from whom Christians have been THOUGH I am sure the answer denominated, are niore wortby to be

SIR,

inquiries of mine, was not written therefore I do not acknowledge either with any view to its publication, yet of them as the founder of my faith. as it appears to me to contain some I desire to derive it from higher au. useful bints, and presumiug that the thority and a purer source. writer will not be offended at its “The simple Scripture representaappearance in your valuable Miscel- tion of frith in Christ, appears to me lany, I send it for your insertion, if to consist in an assured reliance upon you think it worth a place there. the truth of the declaration, that he “ MY DEAR FRIEND,

was sent of God, his Father, to save “You ask me what I think of the his people from, not in, their sins: strange doctrines, the Auctuating opi- and saving faith must be that which nions, the secessions, the retrocessions, produces obedience to the precepts which ayitate the religious world at of Christ, influencing the temper and this time. I am at a loss for a reply; regulating the conduct. they are so numerous, so rapid and so contradictory that the mind is bewil- Give me leave, Sir, to remark upon dered and confounded by such con. that part of my friend's letter which trariety of opinions.

speaks of Unitarians as treating those “ Yet from this • seeming evil' with contempt who do not adopt their some good may arise; the attention creed: if it means a general charge, I which is excited by it may ultimately think it uncharitable and untrue; at prove favourable to the cause of real the same time, I fear some individuals religion. The concussions of jarring have given occasion for it, particularly elements may have their use by rousing among new converts; they feel az men's minds from a state of indif- some have expressed it, that they stand ference aud lukewarmijess. Here are upon high ground, and, priding them Unitarianism and Trinitarianism, the selves upon their elevation, they “look baptism of adults by immersion, and disdain on little folks below. The of infants by spriokling, engaged in wiser and better sort see and lament war offensive and defensive, each ap. this silly self-conceit, but it should be pealing to Scriptore in justification of charged only on the individuals who its hostility to its opponent. This may are possessed by it: it belongs not to lead many seriously to search the the body of Unitarians, or to their Scriptures, and, imbibing the spirit of doctrine.

ANON. the gospel, the Unitarian may cease to treat his irrational brother con

A Leller temptuously; the Trinitarian may dis. Written to a friend, in reply to an cover that he has no authority for earnest request that no steps might pronouncing a sentence of damnation be taken to place a young man in the upon those who cannot adopt his neighbourhood of a Unitarian miniscreed; the Calvinist may see the ten- ter, by whom it was apprehended dency of his system as leading to that his religious opinions might be Antipomjanism, which he abhors as influenced. an eucouragement to sin ; the Baptist

Nov. 22, 1818. may learn that the answer of a good

MY DEAR conscience toward God can alone ren- FEEL it my duty to take the der the observance of the ordinance very earliest opportunity of replyacceptable to God, or become to him. ing to yours, written in the anxiety of self the washing of regeneration. a truly maternal heart, and under the

“To your question whether I am an powerful influence of strong religious Arian or a Socmian? I answer, nei principles.

Wherever we discover ther. I do not think that believing these to be in exercise, they claim in the pre-existence of Christ con- from us our esteem; and even where stitutes an Arian, or disbelieving it, a they may appear to warp an other. Socinian. St. Paul rebuked those wise well-informed understanding, who would have distinguished them they demand, and from me will 1 selves by his name. Neither Arius, trust always obtain, indulgence. I Socinus, Calvin, nor any of the host have not lived through half a century,

VOL. XIV.

I

P

my good friend, without having well Samaritans, “theç know not what." I observed the force of those convictions thiuk little of these, compared with which rise from religion-whether it the more dreadful results of every be a religion formed upon just or monstrous faith, which have robbed upon unjust grounds. I will imagine the Divine Being of his loveliness, and your views to be correct, and your made him a monster in the eyes of all fears arising from them to be legiti- who have a fellow-feeling for fellowmate ; and when I compare them with sinners. If to do justly, to love mercy similar ones which I have met with and to walk humbly with God, be in a Catholic's breast, equally warm acceptable to him; if to love the Lord with friendship and compassion with our God with all our heart, and our your own, I perceive that the influ- neighbour as ourselves, be more than ence of both is alike. “Oh! my dear all burnt-offerings and sacrifices; if friend,” said one of them once io me, true religion before God, even the “I wish you were a Catholic; i Father, be to visit the fatherless and would give any thing if you were a widows, and to keep oneself unspotted Catholic." What could I do but from the world; if this be the chathank him for his love, and esteem racter of the disciple of Jesus Christ, the man who I was couvinced was in then, my friend, it cannot be blinderror?

