apprehension of the import of these words, "Christ's merits." We are no more saved by the identical obedience of the second Adam, than lost by the identical disobedience of the first. We are saved by "Christ's merits," when we make them our own,— by practising, through the Divine aid, the same obedience he did; that is the same kind of merits. This is the revelation of the mystery of the holy Spirit; human teachers ("adulterous generation!") tell us otherwise. The doctrine of imputation, whether of sin or of sanctity, is lame, understood in its literal sense, and worthy of its popish original. "Every man shall bear his own burden."

Why preach against works? Why not push and crowd the theme? Why not hold up a reformation in morals as the only evidence of true faith? Why so bitterly bemoan the bad lives of professors, as the greatest argument against Truth, and not attempt a reform? There is in fact but little encouragement, whilst we are taught to look on those corruptions as necessary and inevitable. What ground is there for constant joy, whilst conscious of a cancerous ulcer of inbred corruption? I might multiply texts of scripture almost without end, but forbear.

But let us examine the moral tendency of the two systems. By their fruits ye shall know them."That religion comes of God that tends to make men good. Where do we find most kindness, charity, catholicism, philanthropy, self-denial, simplicity, trust in God, peace, external and internal, constancy, honest boldness, and I may well add, reason? Whose system tends most to the melioration of man, and to bring in the millennium? Who settled a wilderness in the face of a savage enemy, without a single breach VOL. XII.-14

of peace, when New England was almost extirpated more than once-when Virginia was twice or three times cut up root and branch? Who endured the storm of the revolutionary war without the loss of lives, and confiscation of lands, yet under constant persecution for conscience' sake?

These instances of a patient trust in God may be looked on as moral and political experiments of the very first importance. Political parties are like the Jews of old, who distrusted Providence and looked to Egypt for help; or like the fool who went to law to gain sixpence, and spent pounds. "He that kills with the sword, must be killed with the sword." Here (in this matter) is the faith and patience of the saints. Early christians never fought.

Who first bore testimony against the slave trade and slavery? Who first exerted humanity in the penal code? Who bear a decided testimony against the use of ardent spirits to gratify a carnal appetite? Who are most distinguished for scrupulous conscience, unimpeachable integrity, and the most astonishing and grateful acts of disinterested love? In fact, who are acknowledged by all the world, and even by all denominations of christians, however they may differ from them in doctrine, to be the most exemplary men in the world? Nor can we doubt of the truth of principles, backed by such practices. shun the light because their deeds are evil.

Men

'Tis the precursor of the millennium: before this can take place men must unite in their testimony against war. We need look for no miracles in the natural world, nor, till we acquire true faith, in the moral and religious world. Men must come into the millennial state one by one; and it is a generous

effort to turn reformers in the great work. I might state many things, but for want of time. As I have taken some pains to ascertain the truth of the principles I embrace, and have not taken them upon trust; and as I believe thy love of Christ to be genuine, I should be happy to continue on sociable terms. It is ever a pleasure to me to enjoy the company of a refined, vigorous and religious mind. I love thy countrymen, and have heard thee speak with satisfaction; though I can never hide my sentiments. I have heard of thy disinterestedness and admire thee more for it, than even for thy eloquence. Men never speak so to men's hearts, as when they speak with perfectly disinterested views as relates to their purses. Thy friend, STEPHEN MUNSON DAY.

Soon after the date of the foregoing letter, Stephen Munson Day engaged as an assistant teacher in the academy at Burlington, of which William Staughton, a celebrated Baptist preacher, was the principal.Here he attended Friends' meetings: and in the early part of the next year, was acknowledged as a member of the society. Although he entertained a favourable opinion of William Staughton as a learned and pious man, he was not altogether easy to join in some of the religious performances practised in the academy; and, an opening presenting at Haddonfield, he engaged in teaching Friends' school there. Previously to his admission into society as a member, he had sometimes spoken in the public meetings of Friends; and about two years after his settlement at Haddonfield, he was acknowledged as an approved minister. "His sedulous endeavours to diffuse general knowledge, and to inspire emulation amongst the youth

placed under his tuition, met the approbation of their parents and friends, and secured him their esteem and confidence. His mode of teaching discovered a degree of acumen, seldom evinced among the many who engage in that employment; and rare were the instances, however obtuse the faculties of his pupils, where they did not yield to his instructive mind." To promote more effectually the interests of education, he was induced to compile an elementary system of pronunciation of the English language for the use of schools, entitled "The Art of Spelling Facilitated;" which was published by Benjamin Johnson in 1804. In the same year he caused to be published an appendix to the before mentioned work—called "Lessons in Reading; being select passages from the scriptures." He was also the author of another work somewhat similar to the first-mentioned, called "The Pronouncing Spelling Book," published at Burlington in 1811-in the title page of which, he styles himself "preceptor of the boarding school at Haddonfield."

To Stephen Munson Day, the sciences and the arts, and all the varied charms of philosophy, were sources of perpetual enjoyment. In the developements of nature, his mind roved at large and derived fresh vigour to its powers. His conversation, though savouring of philosophy, was not tinctured with pride. In every department, experiment was his favourite object, and he maintained an originality of conception in which pedantry could have no share.

Residing in a rural part of the country, his attention was much turned to the science of agriculture. Here he tested theory by experiment, and became not only wiser himself, but his example inspired others.

He was the original projector of a miscellaneous periodical paper, called "The Evening Fire Side;" two quarto volumes of which were published by Joseph Rakestraw in 1804-5 and 6. The object of this work was to furnish intelligence on subjects of a civil, natural, moral, literary and religious character, particularly calculated for the perusal of young people and those of retired habits. After the proposals were issued, some of his friends being not altogether satisfied with the prospect of his undertaking to be the editor of a work that had in part the appearance of a newspaper, he acceded to their wishes by declining further agency in conducting the work-but he occasionally furnished interesting essays for its columns.

He was the author of a pamphlet published in 1811 entitled, "Serious thoughts on the traffic in distilled spirituous liquors, and on the customary use of that article as a common drink." This is a valuable work of twenty-four pages-and furnishes evidence of his concern to promote habits of temperance, though less austere in the restrictions proposed than has prevailed with some on the subject in more recent times. He saw the evils attending the use of ardent spirits as a drink; but appears to have, had no objection to the temperate use of malt liquor and cider.

After an afflicting illness of several weeks, he resigned his life, in pious resignation to the will of heaven, on the 4th of the 11th month, 1812, aged. about thirty-six years.

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