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JOSEPH S. BAKER— Editor. VOL. XIII. TERMS PER ANNUM. . The Christian Index, publish ed on Friday in each week, (except two in the year), will be furnished to each sub scriber at $2 50 cents, in advance; or $3 if not paid within the year.. -.Evccy Agent, (and all Baptist Ministers are particularly solicited to become agents,) who procure and pay for five copies of the Index, shall be entitled to a sixth, as a compensation for his trouble. Letter ou business,-or communications, must be addressed to the Editor, post paid. Advertisements may be inserted on usu al terms, at the dtscretima af the Editor. For the Christian Index. Thoughts on Luko xii: 32. BY A BAPTIST AT DAIILOXEOA. “Fear not, little flock ; for it ‘is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Perhaps there is no part of the word of God, more deeply interesting, and heart cheering to the truly jtious, than the sliort sentence above quoted. If the rieh man’s prayer could have been granted, and one from the dead were now to come, and relate to us some of the cir cumstances, which surround the spirits of those, who have depatted this life: would we not be all attention, and listen with deep and abiding interest to the information he might'impart. Pondcringat thesame time the entire meaning of every word, which .might Come Ijrom a messenger possessing a-kttowledge so Important, and at the same time-so much concealed? What then yhoulil be the .intensity of the interest, with which we’shouU listen to the author of tire winds tinder consideration • who was sent, not from the dead, bat proceeded from Goth. Who Was not an aivgei of lights, but tlte God of the Universe. Whose wisdom entitled him to the name t;f “wonderful counsellor.’* i Whose goodness entitled', liim, “The-everlasting Father.”. Aatd the mildness qf his. reigfi to,‘‘Trie Prince of Peace.” Yes, a messenger, nyjto was equal with God : Yea; and “whs jGod,” salutes the earof the treinbliug clturistiau and says, ‘Jear - —i. *y :_• • • ■ I‘jiiiugli y*u uUy b^f. JlS | ,1 is consirtatß, from * Vrew of your own imper fections, —ihohigh . your;-,nature iTiay he. prone to rebel against tho- command? of your heavenly parent,—luotigli the .flesh may ivafiigniiiSi the spirit,'—though it may seem difficult CO overcome temptation,— though your heart t.nay ‘be deceitful and, desperately wicked, a- v"oih& front” Hea vens messenger. comfort? Vflu, “fear not.” .y; ■. # ThoughltopeS in the” nffaiqipf this life may disqppoijit • ypu-i IfiougU the ar- 1 tufe of friends may bereave *yp4 though persecution, lnuy” rage,, flpil die fibvepf ny by poeriuVSJwax cofd, and jliough ye ft may seem la stand alone v Vt)aW; helpless',. ..apd timid; you are” cheered,* comforted;- atul encouraged by a vqfce Heaven saying, “fear not."” “ ■•...* v ■ ‘l'Tioygh sickness may’ .prostrajl£_ bodily pqVer/> ;• though-, fever may scotcbi ■ your brain* and drive; *;asotl..frqm ii'er throne.! yet with r'etifniing consciousness comes the still small Voice, consolation to a spirit Confined In a ; ing body:* and see mi-as the -sltndqWwir:! great rock m*a weary ,r itnf •* •V ‘GmccP’ 4‘ Though .Satan'bolfeSt, . like •myriads ;*t)rougli they*’ fiy J ’ 1 . ’ thotigir he beset vou w''‘ . e, . n P alO ‘ make ydtr shmlffct- / " oU o' l uuu.berttf . yonr^remiesb'-'”" 6 anr rGat ‘ - . a-prospect or,<suScess from ir” ‘eebleoa^;: l l lough they im- Llume 0* f*P oara ! ,ce J a f pnk&jnfc. wolves, r ,,enon beasts?—hg ; to pow given, says, “sea^ npt&litltejfodc.' ’ RaSbegreatnesSj-ibe‘goodness, and the swng coggdfcmie i comTuri. \ ’ Alßjiigli tis who to us whoc i.VAarc rile and sinful; to us wttoby 1 lack wisdom : and l * ie marry dangers, icrn#ahgpaand oppotuo®’ 1 with wliiijj|||^ ; iri; eurrdffivded ;it v y'pWj seem thereHyerp mucff* cauißftfc>f -di3 r - ot * r agement. yet we arc „ God of battles, that Ujpf, faints through more t Ima conqufe'rcrs, whilst we arts’assiiHyS pfsircce** in a cause, that embraces notiv ing less than fur souls eternal welfare; al [thoujlt*(liflicuUles multiply, and troubles HSwease. we should “fear not,” though a *‘'littlqjlock.” . Bui God in his goodness has given us sotpe outlie reasons for the consolation, he offers imthe words under consideration,’ in > addition to his God-like perfections. In theije words the saints ate compared to a flock. Had this comparison been made by an enemy, it might have been cause'of grief: for we might have supposed he ex pected to flrey upon those he would thus compare. But the comparison was made by tlie Lord Jesbs Christ; who thereby alluded to the relationship of shepherd and flock.'