THE WORK OF EDUCATION.

I WOULD not oppose government in their plan of education, but I would not trust to them. If the people are to be well and universally educated, they must be educated by the voluntary efforts of Christians. Governments will do nothing well, if they are left to do it alone. Leave education to governments, and either they will do nothing, or else what will be worse than nothing. But let Christians set about the work zealously, and it will go on gloriously; and when it is nearly done, government will come in to help. Governments will help to finish any good work, which the people have nearly accomplished themselves; and this is the principal good we may ever expect them to do. If a people wish to be blessed, they must, under God, bless themselves. If they want government to help them, they must do their own work so well, that they can almost do without help, and then they will get help enough. The world must be reformed by the benevolent labours of private Christians, or never be reformed at all.

HOW TO OVERTHROW INFIDELITY. 24

ONE of the most effectual means of overthrowing infidelity, would be for all who profess the religion of Christ to be consistent. The Apostle Paul intimates that the best recommendations of Christianity, are the good lives of its disciples. These are living epistles, walking and visible demonstrations of the goodness of the system. The Apostle Peter, also, when he would instruct us to silence infidel opponents, does not advise us to argue with them, but to show the superiority of our system, by the superiority of our way of life. "By well doing, putting to silence the ignorance of foolish men."

This plan will always prove effectual. If it does not succeed in utterly destroying infidelity, it will put it to shame. Infidels will never be able to vie with Christians in moral conduct, if Christians live consistently. The morality of the Gospel is absolutely perfect; it is not

possible for any thing to excel it in any particular. Let Christians act in accordance with their system, and they will be the loveliest, the purest, the happiest, and the most useful beings on earth. Their worth would be manifest to all men, and general respect would be secured to the system which they professed.

But if infidels also should adopt and practice the morality of the Gospel, how would it be then? There is no danger of that. Infidels cannot practice the morality of the Gospel, and still continue infidels. No man under the influence of infidel principles, ever did reduce to practice the moral precepts of the Gospel, and no man ever will do so it is not possible. Nothing but Christian doctrine, accompanied by divine grace, can ever enable a man to carry into practice the Christian morality.

Besides, if an infidel should succeed in clothing himself with Christian virtues, he could not continue an infidel. It is vicious habits and passions that make men infidels; and let infidels become truly and thoroughly virtuous, and they will cease to be infidels at once. Let them do what is right, and they will soon be convinced of the truth of Christianity.

Again, the inconsistencies of professors of religion are the great arguments of infidels. You seldom hear them attempt to prove religion faulty, as it was taught and practised by Christ and his Apostles. They are almost always talking about the faults of ignorant or hypocritical pretenders. The faults of professors are the pillars of infidelity, and if all who call themselves Christians, would begin to live as Christians ought to live, they would pull down the pillars, and the whole system would fall instantly to the ground.

DRESS.

THE usual garb throughout the whole Roman empire was the toga or gown, which was more gay and splendid than the pallium or cloak; wherefore those who came over from Paganism to Christianity, for the indication of their humility and contempt of the world, quitted the

toga, as too pompous and worldly, and took up the pallium or cloak, as more grave and modest. This, as being the most simple and plain garment, was commonly worn by Christians. From this change of apparel, renouncing a sumptuous habit, to embrace a poor and mean one, the Heathens derided the Christians, and " a toga ad pallium," (" from a gown to a cloak,") became a proverb of reproach, a common way of describing a change from better to worse. This sarcastic proverb led Tertullian to write a treatise on the subject, called " De Pallio," which remains to this day. (See, King on the Primitive Church.)