uess as to an article of faith in which If I could once bring myself to 1 am permitted by God to remain, consider the party to which I belong that will sink me into perdition; nor as the only favourites of the Almighty, will it be the adopting of a metaand alone destined to share his eternal physical vicety as to the person of mercy and benevolence, what should God, which is your lot, that will I think of Him who was the object of exalt you to the glories of eternity, my adoration ? A very small pro- Surely God will hear his humble portion of his intelligent offspring has worshiper! Surely the prayer of the heard of salvation by Christ; there. uprighi will still be his delight! fore, if to believe in him be needful, a Many a cloud encircles the vision of very small part can be partakers in man. At best feeble, the arrogance of his redemption : but, of this small some of his fellows, and the supinepart, in itself not a tenth of the earth's ness and the timidity of others, keep population, how very few have been the world of worshipers in a state of led, by the dispensations of Provi- mental delusion and woful degradadence under which they have lived, tion. But we shall see yet brighter, to believe in Christ as I believe in we shall know God and his worship. him? Not one in fifty of these holds ers better, when the veil of huma. the faith that I hold: out of five hun- nity shall drop, and light burst in dred, therefore, of the souls that upon us from the throne of the breathe the breath of life, but one can Almighty. come to salvation by Christ! To In the mean time, give yourself no whose charge shall I lay the final concern as to any steps I shall take to perdition of the forty and nive? To pluck down any whose salvation is à God of mercy and love? To a peculiarly dear to you from that enGod who will have all men to be saved vied height at which your faith has I am here lost in a maze of my own placed them. May you always, and creation! I find myself" quite out at may you long, enjoy all the happiness sea, nor see the shore”! Surely he that your wish to think and to do who came to save a lost and sinful rightly deserves. It cannot be greater world must have expected a greater than they enjoy, who regard the great good to arise from the sacrifice that object of their worship arrayed in a he made ; for I, too, believe he offered more lovely attire; and, while they a rich and an acceptable sacrifice to know him to be the God of the whole the Being, whose messenger and whose earth, believe him to be the friend of beloved son he was! I assure you, my all that live, and to have given to all dear-I think little of those errors of under various dispensations, varied, the understanding which have made but equally sure, means of doing his one party worship a bit of bread, will and obtaining his everlasting another a wooden idol, and a third a love. compounded deity, like that of the Should -- write to me on the

a

subject you refer to, it will be easy for répare environ tous les vingt ans, met. me to remove all anxiety from your tez, l'un portant l'autre, les temps les mind on the account of it, by stating plus peuplés avec les moins peuplés, il what is the actual situation of com- se trouve qu' à ne compter que six mercial concerns with us now; for, I mille aus depuis la création, il ya déjà suppose, I could not by any cxertions 900 fois 917 millions de damnés. Ce obtain even a chance of placing him calcul meritoit bien les larmes de in a tolerable situation in ihese towns. Henri quatre.

But I fear, my, that your mind Let the same mode of calculation in the present state of it will not be be applied to our self-called elect. much easier if he goes any where else. Believe me, it is not our having

Evesham, our will in this or in that circumstance

SIR,

January 25, 1819. of life, that will give peace and satis

PASSAGE in the obituary faction to the mind. It is the mind of Mr. Thomas Thomas, of itself being so enlightened as to the Llandissi], [XIII. 770,] appears to dispensations and ways of God, as will require a little explanation. It is keep it steady and at rest, let what this: “ In this respect," of not beever storms arise and whatever evils queathing a legacy for the support of threaten to assail us. True views of religion, “the great and good man, God, above all such as are freed from D. J. Rees, was no exception to the superstition's yoke, the most galling of generality of our friends. The cause all, can alone serve as ballast for the would have derived no small comfort man amidst the trials and fears which and encouragement, if, when his most he meets with in this state of prepara- important influence was withdrawn, tion for a better world; and I sin- a small part of his property had been cerely pray to your God and mine, devoted towards compensating, in a that you may be permitted to know little measure, for the loss which in and to delight in these in the same himself the society has sustained. Mr. high degree that your friend and Thomas thought of the interest of does.

