Thirdly, by earnest efforts to diffuse through our country a better faith. Instead of censuring the zeal of Romanists, let us emulate it. There are thousands in our boundless West, who must have from some source the waters of life, or they and the republics they are founding will long feel the sad deprivation. Honor be to those, of whatever name, Catholic or Protestant, American or European, who are devoting their treasure or their personal efforts to bring the healing waters to these " sheep without a shepherd." We believe that a blessing will rest on all their well-meant endeavours. We believe that they all teach the Gospel of Christ, though by many it is burthened with unprofitable human traditions. We believe that it is better that Catholicism should spread than infidelity. But while these are active, let us not be idle. To us, we trust, has been committed a purer faith; on us, then, rests a higher duty, a more weighty responsibleness. Let us conquer that false delicacy which forbids us to proclaim the truth uninvited; that superstitious horror of sectarianism which makes us shrink from the duty we owe to Him who has given us our advantages.

But we must "speak the truth in love." Our conduct, if it be truly Christian, will do more to disarm Romanism of its power to injure, than our arguments can accomplish in converting its adherents.

We must, then, fourthly, demonstrate the beauty of our principles in our own deportment. Thousands of foreigners. come among us annually, strongly prejudiced against Protestantism, which unfavorable circumstances in their own country have taught them to regard as identified with pride and oppression. What stronger argument for our faith can we offer them than the proof in our own conduct that we have Christian hearts? Let us be their benefactors, and they will not long believe that we are under the wrath of

the Almighty. The Catholic priest comes to us, zealous to uphold the Church he reveres, but liable, in his devotion to that cause, to be tempted to intrigue. Let our own example show him the beauty of fair dealing, and our kind and manly treatment of him take away all occasion for deception. If we receive him as a gentleman and as a Christian brother, not a papal bull can prevent his heart from being warmed towards us. Let us show that our religion produces true holiness of life, and we disprove the infallibility of all the councils that have anathematized us.

The course we recommend is not a new one. We believe it to be that which—with exceptions, indeed has yet been generally pursued in our country towards Roman Catholics. It is the policy which circumstances, providentially arranged, assisted our fathers in adopting at the period when we became a nation. But for the participation of Catholic Maryland in our Revolution, and the aid extended to us by Catholic France, the clause of exclusion which marks the Constitution of New Hampshire might have been inserted in that of the United States. Thanks to God, the evil was prevented. The principles of religious liberty, and of entire separation between church and state, were fully recognized in our national compact. Since that time, their simple sublimity, their obvious justice, their happy operation, have more and more endeared them to our people. They cannot now, we trust, be disturbed in favor either of Catholic or of Protestant exclusiveness.

We look on the Romish Church with wonder, but without fear. Protestants are becoming more and more zealous and enlightened. Catholicism itself is modified by the genial influence of friendly treatment and advancing civilization. We trust in Him whose almighty hand has guided thus far in wisdom and in love the progress of ages, who, when

the hierarchy of Rome was in its strength, used it to accomplish his own great designs,— that he will not suffer to be restored, for purposes of evil, a power which is needless now for good; and that, whether by sudden change or by successive modifications, he will bring this great section of his Church upon the common ground which Protestants profess to occupy, the ground of the freedom of conscience, the right of private judgment, and the recognition of a holy life as more important in the sight of God than creeds and ceremonies.