republican equality and gospel light? Even in this city, where is the cradle of liberty,' where was the centre of Puritan influence, the colored disciple may be seen coming up alone to the altar, to partake of the crumbs left by his more favored brethren; or seated in the broad aisle, receiving the cup last of all, lest he should violate the laws of caste, and pollute the Christian temple!

An anecdote contained in a little book published by Rev. Mr. Holt, corresponding secretary of the Southern Board of Missions, shows the heathen custom of caste, in a light rather more favorable than our own. 'A Brahmin in Calcutta asked a European gentleman, "What is your order of society in Great Britain? Are you divided into castes, or do you eat and drink together, according to circumstances ? " The European replied,

"We deem it an honor to demean ourselves as brethren in the participation of food at one table, as providence permits." The Brahmin rejoined, "That appears to me to be an offence against good morals and good conduct.' The gentleman answered, "I think I can prove it to you, by a practice of your own, that you are in error. How do you act in the field of Juggernaut? Do you not eat there with the lowest caste of India? There, you know no distinction of caste, but all

feed at one board." The Brahmin replied, I can screen myself from the imputation you bring against us, for there we are in the presence of our god, there Juggernaut is in our midst, and there we can feast together." "Ah!" said the gentleman," and I can justify the Christian practice, on your own principles, for we are every where in the presence of our God." So it seems the Hindoos throw aside the distinctions of caste, when eating in the immediate presence of their god. But it is strange the author did not reflect what a rebuke this anecdote was bringing upon the churches around him. How many Southern churches can be found, who, even in the immediate presence of their God, 'know no distinction of caste, but all feed at one board?'

But again, the Bishop says, 'they had separate divisions in the burial grounds.' I have just received the account of the burial of a large number of persons who perished in the recent shipwreck, near New York, which says, 'The bodies having been decently enwrapped in shrouds and laid in separate coffins, were, wITH THE EXCEPTION OF THREE COLORED BODIES, interred in one capacious grave, the coffins being placed side by side, in a continuous row. The colored bodies were committed to the care of the colored people

of the neighborhood, and interred at the same time, and within the same enclosure.' Is not here a separate division in the burial ground?' Is not here evidence of the same heathenish spirit, which will not suffer the mouldering bodies of different castes, to lie side by side in the same grave, lest they should pollute each other?

Wherever the distinctions of caste exist, in heathen lands, the missionaries find them the greatest obstacle in the way of converting the heathen. To this is doubtless chiefly to be attributed the slow progress which Christianity has made in India. Can the existence of the same principle here, be any more friendly to the progress of sound and vital Christianity? It is certainly throwing the greatest possible obstacles in the way of the improvement and conversion of the people of color. Hear the testimony of one of them: * How can we contend against these prejudices? The colored man is even excluded from the house of God. Even at the communion table, he can only partake the crumbs offered to him after others have been served. This prejudice drives the colored man away from religion. I have often heard my brethren say they would have nothing to do with such a religion. They are driven away and

* Rev. T. S. Wright, of New York.

go to infidelity; for even the infidels at Tammany Hall, make no distinctions on account of color.' And, will this unhallowed distinction have no effect upon the white man's piety? Can his soul thrive, while he harbors an unjust, arbitrary, and cruel prejudice towards his brother, and carries it even to the communion table? Will it have no influence, in preventing the descent of the Holy Spirit upon our congregations? Will the Lord pour out his blessing upon those who despise his 'little ones?' These are solemn questions, of serious import to our beloved Zion; especially now, when her ways do mourn.' If the missionaries have found it necessary to set their face against the spirit of caste, in heathen lands, ought not Christian ministers to do the same, in this land of civilization, refinement, intelligence, and gospel light?

CHAPTER IV.

DISTINCTIONS IN THE HOUSE OF GOD UNSCRIPTURAL.

'If there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel; and there come in also a poor man, in vile raiment; and ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, sit thou here, in a good place; and say to the poor, stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool. Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts? Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world, rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them which love him? But ye have despised the poor? If ye fulfil the royal law, according to the Scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well: But, if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.' JAMES ii, 2-6, 8, 9.

THE following principles are plainly deduced from the passage above quoted, viz:

1. We are not to regard or treat men according to their outward appearance. Whether this appearance, or outward show, which takes our fancy, be a 'gold ring and goodly apparel, or a