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tise. Faith, then, in its most full and comprehensive sense, signifies the Gospel, the whole Christian dispensation, the revelation which God has been pleased to give us through Jesus Christ, his only-begotten Son. This comprises the common salvation," "the great salvation," common to all, to Jews and Gentiles-to men of all ranks and conditions, to the rich and the poor, to the aged and the young. This faith refers to "the record which God has given us of his Son," that "in him we may have eternal life;" that "he who hath the Son,"-who truly believeth in him and receiveth him," hath life;" and that "he who hath not the Son of God," who does not receive him, and lay hold of his "great salvation," "hath not life," but contianes "dead in trespasses and sins," and liable to eternal death.

This faith was once delivered to the saints. It was communicated first to the evangelists and apostles, by the teaching of Jesus Christ, and by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit; and was by them spread abroad in the world, and set before" all nations," that they might be brought "to the obedience of faith;" and was by them also committed to writing, in the gospels and epistles, as a standing rule for the guidance of all future ages. It was delivered to them by their divine Lord, as a sacred deposit, to be kept in the Churches, that by these lively oracles, these "words of eternal life," they might be guided into every saving truth, and directed to the blood of the cross, and instructed in all things, how they should walk and please God, and follow the steps of their "Lord and Master," "the Author and Finisher of their faith."

This faith was delivered to the saints once, and only once, to be an unalterable rule and standard of truth, which was not to be changed by the wayward fancies of men, nor to be corrupted to suit the depraved taste of those who should "love darkness rather than light," and the bitterness" of sin rather than the sweetness of holy obedience. The writings of the prophets had been delivered and handed down from one generation to another till the time of Christ, and had been carefully preserved by the good providence of God; the writings of the evangelists and apostles, containing a clearer illustration of these, and a fuller manifestation of God's merciful designs, were provided and kept in the Church, and are, with his appointed ministers, the constant and living witnesses of divine truth.

This faith once delivered, St. Jude here writes to confirm in the minds of his brethren, by reminding them of the grand doctrines and duties which it enforces, that they might be

in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

A brief summary of this faith, and of the most essential doctrines of the Gospel, was drawn up for the use of the Church in that venerable document which is called the Apostles' Creed. This contains the grand doctrine of the Trinity, shewing us what we are to believe concerning the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost, and our privileges as believers and members of "the holy catholic Church." In after-ages, when various heresies sprung up and troubled the Church, this creed was further enlarged and illustrated by those summaries called the Nicene and Athanasian Creeds. These were brought in, through necessity, and with the most benevolent views towards the pious and upright followers of Jesus Christ. They were designed as a sacred bulwark, to secure the minds of the simple against the pernicious devices of those who "lay in wait to deceive." They were sacred standards of divine truth, under which pious Christians might rally, and be united in the bonds of faith and love, and strenuously fight the Lord's battles, against the enemies of their salvation, "against sin, the world, and the devil," and thus "continue Christ's faithful soldiers and servants unto their life's end."

This is the faith for which we must contend. We proceed to inquire,

II. How we must contend for this faith once delivered to the saints?

The venerable apostle instructs us to "contend for it strenuously.” The Greek verb which is rendered earnestly contend, is one word, but it is very expressive and full of energy. It is a word used in reference to those who contended in the Olympic games, and comprises the idea of earnestness, diligence, anxiety, and perseverance.

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We must strenuously contend for this faith, as a prize of inestimable value. We must sincerely and earnestly seek the possession of this faith for ourselves, as the greatest treasure, the most durable blessing, a pearl of great price." We must not rest satisfied with seeing it at a distance, and with expressing some faint wishes to attain it, and with seeing others striving for it with the most lively ardour and unwearied efforts. If the faith which was once delivered to the saints, and which was secured by them even with the loss of their own lives, and handed down by them to their brethren of succeeding generations as the richest gift of heaven," the

The author of "Mammon" speaks of "the selfishness of creeds." It is no proof of selfishness to guard the harmless sheep from prowling wolves.

prize of their high calling,"—if this faith comprised in the Gospel is the only source of salvation," the promise of the life that now is, as well as of that which is to come," then we ought to contend for it with all our powers, with all earnestness and care, "with all our heart, and soul, and strength, and mind."

