regard for the divine honour-and a concentration of the powers and resources to the great Head of the church. Now all this is deeply affecting, because, till these principles be implanted-these habits be formed and cultivated and these dispositions be beauteously and uniformly expressed-youth will be destitute of its greatest ornament, and its most powerful and fascinating charm; the end of human existence will not be secured; the peculiar dignity of man, namely assimilation to the likeness of Jesus will not be unfolded; nor will those important and invaluable blessings, which flow to us exclusively through the mediation and atonement of the Son of God ever be enjoyed. The great excellence that a good man feels solicitous for young people to possess is, a temper or frame of mind, in unison with the principles and requisitions of the Gospel. They must not be governed by the policy of the world-by the idle forms and ceremonies of the world-by the reigning follies of fashionable life-by the superficial and pernicious maxims and principles of those who deem this world their rest, and who are perfectly satisfied with the pleasures it imparts, with the honours it confers, and with the spirit it breathes; but there must be a devout and a commanding regard discovered, to conform to the standard of revelation, and to observe its wise, its pure, and its unqualified directions. As a minister of Christ, when I meet with young persons, I do not feel desirous of knowing, in the first place, whether they possess a variety of exterior or minor attractions. I like to meet with a youth of intelligence, who is extensively acquainted with literature and science, and who has perused with attention and delight, the productions of our best authors. I like to converse with a young person of genuine talent, whose taste has been diligently cultivated, whose judgment is vigorous; whose understanding is comprehensive, and whose tone of thinking is manly and powerful. I like to meet with an amiable youth, who discovers the utmost urbanity of manners, kindliness of feeling, and loveliness of disposition towards all with whom he associates. I am happy in meeting with an accomplished and interesting female, who is conversant with the polite arts, and who blends simplicity and modesty with all her accomplishments; but if the spirit of the Saviour be wanting, we may most appropriately and emphatically apply the language of the wise man, "vanity of vanities, all is vanity." That is wanted, without which young people, however intelligent, gifted, amiable, and accomplished, are poor and miserable, blind and naked-in a state of complete spiritual destitution-of mournful wretchedness-of deep and fatal ignorance-and without any provision for life, death, or eternity. An irreligious youth is a pitiable object, because he is devoid of that, which he indispensably and uniformly requires. He is traversing a wilderness, consequently he wants one who is qualified to conduct him, to preserve him from peril; to cheer and invigorate his spirits; and to stimulate him onwards amidst all the difficulties and calamities of the and numerous recesses, and to escape the imminent and fearful dangers by which he is encompassed, unless one be with him, who is perfectly acquainted with the intricacies of the way, and who can follow all its windings, and avert all its evils. A young person while he continues below, is in the enemy's country, where there are numerous snares laid; the most subtle temptations presented; and the most alluring and fascinating inducements held out; consequently he requires "the wisdom which cometh down from above;" which is divine in its nature, unerring in its directions, and most efficacious in its influence. He wants armour, and the Christian panoply is the only defence that will render him invulnerable. He wants "the sword of the Spirit," and the shield of faith, or else he will be easily vanquished by his deadly foes. If these remarks be accurate, the writer of this unpretending essay is perfectly warranted in affirming, that an irreligious youth is, morally and spiritually, in a state of utter and dreadful destitution. He wants the best principles to govern him; the best feelings to purify him; the best motives to incite him; the best guide to direct him; the best friend to cheer and invigorate him; the best armour to constitute a sure and constant defence; the best enjoyments to compose and animate him; amidst all the afflictions and calamities of time; and the best hopes to brighten the passage that conducts to the tomb, and to unfold to his astonished and enraptured view, the unclouded splendours of immortality. My beloved young friends, be assured by one, who writes at least in his own humble estimation sincerely and experimentally on this subject, that it is the approving and benignant smile of Jesus, which constitutes the felicity of earth, and the unmingled bliss of the celestial Paradise; and