attended-would be arenas for debate; no one would feel the wholesome obligation of attending divine service-if divine such service could be called ;—the influence of example would deteriorate, and numbers, who now from motives, good or not, exhibit creditable examples, would regard the opportunity as lost, and so no longer incumbent upon them. They would thus expel the sense of duty from their breasts; and floods of open profligacy would inundate society. Dissent is not well; but the Voluntary Principle, in its full extent, would be infinitely worse. The result of Dissent is not peace-whatever be the profession-it is in fact jealousy and rivalry; it generates a desire to supplant and destroy, and nourishes envy, malice and all uncharitableness. It establishes new interests-there is nothing conciliatory in it;—and the mind is busied in fashioning reasons for keeping up distinctions and enmities, rather than in cultivating the graces of the Gospel. Peace would be more effectually maintained by preserving the unity of faith, in its own bonds, by practising the precepts and virtues of Christianity-of far more value than all the speculative theology in the world-by enforcing mutual forbearance and allowance, and pursuing our own duties, without being extreme in marking what is done amiss by others. But Dissent is order, propriety, virtue-compared with the profligate results that would too probably attend the general adoption of the Voluntary Principle. I am no enemy to free discussion-far from it; none to correctiou of abuse, none to reformation from wrong-far from it; but let us be cautious how we lay a rash hand on the ark of the Covenant. Dis sent is not—and far less would the Voluntary Principle be, productive of the blessings anticipated by its zealous promoters. Congregations entrench upon their Ministers' functions, and Ministers must succumb to their caprices. To my knowledge the controul of the Congregation is oppressively felt by the Dissenting Minister. In vain are such men impressed with the obligations of the sacred office which they venture to assume, they cannot execute them with a free spirit; they can do so, only so far as they please the taste of their auditors; they must be "menpleasers," or they will be dismissed to make way for more accommodating preachers. Teachers they dare not be, and can only be orators to tickle the ears of their masters. Under the auspices of an Establishment, the Minister is, as he ought to be, independent of the commands and caprices of his congregation, and controlled only by the well-organized economy of that Establishment. He is at liberty to preach the Gospel, in truth and sincerity-freely he has received, freely let him give. He can deliver its doctrines, and enforce its principles fearlessly. Impressed with the responsibility of his hallowed office, he will execute its duties in a conciliating spirit; while the effect of his independent position is as advantageous to his parishioners as to himself. They feel that such a person is under no restriction; and may fairly and frankly discharge the duty of a Teacher. They attend divine worship with confidence, with a teachable, and not a criticising temper; they attend for instruction and community of prayer-to be reminded of duty-to be deterred from wrong, and impelled to right;-not to direct and controul the man, whose very office and appointment it is to instruct and exhort. The National Church is essentially and emphatically the organ and instrument of good order; and good order tends to the maintenance of religious principle, and the security of society. The call upon you is not only to support the Church to which you belong, but especially to contribute towards the spiritual and eternal interests of all who cannot secure them for themselves. We see how active others are in assailing-let us shew a like activity in strengthening the defences of our Zion. Let us not suffer ourselves to be misled by wild theories, and wilder schemes, tried or untried; nor, to escape from small evils, incur the risk of falling into greater-the extent of which no man can measure. Imperfection is our lot, and we must correct as we can; but let us not run after a will o'th'wisp, which may beguile us we know not whither, while we have it in our power to follow a Light from Heaven. ་ Giraud, Printer, Sandwich. |