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cret worship of him*-by the ry virtue practised by men, honacknowledgment of his govern- ors God, as well as casts a lustre ment and supreme dominion, on the human character. The and willing subjection theretof apostle says, Glorify God in your -by thanksgiving and praise‡— body, and in your spirit, being filby faith in Christ, confession and led with the fruits of righteousrepentance of sin, and turning ness, which are by Jesus Christ to God-by living contentedly unto the glory and praise of God. and cheerfully, humbly and pa- That virtue thus tends to protiently-by bearing much fruit, mote the glory of God, appears striving for the conversion of evident from the tendency of sinners, and the advancement of vice to dishonor him. Virtue the kingdom of the Redeemer, and vice are opposite in their nastanding up in the defence of ture and effects. "Sin is atheism. the truth, even suffering in the It denies God. It strikes at his righteous cause, and being faith-government and character, and ful unto the death. The glo- consequently at all good and all ry of God is reflected as from a happiness." Hence sin is remirror, by the union and exer-peatedly represented in scripture cise of all the Christian virtues. as committed to the dishonor of By practising honesty, justice, God. Virtue being of the oppotruth, faithfulness, benevolence, site nature, acknowledges God. charity, sobriety, we conform to It agrees and harmonizes with God's law, and imitate him in his his government, and is the adorable excellencies; and re- source of unspeakable honor and flect honor on him who possess- felicity. Therefore whatsoever es these virtues in perfection, things are true, whatsoever things and is the author of them in all are honest, whatsoever things are holy and virtuous beings. Eve- just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good rehort, if there be any virtu?, if there be any praise, these are the things which promote the glory of God. Hence the divine Sa¶ Gal. iv. 19. Jude 3. John'xv. 8. viour exhorts'; Let your light so xxi. 18, 19. Isaiah xxiv. 15. shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

*Psal. xxix. 1, 2 +Phil. ii. 10, 11.

Luke xvii. 11-19. Psalm 1. 23.

Rom. iv. 20. Josh. vii. 19. Rev. xvi. 9. § Phil. iv. 11, 12. i. 20. Psalm vi. 2. Acts xx. 19.

These texts will be found to illustrate and confirm that the several branches of Christian duty above mentioned, are to the glory of God. In most of the passages, this is expressly declared; in the others, it is implied: For as God makes his glory the ultimate end of all his plans and conduct; so he makes the same object the end of all the duties which he enjoins upon his creatures. And consequently, every duty enjoined upon men from heaven, which we find in the inspired scriptures, when performed as required, adorns the doctrine of Christ, and promotes the glory of God.

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minion over us, as it respects the acquisition and enjoyment of the things of the world; so we are not to be governed by the temper of the men of the world in other respects. A proud, haughty, supercilious, revengeful, envious, censorious temper is repugnant to the spirit of Christ. The old man with his affections and lusts, must be crucified, and we must put on the new man.

of mind by which we are gov-worldly mind to have the doerned. As a man thinketh in his heart so is he. The spirit he is of, or the temper by which he is governed determines his character. As Christians we are to pursue the business of our respective lawful callings, be prudent and industrious, but with motives very different from those with which the men of the world are influenced. Not to hoard up wealth, or procure it to consume upon our lusts, but to provide for our own, things decent and comfortable, to maintain hospitality and to have it in our power to exercise charity, in obedience to him, whose we are, and whom we are bound to serve.

