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For the Christian Index. lira. Baker: —A subject has been inci dentally agitated in your paper for sonic time ; past, which I trust will not be without its beneficial results in the end. 1 allude to the question concerning tiie election of Pas tors by the churches. I have not been a little gratified at the appearance of article after article ou this truly important and in teresting question; a question than which 1 know of no one more intimately connected with the prosperity of the church of Christ. It is more with a design of keeping the sub ject in motion with a hope that some of our cider brethren in the ministry will come out with their views (openly) than of writing, an article on the subject. However, allow \ n.c to say, that the views expressed by ; yourself in reply to Bar-Daniel express, very nearly or quite my own upon the ques tion. It is not a question upon which any minister should be fastidious in forming a connection with a church; yet it is one that intimately involves his own comfort and of ten prosperity. lit arguing this question, although church history will dearly throw the beam against frequent changes, yet it is to bo regarded as one of those questions (of which many might he mentioned) which arc to he deci ded by expediency entirely, the Holy Spir it having given no positive precept in refer ence to them. On the ground of expediency then, en tirely, if I should ever attempt to treat the question, would 1 argue it, as I am well convinced that there arc so many evils growing out of the practice of fiequcut changes, that could our lirethicu he led to look carefully into the subject, the present (popular) mode of changing of pastors eve ry lew years would he entirely abandoned. I perhaps would do well to withdraw the use of the term “popular,” as just now used in reference to this custom; and l will do so on this ground, that although it is a system much practiced by a numerical ma jority of the churches, yet it is hut little, or not at all practiced by those large, old, and venerable bodies, some of which, especial ly’ in the larger cities have been in existence for more than a century. And what, might it not well he asked, is the secret of the pros perity of these bodies, some of which can look around them and see large and flour ishing churches in every direction which were once little offsets of their own, and who still look to them as the parent stocks whence they sprang? 1 doubt not that one grand cause of their wondetliil success lias often been in this, that whilst others around them had, by a changeful (would it be too caustic to say’ capricious) course, been —Ttittill\ivg hii wplmm-raA— themselves and their works, were, by the day, and considering conse quences no farther than to gratify some pre sent whim; these, by the stability of their institutions, by their far-sighted prudence, were gradually becoming mote venerable as they advanced. (I do begin to suspect that 1 shall make out an article, after all, contrary to my inti mation when I commenced.) Hut to priii ecd. You will perceive from the tenor of my remarks, l am attacking not the custom merely, but the slate of mind of which it is in many instances the indi cation. And this stale of mind is to be de precated so much the more as it will (if it docs really exist) show ilselfnot in this par ticular alone, but in almost evciy thing. Now to prove in a summary way that in many instances it is the indication of a lev ity ami fickleness of disposition, 1 will merely refer you to the fact how glibly the words, “If this or that is or is not done I'll hike mi/ letter,” slips out of the mouths ol church members; all going to prove that ‘their love is all a mere profession.” I would not be understood Uv anv means as wishing t„ inculcate that a Minister is to be retained when there is good reason for a change. I think it would he a good rule if the churches would not elect their Pastors hut by large majorities, or even unanimi ties. Or if the churches care not to pass such rules, let IVlblisters refuse to accept by* ♦Tic vote of small majorities. Before 1 close, allow me to draw a pii tlirc, attd ask my brother in the Ministiy. whether he has even such an one. We will suppose here is a cliuieh whose practice is to elect a Pastor annually. Some time before the election, he is amended that such is the practice of the church.