V '-^ #' -• .1. >■■•■ i>: IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) /- ' / r" \ 10 ^KAJSi |2^ 1.1 « BA 12.2 1^ 12.0 w u w A ^^ {^ "%- / "-«!,■, '■ ■ ijk^ii ■ yoF«P" uGlBODBS •CorpQralion , 23 VAST MAHiSTRKT WlKm.N.V. 14510 (71«)tn.4S03 ^-:^^% jf^ ^ •?. ^ <^. -^ MV" CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. \ CiHIVI/ICIVIH Collection r .X / / ^ti.jr%^^,,^ £BAi£Si^t^^AV^'M^^M4.i-» ,. -.rj^" / a^t't j: -Xi *^ I f" I I W pi III fmmm |C J "H • -""'^ 'iw-igt': i-ifr F'^ 0^-<^- Hi V ' ■ '^ ^.^ !■ ..• N \ . *"»<- \ -i' . ' ■. fi, ■• ■■ •■ ■ '( t .1 f ■ tRACTSFOk THE TIMES. TRAqXNo. 4. On the Voluntary Principle. BY THE AUTHOR OP TRAOTS Nob. 1, 2, 8. «» te?'°Vn.*'""1.*'r*'° "**^*'' «». tlHit tho undoratandinK and tho heart re totally dillcront in a Hcason of paHsion. and a sonson of nuiot • that there" arc pmodswhiMimiKcr and error are opidouiical -Xni tho iaoat mon forurot tUo plainost rulo«.-whcn it is liec^^ V Su them wk loudly ami Urmly to llrat olomout8."-Sri>i.BY MMir'Vr - ^ '"®™ . ^ TiraSB TBACT8 ABB EA11NB8TLT BEOOHMBirDBD TO TUB PBBVBAI, OB TUB MBMBEHa OF TUB VSITBD CHUBOH OB KBOlABD ABD IBBLABB BY THE AUTBOB. PRICE ONE SHILLING. dHotitrfsl: \\ \ J"^=° BY JOHN LOVKL^ ST. NICHOLAS flfHlBC. 1854. ^' ■ , « € ;?• a. / « ' , . , j» ■/ / ' ■■ ;/ ■ |. -■ t ,- ■ ''■ ' • ■ ■». 1 . • * . . ■• ■*>:■ '> ■ , \ : '■ K^i;,., ^ I'-'i^- "■■>'■- . : . :,,■-.;,. .-:*,7;.'.. ^7?i!i/'-<.'-> : ';,^,^ ha&i^&iji&^jft^L^l^i^ i^iO^ ■fe^li^taS' • ■ i?rf?^ ■" I. ' ■ i'i ^ P RE F A C J: . ■ * ■ Whbn a religious subject is thrust into the ^ arena of political strife, it becomes every man to be doubly cautious how he acts or thinks respecting it. We are well aware that « Helt'. gi(m must have its politics)'^ but when party feeling, or sectarian bitterness prescribe the pontics, then every religious man should be on his guard. In such cases we are in danger of learning our principles from the intriguing poU- tician, instead of from the sober teaching of the Word of God. The subject, whiclg|^-propose to review^ in this Tract, is " TWVoluntary Principle^'l^Xhia being the idol before which it is intended that the Christianity of the Province 'Mil fall prostrate. We shall briefly examine this principle, and see what it has to recom- mend it. In aoing sb, we hope to apeag plainly and tfitthfully, as the time demands, 4 Perth, 0. W, Sept. 2», 1864. m '^smm^immmmw^ ^SS '"■"Wlf •Jv»-. • 1 '■I -^ « THE VOLUNTARY PRINCIPLE. -■-,'■- V . ,. ' *~ — '-"*• I A PEEP AT HOMt. \ It WM toward* evenihg; and in the study of the Rer. ^ two olergymon of ability and influence wve diacuBBing a principle which they had both adopted in the heat of oontroverey ; they had gone with the ouiw rent, charmed with the popularity of a principle which led the multitude. Clergymen are prone to err. as well as other people; though we must hoM their errors are more from the A«arf than the A«ar<., The error I aUudd to at present is only from the head, but as it, may lead' to the most deplorable results, it becomes every man to examine for himsejf, to free his mind^rom the clam- our of faction and party ; and, in these days pf novelty and experiment, to admit no principle as sound, unless it has stood" the test of experience and scriptural pre- cedent The two clergymen whom I have introduced to the reader had espoused the principle of « voluntaryism *» exacUy five years previous to thJ ^conversation In the stuc^y. On tlii| occasion they met by mutual agree- ment, to discuss the subject from experience of its working. A change had oome over the spirit of one f M ■■'■\. "■^r ■■^■0\ p*-. •5- jr KgSs^^^gy^a^^^S'Si^^sa^ of them, and thus he expressed himself: "Whatever " is worth having, is worth supporting; and whatever *< is worth supporting, should have the best method • adopted to secure that support Now, religion is the ** most excellent/of all excellent things, and requires a ^* certain ^nfel outlay,iin order to secure both church " and minister from the neglect aihd indiflference of the " world. But, should we have adopted, through haste " or animositjr, a wrong principle in securing a support " for religion, then the sooner we lay it aside the better.'* While the speaker waited for a reply to this observa- tion, his wife entered the study, and presented him with a bUl thkt had just .been left at the door, at the bottom of which was written «^o be settled as soon as/ possible." " . 7 " Mary," said thd excellent man, ••» with all our hxj- ** gality and parsimony, I have received within the lait '** few days other bills similar to this ; but I haveTo *« means whatever to ifteet these demands. %min/is " ponsiderably distressed on this subject ; indeed, ^en " my reading hours are interfered with ; and I " latelj begun to think" (turning to his friend) *^ great principle will not work. It toust be *♦ If our debts are eompuhory, surely the « depend on to liquidate ttiem should be so too.^ **0h I do'^^ndtsay so," said his wife ; « wha^uld be " morejj^BcccHance with the Gospel, thai^^at all who " preach the Goapel should cast themselvW on God's " I?9opl« for support ; He will move their hearts volun- « tarily to^give, rei&emb^ring ♦the labourer is worthy *^«f his hire; '^^ : ■: ^.r.^.- :;-• •\.. -'.v^ ^ ... .;':/.. ■.^A.:.,.' ' 5M^ w^ J^ h '.. ■V" ■**« " Whatever d whatever est method ligion is the requires a >oth church rence of the rough haste g a support the better." lis observa- )d him with the boitoia is soon as kll our lin the lai^t I have 110 ^Y min^ is deed, ^en 00.; li/could be lat all who on God*s irts voluQ- is worthy ' Tree, Maiy," interrupted her husband ; « buL jwollect, «//we preach to are not God»8 people in reahty, neither are their hearts moved by His influ- ence to give of their substance. Few, comparative- - ly, are thu» affected,— /thi8 is th« ^^ rum of many. When convinced of an error, they are unwimng to renounce it, through fear of the world. Obstinacy is a ruling principle of our poor hearts, and as « the.world » seems to approve of 11^ must we. But* the world; in either case, win have J^methmgtosay. If I remain as I am, dependmg on ^^ the uncertam support of voluntaryism, then the world mu pomt at me, when in poverty and debt ; and if I cons6ient,ouslyabandon a principle which, after afair tnal, I find erroneous, the world will then say, «h« changed his views for want of money 1»" V If Jhe reader can fancy a well-built manse, exlubitinir much of the style of modem architecture, situated n^ many miles from the City of , he then wiU havt before hmi the identical house where the scene which I have descnbed took place.. This buUding was erected at a considerable expense, when, a few yeaia ap^i; h>^ ■^i • if ■■/. . 