From the pulpit and the press, by the formal volume, the humble pamphlet, and every variety of exhibition that ingenuity can devise, they are endeavouring to make an impression on the publick mind. In every direction, and with a profusion of the most lavish kind, they are daily scattering abroad their instruments of seduction. Probably in no part of our country out of Massachusetts, do these poisoned agents so completely fill the air, or, like one of the plagues of Egypt, so noisomely "come up into your houses, your "chambers, and your kneading troughs," as in Baltimore. In fact, the Unitarians in that neighbourhood seem to be emulating the zeal of some of their brethren in England, who have been known to go into an Orthodox church; to withdraw during the prayer, that they might not join in "idolatrous devotions ;" and on their return, to strew on a Communion table, which happened to be spread on that day, a parcel of Socinian tracts, and pamphlets.* I have heard of nothing quite equal to this in the United States; but, from present appearances, am by no means confident that something of the same

*RYLAND'S Partiality and Unscriptural Direction of Socinian Zeal. p. 39.

kind will not soon be exhibited. Now, though I have no fear of the influence of all this on the minds of those who read, and think, and inquire and pray; yet there may be others to whom an antidote is not wholly unnecessary. The sagacious and eloquent Mr. Burke has somewhere said, "Let us only suffer any pers❝on, however manifestly he may be in the wrong, "to tell us his story, morning and evening, but "for one twelve-month, and he will be our mas"ter." In almost every congregation there is a considerable number to whom this maxim applies with peculiar force. The young and inexperienced, who are not aware of the insidious arts of error; the busy, who have but little taste for reading, and little time or disposition for profound reflection; the amiable, who are ready to look with a partial eye on every serious and plausible claim; and the gay and worldly, whe are predisposed in favour of an indulgent system;-all these, when frequently assailed by the zealous, the confident, and the talkative patrons of heresy, will be peculiarly liable to be unduly impressed in their favour. When they every day hear individuals, and every day meet with pamphlets, which, on the one hand, in the

most triumphant tone, praise the Unitarian system, as the only enlightened, liberal, benevo lent and rational system, and its adherents as decisively the most learned, amiable, and pious friends of truth, and candid inquiry; and, on the other hand, stigmatize its opponents, as narrow-minded, prejudiced, austere, righteous overmuch, and enemies of liberal thinking ;-when they find these representations made every day, and repeated without contradiction, they will be apt at length to believe them. When they find so many confident assertions, so many plausible professions, and so many high authorities, vaunted on one side, and little or nothing of a counter kind produced on the other; they may begin to think that there is really more to be said in favour of what they hear called heresy, and less in support of what they have been accustomed to think truth, than they once imagined.

It is for such persons, more especially, that I write. Though neither their occupations or habits will allow the greater part of them to read a large work, they may be willing to spare an hour or two, occasionally, to go through a small manual. And though they would not, perhaps,

feel much interest in the best written treatise, by a distant stranger, who had no particular reference to themselves; yet they may be disposed to listen, for a short time, to one who gives some evidence that he ardently desires the prosperity of them and their Pastor, and who has written with a special view to their benefit.

I would then, my Christian Friends, most respectfully and earnestly entreat your serious at tention to this subject. Pass it not by as an un

important speculation.

Give at least a transient

hearing to one who has something to say to you, which he considers as deeply momentous, and who is conscious of no aim but that of doing you good. Recollect that the cause of truth has more to fear from the indolence and indifference of those who profess to be her friends, than from the activity or the arguments of her enemies. Recollect, too, that the native tendency of the human heart is to embrace some such corrupt and delusive system as that which calls itself Unitarianism. Many who respect Religion in general, and who would abhor the thought of throwing off all regard to it; yet desire to have it so modified, as to give them as little trouble,

and subject them to as little restraint, as possible. Many others are in reality infidels; but are unwilling to avow it, on account of the pain which such an avowal would inflict upon their friends, and the disgrace which it might draw upon themselves; and, therefore, are disposed to resort to something which bears the name of Christianity, while it makes few demands, either on their faith or practice, essentially different from their infidel creed. And there are not a few who have had a pious education, and whose consciences will not suffer them to rest without some form of godliness, while, at the same time, they supremely love the world, and the things of the world.-All these will be naturally apt to take refuge in Unitarianism; especially if it be recommended by a plausible and confident advocate, or have obtained currency to any considerable extent among the splendid and fashionable around them. SOMETHING such persons MUST have, to save appearances, or to satisfy conscience; and Unitarianism will give less pain to natural feeling; will call for less self-denial; and will more readily accommodate itself to every sort of pursuit and habit, except that which is right, than any other scheme which calls itself by the name