THE CHOLERA IN JAMAICA. Most of our readers have already heard, through the circulars which have been issued from the Baptist Mission- House, of the fearful ravages which the cholera has recently been committing in Jamaica. The details of the progress of the disease, and the suffering consequent upon it, are almost too painful to be read; but it would appear that some of the towns and villages have lost one-third, and even in some instances one-half, of their inhabitants; the churches have been swept of great numbers of their members, and the congregations almost entirely dispersed; and the poverty and suffering which survivors have endured, and the horrible scenes of wretchedness which have presented themselves everywhere, are such as almost to baffle description. Even now, though the disease itself has abated, the poverty continues most painful. Children have lost their parents, and wives their husbands; and many, who were previously in positions of comfort and respectability, are now entirely deprived of the means of livelihood. We are thankful to be able to record that none of the missionaries have been removed by the disease; though, of course, their labours have been incessant, and the demands upon their generosity have been such as almost, in some instances, to place them on the point of starvation. We have no doubt our readers will deeply sympathize with our brethren in the sufferings they have been called to endure, and that they will not fail to remember their case in their public and private petitions. If any friends have not contributed to the fund which has been raised for the relief of the sufferers, which we are glad to know has reached a considerable sum, their contributions will be thankfully received at the Mission-House, or we should ourselves be gratified to receive and forward them. Previous to the breaking out of the scourge, the cause of Christ in Jamaica had been rapidly declining. Let us hope and pray that this calamity, fearful as it has been, may be the means of renewing in the churches their former devotedness and piety, and of awakening the multitudes who are unconverted, to a sense of their position and danger. NEW BAPTIST CHAPEL, LEEDS. This elegant building, erected by the congregation under the care of the Rev. R. Brewer, was opened for divine worship on January 15, 1851, when the Hon. and Rev. Baptist W. Noel, M.A. preached. The service in the morning was held in the New Chapel, at eleven o'clock: when, after reading and prayer by the Rev. A. M. Stalker, Mr. Noel preached from Acts ii. 1-4. In the evening the service was held in the largest chapel in the town (Oxford-Place), kindly lent by the trustees for the occasion. The spacious building was quite full; and the auditory listened with deep attention to a sermon from Acts ii. 38. Between the services, a dinner was provided at the Scarborough Hotel, at which the Mayor of Leeds (who is a member of the church for whose use the new building has been erected) presided. The services were continued on the following Sunday, when the Rev. Dr. Acworth preached in the morning, from Rom. iii. 31; the Rev. G. W. Conder (Independent) in the afternoon, from 2 Cor. vi. 1; and the Rev. W. M. Bunting (Wesleyan) in the evening, from Mark v. 36 with Rom. iv. 5. The amount collected is between £130 and £140. Several presents have been made to the new chapel, in which members of different communities have displayed both their taste and their liberality. The style of building is Gothic, of the early decorated order of the thirteenth century. Its present arrangement will accommodate six hundred people, and such is the judiciousness with which it has been planned, that nearly double that number could be arranged for without injury to the main building. Its cost is about £2,500 altogether; .e., for building £1,700, and for land, &c. £800. SHEFFIELD. The re-opening of Townhead-Street chapel and school-rooms, which had been closed three months for improvement and enlargement, took place in January last. On Lord's-day, the 12th January, two sermons were preached by the Rev. J. A. Baynes, B.A., of Nottingham; on Monday evening the 13th, the Rev. Alexander Raleigh, of Masborough, preached; on Tuesday evening the 14th, near four hundred persons took tea in the large school-room, after which they adjourned to the chapel, where others joined them. After an introductory address by the pastor, the Rev. C. Larom, speeches were delivered by the Revs. J. H. Muir, D. Loxton, J. E. Giles, J. A. Baynes, S. Clarkson, W. B. Landells, and J. Stokol. The collections at the various services amounted to eighty-three pounds. The cost of the improvements will be about seven hundred pounds, near the half of which sum has been contributed and paid; and it is hoped that by another effort, in about a year to come, the whole will be cleared off. The re-opening services were, throughout, of great interest. The improvements gave general and high satisfaction, and will, it is earnestly hoped, subserve the advancement of the work of God. BAPTIST CHAPEL, WESTON-SUPER-MARE. On Wednesday evening, January 15th, a meeting was held on church business in the above chapel, when one of the friends, in the name of the church, presented to their pastor, Mr. E. J. Rodway, a purse of ten guineas, at the same time very kindly and affectionately addressing him, only regretting, as he said, that the sum was so small. Those who best know Weston, and the capabilities of the friends here-what they have done and are still doing in relation to their new place of worship-will know best how to estimate such an act as this. THE CHURCH. "Built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone."-Eph.ii. 20. APRIL, 1851. FRAGMENTARY NOTES OF VILLAGE SERMONS. BY THE REV. JOHN FOSTER. (Taken by one of his hearers.) No. 16. "Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil," &c.