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MEDFIELD FEMALE SOCIETY.

AFTER the lapse of 1800 years, it is time that the eyes and hearts of Christians were turned towards the desolate family of Abraham. The dispersed of Israel are still the covenant people of Jehovah. This scattered flock is to be brought to the fold of the great Shepherd. Though for a short moment forsaken, yet they will be gathered with infinite kindness. The Jews and the Gentiles will be seen working together at the building of the same Spiritual Temple. Scattered among all nations of both continents, the Hebrews, once become Christians, could effect, by human means, more among heathens than any other people on earth.

The

receiving of them would be life indeed from the dead. The vine, brought from Egypt, would flourish once more on the hill of Zion. Nor has providence been accustomed to let those go unrewarded, who have gone up to the help of Israel and Judah. Gratitude and pious sympathy would restore to the Jews that knowledge of the Christian scriptures and of the Messiah, which we once received from them. A promise of greater success is made to every Christian exertion at the present time, when the attention of the dispersed of Israel, now looking for redemption and consolation, is especially excited to the examination of the Christian system, which is built wholly on the Jewish foundation; and at a period too when no small number of the most enlightened in Europe are summoned to their aid. Numerous Societies have been recently established, to do what human means can effect, towards the conversion of the many millions of this dispersed and afflicted race. They have been more forsaken of man than of Jehovah, who has always preserved them

amidst all their afflictions, and who will not fail to be gracious to those whom he has chosen. To us they must be an interesting people, and for them something must be done by Christians.

Among the numerous institutions of the present day, for benevolent and charitable purposes, we recognize, with much satisfaction, the one recently formed in Boston for promoting Christianity among the Jews. Desirous of promoting the same worthy objects, by casting our mites into the treasury of charity, we, whose names are annexed, do promise to pay annually, to such treasurer as this Society may hereafter appoint, the sums affixed to our respective names. For the sake of greater convenience, order, and permanency, we do adopt the following

CONSTITUTION.

1. This Society shall be styled, the "MEDFIELD FEMALE SOCIETY for promoting Christianity among the Jews."

2. The sums collected, shall, unless otherwise directed by a vote of the Society at their annual meeting, be transmitted by the President, at least once a year, to the treasurer of the Boston Female Society for promoting the same Christian objects.

3. They, who subscribe fifty cents, shall be considered members of this Society so long as they shall continue to pay this sum annually. They, who, from pecuniary circumstances, feel themselves unable to pay this sum, shall be entitled to membership, by paying twenty-five cents a year.

4.

The members of this Society shall meet, on the first Tuesday of August, annually, to choose officers,

to make by-laws, to amend or to add to this constitution by the concurrent votes of two thirds of the members present, and to transact all business which may best promote the objects of this Christian charity.

5. Special meetings may be called by giving publick notice after the customary services of worship, on the Sabbath, shall be ended, provided a majority of the Board of Directresses, shall order such notice to be given.

6. The officers of this Society, to be chosen at their annual meeting, but to continue in office till others shall be chosen in their place, shall be a President, whose duties shall be such as custom has prescribed, and three Directresses, which four shall constitute, with others to be named, a Board of Directresses, who are to appoint and regulate their own sessions; take

charge of the prudential affairs of the Society; issue orders on the Treasurer, without which orders, signed by a majority of the board, no money shall be paid by the Treasurer; may fill such vacancies as may occur in the board and among the Collectors; which persons, filling such vacancies, shall continue till their places shall be filled as usual at the annual meeting for election of officers. The other officers shall be a recording Secretary and a Treasurer, whose duties are such as are prescribed by custom. The Secretary and Treasurer and collectors, shall also belong to the Board of Directresses, and shall be subject to such rules as the Board shall prescribe. There shail be four Collectors, who shall collect the subscriptions, and pay them over to the Treasurer. All officers shall be appointed by ballot.

BRITISH AND FOREIGN BIBLE SOCIETY.

