the celebration of this feast, and which enabled them to speak with divers tongues, and to promulgate the Gospel to all nations. The third was the Feast of Tabernacles, being in commemoration of the Jews' dwelling in tents, or tabernacling, in the wilderness. To this our Christmas answers; as, at this time we commemorate Christ's coming or tabernacling in the flesh. St. John, in his Gospel, says, the Wora was made flesh, and dwelt among us; or as the Greek word sox may be more literally and consistently transJated, tabernacled among us. The law of this Feast of Taber nacles, as well as the other feasts, is recorded in the 28d of Leviti cus; and repeated in the 16th of Deuteronomy. At this feast the Jews dwelt in booths, or tabernacles, made of the branches of trees: and as it commemorated their tabernacling in the wilderness after their deliverance from Egyptian bondage, so it had a typical reference to the incarnation or tabernacling of Christ in the flesh, to deliver the world from the power and dominion of sin and the devil. The Jews, also, at this feast, cut down branches of palm trees, willows, and myrtles, and tied them together with gold and silver cords, or with ri bands, which they carried with them all day, took into their synagogues, and kept by them while at prayers. They carried them into the temple, and walked round the altar with them in their hands, singing hosanana, i. e. save, we beseech thee. In allusion to this custom, it is that Christians, from early time, at the anniverBary of Christ's nativity or tabernacling in the flesh, have introduced branches of trees into their churches and dwellings, showing that Christ, or Deity, tabernacled in the flesh, is their hosanna, to whom they may emphatically and substantially say, Save, we debeseech thee. In this view of the subject we consider these boughs emblematical of the salvation, peace, and all other blessings which the tabernacling of Christ in the flesh brought to a lost and sinful world. As to these boughs being evergreens, it is to be observed, that in the prophetical days, it was expected the great Messiah would make his ap pearance at the time when evergreens were at the greatest state of perfection; which is at the winter solstice, when the sun is at the greatest extremity south, the very time Christmas is kept. Agreeably to this expectation the prophet Isaiah speaks thus, The glory of Lebanon, (meaning the cedar) shall come unto thee, the fir tree, the pine tree, and the box together to beautify the place of my sanctuary. lx 13. As to the manner of dressing churches, I would only remark, that all fanciful designs, images, and mottos, are unappropriate, as being foreign to ancient usage. Boughs, simple boughs of evergreen, some method in their arrangement if you please, comport only with the original design, and amply convey their meaning to those who understand their origin and use. The adorning of churches, therefore, with evergreens, we esteem no unmeaning ceremony. It refers to the Deity tabernacled in the flesh, to bring salvation to a lost world, at the season when evergreens flourish, agreeably to the ancient expectation of the prophets. Let those, then, who feel the value of the advent of Christ in the flesh, duly respect, not worship, these significant emblems. As dying sinners, let them look beyond the symbols themselves, to that Being who once tabernacled in a bush on Mount Sinai, to give a law to his ancient people; and afterwards, in the flesh, to give a more perfect law, and to pour out his blood on Calvary to atone for them, and save them from eternal misery. LONG-ISLAND. above mentioned; when it was found that in the last year three hundred and eighteen scholars had been admitted into the school; and that th present number, who regularly attend, is one hundred. Those scholars, who have no other means of instruction, have been taught to read; and all who have attended the school have been well instructed, according to their age and capacity, in the doctrines and duties of Christianity. These have been taught them from the plainest passages of Scripture, and from the correct and approved formularies of the Church. The improvement the scholars have made in committing to memory from these sources, in acquiring a knowledge of the proper use of the Prayer Book, and in their devout and orderly deportment in church, is highly creditable to them and to their teachers. The Rev. Mr. Butler delivered a sermon on this occasion, from the following words, taken from John xv. 12. This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. After setting forth the nature of Christ's affection, and the proof he gave of it in his conduct towards us, he concluded his sermon with the following application: In the instance of charity I am now about to call upon you, my brethren, to perform, I wish you to do it in the exercise of the same generous affection wherewith Christ hath loved us. It is not my desire that you should be bountiful, at this time, merely to give consequence to yourselves individually, or to your congregation: these are motives unworthy a Christian, and will mar your charity in the sight of God. You should now give with a sincere desire of pleasing God and doing good to these children, by having them instructed in a religion, of all others, best calculated to be profitable to them. It is from this principle I wish you to act in the discharge of the duty before you. Of all things I wish you most conscientiously to avoid every thing that partakes of a party spirit, or a disposition to increase the number of your congregation merely by policy: this is totally inconsistent with the genius of your Church. Attach ment to that should be founded in an enlightened conviction, a full persua sion that it was instituted by the Sa viour of the world; and that it holds fast the faith once delivered to the saints. I have now set the example of Christ's love before you, and the manner of his expressing it, to influence you to the exercise of the same noble affection; and in the exercise of it, to contribute to the promotion of the Sunday School attached to our congregation. In doing this you will perform a truly liberal deed. In this school there are many children, whose parents are unable, not only to pay for their being taught on the ordinary days of the week; but unable to furnish them with books and clothing to attend the school that the amiable benevolence of our youth has opened for their reception on Sundays. It is