and the blessings of the work of redemption. Hence the apos

tle urges his brethren to perform the duties which grow out of the sublime principles of the christian system.

In his Epistle to the Ephesians, the apostle pursues the same method. In the first chapter of this epistle, he states the fundamental doctrines of the eternal purpose of grace, of free and sovereign mercy in the forgive ness and salvation of believers, of Christ as the foundation of his church, of his absolute con. trol over all his works, of the sealing of the Holy Ghost, of the special enlightening of his children, of his agency in producing faith in the heart, of the resurrection and glorious exaltation of the Divine Redeemer. In the second chapter, he asserts the doctrines of the moral death of sinners, of the guilty and deplorable state of the unrenewed, of the riches of divine grace, of faith as the gift of God, of the new birth, of Christ as the peace of his people, of their access to the Father through him, and of the church as the habitation of God through the Spirit. Many similar doctrines are exhibited in the third chapter. From these doctrines, he proceeds to incul. cate, in the remaining part of the Epistle, the duties of which they are the foundation. Thus he begins the fourth chapter; "I therefore beseech you, that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, with all lowliness, and meekness, with long-suffering, forbearing one another love; endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." These practical direction s result from

the great principles of religion, which he had taught in the for. mer part of the Epistle. The three last chapters are almost wholly employed in teaching and enforcing that course of practice which is correspondent with the principles of christianity. He entreats those to whom he writes to speak the truth in love; forbids them to steal; exhorts them to let no corrupt communication proceed out of their mouth; commands them not to grieve the Holy Spirit; calls upon them to put away all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamor, and evil-speaking, with all malice, and to be kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake had forgiven them. He likewise exhorts them to abstain from fornication and all uncleanness, and cove. tousness, and filthiness, and foolish talking, and jesting, and to have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather to reprove them. He also enjoins the reciprocal du. ties of husbands and wives, together with the obedient conduct which children owe to their par. ents. He concludes his address by urging his brethren to be prepared for the christian war. fare, and to live in faith, hope, and prayer.

Similar also to this is the method which the apostle Peter pursues in his writings. Take the first chapter of his first Epistle. After having stated the foreknowledge of God, and the election of believers according to it, the certainty and perpetuity of the promises of God, and the astonishing work of redemption through the blood of Christ; he

proceeds to exhort the disciples of Jesus to gird up the loins of their minds, to be sober, and to hope to the end. He likewise urges them as obedient children not to fashion themselves according to their former lusts, but to be holy in all manner of conversation. In the second chapter he teaches that Christ is the chief corner-stone of his spiritual building, and that, through his grace, his people were called out of darkness into his marvellous light. Then he thus addresses the followers of Christ; Dearly beloved, I beseech you, as strangers and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts, which war against the soul, and have your conversation honest among the gentiles, that whereas they speak against you as evil-doers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.

We may also remark, that in a variety of particular instances, the apostles have made a very easy and natural transition from doctrines to duties. Among others we will notice 1 Pet. i. 17, 18, 19, in which the writer unites the doctrines of the future judgment and of the atoning blood of Christ, as arguments to persuade his brethren to pass the time of their sojourning in fear and holy living. He infers the propriety and obligation of their walking in godly fear and cheerful obedience, from the high sources of those two important principles of christianity. 1 Cor. vi. 20, Paul says to believers; "Ye are bought with a price therefore glorify God in your body, and your spirit, which are God's." As the forgiveness of their sins and the

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salvation of their souls were bought by the blood of the Son of God; so they were under indispensable obligations to honor his holy name by pure exer. cises of heart and obedient actions of life. The last part of the 15th chapter of the 1 Ep. to the Corinthians goes directly to support our proposition. Here the apostle proves the future, glorious resurrection of the friends of Christ. Through him they would receive a complete and joyful triumph over death and the grave. As a con. sequence, of all this, he says,

Therefore, my beloved breth. ren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." Their labor would not be in vain in Christ; because they would, by his grace, be supported through it, and at last be blessed with a crown of immortal glory. Thus the daties of religion grow out of its doctrines.

