SPARED to begin another year, and to commence a new volume of the Spirit of the Pilgrims, propriety may suggest, if it does not require, the formality of a direct communication to our readers. We need not recur again to the object for which this work was instituted, or to the principles on which it has been hitherto conducted. Our views of doctrine were fully exhibited at the commencement of our labors, and as we have proceeded, we have found no occasion for change. The great principles of the Orthodox faith, as contained in the Scriptures, as explained by Edwards and his coadjutors and followers, and as embraced by the Evangelical churches of New England, are too firmly established--on their own proper evidence, and in the hearts of thousands— to be easily subverted or abandoned. Constituting, as we doubt not they do, the theology of the Bible, and the hope of the world, to explain, defend, and enforce them, for the edification of believers and for the conviction of misbelievers and unbelievers of every description, will continue to claim our chief attention. In this important work, we need, and we solicit, a general co-operation of the friends of truth. We need the assistance of their ablest pens, in discussing, as we hope to do more at large in our future numbers, the great doctrines and precepts of the Gospel. That so many of our pages have hitherto been occupied in exposing and refuting a particular system of false religion, which has crept in and spread desolation around us, was not because the refutation of this system constituted the only or the principal end of our labors, but because, for the time, this seemed to be the threatening evil of the church, affecting (as it does) the principal articles of the Evangelical faith, and aiming, confessedly, to overthrow them all. Should innovations equally great and alarming make their appearance from any other quarter, they will be met in the same spirit, and with a resistance equally determined. The progress of the heresy to which we have alluded has not been such, during the last year, as to excite any fearful apprehensions. Notwithstanding the frequent boasts of its friends-whose vauntings would seem to be in the inverse ratio of their successes VOL. IV.---NO. I. 1 -the error has evidently received a check. It has been drawn from its hiding places, and been to some extent exposed. The history of its introduction and progress has been, in great measure, written. The eyes of the cominunity are opening, and a correct public sentiment is forming, in respect to it. Its moral features have been compared with those of the Bible, and the contrast is too striking to escape the notice even of the indifferent observer. Indeed, the disposition which has been manifested, by some of its leading supporters and advocates, to shake the foundations of the Bible itself, betrays a strong consciousness, on their part, that the testimony of Scripture is not with them. In the political world, the last year has been one of prodigious interest, in which God has been pulling down old establishments, and subverting the deep laid foundations of spiritual tyranny,has been overturning and overturning among the nations, to make way for Him whose right it is to reign. The revolutions in Greece and Algiers (the former consummated and the latter accomplished within the year) have opened wide and effectual doors for the spread of the Gospel in regions where Christ before was scarcely named; while the revolution in France, the work almost of a day, by which a great and mighty nation cast off the chains attempted to be fastened on it, presents the most interesting anticipations to the view of the Christian. The Papal harlot has now lost her supremacy in that "land of science and of sin," and the way is prepared for the Gospel to "have free course and be glorified." In these mighty changes, the God of nations should be regarded as presenting opportunities for the efforts of his people; and he is now waiting to see how they will improve them. If vigorously seized, they may be turned to good account; but if suffered to pass unimproved, when are we to look for their return? And what, in this case, is to be expected, but that God should bind again the burthens of his people, or at best, that the church should sink down into the torpor of ages, while the spirit of infidelity stalks through the world, breathing out its pestilence and inflicting its plagues, tenfold more terrible than those of Egypt? Never did a more fearful responsibility rest upon the people of God than, as it seems to us, there does now. And never did they more need an increase of wisdom, and energy, and true piety, in order to meet it. They need to be, and must be, more closely united among themselves. The need a spirit of love and zeal, which shall wither and consume sectarian prejudices-allay unreasonable suspicions -and prompt them, with united hearts, to give themselves to the work of the Lord. They need to be excited to greater sacrifices and efforts than have ever yet been made, to promote the kingdom of Christ, and save the perishing souls of men. If the people of God will not awake to their duty and interest in this respect, under the influence of ordinary motives, the day is not distant, probably, when recourse will be had in providence to means of a very