DECLARATION AND ADDRESS Thomas Campbell DUKE UNIVERSITY DIVINITY SCHOOL LIBRARY | Declaration and Address THomas CAMPBELL ENTENNIAL EDITION ae ve. os ~ ar oe eee > eae ee " NOTE This copy is one of a few that were printed before the press was stopped to correct the fol- lowing mistakes, as well as some obvious typo- graphical errors. Page 6 line 11 from top for unit read unity. Y Rai ee Ree 6 Ps ea eo 7, i ae | ae a 2 gid 73 Mies 3) a> 22 39° AZ yes 2L = ogee d cs ae “ bottom for spiritual read scriptural ““_““ which read where top for interferences read inferences “ “greatest read greatness bottom for them (2nd) read thou “idol read idle 4 “that “ what top for where “ were top for counterbalance read counterbalanced ie Adena 17 “ “what read that “ec “ * from for “ “there “their “ bottom for 18 read 16 Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2022 with funding from Duke University Libraries https://archive.org/details/declarationaddre01camp —BDeckaration and AMooress Thomas Campbell UJ Eentennial ECrition Swentieth FBousand Centenniaf Bureau 203 Qissel? Gfock PittsBuras, Mennsyfoanta page for page, line for line, | letter. Even the type cates that of a hundred with remarkable exactness. _ Centennial Introduction Thomas Campbell, the author of this pamphiet, did not come suddenly or unnaturally to the place that must be allowed him in the history of the nineteenth century; nor was it a painless process. He was born in county Down, Ireland, February Ist, 1763, of Scotch ancestry of course. Though his father had renounced Romanism for the Church of England he long forbade his eldest son to become a minister of the Anti-Burgher Seceder Presbyterians. His training included complete courses in Glasgow University and Divinity Hall. After his probation he was nine years minister at Ahorey. More and more his heart cried out against divisions in the family of God. In 1804 at the Synod in Belfast and in 1805 at the jomt meeting in Lurgan he led the movement for uniting the two bodies of Seceders. In 1806 he was sent to the General Synod in Glas- gow to plead the same cause. The reunion was effected in 1820. In 1807 he removed to America and began preaching at once in Western Pennsylvania, then a sparsely settled region of the frontier. It is impossible for those living in these happier times to realize the bitterness of the sectarian strife which he found, or the spiritual destitution, moral decay and infidel arrogance that had grown out of this fresh crucifixion of the Christ. The vigor, originality, scripturalness and brotherliness of his preaching drew many hearers. New friends constantly vied with the steadfast affection of those who had known him im Ireland. Suddenly, to his amazement, the Presbytery of Chartiers censured him for admitting other Presbyterians than Seceders to a communion service held for scattered families on the Allegheny River above Pittsburgh. On appeal the Synod removed the censure but charged him to beware of further offense. Under persistent persecution he withdrew from the Synod’s jurisdiction and continued to preach independently until the events herein set forth. He brought to the supreme task of his life—the writing of this document— incorruptible faith, unconquerable hope and inexhaustible love; the fulness of learning, the poise of reflection and the mpeness of experience. With entire and unconscious effacement of self he sought the glory of Christ and the happiness of mankind. 5S63S4 In the United States, Canada, England, Australasia, and the various mission fields there are in 1908 a million and a third persons organized into independent churches of Christ pursuant, in the main, to the call of this address. Their missionary offerings last year amounted to over a million dollars. Five thousand preachers are in active service and a thousand young men are in schools and colleges preparing for the ministry. A four years’ Centennial Campaign for betterment in all phases of individual, local and general Christian life and service is being waged. It will culminate in a great convention at Pittsburgh in 1909. Though Barton W. Stone and others had taken the same posi- tion earlier, and though a score of years elapsed before the amalgama- tion of these movements and their separation from former alliances, September 7, 1809, is universally accepted as bearing the same relation to the people now known as Disciples of Christ, Christians or Churches of Christ, that July 4, 1776, holds to the United States of America. Thomas Campbell not only discovered the necessity and the basis of Christian union but he possessed the spirit of it. In the conviction that he was only a hundred years ahead of his age his message is sent forth anew. May He who is the Truth again add His blessing. DECLARATION AND ADDRESS OF THE CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION OF WASHINGTON. —————————— WASHINGTON, (Pa.) Printed by BROWN & SAMPLE, AT THE OFFICE OF ‘‘THE REPORTER.’ 