truth when he was bid to consign it

I. W. to the care of those who yet survive." I will subjoin to the above letter, If the expression, “ Mr. Thomas which leaves me this day by the post, thought of the interest of truth," was with a prayer for the Divine blessing meant to insinuate that D. J. Rees upon it, a passage from a well-known was indifferent about it in his last elegant writer :

hours, I am anxious, without loss of “Le généreux Henri ne put cacher ses time, to contradict the insinuation ; pleurs.

and to bear my testimony to the truly Ab! s'il est vrai, dit-il, qu'en ce séjour Christian and enviable posture of d'horreurs

mind with which these departed worLa race des humains soit en foule er.gloutie, thies gave in their accounts, as they Si les jours passagers d'une si triste vie

resigned their breath, into their Ma. D'un éternel tourment sont suivis sans

ker's hands. I had the happiness of retour, Ne vaudrait-il pas mieux ne voir jamais Providence so ordered, that I had the

their friendship for many years; and le jour ? Heureux, s'ils expiraient dans le sein de painful satisfaction of personally atleur mère !

tending on one, the last fortnight, and Ou si ce Dieu, du moins, ce grand Dieu si on the other, the last week of his sévère,

mortal course.

With both I had inA l'homme, belas! trop libre, avait daigné teresting conversation about their ravir

temporal as well as spiritual conLe pouvoir malheureux de lui désobéir !"

cerns; and can assure iour Corres. On compte plus de 950,000,000 dent that in neither was wanting an d'hommes sur la terre; le nombre ardent zeal for the truth of the Unides Catholiques va à 50,000,000 : si tarian faith, perfect satisfaction with la vingtième partie est celle des élus its consolations in the face of death, c'est beaucoup ; donc il y a actuelle. and a full, though modest, confidence ment sur terre 947,500,000 hommes in a happy resurrection to immor, destinés aux peines éternelles de tality. Being myself, for two days l'enfer. Et, comme le genre humain se previous to the dissolution of D. I.

ex

Rees, in an incipient state of the de- cessary?" The stranger answered, structive malady, which deprived the " To see your lost state by natureworld of his most important services, to have an interest in the merits of I could not be with him as much as the Saviour--and to feel the applying I wished; and consequently lost much influence of the Spirit.” Our e that was most interesting and im- hausted friend paused and reflected; proving. One saying of this excellent and after some remarks from the others man to his beloved partner, in the present, resumed, “If your represen. immediate prospect of death, is wor- tation be just, what has a poor fellow thy of being recorded. “If it please in my situation to do? I have lived God," said he, “ I should wish to live now for many years with death cona little louger, principally for these tipually in iny view, and having noreasons: that I may be of further help thing to do but to prepare for it. But and comfort to you; that I may con- I cannot command supernatural influtinue my assistance to others who ences. I have used my ntınost enneed it, and that I may farther im- deavours to know the truth. I have prove my own character. But if God spared no exertion of my powers to ordains otherwise, I am willing. I go understand my Maker's will. I can to meet my heavenly Father with as wever believe as you do." “ Can't much composure and coufidence as you believe that you are a lost sinner if I were going to meet my earthly by nature?” “A sinner 1 am, but father." Farewell, good and happy not by nature." * Don't you believe spirit! May our next meeting be that you fell in the first transgression, with the holy Jesus at the right hand when Adam ate the forbidden fruit ?" of our common Father ! May | “I did not eat of that fruit; nor could die the death of the righteous, and I ever reproach myself with any part may my last end be like his."

