moment placed in the hands of one who would infallibly employ it for the worst of purposes.

It is not within my present purpose to enter largely on the explanation of this topic, but as I believe the most important and most striking evidence that was ever pretended to be adduced in favour of the opposite opinion is that which is furnished by the magicians of Egypt, it may not be improper to advert particularly to the evidence by which it is capable of proof, that the wonders wrought by their means were cheats, and not miracles at all. And first of all, it is worthy of notice, that Moses never says that they effected their enchantments by the power of the devil, which he would certainly have done had it been the case. Nor is there any thing in the few acts performed by them, at all inexplicable by the possession of a knowledge of experimental philosophy. Above all, we may refer to the language of St. Paul as a clear proof that he did not regard their wonders as at all connected with infernal agency, and looked upon their ultimate failure and exposure, as nothing more than a display of the folly und weakness of those, who attempted, by means of chiconery, to overthrow the truth of a message from heaven (2 Tim. iii. 8, 9). The apostle is referring to the numerous heresies which are rising up in our own times, and have ever been too abundant in the church. Various as are the descriptions he gives of them, they come to this-that many persons would in the latter days prefer any thing to practical and humble piety. He predicts for them an ultimate overthrow similar to that of the Egyptian sorcerors. "Now as Jannes and Jambres (two of the most celebrated of these magicians) withstood Moses by producing effects similar to the miracles which he had wrought by the power of God, so do those sons resist the truths of the Gospel by the introduction of spurious and unworthy imitations of that love which must be genuine to be worth any thing at all. But their power shall be limited and restrained; and as the folly, the impotence, the crafty deceit of the famous magicians were in ancient times made manifest to all men, so shall this also be." Now here is not a word about Satanic power. Here is a mere and most palpable reference to the failure of a humanly devised scheme. I submit these considerations to the candid mind, in the hope that they will excite further investigation, because I shall not wander from the literal declarations of the Son of God himself, if I venture to maintain, that if the devil possesses the power of working miracles, we have no satisfactory evidence of the truth of Christianity, and are not called upon to believe it. Our Saviour based his claims, not on his doctrines only, but on his miracles, as proving those doctrines, and went so far as to affirm a really startling proposition, considering the spotless purity and glorious character of his religion. "If I had not come and done among them the works that none other man has done, they would not have had sin in rejecting me."

per

A brief and cursory reference to the recorded interpositions of Divine Providence, will abundantly confirm my view of the design for which they come to pass. There was very little indeed that was miraculous in the first ages of the world, since the Deity was then wont to appear in person to the teachers of his religion (which was indeed a miracle), whose protracted existence of many hundred years, answered all the purposes for which the records of Scripture are now indispensable. This observation refers also to the days of the patriarchs up to the time of the establishment of Judaism. The first founders of the Jewish nation, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, were evidently prepared for the important

station they fill in the history of the world, by asto. nishing displays of the watchfulness of God over their concerns; but these were at the time rather personal than universal blessings, and cannot be placed upon the same footing exactly with those public and stupendous miracles that ushered in the Jewish religion. When we look at these latter,-at the marvellous things in the land of Egypt, and the fearful things by the Red Sea, at the special protection which shielded the Israelites in the wilderness, and the circumstances under which their law was proclaimed, we shall be struck with the astonishing adaptation of these miracles to confirm the faith of the individuals who were the witnesses of them, and whose children in after years were to exercise confidence in that God by whom they were wrought. Precisely the same observation applies to every other instance of divine interposition throughout the whole history of the chosen people; nor can a more convincing proof of their efficacy be expected, than that which is recorded in the song of the captive Jews in Babylon, whose reliance on Jehovah was unshaken, because "they had heard with their ears and their fathers had told them what he had done in the times of old." Passing on from Judaism to the Gospel, we find the Saviour maintaining the same truth concerning his miracles, and appealing to them as the evidences of his having come forth from God. And the promises which he gave to his apostles, and the abundant outpouring of the Holy Spirit after his resurrection, were designed for no other purpose than to qualify these disciples to be his witnesses, and his apostles in all the world. Miracles, therefore, are the seal of God to the truth of Revelation.

If further proof of this assertion is required, it will be found in the fact, that the power of working miracles ceased with the necessity for it; and that as the church became more firmly established, the extraordinary influences of the Holy Spirit were withdrawn. Much obscurity hangs over the history of past ages; but I believe the most diligent searchers into these matters, bid us believe that after the death of the apostles and those who had received the Holy Ghost at their hands, there is no satisfactory evidence of any authentic miracles having been wrought. At all events centuries have passed, and neither the prayers of enthusiasts nor their protestations, have been able to produce such a miracle as men of sense and discrimination will believe or admit. The explanation of this is plain; they have no new doctrine to establish, and the Gospel is firmly based upon the miracles of past ages.

