Me MEETING-House openeD, &c. Dec. 25, 1817-A very neat and commodious Baptist Meeting House was opened for divine worship at Cambridge Port; and on the same day the christian friends who had previously covenanted to walk together as a church, were publickly recognized as a Church of Christ. Mr. Sharp made the introductory prayer. Mr. Winchell, read select portions of scrip. ture. Mr. Nelson, of Malden, addressed the Throne of Grace before the sermon. Dr. Baldwin delivered a discourse on the nature of a Gospel Church, from 1 Cor. iii. 9. “Ye are God's building." Mr. Grafton, of New. ton, addressed the church, and gave the Right Hand of Fellowship. Mr. E. Lincoln offered supplications at the close of the services. Mr. Phippen gave the Benediction. In the evening, Mr. Sharp preached from Psalm cxviii. 25. Save now, I beseech thee, O Lord; O Lord, I beseech thee, send now prosperity. Though the weather was unpleasant, yet the assembly was large; and manifested much satisfaction in the appro priate and affecting services of the day. The circumstances which have led to the erection of a place of worship, and the constitution of a church at Cambridge-Port, are sufficient to produce a conviction of the great importance of village preaching. A few pious individuals, who resided in the town, invited some of the neighbouring ministers to preach at their houses. The invitation was accepted. There was such a disposition to hear, that these visits were repeated. Several persons became deeply impressed with the worth of their souls and the necessity of religion; and finally found peace in believing. A Sabbath evening lec. ture was established, which has continued for nearly two years; and so many had become the hopeful subjects of renewing grace, that they conceived it to be their duty to be embodied as a church. It is hoped these facts will encourage the ministers of Christ to be "steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as they know that their labour is not in vain in the Lord." Composed in the Rev. Dr. Staughton's pulpit, and immediately after sung at a prayer meeting, in which two young ministers were commended to God, whe were about to join two already in Burmah. Philadelphia, Nov. 1817. A DREAM. By one of the Missionaries lately gone to Burmah. When sleep on mortals binds her rosy chain, "From the deep shades which cover Burmah's sky, See'st thou yon ray* that strikes across the gloom? Heaven has decreed that Gaudma soon shall fall, Go then, ye Heralds of salvation, go Your gain is sure. For in that awful day Thus spake th' angelic Messenger, and fled I wak'd from sleep, believ'd the heav'nly word, Upon his throne forever shall he sit, And heathens kneel, and worship at his feet; While ev'ry tongue through the whole earth shall sing A. B. on the descriptions of the divine Majesty in Ezek. i. and Rev. iv.-and OBSERVATOR are received, and shall obtain a place. Reflections occasioned by the perusal of Mr. Judson's Sermon, and Remarks on the "Half Christian," will appear. Thoughts on Religious Impressions have been received. PHILOLOGUS:S. W. B:-to-and BEREANUS, are under consid eration. We regret the necessity of deferring the Report of the Trustees of the Mass. Bap. Education Society till the next number. Accounts of several Mission societies will be inserted as soon as possible. Several pieces of poetry are on file which possess some merit, but not sufficient to warrant insertion.—" Eliza," and the "Lost Son found," will obtain a place. THE religion of some consists them, have a different meaning, merely in a profession, or a few or that such exercises were conexternal forms of worship. With fined to a certain class of people them, every thing beyond this, is at some former period of the enthusiasm, to which none pre- world. tend, but those who have either The scriptures speak of saints strong passions, or a weak intel- having communion with God.* lect. This formal religion, how- This phrase conveys the idea of ever, must be considered modern some devout exercises of the mind, christianity; or at least, not the which cannot easily be described. religion of the apostles and prim- The term "communion" someitive christians, and holy men of times signifies familiar conversaformer days. Though I should tion. In this sense it is frequent be condemned as an enthusiast, ly used in the scriptures. And or reproached for weakness of Samuel communed with Saul upon intellect, I am willing to advocate the top of the house." 1 Sam. the opinion, that religion has its ix. 25. "While they" (the two principal seat in the heart; that disciples going to Emmaus) "comit consists in devout exercises of muned together, Jesus drew near the mind; and that without these, and went with them." Luke xxvi. a profession and all the forms of 15. "Felix sent for Paul the ofreligion, are a shadow without the tener, and communed with him." substance. Those who know no- Acts xxiv. 26. In these places thing of devout exercises by ex- and in several others, it signifies perience, find nothing of them in conversation; because what was the Bible; because, believing such spoken was before private, or in exercises visionary, they suppose the possession of one only; but that those passages which contain after it was communicated, it be i. 3. • "Our fellowship is with the Father and with his Son Jesus Christ.” 1 John "The communion of the Holy Ghost be with you all." 2 Cor. xiii. 14. The word here rendered fellowship, is generally rendered, communion. |