extent would seem
to show that they were forgetful. But
where no regular morning collection is cus
tomary in a church, we think the bag mode
has also serious objections, especially where
piety is low. • Were all truly alive to their
duty and privileges, and truly conscientionS,
it would be, perhaps the very best mode.
But with the present amount of piety in
the case of the majority of the church, a
mode that more effectually appeals to the
heart anti conscience than the bag, seems
to do, is the preferable mode.
A variety of the above modes is, hy the
use of plates or baskets. The mode, in
its essential features the same, whether the
bag, plate,
or basket be used. We prefer
the basket to .the plate, as it is lighter, ,not
likely to,, break should it be let fall, and
there. is much less noise. We, think. the
basket is much better than the ordinary
bags. Its . presentation reminds the, giver
that a contribution for an annual henevo-
lent object is expected,• and something more
than is commonly given . at the ordinary
morning collection. Then, very little more
time, is required with •the basket .
.than` the
bag. Then, again, -if the giver wishes
change, the deacon or elder carrying the
basket can more,easily get it from the bas-
ket than-from the bag. , ;
A second mode .followed in some church
es is, to have persons at the close of the
service bring their contribution to one 'or
more persons appointed to receive it, the
name and amount. being put down in a book
kept for that purpose. • •
There are some excellent features in this
plan. Like the former mode it maintains
the voluntary prilibiple, and yeb in - one
sense there is a little constraint in this - that
is not felt in the other. All may See who
do and who do not contribute. Then the
record thus kept also shows who' do and
who do not giVe, together with the amounts
Of each'. Such a record reveals a ciirioua
and interesting - history--telling Of many,
very many who never give
,anything, year
after year; of °there whose amounts are
never increased, though their ability in
Creases year after year,' : But this - I:node re-'
- quires more time than the.former.. It is
attended with more invonvenieneei, too.
when the. 'benediction - is pronounced the
pastor receiveseit .at-the table in front of
the pulpit, or some other person or persons,
itis difficult,in - aiarge audience' 'to get for
ward: .if the receivers take 'their places;
one at each door, inconvenience willrbe,ex
perienced:there; because of.the crowd pass
ing. Then very Many have but-little to
give, and hence are unwilling to give, as it
is to - be registered and seen by some, at
least, how much •'they give. Such 'surely
forget thararrecord ofeverretca finites oppo
site their name"is an , hundred , fold , ' , better
thavoothing at all.
prefer the' first triode to this`, usi*
the baskets, for vastly more of the widows'
mitesrarethus' gathered, 'than by the last
named plan; and. then, too, there -is more
likelihood that more, if not. of - eaeh
family will give. Thus the habit otgiving
among children, as well as'parentspoan per
haps better be - secured. The rich can' put
into the'basket hisonevilve, or ten dollars;
and the child 'its helf•dimw , with equal
--freedem.
A third mode is, by the use of slips of
paper"carried around through the'congrega
tion by deacons or elders, or others,- giv
ing each - one an opportunity to sign :his
name and the amount he wishes to give,
paying it.at the time, or within the coming
one, or two, or three weeks. I am very
confident that more money can be cdllected
by this mode than by either of the former
two. But like the other modes mentioned,
this also has its good and its doubtful qual
ities. Were these slips of paper preserved,
or the names and amounts transferred to a
book in which all the names' of the church
members are recorded, a full history could
be preserved; thispas in the 'second Mode,
infortning thegrininistei {who ' among his
'flock are faithffil• stewards 'Of that which
the Lord has' given them, and who. , are pot.
And this IS knthyledge that he needs, as it
is`hie dtitylo endeavor to . have every mem
ber of his church exercise the grace of giv
ing*to the Lord. This mode•requires more
time than the first' mentioned, and yet no
undue amount of time need be' consumed
by this mode; if the 'minister 'and others
'who attend tetaking upthe colleetions'exer
cisWa little hirisight, , andlhaNye things" al
waysin order and readiness. For instance,
the minister' announces the'oolleetion" - and
requests demo)* elders or othere to'proceed
to take it up. They must meditate a little
before starting, perhaps Making up their
minds how muchthey ought to giVe, or"
Whether they ought i iii . head the papeiwith
their name amount, or 'feeling for ";a
pencil and 'not finding one in their pockets
must go to this one, then to that One, - thus
consuming time uselessly. When Mier
and pencil are readY, it is found inconven
ient 'to write pn the paper With nothing
under it, or nothing but, 'the knee' or hat
°resin, or a small hymn-book, any one of
Which is not lunch better than nothing "it
all; or the pencil when obtained is not in
order, it must be pointed; a knife must be
hunted, perhaps. Then perhaps but two
persons are requested to take up the collec
tion,
or four at most, as there are but that
number of 'deacons or elders in the church,
or at least present, and it would not be
orthodox for others, to assist, some may
think. But let the minister name eight,
.
