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is my meditation all the day!' The concern of his heart about making progress in practical religion, will be as sincere and steady as if his justification before God, and bis title to life eternal, absolutely depended on that progress. I count not myself to have apprehended, said the holy Apostle, after the most eminent attainments; but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark, for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.' Cæsar's maxim, That there was nothing done while there remained any thing to be done, is a dangerous maxim in a mind like his, ambitious of power and possessed of splendid military talents. But it is a safe and invigorating principle in a renewed heart, and bears the mind onward, and onward still, in the hallowed career of mortifying, through the Spirit, the deeds of the body; of doing justly, of loving mercy, and of walking humbly with our God.

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Wherever this pure zeal inflames the soul, it will discover its strength in the corresponding activity of useful life. The mind will not be satisfied with cherishing holy and benevolent feelings, and suggesting plans of goodness. Neither tender sensibilities, nor the tears of sympathy, nor purposes of heart, will clothe the naked, nor feed the hungry. They are only suitable preparations for deeds of substantial kindness. What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath zeal and feeling,—and have not works? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, and one of you, under the impulse of the tenderest meltings of sympathy, and in accents soft as the descending dew on a fleece of wool, taking him with a brother's affectionate grasp by the hand, whisper in his ear, Depart in peace, be warmed, be filled; -notwithstanding you gave him not, though in the power of your hand to do it, those things which are needful to the body, what doth it profit? It is, therefore, to deeds of ripened goodness that we are to look for scriptural and satisfying evidence of the existence and vigour of this holy zeal in the heart.

This heavenly principle will also enable him to meet, manfully to oppose, and finally to overcome, difficulties in the performance of his duty. The authority of God and the love of his Saviour will constrain him, when his enemy hungers, to feed him; when he thirsts, to give him drink; and thus to melt down with coals of fire from heaven, the sullen stubborn corruptions of his heart. This zeal will induce him to deny to himself many of the comforts of life, and to shut up every unnecessary sluice of expenditure, that he may swell the little rivulet of beneficence to the widow and orphan. He will labour, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth. 'The iningratitude of others will not damp his ardour. He looks for his reward to a higher source than the human heart; and commits not his encouragement in doing good to man, for he knows what is in man. Like the tree planted by the rivers of water, his soul, a

tree of righteousness planted on the margin of that river, Redeeming Love, the streams whereof make glad the city of God, bringeth forth his fruit in his season, regardless of the hand that plucks it. -What difficulties are to be overcome in reconciling enemies,-in pleading the poor man's cause before affluent pride and covetousness, in preserving a pure conscience and clean garments in the midst of a polluting world, in these exercises which our Lord denominates the plucking out of right eyes, and the cutting off of right hands, they only know who have made the experiment; and they only will overcome who are zealous of good works.

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In a word, this man will consider the great end of living as lost, while he lives not to God by obeying his holy laws. For this end, he knows that he was created; for this end, that he was redeemed; for this end, that he was renewed by the Holy Ghost for this end, that the ordinances of religion were instituted, and have been preserved in the church; and that for this end are set before our minds the exceeding great and precious promises of future glory and blessedness. Should this end not be gained, he will consider his life as a blank, barren of improvement and blotted with guilt. If this object, therefore, on which his renewed heart is so passionately and steadily fixed, be not in the largest possible measure gained, life will lose its value, and what chiefly endeared it to his soul.

