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vial and unsatisfactory a nature, that they in reality amount to nothing. Were they then ignorant of the above text, or does it speak a dubious or equivocal language? If in settling a question of this nature, words so plain and precise, and so directly applying to the case in hand, are to be

Total in Europe and America 234,181 overlooked; with equal reason may the

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We are sorry to observe that the separation of the methodists from the church of England, notwithstanding their professions of attachment to her communion, becomes wider and wider every year, and we doubt not will soon be complete. each succeeding conference during the last seven or eight years, numerous societies obtained leave to have the sacrament of the Lord's Supper administered by their own preachers. At the last conference no fewer than thirty-five societies in different parts of the kingdom petitioned for a similar indulgence, and had their request granted.

In consequence, we apprehend, of some irregularities which have lately taken place in the connection; a question arose, whether women should be permitted to preach among the methodists; and upon this question the following determination was adopted by the conference, viz. "we are of opinion that, in general, they ought not.

1. Because a vast majority of our people are opposed to it. 2. Because their preaching does not at all seem necessary, there being a sufficiency of preachers whom God has accredited, to supply all the places in our connection with regular preaching. But if any woman among us think she has an extraordinary call from God to speak in public (and we are sure it must be an extraordinary call that can authorize it), we are of opinion she should, in general, address her own sex and those only and upon this condition alone, should any woman be permitted to preach in any part of our connection, and when so permitted, it should be under the following regulations: 1. They shall not preach in the circuit where they reside, until they have obtained the approbation of the superintendant, and a quarterly meeting. 2. Before they go into any other circuit to preach, they shall have a written invitation from the superintendant of such circuit, aud a recommendatory note from the superintendant of their own circuit."

That in the present enlightened state of the Christian world, such a question should hve been at all proposed, may seem sur. prising; but the decision of the preachers, and the grounds of that decision are still more extraordinary. The opinion, that women ought not to preach, proceeds, not upon the solid ground of Scripture; "Let your women keep silence in the churches, for it is not permitted unto them to speak," 1 Cor. xiv. 34. but upon reasons of sq tri

decalogue be overlooked in deciding on the lawfulness of theft or adultery; although we trust it is scarcely probable that the innovating spirit of enthusiasm will go so far as to propose such a question. But to return women are not to preach, not because the thing is wrong, but because a vast majority of the people are opposed to it, and because there are preachers enough without them. This opinion, however, is qualified. Women, in general, ought not to preach. There are, it would seem, exempt cases; but these we conceive will comprehend every woman who so far forgets what is due to the modesty of her sex, and the authority of God's word, as to propose to reach: for if any woman think she has an extraordinary call from God to speak in public*, then it seems she may be allowed to preach. We will venture to predict that no female candidate for the office of preacher will remain without a licence to indulge her preaching propensities, if it depend on such a qualification; for no woman would ever think of preaching, unless she had previously wrought herself into an enthusiastical persuasion that she had an extraordinary call. But the functions of these female preachers, though thus di-, vinely accredited, are to be limited to their own sex only. Let us suppose, however, that these female preachers should chuse to think that their call is to preach to men as well as to women; how can the conference presume to resist what they admit may be the voice of God? or what reply will they make to those who, encouraged in such mischievous delusions by their own decree, shall say, "we must obey God rather than man.'

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This circumstance affords a striking proof of the danger of abandoning the safe path of scriptural truth and order; and venturing upon the wild and devious track of popular opinion. How thankful ought we to be for being preserved by the constitution of our church, from such unscriptural innovations.

It appears from one or two passages in the minutes of the conference, that there have been some dissensions in the society during the last year, but their nature is not distinctly stated.

* Can there be an extraordinary call from God to do that which is forbidden in his word? Men and women may lie, and satan may deceive, but God cannot contradict himself.

VIEW OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS.

ON THE DUTY OT SETTING APART PARTICULAR SEASONS FOR HUMILIATION AND PRAYER ON ACCOUNT OF THE PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCES OF OUR COUNTRY.

THAT all events happen according to the ordination of the supreme Being is a truth habitually present to the mind of the true Christian. He sees God in all things; and as the stream of human occurrences rolls along, the varying incidents of public and private life call forth in his mind suitable and corresponding emotions. In times of prosperity, his breast is warmed with gratitude, and dilated with filial joy and confidence. In seasons of adversity, whether national or particular, he humbles himself" under the mighty hand of God." He adopts the language of the holy man of old under similar circumstances; Why should a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins. Let me search and try my ways, and turn again unto the Lord." Thus he receives the bounty of heaven with filial thankfulness; and submits with childlike resignation to his heavenly Father's chastisement, endeavouring to render it the means of his correction and improvement.

