THE CONNEXION AND HARMONY OF THE OLD AND DR. ALEXANDER'S CONCLUSION TO HIS CONGREGATIONAL LECTURES. I HAVE now traversed, though with hasty steps, the wide field which I proposed to myself in undertaking this course of Lectures. Allow me, before bringing it to a conclusion, to recapitulate, in one or two sentences, what it has been my aim principally to establish in regard to the connexion and harmony of the Old and New Testaments. Assuming the Divine authority of both, I have endeavoured to show First:-That both belong to the same national literature; and, that on the composition of the latter a great influence has been exerted by the familiarity of its human authors with the former. Second-That both teach the unity of the Divine existence; but, at the same time, intimate the mysterious fact of a plurality in that unity: the New Testament more fully and dogmatically; the Old, generally by hints and intimations, and, in one or two instances, by more express and explicit statement. Third:-That both present the same view of the moral character of God, as holy, just, and good; and of the relation in which man stands to Him, as one who has broken his law, insulted His government, and merited His displeasure. Fourth: That the penalty denounced against sin in both, and which both assure us man has incurred and deserves to receive, is, eternal deathexclusion during the whole course of his being, from the love and favour of God. Fifth-That both, representing God as full of love, announced the glorious fact, that He has found a way for the display of that love in the salvation of. sinners, whereby so great an act of mercy has been rendered consistent with the claims of His government and law. Sixth: That both announce the great truth, that, by the incarnation of the Son of God, and His substitution on our behalf, this way of salvation has been opened up: the Old Testament, by promises, predictions, and types ; the New Testament, by the history of our Lord, and the statement of his doctrines, in which all these promises have been fulfilled, and all these types substantiated. Upon the whole, the aim of the Lecturer has been, to show that the religion of Jesus Christ, the only religion which, as our own experience amply testifies, can meet the case, and relieve the miseries of man, has been, from first to last, the sole religion of Divine revelation, and unfolds the only plan which God has ever announced to man, as that by which He saves the guilty. ORIGINAL LETTERS OF THE REV. JOHN NEWTON. (To the Editor of the EVANGELICAL Magazine.) Beaminster, Dec. 6, 1853. MY DEAR BROTHER,-Having in my possession a short series of letters, (which I value as a sort of family heirloom) written by the excellent John Newton, to a young man then a student in the Old College, Homerton, I have thought they could not fail of being interesting to the public, if given in the Magazine. They are quite in his own I am, yours fraternally, ALFRED BISHOP. The Rev. Dr. Morison. No. 1. SIR, I am really sorry to have thus long delayed acknowledging your favour of the 8th May. I purposed writing much sooner, but I have so many hindrances that I am not able to be so punctual as I could wish. apt, sagacious, practical style. The fol- waiting upon the Lord in his ministry lowing is the first of them. do well in endeavouring diligently to avail themselves of the helps His providence affords them for the acquisition of knowledge. It is desirable a minister should have a warm heart, and it is likewise desirable that he should have a fund or stock of spiritual knowledge, without which he will not ordinarily be able to maintain a tolerable fulness and variety in the course of his ministrations, when he comes to be settled and to preach statedly in one place. However, this requires much watchfulness and prayer to the Lord, lest what we acquire by study should become food for pride and self-importance, and bring on dryness and coldness upon the spirit. We need a supply which, like the manna to Israel, must come from above -a something which we cannot receive from books or men; and, like the manna, too, it must be daily renewed, for it will not keep if we attempt so to hoard it up as to live upon it, and thereby supersede the necessity of a continual dependence and waiting at the throne of grace. If it may be in my power to offer you any assistance in the way you propose, I ought to be glad of the opportunity, and I shall be so. You will be welcome to my best thoughts and advice upon any subject you shall think proper to propose; only I must beg you to excuse me if I cannot write so speedily as you might expect. My correspondence is large, and I am generally much in arrears. I will do as well as I can; but, if I seem to delay, I wish you to impute it to no other cause, than my having more upon my hands than I can well manage. I rejoice that the Lord has given you a thirst for the experimental power as well as the systematic knowledge of the gospel doctrine. Indeed, nothing deserves the name of religious knowledge, but so far as it is experimental, and productive of heart-humility and vital holiness. A man may perish with a system of divinity in his head; but, if he has true grace in his heart, though his beginning may be small, his latter end shall greatly increase. I speak not to the disparagement of study and accuracy. I think they who are desirous of I hope there are many students at Homerton like-minded with you. I wish well to that Seminary, and hope it will produce a succession of men to burn and shine in the churches. I am acquainted with some who came from it, whom the Lord has made a blessing to many. I believe I know none of the students at present, except