we live in sin, and yet inherit that the sanctifying operations of the glory which shall be given to the Holy Ghost, producing obedience righteous at the appearing of the to the divine will, are equally reSaviour. But you will observe quisite to carry into effect the inthe intermediate steps by which tentions of electing mercy, as is this process is to be effected. It the sprinkling of the blood of Jeis not election in the eternity which sus Christ. Holiness or good works is past, and salvation in the eternity is equally provided for by the docwhich is to come, with nothing trine of predestination, as is reexcept guilt and iniquity, immora- demption through the sacrifice of lity and crime to intervene; but it the Redeemer; and a Christian is election to salvation through might as well, in consequence of sanctification of the Spirit and be- his being the chosen of God, conlief of the truth. The means are clude that he could arrive at equally appointed as the end. He heaven without pardoning mercy who lays the foundation in his through the sacrificial blood of eternal purposes, carries on the Christ, as without devotedness to superstructure in a course of holy the divine service in a course of obedience, till at length the top submissive obedience to his Mastone be brought forth with shout-ker's will. What God hath joined ing, crying Grace, grace unto it! together let no man put asunder. The operations of the infinite Such then are a few of the exJehovah are all full of the most press decisions of the word of God consummate wisdom. Every step on this topic. They might be in the process of this stupendous easily extended, but three separate scheme is under his regulation and quotations from the inspired voguidance. He who designs to bring lume, all bearing on one point, are to complete salvation in eternity, surely sufficient to set the question commences the work by saving for ever at rest, and to demonstrate from sin in time. If therefore that if any one supposes the docsanctification by the Spirit and trine of election has an unholy belief of the truth be genuine holi-influence, he does not receive it as ness, then must this doctrine, so it is revealed in the Bible, where far from being licentious, as certainly have its fruits unto holiness, as its end is everlasting life. its salutary and sanctifying ten- "Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience, and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ." The same truth is here again brought before us, in connection with the same tendency. Each person in the glorious Trinity is exhibited as employed in advancing the present and final welfare of believers.Here is the election of the Father, the redemption of the Son, and the sanctification of the Spirit. Each of them separately, and all of them combined, are necessary to ad-truth. vance the soul to heaven, Now (To be continued.) Did 66 REVIEW. 1. Statement relative to Serampore, sup- | conclusion, that “three righteous men” plementary to a Brief Memoir." By have been totally and wantonly misreJ. MARSHMAN, D. D. With Introductory Observations by John Foster. presented that the Calcutta mission8vo. pp. lxxi. 172. Price 3s. Parbury, aries are "carping, cavilling, insolent Allen and Co. detractors". -"fabricators of malicious 2. A Letter to John Broadley Wilson, Esq. falsehoods"-and that the Committee of Treasurer of the Baptist Missionary the Baptist Missionary Society, besides Society, occasioned by "A Statement having aided and abetted these " relative to Serampore, by J. Marshman, starts" in their graceless and unnatural "upD.D. with introductory Observations by John Foster;" including Original hostility to their venerable predecessors Correspondence, &c. By JOHN DYER, in missionary undertakings, are themSecretary to the Baptist Missionary selves a set of rapacious tyrants—“ a Society. 8vo. pp. 86. Price 2s. Wight-sort of religious East India Company, man and Co. 3. Vindication of the Calcutta Baptist Company;" and assuming a more absofar more despotic than the old secular Missionaries; in Answer to "A State- lute and heartless control over the ment relative to Serampore, by J. Marshman, D.D. with Introductory Observa- services, the property, and the persons tions, by John Foster." By EUSTACE of their missionaries, than (thanks to CAREY and WILLIAM YATES. Price Mr. Huskisson!) our West Indian slave2s. 8vo. pp. 104. Wightman and Co. holders are permitted to exercise over 4. The Spirit of the Serampore System, the unhappy victims of their legal doas it existed in 1812 and 1813; with Strictures on some parts of Dr. Marshmination? man's "Statement relative to SeramAssuredly he must:-for all this, and pore," in a Series of Letters to a Friend. more than this, is insinuated (very By WM. JOHNS, M.D. F.L.S. F.H.S" affectionately," and with "extreme 8vo. pp. 74. Price 1s. 6d. Wightman reluctance," no doubt!) by Dr. Marshand Co. man; and asserted and asseverated, again