We must earnestly desire, that "the faith once delivered to the saints," and by them committed to the Church, may be established in our hearts, that our faith may not be a merely historical faith, or a dead faith, without motion, without spirit, without zeal, without love. Contend, my brethren, for " that faith which worketh by love," and leadeth to all holy obedience; for such a faith as sustained the primitive saints and martyrs under all their trials and persecutions; for such a faith as enabled the saints and martyrs in our own Church to offer their bodies to the flames, while they handed down to us the pure doctrines of the Gospel contained in our creeds and formularies of devotion. Earnestly desire and pray," that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith, that ye, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; and to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye may be filled with all the fulness of God."

We must also contend for this faith with great diligence. Other things we may seek and study in their proper place with moderation; but this should be the great business of our lives. It should be our daily study and prayer, that this faith may be firmly rooted in our own hearts, and in the hearts of all who are placed under our care or under our influence. "The weapons of our warfare,” indeed, in " fighting the good fight of faith," are not to be "carnal,"- not worldly policy or persecuting terror; "but spiritual weapons, which are mighty, through God, to the pulling down of the strongholds" of sin and Satan, and to the establishing of" that kingdom of God, which is, righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost."

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If we contend for this faith, this glorious Gospel, with all its blessed privileges, as warriors we must put on the whole armour of God, that we may be able to stand in the evil day;" we must be "armed with the girdle of truth, and the breastplate of righteousness;" we must "have our feet shod with the preparation of the Gospel of peace." We must, "above all, take the shield of faith, wherewith we shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one;" and we must put on the helmet of salvation," the hope of glory," and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all

prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance, and supplication for all saints," for all who are engaged with us in the same warfare.

to

We must contend for the faith once delivered to the saints, with much anxiety. We must be "sober and vigilant," as knowing that we are exposed to many enemies, who would rob us of our faith, and hinder us from running in our Christian course, and cause us "draw back unto perdition." We are, therefore, called to "work out our own salvation with fear and trembling." We must struggle hard to maintain and uphold this faith in its purity and strength against all its opponents, as the foundation of all our hopes, as the sacred depository of our richest treasures, as the unfailing source of blessings, as the pure fountain of eternal life. We must anxiously guard it against the wiles of those who would secretly undermine it as our tower of strength, or boldly assault it with deadly weapons, or endeavour by stealth to throw some fatal poison into our "wells of salvation."

We must further "contend for the faith which was once delivered to the saints" with constant perseverance. It should be our daily prayer, that we may "endure unto the end," that so we "may be saved," that so we may obtain "the crown of glory," that so we

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may receive the end of our faith, even the salvation of our souls." Surely, my brethren, you would not wish merely to "run well" for a while in your Christian course, and then "turn back unto perdition;" to fight some battles well in contending for your Christian faith, and then give up all for lost just when you are about to be crowned with final victory; to pursue your voyage prosperously through many raging storms, and then to relax your efforts, and leave the vessel to the mercy of the waves, just as you are about to enter into the haven of eternal rest, because the appearance is unfavourable, because some dark clouds are spreading around you! No, my brethren; look forward to the end; cast a sure anchor within the vail; see "the cloud of witnesses" above, the saints and martyrs, who have passed through greater hardships than these, who have encountered more violent storms than these which threaten our vessel, and now are secure in "the land of everlasting life:" Look unto Jesus, the Captain of your salvation; believe in him, trust in his wisdom, commit yourselves to his care; pray unto him, and say, "Lord, increase our faith,' and let thy strength be made perfect in our weakness; make us more than conquerors through thy unceasing love, by thy word and Spirit.

If you are willing earnestly and success

fully to contend for the faith of the Gospel, that it may grow up and flourish in your own souls, and in the souls of those around you, and bring forth its genuine and profitable fruits, then you will diligently use all the public and private means of grace; you will carefully search the Scriptures;" you will offer up fervent prayers in your closets, in your families, and in the Church of Christ; and you will attentively hear the word preached by God's appointed ministers, and will "mix faith with it," that it may truly "profit you," that "your faith may grow exceedingly," and that "the charity of every one of you all towards each other may abound."

