sympathy between man and man, we see not the least hope for the perishing nations. "Is there no balm in Gillead? is there no physician there? why then is not the health of the daughter of my people recovered?" Why has not the remedial influence of the gospel been more widely extended? Why are the institutions of mercy left to exist in a degree so disproportionate to the wants of the world? Alas, too much of this deficiency may be ascribed to sectarian strife. Embarked in the pursuit of fugitive conceptions, or in the construction of theories and definitions upon untenable ground, or in the vindication of the less to the neglect of the more important portions of truth, the great mass of christians have paralized the merciful tendency of their religion. Their respective divisions have met, fought and bled, not in the cause of truth and human happiness, but for the arbitrary systems which they have spun from their own brain. Instead of marching forth in mass to relieve the woes of the world, they have formed themselves into hostile clans, whose object has been to build up themselves upon each other's ruin. As long as they continue in this course, they never can be united. But as soon as they all give scope to the feelings of sympathy in suffering which they have in common, their differences will die away, and the happy period will not be distant, when they will have "one Lord, one faith, one baptism."

Finally, the course of doing good which we recommend will lull the sectarian passions, and thus pave the way for christians to unite on the principles of truth. The errors that keep us at a distance from the inspired sense, and consequently from each other, are protected, not under the covert of argument and unbiassed conviction, but in the strong holds of passion, interest and prejudice. Hence, reasoning and all controversial modes of assault, failing as they do to touch the source of the evil, are as ineffectual as a

feather in piercing a granite rock. Experience ought long ere this to have taught us, that if we would annihilate the props and pillars of those errors which are wrought into the various sectarian systems, we must resort to some method for demolishing the passions in which they have entrenched themselves. These passions once unclenched from their hold, will leave the mind free to draw truth from its primeval sources, and to adopt a new and expurgated system of belief and practice.

Now, we conceive that for the sects to become learners of the Bible on the simple plan of classification or of "comparing spiritual things with spiritual," and at the same time to do all the good in their power in a way not to incense unkind feelings or to interfere with sectarian interests, is the most feasible plan that can be devised for exploding the dark passions under which our present errors cover themselves. Even the limited extent to which the principal denominations have been engaged for a number of years past in sending out missionaries, multiplying Bibles and Tracts for gratuitous distribution, and in other labors of benevolence and mercy, has suprisingly changed their feelings towards each other, and given them much more enlarged views of the christian system. Notwithstanding every effort to preserve the exclusiveness of sectarian feeling and the immutability of the old landmarks, there is scarcely a denomination of protestant christendom, whose habits of thought, feeling, and practice, are in every point what they were a few years since. It must be an unobserving eye and unskilled in detecting the nice shades of difference in the course of human events, to whom this change is not most obvious. And the more zealously christians devote themselves to the work of doing good and the less sectarian controversy they indulge, the sooner they will be ripe. for a union on the principles of immutable truth.

Holiness will gain ground among them, converts will be multiplied in every quarter of the globe, and hill to hill, mountain to mountain, continent to continent, and ocean to ocean will proclaim the flying joy, that the kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ.

CHAPTER III.

On eminent attainments in piety.

The influence of a high state of religious character and attainment, in healing the dissensions of christians, is the only topic that remains to complete our design in these pages. It is to be regretted, my brethren, that our endeavors after holiness of heart, are so disproportioned to our labors for the upbuilding of our respective parties. While our sectarianism will, to say the most, give but a doubtful title to heaven, without holiness no man shall see the Lord. If we would be useful and happy, or even if we would secure for our favorite form of christianity a legitimate ascendency over all others, it must be done by transcending them in every grace and virtue. A superiority gained by such means will be the balm of the soul in an hour of peril, will confer upon the world the most useful legacy, and will in fact be the triumph of the better over the worse cause. There is no sect so lost to a sense of what christianity is in itself, as not to accord to those who excel in piety and goodness, the meed of pre-eminence. All regard the characters in whom these qualities are in the highest degree combined, as furnishing the truest reflection of what the Bible teaches, and the most faithful counterpart of the example of Christ and his holy apostles. The acutest logic and most brilliant displays of controversial skill and talent may be resisted. But who can withstand the argument of a blameless life?

We might, therefore, were it admissible, appeal to the sectarian preferences of christians as a motive for holy living. If there must be a strife for pre-eminence, O let it be the pre-eminence of likeness to Him who was holy, harmless, undefiled and separate from sinners.

It is aside from our purpose to dwell upon the characteristics of eminent piety, upon the duty of attaining it, or even upon the means by which the attainment is to be made. With these the ordinary advantages of christian reflection and instruction render us familiar. We shall, therefore, confine our remarks in this chapter, to the influence which eminent piety will exert in leading to healing measures between the christian sects-in purifying the churches -and in transfusing through the religious atmosphere the peaceful spirit and maxims of hea

ven.

SECTION 1.

Influence of eminent piety in leading to healing measures between the

pens

sects-christian courtesy.

It is true that some of the best of men have dipped their into the sectarian strife of past ages. And should this be thought a sanction for continuing the practice, or an objection to the position that eminent hoÎiness will tend to heal religious dissensions, we might add, that the best of men have in time past been concerned in other practices, without the suspicion of wrong, which all now unite to reprobate. It is not to be expected that even good men will be much in advance of their age. And when piety is hemmed in by false notions of duty, it is not to be expected that its legitimate fruits will appear.