8 • V . , and hearts were quite alive with the fresh impulse of "voluntaryism." Novelty and outward opposition added new vigour to the movement, and then schism, feelmg that th.e eye oi the world was upon it, not only bore with losses and CBosaes, but, greedy of praise and popularity, erected costly manses and church'es for their ministers, in order to eclipse those erected by "State Provision." These were the motives that built-up voluntaryisk,. then, and gave it such a charm, and, as long as these charms continued, unthinking proselytes were made to the cause. But, there was something to be don© which the world could not see ; the occupants of these manses were to be permanently provided for; in accomplishing this task, the world's praise could not be •ecured ; the impelling motive was therefore lost, and now the poor occupants of these buildings afford a lesson of splendid poverty ; they can only furnish, one- half of the buildings, and are obliged to shu^up tho other half; the wind, mournfully rushing through th/ key holes of the vacant rooms, reminds them of Jeru- salem's desolation, or of "the house divided against the house." We oouW have told « the voluntaries," had they only consulted % that went before them, that it is much ealner to build churches, and erect costly parsonages, thaV to secure & permanent supply for their ministers. In erecting a church, or building a manse, volunli^ryism is quite at home, its caprices are pan- ! deM to, and the kovelty of the undertaking supplies suf- fident motive ;l!>ut, in supporting a minister, there is' /iomething pen^nent and constant^ something ihat »!• t ■■ sh impulse of rd opposition i then schism, ti it, not only of praise and pch'es for their d by « State voluntaryisn* long as these I were made ? to be don© ants of these ided for; in could not be fore lost, and ogs afford a furnish, one- shut up tho through thd lem of Jeru- 1 against tl^e itaries," had I them, that erect costly ply for their ng a manse, les are pan- supplies suf- ter, there is Btlting ihat «Ai«?wf,of compulsion, M, by its regularity of abpMcft* tion deprives voluntaryism of its impelling motive: the world sees; not the extent of the offering, and novelty io^eg tUr charms by repetiiion. ^ if there is any country^under Heaven, which Inirfit . be ejipected to afford a fair trial for « pure voluntaryism,'* It surely ought to be the country which has recently sent forth champions in its defence ; there, the land was christianized, and each congi^egation had sufficient of Gods people » (one would think) to respond fully to the principle. Scotland has enjoyed the sunshine of the Reformation, and for generations has brought up her chiWren in the principles of Holy Scripture. B^ neaUi the fostering care of the State Provision afforded to the country, the Established Church of Scotland has attorned to its present efficiency, and procured for her- self an imperishable record; but, the present generation (a portion of them at least) being more keen sighted ' thantheir fathers, saw (or supposed they saw) agreviou* evil m receivmg any assistance from the State : this thev accounted "bondage," and "gathering" the christum jrutts, of people brought u^ and sustained by « State Pro- nsion, together into their schism, spoke as confidently of We heard how the parent was pnused one week as h^n h 'rh'^Tn^ itwasregardias^-ia.'^L than heathen darkne8s,»> and as "the ph^ue spot of* the country,'>-and why? not because the oiionenr«iw ^j/undamental^rroT in doctrine or in diiipline, but mer^y bei^use the way in which « pound/ s^i™ and pence Wflro r o coived, 4id nofc please I *^ ^^ A2 .,.'' 15 the pronioters of this scheme professedWeat etilight- fenment, civilization, and Christianity: we cc uld have ask* This evidence is true, untvkpeeiing-^iven hy a /rimd andfollower.^Ui voluntafees, then, jbeware of conse- quences: they may brini such Miseries on thew ministers as may «Aor^ theBr days ; tji«y may teach a lesson, not easily to bo eril^cated ^om a natio?--a lesson of ingratitude iowari friends; and they may standi ening tibe days of He^Ven's th^ failure of voluntaryism now, let us see howl it holds its gSpund as aPMHcW their test guides and [ilty bejere God of short- «i So fiup, for " lown dear land:** / / ■< I fr** t / / \ ■■• «. . , , rS,,- . ., T ^T'^^ 1 jPIPm»^ 12 . : ..^ in de8cril)iflgf its further wretchedness, the same xtritcf thus appeals to his brethren :— " Dcaqons of the Free " Church I the much honoured and much valued fel- " low labourers in the Lord's vineyard, permit m© most " respectfully to press more earnestly than ever upon all ** our people the paramount claims of the Sustentation " Fund of our Church, as the one which, ^rfbove all ** others, li^e the Sheaf in Josephfs dream, should stand "in the centre, while all the other schemes of our " Church standing '^und her should bow their heads, ** and make obeisance to her,— this is the place which ** I claim for the Sustentation Fund of the Free Church •* of Scotland !» On reading this sentence, « knowing" the assumptions of^jwrc voluntaries, we cried out in amaz- ment, « What ! Voluntaryism adopting a Fund! kyQ \ and a fund, too, from whence the writer, further on in his appeal, would claim for each minister " ] SO pounds ! or 200! or2S0 pounds per annum !" Has even a generation passed, ^ since we were told, « Religion •hould be free I" Ministers should freely give, as they receive I « God will take care of them." « Funds are detrimental!^ and shem a want of faith / " All these arguments ha^o had their day; a few years poverty have brought these champions to their senses,— they now have a J^awt? /— and « all things else must do obehaac^ to this Fund !" Aye !' verily, we believe it>— Both ministers and people ! and through fear that this " Sustentation Fund? should be^nder the influence pl^ voluntaryism, ,a fix^ stipend Ji 'advocated for the minister, 160, or 200,^ or 250 pounds guaranteed there- from. V « Jl ' 1 Kl^V v> ■ 'fTT * ■*»'«»'^ 'I !, -smi '■f Iio same Mfiiiet DS of tho Free ch valued fel- ennit m© most n ever upon all Sustentation ichj^itbovo all 1, should stand iliemes of our V their heads, le place which e Free Church ' knowing" the 1 out in amaz- 1 Fund! Aye \ , further on in " ISO pounds! Has even a d, " Religion give, as they " Funds are L'" All these jrears poverty senses, — they else must do believe it-^ fear that this J influence of- ated for the anteed there- to 13 But finally, how is it proposed to,raise this " Susten- tation Fund ?"