I admit, that there were, as there may be still, sufficient grounds for such a separation of objects. Nor are the Jews to be considered in the light of Heathen. The ramifications of Jewish society require an almost intense and exclusive application of mind. It is a question to be studied “per se,” and without due attention, not easily tangible; and must therefore be met in every form and shape, cameleon-like, into which the christian character dare enter. I would not, however, forego a duty, because it may be difficult; for, "such as thy day is, so thy strength." Abandoned, however, as this cause has been during many years, I would again call, through your pages, on the worshippers of the True God, to arouse from their slumbers, and rally round the standard of the cross, that they may carry conviction and truth into the Jewish camp. If they can do no more than advance to the outposts, and invite its intrenched possessors to their festive board, in the language of conciliation and love, they will have fulfilled the righteous injunctions of their Saviour, for even compassion is dear to his loving heart. If ye did it, might he not say to one of these, as to one of my kinsmen, ye did it to me; but full fraught with the eternal blessings of the Gospel, and the declaration that his Word, preached or distributed, shall not return to him void, there is every encouragement to proceed in this cause. Surely, I might appeal to the honourable and venerable names of many departed this life, and of many still living, who were the first to advocate the cause, and entered upon it " con amore”—“ et cum spiritu." They did run well, what doth hinder? It may indeed be said, as it hath been said, "If the Lord would

open windows in heaven, then might this thing be!" and miracles, as aforetime, may be required. Means, however, are in our hands; let these first be tried; because God works by means, and never fails to bless the efforts of his servants. If report speak truth, there is now a work silently proceeding, which may astonish and confound the minds of gainsayers, perhaps such as may not have taken place since the Apostolic times.

A Society has been some time established for this purpose, open to every communion, named "The Philo-Judæan Society," which I love; and why it should be regarded with jealousy and distrust, is, to my own mind, incomprehensible. Its objects are defined; the path as plain as may be in which its members move; and, although 200 cases only have been relieved, and the Word of Life spoken to no more than 800 Jews, these benefits, not carried on in any proportion to the existing necessity, might have been indefinitely extended, had proper aid been afforded. Its incidental advantages have, however, been influential on the Jewish community, and many minor benefits have been the result, as Adult Schools, a Benevolent Society, and six Lectures in Exposition of the Scripture. If such an Institution has arisen, I believe it firmly to have been in the hope of once more enlisting the dissenting community; and I sincerely call on the influential members of christian society, not to suffer the demon of prejudice to enter their minds; indifferent as I believe those to be who conduct the concerns of the Society as to the agents who may be employed, provided they be "men of God," or as to any future measures which may be adopted, if honestly

designed to promote the welfare of his ancient people.

In the constitution of dissenting society, there are, I believe, many associations in which the collective sense of its various denominations may be ascertained, one of the most influential being, as I presume, "the Congregational Board." If such be the case, I submit to them, respectfully, the subject on which I

have not hesitated to give an opinion. Be it so that I may have exceeded, from the workings of my mind, the proper boundary of duty between the teacher and the taught, I leave it to their God and mine, to decide in the future day on the motives which have prompted me to this effort, and will abide, in that day, the sentence to be passed on these words and thoughts. MONITOR.

SEARCH the Scriptures, said Jesus Christ to the Jews. The reason which he gave why they should

This article comprises the substance of a sermon delivered in the chapel of the Theological Seminary, Andover, Massachusetts, United States, 1826, by the Rev. J. Edwards, and was published by him, at the request of the students. The frequent inquiries which have been made respecting American Bible Classes have induced us to republish these copious extracts. We have also obtained a copy of the Rev. Hervey Wilbur's Reference Testament, which has been published in Boston, as a Bible Class Text Book. It is marked with letters in the manner of marginal references, which are explained by a key." We cheerfully transcribe it, as it contains a useful series of questions, and will farther elucidate the operation of a system, which appears to have been eminently blessed in the advancement of true piety amongst the rising generation in the United States.

in this parable? or in this metaphor?

What is their practical tendency? What HEAVENLY DISPOSITION is here manifested?

What corresponding affections does it demand?

What trait of moral CHARACTER is here given?

Is it morally good or evil?

Does it belong to a natural or to a renewed state?

What EVANGELICAL EXPERIENCE? or what EXHORTATION is here given?

What BLESSING is here sought, or acknowledged, or promised? bHow great? How durable?

For whom sought? By whom acknowledged? To whom promised? What Wo is here denounced? or WARNING given?

What is its import? Against whom denounced? or to whom given? What prophecy is here RECORDED? Has it been fulfilled? How? When? What prophecy is here AcCOM

PLISHED?

Where is it found?

How many years had it been written? What MIRACLE is here recorded? By whom and for what purpose wrought?

In whose name, and by whose authority?

them; and it is one of the favourable indications of the present time, that the number is increasing who are disposed to do it. The number is increasing, also, who are disposed to search the Scriptures, not only as individuals, but to associate together for this purpose, that they may search them to better advantage. Numerous Bible classes, and associations of various descriptions, have, within a few years, been formed, which have been attended by great numbers, and to great advantage. Such associations are exciting increasing interest; and the inquiry is often made from different and distant parts of the country, in what way can a mini ster form a Bible class among his parishioners, and conduct it to the best advantage? This is an important question; especially to such as are preparing for the ministry. It may be connected with the salvation of thousands of souls.