. Mowj/fljSod shepherd who was a- Tftnp of duter, wpuld take an interest in tiff flpek.*'He would not when iti.cic’ was danger.— Arfitjlit say, %tt ” for the p*i r lipee (Shaking the • corih3Sbb*Jvbicli the flock might repose in The’ iclatkin of shepherd and ‘.vlttcli rc THE CHRISTIAN INDEX. ference is here nude, is Jvery endearing to those who tell they have a place among ihe spiritual flock ofChrist. ..JjY • ‘ But there is another endearing ljelation ship alluded jo in the wordsChrtsL. It is that of parent, and child, ‘■‘■For it Father's good pleasure.” O, what consolation, that as a shepherd, lie will protect, and as a “Father,” lie is allied to us. If the Lord be my shepherd, and God be nty Father—what shall I want! What shall Hear! For if God be for us, who shall be against us. Who,shall lay any thing against Gods elect, which is the “little /lock.” For it is -Christ that justi fies. FbT God fus protnised to spare them as a father spareth his own son that serveth him. “For it is your Fathers good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” Here is tke ground of the Christians comlort. Though you may be poor and unable to buy ; it is your lathers good” pleasure to “give,” — Though you may be depraved and sinful, and have violated Gods holy law,and merit nothing at all, it is not bestowed on your merit, for that is as filthy rags : “itis your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” It is the good pleasure of God to “give” the kingdom to his people. And as he is God and changes not, it is certain that it has been from all eternity his good pleasure. And it is equally, certain that his good pleasure will always remain the same, So that none can change that good pleasure.— None but ap enemy .of God would wish that good pleasure to be changed. And fc God will not change his good pleasure, which is no other than his purpose, to please his enemies. Therg is much comfort in reflecting on the nature of this gilt. Christ calls it a kingdom—lt is saints are sdid lobe “kings” unto God. Thesejfre notmeyre unmeaning titles. not thus mock his saints,, But it is to be a real kingdom: and such an one, as Christ would call a kingdom.— And as lie did not set much by the king <lonis*ot this world; we have a right to con clude, that this kingdom greatly exceeds any kingdom of this world. But this is not left altogether to conjecture ; for al though we cannot now know how great this kingdom shall be; yet we are assured by the apostle that it shall exceed in great ness, glory and happiness, any tlm.l ’ “Cue of the apostles calls this gift of God, ‘Eternal life. Now life is the most endear ing thing of which we have any idea.— What would we not give for hfe, when called to lay it do vn? What would we not .■do for a kingdom in this world, to have the txjtne and dignity to be called a kingdom to “tnen.% But this gift of God excels this as ‘far as Cod excels man. O, that iu every vicisitnde of our chequered lives, we could feel the comforting and consoling influences of those t^eaveuiy/words, “Fear not little Hock.for it is your Father's good pleasure -to.&'C /ou the kingdom.”’ ’ -• •„ For tJiedtHiristian Index. *'’ • ‘. ‘ Air. Editor —Since I wrote vou, some (jtiy.S ago, we have been blessed with two fir- three light qhotWrs of rain, tvhich fell ;'d.uriirg tint, tiffif av’S'of-the present week ; dlpugh njOHliing like a Sufficient Ultima; is half crops of corn, afld v>* /W ..