some improper bias? Have we never erred in judgment? And may we not hereafter discover some error in our present views?

There are not a few men of sincere benevolence and integrity, who are afraid to admit the principle of Voluntary Associations, because indiscreet, extravagant, or ambitious men have made use of it to sanction disorderly and pernicious measures. The principle, I allow, may be abused, and be made the occasion of great evil. And so may the principle of ecclesiastical organization. If the argument is valid against one, it is so against the other. Let all the error, superstition, despotism, persecution, and cruelty, which have been found in ecclesiastical bodies, and have been promoted and acted out by them, and by their authorized ministers, be fairly set forth; and would not the amount of the evil be fearfully great? Would it not far exceed that which has resulted from Voluntary Associations? What then? Is the abuse or perversion of a thing any argument against the thing itself? By no means. It is indeed true, that the experience we have had of the evils resulting from the abuse of any just and important principle, should excite us to exercise all possible diligence and care in order to guard against such abuse in future; but it is no reason for abandoning the principle itself. As to the subject now before us; instead of setting ourselves in opposition to the principle of Voluntary Associations, a principle which is in itself blameless, and which has been productive of immense good, and is, in some circumstances, indispensable to the welfare of the church;-instead of setting ourselves in opposition to this principle, let us employ all the wisdom we have acquired to give it a right direction, and to prevent its being turned to a bad use by heated, reckless, or unprincipled men. This is our proper business at the present day. And in this important business it is hoped that ministers and Christians will act with more and more union and zeal. A little more of this union and zeal, added to a disposition to profit by experience, and the great end is secured,—the order of the church and the interests of pure religion are safe, without breaking in upon a principle, which has been and still may be productive of so much good.

But here one caution is required. We have seen and deplored the abuse of the "Voluntary Principle," in some instances, and the disorder and desolation which have followed in its train. In consequence of this, are we not in danger of disre

garding the immeasurable benefits which the principle has produced? The good which has been accomplished by Voluntary Societies in the various departments of Christian benevolence, ought to be remembered with the most devout gratitude. The events which have given distinction and glory to the last fifty years, and for which continual thanks are offered up to God, by innumerable multitudes in the four quarters of the globe-these blessed events have, for the most part, been brought about by the agency of Voluntary Societies. Now would it not betray an unbecoming state of mind in us, if we should be so absorbed with the contemplation of the evils which, in some instances, have been occasioned by the perversion of the Voluntary Principle, as to lose sight of the great amount of good which has been effected by its legitimate action? Better err on the other side;-better be so absorbed with the contemplation of the immeasurable good, as to lose sight of the evil which has come in. But it is best of all to avoid error on both sides ;-on one side to notice the whole extent of good, and duly to estimate its value; and on the other side, to keep a watchful eye upon the evils which have stolen in upon us through the folly or rashness of men, and to adopt the most wise and energetic measures to remove them, and to shut the door against their occurrence in future. But at the present day are there not faults apparent on both sides? Do we not find men who celebrate the happy results of Voluntary Societies, with incessant raptures,-who speak of them as though they were in no case mingled with any portion of evil, and who seem to see nothing but unqualified and unbounded good? On the other hand, do we not find those, who keep so vigilant and jealous an eye upon the evils resulting from the occasional perversion of what is in itself right, and who are so alarmed at the appearance of danger, that they do really lose sight of the vast amount of good which has been done; or, if they see it at all, see it as though they saw it not? Unquestionably, there is something true and something false, something useful and something hurtful on both sides. Happy they, who hold fast what is true and useful, and rid themselves of what is false and hurtful.

Finally Let none who love the cause of Christ, be in haste to innovate upon the common methods of benevolent action. I urge it as a reason for this caution, that the evils of sudden innovation, even when the change proposed is in itself important, frequently prove more than an overbalance for all the benefits VOL. XII. No. 32.

