Then, hail! best gift of heaven, Thou, who hast o'er the night BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH. THE REV. GEORGE WHITEFIELD, A.M. be wrought upon than soldiers! And yet, amongst any set of people I have not been where God has made his power more known. Many that were quite stark blind have received their sight; many that had fallen back, have repented and turned to the Lord again; many that were ashamed to own Christ openly, have waxen bold; and many saints had their hearts filled with joy unspeakable and full of glory." Early in March the vessels left Gibraltar, and proceeded on their voyage. They had not been long at sea, when the effect of Whitefield's labours was quite perceptible in the altered conduct of the whole ship's company, as well as upon the soldiers. On one occa Mackay came forward, and urged the men to attend to the things which had been spoken, beseeching them for Christ's sake to turn from their sins. The change was now obvious. Morning and evening prayers were regularly held, and worship on Sabbath as often as the weather permitted. Mr Whitefield was treated with the utmost kindness and courtesy. Cards and profane books were thrown overboard. An oath was seldom or never heard. At length a malignant fever broke out in the ship. This deepened the impression. Whitefield himself was attacked, and confined to his bed for a week. During the time the utmost attention was shown him, and many earnest prayers were offered up for his recovery. These prayers the Lord heard and answered, by restoring him to health and active usefulness. Mr Ir was in December 1737 that Mr Whitefield embarked for Georgia, but the vessel did not set sail till towards the end of the following month. At first hesion, after a striking sermon on drunkenness, Captain was treated, both by the officers and crew, as an impostor, and although he instituted regular service on the Sabbath, they lent the utmost opposition to his exertions for their religious instruction. Undeterred by difficulties, however, he persevered in the discharge of his duty. Wherever there was sickness in the ship he visited, counselled, and prayed. When he could not assemble the crew to prayers on deck, he read prayers and expounded anywhere between decks. When the soldiers, a large company of whom were on board, could not or would not attend, he devoted himself to the religious instruction of their children. The weather being occasionally stormy, he endeavoured to minister to the comfort of those who were sea-sick, and so gained upon all classes in the ship, that he was permitted to prosecute his pious labours both among the officers and men without the slightest annoyance. The following extract from his diary on board may give some idea of the spirit by which he was animated :"Feb. 14.-May I never forget this day's mercies, since the Lord has dealt so lovingly with me! About twelve at night a fresh gale arose, which increased so very much by four in the morning, that the waves raged horribly indeed, and broke in like a great river on many of the poor soldiers, who lay near the main hatchway. Friend Habersham and I knew nothing of it; but perceived ourselves very restless, and could not sleep at all. I arose, and called on God for myself and all that sailed with me, absent friends, and all mankind. After this I went on deck, but surely a more noble and awful sight my eyes never beheld; for the waves rose more than mountain high, and sometimes came on the quarter-deck. I endeavoured all the while to magnify God for making his power to be known!' And then, creeping on my knees, for I knew not how else to go, I went between decks, and sung psalms, and comforted the poor wet people. After this I read prayers in the great cabin. Then I laid myself across a chair reading. But God was so good, that though things were tumbling, the ship rocking, persons falling down around me, I was never more cheerful in my life. I also finished a sermon before I went to bed, though in the midst of company." 6 : On the arrival of the ship at Gibraltar, Mr Whitefield was hospitably entertained by the governor and some of the officers in command at the station. But what delighted his heart most, was a little group of pious soldiers who, for twelve years, had been the Methodists of Gibraltar. His presence and conversation enlivened and encouraged their hearts. He preached frequently in the Protestant church, and the success of his labours at that place was remarkable. He thus adverts to them :— "Samson's riddle was fulfilled there: out of the strong came forth sweetness. Who more unlikely to At length, on the 5th of May 1738, they came in sight of Savannah river. Though still weak, he preached a farewell sermon to his "red-coated and blue-jacketed parishioners," as he termed his military and naval congregation. On landing at the place of his destination, he was received with the utmost cordiality. The magistrates of Savannah agreed to build a tabernacle and house for him at Frederica. Soon after his arrival, however, he was laid aside again by another attack of fever, which terminated