very extensively or permanently prevail in a community, we would not undertake to decide. Among a people ignorant of the bible, or that portion of a christian community who know next to nothing of the bible, it may make many converts; but this can hardly be the case among those who are acquainted with divine truth. Among us, so far as ignorance of God's revealed will prevails, there is danger; and how widely the mischief may spread, must depend mainly on the efforts, that are made to remove the ignorance of the people, and to enlighten their minds on the subject of religion. This, if any thing, will constitute a barrier against the rushing tide of novelties and wild speculation; against the heartless, coldblooded scepticism, which numbers desire to see disseminated throughout the country. Of course, let atheism prevail when and where it will, virtue and happiness must depart from a people; for the only possible and stable foundation of virtue and happiness is, a belief in the existence and perfections of a supreme intelligent Being, to whom all mankind are accountable. Vice and misery can receive no check, whatever, if the dictates of a natural religion and the authority of the bible are rejected, on this subject.

Our readers will perceive, that we have not adverted, by any means, to all the dangers, or even to all the more prominent dangers, that environ our beloved country. This could hardly be done in the short compass of a single article. But enough has been said, we trust, to evince the importance of contemplating the evils that threaten us; of looking them in the face, so, that if possible, they may be shunned or mitigated. Enough has been advanced to impress the duty of a thorough reformation, in respect to our national and individual transgressions, so, that we may no longer render ourselves obnoxious to the divine judgments.

ART. II.-THE BIBLE ALWAYS THE SAME IN ITS AUTHORITY AND RELATION TO MANKIND.

WERE the bible put into the hands of an intelligent heathen, or any person living in a christian land who had never examined it, the first question arising in his mind would be, Is it true? Did the things which it records, actually take place? May all its statements be received with confidence? His next question would be, Is it now such as it originally was; that is, has the text been transmitted to the present times without being corrupted? A further inquiry saggested would be, Was it given by inspiration of God, in such a sense, that it is his word, or what is the same, sacred and divine truth? There is still another question relating to the bible most deeply interesting, not only to one placed in the circumstances just mentioned, but to all. Is the bible, with the ex

ception of what it declares to have been peculiar to a former dispensation, applicable to mankind at the present time? Or have there been such changes in the character of God and in the principles of his government, or in the character, condition, relation and destinies of men, that the bible has become in a great measure obsolete?

sent age.

This question we think it important to discuss; not because any one will undertake directly to maintain, that the bible, although originally from God and adapted to the wants of former generations, is now out of date and of no farther use; but because there is, we apprehend, a secret undefined feeling extensively prevailing, that in these improved ages of the world, we can well do without it; that now the light of reason shines so brightly, we may be left more to ourselves in finding the way from earth to heaven. This feeling, (for we can hardly call it a conviction,) so directly undermining both the authority and influence of the bible, naturally arises from that spirit of improvement, or rather perhaps we might say innovation, which so universally distinguishes the preWhile we reflect upon the rapidity and boldness with which new theories in relation to almost all subjects are urged upon the attention of mankind, may there not be some danger, that we shall come at length to estimate so highly our own powers, as to think of making some great improvements in religion; or perhaps, as to indulge the presumptuous expectation of attaining the ends of our being, independently of the grace and revelation of God? In the pride of our own capabilities, may we not begin to think, perhaps, that the gospel dispensation, if ever useful, was intended for times less enlightened and less favored than our own? May we not begin to revolt from the humbling thought, that the great purpose of our present existence is to receive, trust in, and obey the revelations concerning Jesus Christ, which God has communicated to us in the gospel?

Besides, amidst our discoveries and improvements and intellectual enterprises, is there no danger of our feeling reluctant to bring ourselves under the limitations and restraints of any authority, even though it claim to be divine; no danger, while we feel ourselves so capable of passing all other boundaries, that even in religion we shall become unwilling to follow the sole and absolute guidance of the word of God; no danger of our beginning to throw aside what we regard as the trammels of this old-fashioned book, and trying to walk more independently, that is, in the light of our own wisdom?

Thoughts and feelings like these, of course, but few will avow; and if they exist in our minds, no doubt they spring up there unperceived. But is there not too much evidence, that they do exist, nay, that they widely prevail? If it be not so, how can we ac

count for the fact, that comparatively so few take the word of God as their sole authority in religion, as their only rule of faith and guide in duty?

There is another cause too, which, if we do not mistake, increases the danger to which we have just adverted. The refinements of the age have become such, as in many instances to create a disrelish for what are deemed the harsh statements and rigid requisitions of the gospel. The ear and the taste are offended by many of the terms used by the sacred writers. Let a preacher come forth in the spirit and manner of his divine Master,-let him in the same language declare," he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved, and he that believeth not shall be damned;" or let him adopt many of the statements of the apostles, and we submit it, whether he will not be thought by many to be harsh and repulsive? But whence the disapprobation of the preacher, so long as he abides by the spirit of his instructions, unless it proceeds from a mind which has become too fastidious to relish even all the sanctities of revealed truth?

Now, if, in addition to what has just been urged, we consider the proneness of mankind to rely on their own wisdom in matters of religion, in preference to the unerring instructions of God's word, we shall perceive abundant occasion for presenting some of the reasons which seem to us fully to sustain the position, that the bible, or the religion of the bible, in its authority and its application to mankind, is always the same; that as it has been from the beginning, so it is now and will continue to be, even to the end of the world, the one invariable standard according to which the different generations of men shall be finally judged.

