LIBRARY OF CONGRESS.' Chap. ..JB~T I -0 / Shelf.. *P 5" UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. * _ - MEMORIAL OF THE GOODNESS OF GOD, IN TWO DISCOURSES, DELIVERED AT THE OPENING OF THE FIRST PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN THE CITY OF NEW YORK, JAN. 11, 1S46, BY Are PASTOR. - PKINTED BY REQUEST AND FOR THE USE OF THE CONGREGATION. NEW YORK: ROBERT CARTER, 58 CANAL STREET. PITTSBURG 56 MARKET STREET. 18 4 6, Co PS EDWARD O. JENKINS, PRINTER, 114 Nassau street A MEMORIAL OF THE GOODNESS OF GOD DISCOURSE I. Text. — Jeremiah li. 10, last clause of the verse, " Come and let us declare in Zion the work of the Lord our God." Our meeting in this house of prayer to-day is calculated to awaken the most tender and thrilling recollections, and to call forth our warmest expressions of gratitude to the great Head of the Church. We have, as a congregation, passed through a severe ordeal. To be obliged to leave our former place of wor- ship, and to break away from all those associations by which it had become endeared to us — to abandon the ground upon which our predecessors, through successive generations, had met, and upon which many of us had so frequently been permitted to engage in the wor- ship of Almighty God — where the glo- rious Gospel of the grace of God had been for so long a period proclaimed, and the sacraments administered by dis- tinguished servants of Christ — where so many prayers had been offered and an- swered — where the Holy Spirit had been poured out — and where, through His in- fluence so many had been born into the kingdom of God, sanctified, comforted and prepared for heaven — was a great trial, and occasioned a painful conflict. Yet, if we could, upon our first removal from thence, at once have entered this commodious edifice, it would have been an alleviation of our regret, and would have prevented the danger of disper- sion to which the congregation has been exposed ever since. But it was not so — - we have been subjected to great incon- venience and serious injury through the want of a suitable and comfortable place of worship in the meantime. The result, however, has been most gratifying, and is a just cause of thanks- giving. Instead of having been weak- ened, we have been strengthened dur- ing the period of our temporary exile, and under all the unfavorable circum- stances attending it. The attachment of the members of the congregation to the church of their fathers, and of their choice, has triumphed over all the con- siderations and influences by which they were tempted to separate from us, and we now know who are the true, sincere, conscientiously devoted, and tried friends of the First Presbyterian Church. They have done well — they have endured and performed a good work — the record of 1* 6 which is on high. We pray that the blessing of our covenant God, to whom they look for their reward, may descend upon them and upon their children, henceforth and forever. The words of the text have been selected on account of the sentiments which they express. They inculcate the duty of acknowledging the goodness of God, and of recounting his mercies to- wards us ; and they teach us that this duty is to be performed in Zion. We are not merely in secret and as individuals to feel grateful — we are called upon as mem- bers of the Church to express, in a pub- lic manner, a sense of our obligations to the Lord — declaring in Zion what he has done for our souls and what he has done for his Church. The glory which Jehovah receives from his people in re- turn for distinguishing mercies bestowed upon them, is the public and social praise which they render to him in the ways of his own appointment — -" whoso offereth praise glorifieth God." This is our reasonable service, and is in accord- ance with our very constitution. In- gratitude is a transgression of the law of our nature. Those who are guilty of it discover the deepest depravity, and are justly condemned as brutish in the sight of God, as it is written, " I have nourished and brought up children but they have rebelled against me. The ox knoweth his owner and the ass his mas- ter's crib, but Israel doth not know, my people doth not consider." We are at all times to set a just value on the bless- ings we receive whilst we are to feel and acknowledge our un worthiness of them. We should cherish the senti- ments expressed by Jacob, when he said, " I am not worthy of the least of all the mercies, and of all the truth 8 which thou hast showed to thy servant ;" and by David, when he exclaimed with unaffected admiration, " Who am I, or what was my Father's house ? what is man that thou art mindful of him, or the son of man that thou visitest him ?" Every good gift, and every perfect gift cometh down from the Father of lights, and all the return we can make him for the benefits and mercies we receive from him continually, is to cherish and to acknowledge in sincerity a sense of our obligations to him. Instead of rest- ing in the gift, we must ascend with our hearts and affections to the Giver. We must declare the wonderful works of the Lord — his grace and condescension to the children of men, and give him thanks that we may show forth his praise. The performance of this duty with a right spirit, and in a suitable frame of mind, will bring with it its own reward and be 9 acceptable to God. It elevates the soul and prepares it for the pure and holy exercises of heaven. " It is good to give thanks unto the Lord, and praise is come- ly for the upright." The Lord says of his Church, " This people have I formed for myself. They shall show forth my praise." She is also required to remem- ber her origin and all the way in which she has been led, that with the blessing of God such a remembrance may be made the means of strengthening her faith and confidence in her Redeemer, and of in- creasing her love and gratitude to him. We think we can see the hand of God in our ecclesiastical organization, and in our preservation as a branch of the Church of Jesus Christ. Believing that this has been his work, we wish to de- clare it and to give him thanks for it. Without assailing, or making invidious comparisons with, the religious creed of 10 other Christian denominations — and cer- tainly without any design of disparaging or denouncing them — we propose on the present occasion to give a general state- ment and brief defence of that system of truth and ecclesiastical order which has been adopted by the Presbyterian Church . We believe that our doctrine, form of government and discipline, are strict- ly in accordance with the Word of God, and therefore prefer and hold them. We think we are prepared to show, by a fair interpretation of the Scriptures, as a reason of our faith and preference, that the doctrines contained in our Con- fession of Faith and Catechisms were taught by our Lord and his apostles. Many of them are expressed in their very language, and all of them are founded on their declarations, being according " to that form of sound words once de- livered to the saints." It is notorious 11 that the same objections which were raised against some of them when preached by the Saviour himself, and by his inspired Apostles, and which were answered by them at the time, are still urged against them as they are taught in our standards, and when they are faithfully preached by our ministers, which proves the unity of our doctrine with theirs, in those points at least. They are the same which were taught by the Holy Ghost from the beginning — in the faith of which the Fathers lived, obtained a good report and inherited the promises. They are the same which were believed, taught, and earnestly contended for by the Reformers, who learned them from the Scriptures as in- terpreted and applied by the Spirit. The truth is one, and the source of it unchangeable. Hence, all who learn it from that source, and come to the 12 knowledge of it through their expe- rience of its power, will agree substan- tially in their views of it. Those doctrines which have been called, by way of distinction, the doc- trines of the Reformation, were in the Bible from the beginning. They do not date from that period nor were they then first discovered. They had been always held by true believers, and were held by those who constituted the true Church of Christ during the darkest pe- riods of her history. When a part of what was called the Church had aposta- tized, was in alliance with the world — had substituted vain traditions of men for the truth of God — heathen and child- ish ceremonies for the simple and spirit- ual worship required in the gospel of Jesus Christ — the true Church was to be found in the valleys of Piedmont, among the Waldenses and Albigenses, and 13 among the followers of Wickliffe in dif- ferent places. Then, as there always has been, there was a remnant accord- ing to the election of grace, who did not bow the knee to Baal, and who were kept in the faith and love of the truth. Those doctrines which have been also called by way of distinction Calvin- istic, because they were more methodi- cally arranged by John Calvin, whose name they bear, than they had pre- viously been, and were more clearly and ably expounded by that wonderful man than by others — a man so great, so learned, so wise, and yet so good that his equal has not appeared in the Church since the days of Paul — were the doc- trines taught from the word of God by all the Reformers, and were almost uni- versally received by the friends of the Redeemer who lived in those days. Luther and Calvin agreed substantially 2 14 on all matters of faith, excepting as to the manner of the presence of Christ in the sacrament, and as to the divine inspi- ration of some parts of the Scriptures. Luther taught the doctrine of God's sovereignty, of the divine decrees, of predestination and election, of original sin, of salvation through grace, of justi- fication by faith alone, of the influences of the Spirit on the hearts of sinners in their regeneration and sanctification, and of the perseverance of the saints, as ful- ly, as explicitly, as boldly, and as con- stantly as Calvin did. He did not con- sider these doctrines dangerous, and of pernicious tendency — neither did he re- gard them as mere abstract speculations with which the people of God have no- thing to do. They were the sum and sub- stance of the Gospel which he preached, and which God was pleased so remarka- bly to bless to the salvation of many souls. 