GREAT ENCOURAGEMENT TO SMALL BEGINNINGS. The question will naturally be, of what? I answer, of every thing truly agreeable to the spirit and design of the gospel, undertaken in obedience to a Divine command. For example, an individual beginning to search after and to profess the truth-the head of a family beginning to set up religion in his housea neighbourhood beginning to show respect to the christian Sabbath, and all the ordinances of the gospel-two or three beginning to meet togetner for prayer and spiritual conference. I think all these beginnings, however small, have reason to expect great encouragement from God's promise and providence. But, the case to which I would say a few words, may comprehend all these, viz: a few people beginning a visible christian society npon evangelical principles.

This is frequently to be met with in the history of the church. I presume that many who read the Monitor, could furnish instances from their own knowledge, and perhaps yourself, Mr. Editor, could mention some.* These, I would call infant congregations. These, are the proper objects of the church's tenderest sympathy and fostering care, and have as strong a claim upon it, as the babe has upon her that bore it; and in an ordinary way, they are as much dependent upon it for their subsistence and growth. And who can doubt that tt is the duty of the church to afford it, to the utmost of her power? These church infants, have generally to struggle under a greater proportion of difficulty and discouragement, than a church come to her maturity. But because it does not appear so great upon comparison, very many absurdly esteem it as light and trivial, and pay it little or no attention. Such con* See "Secession church in the Orkney Islands," at the end of this article.

duct, besides being ridiculous and absurd, is most unfelling, and must be set down as one, and none of the least, of the discouragements of small beginnings.

Besides neglect or indifference from her who ought to foster them with the utmost of maternal tenderness, these infant societies are frequently situated among a class of beings who seem to enjoy a feast in holding up their infantine exertions and struggles to derision, just as ifa child ought to be a Hercules. There is a specimen of this barbarous treatment recorded in the 4th chapter of Nehemiah "But it came to pass, when Sanballat heard that we builded the wall, he was wroth and took great indignation, and mocked the Jews, and spake before his brethren, the army of Samaria, and said, "What do these feeble Jews? Will they fortify themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they make an end in one day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of rubbish which are buried? Now Tobiah the Ammonite was with him, and he said, even that which they build, if a fox go up, he will break down their stone wall." These were two mighty men, and they have blessed the earth with a numerous progeny, for there is hardly an instance of an infant society showing the first indications of life, in any age or part of the world, where some of their brave sons are not ready with the sarcastic sneer.

People often take an unfeeling and irrational pleasure, in frightening children by uncouth and unnatural sounds. It is easily accomplished, and it may be, and often is, followed by direful consequences; the effects of which, last through life. Very like to this, there is often an uncouth and frightful cry raised and kept up in the hearing of infant societies. "Oh, I fear they cannot live." "It is not possible they can stand." "I am afraid they must go down." "It is madness and folly for them to think of keeping up," &c.

There are three or four descriptions of people who join in this cry. There are those who, at all times, account "the preaching of the cross, foolishness;" and of course, every endeavour to make provision for it. They care not, whether they stand up or go down; but only, in philosophic pride, take liberty on the occasion, to show their skill in the calculation of chances. There are, the "fearful and the unbelieving," who, for some reason or other wish to appear religious; but cannot be prevailed on to trust any thing to the care and faithfulness of the church's God. There are others, who sincerely desire the contrary; but their faith is weak, and they thoughtlessly take np the popular cry.— There are others who are scarce of plausible excuses for not putting their shoulder to the wheel, and they take this way to make appear that it would be vain and fruitless. And there are oth

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ers, who do it from a feeling of tenderness, pretty much like that of the Amalekite, who came with his clothes rent and earth upon his head, to tell David that Saul was dead; for himself had the sympathy to kill him, because he was sure he could not live! This was very tender and generous, and while it afforded the wished for relief to Saul, it would do no hurt to himself. "Will not this be welcome news to David, surely he will not send me away with an empty pocket, and perhaps I may be preferred to an office."

Ah what a mistake! Perhaps, Sir, you know that it is possible by working upon the imagination, to make a person in sound health sicken and die; and perhaps some who join in this cry are aware of it too. Only let a number in concert tell the man one after another, with an air of serious concern, "that he looks ill,” "that he must surely feel very bad," "that he ought not to be out of bed," &c. and it will at length become really the case. And some have philosophy enough to know that a similar effect may be produced by the above cry upon an infant society.

Another circumstance of a discouraging nature is very naturally produced by this manner of talking about a society: viz. the fastening of all eyes upon it, to see the event take place.— This cannot fail to produce a disagreeable sensation: to know that they are the common talk-that their every movement is strictly watched-their weakness and failings are critically observed and condemned. And there is no allowance to be made for them, no credit is to be given them for any thing commendable, their strenuous efforts to get along, their patience their perseverance; these are not observed. No help must be given them. they have received their extreme unction; neither bread nor wa-ter, nor relief of any kind must be granted by any one. The public wait in certain expectation of seeing the last gasp. If there be among them any one that is weak and faint hearted, or any one that is easily persuaded, or that is terrified at being unpopular, he is sure at this time, to increase the perplexity of his brethren, by his fears snd apprehensions, his hesitations and shiftings.

