Theological seminaries, 99 Seminary at Maryville, SSO, $46 218 282 THE CALVINISTIC MAGAZINE. "Earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints." No. I. JANUARY, 1823. ADDRESS OF THE EDITORS. VOL. II. In commencing the labours of another year, the Editors of the Calvinistic Magazine, wish to their Patrons, "Grace, Mercy, and Peace, from God our Father, and Jesus Christ our Lord." On reviewing the success, with which our efforts have been crowned, since the commencement of this work, gratitude constrains us here to write-EBENEZER, "Hitherto hath the Lord helped us." To have some humble agency in building up that kingdom, which is to be the joy of the whole earth," and the subject of delightful admiration throughout eternity, was what the Editors had in view when they engaged in this undertaking; and for whatever good they have been instrumental in effecting, they would ascribe, "Honor and Glory, to Him that sitteth on the throne, and to the Lamb." For much of the interest that has been excited by the Magazine, our acknowledgements are due to those beloved brethren, who have favoured us with communications for its pages. We trust that the Lord, whose they are, and whom they serve," will long continue their labours of love in his Church, and that the benign effects of their pious exertions, will spread wider and wider, until, in the view of all nations, Zion shall put on her beautiful garments, and her watchmen shall see eye to eye." With much pleasure the Editors would here record their obligations to many gentlemen who have acted as agents for this work. They have encouraged our hearts, and strengthened our hands.The activity and energy they have employed in extending the circulation and usefulness of this publication, is worthy of the noble cause it espouses, and will, doubtless, meet the smiles of Him, to whose service it is consecrated. We would say to them, in the language of Moses to Israel, 'Go forward,' for great is the truth, and must prevail. It is delightful to reflect, that in this way, the Lord is causing us to form intimacies and friendships with many brethren, whose faces we have not seen; whose faces we may never see in this world, VOL. II. 1 but all of whom we hope, through grace, to meet in the "everlasting kingdom of God our Saviour," and there to revive and perpetuate through all eternity, the friendship commenced on earth. We were deeply affected by a communication received a few days since, from a gentleman of distinguished intelligence and respectability, residing in the West. He informed us that many members of our Church, having removed from the older states, to the new settlements in the West, where they have had no opportunity of knowing what the Lord is doing for their own church, or attending on her ordinances, have been assailed by sectarians, who, professing to know every thing, (as sectarians always do,) have asserted to them that "The Presbyterian church is going down." "That the Lord has forsaken her." "That it is an old building," &c. &c.* And have urged them to leave the church with which they have been connected, and fall in with some new sect that has lately sprung up, saying, “Lo, here is Christ; or, Lo, he is there!" Mark xiii. 21. On the conduct of those who are capable of resorting to such artifices for the purpose of deceiving, we forbear all comment. It will be judged at a tribunal from which there is no appeal. But what heart does not bleed at the thought that by such arts as these, many honest, unsuspecting persons, have been deceived-have fallen a prey to misrepresentation-have left their church, which they would sooner have suffered martyrdom than do, had they had correct information. “Oh that my head were waters, and mine eyes a fountain of tears, that I might weep day and night, for the slain of the daughter of my people!" We speak not of those who, on a change of sentiment, go off from the church. But of those who are ensnared by the 'cunning craftiness of men,' who lie in wait to deceive. Those who live in organized and regularly supplied churches, can scarcely form any concep tion of the desolate, defenceless condition of our members whose lots are cast in the deep forests, and almost unvisited solitudes of the West. The gentleman who communicated to us the above information, procured, at his own expense, and circulated gratuitously, five copies *We admit that the Presbyterian church is a very "old building." And that it stands on a very ancient foundation, for it is built upon the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone." And according to an 'old' prophesy, contained in an "old Book," history informs us that during the terrific reign of the 'Man of sin,' when the followers of Jesus were imprisoned, beheaded, and burned to death at the stake, for the word of God and for the testimony, of Jesus Christ,' the storms raged, "the floods came, the winds blew and beat upon it, and it fell not, for it was founded upon o rock." |