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Jesus Christ. These, to the number of 5, I have encouraged to come to ine, for hall an hour every Saturday evening, to talk about their sonls. Whether any of them will in time give evidence of piety, must be answered herealler. Bible Class. The Bible class is composed of persons who have recently joined the church, and others who arc disposed to be serious.— The average number is from 8 to 10.— such an exercise was much needed. Some who attend scarcely, ever looked into the Bible before their conversion, and some have only just learned to read it. Tracts. The former method of giving away tracts promiscuously, was given up, after a few month’s trial. Though some were read and did good, yet there is reason to believe that many were not valued but torn up as waste paper. Now ns as the supply is short, none are given but to those who ask for them, and are likely to read them when given. Many of the members have them arranged according to the subjects, and sticht il together and in this form lend them to inquirers. In this way they not only find them convenient to hand to the neigh bors,but mnkeuseofthem themselves. With some they make tip with the Bible their on ly stock of religious books, and 1 can assure you they are highly valued. I have al ready mentioned the plan of giving a tract monthly, to each child in the Sunday School. These have been always selected to benefit the parents as well as the chil dren- They have also supplied the defi ciency ofsuitable reward books, much to the satisfaction of the children. This has been seen in their smiling countenances, w hen having a tract to take home, with a pretty picture on it. In the recent instances of; conversion tracts have been useful., About 8 have da ted their firstscriousmipressidasfrom read ing, and hearing read such tracts as the following. “The sinner*!lireeted to the Saviour,” with the .“SpVfniicn ofVWcleh Preaching” by Christmas Evans, rOn the. the depravity of truth’ by sin, and his recov ery by the death of Christ.”—Heaven lost” —“Unseriptural Marriage.” fliblai. tjefore ih<‘ English Bibles arrived from the American Bible Society, persons had often asked me il'T could 101 l tljt'm where they could get n Bible, and it grieved me to reply that 1 knew not where one could be purchased. Since they arrived, their wants have been supplied- ! I have sold 7 and given 0 away—lß have been sent to Tuvoy, und some have been given away at the mission press, ‘/.’hat it might be generally known where niulosc could be had, I have lied a notice at for some months, viz. “ English Ri bles sold here, at 3 rupees, and under.” “Tracts from the London and American Societies to be had here, gratis.” I lutve also on&in Burman which begins thus— “. The Lord Jesus Christ’s books;” then follows a list of the tracts printed, and an invitation to passers by, to call in and ask, and they shall receive. These have stop ped many to read, and have brought me in a lew customers. When any of the Bur man or Tailings call, my teacher w ho is a Christian gives them instruction. Several have called and disputed with him, but have shown very little desire to inquire after the truth. Yours in the Gospel. THOMAS SIMONS. To Rbv. Dm. Bolt.es. MR. BROWN TO DR. BOLLF.S. Maulmein, Nov. 21, 1833. Rev. and dear Sir, —In my last, letter to you, dated Oct. 25, I informed you of my expectation of going to Rangoon, to supply the place of bro. Rennet. 1 have since received a line from him, stating that he has not concluded to go to Tuvoy. Os course, we shall remain here, for the pres ent, w here w e have every advantage for acquiring the language. 1 have been out twoor three times recent ly, with bro. Simons and Hancock, to dis tribute tracts in several villages, a little up the river. The people are mostly Taliugs, (pronounced with the accent on the Inst syl lable, and the i long) which is an unfavor able circumstance, we having only one Taling tract. We have found the men in these villages divided into three nearly equal portions; one portion that will take tracts, another that do not want them, and a third who cannot read. In such slavish subjection are they to their petty chiefs, that many ofthem dare not receive a tract till they have ascertained w hetherthe head man ofthe village has taken. But what is not a little singular, those who do take, as soon ns they have rend a little, will pronounce those very tracts which denounce at the cutset, all their