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Lord Jesus Christ." By the first, men see and feel their need of salvation. Obeying the truth through the Spirit, they have a sight and sense of sin; they desire to flee from the wrath to come; they WILL to be saved. How, then, do they become possessed of the salvation they desire and seek? Even by faith; as it is written, "By grace are ye saved through faith;" "Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls." But what is this faith? Its direct object is the atonement of Christ. So writes the Apostle : "Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood." There may be a belief in this atonement, without the spiritual faith which is directly saving; but there cannot be the faith which saves, without the belief. We cannot trust in Christ as our Saviour, unless we believe him to be a Saviour. But the atonement implies the divinity and incarnation of Christ,-the entire doctrine of the Trinity. He, therefore, who, in the light of the Gospel, wills to be saved, must perceive the provision made for him by the infinite love of God; and when, thus believing, he comes to Christ, he finds rest to his soul. His trust implies his cordial belief of the doctrine; and being justified by faith, and having the love of God shed abroad in his heart by the Holy Ghost given unto him, he is regenerated; he becomes a branch in the true vine, a living stone in the divine temple. Of these, that which is emphatically THE CHURCH is composed. They rest upon one foundation; for though, through human infirmity, men may build with various materials, "other foundation can no man lay, than that is laid ;" and that foundation they both know and acknowledge. Hence it is that the true members of Christ's church have been, in all ages, believers in the doctrine of the Trinity. It is so unavoidably; for, but for that faith, they had not been members of the church. Rejecting this truth, it is not easy to see how they could exercise such "repentance toward God" as would cause them to WILL to be saved:" rejecting it, undoubtedly they could not exercise saving "faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ." What are exempt cases, it is not for us to say. "Secret things belong to the Lord our God." But, speaking of the divinely-revealed method of salvation, belief in the doctrine of the Trinity is essential to salvation; and all who have received the salvation of their souls, in every age, have believed and confessed it. On whatever subjects they have differed, here they have always and necessarily agreed. This is the "one faith" of the one holy catholic church. The doctrine of the Trinity has thus been always believed, by all the members of the true church of Christ, in every place. The old canon, Semper, ubique, et ab omnibus, is here strictly applicable.

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E. T.

MISCELLANEOUS COMMUNICATIONS.

OUR SERVANTS.

(To the Editor of the Wesleyan-Methodist Magazine.)

I. THE moral and religious improvement of servants is of great importance to themselves.

i. No situation in life can exempt from moral responsibility a human being who retains the use of reason. The immortality of the soul, and the account which every individual of Adam's posterity must render at the final judgment, make religion the universal concern of man; and every thing which awakens our feelings on this momentous question, and directs our attention to its allcommanding interests, strongly recommends itself to our regard.

Servants have a Master in heaven as well as on earth; and nothing can be of so great consequence to them as His approbation, who will, before long, pronounce their everlasting doom.

2. It is important in relation to the junior members of the families with whom they reside. Young children are attentive observers; and example has always a powerful effect upon them, especially where their affections and interests are engaged. Servants have many opportunities of endearing themselves to children; and as the most vigilant mother cannot always have her eyes and ears employed upon each individual in her household, it is fearful to think of the amount of evil which may be communicated to the infant mind by an unprincipled

servant.

How can we allow those who are so dear to us to tread the path of danger with a faithless guide? Why should we accelerate the developement of their innate depravity, and light them on their way to destruction? Every time they witness the profanation of sacred things, an influence is exerted in opposition to parental prayers and counsels; and when that antagonist power

rises up within the asylum of home, it is awfully perilous and alarming.

3. To masters and mistresses the moral and religious conduct of servants is desirable in the highest degree. By this means mutual confidence will be secured, and much uneasiness avoided. There may be found, we are aware, a strong principle of honesty, in the discharge of ordinary duties, where true religion has not been sought; but this is rarely the case; whereas religion claims, and will assuredly possess, the integrity of moral principle. By attention to this, servants in pious families will gain the goodwill of their employers; their trifling deficiencies will be overlooked; their general worth will be duly estimated; and the serious inconveniences, the mortification, the scandal, arising from frequent changes, will be avoided. A peaceable and protracted sojourn in the same family is attended with many advantages.

4. A good servant will exert a beneficial influence on the surrounding neighbourhood. The evils of animosity and strife between fami. lies or persons dwelling in the same vicinity, are often owing to the gos siping of faithless domestics. Some persons cannot rest without officiously inquiring into each other's affairs; and a few facts, however unimportant in themselves, which relate to family matters, are seized upon as favourite topics of conversation, especially if they be slanderous, and in any way derogatory to character and fame. "Where no wood is, the fire goeth out; so where there is no tale-bearer, the strife ceaseth." But, independently of this consideration, the conduct of a pious servant must have a salutary effect, whenever, and by whomsoever, it is observed; and, in

proportion as this is felt, will be our conviction of the great importance of encouraging and promoting such conduct.

