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AUSTIN DICKINSON.</title> +<style type="text/css"> + /*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ + <!-- + p { text-align: justify; margin-top: .75em; margin-bottom: .75em } + table { border-collapse: collapse; border-style: none; border-width: medium } + *#col1 { border-style: none; border-width: medium } + td { border-style: none; border-width: medium; padding: 0em } + h1, h2, h3, h4, h5, h6 { text-align: center } + hr { text-align: center; width: 50% } + html>body hr { width: 50%; margin-left: 25%; margin-right: 25% } + hr.full { width: 100% } + html>body hr.full { width: 100%; margin-left: 0%; margin-right: 0% } + hr.short { text-align: center; width: 20% } + html>body hr.short { width: 20%; margin-left: 40%; margin-right: 40% } + body { margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10% } + img { border-style: none; border-width: medium } + .ctr { text-align: center } + .linenum { position: absolute; top: auto; left: 4% } + /* poetry number */ + .note { margin-left: 2em; margin-right: 2em; margin-bottom: 1em } + /* footnote */ + .blkquot { margin-left: 4em; margin-right: 4em } + /* block indent */ + .pagenum { position: absolute; left: 92%; font-size: smaller; text-align: right } + /* page numbers */ + .sidenote { width: 10%; font-size: smaller; float: left; clear: left; margin-top: 1em; + margin-bottom: 1em; padding-right: 1em } + .poem { text-align: left; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10% } + .poem br { display: none } + .poem .stanza { margin-left: 0em; margin-right: 0em; margin-top: 1em; margin-bottom: 1em } + .poem span { display: block; text-indent: -3em; margin: 0; padding-left: 3em } + .poem span.i2 { display: block; margin-left: 2em } + .poem span.i4 { display: block; margin-left: 4em } + .poem .caesura { vertical-align: -200% } + .tinyfont {font-size: xx-small} + // --> + /* XML end ]]>*/ + +</style> +</head> +<body> +<div>*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13824 ***</div> + +<p>SER. XXVI. REV. DR. LELAND.<br> +SER. XXVII. REV. MR. BALDWIN<br> +<br> +Vol. 2 No. 7 Dec. 1827.</p> + +<h5>THE</h5> + +<h1>NATIONAL PREACHER:</h1> + +<h6>OR</h6> + +<h3><i>ORIGINAL MONTHLY SERMONS</i></h3> + +<h4>EDITED BY</h4> + +<h3>REV. AUSTIN DICKINSON,</h3> + +<h6>NEW YORK.</h6> + +<hr> +<p align="left">POSTAGE—<i>One Cent and a half</i>, not over +100 miles; <i>Two Cents and a half</i>, any distance over 100.</p> + +<hr class="full"> +<p>TO THE REVEREND CLERGY:—</p> + +<p style="text-indent: 2em">The undersigned proposes to commence +another Periodical, of original plan and character, provided that +adequate pledges of supplies shall be furnished. The Work to bear +the following title, or something similar, viz.:</p> + +<h2>THE AMERICAN PASTOR'S JOURNAL:</h2> + +<h6>OR</h6> + +<h5><i>Original Sketches of real Characters, Conversations, and +striking Facts. Furnished chiefly by Clergymen.</i></h5> + +<p style="text-indent: 2em">The following imperfect sketch of +topics to be embraced, may serve to illustrate the plan:—1. +Instances of very early piety.—2. Striking results of +Parental faithfulness, or unfaithfulness; of filial respect, or +disrespect.—3. Cases of individuals raised from deep +obscurity, or wickedness, to eminent usefulness.—4. +Remarkable cases of conviction.—5. Cases of great hardness of +heart, from resisting convictions.—6. Distinctly marked cases +of submission and conversion to God.—7. Cases of awful +relapse into sin.—8. Cases of strong temptation and +trial.—9. Cases of strong faith and confidence in +God.—10. Peculiarly manifest interpositions of Providence, in +mercy or judgment.—11. Instances of the wrath of man being +made to praise God.—12. Cases illustrative of the influence +of piety on the intellectual powers.—13. Instances of +extraordinary beneficence or covetousness.—14. Death-bed +scenes, of the Christian, the backslider, the infidel, the +universalist, the profane man, or the worldling.</p> + +<p style="text-indent: 2em">It is conceived that the very existence +of such a Periodical might be the means of leading Clergymen, in +their pastoral intercourse, to be more observant of character, more +discriminating in their views of human nature, and more disposed to +record and rescue from oblivion striking conversations and facts. +No species of knowledge can be more interesting or more useful, +than that thus drawn from real life;—especially from portions +of life most intimately connected with spiritual and eternal +realities. If it is all-important that masters in surgery and +medicine record, for mutual improvement, and for the benefit of +mankind, striking cases which occur in their practice; it cannot, +surely, be less important, that those who watch for the life of +souls, should preserve similar records. It would seem as though, +from the daily intercourse of several thousand Clergymen, such +materials, of the character contemplated, might be furnished, as, +if well condensed and judiciously arranged in an elegant +Periodical, would not fail to be read with intense and general +interest. And who can tell, but that God, who is rich in wisdom, +may thus employ the simplest means for collecting, condensing, and +reflecting rays of sacred truth, in the form of practical results, +which may carry conviction and saving instruction to uncounted +millions—not merely in our own land, but in more populous +countries, where the importance of experimental religion is not +appreciated?</p> + +<p style="text-indent: 2em">But, for rendering such a work +pre-eminently useful, or even commencing it, there must be union of +effort. As it is intended to consist wholly of original matter, and +that of a specific character, such as no genius can originate, it +is obvious that it cannot be commenced, without being furnished +with numerous pledges of supplies. And it will be important to have +a considerable number of communications on hand, at the +commencement, as well as afterwards, that due regard may be had to +order in the arrangement of subjects, and an interesting variety be +presented in every Number.</p> + +<p style="text-indent: 2em">It will not be necessary to publish the +names of writers, nor of individuals alluded to in communications; +though in many cases it may be desirable and expedient. But, in +every case, the name of the writer, or some respectable reference +for attesting the accuracy of statements, must be furnished to the +Editor; as he must be responsible to the public for the correctness +of whatever may appear in the work. He will moreover think it his +duty to present Contributors a generous compensation.</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>MINISTERS, of different Christian +denominations, willing to aid in executing the design, are +affectionately requested <i>to write as soon as +practicable</i>—either furnishing matter for publication, or +stating definitely, <i>when and how much aid may be expected</i>. +If the work is ably supported by the co-operation of Clergymen, the +Editor does not hesitate to say, that he will at least circulate +thousands and tens of thousands of copies gratuitously, and thus +afford Contributors the best of all rewards—the opportunity +of doing extensive good.</p> + +<p style="text-indent: 2em">That the blessing of God Almighty may +crown the enterprise, is the humble prayer of His servant,</p> + +<p style="text-align: right; margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 20%"> +AUSTIN DICKINSON.</p> + +<hr class="full"> +<h2>CONTRIBUTORS.</h2> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>Upwards of fifty Clergymen, of five +Christian denominations, and belonging to sixteen different States, +most of whom are well known to the public as Authors, have +encouraged the Editor to expect from them Sermons for the +Preacher.</p> + +<hr class="full"> +<h2>TO THE ENTERPRISING.</h2> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>Persons having expressed a disposition +to circulate this Work, provided postage could be avoided; we would +say to such, that for <i>ten</i> or more Subscribers, <i>who pay at +one time</i> in advance, or on first receiving Numbers, a deduction +from the price of One Dollar a year may be made, equal to the +annual postage. And in such cases money may be forwarded without +being post-paid. Experience shows, there is no mode of conveyance +safer than the Mail.</p> + +<h5>[<i>Ordinary Terms, other leaf</i>.]</h5> + +<hr class="full"> +<h4>THE</h4> + +<h1>NATIONAL PREACHER.</h1> + +<h6>Go ... Teach all Nations.... <i>Matt</i>. xxviii. 19.</h6> + +<hr class="full"> +<h3>VOL. II. NEW-YORK, DECEMBER, 1827. NO. 7.</h3> + +<hr class="full"> +<h2>SERMON XXVI.</h2> + +<hr> +<h4>BY AARON W. LELAND, D.D.</h4> + +<h5>CHARLESTON, S. CAROLINA.