Personal Beligion. FOLLOWING AFAR OFF. SUCH persons have a general impression of the truth of Christianity.They have had the advantage of religious instruction. They know something of the history of the Jews, especially the chief events in the lives of Abraham, Moses, David, and a few others of note among them. They can tell the number of the apostles, and that they were sent out to instruct the people. Some of the miracles performed by the Saviour they remember very distinctly, and believe much that the evangelists have written concerning him. Besides, they have heard of many eminent men, such as Milton, Newton, and others, who professed their belief in Christianity; and they know many distinguished individuals who are its earnest advocates. Some of their own relatives have died rejoicing in its truths. They have a vague and indefinite view of Christianity; but the beauties and harmonies of Bible truth are obscurely seen, as travellers by a moonlight train receive but an indistinct and shadowy impression of a beautiful country through which they rapidly whirl. They like to think independently.-They do not wish to be tied down to any particular opinions. Mind, they tell us, was made to be free; and boldly exclaim: 66 For faith and creeds let senseless bigots fight, forgetting that, "touching the law," Paul was "blameless," when he was a blind persecuting Pharisee. But they are above the vulgar notion that settled opinions concerning the important truths of Christianity are required from intelligent men. They are among the noble band of inquirers, the pioneers of the world! They are so liberal in their views, that they would not like to be decided in their belief of anything that God requires us to believe. It is true they are very decided on political questions, that have perplexed the mightiest intellects in this and other lands; but these matters are clear, because they have studied them. But on the momentous questions relating to our eternal happiness or misery, they do not like to form any decided views! Has God, who loves us, and delights in our salvation, given us a book full of obscurity and difficulty, in order to bewilder and mislead? The thought were blasphemy! From a child thou hast known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation." What such persons mean by thinking independently is, not that they have discovered truth, and firmly retain it, but that they have such a loose hold of the doctrines of the Bible, that they are always ready to relinquish them. When God requires sinners to repent of their sins and believe the Gospel, they should at once obey. They should have a settled conviction that if they refuse, they shall perish. It is a convenient way, however, to evade this law, by taking refuge among "inquirers." There are some people ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." They will not come to the light, lest their deeds should be reproved. Their inquiries have not led them to Christ. They follow afar off. 66 66 They would willingly assist in defending the truths of the Bible.— They have a zeal of God, but not according to knowledge." Love of sect or party will often induce irreligious men to compass sea and land to make a proselyte. Thus did the Pharisees. Saul, in his blind zeal, would persecute even unto strange cities. In the beginning of the twelfth century, vast multitudes of the people of Europe were persuaded to engage in a crusade or holy war against the Turks, who had possession of the Holy Land. In these wars upwards of two millions of people perished! When Jerusalem was taken, the victors "marched over heaps of dead bodies toward the Holy Sepulchre, and while their hands were polluted with the blood of so many innocent persons, sung anthems to the common Saviour of mankind!" Such is blind zeal. "I thought,” said Paul, “I should have done many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth, which things also I did." Peter, who followed afar off, would draw his sword in defence of his Master. Obedience is better proof of love. They have an indistinct perception of the character and work of Christ.—Some thought he was a good man; others said, “Nay, but he deceiveth the people." Many thought he was a teacher sent from God, and not a few were for stoning him, because he made himself equal with God. When the Saviour spoke of suffering death at Jerusalem, Peter rebuked him, saying, "Be it far from thee, Lord; this shall not be unto thee." No wonder Peter followed afar off. No wonder the apostles forsook the Saviour and fled. They had very imperfect views of the mission and work of Christ. Even after his resurrection they did not fully understand that it was he which should have redeemed Israel. Many now follow the Saviour afar off, because their perceptions of his character and work are indistinct. They know that he died upon the cross to save sinners, and that whosoever believeth in him shall not perish but there are clouds and mists before their eyes. Some think Jesus died to set us an example of patience, so that by our imperfect imitation of him we may be admitted to heaven,—thus overlooking the necessity of a change of heart. Others suppose that he died in order that he might be able to help us to save ourselves. Vain delusion! When he bowed his head he said it was "finished!" It is by grace we are saved. Spectators there will be among those who do not believe in a free salvation: they will follow afar off. 66 They have considerable interest in the affairs of Christ.