character, and Christian labours, rather than that of mere form; and never interfering except to strengthen undoubted good, and prevent undoubted evil. Such government being recognized as from God, should, from the authority which always belongs to what is righteous, command obedience of true Christian men. We have little hope, for a time, of seeing this realized. At present we shall be thankfull for the liberty of saying it without rebuke!

why not permit me to use it in peace? Why arrogantly insist upon it, that to retain your friendship and respect, I must adopt your convex? On what principle is it that your focus must be the standard of human vision? Such follies must cease! They are the offspring of mere conceit and pride. What is of real importance is, that we should both see; but God in mercy employs various means of affording light to the eye. Let us, my brother, be thankful if we have found those means and appliances which suit ourselves! Let us rejoice in the common light of the Gospel, vouchsafed in love to us, and cease our war about the means of seeing it, lest we indulge in mutual enmity, and so lose the light altogether; for "he who hateth his brother walketh in darkness." We conclude, therefore, that unless we be Papists in spirit, and deny to others the right of private judgment, and with the pride of popes in the chair or in council, we insist upon it that there is but one outward way of getting or seeing that truth which is itself ever the same,-that way being, of course, our own! and that there is but one true Church, and that Church being, of course, our own!-thus mistaking the part for the whole, and a member for the body;

Under the same general head of the external relationship of the congregation, our inquiries should extend also to the nature of its relationship to other "Christian -bodies," or "Christian congregations." Shall those be recognized as aliens from the commonwealth of Israel-as societies Copposed to our own? And ought we there*fore to weaken them when possible, or -even, when possible, to put them down? | Shall the real prayer of our heart be, in reference to them, whatever the lips may Bay,-"Forbid them, Lord! for they follow not with us?" All that is of the flesh, vanity, pride, selfishness, ignorance, fanaticism, have but one reply to such questions. Where there is no real love, there is hate; and "hateth any man the thing he would not kill!" But let us "who are of the day," embrace other views; and cultivate better principles and feelings. Our different congregations are but different regiments of the same army, with the same Captain over us, the same enemies before us, the same palm of victory above us! Why then should we not rejoice in each other's triumphs?" love them as brethren, and be pitiful, Why should we fight against each other, or recruit from each other's ranks? And why not perceive that regiments, whose · equipments are different, and whose work is different,—some being heavy artillery, and others pioneers or light infantry,tical excommunication, a proud sectarian A some being "regulars," and others guerillas, may yet each do a good peculiar to itself? Or why shall we not-to change the simile-recognize different pastors and teachers, or different modes of Church government and worship, as different kinds "of spectacles suited to different kinds of vision? If, therefore, this form of lens enables me to see better, being a concave,

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unless we thus puff our little selves up by such notions, which would be very amusing, unless they were so very sin ful; we must act in the "more excellent way of love" to other Christian congregations who "confess Jesus as Lord, to the glory of God the Father." Let us

be courteous" towards them. Let us acknowledge and cultivate their fellowship, respect their discipline, and associ. ate with them in every good work. And if there is to be a standing aloof, a prac

Diotrephes spirit, which, "loving to have the pre-eminence," will "cast us out of the Church," then let the responsibility lie, before God, on others; but, oh! not on us, as we desire to walk in humility and love, and to approve ourselves, by word and spirit, unto our great Master!

These principles of duty-springing out of righteousness and love-to other

congregations, "churches," or "bodies," | complete organization; and the work of are not at all inconsistent with an intelli- the Church being so much absorbed in gent and hearty attachment to the churchmere preaching and hearing.

But the congregation stands in a very solemn relationship to those “without," or to the unbelieving world; and its duties arising from this relationship have reference to unbelievers at home and abroad, may therefore be ranged under the heads of The Home and Foreign Missionary Work of the Congregation.

