church, of the capacities, glories, infirmities, degradation, and destiny of this immortal nature; and thus enkindle a livelier flame of piety, a warmer zeal for truth, a bolder action for charity, and a more eager aspiration after the spiritual life. In order to this end, I know nothing to be more earnestly desired, than the increase of these means of social and mutual religious improvement. The times cry out for them. Wherever adopted, they have been signally blessed. So few have the ability to excite their own souls and set themselves to work, that thousands, when left alone, would sink down to cold inactive selfishness, who, if placed in frequent contact with their fellow-believers, would become generous, ardent, enterprising promoters of every good design. But whatever may be thought of the means that should be employed, there can be no doubtfulness respecting the greatness of the object. The hints which I have rudely thrown out on the peculiarities, the hazards, the responsibilities of the present crisis might be extended to a volume, and ought to be written in characters of fire. Weakly as they are here presented, they cannot be wholly without force; and if any man of powerful and earnest mind perceives their justice and urgency, I leave it in charge with him to set them forth in their proper strength, and press them on the attention and conscience of the public. If I can rouse one such mind to speak to the times in the prophet-like tone in which they ought to be addressed, I shall feel that I have not ventured to lift my voice in vain. At any rate I have attempted to perform a duty. . "But all is in His hand, whose praise I seek; Whose frown can disappoint the proudest strain, DOCTRINAL DISTINCTIONS, NOT ALWAYS DOCTRINAL DIFFERENCES. Do Christians really differ in their opinions on religious subjects as much as they seem to differ? Is it not attributable far more to supposed diversities of belief than to actual ones, that they are so reluctant to unite in love and fellowship? Could those individuals and sects who think they are most at variance with each other in respect to doctrine, come together and compare their views and enter into mutual explanations, would they not be convinced that in truth there is very little ground for the walls of partition which have so long kept them apart, and that it is high time for them to join heart to heart and hand to hand in forwarding the great practical interests of the gospel? At any rate, would they not be made to see and feel that there is no radical difference of opinion between them which can justify the prejudices and controversies and alienations, that now prevent the peace and harmony of our churches? However this might be, I, for one, am unable to perceive any such radical difference. On the contrary, I believe that in all which concerns the fundamental principles of Christianity, and so far as relates to their views of its legitimate effects and the spirit it fosters in the soul, all Christians are essentially united, though they may not be aware of it. And this position I would now endeavor to maintain. 1. First, then, let the question be proposed. "What constitutes the character of a true Christian?" All will assent to the reply, that it is to "love God with the whole mind, heart and strength; and to love our neighbor as ourselves." But some one may here interpose, "You believe works are sufficient; you esteem him a Christian who merely acts the part of an honest, amiable, and benevolent man." By no means, I answer. I regard no works as good except those which flow from right principles, that is, which accord with the will of God, whom he always loves who loves supremely truth and duty. That conduct which springs from worldly motives alone, from a mere respect to earthly interests, I view as no part of the Christian character. I then turn to my neighbor with the charge. "But you put your whole trust in faith, apart from good works. Have I not heard from your pulpits and your press, times without number, that religion is an affair of the heart alone? Do you not confine it to some mysterious sentiment termed love to God? Do you not pass by, or underrate exceedingly love to man?" "Certainly not," he at once replies, "you do not understand our views. tance to the fruits of religion. require us to labor incessantly. more highly than we do of benevolent enterprises, societies for relieving the sick, the needy and the friendless. We would reform every where intemperance, licentious. ness, and all manner of iniquity. We deem these works as among the best evidences of a genuine piety." We attach great impor- Thus have we found that believers seeming, at first |