guage of cant; and those truths, which are viewed by all Christians as forming the very basis of true religion, are scouted from their system, as unworthy of God, and degrading to men. This may not always be plainly stated, but it is evidently implied, in the sentiments they substitute for the truths of the Gospel. With what eagerness, also, do many of our modern writers seize upon the extravagant deeds of some fanatic,and immediately found thereon sweeping charges against all who regard the divine will as the rule of their conduct, and who conscientiously obey it.

At other times, in works of imagination, a religious portrait must be introduced into the groupe of characters, to give a little zest to the pallid appetites of novelreaders. In the delineation of the character, there is a manifest attempt to raise the laugh against spiritual, personal religion, and to excite disgust against the evangelical and puritanical sects. Hypocrisy is not the worst crime brought against them; and there is a strong desire that no system should be admired or practised, but the sentimental and injurious system of the school of Sterne. Thus they substitute for the doctrines of the Gospel, and the scriptural way of acceptance with God, the goodness and dignity of human nature, the merit of deeds of charity, and the compatibility of supreme love to the world with love to the Divine Being. High eulogiums are passed on the benevolence of God, and the extent of his mercy, irrespective of his holiness, justice, and truth.

Let true christian or moral writers venture to speak of the depravity of human nature, and try to trace the evils that exist in the world, to the scripture account of the introduction of sin-let there be a distinct recognition of the great doctrine of the atonement,

and of the necessity of divine influence, to illumine and to sanctify the heart-let them speak of the delight which Christians experience in ways of religion, and their confidence in the promises of God-let a reference be made to their future and eternal hopes, and the foundation on which they are built; and whenever there is an opportunity of reviewing or animadverting upon such productions, the writers will be accused of drivelling, of imposture, and of presumption. They will, in short, be accused of very unjust views of the Divine Being, by making him a tyrant, instead of the father of his creatures.

The doctrine of justification by faith, is to this day accused of being unfriendly to morality. All evidence to prove the absurdity and wickedness of the charge is overlooked; and libel after libel is uttered against the doctrines of grace. Were all this done by men alike destitute of moral and literary character, and who were the willing panders to the vitiated taste of a certain class of readers -men whose productions were the offspring of imbecility or open infidelity, we might have less to fear respecting the consequences; but when the cleverest writers of our day-men of unquestionable talent in literary pursuits, and able to assist and guide the human mind in matters of taste and scienceexercise their powers in misdirecting the judgments and feelings of their readers in religious matters, we are compelled to regret it as one of the unfavourable signs of the times. The barefaced infidelity of Voltaire and Rousseau is not indeed ventured upon by such writers-perhaps they are professedly opposed to them-but their principles would be equally destructive at last.

How frequently, also, do modern publications covertly, nay openly, attack those religious in

stitutions, which are an honour and a blessing to our country. The schemes of Bible and Missionary Societies are pronounced Utopian, or an improper interference with the innocent prejudices of the heathen; and the people of England are warned against the multifarious movements of sectarian and evangelical activity. The gullibility of the people is pronounced to be excessive for assisting such institutions. Especially are attacks made on societies which seek to spread, in our own land, the knowledge and love of pure and undefiled religion. England is viewed as insulted, because, forsooth, religious tracts are circulated, Sunday schools are increasing, and village preaching is become more general, by others than the national teachers.

All this is done in a class of publications which have an immense sale, and which, in many quarters, have great influence. Am I stating the case too strongly, (I am willing to be corrected,) when I say, that the talents of our professed literary men, with few exceptions, when they depart from their own sphere, are exercised in the support of principles opposed to the word of God, and in deprecating truths which are intimately connected with the present and eternal happiness of immortal beings? And this is done, not by argument, not by a sober and rational exposure of error, not by an appeal to the only standard in religious matters; but by the shafts of ridicule, by false colouring, bold assertion, and calumny. I can make no allowance for writers who profess respect for Christianity, and are yet taking every opportunity to undermine its leading truths. The religion of the Bible may be as effectually impaired and rendered inefficient, by opposing certain fundamental principles of the Gospel, as by an

open rejection of the whole of revealed religion.

It may be asked, what influence is all this likely to produce? Another question may be addedwhat means are likely to be available in counteracting, in some degree, the injurious influence of such writers? These two questions I shall attempt to answer in a future number, if you should consider the present paper worthy of insertion.

THE

CHRISTIAN RESPONSIBLE FOR THE APPLICATION OF HIS PROPERTY.

HORATIO was a man who in early life had become a member of a Christian church. Independently of a considerable patrimony, which had descended to him through the paternal line, he was united to a lady of proportionate fortune, of amiable character, and what is of greater importance still, of sterling undissembled piety.

From this favoured pair Providence withheld the desired pledges of their mutual affection, and through a long life they trod the conjugal path alone, but with every evidence of being happy in each other.

Belinda had only two surviving relatives, both advanced in years, and equally possessed of affluence. Horatio's relations were more numerous, all wealthy, and all immersed in the world's gay scenes; alike opposed to the Saviour and his cause.

The church with which these wealthy professors were connected was rather numerous, but poor, consequently their long standing, and their known respectability, bad given them a certain importance in the estimation of their

fellow Christians; and although their liberality could never be exhibited as a subject of praise, yet

it was hoped that the cause of the Redeemer would ultimately be benefited by them, both in a local and general sense.

