truth of our holy religion, by argument; and would also damp the spirit of free inquiry, on every important suhject. It is true, however, that the first effect of free discussion, may be, to shake that easy confidence, which most men entertain, that all their opinions are correct: but the beneficial result will be, that instead of a persuasion, having no other foundation than prejudice, it will generate a faith resting on the firm basis of evidence.

There is undoubtedly among Christians too great a disposition to acquiesce, without examination, in the religion of their forefathers. There is too great an aversion to that kind of research, which requires time and labour; so, that many who are fully competent to examine the foundation on which their religion rests, never take the pains to enter on the investigation; and it is to be regretted, that many who are much occupied with speculations on points of theology, waste the energies of their minds, on subjects, which can yield them no manner of profit, while they neglect entirely, or but superficially attend to points of fundamental impor

tance.

The two great questions most deserving the attention of all men are; first, whether the Bible, and all that it contains, is from God: second, what are those truths which the Bible was intended to teach us. These two grand inquiries are sufficient to give occupation and vigorous exercise, to intellectual faculties of the highest order; and they

are not removed entirely out of the reach of plain, uneducated Christians. From the fountain of divine truth any one may draw according to his capacity. But these inquiries are neglected, not so much for want of time and capacity, as because we take no pleasure in searching for, and comtemplating, divine truth. Just in proportion as men love the truth and value the Bible, they will take an interest in all inquiries which relate to the authenticity, canonical authority, and correct interpretation of the sacred books. The time will come, I doubt not, when these studies will occupy the minds of thousands, where they now engage the attention of one. The Bible will grow into importance in the estimation of men, just in the same proportion, as true religion flourishes. It will not only be the fashion to associate for printing and circulating the Holy Scriptures; but it wil become customary, for men of the highest literary attainments, as well as others, to study the sacred pages with unceasing assiduity and prayer. And, in proportion as the Bible is understood in its simplicity, and momentous import, the mere doctrines of men will disappear; and the dogmas of the schools and the alliance with philosophy being renounced, there will be among sincere inquiries after truth, an increasing tendency to unity of sentiment, as well as unity of spirit. The pri e of learning and of intellect being sacrificed, and all' distinctions counted but loss for the excellency of

the knowledge of Christ, a thousand knotty questions, which now cause divisions, and gender strifes, will be forgotten; and the wonder of our more enlightened posterity will be, how good men could have wasted their time and their talents in such unprofitable speculations; and more especially, how they could have permitted themselves, to en, gage in fierce and unbrotherly contentions, about matters of little importance.

Then also, men will no more neglect and undervalue the Scriptures, on pretence of possessing a brighter light within them, than that which emanates from the divine word. That spurious devotion which affects a superiority to external means and ordinances, will be exchanged for the simple, sincere reliance on the revealed will of God; and those assemblies from which the sacred volume is now excluded, while the effusions of every heated imagination are deemed revelations of the Spirit, will become under the influence of divine truth, churches of the living God.

In those future days of the prosperity of Zion, the service of the most High God will be considered by men, generally, as the noblest employment; and the best talents and attainments will be consecrated, on the altar of God; and the same enterprizes, and the same labours which they now undertake to gratify an avaricious, ambitious, or voluptuous disposition, will be pursued from love. to God and man. The merchant will plan, and

travel, and traffic, to obtain the means of propagating the gospel in foreign parts, and promoting Christian knowledge at home; yea the common labourer will cheerfully endure toil and privation, that he may have a mite to cast into the treasury of the Lord.

Now, many consider all that is given to circulate the Bible, and to send missionaries and tracts for the instruction of the ignorant, as so much wasted; but then, all expenditures will be considered as profuse and wasteful, which terminate in mere selfish gratification; and those funds will alone be reckoned useful, which are applied to promote the glory of God and the welfare of men.

These, however, may appear to many as the visions of a heated imagination, which will never be realized; but if the same change in the views and sentiments of men which has been going on for thirty years past, shall continue to advance with the same steady pace, half a century will not have elapsed from the present time, before such a scene will be exhibited to the admiring eyes of believers, as will afford full ground to justify hopes as sanguine, as those expressed in the foregoing anticipations.

But I have wandered, wide of my subject-I will now recall the attention of the reader to the consideration of the exceeding great importance of ascertaining the true Canon of Holy Scripture. This investigation may indeed, appear dry, and un

entertaining, but every thing which bears any relation to the great Charter of our privileges and our hopes ought to be interesting to us. It ha been my object, to bring this subject not only more conveniently within the reach of the Theological student, but also to a level withthe capacity of the common christian. That this little work may in some humble degree subserve the cause of the Bible, is the sincere prayer of

THE AUTHOR.

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