— Immediately he begins to wond r what the church will do; for it is impossible for a inan to contemplate such an event as the probability of a removal he knows not whith er without some anxiety. And as the time of election draws nigh the wires are put in motion. (Is there never anything like electioneering in these sacred things?) If he lias had occasion to reprove any thing wrong in a disorderly member, now is the time for that member to retaliate; and he sometimes docs it with compound interest. Soon a party is formed, (for disorderly mem bers have friends,) the whole community is thrown into an excitement, the approach ing election is the theme of every gossip; the Minister’s abilities become the subject of criticism—the worid get hold it—it goes out that the church is about to “torn off” Mr. . He is talked of in all com panies as one would talk of an hireling.— And thus from the high and holy character of an ambassador of heaven—a legale of the skies—an angel of mercy to the church and community —and no wonder if his sea sibilities, shocked by such an outiage, should prompt him to decline a connection And so that chapter ends. But this is not all of it. Here the Min ister is torn rudely from his place on Zion’s i walls—hearts bleed at the separation—and he goes abroad to seek anew field of labor. But the evil docs not end with the Min j ister thus ejected, weighty as may be his distress at parting with a (lock, many of whom are endeared to him by’ many and tender lies. The heaviest part of the ca lamity falls upon the church. “Shall I not visit for these things saitli the Lord of hosts?” The (lock is left destitu’e, divi ded among themselves—mutual crimina tions and reeiiniinations are cast hack and forth, until the church is a perfect Babel, and may perhaps sutler destitution for years before sufficient unanimity can be procured to elect another pastor. Now 1 know I have described what lias been experienced more than once; and if any of your readers wish to know how 1 ■ came to describe it so exactly, I answer be cause I have the original before me; and if they wish how far this spirit will j carry churchW, let them examine the his tory of the ejectment of the learned and j godly Jonathan Edwards from the church in Northampton, Mass and they will know. Ever yours, respectfully. M s. For Ihs Chrisliuu Index. Brother Baker —Sutler one that is not accustomed to write to have a place in the ! columns of your valuable paper; if you think this worthy of insertion, and if nut, throw it by with the trash. Let me call the attention of your read | ers to a portion of Scriptitie, (bund in the j second Epistle General of I'eter, Ist chap. . ler 0 and 10 vs: “But lie that lacketh these | things is blind and cannot see afat oil’ anil hath forgotten that lie was purged from j bis old sills. Wherefore the rather, hrutli j ion, give diligence to make your calling and | election sure; for if ye do these tilings \o j shall never fall.” What tilings are we likely to lack? 1 ; answer, it is faith, virtue, knowledge, icm peraiue, patience, godliness, brotherly kitid ! ness, charity. It is said, at the Htli vs. “If j these things be in you and abound, they j make you that you shall neither be barren | or unfruitful in the knowledge of out land j Jesus Christ.” Peter writes his Epistles j as if our salvation depended altogether up !on our works: hence lie says, give dili ] gcnco to make your calling and election ‘ j It is an idea of long standing among some Baptists, that after we have obtained the j pardon of our sins we may sit at oar ease and do as we may—our calling and election is sure. But lam led to a different opin ion, from the verso above quoted; and also | see Ilebtews 4 ch. 11 vs.; and other pas- I sages could be given, were it necessary.— : l think that every candid mind will be led to the saute conclusion from the verses I above named; for he say s, lie that lacketh j there things is blind and cannot see afar off, I and bath Cot gotten that he was purged from bis old sins. Now 1 have enumerated above what tilings we are most likely to j lack. It we lack them we are blind and J have forgotten that we were purged from our old sine. Onr old sins here alluded to, in my opinion, are the sins we committed when we were in ignorance and darkness, before we knew the Lord Jesus in the par don of our sins. Now if we have forgot ten that we have been with the Lord Jesus in baptism (Col. 2. 