in ague. The first thing he did after his recovery was to visit Tomo-Chichi, the Indian king, who was then on his death-bed. On entering the house, Mr Whitefield found him lying" on a blanket, thin and meagre, little else but skin and bones. Senanki his wife sat by, fanning him with Indian feathers." No one was present who was able to talk English, so that the visit was nothing more than a mere form. A few days after, Mr Whitefield again visited Tomo-Chichi, and finding that the king's nephew could speak English, an interview took place, which is thus recorded: I desired him to ask his uncle, whether he thought he should die; who answered, I cannot tell.' I then asked, where he thought he should go after death? He replied, To heaven.' But, alas! how can a drunkard enter there! I then exhorted Tooanoowee (who is a tall, proper youth) not to get drunk; telling him that he understood English, and therefore would be punished the more, if he did not live better. I then asked him whether he believed a heaven? He said, 'Yes.' I then asked whether he believed a hell? and described whence we may easily gather, how natural it is to all it by pointing to the fire. He replied, No.' From mankind to believe there is a place of happiness, because they wish it to be so; and on the contrary, how averse they are to believe a place of torment, because they wish it may not be so. But God is just and true and as surely as the righteous shall go away into eve lasting happiness, so the impenitently wicked shall go into everlasting punishment." As soon as Mr Whitefield had recovered strength sufficient to resume his duties, he directed his attention to the state of the children in the colony. He was anxious to raise an orphan-house for them, but as a considerable interval must necessarily elapse before funds could be raised, he opened schools in the meantime in Savannah and the neighbouring villages of Highgate and Hampstead. An instance of his fidelity as a Christian minister may be mentioned in his own words: About "I was obliged to-day to express my resentment against infidelity, by refusing to read the burial office over the most professed unbeliever I ever yet met with. God was pleased to visit him with lingering illness, during which I went to see him frequently. five weeks ago, I asked him what religion he was of? He answered, Religion was of so many sects, he knew not which to choose.' Another time, I offered to pray with him, but he would not accept it. Upon which I resolved to go to see him no more. But being told, two days before he died, that he had an inclination to see me, I went again, and after a little conversation, put the following questions to him: Do you believe Jesus Christ to be God, and the one Mediator between God and man?' He said, 'I believe Jesus Christ was a good man.' 'Do you believe the holy Scriptures?' I believe something of the Old Testament: the New, I do not believe at all.' 'Do you believe, Sir, a judgment to come?' He turned himself about, and replied, I know not what to say to that.' 'Alas! Sir,' said I, if all these things should be true, what?' which words, I believe, gave him great concern; for he seemed after to be very uneasy, grew delirious, and in a day or two departed. Un happy man, how quickly he was convinced! The day after his decease he was carried to the ground, and I refused to read the office over him; but I went to the grave, and told the people what had passed between him and me and, warning all against infidelity, I asked them whether I could safely say, As our hope is, this our brother doth ?' Upon which, I believe, they were thoroughly satisfied that I had done right." A few days after this event, Mr Whitefield preached his farewell sermon at Savannah, and set sail on his return home. The voyage was stormy, and the provisions of the ship failed, so that, when they reached Ireland, they were worn out by famine and fatigue. On landing, however, Mr Whitefield soon rallied, and preached with great power for some days at Limerick and Dublin. On his return to London, he proceeded to fulfil the double object for which he had left Georgia-to obtain priest's orders, and to make arrangements for having an orphan-house built at Savannah. He was favourably received by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Bishop of London. After labouring for some time in the metropolis, he went to Oxford to be ordained a priest. Bishop Benson presided at his ordination. Shortly after, he returned to London, and such was his popularity as a preacher, that no church was large enough to contain the multitudes that flocked to hear him. He now commenced preaching in the open air. This was quite a new thing, and incredible numbers assembled. On one occasion he mentions that, at Kennington Common, upwards of twenty thousand people were supposed to be present. For several months he continued to preach in the fields around London to immense auditories. During all this time, however, he was not forgetful of his little flock in Georgia. He was much disappointed and grieved that he was not allowed to collect for his proposed