THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND MAGAZINE.

the era of their actual redemption. God made them willing and obedient to his servant's word. He gave the people to be his to lead up out of Egypt, for the faith by which he thus had given glory to the faithful God of promise*.

MISSIONS AT HOME.

No. XXVI.

of them a people for his name" (Acts xv. 14). To the converted Jewish nation verily we have to look, according to the testimony of scripture (Is. 1x. 1-3, xlii. 21; Zeph. iii. 14-20; Hos. xiv. 4-7; Zrch. viii. 13, 20, 23; Rom. xi. 12) for accomplishing, under God, that great work which is the church's chief expectation. They are the people who are predestined, according to the hidden counsel of Jehovah, to be the instruments for ushering in that blessed dispensation, when "the knowledge of the glory of God shall fill the

"Let us show our thankfulness to Christ by fruitfulness. Let us bring forth the sweet fruits of patience, heavenly-earth as the waters cover the mighty deep" (rev. mindedness, and good works. This is to live unto him, who died for us.

rocks.

....

Be zealous for Christ's name and worship.

Christ doth most abominate a lukewarm

We

Zeal is increased by opposition: it cuts its way through x ternper. The Lord cause the fire of holy zeal to be always burning upon the altar of our hearts."-T. WATSON. CLAIMS OF THE JEWS.-"We see the Jewish nation still in a state of unbelief!" What! the kingdom of Christ come, and the whole Jewish ration in a state of rebellion against the Lord's anointed! The idea is monstrous. What inconsistency and confusion must this view introduce into the scriptures and the prophets ! It is a strange doctrine indeed which recognizes the kingdom of Christ as established, whilst the whole world lieth in wickedness; but it is setting aside a large portion of the word of God to assume the #reign of the Messiah, without taking into account the condition of the outcasts of Judah and the dispersed of Israel. Shall it be thought that the kingdom of the Son of David is set up, whilst both Judah and Israel disclaim with one voice all part and all inheritance in David's Son ? do not understand the nature of that kingdom which leaves nineteen-twentieths of the world in an unconverted state, and the whole Jewish nation in unbelief. The kingdom whereof we speak, and whereof prophets and evangelists write, E comprehends the uttermost parts of the earth, em= bracing more immediately the twelve tribes of Israel. It would be difficult, if not impossible, to find a passage of scripture announcing the reign of Messiah, where the unconverted Jewish nation is not included, or where they do not occupy a very conspicuous position among the happy subjects of the great King. In all the prophets that nation has a distinguished position assigned unto it, in the kingdom of Immanuel. It is important to draw attention to the fact that throughout the bible the two are constantly joined together; and we must not put them asunder. According to the concurrent testimony of all the scriptures, the two events, the establishment of Christ's kingdom on earth, and the conversion of the Jewish nation, shall synchronize." The one cannot take place without the other: the one is part of the other. When the Deliverer shall come to Zion, he will then turn away ungodliness from Jacob (Rom. vi. 20). The day of Israel's conversion is the Messiah's coronation-day! Our efforts to promote Christianity among Jew and Gentile will ever be paralyzed in proportion as we fail to see and to embrace the scripture view of the present dispensation; a dispensation wherein God purposes to gather out "a remnant according to the election of grace" (Rom. xi. 5) from the dispersed of Judah, and to visit the Gentiles, to take out

6.

....

• There seems a reference to this in Exod. xxxii. 7.

