Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page.

GEORGIA CHRISTIAN BEPERTORY. .VOLUME U ■ , THE CHRISTIAN REPERTORY, EIHTKD AND bUTlLlsnfcl) I!V V, * 7*> G. CAP Elis. . riUNTED BY * .W. It. HARRISON. TERMS.—The Gkohoia Christian Rcvertory is published every Wednesday,ln Mulborry-etreet, Macon, next doar to A. R. Freeman & Cos., at Three Dollars per annum in advance. Agents who may procure five subscribers, and forward the amount of their subscriptions, shall receive a copy gratis, The Itinerant and Local Ministers of the Methodist Episcopal Clnirch, are authorised to give receipts for all sums paid by subset ibers, and to fortvard the Hiimo at tiie expense and responsibility ofihe Editor. V-A.K'.'tc in the Repertory will lie appropriated to adver tisements at the customary rates. No charge, however will lie made for notices of Religions and Benevolent So cieties. Correspondents tvho may favour us with Religious Moral, Literary, or Scientific Essays, Biographical Sketch es, and Communications in relation to the progress of “Christianity generally, will be pleased to correspond with the Editor at biS expense; but oil others (except those who forward the amount of a year's snlißCri.ition,) will be required to pay tfre. postage of their Utters. froETUY v, Tlic following is one.of the most admired hymns of Charles Wesley, which is remarkably beautiful and just. y THE atonement: Vigtim Divine,, thy jjence we claim, VVTtilti thus thy precttH-js-dcntlf We show J Once offered up ft sfWi lefts .Ih mb;- In thv great temple here hclotv; Thou (fidst for hitman &ndafoh.e, ; 1 ; And standcst now the Ihiencit \ Tlmu standest in the holy place^ As notv for guilty srtitlfera. nlaiu; \ The blood of sprinkling speakstmd prafs; All prevalent for helpless man ; Thy blood is still our ransom found, And speaks salvation all around. The smoke of thy atonement here, Darkened the sun and rent the vail, Made the new tvay to heaven appear, And shewed the great invisible ; Well pleased in thee our God looks down, • And calls his rebels to a crown. lie still respects thy sacrifice J Its savour sweet doth always please ; Tim offering smokes through earth niiil skies,. Diffusing life and joy, and peace; To these thy lower cr arts it conies, And fills them with divine perfumes. , We need not now go up to heaven, To bring the long-sought Saviour down ; Thou ait to all already given, Thou dost even now thy banquet crown ; To every faithful soul appear, And shew thy real presence here. the infidel. lIY M. n. PF.RKIKS* I've heard, on Afric’s dreary shore, The serpent’s hiss, the panther's roar, No footsteps marked the sands; No human voice the desert cheer and, Save now anti then were faintly heard, The yells of savage ba/ids. I’ve seen the red volcanic tide, Impetuous sweep the mountain’s side. And wrap the plains on fire; And heard the shepherd’s plaintive moans, Mingling with AStm/s hollow groans, On passing gale^'expire. In twilight’s lain thud dusky beam, I’ve seen the murderer’s weapon gleam, Bathed in the victim’s gore; Ghastly and pale, with many a wound, The mangled corse half breathing lound Stretched on the bloifil-stained shore. I’ve heard amid the foaming deep. When tempests howl, and whirlwinds sweep, Heart-Vending cries “ to save ;” The shrieks of many a trembling soul, And mark’d the sea’s tremendous roll, Which swept them to their grave. Nor she, * erd’s moans, nor panther’s roar, Nor wreck, nor corse upon the shore, To me such pain lias given, As seeing on the couch of death,. K The infidel resign Ins breath, Without the. hopes of heaven. THE CHARACTER OF THOSE WIIO BECOME INFIDELS- Many without renouncing the profession of Christianity, without formally rejecting its dis tinguishing doctrines, live in such a habitual violation of its laws, and contradiction of its spirit, that conscious they have more to fear Ilian to hope from its truth, they arc never able to contemplate it without terror. It haunts tlic.r imagination, instead of trauquilizing their hearts; and hangs with depressive weight on all thier enjoyments and pursuits. Their reli gion instead of comforting them under theii trouble,is itself their greatest trouble, from which they seek refuge in the dissipation and vnniti of the world, until die throbs and tumults oi conscience force them back upon religion. Thus Suspended betwixt opposite power-, the sport ol contradictory influences, they are disqualified for the happiness of both worlds; and neitlie enjoy the pleasure of sin, nor the pence of pic tv. It is surprising to find a mind thus bowil- lered in uncertainty, and dissatisfied with it self, court