2. Life is a principle that could not be given upon any other terms than those to which we have alluded. Hence it is that the apostle observes, that "if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law." Gal. iii. 21. But God, seeing that the law could not effect his purpose in giving life to a lost world in that it was weak through the flesh, sent his Son and condemned sin in the flesh, and concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe. Gal. iii. 22. Consequently all who wish to be initiated into the favor of God will have to seek it by faith in Christ. For this is the only medium of access unto the Father.

3. But another reason why it is of faith, is that we may be afforded the blessing of a present salvation. Of this most of all we stand much in need. For it is the only consideration upon which we can enjoy present happiness. For it is certain that unless we enjoy the reconciliation of God's countenance, we never can be happy in this world, or in the world to come. Accordingly the Psalmist declares, "Thou hastput gladness in my heart." And St. Paul saith,we stand by faith in Christ and rejoice in hope of the glory of God; and you hath he quickened who were dead in trespasses and sins--and by grace are ye saved through faith-and the Lord himself solemnly declares that "whosoever believeth in him, hath passed from death unto life." What, we ask, is all this, but the enjoyment of a present salvation, and a clear and indisputable evidence that it could not be granted upon any other terms.

4. It is of faith that it might hide pride from man. We are ever endeavoring to contribute something of our own good deeds so called, to our salvation, and if it was not placed upon the principle it is, doubtless, man either never could be saved, or he would have whereof to glory. But when we turn our minds to contemplate the plan of recovering mercy as revealed in God's holy word, we there find that man has to turn his mind away from self, and humbly rely upon another for the blessings he needs. And hence it is you hear the apostle saying that BOASTING is not excluded by the law of works, but of faith. So he has to attribute his salvation to the Lord. For it is he alone who is "our wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption, that, as it is written, he that glorieth, let him glory in the Lord."

1 Cor. i. 30, 31. And this is the way too in which the law is established according to St. Paul-for saith he, "Do we make void the law through faith? God forbid: yea we establish the law." Rom. iii. 31. We show by our faith that "the law is holy, just, and good." When we look at the design of the law through the telescope of faith, and behold its emanation, we are constrained to acknowledge its purity; when we notice its spirituality and requirements in connection with our own depraved natures, we must of necessity conclude that it is just-and if we view its effects upon the children of men, we arrive at the conclusion that it is good.

5. Again, one of the greatest blessings coming from God to man is this fauh giving us the victory over the world. "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith. Who is he that overcometh the world, but he that believeth that Jesus is the Son of God." 1 John v. 4, 5. What an inestimable blessing this, to see ourselves above the follies, maxims, allurements, and temptations of the world, so that they can do us no harm while we stand by faith, the great weapon of our warfare. This is it that turns aside the fiery darts of the evil one, that causes him to flee from us, and keeps him at a great distance from us. The world may point the finger of scorn at us-it may try all its seductive machinations, but thanks and honor to the Apostle and High Priest of our profession it never can succeed in its evil attempts, so long as we live by faith in the Son of God, who gave himself for us.

Lastly, it is by this faith we have access to God, and stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Never could this blessing have been granted us on any other principle. To have access to God! What a privilege! Do trials and temptations seem to come upon us that we are not able to bear? No longer doubt. Let all thy fears be dispelled and come to an end. For

"Faith lends its realizing light;

The clouds disperse, the shadows fly;
The Invisible appears in sight,

And God is seen by mortal eye."

And amidst these difficulties, trials, and temptations, we are enabled to stand, be firm, immovable, impregnable as a wall of adamant. We are not then liable to be driven about by every wind of doctrine, but can defy the powers

of our adversary, the devil, being able to resist him.

And

this is not all, we can rejoice amidst them all, for we have God or our portion, and Jesus Christ for our elder brother, and having "the love of God shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost, we rejoice in hope of the glory of God." Whose privileges now are so great as ours? We, poor feeble worms of the dust; we, sinful and depraved creatures, rejoice in hope of heaven? Yes, this was purchased for us by the blood of the Son of God. Rejoice in sickness, poverty, and death? Yes, in all these rejoice, and again we say rejoice in hope of one day being delivered from them, and of having a happy introduction into the climes of everlasting light and glory.

Now "unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and his Father: to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen."

Greensboro', Ala. April, 7th 1848.