12.) and partaken of the Lord’s Supper with an eye of faith towards his death and sufferings, and we have in times past walked not after the lust of the 1 llesh, but after the Spirit—now if we have forgotten all this and turned to the lusts ol’ the flesh, we have apostatized from the : laith according to Paul’s first Letter to I intolliv, 4 ch. 1 vs; and it we die in this condition, our righteousness shall not he remembered for us in the day ol our trans gression. I have heard some say, if Christ redeemed us from our sins, is he not able to keep us, after that lie hath purged us from our sins? Ido not doubt his power, for he lias all power. Was lie not able to keep Adam, after he had made him holy like unto himself? Certainly he was. But did lie do it? 1 answer, no. And why not? Because it was not his pleasure to do so. But stop, says some Antiiiomian, God had decreed from all eternity, that Adam should fall. Ido not read of any such de cree; hut 1 read that God h s decreed good works, that we should walk in them; (Ep. 2. 10.); hut it we do not walk in them, we ceitainly will tall Irom our own steadfast ness. God does not do all that is in his 1 power, but leaves us to act as tree agents. As did Adam, after he had received the commands of God, so we act for ourselves. We have the commands of God and his promises too—“ Wherefore, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure.” Now in consideration of all these tilings, we are commanded by Peter to give diligence to these things that we he not ns those licit hear the word and receive it with joy; but, alas! they suffered the things of time and sense to come up in their minds and hearts, and choke the word; wherefore the necessity” of iiviug diligence to ihese ’ things, lest at any time we should let them ‘slip. We are also commanded to make our calling and election sure. I understand from this, that we are to live up to the com mands of the Gospel requirements; live lor the glory of God and his cause; demote our lives to his service; yield otir bodies a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable jnto him, which is our reasonable stervicevjind i in SQ doing we will make our calling and election sure. Ido not think that we can call outselves, but we have a cal! from G:d, jby Ids Holy Spirit, and we should yield : j obedience to it, and in this way will make our calling sure; and when we are purged from our obi sins, we then become one of; the elect, and not until then; (see C01.’3. 12.) and it takes our whole lives to prove, that we have tmil an effectual call and are j one of the elect. And when we doatrflrat wo can, we have done nothing more than j our reasonable service; for if we do ih?sc J things we shall never fall. If we h ive | faith in God, pray in faith, walk by faith. ; have our hopes centered to that within tjn j veil, whither the forerunner for us \ lered, (lleb. (5. 20.) always holding the Cable, as a ship that rides the which is held by a sure anchor, and hold until we shall lie called to enter upon the I joys ol our Lord, as was the servant which | had well improved his talents. Let us la j bor, therefore, to enter into that rest, last any mail tall alter the same example of un belief. Now, brethren, in view of all this, let us be sober, watchful, and prayerful, that we may run so as to obtain the piize. Let us endeavor to lay aside every weight and the sin that doth so easily beset us, an 1 mu with diligence the race which is set before us, ever looking unto Jesus, who is the Author and finisher of our faith. A. B. C. For some remarks oil the subject discus sed in the preceding, see an article in our cdilui ial columns. Fk.vxki.in, Ga., 11th Dee., 1813. Dear Brother, — File Christian Index has always advocated the cause of educa j tiim as onu ol the means ol advancing and promoting the Redeemer's kingdom on j earth, and in my opinion there are few if j any papers in the Stale that has done so j much to favor the great cause ol the educa tion of the rising general ion. But while your columns have been opened I’m the spread of educational news and statistieks among us, and the privilege having been ex j lensively availed by our friends in Eastern attd Middle Georgia, comparatively but lit tle notice has been taken of the populous and growing West.* It is with a view of spreading some important knowledge in re* gard to one of the great, institutions of-os* section, tfiat 1 iTovv^aTiTj^ir* - seen by advertisements m many of the pa pers of the day, that Brother Otis Smith hast become proprietor and owner of the much celebrated location, called Brownwood, two miles west ol La Grange. The system that Brother Smith has adopted for tire internal regulation of the School, the course of stu dies prescribed, the text books to be used, and the lectures to be delivered, present j many new and—in my opinion—important j features for the education of youth. Its location is undoubtedly healthy, in a wealth}’, populous, anil intelligent neigli ; borhood. The principal building is an el egant gothic structuie, about 150 feet long, divided into suitable compartments for stu dy and lodging rooms; besides this there is a commodious apparatus and