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perienced in their day a large portion of the hatred of the human heart; and much of it has fallen to the lot of ministers of religion in all succeeding ages. May he who endured so much the contradiction and sin of wicked men, ever sustain his servants in the midst of this formidable opposition to their usefulness in the world!

Want of candour generates dissatisfaction with the gospel itself. The exalted sentiments it leads men to adopt, ill accord with the conceited notions of the vainly wise man. The holiness of life it demands of all who submit to its authority, becomes a stumbling-block and rock of offence to others. Regardless of the divine origin of Christianity, they proceed to test its soundness by a system of their own framing. If the doctrine discussed and defended does not harmonize with their creed, they forthwith reject it. Scarcely, for example, will an Arminian hear a single passage adduced in support of the doctrines of free grace. The ultra-Calvinist is just as tenderly jealous of the scriptural view of man's responsibility, or the application of any divine command to the use of appointed means. Oh, when will men lay aside all intolerant love of system, and, with hearts free from bias, stand fully prepared for the reception of divine truth! "We speak as unto wise men, judge ye what we say."

Desire to gratify the intellectual taste, is adverse to candour in hearing the word. The simple naked truth presents no attraction to the lover of ornament. Forgetful that the main design of the gospel is to render men better-gratification is the main pursuit of the fastidious hearer. If the form please, he cares nothing for the substance. If the casket satisfy him, the gem it contains is accounted a thing of nought. If the manner be but agreeable, the subject-matter may be good, bad, or indifferent. The exercise of

the judgment is, we admit, allowable even in these matters of inferior moment; but still he who makes this the sole, supreme object of his visit to the sanctuary, mistakes much the design of this Christian institution. With much propriety the Rev. Rowland Hill remarks-" Some people are very squeamish about the delivery of different ministers who preach the same gospel." Suppose," adds he, "you were attending to hear a will read, were you expected a legacy to be left you, would you employ the time when it was reading in criticising the manner in which the lawyer read it? No, you would not; you would be giving all ear if any thing was left to you, and how much it was. This is the way I would advise you to hear the gospel." "He that hath an ear, let

him hear with candour what the Spirit saith unto the churches."

FOURTHLY-UNBELIEF.-In the publication of the gospel by the divine ordinance of preaching, it comes to man invested with the most sacred sanction in preaching the word. The minister of religion is not permitted to travel beyond the boundary of inspired truth with a view to place any doctrine or duty in a clear light. To make it plain to the meanest capacity all nature may be laid under tax to afford illustration. But no portion of inspired truth can receive additional weight from the authority of human commendation. Antiquity throws no mantle of veneration on the inspired authority of God's word. Universal homage cannot elevate to a higher position the sacred character of the gospel. comes to man direct from God, clothed with all the properties which demand devotion.

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In hearing the word, therefore, we listen to the decisions of God, and not to the dictates of man. It is here that many fail in profitable hearing. In listening to the preaching of the gospel, many give credence to the

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messenger more than to the message; whereas their faith ought to be fixed on the divine authority of the Scriptures, and on man's exposition and exhortation only in so far as they accord with the tenor and spirit of the oracles of God. Reader, the ultimate appeal, and the only appeal is, "What saith the Scriptures? "To the law and to the testimony, if any man speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them,"-" that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of man, but in the power of God." Thus, a person of very slender attainments otherwise, will profit often be yond expectation in devout hearing of the gospel. "The late Mr L of T, in the county of Swas in the habit of preaching in the neighbouring villages, and going home the next morning. After attending one of these lectures, a certain woman who was washing wool in a stream by the side of the road, asked him, Did not you, sir, preach at such a place on such a day?" "Yes, good woman, I did.' 'I thought it was you,' she rejoined, ' and I bless God I heard you; I have been the better of it ever since.' 'Pray what was the text?' continued the minister. The text was forgotten, all the sermon was forgotten, as to the words; but still the woman persisted that she had been the better of it, and added, I will give you my meaning, sir. This wool in my basket, when I first put it into the water was very foul, but now it is cleansed, though the water is gone from it. So it is by your sermon ; the words I have lost, but the savour of the truth I retain, and therefore am, as I said before, the better for it.' So will it be with all faithful, devout hearers of the word preached. "Let us fear, therefore, lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached as well as unto them; but

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the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it."

FIFTHLY.-GENERAL HEARING OF THE WORD FAILS IN BEING PROFITABLE.-In no respect does the gospel become of none effect, more than through want of proper self-application. Many, in hearing it, admit and admire its correctness as a system, but fail in the adoption and action of its principles. Speak to such persons as long as you please about theory, and all is right; but bring religion to bear upon practice, and they instantly demur. Speak of the uncompromising nature of the divine law, unfold in all their extent the obligations of the gospel, they call it strictness. Enlarge upon the beauties of holiness, insist upon cleanness of heart, and the renewal of the right spirit within, they style it sanctimoniousness. Exhort to the diligent use of the means of grace, insist upon the necessity and fitness of these means to forward our progress in the divine life, they stigmatize it as being religious overmuch.

