REVIEWS. Perils and safeguards of AmerR- || Christians in our happy Republick ICAN LIBERTY.—Address, pro- will follow each other's good examnounced July 4, 1828, in the Sec-ple on this joyous occasion. ond Baptist Meeting house in Every friend of his country dreads the "PERILS," and will endeavour SAFEGUARDS," of to preserve the " American liberty. In this Address he will find, in glowing colours, a correct portraiture of each of them, and will learn how to escape the one, and to secure the other. We cannot, in our own language, give so correct an idea of the merits of this performance, as by quoting the following: IN opening this Address we felt the usual emotions which strike "It is in the nature of the human mind the mind of a reader in perusing the thread-worn subject of Indepen-ideas frequently repeated, or from scenes to lose its susceptibility of excitement from dent Addresses. We were, how- often witnessed. There has been, for sev ever, attracted to the task, by the eral years, a gradual abatement of the effort to give a new interest to the fervour which signalized the earlier celeanniversary of this great jubilee, by brations of this day. The heart of the nation is less powerfully moved. The chord a religious celebration of the day. of publick feeling responds less strongly Having for thirty years listened with to the note of festivity. One reason for admiration to patriotick Orations this may be, that the recollections and meditations appropriate to the day have and Odes, from scholars, statesmen, become familiar, and have, in consequence, and poets, and aided in swelling the parted with some portion of their power note of festivity at the civic and "Another reason may be, that the genmilitary board, it was natural that eration, who participated in the sorrows we should question the success of a and joys of the revolutionary period, have, Christian preacher in his attempt with comparatively few exceptions, passto satisfy the expectations of an as- ed away. The firm hearts and the strong sembly of independent freemen, by hands which were then busy in their devotional exercises. But, as we country's service, have become enfeebled by age, or are cold in death. A new race proceeded in our perusal, the que-have sprung up, who were born and nurries which rested on our mind were vanquished by the irresistible arguments with which the rational reader is assailed at every opening of the pamphlet. If such is the conviction upon the mind of a moralist, what may not Christians experience in reading this Address! They will, we are persuaded, feel encouraged to give permanency to the attempt of establishing the custom of observing the Fourth of July by solemn acts of devotion to God, in his holy temple. And we indulge the pleasing anticipation that the various sects of to arouse the mind. tured amid the peace and prosperity of our national independence. We cannot feel as our fathers felt. We have known nothing of the impatient indignation with which they watched the pretensions and projects of usurping power; the anxious struggle between the resolution to resist, and the consciousness of inadequate strength; the martyr-like firmness with which the decisive act of separation was at last performed; and all the absorbing earnestness with which the dubious contest was maintained, until it issued in the complete establishment of our indepen dence. Those who did witness and feel all this, cannot forget it; and to them this day has a voice of power to recal from the in their bosoms the feelings of the times long departed years, scenes, which renew that tried men's souls, But we who have come into life at a later and happier period, cannot feel so intense a concern in the events of the revolution. There are no vivid contrasts. in our memory. We look back to those grades the mind and corrupts the heart over which it bears sway. It is inconsistent with enlarged patriotism. It is, in its essence, selfish; and it looks only to present advantages. A man thoroughevents as matters of history, daily recedingly under its dominion will not submit to farther into the dimness of the past, though deeply interesting to us as parts of our national annals, and as connected with the happiness of our present condition. The present generation cannot bring to the celebration of this day, that freshness and energy of personal feeling, which made it a jubilee to the immediate actors in the scenes of the revolution. "But to preserve the day from comparative neglect, and perpetuate it in our calendar. as the "great anniversary festival," it is necessary to adopt another mode of celebration. Nothing which is dependent on human feelings, and worldly principles, can be permanent. Man himself is as frail as the flower of grass His joys and sorrows agitate his own heart, but they seldom leave any mark on succeeding generations. 