1. The Home Mission of the Congre gation. The sphere of this mission must necessarily be a district in which the members of the congregation can labour. It is assumed, alas! that there is no district even in this Christian land in which are not to be found a number who require to be instructed in the Gospel, and brought into the fellowship of the Christ

or congregation with which, in providence, we happen to be connected. We say in providence, because most men find themselves in connexion with some portion of the Christian Church from their infancy; and a very small fraction are ever in such a position as enables them to stand aloof and look at all churches or congregations outwardly from themselves, or apart from their feelings of old attachment or predilection. We advocate a steady adherence to the congregation in which we find ourselves, as the rule, on the ground chiefly of decency and order," and the necessity there is for a division of labour by different societies well regulated and governed. It is quite clear that the existence of the congregation, as an organ-ian Church, over and above those who ized body capable of discharging any one of its duties, must depend upon the steady adherence of its members, whose coun tenance and aid in good works must be relied upon. No doubt there are circumstances which warrant the departure of a church member, and his ceasing to hear or to act in connexion with this particular congregation. But, oh! surely before these family ties, as they may be called, are broken, and the many cords snapped which bind him to the pastor and to his fellow-worshippers and labourers, and a gap is made in the seat he occupied, the Sabbath school in which perhaps he taught, the committee of which he was a member, the agency of which he formed a busy part, the subscription list One thing we hold as settled by the to which he was a contributor, &c., in- whole design of Christianity, and amply finitely stronger reasons ought, before confirmed by daily experience and observ. God, to exist than those which, alas! too ation of human nature, that to seek and often determine this step. For how fre- save the lost, a living agency is absolutely quently is it taken without any thought, necessary. Religious tracts alone wont consideration, or feeling whatever! or do! Far be it from us to write in an may be from mere whim or caprice, or apparently slighting manner of what we some petty disagreement or misunder- so greatly value, and of what God has standing, shewing how wretchedly the heen pleased so greatly to bless. But very idea of Christian fellowship has been let us, on the other hand, beware of exapprehended or realized by even intelli-aggerating the power of such an agency, gent Christians! This want of fixedness or demanding impossibilities from it. A among the members of our congregation, great number in our large cities and is one of the great causes, but much manufacturing districts, who require to be more, one of the worst results, of our in-reclaimed from ignorance and vice, can

are already its members, but who require to be ministered unto in private, either from the infirmities of their bodies, the bereavements in their households, or from the necessity of supplying their temporal or spiritual wants. In large cities not only does each district inhabited by the working classes abound in what has been termed a “home heathenism;" but this population is so fluctuating from almost month to month, that a more extended and vigorous agency is required, to make use of the brief opportunity given, för snatching them as brands from the burning.

What agency shall be employed ?—who ought to be the home missionaries?

not read at all. Those who can do so, are and their souls cannot refuse some amen, yet so imperfectly instructed in the art however faint, some response echoed by as to be utterly unable to comprehend a their very misery, and almost unconcontinuous narrative of fact, far less any scious yearnings for a good they have exposition of doctrine or duty; while never known, to that earnest prayer of those best able, are often the least wil-faith uttered, in the bonds of a common ling, to read anything of a religious brotherhood, to one who is addressed as character. The most efficient method, in a common Father through a common our opinion, of making use of tracts in Lord! Yes; if ever sciety is to be reall such cases, is to read them, and, if ne- generated, it is by the agency of living cessary, explain them; and then distribute men! them. But what is a dead tract to a living person? — what is any description of Christianity on paper, as compared to the living epistle, which all men can read?

Every plan, however apparently wise, for recovering mankind from their degradation, and which des not make the personal ministrations of Christian men and women an essential part of it,—its sine qua non-its very life,-is doomed to perish.

It is thus that God has ever dealt with His lost children. Ile has in every age of the world spoken to men by living men ; and God, who at sundry times, and in

by the prophets, has in these latter days spoken to us by His Son!"