-There was some risk in following Jesus to the palace of the high-priest; but Peter was impelled by curiosity to see the end." Many now feel an interest in the affairs of Christ. We wish they were multiplied a thousand-fold. They are willing to promote the circulation of the Scriptures; they are the friends of the Bible Society; they are favourable toward Sunday and day-schools, and are liberal in their support. They approve of the efforts of the Religious Tract and kindred associations; they think the operations of Home and Foreign Missionary Societies have been very useful in civilizing savages, reclaiming the heathen from idolatry, and ignorant people from wickedness. They follow these various societies with good wishes for their prosperity, and they occasionally patronize them by a contribution. But no one ever saw them at the head of a class of ignorant children in a Sunday-school, urging decision for Christ. No one ever found them in the abodes of ignorance and vice, with the Bible or religious tract in their hand, endeavouring to shed their light upon the minds of the benighted inmates. They may have assisted the funds of missions, and yet the great object of missions, the salvation of the souls of men, may not have been accomplished in their own experience. They may not have given pressed confidence in God, and faith in her Saviour. "It will be a glorious change to me," she said; "I am not afraid to die; I've a good home to go to." She repeated portions of psalms and hymns to those who sat by her bedside, Psa. xlvi. being a special favourite. During one of these seasons, a friend who sat watching by her bed (in order to soothe the irritation of her frame) sang some of the verses of that sweet hymn, "Here we suffer grief and pain, Here we meet to part again, In heaven we part no more," &c. She greatly enjoyed this; and in her turn repeated several verses of the hymn, "Let me but hear my Saviour say," &c. These she more than once repeated, and that with unwonted energy, especially the verse commencing, "I glory in infirmity." She shouted the words, "When I am weak, then am I strong; Grace is my shield, and Christ my song." Ay, it was the triumph of faith, as she lifted the veil, and revealed to the dying saint a glimpse of what was in reserve, beyond this world and time. Her daughter-in-law remarked, "I shall never forget the triumphant tones in which these lines were repeated." To another friend she repeated verses of the hymn com some mencing, "There is a land of pure delight;" and the one, "I The last night of her life was one of intense suffering. Her labour for breath was distressing. She could not remain in one position many minutes together. am dying," was her repeated exclamation; but her mind was composed. Not a word or sign indicative of impatience escaped her. Her Lord and Master was with her in the last struggle, and his kind hand supported her through the dark river. A short time before her dismissal, the pain appeared to cease, and she was tranquil. She then quietly and calmly breathed her spirit into the arms of Him whom for so many years she had consistently and uninterruptedly served, and exchanged a scene of suffering for one of repose and joy, in that place where "they go no more out, and where every tear is for ever wiped from the eye," March 26, 1856. "The memory of the just is blessed." "And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them." The Sunday-School. DEATH AND ITS LESSONS. MR. EDITOR,-Should the following letter be of any use for the CHRISTIAN'S PENNY, it is at your service. It is from a young man in London who was formerly a teacher in Argyle School, to his sister in Bath, on the sudden death of Mr. Lemon, the Superintendent, in Argyle Vestry. Yours, &c., W. NICHOLLS. Bristol, Dec. 11, 1857. London, Nov. 5, 1857. MY DEAR SISTER,-The contents of your letter did indeed very much surprise me; but what must have been mine compared with yours! To stand so close to one so much respected and beloved, and to see him expire so suddenly, must indeed have been a severe shock to those who witnessed it, and a sight very long to be remembered. One moment pleading with and for his brethren here below, beholding Christ by the eye of faith; the next seeing him face to face, without a veil between! standing before his presence almost before his fervent prayer had died away! What a prayer it must have been to those who heard it! Every word should be engraven deeply upon the heart. A prayer offered by one on the very threshold of glory! A prayer offered by one who was allowed to finish that prayer, and then called up higher! His work having been finished here, the Master called him home. His death certainly was but a step from the church militant to the church triumphant. Oh, what a church-meeting he was that night called upon to attend,even the meeting of the church of the first-born above! And doubtless that soul, ransomed by the blood of Christ, while his friends are mourning below, is now singing in sweetest strains the harmony of heaven! Oh, what a change he felt! The communion of saints on earth was sweet, and while in the midst of them the silver thread was broken, and the soul, while yet the breath of prayer was on the lip, took its flight amid a convoy of angels; and there was rejoicing in heaven amongst the angels over that one soul brought to worship the Lamb, and swell the praises of Paradise. May this solemn_event not pass away without the lesson intended to be taught, and thoroughly impressed upon the mind. The scene is doubtless deeply impressed upon the minds of those who witnessed it; may the lessons be as deeply! How very pleasing to think that God is working with you, and that he hath brought his truth home to the hearts of so many young men who are now determined to live to Christ, and avow his name, and make a public profession. That prayer-meeting of young men I attended is, I am certain, very much calculated to do good; and I doubt not these are some of its fruits, and that dear man, Mr. V., shall have some of the honour. May God bless him in his work, and make him eminently useful in winning souls to Christ! Please send me a paper with all particulars of the case in it, and the various meetings that are being held this month. I am sure such an event must have cast a gloom over the city, to have one so generally beloved removed so suddenly from your midst; and poor Mr. Dyer has lost a sincere friend. Please to remember me very kindly to him when you have an opportunity, also to Mr. and Mrs. V. and family, and other friends. I am very glad to hear of the success so far of your Mental Im |