66 Nothing is permanent but God; and therefore nothing can endure, which does not connect itself with him. If, then, we would preserve this anniversary from the fate which befals human things, we must connect it with religion. We must call in the aid of her everlasting principles, and give permanency to the celebration of this day, by stamping on it the impress of a religious duty. It will then take rank among the imperishable memorials *of Zion." After describing the blessings of our freedom, Mr. K. mentions the effect of wealth upon an individual, as follows: "In this country wealth constitutes the great distinction. It is the easiest road to pre-eminence, and is consequently thronged. Every thing else is held subordinate to this all-controlling aim. In countries where artificial and hereditary distinctions exist, wealth cannot enable its possessor to surmount the barriers which protect the privileged orders. The poorest nobleman is nevertheless superior in rank to the most opulent commoner. But wealth forms our American nobility. It is per mitted to compensate for the want of talent and learning. It is supposed to dignify vulgarity of manners, and to give respectability to ignorance. It is allowed even to atone for many moral deficiencies; and it often gives extensive influence and a passport to good society, to men, who would be despised and expelled, if they were not shielded by the panoply of wealth. "The effect of this on our national char acter is injurious. The mere love of money is an ignoble passion, and it de the least sacrifice, to promote the welfare of any other class of citizens. He withholds aid from every project of improvement, unless the road to be constructed, or the canal to be cut, is directly to benefit himself. He clamours against every act of the government, which consults the interests of the whole, rather than those of a part; and threatens to divide the Union, if he happens to dislike the laws. That such an effect of the thirst for wealth is an alarming evil in a government like ours, must be evident to every man." The contest for office is another cause of alarm, and is thus depicted: "As we approach the highest office in the nation, the contest becomes more fierce, because the prize is more valuable, and the elections less frequent. The Presidency, as we all know, has repeatedly been the object of imbittered competition; and it is probably destined to occasion a more tremendous struggle than has ever yet shaken this nation. On this delicate subject, it is not my design to express an opinion, in relation to either of the contending parties. But every lover of his country, who wishes for her peace, honour and prosperity, must look with alarm and sorrow on some of the signs of the times. The clouds are gathering. The dark ocean is heaving. The elements are in fearful and ominous commotion. And if there Every thing bodes a storm: ever was a time when the patriot ought to pray for his country, it is now. There is an excited feeling through, the nation. Men look fiercely at each other. Unsparing censures and invectives are hurled against the most distinguished men of the nation. Whatever may be the event of the approaching election, the violence which has attended it is. surely sufficient to awaken our fears for the future. There is more danger, perhaps, to be apprehended from contentions for the office of President, than from any thing else in our system. Almost all civil wars have sprung from rival strife for the chief magistracy; and our country will be happy indeed if she shall escape the fate which has befallen so many other nations." We will close our extracts, by quoting the following safe guards, from the many with which this excellent Address abounds: "Another way in which Christianity is, I doubt not, destined to operate for the salvation of this country, is, that Chriss cities and the most powerful nations become as the chaff before the whirlwind.” tians will use their influence, more than living God. Great and flourishing as our they have ever yet done, for the sup- country is, he can bring her down to desoport of pure political principles, and for lation. He has many ministers of his the election of good men to offices of trust vengeance; and when he bids them empand power. The Christians of this county their vials on the earth, the proudest try already form a large proportion of the electors. If they were united in their suffrages, they might even now decide almost any great and general question. Suppose that every man in the United States who fears God should act, in reference to the Presidential election, on the same principles that he would act in choosing a minister for his Church, or a preceptor for his child, and give his vote conscientiously for that man, whose principles and conduct are most in accordance with the word of God; can you doubt, that such a union of Christian suffrages would decide the contest, which now convulses and disgraces the nation?" "But the strongest and last reason, which I can now offer, is, that without the prevalence of religion, we cannot hope for the favour of God-nay, we must expect his vengeance. A nation of irreligious men, is a nation of rebels against him, and they will bring upon themselves, swift destruction. Let us not think, that we are in no danger from the displeasure of God. He has turned many a fruitful land into barrenness, for the wickedness of them that dwelt therein. Go, look at the sullen and dismal waters of the Dead Sea, which now cover the fertile valley, where once the cities of the plain