We want living men !-Not their books or their money only, but themselves. The poor and needy ones who, in this great turmoil of life, have found no helper among their fellows; the wicked and outcast, whose hand is against every man's, because they have found, by dire experience of the world's intense selish-divers manners, spake unto our fathers ness, that every man's hand was against them; the prodigal and broken-hearted children of the human family, who have Oh! what teaching for all ages, as to the bitterest thoughts of God and man. how men shall be taught to know God, is if they have any thoughts at all beyond contained in this unspeakably glorious their busy contrivances, how to live and fact! "God hath spoken to us"-but to indulge their craving passions,-all by a person-" by His Son!" "God was these, by the mesmerism of the heart, and manifested,” but “in the flesh." Jesus, in the light of that great witness, conscience, seeking to save the lost, came revealing which God, in mercy, leaves as a light the Father. He could say, "He who from heaven in the most abject dwelling hath seen me, hath seen the Father." of earth, can, to some extent, read the liv "He dwelt among us, and we beheld His ing epistle of a renewed soul, written in glory!" He became as one of ourselves; the divine characters of the Holy Spirit!“ took upon Him the form of a servant, They can see and feel as they never did anything else in this world, the love which calmly shines in that eye telling of inward light and peace possessed, and of a place of rest found and enjoyed by the weary heart! They can understand and appreciate the utter unselfishness—to them a thing hitherto hardly dreamt of-which prompted this visit from a home of comfort and refinement, to an unknown abode of squalor or disease; and which expresses itself in those kind words, and tender greetings, that accompany their ministrations. They thus perceive, intuitively, the reality of the piety, which also reads to them, in touching tones, the glory of Him who came to seek and save the lost;

and was made in the likeness of man." He entered personally into all the conditions of sinless humanity-lived among the lowly-laboured as an artizanate with publicans and sinners—went about doing good-and personally relieved the wants of the needy! This was His character," He pleased not himself." This was His proverbial saying," It is more blessed to give than to receive!" It was thus God the Father manifested himself to His prodigal children.

And so it is now; so shall it be till the end of all things! God will still reveal himself through the flesh-in a different sense indeed front that of the one great Incarnation; but yet in true sense.

He will, as the chief earthly means of is there so little done? We reply again, ultimately entering and taking possession from want of congregational organization!ɔ of the soul, come into contact with men Our societies want order, method, ar through the works and life of those in rangement. There is not yet a suffi. whom He dwells through His Spirit. ciently clear apprehension of what theirs He will give men the precious Bible in- calling is in the world, or of the work! deed; but He will give them also the given them to do; nor is there foundi precious comment of a living Church in general, that wise and authoritative upon the Bible; so that in the character congregational or church direction ands of redeemed and sanctified men, the government, which could at least suggest, world may behold the reflection (how- if not assign, fitting work to each memes ever dim and imperfect, yet still the best ber, and a fitting member for each work. on earth!) of the character of God in Hence little, comparatively, is accom Christ, himself concealed from mortal plished. The most willing church mem eyes; so that from perceiving the com- ber gazes over a great city, and asks in passion, patience, holiness, righteousness, despair, "What am I to do here?" Andi and love of God, as manifested in and by what would the bravest soldiers accom. their brother-men, they might be led to plish in the day of battle, if they asked see it in God himself, whom to know is the same question in vain? What would life eternal! Was not this holy character, a thousand of our best workmen da, inao visible in all Christ's true disciples, the large factory, if they entered it with wil-i very evidence of Christianity which Jesus ling hands, yet having no place or works recognized as being the most powerful to assigned to them! And thus it is with convince the world, and which He longed many really self-denying Christians; be to see realized, when He prayed that all cause a practicable and definite field lofa His people might be "one,”—one in spirit labour is not pointed out, the necessaryj and character,-"that the world might result is idleness-unwilling idleness; or, believe that thou hast sent me!" And as it often happens, those energies and surely a more overwhelming proof than ardent feelings, and love of excitement this there is not, of the existence and even, which could have found sufficientwork on earth of a living Saviour, every scope for healthy exercise in such practical where one and the same! labours of faith and love, as we have al luded to, are soon engrossed by merely speculative questions about "the Church," or about "religion," (for they must find some outlet,) and accordingly the stream which, had it been directed into a right? channel, and to a right point, might have been made a power for immense good, soon rushes over the land a widespread, muddy, devastating flood, or oozes itself into staguant marshes, full of miasma, › and fever, or evaporates into thin air !at

We repeat it; this-this is the great want of the age! We want a living Church of Christian men and women to be God's representatives and missionaries to those who know not their Father! To the demand made for the sake of suffering humanity," Who will go for us?" we require thousands from among all our churches to reply,-" Here we are, send us!" No one can be spared. All gifts are needed. Each person can be of some service.

