The Christian Advocate

throughout the whole of the 11th chapter of his epistle to the Hebrews, to which I refer

I mean, in a word, that faith which unites to Christ; which purifies the heart, works by love, and overcomes the world; and which eventually makes us conquerors over death and the grave; and which, if properly and fully exercised, will sustain and support us in sickness and in health, in prosperity and in adversity, in every situation in which we can possibly be placed.

II. I am to state the modus operandi of the remedy; the way in which it is to be used; and to illustrate the same by facts and observations.

1. Most of the diseases, both mental and corporeal, with which we are afflicted, arise from, or are aggravated by, our ungoverned passions and appetites-Such as anger, malice, revenge, mortified vanity, fallen pride, crushed ambition, excessive joy, or grief, despondency, &c. and from the irregular or unlawful indulgence of the appetites of the body-such as intemperance in eating or drinking, excessive exercise, &c.; all of which tend to produce disease, by disturbing or destroying the nicely balanced harmony which, in a healthful state, exists between the mind and body in the human system. Now true religion in exercise, so controls and regulates these, as to keep up that harmony which is essentially necessary to the continuance of good health; and also tends actively to promote health, or recovery from sickness, by restoring the proper equilibrium in the system.

To the man whose ambition has been crushed, and whose every earthly prospect has been apparently blasted, it offers the alone true source of consolation-byteaching him, in the first place, the uncertainty of all sublunary hopes and enjoyments; and in the second, that there is real and unfailing enjoy

ment to be found in God, in the exercises of religion-and in God alone. To the distressed it offers the presence and support of an Almighty Redeemer, who says of his friends, that "in all their afflictions He is afflicted," and who "putteth their tears into his bottle;" and thus gives them the cup of divine and never failing consolation. To the desponding it imparts hope. Dr. Rush tells us that "it would require many pages to enumerate all the cures that have been performed by faith and hope."*

Hope, which is the product of faith, is beautifully illustrated in the sacred scriptures by the similitude of an anchor-" Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the vail." In a word, it regulates and harmonizes the conflicting passions of the mind and appetites of the body, so as to keep up a continued state of good health, or essentially aid in the recovery from disease. "For so intimate," says Dr. Bell, " is the connexion between physical comfort and moral well being, that the one cannot be seriously affected without the other suffering.t"

2. The way in which the remedy is to be used is as follows:-When we are taken sick, we ought to have nothing to do with quacks or quack medicines; but employ a physician in whom we have confidence, and implicitly follow his directions. This rule is of vital importance, and cannot in any case be violated with safety. And while we thus use the proper outward means for the restoration of our health, we are to implore the blessing of God on these means, and not distress ourselves with anxious concern or forebodings about the event, but leave that, and all other concerns to our

Creator, humbly submitting to his will, and placing all our confidence and hopes in him-and take this for our consolation, that let the event be as it may, "the Judge of all the earth will do right;" and remembering that "like as a father pitieth his children, so the Lord pitieth those that fear him."

s. Facts and observations, not a few, might be alleged to illustrate the preceding statement. Take the following

(1). Two years ago, while I was attending a pious clergyman in the 75th year of his age, who was so very ill that I thought his recovery doubtful, one asked him in my presence if "he thought he would die ?" His answer was "I do not know: I have no business with that: I leave that and all my concerns to God, humbly submitting to, and acquiescing in his holy will; while at the same time I use every means for the restoration of my health; for I am fully persuaded, let the event of this disease be as it may, God will do all things well." This gentleman recovered, and is now living in good health, in the seventy-seventh year of his age.

(2). A few years ago I was called to visit a lady aged 88 years, who had just fractured one of the bones of her forearm by a fall. On my observing that one of the bones of her forearm was broken, she replied-" Well, doctor, neither you nor any other man can heal it; God Almighty only can cure it." True, madam, but you are willing that I should apply the necessary dressings, and you will follow my directions." Ŏ yes! I sent for you for that purpose-do you set it, and I will do as you bid me; but mark my words-none but God can cure me." She recovered, and died of debility, consequent on extreme old age, in her 90th year. During the whole time I had the pleasure of her acquaintance, I remarked that the infirmities attendant on extreme old age, were much miti

gated by religion and its divine consolations.