deception, and emorace with eager ness every pretext to mutilate the claims and enervate the authority of Christianity; forget ting that it is the very essence of the reli gious principle to preside and control, and that it is impossible to serve God and Mammon ? It is this class of professors who are chiefly in danger of being entangled in the snares of infi delity. The champions of infidelity have much more reason to be ashamed than toboast of such con verts. For what can be a stronger presump tion of the falsehood of a system, than that it is the opiat-’ of a restless conscience, that :t pre vails with minds of a certain description, not because they find it true, but because they feel it necessary ; mid that in adopting it. they con- j suit less with their reason, than wi h their v cos I and tifeir fears? It requires hut little sagacity | to foresee, that speculations winch originate in ; guilt, must mid in ruin'. * . J •iesus Christ seems to have his fail in his , hand, and to be thoroughly purging his floor', j ana nominal Christians will probably be scat-i tered like chaff. But lias real Christianity any ! thing to fear? Have not the degenerate man ners and corrupt lives of multitudes in the visi ble church, been on the contrary, the principal occasion of scandal mid offence 1 ‘fnfidelitA without intending it, is gradually removing this reproach ; possessing the property of attract ing to itself the morbid humours which pervade the church, until the Christian profession, oh the one hand, is reduced to a sound and 4i althy state, and scepticism, on the other, exhibits nothing but a massYf putridity and disease.— II Hall. TIIE BETTER CHOICE. Two yotiuu men Joeing in fa v ’iar convdrsa tion respecting the natural bias f their mmtft*, the one declared, if his circumstances in life Would admit, lie would Jravel oyer foreign, countries, bup pait-ieularly go to ancient Rome, hud see there the ruin and desolations that war* and lime have made on that once famed, city. , The other, with’a countenance that proved he ’ felt what he said, exclaimed —“If the circum stances th;rf*pK>yidi>nce has placed me in, would admit, I would visit the dark benighted villages: in my own country, and contemplate the ruin that* sm, ignorance, and vice, have made on the maiiners of the people; and not only content-: plate the horrors of ignorance, but under a di vine blessing, endeavour to chase away the clouds of ignorance, <! throw the sun beams of instruction over the mil and oi humble poverty, by establishing Sabbath Schools. That would be my pleasure md my delight.” T.ie other acknowledged tin latter was far the better . clioicvv mid -slie**vw.ds became mi active-ami. zealous teacher in a Sabbath school. i DfVVoU PRAY IN YOUR FAMILY? Reader, can yon answer-this in the affirma tive, or ho ymf feel released from tiie obligation of family prayer, because you make no profes sion of religion ? Futile apology I W ill a dis- , avowal of the principles of common honesty j place you above the laws of yourcountry? No; neither will God exonerate you from the duties of religion because you do not profess it. No tintv is more unequivocally enjoined, than that of family religion. God hns spoken more frequently te you on this subject than he lias tc kings, relative to their duty; from w hich we may learn, that flic relation sustained by you to your children, is paramount to all others. Yes, parents, you stand in your families as types of either God, or the Devil, daily fixing impres sions on the minds of your children, for either Heaven or Hell. It matters not. whether you believe or disbelieve, what God lias said on this subject; to his bar you must soon go, to account for the part you net in your families. But, reader, you profess religion. Do you pray in your family? Is your home a bethel, — a house of God ? The trust committed to your hands is of more value than wont ns op gold. Are vou concerned for the perishing bodies of your chil dren ? Oh ! lie infinitely more concerned about their deathless spirits. The former will short ly be food for worms, but the latter will live forever, either with angels in glory, or with de vils in Hell. Then teach and aid them to lay up treasures in heaven. Let them see you up on your knees, morning and evening, and hear for themselves, that they have an interest in your supplications. There are various hindrances to family prayer, but may all be overcome, by an unyield ing determination to brook every difficulty ra ther than neglect the duty. 1. Some offer unworthiness, as an apology for not praying in their families. Let such re member that a sense of our