flourished like the garden of the Lord. Go, search on the marshy and solitary banks of the Euphrates, for the ruins of the mighty Babylon. Stand on the deserted rocks of Tyre, and ask for the proud city which once defied the power of Alexander. Visit the place, which the all-grasping Romans adorned with the spoils of a conquered world, and seek among ruined temples and broken arches for the monuments of their power. Repair to the city of God, and see the crescent of Mahomet, gleaming over the sacred mount, where once stood the magnificent temple of Jehovah And look at the wretched Jews, the miserable victims of Turkish oppression, outcasts in the very city where David and Solomon reigned, and forbidden on pain of death to approach the spot where once their fathers worshipped God. Look at all these melancholy proofs of the mutability of human things, and learn the danger of offending God. It was his wrath, which destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah, which made Babylon a place for the bittern and the serpent, which swept away Tyre, and left her rocks for the fisherman to spread his nets on; which hurled the magnificent Rome from her height of grandeur and power, and made Judea and her children a hissing and an astonishment through the earth. Truly, it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the We pretend not to do justice, by extract or comment, to this Address, which is worthy of an abler notice than this, but our humble object is, to recommend it as a good model for those speakers who may be requested to appear as religious Orators on this anniversary of our nation's deliverance from bondage. It is peculiarly successful in touching the chords which harmonize the feelings of the Christian and the Patriot and we hazard nothing in recommending it to every reader within the pale of freedom, however fervid he may be in his devotion, patriotic in his temperament, or classical in his taste. Origin and formation of the Bap- This pamphlet contains an account of the very remarkable circumstances which led to the formation of a new Baptist Church in Halifax, the chief town in the British Province of Nova Scotia. The force of truth has never, perhaps, been more conspicuously exemplified. The facts are briefly these. A number of individuals in Hal-an humble faith in the Redeemer, and to a participation of that unspeakable joy which is the fruit of faith, it became a serious question with what religious community they should associate themselves, and to what teachers they should resort. ifax, comprising several of the most respectable inhabitants, and among them two or three gentlemen of the bar, were, some time since, led, by the Spirit of God, to solemn inquiry respecting their spiritual condition, to earnest prayer, and to a diligent study of the Scriptures. They were connected with the Episcopal church; but they did not at that time hear from its ministers the doctrines which the articles of that Church recognise, as the faith once delivered to the saints; and which some of the brightest ornaments of that Church have loved and defended. From their regular spiritual teachers, therefore, they received no assistance; but the Holy Ghost became their teacher and guide; and after a considerable time, and by a process of views and feelings which this pamphlet relates, with some minuteness, they were, at length, brought to the enjoyment of a tranquil hope, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, as the only and sufficient Saviour of sinners. They appear to have been prompted by the most sincere desire to learn the truth, and by a child-like simplicity of heart in receiving the teachings of the word of God. They say, "Henceforward, knowing that they are not their own, but are 'bought with a price,' no less a price than the precious blood of Christ, they desire no longer to live to themselves, but to him that died for them, and rose again, and 'ever liveth' to intercede for his believing and obedient people. Henceforward, has the world lost much of its captivating charms; that has ceased to be a grievous command which directs them, 'Love not the world, nor the things of the world;' and it no longer alarms them to know that 'the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, are not of the Father, but of the world,' and that he who loves the world, loves not God; for now they grieve at nothing more than the prevalence of worldly desires in their souls; they desire nothing more earnestly than that the love of God may reign in them without a rival.” Being thus guided by the Scriptures, and by the Spirit of truth, to perience we have attempted briefly to recount, those who were first awakened to the reality and importance of these truths enjoyed, for a time, the opportunity of Church of England; and, when at length hearing the gospel proclaimed in the circumstances which they could not control, deprived them of a blessing so essential to the welfare of their souls, they could not withstand the necessity of seeking it elsewhere. They could not give their sanction, however insignificant, to doctrines which they conscientiously believed to be subversive of the Gospel of Jesus Christ-nor bid God speed' to