</h5> + +<hr> +<h5>THE PURE GOSPEL REJECTED BY THE PERISHING.</h5> + +<h5>I COR. I. 18.—<i>For the preaching of the cross is, to +them that perish, foolishness</i>.</h5> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>In the Christian revelation, there is +an evident purpose of infinite wisdom, that in all the provisions +for man's salvation, his moral agency should be left free and +uncontrolled. Instead of accommodation to human prejudices, there +is ample scope for captious objections. And if additional proof +were needed, of the divine origin of the Bible, it would be found +in this characteristic. Were it a system agreeable to the narrow +views, in unison with the selfish feelings, and gratifying to the +depraved taste of human nature, it would more resemble the +fabrication of man, than the workmanship of God. But as the current +of its doctrines is so entirely opposed to our natural +inclinations, as to render a moral renovation indispensable to a +perception of the glory of revealed truth; all such ground of +skepticism is removed.</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>Thus the obscurities and difficulties +of revelation are admirably adapted to exhibit human character, and +constitute this state of existence a real probation. For if the +light of truth came upon the mind with resistless energy, and the +operations of the divine government were clearly disclosed; if the +motives and designs of infinite wisdom were fully explained, and +the realities of the spiritual world completely laid open to view; +one principal aim of this dispensation would be frustrated. On the +one hand, there would be no field for the exercise of faith and +humble confidence on the part of Christians; and thus a precious +test of their submission and obedience would be destroyed. On the +other, there could not be a full disclosure of the true feelings of +the unrenewed heart. Because, as all would be evident as the +noon-day sun, there would remain no choice in the matter of +embracing the truth—no means of evincing whether its +reception were cordial or compulsory.</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>In this respect; there is displayed a +matchless skill, as well as a gracious condescension, in adapting +revelation to the actual character and condition of our race. While +sufficient light is afforded to guide the sincere inquirer, there +is an obscurity to perplex and offend the proud and self-confident. +While the truth is accompanied by evidence abundantly satisfactory +to every mind open to conviction, enough of mystery remains, to +form an impassable barrier to those who are inclined to disbelieve +the testimony of God. While to the eye of faith there appears a +glorious system of wisdom and mercy, depraved reason and prejudice +may discover little else than an assemblage of inconsistencies and +absurdities.</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>It is not without design, then, that +the great facts of revelation are made liable to misrepresentation; +that its essential principles are arrayed against the pride of +human wisdom; and that its blessed institutions are so obnoxious to +abuse and opposition. Such a constitution of things is evidently +intended to furnish a decisive criterion of human +character—to exhibit, in striking contrast, the humble +votaries of faith, who reverently bow to the authority of +Scripture; and the adherents of a haughty, self-confident +rationality, who will receive the testimony of God himself, no +farther than it accords with their opinions and +prejudices—and thus to elicit a fair and full manifestation +of every man's real disposition and feelings.</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>Such, uniformly, has been the effect of +the Bible, wherever its sacred contents have been made known. To +all who have received it with penitence, humility, and confidence, +as the infallible word of God, it has proved their pleasure and +delight—their fountain of consolation—their guide to +peace: while the self-righteous and unbelieving have transformed it +into a subject of perplexity and disputation—<i>a cause of +deeper guilt and more aggravated ruin</i>. The Gospel has appeared +transcendently beautiful and glorious to all who have been savingly +enlightened by the Holy Spirit—while, to the impenitent and +skeptical, it seems obscure, irrational, and incomprehensible. The +former rejoice in the scriptures, just as they are, and willingly +yield to the obedience of faith: the latter are ever anxious to +lower the standard of divine truth to the level of their views of +fitness, and to mould its materials into a form suited to their +unholy inclinations.</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>On these principles it is easy to +perceive the real nature and causes of the insidious warfare, which +is maintained, in various forms, against the essential doctrines of +the Gospel. It is just an effusion of the malignity of the +unsanctified heart. Its prevalence is an exact fulfilment of +prophecy; and therefore an irrefragable proof of the truth and +divine authority of that system which it is labouring to destroy. +The emphatic declaration of the apostle, in the text, strikingly +describes the state of feeling which now actually prevails, among +many who enjoy all the external privileges of the Christian +dispensation—<i>The preaching of the cross is, to them that +perish, foolishness.</i></p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>In illustration of this passage, it +will be attempted, to explain the import of the phrase, <i>the +preaching of the cross</i>—to enumerate some of the +<i>instances</i> and <i>causes</i> of such preaching being +accounted <i>foolishness</i>—and to describe the <i>fearful +state and prospects</i> of those who hold it in such low +estimation.</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>The preaching of the cross is a plain +and full announcement of all the essential truths of that system +which provides pardon and salvation for the lost and guilty. The +cross is the symbol of that amazing expedient of infinite wisdom +and mercy, by which a treaty of reconciliation is offered to +convicted traitors against Jehovah's government. Its exhibition +therefore must require a developement of the principles, and a +defence of the doctrines, peculiar to this gracious +dispensation.</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>The grand fact, which constitutes the +very essence and glory of the Gospel, and which it is the leading +object of the Christian ministry to announce; is, that He, who took +upon himself the form of a servant, and offered up the sacrifice of +Calvary, is <i>God over all, blessed for ever</i>. This gives to +the cross all its glory and efficacy. It is on the supreme Deity of +Christ—on the expiation made for sin by the Maker and +Sovereign of worlds—that the whole fabric of evangelical +truth rests. On any other supposition, the sacrifice of the cross +was a very ordinary affair. If the Saviour of sinners be not +God—if he be a created being, of whatever grade,—where +is the <i>mystery of Godliness?</i>—Where those unfathomable +depths of divine love, <i>into which the angels desire to look</i>? +If Christ be only a servant of God, however exalted, what was +there, in his appearance on our world, to constitute a new era in +heaven, and to fill its inhabitants with astonishment and ecstasy? +Did the heavenly host descend in rapture, and cause the mountains +of Judea to reecho with their acclamations, because a <i>dependent +creature</i> had <i>consented</i> to do his Maker's will? Whence +the ascription of <i>glory to God in the highest</i>, and why do +the courts above resound with a new song of praise to God for his +redeeming mercy, if this redemption was effected by the labours and +sufferings of one inferior to the Deity? Was such a dispensation as +that of Moses, designed simply to prepare the way for a messenger +of God to declare his will, and to seal the testimony with his +blood, as many good men have done, both before and since? Why did +patriarchs and prophets foretell his coming, and celebrate his +praises?—Why did the continual offering of divinely appointed +sacrifices, for many centuries, typify his sufferings?—And +why did nature shudder, and shroud herself in darkness, at the +consummation of those sufferings? All these things are utterly +inexplicable, on the supposition that Christ is a created dependent +being.