unworthiness ceas es to be a virtue, when it keeps us from discharg ing our duty. If we be too unworthy to speak to God in prayer here, how can we expect to approach lum hereafter ? Do you answer, your only hope is in the merits of Christ, very well; the atonement of Christ can. render imperfect family devotion acceptable in the sight of a Ho ly God, 2. Others contend, that they have no gifts for family prayer. Oh! how long will the devil deceive people with this excuse. AVhut is a gift for prayer? It consists in a-power to re luce our wants to words. Where is the man that cannot do this, so ns to be understood by Ids fellow men? Surely God is not more slow of understanding than man. A want of gift to pray in your family is not an apology, but a pretext. We should propose (lie glory of God in our enjoyment of him, and the enjoyment of Go ! in our endeavors to glorify him.— Lavinglon. MACON, (GEORGIA,) WEDNESD AY, MARCH 7, IS32* TO SABBATH-SCHOOL TEACHERS. 1 It is pai<Fill to see among the mil iv Sabbath school teachers in uur congregations; such a j number of those who complacently imagine that , they are doing their ditty, and Indeed perform ing a meritorious act, when, in fact, their ser- ! vice, if service it may he called, „ but a dw'l round of performances, often insa tedi ous and irk.-ome to tin missives, am as a cer tain consequence, altogether void oi interest to the children committed to their care. ft is also painful to see so much time wasted, which migiit he employed iu con inually enlist ing voting, ardent, and devoted sptrW rs m the j subvice of Christ, and training them from his, own manual in the ways of the kingdom, teach ing them to ‘‘endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ.” i And it is painful to see so many young iin-! ‘ mortals come week after week, and from mi- ii I faithful or thoughtless gabbath-scjnml ienchers j receive little or no benefit. When shall the Sabbath-school cause be seen j i and felt in its iimnenfte importance, and untold I ( I interest to the kingdom of Christ, the salvation ( l of souls, and the welfare of a sinful, wretched world ? i Surely at our monthly concerts yr Fahbatli schonls, unceasing prayer should rw for teach- j ers, tlqii they may be faithful and /><•-.• taking; ’ that they vnitv understand what they bate itn dertakeu, may feel its full import. Let not imne'rpsli ignorantly and heedlessly | into the workyamk thus client immortal souls of j the salvation ivtam they might have sought, and j obtained, under the guidance of a more faithful : ‘“teacher. This is a fearful work, and will firnish mat-i ter of deep and dreadful reckoning at thejuug- J merit day. It is to be feared that many even pious teach- 1 ers arc very <l< ficiewt in their performances asj Sabbath-school teachers, ami in this day, when | so many help* are provided, and so much light j is thrown on every part of duty co,sheeted witoj this employment, such deficiency must he wil ful, and consequently sinful. For instance, in teaching on the selected Scripture lessons, with the Union Question ■ bonk, it is more than provable that the system j jis not fully carried out in one fourth of the j schools. This is no assertion, but war i ranted by observation. j Let each teacher’s conscience who reads this respond truly to the following questions, and if the writer is in error,'ftvost joyfully will lie hear of it. 1. If you “ lack wisdom” in teach, ng in gen eral, and especially on the system usually pur sued in Sunday-schools, have you first “asked of God, who giveth to all liberally ’ Hove yon then, as if you atria/ diligently stu. died tiu''lesson ygUWcIL and if you were not posseNW orproper assist you in solv ing some of the questions, have you gone ti>: your minister for aid, or to some person whoj n as able to assist you ? •2. Or have you not. rather suffered yon weekly occupations to usurp all your time, and has not the Sabbath morning Found you, in a great measure, unprepared to teach, hot 1 1 as to the kind and degree of interest you Might to feel for your class, and your knowledge ot tin* lesson to be brought under considcratioi ! And have you not, in consequence, passed over, or skipped, as it is called, those questions which, through indolence, you could not answer^ your self, thus cheating your class of tiie lnstnpction to be derived from them ? B. If you hrive informed yourself on the les son, have you asked all the questions, airl not suffered tiie indolence or inattention of the children to Imulk you, persevi ring in the re quirement of answers to the questions? Do you examine the references, and require them to be committed to memory? 