or twice eight if the church is large, and
let.the chureh have the papers all ready; a
smooth board 6 'by 8 inches, and half an
inch orJess in thickness, with, a good, pen
cil,' pbinted, and attached by a string, to
the board; or what might be better, have
instead of a board and loose slip of paper, a
blank "hook 6 by 8, with a stiff back, and
pencil attached Wit;" this would he more
permanent, and do for, years. And four,
or eight, or twelve of these would' cost hit
a trifle. The increase ,in a single collec
tion, we feel sure, with, the above named
facilities, for taking it, would pay for them
ten times. Do:not many say to themselves,
I cannot write with such a pencil, on such
a paper, and therefore I will not try-it—mid
hence give nothing,. Though not very
much time need bd consumed in
,getting
the names and the amounts, .yet this mode
may be termed a lingering one, salt, is not
all paid for some' time after.,. ,To gather it,
in some cases, takes tie n:sl4aber and,
PITTSBURGH, WEDNESDAY, FE BRTJARY 18, 1863.
some is not received at all. This last
named objection to this mode is, to our
mind, the most serious. It is not safe for
the person who pays the contribution over
to the Board for which it has been con
tributed, to advance, of his own, what may
not as yet have been paid in, as he will
find it to him a sinking operation. But
judicious, active, zealous deacons or elders,,
who have charge of the several amounts on
their respective papers, being prompt them
selves, could soon make a prompt people.
Indeed, a person who regularly takes up a
collection in one.part of a congregation
—say one row of seats, or half a row--- 2 socin
knows all who sit there, as Presbyterians
are not much given to change their•'seats
from Sabbath to Sabbath or year to year;
and he could very easily rule . six columns
in his blank book, or on his slip of paper,
and name the' object at the head of each
column for which collation§ are . to be
taken, and then .write in order all the
names of parents and children in his part
of the congregation, so that when the col
lection is being taken, time would be saved,
as the.name would be already down, and
only the amount wanted; and then with
this intimate acquaintance with his part of
the congregation, and theirs with him, he
could the more easily and quickly secure
the several amounts. This mode, with a
little experience' of those using it, might
be made much mere perfect than we have
suggested, and be..worked.with great - effi
ciency. We believe,we prefer it to either
of the former two modes, especially if the
deacons or elders are disposed to be work
ing men, not afraid .of a • little -labor, and
even trouble for a time, for the sake of
their Master's cause.
•• The fourthnnd last mode we will ,notice
is, where the congregation have .a personal
application made to them at their homes or
places of business by the • Sexton .of the
church or by the Deacons or Elders,. or by
a Committee of ladies and gentlemen op- I
pointed by the Session to serve Say for a
year. This mode • tombinee . . some of the
most advantageous features ,of the second
and third. A record could easily he kept
by this mode as well as the two referred to.
. But where the ; Sexton attends to it r be
must have a
.per cent. pf it for
.his labor,
and _this to, us is..a serious objection . , not
against the mode, hutagainst paid labor to
work it.. .
Where ; there are working,. zealous tics
cens or elders to, carry out this mode,
.think it could be madethe. most successful
or any of. the,.four.. They could explain
the, „o.bjeets, urge the,. duty, spesk_ of
_the
privilege and.blessed results to ; the : ehurph,
to the world, and to the givers. themselves.
They could becouie .• efficient • co-workers
with the pastor in making his people a giv
ing people, a„. people.
Then they, as they go ; to each family, mild
'inaugurate a system
.ef,,each. one the
fainily giving something in••his ; or,her,own
narne,,:to each : and all the, objeet4.3- o. l .eflL
the .eldere.did it they would, be only doing
their duty' in ..visiting and looking Acttr
those: for whose souls. they. aswell ,as the
minister are to watch, X. - the Session
should appoint a committee of some dozen
for an' 'ordinarycongregStron, serve'. for
a year ' and then. assign to each, Saib' fen
or `twelve families moat donvenienttO theid,
we think' it might be Made quite 'effiefe4.
It would interest the people in the matter;
they would be led - to inform thimieliSs
more the — various objects; and' then
it would give the membership'seinething •
to . 'do' Which is of itself an important mat
ter. Au injudicious perSoh, miglesonie
'tidies be - appointed who' 'Might do; harm
rather than good. But Stiff we think this
mode with the committee` could be'rita&No
effect a great dear more thill perhatiiilny
one of 'the first three modes. Our - 'own
Conclusion is, that this larat mode could . be
Made' the most'etficient either in the hands
Of's judicious ;committee' of church'
mem
hers,' male and female, 'iffpoliciail -
Session er in the har& of the Edda
- themselves--46.prefer the Elderi.