</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>But view him as <i>God manifest in the +flesh</i>—view him as voluntarily laying aside his glory, and +descending from the throne of infinite majesty, to assume the +nature, and expiate the guilt of a ruined race;—and we are +struck with the appropriateness of all the attending circumstances. +The splendid ceremonials of the Jewish ritual, and the raptured +songs of prophets and of angels were well employed to prepare the +way for the visible manifestation of Deity among men. The +annunciation of the divine nature of the Redeemer must, therefore, +be an essential part of <i>the preaching of the cross</i>.</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>Equally indispensable is a decided +testimony to that perfect <i>atonement for sin</i>, which was made +by this great offering. Here is the only foundation of human hope. +This was the grand object accomplished by the Saviour's sufferings. +Thus was completely solved the mysterious problem, which all +created intelligences had deemed inexplicable—how sin could +be remitted, without infringing the rights and tarnishing the +honour of the divine government—and how the guilty could be +rescued from wrath, without a forfeiture of the divine veracity. +Never indeed was the divine law so completely vindicated, or the +claims of justice so awfully asserted, as when the Lawgiver offered +himself as a ransom. And no other possible manifestation of the +malignity and atrocity of sin, of the divine abhorrence of all +iniquity, and, at the same time, of the exhaustless treasures of +redeeming mercy, could equal that which was witnessed on Calvary. +As, therefore, Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so is +the cross to be held up now, by its heralds, to a perishing world. +Its atoning sacrifice is to be proclaimed, and its purchased +blessings offered to lost sinners, as their only hope—their +only remedy.</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>Another important part of <i>the +preaching of the cross</i> consists in a full disclosure of <i>the +entire depravity and helplessness of our fallen nature</i>. This +doctrine lies at the foundation of Christianity. It is from the +corruption of our race, the dominion of spiritual death, and the +actual sentence of condemnation, that the necessity arises for so +<i>great salvation</i>. If hope could have been afforded from any +other source, if there had been any possibility of the sinner's +expiating his own guilt, and restoring himself to the divine +favour, the great Sacrifice would never have been offered. But +until men are convinced of their apostacy and corruption, they will +never be persuaded of the truth and necessity of the great +atonement. And until they feel themselves justly condemned, and +utterly helpless, they will never come as humble suppliants to a +Saviour's feet.</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>The work of the <i>Holy Spirit, in +enlightening and renewing the hearts of sinners</i>, and thus +carrying on to their accomplishment the purposes of divine mercy, +forms also an important portion of the message of the Gospel. It is +the glorious achievement of the cross, to slay the enmity and +subdue the stubbornness of the sinful heart: and the infinite +blessing purchased by the Saviour's blood, is the gift of the Holy +Spirit, to effectuate that transformation of character, that +spiritual regeneration, without which salvation is utterly +impossible. The preaching of the cross, therefore, must include an +unwavering declaration, that <i>the working of regeneration and the +renewing of the Holy Ghost</i> are indispensable to salvation.</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>It is moreover essential to a faithful +<i>preaching of the cross</i>, that <i>justification by faith in +Christ</i>, should be distinctly declared as the only ground of a +sinner's hope. That view of the Gospel which represents it as +bestowing upon man a power of fulfilling God's holy law—or as +so lowering its demands as to render his imperfect obedience +acceptable—is most dishonourable to God, and ruinous to the +souls of men. No such provisions are found in the treaty of +reconciliation sent from Heaven. So far from abrogating, the Gospel +exalts and honours the law. So far from diminishing its strictness, +it adds emphasis to its claims, and fully meets its unmitigated +requisitions. Most gloriously has Christ vindicated the divine +justice, by receiving its avenging sword in his own bosom, as the +Substitute, or surety for sinners; and most effectually has he +provided for their salvation, by rendering the exercise of +pardoning mercy consistent with the principles of the divine +government, and by working out for them a perfect righteousness, +which may render them just before God. By faith, the penitent +sinner receives all these blessings—is rescued from wrath, +delivered from the guilt and bondage of sin, and made a child of +God, and an heir of eternal life. Thus the triumph of the cross is +complete, the pride of human merit is humbled in the dust, and all +the glory of the salvation of sinners is rendered to the riches of +redeeming mercy.</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>In fine, <i>the preaching of the +cross</i> includes a faithful denunciation of <i>eternal +misery</i>, as the inevitable doom of all who pass from this state +of probation, unrenewed by the Spirit of grace, unwashed in the +blood of the Lamb.</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>Such are the essential principles of +that system of redemption, which engaged the counsels of heaven +from eternity; and which was carried into effect, not like the work +of creation, by a single word of the Son of God, but by his +assuming human nature, enduring a long exile of toil and reproach, +and humbling himself unto death, even the death of the cross.</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>With what gratitude, then, ought this +Gospel to be received by the guilty, perishing creatures, for whose +rescue from perdition it is designed. How should this display of +divine compassion melt and captivate the hearts of those, whose +sins have been thus expiated, and for whom an offer of free pardon +and endless blessedness has been thus dearly purchased.</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>But <i>be astonished, O heavens, at +this</i>—these tidings of salvation are received by many with +chilling indifference—the sufferings of the cross are +regarded with unconcern—the treaty of reconciliation, written +in atoning blood, is by some contemptuously disregarded—by +others repelled with determined opposition. These appalling facts +display more of the malignity of sin, its blinding, deadening +influence, and more of the rancorous enmity of the carnal heart +against God, than all the other enormities which blacken the +world's history. All other crimes appear less atrocious than this +scorn of a Saviour's love—this <i>trampling under foot the +blood of the covenant</i>. While no finite mind could have +conceived it possible, that Almighty love should be so slighted, +yet the Spirit of prophecy announced this impious ingratitude, long +before the incarnation. When Isaiah <i>saw the glory of Christ, and +spake of him</i>, he also saw that he would be <i>despised and +rejected of men</i>. And by all their hostility to the doctrines of +grace, sinners are only verifying the description, which +inspiration gave long ago, of their blindness and perverseness. By +all their vain reasonings and presumptuous objections, they just +corroborate revealed truth, and evince the desperate wickedness of +the natural heart.</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>As in the days of the apostles, so in +this period of increased light, <i>the preaching of the cross</i> +is esteemed <i>foolishness</i>. The message of redeeming mercy is +often received with utter listlessness—often with an evident +disgust—and sometimes with an openly avowed hostility. In the +apostolic age, it might be supposed that the resistance, with which +the Gospel had to contend, arose from the prejudices of a Heathen +or Jewish education, and from a very imperfect knowledge of +Christianity. But, at the present period, the undiminished +hostility, which is displayed against the pure doctrines of +redemption, can be attributed to nothing, but that hatred to the +ways of God, which the Scriptures represent as rankling in the +natural heart, and for which they contain the only remedy.