*l'® skyj* again clear and our as .ever. Manypeo ple'have grown seriously alarmed, and one or’ lw'o of the clthrchcs iu the community Iravp appointed a day for fasting and prayer. •It seems-to fie that, when the blessings of heaven are showered upon us abundantly, we- afe not sufliciontly grateful for them ; and whqn die times of adveftity or gloom ‘come, Wd are. too much inclined to com plain and repine at our lot'/- An old maxim says that “ In peace is the time to prepare lor war;” and a lesson for Christians yet to learn is, that thanksgiving ‘and pftuse, #s well as intercessions and entreaties, should ut.ulLtijnest iscend to a throne of grace, _ I do > flHßflfljHbjelicvc it lastamrpray^!SPi%.* Vj^k*/sr' f, tho'se by. bat that we, are’forgetfol ot wefl feiffntoa i? roa^M ‘congi^fc 31 ™ . g, and ing in - intt icrs oi There were iaWikor nlDrC ’ v, o , n sv ere three Mays, liierc were a L v . u . that"*’ I'aitTi anil ordeij^^^EG- 01 '’ ‘l'iieri Hiram Barren, V W in. Cailenfiead, Mose^^^fc 1 > tfrd"do?l Barrow, Sikes, Freeman j|.| 1 were‘preached many long .js.ilie] mons, whose aim was to op trine of pLection, the futility )3 poke the lent institutions. Among j„ iyeaii- cratiniis “It lia .Ii i a said.” i (-1 1 ■■ r, if n>>! in wools, al IcasSHHHHHj ing,) “ that. Paul and the missionaries. If this bo/riie, it fo\U>m*cre in a matter beyond dispute-, that all as lot ries and labors cc^suf iS c>ivA \ mi Apostle*” “TSiat’sa goo^-j^PD I ''. zc an old brother to the i ( | a Again (lie samij]P(o7uswJtließß(k ittg “ prove that tfilnse . not f6r THE BAPTIST CONVENTION hF THE STATE OF GEORGIA. PENFIELD, GA., AUGUST 15, 1845. or that all does not mean every one. He quoted the passage in which it is saitTthere came to John’s baptism “Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region roundabout Jordan, and were baptized, ’’ &c. “ But,” continued the speaker, “we read farther that, notwithstanding all came ami were baptized, yet, when many of the Pharisees and Snslducecs come to his baptism, who lived in these game l regions, he did not bap tize them.” , ;s v 6 .’ - E-t hoc genus omne, ad infinitum. *Hbt onbjoyied the church, though the members thereof had a pleasant time, and the parting scene was truly affecting. TheProtrtdirw^Wf^;'flf wl\lTssiona ry” Liberty, begins to-day, and is expect ed to contiuuo a week. Several ministers are expected, (some of them strangers,) and considerable preparations are being made for the accommodation of visitors. You shall hear the result of the meeting. Last Sunday was a beautiful day, and quite a contrast was seen, or rather heard, in our community. A little to the south of tne, a minister was preaching to his congre gation, and a little to the north a bold hun ter was ranging the forest and swamp, and hallooing to his yelping curs in the most approved manner, ala chase. This is no uncommon occurrence in this section ; and, indeed, every Sabbath is devoted, by some, to the sports of humitigand angling. This fact rmy not be much to the credit of this “ Ghutch-going” community, but it is nev ertheless a fact. 1 have been led to the belief that regular Prayet Meetings, good Sunday Schools, practical preaching, with a proper reading ol the Scriptures by prolessors of religion, would have a tendency to chock these evils ; for then parents would see the importance of restraining their children and servants, and remonstrating with their neighbors. It is a pity that our neighbor hood should be so far behind the world. And what is strange, those who break the Sabbath, and go into ail manner of wicked ness, arc the first to argue the different doc trines.. taught in this country. Here we have Calvinists, Arminians, Wesleyans, Whileites, Campbellites, and a dozen other ists, ans, isins and ites, among the most wicked set of folks one ever saw. Now, 1 am persuaded that this is not because so* many different doctrines are taught; but it is the manner of teaching these doctrines hjs jhe fault of thp teachers. Each one goes to j.. r.,.1. u ,v e 1:„ , never teaching the vast importance of Chris tian obedience —never insisting upon the practice of Christian duties. 1 may have formed ji wrong opinion, but I hope not to the injury of auy minister; lor 1 wish them, lirst, to believe honestly that they arc right—and, secondly, loac? (and not preach only) what is right in their opinions. 