light of their age, and if it were only twilight, they were not to blame for seeing men as trees walking. The broad day of the Gospel had not yet come. The Sun of righteousness had not yet shone in his full strength. Has that clear and universal light as yet shone any where, revealing all things in their real nature and true proportions? If so, how could the church be divided as it is,-divided, too, about non-essentials, about creeds and formulas, rites and ceremonies? The church must be carnal, imperfect, in its knowledge, as well as its spirit, so long as one says, I am of Paul, and another, I of Apollos, as long as it is made a dividing point, how much or how little water is to be used in baptism, whether those who minister the word and ordinances, are called bishops or presbyters, elders or deacons, as long as it shall be thought more important to ascertain the metaphysical nature of Christ, than to receive his spirit or do his commandments.

That the millennium is not very near, that period which is to be marked by universal and thorough religious knowledge, might be inferred from the spread and power of this very panic. That sensible men and women could be persuaded to abandon their plain duties and common avocations, misspend their time and money, in building tabernacles, so soon, according to their own theory, to be destroyed, in purchasing

ascension robes which the disembodied spirit can not possibly want, and prove utterly false to the obligations of the present hour, in order to prepare for judgment, is of itself sufficient evidence that we are still far, very far from that condition of religious knowledge which prophecy leads us to expect. Such a delusion could not be extensively propagated, were there not gross ignorance of the Scriptures, and a slender degree of knowledge upon other subjects, among the mass of the people. The success of the prophet himself is the best proof of the improbability of his predictions. And if any good can come from this outburst of fanaticism, it will be to convince us that we are not so wise á people, nor so well informed, as we have supposed ourselves, and to induce us to take measures for the better training of both teachers and taught, to encourage a more thorough study of the sacred Scriptures, and the cultivation of that sober common sense which is the best safeguard of a community against the inroads of enthusiasm and folly.

To me there is nothing in the Scriptures, nor the present state of things, to lead me to apprehend the approach of the end of the world, but every thing against it. There is not a single appointed sign of the coming of the Son of man, which we are taught is to precede the close of the great drama of the world's existence.

If there be any thing certain in prophecy, it is that Christianity is intended to be a universal religion. If there is any thing certain in philosophy, it is that Christianity is calculated to be a universal religion. If there be any thing true in history, it is that Christianity is hastening onward to become a universal religion. Nothing could be more improbable than that this great process should be broken off in the midst. A period must certainly elapse equal to the time which has already passed since the ministry of Christ before his religion can be universal. The millennium, even according to the wildest speculators, whatever it may mean, can not take place previous to this consummation. Then the world must last a thousand years longer at least, after all the kingdoms of the world have become the kingdom of Christ. And if these modern prophets will be true to their own principles of interpretation, and make a day stand for a year, the thousand years of the millennium must represent three hundred and sixty-five millions of years, which are to elapse after the whole world becomes Christian, before it is ultimately destroyed.

For my own part, the world seems to me to be yet in its infancy. Most of it has as yet seen nothing but barbarism. The continent on which we live is but just now being occupied with civilized inhabitants, its vast plains are now for

the first time being subjugated by the plough and waving with the harvest, since the morning of creation; and therefore this whole western hemisphere is just beginning to answer the purposes for which it was created. There is much of Europe which has hardly felt the blessings of civilization. Africa has never

emerged from a state of brutal and savage ignorance. Printing and the mariner's compass, the great instruments in the progress of humanity, are but a few centuries old. The human race are just starting on a career of illimitable improvement. What more improbable, than that their career is to be terminated so soon and so suddenly?

"If any man shall say unto you, Lo here is Christ, or Lo there, believe it not. For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders, insomuch that if it were possible they shall deceive the very elect. Wherefore, if they shall say unto you, Behold, he is in the desert, go not forth, behold, he is in the secret chambers, BELIEVE IT NOT."

25*

A DISCOURSE ON CHURCH AND STATE.*

Pray for the peace of Jerusalem. They shall prosper that love thee.-Psalm cxxii, 6.

RELIGION and politics, church and state, our God and our country, these have been the subjects which have created the deepest interest in the mind and heart of man ever since the race began to be separated into families, communities, nations; and will continue to be the leading matters of thought, communication, and feeling, till society itself shall be dissolved in the final wreck of all things. Religion and attachment to our native soil, piety and patriotism, were the deep foundations upon which the legislators of old erected the pillars of society, and raised the fair proportions of states, kingdoms, and empires. In the first ages with which history makes us acquainted, church and state were identical, the patriarch was at

.

* Delivered on Thanksgiving Day, 1844.