</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>It requires but a transient view of the +religious state, even of enlightened and refined society, to see +that to very many, now, <i>the preaching of the cross is +foolishness</i>. While any temporal interest excites feeling, this +theme is listened to with apathy. O, how often are those +statements, which fill heaven with ecstasy, rehearsed to vacant, +listless hearers! How many weep at fictitious woes, who contemplate +the bloody scene of Calvary without a tear! How many hearts glow in +admiration of the benevolence or heroism of a fellow worm, while +entirely unaffected alike by the sacrifice or the triumph of the +Son of God! How often do men express sentiments of the most fervent +gratitude towards earthly benefactors, who would be ashamed of +uttering one emotion of thanks to Him who <i>gave himself to +die</i> for them! And is not this treating the Gospel as +<i>foolishness</i>? But this heartless unconcern, criminal as it +undoubtedly is, in the sight of God, is not so fearfully +impious—affords not so appalling a disclosure of depravity, +as the absolute disgust and contempt, with which the doctrines of +the cross are sometimes received. In almost every community, there +are those who utterly despise the whole system—who do not +disguise their abhorrence—and who evidently hate the very +mention of the subject. How indignant are such at any effort, in +private conversation, to urge upon their attention themes connected +with the dying love of Christ! How chilling is the effect, when +such discourse is attempted, in many circles of refinement and +elegance? And what a brand of infamy is affixed to the human +character, by the fact, that from most such circles all these +topics are absolutely excluded! Let a man confine his conversation +to such subjects as engaged the attention of Christ and his +apostles—such subjects as now employ the hosts of +heaven,—let him be accustomed in company, to bring forward +the holy mysteries of redemption,—and by how many would he be +shunned like a pestilence? And with what scornful hatred are those +churches avoided by many, where nothing is heard but <i>Jesus +Christ and him crucified</i>? Such are the open, unequivocal +expressions of contempt and disgust, with which many treat the +doctrines of the cross. Do not <i>they</i> esteem them +<i>foolishness</i>?</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>But there is a class of the contemners +of evangelical truth, characterized by more active zeal and decided +measures. Far from the giddy thoughtlessness of those who hardly +reflect upon the subject at all, and from the strange inconsistency +of such, as profess to respect what they really despise and +hate,—these feel and express a deep interest in religious +opinions; devote time and attention to theological studies; and, as +the result of their investigations, avow their utter disbelief of +the peculiar doctrines of the cross; and undertake to demonstrate +their falsehood and absurdity. They tell you, they have maturely +examined the whole subject—that they have brought to the +investigation all the aid that extensive reading and critical +research can furnish—that they have carried the lights of +science and philosophy into the dark regions of +fanaticism—and have become perfectly convinced, that the +whole system is an assemblage of the grossest errors. When, +however, the array of argument is produced, its force seems to +consist in the unwelcome impressions which the pure Gospel itself +makes upon their minds. They can see no wisdom or fitness in such +an atonement. They see nothing so very terrible in sin, as to +require such an expiation. Pardoning mercy, say they, is one of the +natural attributes of Deity; and the doctrine of eternal punishment +seems to them too horribly inconsistent with divine justice to bear +reflection. As for the substitution of the innocent for the guilty, +and satisfying the claims of law by the blood of a sinless victim, +they are amazed that any rational man can credit such absurd +notions. Tell them of the maladies and wounds of the soul, which +can only be healed by the Physician of Calvary—they can +hardly conceal their contempt. Tell them plainly, as the Bible +does, that they are lost, perishing sinners—that the wrath of +God is revealed against them—that the avenging sword is +uplifted, and that, unless they fly to the cross and embrace it by +a living faith, they must sink to perdition—and you will +witness the smile of derision or the frown of indignation. They +esteem the doctrine of the Trinity as a monument of human credulity +and folly. Their feelings are shocked beyond measure, at the +incarnation of Deity, in the person of Jesus Christ. The +personality and direct influences of the Holy Spirit appear useless +and incredible; and the necessity of a change of heart excites +their utter scorn. They cannot endure it. Their disgust is +inexpressible.</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>Instead, therefore, of these offensive +principles, they substitute a system, not modelled from the Bible, +but from what they consider reason and propriety. This they adorn +with all that is beautiful and attractive to the carnal eye. Before +this fair and flattering idol, of their own workmanship, they bow +down in delighted homage. This is a religion they can love, for it +flatters, exalts, and dignifies human nature! But as for human +depravity, and other hated doctrines of the orthodox creed, they +want words to express their aversion. The simple account of the +matter is, that <i>the preaching of the cross</i>, in their +estimation, <i>is foolishness</i>.</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>Such are the various grades of +hostility to the vital principles of the Gospel, from contemptuous +indifference, to malignant and rancorous opposition.</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>We now proceed to enumerate some of the +causes, of this deplorable state of feeling towards the <i>truth as +it is in Jesus</i>.</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>The depravity—the +unholiness—of human nature, may be considered the grand cause +of all the enmity which has appeared against the doctrines of +grace. It is true, nevertheless, that the various degrees and +forms, in which this enmity is manifested, depend upon the +peculiarities of individual character and situation.</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>Destitution of early religious +instruction, generally leads to an entire indifference to the whole +subject. Persons who are brought up in prayerless, worldly +families—whose young minds are not moulded by a pious +influence—are usually found very insusceptible of religious +impressions. In such hearts the power of ungodliness reigns +uncontrolled. Uncultivated and waste, they produce nothing but +<i>thorns and briers</i>. Nor is it surprising, that this numerous +class of the hearers of the Gospel should exhibit an utter +disregard and contempt of its authority. <i>The preaching of the +cross is foolishness</i> to them, because they do not understand +it, and will not take the trouble to examine it.</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>A similar apathy is frequently observed +in persons who have been well instructed, when their whole souls +have become engrossed in some worldly pursuit. Their heads and +hands are so entirely occupied, that serious reflection is +absolutely excluded.</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>Contempt of evangelical religion is +sure to be exhibited in places where its professors are asleep or +dead. In communities where real religion flourishes, where its +power is felt, and its votaries are consistent and decided; +whatever hatred may rankle in the breasts of opposers, they are not +apt to indulge in contemptuous derision. But where formality and +worldliness prevail, and no conspicuous standard of Christian +character is visible—the hearts of sinners will be +manifested. They will, without hesitation, avow, in how low and +degrading a light they regard the doctrines of the cross. Their +contempt and loathing are wholly irrepressible.</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>In many instances, the pride of rank +and intellect is the cause why <i>the preaching of the cross is</i> +utterly despised and accounted <i>foolishness</i>. The lofty +speculations of an aspiring intellect can with difficulty come down +to the simplicity of the Gospel. The command, to come to the +Saviour's feet with the humility of a little child, fills the proud +heart of those <i>who are wise in their own eyes</i>, with +indignation. They cannot endure doctrines, which level all vain +distinctions, and require the noble, the affluent, and the learned, +to assume the same station of penitence and contrition, with the +lowliest peasant. They cannot consent to lay their honours in the +dust, and address themselves only to sovereign mercies. It is +beyond endurance, that the messages of grace should come <i>to +them</i>, as condemned, guilty, and perishing sinners; and that as +such they should be invited to the cross. Hence the scornful air, +the undissembled disgust, with which so many, in high life, turn +their backs upon <i>the preaching of the cross</i>. And hence, +encouraged by their example, multitudes cluster round the standard +of a haughty and malignant opposition to the Gospel.