--tbo writer further observes, " My Lords " and Gentlemen ! permit me, the humblest in rank " and talent of your number, t6 beseech you to raise \ ^^ your powerful voice in behalf \of our minietera^ and " that without delay I" Ho appeals to " the Lor^s and Gentlemen" to raise then: powerful voice I — ^ this is a gentle hint, that they should do it in the most powerftil manner, and in iho place of power^ " the Rulers of the World," after all, are appealed to,— their assistance would he received by the consistent voluntaries: a few years ago, they spurned these said " Lords and Gentlemen ;" now, the ship sinking I they would invoke their aidl alas! for Voluntaryism I for the sake of your champions we could have wished you to have lived a little longer, but you are too pure for earth, you have come to a prenmture end in the very cradle of your existence. The Mp is ready, put it on the criminal, and let us whisper in his ear,-^your " disruption" was needl^, — your sin exhibits its consequence even in this life, ^tomn^r ministers, — and people not able to act up to their professions I ! \ - But, should it be asked, what have we to say to this f How can it affect us, whether these voluntaries prosper , , or perish ? We do not admit their principle, we have prospered and increased, and enjoyed God's blessing, while using the support providentially furnished by the State, and the benefits thereby accruing to Christi- anity have been acknowledged by the best and wisest The great Chalmers thus writes on this subject : — "There are many who look with an evil eye to the "■■■•A i 4 '5 J .11 ii V l#- 14- ,_ "*" , KM Vondowments of the English Chuwh, and to the indo- ^ lence of her dignitaries, but to that Church the * theological literature of our naUon stands indebted for her best acquisitions ; neither can we grudire her "the wealth of all her endowments, when we think " how well, under her venerable auspicoa the batUes of " orthodoiy h^ve been fought, that, in this holrwarfnre. they mo her sons, and her soldiers, who have been ever foremost in the field, ready at all times to face " the threatening mischief, and, by the might of their " ponderous erudition, to over^ar it." Such testimony from the prince of divines, in these latter days, may well overbalance any assertions or petty jealousies from our voluntaries. But, although we feel and know GutrkS ^ tion invulnerable, yet, be it remembered, a da^oQ^ party have crossed the waters, ofishoots from nhe^# I niption » at home, carrying, as their gospel, to Canada, thw new doctrine, and, although voluntaries, yet they are determined to use compulsion in enforcing their doctrine: they find the Church of England prosperiuir and extending her ministrations; this they might bear: but « the Kirk," the Church that brought them up "m darkness- they owe her a grudge, and feetXesirous to teach her a httle of f the voluntary." How do they proceed ? they approach « the Lords and Gentlemen » the temporal rulers! a power they denounced as vol Jn- tanes at home, and whose interference in Church matters vxxs deemed the heaviest curse, the most fearful of all bondage 1 yet thU v«ry ^oip^ they «ee^ Aer*, they im- portune it to interfere in the management of other ehurchee, to plunder their property! thus, instead of ./. \ n /' teHdhing our « Senators wiidoln," they teach them sacriloge. The hue and cry is raised, and the now sect, glorying in the navM of freedom, seeks to teach the Province Christianity and the blessings of voluntaryism, But how do they seek to teach us? Is it by the pure and elwating voice of the pulpit f la it by any of thoat hallowed meant which scripture authorises in teaching the sinful ? Is it by the Church not « of this world f '» No ! DUT BT THE WORLD ! i)y its ruUrs, its penodicahi its demagogues, some of whom, had they been taught the meaning of honesty, justice, and sacrilege, never would have lent themselves as instruments to such an unrighteous cause. ?^ Now, with respect to the voluntary principle, we re- gard it as a subsidiary, as an assisUnce to more perma-- nent support. In this light our church has ever followed and taught it, but, as an exclusive support, we utterly deny its adequacy, arid. in this view all are in realtty agreed, even the voluntaries themselves, though they do not confess it. If our |>pponent8 were consistent, they should have no existing fund, no « Sustentation Fund," no matter Ijow that fund is procured, whether from the State or from theinselv^ts ; any fund for religious sup* portMn existence amount them, will prove that they fear ihepurely voluntary ^stem as much as wedo, and that, to guard its deficiencies, TfiKY REQUIRE a fumd« But, will^t besaid "we dislike any fund from the State j "it may restrict ouroperations, and control ourohurchesr Even here too, we can shew, that n6 improvement is made in this respect by the adoption of volun- taryi8m,~80 called,— and that the State may be just as .■i' 10 *1' good A paymaatoms othors. How many instances liko the following have we all read of ?— An active and ex- emplary minister is appointed to. a congregation, he has a certain stipend promisecj him from the people, there are in the congregation a few rich fatoilie^ or a rich deacon, the burden of the minister's salary falls chiefly on these, the prominence this gives to " the few" is felt by both minister and people ; at length, an occasion offers to shew the dangers of such pay makers, the minister preaches, for instance, on the love of God in Christ, ho is somewhat astray, however, either in magnifying this love, or in diminishing it, whether right or wrong, it does not please "the prominent few," thepaymal^; the. minister is warned, he does, not heed their teinons* trance, a few sabbathV more tell the whole tale,— the doors are closed! and wo might post iip the placard outside, " the beauties of voluntaryism 1" Now, in such cases, we ask, which is the most unholy paj^master f the State, or the few t the St*te would not imjiose such a burden, there is assuredly more of the inquisitiim about "the deacon" and " the^ew," than oveV the State, could manifest. Or, again; suppose, in the instance adduced, which may ofj0n happen, the minister yields; he fears thov consequence of losing the support of- the orthodox; few :^then we have the Church and minister pandering to the few, in " bondage of her own chil- dren 1 " This exceeds any abuse from the State. We do not for a moment say, that the State may nojt act injur- iously towards the Church, and abuse its power; we admit It may, and ba8*\ but^we maintain, that, ^s power must exist somewhere, the State ia just «s likely U> use it ■■ ' ■ ■ ■ - ■'// ■■*■- . - ■ ,' '. • ■ ' * 't ■ !