who deny it. It is felt by those who hate it, by every member of every club that meets to revile it. Reader,

we cannot understand this clearly, unless we notice the difference between honouring a name and feeling it. We had better see these points clearly on many serious accounts. That we may not mistake, let us look at nothing short of facts.

Fact I.-The Mohamedan does honour the name of his prophet. He honours it enough to cause him to plunge his sword at your heart, were you to speak against it. When he prays he does not weep, his voice does not falter. When he pronounces the name of his prophet he does not tremble, as by a melting influence; he honours, but he does not feel that name.

Fact II.-Fifty persons of very different characters, were sitting in one house, (this has happened every Sabbath since we were born,) the tear was in the eye of every one of them, they sobbed and could not speak. They were listening to something about the Man of Calvary, but they had heard it five hundred times before! They felt that name in some way. And so does the bitterest hater of Christianity you can find in any street. We may see this likewise, if we choose, and if we are not afraid to look at facts.

FACTS ON THE OTHER SIDE.-Fact I.—If you will sit down by the side of that man who is near the Hotel fire, or at the dining-table, or in the stage coach, and exhort him to be a worshipper of Vishnu, or Siva, or implore him to become a Mohamedan, (being sincere and in earnest we mean,) he will laugh at you. Or talk to him with more scientific interest on the different religions of the earth, and he will hear the names of five thousand gods that are worshipped by millions pro

nounced with entire indifference. He does not care whether you speak in praise, or reproach, reverence, or ridicule. It is not so with the name of the sufferer of Gethsemane, far from it. You will see his eye flash with anger, and his brow gather instantly. Meet him in the street, or on board the vessel, it matters not: the name of Christ he will not bear. He reviles it, and the most humble and affectionate approach on the subject of eternity in the name of Christ, he calls intolerable! Ah! my infidel brother, you mock that name, but you feel it. And you will feel it more and more (in heaven or in hell,) for ever and for ever. The religion of the Saviour was introduced and kept in the world as others were not, and this stone will fill the whole earth, although it may appear improbable to those who do not observe that that rock has been cut out without hands.

Application. Multitudes have read this portion of the second chapter of Daniel, or other parts of the same chapter, or other chapters in the same wonderful prophecy, and have passed on with but little excited thought. After this they have, whilst reading the remarks of some pious commentator, been reminded of historical facts which they had read, or been driven to read for the first time, and they have been brought to see beauties and marvels in the Book of God, which their ignorance had before hid from their eyes. Let it not be supposed that we state these facts of Daniel alone. We take these passages as samples; but in aiming at the cure of infidelity, we exhort to the study of the volume, the wonderful volume, the Bible.

The man who erects a druggist's shop, need not become the inventor of the chemical processes by which alkalies and affinities are formed. He may avail him

self of the labours of those who have gone

before him,

without being called a servile copyist. Thus, if have not twenty years to spare in searching in a given way through the holy scriptures, to compare verses, and trace Hebrew verbs, or to ask after heathen history, you may avail yourself of the labour of others. An author on geography will tell you more in an hour, than you could explore or measure for a week, should the pride of originality make you decline the assistance of others in this case.

A commentator will bring before your view, within the compass of a few days, more objects throughout the dim wide field of antiquity and tradition, than you can yourself collect by years of toil. But the adversary of souls would rejoice, were you to decline the assistance of others, and labour none yourself!

CHAPTER XXXV.

AN EXAMPLE.

Case of the use of the powerful remedy.-Two professional men once formed an attachment for each other. We may designate them by the appellation of the youthful and the more aged. The younger friend had been liberally educated, and he commenced his profession thoughtless, joyous, and from the first successful. The more aged friend feared that his indifference in things of religion was based on infidelity-made inquiry, and found his conjectures were correct. At a succeeding

interview, he approached his young friend, offering a volume, and an address like the following, from his heart:

66

My friend, I believe it is your wish to do me a favour when you have it in your power. I know that you would arise from your bed at midnight, and put yourself to much inconvenience to serve me. I am about to ask of you a favour which you can confer. I have it more at heart than the value of much property, and it will cost you very little to comply with my wishes." He was answered as he had expected, with the most open declarations of readiness to act where it was in his power to benefit his friend. The older friend then continued, "The favour I ask is, that you will read this book through, soberly and faithfully, endeavouring to master the train of thought as you proceed. When you are through, should much of the treatise be forgotten, or appear obscure, read it again."

The work was cheerfully undertaken, the promise given, and the book received. The volume contained (as well as remembered,) Paley's Evidences of Christianity, and Watson's Apology. When the friends did not meet, they corresponded, and this subject chiefly engaged them, whether personally or by letter. The young man, after he had read the book, laid his hand casually upon another author on the same subject. He was sufficiently excited to undertake its reading. Before he finished this, he said, "I have a spirit, and I have no doubt it will be lost, or very happy forever." His more aged friend asked him to read Doddridge's Rise and Progress of Religion in the Soul. He complied; and whilst reading, thought that he entered into a com

pact with his Redeemer, which gave him great joy. He was so elated, that he has ever since (fifteen years) tried to persuade others to do the same.

Cases resembling the above, are taking place wherever a similar course is pursued. Books of this kind are not much read, for reasons which will be found in the following chapter. In fifteen years more, neither of those two friends may remain on the earth. They both seemed to be made very happy by the occurrence named; and that enjoyment seemed to last for fifteen years. Perhaps it may add to their pleasures for more than fifteen years after they go hence. It has already been worth more than the toil expended on either side. many times told.

CHAPTER XXXVI.

WORKS ON THE EVIDENCES, &c.

Recapitulation of the powerful remedy.-Books on the evidences of Christianity are but little read in our nation.

Some of the reasons why this is so, it would be well to observe.

1. Many who are inclined to unbelief, whose doubts are enough to paralyze their energies in seeking conversion, are not confirmed sceptics. They do not call themselves infidels. They do not know the name of these authors, or that many of the books exist. They do not inquire, and those who never were thus annoyed themselves, suspect none of infidelity, but the bitter de claimers against the Bible.