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what imaginable motive can there be, with the immense majority of them, to attempt to deceive others or themselves? How can it be thought, that men, acknowledged to be men of integrity on every other subject, should wantonly and madly desert their principles on that subject only, which is of all the most momentous? Would to God that the time might at length come, when christians would apply the same maxims in judging of each other's motives and views in religion, that they feel to be just in every other case!

But with whatever feelings the views, which we take of the nature and design of the gospel, are regarded by others, we are not at liberty to alter them. We beg our brethren, who think hardly of us for our opinions, to believe, that we have adopted them in the honesty of our hearts. We conscientiously think, that a rational representation is the true representation of God's word. We think, the genius of the age requires that it should be made, if christianity is to retain any hold of the greater part of thinking and cultivated minds. It will not do, that, when every other department of human knowledge has been in constant progress, the science of theology alone should remain with only those statements and illustrations, which were given it during the darkness of the middle ages. It is not sufficient to reply, that the belief of many good persons in some of the most important truths is so connected with long established prejudices,

that they will be in danger of abandoning these truths along with these prejudices. This is an argument for caution and moderation in our exertions; but it is no good argument to relinquish them. If Luther and his followers had listened to it, the reformation would not have blessed the world; and the timid spirit of Erasmus would have purchased its repose at the expense of the loss of the opportunity of emancipating mankind from ignorance and error. But it is not right, that our fears should be all on one side. While we respect the prejudices of the unenlightened, we ought not to despise the serious objections of the thinking part of mankind. The consequences of presenting to them only such views of religion as revolt alike their understanding and moral sense, must be a real, though it may be a secret abandonment of all faith in its authority. A double doctrine will thus be established, of thinking with the initiated and talking with the vulgar; a system, which, as has been finely and truly said, " is beyond any permanent condition of human society destructive of ingenuousness, good faith and probity; of intellectual courage and manly character; and of that respect for all human beings, without which there can be no justice or humanity from the powerful towards the humble."*

Having then such views of the importance of the principles which we have embraced, and be

Sir James Mackintosh's review De L'Allemagne par Mad. de Staël.

lieving, as we do, that they correspond with the results of the researches of the ablest and most pious inquirers after the truth as it is in Jesus, the path of our duty is plain before us. We must follow it at any hazard. If we did not, the holy confessors of our faith in every age would disown us, the intrepid genius of the reformers would disdain us, the sacred shades of our fathers would reproach us for shrinking from our duty and disgracing our illustrious origin; and where, oh where, should we appear, when called to give up our great and final account!

It is with these views of christian truth, that we now enter this temple to dedicate it to Almighty God. And may he grant that, so far as they are just, they may here be preached and heard, till this lofty spire bows under the hand of time, and these massive walls crumble into their primitive dust.

III. It would correspond, I believe, to a general custom on occasions like the present, if we were now to look back to the ancient history of this church. But our church has no history, beyond the short and simple annals of the ministrations it has regularly witnessed. When, however, I that it affords no materials for public history, I conceive that I give to it the highest praise. For history, we know, records not on its blood-stained

say,

page the peaceful triumphs of religion in private life, but is too often the register only of intrigue and warfare, of the crimes and enterprises of bad ambition. It is now nearly a century of years, since a temple was first erected on this spot, which had been consecrated by the piety of our fathers from time immemorial to this sacred use. It was not established in the spirit of schism; but was the result of the regular overflow of other churches, many of the members of which contributed towards the expense of the undertaking. The progress of this church has been as harmonious, as its origin was peaceful. It has never been found in collision with any other church. Its spirit has always been liberal. Its terms of communion have never been narrow and exclusive. Its ministers have always been catholic in their feelings. The list of them is begun by the venerable Checkley, followed by the affectionate Bowen, the interesting and eloquent Howe, the acute and profound Everett. I could add another name, but my heart is forbidden to utter its feelings. The house which was first erected here, after having stood for ninety-seven years, has now given place to that in which we meet. Erected, as it has been, in most disastrous times, I may be allowed to consider it as a noble monument of the spirit of our citizens ; a pledge that they consider religion as their best refuge in calamity; and that the last sentiment

they are willing to lose, is that of respect for her worship.*

Come, then, fathers, brethren, friends, christians, let us again invoke the presence and blessing of the most high God. We solemnly consecrate this temple to Him; to the religion of his Son, who died for us; to the spirit of evangelical piety, charity and truth. Henceforth may the angels of celestial love take up their dwelling in this sanctuary, and ever may they carry from it to the mercy seat.of heaven the tribute of humble, grateful, devoted hearts, the offerings of sincere and acceptable worshippers!-Ye holy walls! henceforth sacred to the religion of Jesus-peace be within you! For my brethren and companions sake, I will now say-peace be within you! Never may ye be polluted by hypocritical prayers-never may ye echo with heartless praises-ever may the words of truth be dispensed within you in their simplicity and uncorrupted purity-never may ye witness the love of Christ commemorated here with unthankful remembrance, or his cause dishonoured by faithless professions! Here may all the best influences of the gospel-all its regenerating, sanctifying and elevating influences-ever be felt! And long after the voice, which now feebly sounds within you, is hushed in silence-long after these worshippers shall all have passed away from the earth-may

*Note K.

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