If any additional motives are necessary to persuade you, my brethren, thus to " contend for the faith once delivered to the saints," and to "hold fast the form of sound words," consider,

1. How much your present peace and eternal welfare depend upon this contest. You know that the pure Gospel, the ground of your faith, is worthy of your most strenuous support. If you suffer your enemies to rob you of this-the grand charter of your Christian privileges, and, I might also add, of your civil privileges-you will be miserably enslaved. They would deprive you of your sight, and set you to grind at their mill, and mock and insult you, and bring you to a miserable end (Judges, xvi. 21). And if you timidly yield up your faith and your spiritual advantages through fear of man, or from an inordinate love of this present world, then your Lord will not own you at his second advent; then you must stand in the number of unfaithful apostates, "the workers of iniquity." May it, however, be your anxious care not to be found among these, but in the happy number of those who believe to the saving of the soul.

2. Consider how strongly you are urged by a principle of gratitude to hand down to others the pure faith of the Gospel which you have received from your fathers, as the unfailing source of your sweetest comforts, the faith which God mercifully committed to his saints of old, and which, in its various parts, is drawn out and set before us in the creeds, articles, and liturgy of our Church.

In assisting, according to our ability, to uphold those widely scattered abodes of truth, of faith, and of holiness, the churches of our land, and to increase their number, we shall prove that we are in earnest in striving "for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." The Incorporated Society for Promoting the Enlargement, the Building, and the Repairing of Churches and Chapels in England and Wales, has proved highly beneficial since its first establishment in the

year 1818, having assisted in providing additional church-room for 313,550 persons, in which the free sittings for the use of the poor are 233,925. Nearly 2,000 parishes have already applied to the society for aid, and this number is continually increasing. More than 1,200 of these have been enabled by its help to effect their objects. This society has expended for the increase of church-accommodation nearly 200,000l., and has been the means of causing a further expenditure for the same purpose of not less than 900,000l.

The funds of this society being now exhausted, while fresh applications are continually made to it, the Christian public are again implored to come forward to its aid. In furthering the designs of this excellent institution, my brethren, you will help to build up that Church which has strenuously contended" for the faith once delivered to the saints." If you are not able to contribute much towards this beneficent object, contribute all that lies in your power, and with a good will," for God loveth a cheerful giver." If you cannot furnish the Church with a massy pillar, to endure through many ages, yet provide her with a few stones, that may be incorporated with her walls, and help her to stand firmly as the bulwark of divine truth. Say not, "I will give as little as I can with credit to myself;" but say, "I will give even beyond my power, if I deprive myself of a few luxuries, that I may earnestly contend' myself, and assist others to contend, for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.'

3. There is another motive which should strongly urge you to proceed without weariness in this arduous contest. This is the love of Christ and of your brethren. If you possess a genuine faith in him, you will also feel a constraining love, moving you to all good works. You will love him, and will truly prize the rich blessings which he has bequeathed to you in the New Testament - the Testament ratified and scaled with his blood. And, knowing the inestimable value of these blessings yourselves, you will wish that all your brethren, that all mankind, may partake of them, being assured that your Redeemer has freely offered them to all the world:

Having freely received, you will freely give." You will wish that the whole human race may be brought into the profession of that "faith which was once delivered to the saints," and may know its transforming and consoling power.

Let us, then, my brethren, be thankful for our great privileges, and study to improve them to the glory of God, and the welfare of our brethren. Let us "earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered to the

saints," and which is still preserved in our apostolical Church. And let us shew the soundness and purity of our faith, by the holiness of our lives, and the fruits of our charity. Thus "ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, will keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."

"Now unto Him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy; to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen."

THE LAY READER.*

[Concluded from No. LXXXVI.]

SOON after the period alluded to, a circumstance took place which the emigrants numbered amongst the most interesting eras of their history. A small chapel was erected in the village nearest to their settlement: though at the distance of many miles, they anticipated its completion with delight. At its consecration by the late Bishop Ravenscroft, as many of the colonists as found it possible to leave home determined to be present. Few of the younger ones had ever entered a building set apart solely for the worship of God; and the days were anxiously counted, until they should receive permission to tread his courts. The appointed period arrived. Just before the commencement of the sacred services of dedication, a procession of singular aspect was seen to wind along amid interposing shades. It consisted of persons of both sexes, and of every age, clad in a primitive style, and advancing with solemn order. I recognised my hermit friends, and hastened onward to meet them. Scarcely could the ancient Jews, when, from distant regions, they made a pilgrimage to their glorious hill at Zion, have testified more touching emotion than those guileless worshippers, in passing the threshold of this humble temple to Jehovah. When the sweet tones of a small organ, mingling with the voices of a select choir, gave "glory to the Father, to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost; as it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end," the young children of the forest started from their seats in wondering joy, while the changing colour or quivering lip of the elders evinced that

the hallowed music awoke the cherished echoes of memory.