old system of religion, “good, very good,” w hen, at the same time there is no reason to think they are any the less firmly attached to i heir systems of idolatry, than they were before. I sup pose this apparent assent to the doctrines contained in the tracts, arises from the uni versal habit of deception and flattery with which they are accustomed to speak to those whom they regard ns their superiors. Going out thus unable to converse much with the people, or explain to them our ob ject, 1 have become convinced ofthe neces sity that those who distribute tracts should be able also to preach and converse. Tracts will do much to prepare the people for preaching, and, in many instances, (espe cially in Burma!) Proper,) we Imve reason to believe they have been instrumental of conversion, but they cannot be expected to accomplish the work of evangeliz'ng the heathen alone. A lew tracts scattered here and there, will awaken attention; but their testimony on the conscience of an individ ual is soon drowned by the overwhelming voice of priests and neighbors. Even a bint that the white foreigners are devising some mischiefis generally sufficient. But let the priest exclaim, that the book is “derog atory to Lord Gaudama,” and the people look upon it as a book of blasphemy. A preacher can meet their objections and ar guments, and, by refuting the falsehoods, that are circulating, can gam the confidence ofthe people. We are evidently in great need of missionaries, to go in where the tracts have prepaped the way, and to fol low them np with faithful & constant prea ching. Pray for us all, that while we are shut out from the safeguards and Christian in fluence of our native land, we may be kept from falling into error. Yours affectionately, NATHAN BROWN. LETTER FROM MRS. SIMONS. We have beon favored with the following letter for publication. It gives a vivid picture of the fucinaliag power of Molutry. Mavlmkjn, Oct. 10, 1833. My dear Brother, —It is with pleasure that I communicate to you, Horn This land ofdurkness, & shall be happy,if I may give you any important information respecting the heathen, and the prospect of doing good among them. The great obstacle which prevents the rapid spread ofthe gospel in those places where it is taught, seems to me to be their perverse and unconquerable habits of idol atry. Paganism seems to have wound a spell about them, which it is exceedingly dif ficult to break. It would seem to us, that it might be very easy to persuade them to break ofl’serving a senseless block. But, lilme inform yon, that the images of the Pagans are the most dignified objects of art they* have among them. Once in a in .nth,"all classes of Burirwns in Maulmein, leave their low miserable, huts, and go to worship at the great pagoda. This is dec orated to their tastes magnificently. Be sides their first great illustrious image of Gaudama, which is'thirty or forty feet in Tength, they have around him forty'or fifty more, some ten, some twenty feet high.— These images have to ihe eye of a spec tator a most imposing appearance. The first time I saw them, a strange kind of foiling cainc upon me, as of a trance; and for some minutes, 1 could scarcely re cognize my identity. I believe it to be so in a manner with them ; for, os soon as ihcy come within the pale of the temple thev seem to be in a kind of dreaming cc stacy, especially if the priest is present; then they full down on their knees in the |>rofoundest*ll-aW.rption, and thus re main Ibr some minutes. 1 could hut ima gine, that some evil genius was in their midst, casting around them the spell of in sanity, so different they seemed to he from persons in their sober senses ; and, espe cially, when we take into consideration the fact tlmt their hopes of annihilation, which they deem the greatest possible good, de depend on their devotions to the worship of Gaudama. We may suppose that when this fatal enchantment shall come into dis repute, that the gospel w ill soon spread in every part of this land. But, we have still to lament that though the harvest is plenti ous, yet the laborers are few. Omy bro ther, do you ever hesitate concerning your duty to the heathen? I think, had you seen what 1 have, you would not allow any thing, but absolute want of’a due prepara tion, to detain you a moment from the field. When we look upon our beloved homes, and all that binds us to them, our associates, whose kindred spirits, and affectionate kind nesses, have made them, to