unless it produces the fruits of the spirit, which are love, joy, peace, gentleness, meekness, temperance, brotherly kindness and charity.

I have a testimony to bear to the simplicity of the Christian religion. I do not believe that it is so involved in obscurity that we cannot comprehend it. It is plain and simple, and perfectly consistent with the reason of man; for our reason is a gift of the Creator, and divine revelation does not contradict it. I know there are many opinions, promulgated for religious truths, that require a sacrifice of the human understanding-we are asked to believe them, and denounced as infidels if we refuse to subscribe to them, when at the same time these are admitted to be mysteries that the human mind never can understand or comprehend. Take for example the doctrine of the "Trinity." We are told that the Divine Being, who is," a spirit," is composed of three separate and distinct "persons." That these three "persons" have equal attributes and equal powers, and that although they are separate and distinct, they are nevertheless one and indivisible !

The doctrine admits of no explanation. It renders the Divine nature wholly incomprehensible, and however much the knowledge of God may be necessary to our present and future well-being, we can never reach it through this dark and gloomy channel.

Has religion any thing to do with such absurdities as this? No all that we are required to believe and to know, is opened to our understanding by the light of truth; that which religion requires is plain and

practical, while dogmas so irrational and obscure, are to be ranked with human traditions.

I cannot subscribe to the doctrine, that we are all sinners in consequence of the transgression of our first parents; much less to a scheme of redemption, which has for its object the removal of this supposed innate and original guilt. There is no truth in this idea of a vicarious atonement—the innocent suffering for the guilty-and I have no hesitation in calling it a popular superstition. It is not supported by any direct testimony of Jesus Christ, who would not have omitted it had this been the object of his coming, nor would he have told the people of that day, "For this end was 1 born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I might bear witness to the truth." The idea is inconsistent with reason, and contrary to that great law of cause and effect, which operates with as much certainty in the spiritual as in the physical world. In obedience to this law, if thou doest well, thou shalt be accepted, and if thou doest not well, sin lieth at thy door; and no sacrifice or offering that was ever made without thee, can cleanse thee from this sin, and restore thee into the Divine favour. We can only be saved by resisting temptation, and by our obedience to the manifestations of the Divine will. We escape the pain of spiritual death-not by any thing that is done without us, but by ceasing to do evil and learning to do well. The terms of our acceptance with God were expressed long ago in this Scripture declaration, "Let the wicked forsake his ways, and the unrighteous man his thoughts. Let him turn unto the Lord, and he will have mercy on

him, and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon," -and they have never changed.

Now I invite you, my brethren and sisters, to examine these subjects for yourselves. The truth can loose nothing by the most rigid investigation, while error may be detected, and the works of darkness brought to light; and above all things, examine yourselves, whether ye be in the truth, yea or nay. If you feel conscious that you have been forsaking the path of duty, or that you are not faithful stewards over the good gifts bestowed upon you; stop-like prodigal of old-stop, in your wrong career. There is a hand stretched forth for your deliverance, that will lead you back to the path of peace. The divine call is extended to us, "Come unto me all ye that are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Let us obey that call, we shall thereby promote our present and future well-being; whereas, by persisting in a course of conduct that is evil, the sin, which is a reproach to any people, will rest upon us. Let us "add unto our faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; and to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; and to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity." "For," says the apostle, "if ye do these things, ye shall never fall." But we shall be introduced into the kingdom of Christ, and when called upon to render an account of our stewardship, be able to beloved Son, "I have

adopt the language of the

finished the work thou hast given me to do;" and also have the experience of the apostle, that there is laid up for us a 66 crown of righteousness." Let our

religion be an every day religion. Let it consist wholly in the practice of righteousness, and then we will neither be deceived ourselves, nor be able to deceive others. If religion consisted wholly in practical righteousness, no false doctrines could be imposed, no impostor could make any headway among men. There could be no deception, if we adopted the criterion of Jesus-" By their fruits ye shall know them." If we love God, we shall show it by our love one for another. If we are the disciples of Christ, we shall let our light so shine before men, that others seeing our good works, will glorify our Father in heaven.

Oh! for more such Christianity as this, in which the precepts of the gospel are fulfilled. Then would cease the conflict of opinions and the strife of tongues, that has arrayed brother against brother, and sect against sect, and Divine love would exert its holiest influence among the children of men. Let it begin

with us. Let our hearts become filled with these divine principles-and let them be expanded in love to our fellow creatures and our God.

mountains, and all nathis universal voice be sister, let us go up to

Thus shall we be instrumental in hastening the day when the "Mountain of the Lord's house shall be established on the top of the tions shall flow unto it," and heard, "Come brother, come gether to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; for He will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths."

SERMON III.

DELIVERED AT FRIENDS' MEETING AT CHERRY STREET, PHILA. DELPHIA, ELEVENTH MONTH 6тH, 1849.

I HAVE remembered, since we have been together, I believe with deeper instruction than I have ever before known, the account furnished in the Scriptures of a meeting of the disciples on a certain occasion, when it is said, that Jesus came and stood in the midst and saith unto them," Peace be unto you." I was led to query whether that account referred to one meeting of this character only, and whether it were possible for us to witness, as these disciples did, the presence of Jesus Christ. It seems to me, the same power which overshadowed that meeting, and made it a season of consolation to these disciples, that converted them and blessed them, continues still to be revealed to man, in agreement with the promise "where two or three are met together in my name, there will I be in the midst of them." Without this sensible evidence of the Divine presence in our midst, our assembling in this manner will be profitless and comfortless-it will be but an empty form that cannot satisfy those desires of the immortal spirit, which are constantly prompting the soul onward in its progress towards heaven. It was on the occasion to which I have referred, that these disciples received the commission "Go ye, therefore, and teach all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the