1 hear of a controversy getting up be tween two ministers differing in opinion, and it is thought the time and place will be arranged for them to argue the matter pub licly. if this is done, more people will ride thirty miles to hear it, than would go one mileto fear an able minister preach Christ. So goes the world. * Yours, * BACKWOODS. For the Christian Index. Brother Baker —l send you for publica tion 4ho following account of a meeting, that die jiearts of Christians may be en ccuraged: We had a general meeting in the second district of die Apalachee Asso ciation, with the church at Bethel, in this county, where I have had the privilege of preaching for the last six years, and where the Lord has given His people many evi dences of His mercy in the conviction and conversion of sinners, and strengthening die faith of believers. Our general meet ing commenced on Friday before the fifdi Sunday in June. The brethren, Hadaway, Churchill, Langford, Baitholoipew^dP^ Pfp'/li., lb;,l i 7iif i -Tyi-\ .V”,V' - :•" ’■ -; v pV s vyf's^'®CUUvl•, alld a > :„\n W’ c(ea scd the <£ usC for n * tat itudeU brother, \ 1” ( .. her , n emh 6 4BfthatchuH^ of Btaee 3 clde f\l experience- .. a j ar gc eongJ c g‘ :*• .Vo.tnet Tucsday, wilh a bridg Ition, at a b^ Ul ‘ w ojecould see with S' 6 , -across so thatt j. the thri 1 salislactioi'i) *■* . bes- ‘l’ hc sce l who had joined * , \ was imposingdo^^^m^^^Grcel the hrilTgc ami bcauliffinJanlslni^^^B looking on while’ I led the candidJHHH - And. al;l„„„ri.^ faWsHm zed hundreds, f never felt as 1 dilwSf day, wliilc standing in the water Rv my own sou, looiiiiig to heaven and then in wm\M ,tf*Pfm..Uj.lM‘, tvtgtm ({rave. T|*! was much feeling during the service. f/e then repaited to the church, where oul meeting continued to grow in interest. Gfcstians rejoiced undera sense ofthe love oftod shed abroad in their bteasts; and sitt ne* Avept under a conviction of their lost coalition, and came forward willingly for prwer. Several professed hope in the blelsed Savior. Sunday morning, (being the first Sun day in July, and tenth day of our meeting,) m® again at the water, where the people had Awmbled from different sections ofthe sur rounding country ; and, after a most inter esting time oljt the bankof the*Creek,l led ten .willing, (happy souls, down into the water: and, added greatly to the in terest of the (occasion, old brother James Richardson and his companion walked down, side by side, with me into the water, while their iumerous friends and relatives stood on the [bank weeping and rejoicing. From this we repaired to the house, had a pleasant meeting, met with mourners in the evening, prayed with them, and took the parting hand, in order to attend a Min isters and Deacons’ Meeting at Monroe, an account of which I hope to give you short ly. • Yours in the bonds of the gospel, JOHN HENDRICKS. Monroe, Walton county, Ga. , Ibr the Christian Index. Big Tliillgs. Brother Baker —Having seen so many things doing and done, as recoidcd in the Index; i have thought it would not be antiss lo let you know what we were doing down here in old Hephsibah Association. Those who have noticed c>ur Minutes for the last few years, are consltaincd to snyt truly that’s a doing body. In the Jjimites of’42, you discover apian for a greA big school, to be fixed at some eligi bll spot, that should be of general utility. Trustees are appointed, and all are now in anxious expectation for a school at home, &w'ntS*PWsuW9, or a part of incfei-i-aiiu oot, n |,\ i one oi our goou uruift ren preaches its funeral, and the rest, we may suppose, buried it. But wo are a doing body, and must be busy.. It seems that there is a plait propo sed by our sister, the Washington, for sup plying a very destitute tegion of country, contiguous to us, with the gospel; and said plan is sent down to old Hephsibah, know ing her to he a doing body. She at once responds. It lakes almost without opposi tion. Well now, thinks I, something will be done ; and, indeed, a committee is ap pointed, and they appoint a pioneer to ex plore the field and report. Away the plan goes, as on the wings of the wind, to the Georgia Association: tiiey respond, and