•. ". ^ • .wr .**^ ' instaneos liko activo and ox* Bgntion, ho has ) people, there ilieii or a rich ry falls chiefly iio/tho nominatfi^lll^fa^galarji, no matter how it ^^W%d, ifon|m|^ be J^mised as certem, -'^'^^PP^ whol#|^iple of volun- ^ ■ ^am^^ M ^liiK ^jS&JlfH&ML^ %^ / * Jf9 "■^aona ready for -iter"— not from olight and com- loir ficourgo and >n^ogation, but :o to say, that om tho locafity >ry recont date, duced, and yet instances, as if inknown to any f tho abuses of presentation to are of tho evils 'jfM^s, and in ttsfie^ that the' the voluntary id abuse, and movement, and f its imaginary loss desire of evils incident ick cannot be fif^t of pray> itaryism as a pxistence of a ninisters, an^ natter how it ed as certain^ pie of volun- >»r^ 19 ''■% ^^A _ M _ ^^^i' '^l ^ taryisra is forfeited ; moreover, wo Jmvo shewn how th« ♦ vexed abuses from patronage aro just as rife under tli^ working of the system fll.ei^ whore. Now, let us con- ' aider, whether ^^^^^tSht^ency in the working of the principlo,T-«Bffcir HW" pure voluntaries " are Batisfied witlLAKe mi^^t they receive, and whothet it is sufficfentMp ■'* / — •In^tho workinjf^qf the tystem, we should tee no eompuUion whatever; but can this be said of our voluttUrios? If a Church is to be built, or a minister's •alary is deficient, or improvements to be carried oi|t, what plans do they adopt? Do they trust to their principle! No I assuredly not,— they are well aware, aa we are, of its inadoquaay 1 and, therefore, we bear of " Bazaars 1" " Soirees !" to which . « the public," (not their "dear brethren, the voluntlaries," but " the public") ♦ " TT* tkouldMe no eompu/Mon."— Instanoofl of this oompul- 8ion aooidcDtally come before ub, — recontly, when visiting ui a neighbouring pariah, ^o called at the house of a school master, who, i^,the oourao of cooversation, observed, that, amongst his pumhr, he had a young man, who was preparing for " tho Free (I) church ministry.^ We begged of tho school master to sound his ^upilon the subject of voluntaryism, and to ask him, whether. IB i»ad suflScient confidence in such a system for support f Ima- 9ur amaumgnt wbeiKihis candidate fur " freedom (!)" assur- schooUKter, that "he had no fears on that subject," i, the system adopted was,— for, " /Ww Freeholders, fyorutt and good, to enter into a bond for tho payment of t^e minister's salary;" at the same time, giving as an instance, the neigh- bouring Free (f) Church mimster, who WM thus secured. On hearing this, our feelings may be better imagined than described, disgust, when, Pharisaie preteiuiont, are convicted of su«h barefaced mconsistency. ^ > « ' ^: h^^^Mm fvi- ' ii Y- '^ X: •^ 20 •are respectfully^ invited.— Nay, Ven compulsion is ^used: — for instance, when a bazaar or tea party for the object contemplated k announced,' "we read as follows:—" Gfrand Soireel"^*' The public are I'espect- " full/informed, that a Soiree will come off in the Free /" Church (or Methodist, or wherever our voluntaries /«" fall short,)— the proceedings will be enlivened by a 7 "band of music !" This extract w taken from one of our /oca/ Newspapers, and is similar to all notices of the kind, L^t us, then, ittend to it for a few moments — V. fira^tJiey invite « the public"— that is, other assistance besides their own,— and, througfi^fear of « the voluntary fedings" of the public, not being sufficiently imbued with theit principle, they name a tgmpuliory fee for entrance ! " Is. 3d." is demanded /—what now becomes of the principle ? It comes to naught-^proc^tcaZ/y, and the « State Churches," with all their « bondage," have the advantage— the voluntaries take their Is^, 3d. from 'a public, for aught they know, non-reliffioX^ « the State Churches" receive theirs, from a government PBOFESSEDLT Christian. But, again, « the public "mtust be amused,— Christianity will not attract tjie assistance required ; something to see or hear must be procured for « the public,"— a " band of music I" is in readiness I Oh I angelic voluntaries ! after all your vauntings you are more wordly than your opponents; you have spngs!— the world's praise!— and the world's music 1 resounding in buildings set apart for the solemn wor- ship of Almighty God, buildings meant onfy to resound to the Creator's praise; and, moreover, " caifeM " and "^ tea " inside of a church! the worid's feastings 1 Were ' ^- •ir,-%''r r~ f^ri^Tf Q eompulston is or tea party for ced; "we read as public are I'espect- me off in the Free r our voluntaries •e enlivened by a t from one of our ill notices of the few moments — 8, other aasistance [)f " the voluntary ifBciently imbued mpultory fee i[or hat now becomes -poetically, and " bondage," have heir Is. dd. from religiom^ ** the 1 a government the public " must ict t|ie assistance mat be procured ' is in readiness I ir vauntings you ehts; you have > world's music I the solemn wor* I; onfy to resound er, " cakes " and feastings I Were ' •■•■;■ 21 ■■ ■ Saint Paul to visit the scene, he would say, as of old, *^ What I have ye not houses to eat and drink in, or despise yo the Church* of-Ood I" Cor. xi, 22. But, this evil will not stop here ; it engenders a contempt for sacred things, and, hence, we are not surprised to find tljat people, who are thus taught to violate the sanctity of their own places of worship, should deny the existence of such a sin as sacrilege. In Walker's dictionary, we' find, that « sacrilegious" is « to violate things sacred," this, we conceive, is literally done, by the exhibition of "a Soiree "iNSiDB of a church I— whUe the deed of sacrilege, according to the same author, is "to ap- propriate to one's self, what is dmted to reUgiop, ;" this sin is probably soonU>\^ perpetrated, in depriting reU- gion of its support,— in the alienation of its property to common or " Mcti^ctr purposes." We are not surprised at the ^norance of those who seek to commit this sin, notwithstanding all their pro- fessions of enlightenment, for, they who trifle on such subjects, always are sent a delusion or blindness ; thus, ♦ The same feeling which Saint Paul manifests in the sen- tenoe referred to, may be gathered from onr Lord's conduct. When he entered the temple, he not only cleansed it from the mora open acts of desecration, bnt St. Mark tell us « he would hot »j^r that any mm thould carry any vetul through the tempk," and then gives as his reason, « My house shall be caUed of all fia^ton* the house of prayer," Are im to learn nothme from this transaction t Is there no lesson, for« all hations" here?