If we have•by the abOve' , Suggeitions, set
any body to thinking abOnt their modes of
taking collections, :and seek. 'tor` improve
them' if they lain not -already the best ; • Or
'if the above will lea& other - fend abler pe'ns
to. brief discussions on • the subject, so as
in the end to' bring additional revenue to
the treasury of the Lord,. it will answer
the object.of • BENEVOLENCEt
For'ihePreeli,yterian Banner
•
B,etiWnk AssuTance.
It is, a very common thing to find per
sons once rejoicing in hope
' at other times
overwhelmed in doubt. Now, how far
should such persons take comfort from the
assurance once possessed Paul says,
" Cast not away your confidence." Does
not this mean,
that having once enjoyed
hope, it should be retained ? I do not
think that a believer, who has once had
surance, should, always afterwards, silence
every doubt by urging his former confi
dence. But does not the man who has
looked over, and felt that he un
derstood, the demonstration of a mathemat
ical problem, - retain ;his; :conviction of its
truth, though,.may..hear many doubts
against it? He does, not, at:every sugges
tion.of doubt, castaway. his confidence. And
go over the -demonstration afresh. The
man who has examined-the character
friend, and .has: come, to an intelligent con
clusionoloes not give upihis confidence At
every whisper of, slander. So the Chris
tian, who remenibers at one :times that he
had an intelligent .conviction, of his xeson
ciliation to God, when hem honestly trying
to discover the truth, should not disregard
this,
• when, afterward, deubts come upon
him. And if we re,member, really times,
when this conviction oSme, thiis from
Scriptural evidence, we, should hold this
confidence, even aiainst many donbti. "
Biit we should regard the cause which
brought us' into doubt. Were We startled
at the coldness of .oirr hearts' our worldli
ness ; or alarmed at' our "ridglect of duty,
or because we were living in' known sin?
Then if vie not of 'incon
sistency, if We are unwilling to 'amend;'Ve
have very much reason to doubt. But if
we are ashamed, and' humbled, and peni
tent, it is just one 'of' the Common ' v_icissi
tudes of. Christian life,. and should' not
shake our confidence. It should increase
a watchful . diligence. But if ,our doubts
come connexion with some affiietion—
the, loss of property, • allepation of friends,
Outbreaks of sin in the world, domestic or
social difficulties which pntplex and
,worry,
it is likely that out• doubts_are only sympa
thetic. What we, should do, is not to
yield to the doubt, but ask God for strength,
14 run with, increased
. the
Itinly of Ood. This, insteq of ikuiferink
mind to sink into a state of constant doubt,
alike destructive of peace and Christian
zeal, we should grow into confidence. This
hope would not only give us peace, but
would lead us to " purify ourselves even as
he is pure." A.
For the Preebytertan. Banner
"What Can I Do ?"
CLOSING NO. .
It has been my aim in these articles, to
awaken the slumbering zeal and arouse the
dormant energies of Christians. Remem
ber that feeling, and planning, and purpos
ing, must ripen into corresponding action,
if you would do good in the world. If you
have' hearts to feel—heads to plan and
hands to work—you may accomplish much:
The plea of "bad health," instead of en
couraging habits of idleness, should be a
fresh stimulus to exertion. Judicious 'ef
fort may strengthen your - shattered consti
tution'
and add. many years to your life.
I t will at least sprinkle new stars through •
your crown of rejoicing. But there is one
other objection to be met. I have been
telling you of separation from hoMe- and
kindred—of self-denial:rid toil aiid'suffer
ing—of death itself in.the service of your-
Divine Master , ; and you are ready to ex
claim, " Must we look for no pleasure—are
we to haire no enjoyment----must we foreeo
all earthly good and sacrifice ease,comfort,
happiness, all that earth holds ear, upon
the altar of duty, ?" In, reply, I might ask,
a
Whit if it were so? Moses esteemed the
reproach of Christ greater riches duzn the
treasures in Egypt, for he had respect unto
the recompense of the reward." "Be not
weary in well-doing, for' in due season ye
shall reap if' ye Taitit net: Be ye 'faithful
unto death', had Chriii will give 'you 'a
crown of lite." Think how men; to secure
some mere earthly good, shut themselves out
from society; sail throxigh,' pathless oceans
—cross inhospitable deserts and rugged
mountains -'2-dig deep into the very bowels
of the earth, and toil on in their low pris
ons many days without or star and yet
are considered fortunate, if after long oh
sence and great self-denial and labor, they •
come back' raden with spailcling diamonds
and golden ore. Why then should we hes-
Hate to endure hardness, thnt we may lay
up' for ourselves treasure in heaven ? The
richest - boon - Of - earth
,is a :corfriiptible
crown." , The prizeht9 rwhielt our Saviour
points us is,"" an incerruPtible crown!'