lecture jjall, well supplied with apparatus for the illus tration of the different sciences. The or ganization comprises three Departments, a primary, Junior and Senior. The first com prises the mere rudiments of an English Education, viz: Spelling, Beading, Wri ting, elements of Arithmetic, and Geogra phy, an introduction to the-use of Globes, Simple History, and English Grammar. The second or Junior Department will comprise a continuation and completion of the above, together with Ancient History, Ancient Geography, Rhetoric. Algebra, Mythology, and Latin and Greek languages, and will prepare the Student to enter any College in the United States. The Senior Department will embrace a more extended prosecution of the Ancient | languages together with Mathematics, Rhet oric, Logic, Natural, Intellectual and Moral Philosophy, Chemistry, Political economy, evidences of Christianity, Natural Tlicoio ! gy. &c. * Brother Smith has associated with him in j the dilferent departments, learned and com petent professors, so that the means of in | struetion at Brownwood are equal to those of any institutional the South. There is j another feature which I take great pleasure J in mentioning; that is, that Brother John E. Dawson is engaged in the Theological Department. Where any number of young j men (not exceeding ten’ at any one’ time) j will be instructed in Theology gratis. This is an important feature which I wish our i Baptist friends to notice and improve to the | utmost extent. Upon the whole I know jof no institution ii the South where a fin | islicd education can be acquired which pie ! scuts more advantages than Brownwood. In conclusion I would commend this in stitution to the prayers and patronage of j the Baptist Denomination in the South, and particularly in Georgia and Alabama, confi ! dent that our friends cannot select a more eligible institution for the thorough educa tion of their children. I remain yours in the Bonds ofehtistian affection, JAMES DAVIS. .A otc bp the Editor. —We are entirely at a loss to know on what facts our brother has predicated these assertions. So far from its being true that “ the privilege (of occupying our columns) having beeiji ex-’ lensively availed by our friends in EaVern and Middle Georgia,” and that “coinpai-; atively but little notice has been taken of the populous and growing West,” we have published fully two communications rela tive to Western Georgia to every one that refers to Eastern or Middle Georgia, and to no Schools have we alluded more fre- j qucnlly or more “favorably than to the: Schools at La range! !—if we except the Mercer University—an institution that be longs to no individual or particular por lion of the State. But we say to one and all, hereafter, if I you wish us to insert formal advertisements ; of your schools you must pay us, as you do other editors. We determined, some months ago, that we would publish no more advertisements of schools gratuitously, al ter the first of January. We are now more ‘■ determined than ever to adhere to tiiis res olution. If, tlierefoie, more advertisements ‘ of schools from any particular section of our State appears in our paper than from utlieis, our readers will be able to eottipre-l liend the cause. We have hitherto pub lished, gratuitously, notices of schools in Western Georgia for those who would not .pUltonize us l>y even subscribing for the Index! We intended publishing entire the Circular of our esteemed brother, the principal of the Brownwood Institute, but the preceding communication has caused us to change our purpose—and indeed ren- j dered the publication of the Circular unne cessary. It was at the solicitation of brethren in ! Western Georgia, principally, that we en tered upon the duties of an editor, and the j above contains the first intimation ol pur- 1 tia/i/y that we have seen, or of which we j have heard. Indeed, some of our warmest! friends and most active suppoilers are in j Western Georgia—and members too of the ICestcrn, Columbus and Bethel Assocta-j lions. Christians, and especially we that are Ministers of the Gospel, should rather seek to allay than to kindle up sectional prejudices —the greatest barriers to_ united | chrisliuu effort that exist perhaps in the world. God forbid that we should ever help to luster them. For the Christian Index. Let your light shine before men, that they in iy see your good works, and glori fy your Father which is ill heaven. Ye that fear the Lord, praise him ; all ye the seed of Jacob glorify him ; and leai him, all ye the seed of Israel. We have made choice of the columns of i The Index, as a medium through which to re ! tumour thanks to our brother EPISCOPOS | for the satisfaction and real enjoyment we the doctrines connected with the various ol flices and ordinances, which are connected with the Christian religion. We have been lain lo hope, that his remarks, (No. oon page 058, No. 42 Index) on the ordinance, instituted for the commemoration of the ! death and suffering of ourLoid Jesus Christ, uSyfld have a good influence on the church es ; and that, that ordinance, which is of so much importance, would not be so negleet [ ed, as to be attended to only four times in a | year, as of late it has been in the country, j But we fear the ignorance and bigotry of 1 the human heart is increasing instead ol di minishing. We, of late, have witnessed an attempt made in one of the churches of ! Christ, lo “ do this” once a month “ in re- I inembrance” ol God our Saviour; and who do you think was its maiu opposer ! Re markable ! Awful to relate ! ! It was a man who professes himself to break the bread of life to a dying worid, and to feed the lambs of the flock of God out Redeemer. We anticipate your astonishment, and we anticipate the first question that will arise in your mind. What argument did he attempt to raise against it ? “ The trite objection that a fre quent celebration of the supper will destroy its solemnity and benefit ? No, 1 am al most ashamed to tell you. lie said it was “ best to follow the customs of our torefa thers,” and that it would bean evil to in j iroduee this ordinance into the churches j once a month.” An evil.'!.’ Oh hea ■ veils !!! Listen ye ungels with astonish ment !! ! Ail evil to glorify, upon earth, him who sutiered so much pain and so much shame that fallen mail might escape the pains of hell ? Yea, we now see the evil, to which we tear allusion was made. It might interfere with the preaching privi leges ; we might not have time for so much harangue. Ah !!! And is not it as great an evil to preach in the churches once a month, as to bring to remembrance the gra cious acts of a crucified Redeemer ? Wby not have preaching quartetly ? Oh we are human ! We love to make a human dis play before the people. We here call vour attention to the remarks of “ A Young Bap tist Philanthropist,” Index No. 3G, page 5132 and 3, and to the editor’s remarks on the same page 563 and 4—l’ am done, iny pen fails to portray the balance. I will re mark in the conclusion, however, lor the honor of the good pastor of that Church, that it was not he who opposed the glory of Christ. But, one who had no immedi ate connexion with that church. We hear you say lie was a meddler then. No ; we do not say he was a meddler, but will leave his own conscience and his God to judge of j that matter. The pastor, as warmly as the ‘ nature of the case would admit of, advoca ted the glorious cause. / • 1 We would farther say, that we have not made these remarks for the purpose of in juring the feelings of our Rev. brother, but simply as a vindication of the wounded cause of a Crucified Redeemer. We hope our good brother will remember that “open rebuke in better than secret love.” And that “Faithful are the wounds of a friend ;” and that “lie that rebukelh a man, after wards shall find more favor, than he that flattereth with the tongue.” Remember, my dear brother, that the holy scriptures which you profess to teach to men, does not teach us to he content with the customs of “our forefathers,” (unless indeed it be tfie customs of our fathers who promulga ted the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ) but instructs us to “ grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.” Will our dear brother be so good as to read attentively the remarks of EPIS COPOS, No. 6, on “The Lords Suppei,” Index page 658, No. 42 ? We think if he is open to conviction and instruction he will tie benefited iheiehv. Y’ours in lo e, WILLIAM BOROU-M. Thomson, I)cc. 18 tjk. 1843. . We hope, if a reply* to the above is sent us, that it will be written in a Christian spir it and over the writer’s real name, as the author of the above lias affixed his name to his communication, We wish to take no part in the controversy should one ensue. For the Christian Index. Remiaismtcfs of Georgia. By a former resident in the State. I can remember w hen the State Conven tion was formed at Powellou. But where are the noble spirits that were engaged in that work ? All—all in their graves except Win. ‘J'. Brantly, of Charleston. Many were present at the first meeting, who l ad not been commissioned to aid in that noble tiiidei taking, because their prayers bad been for it and their hearts were in it. Hillman, and J. Reeves, Cooper, and Williams, and Harvey, and Flournoy with many others witnessed the interesting proceedings.