4. l)o you plainly and faithfully make a practical impioveinent of every lesson, aid aim at the souls of the children committed’ io your care? Many more questions but any visitor rtf our Sabbath-schools mayJJjcTceive tlia; these, if fairly answered, would prove the truth of what has been advanced. Teacher! remember “the time is short;” another vear has passed, and if souls have been lost through your negligence, they will meet you at the bar of God. REPROVING CHILDREN. Let not little sins be overlooked, or extenu-1 ated s many a promising Christian lias hceo ru- 1 ined by such a plausible excuse for evading 1 this painful duty. But there is no such tiling as a little sin ; and as it is the christmu’s duty to enter into uncompromising hostility to its influence in his own heart, so should ihe same duty be extended to the education of childhood. ‘The smallest violation of the divine law, the rnlrst trifling instance of disobedience to the will of God, is nn act of ingratitude towards out Redeemer and highest Ben-factor, and re quires to be pardoned through the blood of Christ, before the sinner caii be reconciled to .he Saviour; and shall that lie termed venial or trifling which forms a part, however small, of that fearful aggregate, from the power and punishment of which Christ died to save bis people ? Shall that he thought too little for re proof, which demanded such a ransom, and even now hourly requires the intercession of our ascended Lord ? Shall that be considered venial, which forms the foundation for future rogress in error mid in evil? Shall We think lightly of that little sin, which oppresses and perverts the actions of the immaterial principle, burdens the heart, deadens the conscience, bminishes its sensibility, renders vice less nn ihjcct of fear mid aversion, and paves ibo way for increasing deviations from the law of rooti- tudel Let the mind of childhood be carefully impressed with the evil nature of sin ; not sim ply of those grosser immoralities which coni iminicatc a moral taint that is visible to man, | but of those lesser faults which exist in the i heart, which, perhaps, may never be demon- i strated in action, uni! winch are known to tbc iC individual himself, and to Him who scarcheth j \ the heart. It is riot the act, but the principle |i of sin which is to lie opposed ; and it will be n|, most, important point gained to convince the i mind, that it is essentially hateful and disgust- • ing ; and let the parent be exceedingly careful, i that while she is diligently employed in matur ing and developing hatred to bin, oho do not on- i compass her own path with thorns and diffictil- i ties, by luanifi .'ting in her temper and spirit an example of that very influence which she so strenuously combats in her child, lienee the importance of entire self-devotion to the work, t both in tiie painful duty of developing this prin ciple, and ill tP onrcinilthig-rigifancO rcrjoiTi'it for her own conduct. The evil of sin cannot have beer, shown, from the inestimable ransom it has required, with- j out, at the same time, exhibiting the great worth of the soul; and in the inode of convey ing instructions, as well as in conducting the still more painful process of correction, it is ot the first consequence that it alioulil he accoin- 1 plished with seriousness and persevering uni formity, in order to evince a principled sinceri ty (if intention ; find, at the same time, with af- j focuonate earnestness, and intensity of benevo lent desire, with unraingled kindness, and doli eacv which admits not of being mistaken. Not only will it be itn object to convince the under standing of error and of truth, and to interest the heart in the pursuit of virtue, but it is also necessary to show that the motive for every part of the mother’s conduct is love, and an earnest, deeply fell, and uniform concern furtbe immor tal interests of her children, and of that never dying principle which will endure forever; which will live to feel, and to have its feelings inconceivably heightened by reflection on the past. ‘ WHY MEN REJECT TIIE TRUTH. There is a principle in ’the human heart which sufficiently accounts for the delusions in tile world, without’the need of our calling in question cither the sufficiency of the Bible to guide us, or our ability to know what the testi mony of the Bible is. That principle is the natural aversion of men to be convinced of sin. Light lias come into the world —light, mme and brighter than they wish; and they have only to open their eyes that they may see. But it they do this they discover what gives them pain, and therefore they resort to every expedient which sophistry can devise, by the help ot the Bible where they can bend it to their purpose, and ! by false reasonings where they cannot, to make j out a scheme that will cover their sins. Itisl a remarkable fact that Soe.inians, Universalis!