orphan-house, except in a few churches. He therefore made various collections for this darling object in the open air, and he had the gratification, on applying to the honourable trustees for Georgia, to obtain the grant of five hundred acres of land for himself and his successors for ever, for the use of the orphan-house. His desire to accomplish this benevolent undertaking acted as a powerful impulse to him in his field-preaching. Wherever he went he collected money for it. The proclamation of the Gospel having never before been attempted in this mode in England, both Churchmen and Dissenters were indignant at what they considered a practice derogatory to the dignity of the sacred office. Nothing, however, could quench the ardour of his zeal, and for several months he itinerated through various counties, and through the greater part of the Welsh principality, declaring the glad tidings of great joy, and calling upon men everywhere to repent. The opposition to his efforts was sometimes of an alarming character, and once or twice he narrowly escaped with his life, but none of these things moved him. He went forth striving to win souls to Christ, and regardless of the consequences, in so far as he himself was concerned. While thus indefatigably labouring in England, Mr Whitefield did not permit his mind to be drawn away from his charge in a foreign land. Unallured by the incense of popular flattery which was heaped upon him, he set sail for his adopted country, resolving to visit New England on his way to Georgia. His labours in the churches of New England were attended with a rich outpouring of the Spirit's blessings. Many were converted, and the hands of God's people were strengthened. There was an evident shaking among the dry bones; and as Mr Whitefield could not remain in New England, he pressed into the field as his successor, Gilbert Tennent, a man of a similar spirit with himself, and one whose preaching was blessed to the spiritual benefit of multitudes. It may be interesting to our readers to peruse a few facts concerning this rcmarkable man, which Mr Philip, a recent biographer of Whitefield, quotes from the American Biographical Dictionary :- "Whitefield became much attached to William Tennent. It was from him he received the well-known . He reproof against impatience for heaven. They were dining with Governor Livingston one day, and Whitefield being much exhausted by severe labour, expressed a hope that he should soon enter into his rest. appealed also to Tennent, if that was not his comfort? Tennent replied, What do you think I should say, if I were to send my man Tom into the field to plough, and at noon should find him lounging under a tree, complaining of the heat, and begging to be discharged from his hard service? What should I say? Why, that he was an idle, lazy fellow, and that his business was to do the work I had appointed him.' This would have been a powerful rebuke from any one. It was peculiar from William Tennent. In early life he had lain in a trance, which was so like death, that his funeral was prepared, and with difficulty prevented. The physician having heard that the flesh under the arm had quivered, when the body was laid out, insisted upon a delay of three days. At the close of that time, no change had taken place, and therefore the family resolved to inter the corpse. But still the physician hesitated. He begged for another hour; then for half an hour; then for a quarter of an hour; and just as this last period was expiring, whilst he was moistening the swollen tongue, the eyes opened, and a groan was uttered. He persevered; and in the course of a few hours, Tennent revived, but with the loss of all his former ideas. His mind was a blank for nearly a year, in reference to all his past life. He had, however, a vivid impression of having been in heaven during his trance; and, for three years after, the sounds he seemed to have heard in glory were never out of his ears. Indeed, all through his future life he was a heavenlyminded Christian. This was the man who reproved Whitefield; and the effect was increased by the fact, that Tennent was a champion for civil and religious liberty, as well as a conscious heir of glory." In the course of his tour towards Georgia from New England, Mr Whitefield had to endure considerable privations and dangers in riding through the woods. On reaching Charleston, in South Carolina, he was delighted to find that, since he had formerly visited that place, six hundred pounds had been contributed for the projected orphan-house. With a light heart, accordingly, he set sail in an open canoe with five negro rowers, and reached Savannah in safety. On the 24th of January 1740 he took possession of the land allotted to him, and called it Bethesda or the House of Mercy. Next week he laid out the ground-plan of the building and commenced the work. In the meantime he hired a large house, and took in twenty-four orphans, and in a very short time they increased to forty. He now set out on an itinerating tour through the States to collect funds. Wherever he went he preached both in the