RELIGIOUS MAGAZINE,

OR

SPIRIT OF THE FOREIGN THEOLOGICAL JOURNALS AND REVIEWS.

NO. I.

From the Spirit and Manners of the Age. and spirit opens to my view, chastening every feeling, deepening every reflection, and awakA SABBATH IN THE COUNTRY. ening many tender sympathies and anxieties. THE Sabbath dawned-the morn of holy rest The transition was natural; it was elevating so wisely ordained for the repose of man and and sublime; and I began to feel the great subeast from the wearisome activities of this neperiority of man "to the beasts which perish." A number of little children, of both sexes, ther world, arose with all the freshness and beauty of spring-it was cloudless and serene. neatly clad, and belonging to the village, were I awoke from the slumbers of a peaceful night, proceeding with all the buoyancy and liveliand entered into my closet, to present a mornness of youth along the pathway, which, crossing sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving to Himing one of the meadows, led to the church; for "who holdeth our souls in life," and surrounds the resting-place of his servants with a guard of holy angels-those "ministering spirits sent forth to minister to them who are the heirs of salvation." The scene which presented itself from the window of my oratory was eminently adapted to prepare the mind for the duties of devotion, and warm the heart with emotions of gratitude and praise. It was an extensive view, beautifully varied with woodland scenery and sloping hills, studded with flocks of sheep and other animals grazing on their surface, or refreshing themselves by a morning draught

from a beautiful rivulet which meandered
through the valley; while the feathered song-
sters warbled their matin song, and the flowery
perfumes of the garden, taught, through the
medium of the senses, the bounty and benefi-
cence of the omnipotent Creator. How many
inlets to gratification are connected with the
structure of that frame, "which is fearfully
and wonderfully made?" and does not this fact
assure us that life and enjoyment are insepara-
bly connected?-but man is not what he was
"the gold is become dim, and the fine gold
changed:" that which should have been for
his wealth is become an occasion of falling.
I surveyed in silent admiration the lovely scene
before me, feeling, in all its force, the apos-
trophe of our great poet:-

"These are thy glorious works, Parent of Good,
Almighty! Thine this universal frame
Thus wondrous fair-thyself how wondrous

then!"

Milton.

The village clock struck eight, and instantly the early chime proclaimed to its inhabitants, a day devoted to the holy exercises of praise and prayer. A new scene now attracted my attention, and gave birth to feelings of high and holy interest; hitherto I had surveyed the world of matter with delight almost amounting to ecstasy, and now the world of mind Rel. Mag.-No. 1.

there, at this early hour, they were wont to assemble, and receive that religious instruction which enlightened philanthropy and benevolence had provided for them. The youths and maidens of the village, under the direction and superintendance of the estimable Rector, cheerfully tendered their gratuitous services in this "labour of love," and were accustomed to spend the earlier hours of the Sabbath in this

delightful and charitable occupation. "Father of mercies," I ejaculated, "out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou wilt perfect praise!" How many parental and friendly anxieties are interwoven with this little flock, who need all the tenderness and assiduity of a shepherd's care? Wilt thou not deign to look with an approving smile on those humble efforts, which, if succeeded by thy paternal blessing, may perpetuate in this happy spot the genial influences of pure and undefiled religion, and produce a mighty moral transformation in the characters of its inhabitants. The patriarchs of the village shall ere long sleep with their fathers, and their immediate descendants will, at no distant period, bid farewell to all the activities of life, and rest beside them; but religion dies not in the death of its champions-the mantle of Elijah will rest upon Elisha; and although David's place be empty, "instead of the fathers shall be the children," successors both in time, place, and occupation; but doubly happy, if precursors in excellence and piety. The best of our sires would willingly awaken such ambition; and if permitted for a moment to divert his attention from the joys of heaven, his eye would rest with ineffable delight on the head of that son who is a better man than his father. The hour of private devotion passed, which had been rendered doubly delightful by those emotions which this beautiful scene had inspired. I-descended from my chamber to join the family circle, which consisted of my wife and daughter, a fine blooming girl about eighteen A

years of age, the image, both in mind, tem- | the sound of village bells chiming for service;

