truth, and the beauties of holinessThe mind, I say, that in opposition to these and similar testimonies, can dream of an assemblage of incongruities like this, is certainly.

but I forbear, lest

I should wound; and proceed to another proof of the contrariety of this scheme to the oracles of God.

above the ancient Jews? Do the Scriptures authorise us to believe that a special providence will be displayed in effecting that which may be effected and accounted for on the most common and natural principles; and may not the return of the Jews be effected and accounted for thus? Shall a special providence be displayed in restoring the Jews to the land of their fathers, while they remain enemies to Christ, and adhere to the very crime for which they were expelled from the holy land? Will miracles the most stupendous be wrought, to defend an impenitent people from the powers of the east, that they may build a temple, and restore the legal services of the Mosaic economy, which was done away by Christ? What! and Christ dwell in this temple, devoted to carnal washings and shadowy rites and ceremonies, and that too in his logos state, in the shekinah, the cloud of glory, and so while he continues in heaven in his glorified humanity, be visibly present at the temple of Jerusalem, in the form of God, among a disobedient and blaspheming people? The mind that can dream of an assemblage of incongruities like this and that, in direct contradiction to those testimonies which assure us that the Jews will return with weeping and supplication, and confessions of sin-that what was said by the prophets respecting the building of the tabernacle of David, and restoring the ruins thereof, is applicable to the admission of the Gentiles unto the fellowship of the Jews in the Christian church in the apostolic age, Acts xv. 16, 17. -that the distinction between Jew and Gentile, was destroyed by the coming of Messiah-that Jews and Gentiles are to be consolidated into one body, and form one fold under one shephered that with one mouth they shall glorify God, worshipping him in spirit and in

In this scheme of prophecy, a' prominent station is assigned to the reign of infidelity. We are called to believe that the whole Roman empire will be as generally infidelized as it ever was paganized or papalized. Thus, while an impenitent, implacable, and blaspheming people, who have endeavoured, for nearly two thousand years, to blast the church of Christ, and crush the cause of God, are taken under the special care of heaven, still impenitent and implacable; the Gentiles who profess the name, and thousands of whom love the cause of the Redeemer, are to be abandoned to the iron reign of infidelity. These infidelized nations, of which I suppose England will be one -O my beloved country, what' dismal doom awaits thee!-will be destroyed by the brightness of his coming, who will descend from heaven to earth to rescue the unbelieving Jews from the hands of the unbelieving Gentiles, and while he sends the latter into endless perdition, con.. vert the former to himself. Is this part of the statement accordant with the tenor of Scripture? With whatever plausibility some detached portions may be made to harmonize with these ideas, can we fail to perceive' that divine revelation generally authorizes and demands far different views? Are we not taught to believe, that, soon after our Lord ascended, he set up his kingdom in the hearts and understandings of his disciples, by the agency and under the manage

ment of his Holy Spirit, whom he sent from the Father for that purpose? Is not this the kingdom of which the Redeemer said, it is not of this world, and which, according to the apostles, is a kingdom within men, consisting in righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost? Will not this kingdom continue to the end of the present system, exerting its powers with increasing energy till all the ends of the earth shall adore the Name which is above every name, and every tongue confess, that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father? Is not the supposition, that infidelity will triumph over the truth utterly irreconcilable with our our Lord's own account of his religion and kingdom, who teaches that from the small beginning which it had in the days of his flesh, it will continue to increase to the time of the consummation, and that during the whole millennial period, the full effect of Christian principles will be produced in the hearts of men throughout the world? The analogy that characterizes the works of God, warrants the expectation of this gradual progress. Thoughout the systems of animal and vegetable life, we behold this progression from less to greater, from embryo existence to the perfection of being. The arts and sciences, the civilization of individuals, and societies, are all vouchers for this truth, that there is a general principle of gradual progression pervading both the natural and moral world. The possibility of miraculous interposition for the overthrow of the interests of infidelity, as well as the permission of its universal domination, no one will deny. But the Almighty never employs supernatural means to accomplish a design, which may be accomplished by means ordinary and natural. The whole system of nature, and

all the dispensations of providence, illustrate and prove this fact, nor can it ever be otherwise, without a total alteration of every part of the works of God and man with which we are acquainted. Again, upon the plan laid down in the statement, which I oppose, the religion of Christ will at once become irresistible. Whereas the condition of man, as an active, rational, and accountable being, requires that means should be employed proportioned to his capacities, and adapted to his constitution, and the effects of such means must be gradual, not instantaneous. In the first age of the Christian church, indeed, the ministry of the word was supported by wonders and signs following, as well as the animated zeal of the men who spake what they had seen and heard; in this case, it should seem, supernatural means were necessary, because the prejudices of the world could not be subdued without them. These miracles, however, were employed only as the means of conviction, and this end once accomplished, miraculous interposition ceased, because its perpetuation would have proved a constant and irresistible principle, incompatible with the moral condition of man as an intelligent and accountable agent. And after all, it is worthy of remark, that even in the age of miracles, the conversion of sinners to God was not effected by the agency of miracles, but by the agency of the Holy Ghost working with the word preached. And again, upon the plan of the statement which I oppose, a reflection is cast not so much upon man, as upon the glorious Gospel of the blessed God. If infidelity is to sway its iron sceptre in the gloom of midnight darkness over the nations so long irradiated with the beams of the Sun of Righteousness, how feeble must

