They leave these, not

Methodist, and Baptist Churches. because they differ in opinion from them, but because they are determined no longer to be bound by a human creed, The result is, that, in a short time, Baptists, Methodists, and Presbyterians give up their old opinions, and become Unitarian. Again, in the city of Geneva, the home of Calvin, where his opinions were rivetted in the minds of the people as by bands of iron, the Churches have become Unitarian. He planted his opinions, but he planted also by their side the Protestant principles of freedom of thought, and the supremacy of the Scriptures, and the principles have been too strong for the opinions. The same has been the result in Germany, the home of Luther. His manly and free spirit left a deeper impression than his peculiar opinions, and the fruits have been a wide departure from the latter. The remarkable case of the Indian, Rammohun Roy strikingly confirms our view of the natural tendency toward Unitarianism when men get their views from the Bible alone. This great man converted himself to Christianity by the study of the Greek and Hebrew Scriptures, but he found there no doctrine of the Trinity. Without knowing a Unitarian, or having seen any other Unitarian book but the Bible, he adopted these opinions. And often have we known like instances in all parts of our own country. Often have we met with those who, without knowing any Unitarians, reading any of their books, or hearing their preachers, have adopted their opinions from independent study of the Scriptures. Such instances all have met with who have had much acquaintance in different parts of the country.

The results of the Unitarian Controversy in this country we may briefly notice. If not extensive, if not brilliant, they are yet sufficiently encouraging. Considering the vast amount of prejudice and hostility arrayed against them, it is remarkable, that, in twenty-five years, they should be enabled to establish and maintain societies in different parts of the country, and gradually extend their influence and operation. We have stated that the Christians, who mingle with the humblest classes of society as well as with those of higher standing, possess about a thousand societies. The New England Unitarians have in connexion with the American Unitarian Association about two hundred societies, which, to say the least, are not sur

passed in intelligence and character by any in the land. These societies are centres of light and information, they are cities of refuge for those whose minds have not been able to get conviction or satisfaction among the prevailing and popular views of religion, they are barriers against scepticism, they are almost the only advocates of progress in the Christian Church. It is no small thing that these should be supported, though their number should never be increased.

In

And again, we must mention, as one of the valuable results of the Unitarian controversy, that a large and valuable addition is made to the theological literature of the land. We know of no writings in theology, which, for spirit, variety, and strength of reasoning, surpass those of the leading Unitarians in America. It seems as if the mind found new strength and energy when permitted to go freely forward. The writings of Channing, Sparks, Worcester, Whitman, Dewey, Norton, Greenwood, Walker, Furness, Palfrey, and many others, are remarkable for their genuine originality. No two of them write alike. Each goes on his own way, and writes in his own manner. They come to the same results in different ways. Holding common convictions, they express them in various manners. one writer, strength of reasoning predominates, in another, a beautiful imagination is joined with clear thought, another gives strong thought in the plainest words, and in another a warm heart flows into every line. This is remarkable, for theological literature has generally been like a stereotyped book, all men using the same phraseology, and speaking in the same formal tone. Here, they speak like men talking in their own way about important matThis we consider an improvement, for the heaviness and inefficacy of theological writing have resulted in a great degree from this uniform monotony of style. That the spirit of God did not mould the minds of the Apostles into one shape, is evident from the marked variety in the styles of Paul, Peter, James, and John. Each speaks the same truth, but each has a peculiar way of his own.

ters.

Another result of the Unitarian controversy is to be found in indirect effects on other sects. It has created a spirit of inquiry, it has forced men to look at the foundations of opinions hitherto received on authority, and to modify them in many important particulars. The theo

logical papers and reviews have caught the impulse, and their speculations are becoming more free and bold. The most objectionable points of ancient orthodoxy are either denied, explained away, or silently passed over. In all the Churches men and women are found who differ widely and extensively from the opinions of their creeds. Preachers are forced to adapt their style of preaching to this new state of things. The most liberal views interpenetrate the Churches of severe orthodoxy. This is in part, no doubt, the result of the spirit of the age and general progress of opinions, but it is also in part, the fruit of the Unitarian Reform.

SAVED BY THE BLOOD OF CHRIST.