1809. © © AT a meeting held at Buffaloe, August 17, 1809, consisting of persons of different religious denominations; most of them in an unsettled state as to a fixed gospel ministry; it was unanimously agreed, upon the considerations, and for the pur- poses herein after declared, to form themselves into a religious association, designated as above— which they accordingly did, and appointed twenty- one of their number to meet and confer together; and, with the assistance of Mr. Thomas Camp- bell, minister of the gospel, to determine upon the proper means to carry into effect the important - ends of their association: the result of which conference was the following declaration and address, agreed upon and ordered to be printed at the expence and for the benefit of the society, September 7, 1809. O)annnnnnnnnnnnnnen anne sean nnnnennennnmnnnnnnnnnnn(®) DECLARATION, &c. eo the series of events which have taken place in the churches for many years past, especially in this western country, as well as from what we know in general of the present state of things in the christian world ; we are persuaded that it is high time for us not only to think, but also to act, for ourselves; to see with our own eyes, and to take all our measures directly and immedi- ately from the Divine Standard: to this alone we feel ourselves divinely bound to be conformed ; as by this alone we must be judg- ed. Weare also persuaded that as no man can be judged for his brother, so no man can judge for his brother: but that every man must be allowed to judge for himself, as every man must bear his own judgment ;—must give an account of himself to God—We are also of opinion that as the divine word is equally binding upon all so all lie under an equal obligation to be bound by it, and it alone ; and not by any human interpetation of it and that therefore no man has a right to judge his brother, except in so far as he mani- festly violates the express letter of the law. That every such judgment is an express violation of the law of Christ, a daring usurpation of his throne, and a gross intrusion upon the rights and liberties of his subjects. We are therefore of opinion that we should beware of such things; that we should keep at the utmost distance from every thing of this nature; and, that knowing the judgment of God against them that commit such things; we should neither do the same ourselves, nor have pleasure in them that do them. Moreover, being well aware from sad experience, of the heinous nature, and pernicious tendency of religious controversy among christians; tired and sick of the bitter jarrings and janglings of a party spirit, we would desire to be at rest; and, were it possi- ble, we would also desire to adopt and recommend such measures as would give rest to our brethren throughout all the churches ;— as would restore unity, peace, and purity, to the whole church of God. This desirable rest, however, we utterly despair either to find for ourselves, or to be able to recommend to our brethren, by continuing amidst the diversity and rancour of party contensions, the veering uncertainty and clashings of human opinions: nor indeed, can we reasonably expect to find it any where, but in Christ and his simple word; which is the same yesterday, and to- day, and forever. Our desire, therefore, for ourselves and our brethren would be, that rejecting haman opinions and the inven- JUG6354 4 tions of men, as of any authoriy, or as having any place in the church of God, we might forever cease from farther contentions about such things; returning to, and holding fast by the original standard ; taking the divine word alone for our rule; The Holy Spirit for our teacher and guide, to lead us into all truth; and Christ alone as exhibited in the word, for our salvation that, by so doing, we may be at peace among ourselves, follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.— Impressed with these sentiments, we have resolved as follows : I. That we form ourselves into a religious association under the denomination of the Christian Association of Washington—for the sole purpose of promoting simple evangelical christianity, free from all mixture of human opinions and inventions of men. II. That each member, according to ability, cheerfully and liberally subscribe a certain specified sum, to be paid half yearly, for the purpose of raising a fund to support a pure Gospel Ministry, that shall reduce to practice that whole form of doctrine, worship, discipline, and government, expressly revealed and enjoined in the word of God. And also for supplying the poor with the Holy Scriptures. III. That this society consider it a duty, and shall use all proper means in its power, to encourage the formation of similar associ- ations; and shall for this purpose hold itself in readiness, upon application, to correspond with, and render all possible assistance to, such as may desire to associate for the same desirable and im- portant purposes. IV. That this Society by no means considers itself a church, nor does at all assume to itself the powers peculiar to such a society; nor do the members, as such, consider themselves as standing con- nected in that relation; nor as at all associated for the peculiar purposes of church