appalling exhibitions of vice gand knowing, that all the agony he endured was the effect of sin, I am led to hate it with a perfect, hatred. In his resurrection, I behold a conquest over death, which assures me that its dominion will one day come to an end. In his exaltation at “the right hand of God," and the extension of his cause on earth, I see the reward for which he "endured the cross, and despised the shame." In his intercession, I recogi nize the unchangeableness of his love and the strength of his sympathy, the connexion between this world and that which is to come, the absolute certainty that all needful blessings will be imparted to his followers while here, and that those of them who are faithful unto death will finally receive the crown of life. 1.357 nus ``; 208it

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A belief in the Messiahship of Jesus is obviously the primary, chief, and fundamental requirement of the Christian Scriptures. What, for example, can be more explicit than the following passages? This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent" John vi. 29. These things are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through hist name;" John xx. 31. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ." ie, the Lord, the anointed Saviour, and thous shalt be saved;" Acts xvi. 31. “Whosoever shall con fess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God" 1 John iv. 15. Whosoever believe eth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God;"14 John Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God; 1 John V51 saufne sat do 8191 I am perfectly willing to admit that several phrases in the New Testament, when viewed apart from the matter with which they stand connected, and from statements of a different description to be found else where, appear to countenance the popular theology of the day. But every well-informed person must know that, in order to arrive at correct and satisfactory cons clusions with regard to the meaning of a writer, it is frequently, necessary to understand the most emphatic expressions in a qualified sense. And in reading othe Bible this is certainly not less requisite than in perusing

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other productions; for there is probably no book which contains so great a number of statements which, at first sight appear to be contradictory. Now, I have often observed, that though there are various passages in the Christian Scriptures which I am utterly unable to reconcile with the opinion that Christ is God, yet I know of none which may not be readily harmonized with the declaration of St Paul, that" God was in Christ, recon eiling the world unto himself." I, therefore, regard this declaration as a key to the interpretation of many others. voutras atirkeds

My views of religious doctrine certainly differ from those of numbers who call themselves" orthodox Chris tians;" and yet, I sometimes think, if the Bible is to be taken as the standard of truth, I am more orthodox than they. Too many, I fear, read that blessed book, not for the purpose of making it their counsellor and guide, but in order to confirm them in notions which have been infused by other agencies,notions which may be right, but which may also be wrong, and, therefore, ought to be carefully tested. How admirable was the conduct of the Bereans, of whom we read, Acts, chapter xvii. who, though they listened to apostolic ministrations, "searched the Scriptures daily," that they might know whether the things which were spoken really were so dod Rica, having been to visit the Library of a French convent, wrote thus to his friend in Persia concerning what had passed: Father," said I to the librarian, "what are those huge volumes which fill the whole side of the library?" "These," said he, "are the interpre ters of the scriptures." "There is a prodigious number of them," replied "the scriptures must have been very dark formerly, and very clear at present. Do there still remain lany doubts? Are there now any points contested?"Are there !" answered he with surprise; "are there? There are almost as many as there are lines.” "You astonish me!"said I;" what then have all these authors been doing?" These authors," returned he, "never searched the scriptures for what ought to be believed, but for what they did believe themselves. They did not regard them as a book containing the doctrines 202099 in d) 9120por es' for this and old!

which they ought to receive, but as a work which might be made to authorize their own ideas," w od vine

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This anecdote refers to the doings of the Romish priesthood, whose example, alas! has been too much imitated by Protestant divines. And what is the consequence? Instead of the gospel being represented as a revelation, adapted to the understandings of the illiterate and the wants of the poor, it is said to contain doctrines, which not only exceed human comprehen sion, but are directly opposed to the common sense of mankind. Systems of theology, ingeniously constructed and nicely balanced, are set before the people by their religious leaders, who assert that they are of celestial origin; and a feeling is excited with regard to13 them, too much like that which anciently prompted the excla mation Great is Diana of the Ephesians. To ques tion the divinity of these systems is, we are told, an evidence of depravity; to believe and avow that which contravenes their mysterious announcements, exposes the soul to everlasting perdition. Thus, the dictates of charity, without which faith is of no avail, are disregarded; and the words of him who said "Judge not, that ye be not judged," are trampled under foot.

