Mr. P. thinks the day of judgment will be "another flood....upon the ungodly-a flood of wrath and billows of fire. But the ark is prepared for any that choose to escape. Does the judgment seem severe then get into the ark. Do the thoughts of its mighty and endless swellings seem too dreadful to be endured? Then get into the ark. Are there great difficulties in the way? Get into the ark;-get into the ark, and you are safe." Suppose all should choose to escape-suppose the whole race of sinners should get into the Presbyterian ark of safety, what would be the consequence? Horribile dictu! — As that ark is not sufficiently capacious for the whole family of sinful man, they would instantly sink it, and all go to hell together! From such an awful catastrophe, may God in infinite mercy save all people!

SERMON IV.

Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit: but a corrupt iree bringeth forth evil fruit.". Math. 7, 17.

It is an unquestionable fact, that the great diversity of religious opinion, prevalent in christendom, causes much perplexity in the minds of many, who sincerely desire a knowledge of the truth. The advocates of each peculiar tenet, speak with all the confidence, which is inspired by a full conviction of possessing the truth.Learning, ability and plausible arguments appear in vindication of almost every opposing sentiment; and what is the unlettered inquirer to do? What-ever he should do; he certainly should not conclude there is no religious truth. While it is certain that opinions diametrically opposite to each other, cannot all be true-it is equally certain that the Supreme Ruler of the universe does not require of man, a knowledge which is beyond the reach of common minds, when unbiassed and candid. "If thou shalt with thy mouth confess the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe with thy heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved." Rom. 10, 9. Whatever is essential to the spiritual welfare of man, is neither absurd, mysterious, incomprehensible, nor beyond the reach of the great body of mankind, wherever the light of the gospel shines. If all sects and

denominations of christians should abolish their several creeds and confessions of faith, and lay aside all the speculative tenets, about which they differ, they would probably still retain every thing absolutely essential to Christianity, and be much more likely to feel the heart-cheering influence of that charity which is greater than any faith.We differ most about that of which we have the least knowledge. But since it is very desirable to understand the Revelation of God-since it is proper to contrast various and opposing speculative opinions with a view of determining their relative merits and influence-it is truly consolatory that we have a rule so excellent and so clear by which to determine truth, coming too from such high authority, as our text and its connexion. Jesus said "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves, ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit, but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit." Mr. Parker says "We judge a man to be truly religious, when we find that his views of religion are with him living principles of action." This seems to require some qualification, Following this definition strictly, we should conclude that man to be "truly religious," whose views of religion are extremely corrupt, erroneous and pernicious-if those views were with him living principles of action. A man who bes

lieves is a partial and revengeful God may be very religious, if his views of religion be with him living principles of action; but he would not be truly religious. For a man to be truly religious, he must have correct views of religion and of God, and those views must be with him living principles of action. We perfectly agree with Mr. P. in the following. "We judge that religious system most accordant with truth and sound principles, which produces the best practical effeet."

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He says, "It cannot be inferred that a system of religion is false, because some who embrace it are immoral in their lives. We shall not urge as an argument against Universalism, that some individuals who have embraced and advocated the system, have been men of profligate and vicious lives. On the other hand, we are ready to admit that there are as bad men within the pale of orthodox churches, as can be found in the world." The last sentence in the above quotation is remarkably candid and undoubtedly true. By the first part of the quotation above, we should suppose Mr. P. meant to intimate that all who embrace Universalism are profligate in their lives, if he had not subsequently used the following language: "We find individuals who embrace the most debasing principles, but who are restrained from vicious indulgence, by the example of others, or the institutions of society, or a regard to their own reputation. These are regular in their lives, in spite of the unhappy influence of their religious belief." In his supposed

contrast between Mahomedanism and Christianty, Mr. Parker seems to intimate that Universalism never produces any beneficial effects. But whether he meant to be so understood,or whether he meant to speak of the general effects of the doctrine, is not quite clear. At all events his fourth lecture was designed to establish the following-proposition, "Universalism does not produce a religious life, while the system opposed to it does produce genuine practical piety."

1. Mr. P. says "the system which holds the doctrine of eternal punishment leads many persons to come out from the world by an open and public profession of their faith in Christ; but Universalism does not." The last part of this statement is fulse. I do not mean to say Mr. P. wilfully misrepresented, I mean to say, his statement is contrary to matter of fact. Universalism has led "many persons to come out from the world by an open and public profession of their faith in Christ." Mr. P's. assertion to the contrary notwithstanding but they have not all become members of churches--some supposing it unnecessary, or inexpedient and others, perhaps, neglecting an acknowledged duty. I am favorable to church organization, and a church has existed in this village, for nearly eight years: but some Universalists believe it tends to create invidious distinctions in society-and that its evils overbalance its advantages. In relation to all such, Mr. P.'s remarks concerning church membership are in

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* Watertowa, Jefferson Co.