association;—but merely as voluntary advyo- cates for church reformation; and, as possessing the powers com- mon to all individuals, who may please to associate in a peaceable and orderly manner, for any lawful purpose: namely, the diposal of their time, counsel and property, as they may see cause. V. That this society, formed for the sole purpose of promoting simple evangelical christianity, shall, to the utmost of its power, countenance and support such ministers, and such only, as exhibit a manifest conformity to the original standard in conversation and doctrine, in zeal and diligence;—only such as reduce to practice that simple original form of christianity, expressly exhibited upon the sacred page; without attempting to inculcate anything of hu- man authority, of private opinion, or inventions of men, as having any place in the constitution, faith, or worship, of the christian church—or, any thing, as matter of christian faith, or duty, for which there can not be expressly produced a thus saith the Lord either in express terms, or by approved precedent. VI. That a standing committee of twenty-one members of unex- ceptionable moral character, inclusive of the sectetary and treasu- 5 mer, be chosen annually to superintend the interests, and transact tthe business, of the society. And that said committee be invested with full powers to act and do, in the name and behalf of their eonstituens, whatever the society had previously determined, for the purpote of carrying into effect the entire object of its institu- @ion—and that in case of any emergency, unprovided for in the existing determinations of the society, said committee be empow- ered to call a pro re nota meeting for that purpose. VII. That this society meet at least twice a year, viz. On the first "Thursday of May and of November, and that the collectors ap- ypointed to receive the half-yearly quotas of the promised subscrip- tions, be in readiness, at or before each meeting, to make their re- turns to the treasurer, that he may be able to report upon the state ef the funds. Ine next meeting to be held at Washington on the first “Thursday of November next. : VIII. ‘That each meeting of the society be opened with a sermon, the constitution and address read, and a collection lifted for the Ybenefit of the society—and that all communications of a public mature be laid before the society at its half-yearly meetings. IX.- That this society, relying upon the all-sufficiency of the @hurch’s Head; and, through His grace, looking with an eye of «confidence to the generous liberality of the sincere friends of genu- jine christianity ; holds itself engaged to afford a competent support tto such ministers, as the Lord may graciously dispose to assist, at athe request, and by invitation, of the society, in promoting a pure evangelical reformation, by the simple preaching of the everlast- ling gospel, and the administration of its ordinances in an exact «conformity to the Divine Standard as aforesaid—and, that therefore, whatever the friends of the institution shall please to contribute ttoward the support of ministers in connexion with this society who may be sent forth to preach at considerable distances, the same shall be gratefully received and acknowledged as a donation to its funds. ADDRESS, &c. To all that love our Lord Fesus Christ, in sincerity, throughout all the Churches, the following Ad- dress is most respectfully submitted. Dearty Betovep BRETHREN, THAT it is the grand design and native tendency, of our holly religion, to reconcile and unite man to God, and to each other, im truth and love, to the glory of God; and their own present and eter— nal good, will not, we presume, be denied, by any of the genuine subjects of christianity. The nativity of its Devine Author was an— nounced from heaven, by an host of angels, with high acclamations: of «glory to God in the highest, and, on earth, peace and good. will toward men.’? The whole tenor of that divine book which. contains its institutes, in all its gracious declarations, precepts, ordinances, and holy examples, most expressly and powerfully inculcates this. In so far, then, as this holy unity and unanimity in faith and love is attained ; just in the same degree, is the glory of God, and the happiness of man, promoted and secured. Im— pressed with those sentiments, and at the same time greviously affected with those sad divisions which have so awfully interfered’ with the benign and gracious intention of our holy religion, by ex— citing its professed subjects to bite and devour one another; we cannot suppose ourselves justifiable, in withholding the mite of our sincere and humble endeavours, to heal and remove them. What awful and distressing effects have those sad divisions pro— duced! what adversions, what reproaches, what backbitings, what: evil surmisings, what angry contentions, what enmities, what ex— communications, and even persecutions! ! ! And indeed, this must: in some measure, continue to be the case so long as those schisms: exist, for, said the Apostle, where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. What