(3). Some time ago, I told a respectable pious gentleman of this city, whose wife I was then attending, that the nature of her disease (effusion into the brain, consequent on puerperal convulsions) was such, as to preclude any reasonable hope of her recovery. His answer was, "I wish you, doctor, to visit my wife twice a day, and do every thing for her, precisely as if she was to recover, and as if all depended on the use of the means; while, at the same time, I know this to be my duty, I wish to bow in humble submission to the will of my heavenly Father, and to give up my wife and all my concerns into his hands, to be wholly at his disposal." This man did his duty, and although the subject of the case died, (as was expected) yet I trust she entered into that ever blessed rest which remaineth for the people of God. These cases shall serve to illustrate my views of the way of using the remedy.

(To be continued.)

MEMOIR OF THE REV. JOSEPH EAST BURN.

(Continued from page 363.)

Mr. Eastburn, as appears from his journal, began to preach statedly to the Mariners toward the close of the month of October, 1819. At the opening for worship of the building now known as the Mariner's church of Philadelphia, a compendious narrative was given of all the measures which had previously been adopted, in that city, for the religious benefit of seamen; and of those efforts in particular which had issued in the erection of that edifice. This narrative, which was printed and published as a report to the publick, it seems proper to insert entire, in this memoir. It contains a short but authentick history of the

commencement, progress, and completion of an establishment, of which Mr. Eastburn may justly be considered as the founder: for although the liberality of the religious publick, and the zealous exertions of several pious and publick spirited individuals were concerned, and were indeed essential, in bringing this establishment to maturity, yet the labours of Mr. Eastburn gave

origin, animation, and effect, to the whole. The narrative will also make known, as it ought to do, to all who may read this memoir, the benevolence and liberality of some of the chief patrons of the Mariner's church in Philadelphia; as well as exhibit one of the happiest and most important efforts of Mr. Eastburn, in his incessant solicitude and unwearied activity in the cause of his divine Master. The narrative is as follows:

"The third Sabbath in October, 1824, was fixed upon by the Committee for opening the Mariner's Church in Philadelphia. The day was very fine and the house was filled at an early hour with seamen and their families, and many citizens who felt an interest in the sailors' welfare. It was supposed that 1200, at least, formed the congregation, and many persons who went to the church were not able to gain admittance. The dedicatory services in the morning were performed by the venerable JOSEPH EASTBURN, assisted by the Rev. JAMES PATTERSON, of the Northern Liberties; and in the after noon a sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. BRODHEAD. After the concluding prayer in the morning, ROBERT RALSTON, Esq., rose and remarked, that it had been considered proper, on this occasion, to make known the commencement and progress of exertions for the benefit of mariners in this city, and for that purpose he read the following statement:

"The first publick service for the Mariners' Church in the port of Philadelphia, was performed on the third Sabbath of October, 1819, in the sail-loft of Mr. Jacob Dunton, (who generously offered the same gratuitously) by the Rev. Joseph Eastburn; this discourse was from the 31st and 32d verses of the 107th Psalm, O that men would praise the Lord for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! Let them exalt him also in the congregation of the peo

ple, and praise him in the assembly of the elders.'-The Rev. Mr. Joyce being present, also made an address, which, with the discourse, afforded the greatest satisfaction. From five to six hundred persons were present, of which, at least, one-half the number, including masters of vessels, were mariners. On the followed, between the morning and afternoon ing Sabbath, a Sunday School was open. services, which has continued, and now numbers on the roll, one hundred and sixty children.

until the month of July, 1822, when a reThe worship continued in the sail-loft moval was made to the lecture room of the Second Presbyterian Church, in Cherry street, where the audience has generally been crowded, and the attendance

of the mariners as numerous as could be expected, at a distance so far removed from the water.

In the month of June, 1823, an agree ment was entered into by a few citizens with the directors of the bank of North site of the church, seventy-five feet front America, for the lot now occupied as the on Water street, and sixty-one and a half feet deep, for which the sum of eight thousand dollars was to be paid, subject to a lease of the tenant, then in possession. The contract being made, by which a lot was thus secured, subscription papers were circulated for the purpose of raising the amount, and which, at the close of a few weeks, produced nearly the sum of $10,000. This furnished the means of complying with the contract for the lot, by paying the eight thousand dollars to the directors of the bank, seven hundred dollars to the tenants for vacating the lease, and leaving about twelve hundred dollars towards the erection of a building. The conveyance for the lot, agreeably to the directions of those who were employ. ed to solicit subscriptions, was made to Richard Dale, Samuel Archer, and Robert Ralston, in trust, for the use of the mari ners of the Port of Philadelphia.

