POETRY. The sensibilities of the Christian world will ever be affected by an allusion to Mrs. Judson, whose piety, zeal, talents, courage, sufferings, and affection, place her first on the list of eminent Missionaries, and second to none of her distinguished sex, on the page of American history. Every one will recognize her as the subject of the following affecting lines. THE DYING MISSIONARY. BY W. WALKER. Her speaking eye Told less of outward strife than inward peace, And gratefully looked upward; from her brow, The hand of death had swept its ruddy glow, And changed it into marble; and more dark Seemed the dishevelled locks, that curled around, And drank the cold death-dews that gathered there. Pang after pang assailed her shattered frame, And stifled sobs, that would not be repressed, Betrayed their bitterness; her withered hand, Now rose, now sunk beside her, and bespoke The weakness and the restlessness of death. She knew that she was dying, and she felt That she was desolate; the moaning surge That beat a foreign shore, she knew must be Her requiem, and a foreign soil her grave. Oh, little reck they of their happiness, At home, in quiet, privileged to dieAn anxious mother, bending o'er one's couch, To smooth his pillow; the soft, cautious tread Of watchful tenderness; a sister's love; A brother's sympathy; a father's prayers; These, and a thousand nameless blessings more, Unheeded while enjoyed, but in their loss Remembered but too well-these were not hers;For stranger faces gloomed around her bed, Yet not in sympathy; they quailed at death, And shuddered as the perilous hour drew on. No kindly kindred voice the sufferer cheered, Nor holy bishop bade her hopes be strong Of rest beyond the tomb; the feeble wail Of her sick babe broke on her dying ear At intervals-and other voice was none But there was one, (and yet he was not there,) The sharer, the companion of her toils; That gathered o'er his path:-"Would he were there! Account of Moneys received by the Treasurer of the General Convention for the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions, &c. NOTICE is hereby given, that the agency of Doctor Clark Lillybridge for collecting moneys due for the Columbian Star, Latter-Day Luminary, and American Baptist Magazine, has ceased. Payments will in future he transmitted to the Treasurer of the Baptist Board of Foreign Missions, or paid to such Agents as may be duly appointed. By order and in behalf of the Board of Managers of the Baptist General Convention, Boston, Oct. 22, 1827. H. LINCOLN, Treasurer. NOTICE. At a meeting of the Executive Committee of the Massachusetts Baptist Education Society, Sept 20, 1827. Rev. Henry Jackson, of Charlestown, was appointed Secretary pro. tem. who will receive and answer letters, and to whom all letters in relation to this Society, may be directed till further notice. CARD. E. NELSON, Sec'ry. Mrs. L. Bolles acknowledges with grateful sentiments, the receipt of ten dollars, presented by the Salem Female Tract Society, to constitute her a life member of the Baptist General Tract Society. To the Editor of the American Baptist Magazine. The following dissertation was read at the Baptist Ministers' meeting, of Middlesex and Norfolk counties, by one of its members; and by the special request of that meeting it is forwarded to you for insertion in the Magazine, as expressive of their sentiments on the subject it illustrates. Attest, H. JACKSON, Sec'ry. Charlestown, October, 1827. IS IT SCRIPTURAL FOR THE MINISTERS OF CHRIST TO ADDRESS THE UN CONVERTED; AND IF SO, IN WHAT MANNER SHOULD this be done? And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. Mark xvi. 15. Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears. Acts xx. 31. From different sources we learn in what manner their messages were received, and their labours appreciated. They crucified the Lord Jesus. They invented every method not only to destroy his THE office of the Christian min-enforced its injunctions. istry is the most sacred and responsible; and the condition upon which it is held momentous and fearful. It cannot fail to interest deeply all who think of preaching the gospel, to know to whom it should be addressed, and the man-disciples, but to prevent the efner in which it should be done. It is not my design to discuss very extensively or minutely either of these, but to offer some thoughts, which, it is hoped, may make it evident that the gospel is to be addressed to every impenitent sinner, in a plain and affectionate manage, among all classes of society. ner. 1. There can be no well founded objections against the gospel being addressed to impenitent sinners. It was preached to the Jews as a nation indiscriminately, as good news from heaven. Among them, both Christ and his servants DEC. 1827. fects their preaching was calculated to produce. If no one objects to their conduct, even preaching to the very murderers of our Lord, we are unable to perceive the force of any o jection to imitating their example, in every These apostles are the very men to whom we look for an exposition of the divine commission. And we are informed they travelled in Judea and all parts of the Roman empire, declaring the unsearchable riches of Christ both to the Jew and Barbarian, the bond and 45 free, the wise and unwise, on ev-isters, and