rapture while contemplating the de-but it arises from a comparison of their parted spirit rising from glory to glory, own exercises with the declarations of and gazing with wonder and astonish- God in his word. ment on the glory, the unclouded glory of God. I rose in the morning, for several days, and sung, and prayed, and praised, till quite exhausted. But my heart bleeds for sinners, and I begin to long to carry them the message of love. I leave on Saturday, to dive into the cabins of the wilderness, and tell them of the love of Jesus. FULL ASSURANCE. [From a Clergyman.] My attention has been turned to this subject recently more than common, in consequence of a visit which I made a few days since, to a chamber of disease. There I saw and heard what was to me profitable, humbling, and edifying. There was a mother in Israel, pining away under the withering hand of consumption. But, while sickness and pain were rapidly demolishing the earthly tabernacle, her soul seemed to gaze upward to the "building of God, the house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens," and to "desire to depart, and be with Christ," as though she considered it "far better" than to abide longer in the flesh. After 1 had made some remarks of a consolatory nature, and recited some of the promises of God to his people, under afflictions, her countenance beamed with joy, and told the holy emotions of her soul. It was with extreme difficulty she could articulate, and then only in a whisper. Taking my hand, and drawing my ear close to her lips, she said, in substance, as follows: "I am happy. I now enjoy a full assurance of hope. Formerly, I was much troubled with doubts and fears. I used to say, Lord, I believe-help thou mine unbelief;' but still ny unbelief continued, and my apprehensions respecting myself were sometimes awfully distressing. After I was taken more unwell, and was apprehensive that I should not recover, I felt that I could not bear to die without the assurance of hope. I called upon God day and night, that he would have mercy on me. I pleaded his promises, 'I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee;' Is it not the privilege of Christians to arrive at such clear and convincing proof of their adoption, as to remove all doubt? Has not the Holy Spirit delineated in the Scriptures the traits of character, and the particular feelings of the Christian, with so much exactness that the child of God need not mistake? I am aware, that very many Christians spend most of their lives without "a strong consolation," though they "have fled for refuge, to lay hold upon the hope set before them." They seem to take for granted that they must necessarily remain "all their lifetime subject to bondage, through fear." But such were not the views and feelings of ancient saints. David, and Job, and Hezekiah, and Paul, speak with the greatest confidence of the integrity of their hearts, and of their full assurance, that God was their reconciled Father, and everlasting portion; and that this assurance was the privilege, not only of inspired men, but of the saints generally, is evident from the fact, that they are exhorted to "give diligence, to make their calling and election sure," him that cometh to me, I will ih no -"to examine themselves"-"to know wise cast out;' fear not, for I have themselves"-"to be not deceived," redeemed thee; I have called thee by &c., and also, from the confident ex- thy name; thou art mine. When thou pressions which Christians are permit- passest through the waters, I will be ted to use: "We know that we have with thee; and through the rivers, passed from death unto life."- "We they shall not overflow thee. When know that we are of the truth.". "We thou walkest through the fire, thou know that he (God) abideth in us," &c. shalt not be burned; neither shall the This confidence, or assurance of Christ-flame kindle upon thee. For I am the ians, is not a mere impression made on Lord thy God, the holy one of Israel, the mind, they know not how or why,thy Saviour.' I felt unworthy of God's · mercies. I saw that I was a guilty, helldeserving sinner. My soul was weighed down with the heavy load of my sins. But I cried the more earnestly to the Lord for help; Lord, save me-I perish.' I felt that I could not be denied. I said, 'Lord, I cannot let thee go, except thou bless me.' I clung fast to the mercy-seat, and pleaded and pleaded for deliverance. My doubts and fears fled. It was at the foot of the cross that my burden left me. I saw that there was an infinite fountain of the blood of Christ, where the greatest sinners might be purified from all their defilement and guilt. I could no longer doubt his love to me, and my interest in him." It was in the year 1819, when he was present, by invitation, at a social gathering of young people, most of whom, like himself, were professors of religion. But as they had enjoyed very few spiritual advantages, and were surrounded by a cold circle of professors, their religious feelings were not of a very fervid character. To this general feature, however, there was one exception. A young woman, a teacher of a common school, kept up, in the midst of surrounding stupidity, the fervour and activity of her spiritual life. It was her constant inquiry, "Lord, what wilt thou have me to do?" On this evening she watched for an opportunity, and, during an interval of the conversation, she announced, that she had just subscribed for a new book, from which, with the permission