ought to be, and in fact they are. But really the Covenanter is the only Christian that makes his religion always and everywhere, the supreme, all-absorbing interest. This regulates his private, social and public life. Christ first, last, and all the time. Christ in the church, in her doctrines, in her forms, in her psalms, in her policy. Christ in the state as the governor, by his sanction making law sacred, and upholding authority. Christ in all our efforts, directing them by his word, and ourselves at his feet, humbly awaiting his will. This is the idea that gives shape and direction to the policy of our church. It is the essential idea of Christianity. It has been seized and expressed by the testimony of our church more clearly than by any other church. And though the members fall very far short of the ideal according to which their lives are moulded, it is certainly a great privilege to be under such a forming, or rather transforming, influence. Other Christians without such aid often rise to great eminence in piety. It does not follow from this, that their systems are as good as ours. system is to be judged by the average piety of its members. Now it cannot be denied, that our church maintains a comparatively high average of piety.

The

We affirm then, that, all things taken together, the Covenanter Church is nearest to the divine model, and that the idea of taking the entire policy for church and state, for public and private life, from the Bible, is the life and soul of our organization. Our church is vigorous and healthy only as her members grasp this idea, and live up to it. This idea is simply Christianity on its broadest foundation, and in its most unvarnished and heavenly form. It is Christianity divested of all worldly wisdom and ornament. It follows from this view, that the real distinctive principle of our church is Christ himself, fully believed on and received as our Master. Heartily adopting this principle, duty to Christ follows as the leading motive, subordinating every other. What does Christ want us to do? This is the only practical question that needs to be studied. What does he want us to believe? What is his theory of communion? What will he have us to sing? These and similar questions, bring us to the Bible, that we may get the mind of Christ. Side issues are allowed no place in the trial. "The Lord our God will we serve, and his voice will we obey."

What Christ says is true, notwithstanding the assaults of mere reason. What he commands is duty, what he forbids is sin, in spite of human law. Christian communion is limited by his law. That is spurious charity that grants a favor to human error at the expense of the truth of Christ. That is zeal without knowledge, or superstition, that goes beyond the divine ordinance in schemes to save sinners. The command of Christ, not the taste nor the praise of men, controls the church's praise. "Thrones of iniquity" have no fellowship with Christ, we will have none with them. Every thing, therefore, in our creed and practice which makes us differ from other Christians, is simply the growth of our submission to Christ. The fathers that laid the foundation of our church went down to the "apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner-stone.' They were more wholesouled and thorough-going for Christ than other Christians. Oh that

their sons may be able to catch the idea, and follow them in this great mission, to give the world an example of Christianity in earnest, running through every agency, and inspiring every act!

We have, then, a mission to fulfill. The world still needs a more perfect model of Christianity than is found in any other church. It is not only needed now, but more needed to-day than ever; for the church is drifting toward a lower level. Our church is needed to resist the popular current. If she does this, she has a great occasion; if not, she is a useless, lifeless body, and the sooner buried out of sight and forgotten, the better. But there is a divine call; who will answer it? There must be at least one church above all worldly policy, true to Christ, without another preference, to lead the van of Christianity and show the world what it must one day become.

Mr. Editor, if there are any among your readers that would like to follow such an idea, and see our church rousing herself to be once more what she formerly was, and what she either must be, or not be at all, the writer may be encouraged to try this subject again.

COVENANTER.

LIFE INSURANCE.

THE following articles were occasioned by the inquiry of "Guilty," in our September number. As they do not go over entirely the same ground, we publish both.

MESSRS. EDITORS-The subject of Life Insurance is claiming some attention in your Magazine. Although it is not one of paramount importance, it is yet worthy of some consideration. Few, if any, either of our ministers or people, believe in the criminality with which they have been charged. Even if we take for granted that there is nothing wrong in life insurance, the parties concerned might be regarded as imprudent; but to say that, in neglecting the advantages which this institution offers on terms which are available to all, "they are despising one of Heaven's choicest blessings," and are guilty of great wickedness, is to assert what no thoughtful man believes.

The question is simply this: Ought a Christian man to get his life insured? Can we justify ourselves in not doing this? In discussing this matter, a few thoughts may be premised. In view of the array of authority paraded to show "what wise men say," it might seem in us daring to entertain a negative.

Dr. Storrs, of Brooklyn, is lavish in the praise of the institution. "It contributes to make life itself longer, society happier, and increases the aggregate prosperity of the community." This El Dorado of modern discovery he represents as able to produce "a serene old age."

Henry Ward Beecher asserts, positively, "Life assurance is nothing but a mode of laying up for one's family or dependents. Bonds and mortgages may be seized for debt, and all property may fall into the

bottomless gulf of bankruptcy, but money secured to your family by life assurance will go to them without fail or interruption. It is as nearly sure as anything earthly can be."

Dr. Barnes, of Philadelphia, says, with earnestness: "I have wondered that ministers of the gospel have availed themselves so little of the advantages of such institutions. I know of no way they can provide so well for their own wants in advanced years, or of their families when they die, as by availing themselves of these advantages."

Dr. Smith, of Dartmouth College, not seeming to forget the wants of the sacred profession, whispers the advice, with singular benevolence, "It would be a most admirable thing for parishes to effect an insurance on the lives of their pastors.'

The venerable list might be increased greatly, including Bishop Potter, of Pennsylvania, and the eloquent Spurgeon across the Atlantic, but if these names do not avail, others are unnecessary. The fox in fable, it will be recollected, when he first saw the lion, was alarmed out of his wits; the second time, dared to come to him; and the third time, inquire about his family. Those who have seen much of men, find out that "great men are not always wise." Besides, every one knows that few ministers who attend to their lawful calling with assiduity pay much attention to the general details of business. Dr. Barnes confesses that he leaves these matters mostly to an officer of "the Mint," and Dr. Smith strangely overlooks the fact, that most ministers need to have their salaries increased, rather than to have a monument in the shape of a life insurance, when they die. When they ask for bread," you need not give them a stone. A few negative arguments may be presented in brief.

