St. Paul has in view the difference betw eenthe Jewish and Gentile, or Heathen, converts at that time the former were disposed to look with horror on the latter, for their impiety in not paying the same regard to the distinctions of days and meats, that they did and the latter, on the contrary, were inclined to look with contempt on the former, for their weakness and superstition. Excellent is the advice which the apostle gives to both parties: he exhorts the Jewish converts not to judge, and the Gentiles not to despise; remembering, that the kingdom of heaven is not meat and drink, but righteousness and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost. Endeavor to conform yourself to this advice; to acquire a temper of universal candor and benevolence and learn neither to despise nor condemn any persons on account of their particular modes of faith and worship; remembering always that goodness is confined to no party; that there are wise and worthy men among all the sects of Christians; and that to his own Master every man must stand or fall.

The Epistle of St. JAMES is entirely practical, and exceedingly fine: you cannot study it too much. It seems particularly designed to guard Christians against misunderstanding some things in St. Paul's Epistles, which have been fatally perverted to the encouragement of a dependence on faith alone, without good works. Because the apostle of the Gentiles had affirmed, that by the deeds of the law no flesh living could be justified, some persons had drawn the conclusion, that faith alone was necessary to Christians, and that, of course, all attention on their part to correctness of conduct might be dispensed with. James labors to correct this most dangerous error, showing, that,

though we are justified entirely by faith, yet the faith by which we are justified is intended to produce good works, and is indeed proved to be genuine only by its producing such effects. He insists upon the indispensable necessity of virtuous conduct. He tells us, that, if any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, that man's religion is vain.' And that pure religion, and undefiled before God and the Father, is this: To visit the fatherless and the widow in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.'-Faith in Christ, if it produce not these effects, he declares is dead, or of no power.

The Epistles of St. PETER are also full of the best instructions and admonitions, concerning the relative duties of life; amongst which are set forth the duties of women in general, and of wives in particular. Some part of the second Epistle is prophetical; warning the church of false teachers, and false doctrines, which would undermine morality, and disgrace the cause of Christianity.

The first Epistle of St. JOHN is written in a highly figurative style, which makes it, in some parts, hard to be understood; but the spirit of divine love, which it so fervently expresses, renders it highly edifying and delightful. That love of God and of man, which this beloved apostle so pathetically recommends, is in truth the essence of religion, as our Saviour himself informs us.

The Book of REVELATION Contains a prophetical account of most of the great events relating to the Christian church, which were to happen from the time of the writer, St. John, to the end of the world. Many learned men have taken a great deal of pains to explain it ; and they have done this in

many instances very successfully but I think, it is yet too soon for you to study this part of Scripture; some years hence perhaps there may be no objection to your attempting it, and taking into your hands the best expositions to assist you in reading such of the most difficult parts of the New Testament as you cannot now be supposed to understand. May Heaven direct you in studying this sacred volume, and render it the means of making you wise unto salvation! May you love and reverence, as it deserves, this blessed and invaluable book, which contains the best rule of life, the clearest declaration of the will and laws of the Deity, the reviving assurance of favor to true penitents, and the unspeakably joyful tidings of eternal life and happiness to all the truly virtuous, through Jesus Christ, the Saviour and Deliverer of the world!

THE DUTY OF ACQUIRING RELIGIOUS

KNOWLEDGE.

RELIGIOUS knowledge forwards all useful and ornamental improvements in society. Experience shows that in proportion as it diffuses its light, learning flourishes, and liberal arts are cultivated and advanced. Just conceptions of religion promote a free and manly spirit. They lead men to think for themselves, to form their principles upon fair inquiry, and not to resign their conscience to the dictates of men. Hence they naturally inspire aversion to slavery of every kind, and promote a taste for liberty and laws. Despotic governments have generally taken the firmest root among nations

that were blinded by Mahometan or Pagan darkness; where the throne of violence has been supported by ignorance and false religion. In the Christian world, during those centuries in which gross superstition held its reign undisturbed, oppression and slavery were in its train. The cloud of ignorance sat thick and deep over the nations, and the world was threatened with a relapse into ancient barbarity. As soon as the true knowledge of the Lord revived, at the auspicious era of the Reformation, learning, liberty, and arts, began to shine forth with it, and to resume their lustre.

But the happy influence which religion exerts on society extends much farther than to effects of this kind. It is not only subsidiary to the improvement, but necessary to the preservation, of society. It is the very basis on which it rests. Religious principle is what gives men the surest hold of one another. That last and greatest pledge of veracity, an oath, without which no society could subsist, derives its whole authority from an established reverence of God, to whom it is a solemn appeal. Banish religious principle, and you loosen all the bonds which connect mankind together; you shake the fundamental pillar of mutual confidence and trust; you render the security arising from laws, in a great measure, void and ineffectual. For human laws and human sanctions cannot extend to numberless cases, in which the safety of mankind is deeply concerned. They would prove very feeble instruments of order and peace, if there were no checks upon the conduct of man from the sense of Divine legislation; if no belief of future rewards and punishments were to overawe conscience, and to supply the defects of human government.

Indeed, the belief of religion is of such impor

tance to public welfare, that the most expressive description we could give of a society of men in the utmost disorder, would be to say that there was no fear of God left among them. Imagination would immediately conceive them as abandoned to rapine and violence, to perfidy and treachery; as deceiving and deceived; oppressing and oppressed; consumed by intestine broils, and ripe for becoming a prey to the first invader. On the other hand, in order to form the idea of a society flourishing in its highest glory, we need only conceive the belief of Christian principle exerting its full influence on the hearts and lives of all the members. Instantly the most amiable scene would open to our view. We should see the causes of public disunion removed, when men were animated with that noble spirit of love and charity which our religion breathes, and formed to the pursuits of those higher interests which give no occasion to competition and jealousy. We should see families, neighborhoods, and communities, living in unbroken amity, and pursuing, with one heart and mind, the common interest; sobriety of manners and simplicity of life restored virtuous industry carrying on its useful labors, and cheerful contentment every where reigning. Politicians may lay down what plans they please for advancing public prosperity; but, in truth, it is the prevalence of such principles of religion and virtue which forms the strength and glory of a nation. Where these are totally wanting, no measures con> trived by human wisdom can supply the defect. In proportion as they prevail, they raise the state of society from that sad degeneracy into which it is at present sunk, and carry it forward, under the blessing of Heaven, towards that happy period,