expressions of due thankfulness to their fellow creatures, appear to be wholly insensible to the nobler blessings which descend from the Father of mercies. If our minds were under the influence of right feelings, we should find abundant reason of gratitude to God for the ordinary benefits of every day. But great as are these benefits, how far are they surpassed by the rich and abounding grace of our Lord and Saviour! If there be a subject calculated to kindle within us the feelings of gratitude and praise, surely it is the mercy of God in Christ Jesus. While we were yet enemies, he assumed our nature; and through all the contradiction of sinners, and all the agonies of his passion, he pursued the work of our redemption. The inhabitants of heaven are represented as pouring out in full measure their grateful adorations: "Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation, and hast made us unto our God kings and priests."

3. We should, in the last place, receive this intelligence with entire submission to the wisdom of God. -If he has ordained this way of salvation, we should be content to follow it. It is not for beings like us to question the wisdom of his proceedings, or the propriety of his appointments. As for God, his way is perfect, and it is our best wisdom to acknowledge our ignorance, and to look to our Lord Jesus Christ as our wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption. If he has declared himself to be the Way, the Truth, and the Life, it is our duty to receive him as such. may be mortifying to human reason that we cannot explore the wonders of redemption; it may be offensive to our pride, that without Christ we can do nothing, and that our hope of acceptance with God must rest entirely on the merits and mediation of his Son; yet, since this is the assurance of the word of

It

God, it is ours to submit, to reject all idea of desert in ourselves, and to rely wholly and exclusively on Him who came into the world to save sinners.

To conclude-In what manner has this saying been received by us? Surely, if we have any perception of the evil of our doings, any knowledge of the danger that awaits us, any thought of futurity, this is a saying which should meet with a ready and cordial reception. It carries the promise of pardon and peace even to the chief of sinners; and all who are weary and oppressed will find, in Jesus, the rest and salvation which their souls require. It is possible that the repetition of the intelligence may diminish its interest; and, although it involves all the happiness of this life, and all the blessings of the world to come, we may, by the mere force of habit, become indifferent to the subject, and turn from it as if we had no part nor lot in the matter. How many poor and ignorant heathens, who have re ceived this saying when first proposed to them "with all acceptation," will rise up in judgment against numbers in this favoured land who bear the name of Christ, and condemn them! It were better for them never to have heard his invitations, never to have mixed with the assemblies of his people, than thus to do despite to the Spirit of Grace, and neglect the offers of salvation.

And as for those who have learnt duly to value this "faithful saying," and have received it into their hearts by faith, they may be assured that, however great the consolations which it now affords, the time is coming when its truth and importance will be still more fully felt. Our views of salvation are at present inadequate, as our knowledge of the future world is extremely confined; but when we come to know even as we are known; when we are called to the actual enjoyment of those things

which eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor imagination conceived; when we tread the pavement of heaven, and mingle with the company of the blessed; then we shall value as we ought the nature of salvation, and perceive how faithful, and how worthy of all men to be received, was the intelligence of a Saviour! Let this saying, then, be deeply impressed upon our hearts; let us cherish the impression by reading the Scriptures, meditation, and prayer, and by all the means of grace which remind us of the dying love of our Lord, and of the blessings which he has purchased for us; and let us live like those who know the stable foundation of their hope, and are looking for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, to perfect in glory the happiness of his saints, and to bestow eternal salvation on all them that believe! Amen.

To the Editor of the Christian Observer. ALTHOUGH you have already published a systematic reply to Mr. Mant's Tracts, you perhaps may not object to the insertion of the following extract from the writings of a divine whose name will not be under any suspicion of Calvinism-I mean Bishop Burnet. It occurs in his Exposition of the 27th Article. His words are these "That does indeed belong to baptism, it makes us the visible members of that one body, into which we are baptized, or admitted by baptism; but that which saves us in it, which both deadens and quickens us, must be a thing of another nature. If baptism were only the receiving us into the society of Christians, there were no need of saying, I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. It were more proper

to say, I baptize

thee in the name, and by the authority of, the Church. Therefore, these august words, that were dictated by our Lord himself, show us that there is somewhat in it that is internal, which comes from God; that it is an admitting men into somewhat that depends only on God, and for the giving of which the authority can only be derived by Him. But after all, this is not to be believed to be of the nature of a charm, as if the very act of baptism carried always with it an inward regeneration. Here we must confess that very early some doctrines arose upon baptism that we cannot be determined by. The words of our Saviour to Nicodemus were expounded so as to import the absolute necessity of baptism in order to salvation; for it not being observed, that the dispensation of the Messias was meant by the kingdom of God, but it being taken to signify eternal glory, that expression of our Saviour's was understood to import this, that no man could be saved unless he were baptized; so it was believed to be simply necessary to salvation."