While, however, I have no hesitation in affirming that the time of miracles has passed away with the design of them, I am quite willing to believe that providential occurrences in the destinies of nations, are daily declaring to the universe that God is the friend of the Gospel and of virtue; nor would I for one moment be bold enough to say that miracles will never again be wrought in our world. On such a theme silent humility best befits creatures whose ignorance has ever been most manifest, in the pertinacity with which they have maintained, that the consummation of the divine plans centered in their own generation. Let the obstinacy of the Jews be a salutary warning to the believers in Jesus Christ; and let common sense operate to tell us that much yet remains to be done, ere the accomplishment of that dispensation in the fullness of time, when God shall gather together in one, ALL THINGS in Christ, whose kingdom is an everlasting kingdom.

Behold the goodness of God! how he is willing to adopt any plans, and to call forth any powers that

can promote the welfare of his creatures. Certainly for myself I may affirm, that I never desire more durable grounds for my faith and hope in God, than when I am tracing the long course of exertions by which he has prepared for and established the Gospel. Then, indeed, do I enter somewhat into the meaning of the apostle, when he said that all things were made not only by Jesus Christ but for him. Let not, then, this hasty glance at the purposes of the Deity fail of producing a solid effect upon every heart, while it banishes all the excitement of expecting miracles to be performed for us, let it cultivate the growth of that firm reliance on the Deity which is so essential to our happiness. Henceforth, in the hour of trial, temptation, pain, and sickness, let us reflect on the stupendous miracles upon which the evidence of our religion rests, and learn from thence to be unmoved and unshaken in the midst of every storm, since "our faith and our hope do not stand in the wisdom of man but in the POWER of God." B. Z.

CHRISTIAN LADY'S FRIEND.

PIOUS RESIGNATION AND CONFIDENCE OF MISS MARIANNE BEUZEVILLE, UNDER A SURGICAL OPERATION.

MRS. COPLEY, in her memoir of her sister, Miss Marianne Beuzeville, relates the following example of her pious resignation and confidence in God. "In April, 1825, she first mentioned to me, that she had observed a small tumour on her breast. I immediately mentioned it to our nephew in the medical profession, in London. Early in May she appeared exceedingly ill and in considerable pain, though not, as she conceived, in immediate connexion with the tumour. I, however, apprized our nephew of the circumstance, who came down on the 9th of May, and on inspecting it, at once perceived its alarming character, and informed me that the only possibility of her life being prolonged, in any tolerable degree of ease, remained in her submitting to an operation, and that the earlier it could take place the greater the hope of success. In this opinion, Mr. H., who was immediately called in, fully concurred; and on me devolved the painful task of intimating to my dear sister, as gently as I could, the opinion and advice of the surgeons. She received it with wonderful calmness; and replied, "Yes, I quite thought so. Why need Mr. H. say he would call again to-morrow? Why could he not tell me the truth at once? Well-it is all right-all right. The path is safe though rough-I do not shrink from whatever is before me.' After this noble effort of Christian fortitude and resignation, she experienced for a few hours a considerable perturbation of feeling; she was, however, enabled to say, 'When my heart is overwhelmed within me, lead me to the Rock that is higher than I.'

She

"This was May 10th. On the 11th, Mr. H. called again, to know whether I had been able to mention the matter to her, and how she had borne it. gently, and even smilingly, rebuked him for hesitating to acquaint her with the truth. Mr. H. said, 'I rejoice to find that you receive it so calmly; and now the earlier time on which you can fix, the better on all accounts. Do you think you can make up your mind by next week?' 'Oh, yes; certainly-if it is my duty, that is enough-but why cannot it as well be done to-morrow?' Certainly it can if you desire it, but should you not wish a little more time to pre

pare? There is no preparation necessary, I am in the Lord's hands, whether for life or death.'

"In the morning she arose in unusually good spirits, and, to our surprise, went about domestic concerns as usual. I Do,' she said, when I intreated her to spare herself, do let me do every thing as usual till the time comes; it is much better that it should be so; perhaps I may never engage in these things again; but they are quite lawful and right in themselves; and you know good Dr. Doddridge said to the tanner, who was ashamed of being found busy at work, When my Master comes, may he find me so doing.' At one o'clock she sat down with the family to dinner as usual, and herself partook of some slight refreshment. She then retired to seek strength from on high. In this trying season we both received much consolation from the sympathy and kindness of Christian friends, especially the Rev. J. Clark, and Mrs. C., who were visiting in the house. Mr. C. continued with us in earnest supplication to the last moment.

