FROM

THE

E V A N G E L I S T .

To him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God even to his Father; to him be glory and dominion forever and ever--AMEN. Revelations, chap. 1.
NO. 9.	CINCINNATI, SEPTEMBER 3, 1832.	VOL. I.

      But few men distinguished for their talents and erudition, who have had sufficient originality to strike out a new path, have received that applause which was their due. If they make an important discovery, others contest it with them, or the value of their labours is not appreciated for years afterwards. Lord Bacon was remonstrated against in his day by Sir Thomas Bodley, for his new mode of Philosophising. No contemporary appears to be able to put a due estimate on the excellence of original thinking. The distinguished philosopher just named, to whom the world is so greatly indebted for his principles of inductive Philosophy, was not even understood in his day. Sir Edward Coke, wrote some miserable and bitter verses against a copy of the Instauration presented him by Bacon; and James I, declared respecting it that like God's power 'It passeth all understanding.' The labours of Luther in translating the Scriptures, and in developing the principles of the Reformation; but few put a just value on; he was abused and reproached, and his efforts to disfranchise the mind from the dominion of error, subjected him to the severest reprobation. John Wesley met the same fate; he and his followers were branded with the name of Methodist by reproach, a name now assumed as the distinguishing badge of a numerous and respectable sect of christians. And may we not add, that the names of those justly distinguished men, who in this day have been so successful in removing the false opinions so prevalent in the world respecting Christianity, and of presenting to view the native beauty and excellence of the New Institution, have, on account of their labours, and devotion to the truth, been subjected to the most disgraceful epithets; their views have been ignorantly or wantonly misrepresented, and the most undue measures have been adopted to arrest their successful promulgation, but in vain, for even now, at this present time, they are commending themselves by the doctrine they exhibit to every man's conscience in the sight of God. That part of the community called, the world, hear them gladly. The very persons to whom the word of this salvation is sent, and who are to enjoy the immediate benefits of it are giving their attention to it, and many of them already have verified the truth of Paul's assertion 'That the gospel is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believes' it. The whole of our country is ripe for the harvest, and we have nothing to do but to thrust in our sickles and an abundant crop will be gathered.

      The same glad tidings announced throughout Judea and [202] Samaria, and made known to the uttermost parts of the earth by the apostles of Jesus Christ, are now proclaimed among us, and the same effects produced then, are now witnessed--were the people then smitten by the word? so are they now. Did the apostles preach a salvation that was nigh them? so do we now. Did those that hear it desire an immediate possession of it? so do the people now. Was the question by the believing penitent--'What shall we do?' promptly answered--'Reform and be immersed every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ, for the remission of your sins?' so is it now. And did the people readily receive the answer? so do they now. And did the apostle regard the people as saved who thus believed and obeyed? so do we now. Were the people happy, daily rejoicing in the salvation they received? so are they at this time. Let us therefore be encouraged, and redouble our efforts, we are engaged in a work that cannot come to nought; our labour shall not be in vain in the Lord; The seed now sown, like that cast upon the waters of the Nile, when it overrun its banks, will be seen after many days, thriving luxuriantly, and producing abundantly.

DISCIPULUS.

[The Evangelist 1 (September 1832): 202-203.]

      The Christian Institution is the most benign and gracious of all the great things that has ever been seen or known on earth. It is the house of the living God--the temple of the Holy Spirit--the Body of Christ--the bride--the lamb's wife--the new Jerusalem, with all its kings, and priests, and altars, and sacrifices, and towers, and palaces, and riches, and glory, let down from Heaven, by its most august and glorious founder, to enlighten the earth--to gladden the nations, and to resound the high praises of God, our Heavenly Father, and of Jesus Christ, our Lord, to the day of eternity.

      Abraham, the father of believers, and friend of God, and all the illustrious men of ancient times, whose names are held in veneration among us, lived under an economy, in which perfection could not be given to the consciences and the character of men; great and good as they were, they would not be permitted to enter under the reign of Jesus, and enjoy the blessings we now possess, without other qualification than these they had, and however eminent they were, in their day, for their faith, and behaviour, it would not be once named under the dispensation of favor and truth. They are thrown altogether in the shade, under the [204] radiance and glory of those beams, that issue from the sun of righteousness, and that fall upon and beautify and adorn the character and life of the christian. What is their faith and courage, knowledge and temperance, patience and goodness, love and benevolence, to that which the christian institution calls for? 'when much is given, much is required.' But who now has the faith and self-devotion of Abraham? Who, the generosity, piety and beneficence of Melchisedek; the meekness, the honesty, the purity of Joseph; or even the tithe part of the munificence of the tribes of Israel? Ah! my brethren, we fall infinitely short of attaining the spirit of the glorious age, under which we live,--we are a poor, pitiful, meagre race, in comparison to what we should be, instead of arriving at perfect manhood, we are but children in knowledge, faith and obedience, while in works of the flesh, we are too much like men.