if you feel any solicitude that moral beauty should be imparted to your character; that a halo of pure and resplendent glory should encircle your brow; that true, indeed divine, dignity, should be associated with your plans, habits and proceedings; that substantial and exquisite enjoyment should be realized, amidst all the fluctations of time, and all the calamities that are incident to mortality; that perfect security should be possessed in the season of difficulty, in the period of temptation, in the chamber of suffering, and in the article of nature's dissolution, you must bear an evident and a striking resemblance to that matchless Saviour, who is emphatically "the chief among ten thousand, and the altogether lovely." I uniformly commiserate the mournful condition of a man devoid of the spirit of the Gospel, because I know, that if he is not wretched now, the period will speedily arrive, when wretchedness will be his portion for ever; but when I see a profane or an impious youth, my feelings of commiseration are, if possible, still more powerfully excited. T. G. P. FUND From the Christian Observer. OUR readers have been long apprized of the intention of the British Government to restore 4. The sum of 207. a-year has been employed partly for the encouragement of the boys at the grainmar school at La Tour; and partly for the assistance of young persons intended for the ministry, who are now pursuing their studies at Lausanne and Geneva. The master or [rector of the grammar-school is appointed and paid by certain authorities in Holland; and there is reason to think that a project exists for rendering this school more efficient, by means of the surplus arising from the interest upon the subscriptions raised in Holland. For maintaining and educating young persons intended for the ministry, five exhibitions have long been established-four at Lausanne, and one at Geneva. to the Waldenses the pension from this country, of which they had been long deprived. The lords commissioners of his Majesty's treasury in consequence gave directions for issuing the sum of 1000l. as the amount of certain arrears due to such pastors as were actually in the exercise of their respective functions, from the year 1804 to 1807. This sum having been placed at the disposal of the committee for the fund raised in this country for the relief of the Vaudois, it was resolved, after due inquiry into the several claims of the parties, that it should be divided in the following manner:-771. to each of six pastors now living; four of whom are still in the actual exercise of their respective functions; and the other two, either on We rejoice to witness the beneficial effects account of age or infirmity, are retired from the performance of their pastoral duties;-the which have resulted to this long-oppressed and interest of 761. to a pastor now living, but re-interesting people, from the sympathy of their moved from duty;-4627. to three widows, ten sons, and thirteen daughters, of deceased pastors. By another order of the lords commissioners of his Majesty's treasury, the treasurer has received the sum of 2771., being the annual amount of the royal pension formerly paid to the Vaudois pastors of Piémont: and has informed the moderator and the pastors of the several Vaudois churches, that the foregoing sum would be transmitted to them in half-yearly payments The following is a brief statement of the means now in operation amongst the several Protestant States upon the continent, as well as in England, for the general relief of the Vaudois. 1. The hospital at La Tour, in the Valley of Luzerne, was opened, for the reception of patients, in the month of May, 1826. During the course of the first year, the number of patients admitted was sixty-four. For the support of this hospital, the London Committee contribute 1201. a-year; the Berlin Committee the same annual sum; Holland, 100l. a-year; and, by the subscriptions raised in the Evangelical Cantons of Switzerland, and at Genoa, Turin, and other places, the authorities in the Valleys have been enabled to purchase land in the neighbourhood bringing in a rent of about 801. a-year, which is to be applied to the use of the hospital. 