The extreme abuse of toleration is an error you all well know I have long, uniformly, and earnestly wished to correct, as far as it could be effected within my narrow sphere of influence; and never (you will do me the justice to allow) in the spirit of violent opposition, but in the most moderate manner, always scrupulously cautious that no plea might be advanced as to being persecuted for conscience sake. It is the positive duty of a minister to remonstrate against disorderly proceedings, and endeavour to persuade to better practice: but if that method fails, the event must be left to time, and the order of providence. What is of man, will most certainly come to nought; what shall appear of God's permission, it is fruitless to resist. In his high wisdom he appoints variety of trials to prove the forbearance, meekness, and sober zeal of his servants in the sanctuary; and in patience we are counselled to possess our souls. Rash and hasty measures may exasperate, but will rarely reconcile. We must persevere to promote conviction, and reform increasing errors, but it must be done in peace, and not in strife; and/ under the direction of this pure spirit, there need be no fear but all will end to the confusion of the gainsayers, and the glory of Him from whom all just counsels do proceed.

Should any prejudiced or uncharitable person pronounce these latter remarks to savour of

self-consequence; He who searcheth the heart, knoweth this is not the principle that influences these observations. The cause of Christ, most truly, should actuate all Christians, and cannot be too strenuously urged: but in the manner of conducting it, we should nevertheless be cautious to act consistently, and not to contradict or weaken any of the Master's positive precepts; such, for instance, as due respect to apostolic ordinances, submission to the higher powers, and a love of peace and order; lest we appear as rather preaching ourselves, than Christ Jesus the Lord. There are abundant ways in which the humble followers of Christ may exhibit useful zeal, and advance the interests of Christianity, both to their own eternal benefit, and that of those directed, in the order of Providence, for their protection, without exceeding the sphere of their particular calling, or invading sacred offices and prescribed authority; or setting up for extraordinary reformers. It would be tedious to specify the various methods of doing essential good, on Christian grounds, and in strict conformity to the Master's will. The dictates of the Gospel are open to all. But lest I should be misunderstood, or accused as speaking in too general terms upon the subject, let Christians, as they have ability and opportunity, clothe the naked, feed the hungry, visit the sick, exhort the wavering, reprove the dissolute, instruct the young and ignorant, and

encourage and reward the diligent and needy. All this may be done in an inoffensive, profitable way, without creating dissatisfaction, encouraging disaffection, or incurring any possible censure. Further, if any religiously-minded person has time to spare, whose knowledge, station, and example, afford the opportunity, by private Christian counsel, of being beneficial to any particularly ignorant or thoughtless person dwelling in his neighbourhood, such time and efforts may most charitably be bestowed (under due restriction): but all this is a species of Christian industry far different from the promotion of either private or public promiscuous meeting-houses, under the rule and management of unauthorized teachers. The former bears the mark of sober zeal, the latter must be condemned as an open infringement of ecclesiastical jurisdiction,

I am aware, that some may be ready to question me on the subject of the great advantage which the community is said to have received from the unwearied labours of a sect of modern zealots. It is an inquiry of too great extent to be investigated fully, within the limits of this Address, nor is it connected with my present purpose, which is merely to oppose an injudicious and needless interference with the positive. charge of those whose repose of mind, and regular labours, they can have no reasonable plea

to disturb or to depreciate. I do not presume to enumerate or reform the deficiencies of any particular sect or novel constitution, or to examine what might or ought to be done to render even a good system still better, since perfection cannot be expected from human efforts: but candour exacts all possible praise to purity of design, and to such truly religious exertions as are calculated to improve, without transgressing the limits of decorum in the attempt. Through the rapid progress of innovation, I am sensible my congregation is but slender, comparatively with what you may witness in many of the places I have been alluding to; but you can hardly believe, that all the persons there collected, are sincere promoters of such societies, or real converts to the tenets they maintain. No, my brethren; it is the deluding spirit of novelty, or idleness, and sometimes worse attractions, that compose a considerable portion of the auditors*. Of this I am so confident,

* You are all too well acquainted with the truth of this assertion, and the consequences of the practice, to render it necessary to dwell upon them, it being sufficiently painful to know that they exist. You are no strangers to the artful and unwearied means employed to collect these meetings, and the indecorous conduct of many of the congregation; the usually late hour of their dismission, and the disgraceful proceedings that often ensue on their dispersing: nor can you be ignorant of the very exceptionable connexions that too

that, in regard to the effect of NOVELTY, I submit it to your own decision, were I to give public notice that I meant to lecture on Wednesday next, in the open churchyard, or under any particular tree in the common field, and shift my station to different places weekly, as artifice or humour might direct; were I to preach in any place but where propriety and decent custom warrant, I leave it to your judgment, whether, if I adopted such a plan, I should not be attended by crowds of curious hearers, expecting something new from such preposterous and unexpected change of practice. I appeal to every observer of what is passing all around us, if what I have asserted is improbable.

In short, when I consider these matters seriously, I cannot forbear regretting the very exceptionable and unexpected remissness of those who slight the easy opportunity of attendance on the regular means of improvement provided for the general benefit of the community. They justly condemn the unsettled principles of their wavering brethren, respecting some points of heterodox conduct, at the same time that they

frequently take place between characters that attend these nightly assemblies, for purposes very foreign to the desire of religious improvement. All this speaks loudly against encouraging such unseasonable and injudicious modes of aiming at reformation.