      Look at the christian world, or rather let us look at of ourselves--What are we as a body of disciples doing? A few choice spirits among us, are calling upon the people to reform, and be converted; with considerable success,--they are preaching and teaching by day and night, spending their time, employing their energies of body and mind, and leaving their families to do good to the world, and to build up and set in order the church of God: and who among us love them but in word?--who live them in deed, and in truth? Who contribute out of their abundance to them, who lay by in store as God has prospered them for the support of these men? who attends to the injunction? 'Let him that is taught in the word, communicate in all good things to him that teaches.'

      Brethren, the fountain of christian benevolence is dried up among us; the love for good men, manifested by care, for their health and comfort, is scarcely known. The great christian virtue of contributing to the necessities of those who are bearing reproach and shame, on account of Christ, and who are devoting their lives to the work of converting the world to primitive christianity, is lost sight of. These rare and choice spirits, who, if so disposed, might become distinguished and wealthy in any professional pursuit, are now toiling and drudging to restore the Church to her original excellency, that she may become the joy of the whole earth; standing upon the walls of the ancient city, with a sword in one hand, and a stone in the other, as in the days of Nehemiah, with scarcely a soul in the enclosure, so kind, as to wipe the sweat from their brow, to brush the dirt from their threadbare garments, or so generous as to give them a cup of cold water, or a loaf of bread, much less, a house, to shelter them from 'the pitiless storm.' [205]

      These things ought, not so to be. Brethren, 'God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall He reap.' I lay it down as a truth that is impregnable, that a congregation of disciples, having a Bishop or Bishops, presiding over them, who labor in word and teaching, and who in consequence thereof, are not able to support themselves and families, must look to and expect all necessary and practicable aid from that church, and she failing to do so, has forfeited all claims to common honesty, or to christian kindness.

DISCIPULUS.

[The Evangelist 1 (September 1832): 204-206.]

      This is the true principle which distinguishes the christian from the man of the world, which directs, controls, and governs him through life; he walks by faith, not only is he possessed of faith in the testimony of the most high, but obedience to his righteous commands, 'he walks by faith,' so that faith is one thing, and walking by faith another. Just as light is one thing, and walking by light, another. The traveller who has a long and tedious journey before him, would act very foolishly, who, because he had fine optical nerves, or most perfect and acute powers of vision, thought that there would be no necessity for him to walk, in order to reach the end of his journey. The mere power of seeing, will not compensate for the want of doing. The sight of the traveller is indispensably requisite to enable him to prosecute his journey with ease, with pleasure, and success; it will assist him in selecting the most practicable route, to avoid all the by-paths, and cross roads, and to discern the finger posts, as well as to survey the interesting regions of country, over which he passes--here the broad plain extends itself as far as the eye can reach; rich and luxuriant beyond description--there the lofty mountain lifts its summit to the region of perpetual snow--here the majestic river bears upon its yielding waves the commerce of a thousand sails, and there the gushing cataract pours its rising waters, through the greensward administering health and joy to all who lave in, or drink of its waters. Far beyond from some lofty Pisgah, he discovers the land that is afar off--the delectable scenery enchants and inspires him. The city of habitations, with all its palaces, and spires, its walls and towers rises to his sight, and the prospect of meeting friends, and kindred, and the beloved of his heart, causes him involuntarily to hasten onwards. Faith is therefore to the mind, what sight is to the body; we walk by the one as also by the other; deprived of either, we stumble and fall; astonished and bewildered, we are unable to advance, 'and as light is sweet, and it is a pleasant thing to behold the sun,' so faith is sweet in the word of the Lord, and a most desirable and blessed thing it is to behold the Sun of righteousness.