and again, (certainly without any such amiable weakness!) by his advocate, Mr. Foster, a gentleman we believe of irreproachable integrity, and, until now, in high repute for wisdom and candour. To withhold assent, therefore, under such a weight of authority, (admitting it were impossible there could be any reply,) must surely indicate, to say the least, a very high degree of presumption. Why, Dr. Marshman says this and that; and does not he know? and Mr. Foster believes it all; and can he be mistaken? Impossible!" "He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him." In the whole compass of controversial writing, we believe it would be difficult, if not impossible, to find a more striking and affecting exemplification of the wise man's remark, than is presented to us in the publications which stand at the head of this article. Let an intelligent Christian, previously uninformed on the subjects in dispute, and entirely unacquainted with the characters who sustain so conspicuous a part in this melancholy drama, set himself to the serious examination of the first of these productions—assum- But why impossible? "Great men are ing, all the while, that he is there pre- not always wise:" neither is Mr. Foster sented, not only with the truth, but infallible. We can easily conceive that with the whole truth, entire and undis- a judicious reader of his elaborate guised-and with what impressions will opening address, however candid, and he rise from the perusal? Will he not- with the most unqualified conviction of must he not arrive at the astounding his sincerity, may yet think it at least EE retreat. Now is the time; and, it may be-now or never! Such, judging from certain notorious facts, we may suppose to have been the policy of Dr. Marshman and his coadjutors, on the publication of this wonder-working book; and it was good manoeuvering! In a few instances, though in very few, we believe, it proved successful. We envy not their triumph: instantaneous impressions are not always lasting. But, now, will any thoughtful reader believe that this is "the other part?” On the contrary, time, and a very moderate share of attention to the subject, will discover, that, in relation to the Committee, this is one of the grossest fallacies ever imposed on the credulous and the unsuspecting. What (we should possible, that, "slenderly connected or acquainted (as he confessedly is) with parties, societies, or committees❞—and exposed, as he has been, for weeks and months, to the continuous influence of exparte statements, he may, for once in his life—even he—have been deceived, and have deceived himself. But, without assuming the fact, it will be as natural as breathing for such a reader to inquire for "the other part" of this mystery. "Right: (says Mr. F.) but let not the reader forget that Dr. M.'s exposition is the other part." Here we are completely at issue. It is, however, exquisite generalship, and worthy of the cause. Once prevail on the public to believe that this is "the conclusion of the matter"-the judgment of Cæsar, from which there can be no appeal and the point is gained. Heat the feel-be glad to know,) have the committee ings to a certain pitch, and strike while they are warm, and the work of proselytism will go forward gloriously. "Here is the ammunition: now let us take the field. You proceed in this direction; you in that; one to the east, another to the west; while our venerable chief travels post to the north. Now for the alienation of the old Societies; and now for the establishment of new ones. Should any pretend to think for themselves, and to act for themselves, and officiously cry, Audi alteram partem! humour their fancy, commend their prudence, laud their candour, compliment them, if not upon their penetratration, yet upon their correct feeling and manly independence; tell them they are right, that Mr. Foster allows they are right—perfectly right: but, fail at your peril to impress them with the persuasion, that ours is" the other part." On this point, be pertinacious. Allow these demurrers no time for reflection, "I may appeal (says Mr. Dyer,) to every none for inquiry. Call meetings instan- reader, whether this single fact does not furnish a strong presumption, to say no more ter, public or select, according to con- in favour, not merely of the honest, but of venience; engage great men for ora- the kindly intentions of those who prepared tors; appoint committees and receivers it, [the report.] Here was an account to be of contributions, either with or without given to the public of facts spread over a their consent, or even against a refusal; surface of several years, of a protracted series and before a reply, or even the anof perplexed and harassing discussions, terwinating at length unsuccessfully. That acnouncement of a reply, can make its count is given by one of the parties engaged appearance, let societies be organized-it is felt to operate unfavourably to the