A. M. Myers's "The Jew," fifth edit., 1852).
PASTORAL AID SOCIETY.-Upon opening the
anniversary meeting held on the 11th of May last,
the earl of Shaftesbury, its president, observed:
"For all the purposes of this kingdom, and of
the church, I hold that this anniversary meeting
is the most practical affair of the whole year. I
really do not know where at this time we should
have been, without the exertions of this society.
To have left the people as they were, to have left
those large masses of the population which are
congregated together in those great hives of indus-
try in the counties of Lancaster, Chester, and
York, and in other districts thronged by a teening
population, without superintendence and pastoral
care, without persons commissioned to carry to
them the word of God, to seek them out, and
bring them to the knowledge of the truth, would,
I believe, by this time have exposed us to such
dangers that we should, probably, have been over-
whelmed by an irresistible torrent of vice and
violence. But it did please God, some years ago,
to put it into the hearts of a few men to devise
this scheme; and it pleased him, moreover, to
realize this scheme; and I doubt whether any
religious society has ever received, at the hands
of God, more signal proofs of favour than has been
vouchsafed to the Church Pastoral Aid Society.
It has saved us, depend upon it: it has saved
this realm, the whole of the realm, from great
political trouble and convulsion; and it has set up
a glorious standard of truth. Its teaching is evan-
gelical, and its practice is in accordance with the
truth and purity of its principles. Now, if ever
there was a time in the history of these realms
when the agency of such a body was required,
depend upon it, we are now in that time; and a
very little consideration will show to you that we
are beset by dangers of a various and novel de-
scription, which nothing can encounter but such a
body as this, based upon the truth, and earnestly
determined to make known that truth, and to
assert that Christianity is the beginning, the
middle, and the end of all. Just look at the
efforts that are made by that new system (for new
it is as to its agency and mode of operation) just
look at the efforts that are made in the circulation
of infidel publications. They are of a more cautious
and novel character than formerly.
are gross and disgusting, it is true; but many are
insidious, many are devised to catch well-inten
tioned, though weak and doubting minds. The
circulation of these works increases day by day,
I might almost say hour by hour; and I was per-
fectly astounded and terrified the other day, upon
looking into a small pamphlet that was placed in
my hands with the view of calling my attention,
and the attention of others, to the necessity of

Many

The aid of the society is now afforded to 343 incumbents, in charge of an aggregate population which gives 7,564 souls to each. The average income of these incumbents is only £210 per annum, and 176 of them are without parsonage houses. The existing grants, when all are occupied, for 317 clergymen and 115 lay-assistants, make the total liabilities of the society £38,333. Through the operations of the society 569 additional public services on the Lord's-day have been instituted, besides 307 week-day services, 376 school-room and cottage lectures, and 279 bibleclasses. The society's grants have likewise led to the erection, opening, or keeping open of 150 churches or chapels; and, in districts at present receiving the society's aid, 158 rooms are, in consequence, licensed for the celebration of divine service. It may be added that, by means of the grants now made, additional and more systematic pastoral visitation is provided for a population exceeding 2,594,692.

journey men or otherwise being 16, it follows that this excellent asylum is affording employment and support, together with important spiritual and moral benefits, to no less than 33 believing Israelites. Since its establishment in 1831, 309 members of the house of Israel have participated, more or less, of the privileges which it affords.

PROTESTANT ASSOCIATION.-It was stated at the anniversary meeting, on the 12th of May, that the income of the society for 1851-52 had been £1,013, and the expenditure £963. One of the resolutions passed at the meeting was to this effect: "As it is manifestly a departure from all sound principle and consistency that protestants should propagate popery by paying for the education or support c a priesthood, whose object it is to disseminate that religion against which we protest, as anti-social, anti-national, anti-christian, and idolatrous, this meeting desires that all grants of public money for the support of popery in any shape may be with drawn, more especially that to Maynooth-college and that, in order to this desirable end, it is highl expedient that the nature of the education ther given should be thoroughly investigated”*.