of that transaction." “ O, the Lord With a similar state of mind my has not opened your eyes." “ If it young friend, Mr. Thomas, slowly de- is so, that I cannot help." “ Can't scended to the verge of the grave. you pray?" “ I do always pray that I shall never forget with what ardour Í may know the truth, that my sins and ability he defended the Unitarian may be forgiven, and that I may be doctrine a few days before his disso- saved. But, by your doctrine, I canlution; when he could with difficulty not pray to any good purpose withcommand breath to give utterance to out that supernatural influence which his labouring mind. As the present I cannot command.” The stranger, writer and another friend were at an being now called to supper, got up, inn, waiting his return for the last and with the appearance of the sintime from his physician, a stranger cerest regards took our departed friend came is, of a clerical appearance and by the hand, and said, “Well, dear deportment; who, upon our friend's Mr. Thomas, I wish with all my coming, was much struck at his ex- heart that you may have the necestreme feebleness and sensible conver- sary faith and be saved." The exsation. Being asked how he felt, my hausted Christiau, with visible effort, friend replied, “very much exhausted. collected his remaining strength, and This, I believe, is the last time I shall with the most commanding gravity, see this place. Every body remarked looked his well-wisher earnestly in behind me, as I was coming along, the face, and said, “ Sir, I thank you; that I was almost gone." Being de. but if your representatiou be correct, sired not to let such remarks disturb it would be infinitely better for me, him, he replied, “ Oh, they do not if you were my God instead of him disturb me at all. They rather give who is." This remark, coming with me a little pleasure, as they shew all the solemnity and earnestuess of a some sympathy in those who make mau's nearly last breath, was such as them." l'pon which the stranger, the good-natured stranger was evibeing “ apt to teach," with much dently unprepared to expect or to amiableness said, “ Dear Mr. Thomas, answer. He paused, and with visible there is no loss for this world, if you emotion replied, “ No, dear Mr. possess the necessary preparation for Thomas, be is iofinitely better than the next." “ What preparation," re- I." " That cannot be,” replied our plied our frieud, “ do you deem ne- friend, " or your representation must

66

be wrong. For you say you sincerely long-entertained opinion, that such wish that I may be saved, therefore, legacies are ultimately more a detriif you had the power you would save ment than support to the cause of me. Now, God has the power, but pure religion. He had often remarked wants your good will, or your doctrine and lamented that the trustees of such must be wrong." Here the matter testamentary grants too commonly rested; and these temperate and abuse their trust, and exercise unbe. friendly disputants parted to meet yo coming authority in the church of more before the great day, when their Christ; that such endowments are differences will be decided, it is hoped, often“ a bone of contention," a source to their mutual satisfaction.

of mutual jealousy and ill will; and Other accounts of the above nature that among congregations in general, would occupy 100 much room. It is that religion which costs but little, is hoped that these are sufficient to shew, seldom highly valued. Be remarked, that neither of my dear departed on the other hand, that where there friends wanted a due regard for their is a proper regard for religion, where professed views of Christian truth. it is once tolerably established, men But the explanation which I intended exert themselves to support it; and to offer, why that truly great man that this exertion itself is a valuable D. J. Rees, did noi, like his young means of satisfaction and improvefriend Mr. Thomas, bequeath a sum ment: for, as men from habit are for the support of religion where he careful to well-apply their meaus, belonged, must be grounded on their they will be more likely to see that very ditferent circumstances, and the their minister be worthy of their conwell-known views of the former as tributions, and more anxious to secure to the ultimate tendency of such a return in their own improvement. legacies. Although I am willing to My amiable young friend might not hope, that the able writer of the obi. have these views, but they are well tuaries did not intend to make an known to have been D. J. Rees's ; invidious comparison, and accuse and these excellent persons may have Derid Jenkin Rees of indifference to manifested equal gard for truth; truth when leaving the world, yet, the one by withholding what he as I think many would be very ready thought inexpedient, and the other to avail themselves of your Corres in bequeathing what he considered pondent's antithetic language to coun. beneficial. At any rate, let those who tenance that idea, I must assure your ever maintained the unbroken harreaders that it is altogether anfounded, mony and affcction of father and son and ascribe the blamed neglect to its in life, be not divided in death; for proper causes. Mr. Thomas was a their pious and enlightened friendship single man, of about 30, having no will again, I am persuaded, transcend near relations dependent upon him, the deformity of the grave and flourish or likely with increased means, to in immortal bloom when death shall supply his place in the society. D. J. be no more. Then shall those hearts Rees was a married man of about in which their memory is now emfifty-six, having, besides his justly. balmed, which emulate their excelendeared partner, many other near lences, while they melt at their re: relations greatly dependent upon him, collection, be again revived and and, with increased means, likely to gladdened with the renewal of their be very helpful to the cause which friendslıip, and shall for ever beat in was ever most dear to his heart. He unison with theirs, through the everwould not deprive them of the plea- progressive career of uninterrupted sure and advantage of voluntarily and endless improvement. aiding that cause, by putting the

JOHN EVANS. means into the hands of others, who would solely do it as a duty, devoid of

Clapton, such pleasure and satisfaction. Our.

Sir,

February 9, 1819. a

of the pleasures of voluntary belesh. The following additions and cor

cence, that he would take no step me on reading your last Number, are to deprive others of it. He had his at your service. reasons, whether just or false, for his Page ), col. 2, ad fin. lu onc of