and in action, beyond the power of interests of the other--but no mis-statement ever published, on the one part, to which this can be a reply on the other part? What have they done, to call forth such a torrent of vituperation as this said "other part" contains? What unfounded accusations have they preferred? What bitter invectives have ever soiled their pages? Wherein are they the aggressors? In their Report of 1827, they published, indeed, from rigid and dire necessity, a concise and dispassionate statement of facts—nothing more. surely that cannot be "the one part,” of which this is said to be "the other." That had already passed the ordeal; and, like the Hebrew worthies, had emerged from the fire unhurt. Its accuracy, however it may affect the interests of Serampore, remains unimpeached, even by Dr. Marshman and his friend; and, we may therefore conclude, is unimpeachable. But whatever can, by the aggrieved party, be detected. This consideration may have its use, when we proceed to notice the imputations which have been so unsparingly heaped upon the Committee."-Letter, p. 5. But here we shall be charged with “evasion ;" and indignantly told that the committee have gone beyond this even path of rectitude; that, covertly at least, and by implication, they are parties to certain Reviews, and articles of intelligence and animadversion, which have made their appearance in our own and another periodical. This we deny: we maintain, that these productions, be their character what it may, ought not to be laid to the account of the commit tee. have no connexion whatever, except that, by their medium, the Missionary Herald, published monthly by the secretary, is conveyed to all their readers. Two or three of the ministers, who act as editors of one of them, are also members of the Committee; but this involves no consultation or privity, in respect of the articles which shall appear in its pages." "The delinquency of the Committee, however, appears, in Mr. Foster's estimation, to be rather negative than positive. They should have stated publicly what part of the prevailing crimination they knew or do this was acting a part from which the believed to be unjust; and their declining to most determined enemy, who possessed the least of justice or generosity, would have revolted. This official and public declaration, if I understand rightly, ought to embrace every thing said or written concerning Dr. Marshman, precisely distinguishing how much, if any, was authorized by the Com"This (says Mr. Foster) will not be mittee, and how much must be left to rest questioned if the meaning be that the com- upon the unsupported testimony of the relamittee, as a body, did not authorize them. ters! I really feel it a waste of time to But what is the use of this evasion? Its make a formal defence against such an accuprincipal members knew that such papers sation; but as some readers may be as igno were preparing and appearing; in some in- rant of the constitution, business, and emstances, probably, they knew before their ployments of a Committee, as Mr. Foster appearance what they contained; in one inowns himself to be, I offer for their sake stance, certainly, that of the paper which the following considerations :--commenced the perfectly unprovoked hostility, the secretary had this previous knowledge; they knew, or might know, that the articles so issuing would be regarded by the public as having their approbation; and therefore it became them, as men of justice, to signify to the writers that they would instantly, in the most public manner, declare their own and the Committee's disavowal, and condemn the virulent spirit and incorrect representations."-Preface, p. lxiii. Were we satisfied with the argumentum ad hominem, we might just inquire of Mr. Foster, whether he considers Dr. Marshman accountable for certain fabrications which are circulated freely, for the good of his cause, by some, and notoriously by one of his accredited agents, to the great scandal and prejudice (where they are believed!) of both the Committee and the Calcutta Missionaries? We do not hold the Doctor accountable. We say, in both cases, "Let every one bear his own burden." Mr. Dyer shall answer for himself. "With the periodical publications to which allusion is made, the Committee of the Baptist Missionary Society, as such, "1. All that is reported concerning Dr. Marshman is not known to the Committee. Several matters of the prevailing crimination,' specified in the Statement' before me, were first brought to my knowledge by reading them there. "2. The Committee have taken no such measures in their own vindication. Statements have been circulated as injurious to the character of some of its leading members and friends as any directed against Dr. Marshman, which they have left quietly to expire. act business relative to Serampore only at "3. It has long been the practice to transthe quarterly meetings of the Committee, from which