assent to your determination, and must claim the mournful privilege of crying after you, saying, "Why will ye die! O, why will ye die !"

Perhaps there are few persons who have more powerful motives to repentance and amendment of life, than those who are excluded from the communion of the church. Besides the mortification and danger, from which they are called upon to escape, they have the whole church enlisted in seeking their recovery. The discipline itself which has been inflicted upon them, is designed to promote the same end. Ample provision, also, has been made, in the event of their repentance, for their restoration to their former standing in the church, in the manner most congenial to the wishes of a wounded spirit. No harsh and haughty censor is permitted to stand at the door, to reproach the trembling penitents as they pass; but the spirit of meekness," is directed to wipe away their tears, and lead them back to the banqueting house" of the Saviour, that they may eat, and be refreshed, and wander no more forever.

Let none then, who have been subjected to the discipline of the church, and deprived of her special privileges, abandon the hope of reformation, and of recovering their former standing. On the other hand, let them be urged to prompt and vigorous efforts for the attainment of these ends. The greater their degradation, and the more imminent their peril, the higher will be their glory, when the victory shall be achieved. And let them recollect for their encouragement, that they

have not an high priest, who cannot be touched with the feeling of their infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as they are, yet without sin." To his compassions, let them direct their faith; in his name, let them lift up their banner; and let them resolve, that in his service they will conquer or die!

LETTER VIII.

CHRISTIAN BRETHREN,

THE practical utility of a system is always considered the surest test of its correctness. On this ground, many superficial observers form strong prejudices against church government. They doubt its practical utility. They have, as they imagine, seen much evil, and little or no good, resulting from its operation. This, it must be admitted, is a very formidable objection, if it be founded in fact. If, instead of good, it produces nothing but evil, its scriptural origin ought to be seriously doubted, since God cannot be the author of any system, which is practically injurious to the best interests of his spiritural kingdom on earth. It deserves to be considered how far this objection is founded in truth; and whether, notwithstanding the evils incidental to church government, it is not productive of great good to the church. To this subject, the present Letter shall be devoted.

I presume it will be admitted by every reflecting mind, that evils may be associated with a system, which do not really belong to it, and with which the system

itself is not fairly chargeable. Even allowing, therefore, that there are some evils connected with the operations of church government, (and we are far from denying that there are,) these evils do not, of necessity, belong to the system itself, nor ought they, as a matter of course, to be placed to its account. For what is there in our wretched world, let it be ever so excellent, with which evil of some kind does not stand connected? The preaching of the ever glorious gospel itself, has often been the occasion of numerous evils, which have greatly distracted society. But will any one say, that these evils are justly chargeable to the sacred messages of grace; or, that they are the native fruits of that gospel which proclaims "peace on earth, and good will towards men " No reasonable man, who is acquainted with the principles of evangelical truth, can believe this. What evils, also, associate themselves with the very best political institutions? But, because in the application of the most equitable and salutary statutes of civil government, evils arise, and society is often greatly distracted, are these statutes to be abrogated, and the whole structure of the government to be impugned, as injurious and detrimental to the public peace? Surely none but factionists and libertines, whe expect to be profited by such a result, ever think of reasoning in this manner. And is it not easy to conceive of evils arising in connection with the operations of church government, which ought not, in fairness, to be ascribed to it, as its legitimate products, any more than the evils which are associated with the preaching of the gospel, and the operations of civil government, can with propriety be laid to their charge?

With regard to the evils which are connected with church government, I would remark, that they may arise, either from the errours and corruptions of those who administer it, or of those who are its subjects, or from both. For it is not difficult to conceive how a system, which in itself is really good and excellent, and which, if carried into effect, according to its native design, would be productive of the most beneficial results, may become the occasion of the most destructive evils, through the errours and corruptions of those concerned. And, no doubt, this is frequently the case with the system of church government. Through the ignorance, or wickedness of men, it is often greatly perverted and abused, and thus becomes the fruitful source of many evils. And these evils, which are really generated by other causes, are placed to its account, and operate to its detriment.

But allowing the government of the church to be administered according to the best lights which the church is able to obtain from the scriptures, it is not believed that any evils which may arise from the application of her laws and discipline, are to be brought into comparison with the great good which will result. For what, I would ask, are the character and amount of the evils which, according to this view of the subject, arise in the church, from the operations of her government ? They are something like the following: Individuals become offended-They create an excitement in the minds of others, and thus disturb the peace of the church-or, perhaps, they withdraw from the church altogether, and thus impair her numerical strength and ability to sup

P