these have gradually led us farther from the source of light and of purity.

And where had all this its origin? It was introduced from Alexandria in Egypt, the land where Israel was held in bondage. And how striking is the analogy! These corruptions came from Egypt into the church of Christ. They were brought by the bishop of Alexandria, who was succeeded by bishops, and pastors, and teachers; and they grew and increased, and their authors became more anxious to subserve their own ends, than that of truth. This gave occasion for one who was eminent in his day for divine illumination, mournfully to declare, that "in days that had passed, they had wooden chalices and golden priests, but now," said he, "we have golden chalices, and wooden priests."

They had sunk into the splendour of outward things-the spirit of religion was lost. Darkness had surrounded them, and the brilliancy of the first appearing of the opening of this dispensation among the Jews, became clouded; and from step to step they grew and increased in superstition, till that dark night of apostacy came over our Israel, and involved them in that deplorable situation, of which history gives us an account. It was from a small beginning that it had its origin; but it soon increased, so that pardons for

sins were sold, and also indulgences to commit them; together with other absurdities, which are a disgrace to the rational faculties of man, and much more to that gift of spiritual investigation wherewith he is endowed.

But it came to pass after a season, that there were raised up men who detested those abominations, and who, coming to investigate the truth, saw some of those evils, of which but a little was manifested at first. For they could not at once come out of that midnight darkness, into the meridian light of gospel splendour. It would have blinded their eyes, puzzled their judgments, confounded their understandings, and probably have left them in a state worse than that in which they were. Very little was seen at once; and though the individuals who made the first reformation saw but little, yet as they attended unto this little, they were bright and shining lights, for they were obedient according to knowledge.

But, alas! instead of their followers attending to that light to which they had attended, they sat down in the letter where Calvin left it; and could not be drawn one step further than where he left them. So it was with the Lutheransso with the followers of Wesley, so with every society with which I am acquainted; and so it

has been with the followers of Fox, Penn, and Barclay. We look to them for fundamentals, which if rightly known, are engraven by the finger of God, on the tablets of every soul. For these things we have cause of lamentation and mourning. And why? Because assuredly, in so doing we do not go forward, but backward. If we do not incrcase, assuredly we shall decrease.

Have we not observed the followers of Calvin to stand in that form of which he experienced the great power and light? And the longer they continued in this form, the more dead it became, till it led these societies into persecutions, divisions, dissensions, and hatred; and caused them to become partakers of the cup of that Babylonish whore, who shall yet be stripped naked in the eyes of the nations, that they may see her shame. But it is not the Calvinists alone, who founded their system on this unjust doctrine of election and reprobation, that have here grounded and struck upon a rock. Every other society has fallen into the same snare, which the delusions of their own perverse imaginations have laid for their feet. And it is only by taking the back track, and returning in the way in which we came, that these effects can be changed, and the operative cause be changed that may produce effects which shall be more propitious. Now is

it not the case with the Lutherans, the Wesleyans, and the Quakers? Is it not the case with every society, when they have been actuated by man's reason? "If it be not so now," as has been described, "who will make me a liar, and make my words nothing worth?"

Is the Lord's hand shortened that it cannot save? or is his ear heavy that he cannot hear? Can we, or dare we, say that the work of our salvation is referred to secondary means? Has he appointed men for our teachers and leaders? No. But under the influence of this darkened state, which comes by a perversion of the divine principles of the gospel, many other abominations spring up. We see men professing to be ministers of the gospel, and upon what do they depend for their qualifications? Do they depend on the inspiring spirit of Christ manifested unto their own minds? Is it a duty required at their hands? Can they testify as the apostle did, "Wo is unto me, if I preach not the gospel?" No, verily. But is it not obvious to every reflecting mind, that, not only here, but in the land of my nativity, there are those who "preach for hire and divine for money, whose God is their belly, whose glory is their shame?" Look at the multitude, I had almost said innumerable multitude, who are governed by the wisdom and invention of man.

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They support the scriptures under a false title, considering them the word of God and the only rule of faith and practice. But they are not the word of God, nor are they the rule of faith and practice. They are the testimony of holy men of old, who were guided and influenced by the eternal word and rule of faith and practice, which was from everlasting to everlasting.

Now, with respect to these benevolent associations, what are the fruits brought forth? and what are the effects produced on the minds of men and nations? Have they produced in them, that holy anthem which was raised at the advent of the Messiah, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men?" No, verily. They have given unto these selfstyled missionaries, authority over the gospel, and which will rivet the chains upon them, which have been placed there by the cunning of these deceivers.

And how are these societies supported? Let us look a little. We most of us know that it is not by contributions from the pious of all sects and parties, but we find that money, money, is the main-spring of action, and if this fails the whole system falls to the ground. And is the church of Christ to be built up with money, the love of which is the root of all evil? But what said Christ