those beams be proved. But though the progress of truth must, from the nature of the case, be gradual, it may reasonably be expected, both from the wisdom and goodness of God, that it will continue to advance with sure and steady steps, till every dark place of the earth is cheered with the light, the life, and the joy it inspires. It will not, it cannot be denied, I am aware, that after the cessation of miracles in the Christian church, ages of ignorance and superstition succeeded —that in ten thousand instances, declension has marked the respective parts of the visibie church, and too often the whole Christian world; but what is necessary to be established on this subject, is not that the progress of Christianity was never interrupted, but that, upon the whole, it has been advancing from the period of its introduction to the present time. The evidences of this fact are too multifarious to allow even an allusion to them individually; in every age, in every clime, and among all conditions of human life to which the Gospel has had access, these facts abound; benevolence, humanity, and mercy diffusedcharity, piety, and pacific principles extended-superstition destroyed, slavery abolished, idols degraded, despotism dethroned, and, in a word, the maxims by which civil society is regulated, attest, that there is more goodness in a greater number of the human race now than at any former period, and consequently, that notwithstanding the growth of infidelity among certain orders of men, for whose infidelity it is by no means difficult to account, truth prevails and shall prevail. For yet again, we cannot suppose that a revelation from God, given for the most benevolent purposes, will not produce those effects, for the pro

ever

duction of which unerring wisdom gave that revelation. These effects may, and must be gradual; but they will and must increase to the consummation: the leaven is laid, and the whole will be leavened pursuant to the unfrustrable purpose of the eternal mind. From the nature of the case, and the scope of the prophecies contained in the sacred volume, we are warranted to conclude, that the success of the Gospel, unaided by prodigies, will be universal, maugre all the powers of earth and hell combined. Two astonishing events, indeed, but not events that will disorganize the natural system, or supersede the use of ordinary means, will contribute to this final triumph. Rather by the flight of the Apocalyptic angel in the midst of the heavens, having the lasting Gospel to preach to them that dwell on earth, the fall of Antichrist, and the conversion of the Jews shall be at once effected. The latter of these events will in a peculiar manner facilitate the conversion of the world. Let the Jews, the ancient people of God, be once converted to the faith of Christ, and we are sure that that fact will operate powerfully to this important and ultimate design. Emancipated from those prejudices, which now make them a bye word and a proverb in all nations, and fired with that holy zeal which new converts always exemplify, they will preach the Gospel with a fervour of which we who have long possessed its privileges can form no adequate conception; while, by their dispersion over the whole earth, they will be enabled to adapt their instructions to every individual of the human family. Here then is a sufficient reason for their dispersed condition, and their political existence. The conversion of these implacable enemies to

judging from the discussion at the Presbytery, they despair of giving entire satisfaction. Indeed, could they hope to suggest the most important measures, they should not be very sanguine in their expectations that they would be extensively useful. The difficulty is

not so much the want of knowledge in ministers and churches, as to the best means of doing good, as the want of a disposition to use them. This is the formidable obstacle, after all, which lies in the way of the rapid progress of religion throughout Christendom, and of the conversion of the world. Though the best measures may be pursued, yet if ministers and churches have not some of that holy energy which springs from faith, nothing will be done to any purpose. A cold unbelieving heart will suggest a thousand difficulties, and convert molehills into mountains. How often do Presbyteries and Synods, and other ecclesiastical bodies, recommend and publish measures for promoting religion, which, however wise, fail of doing much good, because ministers and churches have not the zeal and the perseverance necessary to carry them into effect! Had every minister the courage of a Luther, the perseverance of a Howard, and the activity of a Whitefield, with half a dozen kindred spirits in their churches, Satan himself would tremble before them, and the gates of hell would give way. But the misery is, the faith necessary to produce such resolute spirits is wanting; and after a few efforts, and a little success, ministers and churches turn off their eyes from heaven and hell, cease to listen to the dread commands of heaven's King, put off their armour, sit down at ease, talk about the revival, boast of what they have done, then yawn, and fall asleep. Now the silence of death reigns through the armies of Israel, who ought never to sleep

as do others. The enemy enters. None to watch his movements, he undoes all that has been done, and spreads mischief and destruction on every side. But notwithstanding these gloomy forebodings, the committee, in compliance with their duty, will venture to suggest a few things, with the hope that they may be of some practical utility to themselves and others.

1. Let our ministers and churches keep constantly in mind the great responsibility which rests upon them, to "be steadfast, immoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord." God, brethren, has granted us signal tokens of grace, whereof we are glad. The eyes of many, both among friends and enemies, are turned upon us. Should our ministers and churches sink into a cold stupid state, as is sometimes the case after a revival; should divisions and dissensions spring up among us, the God of all our mercies will be dishonoured, many who love his name will be grieved, and his enemies will triumph.

Let us also remember that the place we occupy in the Lord's vineyard, though not as conspicuous and important as some, yet is one of great responsibility. This county is rapidly increasing in wealth and population, is in the heart of the most powerful state in the Union, and is destined to have no inconsiderable influence upon morals and religion around us. Let minister and every every church among us resolve, in dependence on divine grace, to do all in their power to render this county eminent for virtue and piety; and that should it ever become a moral waste, such a disaster shall not be traced to the influence of their example.*

In a revival, it is not uncommon for some to feel as though it would never cease till the millennium; and for others to say it never would, if ministers and churches were faithful. One thing all