But is it true that the life into which .I
would conduct you is So cheerlege and un
inviting ' There isc a Sweet luxury in
doing 'good. GodlineSs . has promise of this
life, as well as of that which is 'to mine.
Are the dwellings of those who;deem it
their meat and drink to do the will of God;
sad and g100my?,,,. Jayand,gladness shall
be found .therein, thanksgiving , and the,
voice of melody" • Ministers and ,mission- i
aries have much pure elevated enjoy
ment mingled with 'their responsibilities',
toils and privations. -I , ln the darkest night
there is light in their, dwellings. In the
most discouraging times ,they can exclaim,
"We are troubled, on every side, yet not
distressed; we are perpleted, but not in des
pair ; persecuted, - but' ItAit4 - forsakert; - cast
down, but not destroyed ; sorrowful,.
yet, ; always rejoicing; as, poor, yet mak
king many rich; as. having nothing, and
yet posieising all things." What if"rude
heathen are to be collected and taught
the first simple elements of art, literature,
refinement and, ,Christianity? . What. if
many days pass without seeing much fruit
to crown your pious efforts , in the, gaster's
field? Still, with - yonid Aefoted: associates,
may you noeenjormany hours of blissful
happiness while taking sweet"eounsel to.;
gether, and cheering one another along the
barren road? Pure, unmingled felicity is
not to be found 'on earth. But no where
may you expect more`of it than in connex
ion with some devoted band of , liborerti lit
the Lord's harvest. These, oft' return with
oy, bearing their' sheliTes With them;
PASTOIL
riking Passages, Illustrative of Various
-Scriptures.
NO. IX.
0 that-Ishmael might live before thee I--
Gen. zvii : 18. " Those live well thpt live
before God."
titte , of trouble He shall ihide '` me
in his pavilion;—Ps. xxvii :5. ",God will
provide .a hiding place for his: people
when in ;trouble, eithet-under heaven or in
heaven."
Return unto ril e and Twill return unto
ou.—Mal. in :7. " When we return to
God in a way of duty, he will return to
us in-a, way of mercy.'
The way of man is not in himself.—.Ter.
23. "Mau may devise - his Way,' and
design it; but after all, it is God - that
recteth his steps.'" -
What is your occupation 7—Gen. xlvii :
3. " All that have a place in the world
should — have - an employmeiit in it, either
mental or manual." - -
Occupy till I come.—Luke six 3:
" Talents were given to be : occupied, :not to
be buried."
My voice shalt thou hear in the morning.
—Ps.-v': 3.- ' =- Theirtorning is, perh'aps, as
good a friend to the Graces as it is to the
Muses."
If - he turn not, He will whet his sword.
vii "God warns before be
*blinds." MAO."
In liemoriam,
meeting of the Union Literary So
ciety of Washington College, held on Fri:
day evening Jan. 23d,'1863, the following
resolutions were adopted::
WHEREAS, 'ln the providence of God it.
so happened Onilate friend and fillOi
nieniber, 111 L. aine6Ther of the " Ati
derabn Troop;" lately Till by the hand of "a
rebel against' the authority of the Govern
ment, while engaged in - a skirmish near
Murfreesboro', on' the 26th' of December',
1862 ;*- whereakcltfitting' `that ''we
Should eipress'bur high' estimation 'of his
character - therefore, be it
Resolved, That during our acquaintance
withi this-departed'brother, he ever dis
played the charecteriatics of an earnest
Christie:6; a faithful student, a zealous pat
riot 'and a valiant soldier.
Resolved ; That we recognize in his con
duct a worthy member, of that organization
which has already sent a' score of, soldiers
to battle for the cause of liberty, and can
yet send more:`
Resolied,
,'That` hill death there is cen
atittited"anoilier bond dt itnfori".bet*een our
For the Pteebyterian Banner
Per the Presbyterian Banner
MMlitt=
hearts and the cause for which he offered
up his life;
Resolved, That we deeply sympathize
with the numerous other friends who with
us mourn his loss.
Resolved, That a copy of these resolu
tions be sent to the family of the deceased,
and also for publication in the papers of
the town, the Presbyterian Banner, and
the Piqua Enquirer.
