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on your part : heathens cannot be Boswell gang, of the facility with expected to come to you, and ask which they were visited, and of the to be christianized.

gratitude they expressed. III, Let the above proposal, with Mr. Hoyland states, that Gypsies any desirable additions, be inserted abound in Bedfordshire, Herts. in as many periodical publications as Bucks. Cambridgeshire, and Hunt. possible, such as the Christian ingdonshire, that they understand Guardian, Observer, Evangelical, English, and can sometimes read, Baptist, Congregational, Metho- but have no religion, and their dist and others of extensive circula moral condition is worse than that tion and good repute,

of many heathens. They are peIV. In addition to publicity by culiarly susceptible of impression, magazines, and in order to make through their children, their love more direct, pointed, personal, and for whom is very great, and it practical efforts, let the above would be most hopeful and desirproposal be sent to some one be able, if possible, to educate some nevolent individual in every parish of them, and apprentice them to where gypsies are known to con- suitable trades, and thus gradually gregate : and then, Sir, it is hum- to undermine their erratick habits, bly hoped, that with prayer for the at the same time embracing every blessing of God, some useful re opportunity to conciliate their goodsults might at length appear, and will, to encourage industry, and to endeavours for the good of these communicate to young and old, too much neglected people may not religious instruction. continue to evaporate in mere Their language has a strong empty discussion, and fruitless affinity to Hindoostanee, and they lamentation, in plads soon for- are supposed to have originally gotten, and resolutions never ac- emigrated from India, A. D. 1408, complished.

when Timur Beg ravaged the V. It is thought advisable, that country to spread Mahometanism; the proposal in question should be and to have been of the low caste of accompanied with a request for an Pariars, or Sadees, whose habits, account of what is done, or attempt to this day, are curiously similar to ed, and the manner in which it is their own. It would be interesting received, and that such a communi- to inquire what becomes of their cation be addressed, yearly, to the orphans, and whether they, at least, Southampton Committee, which might not be rescued, and placed as a centre for reformation, should in schools. The Rev. Mr. Jackson be solicited to publish an annual states, that several Gypsy children report of its proceedings. Suffer were once admitted into his Sunme here, Sir, to observe, that this day School, and though they began is no Utopian scheme; for partial like birds when first put into a cage, visits to these poor wanderers, in by steady care, and the influence their very camps, have been made of example, they soon became by clergymen and others, and gyp- quiet, and fell into their ranks. sies have been found very ready and I would conclude, Sir, by repeatthankful for instruction, some of ing the question of this worthy and them able to read, glad to be sup- intelligent writer, (Mr. Hoyland) plied with tracts, prizing the Scrip. Is there any people who more deeply tures, and manifesting great sus- need, though they have so little ceptibility of improvement. In par reaped the benefit of that divine ticular a little tract, entitled, “The and merciful injunction, “Go out Gypsies, a Narrative,” by a clerical INTO THE HIGHWAYS AND HEDGES, visitor, and easily procurable, gives AND COMPEL THEM TO COME IN ?” a very interesting account of the .

A FRIEND TO GYPSIES.

ON SELF-DENIAL.

How very different is religion in theory from what it is in practice! or in other words, how easy is it to assent to the truths of the Gospel, and to dilate on what their efficacy is, or should be, without the mind and heart being rightly and duly affected by them. For instance, how easily do we appreciate the excellency of self-denial, and how much do we admire it where it is seen to exist; but how difficult do we find its exercise, and how seldom (more seldom perhaps than at first sight we may be disposed to allow) are we under the influence of this gracious principle! There is no criterion in the whole volume of inspiration by which we may more plainly bring to the test, our profession of love to the Saviour, or judge of our real state and condition as it stands revealed before the omniscient eye of the Searcher of Hearts, than this; and we may I apprehend, form a tolerably cor. rect estimate as to our growth in grace, by ascertaining how far this grace of the Spirit of Holiness is in more habitual or only occasional operation. “ If any man,” says our blessed Lord, “ will come after me, let bim DENY HIMSELF, take up his cross and follow me.” How desirous are all of being found in his presence hereafter ; but alas! how few are found to tread in those steps which alone will conduct'us to this blissful termination!

To deny ourselves is indeed a post difficult-a most arduous duty; evertheless it is here made the vidence of our discipleship to the on of God; the proof of the ality of our religion; and affords strong mark whereby we may termine the nature of our hopes in ference to our admission into e kingdom of heaven. Yet

ough nothing can be more diffi! It, or more opposed to the cori pt inclinations of our fallen nature,

MARCH 1828.

if we would “ escape the condemnation of hell,” and obtain “an inheritance in the kingdom of God and of Christ,” we must be daily walking in this rugged, though increasingly pleasant road, and practically know somewhat of its nature almost every hour of our lives.

