against the happiness of infants departing from the present life. Something more than imagination suggests, that before the first gush of parental tenderness ceases to bedew the mortal remains of their little emancipated sufferer, its immortal part has sprung up into a stature of intelligence and moral dignity, far transcending the puny attainments of mortals; that it already expatiates with delight amidst scenes which their sublimest flights have never reached, and dwells in the full radiance of that uncreated splendour, which they vainly endeavour to comprehend by the dim and partial reflections that have glanced on this lower world.

Here, it may be advisable to pause, and review the progress of the argument. To some readers, anxious for a speedy resolution of their doubts, this may appear but small; because, as is readily conceded, the harmony of the opinion advocated, with acknowledged facts, and with the system of revealed doctrines, constitutes no positive evidence of its truth. Let it, however, be remembered, that the salvation of all children dying in infancy, is pleaded for, not as matter of explicit revelation, but of rational opinion sanctioned by revelation. A prime office of reason in moral questions, is, to submit itself to divine instructions; and where these cannot be obtained, to bring its opinions to the test of the instructions that have been afforded; convinced that

what is inconsistent with them, must be erroneous, however plausible. That opinion cannot be true, which, to appear so, requires the subversion, or the mutilation, of an infallible testimony. On this principle, then, our advance, if not rapid, has been correct; if we have not reached the goal, we have thus far kept the course.

And a devout heart, deeply interested in the enquiry, will probably allow that something more has been accomplished. For in proportion as the preceding reasonings have produced conviction, they must have produced relief. If, therefore, the superstructure of hope has not been built, nor even its foundations laid, yet obstructions have been removed, and the surface has been levelled. Perhaps too, having heard the gracious acquittal, "Neither do I condemn thee," our hearts may be better prepared for the more cheering dismission, "Go in peace. If this have been accomplished, if it appear that some of the most sublime and awful truths do not give just occasion for alarm, we have at least the consolation of knowing, that, in the present case, our affections as parents do not revolt at our deference to divine authority; and that our feelings as men, may comport with our duty as Christians.

PART THE SECOND.

THE

HAPPINESS OF DECEASED INFANTS STRONGLY SUGGESTED BY VARIOUS DOCTRINES AND FACTS OF DIVINE REVELATION.

AFTER the concessions already made, none, it is presumed, will entertain a hope of finding in the remaining part of the discussion, more satisfaction than the title just announced may warrant them to expect. We have not the means of establishing an unhesitating conviction that departed infants are certainly happy, by a direct appeal to divine testimony, nor by evident and necessary deduction from the announcements of revelation. All we can expect is, by deductions more remote and of various degrees of evidence, to obtain some encouraging grounds to hope, that it is well with them.

honest convictions cannot surpass evidence, where evidence is merely probable, we can arrive at only probable conclusions. And after all that can be gleaned from the field of revelation, anxious piety would repose with more tranquillity on one express testimony from God himself, than on the most elaborate and apparently unexceptionable process of induction. Indeed the very fact, that a labori

ous process' is necessary to obtain a conclusion, suggests to reflecting minds the uncertainty of that conclusion; for notwithstanding the greatest care, and the most honest application of our reason, such is its present imperfect state, that in proportion as its exertions are necessary, its results are uncertain. This sentiment lays a timely check on presumptuous confidence, and teaches us at the outset, to pursue our course with the modesty of diffidence, and with a sense of dependance upon Him, whose influence is promised to lead devout enquirers into all the truth.

The stations which we have to occupy are distinct and various. Several doctrines and facts of divine revelation, contribute, in different proportions, their assistance to our enquiries. This, however, is far from being a disadvantage to the argument; for the more those points of view are multiplied, from which we examine whether a given object lies within the circumference of truth, the nearer must be our approaches to full conviction. Every accession thus gained, is valuable; it is a new witness on the subject of investigation, who, though his evidence in itself should be far from conclusive, may yet subserve the cause, by corroborating the clearer and more important evidence of others.

Through the whole remaining part of our proceedings, two things must be borne in mind.-The argument is strictly cumulative; its force therefore