Mr. Bryer, to whom I beg you to mention my love. I am, Sir, Your friend and servant, Olney, 7 June, '76. NOTES OF A TIME OF REFRESHING (To the Editor of the EVANGELICAL MAGAZINE.) MY DEAR SIR,-I read with much pleasure the excellent paper on "Times of Refreshing" which appeared in your Number for November. It was, I be lieve, from your own pen. Little did I anticipate, when reading it at the beginning of the month, that, ere its close, Tunbridge Wells was destined to furnish a living proof of the truth of many of your observations. You will, I doubt not, afford room in your January Number for a short account of the remarkable work of God which has taken place among us here. Perhaps to some it may seem premature thus early to draw the attention of the Christian public to it. I intend nothing more, however, than to give a brief statement of facts, with a few reflections. This, I think, may be useful to those of my brethren in the ministry, and members of our churches, who may read this letter. Should it be the means of stirring any of them up to more fervent and believing prayer, and to a more diligent and earnest use of those means which all may put in operation, my object will be fully gained. You are acquainted, Sir, with much of what has transpired among us at this place since my settlement, now somewhat more than three years ago. Till the month of June last we were struggling with a heavy debt, which was then, through the Divine blessing on our efforts, entirely removed. We had not been, at any time during these years, without indications that God was blessing us. Cheering instances of good, both in the church and congregation, and also among visitors, had been occurring at intervals; and not a few, especially among the young, had been drawn to our place of worship. On the whole, however, we were, as church, in a languid condition. The pulse of the spiritual life was beating but feebly in most of us. રી There were some of our number, who, in these circumstances, had been giving themselves to prayer. For many months they had been earnestly plead ing with God that He would revive His work, and that His Spirit might be poured out on us from on high. But none of them anticipated anything like the result. Through the kindness of one of our friends, we had been favoured, in the * Joshua Wilson, Esq. month of October, last year, with a visit, for one Sunday, from the Rev. E. Cornwall, at present labouring at Highgate. That visit excited much interest, and led, eventually, to an arrangement for his coming again for one or two Sundays in November, for the purpose of holding, in conjunction with myself, a series of special services. These services began on Sunday, the 13th ult., and from that time meetings were held every evening (Saturday evenings excepted) till December 1st. The first result that appeared was a remarkable quickening of the members of the church. Fervent supplications were offered by many in secret for a blessing; and a meeting for special prayer, which was begun soon after at seven o'clock in the morning, was largely attended. I was surprised at the numbers willing to come out at that early hour, on cold, dark, raw mornings in November. These occasions were invariably felt to be refreshing by those who were present. At the week evening services, the attendance was good from the first; but it soon began to increase, and kept increasing till the close. We met at first only in the lower part of the chapel. After a time, however, we were compelled to open the galleries, and on the last evening the building was crowded as it never had been before. I have no doubt that an attendance as large might have been kept up for some time longer. There is reason to believe, moreover, that at least onesixth of the adult population of Tunbridge Wells heard the gospel in connexion with these services. From the first, it was evident that the word was being accompanied with power. This appeared from the stillness and solemnity which pervaded the assemblies; from the earnest attention with which those present listened to the message of mercy; from their readiness to remain listening till a late hour generally till half-past nine o'clock; and from the unwillingness which was often manifested, even at that late hour, and, I might say, by the entire audience, to leave the place. It was slowly and reluctantly that the congregations withdrew. The Divine presence had evidently been felt. Many seemed as if riveted by some unseen power to the spot. An opportunity was always given to those who wished to retire to do so before nine o'clock, during the singing of a hymn. Few, however, availed themselves of the opportunity, and those, I believe, only from necessity. But we had indications of the Divine presence among us yet more palpable than these, in the powerful awakening of numbers who had hitherto been living without God, and in the recovery of not a few Christians from a state of Laodicean lukewarmness. At the close of each service, those who wished for conversation regarding their spiritual interests were requested to remain. At first but few did so; many who were anxious held back. The number, however, gradually increased, from three or four, till, at our closing service, it amounted to nearly sixty. There were thus at length so many, that we were unable satisfactorily to attend to them. God had poured us out such a "blessing, that there was not room enough to receive it." We were exhausted in receiving, but not God in giving. suppose that my brother and myself must have come into contact, during these three weeks, with nearly three hundred different persons, in a state of spiritual anxiety. Many of these were cases of deep