are alt ready to pay over their contributions, willing only i o[ t|, e report of the commit tee or pioneer of the llepiioibah.: but alas ! na report! They have no doubt supposed tbit, ere this time, the plan has found its grjtve along side of our big school; oroar pioneer must be sick or runaway. O, what a doing body ! and yet, how many strong and powerful appeals do we hear from those very brethren for foreign missions ! Dear brother Baker, does it seem consis tent that we should send our missionaries to foreign lands, and pay no attention to the destitute at home? liow often has the Macedonian cry been reiterated, “come ■M£r'and help us?” yet not a word—no hpip “for the destitute at home. I would lila to know upon what ground we can cvljvinceOurselvcß that we are carryingout iThe true spirit of the Bible in relation to mis sions, when we engage heart and hand to the gospel to foreign lands, and never lve toward the suffering and dying of our Slate. Now, it has always seemed to \)i that we ought to begin our labors at larmo. r We are reminded of a circumstance that ”')ok plaee not a hundred miles off. Agi n jeman, some years since, was requested to nnbscribe for a certain object ofbenevoltJnce. h ie did it, supposing that his name would [jfcfme out in the public prints, with the amount annexed: but behold, it did not! And when lie found that out, he swore he yould not subscribe again. • ■: Our oid book says, “ Let not the right hand know what the left does ; and when thou docst thine alms, do notsoundatrum pe ,” &c. Now, if our means arc so eir- as to prevent our attending to It hoiki ttopLvwpcm to me wc ought to at- V(. v May the good Lord A Well Regulated Temper. Extracts from u Sermon in the. Baptist Preacher, by Rev. C. D. Mullary, In looking over the Sermon of brother Mallary, on this subject, we find it diflicult to make selections. We shall therefore publish the greater part of it, in consecu tive numbers. We omit the exordium, and give iu this number, what he has to say in the first division of It is discourse. NO. I. XV hat is implied in a wkl kegli.\ted temper? Femper is an expression often applied to the condition and qualities ofthe mind, and in various acceptations. It is .some times employed, with a qualifying epithet, to designate some particular trait or {lmpo sition ; —thus we speak of one quality as a good temper, of another as an evil temper. It is sometimes used, in an extended im port, to express the more general condition ol the affections. Thus a person, who ex hibits in his conduct a well ordered state of pious feelings, is said to manifest a Chris tian spit it or temper; whilst a different course of conduct is spoken of-as an indica tion of an unchristian temper. Again—it is sometimes used to express the condition of the irascible passions, in connection of those of a sweet, and gentle nature, which are regarded as their opposites. A person in whom the former are easily excited, is said to be quick tempered :—one, in whom they are frequently roused to an intense anil unreasonable degree, is said to be high tem pered ; and if in any one their natural ten dency, when excited, is to a malignant and revengeful state of mind, he is said to pos sess a bad or an evil temper. When the kind and gentle passions of the soul habit ually predominate—are so exercised, and cultivated, as properly to soften, regulate, and control the fiery qualities of out nature, we see an exhibition of what we frequent ly denominate a good temper, or a well regulated temper- And this is the accepta tion, in which we propose, for the most part, to use the expression in our present discussion. Our text, (Prox. xvi. 32.) we conceive, describes an individual, characterised bv such a temper, lie is slow to anger ; lie ruleth his spirit. The expression slow to anger does not seem so'mtich to describe me natural temperament or me luaivniuai, ns that well-balanced state of the irascible passions, which is the result of a proper discipline. The phrase, which follows, (he that ruleth his spirit,) may be regarded as both a parallel, and explanatory expres sion, and will consequently justify the ex position, we have given, of the “preceding clause. But to be more particular. 