in the wrong; and the methods too often employed to sustain their faith, are truly painful. The magnified accounts of the zeal of many of their dissenting brethren in distant parts-the perverted notions of conversion, or some other exclusive tenet, which are often entertained, finally combine, with man's natural self-love, to convince them that they are indeed the "peculiar people;" "God's dear children." So far as all these, and other such circumstances, are involuntary in the individual, we cannot doubt that they are taken into merciful consideration by a just and merciful God; but in what degree this may diminish or mitigate the sin of individual separatists, or what amount of Christ's blessing may be given to such, we judge not. But the stern and solemn truth must still be told, that Schism in itself is most surely of the nature of sin; and I beseech you to ponder it well. Christ hath purchased to himself ONE glorious Church, and sanctified and cleansed it by the washing of baptismal water, that it might be without spot or blemish before him! Christ hath purposed that His Church shall be ONE; and be sure that sooner or later He will accomplish it, and whatsoever opposes it He will destroy. See to it, then, that you are not casting obstacles in His way; attempt not

so vain a thing as to frustrate His purpose! but honestly dare to begin anew to pray (if thus you have never prayed before), that God would give you grace to embrace His Truth! And answer to your own conscience this question: If Dissent 'had never been begun, could you have dared to begin it?—and if not, how can you venture to ' remain in it, and so be the means of transmitting ' it to others?' Interest is, doubtless, a strong antagonist of Truth-haply you have entered on a course of life which binds you to your sect. You may think it almost an impossibility to return to Christ's Church; at least without giving up something which you cannot bring yourself to part with. But is your conscience satisfied with this?-Pause, and think, and pray!

While you remain divided from us, the Catholic Church condemns you with one voice. Perhaps you satisfy yourselves by thinking that, even though not quite right, you may yet be saved; but is it not a strange liberality to your souls, to take this sort of chance of salvation ?-We desire to be one with you; but we dare not meet you half-way. "As we are allowed of God and put in trust with the Gospel, so we speak, warning every man." Be sure you cannot vindicate Schism in the slightest

degree, without, at the very least, grieving Christ and offending his Holy Church. If you are prepared to forsake and give up all things, however fair-seeming and long-loved, for Christ's sake, your path is plain. Many of you are already baptized into the Church; you have, therefore, a ready and easy path-way to retrace; God invites you to return as wandering sons; His Church invites you with a mother's love. Some may have a more arduous task to pursue, if they return-those, I mean, who have never been baptized into the Church. But any obstacles are well worth overcoming, to save your souls in the day of the Lord. 'Now, then, as the 'ambassador for Christ, as though God did beseech you by me, I pray you in Christ's stead, Be ye ' reconciled to God!' 2 Cor. v. 20.

Do you look with doubt and hesitation to the acknowledged imperfections in our Body? I have shown you that the Scriptures do not justify either original or continued separation from a Church, on account of its imperfections. If you come among us, you may help us by your united prayers. And O! that your Saviour's praying voice could reach you now! (It surely might persuade you though I cannot) : "Grant, Holy Father, that they all may be ONE!" Do you distrust His wisdom? or His love?

H

Or think you not that His plan of Unity, is better than your plan of Division? The Holy Catholic Church, at least in which we believe, hath preferred to follow Christ's rule, and hath echoed from age to age the unanswerable question of His Apostle: "Is Christ divided ?" If, then, you would believe in the Catholic Church, make not our imperfections any excuse for division. "Judge nothing before the time, "until the Lord come, who both will bring to light "the hidden things of darkness, and will make "manifest the counsels of the hearts, and then "shall every man have praise of God," 1 Cor. iv. 5.

That day is not far distant. Year by year the Church, as at this time, reminds us of it. Soon, very soon, the Lord will come-the Glorified Head of His One glorious Church. Be it ours to prepare to meet Him, and give Him reverent welcome with the ten thousands of his saints!

BE SILENT, every jarring voice!--the Lord is at hand! Be ready, every ear, to catch the first distant sounds of the choirs of coming Seraphim! Be ready, every tongue, to join the unbroken harmony, and swell the Universal gladness of the ONE anthem : "To Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins !"

IV.

THE CATHOLIC CHURCH, A WITNESS

AGAINST RATIONALISM.

FROM THE GOSPEL.'" Because thou hast seen ... thou hast "believed; blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have "believed."-JOHN XX. 29.

THE history of mankind, from the first until now, furnishes melancholy proof of the fact, that the moral tendency of our natural mind is to deteriorate. It will not at least be denied, that this is abundantly apparent in that part of man's history which precedes the first Advent of Christ. The Revelation of moral and spiritual truth which was made to our first Father, and traditionally transmitted to his posterity, was gradually corrupted by them, till at length "God looked down

"from heaven upon the children of men," and

1 The Feast of St. Thomas.