— •'The houseof prayer" should be ke|>t sacred from tecular or com- mon transactions, m order to secure the respect of" all nations." rbB master filtjo, and the master iamfhi so^ and this is sufficient for our Church, notwithstanding the diflforent teaohinff •XI T" S{Ji«V»* [I: ji ^ - 5 r 22 ■;■■■■:■ the people of the Jews, though committing this sin of sacrilege, Icmw it not; they we^ led hy me step to amtlusr.m they were not aware of their error, and' the prophet is sent to remonstrate, " Will a man rob ' God? yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, wherein have we robbed thee ?" In ^ncing at those penodicals in the province which fSmpet forth the praises of voluntaryism, and advo^te sacrilegious measures in order to compel all to foUowthem, we find one unblushing * champion in the field, who seeks to raise himself to political impor- tance by this principle; and so confident \k he in his position, that he invites even the Clergy of the Church of England, and all others whom he supposes as ignorant as himself in Church affairs, to cast %mselve8 for support on this voluntaryism: w^ll! let us see the facts which are published in order to win our confi- dence antt approbation. We find the pyoceedings of « the Free Church Synod" thus reported in "the Gospel Tribune;" the salaries of 13 ministers are given, and from the list we shall select a few, as a specim^ • — ^*Markham £80, Madoc £76, Saltfleet £84, $outh Gower £80,Owen Sound £V0, Spencerville £68, St Therese £43, Osnabruck £30 P Now, we ask ai^y one to consider the prices of labour and provisions, and then look at th<^e salaries, and let him tell us what he thinks of voluntaryism? If the minister is not io be « a hewer of wood, and drawer of water," he must have a servant man, and if he is to fulfil the office of Mini- * The Editor of the ♦♦ Globe." -— 4--^— - :.^^ 28 emitting this sin of led by one step to )f their error, and ' Will a man rob ' t ye say, wherein in the province, voluntaryism, and ier to compel all 3g * champion in io political impor- dent ^ he in his pgy of the Church pposes as ignorant 8t tj^emselves for I let us see the to win our conlS- e pix>ceedings of ed in « the Gospel ■8 are given, and as a specin)^ : fleet £84, $outh cerville £68, St. >w, we ask ai^y d provisions, and n tell us what he ter is not io be )r/* he must have ' e office of Miati- onary-^hich the country requtree^ihen, he must have a /horse; welll what will the wages and board of a servant man cost? as well as the expenses of a horse, during th^ year, at the present price ? We answer, without fear of contradiction, from experience, these will cost not less than £66, per annum! now deduct this^m from the %A«»< salary adduced! and whaUi^pke minister and his family left to live on ? Su^l^ need no conmient, but must have the efiect on eteiy serious and well disciplined mind, of exciting pity, and commiseration for thosr unfortunate u^dividuals, 'who aUow sectarian animosity and party feelmg to warp their better judgment In considering the Government of a Christiaii country ^adopting such measures as voluntaryism proposes, we have a sad spectacle presented to the mind ; for, who are the main stay and support of aU ^at is valuable in a Christian community? Who? we ask, if the Clergy are not» To whom is the government of a Christian country indebted for muoh^ts good oi^dteand moral- ity. If not to the Clergy? Aye, and we may assert without fear of contradiction, that the Clergy are far pore usefulto the government^ than all the officials - ^ey employ, either in jails^prisons, or courthouses. When a government, therefore, turns adrift the Clergy for support elsewhere, it wffl treat its best and truest supporters with the basest iijgratitude. It will appear ' to the worid, as not caring for,, or valuiDg,.the labors of those who are forming their subjects for the high- . Mt and holiest aims; and will teach a lesson which the Sceptic and the Infidel will not f.,-i *. f«^ t-r thdr 24 own advantage, viz:—" all tilings else are deserving of a permanent and certain support, save religion /" There are, moreover, many services, of a " secular" nature, which the Clergy, frequently render Ito the Government, and society. If a doubt is entcitained i^especting the character of an individual who s^ks an office or employment, the Clergy are appealed to. If statistical information is required on points Affecting the general welfare of the community, the Clergy are appealed to ;— indeed, they are even compelled to draw out ainnual Ij^ta of marriages, hirths, or burials;— and all these offices they are willing to fulfil, but they expect, at least, gratitude in return, and think it fair that they should be protected in their rights, as other men. There are quite sufficient evidences before us, that the Government of this country are not indulgent towards the Clergy, without any necessity of perpetrating the further act of spoliation of their property. Sufficient evidence, that no mitigation with respect tQ taxation will be adopted towards the Clergy, wh6n even the small stipend that they receive from a charitable society at homej is taxed I and the only ceremony for which the Clergy receive any fee, even there the Go- vernment is be/orehandy and exacts its dues. How frequently I on marrying a poor couple, does the Clergyman, on asking for his fee, hear tiiis excuse:— " Sir ! we are too poor to pay yoitr charge, the License has cost us £l 10s., and we cannot afford any .more I" this case frequently happens, but whenever it does, we cannot help remarking, how liberal the Government! first, to drain onr poor people, and then send us beg^ ■:: T-»'-' 18 are deserving of e religion pi es of a " secular" itly render /to the ibt is entmained iual who s^ks an e appealed to. If n points affecting Yt the Cljbrgy are compelled to draw or burials; — and U, but they expect, b: it &ir tiiat thej other men. B before us, that re not indulgent ity of perpetrating roperty. Sufficient spect tQ taxation , wh^n even the om a chafitahle Illy ceremony for en there the Go- \ its dues. How bouple, does the vt this excuse:- — arge, the License fford any .more I" jiiever it does, we the GoTemment ! len send us b^ 25' ging from their voluntary fedingg I To he coniUteLt in our teaching, we should practise what we preaih. •The Government may soon teach us; Oh I- -The volln- ^ taries cannot teach us their principle to be « jth« Gospel," but the Government willMp them fX-i\i\iJih% law is going to teach us the Gospel I— weU,[if the 1 jw is to be consistent in its teaching, let us see fhtt itiust do : it must not tax the Clergyman ; Jo \eofkpul' 9im " towards him !