The reasoning adopted in those parts of the apostolic writings which we have considered, is luminous, correct, and conclusive. The system of christian morals is deduced from its genuine source, by the most fair and logical process. The reasoning is not carried on through dark and winding labyrinths; but is so plain and forcible that it may be easily traced and strongly felt by every honest man of common sense. By carefully reading, in course, the Epistles which have been under consideration, we shall discern the indissoluble connexion between the doctrinal and practical instructions contained in them; and because they

are formed, in so regular a method, into a complete system, we shall the more strongly feel their united force. These Epistles bear the obvious marks that they were written by workmen who were able rightly to divide the word of truth, to arrange it in proper order, to trace its close and beautiful connexion, and to give to every one a portion in season. Being thus skilfully and ably written, they come with the greater power to the minds and consciences of those who read them. Every sincere and prayerful reader will feel the weight of the arguments, and perceive the correctness and conclusiveness of the reasoning there urged and pursued. The infidel is refuted and overthrown, while the christian is edified and strengthened. Of Paul it was justly said; His letters are weighty and power ful. 2 Cor. x. 10.

From the view we have taken of this subject, we learn the importance of rightly understand. ing the principles of religion. Without a correct knowledge of these, we shall not clearly dis. cern nor spiritually perform the duties of the christian life. They who deny any of the main doctrines of the Bible, so far weaken the force of its precepts. Were it possible for men to set aside the principles of christianity, they would, in the same proportion, lessen the necessity of its duties and diminish our obligations to obedience. If you undermine and destroy the foundation of a building, the superstructure will, of course, fall. But while its basis is firm and strong, it cannot be beaten down by storms and tempests. Nor is he who by grace, is

grounded on the doctrines of christianity, driven from his duty by storms of adversity and waves of temptation. His soul is established on the Rock of Ages. Paul directs Titus to speak those things which become sound doctrine. Then he specifies those duties of the aged and of the young which are agreeable and consonant to the pure principles of our holy religion. Sound doctrine is at once the foundation, and the rule of the duties which are enjoined in the word of God. They who are the strictest in their doctrinal sentiments, with faith in the heart, are the strictest in their obedience. They who are lax in their sentiments may be supposed to be lax in their conduct. They have not the seed of grace, nor the root of obedience in their souls. They have nothing to secure a good life. But those who cordially receive the doc. trines of grace, will bring forth fruits meet for repentance, and walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing. D. F. D.

CONCERN FOR THE SALVATION OF THE HEATHEN.

Is it possible that eighteen centuries have elapsed since the death of Christ, and yet whole nations are still involved in pa. gan darkness? Is it possible that, at the present moment, five hun. dred millions of men have never heard of the name of Jesus?

Whither has fled the spirit of apostolic days? Where is that ardent love, which, in the strength of the Lord, delivered thous ands from the darkness of Sa.

tan's kingdom, prostrated before the cross the idols of the heathen world, and sounded the glorious tidings of salvation through every clime? Weep, O my soul, over the faded glory of the christian name. Weep over the forlorn state of the poor heathen.

Christian, when you see your acquaintance believing in Jesus; when you hear of revivals of religion in neighboring towns, and in distant parts of the Jand, you would fain think that the whole world is blessed with the gospel. But fact must dispel the fond delusion. Within what narrow limits, is the religion of Jesus confined! What are the inhabitants of this country in comparison of one nation of a hundred millions, and another of three hundred millions? What are the American and British territories, in comparison of the extensive and populous territories of Afri. ca and Asia?

Christian, the inhabitants of the greater part of the world, know not a Bible, a sabbath, or a church. Ignorant of the only way of life, and neglected by their brethren of the same blood, who only can impart the necessary knowledge, wretched, friendless, they pass their days in gross idolatry, and descend into the tomb without a ray of hope to gild the dreary passage. The parent immolates the child to appease the wrath of an imaginary god. The child abandons the aged, decrepit parent to suffer with hunger, or fall a prey to the ravenous beast. The widow ascends the funeral pile, and of. fers herself a burning victim with the body of her departed husband. One generation passes away after another to people the VOL. II. New Series.