15 It may, perhaps, surprise some, to find these doctrines prominent in all the writings of Luther — expressed at large and without reserve — when it is known that so few of those who are now called by his name, as a distinct religious de- nomination, agree with him. We may add, also, that these same doctrines which have been so much spoken against, which are regarded with so much pre- judice by many, are contained in the Confessions of Faith of most of the lead- ing Protestant Evangelical Churches which have been formed since the Re- formation. They are set forth and ex- pressed as explicitly and strongly, in the Articles of Faith and in the Homilies of the Church of England, in the Doctrinal Standards of the Reformed Churches of Holland and of their descendants, as they are in the Confession of Faith and Catechisms of the Westminister Assem- 16 bly of Divines, and which are the com- mon and publicly-expressed Standards of Faith in all Presbyterian Churches in Great Britain and in the United States. If there be any peculiarity in the Pres- byterian Church on this subject, it is not in having thosa doctrines in our Con- fession, and in our professing to believe them, but in our openly preaching and maintaining them. We have no desire to keep our faith of them a secret, nor to withhold them from the people. We feel bound, as honest men, and as commissioned preachers of the Gospel, to declare the whole counsel of God, whether men will hear or whether they will forbear. We dare not keep back any of that Scripture which has been given by inspiration of God, and which is profitable for doctrine — for reproof — for correction — for instruction in righteousness. Neither do we feel 17 any desire to suppress any part of that truth by which God has made himself known, and through the knowledge of which alone, men can be saved. We do not preach it reluctantly, nor by constraint, but willingly, as that through which God is glorified and his people sanctified. We must know God as he is, and we must know of his purposes, of his judgments, and of the methods of his grace, or we cannot know whether we love him, and cordially approve of him as our God. We must also understand the nature of His salvation, and be ac- quainted with the way in which He be- stows it, or we cannot know whether we desire it ; nor can we seek after it intelligently. It has been objected by some, even of those who had professed their faith in these doctrines, that the preaching of them would not be for edification, inas- 2* 18 much as many would be offended at them. But this is only in confirmation of the Scripture which saith that the carnal mind is enmity against God; and that the preaching of Christ cruci- fied, as the only ordinance of God for the salvation of sinners, is a stumbling- block and foolishness. To suppress them for such, or for any reasons, would be to take unwarrantable liberty with the Word of God, and a presumptuous at- tempt to remove the offence of the cross. We believe that we have no such dis- cretion ; but are solemnly bound to be consistent and faithful, to speak as we think, to do as we profess. Besides, if we attempt to please men, we cannot be the servants of God, nor expect his blessing. We know that the wisdom of God is wiser than men. He employs means adapted to the end which they are intended to accomplish. He will 19 bless his own truth, and will make it efficacious to humble, purify and save men ; but not the inventions of human wisdom. Nor can these effects be pro- duced, without a knowledge of the whole truth. If men are, in their hearts, op- posed to the truth, and will not hear sound doctrine ; if they cannot renounce self; yield their own judgments, wills and prejudices to the teaching of God's spirit ; if they are not willing that God should be God — supreme, sovereign and absolute — a just God and a Saviour — we ought not to attempt to deceive them respecting the state of their hearts; nor should they conceal from themselves the melancholy fact that they are unbeliev- ers, have not the love of God in them, and will not have Christ to reign over them. Surely, the sooner they learn to know themselves as not subject to the law of God, the better. We have been 20 commissioned to make known the God of the Bible, as possessing those attri- butes and exercising those prerogatives which are peculiar and essential to him; and also the plan of salvation through Jesus Christ, in whom his people were " chosen before the foundation of the world, that they might be holy and with- out blame before him in love, and who was manifested in these last times for them who by him believe in God." If any are saved, it must be through him, for his is the only name given, under heaven, among men whereby we can be saved. They must be saved ; not in a way of their own fancy or choice, and which would gratify their pride, but ac- cording to the will of God ; not by works of righteousness which they have done, but according to his mercy, according to his purpose and grace, by the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy 21 Ghost. We are sent to publish the re- cord which has been committed to us : " that God has given us eternal life, and that this life is in his Son, and that this is eternal life, to know Him who is the only living and true God, and Jesus Christ whom he hath sent." Thus, in teaching our people all which we be- lieve, and in giving them a reason of the hope that is in us, we act under com- mission, and with a desire to promote the salvation of their souls. If, in doing so, we give oifence, we regret it; but we cannot do otherwise than speak the truth ; and we will constantly remind those who are offended, that their quar- rel is not with us, but with God, whose truth we endeavor to speak in love. But the distinctive peculiarity of the Presbyterian Church, as such, is to be found in her forms of worship, and in the principles of her government. These 22 we believe to be also in accordance with the Word of God, and derived immedi- ately from the Scriptures. They are as nearly in conformity with the simple, unadorned and unostentatious worship which was instituted by the Apostles, under the New Testament dispensation, as they can be under our different cir- cumstances. Our mode of public prayer, in a standing position, and of praise, with Psalms and Hymns, and spiritual songs, in which the whole congregation join — of reading and expounding the Scrip- tures throughout, and of administering the two only sacraments which have been instituted by the Great Head of the Church, of Baptism and the Lord's Supper — are authorized by the usage of the disciples, and by the express com- mands of our Saviour and his Apostles. The great Protestant principle, and which is held as fundamental by Pres- 23 byterians, is, that God alone is Lord of the conscience, " and hath left it free from the doctrine and commandments of men which are in anything contrary to his Word, or beside it in matters of faith and worship." " There is one God and one Me- diator between God and man — the man Christ Jesus." No being intervenes, or can interpose between us and that Me- diator. We have immediate and direct access to Immanuel. As Jehovah incar- nate, he comes down to us, and brings us nigh unto him. He is our only Con- fessor, Teacher, Guide, Counsellor, Sa- viour, Friend and Portion. No enact- ments of the Church, whose power is only ministerial and declarative; no eccle- siastical legislation ; no decrees of coun- cils; no priesthood; no Hierarchy; no Pope, nor creature of the State, can come between us and Jesus Christ, to debar us from his presence, cut us off 24 from our interest in him, and from our communion with him. This simple truth, when comprehended and appreciated, lifts us above tyranny and oppression, whether civil or ecclesiastical, and gives us a place among the free. It is the germ of all true liberty. The knowledge and faith of it have effected a far greater change in the moral character of those who have embraced it, than climate has ever effected in the physical character of the races of the human family, and one by which they may be as distinctly marked in their history. The men who have lived in the light of this doctrine, have stood erect like men. They could never be made to bow to arbitrary hu- man authority; they were subject to every ordinance of God, while they breathed the air of heaven and had their conversation there. It was for this the Covenanters of Scotland contended so 25 long and so nobly. It was their know- ledge of this truth wiiich made them what they were — which raised them so far above the world, and placed them so far in advance of their cotemporaries, as it regarded their views of truth, integ- rity, human rights, civil and religious liberty. They have received the por- tion in this world which our Saviour de- clared must be expected by his faithful followers — hatred, persecution and trib- ulation. They were hunted like wild beasts, and down-trodden, while they lived, and have been caricatured and ridiculed since their death ; still, in Christ they had peace. Their testimony and example remain as a monument in honor of their memory and of their attain- ments through grace, more durable than brass. The same is true of the Puritans of England, who have been, in some quar- 3 26 ters, as much abused as the Covenant- ers ; but who have been also most ably and eloquently defended by those who could appreciate their character, as men to whom, under God, this nation and the world owe so much. It was their im- mediate, direct and constant intercourse with God, which made them wise, in- trepid and mighty in the truth ; indiffer- ent to the honors, riches and pleasures of the world ; grave in their whole de- portment; faithful, upright and consci- entiously sincere in all their intercourse ; cool and collected under every emergen- cy; determined, persevering and daunt- less, in the accomplishment of their pur- pose; calm and tranquil, peaceful and happy in their