— he should be free of dverjr roLd in Canada, his income should not be taxed,]and\ viujN- TART GRANTS should be made to him wheieveri] into difficulties, or needs to build a chur( and more too, is but little to expect froto a ment that seeks to deprive, religion of its suppoi plea that " voluntaryism" is sufficient. But we do not expect this practice, thJugh t4 do the teaching; we see qui|e sufficient to convince us, that the Clergy will be proscribed, if possible ^at thP fession will be totally prostrate, through fear of ij and vice receiving any check : the deion of; is in allthis, and the misfortune is, thai people proi CAmftan are following its evil teachilg. We are prepared to hear of a sebt^ folli^wliig any dangerous and ruinous principle, and pertinaLouslj adhering to it, the more they aro warned and opposed; but, it sorely puzzles our experiSnce to find— or Ven to read of—the Government of a country, containing (aa one should suppose) '' liiQ collective wisdm bf our colony 1" sancaoning a measure advocated bymen-if this happens when we only seek one-Aa?^ of our salary from the peo* pie, what will it be when we come to seek the whole I Let parents consider (his well, before they entail such mental suflering (not to tfay bodily) upon their chtt^ dren,^ — ^before they educate their sons for -an offii^ which the law may not protect from scorn and indiffer* ence — an office^ which^ though the highest and most important on earth, yet may be rendered useless and time, serving, by the wickdness of man. When a Christian land assumes this position towards the tainis* try of God, then it denies the doctrine laid down by ourLerdf^'the workman is worthy of his meat.** « The ■■'■* ^ — -X - ■ — ' 7 : ;■ "■- X V^.'- - \ ^^ / '■ •'■' •- • U L *t ■ •;» ■ i " I * ., Zi f i ^^^ft « ^M m x4'- ■4 7 S6 ■ B<««e or c»7y- (St. Matt X. n to /so ^hich aw^^^^ this position towards the ambassadors of God is guilty of proscribing the ministry, and refusing the mUaffe ' and the action of the ministry in such a case is' « depart out of thit house or citt, shake off the dusl of your feet ; verily, I say unto you. It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomerrha, in -the day of judgment than for that city." Let this passage be read, let it be considered ; we do not write for scholars or subtle theologians, we mean our remarks for simple Bible-reading Christians ; and w? say, he who reads this p^age will find the same duty laid down for _a c»/y as for « a Aou^Vin providing for the ministiT. Here we find, that one of the chief inarks of reception of our Lord's disciples, by « a hous, or city, was to extend to them their « bieat as workmen." Is « the citv " or nation to teach on« thinff, in this matter, and « the house » another ? Is « the house " to receive,' and « S^ T, J. f ^ ?T"'^' ^'""^ ''^ ^^y 5 rerily ! both houle and My should, (according to the passage,) ;,roi;. their r^^/jon^of the Gospel by providing 4eVorkman'I meat. Such u the voluntaryism, we teach, and suet 19 NOT the voluntaryism of our puris voluntaries: they seek to b^ wiser than God, and to legislate for angels not for n^an as he is, and as God regards him ; thejr seek to bring our nation and our promising > country, to an mfidel rejection of the Gospel ; they pr^' ^ mse ^freedom 'Vas a reW for perp^tralingTch inckedness, but the word of God^„ounces wrath, "It Aall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and %»nftrriia m the day of judgment, t han for fh.f w^.» 77 >! • : • I which assumed f God, is guilty g the message J uch a case is, ike off the dust t shall be more GohMwha, in ^ty." Let this ve do not vrrite in our remarks we say, he who V laid down for :>r the ministry* ks of reception r city, was to Is "the city" ttter, and « the live, and "the p the ministry, ily ! both house e,) prove their he workman's 'Chj and suclr voluntaries ; ► legislate for •egards him ; IT promising J^ el; they^o-" '^ trating such !s wrath, " It " Sodom and In considering the working of Voluntaryism in thi»^ country, it will appear evident that, if it prove inade- quate, and insufficient in the home country, where it had every thing in its favour, iij must of course prove a failure in a poor colony. In toi^s and cities it may work, where the people are numerous and indepen- dentj but, in our poorer settlements, there it cannot work : the people in our infant settlements have thtir . poverty and wretchedness to struggle with, lor a long period, iand, if to their other claims we Md that of the ministry, then we shall call upon them for what they cannot give, though' willing", and the consequence will be, that at the very period, above all others, wh«n a min* ister is needed to console the wretched, and to teach them reiigniation to their lot, to make a stand for religion while the settlement is new, then we shall b« PQmpelled to abahdon them, until, perhaps^ evil habits ' have gained the^ mastery, and the ground be preoccupied by infidelity and irreligion. These considerations however, are all set aside by the present agitation. Individuals who never had one hour of experience in missionary work, will now come forward to teach those who have grown old in Canadian fissions. Men the politician, whose ign^ance of the spiritual destitution - of the country rtiust be notorious,, will, notwithstand* ing, come forward to teach the peopte on this subject. W^'lately heard one of these worthies plead his cause most eloquently; he happened to have just left hismer^ chandize, and with his mind fully bent on " the pounds shillings and pence," he stood forth as a candidate for the suffrages of the people I He offered religion for - « , \ 38 l-iiilroads 1 A sort of merchandize -which he found itt the market, arid thus he addressed his enlightened sup- poitersi— "My friends! we have otie common cause^ ^ "—to pull down all state churches,— take away their ♦'property, and then one church wilj not outstrip ano^ . "ther; |vhen we get this property, then we can have " railroads, or anything else we wish. Religion,- if ,»';worth anything; should support itself. I am for ,:** freedom, and I care not how I obtain it, provided I " can obtain it. The country is now rich and prosper- « ous i it ca?f affprd to build churches, and sup^rt min. « isters, and if it will not do this, then it should not ' « h^ve them / "^ On hearing such an orator as this, and especially on 'hearbg of his sfeccew (for he was « re- turned J'') I blushed for my adopted country, but I consoled mystjlf with the hope, that we h^d now arri* ved at the end of the road—" a long W indeed, which has no turning ! " This is the boastedUnlightenment of the 19th century.