J. A. C.

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ART. VI.-OUR NATIONAL RELIGION.

CIVIL Liberty and Religious Toleration compose the platform upon which American Independence was built. The primary causes which led to American emancipation are supposed to be found in different places, and to have existed under different circumstances. It is true, as one says, that "the original chart of American liberty was drawn and signed in the cabin of the Mayflower.' Hume says that "Elizabeth, with her almost unlimited authority, could not extinguish the principles of the Puritans, by whom alone the precious spark of liberty had been kindled and was preserved, and to whom the English owe the whole freedom of their constitution." Another author says, "the severe persecutions carried on against the Puritans during the VOL. III.-19

reigns of Elizabeth and the Stuarts seemed to lay the foundation of a new empire in the western world. Thither, as into a wilderness, they fled from the face of their persecutors, and being protected in the firm exercise of their religion, continued to increase, until in about a century and a half, they became an independent nation."

It is very true that the great errors of our ancestors, in relation to both religion and civil government, superinduced the persecutions which led to American liberty. But there is an axiom which lies a little deeper in the principles of man's mental constitution than the quotations above refer us, and which axiom, it is held, forms the only true basis of all human liberty. THE TRUTH OF CHRISTIANITY is the only pure and solid basis upon which human freedom may be safely reared. Then "civil liberty," to be pure, healthful and legitimate, must recognize and emanate from this fundamental principle. "Religious toleration," likewise, is a proper and legitimate emanation from this axiom. It can rest upon no other foundation-grow upon no other soil. This is so, because God has so formed and established man's moral and mental constitution. And hence we find that, in the history of the world, human freedom never did exist, but where the truth of Christianity was fully recognized. But we are reminded that the truth of christianity is recognized in countries where the people do not enjoy full grown human liberty. That is very true; but it is universally found to be the case only where the state undertakes to regulate christianity, to prescribe the manner in which it shall be practised or enjoyed; thus stifling in the bud, in so far as it interposes its authority in this respect, one of the great emanations of christian truth, viz: Religious Toleration. It is held to be certain that such is the exercise of God's providence in this world, that a christian community, where the civil power lets christianity alone, cannot fail to enjoy the largest share of human freedom. Several other things, it is granted, are requisite to the protection of liberty, such as intelligence, industry, patriotism, &c.; but all these will be found to be the necessary accompaniments of Christianity.

There is such a principle as the mental constitution of man; then there is a form of government best suited to his condition, or, it might better be said, intended for him. There is also such a principle as the moral constitution of man;

then there is a form of religion intended for him, and adapt-
ed to his condition. Republicanism is the true government
of man: Christianity is the true religion of man. But the
maxim so often inculcated by the first James of England,
of "NO BISHOP NO KING," as he intended it to be understood,
is utterly unsound and dangerous. Let the "king," or in
other words, the civil authority let the bishop alone. Let
christianity make her own bishops, if she wants any. Let
the state protect the church against rude aggression, but
not go into her altars to regulate the service.
what we understand to be religious toleration.

This is

The two most prominent characteristics of civilization are RELIGION and GOVERNMENT. In the advancement and perfection of these two features are to be discovered the measure of civilization in any state or people. Christianity is not only the true, and only true religion of man, but it is the only religion that heightens and enlightens civilization. It is the only religion that holds fellowship with literature and science; that rises and advances when they rise and advance; that sinks and retrogrades when they become depressed and neglected. Christianity is the only religion that flourishes best where public knowledge and popular intelligence are most thoroughly disseminated. It is the only religion that always serves as the handmaid and moral shield of civil liberty, and without which a true system of political freedom, or democratic republican freedom, never did and never can exist. To deny or to doubt the perfect legitimacy of the twin-sister ship of christianity and republican liberty is to disbelieve the truth of all we have ever known or seen of the world.

It is true that christianity flourishes to a considerable extent where republicanism, as a form of government, is not known; but this only shows that such governments really and truly vary from republicanism not so far as to do any detriment to true religion. A good degree of bodily health is often times enjoyed by persons living in an unhealthy climate; but this does not disprove the position that some countries are more healthy than others. Well regulated republicanism is political health; well regulated christianity is religious health; well regulated and well directed knowledge is intellectual health.

The discovery that a dissemination of healthful christian principles among the people was necessary to the support