ligion. It impiously excludes Him from having a place in the system, of which he ought to be the sun and forbids us to see Him any where, whom we ought to see every where: "Him first: Him last: Him midst, and without end."

It is with pleasure I turn from writers of this description to others, who, professing to have the same object in view, and to communicate their instructions by a similar method, take a correct estimate of the subject before them, and aim at its accomplishment by more suitable means. Taking man, as he really is, degraded, miserable, and ruined; and yet, through the boundless mercy of God, within reach of inconceivable felicity and glory; they commence their work on a right foundation, and never lose sight of his high destiny. They assume the fact of his corruption: and direct his attention to the means of renovation. Aware that man's unassisted efforts would end in dísappointment, he is taught to seek the aid of the great Restorer, and rests his hopes on his all-sufficient help. It is a main point

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the works of men who never enjoyed the benefit of revelation, and are therefore not intended either to be the models of our practice, or to teach us our duty. But in the former, the object is altogether different. It is their professed intention to form the mind; to furnish it with principles; to supply the proper motives; and to make the perfect character: and this, with all the advantages of having before them a revelation from heaven. They occupy then the station, not of Heathen, but of Christian instructors; and if no portion of what is peculiar to Christianity finds its way into their lessons, it must arise from their not considering any part of it as essential to their undertaking; and the only possible conclusion is, that in their esteem, the whole Christian system is, if not an absolute incumbrance, yet certainly a redundancy, inasmuch as that every thing important may be accomplished without it. It surely is not necessary to add, that a scheme like this not only leads to infidelity, but is a direct affront to the Christian re

ligion. It impiously excludes Him from having a place in the system, of which he ought to be the sun and forbids us to see Him any where, whom we ought to see every where: "Him first: Him last: Him midst, and without end."

It is with pleasure I turn from writers of this description to others, who, professing to have the same object in view, and to communicate their instructions by a similar method, take a correct estimate of the subject before them, and aim at its accomplishment by more suitable means. Taking man, as he really is, degraded, miserable, and ruined; and yet, through the boundless mercy of God, within reach of inconceivable felicity and glory; they commence their work on a right foundation, and never lose sight of his high destiny. They assume the fact of his corruption: and direct his attention to the means of renovation. Aware that man's unassisted efforts would end in disappointment, he is taught to seek the aid of the great Restorer, and rests his hopes on his all-sufficient help. It is a main point

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with them, to bring even "little children to Christ, that he may bless them;" well knowing that if they can enlist them early under the banner of the cross, they will, in all probability, "continue his faithful followers and soldiers unto their life's end." They dwell largely on the value of the soul; the danger of losing it; and the constant diligence necessary to secure its welfare. They urge the necessity of a religion, which engages the affections, on the ground that a father can be satisfied with nothing less than the heart; and that no homage of the tongue, or prostration of the body, can impose upon Him, whose eye penetrates the secrets of the breast, and before whom, "all things are naked and open." This, and this only, they know will operate as forcibly in solitude and darkness, as in the clear and open face of day; and when tempted to the commission of secret sin, will induce them to ask, “How can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" Whilst they avail themselves of every proper motive to excite holy

tempers and virtuous conduct, they place their chief dependence on those which are drawn from the cross: and by exhibiting the character of the blessed Redeemer in all its kindness, condescension, and mercy, they attach the heart to him, and render him the supreme object of their affections. In this system every thing is placed and retained in its proper situation: Christ is made the centre of it; and he attracts, and enlightens, and beautifies, and animates, and fructifies every part of it. There is nothing removed from its influence; and every thing acknowledges him, as "Head over all, and blessed for ever." In this way characters are formed, which confer blessings on men, and bring glory to God. Let their numbers be increased, and "the wilderness and solitary place shall be glad for them and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose." They are "the salt of the earth;" and "the light of the world;" and bring down upon it, the blessing of heaven.

This system of education, I am happy to