will never be separated: but it also teaches that in judgment he remembers mercy; that when he sees his paternal chastisements have done their work, and perceives the tokens of genuine and full repentance, he wants no satisfaction, no punishment; but receives his wandering child to duty and to himself: and if still he leave him to feel the present consequences of his folly and disobedience, he cheers him with that hope which is an anchor of the soul, sure and steadfast. It teaches us, too, that in compassion to the weakness and necessities of his creatures, he has given us the assured promise and pledge of his pardoning grace that he set forth a mercy-seat, where his gracious purposes might be fully made known; and, to strengthen the pledge, and to make it evident to all that the covenant was sure, by his all-wise appointment that mercy-seat was sprinkled with blood, the blood of the new covenant," the blood of Christ, as of a lamb without spot and blemish.' In fine, it teaches us, in the words of inspired truth, that God is love; that because he is love, he sent his Son to save the world, and that since he spared him not, but 'freely delivered him up for us all,' we may rest assured of his readiness to give everything truly needful to his servants and children. By thus representing the Lord of heaven and earth, the Unitarian doctrine, following its great teacher, displays a throne of grace with a merciful though righteous Sovereign seated on it, and that Sovereign our father.

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I am sure that piety is confined to no sect or party. Wherever there is gratitude, and trust, and resignation, and love, and the principle of obedience towards God even the Father, there is piety. I rejoice to catch

something of their spirit, who have imbibed the spirit of Christ, (which was piety in its purest form,) whether or not their doctrinal views agree with mine. In the ardor which animates them for the glory of God, and the cause of our common Lord, I desire to partake. Gladly should I possess the talent and the opportunity to try. the genuine effect of the simple principles of the Gospel, where they think that good is done by what I deem of human invention. And in their work and service for the spiritual welfare of our fellow-creatures, I desire to judge of them, as I wish them to judge of me in mine. But confidently regarding the great principles of Unitarianism as the truth as it is in Jesus, as the same that were known, though in a more limited degree, by those who in the Old Testament show us the genuine spirit of piety and devotion, - as the same that we witness in the New Testament, producing the noblest indications of piety in our Lord and his apostles, animating them in the great work of duty and pious benevolence,

I cannot for a moment admit, that Unitarianism is deficient, unless the Gospel is, in the sources of piety. And as I owe to Unitarianism, and to that alone, whatever I have of piety and christian feeling, and have known and often witnessed its influence in leading to the highest exercises, and, still more, to the most habitual influence of piety, strengthening in the hour of trial, supporting in affliction, raising in humiliation and contrition, animating in the work of duty, keeping in the love of God, smoothing the pillow of pain, and giving solid peace, and tranquil, nay even joyful hope in the hour of death- I here enter a solemn protest against the misrepresentations of the ignorant or the bigoted, and de

clare it to be my full conviction, that Unitarianism, in its genuine influence, promotes and includes the spirit of piety; and that if a man, professing its principles, is destitute of the spirit of piety, he is, in reality, no more a Unitarian than he is a Christian.

With these convictions, increasing as I examine the subject and consider the principles, spirit, and operation of the Gospel, I cannot but identify the cause of Unitarianism with that of the Gospel itself. I rejoice in the belief that the Bible Christian, whatever unhappy notions he may have imbibed from human sources, so far as he keeps close to the great fundamental truths of the Gospel, and shapes his practice and moulds his spirit by it, is promoting by his life and by his instructions, the cause which I deem christian truth. Motives may be added to the simplicity that is in Christ, which for a time may operate to draw away from its genuine influence; but he who leads men to sit at the feet of Jesus, and to learn of him the words of everlasting life, will make them wise unto salvation; and if they do not see the resplendent truths of the essential mercy, and unrivalled supremacy of the one God, while here upon earth, they will be prepared to see them where there will be no clouds of ignorance or imperfection.

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As I believe that Unitarianism is pure Christianity, and I am sure that Jesus will reign till all people, nations, and languages, shall serve him,' I look forward with cheering conviction to the universal prevalence of Unitarianism; and when I turn to the language of divine prophecy, I see the same expressly taught in the sacred pages, where they declare, 'And Jehovah shall

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be king over all the earth; in that day shall there be one Jehovah,' in that day JEHOVAH shall be ONE, and his name one.' According to my full conviction, this passage cannot have its complete accomplishment, till the proper unity of God is universally acknowledged; till all the followers of that Master who prayed to the Father as the only true God, shall pay undivided and unrivalled honors to Jehovah, his Father and our Father, his God and our God.

That time is not yet. When the pious disciple of Jesus looks around and perceives the greatest part of the world still ignorant of the Gospel, and sees it, where it is received, so little employed to regulate the heart and the life, he is prone to be impatient, and for a moment perhaps to doubt the promise of his coming. And just so the Unitarian, dispirited by opposition, by obloquy, and by misrepresentation, is apt to let disappointed feelings overcome him, and check him in the diffusion of christian light. But God's time is best. What we have to do, is, to work in our respective spheres to promote the cause of christian truth and duty. If we can do no more, it may cheer us to remember that 'they also serve who only stand and wait.' We know that the great work is to be accomplished, and by human means; and we should ever have our eyes open to observe what opportunities our heavenly Father, in his providence, affords us to work with him.

Far be it from me to wish that the Unitarian should be always endeavoring to extend his doctrines controversially. Great good is done, if the plain, impressive, practical principles of the Gospel, the simple truths of the scriptures, are communicated influentially, without

the doctrines which tend, as far as they operate, to impede their influence. And above all it should be remembered, that Unitarianism will not spread through the christian world, till Unitarians take care that their 'light so shine before men, that others seeing their good works, may be led to glorify their Father who is in heaven.' A Unitarian professor leading an ungodly life, and in proportion as he does so, in proportion as he forsakes the spirit, and example, and precepts of his Lord, - does more to check the progress of truth, than his most zealous and public profession of it can do good.

And here, among other things, I draw encouragement respecting the spread of Unitarianism. Its great doctrines are now among numbers confessed practically. Unitarians are becoming, in their views, and I trust in their practical principles, more and more evangelical, in the best sense of the term. It will promote this most desirable result, that they have, in various instances, and in a painful degree, been made the objects of reproach, of bitter attempts to injure them in their interests, their reputation, their usefulness, and their peace, because they embrace what the world calls heresy. It will make them more watchful and circumspect, that they give not occasion to the enemies of truth to speak evil of it on their account. When Unitarians show in their lives the pure and active influence of the truths they profess, and live not according to the corrupt maxims and example of the world, their cause will go on and prosper.

And notwithstanding the impediments it has from within and from without, it is prospering. Like the