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399

401

402

408

that I was afflicted, 158-Duty of

Masters to their Servants, &c., 159-

The Words of the Wise; Joseph Brad-

ford; a noble Answer; Laying up for

themselves in store; a Cottager, 207-

Ancient Christianity, 219-An aged

Hermit; an Indian Boy; Dr Gifford,

237-A Lady, 238-Sanctification; J.

Wesley; John Brown; S. Wesley, 241

-A travelling Minister; Public Re-

proof, 254-Religion sixteen hundred

years ago, 255-The Primitive Chris-

tians, 267-An American Minister;

a Servant; the Wesleyans in America;

average Mortality of Drunkards, 268—

The Christian's Triumph; John Howe;

on Pleasing Men for their Good, 287-

The Nephews of Judas, the Lord's

Brother; Rev. W. Grimshaw; The Best

Service we can render to Society, 288-

A remarkable Instance of Divine In-

terposition; an aged Christian, 294—

Vessels of Gold and Silver, 302-An

Excellent Example; a Good Name, 305

-The Richest Man on Earth, 310-An

Argument against Luxury, 315-A

Highland Fisherman; Economy and

Liberality, 316-A Terrified Persecutor,

317--Equality, 326--Uncharitable Judg-

ing; an American Infidel; Laying up

Treasures in Heaven, 330-The Best

Bank; a great Mistake, 332-Christi-

anity, 336-The Strength of a Reformer,

361-Questions and Answers about

Prayer; The Slave, or the Power of

Truth and Love, 363-Politics, 367-A

just Retort, 371-Where there is a Will,

there is a Way, 379-Authenticity of

the Bible, 393-The Power of Charity,

394-With what Measure ye Mete, it

shall be measured to you again, 398-

Necessity of Zeal in Ministers, 400-

Religious Chit-chat; or, Idle-talk, 402

-Awful Effects of Disobedience, 414.

POETRY-Lines, by Addison, 103-Christ
the one thing needful; Confession; on
Prayer, 123-A Child's Hymn of Praise;
Be kind to Brutes; Hymn for a Child,
124-Hymn of Praise, 274--The Chris-
tian's Great Consolation, 398-Chris-
tian Unity, 402

THE

CHRISTIAN INVESTIGATOR,

AND THE

EVANGELICAL REFORMER ;

For the Promotion of sound Religious Knowledge, and the Inculcation of Temperance and Peace, and of the whole Religion of Christ.

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A CALL TO INVESTIGATION.

WE desire to present to those who shall read this, our first number of the Christian Investigator, such a statement of our intentions and objects, as shall enlist on its behalf their holiest sympathies, their active and generous support, and their most fervent prayers.

As the title indicates, one object a leading object of our periodical, is INVESTIGATION: investigation, in a Christian disposition, and on Christian principles, of matters pertaining to Christianity. More particularly -this object is, to excite in the visible Church of Christ, such an amount of sanctified inquiry, as shall result in a speedy, extensive, and persevering effort for the restoration of primitive purity, union, and power.

We are tremblingly sensible that no human might or wisdom is "sufficient for these things." But our sufficiency is of God, and we frankly avow, that we therefore entertain a steadfast expectation that success will crown our efforts.

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Once, the visible church was pure, united, and efficient. It was pure, -the members of it "were all filled with the Holy Ghost," and "great grace was upon them all." It was united,-its members were of one heart and of one soul," and "all that believed were together, and had all things common.' And it was efficient," The word of God increased; and the number of the disciples multiplied in Jerusalem great. ly."-" And believers were the more

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VOL. 1.

added unto the Lord, multitudes both of men and women.' A heavenly community! Justly was the advent of its founder honoured by the angels' anthem,-" Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, and goodwill towards men." Justly were the tidings of his birth called "glad tidings of great joy ;" and full of consolation were the concluding words "which shall be to all people.'