different character. Those greatly mistake,, not only the language of prophecy, but the signs of the times, who do not anticipate approaching trial and conflict for the church. The way is evidently preparing, and in no small measure prepared even now, for a tremendous struggle, between those who love, and those who oppose, the kingdom of Christ. Satan is coming out in great wrath, knowing that he hath but a short time;' and those who act under his influence are uniting and concentrating their forces, to stay the triumphs of the Son of God. They will be able to make, and doubtless will make, a strong resistance to the prevalence of truth. And in overcoming this resistance, there may be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.' The people of God may be brought into straits, where their earthly resources will be cut off, and they will have nothing on which to rely but the naked promise and protection of Jehovah. But these scenes of tribulation, like all other things, will be overruled by God for the greater good of his people. The heated furnace of providence will serve to melt down their party distinctions. The band of fire, thrown around them, will draw them nearer together, and make them more entirely one body. A sense of personal weakness and dependance will be more deeply felt. There will be a great increase, also, of the spirit of prayer, of humility, and of self-sacrificing zeal. The tone of religious feeling will be elevated and purified, and the number of disciples will be multiplied. Thus-whatever is before them in the providence of God-his true friends may begin and end their years under very different impressions from those of any other people. For they are sure that the way is constantly preparing, though they cannot tell by what means, for the establishment and universal prevalence of that kingdom which they most love. Time, in its resistless course, is bringing all other kingdoms to their final close. It has swept away already the ancient and most renowned empires of the world, and those which remain are destined to follow in the same manner. But, under all circumstances, the kingdom of the blessed Redeemer is safe. "Time, which doth all things else impair, The seat of this holy kingdom is in heaven. There is the royal city. There are the throne and palace of the King. There his happy subjects are assembled and assembling, as they are trained and fitted in different parts of the universe, to take possession of the mansions prepared for them from the foundation of the world. And as years roll away, that branch of the general kingdom of Christ which is planted in this lower world, is casting deeper its root, and spreading abroad its shade, and is destined ere long to fill the earth.-Who would not be a member of this holy kingdom! Who would not flee from the ranks of the wicked, and take his lot and portion with the people of God! The commencement of the year has always been regarded as an appropriate season for reflection. The occasion requires us to look back upon the way in which we have been led, that we may rejoice in the goodness and faithfulness of God, while we cheerfully submit to the needed corrections of his hand. It requires us to look into the secrets of our own characters, to mourn over opportunities lost, duties neglected, evil affections indulged, sins committed, and see how our account stands with God, and what is our preparation for his judgement bar. It prompts us also to look forward into the untried future; and, while past blighted hopes and withered expectations may teach us how little we can depend on the world, we should resolve to stand in our lot, whatever it may be; seize opportunities of usefulness as they are presented; and do with our might what our hands find to do. The night cometh when no man can work.' We shall rest from our labors-when we arrive at heaven. The departure of days and years, and the consequent approach of death, are to most people subjects of painful reflection. They see the current rolling on with a rapidity which nothing can resist or arrest, and themselves borne downwards in the midst of the stream towards that eternity into which myriads are ever pouring; -and the prospect terrifies them. They shudder and shrink back. But why should the flight of time or the approach of death be unwelcome to the Christian, who is diligently engaged in his appointed work, and waiting the expected hour of release? What has such an one to fear from death, or from anything which lies beyond it? __ True, he is going to the judgement; but the Judge is his adored Redeemer, and his best friend. He is going into the eternal world; but in that world are treasured all his hopes. There is heaven-the end of his pilgrimage, and the home of his heart. There is the eternal resting place, which Jesus has gone to prepare for his people. There are the innumerable company of angels, and the general assembly and church of the first born, and God the Judge of all, and the spirits of just men made perfect.' "There his best friends, his kindred, dwell; Why then does the Christian mourn over his departing years, and the consequent approach of eternal realities? How much rather does it become him as he looks backward upon scenes which never can return, and forward to those towards which he is hasting-to say, |