Let us cherish in our bosom this sacred principle of zeal for primitive sanctity. The Pharisees were a popular body of profes sors in the Jewish church, and distinguished for their zeal. Eut our Lord hath assured us, that except our righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees, in purity of motive, and in zeal for the weighty matters of the law, we shall in no case enter into the kingdom of Heaven. The authority of God our Creator and Redeemer lies upon us; and his law, which is holy, just, and good, requires that we love and serve him with all our heart, with all our soul, with all our strength, and with all our mind. This is the hallowed ardour which will inspire evangelical obedience,-obedience which is universal, reaching to every statute of the divine law, and engaging every faculty of the human mind; combining, regulating, and sustaining all their energies.The matchless love of God our Saviour in our redemption, should warm our hearts with zealous attachment to his holy commandments. Standing before his cross, and while we muse on his love, the fire will burn within us, and in David's impassioned words we shall exclaim, O Lord, truly, we are thy servants, thou hast loosed our bonds.' The honour of God and the credit of our holy religion are closely connected with our zealous promotion of true holiness. Herein, said Jesus, is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good words, and glorify your Father who is in Heaven.-A slothful and lukewarm spirit is very

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offensive to God. Thou wicked and slothful servant'-wicked because slothful. The sentence of the Saviour against the church at Laodicea, strongly marks the loathsome nature of a dull and listless mind in his service.The recollection of the zeal and activity by which we were hurried on in the way of folly and sin, should arouse our minds to fill up the few years, if years yet remain, with works of faith and labours of love.

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BIBLE SOCIETIES.

The Bible Society of Lexington, (Virginia) recently instituted—an Auxiliary to the American Bible Society..

The Female Juvenile Auxiliary Bible Society of New-York was formed in October last. It is auxiliary to the New-York Female Auxiliary Bible Society. The payment of twelve cents monthly constitutes a member, who must also learn a portion of Scripture, which is allotted at each stated meeting, and recited at the next, to the Directress, or to any young lady appointed by her for that purpose. The stated meetings are held on the second Saturday of every month at 3 o'clock in the afternoon. Absentees from the stated meetings of the Society to pay a fine of 12 1-2 cents; and a manager refusing to attend for three successive months, without giving a reasonable excuse, forfeits her seat in the board. All unnecessary talking and light behaviour are prohibited during the time of the meeting.

OFFICERS-Miss Margaret Rankin, Directress; Miss Mary J. Borland, Treasurer; Miss Isabella J. Kirk, Secretary.

MANAGERS-Miss Susanna Marsh, Miss Eliza Thorburn, Miss Margaret Rose, Miss Isabella M'Hinch, Miss Margaret Rich, Miss Sarah Rich, Miss Frances Shelton, and Miss Eleanor Boyd.

OBITUARY.

Within less than three weeks the Christian public have been called to mourn the loss of three eminent ministers of the Gospel,-the Rev. Dr. Nathan Strong, of Hartford, Connecticut, who departed this life on the 25th ultimo, in the 69th year of his age, and 43d of his ministry ;---the Rev. Dr. Asel Bachus, President of Hamilton College, in this state, on the 26th ult. aged 51 ;---and the Rev. Dr. Timothy Dwight, President of Yale College, Connecticut, on the 11th instant, in the 65th year of his age and 22d of his Presidency.

These were all celebrated for learning, piety and usefulness. It is hoped that some competent pen will before long furnish the public with a just portrait of each of their characters, and the history of their lives, which may embrace a number of facts interesting to the Christian and literary world.

The loss of a useful minister of the Gospel is always a lamentable event for our sinful world; and in a country where there are so many pastoral charges vacant, and where the population is fast outstripping the new supply of ministers, such bereavements are peculiarly to be deplored, and ought to be subjects of solemn anxiety and prayerful consideration to those who feel an interest in the cause of religion.

The losses to the two Seminaries of learning above named, will also be deeply felt, and the vacancies occasioned by this stroke of Divine providence cannot be suitably supplied without depriving some of the most important stations in the Christian Church of some of its most useful pastors.

Under such afflicting dispensations it behooves Christians to be humbled under the mighty hand of God in his sovereign but righteous dealings with our sinful race, and to be earnestly engaged in supplicating the Lord of the harvest to send faithful labourers into his vineyard.

The Rev. Mr. Frey delivered his first Lecture to the Jews on last Lord's day evening in the North Dutch Church, from Genesis XII. 8. Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee--for we be brethren.

