of some revelation of love. For in schism we see intolerance, cruelty, envy, boasting, pride, selfishness, passion, suspicion, malignity, injustice, resentment, and all uncharitableness. Would the disciple of Christ avoid fostering so great a pest in the church as schism; and would he cherish divine charity? let him carefully study those numerous passages of scripture which treat of the christian temper-and let him thus strive to bring his mind into devout and habitual contact with the mind of the Divine Spirit. THE EXAMPLE OF MEN EMINENT FOR PIETY AND CATHOLIC CHARITY, in various ages of the church, cannot be contemplated without advantage, and may also tend to aid the cure of schism. Let Christians then read their lives and writings with this view. The circumstance that such men have belonged to different denominations, is a powerful appeal against bigotry: the fact of their supreme devotedness to the grand objects of Christianity, may exhibit, by way of contrast, the littleness of a party-spirit; and their desire to promote brotherly love among all the faithful in Christ, may well awaken sympathy and imitation. Were all Christians like the heavenly Leighton, or the amiable and pious Doddridge, the flame of schism would expire in the universal church, for want of fuel. We may learn a lesson even from those who were too near the times of Romish domination, to 2 comprehend the whole doctrine of religious liberty, when, with Calvin, they exclaim: 'I should not hesitate to cross ten seas, if by this means holy communion might prevail among the members of Christ'!1 Similar appear to have been the feelings of Bucer, Peter Martyr, Knox, and many more reformers. Even Joseph Hall, when at Dordt, forgot his jus divinum Episcopacy; and in his sermon addressed Presbyterians as a most holy assembly of the prophets'; saluted the Dutch church as the pure spouse of Christ'; reprobated party-names; and exclaimed, We are Christians; let us also be of one soul. We are one body, let us also be of one mind. Aim at peace, brethren: enter into peace; that laying aside all prejudice, party-spirit, and evil affections, we may all come to a happy agreement in the same truth'!3 Beautiful exhibition of charity! why should it not be universally imitated? Of such instances, happily, no denomination is destitute of some examples :-let Christians make these examples their own! The CULTIVATION OF THE SPIRIT OF BROTHERLY LOVE as a vital principle of Christianity in the heart, will tend to destroy schism in its original For though schism is the 'pestilence source. 1 Calvin. Epist. p. 64. 2 See Mason's Catholick Communion, 1816. p. 178. locust' of look well to plague of his and blasting', the 'mildew' and the the church-every Christian must the healing of the mischief as the own heart.' Charity, alive and vigorous in many minds, would prove a diffusive principle of life and health to the church. For every one whose heart is the abode of love, and whose conversation is peaceable and brotherly, is in himself a perpetual rebuke to schism, and a living witness for unity, among all with whom he associates. As genuine Christians are all children of the same parent-born of the' same 'spirit'; they may surely be expected to banish from their minds all feelings which are contrary to fraternal union; and to frame their conduct towards each other according to the apostolical exhortation: Above all things, have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins." Even where any may err in the matter of charity itself, let charity still be the interpreter of their conduct. Let due allowance be made for varieties of mental character, of natural disposition, of acquired knowledge-above all, of education and training, of association and habit. Some good men-may act towards other Christians more exclusively than they would desire to do-in consequence of the trammels of the system to which they may be pledged :-trammels which they do not see how they can break through, unless they depart from what appears to them to be the path of duty. Others may, with a high-toned conscientiousness, have unequivocally sacrificed self-interest to conviction. Let us not be ready to judge the former, if, in consequence of their not possessing our liberty of action, they cannot go all our lengths in free christian association:-and let us not make the latter offenders for a word, if they should occasionally allow a strong expression to escape them, with regard to what they deem abuses in religion. The more fully conscious we are of the rectitude of our own course, the more candidly may we afford to listen to the reasonings of those who differ from us. And before we cast a stone at them, let us be quite sure that in forming our own religious connexion, we ourselves have been guided by a regard to the will of God, as deliberate, pains-taking, self-denying, and conscientious, as they may have evinced. In order to prevent schisms in our immediate circle, let us think on whatsoever things are lovely.' Let Christians be marked by a kind and inoffensive behaviour; and not withhold from each other such personal proofs of brotherly love, as are within their power. Let them discountenance any attempts that may be made to disparage and injure each others reputation, by any of the forms of backbiting and slander. Let them be slow to receive reports to each others prejudice; holding sacred the characters of their brethren, and careful, as far as possible, neither to give nor to take offence. It is certain that these, and all other fruits of charity, would signally attend any remarkable revival of personal religion. A large effusion of the Spirit would, as the natural result, greatly augment love among Christians, and render it spontaneous. If the professors of Christianity are not spiritual men-men of prayer and meditation, they will be worldly, covetous, or high-minded; they will be of the earth, and will cherish earthly affections, the elements of disunion and discord. But the tendency of exalted piety, and entire consecration to the service of God, is to elevate the minds of Christians into a spiritual region, above the storms of strife; where they freely unite, by the attraction of regenerate natures, emancipated from the predominant influence of the world. Hence the most spiritually-minded men are wont to be the most candid, peaceable, and brotherly. SECTION II. THE CURE OF SCHISM, AS RELATES TO THE EXISTING POSITION OF CHRISTIAN DENOMINATIONS. It has already been seen that certain religious diversities which prevailed in the infant church, |