the desire of many ery occasion. for the gospel, prove to whom it is to be preached. If a minister be spiritually minded, he cannot avoid not only declaring, but actually pressing upon the conscience, the obligations of all men to receive and obey it. The more he feels, the more he labours, and the less he inquires to whom he is to preach; but adopts every measure that promises to interest or to bring them to the knowledge of the truth. But if those who are impenitent desire the word of life, may they not demand it? And who would dare to resist such a Macedonian cry? It is their desire not simply to hear the gos In doing this, they violated neither the design of the gospel, nor the instructions they received. The gospel was designed for the salvation of those who had no disposition either to ask or partake of its benefits. "I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." "I came to seek and to save that which was lost." "The whole need not a physician, but they who are sick." These are the declarations of the Saviour. "I am sought of them that asked not for me. I am found of them that sought me not. This is the language of prophetical times. The instructions of min-pel explained, but enforced. isters, whether given by Christ or The object of the sacred office his disciples, clearly show to is by no means accomplished, when whom they are to preach. "Go the divine commands are announcye into all the world, and preach ed. No. Even they who deny the the gospel to every creature." authority of addressing the impen"Go ye, therefore, and teach all itent, uniformly when revived to a nations, baptizing them in the consciousness of the value of the name of the Father, of the Son, souls of others, leave their creed and of the Holy Ghost." "God at home, and break forth in powhath committed to us the word of erful strains of exhortation, urgreconciliation.” Now then we ing every one, however moral or are ambassadors for Christ, as immoral, to apply to Christ for though God did beseech you by salvation. Some of us have heard us, we pray you in Christ's stead, them with indescribable pleasure; be ye reconciled to God." and at the same time mourned that "Christ whom we preach, warn- they did not always introduce ining every man, and teaching every to their systems, what they are man in all wisdom, that we may compelled to feel and to do on present every man perfect in Christ such occasions. Where is the Jesus." Paul, that eminent ser- minister who dares not preach to vant of Heaven, said, "Preach the every individual in the most pointword; be instant in season and ed and moving manner? Let him out of season ;" and in himself we read his commission and forsake his see the sense in which it is to be un- expositors. Let him be as liberal derstood. No nation nor no indi- as he who gave him his warrant. vidual escaped his warning voice. What, not preach to every sinner, No! if every individual had been when the gospel is good news to placed before him, he would have all people-when he is commanddescribed the necessity of salva- ed to preach to every creature! tion, and not only pointed, but ex- Surely his soul needs to be enlarghorted every one to believe in Je-ed and warmed by heavenly love, sus Christ, and flee to his blood, expanded and melted by Christian as the blood of the everlasting sympathy. But if he cannot do covenant, for pardon and safety. it in publick, he must refuse in 2. The feelings of all true min-private. And is there one who 6. signed for them, if they repent and believe, the same as for the elect." This declaration has been made by a great number; but it is a declaration that originated and issued from their own suspicions. The oracle answers, not so. This is a revelation from God, and if one fact be the most prominent, it is that salvation is exhibited for all; all are commanded to repent; and all are promised eternal life, if they believe the gospel. It is most fatal, for a minister to be troubled thus. God has never suggested it. And he aspires far would decline to direct every one of the human species to Christ, if each should individually apply? If so, this would be a circumstance without a parallel. It is nature when we see a man in danger, to relieve him-it was nature in the shepherd to look after the sheep that was lost-it was nature in the woman to turn the whole force of her attention to the piece she had lost, and to search diligently till she had found it ;-and is it not nature in Christians to feel for the sad condition in which all men are found? and even an ingredient in their new nature, and of the min-beyond his instruction, who ins isterial office to be solicitous that quires whether a part or the whole their miseries should be removed? are elected in this connexion; it It is nature in angels to rejoice is his business to strengthen the over every returning prodigal; and conviction, that all who repent and ministers surely cannot feel nor believe shall be saved, and to lamanifest a less benevolent spirit,bour that every sinner should be nor a spirit that will not prompt saved. Would to Heaven that Minthem to fidelity to all. Can they isters and Christians were doubrefrain from this duty? Far be it ly and trebly anxious and prayerfrom any heart, that such a dispo-ful for this end; and it is believsition