2. We must not be conformed to the world in our conversation.

If we would make good our claim to the dignified appellation of Christians, we must not only avoid every species of profaneThe love of the world, in some ness and indecency, together shape or other, has the domin- with foolish talking and jesting, ion in every man, in a state of which are not convenient, but nature. Hence, if we would be the things of the world must not wise and act in character as fol- constitute the delightful subject lowers of Christ, who treated of our social intercourse. As with indifference what men are out of the abundance of the heart prone so indefatigably to pursue, the mouth speaketh, so if the we are exhorted not to love the love of God possess our souls, world nor the things of the and we are indeed devoted, as world, and are expressly assured faithful servants, to the cause of that if any man love the world Christ, the things of his kingthe love of the Father is not in dom, and not the concerns of this him. Hence also, in the sacred vain, perishable world, will conpassage first mentioned in this stitute the pleasing theme of our essay, we are exhorted not to be conversation. Hence we are exconformed to this world, but to horted to have our speech albe transformed, by the renewing ways with grace, seasoned with of our mind that we may prove salt; that is, always savory, alwhat is that good and acceptable ways pure, and for edification. and perfect will of God that we Hence, speaking in the name of may taste the sublime satisfac- believers, the apostle declares, tion of being heavenly-minded," For our conversation is in heaand enjoy the sweet liberty of vent." Would we act in charackeeping the commandments of ter as Christians, do honor to our the God of love. Agreeably to holy profession, and prove ourwhat is now observed, we read, selves to be the servants of Christ, "For to be carnally-minded is and children of the kingdom, death, but to be spiritually-mind- we must be ready on all suitable ed is life and peace." occasions to open our lips and drop a word for the blessed Je

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sus, a word for the good of souls | venge is sweet only to a wicked, -offer something which shall unforgiving heart. And what have a tendency to call up the saith our divine Teacher and fiattention of those with whom we nal Judge? If ye forgive not are conversing to the concerns men their trespasses, neither of their eternal welfare. will your heavenly Father forgive you your trespasses. Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, &c. What saith the great apostle? "Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath," &c.

3. We are not to be conformed to the world in our sentiments or maxims.

Humbling and searching is that pointed declaration of our Lord to the Pharisees, Luke xvi. 15. For that which is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God. Not barely that which is accounted innocent, indifferent, or but little criminal, but that which is highly esteemed among men, is so differently viewed by the High and Holy One, that it is odious even to an abomination. It is no unusual thing with the men of this world to call evil good, and good evil, to put light for darkness, and darkness for light. To call things by improper names and thus varnish over their turpitude is one of the artifices of the subtle adversary. But as children of light it behoveth us accurately to make distinctions, to view things as they are in their own nature and tendency, and not as they are falsely called, guiding our inquiries by the oracles of divine truth. We are not to be ashamed to avow and support the sentiments of scripture however it may expose us to the ridicule of those who are wise in their own eyes.

The spirit of Christ instead of hoarding up till gold is cankered and garments moth-eaten is disposed to distribute, engaged to do good according to the ability that is given. It is a worldly maxim that revenge is sweet, and tamely to bear injuries is the way to provoke insults. But re

Look to the example of the Saviour praying for his crucifiers, "Father, forgive them; they know not what they do❞

of holy Stephen when they were stoning him to death, kneeling down and praying, "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge." And contrast this with the conduct of men of the world, who will not forgive the slightest injury. How forcible, in this view of the sucject, is the exhortation, "Be not conformed to this world!" Whoever in this respect will suffer himself to be governed by the false principles of worldly honor must lay his account to be disowned by the Lord of glory when he cometh in his kingdom with all his holy angels. For them that honor me, saith the divine wisdom, I will honor, but they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed.

4. We must not be conformed to the world in their amusements.

To any one who has just notions of Christianity it would be impertinent to attempt to prove, that gaming of all kinds is unbecoming the Christian character. Moreover, as we are to avoid even the appearance of evil, playing merely as an amusement, though nothing be staked but a trial of skill and a loss of precious time, can hardly be justified. Whether it be consistent with

the Christian character, comporting with the self-denial, spirituality, and heavenly-mindedness of the follower of a crucified Saviour to encourage vain and fashionable amusements, let their tendency, together with the taste of the most eminent saints, be seriously considered.

less injurious than various other ways in which young people and others when assembled, are prone to pass their time. This may be safely granted without placing them on any justifiable foundation.