of the company, she would read a few extracts. She then drew from her work-bag the Memoirs of Henry Obookiah, and presented to the delighted ears of the little circle, a rich treat of some of the I told her that I was glad to see her in this happy state of mind. She then inquired respecting my feelings, whether I had the assurance of hope. On learning that I was not very confident respecting the safety of my state, she asked again, "What do you mean to do?" She was told, that I designed to be more faithful, and give more dili-most precious sayings and experiences gence, to make my calling and election sure. "Do," said she, "do." I took my seat near the bed, and spent a few moments in silent meditations. O, thought 1, this dear saint occupies a station which might well be envied by the "great ones" of this world. A station, nearer to that of angels than any other this side of heaven. How would ministers preach, and how would Christians live, and what an impression would the world get of the value of religion, if all the people of God came up to this privilege! 66 BEHOLD HOW GREAT A MATTER A LITTLE FIRE KINDLETH." As an illustration of the influence which, under God, a very trifling event may have on the character and conditions of persons, the following anecdote is related by a clergyman. of that beloved youth. There was not an unmoved heart, and scarcely a dry eye in the room. The deep-toned piety, and burning missionary zeal of the Hawaiian, struck with astonishment the minds of many that were present. From that hour, the spirit of missions has formed a prominent trait in their religious character. Four of the number soon formed the purpose of devoting themselves to the cause of Christ among the heathen. One is now an instructress of the children of the forest; two, though providentially prevented from going in person, have continued ever since to cherish an increasing attachment to the cause, and THE HOME MISSIONARY. VOL. V. Go,............PREACH the GOSPEL............Mark xvi. 15. OUR readers will excuse us for omitting the usual article or address adapted to the "Monthly Concert," to make room for the following communications and remarks, which may not be altogether unappropriate, as means, to quicken the prayers and elevate the purposes of our brethren on that occasion.* TO THE FRIENDS OF HOME MISSIONS. The executive committee of the American Home Missionary Society, in the prosecution of the great and benevolent work committed to them, have no private interest. The enterprise is one in which they have a common responsibility with all American Christians, and especially with all such as approve of the enlarged, catholic, and voluntary organization of this society. They feel it to be their privilege, therefore, to communicate freely with the religious public in relation to the manner of conducting its operations, and the means best adapted to extend and perpetuate its distinguished usefulness. And all communications and suggestions on these points, from friends of the cause, are gratefully received. Without such suggestions, it would be impossible for the committee to execute intelligibly the wishes of the churches and of the religious community, whose servants they are. Questions, however, are sometimes raised, and expedients proposed, on which there is a diversity of opinion among the wise and the good, and which can only be settled by candid discussion, in the light of experience and of sound argument. Such, we conceive is a question often agitated, and which may be propounded in the following form. Is it right and expedient for the conductors of benevolent institutions, in their pledges to the object for which they are associated, to anticipate the contributions of the Christian public? The bearing of this question on the operations of the A. H. M. Society, can. not perhaps be better stated than in the following communication recently received from a distinguished layman in Connecticut, whose friendship to the Society, as well as his acknowledged wisdom, gives great weight to his suggestions. It is addressed to the Corresponding Secretary. “Rev. and dear Sir, "Your situation enables you to judge much more correctly than I can of the mean best calculated to augment the contributions to the American Home Missionary S ciety. According to the amount of those contributions its efficiency must be expanded or limited, and cannot be extended beyond them. The expediency, therefore, of making advances beyond the amount of existing means, so as to exhibit a balance against the treasury at the end of the year, will depend on the influence it may have on public bounty. I have thought that more liberality would be excited by the expectation of good to be done, than by the disposition to cancel obligations incurred for that which has been done; and so far as the charities of those parts of the country under my observation have been affected by debts contracted in anticipation of revenue, the influence has been unfortunate. I consider the A. H. M. S. as standing foremost among the benevolent associations in this country, and could not but feel some regret, that the treasury, as stated in the periodical for April last, had been overdrawn above 12,000 dollars. You will excuse the liberty I take in communicating my opinion on this subject, and attribute it to the interest I feel in whatever is deemed important to this great and magnificent system of Christian benevolence." In principle and in theory the above suggestions