On the 10th of April, in the present year, an agreement was entered into with Mr. William Strickland, for a brick building of the whole dimensions of the lot, two stories high, constructed for warehouses in the lower story, and for a church in the second story, having a ceiling eighteen feet high, a gallery in the south end, and a pulpit, &c. in the north-the building to be covered with slate, and an observatory of twenty feet above the roofthe whole of the materials and workmanship to be of the best, and finished (without any additional expense) by the middle of the ensuing month, (November,) for the sum of ten thousand five hundred dollars. To meet the payments under

this contract, which were to be monthly as the building progressed, a loan for the sum of eight thousand dollars was obtain ed from the Savings Fund Society, at an interest of five per cent. per annum, mortgaging the lot and building as security. The instalments have all been regularly paid; and agreeably to a stipulation in the contract, the balance, after a release from all leases or claims for workmanship and materials furnished, will be paid in a promissory note, at sixty days.

A statement herewith annexed, exhibits the contributions received from the citizens and insurance companies; the sums which have been received from the mariners in monthly contributions; the sum obtained on loan; and a balance of interests arising from unoccupied funds. It also exhibits the amount of payments for incidental expenses-for attending to the care and cleaning of the rooms used for worship-for the supply of books, &c. to the Sunday School-for the payment of the lot and lease-for the instalments on the building as far as they have become due,-and for six months' interest on the money borrowed-leaving a cash balance of $2152 52. A credit taken for this balance, and debiting the payment yet to be made for the building, with the loan and interest to be paid on the 13th April next, will make an aggregate of $9047 48, hereafter to be provided for.

The funds raised by contributions from the citizens, and insurance companies, were the result of the exertions of twenty-two committees, of two and three each, who very diligently and successfully pursued their solicitations, until the amount was adequate to the cost of the lot-The plan being to borrow for the erection of the building, and calculating to extinguish the same by a sinking fund, arising from the rents of the stores, and the monthly contributions of mariners. From the first of these sources, there will no doubt be a revenue of several hundred dollars per annum; and from the latter, if properly attended to by the owners and masters of vessels, a considerable annual income also. To facilitate the last, there has been prepared and circulated, a number of subscription books, designed to be brought to the notice of the officers and crew after embarking, for the purpose of subscribing donations and monthly contributions to be paid for the use of the church, at the end of the voyage. From the experiment which has been made, this plan promises to be productive, if it is properly attended to; and carries with it the conviction, that the funds will come from an appropriate source, being from the mariners themselves. The dan

ger however of deferring the extinguishment of the debt to the slow operation of the rents and monthly contributions, induces a suggestion, that there should be a renewal of the exertions on the part of the citizens who formerly solicited, and of any others feeling interested for the cause of the mariners-who, making the calls ge. neral instead of partial, as was the case before, may, in a short time, with other aids, render the means equal to a final extinguishment of the debt. Hitherto the gospel has been free to the mariners; and whilst the venerable Pastor, so eminently qualified to break the bread of life to them, remains to discharge his ministerial duties, it will continue to be furnished without money and without price. To be prepared however for a change, which sooner or later must take place, is an additional reason, why exertion should be made now, to render the insti tution entirely independent.

The reflections arising from a review of the peculiar smiles of Providence attending the efforts using in favour of the best interests of mariners, are calculated to fill the mind with wonder and astonishment at the goodness and mercy of the Lord. Surely it conveys the encouraging hope, that the set time to favour seamen is come. The interest excited in their behalf, was simultaneous on both sides of the Atlantic. Only seven or eight years have elapsed since the publick feeling has in any measure been alive to this object; and what has been the result, both in Europe and America, since that period? Bethel Unions, Floating Chapels, Mariner's Churches, and Prayer-Meeting Establishments, we hear of, from almost every large sea-port. Can this be any other than a supernatural influence operating at one and the same time, without concert, without the knowledge of each other's exertions, and yet, all tending to the same GODLIKE work of benevolence-the salvation of the souls of poor neglected mariners. In our own humble sphere, where has there been more evidence of the favour, and the blessing of the Lord?-where a greater proof of the efficacy of prayer, than is witnessed by the continual solicitude of those departing, for the prayers of the church-conveying a manifest feeling of an humble dependence on the GoD of providence? And where a greater evidence of the divine favour, than is witnessed in the accommodation afforded by the building, under the roof of which we are assembled at this time?

May we not also notice, and notice it with emotions of grateful hearts, how the Lord has spared, and used as an instrument for this new work, the singularly

* Mr. John Harned, and Mr. Gilbert

ble manner-till it pleased the Lord to ody of the Church, in the most accepta. undertook, and have conducted the Psalmby two of our Christian brethren, who the Mariner's Church? Nor should we the commencement of this establishment omit to notice, the services rendered from qualified, and eminently pious pastor of

Gaw.