2. The house formerly belonging to the pastor of Pomaret, a village situated very conveniently at the junction of the two Valleys of Perouse and St. Martin, has recently been fitted up for a dispensary, and will soon be ed for dispensing medicine and medical advice. open 3. For a very long period there have existed, in each village or commune, one large school and some smaller ones, in which the children of both sexes are assembled together, and taught the elements of reading, writing, and arithmetic. These schools are supported, in a great measure (if not entirely), by fixed and annual contributions from Holland. The necessity of schools for girls only had long been felt; and since the first of August, 1826, four schools of that kind have been established at four different points of the Vaudois territory. These schools have been put under the superintendence of proper schoolmistresses; two of whom are daughters of deceased pastors. fellow-Christians, and at an expense so moderate as scarcely to deserve notice. We trust that our countrymen will continue to remember their claims upon Protestant benevolence; and that the measures in progress for their benefit will, by the blessing of God, promote their spiritual as well as their temporal wel fare. From the Winter's Wreath. BY THE REV. JOSEPH HUGHES. REPLENISHED from the stores divine, Art thou, amidst the scenes of earth, It is the Saviour's outstretched hand From the Evangelical Magazine. THE ERROR OF BALAAM. How can Balaam be held up as a monument of wickedness-was he not a prophet? Yes, the Apostle Peter calls him a prophet; his history proves him to have been so, and subsequent events show that his prophecies were true. Were not all prophets good men? No! The book of God informs us, that amidst the countless multitude which shall stand before the judgment-seat of Christ, there will be some who will plead for admission into heaven on the following grounds:-"Lord, Lord! have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name have cast out devils, and in thy name have done many wondrous works?" and the Judge will say unto them, "I never knew you; depart from me, ye that work iniquity." Thus we perceive, that a prophetic spirit was not always the companion of a sanctified heart; and that a humble, believing mind, is far more to be desired than the most splendid abilities. The history of this gifted, but wicked man, will furnish much to instruct and admonish us; and likewise show the madness of those who follow his pernicious ways. I. He foretold the glory of Christ, and the destruction of his enemies. In this particular we behold an astonishing display of that struggle, which sometimes takes place between an enlightened judgment and a vicious heart. Before him stood the chief servants of Balak, king of the Moabites, holding the rewards of divination in their hand; presenting at the same time this urgent request from their master:-"Let nothing, I pray thee, hinder thee from coming unto me, for I will promote thee unto very great honour, and I will do whatsoever thou sayest unto me: come, therefore, I pray thee, and curse me this peo.ple of Israel." Here was an irresistible charm for a proud and covetous heart. How few men "Balaam, the son of Beor, hath said, and the have principle enough to resist such powerful man whose eyes are opened hath said: he who solicitations! But the Lord laid a restraint heard the words of God, and knew the knowupon him, saying, "Thou shalt not go: thou ledge of the Most High, who saw the vision of shalt not curse this people, for they are blessthe Almighty falling into a trance, but having || ed;" and his conscience forced him to reply his eyes open: I shall see him, but not now: unto the princes of Moab, "If Balak would give I shall behold him, but not nigh. There shall me his house full of silver and gold, I cannot come a star out of Jacob, and a sceptre shall go beyond the word of the Lord, to do less or rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of more." This was as it ought to be. It was Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth." the dictate of an enlightened understanding. -Num. xxiv. 17. It seemed like the fear of the Lord: but behold, in the twinkling of an eye, his covetousness began to operate, and he entreats the princes not to go away that night. "Stop," says he, "that I may know what the Lord will say unto me more.' "I know what is the plain path of duty; I know the command of God on this point, but my inclination would fain have it otherwise-stay a little and I will tempt God, and work up my imagination, and get over my scruples, and try to believe that black is white, and perhaps to-morrow I may feel it right to go." This is the exact meaning of his conduct; and I am persuaded that many, who call themselves Christians, act precisely in the same way. The commands of God are very plain. They know what is right. Their conscience warns them; and yet they endeavour to stifle every conviction, to conquer every sense of sin and shame, and commit secret sins, and open crimes, with greediness. Like Balaam, they keep the temptation in their eye, while God is thundering in their ear, and we see who at last gains the victory. This had a partial accomplishment in the types of Christ; but it is in the great Antitype that we see its completion. At the birth of Jesus the star appeared, and guided the wise men to Jerusalem; and they said, "Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his Star in the East, and are come to worship him." Here are both the sceptre and the star; and in the messages which the adorable Saviour sent the Asiatic churches, he says "I, Jesus, have sent mine