their mortal bodies quickened by that Spirit. "Therefore brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh. For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live." Here again, death is the portion of those who live after the flesh, and the only contrast to that death is through the Spirit mortifying the deeds of the body, to which is promised life; so that here again, the contrast is drawn between the heirs of life, and the heirs of death and then, after having been shewn that being thus led by the Spirit to mortify the deeds of the body, is the only way to escape death, we are further told that “as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God; " therefore, since all who are not led by the Spirit die, and all who are led are sons, it necessarily follows that all who are not sons of God die, and that all who are saved are sons. But what are the present privileges of sons? "Ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear, but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God." And what their prospect? If children then heirs; heirs of God and join-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, (the portion of all children, see Heb. xii. 6-8. where we learn that they must suffer, and Heb. v. 8. where we learn that in enduring this fatherly chastisement we suffer with Christ,) that we may be also glorified together." We see here that all who are saved are sons of God, all who are sons are heirs of God, all who are heirs are joint-heirs with Christ, and shall be glorified together with him. 66 I may perhaps appear in these observations to have been combating the air, but alas! it is not so; this notion of a spiritual aristocracy has prevailed much further than is imagined, and has I doubt not prepared the way for many into Irvingism, Puseyism, and Popery. H. B. M. ANECDOTE. WHY SHOULD WE GIVE TO THE JEWS' SOCIETY? THE following interesting Anecdote was communicated to the Editor, by the Rev. M. S. Alexander.* A poor liltle Irish Sunday School girl once came to her minister with a few pence in her hand, which she wished to be given to some religious society. When the clergyman asked her, "To which Society?" she replied, "To the Jews." He was astonished, knowing that the child had perhaps never seen a Jew, for there are very few, if any, in Ireland, and asked her, “Why, why, my child, do you wish this to be given to the Jews?" The poor Sunday School child answered, "Because the Jews are the only people of whom I read most in my Bible.”— Child's Missionary Magazine. *Now, God be praised! Lord Bishop of Jerusalem. JEWISH POETRY. WE copy the following from the Jewish newspaper, noticed in our last. The stanzas are eminently beautiful. The genius of this splendid people is now shining out in every possible way. Oh, that a beam of "the Day-spring from on high," may speedily kindle into a holy flame the breasts of all the sweet singers of Israel! SIR, If the following stanzas by a Daughter of Israel, be deemed worthy of admission into the "Voice of Jacob," the author places them at your disposal. THE HOLINESS OF GRIEF. O Hush! be still! bring not the sound Of sorrow lingering near; Tread lightly! 'tis a holy shrine, Where grief, in death, hath birth, Stamp'd with a dignity divine, Which hath no trace of earth. Oh seek not, bring not worldly dreams The light, that o'er them softly gleams, Affliction is a sacred thing, A messenger of love, Soft whisperings on its wings to bring, Seek not to shun its mission high, Why should we long to cast aside No! let it do its work, and lead Who strikes in love, to serve our need, Who weaves affliction's chain. Enfold the heart again. Yes, 'tis His voice, that sounds when woe His voice, that murmurs soft and low, Be still! bring not the mourner mirth, Peace! peace! 'tis holy; let the dead Nor fear the tears a brief while shed Tread lightly! oh profane them not, (From the of Jan. 7, 1842.) Prayer to Almighty God, the fountain of Grace, for the larger effusion of the influences of his Spirit, should be above all offered, and offered without ceasing, that he would withdraw his stroke from us. We should also, with deep prostration of soul, acknowledge his righteous chastisement of us as a Church, for our unfruitfulness, and manifold provocations of his Holy Spirit. These controversies are permitted in anger; and if we turn not to him that smiteth us, neither seek the Lord of Hosts, we cannot expect that he will interpose on our behalf. He only can interfere with effect. His Holy Spirit can alone restore the Holy Scriptures and the great truths of the Gospel to their just supremacy. His mercy alone can dissipate opposing errors; His powerful grace cause all these baneful traditions and inventions of men to be rejected, and the vital truths of the Gospel of Christ. to be believed and preached. It is not argument we want, but Divine Influence, to save our church.— Bishop of Calcutta's Sermon. |