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we sufficient space, it would be easy to show that they completely overturned his own admitted creed. He declared his belief in the pre-existence of Christ, that is, he announced himself to be an Arian, not a Socinian or Humanitarian.* If, then, Christ be represented in the Bible as a man, and if those texts that speak of him as such be adduced by an Arian, two things follow as necessary consequences, that the orthodox doctrine of the human nature of Christ is true, and that the Arian hypothesis is false. How could a super-angelic intelligence inhabit a human body, and perform, with regard to it, the functions of a soul as in man, and yet this compound being be properly called a man? When Arians speak of the orthodox belief of two natures in Christ, and when they sneer at the imagined absurdity of the doctrine, they should surely remember their own system; and if the union between their imaginary superangelic being and a human body be not more absurd, we leave it to every impartial mind to determine. The Saviour of the Arians, we admit, is a creature, but he is the creature of their own fancy,-a kind of indefinable idea, a metaphysical something. Arians must prove three things before they can logically infer the truth of their system. First, that the Word is a created being, deriving his existence from the will of the Father. Second, that this pre-existent being came down from heaven and inhabited a human body, and yet that the compound is truly called a man. And third, that this creature was the Creator of all things that are made, and also of himself. When Mr. Porter has done this, we will at once acknowledge that he has accomplished a task which no Arian has ever yet been able to perform. The first of these elements of the Arian creed, Mr. Porter displayed evidently his inadequacy to prove; respecting the second, the Bible is completely silent;-and the third, besides destroying the evidence which the works of creation afford for demonstrating the existence of Deity, is in itself so absurd, that no man of sense can believe it, unless he be labouring under some fit of mental hallucination. The folly of the doctrine of delegated creation, its evident opposition to Scripture testimony,

* Notwithstanding all the praise which Mr. Porter took to himself for candour, he fought with the weapons of two parties;-at one time he used the Arian weapons, at another time the Socinian. The latter opinion, we understand, is making rapid progress amongst the Unitarians of this country—that is, that Christ was a mere man, and nothing more than a man, as Moses, Isaiah, &c.

and the pernicious consequences which flow from it, Mr. Bagot so completely exposed, that it would only be a waste of time further to dwell upon the subject.

Mr. Porter more than once insinuated, that Trinitarians cherished hostile feelings towards him ;-but we can assure him, that, so far as we are concerned, no such feeling exists in our minds; we believe him to be an honest, but a vanquished advocate of a false and falling cause; while for himself, as a man, we wish, in the full sincerity of our souls, every happiness, both in this world, and in that which is to come. We believe that early prejudice and education have led him to embrace the system which he entertains; and that he has never yet been able to shake himself free from the trammels, so as to behold in its native loveliness the truth of the glorious Gospel of the blessed God.

It is not necessary, after what we have already stated respecting Mr. Porter's defence of his propositions, to enter very extensively into the examination of those of Mr. Bagot. Mr. Porter appeared rather to feel annoyed that Mr. Bagot had not introduced the doctrine of the Trinity into his first proposition; he sarcastically complimented Mr. Bagot on his Unitarian principles in reference to it, and asked where he had found the glorious truth, that "There is one God, Jehovah, who is God only, to the entire exclusion of the alleged godhead of every creature." Mr. Porter must have been most miserably ignorant of the opinions of Trinitarians, when he asked such a question-does Mr. Porter not know, that every Trinitarian creed in existence acknowledges this as the basis of all belief respecting the Deity-nay, does he not know, that the moment any man denies this, that moment he ceases to be a Trinitarian? But in this he bore testimony, unintentionally it may have been, to the arrogance of the exclusive assumption of the term Unitarian on the part of Arians and Socinians. The subject of discussion between Unitarians and Trinitarians is not the unity of the Godhead; that Trinitarians believe as well as Unitarians; but it is concerning the opposing opinions which each of the parties entertain respecting the essential dignity of the Word, and of the Holy Spirit. His first proposition Mr. Bagot established with ease, nor was it controverted by his opponent; and the same passages of Scripture were, in some instances, quoted by both, in defence of their first affirmative propositions. The illegitimacy of Mr. Porter's conclusions from them we have already shown. The copiousness and conclusiveness of the evidence which Mr. Bagot adduced in support of his second

proposition, was left untouched by the subsequent attempts at reply, on the part of Mr. Porter. His "wiredrawn" criticisms fell harmless and innocuous to the ground. The evidence adduced by Mr. Bagot was direct, unequivocal, and conclusive; and with a discrimination which peculiarly fitted him for the task which he had undertaken, he had the whole arranged in such correct logical order as, in our opinion, to carry conviction to every impartial and unprejudiced mind. His several points he triumphantly proved, nor did he stop with that; he also replied so particularly to the arguments of his opponent, as to shatter the force of every one of them, so soon as it was advanced. Mr. Porter's principal reply he reserved for his last speech, after which Mr Bagot had not an opportunity of being heard in vindication. In it he first misrepresented his opponent, and then attacked his own misrepresentation, and in a most illogical manner, proceeded to draw some general conclusions from particular premises which he had laboured to establish.

We were perfectly satisfied with the result of the discussion -the Trinitarian cause had an able advocate in Mr. Bagot, who merits the heartfelt thanks and approbation of every friend of pure and undefiled Christianity. One good has been effected, Unitarians have been induced to step forth, and, in positive language, to tell the world what they believe:- this is all we want them to do, the remainder we can accomplish ourselves. Formerly they sheltered themselves behind negatives-they told us what they did not believe; but no exertion could get them beyond this: now, however, we have their opinions, not in negatives, but in affirmatives; and we doubt not but important advantages will result to the cause of truth. The people will no longer be deceived by equivocal declarations, which may mean every thing or nothing. We are not afraid to let the Trinitarian faith come into collision with the figments of Unitarian fancy;-we believe it to be based upon the everlasting truth of God; we believe that he whose honour and whose glory it defends, and who has all power, both in heaven and in earth, will watch over it, and cause it to flourish and to prevail, in despite of every enemy and gainsayer, until the salvation of the Lord shall visit every people, and until all shall acknowledge the Saviour to be God over all, blessed for ever.

