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strong, is now waxing weaker, and successive changes, preparatory to its dissolution, are now matter of history. What are those changes?

First, there was the era of exclusive and violent intolerance, in which, it is true, Rome set the example, but which, unfortunately, the reformed churches, as soon as they could, were in haste to follow. This was the golden age of civil establishments of religion, the ́period of their perfection, power, and glory. In this era, the religion of the State was the only religion; the Church of the State the only church; toleration (to use their own chosen epithet) was intolerable; the Dissenter was a rebel against both ecclesiastical and civil authority, and the only regimen prescribed for him by the one or the other was violence. He must be fined, or imprisoned, or banished, or tortured, or hung, or drowned, or beheaded, or burned. This glory has departed! This age has passed, not, however, till it had soaked the earth with blood. It was its vocation, and it fulfilled it.

The age of toleration followed, in which that was at last done which Church and State could no longer help doing-in which men, long broken down and crushed by oppression, began to rise and help up one another, and gather some strength again, and breathe, and look rather significantly about them, in which they began to receive, and (fools that they were) were glad for the moment to accept, a liberty from their fellowmen to worship God as they chose. In various countries, toleration became more or less extensive and free.

The age of bribery has come. Retaining some one

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sect in special alliance, States have began to extend "side looks of love" to others, and to employ their gold to purchase their favour. They now pension those whom of old they persecuted, and whom, but of late, they could only tolerate; and as if they had become indiscriminate in this new affection-as if characters the most opposite were alike acceptable to them as if all differences in creed or in morals were either fabulous or imperceptible, to pension nearly * every sect that will consent to be pensioned. Thus France pays Protestants equally with Catholics. neva has her public funds for the Romish curé, as well as the Unitarian Presbyter. Belgium is not less liberal. But we need not pass for examples into other regions. In this last effort to preserve ecclesiastical alliance, Britain has been first among the foremost; and, with great pecuniary liberality (for she has a prodigal passion for pay) she salaries Protestants and Papists, Maynooth and Oxford, Presbyterians, Independents, Methodists; nay, I am not sure but even Mahomedans and Hindoos share in Britain's bribing bounty.

Is any other expedient in contemplation? Is any other mutation yet in reserve? Is there any third term betwixt the two sides of the alternative-pay all, or pay none-which yet remains to be resorted to? Probably the last expedient is expended; and if bribery will not do, nothing now will. But will it do? When ancient Rome began to bribe her invaders, her fall was at hand; and her gifts were the means as well as the omens of her ruin. And all those shifts and

changes, all these successive expedients, are the attributes, not assuredly of the plans of the all-wise and immutable Jehovah, but of the ill-assorted inventions of erring, foolish, presumptuous man; and are recognized by all but the blind as the sure marks of things which must be shaken and removed, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.

And if there be any truth in the deep and solemn convictions of the Nonconformists and Dissenters in this empire, comprehending no small portion of the scriptural piety, the sober morality, and the sound sense of the land, convictions common to them and the American churches of every name,—that civil establishments of religion are not of God but of man, that they have served no good purpose even for the men of worth who have unhappily been induced to avail themselves of them, and that, in regard to others, they have served no purpose whatever so effectually as to supply a weapon to the persecutor, a name to the proud, money to the worldling, a soft couch for repose to the indolent and lazy, a useless rampart to the timid victim of false fears, that they have raised a frowning wall of separation betwixt a sect within and sects without, that they have shut up large portions of Christ's professed followers, like prisoners in some fastness, when they ought to have been free, and abroad in all directions, allaying strife, healing divisions, scattering the immortal seeds of heavenly truth and charity, and hastening to carry the tidings of mercy to a world that has not yet heard them; then verily, the nineteenth century will be illustrious, if it shall accomplish their

universal and final downfall. Nor can I more appropriately close these chapters than with those burning words of Dr. Merle D'Aubigné, addressed to his compatriots of Geneva: "Proclaim, then, Gentlemen, this grand principle of modern times, acknowledge the incompatibilities of the civil and the spiritual power, and their reciprocal independence. The peace of our country, the concord of citizens, the respect due to power, the liberty of conscience, the prosperity of our political institutions, the maintenance of order, the just partition of our public offices . . . the successive developments of humanity, all summon you to this grand and noble determination. Give a generous example. Take the initiative in one of the greatest works which are fallen to our times. Let the new Geneva find itself, like the ancient, at the head of one of those great movements which influence the destinies of humanity, and let somewhat of its ancient glory be restored to it. The independence of the State and of the Church ought to be the Reformation of the nineteenth century:-a Reformation at once Catholic and Protestant, monarchical and republican, moral and political. Happy the people who shall first encircle their head with this brilliant crown! If you grant this benefit to the country, the citizens will ratify it by their votes, and your descendants will bless you.” *

* Question de l'Eglise, pp. 62, 64. The Dr. ought not to forget that the honour he desires for his country is beyond the reach of Geneva, or of any State in the old world. Already "this brilliant crown" is won and worn by young America.

APPENDIX.

A CONSIDERABLE portion of the following extract from my Journal, not remotely connected with "Geneva, its locality and vicinity," formed part of the first Address, when delivered. Other sketches of these attractive regions might have been added, such as of Berne, Lausanne, Neufchatel, Basle, and, perhaps, above all, the Val Moutier. But all these yield to the fascinations of the riches, beauty, and awful magnificence of the great central Alps. To these the following sketch is confined.

July 31.-I had agreed with a party of friends to visit the far-famed Mont Blanc. The hour fixed for starting was five A.M., and the condition of setting out was the weather. At five it rained, thundered, and flashed; but the postilion came to inquire. I sent him to Mrs. B., to fix with her and the ladies. Mrs. B.'s

orders were to start at nine, if things improved. Things did not improve greatly; but at nine the voiturier came with his carriage, and after long consultation, we agreed to go forward, with some courage, but not much hope. Things did improve, however, insomuch that although it rained in somewhat of

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