of our respected correspondent are doubtless correct. The contracting of debts "in anticipation of revenue," in all cases where it is not demanded by the nature of the work to be done, and justified by the moral certainty with which revenue may be expected, should be avoided. It would be wrong to presume on future supplies, without the strongest probability of their reception, or to presume at all, where there is no necessity for so doing. These are principles which the executive committee of the A. H. M. S. have ever kept in view; and had the nature of the work assigned them rendered it possible, they would not have failed accurately to curtail their expenditures, to the amount of their receipts, every month in the year. Their individual interests would certainly urge them to such a course, as they would thereby avoid those heavy personal responsibilities which they have sometimes been constrained to assume. But the following considerations will show that this has been and must continue to be, at times, impracticable. When the Society was organized, and its committee appointed, the whole work before us was a work "to be done." It was also a work of uncertain extent, and demanding an uncertain amount of expenditure. No one could conjecture how many congregations would need to be aided, how many missionaries might be employed, nor how large an amount would be required for their support during the year. Yet the Society was formed on the presumption that There were some things of which its friends felt and expressed an assurance. They were certain that the necessities of the cause were great. They were certain that there was wealth enough in the hands of the churches to meet its demands;—and they did not doubt that the object proposed was pleasing to him who owns all the wealth of the world. With these assurances the work was laid upon the executive committee, in the confidence that they would use the necessary means for its accomplishment. But how should they commence it? There was no money in the treasury, and none could be collected without the appointment of officers and agents for that purpose. But these could not be secured without the pledge of support. WHAT OUGHT TO BE DONE COULD BE DONE. The very first and necessary step, then, was to contract a debt "in anticipation of revenue," and for the very purpose of obtaining a revenue. But these officers and agents would plead in vain for funds, unless they were enabled to state definitely the work to be done. It was said, and all experience has proved, that the people would not give until they could see a definite work to be accomplished by their contributions. Facts, living and speaking facts, were the arguments alone to be relied on. The Committee were therefore constrained, as a second and equally necessary step, to invite the applications of the needy, and thus lay open to the friends of the cause the definite grounds of their appeal. But this they could not do without pledging needed aid to the destitute, on the faith of the Christian public. Here, then, was another and an increasing debt contracted in anticipation of revenue, though with the reasonable expectation that the amount would be received in season to discharge it. Thus were the wants of the first year both ascertained and provided for, by a system as necessary in its origin as it was happy in its execution, and blessed in its results. If it. was a system of presumption, it was the presumption of faith;-it was confidence in the benevolence of the Christian public, and in the favour of God to his own cause, and that faith was not disappointed. The same system, by the same necessity, was adopted the second year, and has been pursued every subsequent year, with results, in general, equally and increasingly prosperous and happy. In the prosecution of this system, it has been the constant endeavour of the Committee to restrict their pledges to the amount of income which they might reasonably expect to receive; while, on the other hand, they have endeavoured to keep their agencies, and other means of collecting funds, sufficiently extended to meet all their pledges as they should become due. This, during the first four years of the Society, they were enabled generally to effect, so that the treasury, during that time, was seldom overdrawn any considerable amount. But in a work so greatly extended, so rapidly increasing, so necessarily dependent upon the ever-changing pecuniary condition of the country, and so often affected by the death of agents, and other causes, it has been found impracticable always to calculate with accuracy the amount of revenue which might be needed, and equally impracticable promptly to raise it, when known. The result has been, that the treasury has been several times, and for months in succession, overdrawn to a large amount. For a considerable portion of the last year, as stated by our correspondent, and as heretofore published, the payments of the Committee were in advance of their receipts more than $12,000; and it was only by an urgent appeal to the public, and to benevolent individuals, that this amount was reduced, at the close of the year, in May last, to $2,509 14. The Committee have now entered upon the seventh year of the Society's operations. The experience of six years of responsible and prosperous labour, is fresh in their remembrance. During all that time, necessity was laid upon them, and they dared to pledge the faith of the Christian public to meet |