be reanimated, the rich and the poor would meet together, the fubjects of pity would be found, the widow and the fatherlefs would be vifited, the hungry fed, the naked cloathed, and the oil of confolation would be poured into every wound. God has ufually been pleafed in his fovereign will to blefs the united prayers of his people: His promife is very gracious to thofe who unite as touching any one thing. The union and communion of God's children generally precede the outpouring of his fpirit; many at the prefent day, can witnefs this truth; every rational argument combines in the propriety of ftrict attention to this duty, and the word of God folemnly enjoins it; where it is neglected, all others are attended in a cold and formal manner. It is requested that profeffors would seriously and candidly inquire of themselves, if they are not guilty of this neglect. May all arife and trim their lamps, and fee if the oil of divine grace is burning; may they reflect that by uniting with the world to the neglect of this duty, they violate God's holy command, wrong their own fouls, and bring a reproach on the cause of the bleffed Jefus. EVANDER. The Chriftian's foliloquy.-A cure for a fad heart, in a day of affiction. T must be fo,-oh, my foul, ITH thou reafoneft well! Elfe, whence this pleafing hope, this fond defire, this ardent longing after celeftial glory? Or why this wonderful apparatus of a world, made for man, replenished with an almoft infinite variety, in the fowls of the air, in the beafts of the field, in the fifhes of the fea; and ftores with ten thoufand bleffings, all-all for the use, convenience and comfort of man for man, a being of yesterday, and who to-morrow will be laid in the duft? If there be not a celestial Paradife, a kingdom of eternal glory, prepared for the righteous, beyond this vale of tears, why all this attention to worthlefs man, to man, who, if his foul be not immortal, and a candidate for eternal bleffednefs, is in no wife' anfwerable to fuch aftonishing dif plays of the wifdom, power and goodnefs of God? Or why, from the beginning, were angels from the throne of heaven, fent on errands to man, with meffages of grace? Why were prophets infpired to teach mankind the will of heaven, and in confirmation of their teftimony, to predict events to the end of the world, in the exiftence, wars, revolutions and deftruction of kingdoms, to fucceed" in exact hiftorical order, in the long fucceffion of thousands of years? Or why the amazing condefcenfion of God the Son, to unite with his divine the human John xiv. 1, 2, 3. "Let not your heart be troubled ye be-nature, to be made under the law, lieve in God, believe alfo in me. to endure fuch trials of cruel In my fathers houfe are many mockings and fcourgings, and to manfions if it were not fo I expire in all the shame and agonies would have told you. I go to of the torturing death of the prepare a place for you. And crofs, inflicted by a feeble band of Roman Soldiers, inftigated by Jewish malice? Or why the bold, perfevering, undaunted teftimony of his difciples, in the lofs of all go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be alfo." earthly honors and poffeffions, mand the obedience of his ration fearlefs of prifons and dungeons, al creatures? And where is the of the threatenings of earthly ru-ufe of law, which knows no penlers and of ignominious ftripes, alties, nor rewards? Or how can not even fhrinking from death it- juftice be difplayed, without dif felf, (when inflicted with all the tinguishing between the innocent torture, which human malice could and the guilty-the holy and the invent,) that they might be found unholy? Is this, then, fully to be faithful in bleffing the world with feen in the prefent world? Do the glorious gofpel of him whom rewards and punishments diftinthey had "Seen alive after his paf- guifhingly enforce the divine law fion by many infallible proofs, being on carth? Wherefore, then, "do feen of them forty days, and fpeak- the wicked live, become old," yea, ing of the things pertaining to the and are "mighty in power," in kingdom of God?" It is only in the thoufands of inftances? Why do gofpel, the grand folution of these they often abound in profperity wonderful phenomena can be and affluence, while the righteous found. The pages of this facred are many times afflicted, poor and. book difclose the whole. They low in the world? Or why have point out the destiny of man. They fo many prophets, apoftles and place God on his glorious throne, martyrs "quandered about in Sheepand bring the whole created uni-kins, and goat-fkins; being defliverfe to bow before him. Here, thou mayeft read, oh, my foul, and find a fatisfying and comforting answer to all thy enquiries. Doft thou ask again, why all this attention to worthlefs man? Here the answer is given. It is because the foul is immortal, and this a preparatory state to another of eternal duration, beyond the grave. It is because the whole world lieth in fin, exposed to wrath, and noth. ing fhort of the blood-bought par-ed by the ties of confcience is predon of the glorious Son of God pared for fcenes of