a consideration highly gratifying, that our young people are willing to devote their time and attention, on this holy day, to the instruction of those who cannot be taught on the other days of the week. Still their kind intentions will be frustrated, unless those who are able, will give of their money for the purpose of furnishing books and clothing for those children whose parents are unable to procure them. To do this in the exercise of Christian love, is directly to imitate the example of our blessed Saviour. It is at once to exercise kindness to the bodies and souls of your needy fellow creatures. It is little children whose necessities you will thus relieve. It is those whose tender years, and destitute situation, are peculiarly calculated to excite your compassion and your kindness. They are destitute both of clothing and the means of instruction. In them, therefore, you may suppose Christ himself asking your charity. He has redeemed them, and he now asks you to clothe and instruct them, that they may receive the full benefits of his redemption; and he assures you, that inasmuch as you do it for one of the least of these, he will consider it as done to himself, and reward it accord ingly at the great day of retribution. What a privilege, what an honour, what a noble employment, to contribute to the relief of the members of Christ's family, and to become wark ers together with him in the salvation of mankind! To satisfy you that your bounty will be most profitably bestowed, I can inform you, that it is designed not only to enable those children to attend to the instruction of letters, and to learn the rudiments of our religion in the Sunday School, but to furnish materials to exercise the in dustry of the female part of them on week days. Our benevolent ladies have instituted a school of this kind also, which is gratuitously taught; and in which poor children are employed in making their own clothes, and thus initiated in habits of industry. How, therefore, is it possible that your love and kindness can be better expressed, than in encouraging so good a work as that of forming peor children to those habits of industry which are pro fitable for the life that now is; and instructing them in those doctrines and duties of Christianity, which will be infinitely more profitabe in that life which is to come? from its sacred enclosure. It, there fore, becomes us to be careful what habits of devotion our children form, and what doctrines they imbibe, and this school is a great security in preserving them, in both respects, from error. From the great example I have set before you, and the universal good will and affection I have now, and ever, inculcated, you cannot suppose that I wish to narrow your minds by low and illiberal prejudices, or to have you confine your respect or your regard within the pale of your own communion. No; I repeat it, I wish you to love your Church only from a rational persua sion that it was instituted by the Son of God; and adhere to it, and teach your children to adhere to it; to embrace its doctrines, and attend its ordinances, because agreeable to his will, and according to his command. This implies no want of respect or affection for the rest of mankind. We are to esteem others for the rectitude of their hearts, and regard them, not merely for the correctness of their opinions, but as the creatures and children of God, as our brethren by nature and redemption; and as far as they embrace the doctrines of Christianity, and regulate their lives by its precepts, as children of the same family with ourselves; unhappily separated, in many instances, by mistake, either in them or in us, from that one table to which all are invited, and at which all ought to partake in perfect harmony and love. The spirit of the Church; the mild subordination it requires to its authority; the ordinances it enjoins upon us to attend, are all calculated to knit us together in the most tender affection for one another; to draw us nigh to all who are called by the Christian name; and to expand our It is true that some other children beside the poor and needy, are taught in our Sunday School. It is not for them, however, that I ask your charity; nor could Sunday Schools be justified if no others were to attend them. But their attendance encourages others to do so, who have no other means of instruction; and it is to the poor only that letters are taugh. Others, with them, are instructed in the rudiments of Christianity, from the plainest portions of Scripture, and from the correct and approved formularies of the Church. They are all likewise taught the use of the Prayer Book; to un-hearts with the most benevolent regard derstand and exercise devotion as prescribed by the Church. This gives great importance to our Sunday School. It is attending, too generally, on other methods of public devotion, and hearing other doctrines inculcated, in childhood and youth, that render so many indifferent to the Church, and lead some totally away for the whole of our fellow-creatures. Still the nature of our relation in the Church is such, that it forbids subjection to foreign spiritual control, and binds us down to those rules of order and discipline that are prescribed by authority, derived from its great Founder, who has promised to be with it, (in the exercise of its regular fune tions) always, even unto the end of the world. It is in this enlightened view of the Church, and in no other, that I wish you, my brethren, to adhere to it, to endeavour to promote its interests, and to extend its influence. And the school for which I now solicit you charity, being designed for this purpose, I hope you will contribute to its support in proportion to your ability, and that those young persons who teach in it, will do it with a conscientious regard to their duty. In one word-that those who give of their substance, and those who teach, will do it in the exercise, and in imitation of that love wherewith Christ hath loved us. It must be highly gratifying to all the lovers of religion to see these young persons engaged in the pious work of teaching letters to poor children, and the rudiments of Christian knowledge to all who attend their school and in addition to this, I hope we shall have the pleasure of seeing them exemplifying, in their own conduct, what they are teaching thers; adorning the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things. Nothing is so pleasing as to see the youth modest, pious, and