CONTENTS OF VOLUME II. NEW SERIES. Religion, illustrated by a comparison of it with other qualities and objects. No. 3. Methods of exhibiting religion, Discordant opinions of Messrs Green and Duncan, Miller and Stuart, on the efficacy of Creeds, as safeguards to orthodoxy. To a clerical friend, departing in a storm. Original Poetry. Our Saviour's temptations in the wilderness. Memoirs of Rev Edward Payson, D. D. Portland 1830. The doctrine of divine influence. Regeneration, and the manner of its occurrence, as explained by the 'old' and 'new' Calvinists. Dr Cox's Sermon be- fore the Synod of New-York. Princeton Biblical Reperto- ry. New Haven Christian Spectator. Transubstantiation and the Trinity, and the modes of defending IV. Religion, illustrated by a comparison of it with other qualities 145 154 Remarks on the term 'Logos,' or Word,' as used in the Introduction of St John's Gospel, addressed by a theological student in Pennsylvania to a Trinitarian clergyman of that State. 166 What is Christian Sanctification, and what Doctrines produce it? 174 Andover and New-Haven Controversy. The Christian Spectator's opinion of Dr Woods' letters to Dr Taylor. September, 1830. Kennedy and Byron's Conversations on Religion. Original Poetry. 179 182 188 NO. V. Religion, illustrated by a comparison of it with other qualities and objects, No. VI concluded. Causes of Indifference and and aversion to religion. The Death of Christ. Orthodox Faultfinding with orthodox preaching. Unitarianism a religion to live by. 193 A crucified Saviour necessary. 203 214 218 Unitarian Christianity suited to make men holy. Mr Gannett's 222 Christian Consolations. An offering of Sympathy, to parents 225 227 238 240 NO. VI. Religion illustrated by a comparison of it with other qualities and objects, No. VII. Claims of Religion. Conclusion. Why a crucified Saviour was necessary, explained, and the manner in which our Lord's sufferings and death are spoken of in the Epistles, accounted for. Number of Ministers settled over Unitarian societies in New 288 RELIGION, ILLUSTRATED BY A COMPARISON OF IT WITH OTHER QUALITIES AND OBJECTS. NO. III. METHODS OF EXHIBITING RELIGION. I proceed in the third place from the means of cultivating and promoting religion to the methods of exhibiting it. These I would subject to the same test, which has been applied to other things in religion. When a man has become possessed of religious sentiments and affections, a question often occurs to him on the proper method of exhibiting the state of his mind to others. He would know how he shall adorn the docrtine of God, his Saviour. He would know, how he shall let his light shine before men, that they may glorify his Father in heaven.' Now the answer to this question is summarily comprised in the rule that has already been given. He should display his religious affections, no otherwise than as he displays any serious, joyful and earnest affections he may possess. This rule would undoubtedly be objected to by many, and it is proper that the objection be fairly met. It will be said, that religion is not like the other affections; that it is in the mind to which it gains entrance, something new, signal and extraordinary, and therefore that it demands some unusual and signal manifestation. Let us attempt to speak on this point, with care and discrimination. Undoubtedly, a religious and good man will appear on many occasions differently from another man, and differently in proportion as he is religious and good: not always, however, nor in things indifferent. There may be nothing to distinguish him in his gait, or countenance or demeanor. But there certainly will be occasions when his character will come out-many occasions. His actions, his course of life, his sentiments, on a great many subjects, will show his character. And these sentiments he will express in conversation; so that his conversation will be thus far different. But still the disclosures of his character will all be natural. He will show you that he is interested in religion just as he shows you that he is interested about every thing else, by natural expressions of countenance and tones of voice, by natural topics of conversation and habits of conduct. In short there will be an appropriate exhibition of religious character; but nothing unusual or strange. Now, for multitudes of persons all this will not do; it is not enough. They want something peculiar. There are many, indeed, who are not satisfied unless there is something peculiar in the looks, and manners to mark out a man as religious. And who does not know how common it has been, and still is, to a great extent, for a clergyman to be known, every where, by these marks? And what is more common than for the new convert to the prevailing modes of religion, to put on a countenance and deportment, which causes all his acquaintance to say, 'how strangely he appears !' And many, I repeat, would have it so. They would have a man, not only belong to the kingdom of Christ, but carry also some peculiar outward marks and badges of it. They would have a man wear his religion as a military costume, that they may know, as they say, under what colors he fights. But let us remember that many a coward has worn a coat of mail: and many a brave man has felt that he did not need one. And many a bad man, I would rather say, many a misguided man, has put on a solemn countenance, and carried a stiff and formal gait, and got all the vocabulary of cant by heart: and many a good man has felt that he could do without these trappings of a mistaken and erring piety. But if there are those who insist on these modes of religious exhibition, there are many more who lay a stress on the conversation. They would have a christian converse-I do not say affectedly—but still they would have him converse much, and expressly on the subject that is nearest to his heart. If a person is mentioned to them, as possessing a character for piety, and if they stand in any doubt concerning him, their first question is, 'does he talk about religion!' On this point I shall endeavor to make a distinction, which I think of great importance, to the proper understanding of this part of the character. |