death. We give men the Scriptures, as con- taining the only infallible rule of faith and practice; to be diligently searched by every individual; to be received and 27 obeyed on the authority of God ; to be interpreted according to the analogy of faith, comparing Scripture with Scrip- ture, under the teaching of the Holy Spirit. This is the method, as we be- lieve, by which God intends graciously to restore man, and elevate him to his true dignity, as an intelligent, moral and responsible being. We have the ordinary officers which are mentioned in the New Testament, and all which were intended to be perma- nent in the Church, but no more. God has mercifully preserved us from error, from innovation and corruption in this respect also. We do not believe that the Church has been left without a Head, nor do we belong to a Church without a Head — far from it — but we believe that her glorious Head is in heaven. To this headship of the Church we hold, and can acknowledge no other j nor can we be- 28 lieve that the Lord Jesus Christ has left any other vicar on earth besides the Holy Spirit, whom he promised to send, and whom he did send, to supply the absence of his human nature, which the heavens must receive, until the time of the resti- tution of all things. We, therefore, look upon it as worse than mockery, as an impious and presumptuous usurpation, for man to affect, in any form, to act as the Head of the Church, or to perform the office of the Holy Spirit. The Lord Jesus Christ has left authority, and es- tablished government in his Church, but it is executive merely. The names, qual- ifications and duties of those who are to bear rule in his house, and the manner in which they are to be inducted into office, are all mentioned in the Scrip- tures, and are adopted by us as our guide in these matters. The Apostles were extraordinary offi- 29 eers, and as such had no successors. It was essential to the office of an Apostle that the incumbent should have seen the Lord — that he might testify to his resurrection as an eye-witness. To qualify Saul of Tarsus to become an Apostle, a special miracle was wrought. Jesus actually appeared to him. Be- sides, the Apostles were enabled to per- form miracles by which to confirm their divine commission. They could not, therefore, have successors; nor was it necessary that they should have, except as they were Presbyters and Ministers of Christ. That they were such, they themselves declare. Even Peter, who has been made to father all the abomi- nations of Rome, says, " the Elders I ex- hort who am also an Elder," a co-presby- ter, with you; and the Apostle John styles himself " the Elder to the elect lady" in his Epistle. We read in the New 3* 30 Testament of Bishops who had the over- sight, the watch and care of a particular Church or Churches, and who performed the duties of a Pastor to them, but not of Bishops over the Ministers in a cer- tain district. The Lord Jesus Christ is the great shepherd and bishop over Min- isters and people. The Bishops spoken of in the Scriptures are Presbyters. Every reader of the New Testament knows that the terms Bishop and Pres- byter are convertible. They are used interchangeably to designate the same officers, who were required to possess the same qualifications, and who were ordained in the same manner. Paul, writing to Titus, says, i., 5, that he had left him in Crete, to ordain Elders, Pres- byters, (more than one,) in every city, as he had appointed him ; and then de- scribes the character of those who might be ordained, verse 6: " If any be blame- 31 less, the husband of one wife, having faith- ful children not accused of riot or un- ruly/' and gives as a reason for this caution in selecting candidates, what follows in the next verse, " For a Bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God," &c, thus evidently identifying the office of Presbyter and Bishop. By comparing this passage with what is written in 1 Tim. iii., 1, it will be perceived that the same qualifications which are enu- merated as essential to the office of a Bishop, are those which are here named as necessary to the office of a Presbyter. Another instance of the interchangeable use of these terms we have in the well- known passage in Acts xx., 17-28. Paul sent for the Elders, the Presbyters, of the Church of Ephesus to meet him at Mile- turn, and enjoined them, among other things, to take heed to all the flock over which the Holy Ghost had made them 32 overseers, Bishops, to feed the Church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood ; but we need not enlarge on this point. We read, also, of Ruling Elders, who do not labor in the word and doctrine, 1 Tim. v., 17, but who, as helps, have authority to govern in the Church, tak- ing the oversight of the flock in connec- tion with the Pastor, having no authority as such to preach, administer the sacra- ments, nor to ordain. And we read of Deacons who were appointed, not to preach — not as a distinct order of the ministry, nor to hold an office which is to be a stepping-stone to a higher or- der—but as officers who were to manage the temporal affairs of the Church; to have the care of the poor, and to dis- pense to them the charities of the Church. They were appointed expressly to re- lieve the Preachers of the Gospel from the 33 duty of serving tables, and to enable those who were Preachers to give them- selves " continually to prayer and the Ministry of the Word/' Acts vi., 1-4. Besides these, we acknowledge no other permanent officers nor titles of office in the Church, because we do not find them in the Word of God, which is our only directory. There were Evangelists, as we also ordain Missionaries, without charge for special services in the Church ; but they belong to the same order of Minis- ters of the Gospel, among whom there is a perfect parity, according to the com- mand of Christ, Mat. xx., 25-28. We require the same qualifications in those whom we ordain to these offi- ces, and the performance of the same duties which belong to them respective- ly, as are specified in the Scriptures. And they are ordained to office, not by a Diocesan Bishop, because there is no 34 such officer named in the New Testa- ment. There is no account of any one who ever exercised such an office. We do not find the qualifications of such an officer enumerated, nor his duties de- fined. We therefore have no such officer in our system ; we do not believe in him. Nor is ordination performed by the people, the body of believers. They have no such power, and cannot confer it on others. There is no instance on record, in the New Testament, in which the people exercised that power. The power and commission to preach the Gospel, administer the sacraments and govern the Church, was not given to the people merely as worshipers, but to the Church, to be exercised by her officers. It comes from above, and is descending ; it comes from the Lord Jesus Christ, and is delegated to those whom he has de- signated as officers in his Church, and 35 through and by them is it to be imparted to others. The error of those (for I con- sider it an error and an abandonment of Presbyterianism) who reverse this order, and teach that the people are the source of this power, and that it is ascending in its nature, arises, as it appears to me, from their putting asunder what God has inseparably joined together, viz., the body of the people and the officers who are to rule over them. They speak of the Church as distinct from, and in op- position to, the officers of the Church, whereas the Church includes her officers and her Head. Through a fear, as it would seem, of being charged with hold- ing the odious doctrine of succession, they destroy the unity of the Church, divide her into ten thousand indepen- dent fragments which may spring up anywhere like mushrooms, having no connection with any that have gone be- 36 fore them, or that co-exist with them, or that shall come after them; and they subvert the order of Christ's house, leav- ing these independent societies without a Head and without a government, ex- cept as they may be created by them- selves. From an examination of the Scriptures, we cannot find that there ever has been a Church without a Min- istry. There can be no Church where the Word and sacraments are not admin- istered, and these can be administered by an ordained Ministry only. There have been congregations without Pastors, but they belonged to the Church which had a Ministry. We learn, also, that under the New Testament dispensation, the Ministry was before the Church, in the order of nature and of time; but was given to the Church for her edifica- tion. Now it is as easy for God to pre- serve a succession of Ministers, as it is 37 to preserve a succession of believers; and it is matter of history that he has done so* As the Church has been pre- served through all the changes of time, through all the revolutions of empires, and through all the persecutions of the infuriated world, so has her Ministry been preserved. With them is lodged the power of ordination — of inducting suitable men into the Ministry as their coadjutors and successors. This may be called the doctrine of succession, but it is a very different doctrine from that which teaches that there has been a succession of Popes or an unbroken chain of individual Bishops, ordained after a particular form, who have transmitted, in one line, a certain subtle, mysterious in- fluence and authority, the exercise of which is essential to the validity of all religious administrations, and to salva- tion. It is the doctrine of the succession 4 38 or preservation of the Church, in fulfill- ment of the promise that " the gates of hell shall never prevail against her/' and that the Lord Jesus Christ will be present with her always, even unto the end. It is to maintain "that God cannot lie/ 5 and that the Scriptures cannot be broken, He has appointed offices to be executed by a dis- tinct class and a separate order of men* To fill those offices, persons were or- dained by the Apostles, with an injunc- tion to ordain others. On them rests the responsibility of looking out and training up others, and with them is lodged the power of ordaining them. "The things that thou