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remained under sentence of condemnation. No sacrifice for sin, can save the wilful and obstinate sinner. "The soul that sinneth, it shall die." Nothing could have prevented the execution of this sentence. For the deliberate transgressions of the wicked, no sufficient compensation could have been made. God hat sworn vengeance against them. He has determined to destroy them; and nothing-no, not even the eternal death of Jesus Christ-could have altered his determination. He can never be reconciled to what he hath declared an absolute abomination in his sight. He is of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look with any degree of pleasure upon sin. Had Christ suffered eternal death for impenitent sinners, this circumstance could not have changed their evil dispositions; it could not have fitted them, for the enjoyment of heaven. They would still have remained under the influence of sin, and been left subject to the punishment of God's eternal wrath and indignation. For the wicked, therefore, who cannot be absolved from the punishment of their wickedness, it was not necessary that Christ should suffer eternal death.

Neither was it necessary that he should suffer such a punishment for true believers; for what he did suffer, was sufficient to procure for them every blessing which was essential to their spiritual comfort and happiness. By his temporal sufferings and death he released them from the punishment of the law, and procured them eternal redemption. By the blood, which he shed for the remission of their sins, he established that evangelical covenant, in which God promised to be merciful to their iniquities--no more to remember their sins-and to justify them freely by his grace, through the redemption in Christ Jesus. For true believers, therefore, who are justified through his blood, and saved by the grace, which he procured for them, when he died upon the cross, it was not necessary that Christ should suffer eternal death.

But although Christ did not suffer eternal death-he suffered a penalty which he would not have suffered, had he not undergone the punishment due to our offences. He was numbered with the transgressors. He was charged with various offences. He was presented as an impostor-a seditious person-a perverter of the nation as an enemy of Cæsar, and as a blasphemer against God. He was exhibited in judgment, as a guilty culprit, who had forfeited his life-for by our laws, said his accusers, he ought to die. He was despised and rejected. He was insulted and abused. He was loaded with the execrations of the multitude, who had assem bled on his trial. He was reprobated by the chief priests and elders of the Jews. He was delivered into the hands of sinners, to be ridiculed and tortured. He was surrendered to the mercy of a furious and vindictive populace, and nailed to the cross, to suffer the agonies of a protracted and ignominious death. This was no ordinary punishment; and this punishment, Jesus Christ could not have suffered, had he not been punished for our offences. He had violated no law-he had committed no offence he was in the form of God. He was the brightness of his Father's glory. He

was the supreme potentate, to whom all power was given in heaven and on earth. Legions of angels stood ready to execute his commands, and avenge the unprovoked cruelties he had suffered at the hands of his executioners. But he patiently submitted to their power, that the severity of his sufferings, when viewed in con-nexion with the dignity of the sufferer, might be accepted as a sacrifice, equivalent to the punishment which the justice of God had inflicted upon the whole human race.

Thus I have endeavored to remove the principal objections, which are usually brought agains this doctrine. I should not have treated them in this philosophical manner, had it not been for the purpose of shewing, that even in this respect we possess an advantage over those, who oppose us in this controversy. Did we deem it necessary, we might oppose the enemies of this doctrine, with their own weapons. We might meet them upon their own grounds, and confute them upon their own principles. We might shew a number of philosophical reasons, which tend to establish and support us in our belief. We might allege human reason, as a presumptive argument in favor of our position. We might say, that this doctrine contains nothing which is inconsistent with itself; that it contradicts no established principle in nature; that it is opposed to no other doctrine of revelation; that it violates no essential attribute of God; that it is attended with no insurmountable difficulties, and exhibits no real contradictions. We might say, that this doctrine has existed in the church, ever since it was first established; that it has received the approbation of all ages; that it has been sanctioned by the wisest and best of men; that there is nothing in it, which cannot be reconciled to reason; and that, in what renders it most liable to objection, it is perfectly consistent with the general practice of mankind. But we are not driven to this extremity of reasoning. We are not compelled to found our belief of the truth in question, upon mere presumptive testimony. Our evidence is stronger than any proof, which can possibly be derived from such a source. We rely upon the authority of the word of God. This is the foundation upon which we build. And this foundation cannot be shaken. When every other source from which men are accustomed to draw their religious convictions, shall have ceasesed to exist-this source shall endure. Heaven and earth shall pass away, but the word of God shall not pass away. And this affords us encouragement sufficient, to persevere in the defence of the truth. Whatever degree of success may attend the propagation of error-by whatever power and influence it may be supported and encouraged,-its duration is limited. But truth is eternal, and cannot be overcome. For a while, it may be hidden and obscured; but it will again burst forth in all the glory of its celestial splendor, to astonish and enrapture the beholder. The doctrine, therefore, for which we are contending, and which constitutes an essential truth of the gospel, must prevail. It may, indeed, suffer the reproaches of its enemies-It may be represented by them, as involving numerous contradictions, errors and ab

surdities. They may deem it inconsistent with reason, and repugnant to the principles of what, in our day, is so significantly termed an enlightened theology-They may encumber it with imaginary difficulties, and say, that these difficulties will not permit them to embrace it-But they can never separate it from its source -they cannot divest it of its authority. That human wisdom can. not comprehend it, and that the philosophy of the world should reject and despise it, is not a matter of astonishment. It is one of those hidden mysteries, which are placed beyond the reach of our limited comprehension. It is one of those sublime subjects of faith, which eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, nor ever entered into the heart of man to conceive. It is one of those deep things of God, which he has hidden from the wise, and the prudent, and revealed unto babes. It is one of those things of the Spirit, which the natural man receiveth not, for it is foolishness unto him. But it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. God is wiser than man. He communicates the knowledge of his truths, not in the enticing words of man's wisdom; but in the demonstrations of the Spirit and of Power. The foolish, the weak, and the base things of the world that are despised, hath God chosen to accomplish his purposes, that no flesh should glory in his sight. Others, therefore, may_require signs, and seek after wisdom; they may preach the doctrines, which they have learned from the wisdom of men, and the philosophy of the world. "I am determined to know nothing, save Jesus Christ, and him crucified;" for I am convinced, that Christ, and the preaching of his cross, is the power of God unto them which are saved.