But with what breathless attention did they hang on every word of Bishop R., as, with his own peculiar combination of zeal and tenderness, he illustrated the inspired passage which he had chosen, or, with a sudden rush of eloquence, broke up the fountains of the soul. Listening and weeping, they gathered up the manna, which an audience, satiated with the breath of heaven, and prodigal of angels' food, might have suffered to perish. With the hoary patriarch, a throng of his descendants, who had been duly prepared for that holy vow and profession, knelt around the altar, in commemoration of their crucified Redeemer. From the Dublin Christian Gleaner.

At the close of the communion-service, when about to depart to his home, the white-haired man drew near to the bishop. Gratitude for the high privileges in which he had participated; reverence for the father in God whom he had that day, for the first time, beheld; conviction that his aged eyes could but a

little longer look on things of time; consciousness that he might scarcely expect again to stand amid his children, to" behold the fair beauty of the Lord, and to sing the hand of the bishop, and raising his eyes inquire in his temple,"-overwhelmed his spirit. Presheavenward, he said, "Lord, now lettest thou thy salvation." Bishop R. fixed on him one of those servant depart in peace; for mine eyes have seen thy piercing glances which seemed to read the soul; and then tears, like large rain-drops, stood upon his cheeks. Recovering from his emotion, he pronounced with affectionate dignity the benediction: "The Lord bless thee, and keep thee; the Lord make his face to shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee; the Lord lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace." The patriarch, bowing down a head heavy with the snows of more than fourscore winters, breathed a thanksgiving to God, and turned homeward, followed by all his kindred.

Summer had glided away ere it was in my power again to visit "the lodge in the wilderness." As I was taking, in the autumn twilight, my lonely walk for meditation, a boy of rustic appearance, approaching with hasty step, accosted me: "Our white-haired father, the father of us all, lies stretched upon his bed; he takes no bread or water; and he asks for you. Will you come to him?" Scarcely had I signified assent ere he vanished. With the light of the early morning I commenced my journey; autumn had infused chilliness into the atmosphere, and somewhat of tender melancholy into the heart. Nature seems to regard with sadness the passing away of the glories of summer, and to robe herself as if for humiliation. As the sun increased in power, more of cheerfulness overspread the landscape. The pines were busily disseminating their winged seeds; like insects, with a floating motion, they spread around for miles. Large herds of swine made their repast upon this halfethereal food. How mindful is nature of even her humblest pensioners!,

As I approached the cluster of cottages, which now assumed the appearance of a village, the eldest son advanced to me. His head declined, like one struggling with grief which he would fain subdue. Taking my hand in both of his, he raised it to his lips. Neither of us spoke a word. It was written clearly on his countenance : "Come quickly, ere he die." Together we entered the apartment of the patriarch. One glance convinced me that he was not long to be of our company. He was fearfully emaciated; but as I spoke of the Saviour, who "went not up to joy until he first suffered pain," his brows again lighted up with the calmness of one whose " way to eternal joy was to suffer with Christ, whose door to eternal life was gladly to die with him." Greatly comforted by prayer, he desired that the holy communion might

be once more administered to him and his children. There was a separation round his bed; those who had been accustomed to partake with him drew near, and

knelt around the dying. Fixing his eye on the others, he said, with an energy of tone which we thought had forsaken him, "Will ye thus be divided at the last day?" A burst of wailing grief was the reply. Never will that scene be effaced from my remembrance; the expressive features, and thrilling responses of the patriarch, into whose expiring body the soul returned with power, that it might leave this last testimony of faith and hope to those whom he loved,—are among the unfading imagery of my existence. The spirit seemed to rekindle more and more, in its last lingering about the threshold of time. In a tone whose clearness and emphasis surprised us, the departing saint breathed forth a blessing on those who surrounded him, in the name of that God "whose peace passeth all understanding."