1. A well regulated temper implies ha bitual self-control. Its possessor is one, who has subjected his spirit to a steady, judicious, and permanent rule. This will will act with promptness, vigor, and effect: —it stands, a well trained sentinel, by the creater of passion, to deep down the re bellious fires beneath. Amidst the tempta tions, and excitements, with which he may be biought into collision imho persecution of his various duties, lie is, in peculiar sense, his own master; maintaining a calm, and solid jurisdiction over the turbulent portion of his nature. It is not a temporary, but a permanent victory, that he has gained over himself- There are some, who- for a sea son, mantles i g.ont equanimity of spirit; they parry the edge or —^ KSlve provocations: the bitterest insults seem not to cast them down from an apparently calm, and settled equipoise ; but the will, unac customed to long, and well established command, relinquishes atlcast its grasp up on the passions, like a (orient, that gathers force from a temporary obstruction, now rush forth with _auginented violence, scatiering abroad mischief, and confusion. We seiS not here the operation of a well regulated temper. These are not the indi viduals, who have learned to rule their spirits. They are like a city will, broken walls—like.a magazine, whose train is open at a hundred jioints, to the falling sparks of a neighboring conflagration. As occasional, and temporary self-con trol not all, that is needful to constitute a well regulated temper, so the government of the irascible passions, in some of their modifications, hut not others, leaves the spirit but imperfectly defended. Our self control must maintain a broad, as well as a permanent jurisdiction. Unreasonable an ger assumes many forms. There are some who in their u rath aic sullen, and silent; there are others, who arc blustering, noisy, and impetuous. There are some, who kin dle into vexation iu a moment.; whilst there are others, who are constitutionally slow to be moved, but, when .excited, are like a furious hear, or a iaging ten,pest. — Some there arc, who can bear, with a good degree of patience, and fortitude, the more cumbersome, and distressing aillictions of life; while a thousand petty provocations worry them into an unamiablc, and fretful humor. And, strange to tell, we some times discover in the same individuals, at different times, and in varying circumstan ces, more or less of these notifications o< - •disordered, and angry Ireling. That self control,.of which we arc speaking, must rear its “monitions at all these vulnerable points, and piotcct us agJimsl the insiduous, and imposing, as wqfl as the more open, and violent assaults I lowed pas* , 11. r n 11: r i anoppor. Ittth any Publisher —BENJ. BRANTLY. handmaid, and its guide. We may sonte ttmcs meet with those , who, on some oc castons, display much self-possession, and energy of will, who are nevertheless, un happily, defective in judgment. Now is it reasonable to suppose, that the proper management of the temper will rise higher than the dictates ofthe judgment? That it should often fall below these dictates, is by no means strange. Superficial reflec tion will often allow us lo palliate, if not applaud many of the little sallies ol petu lance, and passion, ond even the wilder out-breaks ol wrath, which sober reason nuo cumlrum.. Tlw malt or a wen regu lated temper is a thoughtful considerate man. He ponders well his goings. He avoids temptation, when he can, and when duly cails him into ihe strifes of the world, lie moves on with wise forecast, and delib erate caution. If at any time he allows in himself the expression of indignation, he sees to it, that the occasion which pro vokes his displeasure. is a just one—that the motives, which prompt him, aie in themselves pure, and heavenly—that his anger does not rise to an unreasonable height, nor dwell long in his bosom, and that the expression of it be moderate, and well timed. 