have provided a substitute for our present hopes, we will listen with more confidence to its proposals.

And yet the cry of modern philosophy is against the only pledge of immortality afforded the human race. Where is the gratitude of such conduct? Are we not indebted to it for all the illumination which we enjoy? Did Paganism disappear, till Christianity exerted her benign influence? Did not man in a state of nature demand and offer human victims? And did not Revelation stay the effusion of blood, and abolish these infamous rites? Is it not friendly to science and civilization? Is it not inimical to whatever is injurious to the interests of man? Where is the wisdom of such an opposition? Before you banish this, produce a better system: shew us 66 a more excellent way:" teach us morality more sublime! What is its crime? Sedition? Impossible! It "puts us in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work." Want of philanthropy? Surely not! Some may bear its name who do not breathe its spirit: but their bigotry and illiberality are not chargeable upon ChristianityChristianity, which teaches "to speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, showing all meekness unto all men." It substitutes faith for good works; and its professed teachers set up opinion against morality? It is a gross calumny! It blends these nominally jarring principles: it assigns to each its proper place: it requires the influence, and commands the agency, both of the

one and the other; it joins together those things which men frequently separate; and with equal consistency and plainness, traces the causes and effects of salvation: it has prescribed-" these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God, be careful to maintain good works."

The

Extinguish the light afforded by this despised volume, and you are precisely in the situation of the heathen world. I close the Bible; and there remains to you a hope without a foundation, assaulted by a thousand dismal apprehensions. planets which roll over your head declare matchless wisdom, and incalculable immensity. They write in the heavens the name of Deity; and the attributes of power, majesty, and immutability. But where is the record of pardon? It is neither written by the sun-beam, nor wafted on the breeze. Where is the record of immortality? It is not inscribed on the face of the heavens, nor revealed by the operations of nature. "The depth saith, 'It is not in me!' and the sea saith, 'It is not in me!'" Look abroad into creation. "Canst thou by searching find out God? Canst thou find out the Almighty unto perfection? It is high as heaven! what canst thou do? deeper than hell! what canst thou know? The measure thereof is longer than the earth; it is broader than the sea!"

SENSE, REASON, AND FAITH.

SENSE, Reason, and Faith, may be considered as progressive steps, by which the mind ascends to the invisible God. Creation is an object of Sense. The light which shines upon my path is an emblem of the purity of Deity. The meridian sun is an image of his uncreated glory, who is the centre of every system. Whether I gaze upon the heavens, and trace the revolutions of orbs which move there: or follow the eccentric comet through its protracted sphere, so far as it is visible: or examine the insect that flits by me, or the blade of grass upon which I trample; I perceive the operations, and adore the wisdom of the Divinity. His voice speaks in the thunder-storm; and when his lightning bursts from the bosom of the dark cloud, "my flesh trembleth for fear of his judgments." Fanned with the breath of the morning, or the gale of the evening; standing in this plain, or on that mountain; dwelling on the dry land, or floating on the surface of the deep-I am still with God.

Reason takes up the process where Sense fails. It deduces inferences respecting invisible things from those "which do appear." Nature wafts the mind to the Creator. From its majesty, Reason argues his greatness; from its endless variety, his bounty; from its uses, his wisdom. The foundation of the Temple of Knowledge is laid deep, wide, and lasting, on the face of the universe.

Reason seizes such materials as Sense can furnish, and carries on the building. But, alas, the edifice remains incomplete! The architect is skilful, but the materials are scanty. Those which are most essential to crown the work, lie far from this country beyond the grave. In vain imagination lends her assistance, and attempts to explore the land of spirits, where only they are to be found. Bewildered, exhausted, and powerless, the artist sits down in silent despair.

Here Faith takes up the tools which fell from the hand of Reason. Revelation ascertains all that futurity had concealed; and Faith draws her materials from Revelation. The building rises, and shall continue to rise, "till the top-stone is brought forth with shouting." For "faith is the substance of things hoped for; the evidence of things not seen.'

Sense cannot introduce us to the invisible Majesty of heaven. It can only present us with his image. The pure, ethereal light-the blaze of a noontide sun-the azure heavens, and revolving orbs the mysterious, eccentric comet-the insect curiously wrought, and the grass simply elegantthe thunder-storm-the lightning, vivid and irresistible-the morning and evening breeze-the verdant plain, and the elevated mountain-the solid earth, and the rolling seas-these all reflect the glory of Deity, all bear the impress of his hand, all develope his wonderful agency-but they are not GOD HIMSELF.

Reason ascends a little higher; and from the volume of nature, through the medium of sense, unfolds a little of the divine nature, and a few of his perfections. His immensity, his wisdom, his liberality, may be inferred from every thing which I behold: but, alas, I am still at a distance from God! What is he to me? What does he require? Have I disobeyed the dictates of reason at any time? or neglected to serve him? If so, will he pardon sin? and how am I to receive forgiveness? Neither reason nor sense can answer these inquiries, nor silence the clamours of conscience.

It is Faith rising on the wing of Revelation that introduces me into the heaven of heavens, unlocks the mystery, and unfolds the seven-sealed book. Here I read the covenant of mercy. Here I receive the promise of pardon. Here I learn all that I would know, and anticipate all that I shall hereafter enjoy. The pressure of the ills of life is lightened; and I"endure as seeing Him who is invisible."

BEAUTIES OF NATURE.

WHO can behold the fair structure of the heavens and the earth without feeling a powerful desire to understand their origin, and to be acquainted, in some measure at least, with the Architect who reared them? Cold is the heart which kindles not into devotion, when the skies blaze with a thousand lamps; and grovelling the mind, which rises not