— What a small beginning! Six men from two associations organized a body whose j influence lias been fell throughout the j Stale, and may 1 not say, in Africa, But | mail, and China ? The other Associations ! seemed to be alraid of the new organization , and for years stood aloof from it, so that for i 12 or 14 years the Georgia alone as a body j was in the concern. The Suubury united in 1823, but the distance prevented her ines j sengers attendance, only occasionally, and j the Ocinulgee seceded m 1830. Societies, however, in the bounds of the other assoc iations sent their good wishes and funds an nually and thus encouraged the “old Geor gia.” In 1824, two years after the organization (State; now in 1843, aboutss,doo ! Has j the Convention nullified religion or tram | pled on the rights of the churches ? These | were bug-bears hung up ami bandied about to keep us away front it. They had their influence for a while among the ignorant, j but have lost it now. It was roundly as serted that the President received S2OOO : and the Clerk SISOO as officers of the ! Convention, and that none but College \ turned men would be allowed to preach as -1 ter 1832 ! ! This was a part of the Coti jstitution! Thousands were so gulled as ito believe such a clause actually existed! In regard lo the motives which promulga j ted such reports, this deponent hath noth ing to say. j The anti-spirit, as it was exhibited in | Georgia, is recorded on memory’s tablet; ! but let oblivion cover it, for it shall not be j called up at this late hour especially as I trust that spirit in a great measure lias lost its ! ferocity and been baptised into the spirit of Christ. Over West, Melanetlion and oth ers tried to write down the antics; but their pens were too still—they exasperated rath er than softened. But it is diflicult 1 sup pose lo know how to benefit those w e re gard as out of the w ay. An old writer on being asked, “ why so tart upon your op ponent,” replied, “you can not pierce the leviathan with straw.” Near my present residence, there is an elderly gentleman, who was excluded some dozen years ago, lor allowing his children to attend sabbath school in the village! He is now out of the connection though he seems to bean orderly man. But lie would make no acknowledgements, and how could lie ? God had said thousands of years ago ; in regard to our children, that they should . be taught in the house and by the way side. I don’t know how it is—there are many i good men among them whom I hope to meet in heaven ; but entertaining the no j lion that missions and ministerial education are wrong, seems to jaundice their whole vision. In this country they have exercis ed much of an illiberal and tyrannical spirit j —neutralized a desire to attend worship and (driven off congregations—abused learning and praised ignorance—preached the doc j trines in the mam soundly but repulsively. I’hev have done more injury, I fear, in the last 15 years, than double tlteir number can ! repair in a century. To the great revival of 1827 with many interesting incidents, memory runneth back with delight. The session of the Ocmtd gee Association at Antioch when 4000 per sons at once were prostrate and asking for prayer. What a spectacle for saints and no doubt full of interest to angels. How many old sores was cured and old grudges buried on that consecrated hill. Many fam ilies in that neighborhood slept not for joy; for from different rooms, rhe cheering intel ligence was brought every hour, “ your child, nephew, relation is born into the king dom and rejoicing in hope.” Who could sleep under such circumstances? But 1 have transcended the limits of a letter and yet just begun my reminiscences. I could tell of the untiring spirit of minis ters and lay-members—of the indefatigable efforts of female piety, attd of the success which the Lord granted to their feeble in ( strumentalilies —but I must forbear. Senex. The author of the above is not the am I tlior of the series of Essays addressed to the ministry. He is Senex, Senior. Both of the writers are residents of Western Slates. We feel truly thankful to them for their valuable communications. — Ed. For the Index. CtiLLoDKN, Bfli Dec., 1843. Brother Baker —Permit me again to trouble von with an explanation of the ver ses, “Our child,” &c. The verses were predicated upon tiie the theory that tlrespir jit lingers o’er its clay tenement until it is deposited in the tomb, and then immediale- ( ly wings its flight to the spirit-land. The first and second verses were intended to j represent the child as dying; the third i and fourth as dead ; and the last as bearing the coid remains to the gloomy