The object of this paper is to lead its Readers to enquire how far they are influenced in their daily walk and conversation by this heavenly principle; how far they are governed and led by this fundamental grace of the Spirit—this prime evidence of our regeneration; and whether the nature and extent of this duty has been considered in its reference to their every motive and action. A slight glance into “the hidden man of the heart," and but a partial examination of the nature and quality of many of our best actions, will, it is to be feared, soon convince us that we are too generally influenced and directed by principles the very reverse of that now under consideration.

It is a distinguishing feature of the unrenewed mind, that “God is not in all its thoughts,” and there self reigns predominant. But self is not only an inmate in the breasts of those who are living without God in the world. Ah, no! True, in “the unsanctified and unholyit seeks no other end than its own gratification, and knows no pleasure beyond its personal ease and aggrandisement. But it is not confined to characters of this description. Daily observation, and the inward testimony will soon afford abundant proof to those that are “born from above,” that the things they hate, they do—and the good that they ought to perform, they do not. The uniform aim of selfishness is to please itself in all things, and its sole delight is in “ fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the

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mind:” and whilst we see it exhi- duty but what has in it the nature bited in its more base and disgust- of sin. Hence he is deeply abased ing form, in those who are the before the majesty of heaven, and slaves of carnality and fleshly lusts groans in his Spirit, because he is —it is observable in those also who so often under the influence of are characterized by an inordinate principles contrary to “ the law of thirst for vain glory, and human his mind;” and is frequently led to applause; or who seck distinction question his “right to the tree of in the pursuit of that knowledge life," as in his own estimation he which only “puffeth up." In the appears almost, if not entirely desone the desire of the flesh is sought titute of this heavenly grace. But after and obtained; in the other, he is not always thus; occasionally the desire of the mind is gratified he can humbly rejoice in the prosand enjoyed; but both, alas! are pect of putting off this tabernacle, dead in trespasses and sins,” and and being freed from sin altogether; are altogether strangers to any and this feeling increases in him as higher principle of action than the he becomes more intimately acpleasing of self. But with those quainted with the depravity of his who have been quickened to a new nature, and his consequent inability and divine life, by the implantation to serve God without mixture of of grace in the soul, selfishness moral evil. does not reign unopposed. It is To deny ourselves is indeed no characters of this description, who easy matter : but the Christian poshave been taught the purity and sesses a clue, which if through his holiness of the Divine being, and own foolishness he often loses, yet made to feel and mourn over the will enable him, so long as he hidden abominations of the “cham- retains it, gradually to live out of, ber of imagery," that alone are and above self. He has been taught sensible of its existence. They know where alone his strength lies; and it to secrete itself in all their duties, when he is diligent in seeking the whether performed towards God effectual aid promised him, not only or man, but they rest not satisfied do the corrupt principles of his with the discovery of the evil, but heart gradually give way, but he seek its extermination with dili- can, “ through Christ strengthengence, and ardently long for its ing him," do all things, however complete annihilation. And while opposed to corrupt nature. Happy! the former character remains igno- most happy they! who sensible of rant of the nature of those prin- their utter weakness and insufficiples by which he is habitually ciency are contiuually applying by governed, though they reign and “the prayer of faith,” to the “ Captriumph within, and of the awful, tain of their Salvation,” who has tremendously awful consequences pledged himself, not only to be with they will realize in the eternal them in their combat with their world; the other having had his enemies, but in due time to make mental vision irradiated by the light them "more than conquerors” over of divine truth, is not only aware them all. Difficult as it is to mor. of their existence, but painfully feels tify “ the deeds of the body," and and laments their frequentoperation to deny ourselves in those things The one is “dead to God” and to which are pleasing to the flesh, yet himself; but the other being “ alive the difficulty does not slacken the to God,” mournfully regrets that faithful soldier of Jesus Christ from he cannot attain unto perfect labouring, “ through the Spirit, to freedom from all sinful princi- crucify the flesh with its affections ples, inasmuch as he cannot think and lusts "-" to put off the old a good thought, or perform any man,” and to mortify the whole