-To laugh at what our forefathers trembled at ;— to Jcnow in a moment, what wo never took time to learn ;~to speak confidently of what we never saw or experienced ;--to rush onward, while cau- tion would whisper to hesitate ;^to deride all sacrM thmgs, be they churches or church property, or burial grounds : any feelings attached to such things, beyond " what yre would have for merchandize, is accounted "superstition" and « priestcraft 1" If they have not yet arrived at that point where extremes meet, assuredly they cannot be far from it. We see the mind, now strained; the door is too widely opened and when it' •wings back, then we shall see "the Pandora Box "of \ ■ ■/ X tf ''..■■<"■■■*-■ Schism of dissent : other goncralions have seen it, h\xi wo, not yet fullf/f Wo havo seen, however, the first _ fruits, aye ! oven more : tjie extreme of liberality^ \vhich wo fiavc, seen is now changed into bigotry ; and that "Religious Toleration" which gave the hand of fellowship to every vhade of error amongst the creedless. is now changed into in^nflGerable intolerance. Where the Bible was siipposj^d to be"> / , ^^^^^^^f 0'AJr%.^^%si<'VJ!^ f^^rr-^ ¥• ( -. I' • 40 ■ and legitimate teaching. Wo' are indebted to out Church, under God, for wh,\toyer .lability our^nafion P"^; and if the teaching .of X,„d or P„sey. . for ,Aepre«^t, misleads Bon,e, we kno«r the Churchvl .tandMd» are unchanged, & wheioier came out of « the . Vo.ce 6f Scripture, ^^.ttered by -'the glorious army of "Cr^ """^ 'WI^ obeying these »Lda«i;,7fed .p«.teoted ,n our moW "In medio tuti«imus ibi..-' Before we concIudc^weVouId offer a few remarks on yoIunt«7«m m re/erence to our/!hurch. There are many who belong to ourChurd?in this country, but who, m con«,uence of neveriavinTcontribnted any- ctnL r "J" ?l'''8y"'»-'»»"PP0rt in the hom"^, country, or even m this, till lately, suppose that a haM lot has oyertdten them in consequence of this Z demand. Here, however, they are much mistaken ; for ae t.a,e or taxation, which they had to pay at hLe, though not „o«i^,j, gi,e„ to the Clergyminf yet mTcI- • lin- T^ "r"*'"^ ™P«*^ " »">*' to proviie^or tSo mmishf. Instead, however, of BnchbU^asomet^r! atonbe,ng,mposedhe,«, therei. only a sm»ll sum, and that toe voluntarily, eipected fW,m Wh. Now In ^g this support there sh6uld be lib^t^ a„dpj«. ^ observed in the contribution. If oZ firjil^ ' »^^ taught our people (his habit, we should not nowltape„e,ce the difficulties which we do in this Uie State, (as our opponents affirm,) but chiefly by a chantable society in the. mother country, heni out - oeoole h,v, not been indoctrinated in the principle of ,> w?T*iS' Y^-rfPi. 41 ' ■ . " '■ . ' ' ' t^ Mpportiog the ministry as muciv as jure would wish. As the ^0Ine Societies have long sipce coine to the decision of mdlthdrawing their support from this province, and as they have already commenced to do so, we- are flow compelled to call upon our people for support ; and we cannot but think thipit it is high, time to make a beginning. Our people^ however, are. slow in learning . this jpripciple. We have known many of our farming population, who 'generally put by, to our knowledge,, fr^m one to' fwo hundred pounds annually, and yet, to our amazement, we often find their names on the sub- ' ' scriplion list to the minister's support for "one pojind P^ .^ and too often for "ten- shillings 1" and after contribu- ting fluch a mite,, would look into the faces of their , fellow churchmen with self-complacent satisfaction, as if they were worthy to be held forth as wonderful spe- cimens of liberality. What ! a man blessed of God, by,, sunshine and shower, protected by a good Providence from all the casualties^thatumay happen from seed-time to harvest, vtrith barni^ overflowing, and putting* into his coffers one to two hundred pounds yearly I — such a man giving back to his Goaltry sum of one pound I — One pound to tlie ministry, and perhaps twenty jto his vices ! Though the fields of such a man be fruit- ful,' his soul must be barren, ana he must be deceiving' it with the soliloquy of the man in the parable. "Soul, J thou' hast much goods laid up for many years, take thine ease ; eat, drink, and be merry.'* But the answer — of God, like the writipg of the unknown hand, spoils all, — " Xhou fool, this night thy soul shall be required, of thee." Be wise, then, in time, Oh, ye covetous I --J 4S2 Your riches are but dross and dung in comparison to what we' bring you, — wo bring you a vessel freighted with heavenly merchandise, and were you to give your- selves, your houses, and your substance, j^ou could not purchase anything we ofl'or ! Gifts, such as we bring, demand your gratitude, and the frui^ of this grfititudb is, Jlrst, " to give yourselves to the Lord," and then, your substance ; and, if'you do this, then, we declare to you, on the authority of God, that even in this life yoUj shall be gainers, " for every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sistere, or father, or mother, or ^fe, or children, or land, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundred fold, and shall inherit everlasting life." Our holy religion, if practiced Avith that self- denial M^ich values Christ above all else, confei's " the promise of the life that is, as well as of that to come. Thfis is the voluntaryism .we want to see ; but we deny lat it ever will be taught us by the spoliation of our /property, or by the political agitation of our purb voluntaries ! but by the only agency which God has authorised to instil such principles — by the feaoiful EXERCISE OF THE MINISTRY OF GoD. ■ ' V- /) >»)? '-^ . >n to jilted your- l not )ring, ^itud'o then, are to jou saken Br, or shall isting , self- "the 3onie. deny f our I'URB i has 71FUL J-i j^oTE.— '• Taa ViaMedia," >'*" hotwccn two dangerous extreme^— popery- and dissent I We Are aware thot ^ some sincere members of our Church disputju thi^ position. One, party maintains that there is no medium, And/that popery and dissent are similar ! Another party, on iU cbti\x^t% Bupposet :^ that dissent is tho medium I Now, wo feel cfertain ihot.a. very J shghtconsiderationwili prove both these bartiea Wrong, uxO: that our Church is '*The Via Media." Wo /dsk then, in the first, place, what is popery f A systdm of ejixB^ doc- trines. What is dissent? 