If there be among them, (and happy are they above the common lot of societies if there be not,) a Judas, this is the very time that suits his purpose. To gain favour with the great, the popular and fashionable side; to secure some secular advantage, or simply to turn aside the current of obloquy from himself, he betrays them into the hands of their enemies. His words are smoother than oil, yet are they drawn swords. With an impudent face he offers the kisses of friendship, and presently turns round and joins in the

laugh of their adversaries. He divulges their private affairs, and allows them to be misrepresented, traduced and ridiculed, with out offering a word in their behalf. This gives a severe blow to their feelings, what time soever it comes to light.

About this time, also, the hoarse forbidding voice of Party Spirit is heard, in low whispering insinuations, dark allusions; uncandid criticisms, misrepresentations, &c.

And last of all comes Satan, bringing up the rear of his host, to swallow them up at once. Now their own propensities are set a stir. First, he tries to touch their pride; next, their vanity; and then, their unbelief; until at last he finds out their sin which doth so easily beset them. At one time, they are allured and persuaded; at another, threatened. Or, perhaps, some speculative question, involving some difficulty, is agitated; his object then, is, to rouse and inflame the passions, to hurry them on to intemperate measures, and still more intemperate language, and if possible, to divide them, and then, his work is accomplished.It is thus, he sifts them like wheat, and often brings them to the very verge of extinction.

Poor infant! Sad is thy situation! Heavy thy discouragements! To drop a tear at thy calamity were no disgrace. But what is to be done? Shall hope be allowed to die, and fell despair take the reins? By no means; despair is none of the blessings laid up in store, in God's covenant, for his church; and is, therefore, never dispensed to her in his providence; it can of course, never be her duty, but her infirmity. It is altogether out of the question. I would answer farther, that while you continue diligent in the use of all appointed means, and the best of these in your reach; trust to none of them for relief. Your duty and interest calls you to embrace every opportunity for promoting the cause, to employ every means, neither slighting nor neglecting any appointment of God. These are so many tithes of respect, confidence and love, which he exacts from his people. And without these, it is nothing less, than arrogant presumption, to expect his blessing; for he says, "Bring all the tithes into my store house, and prove me herewith, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing till there shall not be room to recieve it." But on the other hand, to look to this or that means, or instrument, is to provoke God to shut heaven, and refuse to hear your prayers.

Once more I would answer in the negative, beware of seeking relief from your straits by compromising truth and holiness, even in their jots and tittles. If the Devil finds that you can be indued to let go a tittle of either, he will soon contrive to take all

from you in tittles. In this way, you may promise to yourselves the praise of men, and a rapid increase of your numbers; but what will God say, and how will he look upon it? Be faithful to God's interest, and he will be faithful to yours. Draw nigh to God, saying, abba, Father, and he will draw nigh to you.

I shall now point out a few of the many and Great encouragements you have to do so, and to plead before him, with boldness and confidence.

Bildad says to Job, Ch. viii. 6. “If thou wert pure and upright, surely now, he would wake for thee, and make the habitation of thy righteousness prosperous. Though thy beginning was small, yet should thy latter end greatly increase." Though his opinion of Job's character, and the dispensations of 'providence, towards him, was entirely wrong, yet in this, he spake truth.This contains one of the maxims of God's providence to his church. When or where, was there an instance of a society of God's people, however small, continuing pure and upright in the profession of their faith, and yet not prospering? If their habitation, be indeed the habitation of righteousness, while God continues to love righteousness and hate iniquity, it must be prosperous. It is admitted, that we have many instances, both in sacred and profane history, of societies of God's professing people dwindling and becoming low; but their unfaithfulness, in some particular or other, is always the cause assigned. They have, in some part, forgotten the Lord that redeemed them; or in something, belied their profession and broken their solemn vows. This was always the procuring cause of the low estate to which Israel was often reduced. The seven churches in Asia, mentioned in Revelation, were once famous, now they are low indeed; scarcely a vestige of one of them exists; but the reason was, "thou hast left thy first love;" "because thou hast them, which hold the doctrine of Balaam, who taught Balac to cast a stumbling block before the children of Israel," &c. "so hast thou, also, them who hold the doctrine of the Nicolaitanes, which thing I hate;” “be~ ́~ cause thou sufferest that woman Jezebel," &c. "thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead,” &c. “thou art neither cold nor hot"-" because thou sayest I am rich and increased in goods and stand in need of nothing." While the churches of the Reformation continued in their purity and uprightness, they continued to prosper; but as they departed from it, they declined, and now they are low indeed. And I doubt not, but your readers could from their own acquaintance with the history of churches and congręgations, adduce instances in point. Let the small beginning, first, make sure of purity and uprightness, and contend and strive for

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