tigating the evidence for the subject on which they were now to dispute.

Mr Goodwill, who had been excited, by the unlimited praise of his associates, to become again the oracle of the infidel party, replied, that there was no occasion for the investigation which the gentleman thought so necessary:-that it was not to be expected that they, who had so much other business. to mind, were to occupy their time in poring over musty volumes, and old wives fables:that it was self-evident that they were in the right, because they followed only the dictates of nature, and the unbiassed principles of their own minds. Satisfied, therefore, of the propriety of their principles and conduct, they rested the defence of them, not so much on argument, as on the feelings of mankind, when freed from the prejudices of Christian education and clerical jargon. To shew, however, that they deserved the name of philosophers, in which they gloried, they were willing to hear what Mr Christian had to say. For though he would certainly fail to convince them, or to show any fallacy in the reasoning and arguments of the learned. and renowned Dr Francis, he would at least afford them some amusement, the only purpose for which he and his associates. thought it worth their while to attend the society.

"Had I known, said Mr Christian, that this was the only purpose of your attend

ance, and these your determined sentiments, I should certainly have never become a member of this society, nor have undertaken the task which I did at our last meeting. Convinced, however we might differ in our modes of thinking, that we were all equally sincere in our enquiries, and equally disposed to embrace truth, wherever it should be found, I promised myself much instruction from an intercourse so unreserved; nor could I have imagined that men, who on all occasions cry out so violently against prejudice and bigotry in others, would have shewn themselves to be so completely under such influence. But infidels, I find, are the same in every country; they are similar to poor hen-pecked husbands, who, while they are from home, declaim with much force, and apparently with very lively feeling, against petticoat-government; but they no sooner return to their own house, then they submit to the frowns of a scolding wife, without a murmur, and without making a single effort to resist. Infidels have got an idea that morality is of no moment, because they feel it irksome; and that revelation isfalse and superstitious, because it sanctions. morality with divine authority; and they act and reason upon these notions, without enquiring whether they be founded in truth or not. They talk against prejudice, but it is generally the only source either of their opinions or their practice. The evidences:

of Christianity have been supported with all the force of argument, and recommended with all the charms of candour and of eloquence. They have been stated separately, and they have been combined together; and, I am bold to say, they are calculated either way to afford, to an honest undissipated mind, which will attend to them, irresistible conviction.

"You, gentlemen, have avowedly not attended to them; and it is therefore not to be expected that any thing which I can say will induce you to change the resolution in which you appear to be determined. It would therefore be an unprofitable waste of time, to enter into a complete detail of all that has been produced, by the indefatigable labours of the learned and the pious on this subject; since a determined infidel never can, because he will not, be converted. What I have to say, however, short and desultory as it may seem, will probably have some effect upon those who are less resolute; and if I shall have the happiness to induce them to a farther and candid investigation of the subject, they will find ample satisfaction in their enquires, from the labours of persons much better qualified to discuss it than I pretend to be. It will be impossible for me, during the present evening, however, without fatiguing both you and myself beyond what is necessary, to go over even all the ground which I have planned out for my

self. It is my purpose at present, then, by making some general remarks, to endeavour to remove some previous difficulties, and to obviate some general objections: and if I shall be able, by this means, to fix any one's attention seriously to the subject, we shall be better able, at our next meeting, to consider the work of Dr Francis, so confidently appealed to by Mr Goodwill and his friends.

"Infidels, I have already had occasion to remark, are constantly sounding in our ears, the words philosophy, science, truth, and candour, as if they alone were in possession of what is meant by those words. It is to be feared, however, that, whilst they are thus disputing about the shadow, they sometimes lose the substance; and that, whilst they are amusing themselves with words, and difficulties, and objections, they totally lose sight of the truths intended to be conveyed by them, and about which they contend. The origin of infidelity, however, is not to be sought for in reasoning. There is a step previous to argumentation, which will generally be found to have had more influence with every one of them, than any anxiety for truth or candid wish for information. They know that religion, if it be true, will affect their conduct very intimately, and in a way for which they are not prepared. They find the attractions of the world to be strong, the pleasures of sense to

be inviting, and the ridicule of religion, which forbids these, to be among their ignorant and thoughtless companions very general. The gradual and unceasing influence of dissipation, by removing their minds from the serious contemplation of the religion in which they were educated, leads them first to wish, then to suppose, and at length firmly to believe it to be false. They are next prompted, by a process natural to the human mind, in order to justify its own misconduct, to seek for arguments to defend a position already assumed, and which, be the arguments strong or weak, forcible or inconclusive, they are not disposed to abandon. The first step to infidelity, then, generally is immorality and dissipation; and the business is completed, if, whilst under this influence, religion be attacked by ridicule, the force of which depends on bringing detached parts of the system unfairly and improperly together; on exhibiting it and its ministers in odious characters; on falsely connecting their conduct with the truth of their profession; and on insinuating, that they do not believe what they pretend to teach. It is thus that infidels and scoffers are often made, without one argument or probability so strong as would induce a man to hazard the smallest earthly possession or enjoyment. Such, O young man, are the dangers which surround thee in the world! such are the snares laid to entrap thy unsuspecting innocence, and,

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