I .
S. A. McCraw°,
Corn. M. H. FULTON, U
S. J. M. , MeCARRELL, "
For rho Tresbyteriam Banner
Ambitions Christian Mothers.
Ambitious Christian mothers constitute
a numerous but not a happy class of Chris
tians. If the heart is filled with emula
tion and . the desire of glory, be it for our :,
selves or our children, peace cannot have a
dwelling there. Such have "trusted to the
staff of4his bruised reed,-even upon Egypt,
on which if amen lean it will go into his
hand, and pierce it; so is Pharoah king of
Egypt to all, who trust in him." So are;
the` pleasures of the -world." So are AA'
pleasures of the;world to all ,thet _trust in
them If Christian parents desire eleve
ted social positions for their children in
preference to usefUl ones, they most be,
contented with the pleasure the world has.
to beitow in such cases. When daughters
are taught:polite accomplishments only, for:
display, it is reasonable to expect them to,
be vain, and decidedly unhappy when they,
cannot
_exhibit them, That ; they can be
contented with, merely 'being ugeful, and,
with the homely and unexciting duties of,
life, is not tohe expeeted;, rather*.they
express, it, " theyere zierfectly,, wretched,'
,though surpnedesc by, every - blessing.
,yeting lady „can_ be tenght,,the ornamental
branches of education without such attend
ing,evils ; not only so, she may prebably
.be happier for the.knowledge to all eterni-.
ty„ Speidrieg,of music, the: excellent John
Lew ; says ~"there is nothing so opens
heaven or eerries our hearts so near, it as
these .songs_ of praise." Prewing refines ,
.the iiriperts a better, ~apprecietion of,
nature, and carries uaebove the
. p . etty pas
sions and gross pursuits of life. knowl
e4ge of the , languages qualifies one to be
an able critic or a, fine writer, and al
_se teaches-us God's dealings with men in
past ,ages, - and in other lands,- as well as to:
study the, : sacred oracles in the miginat
tongues. It is the duty of parents to edu
cate.their children net that ,they may take;
precedence among their fellorra, but that;
they may be better happier and more use- 1
ful, all•education which comports well with'
the practice of true humility. L.G.S.
Extracts From Venning's "Milk and Honey.'
SELECTED, FOR THE . BANNER
- A saint should so, deny himself as , 4,0 be
i nothing at, that. Christ might be,,all in
all. r
‘,
Though 'evil be not good, yetit 's gOod
`that there he evil.
Judas, ;Herod' and' Pontius. -Pilate ful
filled God's will in betraying. and : crucify
ing .. j ehrist, and ; so .43,inned_ nut.;.-laut , th9y
did it not to fulfil God's will, but their
own, and that was their sin.
are full' of mercy should he
.xnerciful..
The fear of i'the ; faithful ,should-;be a
faithful fear. •
They that reveal Christ, should_ conceal
Before conversion, - men ,are
willing, to sin ; but aft er conversion, men ,
are willingly unwilling, and unwillingly
willing, to sin.
A. Christian should so behave himself as•
not to be a shame to, , nor ashamed .of, ,the
Gospel. ..
They who live most in sin, and
in most
sin, are most dead in . sin.
There ,may. be grace where there is no
assurance, but there. is no assurance where
ihere is no grace.
The, motions of grace are abundantly
more excellent than. notions.of. grace.
Affliction seldom,comes without. being a
_temptation,. but ,temptation iiever comes
without .being an affliction to the .
This mahes all, things r3weet, to, a saint,
that 01SY savour of,
We may apd,shouhl go, from men ,to fol
lew truth ; ; Putt , vie may not go from. truth
to follow men. , ,
It's a ieds -fault in friendship to, do a
thing,without a friend's, knowledge, .than
againEkhis
We are not to-make .our experiences the
rule of v Seriptnre but the ,Scripture the
rule, of our experience.
'T is a miserable folly to be wise in wick
,
r. Christ wa r s made like plate -us -that he
might be tempted; and we are tempted
that we miht be made like to, him.
Christ, who did our work. for us : without
ns a ' will -also- work his work for us within
, i „That,ca,n ,stever.,be a , grace to the body
which isndisgrace to the sou).
Trio enjoyment' of God` is the joy of our
life And the life of our joy ; whatever •our,
fare be, that alone is = our cheer; how well
soarer. ..we fare r thatalone onr t welfare.
~.There is nothing , so sweetly pleasing and
pieasantly r aweet to av gracious heart, as to
please God:
The devil doth not, nay,the devil cannot,
hate-a saint so , much as-God loves.him.