*, j j Ai.tititunians, and licentious ethusiasts, howev -1 i r unlike to each other they tuny he in the out ward form and aspect of their religions, <dl agree in considering tli perfect law of God too strict and severe.—None of them acknowledge the unqualified obligation of >Uc precept, or their desert of the penalty. None of them al low that Christ died .to honor the law, and that it is only on this account that sinners are saved. Noneof them considered a change of heart in submission to this law indispensable. All con sider the law their enemy—unconformity to it their calamity—and such good dispositions as they naturally possess, if cherished as they may he, sufficient for their salvation. It is of choice, not of necessity, that men are deceived. The Christian, and he only, can joyfully triumph over death. Supported by hope of fu ture happiness, resting upon the atonement of Christ, he can resigning his spirit to God, ven ture down into the dark valley of death; and close in with the last cneifiy; with perfect calm ness, and yet with courage. The bravery of the warrior on the battle field may support him while exposed to immediate death. Cold and settled revenge, may imbolden the duellist to give the challenge and receive ihe charge of his antagonist with firmness. But neither of these combatants really contend with death. .Their contest is with worms of the dust; and if victorious, their boasted victory is over them. Not so with the Christian ; viewing death to be .lie last enemy, and until disarmed, the greatest; he directly and deliberately engages him ; and having his antagonist distinctly before him, as I really as the warrior or the duellist, lus object j i lo overcome, first, the fears of death, and then its effects. This is done through faith in Christ. “ Thu siing of death is sin ; and the strength of sit is the law,” hut “Christ is become the end ofthe law for righteousness, to every one that believethhence death is disarmed, or us sting is rendered powerless, by faith through the obedience of Christ, and its fears overcome ; so that the Christian can say, even when dying, “ O death ! where is thy sting?” Its effects are also to he destroyed by the same faith, through ’ the resurrection of Christ ; and death is finally to “ give up its prey,” so that the Christian will close the song of triumph, saying, “O grave! where is thy victory ?” Customs op the Auyssinians.—fn the Gal- In districts, except those converted to the Ma horrtedan or the Christian religion, the inlialii ’ tants, on the appearance of the small pox, burn ilinir villages, and retire to a place as far ot! as their district wll allow. As tho diseased are burnt with their homes —parents, and the dear est relations, alike fall a sacrifice to this barba , rous practice. Horrid as it may appear, the , G ilia think it n very prudent mode of procced i mg, and reproach the Christians for not doing r the same, as they say numbers of their breth ren are thus preserved by the sacrifice of a few- THE SUBLIMITY OF THE OUCTItINE OF REDEMPTION. The mind of man is frahaed for the contem plation of whc.t is splendid, great and sublime* in the works of nature, and in the conduct of moral beings. With mingled emotions of won der and admiration we view the lotty mountain, the roaring cataract, and the wide extended ocean. He docs not oosscss the common rea son of mankind, who can pass, without interest', the manifestations of infinite power, wisdom, and greatness so vain sly distributed through the * Creator’s works. Moral stibiiiu. is adapted to make a still deeper impression on the mind. There arcs examples of justice, veracity, fidelity, affection, friendship, and patriotism, occurring in the his tory of the world, which til! every miiid with esteem and admiration. Some qualities which command respect, have lie “n foiled among the heathen ; but it is under the influence of thd Word and Spirit of God, that we are presented with the more substantial and glorious exhibi tions of moral grandeur. Who can read ofthe j faith and obedience, the constancy and pati ence, the intrepidity and noble disinterested ness ofpatriarclis and prophets, and apostles! and martyrs, without feelings of respect and | veneration ! VYe revere their magnanimity | and firmness of purpose, their piety towards God, and their goodness towards men. No transaction which has occurred in bur j world, can admit (if comparison for sublimity, with the work of rc*.h mption hv the Son of God. When we consider the dignity of his person, the depths of his abasement, the intensity of Ins sufferings, the character which he sustained as our substitute, and the grandeur and vast* ness of the objects to he accomplished by his meditation, we cannot fail of being impressed with the profoundest sentiments of udhumtionj amazement, and awe.