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    Centum lummibus cinctum caput Argus habebat Constiterat quocunqne rnodo , spectabat , ad lo : Ante oculos lo , quamvis aversus , habelmt . The periodicals of the present month which are in the interest of the Orthodox Dissenters , are distinguished by setting before their readers the efforts which are making to produce in this country what they term a revival .

    A pastoral letter on this subject has been issued by the Rev . J . A . James , of Birmingham ; a sermon , on the means of religious revivals is announced from the pen of the Rev . J . Hinton ; and articles , either recommending the requisite efforts , or recording the success which has already attended on exertions , appear in several magazines . A paper in the Evangelical Magazine , offering practical suggestions to aid a revival of religion in Great Britain ,

    contains , together with some objectionable matter , a number of most valuable hints . The following are among some " symptoms" which are given of a low state of religion : ( 1 . ) "A want of taste for spiritual enjoyments , which is indicated by indifference to the seasons of instruction , religious conversation , and social prayer . The ordinances of Christ are undervalued . Trivial hindrances to attendance are magnified into serious obstacles . Worldlymindedness and love of ease are prevalent . Religious connexions are

    neglected . God and duty are frequently forgotten . Books of amusement are ( unduly ) preferred to books of instruction and Christian improvement . " ( 2 . ) " Negligence in private duties . Religious declension begins in private , and when the important and necessary duties of meditation , selfexamination , and private prayer , are superficially , hastily , or formally performed ; when satisfaction is felt in recollecting that the duty is done , rather than from having enjoyed delightful communion with God in

    prayer ; when the means are rested in , and the end to be answered by them is not secured ;—it is high time to take the alarm . " ( 3 . ) " A neglect of domestic duties . When the souls of children and the formation of their minds , tastes , and characters for eternity and heaven , are not matters of greater solicitude , labour , and prayer , than their form , fortune , health , and success in the world , there is an evident preference of the world to heaven . " To these most excellent remarks we add the writer ' s description of " the state of a Christian church as it should be . " " A Christian

    church is a society of holy persons . Every individual should be well acquainted with the truth , established in the belief of it , and laborious in its diffusion . Every Christian should be a personification and living exhibition of Christianity . The church should thus be * holding forth the word of life to the world , ' and all its members * living epistles that may be seen and read of all men . ' And were it so , the doctrines of Jesus would extort

    admiration even from the enemies of truth , and force men to admit the reality and excellency of spiritual religion . A spirit of deep seriousness , joined with sweet tranquillity and cheerfulness , should characterize every believer . He should be well acquainted with the laws , ordinances , spirit , character , and design , of the kingdom of Christ . His own character should answer to the figures of Scripture —a shining light , a fruitful tree , a fermenting leaven ,

    a preserving salt . He must be one who not only talks against sin , but forsakes it ; who not onl y discourses of religion , but practises it . His delight should be in the exercises of prayer and praise ; he should love the word , the house , the day , and the people of God . " Among many salutary admonitions we find the following : " Let parents and heads of families awaken to the consideration of their most awful charge ! Let them be faithful and diligent in the full use of their unparalleled influence , immense power , and

    Untitled Article

    184 The Watchman

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), March 2, 1829, page 184, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2570/page/32/