she seems absorbed in thought, and appears at times, almost lost; these words have unawares escaped her lips, 'Not of works-' and Freely by his grace-' with some others of similar import: so that, I hope, she begins to entertain different views with respect to the doctrines of grace. To my inquiries, I get rather evasive answers. To-day, on my adverting to the tone of the nerves varying with the state of the atmosphere, she, recovering her usual frankness, replied: Sister, I have thought you rigorous, and too much of a fanatic; don't wonder if I become as much like one as you are.' I will speak to Mrs. P- -n to come: perhaps she will tell her more than she will me." "It is to little purpose agitating the question why we are not always in a proper frame of mind for hearing a good discourse. It is too obvious that it is generally our own fault; either we have neglected making the necessary previous request at the throne of grace, or gone off with pride or prejudice in our hearts. We have sat in the house of God without due reverence, gave way to wandering thoughts or drowsy negligence. For my part, I can see nothing to justify our non-improvement, except bodily indisposition which affects the mind, according to the state and nature of the disease. I, therefore, blame myself for not profiting by the afternoon sermon, as I might have done. I was more wrought upon by the evening discourse, when I had another instance of the word being spirit and life.' My experience corroborates the lesson I was taught: retarded by snares and obstacles, I make but small advances; depressed by cares and infirmities, how few and feeble are my spiritual elevations! imposed upon by the deceptions of my carnal nature, there are times when I am almost divided in my choice! There are periods with me, and, no doubt, with others, when these lines of Pomfret are not inapplicable: 'The soul can scarce above the body rise, "Yes: my soul is imprisoned by my fleshly nature; and while this confines me, it will operate so as to tinge with an improper hue every thing I see, affect all sounds, and bias all my faculties; were it not for an admirable antidote, that when applied, will counteract all these sad effects. Nevertheless, there are intervals of comfort in our present sorrowful abode, and a certainty, at a future, though unknown period, of complete deliverance. Let F me, therefore, with patience, wait my Lord's appearance, as a prisoner of hope. " The following outline of a sermon is, I think, worthy of notice, inasmuch as it serves to shew her concern for the general interests of religion. -"Nov. 7th. Heard Mr. E from Psalm cxxxiii. My former conjectures were true. For shame on whimsical and censorious professors, by whose fantasies Christ is wounded in the house of his friends! Some peculiar cases were opened in this sermon with a very becoming spirit; shewing what-alas !—is too apparent-that there are some who would be thought the friends of Christ, more inimical to the interests of religion than its open encmies, in whatever way they may shew their malevolence. "1st. The substance of the introductory part, viz.-since man is amenable to none but God, for his religious opinions, how repugnant it is to every Christian and rational principle, for one sect of professing Christians to persecute others, who cannot give credence to certain articles, or conform to certain ceremonies which the caprice of some in power were pleased to impose Are we not all erring creatures-Is not a Methodist, or a Protes tant of any other sect, possessing every requisite qualification, as able to judge on any point of doctrine, or to give us the right sense of any intricate passage of scripture, as a Papist, or even the Pope? Names and distinctions do not make a man more or less able to expound the scriptures. But when there are factions and divisions in churches, holding the same doctrines, and congregating within the same walls, it indicates a great deal of selflove, and little grace, in the person or persons through whom the offence may come.-The Lord will reward such according to their works. Let us be thankful to God for our auspicious government; and learn how to appreciate and improve, the privileges which it recognizes and protects. "2ndly.-Remarks drawn from the text. No doubt there will be diversities of sentiment, but this should not prevent union of heart; for it is by this sweet assimilating spirit that the influence of the gospel is rendered conspicuous. -Yes: men see this, and notice it; and it has been so prevalent at some of our Missionary and Bible Society Meetings, that party names seemed forgotten, and smaller matters of dispute lost in the common fervor of affection, which warmed all hearts and beamed in every &uace. What happy effects would resub ind we all carry a portion of this spirit home with us, did it rule in all our correspondmy w each other, and did we foster it at all ties, then, however we varied on points of BLAT INTLce, it would be no detriment er Lance, but rather a stimulus to charitahe denis and a manner of good works.Fo. de Eferent Classes of workmen the work aamini and the labor lightened; providg the momentous truths, in which we all A-e motives to union and ment or the agree 1. Some the church, which is the body of Christ, is one. 2. The spirit of God, which *# * s one. S. Heaven, which is the Ayed keres, is one and the same. 4. The Head Lord and Saviour of the church is but one. 3. The essentials of the Christian faith, or creed, are one and the same. 6. Our baptismal row and covenant is one and the same in its essentials. 7. And all have one God and Father in Christ, who is all in all things. 4thly.-Means to promote union amongst us are these: 1. Most creat by the Al |