per, and disposition, of her excellent mother; and I am not ashamed to own, they still posan intelligent amiable youth of seventeen; sess a powerful charm as the sound, softened and the worthy and inestimable curate of our by distance, floats on the wings of the morning, village, who was an inmate in my family, or is borne on the fragrant gale of a summer's and superintended the education of my chil- evening. An admirable peal of eight bells, in dren. His religion, which was the effect of sounds of sweetest harmony, announced to the Divine grace on a mind of superior order, and villagers the approach of the hour of prayer; engrafted on a heart naturally cheerful, affec- and the path which led to the church was soon tionate and kind, was peculiarly attractive, filled with persons of all ranks and ages, reespecially to our young folks, to whom he was pairing to the hallowed spot where the "rich much attached, and over whose minds he had and poor meet together." The concourse was gained an entire ascendancy, by the suavity of unusually great, in expectation of a funeral his manners and the loveliness of his disposisermon to improve the death of an amiable and tion. With him, appearance and reality were exemplary young lady, whose "sun had gone the same; if the law of kindness was upon his down while it was yet day." Her death was lips, it was but the vocal utterance of internal severely felt by the whole village: philanthropy emotion: while faithful admonition was the had lost an active and indefatigable agent; natural result of his high sense of religious ignorance, a useful instructor; and poverty, a duty, it was the stern language of principle; valuable friend. She had gone about doing but love gave it utterance. But what of the good, but the night of death had paralysed her lady who presided over this interesting circle? efforts, and closed her work. She was numasks the gentle reader;-the truth is, my good bered with the blessed, and absent from the friend, I am too much interested in the portrait body was present with the Lord. We entered to trust myself with the pencil: our union was the church a few minutes before the commencethe result of mutual preference; hands and ment of the service; it was nearly full-a sohearts went together, while religion approved lemn silence pervaded the whole assembly: the the vow. We have now been "heirs together sacred character of religious worship reigned of the grace of life" for many years. If "mind around, and had proscribed every appearance is the standard of the man," I see no reason of thoughtlessness and folly. My clerical friend why the same test may not be applied to the read the prayers most impressively, distinguishother sex; and if so, my wife would not be in- ing by his voice and manner, the varieties of jured by comparison, either as to the endow- this admirable service; a heart warmed with ments of intellect, or the graces of character. the spirit of devotion, an eye which beamed Perhaps my fond partiality might be pardoned, with benevolent solicitude on all around, added were I to say "Many daughters have done to a clear and melodious utterance, carried his virtuously, but thou excellest them all." Benewhole auditory with him: it was the contavolence of feeling, however, is her element-gion of holy feeling-a combination of revehere she lives, and moves, and has her being; and this, refined by ardent piety, has made her the benefactress of the village. The tale of misery, and the tear of sorrow, never fail of their effect with her; the blessings of those who were ready to perish come upon her, and she causes many a widowed heart to sing for joy. At home she is the centre of attraction and the source of influence; she reigns supreme, but her power is invisible; it is the supremacy of gentleness and love. But to return from this brief digression:-being assembled around the family altar, my reverend friend conducted the devotions of the morning by reading, with unaffected solemnity, the 42d and 43d Psalms, wherein the royal sufferer laments his unavoidable absence from the temple worship, and depicts in vivid and striking colours, the tendency of religious ordinances to calm the tumult of the mind, and shed abroad "that his mild and compassionate disposition, added peace which passeth all understanding." We to his intimate acquaintance with the character then knelt down, whilst he implored, in strains and necessities of his parishioners, eminently of devout and solemn supplication, the gracious qualified him to minister to their spiritual neinfluence of Heaven to consecrate and bless the cessities. If you sought him during the week, ordinances of the Christian Sabbath to the in- you would find him occupied in his Master's struction, admonition, and consolation of the work-soothing the sorrows which wretchedsheep intrusted to his care. How impressiveness had created-dissipating the clouds which is the eloquence of the heart! The prayer was short; but solemn, overpowering, delightful; it corresponded with our necessities and wishes; and we arose with countenances which seemed to say, in silent eloquence-"It is good to be here.' Some of my earliest and most pleasing recollections of the Sabbath are associated with

rence and delight. The responses were duly sustained by the congregation in a subdued tone of voice; and the singing, led by a finetoned organ, was general and harmonious. When the communion service commenced, the effect was greatly increased by the mellow and deep enunciation of a venerable man, whose head many winters had silvered over; and in whose benign and dignified countenance, you would immediately recognise the beloved Rector of the village, who was emphatically styled -the father of his people. Age and infirmities had not entirely deprived us of his public labours; once, at least, on the Sabbath, he appeared in the pulpit; and when he came, it was always "in the fulness of the blessing of the Gospel of peace." His venerable and excellent character in private life-his long experience of the power and value of religious truth

ignorance had collected-visiting the abodes of disease and pain; or standing by the bed of death as the minister of life and immortality. These scenes furnished ample materials of thought; and he always considered them as most favourable to the acquisition of spiritual knowledge and sympathy. He was an accurate

observer of human life; and his most beautiful | of them. I knew one, who entered life with