II. But what means are to be used in order to the accomplish ment of this desirable end?

It is assumed that the master and mistress are themselves religious, and consequently anxious to secure the spiritual welfare of their servants. To such the following suggestions may be useful:

1. Let them be regarded as members of your own family, and be made to feel that they have a home in your house, as well as a place in your household. This will at once place them on privileged ground; and, by opening to them the ordinary sources of domestic solicitude, sympathy, and comfort, it will convince them of your disinterestedness, and lay a broad and suitable basis on which to build your plans of instruction and government.

This view of their station is not adopted for the purpose of effect: it is the only just one. Servants are unquestionably members of the families with whom they dwell. We must, then, admit their claim to our attention; or, in other words, our responsibility on their account. The right of protection we allow even to the brute creation which belong to our houses, our stables, our farms. It is our duty to defend them, and to promote the comfort of the short and cloudy day of their existence. Surely, then, our fellow-immortals, whom Providence has placed for a season under our control, have superlative and resistless claims on our religious care and benevolence! In accordance with this principle, we are bound to,

2. Allow them sufficient time to attend the means of grace. The blessed Sabbath is theirs as well as ours; and though they cannot, even on that day, be relieved from every household engagement, care should be taken that nothing be imposed upon them which is avoidably secular in its nature, or so engrossive of their time and attention, as to preclude the possibility of their presence in the house of prayer on the

VOL. XXIII. Third Series.

Lord's day.

When the cares and

duties of a large family render impracticable the attendance on public worship of the mother and the servant at the same hour, the former ought most frequently to give place. The nearness of her relationship to the children, and her concern for the everlasting welfare of her domestics, will prompt her to make this sacrifice with all cheerfulness.

3. But whilst ample opportunities are afforded to them for hearing the Gospel, and attending such religious meetings as their union with the visible church may require, we should guard, with the strictest vigilance, against permitting them to take walks of pleasure on the Sabbath-day. Idle and wicked company abound then more than at other times; and we cannot appeal from the authority which declares, "Evil communications corrupt good manners;" and solemnly attests that "a companion of fools shall be destroyed." We admit that fresh air and out-of-door exercise are essential to the health and comfort of all; nor have we any right to deprive our servants of the privilege of beholding the beauties of nature in the various seasons of the year. The beneficent Author of our being has in this way abundantly provided for the mental gratification of all his rational creatures, and any attempt to rob them of this pleasure were an offence against himself. Can it be pleaded, with any show of reason, or even with any plausibility, that no part of the week, except the sacred day, can furnish time for this? Arrangements ought to be made, and rigorously acted upon, in every family, and in all other establishments of whatever kind, for the purpose of allowing servants and work-people, of every class, a sufficient portion of the secular periods of every week, to spend in healthful and innocent recreation.

4. Suffer nothing to interfere with their attendance at family worship. The most numerous and busy house. hold may secure regularity in this great duty, by mutually agreeing upon the time of the morning and evening sacrifice; and by avoiding, SEPTEMBER, 1844. 3 F

as that hour approaches, those engagements which would detain them too long; and which might be deferred, without any serious inconvenience, to another part of the day.

5. See that they are able to read the word of God; and unless their age be unsuitable, let them share in the catechetical instruction which is given to the children. Various difficulties will present themselves here, and they cannot be overcome without resolution and punctuality.

6. Exercise a firm control over the hour of their retirement in the evening; and suffer them not, on any pretence whatever, to form the habit of staying out late, or sitting up long after the other members of the family have withdrawn to rest. If this be not attended to, other means will avail but little; and disorder, with its inseparable evils, will obstruct the path of duty, and communicate to all around a gloomy and comfortless aspect.

7. Treat them on all occasions with fairness and honour. When any thing is lost or missing, some ladies invariably suspect the servants, and will at once insinuate suspicion against them, and even openly accuse them in the presence of the children. This is exceedingly imprudent and cruel; and the effect of such conduct on an honourable mind may be more easily conceived than expressed. Should the suspicion and charge prove groundless, which is often the case,-how humiliating to the accuser! An apology is then due, on the very first principles of justice; and should a reconciliation take place, so far as to

induce the injured servant to retain her situation, how is it possible for her to respect or reverence her mistress? and thus the religious influence of the latter over her dependent is completely neutralized.

To this class of errors belongs the folly of encouraging young children to bring complaints against servants, and then proceeding on the ground of such complaints, without inquiry and deliberation, to censure and condemn. Such treatment has a fearful tendency to weaken the moral principle in their minds, and to counteract all the plans which may be adopted for the elevation of their character.

