Imágenes de página
PDF
ePub

alized under the administration of his | ling-block." "There is no respect Son and Lord (Psalm lxxii. 1) of persons with God." The blessings "Give the king thy judgments, O of the gospel, with all the privileges God, and thy righteousness to the and immunities of the reign of heaking's son. He shall judge thy peo- ven, are as free and acceptable to the ple with righteousness, and thy poor poor as the rich, for these are all enwith judgment. The mountains shall joyed "without money, and without bring peace to the people, and the price;" yea, indeed, the poor have little hills by righteousness. He shall greater facilities for entering the kingjudge the poor of the people, he shall dom of heaven than the rich! Jesus save the children of the needy, and says, "How hardly shall they that shall break in pieces the oppressor. have riches enter into the kingdom of He shall deliver the needy when he God." No difficulties of the kind crieth the poor also, and him that encompass the path of the poor; and hath no helper. He shall spare the when we consider what these blesspoor and needy, and shall save the ings and privileges are, we may well souls of the needy. He shall redeem conclude that their possessors are their soul from deceit and violence, truly rich, and those who want them and precious shall their blood be in poor indeed. To enjoy the remission his sight." What God hath thus of sins, peace with God, adoption into spoken with his mouth, he hath ful- his family, the Holy Spirit of promise filled with his hand, as, at this day, and of adoption, with the hope of the Messiah, David's son according to glory, honour, and immortality, is inthe flesh, has come, and constituted finitely more than earthly riches can the Son of God with power as to his purchase, and entirely out of the power spiritual nature, after his resurrection of the most powerful to take away. from the dead has sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, set up his kingdom, and sways the sceptre of universal empire over the world. And how does the event fulfil the prediction ?

2nd. But even in a worldly respect, under the Messiah's reign, the poor are blest: for, to supply their wants, a special provision is made by divine appointment. The fellowship, or contribution, forming the Lord's treasury, is one of the stated ordinances of the house of God, as regularly and frequently to be attended to as the "breaking of the loaf," even every first day of the week, as did the disciples at the beginning. And in order that the distribution may be according as every one has need, special officers are appointed (the deaconate) to take charge of this business. And more than mere enactments of law ever can supply, the Author of the institution writes his law on the heart by the riches of his own liberality and unparalleled example. you know," says the apostle, “the charity of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sake he became poor, that you through his poverty might be rich." In this

1st. Messiah proclaimed the gospel to the poor for this cause he was anointed of God with the Spirit above measure, as it is written, "The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to publish glad tidings to the poor, to announce liberty to the captives, and recovery of sight to the blind-to release the oppressed -to proclaim the year of acceptance with the Lord;" and by the messengers of John he returned this answer to the inquiry, "Art thou he that should come, or look we for another?""Go, relate to John what you have heard and seen the blind are made to see, the lame to walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, and good news is brought to the poor and happy is he to whom I shall not prove a stumb-way he implants in all his faithful

"For

subjects the same disposition and feeling of benevolence which leads every one, according to his ability, to give cheerfully of what he has for the relief of his poor brother. This, then, is the provision which the Lord makes in his kingdom for the benefit of the poor. Its fountain head is the munificence and benevolence of God himself, from whence it flows through Jesus Christ to the filling of the heart of his subjects with a kindred benevolence, and from the many hearts thus filled it flows into the sacred treasury, and from thence it flows out again to irrigate and refresh the heritage of God. And what human scheme of "Benefit Society" can, for simplicity, efficiency, and fulness, bear comparison with this?—all of which may be pronounced "broken cisterns that can hold no water." And if all this be not realized under Messiah's benignant constitution, it can only be said of such a community, that it is not true to the charter—that it is not His!

3rd. The poor are blest in the kingdom of Messiah with equal laws. There is no class legislation here. The laws, statutes, and ordinances, are all appointed by the King himself, who looks to the true interests of all his subjects—whose leading law is the law of love and liberty, "holy, just, and good." No money qualification for membership or office here, the poor being as eligible for either as the rich; and, as exemplified in the king himself, who for us "became poor," and "took upon him the form of a servant," and "had not where to lay his head"- as also in his chief officers of state to fill the apostolic office, men were taken of low degree, mechanics, fishermen, &c. and among all the qualifications enumerated for filling the permanent offices of bishops and deacons in his congregation, property forms not an item: while, to regulate all officers in the executive, this solemn charge is given as in the sight of God-"I charge you, in the

[ocr errors]

presence of God, and of the Lord Jesus Christ, and of the elect angels, that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality (1 Tim. v. 21.)