dreary effects of these ac-- cursed divisions are to be seen, even in this highly favored country, where the sword of the civil magestrate has not as yet learned to serve at the altar. Have we not seen congregations broken to pieces, neighborhoods of professing christians first thrown into confusion by party contentions, and, in the end, entirely deprived! of gospel ordinances; while in the meantime, large settlements,, and tracts of country, remain to this day entirely destitute of a gospel ministry ; many of them in little better than a state of hea— thenism: the churches being either so weakened with divisions, that they cannot send them ministers; or, the people so dividedi among themselves, that they will not receive them. Severals att the same time who live at the door of a preached gospel, dare nott in conscience go to hear it, and, of course, enjoy little more ad- 7 ‘vantage in that respect, than if living in the midst of heathens— How seldom do many in those circumstances enjoy the dispensa- tion of the Lord’s Supper, that great ordinance of unity and love. How sadly, also, does this broken and confused state of things interfere with that spiritual intercourse amongst christians, one ‘with another, which is so essential to their edification and comfort, in the midst of a present evil world ;—so divided in sentiment, and, of course, living at such distances, that but few of the same opinion or party, can conveniently and ‘frequently assemble for religious purposes; or enjoy a due frequency of ministerial attentions. And even where things are in a better state with respect to settled churches, how is the tone of discipline relaxed under the influence ot a party spirit; many being afraid to exercise it with due strict- mess, lest their people should leave them, and under the cloak of some spurious pretence, find refuge in the bosom of another party ; while, lamentable to be told, so corrupt is the church, with those accursed divisions, that there are but few so base, as not to find admission into some professing party or other. Thus, in a great Measure,‘ is that scriptural purity of communion banished from the church of God; upon the due preservation of which, much of her comfort, glory, and usefulness depends. To complete the dread result of our woeful divisions, one evil yet remains, of a very awful nature: the divine displeasure justly provoked with this sad perversion of the gospel of peace, the Lord withholds his gracious influential presence from his ordinances; and not unfrequently gives up the contentious authors and abettors of religious discord to fall into grievous scandals ; or visits them with judgments, as he did the house of Eli. Thus while professing christians bite and? devour one another they are consumed one of another, or fall a prey to the righteous judgment of God: Meantime the truely religious of all parties are grieved, the weak stumbled, the graceless . and profane hardened, the mouths of infidels opened to blaspheme religion; and thus the only thing under heaven, devinely efficacious to promote and secure the present spiritual and eternal good of man even the gospel of the blessed Jesus, is reduced to contempt ; while multitudes deprived of the gospel ministry, as has been observ- ed, fall an easy pray to seducers, and so become the dupes of almost unheard of delusions. Are not such the visible effects of our sad divisions, even in this otherwise happy country—Say, dear breth- ren, are not these things so. Is it not then your incumbent duty to endeavour, by all -spiritual- means, to have those evils remedied. Who will say, that it is not? And does it not peculiarly belong to you, who occupy the place of gospel ministers, to be leaders in this laudable undertaking. Much depends upon your hearty concurrence and zealous endeavours. ‘The favorable opportunity which Divine Providence has put into your hands, in this happy country, for the accomplishment of so great a good, is in itself, a consideration of no small encouragement. A country happily exempted from the baneful influence of a civil establishment of any peculiar form of 8 christianity—from under the direct influence of the anti-christiam hierarchy—and at the same time, from any formal connexion with the devoted nations, that have given their strength and power unto the beast; in which, of course, no adequate reformation can be accomplished, until the word of God is fulfilled, and the vials of his wrath poured out upon them. Happy exemption, indeed, frome being the object of such awful judgments. Still more happy will it be for us, if we duly esteem and improve those great advantages, for the high and valuable ends, for which they are manifestly given ; —and sure where much is given, much also will be required. Cam the Lord expect, or require, any thing less, from a people in such unhampered circumstances—from a people so liberally furnished with all means and mercies, than a thorough reformation, in alk things civil and religious, according to his word? Why should we suppose it? And would not such an improvement of our precious privileges, be