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This serious observance of the course of human events, as adjusted and dispensed by the almighty Creator and Ruler of the universe, is strongly enforced on us by the word of God; and to cultivate in their turns the several tempers of mind which this consideration is fitted to inspire, is one material part of the duty of, keeping the heart with all diligence." In like manner it is one part of the character of the wicked, as delineated by the prophet, that while they are revelling in luxury and jollity, they regard not the works of the Lord, neither consider the operations of his hands. "Thy judgments are far above, out of their sight," says the holy psalmist and again, it is stated as the ground of their condemnation; "Because they regard not the works of the Lord, nor the operation of his hands, therefore shall the Lord de stroy them."-In truth, all wickedness may be not unjustly termed living and acting without God in

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the world," a kind of practical atheism; while the perception and knowledge of God, which are the foundation of all true religion, eminently consist in religious sensibility, in that state of the affections, which disposes men in divine things, to answer with promptitude and force to the call which is made on them.

But we are instructed in the holy scriptures, that the duty of humble submission to the divine will is not intended to prevent our imploring of the supreme Disposer of all things, the accomplishment of what we desire, or our deprecating the evils we apprehend; provided only that all these petitions are made with a disposition to leave the event without solicitude to him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will, and better knoweth than ourselves what is really good for us;-a condition, the propriety of which was recognised even amidst the darkness of the pagan world We are, indeed, expressly commanded to pray for the well-being of our country; that her rulers may be wise and diligent, her people orderly and industrious: and it is an encouragement to the pious mind to abound in supplications for the public welfare, that the supreme Being is represented in the scriptures as listening to their prayers, and for their sakes continuing his blessings or, delaying his vengeance, on a community which has become generally thoughtless and irreligious. We likewise find repeated instances in the sacred writings, of good men who have humbled themselves before God, with fasting and prayer, for the sins of their country; and as for the general efficacy of humiliation and penitential sorrow, in disarming (if such a phrase may be permitted) the wrath, and averting the judg ments of the Most High, it is inculcated on us by the uniform tenor of scripture. Even where the divine sentence has not been repealed, its execution has been suspended: witness the effects of the wicked Ahab's humiliation. But it must be needless to adduce particular examples. He must indeed have read the Bible to little purpose, who does not remem

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ber the repeated instances, in which God has thus shewn, that it is his especial character, "that he hath respect unto the lowly, while the proud he knoweth afar off." But I am not ignorant that, it has become a prevalent opinion among too many who do not openly disclaim the authority of the holy scriptures, that to suppose the supreme Being to alter or controul the course of human events in consequence of the prayers of weak and fallible mortals, or even to regulate them in any degree with a reference to their conduct, is mere ignorance and superstition. -Thus it is, that scepticism gains ground upon us under the guise of liberality, and unscriptural concessions are often made by men who, while their station in life, or perhaps even their remaining scruples prevent their disclaiming the truth of our holy religion on the one hand, are prompted on the other by a regard for their literary reputation to agree as far as they can with the more open contemners of revelation.

It will be readily acknowledged, that the doctrine of a particular Providence and the efficacy of prayer has been often misapplied by the weak or enthusiastic; nay more, that it has been abused to serve the purposes of hypocrisy and fanaticism. But the truth and importance of the doctrine itself, as soberly and justly explained, are not on that account to be given up. It is not sufficiently remembered that the course of nature is itself the ordination of God; and it is so adjusted that events, which to the eye of a cursory observer, present no more than the natural effects of ordinary causes, are often the judicial accomplishments of the divine will, Notwithstanding all the obliquities of the moral world, which have so often excited the sneer of the profligate, and drawn forth a sigh from the pious mind, in the prospect of successful wickedness or of suffering virtue; yet the connection of causes and effects is so regulated and established by the great disposer of all things, that, even in this world, false hood and vice generally lead the way, of natural consequence, to misery; truth and virtue terminate in happiness. Thus, pride generates presumption; presumption produces negligence and false security; negligence and false security generally CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 21.