EVANGELICAL LUTHERAN SYNOD OF NORTH CARO

LINA.

The minutes of this Synod, which convened in May last, at Lau's church, Guilford county, North Carolina, have just come to hand, and we hasten, to make a few extracts, for the present number of the Intelligencer.

On Sunday (12th May) a large concourse of persons appeared in and about the church, to hear the ambassadors of Jesus, and to join them in the Holy Supper. The venerable Shober, Rev. Graber and Rev. Reck addressed the people, who divided themselves in such a manner, that several brethren could preach at the same time without interrupting each other. After the discourses were delivered, the Ministers, Lay-delegates and many other persons, partook of the Sacrament of the Lord's Supper.

Vol. V. No. 6.

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During the remainder of the day, several discourses were delivered by different brethren, and from the Texts we judge, that they were highly evangelical in their character, and calculated to rouse and convict sinners.

On Monday, the Synod was constituted, as is usual among us, and then Rev. G. Shober, was elected President and Rev. John Reck, Secretary, for the ensuing year. To sustain a fraternal intercourse between the Synods of North and South Carolina, the Rev. M. Rauch appeared as a Delegate from the South Carolina Synod, and the Rev. H. Graber was appointed to attend at the next meeting of the South Carolina Synod, as a delegate from this body. To aid several indigent young men, now prosecuting their Theological studies at our Gettysburg Seminary the Synod resolved, that each Minister, endeavor to collect five dollars, in each of his churches. The Rev. Daniel Scherer was appointed to missionate in the state of Illinois, and to collect all the Missionary imformation possible; to be reported by him, to the Lutheran Missionary Society of N. Carolina, at the next annual meeting.

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For a more minute description of the state of religion within the jurisdiction of this Synod, we refer the reader, to the following report, which is appended to the minutes.

In reviewing the march of truth, and presenting a statement of Religion in the respective congregations under the care of this Synod, we find great reason for gratitude to the great Head of the Church for the indications of his grace and mercy to us in the past year, and also of lamentation over the desolations of our Zion in many places. Though it is not our privilege to record any extraordinary visitations of God's distinguished favour, or great and extensive revivals of religion; yet we can truly say that our labours have not been without success; and that the respectable accessions to nearly all our congregations give abundant evidence to this. fact.

Our Venerable Father Storch has resigned his congregations for several years into the hands of his successors, in consequence of infirmity and age, but manifests much pleasure in the prosperity of true Religion, and actively supports some of our Benevolent Institutions.

Rev. Mr. Shober has relinquished his former charge and only preaches in one congregation, situated in Stokes county, on account of old age and debility; and devotes much of his time in promoting Sunday Schools in which he feels a peculiar interest. In his congregation their is a flourishing Sunday School, consisting of about 50 pupils.

Rev. Jacob Scherer has the care of five congregations situated

in Wythe and Washington counties, Virginia. Since his residence there, he has received eighty two persons into full communion, by confirmation, who were hopefully pious and who since have evinced by their deportment that a good work has been commenced in their hearts and "that they are seeking a better country.”

Four Sunday Schools have been formed in these congregations this spring consisting of nearly two hundred pupils. In the past year Rev. J Scherer, baptised 87 Infants and one adult, had 17 burials, and 307 communing members.

The means of grace are generally well attended, and some good, it is hoped, affected, but much still remains to be done. The religious education of children is too much neglected by many of the parents, and too little interest manifested for vital piety by many of the old and young.

Rev. John Reck has the care of four congregations, besides several other places of occasional preaching, and it is a source of pleasure to him, and of gratitude to God, that his churches are still growing. Although there has not been so great an addition of mem bers, during the last year, as in some former years, yet the Lord has still inclined the hearts of some to confess him openly, and a number more have made application, and who are now receiving instruction with a view to become members in future. Connected with these congregations, there are now eight 'Sunday Schools in operation, and have effected much good in some places. In the past year Rev. J. Reck baptized 53 Infants, 11 Adults, received by confirmation into full communion 17, has 277 communicants, and has had 17 deaths, some of whom were among his most influential and conspicuous members.

In accordance with a resolution of the last Synod a special con ference was held in St. Michael's church, on the 14th of September 1829, during which time ten sermons were preached and the Holy Eucharist administered. A deep solemnity pervaded the audience and much good was effected. On Monday a Missionary Society was formed in this congregation Auxiliary to the Lutheran Mis sionary Society of North-Carolina and adjacent states, and a res pectable number of persons subscribed immediately. If this plan would be adopted generally, by our churches and each member only give 25 cents annually much good could be done.

Rev. Henry Graber preaches in five congregations regularly, and occasionally in other places in Lincoln co. which are gradually increasing. The Preaching of the Gospel is well attended, more so of late than common. An increased attention is manifested for all the means of grace and we have reason to hope that good has been effected. and that many have experienced 'the power of religion in their hearts During the past year Rev. Graber baptized 68 persons five of whom were adults, received by confirmation 35, buried 22, and has 100 regular communing members. The members of some of the sister churches are very friendly to us here, and liberal in supporting our churches; and although there is discord and con

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