Lastly, let the taste and consequent practice of the most amiable, exemplary and worthy followers of Christ be considered. Do they relish such things? Can their example be pleaded in justification of attendance upon them? That some professors have a relish for them and not unfrequently attend upon them, is acknowledged and lamented. But the question is, are such professors found among those who do the most honor to their profession? Do they appear in their walk and conversation, by their self-denial, weanedness from the world, spirituality and heavenly-mindedness, to approach the nearest to the holy example of Him whom they call their divine Lord and Master? Let me ask those gay pro

Let those who advocate the innocence of such scenes and commend them as beneficial, ask themselves as in the presence of that glorious Being to whom they expect to render an account of all their conduct, whether they can devoutly look up to him for his blessing? Whether when they retire from these gay scenes, to say nothing of the unseasonable hours with which they are attended and the danger to which their health is exposed, they feel in any suitable frame to perform the duties of the closet? Whether when they have the most lively sense of death, judgment and eternity, their minds are not in the same proportion impressed with a sense of the vanity and unprofessors, whether in the compass fitableness of these things?

What do we find to be the effect of an outpouring of the Spirit on any place? Doth it not uniformly check all such scenes of carnal mirth? Are not those whose minds are seriously affected, disposed to attend on meetings of a very different nature? Why should there be such a change in our feelings when we are made sensible of our accountableness, and the things of eternity bear down with some becoming weight upon our minds, if the scenes of amusement under consideration, were so innocent as some imagine, and so beneficial as some plead? It is in vain to urge that they are

of their acquaintance they cannot select those for whom they have more charity than they have for themselves, and whether they would not think more favorably of their own good estate, were they less conformed to the world?

From what has been said on this subject, it is obvious to remark, that the way to do honor to religion and promote its true interest, is not by softening down, explaining away, or concealing the distinguishing doctrines of the gospel; nor by deviating from its pure and perfect precepts to accommodate it to the views and taste of a world lying in sin.

tinually to make this distinction more and more manifest. In the last great day and thenceforward to eternity, it will be fully conspicuous. Then shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. Instead then of endeavoring to reconcile the service of God and mammon, be it our sole care to serve the Lord. Let his holy

Some have imagined that vir- [ tue is so amiable that it needs only to be pourtrayed in its true colors to be universally admired and embraced. But they seem to forget that mankind by nature are universally depraved. Virtue, piety, or holiness, whichever of these names may be preferred, is indeed altogether amiable, but how can those admire and embrace the moral likeness of God who do not love the original? The ex-word be our only rule, his Spirit periment has indeed been tried. | our guide, and his glory our end. A perfect character has been ex- Then when Christ who is the hibited. One has appeared and believer's life shall appear, shall been familiarly conversant with we also appear with him in mankind, in whom all the amia- glory. ble and glorious attributes of the God of love shone forth. What reception did he meet with? How was he treated? He came unto his own, and though his way had been preparing four thousand years, they received him not.

Report of the Trustees to the Hampshire Missionary Socie ty; at their annual meeting in Northampton, the last Thursday in August, A. D. 1805.

THE

HE Trustees report to the
Society, that, at a meet-

In vain is it for the servant of Christ to think to render the religion of the cross acceptable to the carnal mind which is enmi-ing of their board in September ty against God. That enmity last, they appointed Rev. Joseph must first be slain, the heart Lathrop. D. D. Justin Ely, Esq. must be renewed; then the Rev. Richard S. Storrs, a Com-. beauty of holiness will be discov-mittee to receive three hundred ered and Christianity most cordially embraced.

dollars, granted by the Legislature of this Commonwealth for the purpose of supporting and educating two Indian lads, descendants of the late Rev. Mr.

Wherefore, let those who would do honor to the holy profession, and be happily instrumental in building up the king-Williams of Deerfield, who had dom of the divine Saviour, instead of studying to be conformed to this world, seek to be transformed. The two kingdoms are distinct, nor can the seed of the woman and the seed of the serpent ever be reconciled to each other. The Supreme Ruler in the dispensations of his providence is taking measures con

for several years, previously been under the care of Deacon Nathaniel Ely of Long Meadow, and to use and apply the said grant to the purposes, for which it had been made, and to account to the Legislature for the execution of their trust.

The Trustees also appropriated ten dollars which had been

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