- The

IRELAND. THE IRISH SOCIETY. thirtieth annual meeting of the "Irish Society of London" was held at the Hanover-rooms, Hanover-square, on Thursday, May 6, the marquis of Blandford, M.P., in the chair. The meeting was very numerously attended, every part of the large room being densely crowded. After prayer by the rev. C. Smalley, an abstract of the report was read by the clerical secretary. The repor stated that 28 clerical missionaries, 220 lay-agents, SOCIETY FOR PROMOTING CHRISTIANITY scripture readers, and schoolmasters for the young, AMONG THE JEWS.-I desire to commend to and 620 teachers were in connexion with the the support of those who have large hearts in society during the past year; that the work bad Christ's cause the "Operative Jewish Converts' been considerably enlarged in the counties of Cork, Institution," in Palestine-place; and the more so Clare, Mayo, and Donegal, and that there were as "the income with which it is at present pro- 50 congregations of converts ministered to by the vided is not sufficient for the support of more than missionaries of the society. The receipts for the twenty Israelites." This deficiency of means is past year were £10,273 14s. 11d. (being £3,124 the occasion of painful embarrassment to the com- 8s. 4d, more than in the year ending March 31, mittee in the prosecution of their work. "While 1851). The receipts of the society in Dublin, the sum raised by the efforts of the Jews em- exclusive of remittances from the London com ployed in the institution, as the result of their in-mittee, were £5,654 7s. 7d. (being an increase of dustry, is increasing very considerably, it is surely not too much to expect that the income derived from the contributions of its friends should increase in the same proportion. Many converted and inquiring Jews are suddenly reduced to want as soon as their Jewish relatives discover that they are believers in the Saviour. They cannot con tinue those occupations from which they formerly derived a subsistence: their friends are become their enemies, their nearest relatives are often their greatest persecutors. Their previous educahas not prepared them for following those trades which are the only sources from which they can expect to procure a subsistence. If we wish that the Jewish mission should prosper, and that the gospel should be preached to the poor among the descendants of Abraham, we ought assuredly to aid, as far as we can, in an attempt to provide for the pressing necessity which is occasioned by the success which crowns our efforts; and we may well be thankful to hear that God has graciously granted a great blessing on that which has hitherto been done." The present number of inmates being 17, and the number of those employed as

£799 2s. 5d. above those of the last year), and of the Ladies' Auxiliary 1,604 103. 3d.; making £17,532 12s. 9d. as the total receipts of the Irish Society for the year ending March 31, 1852.

THE LITTLE CONVERT'S ANSWER TO A ROMAN PRIEST.-Kilmacthomas, Waterford.Yesterday one of the children here, who with their parents have embraced the religion of the bible (a most interesting child), was met by a Romanist in this place, who asked him to repeat the Lord's prayer. He did so; but not adding the "Hail, Mary," he was desired to go on. His reply was, "That is all of it." He was tempted with sugar candy, and still refused. He was then asked, will you come to mass?" "No.” “How, can you be saved?" Answer: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." The man was astonished and went away. May this child continue to be trained up in the truth.-J. F. PARKER.

then,

education at Maynooth has been sufficiently investigated. * We regard such a resolution as almost nugatory. The We do not now want investigation, but extinction of the grant.

-ED.

THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND MAGAZINE.

"Such trust have we through Christ to Godward."-2

"My Lord and my God, I know thou art infallible truth and canst not, thou art infinite love and wilt not, deceive me; glory be to thee. Lord, daily increase my faith; make it active and fruitful; that I may believe and love thee as becomes one entirely devoted to thee in thy dear Son, Jesus Christ. Amen" (Bishop Ken).

EVEN. LESSONS

2 Kings xviii.

2 & 3 John.
Hos. xi.
Jude

Hos. xiii.
Rom. i.
Joel i.

Rom. ii.
Joel iii.

4. Saturday
REALIZING OF FAITH.-" After all, faith in
God's sayings, which is surely a very obvious,
simple, and intelligible idea, how seldom is it
realized by any of us! People think they believe
in them because they so far acquiesce as not to
gainsay them; and yet, with this acquiescence, an
would
acquiescence so resolute and strong that you
be shocked to utter ought in contradiction to them,
there may yet be no faith. For let there be but
belief in the gospel, and where lies the hinder-
ance to peace, joy, confidence in the good-will
of a reconciled Father even at this moment?
Why postpone all this? Why not rely on the
good tidings of great joy, and be glad accordingly?
How long shall we put off trusting to God for
that redemption which is through the blood of
Jesus, even the forgiveness of sin? It may startle

God's immense love; and, therefore, St. John leads us higher, and says: In this was manifested the love of God towards us, because that God sent his only-begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him." But he takes us higher still in the verse which forms our text; for he says, "Herein is love; not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins." That is, the apostle would say, God's love was indeed exhibited in having sent his only-begotten Son; but it was exhibited in far mightier energy, with vastly increased magnitude, in colours far more gorgeous, imposing, and excellent; when we remember the fact that God loved us without our loving him, nay, while we were enemies to him, that he displayed this love by not only providing the means by which we might be reconciled to him, but by sending, giving his only-begotten Son, that he in our nature might obey the law for us, because we cannot obey it ourselves, and by the sacrifice of his body make the propitiation for the sins of the whole world. So this apostle confirms the testimony of another, who thus writes on the same topic, "God commendeth his love towards us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."

