one which he has manufactured more for the protection of his intellect than his heart, of his theological consistency than his spiritual integrity; and, thus equipped, he goes forth to conflict-not with "principalities and powers," the "rulers of the darkness of this world," but with brethren whom he knows, and, if asked, acknowledges, to be "fellow-citizens of the saints, and of the household of God," and heirs with him to the promised inheritance.

Alas! what multitudes of the professed followers of Jesus are better skilled in partisan warfare than in the holy art of resisting the devil, and overcoming the world, and keeping the body under! It is admitted that "he who winneth souls is wise;" but, in their estimation, he is immensely wiser who gets the mastery in argument, and prostrates-in modern phrase, uses up-an antagonist brother. Is it not a fact, a mournful fact, that a large proportion of Christians are better versed in those points respecting which denominations differ, than those in which they agree?

Surely it requires no great perspicacity to see that our divisions, by encouraging the study of the Bible with a spirit and an intent that are adverse to the cultivation of Christian love, must have the effect to deteriorate individual piety, and impair individual usefulness.

The

Much might be said respecting the loss which individual piety must suffer from the amount of feeling, time, and effort, that are almost inevitably given to sectarian interests and sectarian projects, rather than to the claims of personal sanctification, or the advancement of the Christian cause. flame of patriotism is sure to be feeble and flickering in the bosom of that man who gives to party what belongs to his country. It is not easy to be a strong partisan and also a good citizen. And there is a broader range for the affections than the nation, though it be "our own, our native land." The true man regards the interests of humanity as superior to those of nationality. He is not content with loving a single nation; he loves his race, and would benefit the whole. So is it with the Christian, who always finds the spirit of sect incompatible with enlarged devotion to Zion's welfare, and full allegiance to Zion's King. What he gives of heart and endeavor to a sect, as such, is so much withheld from the claims of general brotherhood.

And it would not be difficult to show how unhappily our schisms minister nutriment to the malign dispositions, while the better qualities are left to languish in pining atrophy. In desiring the prosperity of his own denomination, the Christian is very liable to be willing that others should

suffer. In describing the progress of his own principles, he is under a strong temptation to represent the principles of others as declining in public confidence. Only by special effort can he command the magnanimity required to speak justly of the excellences belonging to another sect. Unless he is extremely careful, he will magnify the alleged errors and imperfections of others, while he extenuates or conceals whatever is objectionable in his associates. A testimony advantageous to his opponents he receives at a discount, and one that is unfavorable he accepts at a premium. "Magnes mendaciorum credulitas," is an old proverb that has not yet lost its pertinency; for credulity is still the magnet of untruths; and many such magnets are to be found in every place where the sectarian spirit prevails, drawing together loose insinuations, flying rumors, and idle conjectures, and embodying them into forms disparaging to the reputation, and detrimental to the influence, of whole bodies of Christian believers.

Should it be said that these are not uniformly or necessarily the results of sectarian division, my only reply is that they are the natural, and, in numberless cases, the actual, fruit of such division; and that the tendency, in all cases, is to the production of such fruit. To retain tenaciously our

own views and practices, and yet feel, speak, and act as we should towards all who differ from us, is not indeed an impossibility, but certainly is a difficult and rare attainment. If ecclesiastical history proves anything, it furnishes abundant proof that good men often find it easier to tolerate moral obliquity of conduct than nonconformity of creed or ritual.

Well may the lovers of Christian holiness, who are striving after higher attainments in the Divine life, solemnly protest against the perpetuity of an acknowledged evil that subjects them and all their fellow-disciples to such numerous, powerful, and unnecessary temptations. Why should their consciences be exposed, gratuitously, to so many snares? Why should their benevolent feelings be so restricted and pent up by enclosures, beyond which, without extraordinary effort, they cannot pass? Why may they not read their Bibles simply and exclusively as Christians who wish to be "complete in all the will of God?" Why may they not consecrate their whole time, thought, feeling, effort, to the cultivation of holiness in themselves and others? When they would labor and pray for the entire suppression of malevolent feelings, and the full development of those which are "lovely and of good report," why should they

be cruelly encompassed with influences which excite and nourish the noxious elements, and depress into dwarfish and sickly insignificance their competitors, the gracious affections? Why can they not be perfectly free to give their countenance and sympathy to "the weightier matters of the law," and of the gospel also, without incurring the suspicion that they are becoming indifferent to denominational claims? My brother, you will not blame me, if I repeat, that somewhere there is flagrant wrong, which ought at once to be repented of and put away.

2. THE INJURIOUS EFFECT OF DIVISION IN PERVERTING AND WASTING THE RESOURCES OF THE CHURCH.

Commanded by her Sovereign to spread out in affectionate concert, and conquer the revolted world, and reclaim it to himself, the Church, for a season, obeyed his instructions, and gave delightful proof of her loyalty. That the results were salutary to herself, beneficial to the world, and glorious to her honored Lord, authentic history abundantly testifies. Those were days of true Christian Fraternity in Christian Activity. One Head presided over the movements of the Church, and was reverently acknowledged; one Heart