equally conducive to the glory of God, and our own present and everlasting good? The auspicious phenomena of the times, furnish collateral arguments of a very encouraging nature, that. our dutiful and pious endeavours shall not be in vain in the Lord. Is it not the day of the Lord’s vengeance upon the anti- christian world; the year of recompences for the controversy of Zion? Surely then the time to favor her is come; even the set time. And is it not said that Zion shall be built in troublous times? Have not greater efforts been made, and more done, for the pro- mulgation of the gospel among the nations, since the commence- ment of the French revolution than had been for many centuries, prior to that event? And have not the churches both in Europe and America, since that period, discovered a more than usual concern for the removal of contentions, for the healing of divisions, for the restoration of a christian and brotherly intercourse one with another, and for the promotion of each others spiritual good; as the printed documents, upon those subjects, amply testify? Should we not, then, be excited, by these considerations, to concur with all our might, to help forward this good work; that what yet remains to be done, may be fully accomplished. And what! Tho’ the well meant endeavours after union, have not, in some instances, entirely succeeded to this wish of all parties, should this dissuade us from the attempt. Indeed, should christians cease to contend earnestly for the sacred articles of faith and duty once delivered to the saints, on account of the opposition, and scanty success, which, in many instances attend their faithful and honest endeavours; the divine cause of truth and righteousness might have, long ago, been relin- quished. And is there any thing more formidable in the Goliah schism, than in many other evils which christians have to combat? Or, has the Captain of Salvation sounded a desist from pursuing, or proclaimed a truce with, this deadly enemy, that is sheathing it’s sword in the very bowels of his church, rending and mangling his mystical body into pieces. Has he said to his servants, let it alone? If not, where is the warrant for a cessation of endeavours to have 9 it removed? On the otner hand, are we not the better instructed by sage experience, how to proceed in this business ; having before our eyes the inadvertencies, and mistakes of others, which have hitherto, in many instances, prevented the desired success? T aus taught by experience, and happily furnished with the accumwated instructions of those that have gone before us; earnestly labouring in this good cause ; let us take unto ourselves the whole armour of God; and, having our feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, let us stand fast by this important duty, with all’ perseverance. Let none that love the peace of Zion be discouraged, much less offended, because that an object of such magnitude does not in the first instance, come fourth recommended by the express suffrage of the mighty or the many. This consideration, if duly weighed, will neither give offence, nor yield discouragement, to any, that considers the nature of the thing in question, in connexion with what has been already suggested. Is it not a matter of univer- sal right, a duty equally belonging to every citizen of Zion, to seek her good. In this respect, no one can claima preference above his fellows, as to any peculiar, much less exclusive obligation. And, as for authority, it can have no place in this business ; for surely none can suppose themselves invested with a divine right, as to any thing peculiarly belonging to them, to call the attention of their brethren to this dutiful and important undertaking. For our part, we enter- tain no such arrogant presumption; nor are we inclined to impute the thought to any of our brethean, that this good work should be let alone, till such time as they may think proper to come forward, and sanction the attempt, by their invitation and example. It is an open field, an extensive work, to which all are equally welcome, equally invited. Should we speak of competency, viewing the greatness of the object, and the manifold difficulties which lie in the way of its accomplishment ; we would readily exclaim, with the Apostle, who is sufficient for these things!—But, upon recollecting our- selves, neither would we be discouraged; persuaded with him, that, as the work in which we are engaged, so likewise, our suffi- ciency, is of God. But after all, both the mighty and the many are with us. The Lord himself, and all that are truly his people, are declaredly on our side. The prayers of all the churches ; nay, the prayers of Christ himself, John 17, 20, 23, and of all that have ascended to his heavenly kingdom, are with us. The bless- ing out of Zion is pronounced upon our undertaking. Pray for the peace of Jerusalem, they shall prosper that love thee. With such encouragements as these, what should deter us from the heavenly enterprize; or render hopeless the attempt, of accom- plishing, in due time, an entire union of all the