Angel to testify unto you, I am the root and the offspring of David, and the bright and morning star." This sceptre-bearing Saviour sits upon his holy hill in Zion, having dominion over the hearts of multitudes who were once his enemies, but who have been made his willing subjects in the day of his power: and he will proceed with his conquests until he hath the heathen for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession: then all his enemies shall be his footstool. Reader! this is a glorious and a dreadful subject: it so penetrated the heart of David, that he exclaimed, "O, kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way when his wrath is kindled but a little: blessed are all they who put their trust in him." II. Balaam had grand conceptions of the character of God. When speaking of the faithfulness of Jehovah, he said, "God is not a man that he should lie, nor the son of man that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good?" Was there ever a more beautiful and encouraging description of this attribute of Deity? Knowing also the paternal care and love of God to his saints, he said, "How shall I curse whom God hath not cursed, and how shall I defy whom the Lord hath not defied? There is no enchantment against Jacob, neither is there any divination against Israel. Blessed is he who blesseth thee, and he who curseth thee is cursed." Who would imagine that wicked Balaam said this? III. He strongly resisted temptation for a season. IV. After parleying with the temptation for a season, he yielded. And is not this invariably the case? Paul says, Resist! fight! flee! but never parley: ah! if temptation be not vigorously resisted at the commencement, the tempter will take advantage, and renew his attack with double force. Conscience generally decides rightly the first time; but should its decisions be neglected, and trampled upon, it loses its energy, and becomes seared as with a hot iron. Cannot all of you, who may hear or read this, recollect the bitter hour, when you also ceased to watch, resist, and pray? when you treated the dictates of conscience with contempt, and thus Satan overcame you? "And Balaam rose up in the morning and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab ;" for lust, when it hath conceived, bringeth forth sin; and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death. V. The Lord met him in his journey, and took an unusual method to convince him of his rebellion, but still he pressed forward. "And God's anger was kindled against him because he went, and the angel of the Lord stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants with him; and the ass saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand; and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field; and Balaam smote the ass." This was done thrice: "And the Lord opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?" Thus the man who loved the wages of unrighteousness, was rebuked for his iniquity; the dumb ass, speaking with man's voice, rebuked the madness of the prophet and what a rebuke it was! who but Balaam would not have taken the alarm? whose conscience would not have struck him that all was wrong? who would not have trembled at so strange an interposition-hastened back to his house with double speed, and, with weeping and supplication, sought forgiveness? But no! the hope of gain so dazzled his eyes, that he saw no danger; for they who will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition. VI. Although his heart was wholly engrossed with the hope of acquiring riches, yet he completely failed in all his expectations. On his arrival at Court, he and Balak united in offering costly sacrifices, thinking thereby to conciliate the mind of God towards them. They also ascended the hills, and took different views of the Israelitish camp, expecting that the moment might arrive for the ruin of that favoured people: but it was all in vain. At last Balak's anger was kindled against Balaam, and he smote his hands together, in rage and despair, and said unto him, "I called thee to curse mine enemies, and behold thou hast blessed them these three times; therefore now flee to thy place. I thought to promote thee to great honour, but lo! the Lord hath kept thee back from honour." Poor wretch! he fancied that he could serve God and Mammon, but he offended both. Ah! how he must have been chagrined when all his hopes were blasted! VII. He uttered an ineffectual wish for future happiness, but neglected to use the means appointed for attaining it. Those well known words, so often quoted, were the words of Balaam-"Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his." What was there to prevent it? If he had been truly in earnest for the blessing, he would have broken off from his sins, and sought mercy from his offended God; but while these were the words of his lips, his heart was full of enmity against God. He cannot openly curse