of Christianity. These considerations, my Friends, ought very solemnly to impress your minds. If such be the natural tendency of the human heart, who can say that he has no interest in the subject? Even supposing that you are in no danger yourselves from these temptations -a supposition which no professor of religion who feels as he ought the deceitfulness of his own heart, will be ready to admit ;--still your children, and other relatives, may be seriously exposed to danger. It behoves you, then, to exercise the most constant and anxious care, that they be properly armed against the enemy; that they do not fall a prey to his seductions, from want of fidelity on the part of those whom God has constituted the guardians, no less of their spiritual, than of their temporal welfare.

You will not expect me, in these Letters, to enter at large into the controversy between the Orthodox and the Unitarians. A number of distinguished Individuals, both in our own country and in Europe, within a few years past, as well as in former times, have written so largely and so well, on this branch of polemick theology, that I forbear to undertake the dis

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cussion of the general subject. The limits to which I confine myself, do not admit of this. Nor is it necessary. My purpose is, to treat, in a very cursory manner, a few points in the controversy, chiefly practical, which, though not wholly neglected by other writers, have not been so frequently or fully exhibited as I could have wished to see them. Those who have an opportunity and a taste for more extensive and eritical reading on the subject, will, of course, seek for other and larger works. In the mean time, if, by taking a view of the subject more adapted to those who have little leisure, and no convenient access to the volumes of the learned, I shall be the means of satisfying a single doubting inquirer, or of putting on his guard one whose foot was about to slide, I shall consider myself as most richly rewarded.

I hope, my Christian Friends, it is unnecessary for me to assure you, that in offering to your consideration the following remarks, I have not an unfriendly feeling towards any individuals on earth who bear the Unitarian name. On the contrary, unless I am deceived, the most hearty good will, and the most unfeigned desire to pro

mote their welfare, have actuated me in this undertaking, and in all that I have written. No attack on private character is intended. If I know myself, I abhor every weapon of this kind. It is not with the persons of Unitarians that I have to do; but with their acknowledged prineiples. These, I am persuaded, are not only erroneous, but awfully and destructively so. No man who allows himself to reflect, can be neuter or indifferent in this warfare. It is a warfare waged for all that is glorious in the Gospel, and for all that is precious in the hopes of man. Deliberately believing as I do, that the system of the Unitarians is nothing less than a total denial and subversion of the Christian religion; and that, so far as they gain an influence, it is, like that of the fabled Syrens of old, to allure but to destroy; it is impossible for me to think of making terms with such a system. Having professed to devote myself unreservedly and forever to the glory of the ever blessed Redeemer, “wo "is me" if I consent, for a moment, to parley with those who blaspheme his name, or would degrade his religion! Whatever may be the sacrifice, even if it be that of life itself, this must be forborne and abhorred. While, therefore, I

respect, the persons, and desire to promote the happiness, of those who embrace the heresy in question, I am bound, as a conscientious man, to do all in my power to expose the sin and danger of the heresy itself, and to warn my fellow men against its fatal allurements. And this, by the grace of God, I am resolved to do, as long as the convictions are such as have long impressed, and do now, with growing strength, impress my mind.

But before we proceed further, it may not be improper to pause a moment and inquire, what is meant by Unitarianism? What system of faith does this title designate? It is a specious title. It purports, at first view, and is, perhaps, really intended to convey an impression to the popular mind, that those who bear it, are the only believers in one God, while all others believe in a plurality of Gods. Be on your guard, I pray you, against this illusion; for, whether intended or not, it deserves no other name. The Orthodox, it is well known, contend for the Unity of God as steadfastly and zealously as Unitarians, or any other denomination, have ever done. But when we speak of Unitarians, we mean to point

out those who reject the Bible doctrine of the TRINITY IN UNITY; who contend that there is in Jehovah but ONE PERSON, as well as ONE ESSENCE; and who, with the doctrine of the Trinity, reject all the other PECULIAR and FUNDAMENTAL doctrines of the Gospel. Those who bear this name, are, indeed, by no means agreed among themselves. Some entertain a higher

opinion of the Redeemer's character than others, as well as different sentiments on some other fundamental doctrines of Christianity. It is obviously impossible therefore, in any one statement, to exhibit the opinions of all who profess to belong to this general denomination. But the great body of those who call themselves Unitarians in Great Britain and the United States, substantially agree, it is believed, in the following opinions.

They believe that the doctrine of the TRINITY is not found in Scripture; that it is one of the corruptions of Christianity, and among the earliest and most mischievous of those corruptions. This is so well known, that no proof or illustration of it is required.