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But better times are coming. The rapid diffusion of general knowledge has given an impulse to thought, which must eventually extend to the sanctuaries of religion. Already the most important and valuable results have been witnessed in the various departments of our social economy; and when matters of minor consequence are satisfactorily arranged, those of greater moment will engage attention. Even now there are persons, probably not a few, in different parts of our country, and belonging to different religious denominations, who feel dissatisfied with things as they are. They long to break the fetters with which they are bound, and would willingly make the attempt; but the paralizing influence of timidity overcomes them. We may rest assured, however, that perseverance in the exercise of their mental faculties will be attended with an increase of courage; and that, by and bye, they will become strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might."ot

In the meantime, let the advocates of primitive Chris tianity be aware of the responsibility which rests upon them, and resolved to perform the duties of their vocation. In the conflict with error, let them principally aim at giving lubid, fervent, and powerful exhibitions of the truth as it is in Jesus." Let them cultivate the spirit, and imitate the example of their master. Whilst they appeal to those classes in society whose superior mental cultivation and easy circumstances qualify them to examine speculative subjects in a satisfactory manher, let them not forget to sympathize with the poor, to preach the gospel to the poor, to write for the poor. Lete influence, and time, and property, be cheerfully consecrated to the service of the Redeemer. Let the bonds of union be strengthened, and the principles of co-operation carried out. Let apostolic devotion, and simplicity, and zeal, be manifested, so will "religion without sectarianism" be welcomed on every hand as a long sought good the strongholds of bigotry will be demolished by its all-conquering energy, and "BABY. LON THE GREAT IS FALLEN, IS FALLEN will be the triumphant song of emancipated multitudes. Fosca

Joot robu bolquent ous" boobni te nolauiLord, speed that day of light and love, and holy joy;

Amen.

That day of peace above.wond Irma godt Type of the happy 0 91 to 2011Where sin and death will ne'er annoy. -91 oldenley bus tasticqui Jeon of ghes it. to atuemtisqob zwoitev odt ni bozzonjka agad -92009 Tomim lo 21stem gedw bin. Vinore, l -om 1946912 to 9-odd boqistia viradadable in antiq -199 976 919dt von novel ng to lie tuom

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THE SUPERNATURAL ORIGIN AND CHARACTER enoitsnimonsb av OF CHRISTIANITY. vedT .918 volt es er

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Y&SIR,I sympathised with the grief you felt and expressed in your Review for March, on account of Mr Taylor, his defection from the faith of Christian UnitaDianism. Finwardly gave you my very cordial thanks for the promptness with which you came forward to

vindicate Unitarians as a body, from the heartless SCEPT ticism of the ultra-rationalist party mI send you now some papers on the subject, being desirous, through the mediums of your periodical, to bear my testimony to what I consider the genuine character of Christianityle .01 †19766 5e enoidt 19ite smo? WILLIAM BURNSed -73 SALTCOATS, July 1. 1844. to abnory Is1997 910m 28 atacanestril meited) asbreed amozroq rodto vd bonist THE occasion of my writing at this time, and on this topic, was the avowal of Mr Taylors in this deliberatē scepticism, or unbelief of miracles, and, for that reason,d I have taken some particular notice of his pamphlet i but I have not entered into any formal analysis of his argument, or refutation of it, in the shape it has been published. I have rather chosen to take such general views of the subject as, I have reason to believe, priro vately influence persons who, like him (probably), haye once had their scepticism excited. I know from my ownexperience, at least in part, how one is apt to feel in such circumstances;m for I can assure Mr Taylor that I have not refused to contemplate the arguments which have apparently influenced him. I know what it is tod have some scepticism, and I think it a good thing, in al moderate degree, because it induces one to look at both sides of a question before deciding on Mr.T. has said that "Truth is a higher name than Jesus," inferring, of, course, that it should be followed, although it should seem to lead to the conclusion that Jesus bad, on somes points, been ignorant or erred. I grant, in that point of view, that my reverence for Jesus rests on the ground that I think he knew the truth and spoke it, on alla matters relative to the salvation of mankind. I do notɑ believe la thing, merely because he said it, unless it beg something which he could know and we could not as some matter of pure revelation. Thus far I admitol every man's right, even as a Christian, to investigater the truth, untrammelled by authority, and I am willingh to proceed in the same spirit.But I think that Mr TH has not fully appreciated the wisdom of Christ on cer-c tain topics, regarding which we can even form a judgroe menty and on other points, that certain discrepancies anoitoepdo bilay now introgo to ¿ytiɔequo emit lo

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