Even in cases wherein direct hostility to personal religion is laid aside, there is often a total want of personal application. The ear may be charmed with the sound, the heart may be awed by the majesty and attracted by the loveliness of the gospel in general, while as yet its power to subdue and interest individual cases is altogether unfelt. For example, human depravity may be argued ably both from revelation and reason; its nature and extent may be brought prominently before the minds of a Christian audience, and yet the inquiry spontaneously suggests itself, "Is it possible such wickedness dwells in me?" The cross may be presented in all its blood-stained nakedness, the sufferings of Him who died upon it may be told in strains of tenderness, till every heart is melted by the sight and the recital; but ah! the general hearer still inquires, "Was it for my sins this so great sacrifice

was necessary? With all fidelity and earnestness, the prevailing sins of the day may be denounced; but here, also, the response from the general hearer's pew, were it spoken out, would be, "Let my neighbour take warning, these admonitions are not applicable to me." "He that hath an ear let him hear," with personal application, what the "Spirit saith unto the churches."

Thus have we submitted a few practical prevailing hindrances to profitable hearing of the word; viz. irregularity in attendance, carelessness, criticism, unbelief, general hearing. Suffer a word of admonition, reader, when we remind you of the importance, surpassing all human conception, which attaches to the preaching and hearing of the gospel. For us no other scheme of salvation has been provided than that which the gospel reveals. And to us, to whom the gospel has been published from our earliest years, this reflection is one of overpowering moment. Where and what shall be our doom if, after all the attractions of gold and the allurements of pleasure shall have passed from our sight, it should prove

that the gospel has been hid to us? Hear, and ponder the sad, solemn response in the words of Paul, "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost."

The admonitions of our Lord we summon to our aid, "Take heed what ye hear,"-" take heed how ye hear." Alas! we cannot say that there is no charge of imperfect, partial exhibition of the gospel, on the part of those who preach it. "Twere unwise, as it would be uncandid, not to make the admission. But after it has been made, and after a proper estimate has been taken of it, see ye to it, HEARER OF THE WORD, that blame is not chargeable upon you; for even the apostolic preaching of Paul was productive of two very opposite effects, marked in his own words, with which we close, "Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place. For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ in them that are saved, and in them that perish: to the one we are the savour of death unto death, and to the other the savour of life unto life." J. T. Dunning.

COLONIAL SKETCHES.-No. VI.

BY THE REV. JAMES ROBERTSON, PORTSBURGH.

THE Rev. Thomas Christie, as we have already stated, is one of the fathers of the Canadian Mission. Landing at Montreal in August 1832, and finding Mr Robertson gone, he hastened to Kingston, and from that to Toronto, to meet Mr Proudfoot, who had preceded him by a few weeks. In company with Mr P. he made a survey so far as practicable, of the land, visiting Niagara, Hamilton, West Flamborough, and then returned to Kingston, where he spent part of the winter. In January 1833 the two

started via Toronto for London and Goderich, and the result of the excursion was, that Mr P. settled at London, and soon after Mr C. at West Flamborough, in February of the same year. Mr Christie commenced his labours in a small log-house, and amid many discomforts. He was a stranger and quite alone, his family being left behind him for a time, through necessity, in the old country. lot was thus for a season peculiarly trying. The materials of a congregation were few and widely scat

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tered, the severest and most unremitting labour was necessary in order to reach them; and, when reached, to unite and discipline them; and at first, while all this was going on, there was no home at the close of day to welcome him across its threshold. But, heavy as his heart must frequently have been, he did not despair. He wrought on, visiting from farm to farm, and, when overtaken by night, sharing the partial shelter of some rude shanty, till at length his congregation gradually increased from nineteen members to 205, which, including Dundas, is the present number. Besides this, Mr Christie preached the gospel all around; and, in fact, may be said to have originated most of the stations in that district of country. At one time he supplied as he was able, Flamboro', St George, Beverly, Puslinch, Paisley Block, Irving, and Eramosa. His family went out to him in the autumn of '33, under the care of his brother, who was long a merchant in Edinburgh, and a most useful member of the community. While on this side of the Atlantic we knew him well, for latterly he belonged to Portsburgh congregation; and we looked forward to a meeting with him in the woods of America with great delight. This, therefore, proved to be a singularly interesting part of our tour. Here was, first of all, one of the two men who founded our Canadian Church, and who recognised in the deputation the realisation of many an eager wish, and the answer of many an earnest prayer. Deeply concerned for the progress of the good cause in Canada, and labouring with all his might for its advancement, he oftentimes felt as if the church at home had forgotten him and his brethren, and that their labours in consequence were likely to prove comparatively unavailing. Nothing could exceed his satisfaction on hearing of the appointment of a deputation, nor the cordiality of the wel

come he gave us when arriving on the

scene.