end in defeat and ruin. Again, integrity and beneficence generate and preserve to us general confidence and good will; and these enable us both to enjoy and diffuse happiness. In like manner every virtue, and every vice, might be shewn to bring along with it, in general, its own reward and punishment. Sometimes also it pleases God to manifest his hatred of sin, by extraordinary interferences of power, which may be regarded as deviations from the ordinary course of nature; and his arm is lifted up and so unambiguously displayed, as to compel all but the determined and hardened infidel to see and acknowledge it *. These, however, are rarer instances; but whenever they occur, they should not be lost upon us. We should consider ourselves as solemnly called upon by Providence seriously to observe, and to endeavour to preserve the memory of all such instances of the divine procedure; which must be intended, like the incident recorded in the Acts of the Apostles, chap. v. to vindicate the majesty and honour

The memory of a remarkable incident of this kind is preserved at Devizes, by a tablet of stone affixed, soon after the event which it commemorates, to a pillar in the market place. It was with great

concern that one of our number, in passing blet was removed in making some alteralately through Devizes, found that the tations in the market place; but he was assured that it was to be speedily replaced. The story is this: a woman who had falsely denied that she had received the price of an article which she had just before sold, and had solemnly appealed to heaven for the truth of her affirmation, was suddenly struck dead in the view of a crowded market, which be held the awful manifestation of divine power with holy awe and apprehension.

We were informed by a worthy clergyinstance which had fallen under his own man of the strictest veracity, of another notice, wherein a man, who was so far prostituting the powers of speech as to be cursing and swearing for a wager, was suddenly struck dumb, and continued so all his life. He lived for many years afterwards in the neighbourhood of our informant; but though there had been no previous defect in his utterance, he never after could articulate. It is much to be wished that make it their business to ascertain their all who hear of any similar incident would truth or falsehood, and if they prove true, that they might be authenticated and recorded before the means of complete authentication are gone by.

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of God, and to deter men from the
commission of presumptuous sins by
the dread of immediate vengeance.
It should further be remembered,
that God works by the instrumentality
of second causes and of human agents.
When he intends kindness to a na-
tion, he endows its rulers with wis-
dom, diligence, and integrity; its
people with public spirit and obe-
dience; its defenders with bravery
and discipline. On the other hand
does a nation incur the just displea-
sure of the Almighty the counsels of
its governors are infatuated; selfish-
ness and insubordination pervade its
subjects; its fleets and armies are
infected with mutiny, or debased by
cowardice. Thus it is that, without
infringement on the responsibility of
moral agents, the schemes of the po-
litic and the undertakings of the en-
terprising become subservient to the
purposes of the supreme disposer of
all things; and the moral world, no
less than the natural, is the instrument
of his will. Surely the wrath of
man shall praise thee, O God, and
the remainder of wrath shalt thou re-
strain."

All these principles are familiar to
the mind of every real Christian; and
by them his judgments are formed,
and his conduct habitually directed.
The word of God, which is his daily
study, has admitted him behind the
cloud, if we may so express ourselves.
It has pointed out to his view the or-
dinary and the less familiar principles
of the divine procedure.. It has dis-
covered to him that the conquest of
Assyria, and the destruction of Baby-
lon by the Medes and Persians, which
by the profane historian are ascribed
merely to the natural effects of in-
creasing wealth and luxury, and to
the consequent decay of public spirit
and national bravery, were in fact
the result of the divine determina-
tion to "
punish the wicked for their
iniquity, to cause the arrogancy of the
proud to cease, and to lay low the
haughtiness of the terrible," Isa. xiii.

11.

Cyrus is but the subordinate leader of the Persian armies. It is the "Lord of hosts who mustereth the host of the battle, and calleth forth the weapons of his indignation." "Thus reads he nature, whom the lamp of

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In applying these principles to the present times with a view to ascertain the proper conduct to be observed

by every Christian in the actual circumstances of this country, there can be no difference of opinion among those who acknowledge the authority of the Bible, and are well acquainted with its contents. While the character of the real Christian will be marked by at least no inferior display of patriotism, liberality, and energy; while with his counsels, his purse, his person, he will stand forth in the defence of his king and country, he will be no less intent on serving them by his prayers. Following the example of Nehemiah, Daniel, and other holy men of ancient times, he will humble himself before the majesty of the Most High. "He will set his face unto the Lord God, to seek the security and welfare of his country by prayers and supplications with fasting." He will acknowledge with thankfulness the unparalleled blessings wherewith we in this happy country have been so long favoured; the signal delivers ances we have experienced; our victories in war; our enjoyments in peace; our diversity of ranks without oppression; our equality of rights without lawlessness and disorder; the unprecedented felicity of our po litical constitution; our unequalled enjoyment of religious light and liberty. It is often made the subject of reproach to the Jewish nation, that they enjoyed the bounties, and profited from the kindness of Providence, without observation and gratitude; and surely, Britons must be justly liable to the same censure, if, loaded as they are with blessings, they can look up to the bountiful Giver of all their enjoyments with cold and thankless hearts.