churches in faith and practice, according to the word of God. Not that we judge ourselves competent to effect such a thing; we utterly disclaim the thought: But we judge it our bounden duty to make the attempt. B — 19 by useing all due means in our power to promote it ; and also that we have sufficient reason to rest assured that our humble and well- meant endeavours, shall not be in vain in the Lord. The cause that we advocate is not our own peculiar, nor the cause of any party, considered as such ; it is a common cause, the cause of Christ and our brethren of all denominations, All that we pre- sume, then, is to do, what we humbly conceive to be our duty, in connexion with our brethren ; to each of whom it equally belongs, as to us, to exert themselves for this blessed purpose. And as we have no just reason to doubt the concurrence of our brethren, to accomplish an object so desirable in itself, and fraught with such happy consequences, so neither can we look forward to that happy event, which will forever put an end to our hapless divisions, and , restore to the church its primitive unity, purity and prosperity ; but, in the pleasing prospect of their hearty and dutiful concurrence. Dearly beloved brethren, why should we deem it a thing incredi- ble that the church of Christ, in this highly favored country, should resume that original unity, peace and purity, which belongs to its constitution, and constitutes its glory? Or, is there any thing that can be justly deemed necessary for this desirable purpose, but to conform to the model, and adopt the practice of the primitive church, expressly exhibited in the New Testament. Whatever ~ alterations this might produce in any or all of the churches, should, we think, neither be deemed inadmissible nor ineligible. Surely such alteration would be every way for the better, and not for jhe © worse ; unless we should suppose the divinely inspired rule 9" faulty, or defective. Were we, then, in our church constitution and managements, to exhibit a complete conformity to the Aposto- lick church, would we not be in that respect, as perfect as Christ intended we should be? And should not this suffice us? It is, to us, a pleasing consideration that all the churches of . Christ, which mutually acknowledge each other as such, are ‘ only agreed in the great doctrines of faith and holliness ; but ar also materially agreed, as to the positive ordinances of Gospel institution ; so that our differences, at most, are about the things in which the kingdom of God does not consist, that is, about mat- ters of private opinion, or human invention. What a pity, that the kingdom of God should be divided about such things! ! Who then, would not be the first amongst us, to give up with human inventions in the worship of God; and to cease from imposing his private cpinions upon his brethren; that our breaches might thus be healed? Who would not willingly conform to the original pattern laid down in the New Testament, for this happy purpose? Our dear brethren, of all denominations, will please to consider, that we have our educational prejudices, and particular customs to strug- gle with as well as they. But this we do sincerely declare, that there is nothing we have hitherto received as matter of faith or practice, which is not expressly taught and enjoined in the word of God, either in express terms, or approved precedent, that we would not heartily relinquish, that so we might return to the origi- II mal constitutional unity of the christian church ; and in this happy wnity, enjoy full communion with all our brethren, in peace and charity. The like dutiful condescension we candidly expect of all that are seriously impressed with a sense of the duty they owe to (God, to each other, and to their perishing fellow-brethren of man- kind. To this we call, we invite, our brethren, of all denomina- tions, by all the sacred motives which we have avouched as the impulsive reasons of our thus addressing them. You are all, dear brethren, equally included as the object of our Jove and esteem. With you all we desire to unite in the bonds of. an entire christian unity——Christ alone being the head, the centre, this word the rule—an explicit belief of, and manifest comformity to it, in all things—+rhe terms. More than this, you will not re- quire of us; and less we cannot require of you; nor, indeed, can we reasonably suppose, any would desire it; for what good purpose would it serve? We dare neither assume, nor purpose, the trite indefinite distinction between essentials, and non-essentials, in umatters of revealed truth and duty; firmly persuaded, that, what- ever may be their comparative importance, simply considered, the Thigh obligation of the Divine Authority revealing, or enjoining tthem, renders the belief, or performance of them, absolutely es- sential to us, in so far as we know them. And to be ignorant of aany thing God has revealed, can neither be our duty, nor our pri- wilege. We humbly presume then, dear brethren, you can have mo relevant objection to meet us upon this ground. And, we again ibeseech you, let it be