us, perhaps, more dear than fathers or mothers, we sigh and weep at the thought of parting. But, when we arrive at our station in a heathen country, although, when we think of home, with all its endearing associations, it may still melt the soul for a moment; yet there are considerations at hand, that will ever operate efficiently to subdue, or rather to absorb the rising emotion, and make us feel that we would rather be here, than elsewhere, even though all our path should be strewed with thorns. C. J. SIMONS. Liberality to the Burmnn Mission. letter from me. Nssnrr to mu. jcdsgn. Darwar, (India,) Oct 21, 1833. My dear Mr. Judson, —I was much dis appointed to find your last address con tained no letter, nor late report of your pro ceedings. I have read the “Cry from Burma!),” and do myself the pleasure to answer it, by an order for one thousand Madras rupees, which, may it please God to accompany with his blesssing. Yours affectionately. “J. NESBIT. Indian Stations. VALLEY TOWNS. LE TTER FROM REV. E. JONES. Valley Towns, July 29, 1831. My dear and honored brother , —A few | .lays ago, l returned from a visit to bro. Bushy bend’s vicinity, in the District of Amnhee. I preached there several times, | and visited a number of the brethren, at t heir houses. I was gratified to find among ! thorn a touchable spirit, and much attention ito the word of truth. I trust the Lord will j make them an abundant lile.sing to their J benighted neighbors. | Bro. li. returned with me to the mnun i tains, with a view to visit our principal j preaching places ; but he was taken sick, ; u hieh in somedergee frustrated our design, j We had meetings at Ga’aneeye on Sutur- I day tin i Sunday last. A large congrega ! i.ui of Indians attended. Many could not i get into the house, but listened outside— THE cl iffTIAK INDEX. • > One man was received as a cat date for baptism. 1 expert he will b baptized next Sabbath at Oodeluhee. L- Yesterday, Tuesday, July 28tn; we vis ited Long Town, (bro. B. in feeble health.) The congregation was serious & attentive, though our exercises were somewhat inter rupted by a heavy fall of rain. Two full Cherokee men gave us an interesting rela tion of a work of grace on their minds, and were baptized in the presence of a large and serious company of their people. 1 intended writing more at large, and in answer to your kind letters, but I shall have to defer it a few days longer, as 1 wish to improve brother Bushyhead’s stay, to visit as manv of the members as possible. Yours most affectionately, EVAN JONES. The following just received, shows that the work of grace Vt this station is advan cing in a pleasing manner. Will not Chris tians pray more for our TtVfian Stations'! Valley Towns, Aug. 7, 1831, Ret. tend Bear Sir, —A tew'difflur ago, I had the pleasure to mention to our high ly esteemed Treasurer, the addition ol two full Cherokee men, to the profesaid disci ples ofJesus. I have now the happiness to add, that on Sabbath last, ot Oofeluhee, 1 baptized three more; one man, in aged female, (I should think about severjy,) und j an interesting little girl, not morenmn ten 1 or eleven. It is quite pleasing to lnd, the younger memlrers of professing females, following the footsteps of thejr paints, in the ways of the Lord. The /meeting was numerously attended, •ai’iti the word preached appeared to affect a great portion of the audiatice. Among the hearers, was a man from a distanceofabotjt 40 miles, wty>, for himself Ai some of his neighbors, was very anxious that we should come, and tell way of salvation, through a dying Saviour.— all’ourrfVailabjeiorce iirthe way ofpreach iug v\ as so folly occupied, with existing en gagements, that it was impracticable’ to make an early appointment to visit them. However; two three ofthe mcmls-rs, of ar dent piety, concluded to jiny therrpa visit, to converse and sing and pray with jh'ta.. A message enme also from urmthePlMß; still more distant, where tluj peopljfriesire to hear the gospel, anti to hear it from the Baptists; for vv hiclr denomination,thevJiave by some means, formed a predilection The native brethren have come to the conclusion that a four days’ meeting, this fall, will, under the Divine blessing, pro mote the cause in whichkheir affections are enlisted. It is to commence on the 25th of September. We earnestly solicit the the prayers of our Christian copious” showers oT Divine influence./ foav Ire afforded, to cheer und bless our mtended efforts. Your obedient