those who, however estimable in other respects, in their view, continued in that carnal state which is enmity against God, and naturally opposed to the only way whereby sin "Of the individuals whose religious ex ners can be saved. In this state of mind they were led to seek that food which the simple truth of God's Word is alone able to bestow, in the small Baptist Church which had been for a number of years established in Halifax.” But these individuals were not at that time Baptists. They were attracted to a Baptist ministry, by a simple desire to be nourished with the sincere milk of the word, which they could not obtain in other more fashionable places of worship, where "the hungry sheep looked up, and were not fed." But minds so candid, and so earnestly desirous to ascertain the truth, could not long remain unaffected by questions concerning the nature of Christ's Church, and of his ordinances. Their remarks respecting their situation at this time, are important, and are very creditable to their candour and piety. "These persons were sincere members of the Church of England. The earliest recollections of their infant years, the respectable antiquity of that church, the history of the brilliant piety which has so often adorned her members, and the nature of their whole religious connections-all had combined to attach them to her imposing form of worship with an affection of no or dinary strength. A liberal mind will readily believe that sentiments thus generated, interwoven with the strongest ties of social love, and possessing so much to heighten and confirm them, are not to be abandoned without many a painful struggle; and the individuals now alluded to, experienced this mental conflict in all its force. In the course of their investigation, suspicions of the unsoundness of the system to which they were so warmly attached, flashed from time to time upon their minds, and it was with no common anxiety that they prospectively, as it were, beheld the destruction of the many soothing prejudices on this subject, which were nurtured in them by early education, and confirmed by the habits of riper years. At times indeed, the influence of these prejudices would resume its force, and quiet their apprehensions. But this state of mind could not continue. When once a serious doubt has assailed received opinions, and an inquiry into religious truth has begun to be awakened, it is not easy, in such a case, to satisfy a sincere conscience without a full investigation." They proceed to state, at considerable length, the reasons which convinced them of the truth of the great principles on which Baptist Churches are founded, in regard both to Church government and to the ordinances of the gospel. On the subject of Baptism, they say: "Nursed as they had been, in unsuspecting confidence, that in so important a point as this, their mother Church could not be guilty of a mistake, it was with no inconsiderable surprise that they searched the Scriptures in vain for authority for the practice of sprinkling infants; that in the accounts given of the administration of the ordinance, they found them uniformly connecting with the reception of Baptism, faith, or some other exercise of the mind of a conscious moral agent that necessarily implies believing." We need not quote the strong and conclusive reasoning which they adduce, in a very small compass, in explanation and defence of the change in their views respecting baptism. The following paragraph cuts, like a two edged sword, through the joints and marrow of the system, which an eminent Professor has so ingeniously laboured to defend. "The covenant of circumcision seemed to be the strong hold to which some of the advocates of Pedobaptism, when driven The worshippers of God are spiritual worshippers; and such only are suitable members of his church, as is well stated in the nineteenth article of the Church of England; but infant Baptism, founded on the covenant of circumcision, strikes at the very root of the spirituality of Christ's kingdom, and ingrafts at once a nation into the church, without the smallest regard to religious qualifications." The pamphlet proceeds to state the causes which made it expedient to form a new Baptist Church in Halifax. On the 27th of Sept. last, Prof. Chase, of the Newton Theolog ical Seminary, near Boston, visited Halifax at the request of the friends there, accompanied by Prof. Caswell, recently of the Columbian College, Washington city. On the ensuing Lord's-day, six persons were baptized by Prof. Chase, and a Church was constituted. and spacious stone chapel was opened on the same day, and dedicated to the service of God. The account of the baptism, and of the services at the dedication of the house, and at the constituting of the Church, will be read with great interest. A new It was, after much deliberation and prayer, thought expedient that Prof. Caswell should be ordained, and should remain at Halifax for a time. He was accordingly set apart to the work of the ministry, on the 7th of Oct. Prof. Chase preached from Rom. xv. 29. He also examined the candidate, and gave him the usual charge. The examination and the charge are inserted at length. They may be read, with |