We,should not walk by, what, path <been
done or,:what is done,,but by, whatought to
be d0ne,,..: ,
doth not faithfully love, who .loves
not Jaithfulness•
Ile that intendeth what he. doth, :is most
like.to do what he intend.eth.
: Ikusnally
~Out. that Ayho who k.
see
others' destruction, find their own.
, They that think.,. (as all hypocrites do,)
to deceive 60a, Will'And that, they dedeive
themselves: ' •
...,Less---than.one of , these ,two , desires
granted, either ; that he : play be with God in
heaven, or that God ,with him, on
earth, will not satisfy a gracious, heart.
'T is berit forssiimers 'to -come .'over to
•
God for they cannot overcome God • are
we stronger than he:?
There are promises
,Of grace, and there
are promises to gracp : the promises of
grace are made'good by, working
„the
„grace
of the p1.010£4 in the soul; but he prom
ises to grape are not made good,,,till`the
grace to which the promise is made be
acted by the soul.
They who are most with God' in secret,
know.most of God's secrets.
time - o'::o o ming when ungodliness
shall be as,nmeh prosecuted by. justice, as
'in times paSt g4dliness hath Veen periiieitted
tiAliby itige. ) '111".1.,413.!
WHOLE NO. 543
The prophecies concerning Christ's
kingdom will not be completely fulfilled,
till Christ's kingdom be fully completed.
If sinners cast not away their sins for
God's sake, God will cast them away for
their sins' sake.
It many times falls out that that hand is
farthest off from helping, that is nearest at
hand to help the helpless.
Though God bath promised to give to
them that ask ; yet many ask and miss, be-
cause they ask amiss.
'T is the love, not the lack, of money,
that makes men churls.
He that learns of Christ, unlearns to sin
'T is not the work, faith, nor the work of
faith, but a working faith, or rather he
who works faith, by which we are justified.
God is good, and doeth good continually
to them who are evil, and do evil contin
ually.
All the duty of men, and the duty of all
men, - comprised 'in this: Fear God, and
keep his commandments; for this is the
whole ,of man, thieis a man's all, the rest
being, but vanity and vexation of{ spirit.
Prayer,is essential to
,the existence and
giowth of the spiritual lif e. It is the
breath - of the 'new man. *this means he
obtains quick relief from innumerable evils;
and draws down from leaven blessings of
the richest. and , kind. Possess
your minds fully of the persuasion that
prayer is efficacious, when offered in faith
and With importunity tb obtain the bles
sings which We need. God has made him
self known as a hearer of prayer ; yea, he
has promised that we shalt have, as far as
may be for his glciry and our good, what
ever we ask . - The . most important events
may be brought about by prayer. One
_righteous man, by fervent and effectual
prayer, has been able to shut heaved and
open,it again. --Dr., Archibald Alexander.
MilneVoss of the' New Testament Canon.
r.
Of the genuineness of the Canon of the
New Testament, a few words may 'not be
irrelevant at this season. All who have
given catalogues of: these books? are almost
at an entire agreement. We give a few
authorities from ,many., The first regular
catalogue on record is hy the erudite Ori
gen,• who • flourished hbout one hundred
years after. St. .`john. , He mentions the
-four-Gospes, the . Acts .of the Apostles,
fourteen, Epistles of, St. Paul, two of St.
Peter, three of St. John, and the Book of
Revelation. But the emission of the Epis
tles of St. James and 'St. 'Jude was by ac
eident for,in Other parts of his writings,
he acknowledges these Epistles -as a part of
the Canon.
The next catalogue is that of Eusebius,
the learned historian, who lived _about one
hundred Years after Origeri. He enutner
atCB every book whibli'we now •have in the
Canon, and no others, and declares his
opinion that the-Revelation should'iie re
ceived undoubtedly:
• Athanasius, famous for his Writings and
sufferings in defence of the" Divinity of
Christ, has left' a catalogue of the New
Testament,,perfectly concordant with the
present Canon.
• Cyril was contemporary with Athanasius
and Eusebius, and gave, in his catechetical
work, a catalogue agreeing with ours; ex
cepting that he omits the Revelation. But
there are reasons; not impugning its au
thenticity, why this book was omitted from
some catalogues.