1. The very plausible terms with which these institutions put forth their claims, savor very largely of the programmes of those stock concerns, whose certificates of deposit prove more profitable to those who sell them than to those who purchase. Few of our ministers are so young as to believe that officers of stock companies transact business on principles of pure benevolence. Let us hear the pompous pretensions of one popular insurance company: "If the benevolent results could be gathered up and presented in one view, nothing more would be required to secure the warmest admiration. More than twenty millions of dollars have been paid to bereaved families, or representatives of the assured, most of whom, without these provisions, would have been left penniless."

Like many other pecuniary establishments which are chartered to do great things, they are ready to do what was done for Mr. Newcome, in the story they "will heap coals of fire on your head" by saving your money for you. Only listen, and they will treble your capital in a single year, with the interest immensely increased; the benefactions are princely, the profits enormous.

2. The law which shields and protects those who are said to be benefited, is of doubtful morality. Ward Beecher says, "Bonds and mortgages may be seized for debt, but money secured to your family by life assurance, will go to them without fail or interruption." If a man becomes bankrupt, the customs of fashionable society may jus

tify the procedure of saving a little from bankruptcy for the family, but we must not forget the morality which requires us "to owe no man anything." Christ declares, "He that is unjust in little, is unjust also in much."

3. The savings bank might answer the purpose just as well. It is denied that we should make the discontinuance of life the basis of commercial bargaining. If then the transaction proceeds on this principle, it will follow, that leaving out the advantages derived from accidents and diseases to the surviving friends, the advantages are as great in one case as in the other. The man who employs the insurance company will have paid, at sixty or seventy years of age, all that his survivors would receive, provided the insurance bears date from early life. Moreover, where wealth is by accident gained suddenly from such companies, it rarely enriches the possessor. The few are benefited at the expense of the many. Besides, the morality of the transaction, to say the least, is doubtful to those who value conscience more than money.

4. The social evils resulting from life insurance often prove a warning. More than one murder during the past year is traceable to this origin. Yet where such unnatural results have not followed, the consolation derived in the hour of bereavement has not always been from the most spiritual source. It is painful to some to have poverty staring them in the face, and possibly even ministers of the gospel may be tempted by Satan to command that "these stones shall be made bread," but still they should exemplify that more than Roman fortitude, and stoical indifference to wealth, which raises the soul above the world. The believer knows full well that the best of human prospects are precarious and transient. In vain shall we say to the sun of prosperity, "Stand thou still," when a Supreme authority bids it decline into the twilight of fear, or the gloomy night of darkness and tribula

tion.

5. Seeking life insurance is a seeming distrust of Providence. We are well aware that Providence works by means. God is honored by those who use his gifts and do all they know how to do, and do it well; but there is certainly much belonging to the uncertain future which we must leave with him. The Divine Saviour commands, "Take no thought for the morrow." If the insurance companies can do this thing for you, it is but reasonable to call in their aid; but the command teaches another lesson, for whilst we must not indulge in anxiety for the things of the world, we may cultivate a wholesome trust in the Almighty, and inscribe on our altar of worship, "Jehovah Jireh," the Lord will provide. Mr. Beecher regards the pecuniary gains derived from insurance, "as nearly sure as anything earthly can be," but there is something more sure than anything earthly can be. "Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not high-minded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth richly all things to enjoy, that they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate, laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life."

e maxim need not be sought than the one recorded by ard, "Trust in the Lord, and do good, so shalt thou nd, and verily thou shalt be fed." The prophet Jerebe supposed to have owned no stock in the "Home Life mpany," would likely have hesitated before he would his indigent brethren with "criminality." We might terested opinion when, raised above corrupting influnspired to utter a word of consolation to all the ages to thy fatherless children, I will preserve them alive; and trust in me." The faith which sustains the intelligent illing to recommend to his offspring when he shall be will neither be too much concerned for the present, nor future out of the hands of the Almighty.

J. B. W.

ITORS-In the September number of the Ref. Pres. correspondent, "Guilty," says he hopes to see this ed in the Magazine, saying that if it is the doctrine of condemn the whole system, "then many of our most bers are very guilty;" and then by his signature he f one of the faulty ones. I also hope to see it discussed, most eloquent and deservedly popular preacher," whowho "recently preached a sermon on the subject in nned the whole system," &c., and that others, also, will luminate the subject, so that we may walk in a pure the true light. And that we may have light given to may discuss it, I here make a few inquiries, which I ve answered in the discussion. 1st. Does the taking fe insurance exemplify or manifest much trust in God?

2d. Were we to hear a brother, who is about to take e rail road cars, at family worship in the morning, utiful and consolatory 121st Psalm, closing thus:

I shall keep thy soul: he shall preserve thee from all ill, th thy going out and in God keep forever will,"

g in Jer. 49:11: "Leave thy fatherless children, I m alive; and let thy widows trust in me," and then In the Lord do I put my trust. We know that it is the Lord than to put confidence in man or in princes, her chariots or horses, or horsemen, or great numbers 'men. We know that there is no want to them that thee. We therefore cast our burden upon thee, as anded, relying upon the promise that thou wilt susow, Lord, trusting that no evil shall befall us, nor h our dwelling, and that thou wilt give thine angels keep us, both at home and by the way, that no accis while we, as a family, shall be separated, for a time ves entirely and unreservedly to thy care and guidthen see him go to the ticket office and give his ter