His example, character and teachings have done much to save the world, but his blood more. No event has occurred on earth, that has so deeply and powerfully affected its generations as the shedding of it. None has done so

much to redeem it from evil and fill it with love and joy and peace, to quell and subdue man's sinful passions and excite his higher and holier energies, resolutions and affections. There are thousands, now in the world, saved. They have fought the good fight, they have overcome their spiritual foes. They no longer feel the buffetings of the evil one. They are contented, efficient, serene, hopeful and happy. Their bosom's Lord is seated on a tranquil, beneficent throne. Salvation is in all they say and do. It is in the tones of their voice. It is diffused over their features. It shines through all their deeds. All about them is tender, pure, disinterested, heaven-born. They are evidently saved. What has done it? Ask them. They will answer the blood of Christ has effected most. It has most frequently arrested and aroused them. filled their eyes with tears of the deepest penitence. It has given them fortitude and faith, confidence and courage. It has spoken to them in a voice more impressive, more thrilling than the thunders that broke over Sinai. In temptation and weakness, fear and sorrow they have gone to the cross and found strength, boldness and consolation. Through its mighty influence they have gained their victories.

It has

When an important event has been effected by several

combined causes, it is natural, when speaking of it, to refer it to that alone which is most efficient and affecting. A father, in the prosecution of his efforts and enterprises to support, benefit and enrich his family, takes the distemper of which he at last dies. Would not the mother frequently tell her sons they owed their education, advantages and wealth to the death of their father, that they cost him his life, were bought with a price. The language is natural but not correct. They are indebted for these things, much more to his life, prudence and energy, than to his death. We say we owe our national independence and prosperity to the blood of patriots. It is the language of feeling, passion, imagination. We owe our independence and prosperity, much more to their wisdom, firmness and fortitude than to their blood.

The death of Jesus is the most touching and striking event in his history. It has been and is most powerful in its influence. It has done most to arouse, regenerate and save the world. There is therefore sufficient reason why Paul made it so prominent, without ascribing to it any peculiar agency. It was one of the great purposes of our Saviour's mission to raise up reformers, in all generations, who would do, and dare, and suffer all things in the cause of truth and benevolence. They were to be the salt of the earth, who should keep alive the sacred fire among men, and bear bravely forward, the standards of humanity. This Christ has effected. Since his death a new and higher order of individuals has appeared-martyrs to right and duty, truth and improvement. They have left and sacrificed all, parents and brethren, homes, wives and children, reputation and life, for conscience sake. They have counted nothing dear unto themselves, but to finish their work-Persecutions, tortures, flames, they have rejoiced in them. Wrong and oppression, falsehood and tyranny have felt there was a new and mighty power operating, in the world. They have trembled in their dungeons, palaces and capitals. It is the blood of Christ, that has done this. Before that was shed men died for ambition, revenge, wealth, power-but since for truth and righteousness. The blood of Christ has raised up, armed and sustained the noble army. It has breathed into them that unconquerable moral energy which believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things, and accomplishes all things.

Its every drop has broken a thousand fetters and dethroned a thousand falsehoods and oppressions. It baffled the arts and armies of Rome, and entered in triumph the palace of her Cæsars. Every city and village of the empire felt its energy. Her iron legions could not resist its progress. The cross has been the throne of Jesus. It has ruled the world. The blood shed on it has changed the whole course of human affairs. From Calvary issues that river of God, which is changing the whole earth into one green pasture of salvation. On the fierce and awful clouds that hang over it, is spanned the bow of man's most glorious hope. From them rises the holy, beautiful star that lights him to his lofty destiny, and shines in the firmament of God. There is the pledge that our nature shall triumph over all its weaknesses, wrongs, foes. Hence proceeds the divine energy, that is regenerating and redeeming humanity-a portion of which, entering into holy souls, makes them sons of God and prophets. We repeat, every drop of that blood has done more for man, than all human eloquence, genius and learning combined. It has raised millions from spiritual death. The blood of martyrs, it is said, is the life of the world. The blood of Jesus is its salvation. It is a perennial fountain of spiritual power It filled with zeal, disinterestedness and courage, the Apostles and early Christians; and, ever since, it has fought the battles and gained the victories of humanity. Within our own hearing almost, it has torn chains from the limbs of injured multitudes. Wilberforce struggled through weary years to free those for whom Christ had died.

Why then may we not, why should we not speak of the blood of Jesus, with enthusiasm, in the strongest terms? If we were writing to a missionary and his little flock, in a far distant land, we should naturally employ language like St Paul's, equally strong, about the sufferings and blood of Christ-without imagining we could be suspected of ascribing any peculiar efficacy to them. Let us never despair of the fortunes of a world for which Christ has died. His blood will yet redeem it from all its woes and sins, and clothe every soul with the beauty, and fill it with the blessedness of holiness.- Christian Register.

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