most triumphant tone, praise the Unitarian system, as the only enlightened, liberal, benevolent and rational system, and its adherents as decisively the most learned, amiable, and pious friends of truth, and candid inquiry; and, on the other hand, stigmatize its opponents, as narrow-minded, prejudiced, austere, righteous overmuch, and enemies of liberal thinking;-when they find these representations made every day, and repeated without contradiction, they will be apt at length to believe them. When they find so many confident assertions, so many plausible professions, and so many high authorities, vaunted on one side, and little or nothing of a counter kind produced on the other; they may begin to think that there is really more to be said in favour of what they hear called heresy, and less in support of what they have been accustomed to think truth, than they once imagined.

It is for such persons, more especially, that I write. Though neither their occupations or habits will allow the greater part of them to read a large work, they may be willing to spare an hour or two, occasionally, to go through a small manual. And though they would not, perhaps,

feel much interest in the best written treatise, by a distant stranger, who had no particular reference to themselves; yet they may be disposed to listen, for a short time, to one who gives some evidence that he ardently desires the prosperity of them and their Pastor, and who has written with a special view to their benefit.

I would then, my Christian Friends, most respectfully and earnestly entreat your serious attention to this subject. Pass it not by as an unimportant speculation.

Give at least a transient hearing to one who has something to say to you, which he considers as deeply momentous, and who is conscious of no aim but that of doing you good. Recollect that the cause of truth has more to fear from the indolence and indifference of those who profess to be her friends, than from the activity or the arguments of her enemies. Recollect, too, that the native tendency of the human heart is to embrace some such corrupt and delusive system as that which calls itself Unitarianism. Many who respect Religion in general, and who would abhor the thought of throwing off all regard to it; yet desire to have it so modified, as to give them as little trouble,

and subject them to as little restraint, as possible. Many others are in reality infidels; but are unwilling to avow it, on account of the pain which such an avowal would inflict upon their friends, and the disgrace which it might draw upon themselves; and, therefore, are disposed to resort to something which bears the name of Christianity, while it makes few demands, either on their faith or practice, essentially different from their infidel creed. And there are not a few who have had a pious education, and whose consciences will not suffer them to rest without some form of godliness, while, at the same time, they supremely love the world, and the things of the world.-All these will be naturally apt to take refuge in Unitarianism; especially if it be recommended by a plausible and confident advocate, or have obtained currency to any considerable extent among the splendid and fashionable around them. SOMETHING such persons MUST have, to save appearances, or to satisfy conscience; and Unitarianism will give less pain to natural feeling; will call for less self-denial; and will more readily accommodate itself to every sort of pursuit and habit, except that which is right, than any other scheme which calls itself by the name

of Christianity. These considerations, my Friends, ought very solemnly to impress your minds. If such be the natural tendency of the human heart, who can say that he has no interest in the subject? Even supposing that you are in no danger yourselves from these temptations -a supposition which no professor of religion who feels as he ought the deceitfulness of his own heart, will be ready to admit ;-still your children, and other relatives, may be seriously exposed to danger. It behoves you, then, to exercise the most constant and anxious care, that they be properly armed against the enemy; that they do not fall a prey to his seductions, from want of fidelity on the part of those whom God has constituted the guardians, no less of their spiritual, than of their temporal welfare.

You will not expect me, in these Letters, to enter at large into the controversy between the Orthodox and the Unitarians. A number of distinguished Individuals, both in our own country and in Europe, within a few years past, as well as in former times, have written so largely and so well, on this branch of polemick. theology, that I forbear to undertake the dis

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cussion of the general subject. The limits to which I confine myself, do not admit of this. Nor is it necessary. My purpose is, to treat, in a very cursory manner, a few points in the controversy, chiefly practical, which, though not wholly neglected by other writers, have not been so frequently or fully exhibited as I could have wished to see them. Those who have an opportunity and a taste for more extensive and critical reading on the subject, will, of course, seek for other and larger works. In the mean time, if, by taking a view of the subject more adapted to those who have little leisure, and no convenient access to the volumes of the learned, I shall be the means of satisfying a single doubting inquirer, or of putting on his guard one whose foot was about to slide, I shall consider myself as most richly rewarded.

I hope, my Christian Friends, it is unnecessary for me to assure you, that in offering to your consideration the following remarks, I have not an unfriendly feeling towards any individuals on earth who bear the Unitarian name. On the contrary, unless I am deceived, the most hearty good will, and the most unfeigned desire to pro