8. Above all, let the blessing of God be sought in this important undertaking. Servants are to be remembered in our prayers; nor can we expect divine aid in the discharge of our duties towards them, unless we diligently seek it. The care of the soul, whether it be cherished with particular reference to ourselves or others, will lead us to the Author of its salvation, with humble and fervent solicitation.

The case of the Centurion and his afflicted servant (Matt. viii.; Luke vi.) is left on record for our guidance and encouragement. Read the narrative; contemplate the anxious concern, and the successful efforts, of the Roman Commander; learn from him to cultivate sympa thy towards your suffering household, in whatever relationship or connexion they stand; and, in the prayer of faith, beseech the Father of mercies to make them heirs with you of the grace of life.

S. A.

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

WESLEYAN CONFERENCE IN IRELAND.

THE Irish Wesleyan Conference presided. He was accompanied by the commenced its sittings this year in Rev. Dr. Newton and the Rev. John

Dublin, on Tuesday, June 25th. The Rev. John Scott, according to the appointment of the British Conference,

Beecham. About eighty Ministers were present. Three of the brethren had died during the year; namely, the Rev.

William Hamilton, Thomas Brown, and John Farrell. Four are placed on the Supernumerary list. The Rev. William Stewart was chosen Secretary; the Rev. J. F. Mathews, Sub-Secretary; and the Rev. James Tobias was appointed to assist in writing the Journal. Six young men were recommended by their respective District-Meetings as probationers for the office of the Christian ministry; and eleven, who had completed the period of trial to the satisfaction of the Conference, were recommended to be set apart for the full work of Ministers of the Gospel.

The ordination service took place on Thursday, the 27th of June, in the Centenary chapel, in the presence of a large assembly. After five of the candidates had addressed the congregation in succession, giving an account of their conversion to God, their Christian experience, and the reasons which induced them to desire an induction into the ministry among the Wesleyan Methodists, the President proceeded to the solemn act of ordination, by reading the service appointed for that occasion, and proposing certain questions, which were responded to individually by the respective candidates; and, afterwards, assisted by the Rev. Dr. Newton, the Rev. Messrs. Waugh, Beecham, Stewart, and Ferguson, by the imposition of hands, he ordained them to the office and duty of Ministers of Christ.

We sincerely rejoice in learning that this branch of the great Wesleyan family is in a condition so prosperous and encouraging. The number of members under the care of the Irish Conference is 28,409; being an increase during the past year of above 400, notwithstanding 600 members have found it necessary to emigrate to some distant places of abode. The Superintendent of the Irish Missions and Schools, (the Rev. W. O. Croggon,) presented a very favourable report of the proceedings and success of that department. On the Mission stations there is an increase of members; and were it not for the constant losses which the societies sustain by emigration, that increase would doubtless have been considerable. There are upwards of fifty day-schools under the regular inspection of the Society's Agent, containing four thousand five hundred children, about one-half of whom read the sacred Scriptures. We congratulate the Irish Conference on the favourable prospects before them, and on their determination, if possible, to increase and extend these operations. The plan by which they propose to accom

plish this noble object, will be communicated to their friends in the Circuits by the Ministers on their return from their annual assembly. In the mean time we direct the attention of our readers to the following extracts from the Minutes of this Conference :

"Q. What is the judgment of the Conference respecting daily schools?—. The Conference continues to record its deep conviction of the duty of endeavouring to provide an efficient education in scriptural and other useful knowledge, wherever it is practicable, by the establishment of Wesleyan daily schools. To promote this important work, it directs that each Superintendent shall bring the subject before the Stewards and Leaders of his Circuit or station at the September Quarterly-Mecting, and trusts, that, through their cordial cooperation, liberal means will be provided for effecting so desirable an object."

Our Irish brethren have addressed themselves to their arduous and responsible work in a manner consonant with the spirit and zeal of the primitive Apostles. Surrounded as they are with difficulties and impediments unknown to many who pursue their ministerial duties in Great Britain, they fear no danger, while the end they have in view is the glory of God in the salvation of sinners. Their reward is with the Lord, their recompence is with the Most High. To these topics reference is made in the Minutes in the following instructive and heart-searching manner :

"Q. 25. What are the means recommended by the Conference for promoting the work of God in our societies?

"A. 1. The Conference earnestly recommends to all the Preachers increased attention to mental improvement by meditation, and prayer, and the reading of such books as are best calculated to aid them in their sacred work; more especially they advise a careful study of the holy Scriptures, which supply the grand materials of their ministry, and that they give due prominency, in all their ministrations, to those vitally essential Gospel doctrines which God has been pleased heretofore so eminently to bless in the conversion of sinners, and the edification of believers in faith and holi

ness.

"2. That, as Ministers of Christ, we should, in deep humility, and with increased earnestness, implore the aid and guidance of the Holy Spirit, whilst we dedicate ourselves afresh and more fully to our hallowed work in holding forth the word of life, directing penitents to a

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