Page images
PDF
EPUB
[merged small][merged small][merged small][ocr errors][ocr errors][ocr errors]
[graphic][subsumed][merged small][merged small][merged small]
[blocks in formation]

THE REV. RIDGEWAY WILLIAM NEWLAND was born at Well, a village near Odiam, Hants. He entered Old College, Hoxton, January, 1813; and on March 19th, 1817, was ordained over a charge at Hanley, in Staffordshire, on which occasion, the Rev. Dr. Styles, of Brighton, addressed the Minister, and the Rev. Mr. Bradley, of Manchester, the people, agreeably to the mode of dissenting ordination; a solemn ordination prayer having previously been offered up by the Rev. Peter Edwards, of Wem. Mr. Newland is the author of a most excellent sermon on Christian liberality, VOL. IX. No. 2.

A

THE POCKET PREACHER.-No. IV.

THE INSPIRATION AND DESIGN OF THE HOLY SCRIPTURES.

2 Tim. 3. 16. 17. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction, in righteousness: that the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works.

How inestimable are the blessings which mankind derive, through the medium of revealed religion; and how truly deplorable is the condition of those who are strangers to this heavenly communication. If we direct our attention to the nations where Paganism uprears its horrid, blood-stained crest, under what an oppressive mass of ignorance, superstition, and wretchedness, do we find them grovelling. Wholly unacquainted with the nature, the attributes, the perfections—and, in many cases, even with the existence of the living God. We behold them paying divine honours to stocks and stones, and to filthy monsters of their own creation, and vainly hoping to expiate their crimes by perpetrating the most hideous atrocities towards themselves and their hapless offspring. How forcibly does this disgusting spectacle demonstrate the necessity of a divine revelation, and with what lively emotions of gratitude should Christians contemplate that luminous manifestation of his will, which the Almighty has graciously vouchsafed in the sacred scriptures of truth. In the constant study of these divine records, St. Paul exhorts his convert, Timothy,

« PreviousContinue »