important topics presented to his view. I am solicitous to aid him in the formation of his Christian character, and about every other result I am indifferent.

I would even presume, further, to warn one class of readers, and that not a small one, against a danger which lurks even in their established respect for religion. That general regard for it, which grows out of the circumstances of education and the habits of society, may be mistaken for a religious. state of mind; yet it is perfectly consistent with religious indifference. A man may sincerely honor, advocate, and uphold the religion of Christ on account of its general influence, its beneficial public tendency, its humane and civilizing consequences, without at all subjecting his own temper and life to its laws, or being in any proper sense a subject of the peculiar happiness it imparts. This is perhaps not an infrequent case. Men need to be made sensible that religion is a personal thing, a matter of personal application and experience. Unless it is so considered, it will scarcely be an object of earnest pursuit, or of fervent, hearty interest,

nor can it exert its true and thorough influence on the character. Indeed, its desirable influence upon the state of society can be gained only through this deep personal devotion to it of individuals; because none but this is genuine religion, and the genuine only can exhibit the genuine power.

I know of nothing to be more earnestly desired, than that men should cease to look upon religion as designed for others, and should come to regard it as primarily affecting themselves; that they should first and most seriously study its relation to their own hearts, and be above all things anxious about their own characters. His is but a partial and unsatisfactory faith, which is concerned wholly with the state of society in general, and allows him to neglect the discipline of his own affections and the culture of his own spiritual nature. He is but poorly fitted to honor or promote the cause of Christ, who has not first subjected his own soul to his holy government. There are men enough, when Christianity is prevalent and honorable, to lend it their countenance and pay it external homage. We want more thorough, consistent

exemplifications of its purity, benevolence, and spirituality. These can be found only in men, who love it for its own sake, and because it is 'the wisdom of God and the power of God unto salvation,' and not simply because it is respectable in the eyes of the world, and favorable to the decency and order of the commonwealth. It is for those who are seeking this end, and for such only, that I write.

CHAPTER I.

THE NATURe of religiON, AND WHAT WE ARE TO SEEK.

In order to the intelligent and successful pursuit of any object, it is necessary, first of all, to have a definite conception of what we desire to effect or obtain. This is especially important in the study of Religion, both because of the extent and variety of the subject itself, and because of the very different apprehensions of men respecting it. Many are disheartened and fail, in consequence of setting out with wrong views and false expectations. From which cause religion itself suffers; being made answerable for failures, which are entirely owing to the unreasonable anticipations and ill-directed efforts of those who enlisted in her service, but did not persevere in it.

Let us begin, then, with considering what is the object at which we aim when we seek a religious character.

Religion, in a general sense, is founded on man's relation and accountableness to his Maker; and it consists in cherishing the sentiments and performing the duties which thence result, and which belong to the other relations to other beings which God has appointed him to sustain.

Concerning these relations, sentiments, and duties, we are instructed in the Scriptures, especially in the New Testament. Religion, with us, is the Christian religion. It is found in the teachings and example of Jesus Christ. It consists in the worship, the sentiments, and the character, which he enjoined, and which he illustrated in his own person.

What you are to seek, therefore, is, under the guidance of Jesus Christ, to feel your relation to God, and to live under a sense of responsibility to him; to cultivate assiduously those sentiments and affections which spring out of this responsible and filial relation, as well as those which arise out of your connexion with other men as his offspring; to perform all the duties to Him and them, which appertain to this character and relation; and to cherish that heavenward tendency of mind,