The conclusion.

their example shine around the path of their offspring, would not those offspring realize all that is promised in the covenant? Would they not become regenerate and spiritual children of the Lord? Can a solitary instance be shown, where this― all this has been done on the part of the parents, and the promise of God has failed? Does not the baptismal service of the Episcopal Church then, speak a solemn note of warning to parents-laying the sin of their children's living and dving unregenerate, at their door? Parents, think of these things!

Zion viewed from three different points.

CHAPTER IX.

DENOMINATIONAL PECULIARITIES, NOT A MATTER 6 INDIFFERENCE.

"Thus saith the Lord, Stand ye in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. "

From the 6th of the Prophet Jeremiah.

We have often found, in surveying some vast and magnificent work of art, that the full effect it was calculated to produce, was not known until it had been surveyed from several different positions.

Though in this our walk we have already nearly gone "round about Zion," and seen its " principal towers and bulwarks," still, we have no doubt, that their beauty and strength will be better understood if they are viewed from other points.

In the present chapter, we propose to invite the reader to look at Zion with its whole assemblage of palaces and towers from three distinct points. Or in other words, we shall spread before him views of three different individuals, as they were impressed in looking at Zion from three different points.

Preliminary to this however, I wish to offer a few considerations, showing that in our view, denominational peculiarities are not to be regarded as altogether a matter of indifference.

The remark, "that it is of no consequence to what church we attach ourselves if we are only christians," is so current that it has become quite common-place, and, by many, is re garded as an axiom involving incontrovertible truth. But if we will take the trouble to analyze this remark, we think it will be found to contain more error than truth. Doubtless the most essential thing to be looked to, in connecting ourselver

The usefulness of christians dependent on discipline. with any church, is, the evidence of our being truly born of God-the clear indications of the germ, and commencement of that spiritual and divine life which will be perpetuated through eternity. Without this, church-membership is vain. Without this, no matter with what denomination we may be connected, or how admirable may be its arrangements for leading believers on from strength to strength till they come to Mount Zion with songs and everlasting joy. If we have not vital godliness-practical and heartfelt piety-we shall never reach Mount Zion-we shall be driven away forever from the presence of God and the Lamb.

But if we have a principle of piety awakened into life within us, it is of some importance how that new spiritual existence is matured and brought forward.

The church is the nurse by whom, and the nursery in which the children of God are to be trained for Heaven. Parents usually deem it of some consequence, to commit the education of their children to proper hands. These children

are educated only for time-the children of God are to be educated for eternity. Is it of no consequence then, to whom their education is committed?- -or how they are brought up? What if through carelessness, or negligence, or mismanagement on the part of the nurse to whom they are committed, or from her withholding from them the proper nutriment—instead of growing "unto perfect men, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ"-they languish in feebleness, are stinted in their growth, pass their days in almost infantile dwarfishness, and finally fall into early decrepitude, will they not personally suffer loss? Will not God be dishonored, and his name reproached on their account? St. Paul tells us of some, who, though they built on the right foundation, and though they would finally be saved-yet, inasmuch as they built of" hay, wood and stubble," would suffer loss, and "be saved, yet so as by fire."

Again: God purposes to accomplish great things in our world through his people. But his people disqualify themselves to be co-workers with Him, when they are so care. lessly nurtured, that their growth is stinted, and they scarcely exceed the pigmy size of mere dwarfs. Or in other words when they live on, ignorant and uninstructed in those doctrinal truths which expand the mind, strengthen the moral

The importance of growth in divine knowledge. affections, and tend to give more vigor to the principle of holiness-bringing the intellect, the affections, yea, the whole man with all his powers, under the salutary influence of that heavenly discipline which will train and qualify him to take a prominent place in "the sacramental host of God's elect." Thus do they, who are not under these right influences, not only fail of doing the will of the Lord by helping to prepare the way of the chariot of the Redeemer, but by their limited knowledge, by their neglect of divine grace, by their lack of spiritual growth, and by their low standard of piety, they bring dishonor upon the holy name by which they are called. They lead the enemies of God to blaspheme, and to say in scornful derision, "These are the people of the Lord, and are gone forth out of his land."* Now we do know, that almost every thing relating to future character and usefulness, depends upon the manner in which children are nurtured, and trained, and educated. And it is no less true, that the character and usefulness of christians depend upon the influences that are brought to bear upon them in the church. This of itself, were there no other considerations, shows that it is of very great importance with what church we unite ourselves. The doctrines must be sound and scriptural-the discipline and worship, such as tend to edification and the promotion of true godliness and enlightened piety-and all its arrangements so manifestly in harmony with the word of God, as to be an epistle of commendation, bearing the broad sign and signature of Christ himself. And farther, we ought not to place ourselves in any church, unless there can be affirmed of it, that it is "a congregation of faithful men in the which the pure word of God is preached, and the sacraments be duly ministered according to Christ's ordinance in all those things that of necessity are requisite to the same." That the Episcopal Church is such a church, appears to be the deep and solemn conviction of the writers of the three following communications. They were all of them requested by the author, to give a brief statement of the manner in which they were led to connect themselves with the Episcopal Church, and some of the reasons which prompted them to take this step. author was led to make this request of them, from the fact, that they had all of them for many years been most exemplary

- Ezek. xxxvi. 13.

The

The writer of the first letter.

and devoted christians in the bosom of other churches, and that they were men of great candor, of cool and deliberate judgment, and of undoubted piety, having retained to the present time the undiminished confidence of those christian bodies from which they felt it their duty to separate themselves. I would also add, that these individuals reside in different parts of the country, and have no personal knowledge of each other. The first letter is from a layman. This letter perhaps will be read with increased interest, when it is known that the writer has some time since passed the meridian of life, and is now descending into the vale of years, surrounded by a lovely family, who have all been brought up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, and who, by their correct christian deportment, and devotedness to the Saviour, present a lovely example, not only of a holy, happy family, where God reigns, and religion is the most interesting theme, but also of the truth of that unerring declaration of scripture"Train up a child in the way in which he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it." This worthy and beloved father, as he remarks, had strong and almost invincible prejudices against the Episcopal Church. His testimony is the more valuable on this account. Whatever may be thought of his argument, we can bear witness to his close and careful walk with God-his high and holy aim to advance the glory of his Creator-and to the kindliness of his feelings to all who love the Lord Jesus Christ.

Often have I thought that if any of my acquaintance ever reached Heaven, and stood on the glorious mount of God, the writer of the following letter would be among the number. Though a plain man, and never having enjoyed the advantages of a liberal education, he has a sound judgment, and a heart warm with the love of God:

"Dear Sir:

"In compliance with your request, I will attempt to give you some account of the manner in which I was led to become connected with the Episcopal Church. It was with decided aversion to the forms of the Prayer Book, that I first began to attend the Episcopal Church. I had in early life received an impression, that religion was at a low standard among Churchmen, and that impression had lost none of its strength