hast heard of me," says Paul to Timothy, "among many wit- nesses, the same commit thou to faithful men who shall be able to teach others also'' 2 Tim. ii. 2. It may be asked, Have the people no voice ? have they no rights ? Unquestionably ; they elect their own 39 officers, they choose their own Pastors, and no one can be placed over them, in the Lord, without their consent ; yet their spiritual Rulers and Teachers must be inducted into office by the existing Ministry, just as it was in the case of the Deacons of whose appointment we have an account in the Acts vi., 5, 6. The people were required to make the selec- tion of suitable persons ; the choice was left entirely to them : but after they had been thus designated and elected by the people, the Apostles ordained them; and as it is in a manner in our civil affairs, the people elect their own officers, but they do not invest them with office. They are inducted into office and clothed with the authority of it, by the existing government. Our Ministers are ordained by the laying on of the hands of the Presby- tery. 1 Tim. iv., 14: " Neglect not 40 the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery." Ruling Elders and Deacons are ordained by the Pastor of the Church in which they are to serve. Thus it appears that our govern- ment is not monarchical ; it is not administered by a single individual i it cannot, therefore, be despotic nor arbitrary. It is not aristocratical ; the power is not placed in the hands of a ew self-constituted officers, who act in- dependently of the people, who are under no responsibility to them, who may perpetuate themselves, and from whose decision there is no appeal. The Pastor and the officers of particular Churches are not chosen by their prede- cessors, nor are they placed over congre- gations in an arbitrary manner by the Presbytery, but are regularly called by 41 the people. Every member of the Church has an equal privilege in this respect, having a voice in the election of those who are to be over him in the Lord. Here we may notice the salutary check which the Presbytery and the people mutually hold upon each other. If, on the one hand, the people should, at will, ordain their own minister, who would be accountable for his doctrine and life to them only, the greatest abuses might be practiced, under the garb of religion. They might be influenced by the most unworthy motives, in the se- lection of an individual to become their Pastor; and if he could succeed to render himself acceptable — if he should become popular, on account of his talents, style of writing, or eloquence, he might preach his own speculations instead of the Gos- pel, or himself instead of Christ, and his conduct be connived at notwithstanding. 4* 42 He might privily introduce error, and seduce the people from the simplicity that is in Christ, and yet they would sustain him. This is matter of history. In this way men have " brought in damna- ble heresy, even denying the Lord that bought them/' and have corrupted some of the fairest portions of God's heritage. In some instances, also, the grossest im- moralities have been countenanced by a people, in their favorite Preacher. We are told expressly, that those who have itching ears, who are actuated by a spirit of self-pleasing, will, after their own lusts, heap to themselves Teachers. On the other hand, if the Presbytery should, at will, ordain persons who had not been tried by the Churches, who had never been called to the work of the Ministry by any of the people of God, they might add indefinitely to their own number, and burden the Churches. They 43 would destroy the balance of power in the Presbytery, which is now equally divided between the Ministers and the Ruling Elders, who are the representa- tives of the people ; and whenever the people are not represented in Church courts, and where their will is not con- sulted, there may they expect to be Priest-ridden and oppressed. Nor is our government a pure Democra- cy ; it is constitutional ; it is uniform, ac- cording to fixed principles ; and it is or- derly subject to the authority of the one great Head of the Church. We have laws, with their sanctions and officers, by whom they are to be executed, and who are clothed with power to preserve the purity and peace of the Church. It is, in many respects, analogous and most congenial to the free and happy civil government under which we live, and may, with propriety, be called a 44 Representative Republican Government, under which there is no respect of per- sons. It is the same form of government which was established in the primitive Churches, and we know, from history ,that it is the same which the Reformers es- tablished, wherever circumstances per- mitted them to do so, and which they intended to establish in all the Churches which were, through their instrumental- ity, delivered from the darkness, idolatry and abominations of Popery. Luther, Calvin and Knox, with their coadjutors, were all Presbyterians. They were of one mind on this subject, as well as of one spirit, and designed to establish a uniform government in the Church, as they did set forth a uniform faith. The continuation of Prelacy in England was owing entirely to the circumstances under which the Reformation was intro- duced into that country. The civil gov- 45 ernment was monarchical, analogous and most friendly to which is Prelacy. The reigning monarch at the time, who had received from the Pope the title of '"Defender of the Faith/ 5 as a re- ward for the book he had written in Latin against Luther, found it afterwards convenient and desirable, in order to accomplish certain domestic arrange- ments, to have himself acknowledged the Head of the Church, instead of, and in opposition to, the Pope at Rome, with whom he had quarreled. Henry VIII., that he might be divorced from one wife, and married to another — and, without having changed his reli- gious sentiments — was accordingly so proclaimed, and therefore it was that the English Church only exchanged one Pope for another. At the present time their sovereign Queen is the Head of their Church, as her predecessors have 46 been. The Reformation there was check- ed, and the government of the Church was continued much in the same form as it had been under the Pope, being admin- istered by the same Bishops who, until then, had adhered to Rome, and many of whom were still in heart Papists, as some of their successors have been ever since. Those who were truly Protes- tants, and who cordially embraced the doctrines of the Reformation, petitioned and labored hard for the Presbyterian form of Church government. They com- plained and remonstated against the ob- jectionable forms and usages which were retained during successive reigns, until, by cruel acts of conformity, attempts at coercion and bloody persecutions, they were driven from their native land, some to the continent of Europe, and others to these shores where God had prepared an asylum for them. Now we say 47 it is matter of thankfulness that the Presbyterian Church has been preserved from changes, innovations and corrup- tions in her doctrine, government and usages, to bear her testimony to the truth. She is the same in these respects now, that she was in the days of the Reformation, and in the days of the Apostles. By her primitive simplicity, and the form of her constitution, she is peculiarly adapted to be a most useful and efficient agent in the preservation and propagation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, among all classes of persons, and in all time. She has no outward attractions nor imposing forms, and never has had ; her worship is without pomp or show, and, as we believe on that account, more solemn and spiritual, and less liable to abuse. Where people are attracted by the out- ward circumstances of religious worship, 48 and where they can unite in it without preparation and without an effort of the mind— without the exercise of the heart and of the affections, as is the case where written forms are used — they are in great danger of deceiving themselves with a name to live, of trusting in the forms of godliness, of indulging in a self* righteous spirit, of feeling self-complacen- cy, and of crying peace when there is no peace. It is a cheap and easy way of quieting conscience, and of keeping upon good terms with ourselves. At the same time we do not say that it is necessarily so — by no means — we know it is not — - we only say that it is peculiarly liable to this abuse. There can be no better organization than ours for the promotion of educa- tion and the improvement of the con- dition of men — for the diffusion of in- telligence, the preservation of the pub- 49 lie morals, the elevation of the standard of piety, nor for the preaching of the Gospel to every creature, than this which God has given us. It is fully compe- tent to every benevolent operation, and wherever it has been faithfully admin- istered and fully carried into effect, it has been proved efficient to accomplish these important objects. The Ministers of the Presbyterian Church have, for the most part, been pious, educated and devoted men, and have contributed their full proportion of labor and influence to the cause of education and to the work of spreading the Gospel. No branch of the Church has done more for the establishment of schools and the diffusion of know- ledge, for the instruction of youth and of the members of her communion. Those who have been educated under her care, who have had the advantage 5 50 of her Catechetical instruction in the family and in the sanctuary, who regu- larly hear the Scriptures expounded and applied, unless they have been most cul- pably inattentive and negligent, will be found intelligent on the most important subjects of their duty, familiarly ac- quainted with their Bibles and with the great principles of the Reformation. The influence of this system, in the formation of character, may be learned from the spirit which has characterized those who have embraced it. They have ever been the advocates of human rights, of freedom in all its forms, and of the largest liberty. They have cherish- ed and inculcated enlarged views of all those great practical subjects which have agitated