servant in the Gospel. EVAN JONES. Domestic This letter was mislaid, or it would have appered earlier. LETTER FROM REV. J. M. H'-CK. Rook Spring, Illinois, June 13,1 s:t4. Enclosed is an order for twenty five dol lars, collected alter an address in Jen hson ville (Mo.) Lords-day, may 4th,for Tract* and Bibles , for the Barman Mission- — The meeting was held in the Court House, and though it was quite rainy, the meeting was large, of all denominations, /wild ap penred quite interested. , 1 have also received from a young lady, member of the Baptist church in Cam-lion, two strands'of gold beads, which I will either send or dispose of, the (irst*opppitii- : nity. In Alton the Baptists and Presbyterians hold their monthly concert together, and 1 made a Burman speech on Lord’s day last, February, and proposed the peofile srfoimj make up a collection for the Hurinna Miss ion, at a future time. In both towns they collected between sixty and seventy dollars w hich was sent to the American Bible So ciety , to aid in printing the B.blc in Cur malt. I I spoke on this subject the 4tli Monday in May, at Jackson Mo. 120 miles tjoutli of St. Ltiuis, at a missionary and protrac ted meeting. Present twelve prea chefs. — Some fell to wcceping, and then volunteer-’ cd to enter upotLipissfuß work, by getting up Sabbath Schools. The cause of Missions is evidently gain ing ground. The doings itt the Clficin nati meetings are operating with* tremen dous power throughout the West.” . 1 remain, as ever, your’s in Christian bonds. JOHN M. PE Cry From the Cincinnati Jo urn ah Storkbrldge Indian mission. The following letter will bq read ttvith great interest by all who remember’ the labors of President Edwards with the Stockbridge Indians, 70 or SO years ago. Fort Armstrong, Rock Island, ) Mississippi It in r, July It), 1-34. My Drar Brother Bcixard, — Now I am here, far away to the west. I met my dear brother Kingsbury, at St. Louis. He had been there only two lays, when I arrived. We spent the Sunbath there; and Monday afternoon, the 30th of June, we left the city for this place. We met Dr. Williamson and brother Maith, a missionary to the Stockbridge Indi.jfe, at the Yellow Banks, 80 miles below* litis island. We spent a day there withlhcm in conference, and then came to thisy ace. I could'relate many things which en gaged our attention, and interested} our feelings. At present, l wish togivVyou some account of the visit we had the Stockbridge Indians, who came with broth er Marsh, by the way of the Wisconsin, to this island, in a birch bark canoe. ?h e y came most of the way by water. Ihe portage is short between the waters of the lakes, and those of the Mississippi. 1 here are four Indians in this company. They are all professors ol religion. One of them is an old man. T he others are young men. They came and held a ‘talk with the Sacs and Foxes, for the purpose of re newing their old acquaintance and friend ship, and also, if practicable, to produce an impression in favor of the gospel and civil ization. The objects are noble and good. On Monday last, it being also the first Monday ofthe month, we went to see them. They were at a house more than three miles distant, and on the main land. As we were obliged to go bti foot, the walk was fatiguing to brother K. who is lame. The distance was greater than we had sup posed. Near noon, we called at the house of some New England people, who are professors of religion, and where religious meetings are ofteu attended. We sent for the red brethren to come and nreet us there. Soon a Her, they all came. The old man is a native of Stock bridge, Massachusetts. He described the situation of Ins lather’s house ip that town. We were born within less than a mile of each other, and wc now met for the first time, here on these waters, I having a common object in view, the tid- I vaucement of the Redeemer’s kingdom amongst the Indians* He speaks good English. He is a man of sense, and has a good English education. He is a deacon in brother Marsh’s church, and is his in terpreter. His father was the interpreter ol President Edwards and Dr. Stephen West, when they preached to the Stock bridge Indians. These circumstances, combined .with his appearance, his con versation, and his eyes often wet with tears, made our interview unusually solemn and interesting. His name is John Metoxdn. We made many inquiries of him about his people/ And as his people is one among whom the Head of the Church has been pleased.to