'A system ot^opjkQt^fJ doctrine Here surely there must be a medium, a plkce for truth. For instance, popery teaches absolution by the priest, irrespective of the fitness or unfitness of the recipient 1 jdissent, aroUsed to indignation at such a doctrine, rushes to the ither extreme, and denies any power in the nifbister j beyond thatjof a mere layman' Our Church, on the contrary, appeals to Scribture ; her minU- ' try fearlessly take the ground Sssigned to thetk as « ambassadors for God, who speak in His name and tteadh and to all who obey tho conditions of the Qospel/we pronounce to txxcWbeing penitentr the forgiveness of sins. Such authority belongs not to laymen, it is intrusted ta " the ministry of reconciliation."— See 2 Cor. v. 20; John xx. 28 ; Matt, xvi. 19.1 : Again, .popery teaches the "opiis operiAum'? eystefe of sacraments, insomuch, that grace is conferred alike on all by their reception: baptism secures salvation irrespective of conditions, and the Lord's Supper becomes a charm, irrespective of the fit- ness or unfitness of the recipient 1 At this, diskent is horrified, rushes to the other extreme, levels all sacramenls, and preaches fexclusively of repentance and faith. Here thb Church takes her ground again between these two dangerous fextremes. She ^ teaches, thatwpentance and faith, these mighty feifts, cannot be procured and strengthened without all Uie meahs, and that aU y.-.- % ^ S. V W ' ^^. ftT 5Mi:?rT t.'^"""^ 7T" "*5^P^'''P' A-^ ■ :: [/' ^ ^ \*a,^ '■■■V. Jho loo^for •alratU by Chrirt nmH 1„««t,, th«,o me.n,. ^ K?.!!: ' , "'' 'P'"* "'^ J°^°*''* ^J^ °"^ Saviour.-" unlc a .X.t ^™ X '"''" '"'^ *^° "P'"^" ^•"'«"' ^^"•d havo the W Wy. and popery tho water; but the happy medinm i. •d^ water aud the .piri," " What God has joiued togeTh lotjot man put aaundor." In the instruction of her7eoplo. pojiery beheves that "ignorance is bli..;» and accordingly. i„ the instruction of Ifer youth, she would dole out «.raps of super- •Ution under tho form of religipn, and, if possible, would exclude -^ My progress-m sciences or literature. Dissent fires at this, rushes impetuously to the otlier extreme, and declares, that religion tramels tho human mind, and hinders the process of Bhould be kept/ree / At once a war is waged against sciool. W^ ? Rel.giouseducationisM.n/^tocha?ce.and«.ecu. lar education is the blessing!" Here again the Church t.^. her middje and Scriptural ground. Sh: would remind poplry that religion «nMo«/ education produces superstition andTesl reSL " ^^^-^-d dissenVthat education. ^JmoJ^ religion gives a crop of infidelity. Both of these danger, the Church protects us from, by establishing itfall lands. sZob«id umversiUes. where religiohlind education go hand in hand, in where the evils that might arise fromtheone, are counterl/te by the salutary and restraining influence of the.^ther. /a a further instance of the battle between these two extremis I°r "«f '°\-P0P«'7 hangs its boasting and hopes Ip'o, un ty. Although human tradition may not eaUsfy .0 Jof Zm, yet It ,s endured for the sake of unity. They would prefer to go td hell in unity.^th«i to heaven by separation. Diw^i -ees thij^ and. rushes headlong, as usu^. to the other extreme. Bchism IS a blessing r "unity a curse I-'-a creature of the f^/^^. ^il""'"^'*!'-" ''"^ ^''■^^ ^^'^'"^^^^ popery, and /W./ore to be avoided I Our Church again takes thV" v£ Media; she pronounces unity a blessing, if it can be maintained ™ ^ ♦f T'' "^ >"'**'^«' truth. She breathes after umty as the Sayipu^-« Fiber, I will that they may be one XT ...w^ms**'** ., .:i i fl ». ] pofl ena, • to • .-_-^-^_ - ees me, the "•y. r\& led ter ©-. ' ne; ■ •■; * • -i^ . (&» i^iili ^ 4A ).^ e?en m we are one." Our Ohurcl< batci conteotioo, atid bating •elected Apoitolio docirino and discipline, ae the primitive Oliurcbos taught, she givoa no occasion for schi«m, and, as the Apoiitles, " marlM those who cause divisiorfs, and aVoids them.". Again, popery prays, exclusively with the missal ; a form of prayer is gone through, and grace conferred by its repetition, the spirit need not accompany, the heart need not bo engaged ; if the mouth speaks, all \% right t Dissent sees this awful extreme, and with ferered imagination wages a warfare against allformt, — ** these are injurious to piety I" Thus, while popery prays 0«c/iiMWy with a form, dissent must pray txilunvely mthovt one I JBoth fatal extremes ! Poperr, by its extreme, builds up a castle of formality, and Dis8ent,%y its extreme, a castle of enthusiasm I Here, again, our Ohurclji comes to our rescue, and)>Iace8 our feet on the " Via Kedia." She honours forms, if Ap6tt^ic and Scriptural, remembering Uiat thVSible itself comes under this definition. She prays in a form, remem- bering the example of our Lord, who taught hh diadplee to do so, and composed a fbrm for their use ; and she foUowi the early- infant church in the use of forms, as it would appear tliat tile JirMtpraytr they ever offered up as, an ataembly, was of necn- uty a form prwioutly known by them,--.>Jc/« ii. 24, 30,— com- pared with the Second Psalm. In the use of forms, then, tha Church would teach us to^ray with th0 undtrttanding and th$ , fpirit. Popery teaches' prayer with the understanding, but not the spirit ; and dissent teaches prayer with the spirit, but not the understanding. The Ohurch's plan, being scriptural, is the only safe one, and is the middle path. Once more,— In tha bosom of popery « allure safe 1" there is " the kingdom of Hea- ren 1" Saints and sinners hare the same hopes, and assurances, and pardons. ** "What difference beiueen ]»inn«r and mnngr in the si^ht of Him who is of purer efea than to behold iniquity V* Dissent at once forges it» extreme. Oo considering suoh hUia^ phen^ they would at onee separate *ope. Such instances, however, are the exceptione to the general rule ; and even though here, we may have but one extreme to avoid, yet a middle path must be taken, as a channel may bo dangerous, though it have on]^ one treacherous ooast. But, notwithstanding these casual meetings of diuont and popery, still, there is qyito sufficient left in dissent to pronounce *, it an extreme— an extreme, too, which holds its principles with - the same pertinacity as popery, for instance,— to recapitulate >— Popery gives to the ministry the power of God 1 Dissent gives it NO power I Popery makes saviours of sacraments ! ' Dissent makes not/