But another truth was, shortly afterwards, revealed. The progress to all people, of these glad tidings of great joy, should be hindered for a season. A "falling away" should take place, "The mystery of iniquity" should be prevalent, "The man of sin" should be revealed, "sitting in the temple, in the church of God;" and, "because iniquity should abound, the love of many should wax cold." Still, however, the former truth remained unshaken; and still each messenger of Jesus might exclaim, "Behold! I bring you glad tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people." But more than eighteen ages of the Christian dispensation have elapsed, and the world is still unsaved. Its inhabitants, a very little flock excepted, are still thronging the broad way,-"far distant from the living God, as far as hell from heaven.' And this is not the worst! pointed instrument of the world's salvation-the visible church, as now existing, is manifestly inefficient for the task. In accordance with the sure word of prophecy, a "falling

The ap

away" did take place, the "mystery of iniquity did work, the "man of sin" was revealed "in the Temple of God." Iniquity did abound, and the love of many did wax cold. And the church has never yet regained its primitive character. The last four centuries, indeed, have witnessed some improvement, and this is cause for gratitude and hope. But however much of doctrinal truth has been recovered, and greatly improved as the moral aspect of the church has been, during these centuries, it has by no means regained the love, and union, and power, it once possessed.

The reformation which commenced about four centuries ago, and which has been carried on under various names and by various communities, may perhaps be spoken of as but commenced. The Christian city, destined indeed to be "exalted above all

hills," is, as to its general aspect, still in ruins. The Christian temple is by no means purged. The Christian army is by no means ready for its contest with the powers of earth and hell. It is broken into parties and factions. There is civil war, instead of opposition to the common foe. A large proportion of the soldiers know nothing of their duty, and are unconcerned to know it. And those who seem desirous to know it are not agreed respecting it. And though various companies have been gathered under various leaders, which for awhile have exhibited some discipline, and gained some recruits, yet even these hitherto have generally sunk, ere long, into indifference and inactivity. Nay, what is worse, these also, have frequently been torn asunder by internal strife; whilst the disorganized hosts around them have exulted in their ruin. Thus have centuries been well nigh lost!

The most appalling consequences are following these varied evils. A reaction has commenced,-a reaction in favour of errors long since abandoned. Many minds are doubting truths which hitherto they have steadfastly believed; and some have actually abandoned truth altogether. Others, after witnessing the distracted condition of the church, year after year, and vainly hoping for brighter prospects, begin to think that Christianity is not destined to

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triumph by human instrumentality. These are a swiftly-increasing party. Thousands, who but recently believed that ere long our holy religion would manifest its original character and power, and that this heavenly leaven would "leaven the whole lump,' are giving up this confidence, and receiving Millennarian notions. They now begin to think that a second personal advent of the Messiah is indispensable to the world's conversion. Meantime the hosts of earth and hell are looking on in triumph. The opponents of the truth are waxing bold. The "man of sin" is taking courage, and a revival of effort is excited, and activity, worthy of holier enterprise, may be witnessed in all parts of his dominions. Even the fools lift up their voices, and, in contemplation of the scene, exclaim, "There is no God." Nay more, they actually unite themselves together, and in the madness of their folly aspire to teach the Christians how to love, and how to live!

Such is the church, and such the world, notwithstanding those gleams of heavenly light which may here and there be witnessed, and which, even amidst the general and gathering gloom, we trust, are brightening.

Here, Christian reader, commences our inquiry. We ask, "is there not a cause," and is there not a remedy for all this? "Is there no balm in Gilead, is there no physician there? Why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?" Such is one part of the investigation to which we desire to call the attention of those who bear the name of Christ. We purpose to devote a portion of the Christian Investigator to the examination of this momentous question, in all its bearings-primary and more remote. On addressing ourselves to our task, we implore the illumination and assistance of the Holy Spirit, that we may write only the words of truth and soberness: and we shall write, if the Lord will, from time to time, with all sincerity and plainness of speech.

Our subject will suggest the following, among a variety of other topics, for consideration. We shall notice them in that order which at the time may appear most lucid and natural.

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