the evidences of wisdom and humanity, of benevolence and piety. For this purpose, it is much to be desired that christians of different sects, while this diversity must subsist among us, should be ready as providence gives them opportunity to form acquaintance with each other, and also that their reading should not be confined merely to authors of their own sentiments, which often feeds bigotry, and shuts out candour at its first entrance. An enlarged acquaintance will infallibly convince us that all truth and goodness is not confined to one denomination of christians, nor among the patrons of any of those opinions, for which we have been inclined most eagerly to contend. Now when we are persuaded of another, that God has received him, we shall be more cautious how we presume either to judge or despise him, and when we see excellency in so many respects superior to our own, we shall not exalt ourselves highly on the advantage we enjoy in being, as we must indeed suppose we are, right, in that particular in which we are obliged to differ from persons we so highly esteem. Perhaps said one of the greatest and most excellent men our country has ever produced, I mean Mr. Howe: "Perhaps the reason why, in some disputable points, I have seen farther than some of my brethren, is, because their more elevated minds have been employed on greater and nobler objects, which has prevented their looking so minutely into these particular questions †.” By such means as these I hope something may be done towards mending the appearance of things among us, and recon ciling the hearts of contending christians to each other, especially if we do not insist too rigorously on the history of former wrongs and injuries; for which we have all too much reason to blush, nor unwarrantably charge the iniquities of the fathers upon the children. There is great reason to hope that the endeavour of every single person in his station to promote mutual union and love by methods like these, will in some degree be effectual; nor let us be discouraged, though it be not immediately successful to the full extent of our wishes. It may too justly be said, with regard to the evils with which we are to contend, in such a case, that The fathers have eaten sour grapes, and the children's teeth are set on edge‡. Too many have from their tenderest years been taught to place a part *Rom. xiv. 3. of +N. B. I well remember this to be the sentiment but not having marked the particular passage, I cannot be certain as to the words. + Ezek. xviii. 2. their religion in the severity with which they censure their brethren, and a peccant humour, so early wrought into the constitution, will not easily be subdued by the most sovereign medicines. That very reflection, however, should teach us" to take great heed that we do not convey unkind prejudices into the minds of the rising generation," but that youth be educated among us in more open and generous sentiments, that they be taught to reverence true christianity wheresoever they see it, and to judge of it by essentials rather than circumstantials. Let this be our care, and it is more than probable, that our children may rejoice in the shade and fruit of these trees of righteousness, which our hands have planted, and I hope it is not a vain presage that it will be so: For blessed be God the present season is mild and favourable to such an attempt, and I am persuaded none living have seen a crisis, which seemed more encouraging and inviting to these labours of love. But here, as in every other respect, Neither is he that planteth any thing, nor he that watereth: But God that giveth the increase*. "Him therefore let us humbly and earnestly invoke, for the benign influences of his Holy Spirit ;" whose great office it is to heal and sweeten, to purify and elevate the mind, and in every sense, to take away the stony, and to produce and cherish the tender heart. And O! may the God of the spirits of all flesh, the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Author of peace and lover of concord, hear the prayers in which our hearts would unite with all our brethren; humbly interceding for the prosperity of the universal church: "That it may be so guided and governed by his good Spirit, that all who profess and call themselves christians may be led into the way of truth, and hold the faith once delivered to the saints in unity of spirit, in the bond of peace, and in righteousness of life, through Jesus Christ." Amen. * 1 Cor. iii. 7. |