"At two, the surgeons arrived. My sister heard them enter, not without emotion, but in a moment recovered her calmness, and said The cup that my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?' She then took an affectionate farewell of Mr. C., and unhesitatingly proceeded to the room, attended by Mrs. C. and myself. With every direction of the surgeons she minutely complied, but when they proposed to confine her hands, she said, 'No, no, let me hold dear Esther's hand, that will be quite enough; God will support me.' She even declined having a handkerchief thrown over her face, saying, I am not afraid to see what you do;' but on its being recommended, she complied, and said, 'Well, it is of no use for me to see, you know what you are about, God will direct you.' During the operation, she spoke only once, and affectionately asked, 'Is Esther here?' I pressed her hand, and assured her it would soon be over; but one small part which had a suspicious appearance it was judged right to remove; this caused a few moments of additional suffering. I explained it to her, and she firmly replied, By all means do all that is necessary, I can bear it, not of myself. The dressings were applied, and she was placed comfortably in bed within half an hour from her entering the room. She was scarcely at all faint, but a cordial was administered to her; immediately after receiving it, she said, Bless the Lord, O my soul, and all that is within me, bless his holy name. He has been better to me than my fears, better than your fears, for though you said nothing, I know you feared.' "'

FEMALE ACADEMIES IN AMERICA. TO THE EDITOR OF THE CHRISTIAN'S PENNY MAGAZINE. HAVING met with the following in an American newspaper, I should be gratified by your giving it insertion in your widely circulated periodical, assured that it will furnish some profitable hints on female education in Great Britain. PATER.

THE NASHVILLE FEMALE ACADEMY.

The regular half-yearly examination of the pupils of this flourishing institution of science, closed on Thursday last. The examination was particular, and appeared to be as protracted as time would permit. The pupils generally acquitted themselves well -in some cases extremely well.

The interest excited on Thursday, the fourth and last day of the occasion, was of no ordinary character.

The young ladies in the lower division of the fourth class, were examined in the morning on several highly interesting and important branches of polite education. After which, the three young ladies of the senior division of this class, who were candidates for the honours of the institution, each read an essay on the Evidences of Christianity. Miss M'Ewen, of this city, read a lucid and solid argument founded on miracles and prophecy. Miss Rhea, of Columbia, favoured us with a striking contrast between the Mahomedan and Christian religions, especially the manner in which these systems were originally propagated; and thence drew a collateral argument in proof of the divine origin of the religion of Christ. Miss Tindal, of Maury county, closed the series by pleading the internal evidence of the sacred volume. She presented, in a beautiful and impressive manner, the character of the Deity, the condition of man, the morality of the sacred Scriptures, and the irresistible power of gospel truth.

At the close of this argument, the certificate of approbation was awarded to the above named young ladies, respectively, by the faculty and trustees of the institution. After which, the audience were addressed in a handsome and appropriate style, by the Rev. Mr. Green, of this city. The exercises then closed with prayer and thanksgiving by the president. The scene went off delightfully. AN EYE WITNESS.

Answer by one of the conductors of the Baltimore Literary and Religious Magazine :

"If you will read the Bible and then the history of Eusebius, lately translated into English, and now for sale in this city (Baltimore), you will find, dear madam, that for 322 years after the birth of Jesus, not a single distinguishing tenet of the Romish church existed in the world. Transubstantiation, the Mass Sacrifice, the adoration of Mary and the worship of saints, the veneration of images and relics, the seven sacraments, auricular confession, &c. &c. not one existed in our true Christian church, The apostacy of Rome commenced with the exercise of persecution, and was complete when she became drunk with the blood of the saints. In 532, or about that year, the emperor of Rome conferred on the bishop of Rome, power to produce conformity in doctrine by temporal punishment; here the apostacy began. About 1198, this power was more completely organized by the erection of the Inquisition, at the end of 666 years after the apostacy began as scriptures had foretold. In 1545, the council of Trent commenced its session, and at the end of eighteen years broke up in 1563. The cardinal Du Ferrier, who was ambassador of the king of France at that famous council, entered his protests against every thing it had done! When that council rose the Papal apostacy was complete, after a regular and downward career of folly and crime for more than a thousand years! from that time God's command is most express that his people should come out of her, lest

they be partakers of her sins! Oh! that they would all obey the hallowed command and flee from a church, to which in all the Bible there is not one promise, nor even one exhortation to repentance; but only wrath, and denunciation, and woe!"

