I have good reason to believe is rejected and reprobated, by the great body of the clergy, as well as the laity of that communion. Let me, then, guard you against the injustice of charging on a whole denomination the odium of such opinions. Impute them to none but those who fasten the charge. on themselves, by an open avowal. Convince Episcopalians, by the liberality and candour of your deportment, that you have no prejudices against them as a church. And even convince those who embrace every opportunity of denouncing your ministry and ordinances, that you cannot be overcome of evil, but that you know how to overcome evil with good. Numerous are the considerations which press upon us the duty of cultivating peace and love with all denominations of professing Christians. A bold and impious infidelity abounds. We are surrounded with thousands who not only neglect but despise all religion. How will it rejoice the hearts of these enemies of our common faith, to see those who profess to be followers of the same Master, to be animated by the same spirit of love, and to be candidates for the same heaven, either avoiding the society of each other, or coming together only to deal in reciprocal reproaches and anathemas. Be it Your study, brethren, whatever others may do, to give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. Let it be apparent to all, that you cherish no dispositions, advance no claims, employ no language, which can reasonably disturb the har a a mony of your intercourse with other Christians. Let it be seen that you know how to esteem those who differ from you, as well as to contend for the truth ; and to cover with the mantle of charity, that which you cannot approve. There is a charm in this conduct, which even infidelity itself cannot resist. It will do more than a thousand carnal weapons to put to silence the ignorance of foolish men, and to “ extort a trembling homage" from those who know not God, and obey not the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. The present perturbed state of the world, is another motive to peace and love among Christians. . The struggles of ambition, grasping and devour. ing every thing within its reach; the desolations of war, widely spread, and murderous beyond former example ; and the prevalence of those selfish and ferocious passions which fill the earth with animosity, hatred, violence, and destruction, all concur with infidelity to call the minds of men away from the truth, and to prevent them from listening to the benign and heavenly voice of religion. Nor is this all. A consideration still more solemn presses itself upon the serious mind. Providence has cast our lot in those latter days, which are preeminently characterised in Scripture as perilous times. Trials are coming on the church, which, . were not her King in the midst of her, would appal the stoutest heart. Is this a time for the followers of Christ to be divided ? Is this a time for them to fall out by the way, and to bite and devour one an a other? Alas! no. Under these circumstances, how, solemn is the call to union and love! In this situ. ation, how obvious is the duty of all who believe the Gospel, to unite in exhibiting our common Christianity to mankind in her meekest, loveliest, and most attractive form! How honorable might not such an example be to religion ! how ornamental to the church! how comfortable to ourselves ! how useful to our troubled world! The equal rights and privileges enjoyed in this country, by all sects of Christians, imposes on them an additional obligation to live together in harmony and peace. Our civil government makes no discrimination among churches. In this respect, we all stand upon a level, and are permitted to worship God according to the dictates of our own consciences, having none to molest or to make us afraid. Under these happy circumstances, what temptation is there to cultivate a spirit of bigotry or contention ? Why can we not quietly and meekly enjoy our privileges together? Let us prove to the world, that there is something in the spirit of Christianity which enables those who possess it to differ from each other with more mildness, urbanity, and genuine benevolence, than the wrangling politicians around us. Finally, Christians, remember that the period is hastening on, when all the real followers of Christ shall meet in a more harmonious and a more happy world. Oceans now roll between them; mountains and deserts keep them asunder; and differences of opinion and denomination, often more inhospitable than the most dreary desert, place at a distance from each other those for whom Christ died. But in that blessed and holy society which you are speedily to join ; in that glorified multitude which no man can number, gathered out of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, these differences will be for ever unknown. There perfect holiness and perfect love shall reign undisturbed and eternal. Let this happy prospect fill you with the tenderest love to all who bear the image of Christ; let it comfort you amidst the contentions and divisions of the present imperfect state ; and let it excite you daily to cherish those dispositions which will form the best preparation for that Kingdom where all Christians shall appear to each other, what they are in fact, one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. |