Israel, for he knows that they are blessed, yet he attempts their ruin, and nearly succeeds. Moses says, that "through the counsel of Balaam the Midianitish women caused the children of Israel to commit a trespass against the Lord, and the Lord punished the people with a plague on account of it;" and Christ explains this diabolical transaction, by showing us that "Balaam taught Balak to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed to idols, and to commit fornication." How could he talk of dying the death of the | righteous, while he was forming plans to draw men down to hell, through the allurements of beautiful but abandoned women! VIII. He had an awful foreboding of eternal misery, and died fighting against God. Behold what views he had of futurity: "I shall see him, but not now; I shall behold him, but not nigh." I shall see him: yea, behold he cometh in the clouds, and every eye shall see him. But not now ;-it will be at the last day, when the wicked of all ranks shall say to the rocks and the mountains, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him who sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb. I shall behold him, but not near-not near as my Friend, but afar off as my Judge to condemn me, and to drive me away in my wickedness. Between us and you there is a great gulf fixed!! It is thought that the guilty inhabitants of the bottomless pit will see the glorified spirits in heaven, and, by the sight of what they have lost, their agony and despair will be increased, through eternity. O my dear friends, will this be the awful doom of any of you? Do not consider it a thing impossible, or unlikely. Remember, that Balaam, notwithstanding all he knew of these things, continued a slave to sin,. and died fighting against God.-Numb. xxxi. 8; Josh. xiii. 22. So Judas Iscariot, with all his knowledge of Christ, took a rope and hanged himself; and many who hear the Gospel die impenitent, and will remain accursed for ever. Thus far we have traced the character, conduct, and end of Balaam, and you will allow that it is very dreadful. Let us proceed a little farther, and see what advantage we may derive from it. 1. How pitiable is that man whose heart is supremely fixed on riches and honours. This was the case with Balaam; and it made him fight against the strong convictions of his conscience, and trample under foot, all that he knew of God, and heaven, and hell. But suppose that he had succeeded in his endeavours, and Balak had given him his house full of silver and gold; what would this have availed, when he came to launch into eternity? Could he bribe the Judge of quick and dead? Could he purchase salvation with heaps of gold? O, no! the treasures which men now doat on, are not current in the world to which they are going. Beloved, let these things sink down into your hearts. We brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. What comfort does the wealth of many afford them upon a dying bed? Alas! it is like a thorn in their pillow-a dagger in their breast-a millstone round their neck. One ungodly man, in great extremity, exclaimed, "My kingdom for a horse! my kingdom for a horse!"-and in a moment of serious reflection, many would part with all their idolized treasures, for a well-grounded hope of eternal life. O reader! bring the matter home to your own bosom, and ask yourself that solemn question, "What is a man profited, if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?" Be assured, that if you have no better portion than the highest earthly honour, you will spend an eternity in wishing you had never been born. 2. How frequently do men neglect their salvation in pursuit of the world; and, in the end, find that they have lost their souls and the world too? Wo unto these followers of Balaam! Very few of them attain their object. The riches which they are seeking, take wings and fly away. Among the thousands who are panting after wealth, ah! what crosses, what reverses, what disappointments! Yet, disappointments, often repeated, will not make them turn away from these dying vanities, and seek the unsearchable riches of Christ. No, no! speak to them on this glorious subject, and they reply, "Don't talk to me of your religion. I hope I am not deficient in my duty (a favourite phrase with the undutiful); at present all my exertions are needed for my family at some more convenient time I will think of your observations." Some have actually used this language to me, and I beg them to reconsider the subject. Who wishes you to neglect your shop, or your trade-your farm, or your merchandise? we wish you to be diligent in business, and fervent in spirit, serving the Lord. Remember, you have souls as well as bodies. Your souls cannot die. Your bodies shall rise again. You must live forever. An eternity is before you; and we wish you to prepare for an eternity of bliss; and thereby escape an eternity of torment. I call upon you to consider