OBITUARY. Simonds, aged 93. In Brattleborough, Vt. Mrs. Jane Wells, wife of the Rev. Wm. W. In Newport, Mr. Jacob Bennet, aged 100. In Marlborough, capt. John Parker, at the advanced age (according to the best information) of 120 !! In Sutton, Dea. Mark Batchellor, aged 86. In Rutland, Rev. Luke B. Foster, aged 28. At Philadelphia, in the 73d year of his age, Ebenezer Hazard, formerly Post Master General of the United States. In South-Hampton, N. H. Joseph Merrill, Esq. aged 75. In North-Brookfield, Mrs. Mary, widow of the late capt. Thomas Hale, aged 97. In Boston, Mr. William Burdick, late editor of the Boston Evening Ga Azel. I HAVE observed Rev. sir, that you have been in the habit of treating me with kindness and respect, even in the time of health, and now in my sickness you have come to visit me as a friend: Have you been aware, that I am not a believer in Christianity ? Barnabas. I have suspected this to be the fact. A. Why then have you shown me so much respect P B. The religion of Jesus teaches me to be kind to all my fellow men, and to do good to all as I have opportunity. If you are an unbeliever, your situation should excite my compassion, and not my resentment. As you have introduced the subject, permit me, sir, to ask, what have been your principal objections against Christianity? A. Many things at different times have had influence to lead me to doubt, whether the Chrislian religion could be from God. But, to be frank, no other thing has had so much influence on my mind as the conduct of some professed Christians, and in particular the conduct of the Vol. V.-No. 8. Clergy. I am aware that there are many amiable characters among the ministers of religion. But when I look into ecelesiastical history, and observe the pride, the profligacy, the intolerance and the intrigues of the papal Clergy, I exclaim, Can these be ministers of a religion which God approves! When I read the history of protestants, I find much of the intolerant spirit in the clergy of different sects one towards another: And, sir, in our own times and in our own country, what shocking denunciations and revilings of one seet against another, do we hear and read from the pulpit and the press! If I may believe that different sects of Christian's are as bad as they represent each other to be, neither infidels nor pagans can be worse than Christians! In view of these things I say to myself, God preserve me from embracing a religion, which will dispose me to such a course of conduct! 29 B. I lament, sir, that there is so much ground for your severe remarks; But I cannot admit your conclusions; nor allow that the misconduct of professed Christians is any valid evidence against the truth or the utility of the Christian religion You have probably read the history and the precepts of the Messiah; have you not? A. I have, sir, repeatedly. B. Did you find any thing in his example or his precepts to justify the conduct of which you complain? A. Not any thing. B. You observed that you were aware, that many Christians and ministers of our religion are of an amiable character. These, it may be presumed, do not indulge the spirit which has excited your doubts and your indignation. These amiable persons are not only serious and devout, but of a meek, charitable and benignant character; they pay some respect to the precepts of Jesus, "Judge not, that ye be not judged," and "as ye would that men should do unto you, ye even the same unto them." do A. Such indeed, is the character which I call amiable, and I willingly own that many such are to be found among the different sects of Christians; but in every sect I see many of an pposite character. B. Will you be pleased to tell me, which, in your opinion, of these opposite classes of professed Christians, pay the most. regard to the example and instructions of Jesus Christ, those whom you call amiable, or those whose conduct you have reprobated? A. The former unquestionably. B. Is it then reasonable for you to reproach Christianity with the faults of those who walk contrary to the spirit of the religion which they profess? Why may you not as reasonably reproach the laws of the state, as justifying drunkenness, profane swearing, lying and theft, because some who profess to be good subjects, and some who have filled public offices, have been guilty of such vices ? To judge correctly of the laws of the state, you should consider what they forbid and what they require, and what would be their effects if duly regarded. In the same manner you should judge of the spirit of Christianity. A. There seems to be weight in your observations; but I must tell you, that I have seen not a little of the intolerant and censorious spirit in those who limit true religion to their own sect, and who would think it very wicked for any person to question their piety. B. This may be true: but you are aware that the gospel does not flatter those who "trust in themselves that they are righteous and despise others." Besides, you have so much acquaintance with human nature as to be sensible, that the best of men are liable to be led astray by prejudices, and that injurious prepossessions are often excited by incorrect reports, or malignant slanders. In how many instances has personal acquaintance totally changed the opinions you had previously formed of individuals, by false information or injuri ous suggestions and surmises. I indeed disapprove the spirit of invective and denunciation, which so often appears in our pulpits. But ministers are but men, and good ministers are but fallible men. They have their failings; and the fault of which we are speaking, is perhaps one of the most common and most pernicious of all to