who had contributed much to its formation, which has been connected with such speculations, are among the worst indications of the character of our age. But even in the productions of scholars and of men of genius, who are far from recklessly offending against religion and morals, we too often miss a correct tone of sentiment, an open, highminded, manly recognition of those truths which lie at the foundation of all virtue and happiness. Yet only in proportion as they are recognized can civilized society, where it is now thrown into such terrible confusion, be happily reorganized; and where its elements are not yet broken up, its preservation must depend on the continuance, and its improvement on the increase, of their influence. We, in these United States, share in the same common nature with the inhabitants of those States which are spread over the more southern portion of our continent; and nothing has saved us from the same anarchy and despotism, the same internal commotions and wars, with all their attendant depravation and misery, but a clearer perception and a deeper sense of the truths of religion and morals.

Vous êtes l'avenir du monde, were words addressed by Madame de Staël to an American, a

Her words were

short time before her death. true. Through the providence of God, and the circumstances in which he has placed us, we have become the advanced guard of the civilized world. Our position is not to be viewed by us with any foolish spirit of vainglory, but with a strong feeling of our great responsibilities, our great deficiencies, and our manifold dangers. One truth it should impress upon us most deeply, that we are not to look to the prevailing sentiments, habits, and moral estimates of the Old World as guides for our opinions or conduct, but only to those eternal principles of right and wrong, which the Lawgiver of the Universe has sanctioned. We are acting-acting for good or evil-not for ourselves, nor for our posterity, alone. Over a great part of the civilized world the heavens are covered with thick clouds. But there is light still shining in the West. May it not be overcast. May it be the augury of a better day for mankind.

PART II.

ON THE

INTERNAL EVIDENCES

OF THE

GENUINENESS OF THE GOSPELS;

BEING

PORTIONS OF AN UNFINISHED WORK.

CHAPTER I.

THE CONSISTENCY OF THE NARRATIVE IN THE GOSPELS WITH ITSELF, AND WITH ALL OUR KNOWLEDGE BEARING ON THE SUBJECT.

THE ultimate purpose in proving the genuineness of the Gospels is to establish their authenticity. If genuine, they are the works of Apostles, who themselves witnessed the actions and heard the discourses of Christ; or of men who during a great part of their lives were conversant with Apostles, and derived from them the information which they have given us. By establishing their genuineness, the discussion of their authenticity or truth is reduced within narrow limits, and may easily be decided. These two subjects, however, though intimately connected, are in their own nature distinct, and admit of separate proof. But there are in the Gospels many intrinsic evidences of authenticity, which, at the same time, are evidences of genuineness. The peculiar character of these histories is