</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>While thus so many regard <i>the +preaching of the cross as foolishness</i>, and earnestly wish it +were utterly false; it is not wonderful, that efforts should be +made to prove that it actually is so. Probably some, engaged in +this opposition, are perfectly sincere, and actually suppose, as +Saul of Tarsus did, that they are <i>doing God service</i>, by +combating the doctrines of the cross. But whoever obeys the natural +dictates of his own heart, and submits himself to the guidance of +his own perverted, blinded reason, refusing to supplicate the +illuminations of divine grace, will be likely to come under the +power of <i>strong delusion to believe a lie</i>.</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>One other cause of opposition to the +Gospel is found in the absolute contrariety of its requisitions, to +the habits of life, which men have contracted, and which they are +resolved not to abandon. While <i>the preaching of the cross</i> +prescribes, as indispensable to salvation, conditions with which +many, who have no doubt of being saved, wholly refuse to comply; +and while it declares that eternal perdition will be the result of +a course, which they are determined to pursue; it must be the +object of their settled detestation. Hence the love of sinful +pursuits and gratifications, and an invincible repugnance to a life +of devotion, are the true reasons why many esteem <i>the preaching +of the cross foolishness</i>.</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>It ought, however, to be kept in mind, +while these causes are recounted, that the operation of each of +them is rendered more efficacious, by the agency of that spirit of +darkness, <i>that worketh in the children of disobedience</i>. To +increase disgust against the plan of redemption, to exasperate the +natural enmity of the carnal heart, to give a specious appearance +to objections, and to enforce, with seductive arguments, the cause +of unbelief, is the untiring employment of the grand foe of God and +man. It is indeed the darling achievement of infernal skill, to +inflate a poor worm with pride of talent, and fill his heart with +hatred to the Gospel, and then persuade him that his hatred arises +from its falsehood and absurdity. No event can afford the tempter +greater joy, than success in persuading perishing sinners to reject +the only possible way of escape from eternal death, and to contemn, +as foolishness, that doctrine which is the <i>wisdom of God and the +power of God to salvation to every one that believeth</i>.</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>It only remains, that we briefly +describe the fearful condition and prospects of all to whom <i>the +preaching of the cross is foolishness</i>.</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>And here we have only to repeat the +decision of the Searcher of hearts—the Judge of the quick and +dead. His infallible Spirit has, in our text, divulged the +tremendous fact, that the indifference, contempt, and disgust, +which have now been described, are characteristics of THEM THAT +PERISH. This authority, as well as the nature of the case, renders +it certain, that all, who indulge such feelings, are <i>in the gall +of bitterness and under the bond of iniquity</i>—<i>dead in +trespasses and sins</i>—<i>treasuring up wrath against the +day of wrath</i>. Nothing short of utter blindness of mind can be +insensible to the glory of the Gospel—nothing but entire +depravity of heart can render its doctrines offensive—and +nothing but the most obdurate impenitency can resist the melting +influence of a Saviour's dying love. It is utterly impossible, that +a scornful neglect or disregard of the preaching of the cross +should exist, without fearful guilt and imminent danger. All those, +among the hearers of the gospel, who will finally be children of +wrath, are now characterized by such guilt. And all the lost +spirits in the world of wo, who once enjoyed the offers of mercy, +cherished the same fatal feelings towards the plan of redemption. +It was <i>foolishness</i> to them. Many, even in this land of +light, seem to be ripening for the same tremendous doom. Whether in +the ranks of open opposition, or under the false colours of +pretended regard, the deadly symptom is upon them—a settled +disgust and aversion to the <i>preaching of the cross.</i></p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>Say not, 'It is no matter what a man +believes, provided he is sincere.' God has settled this +question.—"<i>Because they received not the love of the +truth</i>, <i>that they might be saved</i>; <i>God shall send them +strong delusion, that they should believe a lie</i>; <i>that they +all might be damned, who believed not the truth</i>, <i>but had +pleasure in unrighteousness</i>." Is there not then, appalling +evidence, that those, who hold such preaching in contempt, occupy +very perilous ground, and exhibit fearful tokens of the divine +abandonment? And especially might not the angels in heaven tremble +for those, who have enjoyed great light and privileges—have +witnessed rich displays of divine grace—and have once felt a +deep solicitude for their own souls—but who now despise and +hate those truths, and that cause, which they were once <i>almost +persuaded</i> to embrace?</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>How clearly and terribly, my hearers, +does this subject discover the ungodliness of the unrenewed heart. +Those feelings of contempt and hostility, towards what is most +precious and glorious in the view of God, constitute the summit of +human guilt. That feeble worms of the dust should thus dare to sit +in judgment on the divine administration, and pronounce that +needless which God has declared indispensable, and call that folly +which God esteems the highest wisdom, is not merely +presumptuous;—it is inexpressibly <i>impious</i>.</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>How resistless is the evidence, hence +arising, of the necessity of an entire change of heart—an +entire change of feeling—to prepare men to dwell with God. No +wonder then, that our Lord should declare with such emphasis, <i>Ye +must be born again</i>, or ye <i>cannot see the kingdom of +God</i>.</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>I beseech you, fellow sinners, lay +these things seriously to heart. Do any of you habitually hear the +preaching of the cross with heartless indifference—with a +light and trifling temper? Beware, lest your heart become fatally +hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>Are any of you conscious of disgust and +aversion, produced by such doctrines? O, beware, lest that come +upon you which is spoken in the prophets, Behold, ye dispisers, and +wonder, and perish: Beware lest you convert the bread of life into +the poison of death!</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>Have any of you already attained such a +degree of blindness and perversity, as to persuade yourselves that +the doctrines of the cross are really irrational and absurd, and +that you are doing right in opposing and deriding them? Recollect, +I pray you, with whose word you are contending;—whose wisdom +you are despising! Let the chaff contend with the tempest, and the +stubble with the devouring flame; let the glow-worm despise all the +lamps of heaven;—but Oh, let not a worm contend with +Omnipotence; let not dim reason reject all the splendours of the +Sun of righteousness. <i>The redemption of the soul is +precious</i>—Its rescue from perdition, and elevation to +God's right hand, are objects too momentous, to be sacrificed to +the pride of intellect, or to the fashion of a world which passeth +away. <i>Receive</i>, then, <i>with meekness the ingrafted word, +which is able to save your souls. But be ye doers of the word, and +not hearers only, deceiving your own selves</i>.</p> + +<hr class="full"> +<h2>SERMON XXVII.</h2> + +<hr> +<h4>BY ELIHU W. BALDWIN, A.M.</h4> + +<h5>NEW-YORK.</h5> + +<hr> +<h5>THE FINAL JUDGMENT.</h5> + +<h5>HEBREWS, IX. 29.—<i>After this the Judgment</i>.