riot, of fraud, could refcue a fingle foul from ever- injuftice and murder. But, oh, lafting woe. Nor think this a fable. my foul, thou art no longer left For it is an awakened confcience, in the dark about futurity. Thy Oh my foul, that fills thee with light is come, and the glory of the fuch a folemn awe of God. It is Lord has arifen upon thee. "Let heaven itself, that points out to not your hearts be troubled: ge bethee, in the vanity of all things heve in God, believe alfo in me," below the fun as well as in the fa- faid the dear Redeemer to his forcred page, the certainty of an rowful difciples, in the full view eternal existence beyond the grave. of his approaching sufferings, and And will not that be a ftate of of all their trials. "In my fathrewards and punishments? Can it ers houfe are many manfions: if be otherwife? Where is the foun- it were not fo I would have told dation of law, if not in the good-you. I go to prepare a place for nefs and authority of God to com- you." Oh! bleffed news! How tute, afflicted, tormented, and tortured, not accepting deliverance," in the hour of death, by denying their Lord, if this was not the way to "obtain a better refurrection?" If beyond the grave there. be not an eternal distinction made between the righteous and the wicked? Without a future ftate of retribution all is dark and unintelligible, all is a chaos of con fufion, and man no longer restrain that if I am not afhamed of Jefus, ་ full of confolation to the right eous foul, in this ftate of trial! How does it obliterate from the mind the painful remembrance of paft forrows and fufferings, and fweetly wipe from their ftreaming eyes the bitter tears of affliction, by the bright profpect of eternal glory, with which it gladdens the heart! How glorious the character of God in this wonderful fcheme of redemption and falvation! The manfions of eternal bleffednefs are opened for penitent believers in the Lord Jefus. "I go to prepare a place for you," faid the dying Redeemer. Remember this, oh, my foul, when thou art called to fuffer reproach or perfecution for the religion of Jefus : remember, he has firft drank the wormwood and the gall, the bitter cup of tears and blood! Oh, remember this is the way to glory! Jefus has gone to prepare a place for thee, if thou art in real-will receive me unto himself. ity an humble believer in him. And, why? That we may meet "Let not your heart be troubled;" to part no more; that where he for Chrift, and all the glorics of is, there I may be alfo, with his heaven are yours. He has gone innumerable company of angels to prepare a place for you, a and faints, enjoying his beatific place in the manfions of bleffed- prefence, where is fulness of joy nefs, where God fhall wipe away and, at his right hand, where are all tears from your afflicted eyes, pleasures forevermore. Is not this and crown you with all the hon-enough? Am I affured, if I am ors and bleffings of the celeftial faithful unto the death there will Paradife. What, then, if I am be a crown of righteousness laid poor in this world, I am rich in up for me, in the heavens? Why, Chrift Jefus, my Lord. If I am then, fhould I ever repine, at the defpifed on earth, I am honored profperity of the wicked? Why in heaven. If in the world I ex- envy the haughty worldling waxperience tribulation, it is on the ing great by violence and lies? Or road to glory. If I am friendless why, when compaffed about with among men, my guardian Angels unforefeen worldly trials and afstand before my father's face, inflictions fhould I rafhly call myheaven; and Jefus owns me for felf one of the most unfortunate one of his chofen, beloved ones. and unhappy of mortals? For my Yes, oh, Yes! This is my fweet portion is great: it is glorious, it is confolation, my joy, my fupport, eternal; and being divinely affured. under all my trials and affictions, it will never perish, I am fortunate in this life, whatever they may be, and happy. What, if like Lazarus VOL. IV. No. 4. $ I die a beggar? What, if like him, I find no earthly friends to nourifh my body with food, to cover my nakedness with raiment, or to bind up my wounds and bruifes, in my last sickness, with the healing balms of the physician? What, if no figh arifes from the heart of a friend at my death, nor a single tear be shed over my grave? Shall fuch confiderations as these make fectionately attached to the Father, the Son felt himself unable to refufe. By the defire of fundry refpectable judges it is now inferted in the Magazine. Mr. Atwater's Advice to his only Son. MY DEAR WILLIAM, me miferable? Shall they deprive I EXPECT foon to be carried me of all enjoyment in my God? Earthly friends I efteem: I undervalue them not. Worldly bleffings, I am fenfible, flow from the bounty of heaven, and may enlarge my prefent comfort and enjoyment. But, my treasure is in heaven. Knowing that Jefus has gone to prepare a place for me, and that he will come again, and receive me unto himself; that where he is, there I may be alfo, I am happy. Of this felictiy the world can never deprive me. This is a happinefs, which even death itself, dreaded as it is, by