these things. Is it not the greatest infatuation to spend your days in the pursuit of trifles, and let the one thing needful lie neglected? The adorable Saviour came into this world to save sinners-shall he not save you? Ah! if he do not, you are eternally lost. He graciously receives all who come to him-will you not run into his arms and seek shelter from the wrath to come? Shall not men who are guilty, ruined, condemned, and liable to suffer damnation, seek that blessing which Christ so dearly purchased, and so freely gives? Will you follow Balaam till you lose both worlds? God forbid! Look unto Jesus! Here you will find no disappointment. Every one who believes in him, shall be saved. I urge it upon you as infinitely more important than all other things, and I beseech you not to neglect it another moment. 3. What numbers are there who, like Balaam, have some idea of what they ought to be, yet have not decision of character boldly to de clare it. Wo unto these followers of the madness of the prophet! They have knowledge sufficient to make them miserable, but not determination enough to become happy. Their views of God keep them from going all lengths with the world; and yet they hanker after it, and go as far as they can-like a fish at the bait, which, though seemingly conscious of danger, yet nibbles till it is caught. Beloved reader, be thou very decided. Halt not between two opinions. The favour of God is on one side, and his power on the other. Choose his favour and live. Balaam parleyed with temptation till he was overcome. The serpent beguiled our first parents, and they were ruined. You are made of the same flesh and blood. You have a sinful and deceitful heart; the serpent is at your side to beguile you: therefore, make it very evident whose servant you are, and resist, even unto blood, striving against sin. 4. Are there not ministers of the sanctuary who run greedily after the error of Balaam for reward? Wo unto them! A craving, eager desire for money, in a minister, is a disgusting sight, and an awful proof of the state of his soul. "I have coveted no man's silver or gold," said one of the most laborious preachers of the Gospel; but there were teachers who, in former times, fleeced the flock and starved the sheep; and they are not all dead in the present day. It is true, that Balaam was not a teacher of religion, but he had grand conceptions of the Deityuttered prophecies-said he was directed by the Almighty-pronounced a benediction on the people-and wished to die the death of the righteous; yet, although these were his, engagements and expressions one day, on the next he was with the enemy and is it not just the same with those men who, on Sundays are making long prayers, and delivering sublime sentiments respecting the Eternal; whilst, on the other six days of the week, they are living as if there were no God? Ah! "it is an awful thing to preach sermons on salvation, and yet fall short of it-sermons on damnation, and yet fall into it-sermons on Christ, and yet neglect Him-sermons on the Spirit, and yet resist Him-sermons on faith, and yet remain unbelieving-sermons on repentance and conversion, and yet remain in a state of sinsermons on a heavenly life, and yet live after the course of the present world." O, Lord, arise in mercy, and remove such stumblingblocks out of the way. Amen. 5. There is another error of Balaam which proves the destruction of multitudes, that is, being satisfied with good wishes. "Let me die the death of the righteous," said this wicked man, although he made no effort to secure the felicity. On an average, ten thousand die every year in our city (London): vast numbers of them grow up to maturity, and, no doubt, at times, have good wishes; but how few turn from the error of their ways, and evince their true repentance, by bringing forth the fruits of a holy life! Beloved, have you never heard that good wishes take no man to heaven? Bunyan says, that "the way to hell is paved with good wishes;" hence we hear Pharisees, Sadducees, liars, defrauders, Sabbath-breakers, adulterers, fornicators, drunkards, spendthrifts, and a long list of other ungodly persons, saying, "I hope it will be well with me at last; I wish to die the death of the righteous," &c. I tell you, Sirs, this is all mockery, if it be not accompanied with an earnest seeking of mercy, a fervent calling upon God, a forsaking of every known sin, and an application to Jesus Christ as the only Saviour. O, rouse from these delusions. Escape from these refuges of lies. Let no man deceive you with vain words, nor let Satan deceive you with false hopes, neither be ye self-deceived. 6. Our young people are in great danger of being ruined, by following Balaam's error. Demas hath already forsaken us, having loved the present world; and many interesting youths who once promised fair for heaven, are sadly altered. Ô what a difference (do you not feel it?) since the day you left your |