THE twelfth report of this Society has just been received. We regret that it came too late to give much account of it in this number. We have now room only for a few items; but we intend to devote the next number principally to intelligence. The Report is interesting, and it is accompanied by many important documents. Not merely the united kingdom of Great-Britain, but a very considerable portion of Chris- tendom seems to be alive with Bible institutions.

The general statement of the copies of the scriptures, issued by the British and Foreign Bible Society from March 31, 1815, to March 31, 1816, is

138,168 Bibles
110,068 Testaments:

The total of Bibles and Testaments, issued by this Society since its commencement, is ONE MILLION

FIVE HUNDRED AND FIFTY-SEVEN THOUSAND NINE HUNDRED AND

SEVENTY-THREE.

The Society expended in the twelfth year, one hundred and three thousand, six hundred and eighty pounds, eighteen shillings and eight pence.

The grants of money, and the value of Bibles and Testaments given away in the same year, amounted to thirty-two thousand, four hundred and thirty-five pounds, seven shillings and one penny.

The total expenditure of the Society, from the beginning, is stated to be four hundred and fifty two thousand, two hundred and seventy

three pounds, twelve shillings and two and an half pence.

The Society received in the twelfth year, one hundred and forty six thousand, seven hundred sixtyseven pounds, twelve shillings and four pence.

Notwithstanding the vast number of Auxiliary Societies, which had been formed prior to the Eleventh Report, twenty two have been added to the number in the twelfth year, five of which contributed six hundred and seventy pounds.

Of the numerous Auxiliary Societies of earlier date, we have obseryed five, whose contributions amounts to nine thousand, one hundred and forty-four pounds.

"There are five hundred and sixty-nine Auxiliary and Branch Societies within the British dominions." The contributions from the Auxiliary Societies for the twelfth year, amounted to fifty-five thousand, four hundred and fifty pounds, three shillings and nine pence.

Massachusetts Bible Society.—At a special meeting of the Massachusetts Bible Society, Sept. 26, a vote was passed, connecting this society with the American Bible Society, on the terms of the third article of its Constitution; namely,

"All Bible Societies shall be allowed to purchase at cost from this society,Bibles for distributionwithin their own districts. The members of all such Bible Societies, as shall agree to place their surplus revenue, after supplying their own districts with Bibles, at the disposal of this society, shall be entitled to yote in all meetings of this society; and the officers of such societies shall be ex officio directors of this."

Bible Societies. April, 1815.Three Bible Societies have been recently formed in Elizabethtown, N. J. all auxiliary to the American Bible Society.

The New-Hampshire Bible Society has voted to become an auxiliary to the American Bible Society; and also to present a petition to Congress, praying that the privilege of franking letters may be granted to that important national institution.

Recorder.

American Bible Society.-At a meeting of the Managers of the American Bible Society, held in the City-Hall, (New-York,) on the 19th day of August, 1816, Gen. M. Clark

son, V. P. in the chair.

The Board having received the very liberal donation of a set of Stereotype Plates of the Bible, from the New-York Bible Society, and the N. Y. Auxiliary Bible Society.

Resolved, That John E. Caldwell, Divie Bethune, and Thomas Eddy, be a committee to cause to be printed, bound, and published, without delay, an edition of the Bible, not exceeding ten thousand copies. By order of the Board,

JOHN B. ROMEYN, Sec'ry for
Domestick Correspondence.

Benevolent Societies.-April 14, 1816. A Sunday school was formed to educate the people of colour, at Bergen, N. J.

July 15, 1816. A Female Cent Society was formed at Bergen, for the purpose of educating indigent students for the gospel ministry, and further to assist the Theological School at New-Brunswick.

Recorder.

Extracts from the Second Report of the Bible Society of Virginia.The Bible Societies make one grand whole, because they have one single object in view. In our humble manner here, we are cooperating with Greeks, Catholicks, and Protestants of every denomination, in a design which commends

itself to the understanding and the heart of every man who knows how to value the Bible.

