In regard to the authenticity of the New Testament, there is a short method of reasoning, that should have a satisfying influence upon your minds. That book could not have been written by wicked and deceitful men. It is impossible to conceive any rational motive that could influence such men to forge a volume, which, in every line, deeply condemns their own conduct, and holds them up to the reprehension of their fellow-beings. What could induce bad, corrupt men, to

of man-viewed as only fitted to abide his bidding and subserve his pleasures. From this low estate, Christianity has raised woman up to an equality with the other sex, in a moral and mental point of view--it has made her the companion of man, instead of his slave—and enabled her to become the sharer of his joys, his triumphs, and his acquirements. All the moral and intellectual advantages that females enjoy in Christian lands, above the members of the same sex in savage and ignorant nations, have been procured solely through the ameliorating and heavenly influences of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Look abroad over the earth. Wherever Christianity sheds its benign light, females are elevated, improved, respected and honored—wherever Christianity is not known, there they continue the degraded, wretched servants of man! Surely, then, females who are swayed by the principles of propriety and self-respect—who desire their sex to maintain the elevated station they now occupy—who would have their rights, their virtues respected, and their mental and moral capabilities appreciated and improved —will not assist in destroying that beautiful system of Christianity, which has given them this elevation, and which alone supports it. Neither will they give their assistance or countenance to those who are engaged in this blind and mad work of destruction. At least no female will pursue this suicidal policy, but she who prefers abasement, slavery and infamy, to virtue, dignity and an honorable equality with man—but she who chooses the darkness, ignorance, and the licentiousness of barbarism, to the light, elevation and modesty of civilization,

compose a book containing the most perfect code of morals of which the human mind can conceive? Could such men have written such a volume? No. The New Testament must have been written, then, by men of virtue and integrity—men who felt the value of its instructions. And certainly men of this character would not deliberately pen what they knew to be false! Thus the very existence of the New Testament among us, is one of the most convincing proofs of its truth.*

*There are two works lately published upon the evidences of Christianity, which I would especially recommend to youth, as of immense value, viz.— An Argument for Christianity," by I. D. Williamson, and "Christianity against Infidelity/' by T. B. Thayer.

CHAPTER XI.

TREATMENT OF RELIGIOUS ERROR.

Mankind have been created with powers of mind, so diversified, that the variety of opinions upon subjects relating to religion, is not a matter of astonishment. It would be far more surprising, when we reflect upon the various degrees of knowledge possessed by mankind, were they all to entertain precisely the same views. This disparity of opinion existing, I deem it of some importance to make a few suggestions, in regard to the treatment of those who differ from you in religious sentiment.

In the first place, let it be remembered, that by the law of nature, others have the same unalienable right to differ from you in opinion, that you have to dissent from them. And in this, land of religious freedom, the liberty of entertaining and defending such religious sentiments as they deem proper, without injury to their rights, privileges or immunities, is guarantied to all its citizens,

It is both proper and necessary that you should observe the letter and spirit of these natural and political laws they should form the basis upon which you found the principles of your emotions and actions towards your religious opposers.-Never, therefore, disparage, despise, ill-treat, or calumniate any of your fellow-beings, on account of their religious views, if you have reason to believe that they are sincere. Such conduct violates the principles of equity and uprightness, and those who are guilty of it, have no just claims to manhood or Christianity. Hypocrisy of every form and feature, it is your duty to despise and discountenance, in a decided and proper manner— but sincerity, however absurd its object, should ever be respected.

Withhold not the name of Christian, from any sect who believe in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This concession is called for by truth, and by that charity and urbanity which denominations, believing in the same God, the same Saviour, and the same Bible, should ever exhibit towards each other. And it is an incentive to this practice, and a pleasing reflection, that in every class of professing Christians, there are many—very many --who possess the true spirit of Christ.

Avoid also attributing to any sect, doctrines or principles which they deny. They should be allowed to possess the right—which you claim for yourself—of stating their own sentiments, and the grounds upon which they rest them—and for

these sentiments, and none other, should they be held accountable.

Even

Never judge of the character of a whole sect, or of the influence of its doctrines, by the conduct of a few of its adherents. From the imperfections of human nature, all are liable to err, although possessing the purest principles. the chief of the disciples of Christ once denied his Master. Judge of every man's character, by his own personal conduct, and not by the conduct of another. And decide upon the influence of doctrines by their general effects upon their believers.

It is a natural and laudable wish, to induce others to adopt our peculiar religious opinions, but to accomplish this end, certain precautions must be observed. You must avoid ridiculing those whose views you would change. This is a favorite measure with many public advocates of religion; but they who resort to it, are not the most successful in winning adherents to their doctrines. Ridicule is a dangerous weapon—it is a two-edged sword, and can be wielded as skilfully by the advocate of error, as by him who would build up truth. Ridicule seldom reaches the judgment to convince it of error; but it invariably wounds the feelings and upholds the prejudices of those against whom it is levelled. It is one thing, to expose the fallacies of erroneous sentiments in a plain, candid and forcible manner, but another, and different thing, to ridicule those