</h5> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>Whilst another year is ending, and time +itself, as it respects us, is fast hastening to its close, the +question very naturally arises, <i>What shall come after death</i>? +The voice of inspiration replies, <i>After this the Judgment</i>. +There is no need of entering upon a laboured proof of the doctrine +so plainly declared, <i>That there will be a day of Judgment for +mankind</i>. It is what seems written by the finger of God himself +upon the consciences of men. The impression is nearly universal, +with Pagans and Mahomedans, as well as Jews and Christians, that +<i>every one of us shall give account of himself to God</i>. This +impression is strengthened by a view of the very unequal and +indiscriminate allotments of the present life. Here the virtuous +are often the objects of hatred and relentless persecution. Here +the man of ambition and dark intrigue, circumvents and treads down +his more honest rivals. Here Providence often afflicts even the +most pious; while the licentious, and proud, and oppressive, are, +perhaps, suffered to enjoy uninterrupted prosperity. Now we +believe, assuredly, that "God is just;" and we infer, that he will +so exhibit himself by another and more equal distribution of his +favours and frowns. We conclude with the wise man, "that God shall +judge both the righteous and the wicked." Conscience and reason, +then, unite with revelation, in saying, that "God hath appointed a +day, in which he will judge the world in righteousness." No +language can be plainer, and no event more reasonably +anticipated.</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>With this absolute certainty before us, +then, of a judgment for all mankind, it would be unnatural—it +would betray awful insensibility to eternal concerns, not to +inquire with all seriousness—When will this universal +judgment take place? What objects is it designed to accomplish? +What connexion will it have with our future and eternal condition? +We inquire then,</p> + +<br> +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>I. <i>When will the universal Judgment +take place?</i></p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>The precise time, God has wisely +concealed from every intelligent creature. "Of that day and that +hour knoweth no man. No; not the angels that are in heaven." But +the text speaks of it, in general terms, as that which is to take +place <i>after our death</i>. Other passages are somewhat more +explicit, as to the time. The apostle Peter declares, "The heavens +and the earth which now are, by the same word are kept in store, +reserved unto fire, against <i>the day of judgment</i>, and +perdition of ungodly men." According to this account of the +judgment, it will occur at the same time with the destruction of +the world; "when," as the same apostle declares, "the heavens shall +pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with +fervent heat, the earth, also, and the works that are therein shall +be burnt up." Paul gives a similar account of the <i>time</i>, as +he comforts the church at Thessalonica, under persecution, with the +prospect of the judgment, "when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed +from heaven with his mighty angels, in flaming fire, taking +vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel +of our Lord Jesus Christ." Indeed, if God is to "judge the whole +world in righteousness," what other occasion would seem so proper, +as when the last of our race have finished their work on the earth, +and the world itself is about to be destroyed? Would it not appear +most suitable, that the public and final decision of our destiny, +should immediately succeed the winding up of this world's +drama?—the termination of all earthly allotments? When, if +not at that deeply interesting crisis, will all things be ready for +the great trial? <i>The final judgment, then, will take place after +our death, and at the end of the world</i>. We next inquire,</p> + +<br> +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>II. <i>What are the objects, which the +Judgment is designed to accomplish?</i></p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>On this point, it becomes creatures of +yesterday to speak with profound humility, and especially to beware +of contradicting what is revealed. The objects which Jehovah will +accomplish by the universal judgment, are unquestionably vast and +momentous, beyond all conception. Yet some of them are obvious to +reason, or are plainly revealed.</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>Every person has experienced +inconvenience and perplexity from the circumstance, that the real +characters of men, in the present life, are but partially +disclosed. Much the larger portion of human actions pass unobserved +by the world; or the motives which prompt them are concealed. One +design of the judgment, then, is to uncover these hidden springs, +and lay open every dark retreat of human conduct. We are told, +"there is nothing hid which shall not be revealed;" that "God shall +bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it +be good or whether it be evil;" that he "will both bring to light +the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels +the heart."</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>Another design of the judgment, is +publicly to assign to men their proper deserts. This, we have +before suggested, is not done on the earth. "All things here come +alike to all." "There is one event to the righteous and to the +wicked." But the future judgment is characterized, as the day of +"revelation of the righteous judgment of God;" "in the which he +will judge the world in righteousness;" and will "render to every +man according to his deeds." The mystery involved in the prosperity +of the wicked, and in the unequal allotments, which have here +marked the dispensations of Providence, will then cease for ever; +and it will then be seen and felt, that every one is treated +according to the strictest principles of wisdom and justice.</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>Another special design of the judgment, +is to manifest and gloriously exalt the perfections of Jehovah. +Revelation has indeed proclaimed his perfections, in language which +need not be misunderstood. But his providence has often interposed +a cloud between them and the eyes of men. We do not comprehend the +wisdom of present occurrences. We see not the end from the +beginning. A complete disclosure of both, will show to the universe +the deep counsels of God, and the consistent and benevolent +character of all his operations. He will then appear in the +greatness of his <i>power</i>, and <i>majesty</i>—as he +summons the dead from their graves, and folds up the earth and the +heavens, like a decayed garment, to be laid aside. He will then +appear in the glory of his <i>justice</i>, his <i>holiness</i>, and +his <i>truth</i>,—while he examines, before his dread +tribunal, the risen and assembled millions of our race, and renders +to every one according to his works. All his perfections will then +be illustriously displayed; for, says the apostle, "He shall come +to be glorified in his saints, and to be admired in all them that +believe."</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>But this glory of the Divinity is +specially to shine forth in the person of the Son. He it was, that +"being found in fashion as a man, humbled himself, and became +obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God +hath highly exalted him, and given him a name, which is above every +name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in +heaven and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that +every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory +of God the Father." Accordingly, "the Father judgeth no man, but +hath committed all judgment unto the Son." It is the <i>Son</i> who +will come "in the clouds of heaven, with power and great glory"; +whom "every eye shall see;" and who, "in his own glory, and in the +glory of the Father, and of the holy angels," shall "judge the +world in righteousness." Then will he who humbled himself, and +"became obedient unto death," be publicly recognised as "the Mighty +God," "by whom, and for whose pleasure, all things are, and were +created." Then will "every tongue confess that he is Lord." The +conviction will then be universal, "that all men should honour the +Son even as they honour the Father." This leads us to inquire,</p> + +<br> +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>III. <i>What connexion will the +Judgment have with our future and eternal condition?