INFIDELITY.

[BY A YOUTH.]

THE march of improvement, so marked and rapid in modern times, has not been confined, it would seem, to the arts and sciences, but has been extended also to matters of religion. The night of ignorance and superstition, in which the Christian world has been so long shrouded, is, we are told, about to be dispelled by the rising sun of reason. No longer is skepticism confined to the deep meditating philosopher, who, led on by the ignis fatuus of his own bewildered imagination, and disregarding the lamp of divine revelation, has been drawn into the bogs and pits of infidelity. The contagion has spread to all ranks of society,-to the designing politician, who, to divert the minds of the people from his own intrigues, would direct their attacks against the artifices of priestly domination;-to the voluptuary, who, intent only on the gratification of his sensual appetites, and unambitious of that pure, exalted, and eternal happiness, which Christianity declares to await, through faith, a life of virtue, would fain, by denying the truth of that religion, steel his heart against all dread of the misery which it also pronounces to be the reward of a course like his ;-to the active merchant, who, engrossed with the advancement of his temporal concerns, and wanting time, in the hurry of his occupations, to prepare for a future state, or even to listen to the details of the Christian evidence, would wish to silence the voice of conscience, by affecting to believe that there is no hereafter:-in short, to the humblest walks of life, where it may be seen lowering on the forehead of the hardy mechanic, or working man, who can lift his menacing voice against the priesthood, and looking on the Bible as a jugglery of theirs, bid stout defiance to its denunciations.'

Can such men be said to have reason on their side? Nay, we should rather say, that their opinions (if opinions they can be called) have been fashioned after the inclinations of their own corrupt hearts, and the pattern of their own vicious lives. That they have either not studied the evidences of Christianity at all, or, if they have, it has been with no other view than to bring them into ridicule and contempt. For we cannot believe that any one, who is not either depraved in his understanding, or obstinately perverse, can impartially study these evidences, without being forced into a conviction of their truth.

Take, thou who doubtest even the existence of a God, take the microscope, and explore the wondrous structure of the minutest particles of matter,-behold in every grain, a little world as perfect in its parts as this great earth, on which we tread ;-see every drop of liquid instinct with life, and swarming with myriads of animate beings, as admirably adapted for their spheres of action as man himself for his.

If still unsatisfied, view through the telescope the vast expanse

above;-contemplate those mighty orbs, compared with which this globe of ours shrinks into an atom. "The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handy work. Day unto day uttereth speech; and night unto night showeth knowledge. And art thou not yet fully persuaded? Recall then thy wandering thoughts, and fix them on thyself. Behold how fearfully and wonderfully made is man!-his corporeal frame-how obedient to his will! his organs-how nicely adapted to convey to the mind the impressions made upon them! Contemplate that greatest of all wonders, the mind of man :-his thoughts, flying with inconceivable rapidity through infinite space;-his imagination, busied with the endless forms of its own creation;-his mighty intellect, detecting the abstrusest secrets of nature, and tracing the laws which govern revolving worlds.

And then, (for we will no longer insult your understanding by supposing that it can resist such an overwhelming combination of evidence,) then you will be forced to exclaim, in the language of our first parent

'How came I thus? how here? Not of myself: by some Great Maker, then, In goodness and in power preeminent.

If, again, there be any who, acknowledging the existence of an Almighty Creator, question nevertheless whether the religion of the Bible derives its origin from him, to such we would say,-Survey, once more, creation round. Behold on every side innumerable manifestations of goodness and benevolence, as infinite as the wisdom and power which you before acknowledged; and tell me, is it not inconsistent with such attributes of the Deity, that he should regard man as a responsible agent, and require him to perform his Maker's will, and yet leave him without a revelation of that will? If, then, such a revelation exists, where is it to be found? Is it in the confused medley of the Koran; or in the absurdities of the Zend Avesta? If such productions be of divine origin, no wonder that any should look with contempt upon their authors. But weigh, in the other scale, the claims of the Bible to this high distinction. Consider not only its relative, but its intrinsic merits, the collateral testimony in its favor,-the grandeur of its sentiments, the salutariness of its laws, the purity of its morals, acknowledged even by infidels. Consider all these, and be convinced that our holy religion is the gift of the inspiration of God.