This is one out of numberless proofs, that in the purest ages of the church, respect has always been paid by Christians to their dress. The Apostles repeatedly forbid gay and costly apparel, and the use of ornaments; and it seems strange to me how people can profess the religion of Christ, and yet indulge in those forbidden things. Either they are ignorant of the Scriptures, or hypocritical pretenders to religion only. To wear feathers, flowers, earrings, bracelets, jewels, or gold,-to have numerous or costly changes of raiment, is as contrary to the precepts and spirit of Christianity, as to indulge in rioting and drunkenness. I wish professors would read the Scriptures, and either conform to their teachings, or lay aside their profession. Religion can never extensively prosper, till there is a reformation among professors. Either existing sects must be greatly improved, or another sect must be formed on a higher standard, or religion will altogether pass away. The pride and luxury of the professing world are intolerable, and even ministers, instead of opposing the evil, are labouring, both by their conversation and example, and by the extravagance and vanity of their families, to increase it, and are taking sides with the world, the flesh, and the devil. It is time for those who see the prevailing evils of the times, to enter into some kind of alliance to effect a reformation.

Published by I. DAVIS, 22, Grosvenor-street, Stalybridge; Bancks and Co., Exchange-street; Heywood, Oldham-street, Manchester; R. Groombridge, 6, Panyer Alley, Paternoster Row, London; and may be had of all Booksellers. [CAVE and SEVER, Printers, Manchester.]

EVANGELICAL REFORMER,

AND YOUNG MAN'S GUIDE.

BY JOSEPH

BARKER.

Published every Fortnight.-Price One Penny, or in Monthly Parts, price Two-pence.

No. 18.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 7, 1839.

VOL. III.

DEFECTS IN THE PRAYERS OF PARENTS.

It was

Ir should always be borne in mind that the efficacy of prayer depends upon its character, and the character of him who offers it. "The prayer of the wicked is sin," saith Solomon. "Ye ask and receive not," saith the Apostle, "because ye ask amiss." It is "the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man," that "availeth." If, therefore, we would have answers to our prayers, we must be righteous men. We must employ all other means for the attainment of our wishes, which God has appointed, as well as prayer. We must pray with earnestness and strong affection. We must pray with deep humility and unwavering confidence. We must be unwearied, and, like the poor widow in the Gospel, pray and not faint. thus that Moses prayed for Israel, when he stayed the wrath of God. It was thus that Hannah prayed for a son. It was thus that Elijah prayed on the mountain top for rain, while his servant went seven times towards the sea to look for the gathering cloud. It was thus that Jesus prayed, spending whole nights in prayer, and it was thus that the Apostles and first Christians prayed when they sought the interposition of God. The prayers that were answered by miracles were not lifeless and formal prayers; they were the anxious and eager longings of holy, fervent souls. But, alas! the prayers of many parents are too much like the cold requests of unawakened men. When

we cry to a neighbour for help, we urge our requests with tears and sighs. If we were asking the life of our child at the hands of the king, our applications would be full of emotion, and we should never desist so long as there was hope of success. Is it thus that we pray when we pray for our children's souls ? Their souls are more than` their lives, and should be prayed for with greater importunity. We should never rest till we see in our offspring the blossoms and the fruits of piety, and even then we should not rest, but persevere till either we or our children are safely lodged in heaven.

But many parents do not pray in this way. Our prayers are often cold and formal, as if we cared not whether we prevailed with God or not. And then again, we grow weary too soon, and because the harvest follows 'not immediately the seed time, and because the full ears spring not up at once under our sighs and tears, we begin to fear that our labours and prayers will be in vain. In this way we dishonour God. God will be trusted, and we must have patience if we would inherit the promises. Behold, we count them happy which endure. The husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient, establish your heart, for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh. In many cases family prayer is neglected, and to this neglect may be traced the profligacy of many youths who were the children of professing parents. Those are the defects which I have observed in the education of children, as it is conducted by many professors of the religion of Christ.

I do not say that these errors are committed wilfully, nor would I censure my fellow Christians with bitterness I only say that those faults may often be found in professors of religion, and that while the duties of a Godly training are so imperfectly discharged, we have no need to be astonished that children of professors so often prove ungodly. I only say there is enough in our imperfect way of training our offspring to account for our frequent failures, without seeking to account for them by a reference to any thing in the sovereignty of God. And I do