a future state, it perfectly accords. With this body of evidence in its favour, and with no counter-evidence of any kind to oppose it, it is surely unreasonable to doubt its truth.

The doctrine of the ultimate purity and happiness of all mankind, discloses a principle which is truly benevolent in its tendency, and which, were it properly felt and invariably regarded in the affairs of life, would have a happier effect on society, than any other opinion which has ever engaged the attention of men. It leads to a distinction which is but beginning to be observed even by the intelligent and enlightened, and which, when it shall come to be general, will alter astonishingly the moral condition of the world. It leads to an exact discrimination between the criminal and the crime; while it inspires us with abhorrence of the offence, it softens the heart with compassion for the unhappy condition of the offender; induces us to do every thing in our power to change it; to give him better views and better feelings. When we hear of the perpetration of a crime, we are all too apt to think only of punishment. What suffering can be too great for such a wretch! is the exclamation that bursts from almost every lip. The sentiment is worthy of the unlovely doctrines which produce and cherish it. A more benevolent system would excite a very different feeling. What can be done to reclaim the unhappy offender! what means can be taken to enlighten his mind, and meliorate his heart! what discipline is best adapted to his mental and

moral disorder! what will lead him back to virtue and to happiness most speedily, and with the least pain! Such is the feeling of the mind enlightened by the generous doctrine we have endeavoured to estab lish. Could it but enter the heart of every legislator; did it but guide the hand that constructs the cell of the poor captive; did it apportion his pallet of straw and his scanty meal; did it determine the completeness and the duration of his exclusion from the light of day, and the pure breeze of heaven; did it apply his manacles, (if disdaining to treat a human being with more indignity than is practised towards the most savage brutes, it did not dash his chains to the earth,) what a different aspect would these miserable mansions soon assume! what different inhabitants would they contain! Prisons would not then be the hotbeds of vice, in which the youthful offender grows into the hardened criminal, and the want of shame sue ceeds the abolition of principle, but hospitals of the mind, in which its moral disorder is removed by the application of effectual remedies.

The person who habitually contemplates all mankind as children of one common father, and appointed to one common destiny, cannot be a persecutor or a bigot. He may see much error, which he may lament; and much misconduct, which he may pity: but a generous affection towards the whole human race will dilate his heart. To the utmost of his ability he will enlighten the ignorant, correct the erring, sustain the weak, bear with the prejudiced, and re

claim the vicious. Firm to his own principles, he will not trench on the liberty of others. He will not harshly censure, nor suspect an evil motive where integrity and conscience obviously direct the conduct.. Mildness will be on his lips: forbearance will mark his actions: and universal charity will connect him with the wise and good of all climes, and of all religions..

He who believes that a being of almighty power,. unerring wisdom, and unbounded love, is seated at the helm of affairs, and is making every event promote, in its appointed measure, the highest happiness of all intelligent creatures, must possess perpetual serenity and peace. The storm of adversity may gather above him and burst upon his head, bút he is prepared against it, and it cannot dismay him. He knows that the evils which encompass him are only blessings in disguise. The fair face of nature smiles upon him with a brighter radiance.. The boundless expanse of heaven above him; the painted plain beneath him; the glorious sun that diffuses light and life over the ample and beautiful creation, are magnificent gifts of his father, on which his enlightened eye can behold engraven the promise of his higher destiny. The narrow precincts of the tomb can neither bound nor obstruct his enlarged view: it extends beyond the circle of earth, and reaches to that celestial world, where progression in excellence is infinite, and happiness is unchanging and immortal. Nothing can disturb his steady confidence. In the most awful;

moment of his being, his feeling is sublime as his des◄ tiny is glorious: even while he is partially subdued by death, and dragged to the confines of the tomb, while he is sinking into it, and it closes over him, he can exclaim in triumph, O death, where is thy sting! O grave, where is thy victory! Thanks be to God who giveth me the victory, through Jesus Christ my Lord.

Such then are the principles of Unitarians, which they have adopted, after serious, calm, and diligent inquiry. And however erroneous these opinions may be considered by others, to them they appear the most glorious and important truths to render the Christian system in the highest degree simple, beautiful, dignified and impressive,-to shed a light and glory around the character of God, and to impart a sublimity and felicity to the destiny of men, to which no other opinions can pretend. They think they have a most holy and happy tendency; and that were they universally and practically believed, there is nothing low, selfish, or uncharitable, which they would not eradicate-nothing noble, disinterested, or sublime, which they would not cherish, and to which they would not excite. The most devout and holy adoration of the sovereign Lord, the supreme Beauty, the Parent of good-the most high and just valuation of the unparalleled excellencies of Jesus Christ-the most sober and well-founded hope of a blessed immortality, disclosed by his doctrines and confirmed by his death and resurrection-the most pure and holy conduct, by which alone it is possible to prepare for heaven,

or in the expressive language of the Scriptures, to see God-the most disinterested and active benevolence towards all mankind, who are all possessed of the same nature, all parts of the same family; and all advancing, by various means, and through different discipline, to the same happy home, appear to them to be the necessary result of these enlightened and Scriptural views. But if, in these convictions they are mistaken, does this render them detestable? Are these impressions calculated to make them bad members of society, bad neighbours, bad parents, bad children, bad friends? Do they tend to dry up the milk of human kindness in their breasts, and to cause every generous, and benignant disposition to wither and die within them? Are they actually attended with these baneful effects? Will any person dare to affirm it? But if not, why are people taught, to steel their hearts against them; to look upon them with suspicion and abhorrence, to reject with disdain every expression of their good will, and to refuse them every kind and charitable office?

Their opinions cost them not a little. Educated generally in different sentiments, they embrace their views of Scriptural truth, against every prejudice, and in opposition to every interest. The persuasions of real friends, the suspicions of half friends,-the invectives of the ignorant,—and the calumnies of the malignant, oppose their progress in the path in which integrity and conscience oblige them to walk. If they persevere in it against the intreaties of those whom