But, supposing even, (for argument's sake,) that the divine origin of Christianity is not susceptible of demonstration, why, nevertheless, will you seek to drive it from the earth? Was there ever a system more calculated to promote the happiness and prosperity of society? Has it not, from its foundation to the present time, showered blessings wherever it has been received? And tell me not in reply, that there has been more blood shed in the cause of Christianity, than in any other. We deny the charge. It has been for the want of Christianity. The religion whose leading maxim is 'Love

your enemies,' could never countenance, much less be the parent of, war and bloodshed.

But, when we contemplate the effects of this religion on individual happiness, it is then that we behold it in its most attractive form. It is this that levels for man the rugged path of life. In the midst of misery and distress, it affords him never failing consolation and when the close of life draws on, it smooths the bed of death, and the Christian, calmly yielding his spirit into the hands of Him who gave it, enters on the enjoyment of a happiness that shall never end.

Contrast with this the infidel's career. Heart may conceive, though tongue cannot describe, its wretchedness. He wanders through life, perplexed with doubts and anxiety. If fortune smile upon him, it affords him no lasting enjoyment, for he feels that soon all his possessions must be left behind. If the hand of adversity be heavy upon him, he has nothing to support him under its weight; --no soothing cordial to alleviate his pains ;-and when, at last, he approaches the precipice of death, without one ray of glimmering hope to cheer the dark abyss, he takes the fatal leap, he knows not whither;-it may be into annihilation ;-it may be into the presence of an offended God: he knows not which ;-' he takes a leap

in the dark.'

DR. ADAM CLARKE'S REGARD FOR AMERICA.

[The following prayers for the American States, were written by Dr. Adam Clarke in an American young lady's Album; and are here inserted from the original now before us, by her permission. The deep and affectionate interest which they express, both for our civil and religious welfare, cannot but still more endear this venerable, great, and good man, to American Christians and patriots.]

'May the blessing of the great God ever rest on the American States! May they be renowned for ARMS, as far as they are necessary to defend them against every enemy, and to preserve their independence and liberty! May they abound in those ARTS which are requisite to furnish them with all the necessaries, conveniences, and comforts of life! May they stand preeminent, among the nations of the earth, for the profession, possession, and practice, of the pure and undefiled religion of our Lord Jesus Christ, which ever brings glory to God in the highest, and promotes peace and good will among men! May every individual in the State be a genuine Christian, and every Christian a faithful citizen!

So prays their sincere friend and ardent well-wisher,
ADAM CLARKE.

Heydon Hall, Middlesex, April 29, 1829.'

THE PRESBYTERIAN CHRISTIAN ADVOCATE.

A SERIES of, as we conceive, very grossly exceptionable articles, on the subject of 'Practical Methodism,' having appeared in the 'Christian Advocate,' published in Philadelphia, and edited by the Rev. Dr. Ashbel Green, of the Presbyterian Church, we took the liberty, soon after their close, in February last, to address to that gentleman a letter, of which the following is a copy :—

To the REV. DR. ASHBEL GREEN,

Editor of the Christian Advocate, Philadelphia :

REV. SIR,-Presuming that the essays in your Journal on "Practical Methodism" are brought to a close, we now request that you will do us the justice, or, if you please, the favor, to furnish us with the name and address of their author, to enable us to apply to him for the specifications necessary to an investigation of the truth and fairness of his representations. If your correspondent, however, prefer to remain concealed, and you also think it necessary for his protection to keep him so, then our only alternative being, in that case, to take the statements on your own personal responsibility, we request that you will yourself have the goodness to specify the names of the individual "riders" or others of the Methodist Episcopal Church, against whom the disreputable things have been said or insinuated in the late numbers of your Journal; together with the times and places alluded to. The reasonableness of this request we flatter ourselves will commend itself to you, both as a Christian and as a gentleman; and that in either character, and still more in the two united, you will feel the obligation of affording to the accused a fair opportunity to make their defence, of which, without the specifications requested, it is manifest they must be deprived.

Not having the favor of being personally known to you, we take the liberty to communicate this note through our friend, the Rev. Dr. Thomas F. Sargent, of your city, who, if agreeable to you, will receive and forward your reply,

Respectfully, &c,

J. EMORY & B. WAUGH, Editors of the Methodist Magazine & Quarterly Review. New-York, February 15, 1831.'

With the requests in the above note we have not yet received the favor of a compliance. As Dr. Green's correspondent, however, might possibly be at a great distance from him, we resolved to let patience have its perfect work, and not to anticipate the ultimate denial of requests which seemed to us so just in themselves, and which we apprehend will seem so to the public. We shall still wait longer. But it is not our intention, in any event, to allow the matter to sleep in its present state.