interest. They occurred among different classes and ages, but chiefly among the young. Not a few were young men. Some had been professors for many years. A considerable proportion were connected with other denominations. It would not be right to speak positively as to number, but I have no hesitation in affirming that a very great many, who, prior to these meetings, had been living without hope, are now in the enjoyment of a peace which passeth understanding, and a happiness which they could not before have conceived to be possible. Many a These services, I should also say, were found to be peculiarly refreshing by Christians. They felt their hearts searched as with a lighted candle. Many latent evils and lurking errors were detected and exposed. They were led farther into the true Refuge, and now find it to be a refuge indeed. I could refer to individuals, well known and respected throughout the country for their intelligence and piety, who found it good to be there. I must not, however, go further into detail. Some, no doubt, after reading. these lines, will be disposed to ask,"But are these cases of conversion real? Will they stand?" To this I reply, I" Ask my friends Drs. Burder and Campbell. Ask the Hon. and Rev. Baptist Noel." The places of worship with which these brethren are or were connected, have been the scene of similar awakenings in connexion with the labours of Mr. Cornwall. They will affirm, I doubt not, along with myself, that the cases of conversion occurring at such services will bear a most favourable comparison with the great mass of those occurring in the ordinary course. Others will no doubt ask, "But will not the church suffer from the unwonted excitement through which it has passed in connexion with these services? Will there not be a collapse? Will you not sink back into a state of corresponding depression?" I might appeal to the brethren I have referred to above, to answer this question also. Have their churches sunk into a state of lethargy? They would answer, "No." For my own part, I do not fear it. I do not see why an infusion of fresh life should tend to death. Doubtless, if we are unfaithful, and grieve the Spirit of God, he will withdraw from among us. But, in this case, the guilt will be our own. It is pleasing to find, however, that a spirit of prayer continues among the people. Several private meetings for devotional fellowship have already been formed. And there will be more of these by-and-by. My heart, Sir, is full of this subject, and I could say much more regarding it. But I must restrain my pen, and close this epistle with one or two brief observations. His compassionate love as manifested in the gift of his Son for our redemption. The hearers were warned of their responsibility, and urged to immediate decision. It was no new gospel which was blessed by God to produce these results; not a gospel shorn of its beams by passing through the mists of our modern philosophy; but the old gospel which has so often proved "the power of God unto salvation." Our modern refinements of Christianity have never yet produced results like these. II. I regard it as conclusively proved by this work of God, that if Christians will but employ the right means, in the right spirit, the blessing will not be withheld. The withdrawal of the Spirit to so great an extent from our churches, is too often referred to in these days as a calamity to be deplored, instead of a sin to be mourned over, and an evil that may be remedied. I fear that on this point many of our brethren are greatly in error. We often speak of ours as a I. This blessing has been given us in answer to prayer, in connexion with the earnest and faithful preaching of the truth. I have said that several of our friends had, for many months, been plead-condition which nothing can be done to ing for a blessing. For some time prior to alleviate; as if we could only wait with Mr. Cornwall's visit, special prayer had the hope that better times will come. been offered for us, at his request, by Chris- This spirit of scepticism prevails among tian brethren in different parts of the us widely, and produces most discountry. There was much prayer among astrous results. So long as we imagine ourselves during the continuance of the that the remedy is beyond our reach, services. We lived to a great extent in we shall go on with little heart, less an atmosphere of prayer. The con- hope, and still less success. viction extensively prevailed among us that it was "not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord," that the work must be done. To Him, therefore, who alone can give the increase, our waiting eyes and longing hearts were constantly directed. Our prayers were answered far beyond our expectations. God did exceeding abundantly for us above all we asked or thought." The truths proclaimed at these services were, in substance, the same as those proclaimed from the pulpits of our denomination generally throughout the land. The whole counsel of God was freely, faithfully, yet affectionately urged. Especial prominence was given to the love of God But here lies our mistake. The remedy is in our own hands. God is willing to give the blessing, if we will but employ the right means. Let us see to it, in the first place, that our own hearts are right with God. Let us seek the Spirit to cleanse them from the evils which have hitherto possessed and defiled them. The work is too sacred to be gone into unless with clean hands and pure hearts. Then let us wait believingly, prayerfully upon God, in the use of the appointed means. His Spirit will not then be withheld. "Prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." Our own unbelief is the |