      In walking, three things are implied. 1st, A determination to go. 2nd, A place to go to. 3rd, A road to travel over. So he that walks by faith, must be determined in his course; he must be inclined from the high considerations of honour; glory, immortality and eternal life, to enter upon one of the most interesting and eventful journeys, that can occupy the attention of man: and it is [211] God, by his benevolence, in the gift of his Son--in the forgiveness of sins for the past, by his favour, and the Holy Spirit, given to us for the future, who thus works in us, to will and to do.

      The place of our destination is heaven--The city which has foundation, whose builder and framer is God--The abode of all the good, the wise, the happy, from Abel to the last of the children of God.

      'Beloved, now are we the children of God, but it doth not yet appear what we shall be, but this we know, that when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. Every one that this hope in Him purifies himself, even as he is, pure.'

      The road over which we pass is in an enemy's land.

      It is a high and straight and narrow road, trodden once by Jesus, the author and finisher of the faith--His footsteps are deeply impressed thereon, in blood, and his voice is gently heard along it. 'This is the way, walk ye in it;' or again, 'I am the way;' his example, and his doctrine constitutes the path in which we are to walk, or the lines by which we are to run, that we may obtain the prize of our high calling, from above.

      Too many walk by sight or by feeling, and not by faith. Unless they feel like praying or singing, reading or hearing, assembling together, and obeying Jesus, they will do neither; feeling is with them both a prophet and lawgiver; the instructions of one they listen to most devoutly, and the laws of the other, they most scrupulously obey; but most unfortunately, this prophet and lawgiver is opposed to the only prophet, whom we are now to hear, and the only lawgiver, who can save and can destroy. He who walks by feeling, cannot walk by faith; 'and without faith, it is impossible to please God.' If Abraham had walked by feeling, would he have gathered up his all, and have left his home, and kindred, to go, he knew not whither, at the voice of God? If he had walked by feeling, would he have left his aged companion, and have taken Isaac, her only son, the strength of their age--the heir of most illustrious promises, and have taken a journey of three days to mount Moriah, to have offered him up in sacrifice to [212] God? Had he acted under the impulse of feeling, either of sympathy for his aged Sarah, or of affection and tenderness for his beloved Isaac, or even if he had paused to reason upon the consequences of his death, that the promise of God must fail; that he could not be the progenitor in whom and in whose seed the nations of the earth should be blessed--he never would have obeyed the voice of the Lord, nor have become heir of the righteousness which is by faith. But he was strong in faith, giving glory to God, knowing what God had promised, he was able also to perform.

      He who walks by faith is more concerned about the present, and less about the future, as regards the affairs of this life, anxiously desirous to do the will of God to day; to do what he commands now, and to leave all consequences in his hands--To morrow and all futurity belong to him--to day alone, is ours; he who looks forward, even till tomorrow, and is filled with anxiety and care, about what it will bring forth, in the ordinary operations of providence, is walking by sight, not by faith. 'Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.' Nothing is so unbecoming the christian as distrust in the care and goodness of God, our heavenly Father. To look forward and attempt to pry into our future history, is most unwise.

DISCIPULUS.

[The Evangelist 1 (September 1832): 211-213.]

      Robert Richardson's essay "For the Evangelist" was first published in The Evangelist, Vol. 1, No. 9, September 1832. The electronic version of this three-part essay has been produced from the College Press reprint (1980) of The Evangelist, ed. Walter Scott (Cincinnati, OH: Walter Scott, 1832), pp. 202-203, 204-206, 211-213. The text has been scanned by Colvil Smith and formatted by Ernie Stefanik.

      Pagination in the electronic version has been represented by placing the page number in brackets following the last complete word on the printed page. Inconsistencies in spelling, capitalization, punctuation, and typography have been retained; however, corrections have been offered for misspellings and other accidental corruptions. Pages 202 and 203 are misnumbered in the printed text as 184 and 185, respectively. Emendations are as follows:

 Page       Printed Text [ Electronic Text
 -----------------------------------------------------------------------
 p. 202:    the prin ciples [ the principles
            Chris ianity, [ Christianity,
 p. 204:    alters, [ altars,
            pallaces, [ palaces,
            radi ance [ radiance
 p. 205:    with a- sword [ with a sword
 p. 211:    indispensibly [ indispensably
 p. 212:    Holy spirit, [ Holy Spirit,
            'Beloved,' [ 'Beloved,
            enemies land. [ enemy's land.
 

      Addenda and corrigenda are earnestly solicited.

Created 4 September 2000.