churches and in the open air. Money poured in upon him from all quarters, and the work which was begun in faith met with remarkable success. He returned to Savannah after a short absence, with collections for Bethesda to the amount of five hundred pounds in goods and money. The account of his reception will be best given in his own language. "What God has prepared for me, I know not: but surely I cannot well expect a greater happiness, till I embrace the saints in glory! When I parted, my heart was ready to break with sorrow; but now it almost bursts with joy. Oh how did each, in turn, hang upon my neck, kiss and weep over me with tears of joy! And my own soul was so full of a sense of God's love, when I embraced one friend in particular, that I thought I should have expired in the place. I felt my soul so full of a sense of the divine goodness, that I wanted words to express myself. Why me, Lord-why me? "When we came to public worship, young and old were all dissolved in tears. After service, several of my parishioners, all my family, and the little children, returned home, crying along the street, and some could not avoid praying very loud. "Being very weak in body, I laid myself upon a bed, but finding so many in a weeping condition, I rose and betook myself to prayer again. But had I not lifted up my voice very high, the groans and cries of the children would have prevented my being heard. This continued for near an hour; till at last, finding their concern rather increase than abate, I desired all to retire. Then some or other might be heard praying earnestly, in every corner of the house. "It happened at this time to thunder and lighten, which added very much to the solemnity of the night. Next day the concern still continued, especially among the girls. I mention the orphans in particular that their benefactors may rejoice in what God is doing for their souls." The remembrance of this scene never forsook him. His family had now increased to a hundred and fifty persons, and he found it necessary to set out on his travels again, that he might make collections for their support. After itinerating for some time in South Carolina, where he met with considerable opposition, he proceeded to New England. But our space warns us that we must pause for another week. THE FIRST ESTABLISHMENT OF A PRESS AT TAHITI. IN the deeply interesting details of the labours of the Missionaries in the Polynesian Islands, we have an account of the difficulties which they experienced in conveying clear notions to the natives previous to the introduction of printing, and the account given by Mr Ellis (who acquired a knowledge both of that art and of bookbinding) of the first establishment of a press at Tahiti is so curious and amusing, that we cannot refrain from quoting it. This important event took place in 1817, but some years previously copies of a Spelling Book had been circulated in the island. The King Pomare took very great interest in the press, and was present when operations were commenced. "Soon after his arrival," says Mr Ellis, "I took the composing-stick in my hand, and observing Pomare looking with curious delight at the new and shining types, I asked him if he would like to put together the first AB, or alphabet. His countenance was lighted up with evident satisfaction as he answered in the affirmative. I then placed the composing-stick in his hand; he took the capital letters one by one out o their respective compartments, and fixing them, concluded the alphabet. He put together the small letters in the same manner, and the few monosyllables composing the first page of the small spelling-book were afterwards added. He was delighted when he saw the first page complete, and appeared desirous to have it struck off at once, but when informed that it would not be printed till as many were composed as would fill a sheet, he requested that he might be sent for whenever it was ready. He visited us almost daily until the 30th of June 1817, when having received intimation that it was ready for the press, he came attended by only two of his favourite chiefs. They were, however, followed by a numerous train of his attendants, &c., who had by some means heard that the work was about to be commenced. Crowds of the natives were already collected around the door, but they made way for him, and after he and his two companions had been admitted, the door was closed, and the small window next the sea was darkened, as he did not wish to be overlooked. The king examined with great minuteness and pleasure the form as it lay on the press, and prepared to take off the first sheet ever printed in his dominions. Having been told how it was to be done, he jocosely charged his companions not to look very particularly at him, and not to laugh if he should not do it right. I put the printer's inkball (rollers, which are now generally used, were not then invented) into his hand, and directed him to strike it two or three times upon the face of the letters. This he did, and then placing a sheet of clean paper upon the parchment (or tympan,) I covered it down, and turned it