virtuous; and nothing else, my young friends, can render you truly respectable and happy here, and everlastingly blessed and happy hereafter. I hope, therefore, that you will be careful to remember your Creator now, in the days of your youth. If you do this, he will remember you, and guard you while you live with his kind and indulgent providence; and when you die, (as die you must) receive you to himself, in happiness and glory. And you, my little children, who are so much beloved, and so kindly cherished and provided for by your Christian friends, and taught to read, and taught your duty, by the pious care of those young persons, who devote their time and attention to this purpose; you should be careful, very careful, to improve the opportunity now so advantageously offered you. You must be punctual in your attendance at this school, and careful while there, to employ every moment in learning whatever you are directed to do by your teachers: and you should love and respect them for the care they take of you; and never do any thing in the least degree offensive to them. Your Catechism, and the portions of Scripture you are directed to commit to memory, teach you very plainly how good God has been to us all, in sending his Son Jesus Christ into the world to redeem us; and what he requires of us to entitle us to a continuance of his kind regard. Be careful, therefore, to learn these things your Catechism, the Lord's Prayer, and the Commandments, and then do as they direct, and God will love you, and take care of you in life and in death, Keep holy his Sabbath, use no profane language, tell no lies, mind your pa rents, take nothing that belongs to others, and live in friendship with one another, and then you will be beloved, not only by your teachers, but by all good people; and you will thus be the dutiful children of God. It is a happy consideration, my brethren, that the Gospel is adapted to us in every period of our mortal existence. Even in our infancy, it admits us, by the holy rite of baptism, to the privileges of that gracious cove nant, which secures our salvation for the time being, and for ever, unless we voluntarily reject the terms of it at maturer age. In childhood and youth, it has the milk of the word; plain doctrines and precepts to feed our understandings and direct our affections aright. As we advance in age, it has sublime doctrines, and rational moral precepts, to exercise our ripened faculties, and strengthen us in manly wisdom and true godliness. Let us, therefore, value this religion, and endeavour to bring it into prac tice, by the sobriety and purity of our own lives, and by communicating a knowledge of that part of it to our children, which is adapted to their capacities. While indulged ourselves with the strong meat it affords for our sustenance, let us feed our children with the sincere milk of the word, and, as we are commanded, bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. And as there are many parents among us who are unable to do this; who can neither teach their children, nor pay for their being taught, let those of us who are able, do it for them. As Christ hath loved us, let us exercise our love to them. Though there will be no real merit in this, yet it will be pleasing to him, and he will reward us for it. These are his words, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these, ye have done it unto me. "A more powerful motive cannot be urged (and, therefore, no other needeth to be urged) to encourage all parties concerned in the charity now under consideration, to perform their respective duties; those who have ability, to give liberally; those who teach, to do it with fidelity; those who learn, with diligence." FOR THE CHRISTIAN JOURNAL. given that the calling and election is solely by the mercy of God in Christ and that the making of it sure is simply the performance of conditions, not in themselves available, but ac cepted through the merits of the Redeemer! "A man is justified by faith," "By works a man is justified," are propos sitions which, considered without a reference to the general principles of the gospel, are not only inconsistent with each other, but with the whole current of scripture. That teaches us that neither faith nor works can justi fy us, in any other sense, than as both are conditions of the justification procured for us solely by the merits of Christ. The attentive reader of holy writ will remember a multitude of similar passages, which evince that in that, as in every writing, we are to explain each separate part, upon principles pervading the whole. A beautiful con On the 6th Verse of the 26th Psalm in sistency and harmony will then ap Metre. THE verse is as follows: I'll wash my hands in innocence, My welcome shall secure. It is one of the verses appointed to be at the consecration of a church sung or chapel. Objections have been made to the use of it, from an idea that it is inconsistent with the evangelical doctrine of human depravity and demerit. No degree of purity, say the objectors, can possibly be attained which will secure our welcome in attending the service of God. True, it cannot, upon any other than purely evangelical principles; which ought to be supposed in the interpretation of every part of scripture." Give diligence to make your calling and election sure," is a precept upon which every Christian and should form may the devout resolution to do so. But how presumptuous would that be, without a reference to the principles of the gospel, on which the resolution should be founded-that by the grace of God alone such diligence can be 72 St. Peter i. 10. pear. Although, therefore, the metre version of the verse above quoted may be in expression (for it is not deemed to be in meaning) somewhat stronger than our other translations; still it is couched in terms not more objectiona ble than the texts above noticed, and a multitude of similar ones, and as easily rendered consistent with the doctrines of the Gospel, by being understood with a reference to its general principles. These principles are here recog nized by what in this case is required, and should always be practised, the addition of the Gloria Patri, which, as it were, transfers every psalm to which it is appended from the Jewish to the Christian temple, and renders it a truly evangelical act of worship. The resolution, therefore, contained in this verse, is formed with a direct reference to those principles which dictate equal glory to Father, Son, |