LETTER XXVI.

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I HOPE, my young friend, that you quire a thorough acquaintance with the historical scriptures. They are intimately connected with the prophetical, the doctrinal, and the preceptive parts of the Bible. I have, at times, been made to blush for my ignorance of some fact, which has been alluded to, as a part of Bible history and especially as quoted by the New Testament writers; not because I neglected the Bible, but because I confined my reading to a very limited portion of it.

It is impossible to understand the prophecies, without a knowledge of the sacred history. It is equally impossible, without this knowledge, to comprehend the beauty and force of the gos pels and the epistles. The more thoroughly you study the Old, the more easily will you comprehend the meaning and beauty of the New Testament. If you will become intimately acquainted with the book of Leviticus, the epistle to the Hebrews will possess charms which

you had never attributed to it. If you have discriminated between the covenant which God made with Abraham, and that which He formed with the people of Israel, at Sinai, you will be prepared to estimate the force of the Apostle's reasoning, in the epistle to the Galatians. There is scarcely any part of the New Testament, which has not some connexion with the Old. In the historical books, you have also an exhibition of the providence of God, and many bright examples of patriarchal Christianity. You cannot fail, therefore, of being amply rewarded by a diligent perusal of the sacred history.

In studying the doctrinal parts of the Bible, you will require much patience and perseverance, mingled with constant prayer for heavenly illumination. There is reason to apprehend, that many young Christians have vague and superficial notions of the doctrines, whilst they exhibit much of the true temper of the gospel. If, however, they neglect to investi gate and understand the doctrines of scripture, they will be in danger of being led astray, by the seducing influence of heresy. Be well grounded, therefore, in the fundamental doc

trines of the Bible. In making up your opi nion with respect to any doctrine, avoid a rash and hasty conclusion. Be deliberate, and you will escape the imputation of "being carried about with every wind of doctrine." When a truth, which you have thus deliberately embraced, is called in question, be not induced by the apparent candour, or the plausible arguments of your opponent, to yield your opinion, until you have given it a thorough investigation. You may still be right, and your opponent wrong. Be not rash in giving up your opinion and adopting his. This caution is perhaps necessary to young Christians, who cannot, at their age, be supposed to be thoroughly indoctrinated.

There are some truths which you have received from education. I would advise you to re-examine them, by the word of God, and if they correspond therewith, to hold them fast, as the most precious legacy which your pious parents have bequeathed. It will be insinuated, perhaps, that such opinions are the result of education, and are destitute of any other foundation. Be cautious in admitting this. Search、 the scriptures, and if you find them there, hold

them fast, as a "form of sound words." It they are opposed to the Bible, abandon them, however dear, or sanctified by parental affection. But in yielding such opinions, I would still say, be not rash. Investigate closely and candidly, ere you let them go. There is a tenderness of conscience in young Christians, which Satan sometimes pushes to a painful and distressing embarrassment. This is as much the case in respect to belief, as to external conduct.

As an illustration of these remarks, there occurs to my recollection, the case of a youth, who, on making a public profession of religion, joined, as a matter of course, the church in which he had been baptized, and to which his parents belonged. For a short time all went happily with him. He enjoyed the communion of the saints, and the ordinances of the gospel. The scene, however, was soon changed. His mind was thrown into great distress, by the insinuations of one, who, by his bold and dogmatical mode of reasoning, led him into doubts on a particular point of doctrine. He was deeply perplexed as to the path of duty. At one time, the adversary would suggest the guilt

of remaining a day longer in his present connexion. At another, he would insinuate that he had made a false profession, and therefore had committed the sin against the Holy Ghost. In this hour of anguish, he prayed most earnestly for direction. The thought occurred to him, that he need not be rash in altering his views. As he was comparatively a child, and had much to learn, God would not be displeased, if he took time for investigation. This thought gave him consolation, and he set about a diligent and prayerful examination of his Bible. The result was, a conviction of the truth as he had held it, and a perfectly settled state of mind on that point, even to the present time.

I hope, therefore, my young friend, that in making up your doctrinal opinions, you will study the word of God closely and prayerfully. Be careful not to rush into hasty conclusions from isolated passages; but take a comprehensive view of the connexion. Look at the Bible in all its grand and magnificent proportions. Be thoroughly indoctrinated, and you will become a growing and stable Christian. There will be a solidity in your