</i></p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>Here let us not indulge in vain +speculations, but examine simply the word of God. According to the +Scriptures, the judgment will result in assigning to men <i>very +different allotments</i>. It will recognise among them two entirely +different and opposite classes of character. One of these classes, +which the Bible denominates "the righteous," will be graciously +acquitted by the Judge, and publicly treated as his friends. The +other, comprising all the impenitent, will be as publicly +condemned, and driven from his presence. They "will have judgment +without mercy." Such is plainly the account which Christ and the +sacred writers have given of the final awards to the righteous and +the wicked. We have the account in detail. Says the Saviour +himself, "When the Son of Man shall come in his glory, and all the +holy angels with him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his +glory: and before him shall be gathered all nations; and he shall +separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep +from the goats; and he shall set the sheep on his right hand, but +the goats on the left. Then shall the King say unto them on his +right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom +prepared for you from the foundation of the world." "Then shall he +say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, +into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels." And +again; "The hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves +shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; <i>they that have done +good</i>, unto the resurrection of <i>life</i>; and <i>they that +have done evil</i>, unto the resurrection of <i>damnation</i>". +Thus broad and fearful is the discrimination which the great day +will make between the righteous and the wicked. So entirely +different are the awards in reserve for the two different classes +of mankind. The difference will be great, as between holiness and +sin; between cheerful submission to the will and providence of God, +and unyielding rebellion against him; between cordial faith in the +Lord Jesus Christ, and wilful rejection of the only Saviour; +between the splendour and joy of the celestial Paradise, and the +gloominess and misery of hell. No wonder, then, that "as Paul +reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix +trembled." There will, indeed, be fearful reason for "weeping and +wailing and gnashing of teeth," with those who shall then "see +Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob, and all the prophets in the kingdom +of God, and themselves thrust out."</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>We are not to forget, my hearers, that +these different awards of the judgment day will be +<i>irreversible</i> and literally <i>endless</i>. All admit this +conclusion, with respect to the <i>righteous</i>. But if the +righteous are <i>finally acquitted</i> at the judgment, so are the +wicked <i>finally condemned</i>. If the righteous are said to enter +into "<i>life eternal</i>," so are the wicked to "go away into +<i>everlasting punishment</i>." The Scriptures say not one word of +any reprieve from this condemnation, or of any other period of +merciful visitation. But they close with the most solemn assurance, +that, from that awful day, he that is unjust shall be unjust still; +and he that is filthy shall be filthy still; and he that is +righteous shall be righteous still; and he that is holy shall be +holy still. Other passages, of similar import, might be quoted: but +if men will pour contempt on a single declaration of +Jehovah—if they will <i>make God a liar</i>—they would +not be persuaded, though his voice from the heavens were a thousand +times repeated. And <i>because they receive not the love of the +truth</i>, <i>that they might be saved</i>, most justly may he +<i>send them strong delusion</i>, <i>that they should believe a +lie</i>, and <i>be damned.</i></p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>I have thus endeavoured, with much +brevity, to give a scriptural view of the final Judgment. On a +subject so tremendously awful, I have chosen to present simply +God's testimony. A practical inference from the whole +is,—that the present life must be regarded as probationary. +We are living here as responsible agents, continually adding to the +number of actions, for which we must give account to God. How +solemnly interesting, then, is this scene of our earthly +pilgrimage! How inexpressibly valuable is time! How infinitely +precious are the means of grace!—particularly those +invitations of mercy, which meet us in the word of God, and address +us from the sacred desk.</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>You, my fellow sinners, are the very +individuals who must stand at the judgment-seat of Christ. You must +mingle in that vast multitude, which the voice of the archangel and +the trump of God shall assemble. And when your characters are all +laid open, you must pass off to the right hand, or to the left, +accordingly as it shall appear, that you have repented, and +believed on the Son of God, or have neglected this great salvation. +And are you diligently preparing for that day? Are you working out +your salvation with fear and trembling? Are you <i>agonizing</i> to +enter in at the strait gate? Are you escaping for your life?</p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>Fellow mortals, your time of +preparation may be far more brief than you now think. A few, +<i>very few</i> more opportunities for prayer, and reconciliation +with God, and your account is sealed up. While you hesitate, the +recording angel may be writing your condemnation. In such +circumstances, what are worldly honours, or wealth, or all your +hopes of enjoyment here? The life, the <i>eternal life</i> of the +<i>soul</i>, is the <i>one thing needful</i>—the <i>only</i> +thing really important. You will realize this truth, when the last +trumpet is sounding through the universe, and, with increasing +agony or ecstasy, millions of ages after the final sentence is +pronounced. O, then, consider it <i>now</i>. Prepare for that +judgment, <i>now</i>. To-morrow! where is it? Repent +<i>to-morrow</i>! You may have far other work to do. God, and +conscience, and your immortal interests plead, "<i>To-day</i>, if +you will hear his voice, harden not your heart." "Behold, +<i>now</i> is the accepted time; behold, <i>now</i> is the day of +salvation." <i>Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from +the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. For he cometh, for +he cometh, to judge the world, in righteousness to judge the earth, +and the people with his truth</i>.</p> + +<hr class="full"> +<h2>TERMS</h2> + +<h6>OF THE</h6> + +<h1>NATIONAL PREACHER.</h1> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'><b>I. Each Monthly Number to contain +one long Sermon, or two of moderate length, on fine paper. The +Volume to commence annually the last week in June.</b></p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'><b>II. Price, One Dollar annually, +<i>in advance, or on becoming a Subscriber</i>, or One Dollar and +Fifty cents, if payment is delayed after the receipt of six +Numbers.</b></p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'><b>III. <i>Five</i> or more persons +forwarding their annual payments <i>at one time</i>, <i>on becoming +Subscribers</i>, <i>or immediately after the receipt of the first +Numbers of the Volume</i>, may receive the work for the year at +<i>eighty cents</i> each. Or <i>twelve</i> or more so doing, may +receive it at <i>seventy-five cents</i> each: (viz. 6 1/4 cents a +Number.)</b></p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'><b>IV. An Index and Title-page, +referring to all the Numbers, will accompany the twelfth.</b></p> + +<pre> + SUBSCRIBERS' NAMES. ¦ RESIDENCE. + +</pre> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'><b>NOTE. <i>Ten Cents</i> each will be +allowed for procuring and furnishing the Editor <i>new</i> +Subscribers on any terms stated above. Essential service might be +rendered by copying the above terms in handsome form, and employing +a faithful person to go through the neighbourhood, with a specimen +of the work. The names of present subscribers may be ascertained at +the Post Office.</b></p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'><b>Copies furnished, by the dozen or +hundred, at Tract prices, for gratuitous distribution.</b></p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'><b>Such Subscribers as do not give the +Editor notice to the contrary, before the first of June, will be +considered as Subscribers for the ensuing year. Any one can +discontinue on paying up arrearages.</b></p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'><b>Correspondents will be careful in +naming the individuals to whom credit is to be given, and the +Post-Office and State to which the Work is to be sent.