The Council, of Laodieea, about the mid
dle of the fourth: century, gives the same
catalogue with ours, except the Book of the
Revelation.' Thus, by the very nature of
this Council, there.was the universal een
sent of Christendom:as to the-genuineness
of our.present Canon with the. - single ex
ception of the Revelation. This Council
decreed "that no private Psalms should be
read in the' churches, nor any books witheut
the •Canon ; but only the canonical writings
of the Old and New Testaments." Owing
to the mysterious natures of the contents of
the Book of Revelation, and to the abuse
of its prophecies by the Millennarians, it
was judged 'expedient not to ha;ve it read
pailicly in 'the churches: The design of
forming these catalogues was .to guide- the
'people in reading the . Scriptures; "and as it
seamed : not desirable that the people should
read this mysterious book, - it was 'omitted
by many in their catalogues. 'Still, 'how
ever, a majority of those who - have giv-en
catalogues, besides those we have Men
tioned, recognize it, and , some have omitted
it who are , known to , have received it, as
canonical.
The Contemporaries and immediate sUC
cessors of the apostles are competent wit
nesses-as to the genuineness of: the Canon,
not the modern Neologists.--Oalendar.
The Mini&terv3ewardi
It is clear from the history of the Church
and from• the Word of God, that it .was
never the purpose of God that the incum
bents of the sacred office, should hold an
enviable worldly position, or that they
should reckon a lucritiire: income' and sec-
Ular advantages among the proper priv
ile,ges.of their- office. Nhey have a right
to live of, the. Gospel which they preach, as
God ordained ; that ,the tribe olLevi should
live oe&a:liar at which theigerved. "There
is - little danger of the m inistry being Over
paid. •Too often they are' depressed: by
,stinted salaries, and left, to feel dependent,
as if they lived on the alms and gratuitous
offerings of their people. Their salary is
their die, and should not be viewed' in 'the
light of 'a charity. It ;shOuld be punctu
ally paid as ajust due, .as much as a debt:to
the teacher, the physic*, or the me
°ha*.
The ministry was designed to be and
from its ,own natiire,itniust be; a labor Of
loire; don e" of 'a ready mind; an& not for
pay. Still - it is my deliberate and 'abiding
conviction, that, in its rewards, the minis
try is e gooslwork. ,The true,ministers of
ecompense
Christ have a recompense : of their - labore
, ,
which' is better than gold and They
reCeivend' ineoniiderable'reward as they go
along; before their , labors 'and lives are
ended, 'There is such a thing ,as: the
peace.. of God, ,which passeth all, under
standing;" in his approving smile, they
know What tifik peace is.' They 'are con
ieetieniith theit rpanpfe -; b3r - the most.'eri
dearing ties of • affection . and.'confidence,.
And happy, indeed, are those days in which
they see their ministry successful in. the
conversion of those of whom they have
- travailed in *ith'till Chritht'he'formeit in
theni. 'These spirittial 'bhildrelf are their
reward mhile :they.live ; -they will be. their
rewarfi,_ when they meet them' in heaven;
tht! o y wilThe their joy tuid crown of rejoin-
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REV. DAVID M'KINNEY,
Pi/OPIUM?. AND PIDDADDIN,
ing from the day of Christ's coming, on‘
ward forever. It was this prospect which
supported and animated the Apostle Paul;
under all his labors and trials, in the vine
yard of Christ. Souls saved from death
are the hire of the true minister of Christ.
Those mortal fruits of his labors follow him
to heaven, and surround him in glory.
The brightness of his crown will prove that
be was wise in choosing the office of win
ning souls to Christ, and that whoever de
sires this work, desires the best and most
blessed work that ever employed the mind,
or heart, or tongue of mortals. Eternity
will show that none have labored for so
rich a prize.—Dr. Lewis Sabin.
Now I'll Join Christ's ifDly,
My heart thrilled with joy and gratitude
the other evening, as I listened to the
touching narrative of a brave soldier boy,
by one who had soothed his midnight rest
lessness by intelligent sympathy,' and thus
won the story-of his life, --
"I went from couch , to , couch " .said4he
narrator "to find some sunk in heavy
slumber, some murmuring in delirious un
rest, and some wakeful with pain and 'anx
iety. • One young face attracted me; it was
that of a lad only seventeen, who had lost
a leg in battle, and in consequence had
suffered amputation, so perilous in its loca
tion, that but one in seventy-five had ever
survived, and he was that one.
"I asked him if he wanted anything.
"Oh, no,' was the reply.
"I then asked him what he thought
about.while so full of pain that he could
not sleep.
" ' Oh, sir, said he, have a letter from
home to-day, from my mother.'
" Then I knew I could, talk to him, so I
drew a chair up to the bedside, and seating
myself, asked, Where does your "mother
- live?' " • •as
" In Boston sir.'
" said 1 ! , 'we are, friends, then"; I
am a Massachusetts boy, myself.'
What ! are yea from `Massachusetts I"
"was the earnest inquiry, as a gleam of joy
illuminated his pale face.
