the reasonings it contains must be left to explain themselves. Investigation, the more searching the better, is all that I court for the matters herein treated of where I have erred, correction--where I am right, corroboration-in any case, an impartial, unimpassioned, conscientious deference to Truth. May Jesus Christ, the Head of the Church, the power and extent of whose kingdom I desire to promote, make this attempt, in some way, conducive to that happy issue!

E. M.

11, TUFNELL PARK, HOLLOWAY.

December 1, 1849.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

RELIGIOUS LIFE, AND HOW IT SHOULD BE TREATED.

General Design stated-The task undertaken not agreeable—in the
view of some, not wise-Evils incident to the inquiry—not conclusive
against it-Duty to be gathered from the dispensation under which we
live-This the object of the present chapter-Christianity a life-Sup-
poses assimilation-The nature of religious life-Growth-Mode of
Divine manifestation-Demands self-action or effort-Effort necessary
to a sense of proprietorship-God's arrangements with a view to this life
-Aim at the increase of its power-The sharpening of its senses-'
-The
multiplying of its manifestations-The Church an aggregate embodi-
ment of the same spiritual life. Hence our duty to it should be
deduced-Not to be petted into delicacy-Educated by free utterance
of opinion, correct and incorrect-No occasion for "the doctrine of
reserve." Bearing of these observations on the present inquiry—
Unsound state of the Church-Evil of silence on the subject. Use-
lessness-Conclusion
Page 1--59

CHAPTER II.

THE PROPER OBJECT AND MEANS OF THE CHURCH.

Design of the chapter stated-Moral deterioration of human

nature-How accounted for-Consists in want of sympathy with

God's moral government-Aggravated and confirmed by guilt-

Devoid of all power of self-restoration-God's plan for overcoming

this evil-His mind conveyed to us in a series of historical facts—all

in keeping with his purpose to attract man's sympathy to moral law-

The purport of those facts and their adaptation to win man to hearty

subjection-Supreme authority working out our deliverance-at the

cost of extreme suffering-resulting in our elevation to a status of

moral freedom. The exhibition of this scheme of reconciliation

fitly assigned to men-to men who appreciate it-to men in organized

associations or Churches-Main end for which Churches have been

instituted-Harmony of spirit with that end requisite to success—

will show itself in sympathy with God's rights-Interest in man's

welfare-Faith in the gospel as a means to secure both-Conclusion

63-115

CHAPTER III.

RELIGION OF THE BRITISH CHURCHES.

Reasonable anticipations of the Churches' success-Not realized in

existing facts-Feebleness of spiritual life in the British Churches—

Plan adopted for exhibiting it-God's rights the main end of the

gospel-Importance of so regarding them-Commonly considered

secondary to man's safety and happiness-Practical fruits of the

error seen in the treatment of religion as a distinct branch of human

duty-in the arbitrary manner in which obligation is recognised-in

the vicarious discharge of important responsibilities-and in the

failing power of gospel truth over the popular mind-Substitution of

law for love as the Spirit of Christianity-Effects of the error—

Constraint-Compromise-War with irreligion in its external modi-

fications--Letter exalted above spirit-Consequent sectarianism and

its attendant evils-Concluding remarks
119-174

CHAPTER IV.

THE ARISTOCRATIC SENTIMENT.

Causes of weakness reviewed in the foregoing chapter-Indigenous

-Show the want of a higher style of religion-Amongst extraneous

causes the aristocratic sentiment is prominent-Plan of the chapter—

Sense in which the phrase is employed--Spirit of caste-Man valued

according to worldly position-Not in harmony with the spirit of the

gospel-with its spiritual purport-with the life of Christ-with

preceptive directions-with Church fellowship-Aristocratic sentiment

in the British Churches-Caution against mistakes-Its evil action

upon the sympathies of the Churches-upon their enterprises-upon

their practical methods of usefulness-Pernicious consequences attri-

butable to it-Loss of moral influence-Bitterness of unbelief

amongst the poor. Popular indifference-Neglected capabilities

177-228

CHAPTER V.

THE PROFESSIONAL SENTIMENT.

Moral power evolved by organized association-Organization pre-

supposes government. "The ministry," comparatively little said about

it in the New Testament. "Oversight" and "teaching" clearly

distinct functions. 66
Teaching" classed by the New Testament with

other "gifts." Modern notions of a "ministerial order" not scriptural.

Church machinery in apostolic times-The professional sentiment

founded on mistaken views of the ministry. Fed by ministerial

education--ordination-Limitation of eldership in each Church to

one person-Renunciation of secular pursuits-Clerical titles, dress,

&c. Evils entailed on the Churches by the professional sentiment—

Fosters the multiplication of "interests"-Transfers responsibility

from the Church to the minister-Represses lay talent and enterprise

-Nourishes ministerial esprit de corps-Exposes the proclamation of

the Gospel to serious disadvantages-Conclusion

231-288

CHAPTER VI.

THE TRADE SPIRIT.

Interest in the present increased by interest in the future-Chris-

tianity does not unfit men for secular pursuits-Trade, the handmaid

of religion-The trade spirit defined and described-Stimulants to it

in this country-Somewhat moderated by the power of religious life—

but, to a greater extent, injurious to it-Illustrations-Choice of

employment-Speculation-Truthfulness-Honesty-Consideration of

the good of others-Treatment of dependents-As it regards those

received into the household-Such as work merely for stipulated

wages-Evil influence of the trade spirit upon the character and

enterprise of our Churches-Conclusion
291-341

CHAPTER VII.

SOCIAL AND POLITICAL HINDRANCES TO THE SUCCESS OF THE CHURCHES.

The Churches' failure accounted for in the main by the Churches'

character-Partly to be ascribed to external hindrances-Extreme

poverty obstructive of religious effort - Cannot be evangelized -

Radiates through all classes an immoral influence-Excessive total an

obstacle to the success of the Churches-Not removed by the inter-