display of the universality of the divine love to mankind, and in the profession of this faith upon baptism by immersion. But upon the subject of Free Communion we differed, with perfect good will and charity. In the controversy now agitating between the Messrs. Hall and Kinghorn, he thought the latter, advocating Strict Communion, whilst I was of opinion that the former, pleading the cause of Free Communion, had the advantage. We, however, both rejoiced that the discussion of the topic had fallen into such able hands. And I trust it will not be forgotten by the advocates of either party-that TRUTH is stripped of more than half its charms when it stands apart from Christian charity! Mr. Hall remarks, with his accustomed felicity, that "the genius of the Gospel, let it once for all be remembered, is not ceremonial but spiritual, consisting not in meats and drinks, or outward observances, but in the cultivation of such interior graces as compose the essence of virtue, perfect the character, and purify the heart. These form the soul of religion-all the rest are but her terrestrial attire, which she will lay aside when she passes the threshold of ETERNITY!"

The only Confession of Faith that the unsophisticated disciple of Christ ought to make may be summed up in this plain passage of Scripture:GOD SO LOVED the world, (John iii. 16) that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Here mark, that CHRIST is termed the Son of God,

and that the gift of his Son was the special proof of his love to mankind. GOD was in CHRIST reconciling the world unto himself, (2 Cor. v. 19.) not imputing their trespasses unto them, and hath committed unto us the word of RECONCILIATION. And Rom. v. 10, 11, For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life—and not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the (reconciliation) atonement. We disclaim the idea that the Supreme Being was full of wrath, and intent upon the destruction of his creatures. We discountenance the supposition that the God of all mercy, whose emphatical name is LOVE, could want any foreign consideration to render him propitious to the repentant sinner. This would be to libel his character. This would be drawing a veil over the lustre of the Godhead. Whereas it is our duty to cherish amiable views, and to entertain cheering prospects, when we contemplate the divine perfections. CHRIST is the messenger that comes from GOD. And who with this conviction dares despise the message of God? The conviction leads to humble and uniform practice. Thus being made free from sin and become the servants of God, ye have your fruit unto holiness and the end everlasting life!

"Remember that by the CHRISTIAN RELIGION I mean the system of truth which is contained in the NEW TESTAMENT. The additions made to

Christianity, whether by individuals or by bodies of men calling themselves the church, are destitute of all claim to divine truth, and it would be as great an absurdity to consider them a part of Christianity, as it would be to add the Koran to the New Testament, and to account its contents as part of the religion of Jesus Christ, and of equal validity with the writings of the Apostles. When the witnesses of the life and death of Christ died, the age of inspiration ceased, for GOD had revealed by them every truth that is was needful for men to know; and whatever things have been added since are to be looked upon but as the opinions of fallible men, without weight and without authority. Let ALL such additions be swept away as useless rubbish, and as noisome dung which have defiled the sanctuary of GOD*."

It was with my deceased friend a favourite object to simplify as much as possible the religion of JESUS CHRIST. Mystery and ecclesiastical usurpation of every kind were his abhorrence. In the last publication that issued from his pen, not more than three months previous to his decease, are these memorable expressions" As to the real character of true CHRISTIANITY, the author still adheres to his former opinion, that it is the very best of ALL religions, and also the most plain and simple, which it must be to be the best, and especially to be of divine origin; for a religion worthy of GOD, and emanating from

* DR. BOGUE'S Essay on the Divine Authority of the New Testament.

him, and designed for the use of all, even the very lowest of the people, and pre-eminently for them, must necessarily be of the plainest and simplest description!" Hence he was an enemy to Confessions of Faith, being in his opinion calculated to encumber the understanding and spoil the temper of professors. Where differences of sentiment did prevail, he inculcated a spirit of forbearance and love. This is the temper of Christ and of his Apostles-the test of true religion, the badge of Christianity.

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With myself, Mr. RICHARDS lamented that the Christian world was crumbled down into so many hostile sects and denominations. Uniformity of opinion is unattainable. Persecution with its hideous scroll, on which are inscribed pains and penalties in crimson characters of blood, hath been altogether subversive of it. Nor has the modern antichristian anathema made a nearer approach to its attainment. Unity in things necessary-liberty in things not necessary—in all charity," is the whole that can or ought to be expected in this imperfect state of being. The right of private judgment—the sufficiency of the Scriptures-and the accountability of every man at the tribunal of heaven, constitute the essence of PROTESTANTISM. Let every Christian professor hold sacred these fundamental principles. Let no church under heaven dare to violate them. It was gratifying recently to observe in the Sermons preached and published on the celebration of the third centenary of the Reformation by LUTHER, that ministers of different, and even opposite communions,

Churchmen and Dissenters, united in recognizing these sentiments, explaining their nature, proclaiming their excellence, and diffusing their energies among mankind.

10.

ALL CHRISTIANS believe, 1. That there is one God. 2. That he is a Being of infinite perfection. 3. That he directs all things by his Providence. 4. That it is our duty to love him with all our hearts, and our neighbours as ourselves. 5. That it is our duty to repent of the sins we commit. 6. That God pardons the truly penitent. 7. That there is a future state of rewards and punishments, when all mankind shall be judged according to their works. 8. That God sent his Son into the world to be its Saviour, the author of eternal salvation to all that obey him. 9. That he is the true Messiah. That he taught, worked miracles, suffered, died, and rose again, as is related in the Four Gospels. 11. That he will hereafter make a second appearance on the earth to raise all mankind from the dead, judge the world in righteousness, bestow eternal life on the virtuous, and punish the workers of iniquity. And may I add-12, That ALL CHRISTIANS profess to acknowledge the declaration of the great Apostle of the gentiles, There now abideth Faith, Hope, and Charity, but the greatest of these is Love, or Charity!

"Still some articles will remain (says a living writer) the belief of which one denomination of Christians will consider to be the obligation of every Christian, and which other Christian demomi