MEE
" ' Yes,' "said, and then told some inci
dentS•of my young life to Whie.h he listened
with the ,deepest „attention. gained, : .my
object, I had won his confidence, and soon
he told me the story of his life,; of his . en
listing and going to the war ; •orthe teirible
fight, his wound, and the amputation.
'But I kept ,np,' he added with energy,
4 and when we were all put in an ambulance,
all jostled togethir, and hot and crowded,
I kept the ogterlellowe_up t00,',,,
41 Andhow did yon do it?" linqu4ed;
how did you forget your reat sufferings ?'
" Oh, sir, I thought how much 'more
Jesus suffered for me; and now.l. have.biit
one Itg,,Lcannot fight for my country, but
I'll join Jesus' army and fight for - him.
know lots of boys, and I'll get around
them, and bring theta to church, and to the
Sabbath Sehool. '• We boys can do a great
deal more with young fellows than grown
people can ,do.'" • •
Oh, that the radiance of that noble spirit
might be reflected into millions of souls,
and win , them to enlist in Jesus' army.
Children of the Sabbath School, will you
stand at ease while this brave cripple is
gathering souls for. Christ ? How many
friends and companions might you win to
the -blessed influences of the sanctuary I
Come, labor on the Lord's side, • and . your
reward shall he great, for it -shall be Tally
known and enjoyed in heaven.—&
Times. .
Sanctified enterprise has been blessed
of' God to the accomplishment of the great
est and most benign changes Upon sour*.
Since the last surviving apostles dpiatited
from ,time, the greatest benefactors omark.
kind have been those people of God, - who,
keeping nearest to their Master, have ex
plored with most. original inquiry the
treasures of his Werd,,and the ways of his
providence and grace, and have labored
to bring their own, lives and the lives of
Others into conformity thereto. In the
midst of the 'Cliarch's desolatithi; iii the
dayri •of her e darkness and bondage, and
when the culture of society had sunk equal
ly low, it was the Tions ) -of earnest. convic
tions and holy, enterprise, here_ and. there
scattered over dhe scene, that alone relieved
its 'dreariness. We dwell with interest
upon the holy daring, the suffering — and
achievements of Anschar, the far-reaching
infhatirPs,iestahlished .in the sehnnt, ofb.Go
rart Groot, and the tale of the stirrineelo
*nee of the 'mystics, .Viaim'from their
perhaps too iniaginative; but intense medic
tation upon God. And the hifinble - pastet,
who,, truly. devoted to his sacred duties,
sought
,to learn of themfrom the Word of
God, belonged to the class who did moat
to pre;pare the way for the' higher'avilizi
tion to Come. - ' "
~It was the enterprise of Wyckliffe which
broke over the hounds Of, an enforced, for
mality, and opened up the approaches to
the modern world. What, enterprise more
earnest and daring than' 'that of stinther; al
ways guided by-prudent forecast of thee:ftt
ture effects.of the, presiant action,-in ardent
reliance upon the grace of q c d r such wait
the spirit of the Reformation throughout,
and' as been the spirit "of every trrie ref
ormation since:, -When -the Protestant
Churches had . secured their independence,
and Vfere.freed from ,the fight, of. persecu
tion; and' from the necessity of daring in
order :to maintain' their existence; they
sank , into indolence, as if their work had
been, done,, and all that remained was to
enjoy their peace.
,They soon suffered
the penalty in a spiritual torpor, and 'the
growth' of sti' rationalism that threatened
death to , true religion. A' terrifie convul
sion, which shook all Europe, and disclosed
the abyss over which re4gion hadheen sus
'Tended," needed to' rouse • thent - from
Oti thniih.
hand, iaswehurches haVot bestirretl-Ahenl.
selves and put forth .their,energies,.for,,the
prornOtion of the Gospel, We have seen ? tließ
bleised'hy the Manifestation'of tie Ho
spirit . ituorig „. o . tha a2 .. .
God , calls for Lour -energies 'for Jotir Trot
gress in .knowledge.,andaighteousnessi , and
.exereise pf inenuiz inyention,, every
f aeult YAßl. hl. ` 4 .
according as that service is rendered:—
PriirCetbleßetiew. ' .; ", Q.'
Thy last l .best fruit, Whig koina . tg late-
Pegs b:g#l, in'rti-e.: kiJaherat iottf ? d'f's
tenderness :toward the 'heart, fOrlioaraMila
toward the Junforbearingi-warmth - ofirheart
toward the cold, philanthropy toward th i s
misanthropic. 94. t
Sanctified Enterprise.
Irdlo',/ Lai?