2. A well regulated temper is one, that is habitually free from bitter, malignant, and vindictive feelings, and is sweetened by a due admixture of meekness, gentleness, forbearance, and love. We suppose, that there may be a lawful expression of anger. This is implied in the declaration, “be ye angry, and sin not.” We may receive in* juries, that may awaken a just, and holy resentment. We may witness folly, and sin, that may demand the expression of open, decided, and intense disapprobation. It is not the possession of that attribute of character, that renders us capable of indig* na nt feelings, which constitutes our ‘sin, but the perversion of that attribute. This perversions in a greater or less degree is almost universal. There is a strong, and fearful tendency in the irascible passsions to wrath, hatred, and revenge. Our hatred of an injurions, and provoking act is apt to be transferred to the passion, who performs it, and thus, insend of pursuing him with our pity, and our prayers, we follow after him with malediction, and spite. Tostrug* gle resolutely against this perversion is the imperative duty of all, ami a hieh decree of success in tins struyj,, secures To us one happpy item of a well regulated temper.— Our anger, to he without sin, must be like that of our Father above, blended with ten der benevolence, and endearing compas sion ; like that of Christ—our great, and spotless exemplar, who wept over those, whose hard-heartedntss provoked his in dignation. It must be under the control of that wisdom, which is from above, which is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and ea sy to be entreated, and full of mercy. It must be tempered,- and sweetened with that heaven-born charity, which suffereth long, and is kind, is not easily provoked, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, e.idureth all things. 3. A well regulated temper, m a high, evangelical sense, implies a proper state of mind with reference to the adveise provi dences ol God. The turbulent nature of man docs not allow him to confine his un hallowed resentments to his fellow-man It were far less to be blamed, if this were the case. But alas! it rises up in an in dignant attitude against the allotments of Heaven, and calls forth the Almitrhtv to the helu o battle. nt ß ui ß p CT ®Sg J® questioned with the spirit of bitterness, and anger, ihe afflictions which see.-n to fall as it were, visibly from Ilis hand, discom cvrl, and irritate, ami enrage. It is occa sionally so-~at least fora season, and in some degree, with the people of God. Look at peeytsh and fretful Jonah. The him w < itR f 4xateSS!i4.Sl?^ll ,ed gourd fills very compassion of Jehovah, that rescued fora season a mighty city from destruction, was the occasion of angy disquietude. JSucii vu ljs strange, and unaccountable selfishness, that, in the unhallowed excite- - memos the moment he would seem to pre fer, that all Ninevah should perish, rather than that lie should run the risk of suffer ing in his prophetic reputation, by the in terposition of mercy iu behalf of that guilty city. Surely he was a badly tempered be liever ! Happy would it be, if querulous Jonah bail no imitators in this unreasona ble controversy with the providence of God. A well regulated temper is a quiet, meek, submissive temper. ~ ‘!Tho Lord gave, the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord.” “Study I behaved, anil quieted myself ” says Davhl “as a child that is weaned; my soul is ever a weaned child ; I was dumb, and opened not my mouth, because thou didst it.” Here then we have a lovely exhibition of a right tem per with reference ’to the Providence of God. In concluding out remarks upon this point, wc may be allowed to say, if the views just presented be correct, a well reg ulated temper is one, which is habitually governed by the scriptures of divine truth. It implies self-control—thus self-control must be guided by right reason; reason, to guide us right, must beenlightened.froin on high. The scriptures constitute the only safe guide to the understanding; and itt them are to be found those motifs, and restraints, which are the. mos.t effectual to subdue the rebellious spirit; and bring it in- subjection to the At 4 d jii'lgi it ‘ NO 33-