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guage to express the same glorious work, represents the Saviour as creating all things, which are in heaven and in earth. He that sat upon the throne said, "Behold, I make all things new." Hence we

can no more deny the scripture account of regeneration, and maintain the doctrine of universal grace, than we can deny the mediatorial character of Jesus, and yet be consistent advocates for his religion.

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Let the opposers of truth continue to assert that we undervalue the mediation of the Saviour, and degrade his character, in the judgment of candor and good sense. Nothing can be more unreasonable and unjust. We maintain that through him, life and immortality are brought to light; that God has given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. We ascribe to him a name and dignity, above all, God excepted. In the language of scripture, we hold him to be greater than Jonah"-" greater than Solomon,"-made better than the angels.". If there are any, who are desirous of knowing, how much greater he is than men and angels; we reply,--Since no such curious question is proposed and answered, in the scriptures, we shall decline offering an opinion, till we have some express revelation upon the subject. At present we can only say that so great, so mighty and so victorious is the Lord Jesus, that all kings shall prostrate themselves before him, all nations cheerfully serve him, and all his enemies become subject to his reign, that God may be ALL IN ALL.

III. The tendency of this doctrine will be now briefly considered. That any system of sentiments, however correct, may be abused by its professors, we apprehend no one will deny. This may be inferred from this clause of the text," the letter killeth, but the spirit giveth life." Those words, it is true, relate primarily to the two dispensations

tion.

or covenants; but they admit of another applicaThe letter of a doctrine is one thing; its spirit another. The one is but the sign or name; the other the thing signified. There is a word which signifies the Sun of day; that great luminary whose countless beams enlighten, animate and bless our earth. But will the letter, the word, sun, dispel the darkness of night, and answer the glorious purposes for which the thing signified was intended? The name is the shadow, not the sub-. stance. This is true of universal benevolence Benevolence, we all admit, is a charming word; and and universal is not unpleasant. Even the phrase, universal benevolence, is musical, and agreeable to the ear of all, excepting bigots and fanatics. But I must press it upon your consideration, with all my feeble powers, that we should embrace the substance, instead of the shadow. It is not very difficult to profess the doctrine of universal benevolence, but alas! how few there are who possess it in spirit. The letter alone killeth; but the spirit giveth life and peace. On this point we may avail ourselves of the testimony of our opposers; for even they admit that were professors of our doctrine influenced by its spirit, they would be christians indeed and in truth, and their religion would be of the highest practical utility. This testimony leads the mind to a very interesting conclusion; it is, that our opposers ought to possess the spirit of our doctrine, and if they will retain any part, the letter of their own. In proportion as a doctrine opposes ours, therefore, it is cause for rejoicing to the world, that its professors are no more under the influence of its spirit. This must be evident, since did their creed contain no benevolence at all, but its opposite, their doctrine would be highly pernicious, if operative upon the conduct. While we lament that the advocates for universal love, are not constantly

actuated by the spirit of their profession, let us rejoice that we can say to the credit of our violent opposers, that, they have at this day, but little of the power or spirit of their doctrine, to what the founder of their sect had, so far as their creed opposes universal benevolence,

The natural tendency therefore of this doctrine of truth is, to produce the fruits of the Spirit, love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, meekness, and temperance. It translates from darkness to light, and from bondage to liberty. It emancipates the soul from the tyranny of superstition, the servitude of sin, and the terrors of false apprehensions. By the redeeming efficacy of invincible truth, the whole creation shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption, and be translated into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

When this doctrine is correctly taught and understandingly embraced, and becomes influential upon the heart, it produces supreme reverence towards God, unwavering confidence in the divine mission of Jesus, and Christian kindness towards our fellow beings. It leads us to recognize all men as the offspring of God, and to rejoice in the belief that they are all destined to become his children in a peculiar and spiritual sense. "The Spirit beareth witness with our Spirit that we are the children of God; and if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint heirs with Jesus Christ. For we all, with open face, beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."

But the tendency of our doctrine is manifest, from the heavenly consolation which it affords the believer, when he stands by the bed-side of the dying, and beholds the sweat of death collecting upon the pallid face. Then it is that this angel of

mercy, this divine witness in the soul, constrains him to judge "that if one died for all, then were all dead; and that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him that died for them and rose again." In Jesus he beholds the resurrection and the life of his redeemed family.

Yes, my friends and brethren, if you heartily embrace the system of doctrine which I have attempted to exhibit, and conform your lives to its spirituality and power, you will be constantly attended by a celestial companion, who will sustain you under embarrassments, comfort you in afflictions, smooth as with the soft hand of mercy the pillow of death, and enable you to triumph, through faith and hope, over the terrors of death and the grave. Then shall you be able to declare to an unbelieving world, that the doctrine of universal benevolence is of incalculable value in the present life, and that it opens to the eye of faith, the portals of glory and immortality in futurity.

And O! may God in mercy grant that both speaker and hearer may, from this eventful hour, be prepared to say,

"Should fate command me to the farthest verge Of the green earth, to distant barb'rous climes,

Rivers unknown to song, where first the sun

Gilds Indian mountains, or his setting beam
Flames on the Atlantic isles, 'tis nought to me:
Since God is ever present, ever felt,
In the void waste as in the city full!

And where He vital breathes, there must be joy.
When e'en at last the solemn hour shall come,
To wing my mystic flight to future worlds,
I cheerful will obey; there, with new powers,
Will rising wonders sing: I cannot go
Where Universal Love not smiles around,
Sustaining all yon orbs, and all their suns;
From seeming evil still educing good,
And better thence again, and better still,
In infinite progression. But I lose
Myself in Him, in light ineffable!

Come then, expressive silence, muse His praise."

I had concluded to dispense with the addresses which, according to the usual custom, would follow the discourse on this occasion; believing I should be excused by the audience, not only on account of the services which are yet to be performed, but also from a consideration of the affinity existing between myself and the Pastor elect of this Church and Society. But urged by sentiments and feelings not easily suppressed, I must so far forego my resolution, as to congratulate you, MY BROTHER-a brother in every endearing and sacred use of the term-on your removal to this place, where a promising and extensive field for usefulness is open before you. Having labored for many years with encouraging success in different parts of the Lord's heritage, with what energy and zeal will you now renew your exertions to write, as with the pen of love, the principles of our holy religion upon the hearts of all who attend your ministry. Though you are my senior brother in years, in knowledge, and evangelical labors, may I remind you of the importance of studying the scriptures daily, that you may show yourself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth? Consider the solemn responsibility under which you act; and not only bear in mind the sacred place which you occupy, but that you speak in the name and in the presence of the King of Kings. When you stand in the footsteps of the venerable departed MURRAY, (and who knows but that his ghost is now bending from his seat in glory, to witness, with approving smiles, the interesting transactions of this occasion?) as you contemplate his ascension to bliss, wrap yourself, as in the mantle of the Elijah of our Israel, exclaiming, "My father! my father! the chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof."

Yes, dear brother; and amidst the faithful dis

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