These lectures will be continued as before mentioned.

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In one of our preceding Numbers we led our readers to expect, at no distant period, an account of the measures which have been pursued in this place for some time past, to devise a plan for engaging Christian zeal and benevolence in the important work of attempting to evangelize the Israelites dwelling among us. We have thought it adviseable to defer the publication of the steps which were taken from time to time on this subject, until they should assume a systematic and settled form. These proceedings having lately resulted in the organization of an Institution for the purpose of prosecuting the object with method, permanency, and efficiency; and the following statement of the origin and formation of that Society, together with its Constitution, and an address to Christian brethren on the subject, having been ordered to be published, we embrace with much pleasure the opportunity of realizing the expectations, and, we trust, re joicing the hearts of many of our readers, by now presenting them with these particulars.

Statement of facts respecting the origin and formation of the In

stitution.

WHILST Societies have recently been organized in Britain, with auxiliaries in other parts of Europe for the conversion of the Jews, the Church of Jesus Christ on this side the Atlantic, has hitherto done nothing, or next to nothing, to recover and restore to the fold of its Saviour that once distinguished, now dispersed, but still wonderful people.

A solemn statement of these facts was laid before the Consisto ry of the Reformed Dutch Church in the city of New-York by one of its members, on December 2d, 1813; which being duly considered, it was

Resolved, That this object is worthy, in the opinion of the Consistory, of the attention of the Church, and that it be recommended to the Rev. Classis of New-York to take the subject into their scrious consideration, and by the appointment of monthly lectures, or in such other mode as to them may seem meet, endeavour to promote the conversion of the Jews, provided the measure ap pears to be proper, seasonable, or in any degree attainable.

VOL. II. No. 16.

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At an ordinary meeting of the Classis of New-York, held in the city of New-York, October 13, 1814, the following minute was entered on their records, namely, "the resolution of the Consistory of New-York brought forward at the last ordinary meeting on the state of the Jews having been considered,

Resolved, That a Committee be appointed to inquire whether any, and if any, what extra means can be adopted by Classis, to effect the great object contemplated in that resolution, and

That said Committee be empowered to devise and mature a plan on that subject, to be laid before Classis, as soon as may be practicable, for their approbation."

That Committee was accordingly appointed, and directed their attention to this subject without delay.

The first objects of that Committee were to ascertain

The number of Jews now residing in this city:

The disposition manifested by them toward their own religious institutions, and toward Christians :

Whether they were willing to receive religious instruction:
The best method of communicating such instruction :

What were the first steps taken for their conversion by the Society instituted for that purpose in London.

When they had obtained all the information they could procure on these points, a sub-committee was appointed to draft a report to be laid before Classis; owing, however, to the discouragement arising out of the inquiries of the General Committee in relation to the Jews, to the occasional absence of its members from the city, and other causes, the report above mentioned was not presented until the 18th of Sept. 1816.

Mr. Joseph Samuel C. F. Frey, who had lately been connected with the Society for the conversion of the Jews in London, and had recently and unexpectedly arrived in this country, was providentially present at that meeting.

The report submitted to the General Committee, and which embraced several plans for the conversion of the Jews, was approved, and ordered to be laid before Classis at their next ordinary meeting, which was accordingly done; and the same having been received, and entered upon the minutes of Classis, it was resolved, to adopt the first plan proposed in that report, the substance of which was to attempt the conversion of the Jews by instituting a Society for that purpose, embracing the whole Evangelical interest of this city. The Committee of Classis was then enlarged, and directed to use their influence without delay, for carrying that plan into effect.

At a meeting of a number of persons of different religious denominations convened, in pursuance of public notice, at No. 10 Garden-street, in the city of New-York, on Wednesday the 6th day of November, 1816, for the purpose of considering the expediency of forming a Society for evangelizing the Jews, it was unanimously

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