66

During the last twenty years, we have seen the most splendid talents employed in the work of destruction; the riches of the world expended in support of sanguinary and desolating wars, and the physical powers of the human race exerted to promote the schemes of lawless ambition. But now there is universal peace. At His bidding, who rules the hearts of men and turns them whithersoever he will, the storm has ceased, and 'there is a great calm." This is the auspicious moment for the friends of religion to go forth in the strength of the Lord God, and make a mighty effort to uproot from its very foundation, the kingdom of darkness. The providence of God calls them to the work. Kings, according to the prediction of the prophet, have become nursing fathers, and queens nursing mothers, to the church of Christ. And considering what has recently been accomplished, it is not chimerical to hope, that those intellectual and physical energies, which have been exerted in the work of destruction, will be employed to promote the present comfort and everlasting welfare of mankind. And that the earth, instead of presenting before heaven, a scene of violence and bloodshed, will exhibit the human through the grace of the gospel, rising from the ruins of the fall, assuming again the likeness and image of God; and humbly walking in the steps of him who went about doing good.

race,

From the Appendix to the Twelfth Report of the British and F. B. S.

Lately published by JOHN ELIOT, Boston--Pray for the Jews; a ser

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Died in Deerfield, July 27, John Williams, Esq. aged 65. He was a grandson of the first minister of the place; was educated at Harvard College, and, in a happy manner, united the Gentleman and the Christian. He has left a reversion of several thousand dollars in real estate for the benefit of the Deer-, field Academy, for which he had ever discovered a parental concern.

In Cambridge, England, the Rev. East Apthorp, D. D. aged 83. He was a native of Boston.

In England, the celebrated Richard Sheridan. Also, the Rev. Dr. Watson, Bishop of Landoff, aged 80. In Northwood, New-Hampshire, August 11, Rev. Edmund Pillsbury, aged 78.

In Albany, General H. K. Van Renssellaer, aged 72.

In Sudbury, Rev. J. Bigelow, aged 73.

In Boston, Mrs. Rebecca Lowell, widow of the late Judge Lowell, aged 69.

A Virginia paper says, in Cumberland county, a whole family died, with the exception of one person, by eating a part of a cabbage, which was boiled whole. On opening the cabbage, a scorpion was found in the

centre.

THE

CHRISTIAN DISCIPLE.

No. 11.

NOVEMBER, 1816.

Vol. IV.

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EVANGELICAL PREACHING.

THE phrase " evangelical preaching" is much used at the present day, but often in a very capricious or equivocal manner. One discourse is said to be very evangelical; another is called a pretty good practical sermon, but not evangelical; when the principal difference between them is, that certain sectarian phrases were adopted in the one which were omitted in the other. Some discourses are approved as evangelical on account of those phrases, while the leading sentiment is not to be found in the Bible; and others are pronounced not evangelical, while every sentiment is clearly scriptural. When the words are used with propriety, "evangelical preaching" is preaching which is conformable to the spirit of the gospel; or preaching that is consonant to the preaching of Jesus Christ, which we have recorded by the Evangelists.

Preaching to be strictly evangelical, should harmonize with the preaching of our Saviour, in the doctrines inculcated, the duties enjoined, the motives Vol. IV. No. 11.

urged to enforce obedience, the object of the discourse, and the temper with which it is deliver

ed.

If a minister wishes to preach a doctrinal discourse of an evangelical character, it will behove him to inquire whether the doctrine which he thinks of illustrating was ever taught by Jesus Christ. Had this one point been strictly attended to, many discourses which have been termed evangelical, would never have been delivered nor written.

In the next place, if a minister wishes to preach a practical discourse of an evangelical cast, he should regard our Saviour's example, and inculcate the temper which he required, and such duties as he enjoined. Supreme love to our heavenly Father, and impartial benevolence one towards another, were considered by our Lord as comprising whatever is required by the law and the prophets. And it ought never to be forgotten, that to love the Lord our God with all the heart, with all the soul, with all the understanding, and all the 39

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