eemetry: The second line therefore of the sfTtind j verse, should have read, “Thou art fading;” ! making it the present instead of the inr ! perfect tense. The verses have been pub lished in two other papers, and—in each of them, I see they read according to the elo ( cution. The grammatical error therefore j found in the verses sent you were overlook | rd by me. 1 lie Lord continues to pour out in rich j profusion his quickening and holy spirit j upon the members of Mount Pleasant [church, arid the community in which it is j located. On the 4th Sabbath ultimo, Bio- Smith baptized seven. Three others have ! been received and are standing over for baptismal our next meeting, making 31 j received by experience since the com mencement of otir meeting—it is thought J that several other captives have been libera ted, who will come out oil the Lord’s side c’re long. Pray the Lord to continue the visitations of his spirit, and believe me vouis in Christian affection. L. T- DOYAL. How can Uliristintis become United ! Gan Christians of different religious views become united, by determining lo bring over those who differ from them to their particular faith? No: this will wi den the breach. Can they produce unifor mity by endeavoring to pul down, either | by force or influence, those who differ from j them f No : this always increases the difference, and creates sympathy for the party that is ill treated. How then ean (Christians become united? Must all re j main dumb, and no one boldly and fully ! declare Ins sentiments ? No : this is per i feet bondage, and would gender ignorance, j Ibiniality, ami a want of that consciousness, ( which must always form the basis of true i ing be enjoyed? Answer: every Chiis tian must act conscientiously, and be per fectly willing that all others’ should do the same. Every Christian should freely am? fully proclaim his faith, and live up to it. At the same time, all should be perfectly willing that all others who differ from them, should fully proclaim, and fully live up let what they believe to be truth. Still all should fed that it is possible they may bo in error; and lienee should daily search the scriptures, honestly desirous that they may know the truth. It is lather a free interchange of sentiment, than anv gag rules, that unites Christians. 1 know this is regarded as a hnckneveil and threadbare subject; but it is still im portant ; audit’ all Christians could feel and act as they ought, in respect to it, the world would be blessed indeed. If union ; m sentiment and practice could universally | prevail, it would prevent many inronven j iciices ; but the union now to be sought, is that which is consistent with diversity of i sentiment, and freedom of speech. On these principles, we can lie collected in dis : lerent churches, and even in different de nominations. and proclaim freely, and prac tice constantly, every riling we consider I truth, ami vel be united in spirit, and treat i each other as members of the same j great family. This is possible, as Is ex emplified in many individuals, and for short I seasons in whole churches. As these cases prove the possibility and beauty of union on this ground, how desirable it is that ii should become universal ! If all cannot see and think alike, let all Christians seer and think for themselves, and he witling that all others should do the same. —Christian UtralJr—— “ The infidel. Hume, received a religious education front Iris pious mother, and in early life was the subject of strong and j hopeful religious impressions; but as lie : approached manhood they were effaced, ; and filial love and reverence were absorbed ; in the pride of philosophical skepticism.— He now applied himself with unwearied ! efforts to sap the foundation of his mother’s i faith ; and having succeeded in his impious : work, he went abroad into foreign coun tries. When on his return, an express met him at London, informing him that his mother could not long survive ; that she now found herself without any support in her distress, that as he had taken away that source of comfort, on which, in all cases of affliction she used lo rely, and her mind was now sinking in despair, she entreated him to give her some substitute for her re ligion, and to hasten to her wilh such con solations as philosophy ean afford to a dy ing mortal. Hume was overwhelmed with anguish on receiving this letter, and has tened to Scotland, travelling day and night; no permanent impression was made on his mind, and he soon relapsed into his former obduracy of heart.” —Sill man's Journal Eng. It is poor hearing, and poor reading, un less you mix faith and prayer with what you hear and what you read.