But are there any willing to labour? Yes; thousands are labouring, and tens of thousands more in this land are prepared in spirit to join them; for every Christian has a longing to do something for God's kingdom on earth; and to employ usefully time and talents which he feels are running to waste. Why, then, with so much to do through a living agency, and with a great army of living agents yet unemployed,

Oh how different a thing "going to a church," "or being a member of a church," would become, if this involved not hearing sermons merely, but a meeter ing of brothers engaged in great and good » labours, who should know each other, and "assemble themselves together to consider each other, and to provoke to love and good works!" How different / a thing would excommunication be, on exclusion from such a society, than what

it is now the mere ceasing to enter a church door, or going, in a pet or in a rage, to another congregation!

a-year in going their rounds through the district, and whose sole work seems to be to talk to them! Now, why give the world this advantage? Why should not the Christian Church, as Christ's witness on earth, boldly acknowledge and declare every true blessing as given by its great head to humanity, and lay hold of the same, and help to give it to men; testifying, in Christ's name, how He the Giver wills it to be received; explaining the end for which it is bestowed, or the manner in which it is to be used? If these principles are correct, then the Christian society, instead of hanging back, and per-.. mitting associations made up, it may be, of socialists and infidels to busy themselves in "social reforms," as if this work was theirs only by divine right, should take a wider view of its duty and calling, and shew how Christianity is suited for all times, and that the Christian Church can sympathize with all the wants of humanity, can aid men to get better books, better homes, better sources of recrea→ tion, &c., than Satan or his synagogue can give them; while it testifies, as the world cannot do, that to enjoy life, and make it a blessing and not a curse, it is God's righteous and loving will that men must be born again, believe in Jesus,

But when we speak of the congregation as a society, one of the principal objects of whose existence ought to be the Christianizing of the district in which its place of assembling is located, we would not, by any means, exclude from, but, with all our deepest convictions, include within, the sphere of its operations, the helping, as far as possible, to obtain for the masses among whom it labours, all those social blessings which Jesus Christ freely gives men, and which are blessings only when received from His hand, and enjoyed along with the faith, hope, and obedience of the blessed Gospel. There is never, in all our plans of reform for our outcast or irreligious population, a hurtful: separation of temporal from spiritual benefits. The domain of the temporal, which includes all that affects man asan inhabitant of the earth, and dwelling in the flesh, and to which belong savings' banks, improved dwellings, recreations, amusements, &c.,-all this is too apt by Christian men to be recognized as belonging to "the world," ➡to be beyond, therefore, the circle which should bound the labours of "a church," and more properly to be under-possess the Spirit, and live by faith, and taken by "worldly" men, (who are as thus have life eternal! sumed to be fit at least for that work,) or if by Christian men, yet in their private capacity only, as citizens;-while the spiritual works of preaching, praying, administering a godly education, or visiting the poor with special reference to their souls, are recognized as the true works of "the Church." One result of sucli mischievous division of labour is, that the masses are apt to associate all such reforms with the names of so-called "worldly men;" and to value them as practical benefits such as they can understand and appreciate and as the supply of what they unquestionably require; while "the Church" is known to them as an unseen "body" of people who "hear" Mr. A. or Mr. B. in this or that building on Sunday; and who are represented only by their minister or missionary, wlio professionally call upon them once

Let us not be considered as putting the work of preaching the Gospel on the same level as that of ameliorating man's social condition. God forbid! If the physical or social wants of the degraded masses of our land require to be consi. dered and attended to, much more is it necessary to remind them that "man doth not live by bread only;" that the treasures of an immortal being are not, and cannot be treasures of earth; that there is a true life of perfect peace in God to be enjoyed here which social comforts cannot bestow, and which no poverty or suffering can take away! This lesson, at least, was surely taught humanity by Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the life of the world, but who had not a place where to lay His head! Nay more, the Church must testify to the righteousness of man's condemnation and misery as a sinner,