society, and which affect human happiness, and the most liberal principles of action and of intercourse. Hence, they have, in every country and in every 51 age, as a denomination generally, been true patriots, loyal to the government under which they lived, and supporters of the laws and of the constitution by which they were bound. In the history of the changes and revolutions which have oc- curred in the nations among whom their lot has been cast, they have ever been found resisting oppression by all lawful means, maintaining the cause of truth and righteousness, and contending for liberty of conscience. They have been charged, but most unjustly, with bigotry and with too great rigor in adhering to their doctrine and discipline. No religious sect has been, nor is any evangelical denomination of Christians at this moment, so Catholic as Presbyterians are in their spirit, in their judgment of Christian character, and in their practice as it respects hold- ing communion with the members of 52 other denominations whom they consider to be united to Christ, the living Head. They are candid, frank and honest, and desire to be consistent, which may give them the appearance, to some, of exclu- siveness, but it is the appearance only. They require of those who are to be- come her permanent members — who are to be regularly admitted into her com- munion — and to remain as constituent parts of her family — an acquaintance with her doctrines, and an approbation of them, as well as evidence of piety — and they require of those who seek to be ordained as her Ministers or officers, a cordial adoption of her public stand- ards. To pursue a different course, could not be for peace or edification. They owe it to themselves — to the truth — and to their living Head to be loyal. But they do not judge nor denounce those 53 who differ from them — they leave all to stand or fall to their own master. They accord to all cheerfully that which they ask for themselves, liberty of conscience. They feel a strong preference for their own peculiar system — they have em- braced it from a conviction of its excel- lence, and of its conformity to the Word of God — but they do not regard the adoption of it as essential to salvation. Neither have they any desire to obtrude it or to impose it upon others as the con- dition of salvation. We might say much of the salutary influence of this system on individual character, and on the morals of the community in those countries where it has been received and appreciated — but we forbear. What we have said of it has not been in a spirit of boasting, but from a sense of duty to God and man — to testify to its divine 5* 54 origin, and to the kind interposition of Providence for its preservation. We are aware that the adherence of numbers to a system is not in itself evi- dence of its truth or excellence. The mere fact that a society holding certain sen- timents is numerous, is no evidence in itself that they have the truth, or that they are approved of God. The wicked have hitherto outnumbered the right- eous in our world — false religions have had more votaries than the true — im- postors have numbered more followers than the divinely commissioned Teachers of God. But when a system is open to examination and investigation — attend- ing which there is no concealment — when it has stood the test of strong op- position and of violent persecutions — when it has other evidence of a divine origin, and can record palpable tokens 55 of the divine approbation — then its having been embraced by many intelli- gent minds in different parts of the globe during successive centuries — and its be- ing still embraced by numbers who can all testify to its salutary influence, entitles it to our confidence. We think we have in the nature of this system, and in the character of its doc- trines,evidence that it came from God, and that, in the history of its preservation, we have evidence of divine interposition. It is not a system formed to please men, to flatter their pride, nor is it lax and indulgent, conniving at sin ; but it is in- tended to save men from their sins, and, therefore, does it lay the axe at the root of them all — self must be denied and re- nounced — pride must be mortified and humbled. Those who embrace it are required to become fools for Christ, to consent to be esteemed so by others, and 56 to acknowledge that they know nothing as they ought to know T until they learn of him that they have no righteous- ness, and can never establish any of their own — that they are not sufficient of themselves so much as to think any- thing of themselves — that they must be saved by grace and remain forever un- profitable servants. Would the human mind ever have invented such a system of doctrine and of religion, in which there is no self-pleasing and from which all boasting of man is taken away, and all glorying of the flesh is effectually and forever excluded ? or would the carnal mind in its unchanged state ever embrace it? We can account from natural causes for the preservation of those systems which teach that men can obtain salvation by their own works — that, to be a member of the visible Church, and to give alms will entitle to 57 a place in heaven. Men will cheerful- ly submit to the greatest privations, and make any sacrifices if, by so doing, they can quiet conscience and, as they ima- gine, make out a title to eternal life. This is the secret of the success of false Teachers. They allow their followers to act from a principle of self-pleasing — to be seen of men to gain the reputation of eminent piety and the respect which appertains to it. They teach that pen- ance is the price of absolution — that working is the procuring cause of future blessedness — thus pride is not mortified, but cherished, and the sinner feels him- self a debtor to no one but himself. Such is not the doctrine of Christ ; ac- cording to his teaching there is no pro- mise of saintship, nor of Eiysian fields in the future world, as the reward of meritorious personal acts performed here, or of mortifications and sacrifices 58 self-imposed. All hope of obtaining justi- fication by the works of the law is cut off. The sinner must condemn himself and give God the glory — he must become a debtor to his rich and sovereign grace — he must live by faith and not by sight, and, therefore, must be operated upon by an influence more powerful than can be exerted by human motives to make the sacrifice. Hence, we believe that the Presbyterian Church has been pre- served by the influence of the Spirit of God on the hearts of men, making them willing in the day of his power to deny themselves as it regards pride, self-con- fidence and self-righteousness, and to take up their cross and to follow Christ. It is thus he has graciously continued a succession of Ministers and Elders in her, and added to her members. He has, at times, so manifested his presence and his saving power in the conversion of 59 multitudes, that disinterested and com- petent witnesses were constrained to testify to the reality and greatness of the work, saying, It is the Lord. But for such times of refreshing, the Presby- terian, and every branch of the true Church of Christ, would long ere this have become extinct. There are seasons of revival in which numbers are brought under deep and pungent convictions of sin — are led cor- dially to embrace the peculiar doctrines of grace, and to rest upon Christ alone for salvation ; and when the subjects of this gracious influence exhibit in their lives an entire change of character — - a change of spirit, of nature and habits. The Spirit of God comes not in the mighty wind, nor in the earthquake, nor in the fire, but in the still small voice of the Gospel. He descends like the dew and like the rain, to secure the preservation 60 of the Church in this world, which, un- der all the circumstances of the case, is a greater miracle than any of those re- corded in the Bible. In the next place, I wish to show you that we have just cause of gratitude to God for his preservation of and gra- cious dealings with this Church, of which we are the members and few remaining representatives, but must reserve this part of our subject to be considered this afternoon, when I propose, by leave of Providence, to give a brief history of the First Presbyterian Church in this city. In the meanwhile, let us learn to appre- ciate our privileges and to improve them. We have an open Bible and liberty of conscience. We may all have access to God, through Jesus Christ without let or hindrance. Let us, through grace, exhibit in our lives the legitimate fruits of the Gospel. 61 Let us hold it fast, and transmit it pure and unadulterated, giving glory to God in the highest, that he has been pleased to make known the terms of peace on earth and his good will to men. DISCOURSE II DISCOURSE II Text.— Psalm cxxiv. 