be found in good people. It in: deed appears peculiarly odious in a messenger of divine mercy; yet in many instances it would probably be more just to impute such conduct to imprudence, misapprehension, and misinformation, than to a temper habitually malignant and anti-chris, tian. A. It is to be expected that Christian ministers will apologize one for another. I see you are inclined to apologize for conduct which you cannot approve. But I know of some who are very far from apologizing for any supposed misconduct in you, and who consider your candour as little better than my infidelity. B. I am aware that I have many imperfections, and perhaps others see imperfections in me which I do not discover. I am most happy when I am most disposed to account for the injurious conduct of others towards me, on some other ground than malignity of heart. I know I have need of the candour of my fellow men; and I have observed that in general those persons who show but little candour towards such as dissent from them, have great need of the candour of all. I have seldom seen any minister who appeared to me more candid and liberal than the Lord Jesus. Suppose, sir, that all the ministers of the gospel and all private Christians, should conform to the precepts and the examples of Jesus, and display that meek and benevolent spirit which he manifested, and which he enjoined; what would be the influence of Christianity on the state of society? Would it be friendly to happiness? or would it be pernicious? A. I cannot deny that the influence would be favourable to happiness, if all who profess the Christian religion were of the temper of Jesus; but they are not so, nor do I see any prospect that such will ever be the case. We must judge of the value of Christianity by what actually exists, and not by supposing a case which never was, and never will be. B. But, sir, may we not safely pronounce a law to be good, as soon as we are convinced that conformity to it must conduce to the happiness of society? May not a prescribed medicine be pronounced very good, which has cured thousands, and has in no instance failed, when the prescription has been duly regarded? May we safely conclude that a law is bad, because it is of no use to transgressors ? May we' reasonably reject a medicine as useless, because it has cured only those who have carefully received it? or, because those remain diseased who have refused it, when kindly offered? Should a medicine be now offered to you, with evidence that it had been used in a multitude of similar cases, and that it had failed in no instance when duly received by the patient,-would you reject it, because many had died, who through prejudice rejected the remedy ? A. I think I should not. B. If I mistake not your several concessions have brought us to this ground; that Christianity has been a benefit to those who have conformed to it in spirit and in truth; that it would conduce to the general happiness of society, even in the present life, if all would truly obey its instructions Why then should you doubt its utility even if there were no bereafter? But, my friend, the gospel, if true, reveals a world to come; it brings life and immortality to light; it offers eterpal life and blessedness to all who will become the humble followers of Jesus. It is, my dear sir, at least possible that the gospel is true, and that those who reject its blessings will be punished. A. I dare not deny the possibility that the gospel is true, and sometimes I have almost wished myself a humble and pious Christian. My present bodily disease may terminate my existence on earth, and the thoughts of immortality, unconnected with bliss, is insupportable. My prejudices against Christianity may not have been so well founded, as I have supposed. I am convinced that I bave unduly relied on the faults of Christians, as an excuse for rejecting the religion they pro fess. It would perhaps have been happy for me, as well as for them, had they been more kind and tender one towards another. But I plainly see that their faults are not to be imput ed to the example or the instruc tions of their Messiah; nor can their faults be admitted as an apology for my unbelief; for I have often reproached such professors, as walking contrary to their profession, and as but hypocrites, in pretending to be followers of their supposed Sav iour. But, sir, whatever I may have said against Christians, or against the Clergy, I have never dared to reproach the character of Jesus; the very thoughts of so doing has often filled my mind with dismay. My.conscience has dictated to me, that if any of mankind will be happy in a future world, those must be of the number, who have the most of the temper which he displayed. The purity and benignity of his character, have often excited my admiration. I have been struck with his temper while on trial, and on the cross; in contrast with the spirit of the Jewish priests. While they reviled him in his agonies, he prayed, "Father forgive them, for they know not what they do." I think I should now feel more safe and more happy, if I were more like him. And if he be really God's Messiah, I hope I shall be a convert to his religion before I leave the world. B. How, sir, could you remain an unbeliever with such views of the Messiah's character? He was either a vile impostor, or he and his religion were from heaven. Purity and falsehood are incompatible with each other. If he were not a liar, or self-deceived, he was sent by Jehovah for the refor mation and salvation of sinful men. To this he abundantly testified, and this testimony he sealed with his blood; and all this without any conceivable motive, if he knew the testimo |