under the press, and directed the king to pull the handle. He did so, and when the paper was removed from beneath the press, the chiefs and attendants rushed towards it to see what effect the king's pressure had produced. When they beheld the letters black and large, and well defined, there was one simultaneous expression of wonder and delight.” The king afterwards printed one or two more sheets, | and while he was so engaged, the first was shown to the crowd without, who, when they saw it, raised one general shout of astonishment and joy. His majesty, on being asked his opinion of the art, said he had supposed, as many do who have never seen the process, that the letters were pressed upon the paper, not the paper upon the letters. Multitudes continued to throng the office for a long time afterwards, and extraordinary value was attached to the books printed there, the natives coming from great distances to obtain them. Mr could pity, and no other hand which could help us. Let us never forget, then, that our Redeemer is God manifest in the flesh, the brightness of the Father's glory, and express image of his that he is God over all, and blessed for ever more. person; Let us next inquire, who are the seed of Israel that are justified in him? It is not the natural posterity of Jacob or Israel that are meant here. Blindness has happened unto Israel. When Christ Ellis, it appears, also found much facility in acquiring till this day, the great body of the Jewish nation came unto his own, they did not receive him; and the language by setting up the types. "In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified, and shall glory."-ISAIAH xlv. 25. THERE can be no doubt that this passage is prophetic of the Messiah, and of the blessings that were to be enjoyed under his government. He is that Saviour, or great Deliverer, to whom, at ver. 22d, all the ends of the earth are enjoined to look, that they may be saved. In ver. 23d, that divine Person is introduced as saying, "I have sworn by myself, the word is gone out of my mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, that unto me every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess." This passage is quoted in Romans xiv. 11, and applied to Christ. This universal subjection to the Messiah is also spoken of in Phil. . 10, 11: "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." That the Son of God is meant in my text, appears also from the important office which is attributed to him: "In the Lord shall all the seed of Israel be justified." Every one acquainted with the language of Scripture must know, that the justification of sinners, or their restoration to the friendship of God, is uniformly ascribed to our Lord Jesus Christ. "By his obedience," we are assured, many are made righteous." We are justified freely by the grace of God through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ, whom God has set forth to be a propitiation for our sins. By the prophet Jeremiah he is described as "the Lord our righteousness." The title of Jehovah, or the Lord, which is here attributed to him, directs our thoughts to his divine nature, as well as to his mediatorial kingdom. It is not applicable to any creature, even of the highest order, in the sense in which it is applied to Him. For to none but God should every knee bow, and every tongue swear allegiance. To God alone is the highest glory due. It is only an omnipotent arm which could save all the ends of the earth. When we had destroyed ourselves, there was no other eye which Preached at the celebration of the Lord's Supper. remain in a state of unbelief. To them the cross of Christ is foolishness; they are strongly prejudiced against the supposition, that their Messiah was to appear in a state of poverty, and submit to the shameful and accursed death of the cross. By Israel is meant here, and in many other passages, the true Church of God, from whatever ancestors they may be descended, or in whatever country they may live. They are not all Israel, who are of Israel. He is not a Jew, who is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision, which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly, and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter, whose praise is not of men, but of God. The seed of Israel are all the heirs of salvation; a multitude which none can number, of all tongues, and kindreds, and nations, and languages. Of all such it is said, that in the Lord they shall be justified, and in him shall they glory. I. Let us, then, attend to the assertion, that "in the Lord shall the seed of Israel be justified.” The 1. They are justified, as it is through him they obtain the forgiveness of their sins, and the acceptance of their persons in the sight of God. Of this important truth the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament uniformly assure us. Author of this prophecy speaks in the most precise and significant terms of the propitiatory nature of the sufferings of Christ: "He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and by his stripes we are healed. All we, like