1-3,— is the religion which it teaches purer and holier than that of our Fathers ? Are the forms of its worship more Scriptural or more spiritual than theirs ? Is it a system of truth more efficacious to pre- pare us for death and for heaven, than that which we have been taught by our Fathers ? Is it one which will cause us to hate sin more — to love and practice holiness more perfectly ? which will 118 more effectually change our spirits, im- prove our hearts, and reform our lives ? which will make us more truly humble — more sincerely and devoutly pious ? which will constrain us more powerfully to renounce the world, the flesh, and the devil, and will enable us to serve God with more simplicity, fidelity and godly sincerity ? which will cause us to love his truth, his ordinances, and his king- dom more, and to abound more in all good works, to the honor and glory of His name ? If so, let us embrace it anywhere, and under any name. But if not, why should we renounce our faith, repudiate the validity of the ministrations of the Church which God has honored ? within the pale of which we were born, within whose precincts we were sol- emnly dedicated to God, and taught to worship Him only ? Rather let us abide 119 in the precious and endearing Church relations into which God, in his Provi- dence, has brought us, cherishing a sense of our present and constant dependence on Him ; and supplicating the continu- ance of his favor. We declare this day, publicly before God and the world, that we hold the same faith which has been professed and proclaimed in this Church from its commencement. We desire to reiterate our sincere, devout and fervent supplications, that this house may ever be used exclusively for the pure and holy worship of the One only living and true God; that the peculiar doc- trines of divine revelation, as received by the Presbyterian Church, may con- tinue to be believed, faithfully preached and inculcated here ; and that the dis- pensation of them may be attended with the demonstration of the Spirit, and with divine and saving power. That we, with 120 our children and their successive gene- rations, may here assemble from time to time in honor of Jehovah, to receive the bread and water of life, so abun- dantly provided by the great Head of the Church; that multitudes may here be brought to the knowledge and ac- knowledgment of the truth, according to godliness, be preserved in the unity of the Spirit, and in the bonds of peace, walking in faith, and hope, and joy, through their union with Him who is the resurrection and the life; whose de- light and privilege it shall be, to be act- ively and successfully engaged in the work of winning souls, until all the ran- somed of the Lord shall be gathered into his fold, and time shall be no more. THE END. VALUABLE BOOKS PUBLISHED BY I CARTER, 58 CANAL STREET, N. Y., AND 56 MARKET STREET, PITTSBURG. f 1 HORNE'S INTRODUCTION. A.n Introduction to the Critical Study and Knowledge of the Holy Scrip- tures. By Thomas Hartwell Home, B.D. New Edition, corrected and enlarged. Illustrated with numerous Maps and Fac-similes of Biblical Manuscripts. 2 vols, imperial 3vo. Price only $3 50. "Mr. Carter has issued an edition of Home's Introduction, which he offers at the astonishingly low price of S3 50 — for the two volumes ! Truly the scholar's millen- ium has well nigh come. Those who have paid twenty dollars for it, in four vol- umes, will hardly understand by what process such a massive work can be so cheap- ly furnished. It is a reprint from the last London edition, with Dr. Home's latest additions and corrections, containing all the maps and illustrative engravings. " To commend Home's Introduction to the clergy or other students of the sacred oracles, would be 'carrying coals to Newcastle.' It has long been regarded as an indispensable work for a theological library, and has acquired among Biblical scho- lars — at least English scholars — a deservedly high repute. It is a work of gigantic labour. The results of the research and erudition of Biblical scholars of all coun- tries, and in all time, are faithfully garnered, and, on the whole, well digested." — N. Y. Evangelist. D'AUBIGNE'S REFORMATION. Authorized edition. THE ISRAEL OF GOD. A Series of Practical Sermons. By Stephen H. Tyng, D.D , Rector of St. George's Church, New-York l.vol. Svo. Price $1 00. "The fair sheet on which they are printed, with its wide margin and handsome type, attracts and pleases the eye ; while the Scripture truth and holy sentiment which glow through their transparent style, delight and improve the heart. The subjects are all of an eminently spiritual character, relating to the new birth, and the sanctification of the soul. They are treated with no effort for the display of talent, but with a manifest and most earnest desire to do good. The diction is pol- ished and slightly embellished, ranging between the neat and elegant ; the method is always clear, and the argument cogent." — Recorder. ANCIENT HISTORY. Containing the History of Egyptians, Assyrians, Chaldeans, Medes, Lydi- ans, Carthagenians, Persians, Macedonians, the Selueida? in Syria, and Parthians, from Rollin and other authentic sources, both ancient and modem. Republished from the work of the London Religious Tract Society. 4 vols. 12mo. Price only $2 00. " This history is not a servile copy from any other, but has a delightful freshness about it, the borrowed parts being re-written, and cast into a new form, on such ^principles of selection and arrangement, as favour perspicuity, and assist the me- mory. Instead of being lost in a chaos of materials, the reader is carried along in a plain path through wefl assorted and happily adjusted facts, cheered by a vivacity which keeps him interested. God is not excluded from the world which he created, nor is his interposition in the affairs of men overlooked. For common use we think it deserves to supersede all that have gone before \U" —Portland Christ. Mirror. It. CARTER'S PUBLICATIONS. CHALMERS' ROMANS. Lectures on the Epistle of Paul to the Romans. By Thomas Chalmers, D.D. and LL.D. 1 vol. 8vo. Fourth Thousand. Price $1 50. " Of the Theological writers, who have written in our language, and belong to this generation, Dr. Chalmers is unquestionably the strongest. It will gratify many that so able a writer, and so just a Theologian, has given the world an analysis of this Epistle. It is written in the terse and manly style of the author, but with no infla- tion of words or fancy. It is written also with great candour, and with no display of controversial argument." — Daily Chronicle. CHALMERS' SERMO N S.— COMPLETE. The entire Sermons and Discourses of Thomas Chalmers, D.D., &c. in 2 vols. 8vo. — uniform with his " Lectures on the Romans." Nearly one-half of this work has never before been published in this country. Price $2 50. CHALMERS' NATURAL THEOLOGY. 2 vols. 12mo. Price only $1 00. ^F* This Work has been introduced as a Text Book into the University of New- York, and several other institutions of a similar kind. " The reputation of Dr. Chalmers stands high— too high to be affected by the opinions of ordinary men. As a literary man and a man of science — as a Christian and a Theologian — as a profound thinker and powerful writer — as an expositor of fundamental truth in Divinity and philosophy, and a practical man in the various departments of Christian labour — he has no superior. — Boston Recorder. CHALMERS' EVIDENCES OF CHRISTIANITY. The miraculous and internal evidences of the Christian Revelation, and the authority of its records. By Thomas Chalmers, D.D. and LL.D. 2 vols. 12mo. Price $1 00 HORNE'S COMMENTARY ON THE PSALMS. With an Introductory Essay by the Rev. Edward Irving. Price $1 50. DAVIES' SERMONS. Sermons on Important Subjects. By the Rev. Samuel Davies, A.M., President of the College of New Jersey. With an Essay on the Life and Times of the Author. By Albert Barnes. Stereotype edition, con- taining all the Author's Sermons ever published. 3 vols. Price $1 50. BROWN'S LARGE CATECHISM. An Easy, plain, practical and extensive explication of the Assembly's Shorter Catechism. By John Brown, late Minister of the Gospel at Haddington. 1 vol. 12mo. Price 63 cents. THE HISTORY OF THE CHURCH OF SCOTLAND. From the earliest date down to the present time, containing a full and graphic description of the Disruption in 1843. By the Rev. W. M Hetherington, author of "The Minister's Family," " History of the Westminster Assembly of Divines," &c. 1 vol. 8vo. Price $1 50. OWEN ON SPIRITUAL MINDEDNESS. The Grace and Duty of being Spiritually Minded. By John Owen, D.D. 1 vol. 12mo. Price only 38 cents. 2 R. CARTER'S PUBLICATIONS. WORKS OF THE REV. JOHN NEWTON. Containing an Authentic Narrative, &c. ; Letters on Religious Subjects, Cardiphonia, Discourses intended £ur the Pulpit, Sermons preached in the Parish of Ohiey, A Review of Ecclesiastical History, Olney Hymns, Poems, Messiah, Occasional Sermons, and Tracts. To which are prefixed Memoirs of his Life, by the Rev. Richard Cecil, A.M. 2 vols. 8vo. Price $2 50. WORKS OF THE REY- RICHARD CECIL. 3 vols. 12mo. Price $2 00 Contents: Vol. I. Sermons— Vol. II. Mis- cellanies — Vol. III. Remains. «♦ It is not easy to say whether these works discover the finer mind or heart ; but certain it is that they unite both in a very uncommon degree. Cecil was one of the most gifted and heavenly-minded men of which the Church of England, or any other church, can boast; and though his mind was peculiarly constituted, the highest and the lowest are alike sensible of the charm that belongs to his productions, and of the power that dwells in them. His writings possess the attribute of being remark- ably suggestive — a single half page will often supply materials for long-continued meditation." — Citizen. CHRISTIAN RETIREMENT; Or, the Spritual Exercises of the Heart. By the author of " Christian Experience." 12mo. THE LIFE AND POWER OF TRUE GODLINESS. By the Rev. Alexander McLeod, D.D. With an Introductory Essay by his son, John Neil McLeod, D.D. 12mo. 7£ cts. THE LORD OUR SHEPHERD: An Exposition of the Twenty-Second Psalm. By the Rev. John Steven- son, author of c * Christ on the Cross." 12mo. 75 cts. THE POOR MAN'S MORNING PORTION. Being a selection of a Verse of Scripture, with Short Observations, for every Day in the Year. By Robert Hawkes, D.D. 12mo. 75 cts. SCRIPTURE NARRATIVES. Illustrated and Improved. By the Rev. Joseph Belcher, D.D. I vol. 12mo. Price 37 £ cts. ESSAYS ON EPISCOPACY, And the Apology for Apostolic Order Reviewed. By the late John M. Mason, D.D. Edited by the Rev. Ebenezer Mason. 1 vol. 12mo. Price 50 cts. ESSAYS ON THE CHURCH OF GOD. By the late John M. Mason, D.D. Edited by the Rev. Ebenezer Mason. 1 vol. 12mo. Price 50 cts. LUTHER ON GALATIANS. A Commentary on the Galatians. By Martin Luther. A New Edition, On fine paper and beautiful large type. 1 vol. 8vo. Price only $1 50. THE CHRISTIAN YOUTH'S BOOK, A Manual for Young Communicants. By Rev. Dr. Brownlee. 1 vgI, 12mo. Price 50 ct«. 3 R. CARTER'S PUBLICATIONS. MOFFATT'S SOUTHERN AFRICA. Missionary Labours and Scenes in Southern Africa. By Robert Moffatt twenty-three years an Agent of the London Missionary Society in that continent. 