dwell for nearly one hundred years, we listened to many of his state-, ments with thnnkfulness for the past, and with hg;>e as to the future, not only con- I r J cerniiigihal tril i mhers. . conditioiTCr his piWfflßTi far as he had learned it Irorn lht*der ones, when the missionaries first came to them. lie said that they were poor and much scattered. Some lived-along on the Hudson river, be tween Seboodack and Stillwater, and some on the Housntonick, and some between those rivers. Their wigwams were made of bark, and their garments of skins— They subsistetKchioflv by hunting. The missiMnnnes.c£rnc,aruJ made an oiler to set up a school, to teach their young men how to work on the land, and the young wo men how to sew and spin. ‘They Hid not tell us much, only a little. Thejf d*t not let us know ujl their plans at first. old people said they wanted time to think about it, and talk about it. The oldpeople said this was the’lirst odor they had ever had of the kind, npd they did ngt see anv harm in it. It would.jJjp tltetri no ljs.%and they wore willing Jo try, &e. l£u; mis sionaries wem bqck Jo Boston. Gh\|Slockt hridge was pitched upon us the plaecYor the school. Soon t.fie peoule began to set tle there. My grandfatner carried my mother from Schoodaek to Stockbridge, on his back, and put her in school, when she w as five years old. 1 have given you, as nearly as I can, the impressions of the old gentleman. He described the location of the school house, w hich was at the first made of bark. He pointed out the land w hich was first culti vated, w ipe'll lies near by my father's late farm ; a small brook only divides some of the land from that which was my father’s. And there was commenced this blessed wprk of’ipercy-in behalf of the Stockbridge tribe. This man’s mother became pious, and lived to be 85 years of age. And her husband was employed to interpret for such a preacher as is now rarclv seen. 1 allude to‘President Edwards. Rev. John Sargrant was the first missionary to this people; qiid during 15 years'.of his minis try, 60 Indjttns united with his church.— After itis cfcatth, President Edwards preach ed to them'v After him, Dr. West, and then the son oft he firjit missionary preach-- ed to them hi their-wwjfr tirmguo. to a good old age. 1 w hat he thought” had preserved from dostnietion:.- lie answered; I think aJ)Auf-that,‘l always think ■it-'ditiiMbe’God, he had some true.tlh'fistians tliAre.’ There are,'presep*. about 60 members in tlieir clturSh, utiu . vnetphera'iaf-a Temperance Society, and, only 18 persons over six years of age, who cannot read.- He said there were about 350 persons In their tribe, and that of late years, their number had increased. He said, on the Sabbath, we haVe one sermon in English, and another sermon interpreted to the old people; and in the afternoon we have a prayer meeting. On Friday, we have another meeting. The women, also, have :t prayer meeting. 1 inquired of him con cerning their civil government. He told us that they yearly chose their officers.— Three were peace-makers, and one was a constable. They also choose wardens, whose business itis to preserve the obser vance of the Sabbath, and keep people from hunting, fishing, playing, &e. We inquired after David Brninerd. He spoke of him as a good man. The people at Katineemeek thought he was a good man. I asked him why they thought he was a good man. He answered, he lived with them, he worked himself, he cooked l:is own food, he suffered with them, that he might preach to them. They thought he must be a good man. lie told us that the last of Brainerd’s church and people formed his tribe 33‘years ago. There were four old women who were members of his church, and knew him, and spoke of him as a good man. They soon after died, then the rest of them left us and went off. This is the most particular and fullest account I have ever heard of the situation of that people. He told us much more. — We preached on the occasion, and observ ed the monthly concert. Ihe good old man offered the closing prayer in his own language. His young men sung a hymn in the same language, after the manner ol a New England choir. It !s good to be with such a people. W hat is now before me, 1 know not. I may next be called to a meeting in another world. And oh, il I could there meet those who have rested from their labors among the Indians of my own native town. I might well say, “come Lord Jesus, come quickly.” I Trust you w ill pray for us. And when I shall be able, I will tell you how to direct to us. Alter our return to St. Louis, we hope to go up the Missouri. C. BYINGTON. Tilr CHRISTIAN INDEX. Tuesday, October 21, 1834. To Correspondents. (&- Some of our original communications are crowded out this week. This we regret, particularly some obituary notices, which will pri.bnbly be expected by the friends of the de ceased. We have just returned from the fiftieth session of the Georgia Association, where we had the pleasure qf meeting a pretty full representation from"4k churches.