Now, there are three chief points here to be considered, the facts which God the Holy Ghost here puts before us—

I. Our state by nature, i. e., enmity against God: "Herein is love, not that we loved God."

II. The fact that God loves man, though fallen: "He loved us, and sent his Son."

III. The provision his love has made for us: "He sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins."

God; for what can an enemy do more than to dishonour you in every way he can, to speak ill of you, despise your orders, disregard your wishes, and live in rebellion against your lawful authority? This is exactly what the poor wretch does, who does not love God. He serves the devil, who hates God, and all that is good and holy. He then despises the commandments of his Maker, and shows that he does so by breaking them. He disregards the will of God; for he refuses to listen to it as it is revealed to him in the written word, or as it speaks to his sometimes moved conscience. And thus he lives in rebellion against the King of kings, in hatred against his Father, Preserver, Redeemer.

But you will say, perhaps, "This is the character of the very profane and wicked; whom everbody condemns as the devil's friends, and God's enemies." True, we reply; but, if you pass on to observe those whose position in life prevents them from committing great sins in public, or whose education has properly trained them to dislike and avoid the grosser vices of humanity, unless they have been converted to God, made new creatures by his Holy Spirit, they are still the enemies of God; for they are living in disobedience to his will. For such, if they seek salvation, seek it not altogether through the Son of God, but through themselves, through their own doings, and their own fancied merits; not remembering that the word of God denounces all the righteousness of man as utterly worthless to pro cure salvation; not remembering that God says, as plainly as language can speak, that no works of man, no virtues, no education, no talent can save man; but, that if he be saved, it can, and must be, only by his grace, I. First we are to consider the fact, that through the merits of Jesus Christ. Then I by nature "we do not love God." This is put it to you, my brethren, to decide for your one of the principal features of our ruin, we selves whether, if men do not seek salvation do not naturally love God. Among earthly as the first duty of life; if they do not obey relationships we love those who are bound to the command to "seek first the kingdom of us by the closer ties, and we love those too God and his righteousness;" if they turn a who are in no way related to us except by the deaf ear to the gospel, its promises and its bond of dear friendship. We possess some threats; or if they attempt the hopeless task sort of love too, and usually show it, for those of procuring salvation by some other way who are kind and benevolent to us. But than that appointed by the Almighty, and relook at man in his relationship towards God, vealed in his gospel, can they love God? who is his Maker, his preserver, his bene- No; for they despise the richest boon he has factor every hour that he breathes. Man in given to this wicked world. And, surely, if his natural state, if he acknowledges this with they do this, whatever may be their natural his tongue, proves the falsehood of his asser- amiability, or what we call good disposition, tion by his wicked conduct. Surely, he, who they must after all be the enemies of God. can wilfully and openly break God's positive" The carnal mind is enmity against God," commandments and live in gross sin, cannot says the apostle Paul; and the "carnal mind" love God, whatever he may say; nay, he must is the mind which is still unrenewed by the hate God, whatever he may say. He is Holy Ghost, which has no sense and convic nothing more nor less than the enemy of tion of sin, which loves itself, and decides

that, since great evil is avoided, and kindness men by nature; this is the state of each one ez manifested and outward duties attended to, of you, if grace has not converted your hearts. salvation must be the consequence. O fatal This is the awful state of the whole uncondelusion! O ruinous darkness! So that if verted world: "The whole world lieth in men say they are seeking salvation, yet do wickedness." The "natural man" is in a so, not by howing completely before the gospel state of alienation from God, is " far off" from G(not by yielding themselves to God as clay God; and therefore does St. John say, in the hands of the potter), but by doing" Herein is love; not that we loved God, works of their own, and calling these their but that he loved us.' de stepping-stones to heaven, are they not setting up their own doctrines against the p'ain doctrines of the gospel? Are they not thus disputing, doubting, and contradicting those gospel doctrines, and thus living in opposition to God's revealed will? Then, if so, they do not love God: they are his enemies.