-Eph. vi. 11-18. Last Sunday we made a number of observations on this passage. We left off with observing, that a great advantage is possessed against man by that enemy who can employ so many "wiles," that he can act without being acted on, that we have never measured his power. There cannot be too much caution-a Divine defence is necessary against such an enemy -and therefore this advice is exceedingly proper. "Put on the whole armour of God," &c. We are to make use of every thing against an enemy that has so many modes of attack,-that is able to put his own spirit within us,-to embody it. It is a dreadful thing that he can find a serpent in the heart to receive it,—a serpent native of the soil. In verse 12, the apostle displays the extent of the great contest, and gives a description of the foes. "We wrestle not against flesh and blood," &c. Think how much contempt is thrown on all the splendour, the mighty deeds of conquerors and heroes; they are all thrown to the winds. The apostle gives to the shades and oblivion all the splendours of that heroic time: the wars and conquests of Greece and Rome. But yet he might fairly advert to the wars of flesh and blood, in order to aggravate the horrors of this; for it is a serious thing to look on embattled lines,-to think that their arms will be stained with the blood of those who look on and stand here. There are the arms, bright and shining, and soon they will be soiled with our blood. It is no small matter, certainly, to war a warfare of flesh and blood,-to think that men will expose themselves to laceration. It would be a foolish thing to make light of this protracted bodily anguish and suffering. But, after all, the apostle indicates that this is, in comparison, an inglorious contest. He might have addressed one of these warriors "against flesh and blood," "Now, you smote your foe to the dust! What then? You assume very high consequence; but what a chance that you were not the victim, that you were not lacerated, and the field strewed with the dead bodies of yourself and your companions! "You slew your foe! But now, have you no compunction, thus to have destroyed and smitten down your fellow-mortals ? Recollect the first VOL. V. E attack of one brother on another,-of Cain on Abel,-and do you feel nothing of the same horrible remorse and fear of being branded with a mark? "You smote your foe to death! But are you imagining that Death will spare you for having given him a victim? Have you taken his departed life into your life? Are you not still exposed to all the hazards of a single life? "You slew your foe! What did you gain? Perhaps, fame and honour. But how much worse would it have been, had you gone to the grave without it? When your last sun sets, what matter will it be then? "You have smitten your foe! But Satan lives; the Devil did not bleed. He, in perfect impunity, was witness of this work, carried on by his inspiration; he himself retained his perfect, unhurt immortality." Our warfare is against him who laughs at the contests of flesh and blood. Imagine the infernal delight of this wicked spirit, who wishes to destroy the works of God! Against him is our warfare to be carried on; and against a numerous and direful legion, as is mentioned in the evangelic history. It is very striking to consider that there is more unanimity, more reference to one purpose, and the plan better laid, and more carefully followed, and vigorously maintained, in spite of all that should make Devils enemies, than any plan of goodness on earth. It is striking to consider the "firm concord," as the Poet says, that is held among the dire agents of evil,-this unity in the invasion of the wretched world of man. It appears that there are degrees among these evil spirits. There is no reason why they should not retain their relative proportion of dignity, as there is a mighty intellect retained, though perhaps not all. They have not lost their relative dignity, though fallen from light to darkness. We may be very sure, that whatever difference there may be, none are little, none are small in power; all are "principalities and powers," all are possessors of power dangerous to men. What an amazing world is that of evil spirits, and never displayed to view! How readily do men pronounce the name of the great Evil Spirit, and how little does any body think about it! This makes it as if the thing were not so. So with reference to God; men use his name, but with no clear meaning; therefore it is the same as if there were no God in the world. It is the same as to the Spirit of Evil; some persons may have heard his name pronounced a hundred times in the last week; no name is pronounced with greater gaity. Alas, for the state of human beings, that men pronounce with a strong accent of humour the name of this being! If he should rush with dreadful apparition on our view! Think what an impression if he made a manifestation of himself in one clear flash of vision ! Think what a mighty impression on any soul! But now, men can trifle; they can walk in the great black path of the Destroyer, and take his very name as the most suitable for their merriest hours. Our ignorance protects us from great terrors; yet a complete manifestation would be insupportable, and therefore so far it is a mercy that it is withheld. To see the dreadful form of this antagonist of God and man,to make such a display around us,-such a dreadful sight as would make the world appear vital with evil spirits, would be something not to be borne by men, who yet, because they do not see, make light of all danger. There is no danger to the wicked spirits from any thing man can do; but God puts them under a higher sense of danger. God does defend us, in comparative peace and safety, from the world of Devils; but there is a world of Darkness too. "The Rulers of the Dark ess of this world." It is worthy of the Powers of Darkness to promote intellectual and moral Darkness. And what Darkness there is! When you think of the ignorance, thoughtlessness, and unbelief, that exist all around, instead of concern and conversion, say, is not that Darkness? Not to go to the darkness of heathen times, let a man think of the dark ness in his own mind. Now, there are beings who make a regular work of propagating darkness. Look at the things that make the darkness continue, and we may well suppose that Satan presides over them. The number of wicked principles that keep the mind in darkness, and keep out the light of Truth, are well worthy this Evil Spirit. How many things should men acknowledge with deep feeling! Now, do they acknowledge them? Things should press upon their souls, which perhaps they do profess to believe. It is well for the Evil Spirit that they do admit such things into their belief, and think themselves not the enemies of Truth. There is so much darkness; it looks as if there were some order and method in diffusing it. To teach Truth there must be order, rules, leading