These were the pleasing anticipations cherished by the Christian hand, with which the subjects of this paper were in communion, and the more especially, as the cause to which they were attached was then labouring under some little embarrassment.

In the short space of a few months, it pleased the great Disposer of events to remove these aged travellers to their restingplace, the grave, there to await the solemn scenes of the resurrection morn. No sooner had the intelligence of their departure been communicated, than the inquiry was instituted, to what purpose, or in what manner is their vast property to be applied? and in a little time it was announced as a certainty, that the whole, to a farthing, was, without reserve or conditions, left to the already wealthy, unthinking relations referred to.

The sensation which this information excited in the minds of the faithful, can be more easily conceived of than described. Most were grieved at such ingratitude to their Master, whilst all were sorely disappointed.

On hearing of this event, the mind of Philo was deeply impressed, and the question immediately arose, is not the Christian responsible for the application of his property? If so, then, upon what ground can the conduct of the departed individuals adverted to be at all justified? They were members of a Christian church; had made a profession of attachment to the Saviour; were possessed of considerable wealth; had every year added to the principal; were allied to persons, themselves the children of riches, and indiscriminately, strangers to evangelical piety; and yet, un

mindful of the claims of Immanuel's cause, and indifferent as to the use to which their accumulated treasures might be applied, they leave, without any qualification, all their possessions to connexions by whom they had no reason to expect the least spiritual appropriation would ever be made of them.

The more he dwelt on this, the more painful was the association of reflections called up. What a foul stain, thought he, is this, on the otherwise fair escutcheon of these professed disciples of the Lord. Can it be, that having been affected by the love of God, having felt the value of the soul, having been renewed by the Spirit, united to the Saviour, and made the heirs and expectants of a bright and glorious immortality, they should have so far forgotten the obligations under which they were laid to consecrate themselves and their all to Christ? How many a destitute widow; how many an orphan child; how many an aged disciple; how many a care-worn pilgrim; how many a needy minister and a languishing church, might have been blest by this illapplied and long-hoarded gold; and to carry the principle still farther, how many a benevolent institution, and a far distant heathen might have been cheered by the streams of their beneficence. But, alas! so far as the conduct of these professors may be supposed to speak, it says, "let the sons of adversity perish, the necessitous pilgrims die; the cause of Christ, the ministers of Christ, and the claims of Christ appeal elsewhere, they have no influence upon us, nor shall we regard them."

Such were the thoughts which arose in Philo's mind, and associated themselves with the memory of his late departed friends. There was no principle upon which he could extenuate their crime; they

had, in his view of the Christian character, most egregiously and unfeelingly steeled their hearts against the melting appeals of the Saviour's love, as they came resounding from the cross of Calvary, and from the throne of his glory; they had bade farewell to every flow of returning gratitude, and had alike sealed their ears to the cries and groans of a sinking perishing world.

Had there been on either side of these professors, however remote, relatives in circumstances of need, the whole case would have assumed an entirely different aspect; and their conduct in the disposal of their patrimony, would have associated with their remembrance the most pleasing reflections.

But in the case originating this paper, where two Christians were the subjects of affluence, had no kindred on either side requiring their property, or who, if possessing it, would direct it into a useful channel; it is the conviction of the writer's mind, that such property should have been consecrated to the cause of Christ, and that in his word, as also in the mighty operations now going forward, he loudly calls for it. Such an instance as forms the substance of these remarks, it is true, is rather rare, but, nevertheless, is not a solitary one. It is possible that the thoughts contained in this communication, may meet the eye of some professed follower of Christ similarly circumstanced. If so, permit one who feels some solicitude for the reputation of your character, and his Master's honour, to say, ponder well the importance attached to your profession, and the claims which the Saviour has, not only upon your time, but upon your talents. He who is born of the Spirit, who follows Christ in the regeneration, and whose hand he

"Fastens to the skies,"

is not his own. While, therefore, an Institution, to which the broad seal of heaven has been set, continues in its operations, or a spot remains unvisited by the glorious sun of revelation, it will be criminal in the citizens, and especially the wealthy citizens of Zion, to withhold the application of their talent. The grand settling day will soon be at hand, and then, in the presence of a congregated universe, the momentous question will be canvassed," how much owest thou my Lord ?" ALIQUIS.

NOTES RESPECTING NEGLECTED LAY AUTHORS OF THE SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.

(To the Editors.)

GENTLEMEN-The following notices of lay authors, whose publications have contributed to the cause of religion, are extracted from my adversaria. Few of these authors are mentioned in any of our biographical miscellanies, and I know of no place where they will appear so much at home, as in your pages, especially as many of them were Dissenters, and all of them agreed with the sentiments you have adopted on doctrinal points. If these brief notes contribute in any degree to enrich your pages, either by their intrinsic interest, or by varying the usual subjects of discussion, I will cheerfully levy another tax on my fly-leaves for the benefit of your readers.

Sir CHARLES WOLSELEY was a Staffordshire baronet; he embraced the parliamentarian cause in the dispute between Charles the First and his people. Sir Charles was an Independent, and an intimate friend of Dr. Owen. His works on religion are as follow:"Unreasonableness of Atheism," 1669. 8vo.-" Reasonableness of Scripture Belief," 1672. 8vo. dedicated to Lord Anglesea. This is an excellent book, though not