At the termination of the discussion, Mr. Bagot proposed that, in order to render it more full and satisfactory, it should be continued some days longer; but Mr. Porter, evidently anxious to get done with it, declined the offer. EHUD.

266A

OBITUARY.

DIED, on Monday the 10th of February, John M'Ewen, of Derryboy, father to the Rev. Alex. M'Ewen, of Kirkcubbin, and ruling elder in the congregation of Killileagh." A very large and respectable concourse attended his remains to the grave, at Killinchy meeting-house; the use of which was kindly granted, for the purpose of having funeral service on the occasion. The following brief tribute was paid to the character of the deceased, by the minister who conducted the service. The insertion of it will not be unsuited to the pages of the Orthodox Presbyterian. The subject of it had the cause of Orthodox Presbyterianism near to his heart, and deserves a brief memorial, as a useful elder, an exemplary Christian, and a worthy man.

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* You will naturally expect, that on such an occasion I should make some allusion to the character of the deceased. But what shall I say to you to all of whom he was much better and longer known, than to him who speaks? He was born among you, and after a long life, spent amidst a variety of scenes, he comes, this day, to lay his bones in the hallowed precincts of these venerable walls-to mingle his dust with yours. Here he first saw the light-here he finishes his course,

As a ruling elder in our church, his name deserves honourable mention. An apostle enjoins us to count those who rule well worthy of double honour. To that honourable and useful office he was first called by the numerous and respectable congregation who worshipped in these walls. When providence removed his habitation to an adjoining parish, he was requested to continue in the fulfilment of the same duties, which he has now discharged for about thirty-five years. He was a real, not a nominal, ruler in the church. It enjoyed the benefit of his council, labours, prayers. And now that he is removed from the service of the sanctuary here, to that above, the vacancy he has left will not be easily filled. that we had many like him! O that a portion of his spirit might rest on all who rule in our churches!

In personal and experimental religion, his attainments were very great. His doctrinal views were clear his faith assured-his hope lively-his conversation irreproachable. It will not be deemed obtrusive, or offensive, if at this time and place, I briefly state what were his faith and hope. He was never ashamed or afraid to own them himself, and it would be unjust to his memory not to declare them now. The one foundation on which he built was Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever. He received him, and trusted in him as "God, manifest in the flesh," "God over all, blessed for ever," the "true God and eternal life." Through his blood alone he expected redemption, even the remission of sin; and through his righteousness, full and final acceptance. In every character, God and man; in every office, Prophet, Priest, King; the Saviour was precious to his soul. The fruits and effects of his faith were abundantly manifest in his holy life. The grace that brought salvation, produced in him all its sanctifying effects, in a high degree, during a life of seventy-four years. There is not a dark spot on his character, that the finger of an envious and malignant world could point at. He had eminently the spirit of prayer. His devotions were the out-pourings of the language and feelings of the heart. His care for the church extended beyond his own day. The truths, whose power he felt-whose sweetness he tasted,

which formed the basis of his hope, he laboured to perpetuate. He wished to secure them as an inheritance, and bequeath them as a precious legacy to his children's children. The ties that bind to this world had to him been gradually dissolving. Some of his nearest and dearest friends, among them of late an only and beloved daughter, had gone before him. With Christian calmness and fortitude he bore the rending asunder of those ties that bind to life. Having filled up the measure of his faith, duties, sufferings he at last came in like a shock of corn fully ripe. He sleeps in Jesus. Death was welcome, for he was prepared. He knew in whom he believed, and to whom he trusted; and he looked forward to his departure from this world, as the promised beginning of happiness that would be perfect, and a life that would never end. His religion was modest and unassuming, meek and humble, stedfast and practical. In the present state of the church, we will find few whose attainments were greater than his.

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He had served his country as a soldier. He entered the ranks without patronage, and merited and obtained advancement. When freed from his military duties, his services were rewarded with a respectable provision. His General pronounced him an honest man, and a good soldier.

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As a member of society I need not speak of him the large and respectable concourse this day accompanying his remains, testifies how much hé was esteemed. In the sphere where God placed him, he was one of society's most useful and worthy members. The poor lament him as a benefactor. He who speaks has lost a friend. It would belie your hearts to say you did not sympathise deeply on this occasion.

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Mark, then, the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace." When our turn shall come, may we be prepared as be was. While we review his unblameable life, his precious faith, his happy death, we cannot suppress the involuntary aspiration" let me die the death of the righteous, let my latter end be like his."

REVIEW.

ADVICE to a YOUNG CHRISTIAN, on the IMPORTANCE of AIMING at an ELEVATED STANDARD of PIETY. By a Village Pastor. With an Introductory Essay, by the Rev. Dr. ALEXANDER, Princeton, New Jersey, America. London Religious Tract Society. P. p. 144.

THERE are many in the present day who make a profession of the truth, while their conduct shows that their hearts are but little affected with the love of divine things, and the spread of the Redeemer's kingdom. Such people, while they admit the importance of religion and the necessity of exertion on its behalf, are generally fertile in their apologies for the neglect of this important duty. If asked to contribute to one of our great religious societies which are so powerfully affecting the moral condition of thousands in almost every land, they generally plead, as an apology, the mismanagement of the public funds. This is very common. It is truly gratifying, however, to find that, in consequence of its admirable arrange ments and its invaluable publications, the London Religious Tract Society, as well as the other leading institutions of the day, sets all

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