— They have for the most pu^,’enjoyed sea sons of refreshing from the Lord, and a rich accession to their numbers. The spirit of benevolence has also shed its soul stirring influence among them, and over _51.500 w ere received, in aid of the various causes which'lhe Association have in view to cherish. But the Minutes will soon be published, which will jnore fully set before lire public, all these The editor of the Christian Index ac .... knowledges, with pleasure, the receipt of SI 50 from Rev. Jos. Polhill, received from John McVVade, in addition to former con tributions, for the Burman Mission. Five dollars from Rsv. Jonathan Huff, received of a widow in Washington county for do. Also, $5 from R. T. Battle, for the print ing of the Burman Bible* COMfirtINICATZONS. FOR THE CHRISTIAN INDEX. Reply to tiie Rev. XV. 11. Stokes. NO. 11. Dear Brother ; —J have twice read your second both carefully and with Tliere are several parts of it which ’demand an answer; which 1 now give>’“’ Before doing so,.however, permit me to return my t(ranks to Father Mercerforboth his-+>ditorial indulgence, and his paternal remarks, as exhibited in the last numlierof the Index. And I would also state to your self, that if any tiring unkind escapes your pen, I shall not. notice it, as supposing it undesigned; arill 1 hope too, you will ex tend to me the pie favor. There are, 1 suppose, certain protuberances on our re spective creeds, .is contemplated by us dis tinctively; our object is, not to destroy the entire creed of each, — and certainly not to injure each other; hut, to sever fmrm our faith what we imagine to be tiie excrescen ces of error. You will also permit me to request all persons who wish to have a clear view of our controversy, to read carefully, my Lec tures; is impossible for them to as certain my sentiments connectedly and dis tinctly, without such a course. 1. The first of your letter I notice is the following: “If then it was necessary to be thus scrupulous witli respect to the shad -ws, how oughtXcliristian-. to be with respect to the substanci; L Can it he possible that lire shadows were.-pointed out, all their circumstances minutely defined by God himself, wliil-vrhe substance, under a bright er dispensatrai. is left., as to some of its ordTfrd'n'ros, to remote ‘inferences and ab stract deductions? Surely not. Yet such is the fact, if the doctrine of Infant baptism be true.” In reading tliis passage, one is impres sed with the idea, that by the word “ sha dows,” is meant the rites of the Jewish Church: and that by the word “ substance ” is meant baptism. But certainly, baptism is as much a sign or symbol as any part whatever of the Jewish ceremonial. And the very reason why brother S. contends that its introduction into the Christian church should have been more explicit than the Jewish ritual; is the very reason / contend that it should have been altogether less ex plicit. And why? Because, in the or ganization of the Christian church, many things of essential importance were taken for granted. Was it necessary to re-reveal in the New Testament what was clearly, and definitely expressed in the old? Cer tainly not. And even where these “shad ows” were given, amidst all the minuteness of the description, many tilings were not definitely expressed, for the same reason. The commands given to the Jews at Sinai relative to the Sabbath, to circumcision, and even in reference to sacrifice, as to the rite itself, have many things in them impli ed. And in fact, much of the difficulty we have of understanding the Scriptures, arises from misconceiving of what was implied, when the sacred text was written. But brother S. would have it, that nothing can be implied in Scriptural Revelation; es pecially, as to a positive ordinance! As the the ordinance of Peedobaptism, being supported cither by “ remote infer ences or abstract deductions;” it is in this paragraph, a mere assumption, and will only be received when fairly proven. 