minds, writers; but since all these have produced so little effect, it looks as if there was a more complete economy in instructors that lead to error, than in those that lead to knowledge and salvation. In verse 13, the apostle repeats the exhortation he had before given. He takes for granted that the evil day will come. We shall be constantly beset by sin; but it is quite probable that there will be times of peculiar besetment, stronger attacks of sin upon the mind than usual. When we read the accounts of a pious man, and remark the accounts of each day, he records scarcely any day without lamenting this or that tendency to sin, this or that occurrence that awakened evil passions; and no man, even the most pious, has a complete conception of the evil of sin; he never used words too strong for that. And, indeed, how can it be otherwise than that temptations should occur to an evil nature in an evil world? A man cannot go from self. He may say, "I came out of the way of temptation." But is there not temptation in that? Temptation may arise in a cavern, -a quick succession of thoughts that tend to evil. Yet we said there are special occasions of temptation. A man may be going on right, and it may come all at once-like a wild beast in India or Africa, springing on the traveller-darting upon his soul, and his conscience becomes the vic tim. But a christian should aspire to meet every evil day so, that when he looks back upon it, it may appear a good day. We may say a day of battle is an "evil day;" but looked upon by the conqueror, in the language of the world, it is looked upon as a good day. The great difference between the day of a good man and of a bad man is how it appears when passed, as viewed by a conscientious mind. Though none have days quite pure, yet there may be a real dedication of the day to God. A good man will ask God's forgiveness, and thank him that he has been enabled to pray, and will think it right to look back on the day with pleasure. It was an "evil day" to Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, when the burning fiery furnace was heating; an 66 evil day" to see the rage of the monarch, with the certainty that his will would be accomplished by his ready agents; but how different the next day! Yesterday began with heating the furnace, -began with some trembling, though they knew God might deliver them. And so it was with Daniel, when he was thrown into the lion's den. It was a most "evil day" when the Messiah suffered death,-a most awful day; and yet we date the era of salvation from that day. No storms give the day so black an aspect, as the certainty that evil will come upon the soul. An earthquake is not so bad as the wiles of Satan. But men may so meet these evil days, as to gain bright and brilliant trophies to carry into immortality. Verse 14, "Stand, therefore, having your loins girt about with truth.” This refers to the girdle worn by men of war, bound round their armour. Now, what does this mean? Perhaps, simplicity or sincerity of intention, or true principles of religion. But it rather seems to mean that a man should feel he had a grand determining purpose,-one grand conviction that he must constantly follow the great business of a christian, so as to feel no force in any reason against it. This one grand governing principle is of great importance; it loves no wavering, no delay. "Having on the breast-plate of righteousness." Christian virtue; practice resulting from the prevalence of christian principle. The actual habits of the mind prevent many temptations. Think, when the human agents of Satan go about, they do not come to a man who has, as they understand, an established christian conduct and character. A thousand things they propose to others, which they never mention to him. Tempters do not think of coming near him. The internal feeling of conscience inspires confidence, when a man can say, "I am absolutely solicitous to maintain a good conscience." This gives confidence, when there is a practical proof of sincerity within. Verse 15, "Your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace." It is of great consequence to a man in war to have his feet well equipped, when he has to march or engage. Perhaps, it may mean here, a settled habitual readiness to move. Christian habits should be adapted to move, to advance. It is desirable to have all the motives of the gospel in sight, -to make the soul a moving mind; not to sit down there, not to remain The gospel is full of moving principles. A man, therefore, should bring them all into his mind. 80. Verse 16, "Above all, taking the shield of faith." After all, there is still something wanted for protection, there is no doing without this in the christian service. Now, Faith is, in general, a firm reliance on the declarations of God; in a specific sense, it is a firm reliance on the work of Christ; but faith in the declarations of God includes that. Think how many things are thus to be relied on! There is one part of Divine truth adapted to defend men against that and that point, and so on, with all the different truths. If you meet with a temptation, doubtless you will pray to God; but, then, you will also think what religious consideration is proper to meet that temptation. And it is of great advantage to do 80. Faith takes account of all the parts of Revelation,-brings all to be in the mind. It deserves to be called a shield, because it brings to the mind things applicable to a defence. "Fiery darts." We often seem to think such terms extravagant. "Fiery darts!" You talk of them, and feel all the while at the most perfect ease. Why, my friends, so much the worse, to make light of things that the apostle's language makes so important; and the very things may be in action, while you are talking, the "fiery darts” may be striking your souls, while you make light of their images that seem to flame. Verse 17, "The helmet of salvation." It is of great consequence to feel that we can hope for salvation. "The sword of the Spirit." Let the word of God be comparatively abolished, and then what becomes of a christian as a fighter; if there are not in his soul the mighty promises and declarations of God. Verse 18, "Praying always with all prayer." This must be added to all. Every thing else depends on this. Those men who are determined in the contest against evil, are always disposed to call on God. Fishponds, Dec. 27, 1818. |