Those who have received these truths on the authority of inspired witnesses and commissioned teachers, in the simplicity of a rightly prepared heart, that good ground in which the Seed of the kingdom takes deep root and becomes fruitful, may be compared to the human frame in a state of perfect organization; through which the vital principle may freely flow, and all the functions of the animal economy be properly performed;whilst an ignorance of such important truths and facts as it hath pleased Divine Wisdom to impart by instrumental means, or a partial, erroneous, and distorted apprehension of them, resembles the enfeebled and unhealthful state of a deformed body; in which the operations of animal life must be much obstructed; and which is incapable of maintaining the vigour that would be necessary to its full usefulness, though it is admitted, that a vital principle may subsist and circulate therein after a less perfect manner.

Thus a form of sound doctrine, as well as a form of sound words which is earnestly recommended by an apostle, becomes truly desirable.

precious, a Gospel spirit is yet more so; and where these are combined in a proportionable degree, even in youthful disciples, they become fortified against invitations and examples of less consistent believers, tempting to "go away" from Him who, to their spiritual perception, both by external and internal manifestations, has been thus revealed as having the "words of Eternal Life;" and who, they therefore "believe and are sure," can be no other than "Christ, the Son of the Living God."

To be induced to turn from Him in this his spiritual appearance, has happened to many in a comparatively infantile, as well as in a more advanced stage, who are far from designing to renounce his authority, or to cease to be his true disciples; but they appear to prefer, and accordingly to obtain, a more distant station from their blessed Teacher, than that to which they have been primarily invited, by their birth-right in a Society which has been raised up in an especial manner, to manifest and testify the reality of his immediate presence, power, and government in the soul.

It is indeed a consolatory truth which was uttered by the Gracious Master, to those of his disciples who told Him they had forbidden one who followed not with them, when Jesus said: "Forbid him not; for he that is not against us is for us." Yet if on hearing this encouragement on behalf of these more remote followers, those disciples had chosen to decline the post to which they had themselves been peculiarly appointed, would they have been privileged to see and to hear, those things which many prophets and righteous persons had in vain desired to see and to hear! Or had they ceased to be the intimate companions of his most tribulated path, would they have been likely to partake in an equal degree of that distinguished glory, which was promised to such as continued with Him in his temptations!

In like manner, however diversified may be the work assigned to us, an incalculable loss will be incurred by those, who, in their confidence of natural wisdom, reject their proper place amongst the numerous vessels that may be needed for different purposes. Not only may the gracious

toward others; but their own sphere of usefulness may be thus abridged, and themselves accordingly degraded from "vessels unto honour," that is of especial service, for the Master's use, to "vessels unto dishonour;" that is of contracted and inferior importance in his sight; should He even condescend to retain them in any part of his spiritual family.

The diversity of religious professions now subsisting in the world, though not constituting even a presumptive proof of equality in the excellence of their respective principles, may be considered as a natural result of the state of the Christian Church, as being yet in a wilderness travel, and having been subjected to various interruptions, in its progress from the deepest darkness and captivity, towards the restoration to that light and liberty which distinguished its first establishment; and which in the final re-union of all its living members, however at present separated and distinguished from each other, will again shine forth, and enlarge its borders in more than pristine splendour and extension.

But while that diversified state of the Church exhibits unquestionable evidences, that He who is the God and Father of all the families of the earth, continues to sanction his true children under every denomination, by enabling them to produce fruits unto holiness; and, in many instances, to become instrumental in turning others from darkness to light; so this diversity may be rendered, under His gracious superintendence, subservient to various purposes of his Wisdom and Goodness. It remains however to be a point of true wisdom for those who are seeking "Him of whom Moses in the law, and the prophets did write," to weigh the motives which may influence their conduct, as in the balance of the sanctuary; in order that, in changing from one profession to another, they may find good ground to believe they shall experience an ascending, instead of descending the ladder which, in a spiritual sense, still reaches from earth to heaven; and which none can truly ascend, but as they are conducted by Him who came down from heaven.

There is another class among our youth whom