Again, here was Mr Robert Christie, the sight of whom awakened many touching associations. He has settled about fourteen miles from his brother, in the township of Dumfries, and in the immediate neighbourhood of the village of St George, where the Rev. Mr Roy officiates. His farm consists of 1000 acres, 800 of which are entirely cleared, and under cultivation. When we say cleared, we mean thoroughly so; no stumps being permitted to remain in the ground. This is a rare sight in the country, as only men of capital can secure the labour necessary to accomplish this. Part of the farm lies along the banks of the Grand River, which are steep and picturesque. We wandered over the luxuriant fields, and yet something else was ever interposing between us and their beauty. Other scenes rose up before our imagination. While our eye was resting on the Grand River; or on the remains of the forest, which here and there skirted the farm; or on the waving fields of wheat, which were being cradled or mowed by Indians of the Six Nations, our minds were reverting to the West Bow, the Vennel, and a few of the other localities of Auld Reekie. And then far distant friends seemed to stand before us; and, for a moment, the pleasures of former years in the mother country were renewed on Canadian ground.

The Rev. Mr Christie's church stands on the town-line between W. Flamboro' and Beverly,—is of wood, holds 400, and cost at first L.300. There is no debt on it. The present population of the township, within three or four miles of the church, is 4000.* The membership is 205, of whom forty constitute the station in Dundas, who have just erected for themselves a very excellent place of worship. Mr Chisholm,

*This includes the town of Dundas.

formerly of Lothian Road congregation, Edinburgh, has made himself very useful here.

When our work was over at Dundas and Flamboro', we set off for Beverly, twelve miles north-west from Flamboro', and nine miles from Galt. When about five and a half miles from the church, the road struck into the bush, and though very rough, being full of stumps, and now and then corduroy, it was picturesque and beautiful. The church is a log building, resembling the one at Emily, and is situated nearly in the centre of the township, and in the vicinity of several clearances. It holds 170,the membership, which was originally seventeen, is now 104, and they offer L.100 of annual stipend, to be raised among themselves. There is no place of worship within nine miles, excepting one which belongs to a very small body of Episcopalians. The number of householders in the township— Beverly possesses as yet no village is 600, of whom 200 are within five miles of our church. Mr Christie supplied the people here with sermon every third Sabbath, till 1838, when Mr Roy took charge of the station, in conjunction with St George, till March 1845, since which time the presbytery has supplied it as regularly as it has been in its

power.

The road from Beverly to Galt is rude and wild, but relieved by frequent clearances. At one part of it we discovered an immense number of trees prostrated by the gale of the previous Saturday, whose lofty upstanding roots presented a strange appearance. Once, and again, we had to descend and hoist our gig over trees that had been blown down and lay across our path; and on one occasion we passed under one which the storm had broken in the middle, and which formed a not inelegant arch over our heads.

We soon found ourselves in the township of Dumfries, which is the

most populous in Canada West. It has four villages or towns, St George, Paris, Galt, and Ayr, and a population of 6000. Galt, with a population of 600, is situated on the Grand River, of which we have already spoken, which empties itself into Lake Erie; and whose banks are here somewhat elevated, particularly on the east side, which is covered with wood, except in a few instances where it has been cleared for the erection of dwelling-houses. Two good bridges span the river, and add much to the beauty and loveliness of the scene.

After enjoying the hospitality of Mr Wallace and Mr Ker (the latter from the neighbourhood of Hawick, Scotland), and having no station here to visit, we left Galt on Wednesday 15th July, by a road much smoother than that of the preceding day, through a highly cultivated country. we saw a number of Dutch settlers, who have excellent dwelling-houses, splendid orchards, and well-fenced and highly-dressed fields.

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About 10 o'clock A. M., we descried Guelph in the distance. Its appearance is prepossessing, although the first building which the eye of the traveller discovers, is a Roman Catholic Church, built of stone, and overlooking the town. The town is regularly laid out, the streets are wide, the buildings good, and the country around well populated. The town itself has a population of 800, and the township of 3000. Our church is built on a very commanding eminence in the vicinity. The view from it embraces the whole town of Guelph, with the river Speed (so called from its rapidity) flowing through it, and the neighbourhood to the extent of several miles, which may be described as a series of clearances, with the forest stretching interminably beyond. The church which, though now finished, was not so at the time of our visit, is capable of holding upwards of 400, and was ex

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