I. I shall consider some preparatory measures.

Let the minister make it a subject of special prayer, that in forming a Bible class and in conducting it, he may be guided in the right way; that his labours may spring from love to God, be attended by the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven, and result in the promotion of the divine glory, and the salvation of men. Let him then show from the pulpit, that all Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and on that account is profitable. Although men were used as instruments in writing it, yet God directed them what to write, and how to write it,

in order that, as a rule of faith and practice for all men, it might be perfect, and able to furnish thoroughly all who follow it, for every good work; so that God is the author of the Bible, as really as a man is the author of any book which he composes. When a man composes a book and employs an amanuensis to write his thoughts on paper, the author is not the man who writes, but the man who composes. So with the Bible. God is the composer; though he made use of men in writing his thoughts on paper. He is therefore the author. Of course the Bible must be true; and it must be important.

Having made an impression upon the audience, vivid and strong, that the Bible is the word of God, as really as if they heard him declare what it contains directly out of heaven, let the minister show them how, in consequence of this fact, they ought to treat it. Among other things, he may notice to advantage, that they ought to read it daily, attentively, devoutly, and perseveringly; and that, implicitly and fully on the testimony of Jehovah, which is the highest possible proof, they ought to believe what it contains; and when they understand its directions, without delay, and without ceasing, they must follow them. Let him show also why they ought to treat it in this manner. Among other things, he may mention that they owe this to God. As he has condescended to speak to men, it is their indispensable duty to listen to his voice, to believe, and to follow it. This would be the case, even if he had been at no expense in speaking. But he has been at an infinite expense. He has given up his dearly beloved and only begotten Son to the agonies of the cross, in order to

open a way for him thus to address them. Their obligations to hear, believe, and obey, are thus vastly increased; and their guilt, and wretchedness if they do not, will be proportionably increased. Suppose that God, instead of speaking to men as he now does, on the silent pages of revelation, should, with an audible voice, speak from the throne of his excellent glory, and tell men the same things which are now in the Bible; would it not be their duty to listen to his voice, to believe his declarations, and obey his commands? No less is it their duty now.

They owe this to themselves. Without listening to the voice of God, believing, and obeying it, they cannot be saved. They owe it to their fellow men. If they neglect the Bible, others, from the influence of their example, may also neglect it. If they do, and continue that neglect, they must perish.

Great advantage will result from searching the Scriptures. It will give men а more perfect knowledge of themselves, than they can otherwise ever obtain. It will give them a more perfect knowledge of their fellow men, of the principles of human action, and the means of controlling minds. A physician, a lawyer, a magistrate, a jurist, or a statesman may, by daily searching the Scriptures with the proper use of other means, be prepared to exert a more salutary and powerful influence, than he otherwise ever can, over the minds of his fellow men. All other histories were composed by men; of course they are imperfect. This was composed by God; of course it is perfect, and corresponds exactly with real life. Merchants, mechanics, farmers, and all classes of persons, male and female, may

by the daily study of it, store their minds with views, principles, and maxims, which will be of the most essential service to them in all the concerns of life.

But the advantages for this life of thus searching the Scriptures, numerous and important as they are, all sink into insignificance compared with the advantages for the life to come. The Bible is a revelation from God, of his character and will; of the character of his subjects; and of the principles of his government. By daily reading it, with a humble and docile spirit, seeking heartily the teaching of the Holy Ghost, believing its declarations, and obeying its commands, persons may secure all the advantages of his infinitely perfect and eternal reign. They may gain that knowledge of God and of his Son Jesus Christ, which is life eternal; which will make it certain that all things shall work for their good in this world, and conspire to work out for them an exceeding and eternal weight of glory in the world to come. Let the minister point to a person who takes this course; and let the congregation consider him, as he passes through life, as he lies on the bed of death, stands at the bar of judgment, and hears that joyful welcome, Come, ye blessed of my Father; and let them see him, as he rises upward from glory to glory. Make the impression strong, and as much as possible like the impression which good men will have, when they pass through those scenes. Thus make all feel, that the Bible is an inestimable treasure; that a knowledge of it is more to be desired than gold, yea, than much fine gold; and that in reading, believing, and obeying it, there is indeed a great reward.

Then let the minister, from love

to Christ, and love to souls, offer to assist all among his beloved people, who wish to enter upon the study of the Bible, by meeting with them for an hour and a half, once in two weeks, (at such time and place as shall be most convenient to him and them,) for the purpose of pointing out the truth of God in that portion of Scripture to which they shall attend, and the effect which this truth ought to have on them. Let him express from the pulpit a willingness to begin this course, as soon as any considerable number shall desire it. Let all good men in the parish ardently desire that he may begin soon; because it will probably tend to promote the glory of God, and the salvation of men. Let them pray in secret, in the family, and in the social circle, that God would give the subject of searching the Scriptures favour with all the people; incline many to enter upon it, in order to learn the will of God for the purpose of doing it; and that the Holy Spirit would accompany their efforts with his blessing, and render them effectual to their salvation. Let each parent pray especially, that this may be the case with regard to his own children.

II. Formation of the Class.

that his object is their highest temporal and eternal good, and point out the way in which they can obtain it. Show them that the Bible is able to make them all wise to salvation, through faith in Jesus Christ; and that if any of them fail of this blessing, it will be because they do not read it, or do not believe it, or do not obey it.

Show them the meaning of the words Bible, Scriptures, and Testament; why one part of the Bible is called the Old Testament, and the other the New. Show what is meant by the Law, the Psalms, and the Prophets, as used by Christ, and his Apostles. Enumerate the books comprehended in each of these divisions; mention about the time when, acccording to the common account, they were written; and give a brief history of the writers, their character, and employment. Show what is meant by the authenticity of the Bible, by its genuineness, and by its inspiration. Give them a brief history of the feasts of the Passover, Pentecost, of Tabernacles, and of the Dedication; show when, and how they were observed, in commemoration of what events, at what time, and for what purposes; and point out the instructions which they are calculated to afford; enlarging more or less on these and similar topics, as a minister may find to be convenient, interesting, and useful.

At the meeting let him show,