sheep, have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way. But it pleased the Father to lay upon him the iniquities of us all." Daniel is no less explicit in pointing out this to be the grand purpose of the death of the Messiah. "He was to be cut off, but not for himself; but to finish transgression, to make an end of sin-offering, to make reconciliation for iniquity, and to introduce an everlasting righteousness." The sacrifices under the Law are represented as typical of that perfect sacrifice which Christ was to offer up for the sins of the world. It is clear from the nature of the thing, and from the declarations of Scripture, that the blood of bulls and of goats cannot take away sin; that thousands of rams, and ten thousands of rivers of oil, or that the giving our first-born for our transgressions, the fruit of our body for the sin of our souls, could not be an adequate compensation for our violations of the divine law. But though sacrifices his fulness his people receive, and grace for grace. Through his prevalent merits they have received the principles of a new and divine nature, and are transformed, by the renewing of their minds, to prove what is the good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God. They are created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them. Jesus has not only delivered them from the wrath to come, but redeemed them from their iniquities, and puri fied them unto himself a peculiar people zealous of good works. Through him, also, they have "the spirit of adoption, whereby they cry, Abba, Father;" and, are assured, that whatsoever they shall ask of the Father in his name, shall be given to them. Even the external events under the administration of Christ shall be subservient to their good. Though they may not have affluence of the things of this world, their bread shall be were not of avail for this purpose, the universal | Father that all fulness should dwell; and, out of use of them was a strong proof that all nations have had a sense of guilt, and a desire to appease their offended deities. The Jews were taught the proper use and reference of sacrifices; that they were the appointed means of exciting contrition for their sins, and of fixing their faith upon a promised Deliverer, upon Him who was to be the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth. There is no doctrine which the writers of the New Testament state as of greater moment, and enlarge on oftener, than that of the atonement of Christ. They assure us that this is a true and faithful saying, that Jesus Christ came into the world to save even the chief of sinners; that there is redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sin; that God is in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing to men their trespasses; that he hath made Him, who knew no sin, to become a sin-offering for us, that we might be made the righteous-given to them, and their water shall be made sure, ness of God in Him. They uniformly declare that Jesus is mighty to save to the uttermost all that come unto God by him; that there is no name given under heaven, by which we can be saved, but the name of Christ; that his blood cleanseth from all sin, and that none who come unto him shall be cast out. The merits of his sacrifice are represented as extending to sins of the deepest dye, to transgressors whose offences have been of the most enormous kind, or long persisted in. "By one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified." These, and many passages of similar import are, in my apprehension, irrefragable proofs of the doctrine of our Lord's atonement. In him all the seed of Israel are justified. Through his mediation they are delivered from the condemning sentence of the divine law, to which their iniquities exposed them. Those who were afar off are brought nigh by the blood of his cross, those who were at enmity with God, and the objects of his just displeasure, are brought into a state of reconciliation and friendship. "As by the offence of one, judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so, by the righteousness of one, the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life." Believers are accepted in the Beloved; the Eternal Father looks upon them with complacency and delight. 2. The seed of Israel appear to be justified in the Lord, as it is through him they acquire a right to all the privileges of the children of God in a present and future state. "Jesus is made of God unto them wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption." To his interposition they are indebted for every blessing they enjoy or hope for. It is he who has opened a way for the honourable exercise of mercy towards them. Not only are they justified by his righteousness, but sanctified by the influences of the Holy Spirit, which have been obtained for them by his mediation, and are dispensed by him as Head over all things to the Church. In Him it has pleased the and the little which they have shall be better to Having now briefly shown that the seed of Israel are justified in or by Christ, I shall proceed, |