The following are some of the reasons or considerations which sustain this position:

1. We find nothing in the bible, neither types nor predictions, which point to any dispensation beyond the christian, or to any state of the world in which this will cease to be applicable or necessary. In the former dispensations, there was a looking forward to something more permanent and more perfect to come. At the time of the patriarchs, the sacrifice of beasts was required, not because the shedding of their blood could expiate sin, but as a typical representation of the great sacrifice, which the gospel was to make known as the only foundation of man's immortal hopes. The rites then practiced, solemn as they may have been, were regarded only as a pledge of future blessings. The Levitical law introduced by Moses, was of divine authority and absolutely binding in all its forms and services; but who does not know, that it was of a limited and temporary nature; that it was intended not as the substance of God's gracious covenant, but as a shadow of good things to come; that it pointed to promises not yet received, but VOL. VIII. 66

any

which were seen afar off? But how is it with the gospel? Is there any thing here which points to a future and better dispensation; or any thing which intimates, that by and by mankind will become so enlightened, that their reason may supersede even christianity itself? We cannot prove a negative, but if intimations of this kind exist, where are they? Who will point them out? In what part of the sacred records may they be found? Certainly, if we may draw inference from the silence of the bible in relation to this subject, we must take christianity as God's last and best gift to mankind; as the only communication of his gracious purposes with respect to us and all who shall come after us; as his final dispensation for reclaiming this guilty and perishing world. Nay, we may go farther than this. We may assert, that while the bible gives no intimation, that christianity is ever to wax old or to give place to any future dispensation, it contains passages which show, that it is intended to remain in full force to the end of the world. " Heaven and earth," says its divine author, "shall pass away, but my word shall not pass away." This is more enduring than the material universe. Again, he says, "Go teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I command you; and lo I am with you always even to the end of the world." The duration of the promise of Christ's presence and assistance here made to those who shall be engaged in propagating the gospel, clearly indicates the duration of the gospel itself, and this we see is extended to the end of the world. We shall only advert to one passage more. It is that in the writings of Peter, in which be presents, in favorable contrast, the unchangeableness and durability of the gospel with the frailty of man. For all flesh is as grass, and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth and the flower thereof falleth away; but the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you."

2. The accomplishing the great designs of christianity, its achievements and its conquests, will occupy the whole of time. This is quite evident from the promises just considered, in which our Lord pledges himself to be with and assist his ministers, in teaching the gospel, to the end of the world. For not till then, the inference clearly is, will the mighty agency of this system of light and love be fully accomplished. Besides, we have predictions of events, and of events that are to be brought about by means of the gospel, that must extend on to the second coming of the son of man. The Jews, it is distinctly declared, are to be brought to the faith and obedience of Christ; the false prophet is to be stripped of his imposture; Ethiopia is to stretch forth her hands to God. All the heathen are to be given to Christ for an

inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for a possession. The millenium is to pour its radiance and its blessings upon this dark world. And, in conclusion, the son of man, the author and finisher of our faith, the head over all things to the church, is to come on the clouds of heaven, to wind up the great drama; to call the sleeping dead from their graves; to receive and reward his own people, and to separate from his holy kingdom all things that offend. In what period, then, of the world's future history shall the reign of Christ be suspended? When shall the light and influence of his religion be withdrawn? When the conquests of his glorious gospel cease? Surely, no such events can ever happen, if the language of prophecy be true. No; this assures us, that the gospel is so far from being destined to wax old and decay, that it will roll on, mighty and resistless, retaining all its power and all its obligation, till the purposes of heavenly mercy shall be fulfilled, and the end of the world shall come.

3. Christianity must continue to hold one and the same relation to mankind, because they continue in one and the same condition. Its divine Author solemnly declared, that he came to call sinners to repentance. This was the purpose, and end, and aim of his religion; and has the time come, or will it come, in which the human race are not sinners? Has there been, or will there yet be, a generation or a succession of generations, so pure, that they need no pardon, no justification, no healing influences, to prepare them for the purity of heaven? This, we are sure, will not be pretended; for eighteen hundred years have already passed away since the gospel was proclaimed to the world, and still, who can soberly look into his own heart, or impartially survey the moral condition of the best society on earth, without feeling the painful conviction, that man has not outgrown, in the slightest degree, the necessity for the gracious interposition of God's mercy, in the gospel of his Son? The human character, modified as it may have been by the improved institutions of society, we still find is essentially the same. Still, selfishness, and pride. and sensuality, maintain their dominion over the human race. Still, no community, no family, no individual is exempt from sin. Still, all suffer as transgressors, and are sinking into the dust under the operation of that law whose violation exposes the guilty to death.

If, then, pardon through the mediation of Christ were necessary eighteen hundred years ago, will any man say why it is not necessary now? or why it will not continue to be necessary? Has God changed? Has his law been abrogated? Has he given up his government? Has he opened the door of his holy kingdom to impunity and sin? What revolution has taken place in the counsels of heaven, or in the relations and obligations of men, that can make any one think he stands in no further need of pardon? But par