4th. But how does Messiah break in pieces the rod of the oppressor ? Of course those only who enjoy the privileges of citizenship experience the blessedness of his reign in a direct and special manner. Those, then, whom the gospel subdues, and brings into willing subjection to him, to whatever class they formerly belonged, are made anew and animated by the same spirit: so, learning of him, the lion puts on the nature of the lamb-"the rich man glories not in his riches, nor the mighty man in his might; but glories in this, that he understands and knows the Lord"—and that now his energies must be put forth in new modes of manifestation, "by breaking off his sins by righteousness, and his iniquities by showing mercy to the poor." And thus the Messiah, through his own voluntary will, breaks the rod of the oppressor by the same hands that wielded it. Again, to those who may be called while in a state of physical degradation, slaves to unconverted masters, the rod is as good as broken, inasmuch as the blessings, privileges, and hopes to which he has been introduced, renders him superior to his outward condition, and enables him to concur with the heaven-taught philosophy of the Apostle, and say, "If I can justly and honorably obtain my freedom from my bondmaster, I shall embrace it; but if not, I care not for it time is short- I am the Lord's freeman, and an heir of glory, honor, and immortality." And again, the rod of the oppressor is as good as broken, because, by the "favor of God, which brings salvation," he is taught to be obedient and faithful in all things, not only to the good and gentle master, but also to the froward, not answering again, but showing all good fidelity. And the very fact of

his fidelity, gentleness, meekness, and submissiveness, disarms the tyrantneutralizes the severity of the rod; for against such behaviour, and such amicable dispositions, "there is no law," and no rod will be lifted up. Thus, while the kingdom and coming of the "Just One is calculated to bless the whole human family falling under its influence, and ameliorate the asperities of this sinful and imperfect state to all classes, it is calculated to do so that of the poor; and were the glorious gospel generally received among the nations of the earth, and the exalted privileges and and immunities of the reign of heaven appreciated and realized as they ought, it would, in the very nature of things, completely change the face of society poverty and wretchedness would disappear from the abodes of men, and turn the barren wilderness into a fruitful field. "The glory of Lebanon would be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon ;" and all the children of want, being blest, would be able to render a reason in intelligent and grateful praise.

J. D.

HYMNS AND SPIRITUAL SONGS. BY A DISCIPLE.

No. V.-JOY TO THE POOR.

[blocks in formation]

This is a beautiful town, and the centre of a wealthy trade; but it owes nothing to the kindness of nature. The rocks of Madrepore, of which it is built, have been taken up from the bottom of the sea. The only water fit for drinking is collected in cisterns.

"The poor among men shall rejoice in the The climate is very hot and unhealthy; Holy One of Israel ?"— ISAIAH.

AND wherefore should the poor rejoice
In Israel's Holy One?

The heirs of want, and scorn, and toil,
In Mary's lowly son?
Because in their own ranks, a man
Of grief and care, he stood,
And for the poorest of the poor,
Poured forth his richest blood.
Because, like them, he laboured sore-
Like them despised the while-
His hands with labour hard-his brow
As damp as theirs with toil.
Because he proves that real worth
Is not to rank confined-
That he who poorest is in gold,

May richest be in mind.
That, as the sweetest kernel oft
Lies in the roughest shell,

arid sands surround the northern portion of the town, while to the south nothing is to be seen but ill-drained marshes. Upon a rocky islet, protecting the harbour, stands the fort of St. Juan de Ulua, still in a dilapidated condition since the bombardment of the French.

By a vessel about to sail for New York I send you in the accompanying packet, a correspondence which I have lately held with a young and valued acquaintance. It is chiefly upon converting power, and I wish, my dear L. to have your judgment of the manner in which I have treated * A continuation of Mexico and her Population.

this subject, which you know has been so much controverted. It was during my stay in the city of Mexico, that I was introduced to my young friend R-, who is but a few years from the United States, having been during this time in a mercantile house in Mexico. He was delighted to converse with me of our native land, nor was I less pleased to learn from him the customs and character of the Mexicans. Having been piously brought up in a Presbyterian family, he has a great reverence for the Divine character and the holy scriptures; and is, I believe, truly solicitous to know the truth, though I found him, as I thought, a little prejudiced against our religious sentiments by the misrepresentations he heard before he left home. I did not, therefore, urge them upon his attention, but directed the conversation to those points of piety and morality in which all agree.