</b></p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'><b><i>Letters may be directed</i>, POST +PAID, <i>to</i></b></p> + +<p style="width: 100%; text-align: right; margin-right: 5%"> +<b>AUSTIN DICKINSON,<br> +144 <i>Nassau-street, New-York</i></b></p> + +<p style='text-indent: 2em'><b>All Subscribers will be furnished +with the former Numbers of this Volume:—and with the first +Volume, if desired.</b></p> + +<hr class="full"> +<h3>RECEIVING AGENTS.</h3> + +<hr class="short"> +<h6>The following Persons are authorized to receive and forward +payments to the Editor:</h6> + + +<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="10" align="center" +summary="Receiving Agaents"> +<tr> +<td valign="top" colspan="10"><div class="tinyfont">MAINE.<br> + Portland, William Hyde.<br> +Bowdoin College, A.C. Baldwin.<br> +Waterville, B. Chase, P.M.<br> +Bangor, Royal Clark, P.M.<br> +Bristol, Aaron Blaney, P.M.<br> +Vassalboro', Theodore S. Brown,<br> +Lubec, Moses Fuller, P.M.<br> +Bloomfield, Joseph Locke, P.M.<br> +Whitefield, David Crowell, P.M.<br> +Ellsworth, Joseph A. Wood, P.M.<br> +West Jefferson, F. Shepherd, P.M.<br> +South Berwick, Charles E. Norton.<br> +<br> + NEW-HAMPSHIRE<br> + Hanover, George Wheeler, P.M.<br> +Cornish, William Whittlesey, P.M.<br> +Keene, Abijah Kingsbury,<br> +Concord, John West.<br> +Portsmouth, Childs & March.<br> +<br> + VERMONT.<br> + Middlebury, E. Brewster.<br> +Rutland, Charles Walker.<br> +St. Albans, Horace Janes, P.M.<br> +Sharon, Chester Baxter. P.M.<br> +Bennington, Stephen Hinsdale.<br> +Brattleboro, Holbrook & Fessenden.<br> +Burlington, C. Goodrich.<br> +Springfield, Nomlas Cobb.<br> +<br> + MASSACHUSETTS.<br> + Boston, A. Russel, at Hanover Ch.<br> +Salem, Whipple & Lawrence.<br> +Newburyport, Charles Whipple.<br> +Springfield, Solomon Warriner.<br> +Northampton, Simeon Butler.<br> +Amherst, Luke Sweetser.<br> +Greenfield, A. Phelps.<br> +Pittsfield, Joshua Danforth, P.M.<br> +Williams College, Saml. Hutchings<br> +Plymouth, Ezra Collier.<br> +Andover, Artemas Bullard.<br> +Wrentham, Robert Blake.<br> +Worcester, James Wilson, P.M.<br> +Berkley, Asahel Hathaway, P.M.<br> +Lowell, Jonathan C, Merrill, P.M.<br> +<br> + CONNECTICUT.<br> + New-Haven, Nathan Whiting.<br> +Hartford, Peter B. Gleason.<br> +Middletown, Edwin Hant.<br> +Brooklyn, Ambrose Edson.<br> +Woodstock, George Bowen, P.M.<br> +New London, E. Chesebrough.<br> +Norwich, John Hyde, P.M.<br> +Bozrahville, Alfred Holt.<br> +Stonington, William W. Rodman.<br> +Fairfield, Gershom Sturges.<br> +Litchfield, S.S. Smith.<br> +Norwich City, Charles Kinney, P.M.<br> +Greenwich, Esbon Husted.<br> +<br> + RHODE-ISLAND.<br> + East Greenwich, John Brown.<br> +Providence, Alexander Jones.<br> +<br> + NEW-YORK.<br> + Union College, John M'Dowall.<br> +Albany, George J. Loomis.<br> +Kinderbook, Henry L. Van Dyck.<br> +Onondaga C.H., Hezekiah Strong.<br> +Auburn Seminary, B.C. Cressey.<br> +Pen Yan, Ira Gould.<br> +Utica, Charles Hastings.<br> +Mount Pleasant, J. Dickerson.<br> +East Ridge, William Stone.<br> +Newburgh, Joseph Sibbet.<br> +Rochester, Seth D. Chapin.<br> +Moscow, Felix Tracy, P.M.<br> +De Ruyter, Sylvester Aylsworth,<br> +Geneva, J. Smith. Jr.<br> +Springville, Rufus C. Eaton, P.M.<br> +Catskill, Hezekiah Thayer.<br> +Venice, Sherman Beardsley, P.M.<br> +Youngstown, A.G. Hinman, P.M.<br> +Troy, Edward Wilson, Jr.<br> +Syracuse, Pliny Dickinson.<br> +Sidney Plains, Samuel Rogers.<br> +Fort Covington, Samuel L. Crosby.</div></td> +<td valign="top" colspan="10"><div class="tinyfont">NEW-JERSEY.<br> + Princeton, J.B. Van Dyck.<br> +<br> + PENNSYLVANIA.<br> + Philadelphia, Anthony Finley.<br> + [unreadable], Jared Bunce.<br> +Carlisle, G. Duffield.<br> +Huntington, I. Dorland. P.M.<br> +Meadville, B. Andrews, P.M.<br> +Pittsburgh, Robert Patterson<br> +Harrisburgh, William Graydon.<br> +Braintrim, H.W. Northup.<br> +Wilkesbarre, O. Collins.<br> +Bethany, Jason Torrey.<br> +Alexandria, John Porter, P.M.<br> +<br> + DELAWARE.<br> + Wilmington, Robert Porter.<br> +<br> + MARYLAND.<br> + Baltimore, John H. Naff.<br> +Princess Anne, Joshua Moore.<br> +Chestertown, Joseph Redue. P.M.<br> +Vienna, Uriah Medford, P.M.<br> +<br> + DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.<br> + Washington, Reuben Post.<br> +Alexandria, Reuel Keith.<br> +<br> + VIRGINIA.<br> + Richmond, Nathaniel Charter.<br> +Petersburg, James Dwight.<br> +Norfolk, Shepard K. Kollock.<br> +Weston, G.D. Camden, P.M.<br> +Romney, John Jack, P.M.<br> +Ebenezer Academy, H. Clary, P.M.<br> +Cartonville, George W. Hundly.<br> +Powhatan C.H., Thomas Scott. P.M.<br> +Abingdon, Augustus Oury, P.M.<br> +Gloucester C.H., W.D. Cairns.<br> +Lynchburg, William Poe.<br> +Boydton, James Brame.<br> +Charlotte, C.H. John Morton, P.M.<br> +Liberty, James Mitchell, Jr.<br> +Winchester, Samuel H. Davis.<br> +Prince Edward C.H., Francis Bartlet.<br> +Otter Bridge, J. Leftwich, P.M.<br> +<br> + NORTH CAROLINA.<br> + Fayetteville, Robert H. Morrison.<br> +Newbern, Thomas Watson, P.M.<br> +Salisbury, Thomas L. Cowan.<br> +Mecklenburgh, S. Williamson. P.M.<br> +Alfordsville, Warren Alford, P.M.<br> +Wilmington, A.J. De Ressot<br> +Milton, James W. Douglass.<br> +Lincolnton, Davin Reinhardt, P.M.<br> +Raleigh, P.W. Dowd<br> +Halifax, Sidney Weller.<br> +<br> + SOUTH CAROLINA.<br> + Charleston, Horace Utley.<br> +Camden, Thomas M'Millan.<br> +Georgetown, Peter Cuttino.<br> +Beaufort, David Turner, P.M.<br> +Bradleyville, R. Witherspoon, P.M.<br> +Edgefield, A.B. M'Whorter.<br> +Conwayboro', Henry Durant, P.M..<br> +Lexington, C.H., J. Meetze, P.M.<br> +Sumpterville, Jesse Hartwell.<br> +<br> + GEORGIA.<br> + Savannah, J.C.A. Johnston.<br> +Augusta, Timothy Edwards.<br> +Riceboro', A.H. Sample.<br> +Wrightsboro', Joseph Barnes, P.M.<br> +Bethsaida, Oliver Morse. P.M.<br> +Mount Zion, M.H. Carrington.<br> +Powelton, J.H. Burnet. P.M.<br> +Clarksville, Thomas J. Rusk, P.M.<br> +Sunbury, F.R. Whitwell, P.M.<br> +Athens, Leander A. Erwin. P.M.<br> +Carmel, Isaac Proctor, P.M.<br> +Bethlehem, John F. Wallis P.M.<br> +Fortville, Henry W. Jornegan.<br> +<br> + OHIO.<br> + Columbus, James Hoge.<br> +Steubenville, Charles C. Beatty.<br> +Cincinnati, David Root.</div></td> +<td valign="top" colspan="10"><div class="tinyfont">Ellsworth, L.W. +Leffingwell, P.M.<br> +Marietta, L.G. Bingham.<br> +Burton, Luther Humphrey.<br> +Cadiz, Thomas Phillips, P.M.<br> +Miami, Charles Atherton. P.M.<br> +Rome, Elijah Crosby, P.M.<br> +Vernon, Harvey Coo.<br> +<br> + INDIANA.<br> + Portersville, Simon Morgan, P.M.<br> +Salem, Burr Bradley, P.M.<br> +Indianapolis, George Bush.<br> +Barbersville, Timothy Barber, P.M.<br> +<br> + ILLINOIS.<br> + Belleville, James Mitchell, P.M.<br> +Greenville, Ansel Birge, P.M.<br> +Canton, Nathan Jones, P.M.<br> +Vandalia, James Hall.<br> +<br> + KENTUCKY.<br> + Munfordville, J.T.S. Brown, P.M.<br> +Princeton, H. Cassidy, P.M.<br> +Danville, Benjamin Shaw.<br> +Cynthiana, A. Broadwell, P.M.<br> +Henderson, James Hillyer, P.M.<br> +Shelbyville, A.A. Shannon.<br> +Frankfort, S.M. Noel.<br> +Hopkinsville, John Bryan, P.M.<br> +Harrodsburg, Thomas Cleland.<br> +Augusta, Samuel Bonde, P.M.<br> +Columbia, John Montgomery, P.M.<br> +<br> + TENNESSEE.<br> + Knoxville, James Campbell,<br> +Winchester, John Goodwin, P.M.<br> +Nashville, R.P. Hayes.<br> +Dresden, Samuel A. Warner.<br> +Paperville, T.C. Buckhart, P.M.<br> +Jonesboro' D.A. Deadrick, P.M.<br> +Murfreesboro', D. Wendell, P.M.<br> +Columbia, Francis W.S. Frierson.<br> +Lebanon, A. Bradshaw.<br> +Hillsboro, G.W. Richardson, P.M.<br> +Farmington, S.W. Calvert.<br> +<br> + ALABAMA.<br> + Huntsville, William Leech.<br> +Perry, C.H., G.W. Brame.<br> +Somerville, M.C. Houston, P.M.<br> +Bainbridge, S.M. Parry, P.M.<br> +Florence, John Craig, P.M.<br> +Courtiand, John White.<br> +Shelby C.H., Thos. W. Smith, P.M.<br> +Ashville, Archibald Sloan, P.M.<br> +<br> + MISSOURI.<br> + St. Louis, Salmon Giddings.<br> +Fredericktown, Thos. Mosely, P.M.<br> +Clay, C.H., Wm. S. Smith, P.M.<br> +<br> + MISSISSIPPI.<br> + Natchez, John Henderson.<br> +Port Gibson, D. Greenleaf, P.M.<br> +Woodville, G.A. Irion<br> +Gallatin, A.B. Ross, P.M.<br> +Columbia, A.G. Moore.<br> +Pinckneyville, James Wilson, P.M.<br> +<br> + LOUISIANA.<br> + Baton Rouge, H. Alexander, P.M.<br> +New-Orleans, William Ross.<br> +<br> + FLORIDA.<br> + Pensacola, W. Hazell Hunt, P.M.<br> +<br> + ARKANSAS.<br> + Dwight, Alfred Finney.<br> +<br> + CHOCTAW NATION.<br> + David Folsom<br> +<br> + MICHIGAN.<br> + Detroit, D.G. Jones.<br> +<br> + CANADA.<br> + Montreal, William Hedge.<br> +Kingston, Rev. Mr. Foote.<br> +<br> + SOUTH AMERICA.<br> + Buenos Ayres, Theop. Parvin.<br></div> +</td> +</tr> +</table> + +<hr class="full"> +<p style='text-indent: 2em'>Post-Masters are hereby authorized to +receive and forward payments to the Editor, as well as names of +Subscribers.</p> + +<div>*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 13824 ***</div> +</body> +</html> + |