After stating one consequence of this error, the Bishop proceeds to notice a second mistake resulting from the first. "Another opinion, that arose out of the former, was the mixing the outward and the inward effects of baptism : it being believed that every person that was born of the water, was also born of the Spirit; and that the renewing of the Holy Ghost did always accompany the washing of regeneration."

How far Mr. Mant, and those who concur with him, are liable to the imputation of holding the opinions which Bishop Burnet deems erroneous, I must leave to their own judgment to decide.

T.

To the Editor of the Christian Observer. Ir being within the limits of your province, to circulate the knowledge of any plan which may advance the happiness of the community, or the well-being of the Established Church, I do not hesitate to send you the following account of an Association recently formed in this parish:

At an early period of the winter, 1815, the respectable Vicar suggested the plan of a Clothing Society, to be composed of honorary and benefit members; the contributions of the former being intended to encourage the economy of the latter. These, consisting of labouring persons, were invited to subscribe weekly one penny or two pence, as their eircumstances might permit. The subscriptions were to be received by the clerk of the parish, paid over to the treasurer, and by him. funded in the savings bank of the Prudent Man's Friend Society in Bristol, until the end of the year; when the amount should be employed in the purchase of the most useful articles of clothing and bedding, to be distributed among the benefit members, in exact proportion to their several contributions. This plan was zealously supported by the Curate, Churchwardens, and other inhabitants of the parish; and the result has been, that nearly 120l. have been received from about 200 subscribers. This sum, with the interest accruing from it, has been carefully laid out in blankets, sheeting, flannel, beaver for cloaks, calico, serge, &c.; all articles of prime necessity, and which have been distributed among the members.

The plan adopted for receiving subscriptions and distributing the articles, so as to avoid both trouble and confusion, was this:-numeFical tickets were issued to subCHRIST. OBSERV. No. 181.

scribers, who, on paying their weekly subscription either on Saturday, or on Sunday after the morning service, produced their number, and the clerk marked the corresponding number in his book of names; and when the time arrived for delivery, the holders of tickets from No. 1 to 100 were desired to attend the first day, the following numbers on the second day, and so forth.

The rules of the Society are few; one appointing a treasurer and committee-and another oblig. ing members to punctuality in payment, which, if omitted for four weeks successively, subjects the party to the loss of the sum already paid, and to exclusion from all benefit for the current year. case of death, the sum paid by the deceased is repaid, if required, to the friends of the subscriber.

In

This scheme has proved successful, and its success has produced universal satisfaction in the parish. The benevolent promoters and supporters of it have rejoiced to witness the great comfort which has resulted from it; and those who have benefited by it are grateful and also pleased to think that the comfort they enjoy is the fruit of their own frugality. A decisive proof of the prevalence of this feeling is given in the eagerness which the parishioners have shown to enrol themselves as subscribers for the second year. So general is the impression in favour of the plan, that the subscription book is overflowing with additional names.

Such is a brief account of the origin and effect of this little plan, and which I am induced, by my anxiety for the amelioration of the condition of the labouring classes of society, to recommend to the imitation of others, and Ꭰ

especially of the clergy and constituted parochial authorities throughout the country. It seems generally admitted, that some radical alteration must soon take place in the poor laws. The growing difficulties and the exorbitant expense of their administration, the inadequate nature of the relief derived from them, and, above all, their demoralizing influence on the minds of the poor, prove the unsuitableness of the system to the present circumstances of our population, and loudly call for a change. The subject has engaged the attention of our best writers on political economy; and the attempts made in every session of Parliament, to counteract the evils arising from the existing poor laws, prove that they cannot long remain on their present footing. And surely it is not desirable that they should so remain. The poor laws, from their very nature, tend to the degradation of those who are the objects of their provisions, and generate or foster principles of the most pernicious indolence and improvidence. The evidence of this is so clear in the daily walk of life, that it seems wholly unnecessary to substantiate it by details.

