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Whatever may be the distinguishing difference be tween the denominations of christians in Kentucky, we apprehend they heartily agree in substantially maintaining and trying to inforce the following doctrines.

1. That the Bible is the word of God, and the only infallible rule of faith and manners, to which nothing is to be added and from which nothing is to be taken under any pretext whatever.

2. That man in his present state is a sinner and depraved, and needs the regenerating and sanctifying influence of God's Spirit.

3. That the Lord Jesus Christ is true God and true man, and is the only Saviour of a lost and perishing world.

4. That the public and official preaching of the gospel is the great ordinance which God hath appointed, and which he hath been pleased to bless extensively for the conviction, and conversion, and salvation of lost

men.

5. That the Sabbath ought to be particularly devoted to the great and important concerns of eternity.

6. That whenever the gospel has its proper influence upon the heart, a great change will be visible in the life-men will be taught to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present world. And,

7. We are persuaded that the great mass of the members of the churches which have been particularly named, know and believe that there is a mighty energy connected with sincerity and honesty in our professions of attachment to our Lord Jesus Christ, and that

we cannot expect success in his cause but in the bumble, patient, and persevering use of the the means which he himself has appointed.

In the words of a native of Kentucky, now in glory, "Deceit is the great weapon of the adversary of God and man. Deceit-cunning-the sly insinuating course is the common result of all who attempt improper objects. Let the sons of cunning learn that deceit will never prosper under the government of God. He is the defender of the right, he is the avenger of iniqui ty. "The shield of the stranger, the father of the fa therless, the husband of the widow, the champion of the oppressed." All this he has undertaken. Will he neglect his charge. Let no man then glory in the success of his craftiness. He must be artful indeed if he circumvent Omniscience; he must be mighty indeed if he break those toils which the hand of Omnipotence is pledged to cast around him. Like Satan he may triumph in a momentary success; like Satan he will discover that his triumph was premature. Let no good man cultivate a crafty plotting spirit. If his object be a good one, it needs no such dubious aid; if it be a bad one, he ought never to pursue `it. Let no pious man fear the machinations of the cunning. God is the protector, he has pitched his infinite wisdom against the arts of the deceiver; you have only to stand still and see his great salvation.

"Let no great and gallant spirit demean his lofty feelings to point plot against plot, or to answer wile with wile. Freeborn sincerity is the attribute of nobleness. If he must act on the defensive, let it be in the light of

heaven. Innocence is the native and the strongest fort of courage. And one single effort made in the strength of innocence will do more solid execution than ten thousand policies. An arrow thus shot will designate its 'course like lightning through the skies; it will fly terrific and decisive to its aim, as the thunderbolt of heavOurs then be the prayer of the deep reflecting Psalmist, "remove far from me the way of lying:" and let all our conduct be modelled on that prayer."

en.

Maintaining and acting upon these principles, the christians of Kentucky, though the minority of the inhabitants, need not despair of being in God's time and way the instruments of bringing the whole mass of the population of their couutry under the regenerating influence of the gospel of God's Son.

No. 26.

CONCLUSION.

THE above sketches and facts form only a very imper fect outline of the history and the state of the church in the state of Kentucky. The man whose lot it shall be to fill up this outline, and add another set of sketches forty years hence, will have it in his power to publish a more splendid production. But such as the work is, we trust that it shall not be without its interest or its use

We close, therefore, with simply suggesting the following general observations.

1. We have avoided as far as possible the province of the mere theologian, and the examination of the internal state of any of the particular churches of which we have spoken. The design has been not to seek for differences, but to seek for agreements in the common family of our common Lord and Saviour. And if the members of this extensive family in the state of Kentucky can, by the hints which have been thrown out, be helped in any measure to recognize more distinctly .in one another the common features of the common family, one great design of the present publication will be obtained. People who expect to live together in heaven, ought to understand one another, and act to; gether in all matters respecting the common kingdom on earth. Forty years hence and the most of the things which keep many of the friends of our Lord Jesus at a great distance from each other now-these many things, and these supposed great things, will be seen by each of them to have been but little things. very

2. The above sketches and facts present the kingdom of our Lord in one of its most distinguishing characteristics, viz: that of a constant increase. "Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with The zeal of justice, from henceforth even for ever.

the Lord of hosts will perform this." Is. xi. 7.

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Every acre of Kentucky's soil, is covered by Messiah's charter. "I will declare the decree: the Lord

hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession," He took possession of a portion of the soil in the very first locations which were made by the sons of men; and he will keep his possessions, and claim his rights to their full extent, let who may lose their lands. And it is a pleasing thought, in looking over the state of Kentucky, that though particular congregations may be broken up, and the places of worship shifted about from place to place, and though some of the names by which some of the followers of the Redeemer have been known may be lost, yet the Redeemer keeps possession of the land, and his interest is an increasing interest.

3. The above sketches and facts present a decisive proof that the risen and exalted Head is true to his promise, in continuing to bestow upon the church an abundance and a great variety of ministerial gifts and graces. "Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. And he gave some, apostles; and some, pros phets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ." The cry indeed is, and has been, and is every year more urgent, for ministerial aid. Friends of the Redeemer, is this cry the cry of faith Pray ye the

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