contact, from every point of the compass, and from almost every city in the civilised world, Christians who had not so much as heard of each other's existence; it has already shown them that whatever difference of education and of government, whatever modifications of opinion had hitherto divided them, the great fundamental principles of love to God, of faith in his Son, and charity to the souls of men, are, at length, beginning to draw them into a nearer connection. These general principles of agreement are already bringing into one point of union persons whom difference of sentiment had kept asunder as widely as seas had separated, and are the only means, as far as human penetration can foresee, of drawing the cords of amity into still closer bonds.

Already, even in the early stage of this vast enterprise, may we not perceive that it has had a considerable share in promoting mutual good will, reciprocal kindness, and growing confidence, and this with foreigners, who, though they had subdued their enmity, might not so soon have conquered their jealousy? Has it not a powerful tendency to cure any remaining distrust, to confirm good faith, to promote confidence and attachment between nations, whose respect was not, perhaps, altogether untinctured with suspicion ? May it not break down the wall of partition, which has so long kept us asunder? May it not bring those who were aforetime separated in heart as well as country, to unite in Christian brotherhood, till we become at length of one mind in doctrine,

as we already are in regard to this institution? May not the probable results of this Christian confederacy become a ratification between monarchs, firmer than any political compact, stronger than any diplomatic convention? For is it not an instrument of confederation of which the GREAT SEAL IS THE WORD OF GOD? Does it not embrace the two sublime objects of the song of the angelic hosts, by uniting "glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace and good will toward men?" For what means, we repeat, are so likely to bring churches, who have been hitherto kept in spiritual darkness, to a gradual and devoutly-desired reformation, as to disperse that darkness, as our being the honoured instruments of causing the full beams of Divine truth to shine more directly upon them?

To descend to the very minutest wheels of this mighty engine; with whatever derision that which has been denominated popular charity may have been treated; its inferior divisions have this advantage, that they set in motion the young and the poor. To the young female of fortune, this subordinate part of the great whole furnishes a kind of novitiate to her future and more extended sphere of charity, for the details of which this sex has the most leisure. To the poor, like the admirable institution of the Savings' Bank, though for different purposes, it gives them a little and a safe lift in the scale of society. For will they not be less likely to follow in the turbulent train of the seditious demagogue, less disposed by his perni

cious but persuasive outcry, to give their stated penny for the promotion of riot and the maintenance of rioters, when that penny has been preengaged for the circulation of that Volume, which forbids them to speak evil of dignities, which commands to avoid those who are given to change; to work, to be quiet, to mind their own business; which imperatively says, "I exhort that prayers and intercession be made for kings and all in authority;" and above all, will not the Bible be the surest antidote against the infection of the poison contained in that profusion of books, pamphlets, and placards, which, without such a specific, threatens both our moral and political destruction?

It is the nature of man to delight in party; he delights to belong to something, to hold to his fellow-creatures, though by the least and lowest link in the chain of society; let us, then, take advantage of this his natural weakness. For is it not better to attach him to something that is useful to himself and to others, that he may be less likely to be drawn into such schemes as are destructive of his temporal, as well as of his highest interests, and dangerous to the security of the state and of the country? To be connected, though by the lowest and slightest tie, with his superiors, is to the poor man at once an encouragement and a security. To belong to societies of which princes are the patrons, is at once a gratification and a guard; for will not this connection, remote as it may seem, confirm his abhorrence of those revo

lutionary societies, whose aim is the overthrow of princes?

Let us not, then, grudge to the poor, who have so few pleasures, that pure, and to them that hitherto untasted, pleasure, that almost sacred feeling, how much more blessed it is to give than to receive. Let us not deny them the gratification of being humble contributors towards conveying that word of life to others, by which their own souls have been benefited; and to which they are indebted for the knowledge, that it is the duty of Christians to teach others what themselves have been gratuitously taught.

It is, however, most important to recommend that the petty contributions of the poor should never be extorted, nor even wrung from them by undue influence. It must be a willing offering, not pinched from their necessities, but cheerfully accepted as the thankful tribute of successful industry. With respect to such as are in distress, and especially in debt, it would be honest neither in themselves to give, nor in the collector to receive. A very few indiscretions of this kind have given too inviting a handle, which has been unfairly laid hold of to bring the plan itself into discredit.

To venture one more passage from the prelate already quoted-and who will accuse Bishop Butler of enthusiasm?" If the Gospel had its proper influence in the Christian world in general, as this country is the centre of trade, and the seat of learning, a very few years, in all probability,

would settle Christianity in every country in the world without miraculous assistance."

If we, then, in this highly favoured land, are blessed with the volume of Divine Revelation, let us impart it to others with the greater alacrity, from the humiliating recollection that it was no merit of our own which brought the news of eternal life to an island of barbarians and idolaters. Freely we have received, freely let us give.

The Sun of Righteousness, which first arose in the East, rejoicing as a giant to run his course, has travelled in the greatness of his strength, till, having made the circuit of the globe, having illuminated the western world, he is once again rising to shed the glories of his orient beams, where they first dawned.

"So sinks the day-star in the Ocean bed,

And yet again repairs his drooping head,

And tricks his beams, and with new-spangled ore
Flames in the forehead of his morning sky.”

Let COMMERCE, then, wherever she spreads her sails, be assured, that whether she carries the wealth of Ormus or of Ind, barbaric pearl and gold from the East; or from the West, the mines of Potosi or Peru, the most precious merchandise with which her vessels can be freighted is that pearl of great price which the merchantman in the Gospel sold all that he had to purchase.

Let DISCOVERY, wherever she pushes her bold and perilous adventure, wherever she lights on an inhabited nook of land, even should she succeed