should exist. They cannot;ed, we should see a work in our they must speak, they must warn. Their spirit is too benevolent, their souls too full of love to decline. When we consider, my ministering brethren, the love of God in giving his Son to die for us, and the condescension in Christ, in becoming the sacrifice, should we not desire, even if we were re-ing; then the apostles have viostricted, to offer his salvation to all? What a privilege that no such restriction is found! There is no danger of our being too faithful, or too successful in winning souls to Christ; let us then, as far as in us lies, PREACH THE GOSPEL TO ALL MEN. Two objections only will be day which would astonish our own souls, and confound every infidel in christendom. Is it replied to the objection that all men are commanded to repent, God did not intend his apostles should enforce the gospel upon every conscience, but only proclaim it in their hear lated his holy design, and he has given directions which required an interpreter to interpret. But how do any know that he thus designed? Has he not commanded his ministers to preach to every creature the everlasting gospel, and enjoined upon all men every where to repent? The Scriptures are their own interpreter, and as we 1. "God has chosen but a part find no command they shall not of mankind to salvation; and preach to every creature, but sevChrist had respect in his atone-eral that inculcate it, we conclude, ment to no others. It is therefore that minister, who refuses to press inconsistent to command al meu upon every individual his obligato repent and believe the gospel ;tions to repent of his sins and beor to preach in that manner, that lieve the gospel of Jesus Christ, reall should imagine the gospel is de- fuses to comply with the express noticed. command of the Lord Jesus Christ, || that a minister should be consci with the design of the Christian ministry, and violates the feelings that religion excites both in his own and in the hearts of all true Christians. 66 entious. Without this there is no security but what desire will triumph over conviction, and command be sacrificed to education or pre-conceived or pre-established opinion. If a minister read his gation or not. It is no part of his business to evade it, unless he can find by the command is meant simply the elect, or else the spirit of the words, thou shalt not urge upon every man the necessity of salvation, but only declare, in the hearing of all, that they that repent and believe shall be saved. 2. The other objection is, "that the scriptures contain no address-commission to preach to every es of this kind." We grant these creature the gospel, he must in were directed, in a great degree, answer to a good conscience exeto the saints; but still where are cute it; no matter whether he more powerful appeals to the can explain the connection beconscience than these record?tween election and universal obliProphets, the Messias, and the Apostles equally made them. How long halt ye between two opinions? if the Lord be God, follow him; but if Baal, then follow him." "Seek ye the Lord, while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: let .the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: No particular rules can be givand let him return unto the Lord, en as to the manner in which the and he will have mercy upon him; gospel should be preached. The and to our God, for he will abund- Bible has given none, and Proviantly pardon." Repent; for dence has sanctioned none. Some the kingdom of heaven is at hand." ministers preach the terrors of the Repent ye, therefore, and be law, and the miseries of condemconverted, that your sins may be nation in a manner calculated to blotted out when the times of re-offend many; and yet their preachfreshing shall come from the pres-ing is blessed to the conversion of ence of the Lord." "Now then, numbers: while others, and with we are ambassadors for Christ, the same success, preach in a mild as though God did beseech you and netting strain. Some perby us; we pray you in Christ's sons, too, are more affected by the stead, be ye reconciled unto God." former, while others are by the II. If it be scriptural and a- latter. From such facts we infer, greeable with Christian feeling that God had a design in bestowthat the ministers of Christ shoulding different gifts, and that he diaddress the unconverted, in what rects such to accomplish his purmanner should this be done? poses in the places, and among And here we would observe, that the people his providence desigfor a minister to think or to act nates. Some general rules, howupon this subject correctly, it is ever, may be given, that may be necessary he should be truly de- profitable to all. votional. It is men of this de- 1. A minister should be very scription, who have been the most plain, decided, and intelligent. active in the cause, and most so- He should exhibit truth in the licitous for the salvation of sin-clearest light, and render it imners. We might refer you to possible for any to have indistinct many examples, and to many sec-impressions of what is preached; tions of our country, where such or, if possible, without some sober men have lived as evidence of this convictions. He should be decidtemark. It is equally important ed, that all may believe him hon |