let us remember this, that it is one thing to define religion, and another thing to practise it. To embrace or declare a sentiment or system, is not to live as they may direct. An intelligent writer has truly remarked, “It is easy to investigate doctrines and to weigh evidences; and there is a delightful sense of intellectual vigor in detecting error, and exposing sophistry, and demonstrating the triumph of truth. It is comparatively easy also, and it is delightful to a regulated mind, to rise above the events of ordinary life, and to ascend in exalted contemplation, to those higher regions, where shine forth in a peculiar manner the Divine perfections; to luxuriate amid the wonders of creation, the wonders of Providence, and, it may be also, the mysteries of grace. But after the mind has been disciplined to these high pursuits, a more difficult exercise remains; and that is, to look within, and determinedly to press the question respecting our own moral condition, and how far we are under the influence of the truth which we profess to believe."*

It is my purpose to come to this inquiry with every reader who desires not only to hear the word of God, but to do it. To those who "say and do not," whose idea of religion extends not beyond the formal profession of a certain faith, or the continual fighting with arguments from the lips and pen in its defence, I do not expect to afford much edification in these pages. If I can make any suggestions, which shall serve to assist the humble seeker after "the righteousness which is of God by faith," in his good work, my labors will be amply rewarded. I shall, therefore, "use great plainness of speech" in the obser

* Abercrombie on Christian Faith and Character.

vations which follow; as my object is the moral benefit of both writer and reader. We here speak together as be-. lievers in the Father of all; as those who reverence the Gospel and the character of its author; as seekers after practical righteousness and truth. We desire not only to profess Christ, but to be his true disciples. And in order to this, it is proper that we commence the work with our own hearts; seeking that assistance which reason enlightened by God's holy word will give us, and humbly believing, that to all those who strive to be doers of the word and not hearers only, the light of divine wisdom will be freely imparted, and the path of Christian peace so distinctly seen, that "the wayfaring man, though a fool, need not err therein.”

2*

CHAPTER II.

SELF-EXAMINATION.

SELF-EXAMINATION is a Christian duty of the first importance. Indeed, there can be no true Christian who does not practise it. And by self-examination we mean that work of the soul, which extends far beyond nominal faith, and takes hold on the motives, and regulates the actions. It implies, that we know ourselves as reason and revelation represent us; as we are seen by that great Being who made us, and from whose sight no weakness, no sin, can be hidden; that we not only with the mouth make confession of faith, but with the heart believe unto righteousness.

"Examine yourselves whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves." This is a gospel injunction. It comes from a faithful apostle of the Lord Jesus, and is entitled to our careful attention. We are liable to be deceived. Error and sin may creep in upon us unawares, and the light that is in us prove darkness. It has been truly said, that "a person ignorant of his own heart, is like a merchant, who knows not the state of his accounts, while every day liable to become a bankrupt; or like the crew of a leaky vessel, who are insensible to their danger." The Christian should see that these comparisons apply not to him. Self-examination is neglected in the Christian community. A disposition to be watching, and noting, and declaring the faults of others, is here witnessed, while we are at the same time neglecting to cor

rect and overcome our own. Jesus had allusion to this very failing when he said; " And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye, and behold a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother's eye."

It is not improper to mark the faults of others, so that we profit by them. But then we are not to stay away from home continually in search of other men's follies. We are not to employ all our time in taking the noxious weeds from their gardens, while our own, like that of the slothful mentioned by Solomon, is all grown over with thorns and nettles, and the wall thereof is broken down. Let us then bring home the examination to our own hearts.

AM I A PRACTICAL BELIEVER IN THE GOSPEL? This is the question for every reader to settle with his own conscience; and, throughout these pages, we wish this question to be kept constantly before him. In order to arrive at satisfactory conclusions on this subject, certain inquiries should be proposed, and answered in that fear of the Lord which is the beginning of wisdom, and with that reverence for his holy word, which every humble believer in Christ will feel. We desire not only to have the name and profession of Christians, but the Christian's heart and life, living, practical, invigorating faith. Why shall not we, who live under the present light of gospel truth, speak with as much confidence as did good men of old? Paul could say, "I know in whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that

which I have committed unto him." Other apostolic testimony informs us of the practice of self-knowledge and examination of Christian hearts, in former days. "And we desire, that every one of you do show the same diligence, to the full assurance of hope unto the end. Let us draw near with a true heart, in full assurance of faith. — Beloved, if our hearts condemn us not, then have we confidence towards God. He that believeth on the Son hath the witness in himself. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the sons of God." As we behold our faces in a mirror, so should we behold the image of Christ, when we look into our own hearts. In this way we shall understand the witness of the Spirit, and shall know that we are disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Let us then propose certain questions, which will lead us into the work of self-examination. We are seeking practical faith, the operative faith of the Gospel and in order that we fail not in our search, let the inquiry be made,

1. How do I view God as a Father? I have professed to the world, that I believe in him as that Being who "hath made of one blood all nations of men, that dwell on all the face of the earth;" who "is good unto all, and whose tender mercies are over all his works; whose truth and kindness endure forever; who "so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life: For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved." I find such representations in the Scriptures, and I believe them. But do I feel them as