—The person who oh- s and suffers, and dies, is the eternal Foe of Go one with the Father and th< Roly c ryv if; he Creator of all worlds ; and *;:•:i‘ ■ * universal and everlasting adoration. B. > withstanding Ilia antecedent dignity and U>r.\ he condescended to become a man, ? mV* f sorrows and acquainted with grief, tie to; ■: upon him the form of a servant, appeared the likeness of sinful flesh, and. became n •: - ent to death, even the death bfthc cross It is manifest, however, that apart from ‘hr character sustained by the sufferer, tin i e car he no merit, worth or efficacy in sufferings themselves. Fain and death ate not desira’ li fer their own mikes; nor can the pain and dealt: of olio, avail for the exemption and release of another, Unless the former he recognized ns the substitute ofthe latter. That our Lord, Jesus Christ obeyed rttid died as the substitute and surety of his people, is undeniably true, and es isentially Important in the Christian religion. The ancient rite of sacrifice. Was designed to [ prefigure and illustrate the substitution of Jesus, jibe Lainb of God, for his people, the itnputu ! lion of their sins to Inin, and the character of I his sufferings as vicarious and expiatory. The fifty third chapter of Isaiah furnishes a most impressive view of the nature ahd desjgn of our Lord’s passion : “ Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows. He was woun ded for our transgressions, he Was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon hitn; and with his stripes we arc healed. All vve like sheep have gone astray ; we have turned every one to his own way ; and the Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all. For the transgression of my people was he stricken. By the knowledge of him shall my righteous servant justify many ;ff>r he shall bear their iniquities.” Can wc doubl that the pro phet, in these expressions, regarded the Sa viour as taking the place of his people ; as bear ing tlieir sins; as suffering, not merely for their benefit, but in tlieir stead; and as securing their justification and eternal glory? The same idea o r substitution and vicarious sufleriugs is presented in the New Tcstnment; —“ Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, be ing made a curse for us.” “ Who his ofrnself bare our sins in his own body on the tree.” “ For Christ also hath once suffered for sinsj ’ the just for, or instead of, the unjust.” “He gave his life a ransom for many.” In the work of redemption by the meditation and death of our Lord, there is a reciprocal im putation. On the one hand, the sins of the elect were imputed to Christ; and in conse quence of tins, he suffered for sin, the just in stead of the unjust; on tlm other hand, the righteousness of Christ is imputed to his believ ing people, and on this ground they are justifi ed and adjudged to everlasting life. If this be not true* our hope of heaven / and hdppincss hereafter is vain. If Christ did not suffer as our surety, and in our stead, our sms arc yet i accounted to ns for condemnation, and wc must ( expect to bear them forever with all their tre i mendous consequences. But t lie pardon aqd , salvation of believers is an incontestable proof : that Christ has paid the debt, and purchased i the heavenly inheritance for them. Who does not find his soul dilated with the i sabliincst emotions, whilst contemplating the ! glorious work of Redemption ? Wc behold the eternal Father giving up his beloved Son to the ctirse of the law, the ignominy of the cross, and • the pains of death, for the purpose of delivering ■ ith from the condemnation of sin mid the pains of hell. Often had lie given manifestations of i the greatness of Ins love, and the terrors of his : justice; hut never did either shine forth so con ■ spicuously ns when the Sou of God hung on the ■ accursed tree, and darkness covered the whole i land. So great was his love to men, that, for ij the sake of accomplishing their salvat'-<u, he ■ spared not his own Son, to make his soul art, > 1 offering for sin, and to lay upon his blessed and • j beloved head a weight ttf wrath; which would . have sank us down t< eternal perdition* IUMBF.M 6.