2. I also remark on the following passa ges: “I agree with you, that il the rite for which you contend, has any support in the Word of God, that support ought to be ad duced. If it be clearly taugbt in the Bible, the chapter and verse ought to be pointed out, and no violence done to the law sot Bible interpretation. It would certainly be fair, that the ordinance of baptism should be treated according to the rank it holds among kindred institutions in the house of God. It is a positive institution.” Now, if brother S. would take that view of this subject, which to me appears to be the only Scriptural one, viz: tlmt Baptism is, in the Christian church, precisely what circumcision was in the Jewish —he will then find in the seventeenth chapter of the book of Genesis, precisely the evidence he demands. Infant baptism is founded on positive evidence. Tliere isDositive cvi. dence in-thy tkripttires, at any time be adduced-, chapter and verse, (fapt baptism and circumcision arc the same ordi nance —and there is positive evidence that children in the Jewish church were circum cised. But is brrother S. not aware that all the Positive Institutions in tire New Testament are stated with very considerable indefi niteness? It is so in rqjation to thapT irst Day SaUbalL —Where is the pojjgpPe com mand for thief t have nccy-mrfn it. It is so in relation to\the Su|)per44*lnd as thejr,. were eating, Jesus'fooJ\ i it, ami i avo said, take cut, this is nijrMipQ took the cup, and gave thanks, and gag it to them, saying, drink ye ail of it, for tfl is my blood of the new testament, wlfl is shed for many for the remission ofsifl Mutt.; xxvi. 26—28. Here is couftl whirl r this ordinance. But how indefinite! What sort of bread? Os drink? How much to be used?- How often?. Who are to be ad mitted to this ordinance? And is this ordi nance to be observed in all the churches, & to the end of time? The Catholic too, would add, (and upon the Baptist mode of interpretation, which is rigidly literal ) that the Saviour certainly meant that sacremcn. talbread & wine, were really the body and blood of Christ* Nor is the introduction of baptism any more circumstantial. The first account we have of it in the New Testament is wiiere John was baptizing. No special ex plication is there given of if. It is treated as something well ar.d lonjf understood— And in tire Gospel by ‘Matthew, where it is first introduced into tire Christian church, it is simply said, “ Go yp thenefort ana teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and ofilm Son, and of the Holy Ghost*” But how indefinite! There is nothing here of Old Testament exactness. Who’ are they to baptize? It would seem at first from the passage, that all who wore taught should be baptized. But is this the meaning? A Baptist says, “He that believeth. and is baptized”—is meant. But does tire remaining clause in Mark, “he that believeth not shall le dapined,” also mean just what at first sight it appears to import? This cant be so, cr 1 all children are lost, forever lost. So, that after all brother S ! s contention for New Testament exactness and Gospel precision, it is absolutely certain, that not a single ordinance in the Christian church, has bt-en given with any thing like the par ticularity employed in the Old Testament. The reason is o\i\ious—JJaving more light, not more —but less explicitness was neces sary. And as Christ did not work mirra cles for nothing, so he did not utter tcortjs for nothing. 3. ou make a number of remarks cn the advice I give to my brethren to enter more minutely into the investigation of this subject—you are particularly startled at the following sentences: “the revealed ob ligation of this ordinance standing in a great degree on the connexion between the Jewish polity and the Christian church; the Old and the New Testaments; to ascertain and exhibit those grand leading principles, which pervade each of these systems, and especially to show that that upon which this institution rests is one of them; must fur nish, from the very naftlre of the subject, scope for the acutest intellect, and advan tage sufficient for the most aspiring mind. I lie collection, too, of all the revealed facts that support this institution, and their clear and proper arrangement, furnish likewise a large and interesting field of inquiry.” Now what, brother is there in these two sentences, untimed, misplaced, unphi losophical or unchristian? My brethren,