alone any document of the nature required could emanate. "4. It will be supposed that, on points of such delicacy, there is a considerable diCommittee themselves; so that, while there versity of opinion among the members of the has been a remarkable unanimity on the great points of the question, nothing of the sort could be expected, if particulars were entered upon. existed :-imagine that the Committee were "But supposing none of these obstacles furuished with an accurate specification of all the writings and sayings on which their judgment was required-that the few brief hours during which alone they can assemble were, by some happy coincidence, left wholly unincumbered, no other business, foreign or domestic, from the East Indies or the West, claiming their attention-and that, moreover, what is equally probable, the members present were of one mind as to the degree of blame attaching to each particular of the indictment we suppose to have been laid before them-what would the result be? Why, that they must appear before the public as the accusers of Dr. Marshman and his colleagues, since of course whatever they did not disavow, would be regarded as established by their authority. But this is a position they never would voluntarily take; the whole bent of their endeavours has uni formly been to avoid even the remote semblance of it. "It never occurred to me that a committee could possibly be supposed responsible for reviews, or articles of intelligence inserted in works over which they have no more control than Dr. Marshman himself. But when I was apprized of the publication of an article which might be supposed, from its contents, to be prepared with the privity of the committee, I took immediate steps, in the most public manner, to disclaim it ;* assured that my doing so would be approved by them. This disclaimer has since been repeated; and it is cheerfully left to every impartial reader to determine whether the charge thus made against the committee be well founded, and whether the course prescribed for them by Mr. Foster could have been adopted with the least propriety."Letter, pp. 9-11. We trust this will be more than sufficient to clear the committee from the aspersion of wishing to avail themselves of any dishonourable advantage, in defence either of their personal conduct, or of the interests of the Institution which they have the honour to represent. A word or two in justification of ourselves, and we will proceed at once to a consideration of the main points of this unhappy controversy. “And in the dark it may safely be predicted that those labourers will be desirous to remain, after Dr. M.'s exposition shall have had a little time to produce its effect. No man could be more charitably willing than he, that they should bave the benefit of that concealment.”—Pref. p. v. Now, really, we have no desire to on Dr. Marshman's throw ourselves charity: and it so happens, that the very announcement of this ill-fated prophecy has had the singular effect of disproving its pretensions. In the majority of instances, the writers, instead of "remaining in the dark," have already "come to the light." Whether they have acted advisedly, is no question of ours. But on what principle a Reviewer shall be required to append his name, or why he should be stigmatized for declining such an unusual procedure, we have yet to learn. Reviews (as, surely, Mr. Foster ought to know!) are always anonymous; and they are consulted, not simply as the opinion of the writer, but as the sentiments of the Journal in which they appear; the Editor or Editors of which are presumed to be known. Mr. Foster has been in his time a very extensive Reviewer, and probably in the course of years, has manufactured some sharp sentences: but did he ever feel himself called upon to affix his name to his reviews? He would laugh to scorn the very proposition: and yet he has the modesty to complain that the reviews of the Serampore publications are anonymous! Good man! We can imagine what a straiu of brilliant sarcasm would have issued from his pen, if by possibility he had chanced to have been the object, instead of the author of such an From the circumstance of the Re-accusation; and by what contemptuous views, and the other articles relative to Serampore, being anonymous (alas! poor KENT!) Mr. Foster chooses to represent the writers as "labouring, certainly very hard, but very appropriately in the dark." And then, as by a sudden inspiration, he ventures to prophesy! epithet he would have designated us, if we had, spontaneously, deviated from the beaten track. However, if it will afford either Dr. Marshman or his friend the slightest gratification, we have no objection, for once, to let them into another of these profound secrets :-the Review of Dr. Marshman's first pamphlet, which appeared in our Numbers * In the Missionary Herald for March, for November and December last, was 1828. written by Mr. IVIMEY! From inter |