EXTRAORDINARY WOMEN.

MR. EDITOR.-The following I have copied from the newspapers within the last week; and though they do not inculcate any peculiar doctrine of Christianity, they afford a remarkable illustration of Divine Providence, and perhaps they will be found to illustrate some portions of Holy Scripture. It is worthy of remark, that the venerable American woman was thirty-five years older than Sarah, the wife of the patriarch Abraham. BENEVOLUS.

DEATH OF THE OLDEST WOMAN IN THE World. Yesterday departed this life, at the great age of 162 years, Joice Heth, stated to have been the nurse of George Washington.-New York Paper. LIFE OF THE MOST FRUITFUL WOMAN IN The World.

The lady of John Kent, esq., of Paddington-green, was delivered, on Friday morning, of four fine children, three girls and a boy, who, with the mother, are doing extremely well.

REVIEW.

The History of the Condition of Women, in various Ages and Nations. By Mrs. D. L. CHILD. Author of "Mother's Book," " Frugal Housewife,” &c. Two Vols. 18mo. cloth, pp. 300, 300. London: Simpkin, Marshall, and Co.

HUMAN depravity has been visible in a thousand forms in every age and nation; but chiefly, as many suppose, in the horrid and bloody wars, which have hurried millions of hapless beings into an untimely grave under circumstances of the most agonizing misery. Dreadful as have been these scenes of carnage, and demonstrative as they doubtless have been of an infernal influence upon the human mind-these deeds of cruelty have been committed by parties assuming and sustaining the character of enemies. Many have, on that account, therefore, hesitated to admit the correctness of the conclusion, that those shocking outrages upon humanity afford the strongest proof of the fallen condition of mankind: they have regarded the worse than brutal treatment of women, by the boasted "lords of creation," in savage and in civilized nations, as the strongest and most affecting illustration of the fallen and corrupt condition of our nature. And considering the relation in which woman stands, the nearest and most endearing that can possibly exist among our species, it would, perhaps, be difficult to disprove the justness of this decision. When we contemplate the systematic oppressions under which the more lovely portion of our race have been doomed to groan and suffer under the jealousy-caprice—and tyranny of men, their natural protectors, especially in Pagan and Mohammedan nations, both ancient and modern, we cannot but perceive the correctness of the testimony of Holy Scripture, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked."

Mrs. Child's volumes will be read with the deepest interest by many; as they give an instructive mass of curious information and anecdote relating to "the condition of women in all ages and nations," according to its title. They are adapted to lead their readers to adore that sovereign mercy, which has declared in the Scriptures the original equality of

both sexes, the divine institution of marriage recognizing that equality, and the delightful lessons of the Redeemer and his inspired apostles, who require that "husbands love their wives as their own selves, and treat them as co-heirs with them of eternal life and glory."

Volume I. relates to the condition of women in Asia and Africa; and volume II. to their condition in Europe, America, and the South Sea islands.

SCRIPTURE LIGHT ON IMPORTANT SUBJECTS.

(Continued from p. 132.)

Of Man, that he is the creature of this great God.

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So God created man in his own image; in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them" (Gen. i. 27).

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For by him were all things created that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him" (Col. i. 16).

"And the LORD God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul" (Gen. ii. 7). "But there is a spirit in man; and the inspiration of the Almighty giveth them understanding" (Job xxxii. 8).

"For in him we live, and move, and have our being" (Acts xvii. 28).

Accountable to God.

"So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God" (Rom. xiv. 12).

"Thou shalt love the LORD thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind" (Matt. xxii. 37).

That God has moral relations to his Creature.

"Thus saith the LORD, thy Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel; I am the LORD thy God, which teacheth thee to profit, which leadeth thee by the way that thou shouldest go" (Isaiah xlviii. 17).

"For this God is our God for ever and ever: he will be our guide even unto death" (Psa. xlviii. 14). "For the eyes of the LORD are over the righteous, and his ears are open to their prayers: but the face of the LORD is against them that do evil" (1 Pet. iii. 12).

"And his mercy is on them that fear him, from generation to generation" (Luke i. 50).

"When a man's ways please the LORD, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him" (Prov. xvi. 7).

"The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit" (Psa. xxxiv. 18).

"My son despise not thou the chastening of the LORD, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: for whom the LORD loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth" (Heb. xii. 5, 6).

"Like as a father pitieth his children, so the LORD pitieth them that fear him" (Psa. ciii. 13). "A father of the fatherless, and a judge of the widows, is God in his holy habitation" (Psa. lxviii. 5).

