ing, and holy living, as weapons against the unbelieving devil, that unhappily possesses so many hearts.

On the whole, I am authorised to say, the spirit of intol erance is decreasing; and a more liberal, catholic temper is gaining strength and diffusing its influence. Too much party spirit now exists between different denominations of Christians; and though this party spirit, in some instances, wears its antique coat, yet I think it may often be seen in a dress more congenial with its climate. Different denominations now wish to increase and keep up their own party; but not so much because they believe all will be damned beside; but because they think their own the best, and they have interests in, and connexion with their own, which may be supposed to give additional influence. Hence, those terrible anathemies, which were once sanctioned by legislatures and synods, have become so harmless as not to be dreaded.

Several denominations may be now seen at the communion table together, commemorating the death and sufferings of our adorable Redeemer. Different professions can now attend occasionally to the preaching of one minister; and the time has arrived, when it is not a crime to believe, that some good thing may come out of Nazareth.

There were more who said their prayers a hundred years ago, than there are now; but there is no evidence there were more then, who truly prayed in the spirit. Then, almost every man, who was the head of a family, learnt a prayer and said it night and morning; this practise is chiefly laid aside, but still there are many praying families. The great body of the people more strictly attended to the forms of worship; but there may be now as many true worshippers.

If all these things are considered, the cry of degeneracy, which the men other times' so often and so loudly repeat, cannot be just. A passing from one evil to another cannot be degeneracy strictly speaking; unless the evil substituted, is more extensive and fatal in its effects, than the one abandoned. But, it is not surprising that this class of men should call our present evil a degeneracy, when we consider, that they looked on the other as a Christian virtue.

It may possibly be allowed, that the characteristic evils of modern times may be more destructive to the peace and prosperity of civil society, than those of former times; but it will hardly be admitted, they are more destructive of experimental and practical godliness. Infidelity and the pres

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ent dissoluteness of manners lead to frauds, thefts, counterfeiting, and schemes for a livelihood, unconnected with an honest industry. Infidelity tends also to lessen the regard for, and obligation of oaths; and as far as these are disregarded, so far civil society is injured.

But men of loose principles may as likely become the subjects of converting grace, as the severe, monkish professor, whose brows are clouded with perpetual gloom, and whose soul is embittered by the wormwood and gall of intolerance and superstition. If our Lord may be credited, I do not exceed the truth; for he said to the Pharisees: The publicans and harlots go into the kingdom before you.' He, who is confident that he possesses religion already, and yet has nothing but a self-sanctified, traditionary superstition, is less likely to feel the force of truth and become its disciple, than he, who must every day feel himself a sinner. To say the least, therefore, the present evils may not be worse, all things considered, than those of past times: though the latter have been so often sainted and the other reprobated.

The exclamations of the aged against modern modes of dress, are partly just and partly unjust. It cannot be denied, but there is a great deal of vanity, pride, and wickedness apparent in this thing. One cannot too severely reprobate some of the peculiar notions of modern times. When people in January put on the dress of July, and foolishly lay the. foundation of fevers, consumptions, or a sickly constitution for life; or when they spend their whole earnings and contract debts for needless finery and worthless ornaments; or do the work of a scavenger, by sweeping the streets with trailing gowns; or put themselves to the expense and trouble of changing their dress every new moon, to keep in the fashion; or hang out the broad lettered sign of shameless impudence and lewdness, supposing it an evidence of gentility and high life; these are things the aged and young may, and ought to exclaim against; with all the force, which can be drawn from contempt, reason, and scripture.

After all, there is but one way to account for the severity of aged people against present fashions; and that is, custom and the habit of long seeing, renders that agreeable, which when new is highly offensive. And perhaps I might add old people generally lose their taste for novelty and forget they were once young, and as much pleased with the then modes, as their children and grand children are with the

modes of the present time. But their severity cannot be rendered just from a consideration, that ancient fashions were generally more reasonable and decent than the modern. For were I to go into the comparison of the two periods, and the fashions which prevailed in each, the following balance might be made. The naked breasts spoken of by the grave synod of Boston, more than one hundred years ago; and mentioned by them as one of the causes of the calamities then suffered, may be set off against naked breasts of the present age. Ancient stays and busks put into the scale, will balance modern corsets; high rolls and crape cushions had the same use as the hideous curls and buffalo appearance of modern ladies; and no one will say, but hooped petticoats were every way as genteel and profitable as trailed gowns ; and great sleeves with lead hung on the under side to draw them to the extent of their bigness, were as modest, no doubt, as no sleeves at all, or a naked arm quite up to the shoulder as blue with cold as a piece of indigo, or as full of pimples as a newly picked goose. And had I a mind to be particular, I might go on with debt and credit, till the account would be drawn out as long as that of a careless creditor's on the merchant's book. But the above may serve as a specimen for much more.

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Thus far the reflections of Charles. They evidence his discernment and candor, and his character forms a picture worthy of imitation.

I shall only add, that Charles returned, was married to Prudentia and entered on the oversight of her father's affairs; and they now live the pattern of conjugal affection, as well as of Christian duties.