It was upon an excursion we took to visit some natural curiosities about 100 miles south-east of Mexico, that I formed a particular intimacy with him. I found him an enthusiastic admirer of nature, and deeply impressed with a sense of the Divine majesty and power. Passing over a very mountainous country, amidst the most sublime scenery, where one is obliged to cross foaming rivers upon bridges formed of the fruit of the Crescenta pinnata, tied together with ropes of the agave, or Mexican grapevine, we saw upon our tour, the Ponte Dios, or the Bridge of God-a rock, under which the deep river Aquetoyac has hollowed itself a passage, and along which the traveller may continue his journey as if he were upon a high road. We visited also the immense cavern of Dante, which is traversed by a river; the porphyritic organpipes of Actopan, and many other singular objects, of which I shall have much to tell you when we meet again. Meanwhile, be so good as to let me have your views upon the subject embraced in the enclosed letters, to

[blocks in formation]

Mexico, September 4. Dear Sir-As I have no idea of allowing myself to be forgotten by one whom I myself am unable to forget, I take, as you perceive, an early opportunity to avail myself of the privilege you gave me of corresponding with you. And, indeed, it is to me a most agreeable employment, for it reminds me of the pleasant intercourse which I have had with youof the halcyon days (alas, how few!) during which I was permitted to ascend with you those volcanic peaks where we saw the terrible majesty of God's power, and to traverse the vallies filled with delicious fruits, the tokens of his goodness; when we held sweet converse together of Him who is fairer than the lily which dipped its chalice in the stream of Hermosa, or the thornless rose which we found blooming upon the plain of Chiapa.

How happy would I be if the retrospect of my past life were in every respect equally pleasing as the remembrance of the few days I had the happiness to spend in your society! It was then that a pure and holy influence seemed to triumph in my heart, and to diffuse a serenity and joy to which I have been unhappily too often a stranger. To endeavor to renew, at least in some degree, this happiness, and to solicit information upon the most important of all matters, the salvation of the soul, I would now address to you these lines, which can but very imperfectly express the feelings by which they are dictated. Knowing, however, how deeply versed and interested you are in the subject of religion, I may speak without restraint, assured that you will gladly do any thing to assist the progress of one who wishes to travel "the safe but narrow way."

"At thirty man suspects himself a fool," says the poet. For my part, I

must confess that I had such a suspicion of myself before I was twenty. Upon endeavoring to penetrate into the recesses of my own heart, what darkness, what depravity I discovered! Upon testing by analysis the spring of my thoughts and actions, what unlooked-for feculence and impurity I detected! And yet after all the careful and protracted scrutiny of years, how little do I know of myself! how many secret sources of wickedness remain undisclosed! Believing in the holy scriptures, and wishing to obey their precepts, how unworthy have I felt myself of the name of Christian! how far do I fall short of doing what they enjoin upon me! Often, alas! am I ready to say with the Prophet, "The whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint."

I am, however, unable fully to describe my situation. There is an unaccountable ebb and flow in my religious feelings which often render me unhappy. At some seasons, in a great degree sensible of my imperfections, and of my need of a Saviour, in humility and contrition, I had earnestly sought, from the throne of grace, that forgiveness which I so much need, and that strength to persevere in well doing, so necessary to improvement and continuance in holiness. After such exercises, how delightful have been my sensations! Trusting entirely to Him that is "mighty to save," and believing that for me he had not died in vain, a calmness and peace inexpressible have reigned in my soul; a swelling emotion of love and gratitude has overpowered my heart: I have felt that I could do any thing-suffer any thing for the sake of our compassionate Redeemer. I have then used various means to assist my progress, such as daily compiling a secret history of my heart and conduct in order to see and correct deficiencies of character, while prayer was diligently attended to, and religious conversation sought.

But suddenly, from some cause

which I do not at present fully comprehend, (perhaps you can explain it to me,) stupidity would assume her leaden sceptre, and reign over my soul with unbounded sway: my feelings would grow obtuse; my heart would become hardened; in religious, and even in other matters, I would be unable to think or feel. Things, the recollection of which would before have excited the most lively sensations, would then be to me insipid and uninteresting. In short, evil dispositions would seem to have gained the entire ascendance; while improper thoughts, evil suggestions, cruel suspicions and doubts would arise, and create a state of confusion and a degree of mental suffering, of which those only can conceive by whom it has been experienced. I could not, indeed, at this time fail to perceive wherein I had erred, and that I was no longer the same person who a short time previously was comparatively happy; who, indeed, mourned for transgression, but was not as those that " sorrow without hope;" but an irresistible impulse seemed to hurry me forward, until at some unexpected moment my proper feelings would be at once restored, an humble and contrite spirit would be renewed within me, and the same peace and serenity of mind enjoyed— a morning of joy, soon to be again clouded by the shades of night. These, then, have been my wanderings-the bewildering paths in which I have strayed, instead of running with patience and alacrity that glorious "race," whose goal is heaven.

And now, my dear friend, can you explain these things to me? Can you analyze my conduct-can you give me a clue that may extricate me from the labyrinth of error, and keep me in "the way wherein I should go ?" If you can do so-if "teach my best will rectitude, and fix my firm resolve"-then will you, indeed, do me a favor to be remembered when "time shall be no more." I have often endeavored to discover the

you can

« AnteriorContinuar »