1 vol. 13mo. Trice 50 cents. "We have read the whole of this large volume with undiminished interest, and have found it- replete with missionary information, given in an unpretending, but strong and clear style. The narrative is enriched with descriptions of African sce- nery ; with the employments, habits, and pursuits of the native tribes; their dangers from lions and other beasts of prey, and the wars and massacres of the roving bands of marauders, in their desolating excursions, from place to place." — For. Miss. ORIGIN AND HISTORY OF MISSIONS. A Record of the Voyages, Travels, Labours, and Successes of the various Missionaries, who have been sent forth by Protestant Societies to Evangelize the Heathen ; compiled from authentic Documents, forming a Complete Missionary Repository. Illustrated by twenty-five E?i- gravings on steel. By the Rev. J. O. Choules and the Rev. Thomas Smith. Seventh Edition. 2 vols. 4to. ; beautifully bound in full cloth. Price only $4 50. "A new edition of this great work has just been issued by Mr. Carter, in two quarto volumes, in handsome style, with a large number of very fine engravings, il- lustrating scenes, manners and customs, in the heathen world ; and we desire to call the attention of those interested in missions to this publication. It is the most exten sive and complete history of missions which has been prepared, and contains a mass of important and interesting information, which would not be readily found else- where. For a. family book, one to which the children will resort to find striking facts and interesting narratives, and for the clergyman, who wishes to have a store- house, to which he may always refer for valuable materials, these volumes will be found most happily adapted." — Advocate. THE BRITISH PULPIT. Consisting of Discourses by the most eminent living divines, in England, Scotland, and Ireland ; accompanied with Pulpit Sketches. By the Rev. W. Suddards, rector of Grace Church, Philadelphia. 2 vols. 8vo. Price $2 50. "The sermons may be regarded as among the very best specimens of the modern British pulpit; and indeed the work includes almost every distinguished name to be found in any of the Evangelical denominationsln Great Eritain. It is of course per- vaded by a great variety of taste and talent, and is for this very reason the better adapted to gain extensive circulation and to be eminently useful." — Argus. CONNECTION OF SAORED AND PROFANE HISTORY. Being a Review of the principal Events in the World, as they bear upon the state of Religion, from the close of the Old Testament History, till the establishment of Christianity. By D. Davidson. 3 vols. J2mo Price $1 50. "This work is well executed, and is, we think, calculated to become popular. The historical plan is clear and unique, and the style is singularly attractive, on account of its purity and strength. It is constructed upon a Christian basis, recognizing the 'fact, that although the superintending power of God over the progr^s of nations, may be as untraceable as his paths in the ocean, yet the effects are everywhere visi- ble, and manifest the progressive fulfilment of the prophetic denunciations and prom- ises set forth in the Holy Oracles." — Protestant Churchman. MEMOIR OF REV. HENRV MARTIN, Late ChapViin to the East India Company. By the Rev. John Sargent, M.A. Fifth American, from the tenth London Edition. 12mo. Price 50 cents. 4 ft. CARTER'S PUBLICATIONS. These volumes are printed on white paper and good type, and are neatly bound in cloth, gilt backs, 18mo. OLD HUMPHREY'S ADDRESSES. Fourth Edition. „ OLD HUMPHREY'S OBSERVATIONS. Fifth Edition. THOUGHTS FOR THE THOUGHTFUL. By Old Humphrey. Fourth Edition. "Here good sense and good humour are most wonderfully and most happily blend' ed. The lessons, too, are eminently experimental and practical." — Christ. Reflector' WALKS IN LONDON, And its Neighbourhood. By Old Humphrey. Third Edition. HOMELY HINTS To Sabbath School Teachers. By Old Humphrey. Second Edition. MY GRANDPARENTS : Dy Grandmother Gilbert, and my Grandfather Gregory. By Old Hum- phrey. STROLLS IN THE COUNTRY. By Old Humphrey. THE OLD SEA CAPTAIN. By Old Humphrey. MEDITATIONS AND ADDRESSES On the Subject of Prayer. By the Rev. Hugh White, A.M. Fourth American, from the tenth Dublin Edition. THE BELIEVER: A Series of Discourses. By the Rev. Hugh White, A.M. Second Ame- rican, from the seventh Dublin Edition. LUCILLA; Or, the Reading of the Bible. By Adolphe Monod. Second Editions TALES OF THE SCOTTISH COVENANTERS. By Robert Pollok, A.M., author of the " Course of Time." A BOOK FOR THE SABBATH. In Three Parts. — I. The Origin, Design, and Obligation of the Sabbath. II. Practical Improvement of the Sabbath. III. Devotional Exercises for the Sabbath. By the Rev. J. B. Waterbury, author of the " Ad- vice to a Young Christian," &c. 5 R. CARTER'S PUBLICATIONS. THE FAMILY OF BETHANY. By L. Bonnet. With an Introductory Essay, by Rev. Hugh White. Fourth American, from the eighth London Edition. " This book leads us, as with an angel's hai d, through some of the most interesting scenes in the life of the Saviour of the w< rid. It is full of evangelical truth, of glowing- imagery, of living, breathing devotio i. We recommend it for its intellectual as well as its moral and spiritual qualities." — Albany Argus. THE RETROSPECT; Or, Review of Providencial Mercies. With Anecdotes of Various Char acters. By Aliquis, formerly a Lieutenant in the Royal Navy, and now a Minister of the English Church. Thufd American from the eighteenth London edition. "The great popularity of this volume ar pet-vs from the large number of editions through which it has passed in Great Britai » in v short number of years, having now reached the 17th edition, and proofs of its jsel .Ti\ess have not been wanting. Wo , can assure our readers that there are few w rks it the kind so deeply interesting, or so well adapted to religious edification. Wo eoiJuiIly recommend it." — Chris. Jnt THE MARTYR LAMB; Or, Christ the Representative of hi? People in all Ages. By F. W. Krummacher, D. D., author of M I lijah. the Tishbite," &c. Fourth Edition. ELIJAH THE TIWWBITE. By F. W. Kru -mxiacuer. "Our author is characterized by a glowing nnd i*.v.\vinative style, which seems to be the expression of a heart warmed by piet. , i\«d s.wivj.otible of the teuderest emo lions. He displays a happy tact, in developk .y, in th .\ %\&st pleasing manner, the cir cumstances of a scriptural incident or chara^uiif, and &f ieriving from it practical lessons." — Presbyterian. MCCRIE ON uvSTHGTR. Lectures on the Book of Esther. By tb.i» Rev. TLemas McCrie, D.D., author of " Life of John Knox," &c. A TREATISE ON PRAVv'R ; Desired to assist in the devout dischar^v of thru >o ' i>ey would bear him thiough trying scenes. So much for the uw'.test which t»it .«u.ry excites , the other merits of the book are not inferior." — Baptu** Advocate. COMFORT IN AFFLICTION. A Series of Meditations By the Rev. James Bwhana.n, one of the Min isters of the High Church, Edinburgh. From tlin nin^h Edinb. Edition. LIGHTS 86 SHADOWS OF SCOTTISH LIFE. By Professor Wilson. 18mo. MEMOIR OF MARY LUNDIE DUNCAN. Second American Edition. 18mo. PRACTICAL REFLECTIONS. On the Second Advent. By the Rev. Hugh White, A.M. 18rao 6 R CARTER'S PUBLICATIONS. PERSUASIVES TO EARLY PIETY. By the Rev. J. G. Pike. DODDRIDGE'S RISE AND PROGRESS. Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul. Illustrated in a Course of Se- rious and Practical Addresses, suited to persons of every character and circumstance, with a Devout Meditation or Prayer subjoined to each chapter. By Philip Doddridge, D.D. THE COTTAGE FIRESIDE; Or, the Parish Schoolmaster. By the Rev. Henry Duncan, D.D. "This is a reprint of a Scotch work, by a clergyman of high standing, who does not now for the first time appear as an author. The narrative is constructed with great beauty, and is designed at once to illustrate and remedy some of the principal evils connected with domestic education. The work may very properly occupy \ he attention both of parents and children ; and it will be read with pleasure by all who cau relish the simple and beautiful in thought and expression." — Argus. THE CHRISTIAN CONTEMPLATED, In a Course of Lectures delivered in the Argyle Chapel, Bath. By Rev. William Jay. New Edition. "It has all the peculiar marks of Jay's mind ; perspicuity of arrangement, simpli- city and occasional elegance of diction, deep-toned piety and copiousness of senti- ment. In recommending such a book we are conscious of doing a service to the cause of piety, by promoting the spiritual-mindedness, and consistent, symmetrical conduct of every Christian who prayerfully peruses it." — Baptist Advocate. WORKS OF REV. HENRY SCOUGAL Containing the Life of God in the Soul, &c. DEW OF ISRAEL, A.nd the Lily of God ; or, a Glimpse of the Kingdom of Grace. By F. W. Krummacher, D.D. Second American, from the second London Edition. CHRISTIAN FRAGMENTS; Or, Remarks on the Nature, Precepts, and Comforts of Religion. By John Burns, M.D., F.R.S., Regius Professor of Surgery in the Univer- sity of Glasgow, &c. &c. "The different pieces constitute so many distinct, though sometimes brief, disquisi- tions upon scriptural topics, and are designed to promote the spiritual-mindedness of Ihe reader. They were written under the pressure of deep affliction, and in view o* in approaching judgment. They display sound thought, evangelical sentiment, cor- I ect doctrine, and an elevated tone of Christian feeling." — Advocate. CHRISTIAN FATHER AT HOME; Or, a Manual of Parental Instruction. By W. C. Brownlee, D.D. A GLIMPSE INTO THE WORLD TO COME, ,n a Waking Dream. By the late George B. Phillips. With Extracts, illustrative of his Spiritual Progress; and a Brief Memoir, by Mrs. Duncan, author of " Memoir of Mrs. Mary Lundie Duncan," &c. "This is altogether an extraordinary production. The small portion of it which fives it its title, is a strain of fervent pious imaginings, based however upon the ora- cles of God. One cannot easily read it without gaining a more deep and solid im pression of the other world.