body of sin. He may be, and oft- but while he mourns over the times is, discouraged at the power, power of indwelling sin, and abases subtilty, and perseverance of his himself before God on account of adversaries; and sometimes tempt. his seeming destitution of the grace ed almost to despair, and to give in question, and yet is ardently up all for lost; when united with longing and praying to be under its these, he feels the inveteracy of entire dominion, and thus be more corrupt nature working within him, and more conformed to the spirit and bringing his soul into bondage: and example of his adorable Reyet he is not suffered to " cast away deemerlet him ever remember, his confidence in the power and that greater is he that is in him, faithfulness of Jehovah ; and while than all that can be against him, he“ groans, being burdened,” that and that “ he who hath begun the “ he cannot do the things that he good work of grace in his heart, would,” and pathetically and sor. will perform it unto the day of rowfully exclaims in the bitterness complete redemption. of his Spirit, O! wretched man that But whilst the writer of this paper I am, who shall deliver me from would fain indulge the hope that the body of this death;” he encou what has been advanced, may under rages himself in the Lord, and fol the divine blessing, prove instrulows on in the path of self-denial mental in leading some of its readers and mortification. The conflict to question their possession of tbis between flesh and spirit may be blessed principle, and thus stir them long and sharp, the battle may in- up to seek its attainment; and also crease from within and without tend to the encouragement of the and the Christian warrior be fre- timid and desponding soul, who quently wounded, and at times feels itself “ sore let and hindered seemingly overpowered and over- in running the race set before it,” come: yet with the church of old it he confesses he has a different class is his privilege to say, “Rejoice of persons principally in view, a not against me, O mine enemy, class increasing on every side in when I fall I shall arise, when I sit this day of open and abounding in darkness the Lord shall be a profession. He alludes to those, light unto me.” Most encouraging who would fain be considered disciand comforting thought! Victory ples of the meek, and lowly, and does not rest on his own exer- self-denying Jesus; and who aptions : but that same "mighty hand pearing to honour him with the apand stretched-out arm” that rescued pellation of “Lord, Lord,” are yet him, unsought and unsolicited, from far from careful “to do the things the power and dominion of the that he has commanded ;” who devil, when a child of wrath even while they profess to “have reas others, will not leave him; but ceived of the Spirit of Christ," perfecting strength in his weak. evince so small a portion of his ness, will in his own time put him fruits, as to leave the mind in coninto possession of that crown, which · siderable doubt as to the true nature grace has prepared for him in glory. and character of their religion. For To the child of God then, victory is example--are there not many to certain ; and ere long, the enemies be found in the church of Christ, of his salvation shall be discomfited of whom we are compelled to and slain; and he shall rejoice in affirm, that if the glory of God is the possession of eternal blessed- not altogether lost sight of, in thelr ness and everlasting peace. Let daily walk and conversation, yet not then the humble but tried that its promotion is so frequently believer be discouraged, because of made subservient to their own leithe warfare in which he is engaged; sure and gratification, that we cannot avoid questioning the genuine- of salvation to those who have never ness of the principles by which they heard “the joyful sound?” Do we are influenced-that religious ob- know what it is to deny ourselves jects, and religious duties, when those things, which though pleasthey interfere with secular business, ing to the flesh, not only pamper carnal ease, and worldly amuse- our carnal propensities and perish ments are neglected, and that it is in the using, but wbich neither only so far as they feel inclined or facilitate our progress heaven-wards, disposed towards them, that they nor prove creditable to our holy engage their attention. To illus. profession? Have we ever really trate this I need only advert to the entered into the full import of the exertions that are now making for term self-DEDICATION to God, and the diffusion of divine truth in the considered what it comprehends; or earth, and the visible coldness and have we thought of the exhortation, indifference with which these sub- “ Yield yourselves unto God," with jects are received by a large class of the attention its importance deprofessing Christians. Now it is mands, as prohibiting all reservaallowed that the Christian public tions, and as including the entire have numerous appeals made to surrender of body soul and spirit to their beneficence and liberality, and his service ? Is it the prevailing, that it is next toimpossible to attend the habitual desire of our hearts to to all : but are those appeals duly be in all things influenced by the considered and pondered ? Is the Spirit of holiness, and in oppo. worth of souls appreciated and sition to the motions of sin working estimated by the judgment of the within, and the opinions of the world divine mind, and do we look at these without, do we devote ourselves, matters abstractedly from self? If our time, our talents, our influence, we did, we should see through a our property, to “ the perfecting very different medium, and our the will of God ?” In a word, do conduct would be widely different we know in a measure, what it is not from what it often now is. Are we to please OURSELVES, but to be not often induced to withhold our striving to please him in all things, hands by excuses, which if looked who 'so loved us as to give up his into, would be found to have origi- only, his well-beloved Son for our salnated in unbelief, and want of love vation? Do we count it our highest to God and souls, and because we honour and happiness to be doing are loath to part with one grain of his will, and readily and cheerfully individual ease and enjoyment ? Do sacrifice every private and selfish we know any thing of denying our feeling to the promotion of this gloselves the superfluities of life, in rious end ? O glorious and exalted order that we may more effectually Saviour who hath said, “If any man testify our love to Christ, by obey- will come after me, let him deny ing his commands, in helping for himself, and take up his cross and ward the establishment of his king- follow me,” in the way of thy comdom throughout the world, and by mandments, and in conformity to ministering to the wants of our thy example; pour out of thy Spirit poorer brethren. Do we know what abundantly upon us and upon thy it is to abridge ourselves of unneces- whole church. May we be ever sary comforts, and to sacrifice our under the ivfluence of this grace; feelings of vanity in denying our may we adorn our high profession, selves superfluous articles of dress, evidence our love to thee; glorify or unnecessary furniture, to the end thy name, and enjoy in our own that God may be glorified by our souls more lively and exalted felmeans being enlarged for relieving lowship with the Father, and with the distressed, instructing the igno- thee his Son through the Holy rant, and sending the glad tidings .Ghost.

ALPHA.

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