There was an interval during which he seemed to slumber. Whispers of hope were heard around his couch, that he might awake and be refreshed. At | length his eyes slowly unclosed; they were glazed and deeply sunken in their sockets; their glance was long and kind on those who hung over his pillow. His lips moved, but not audibly. Bowing my ear more closely, I found that he was speaking of Him who is the "resurrection and the life." A slight shuddering passed over his frame, and he was at rest for ever. A voice of weeping arose from among the children who had been summoned to the bed of death. Ere I had attempted consolation, the lay-reader with an unfaltering tone pronounced, "The Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." Deep silence ensued. It seemed as if every heart were installing him who spoke in the place of the father and the governor who had departed. was a spontaneous acknowledgment of the right of primogeniture, which no politician could condemn. He stood among them in the simple majesty of his birthright, a ruler and priest to guide his people in the way everlasting. It was as if the mantle of an arisen prophet had descended upon him; as if those shen lips had broken the seal of death to utter, "Behold my servant whom I have chosen!" Every eye fixed upon him its expression of fealty and love. Gradually the families retired to their respective habitations. Each individual paused at the pillow of the patriarch to take a silent farewell; and some of the little ones climbed up to kiss the marble face.

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I was left alone with the lay-reader and with the dead. The enthusiasm of the scene had fled, and the feelings of a son triumphed. Past years rushed like a tide over his memory; the distant but undimmed impressions of infancy and childhood; the planting of that once-wild waste; the changes of those years which had sprinkled his temples with grey hairs,—all with their sorrows and their joys came back associated with the lifeless image of his beloved sire. In the bitterness of bereavement, he covered his face and sept. That iron frame, which had borne the hardening of more than half a century, shook like the breast of an infant when it sobs out its sorrows. I waited until the first shock of grief had subsided; then passing my arm gently within his, I repeated, "I heard a voice from heaven, saying, Write! from henceforth blessed are the dead who die in the Lord." Instantly raising himself upright, he responded, in a voice

whose deep inflections sunk into my soul, "Even so saith the Spirit; for they rest from their labours, and their works do follow them." I remained to attend the funeral obsequies of the patriarch.

In the heart of their territory was a shady dell sacred to the dead. It was surrounded by a neat enclosure, and planted with trees. The drooping branches of a willow swept the grave of the mother of the colony. Near her slumbered her youngest son. Several other mounds swelled around them, most of which, by their small size, told of the smitten flowers of infancy. To this goodly company we bore him who had been revered as the father and exemplar of all. With solemn steps his descendants, two and two, followed the corpse. I heard a convulsive and suppressed breathing among the more tender of the train; but when the burial-service commenced, all was hushed. And never have I more fully realised its surpassing pathos and power, than when, from the centre of that deep solitude, on the brink of that waiting grave, it poured forth its consolation. "Man, that is born of a woman, hath but a short time to live, and is full of misery: he cometh up, and is cut down like a flower: he fleeth as it were a shadow, and never continueth in one stay. In the midst of life we are in death. Of whom may we seek for succour but of thee, O Lord, who for our sins art justly displeased? Yet, O Lord most holy! O God most mighty, O holy and most merciful Saviour, deliver us not into the bitter pains of eternal death. Thou knowest, Lord, the secrets of our hearts; shut not thy most merciful ears to our prayers; but spare us O Lord mest holy, O God most mighty, O holy and most merciful Saviour, suffer us not at our last hour, for any pains of death, to fall from thee."

Circumstances compelled me to leave this mourning community immediately after committing the dust of their pious ancestor to the earth. They accompanied me to some distance on my journey, and our parting was with mutual tears. Turning to view them, as their forms mingled with the dark green of the forest, I heard the faint echo of a clear voice: it was the lay-reader, speaking of the hope of the resurrection-"If we believe that Christ died and rose again, even so them also that sleep in Jesus will God bring with him." Full of hope, I pursued my homeward way. I inquired, Is devotion never encumbered or impeded by the splendour that surrounds her? Amid the lofty cathedral, the throng of rich-stoled worshippers, the melody of the solemn organ,- - does that incense never spend itself upon the earth, that should rise to heaven? On the very beauty and the glory of its ordinances may not the spirit proudly rest, and go not forth to the work of benevolence, nor spread its wings at the call of faith? Yet, surely there is a reality in religion, though man may foolishly cheat himself with the shadow. Here I have beheld it in simplicity, disrobed of all " pomp and circumstance," yet with power to soothe the passions into harmony, to maintain the virtues in daily and vigorous exercise, and to give victory to the soul when death vanquishes the body. So I took the lesson to my heart; and when it has languished or grown cold, I have warmed it by the remembrance of the ever-living faith of those "few sheep in the wilderness."