advantages such as few of her sex possess young, very young; beautiful, accomplished, affluent; the idol of her family; the delight of every eye that saw her. She grew as fair and fresh as the gourd over the head of Jonah; but God had prepared a worm to smite the gourd, and it withered. I saw her suffer-I saw her die. She lingered through two whole years of torture, unexampled and unmitigated. I often saw her lip turn white with agony; I never saw it quiver with a murmur. Her youth struggled hard with death, and her friends clung to she could yet walk, she frequented the house of God; when she could no longer do so, she worshipped Him from her bed of suffering. Hope and faith were with her there, and her charity never failed; her last act was to press with her cold hand into mine her accustomed ample bounty to the poor. By her death-bed stood her triumphant mother-yes, triumphant

to give her daughter's hand to the first and fairest of the sons of men. What consolation could that mother have then derived from the sight of withered youth, faded beauty, and prostrate talents? None. Her consolation was from above. She saw her young pilgrim going to the promised land, and the view enabled her to watch her as she passed through the waves of Jordan. Parents, and all who hear me, you may one day be called to her trial. Would you not wish for her consolation? Worlds-worlds would you give for it then; purchase, oh purchase it now; the price is easy-is delightful; it is this, that you suffer your little children to come unto Christ, and forbid them not."

and powerful illustrations of scriptural truth were founded on the passing circumstances of the day, which were thus laid under contribution to the general good. It might be said of him with great propriety, that he was "instant in season and out of season-a workman that needed not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." His prominent excellence, however, consisted in this-wherever he went, or whatever he did in his ministerial character, he always carried the unutterable tenderness and gentle sympathies of Christianity about him. His very reproofs, while they abated no-hope, while there was a hope to cling to. While thing of fidelity, were delivered in tones of affectionate concern; and if the heart were already broken, and the spirit bowed down, to pour in the oil and wine was ever most accordant to his feelings, and here he richly enjoyed the luxury of doing good. How many families in this retired and beautiful spot owe their happiness to the delicate suggestions which dropped from his lips, in the season of for grief, that conqueror of all things human, friendly intercourse, and are indebted to his contends in vain with the power of the Gospel. counsel for that decisive step which has formed What supported that mother in that hour? She a new era in existence, and become the pre- had led her, when a little child, to Jesus, and lude of prosperity and enjoyment. When he now she resigned her to him; aye, and with a came to reside here, many years ago, the vil-happier spirit than if she had stood at the altar, lage was a moral desert in the midst of a Christian land: it could scarcely present a feature of the "form of godliness;" ignorance and vice characterized the poor, and listless indifference to the name or forms of religion prevailed amidst the higher class. The Bible was unknown, the Sabbath despised, and the church almost forsaken-youth had no instructor; sorrow no comforter; man no friend;-ominous indeed were the predictions of such a scene, when a vacancy occasioned by death, led to the appointment of the present incumbent, who forthwith came to reside at the rectory, and perform the duties of the church in his own person. Many years have passed since then; and one of the most beautiful scenes in nature, We had not proceeded far on our walk homeso long devoid of moral cultivation, is now the wards, when we were joined by the Curate. abode of industry, happiness, and peace. The "Well," said he, "religion has her crown as establishment of a Sunday-school was highly well as her cross, and death is not always a conducive to this moral change; it recognised king of terrors." "No," I replied, "we have the value of religious instruction, and furnished to-day had a fine illustration of its transforming an opportunity of directing the minds of pa- power, and one, I hope, which will not soon be rents to the important subject. This was but forgotten. They are greatly to be pitied whose a preparatory measure however; and to the early associations are hostile to religious truth; faithful preaching of the Gospel of Christ, we but I fear such instances are too numerous, are principally indebted for our present ad- even in this Christian country; it is the only vancement in the knowledge and power of god-preservative from evil and dangers incident to liness. May we long possess these noble institutions, and leave them as our best legacies to posterity when we are silent in the dust. On the present mournful occasion, our Rector preached an admirable sermon from the 10th chapter of St. Mark, and 14th verse:-"Suffer little children to come unto me, and forbid them not." Having described the value and importance of a religious education in early life, he thus proceeded in a strain of touching and impressive eloquence:-"These considerations have been formed in my mind by an instance which, painful as it was, was also most powerful. Nor let me be thought to depart from the decorum of this place, if I mention it. What indeed should forbid me from this place to speak of the dead? This is the place to speak

every age; the importance of early impressions is not duly estimated, either in reference to the character or happiness of our children; in the general admission of human depravity, parental fondness too frequently excludes our own sons and daughters; fears are lulled to rest in the lap of self-love, and the injury is inflicted before the apprehension of danger exists." "Yes, sir," he replied, "and in many cases, religious education assumes a repulsive form; the study of its truths is exacted as a task, rather than proposed as a beneficial and pleasing occupation. This will invariably disgust the mind, and furnish an additional obstacle to the admission of light. I am quite disposed to think, that whatever is efficacious must be attractive. More converts will be