Immortal

dark realms of wo. souls launch into an eternity, of which they were not informed, and for which they were entirely unprepared. The never-dying worm gnaws the anguished spirit, and the unquenchable fire burns in their eternal home.

The Son of God died to deliver mankind from this dreadful fate, and at his ascension to heaven, left a solemn charge to all his followers to proclaim his love to the whole world. "Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Blessed Savior, how much love was manifested in every part of thy divine mission. What an earnest desire in this final command, that the benefits of thy atonement might be universally enjoyed.

How do christians discharge the trust committed to them? How do they obey their Master's gracious injunction? They let three fourths of the world sleep the sleep of death, ignorant of the simple truth, that a Savior has died for them. Content if they can be useful in the little circle of their acquaintance, they quietly sit and see whole nations perishing for lack of knowledge. Many are seeking worldly wealth and worldly applause, under the specious pretext of serving Christ at home; and many are content to drag out an inactive, useless life in carnal ease and gratification, while darkness and the shadow of death overspreads the greater part of their fellow men. Is the subject of missions proposed? many are ready to cry out, enthusiastic, visionary scheme! And was it visionary for the Son of God to come into this world, the FIRST MIS3 W

SIONARY? Was it visionary for the apostles to leave their country, and go through the world in the character of missionaries? No. It is the GRAND DUTY of christians, and ought to be the GRAND BUSINESS of their lives, TO PROMULGATE THE GOSPEL. Since, then, we have but a few days to spend in this world-a few days in which we can show our love to Christ and immortal souls; let it be the carnest inquiry of our hearts, What shalt we do for the poor heathen.

Young men, whose souls are fired with divine love, forsake your friends and native land. Forsake all for Christ. Go into the destitute regions of the earth and spend your days in winning souls from pagan dark. ness to your dear Savior.

Parents, give up your sons to this glorious work. Part with them to meet no more in this world; but in expectation of a glorious meeting amidst the congratulations of thousands saved by their preaching from a heathen land. Christians, sleep no more. Awake, arise, and unite in this all important work. Methinks the call is heard. The christian world is rising. See. The negro slave raises his chain. ed arm; a tear rolls down his sable cheek, and he blesses God, who brought him to "America land." The tawny Hindoo, weeping, says to the European, "you cannot talk our language; but we see, that all our hearts are one." The Japanese calls to the native of the polar circle, "It is Jesus Christ that makes us all brothers and sisters." The song of praise ascends from all parts of the earth. Angels catch

the notes, and tune anew their "harps of gold." "Glory to God in the highest; and on earth peace; good will toward

men."

Christian, is it so? Go to your closet; fall on your knees; and, if never before, pray for the poor heathen. Pray for the few, who have left all to carry them the news of a Savior." Pray that more missionaries may be sent forth. And whenever you have a view of Jesus, and have been weeping over the scene of his dying love; whenever your souls are melted into pious tenderness and turned to heavenly joys, Oh, forget not to pray for the poor heathen.

ORIGINAL LETTER OF DR. WATTS TO MRS. SEWALL OF BOSTON.

Newburyport, April 2d, 1810. SIRS, If you think the following extract is worth preserving, please to let it have a place in the Panoplist and Missionary Magazine, which will gratify a constant reader of that useful publication. B.

DR. COTTON MATHER was my yearly correspondent and I la ment the loss of him; but, the loss you have sustained is of a tenderer and more distressing kind, yet let us see whether there are not sufficient springs of consolation flowing all around you to allay the smart of so sharp a sorrow; and may the Lord open your eyes, as he did the eyes of Hagar in the wilderness to espy the spring of water, when she was dying with thirst, and the child over against her ready to expire. Have you lost two love. ly children? Did you make them your idols? If you did, God has saved you from idolatry.