He who endeavours to regulate his conduct by the precepts of our blessed Lord, and by the example of his early followers, will also love to unite with his fellow Christians in acts of humi liation, supplication, and thanksgiv ing. The communion of saints is no unmeaning article of his creed. It is often matter of refreshing meditation to his mind, when he can retire from the turmoil of worldly business, that the happy day will come when all the people of God dispersed throughout the world, now so variously circumstanced, often likewise so broken into parties, and too often at variance from. mutual infirmities and misconceptions, shall all compose one harmonious family; and perfectly cemented to each other by mutual

affection, purified from all sin, and warmed with unceasing gratitude, shall with united hallelujahs adore their common Father and Redeemer. And here too, while he remains in this world, he loves to anticipate that blessed song of praise, and whether in supplication or thanksgiving to unite his voice with the voices of all those who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity." There is a special promise made by our Saviour to social prayer, Mat. xviii. 19, 20; and it would be strange, considering that the nature of man inclines him to society, if this inclination were to be weakened in those who have been "taught of God to love one another;" or if it were to be excluded from the offices of religion, in which their common interests and common feelings would render it more especially natural for them to combine.

the exception of the month of October, when Wednesday the 19th, the day appointed by his Majesty, will more effectually answer the purpose the first Friday in every month may be set apart to be a day of solemn fasting, humiliation, and prayer, on account of the national sins, and of our particular share in them-and that on every Sunday evening some part of the time between half past seven* and half past nine o'clock, should be allotted to the office of intercession for the security and prosperity of our country. No considerate Christian needs be reminded of the topics which, in such a season, it would be especially proper to bear in mind: our manif Id provocations of the righteous judgments of heaven; the multiplied blessings which have been showered down upon this favoured land; above all, our religious privileges and advanWe cannot help being extremely tages, contrasted with our scanty reanxious, therefore, that in the present turns of service, with our defective circumstances of this country true gratitude, and our neglect and abuse Christians of all denominations should of signal opportunities of improveconcur in setting apart particular ment; the various dispensations of times, when collectively in their seve- Providence, all intended and calcural places of worship, and indivi- lated to call a careless nation to recoldually in their closets, they should by fection and thankfulness; chastisefasting, humiliation, and prayer, inter- ments, at one time, which might cede for their common country. I justly humble us; a profusion of have been informed that in a former bounty, at another, which might war in which this country was en- well kindle the flame of gratitude gaged, a similar plan was recom- in the coldest bosoms; but neither mended by an excellent clergyman the recognition of the divine hand in of the Church of England, now de- the temporary withdrawing of our ceased, and that it was not only a comforts, nor any grateful perception dopted generally in this country by of the source of our mercies on different denominations of religionists, their flowing in upon us again with but also by our allies on the conti- their accustomed fulness, raising in us nent. It has been said that the same just emotions towards the Most High. practice was set on foot in the Ame-But it must be needless to continue rican war. And surely never was there a time in which we were more urgently called upon to deprecate the displeasure, and implore the mercy of God, whether we contemplate the internal, or the foreign prospect; whether we consider the general prevalence of dissipation, and irreligious thoughtlessness, from which neither the chastisements of heaven have reclaimed us to penitence, nor its blessings to gratitude; or the dangers to which we are exposed from the power and malignity of our enemies,

It is only because some time must be named in order to produce that union in religious offices which we have been urging, that we take the liberty of recommending-that, with

this detail. Let every private Christian retire to his closet, let him exa

*We name this portion of time from a persuasion that Christians, of every different situation and rank in life, will be able to allot some, perhaps considerable, portion of it to religious offices with more convenience than ny other which could be selected. It will be recollected, that in many places, public worship on a Sunday evening is not over till eight, or a quarter past eight; and in such places some time

must be allowed for the return of persons to their own houses. But where this is not

the case, the earlier portion of the interval proposed will, probably, be more convenient to Christians in the lower orders than the latter. It is on this account that certain range of time is proposed to be given.

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