To undermine, if possible, the deep foundations of this evil, and to raise a superstructure of fairer form and of firmer materials-the population, the rising population especially, of the kingdom should be excited, by all practicable means, to provide for themselves and their families by their own exertions. To effect this may be difficult, but not impracticable; and the duty of attempting it devolves on those who possess superior knowledge of the subject, as well as influence in society. If by small contributions, involving scarcely any sacrifice or privation, experiments may be made, which yield advantages far beyond their cost, in the comfort they produce to the poor, it is surely, in this

view, important to make them. To enlighten the minds of the lower classes on the subject may be a work of time; but they have not perhaps hitherto bad a fair trial on this point. The Benefit Societies, sanctioned by the Legislature, have produced much good, and much disappointment :-various abuses have arisen from them; and the hopes of good from them have been, in numerous instances, cruelly frustrated by the depravity and dishonesty of the projectors, trustees, or stewards. But I have no disposition to interfere with them, much less to supersede them in their beneficial operation. The savings bank system is an excellent one, and is making great progress : but the prospects it holds out seem adapted more especially for those whose habits are already steady, economical, and provident, rather than for that far more numerous class of persons who have no thoughts of averting the storms of life by any other means than such as are furnished by the poor laws.

I particularly recommend to the clergy, and the constituted parochial authorities, the adoption of such plans as I have detailed above, for this important reason among others-that the interests of the church cannot be better maintained than by the affections of the people, and because it affords its ministers an opportunity of being more eminently useful and influential. Reverence for the sacred character does not, in our days, attach to the mere title; but it will invariably spring from a strong conviction that that character is properly sustained, and that reverence merited, by a due discharge of the pastoral duties. The clergy, by our happy constitution, seem to be the natural guardians of their people. They may not only serve them in their spiritual functions by counsel, instruction, reproof, and example; but they may, with much advantage, take a lead in every

nor

plan which is likely to promote the temporal interests of their flock; can they devise any means better calculated to give them access to the hearts and consciences of the people, than by taking a prominent interest in their secular concerns. When the labouring class (for it is of them I speak) see the clergyman taking active measures for their temporal comfort, they will not be so easily led astray by others in their spiritual concerns. The absence of such care as this has been one grand cause of defection from our Establishment. An earnest and unceasing attention to the object of raising them from their state of miserable dependence on parish pay, will be a benefit for which they will be grateful.

Another advantage, not trivial, which may be expected from such a plan, is-the increase of the congregation at church. How many among the poor excuse their nonattendance there, by alleging the want of clothes! Whereas, when decently clad, the desire of notice, low as it may be in the list of motives, will operate to draw them thither, and may thus prove the means of everlasting benefit.

It may be objected, that the scheme is scarcely practicable in some parishes, either from excess of population, or from its being thinly scattered, from the indisposition of the people, their extreme poverty, or the want of respectable coadjutors. These objections may have force in some instances, but I cannot admit that they should, in any case, prevent the attempt. If the number of subscribers should be small in the commencement, the knowledge of the good resulting to the few will soon spread and augment the number, especially if the assistance of some honorary members is obtained; and let it be observed, that in proportion as the people feel the benefits arising from their own exertions, may such extraneous aid be dispensed with.

The establishment of such Associations as I have recommended, will prove also a bond of union in the political edifice. To separate the interests, and disunite the social relations, of the lower from those of the other classes of society, is the grand aim of the apostles of sedition. To frustrate their mischievous purpose, let every effort be used to emancipate the labourer from his abject dependence on others, and to make him feel that he has a stake in society worth preserving. Let him be encou raged by every kind word and work to begin to help himself. And when he has experienced the sweets and comforts of his industry, frugality, and foresight, he will require no farther incentive to persevere in this new course.

In the present depressed state of our manufactories, a further important benefit would accrue from the extension of such schemes. Multiply the sum of 1201., or half that sum, by one eighth of the parishes in England, and see the mighty effect which such an accumulation of demand for our manufactures would produce. If it be asserted, that the sum thus husbanded would have been dispersed in a different channel, but in one equally advantageous to the revenue and the wealth of the country; I answerIf this were proved, yet no man who considers the moral bearings of the question could allow the account to be thus balanced.

Lastly, Compare the benefits of such a plan as this with any scheme of a simply gratuitous kind. The mere giving of money, or of clothes, confers very little permanent benefit; and, instead of exciting gratitude and diligence, often produces very contrary effects;whereas, by calling forth those dormant energies, which have hitherto been overwhelmed with rubbish, in the mind, an invaluable and permanent benefit is conferred. The man is raised to a higher state of existence; and he feels himself,