none, that it is the invitation but of a few; iby your accession we shall be many ; and whether few, or many, ‘in the first instance, it is all one with respect to the event, ‘which must ultimately await the full information, and _ hearty «concurrence, of all. Besides, whatever is to be done, must begin—sometime—somewhere ; and no matter where, nor by whom, if the Lord puts his hand to the work, it must surely pros- wer. And has he not been graciously pleased, upon many signal &ccasions, to bring to pass the greatest events from very small Ibeginnings, and even by means the most unlikely. Duty then is sours ; but events belong to God. We hope, then, what we urge, will neither be deemed an un- measonable nor an- unseasonable undertaking. Why should it be though unseasonable? Can any time be assigned, while things con- itinue”™ as they are, that would prove more favorable for such an attempt, or what could be supposed to make it so? Might it be the approximation of parties to a greater nearness, in point of public wrofession and similarity of customs? Or might it be expected from aa gradual decline of bigotry? As to the former, it is a well known fact, that where the difference is least, the opposition is always managed with a degree of vehemence, inversely proportioned to the merits of the cause. With respect to the latter, tho’ we are lhappy to say, that in some cases and places, and we hope, univer- sally, bigotry is upon the decline: yet we are not warranted, either 12 by the past or present, to act upon that supposition. We have, as yet, by this means, seen no such effect produced ; nor indeed could we reasonably expect it; for there will always be multitudes of weak persons in the church, and these are generally most subject to bigotry ; add to this, that while divisions exist, there will always be found interested men, who will not fail to support them :—nor can we at all suppose, that Satan will be idle to improve an advan tage, so important to the interests of his kingdom. And, let it be further observed upon the whole; that, in matters of similar impor- tance to our secular interests, we would, by no means content our- selves, with such kind of reasoning. We might further add that the attempt here suggested not being of a partial, but of generab nature, it can have no just tendency to excite the jealousy, or hurt the feelings, of any party. On the contrary, every effort towards a permanent scriptural unity amongst the churches, upon the solid basis of universally acknowledged, and self-evident truths, must have the happiest tendency to enlighten and conciliate; by thus: manifesting to each other, their mutual charity, and zeal for the _truth :—**Whom I loved in the truth, saith the Apostle, and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth; for the truth’s. sake, which is in us, and shall be with us forever. Indeed if no. such divine and adequate basis of union, can be fairly exhibited, as: will meet the approbation of every upright and intelligent chris- tian: nor such mode of procedure adopted in favor of the weak, as will not oppress their consciences, then the accomplishment of this grand object upon principal, must be forever impossible. — There would, upon this supposition, remain no other way of ac-— complishing it, but merely by voluntary compromise, and good natured accommodation. ‘That such a thing however will be ac-— complished, one way or other, will not be questioned by any that: allow themselves to believe, that the commands and prayers of our Lord Jesus Christ will not utterly prove ineffectual. Whatever way, then, it is to be effected; whether upon the solid basis of divinely revealed truth ; or the good natured principle of christiam forbearance and gracious condescension ; is it not equally practica~ ble, equally eligible to us, as ever it can be to any; unless we should suppose ourselves destitute of that christian temper andi discernment, which is essentially necessary to qualify us to do the: will of our gracious Redeemer, whose expressed command to his: people is that there be no division among them; but that they alli walk by the same rule, speak the same thing, and be perfectly: joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment? We believe then it is as practicable, as it is eligible. Let us attempt it.. «Up and be doing, and the Lord will be with you.”’ Are we not all praying for that happy event, when there shall be: but one fold, as there is but one chief shepherd. What! shall we pray for a thing, and not strive to obtain it! ! not use the neces— sary means to have it accomplished! ! What said the Lord to Moses upon a piece of conduct somewhat similar? «Why criest: 13 thou unto me? Speak unto the children of Israel that they go for- ward, but lift thou up thy rod, and stretch out thine hand.’’ Let the ministers of Jesus but embrace this exhortation, put their hand tto the work and encourage the people to go forward upon the firm ground of obvious truth, to unite in the bonds of an entire chris- ttian unity ; and who will venture to say, that it would not soon be caccomplished? <