*' 7 R. CARTER'S PUBLICATIONS. INFANT PIETY. A Book for Little Children. By Baptist W. Noel, M.A. u \n this volume one of the finest spirits in the established church of England givei us a simple record of the pious lives and happy deaths of several little children on both sides of the Atlantic* The work is well adapted to accomplish the benevolent design of its author, by leading little children to remember their Creator." — Albany Evening Journal. A MEMOIR OF JOHN HUSS. Translated from the German. "To many who are familiar with the life of Martin Luther, that of John Huss, who preceded him, and prepared the German mind for his more exteuded labours, is com- paratively little known. The true character of Romanism is displayed in the treat- ment of each, but some of the darkest shades are seen in the case of Huss." — Baptist Advocate. HELEN OF THE GLEN. A Tale of the Scottish Covenanters. By Robert Pollok, A.M. THE PERSECUTED FAMILY. By Pollok. RALPH GEMMELL By Pollok. • JESSY ALLAN, The Lame Girl. By Grace Kennedy, author of " Anna Ross," &c. "It is an affecting tale, and strikingly illustrates the power of religion, and it* full adequacy to human wants in every emergency." — Christian Mirror. SINNER'S FRIEND. From the eighty-seventh London Edition, completing upwards of half a million. J£g^ This little Work has been translated into sixteen different languages. "It is designed by its direct appeals, to arrest the attention of the most careless reader, and to pour into his ear some word of truth before he can become fatigued with reading." — Presbyterian. "It is fitted to be an admirable auxiliary to ministers in the discharge of their duty." — Albany Daily Advertiser. DECAPOLIS; Or, the Individual Obligations of Christians to save Souls from Death. An Essay. By David Everard Ford. Fifth American, from the sixth London Edition. "This book is an exhortation to Christians, and Christian ministers, to exercise greater faithfulness in saving souls from eternal death. We have read it with much pleasure, and we hope with some profit. The book is most beautifully got up ; and we could wish that it might Reread and pondered by every one who indulges a hope that he is a Christian." — N. Y. Evangelist. SHORTER CATECHISM. Anecdotes Illustrative of the Shorter Catechism. By John Whitecross. New Edition. "This will relieve the catechism of a difficulty which many have felt in respect to it — that it is too abstract to be comprehended by the mind of a child ; here every truth is seen in its practical relations, ai.d becomes associated in the mind with some inter- esting fact which is fitted at once to make it plain to the understanding, to lodge it in the memory, and to impress it upon the heart." — Daily Advertiser* 8 R. CARTER'S PUBLICATIONS. MEMOIR OF JOHN D. LOCKWOOD. Being Reminiscences of a Son by his Father "A gifted mind and cultivated powers, hallowed and controlled by a sweet and trustful piety; the simplicity of childhood mingled with the seriousness and discre- tion of mature age, — we are sure no one could watch his brief career, terminating in a death, though sudden, not unprepared for, without deep interest. We have read it with*unmingled pleasure and profit " — y. Y. Evangelist. PERFECT PEACE. Letters Memorial of John Warren Howell, Esq,, of Bath, M. R. C. S. By the Rev. David Pitcairn. With an Introduction by the Rev. John Stevenson, author of •' Christ on the Cross," " The Lord our Shepherd &c. PROFESSION IS NOT PRINCIPLE; Or the Name of Christian is not Christianity. By Grace Kennedy, authot of " Jessy Allan," " Anna Ross," &c. GOSPEL PROMISES. Being a Short View of the Great and Precious Promises of the Gospel. By the Rev. Joseph Alleine, author of " An Alarm to the Unconvert- ed," &c. LIFE IN EARNEST. Six Lectures on Christian Activity and Ardour. By the Rev. Jame Hamilton, author of u Harp on the Willows," &c. MY GRANDMAMMA GILBERT. By Old Humphrey. MY GRANDFATHER GREGORY. By Old Humphrey. MEMOIR OF HANNAH SINCLAIR. By the late Rev. Legh Richmond. From the nineteenth London Edition. TRUE HAPPINESS; Or, the Excellence and Power of Early Religion. By J. G. Pike, author of " Persuasives to Early Piety," &c. Second Edition. CHARLIE SEYMOUR; Or, the Good Aunt and the Bad Aunt. By Miss Catharine Sinclair, au- thor of " Modern Accomplishments," &c. Third Edition. LIVE WHILE YOU LIVE. By the Rev. Thomas Griffith, A.M., Minister of Ram's Episcopal Church, Homerton. CROOK IN THE LOT; Or, a Display of the Sovereignty and Wisdom of God in the Afflictions of! Men, and the Christian's Deportment under them. By the Rev. Thoma3 Boston. A TRIBUTE OP PARENTAL AFFECTION To the Memory of my beloved and only Daughter, Hannah Jerram, with a Short Account of the last Illness and Death of her elder Brother, Charles Stranger Jerram. By the Rev. Charles Jerram, A. M«, Vicar of Cobham, Surrey. From the fifth London Edition. 9 R. CARTER'S PUBLICATIONS. THE LORD'S SUPPER. Bickersteth's Treatise on the Lord's Supper. With an Introduction, Notes, and an Essay. By G. T. Bedell, D.D. Fifth Edition. COMMUNICANT'S COMPANION. By the Rev. Matthew Henry. With an Introductory Essay, by the Rev. John Brown of Edinburgh. BAXTER'S CALL. Now or Never, &c. With an Introductory Essay, by Dr. Chalmers. RELIGION AND ETERNAL LIFE; Or, Irreligion and Eternal Death. By J. G. Pike. THE FARMER'S DAUGHTER. A Tale. By Mrs. Cameron. LIFE OF REV. JOHN NEWTON. Written by himself, and continued to his Death. By the Rev. Rich. Cecil. THE HARP ON THE WILLOWS. Remembering Zion, Farewell to Egypt, The Church in the House, The Dew of Hermon, and the Destination of the Jews. By the Rev Jas. Hamilton, of London. From the forty-fifth London Edition. SABBATH MUSINGS. By Caroline Fry. HERVEY'S MEDITATIONS AND CONTEMPLATIONS. New Edition. THE HISTORY OF THE REFORMATION IN EUROPE. With a Chronology. MY SCHOOL-BOY DAYS. SORROWING, YET^REJOICING. Or a Narrative of Successive Bereavements in a Clergyman's Family. DIVINE ORIGIN OF CHRISTIANITY. By J. G. Pike, author of " True Happiness." &c, &c. A WORLD WITHOUT SOULS. By J. W. Cunningham, A.M., Vicar of Harrow. THE WORLD'S RELIGION. As contrasted with genuine Christianity, by Lady Colquhoun. ADVICE TO A YOUNG CHRISTIAN, On the inportance of aiming at an elevated standard of piety. By a Villag Pastor, with an Introduction by Rev. Dr. Alexander, of Princeton, N. J CHRISTIAN EXPERIENCE. By the Author of " Christian Retirement " 10 R. CARTER'S PUBLICATIONS. WORKS BY THE BEV. JOHN A. CLARK, D.D. Late Rector of St. Andrew's Church, Philadelphia. His works are all characterized by good thoughts expressed in a graceful and ap« propriate manner, by great seriousness and unction, and an earnest desire to promote the spiritual interests of his fellow-men." — Daily Advertiser. A WALK ABOUT ZION. Revised and Enlarged. Fifth Edition. 12mo. Two steel Engravings. THE PASTOR'S TESTIMONY. Revised and Corrected. Fifth Edition. 12mo. Two steel Engravings. THE YOUNG DISCIPLE; Or, a Memoir of Anzonetta R. Peters. Fourth Edition. 12mo. GATHERED FRAGMENTS. Fourth Edition. 12mo. Two steel Engravings. Containing.— The M'Ellen Family.— The Paralytic— The Withered Branch Re- vived. — The Baptism. — Little Ann. — The Meeting of the Travellers. — Mary May^ wood. — A Family in Eternity. — One whose Record is on High, &c. &c.j GLEANINGS BY THE WAY. Or, Travels in the Country. 1 vol. 12mo. AWAKE, THOU SLEEPER! A Series of Awakening Discourses. 12mo. "Few American clergymen have contributed more by their efforts from the pulpit and through the press, to promote the cause of evangelical truth and piety, than the la- mented author of this volume. Happily, though dead, he yet speaks in a tone of im- pressive and earnest admonition ; and the present volume particularly, is a witness to the f delity and zeal with which he discharged his ministerial duties. The subjects of which it treats are of the deepest moment ; and the manner in which he treats them is worthy of the tenderness and fidelity of an ambassador of Christ. The work is admirably adapted to promote a revival of religion." COMPLETE WORKS OF BISHOP BUTLER. Containing Analogy of Natural and Revealed Religion, Dissertations, Ser- mons, Correspondence with Dr. Clarke, &c. &c. To which is prefixed an Account of the Character and Writings of the Author. By Dr. Ha- lifax, Bishop of Gloucester. 1 vol, 8vo. Splendid Edition, on pica type and fine paper. BUTLER'S ANALOGY. Large type. 8vo. BUTLER'S SERMONS. 8vo. BAXTER'S SAINTS' REST. Large type. DICK ON ACTS. Lectures on the Acts of the Apostles. By the late John Dick, D.D., Professor of Theology of the United Secession Church, Glasgow, author of " Lectures on Theology," &c. From second Glasgow Edition. 8vo. "The style of the author is peculiarly adapted to a work of this description. It is uncommonly perspicuous, terse, nervous and calm. His ideas are the production of a highly-cultivated mind, originally endowed with strong common sense. In many respects he has the characteristics of Andrew Fuller, with more of the polish of the school." — Baptist Advocate. MEMOIR OF MRS. ISABELLA GRAHAM, 11 R. CARTER'S PUBLICATIONS. JAY'S MORNING EXERCISES For the Closet, for Every Day in the Year. New Edition. 12mo. JAY'S EVENING EXERCISES For the Closet, for Every Day in the Year. New Edition. 12mo. Uni- form with the Morning Exercises. DAVID'S PSALMS. 48mo. gilt. Do. do. With Brown's Note*. 18mo. THE INQUIRER DIRECTED To an Experimental and Practical View of the Work of the Holy Spirit By Rev. Octavius Winslow. 1 vol. 12mo. CHRIST OUR LAW. By Miss Caroline Fry. Author of " The Listener," " Christ our Exam- ple," &c. 1 vol. 12mo. Second Edition. LIFE, WALK AND TRIUMPH OF FAITH. By the Rev. W. Romaine, A.M. 12mo. New Edition. Muslin. KEY TO THE SHORTER CATECHISM, Containing Catechetical Exercises, a Paraphrase, and a new Series of Proofs on each Question. New Edition. 18mo. SORROWING YET REJOICING. 32mo. gilt edge. CONTEST AND ARMOUR. By Dr. Abercrombie. 32mo. extra cloth, gilt edge. GIFT FOR MOURNERS. By Flavel and Cecil. 32mo. extra cloth, gilt edge. CECIL'S REMAINS. Remains of the Rev. Richard Cecil, M.A. To which is prefixed a View of his Character. By Joseph Pratt, B.D., F.A.S. From the eleventh London Edition. 1 vol. 12mo. ALLEINE'S LIFE AND LETTERS. 12mo HERVEY'S MEDITATIONS. 2 vols. 18mo. MEMOIR OF DR. NISBET. By Dr. Miller, of Princeton. 12mo. HILL AND VALLEY. By Miss Sinclair. 12mo SIR ROLAND ASHTON; & Stale of tfje artmes* By Lady Catherine Long. 2 vols. 12mo. CHRIST ON THE CROSS. By Stevenson. 1 vol. 12mo. xa Deacidified using the Bookkeeper process. Neutralizing agent: Magnesium Oxide Treatment Date: July 2005 PreservationTechnologies A WORLD LEADER IN PAPER PRESERVATION 1 1 1 Thomson Park Drive Cranberry Township, PA 16066 (724)779-2111