Yet religion has weapons, which are mighty through God, to the pulling down of strong holds, and humbling high thoughts. The character of Christianity clearly indicates their nature. It is a religion which consists not in external form and observance: for "the kingdom of God is within you" -in the soul. And the high enterprise of the Christian minister is to win over the soul to the obedience of the just. In order to this, truth must shed its light on the understanding, and exert its sanctifying influence on the heart. But it is truth only, as invested with God's authority, which can do this. soning of man is in vain for such a work. must be "the demonstration of the Spirit and of power." And this may be expected only when the truth is delivered as God revealed it, and in the spirit and manner prescribed by the great Head of the Church.

The rea

There

The truth is preached as God revealed it, when the meaning of the Bible is stated, and proved, and pressed on the sinner's heart;-when sinners are made to understand just what God tells them, and that they are bound to believe and obey, because God has told them. If man assumes authority, his fellow feels that he has a right to refuse obedience; if man reasons, his fellow feels that he has a right to reason on the other side of the question, and to withhold belief:-but if GOD speaks, and the meaning of what he says is clearly exhibited, then there is no subterfuge;-man must obey, or come to the direct and fearful determination that he will disregard the authority of Heaven.

But much, according to divine appointment, is made to depend on the spirit in which the truth is preached. God, in employing human instrumentality to promote religion, determined to carry on the work of grace, in accordance with the nature which he had originally given to man. He did not, therefore propose truth in abstract forms to the understanding-cold as an icicle in the bosom-but with its light intermingled the genial warmth of love. God is love: truth is an emanation of Deity; and it is the warmth and energy of love, which carries it to the heart, when torpid and cold in spiritual death. It was, therefore, a wise and gracious determination of our compassionate Redeemer, to use all the kindly and generous feelings of human nature, every thing in man that has power to melt and subdue the heart of man, to extend the influences of his religion. The Christian minister, then, in his warfare, not only opposes truth to error, but blessing to cursing; gentleness to violence; pity to contempt; humility to haughtiness; patience to insult; forgiveness to injury; and love to hatred.

But it was manifestly the design of the Saviour, to give to the instrumentality employed in promoting his religion, the moral influence acquired by the association of numbers in one body. It is true, that one man, like Paul, highly endowed with genius, ardent in feeling, full of courage, unshrinking in fortitude, versatile in talent-taken up to the third heaven, and sent thence, like a comet from the sun, beaming with light from the ineffable glory, and burning with the fires of heavenly love, will exert a mighty influence on the moral condition of the whole

world. But even Paul, after all his visions and celestial raptures, still derived aid and courage from the faithful men, who, through his instrumentality, were brought into the church. And he manifestly relied much, under God, on the zeal, and love, and effort of Christians acting in unison.

Hence we see the nature and extent of the instrumentality to be employed in propagating the gospel. Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, both ministers and people, enlightened by divine truth, and moved by holy love, exert all their influence to impress this truth on the hearts of their fellow-men, softened and subdued by this love. THIS IS THE

LEGITIMATE METHOD OF PROMOTING THE RELIGION

He

OF CHRIST. There is no other. No case, either of individual or associated enterprise, can, furnish an exception to the rule. When one, in the true spirit of the gospel, makes his first attempt to bring sinners to Christ, he dare not, for his life he dare not, adopt any other measure than in love to speak the truth which God has revealed. And when he makes his last and greatest effort, he can do nothing more. has no weapons of higher temper, or more celestial force, with which to assault and pull down the strong holds, and the high things, which exalt themselves against the law of Christ. If he resort to other means, he at once throws himself out of the list of approved warriors of the cross, and fights under false colors. He uses carnal weapons. His success is not that of the cause of Christ. The places which he wins he does not annex to the kingdom of the Redeemer. Nothing but truth and love can make men real Christians. God blesses nothing else.

Once, when the church, though a very feeble band, went forth against the whole world, with no defensive armor but that of righteousness, under no protection but that of God, wielding no weapon of offence but the sword of the Spirit, our doctrine was fully recognised, and carried out into action. And the strongest holds of the powers of darkness felt the first shock, to their deepest foundations: and the first clash of the opposing weapons, showed that the church wielded the sword of Michael, the touch of which "neither keen nor solid could resist”—and one thing after another was brought down, and subdued to the obedience of Christ. At length, in an evil hour this armor was laid aside; one of earthly fabrication and temper was used in its stead; and the enemy recovered much of his lost dominion.

In these latter ages there has been a revival, in some measure, of the spirit of primitive Christianity; and the church is again heard to declare, "The weapons of our warfare are not carnal." Her ministers are seen going forth, as in the beginning, protected by the shield of faith, and wielding only the sword of the Spirit; and just in proportion as they do this, the kingdom of God is extended among

men.

From this brief discussion may be drawn some principles of great importance to the general cause of Christian benevolence; and of course, to those particular interests which claim our attention on the present occasion.

I. RELIGION MAY BE MOST SUCCESSFULLY PROP

AGATED, WHERE IT IS

HUMAN AUTHORITY.

PERFECTLY FREE FROM ALL

For, since religion has its seat in the soul, and is a matter of conviction and feeling, no man can possibly be a Christian, any farther than he voluntarily and heartily embraces the truth, and feels its sanctifying power.

But every man's heart rises in opposition to constraint. It is universally felt, that he who attempts to impose it, is doing what he has no right to do. And when even the truth itself is urged by human authority or force, it has to encounter not only the natural resistance of the corrupt heart, but the repugnance superadded by the absurd attempt to compel conviction and force the conscience. None can tell how much influence the church has lost by such preposterous measures.

Again; whenever religion is shackled by human policy, there is always some entangling alliance between it and "the powers that be." The state, for instance, engages to support the church: but it is on the condition that the church will submit to the authority of the state. Now, the rulers of this world, generally, have purposes of their own to accomplish, by means of religion: so far they support it; but no farther. It enters not at all into their plans, to submit themselves and their greatness to the power of the gospel. Nor are they willing that its divine authority over others should be pushed too far. Accordingly the wily politician has always invented checks and balances, by which to lessen the force, and control the influence of Christian doctrines, and ordinances, and teachers. The most solemn rites of religion, connected as they are with truths of the most affecting and awful character,