animal nature, will but bring to perfection. For, entering into the feelings of an apostle, I am ready to fay, "I reckon that the fufferings of this prefent time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which Shall be revealed in us.' ZEPHO. The Rev. Mr. ATWATER, late of Weffield, not long before his death, wrote the following advice and gave it to his Son. Two or three friends were indulged to fee it, and take copies of it. Hence a knowledge of it was communicated to a number; and a request was made by the town, in a general meeting, for leave to print it to gether with their Paflor's laft Sermon. A request made, in fuch a manner, by a people fo af to the grave-If you should be fuffered to live after my death, you will need much advice. I now, before my death, give you my moft affectionate advice, concerning a number of things, which I conceive to be of real importance. As a mourner for the death of your father behave with serious nefs and folemnity, fixing your thoughts upon your own death and the neceffity of an immediate preparation for it. Be dutiful to your mother. Let all that you fay to her, and concerning her, be refpectful. Be kind to her at all times. Remember the kind things fhe hath done for you, and the tender care she hath taken of you, ever fince the hath fuftained her prefent relation to you. If the fhould be ill-if fhe fhould be helpless-if fhe fhould live to be old, I hope you will always be ready to take the neceflary care of her, and to fhow the utmost kindnefs to her, even to her death, as far as you have opportunity. The duty of refpect and kindness towards her is abundantly taught in the word of God; and enforced by innumerable confiderations, which, I think, have had a great influence in your cafe. The manner in which you have spoken to her, and the cheerfulness with which you have attended to her calls and defires, are evidences of this. I have, with approbation, taken notice of your conduct towards her: She hath taken notice of it with like approbation. A hopeful profpect hence arifes, that your good difpofition will continue in all the changes whch may take place in the family. If it now be cherish-amples which they may follow. ed, we may furely expect that it will operate in you after my death. Be kind alfo to your fifter. Let fraternal goodness and love always adorn your character. Manifeft an obliging difpofition in your conduct, in your converfasion, and in your countenance. But College is an excellent place for those who have a stability to regulate their conduct, and wifdom to improve their time. They have good instructions— good religious regulations-good books-and always fome good ex You muft depend upon your felf for getting a living in the world. Many depending upon their patrimony neglect their time and ruin themselves! The patrimony you will have will be too fmall for fuch an effect. I hope it will be enough for a reputable education, and fomething befides. But how foon would it vanish, if you should spend upon it. You will probably have the offer of a Public Education, I hope you will have wisdom to form the beft choice. If you have not a ftability fufficient to regulate you in all the dangers and temptations to which you may be exposed at College, I fhould wifh you might never go to it. It is, in fome refpects, a dangerous place for those who are unftable in their ways, or viciously inclined. Being removed from the immediate infpection of their parents, they feel a new kind of liberty; and mingling in the company of the gay and licentious, they meet with new temptations and enticements; hear corrupt opinions and principles, and hence are more exposed to fall into a difregard of religion, and a neglect of their fouls. "My fon, if finners entice thee, confent thou not," If Let these things be ferioufly confidered, before you form a determination to go to College. you conclude to go thither, be always governed by the Scriptures of truth. "How fhall a young man cleanfe his way? By taking heed thereto according to thy word." The times before you will probably be peculiarly dangerous. A double guard will be neceffary againft bad principles, and bad practices. "Walk circumfpectly, not as fools, but as wife, redeeming the time, because the days are evil." They are days in which fcoffers are come. I should much rather you would fpend your days in the honeft and reputable business of a farmer or mechanic, than procure a public education and afterwards be inattentive to the advantages it would put into your hands. If you fhould choose the farmer's life, I fhould by no means be diffatisfied with your choice. I fuppofe your principles and morals would be as well fecured in that kind of life, as in any other, and perhaps better. A religious, induftrious farmer is an excellent character. But if you should choose the farmer's life, I fhould not recommend to you a college education: for the money expended in fuch an edu cation, together with what might be earned in the mean time, would go far in purchafing a farm. In that cafe I fhould recommend it to you to ftudy, at the Academy, in fome degree, all the branches |