That Man is a fallen Creature.

"The LORD looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy; there is none that doeth good, no, not one” (Psa. xiv. 2, 3).

By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men; for that all have sinned" (Rom. v. 12).

By the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation" (Rom. v. 18).

The way of Reconciliation.

"For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive" (1 Cor. xv. 21, 22).

"God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world: but that the world through him might be saved" (John iii. 16, 17).

"Be it known unto you, therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins; and by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses" (Acts xiii. 38, 39).

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Being justified freely by his grace, through the hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in redemption that is in Christ Jesus. Whom God his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God" (Rom. iii. 24, 25).

"In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins according to the riches of his grace" (Eph. i. 7).

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ; which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again, unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled, and that fadeth not away" (1 Pet. i. 3, 4).

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace" (Isa. ix. 6).

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only-begotten of the Father), full of grace and truth" (John i. Ï, 14).

"God who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds: who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down

on the right hand of the Majesty on high" (Heb. i. 1, 2, 3).

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Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to-day, and for ever" (Heb. xiii. 8).

"For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead bodily" (Col. ii. 9).

"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty" (Rev. i. 8).

"I am he that liveth, and was dead, and behold I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death" (Rev. i. 18).

His Character, Offices, and Authority. "He was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification" (Rom. iv. 25).

"For to this end Christ both died, and rose, and revived that he might be Lord both of the dead and living" (Rom. xiv. 9).

"For we have not a high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin" (Heb. iv. 15).

"The son of God abideth a priest continually" (Heb. vii. 3).

"Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such a high-priest became us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens" (Heb. vii. 25, 26).

"He shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever: and of his kingdom there shall be no end" (Luke i. 33).

"If any man sin we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, and he is the propitiation for our sins and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world" (1 John ii. 1,2).

"Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body" (Eph. v. 23).

"It is he which was ordained of God to be the Judge of quick and dead" (Acts x. 42).

REVIEW.

The Christian World Unmasked. By the Rev. JOHN BERRIDGE, A.M. Vicar of Everton. Abridged, cloth, 18mo. pp. 176. London: Religious Tract Society.

MR. BERRIDGE was one of the very few evangelical clergymen, in the middle of the last century, by whose devoted labours thousands of souls were converted to God, and the seed sown, which has produced so rich a harvest in the church of England. Berridge's writings, though regarded as strictly in accordance with the doctrinal articles of the church of England, have a style peculiar to themselves: they abound with an innocent quaintness and humour, but are adapted to promote the edification of plain Christians.

Cephas, or an Account of a Shipwrecked and Converted Sailor; intended as a warning to Youth, and as an Incentive to the Faith of Pious but Discouraged Parents. By his Father. Second Edition, 18mo. cloth, pp. 102. London: Ward and Co.

"YOUNG men exhort to be sober minded;" an injunction of divine inspiration: but such is the way

wardness of youth in our present fallen state, that with many, all admonitions, entreaties, and restraints, are insufficient to preserve them in the paths of duty and happiness. Many, and not a few even from inland towns, impatient of the wholesome restraints of home, determine on entering the service of the sea, ignorant in most instances of its perils and privations. On each of these subjects, this affecting Memoir affords much instruction; and few publications of the kind are to be found equally adapted to its professed design, on which account it has our cordial recommendation.

THE CHRISTIAN WARFARE. CHRISTIAN Soldier-up! be doing! Mark what foes around thee stand; See, the crown of glory glitt'ring,

Lo! 'tis held in Jesu's hand.

Shall the Christian soldier only,
'Midst the battle sleeping be,
While his enemies are watching,
Constant, unremittingly?

Soldier, rise and take thine armour,

Gird on quick the shield of faith; Take the weapons which thy Saviour, Has provided as he saith.

But one moment pause-awaken,
Lo! thine enemies around,
Lest by courage thou'rt forsaken

On the very battle ground.
Courage gird thy weapons on,
They who conquer win the crown.
Now joyfully unto the field,

Glory! be th' inspiring word; Thy sword never think to yield,

'Till the note of triumph's heard. Though thy foes are great in number, Thou but one must them engage; Yet be strong; and, oh! remember, There is One can calm their rage. See, thy Captain leads the way, Never linger, never stay. When on thy enraptur'd sight,

Heav'n, and all its glories rise; Then, then only, cease to fight,

Join the conquerors in the skies. The battle's fought! the race is run! The victor's prize at last is won!

HUMAN PRIDE.

ISABELLA.