35

resulting from it. Various benevolent institutions in New England and in other parts of the country, our Missionary Societies, Domestic and Foreign, our Bible, Tract, Education and Temperance Societies, and our Associations for establishing and supporting Literary and Theological Seminaries, have been in successful operation for a considerable length of time. Now to new-model these institutions, so as to bring them directly under the control of the church at large, or of any particular ecclesiastical bodies, would be a work of a very serious nature, and of very difficult accomplishment. And certainly, such a work should not be entered upon in haste. In these great concerns, it is of the highest moment that rash and perilous attempts at innovation should be avoided. Even if our various institutions, in their present state, are liable to some exceptions, and if the love of preeminence, or party spirit, or indiscreet zeal may take occasion from them to introduce pernicious irregularities; still there is urgent reason to be cautious, and to guard watchfully against the mischiefs that would be likely to result from sudden changes. This all sober men acknowledge to be of vast consequence in regard to civil institutions. And why is it not of equal consequence in regard to charitable institutions, especially those which have been long established and extensively patronized, and which, by the wisdom of their measures, and by the success which has attended them, have secured the confidence of the public? If the Episcopalians, and Presbyterians, and Methodists in our country, who have a settled ecclesiastical organization, are in whole or in part, disposed to carry on their benevolent operations in an ecclesiastical form; we will be so far from throwing any obstacles in their way, that we will most gladly do all in our power to contribute to their success by our good wishes and by every act of fraternal kindness, only asking that they would not interfere with the liberty of others. But before attempting any material changes in those benevolent institutions which have been established on the Voluntary Principle, and have been long in successful operation, it should well be ascertained, that there are important evils which attend our benevolent institutions, or result from them, in their present form, and that these evils are the genuine fruit of what is peculiar in the present scheme of action. It should also be ascertained, that neither these evils, nor others of equal magnitude, would be likely to result from the other scheme, which is proposed to come in place of the present. If, after careful and

patient and repeated consideration, it shall be found expedient that an important change should take place in the plan of our benevolent societies-a change which will bring them directly under the supervision of ecclesiastical bodies; let the change be attempted with such kindness and gentleness, and be carried into effect with such moderation and judgment, that no rupture or collision shall take place among brethren, and no wound inflicted on the feelings of the Christian community, and what is of paramount importance, that no check be given to benevolent feeling and benevolent action, and no obstacle cast in the way of the conversion of the world. If there are sufficient reasons for changes in our mode of doing good; intelligent and pious men can certainly understand those reasons, and in due time, be prepared unitedly to adopt any changes which promise to advance the welfare of the church. And be it remembered, as a principle of primary consequence, though at the present time, most grievously neglected, that men of sense will be much sooner convinced by sober and weighty arguments, than by empty declamation and sophistry, and more easily persuaded by kindness and gentleness, than by wrath and violence. If we apprehend, (I speak in the name of those who have such an apprehension,) if we apprehend that serious evils will result from the present plan of operation, and that valuable improvements may be made; let us with great sincerity and frankness, but with modesty, communicate our views to others, and let the matter be well considered and weighed; and let no attempt be made to introduce a change, before the way is prepared for it. And it will not unfrequently be found that, even after the subject has been some time before the public, the safest, and most effectual way, yea, the only way, to bring about an important change is, to introduce it by parts, a little now, and a little more by and by; as the British. Parliament have done. This tends to prevent alarm and the burst of excited passion, diminishes the force of opposition, and begets quietness and confidence. It is especially important, not only as a matter of practical wisdom, but as a Christian duty, to keep at a great distance from all bitter or harsh reflections upon those who are not convinced by our arguments and who adhere strongly to the plan of action to which they have been used. Invincible reluctance to change, is not among the worst things in human nature. Nay, it often results from the most praise-worthy principle. And though we may think

it exists in a very faulty degree, and though it may occasion us trouble, and may stand in the way of the accomplishment of our favorite objects; we should still treat it with the utmost forbearance and lenity. And if, after all our appeals to reason, benevolence, and piety, we are not so happy as to find, that the time has come, when the proposed changes can be peaceably and harmoniously effected; then, instead of giving way to fretfulness or sourness of temper, let us cherish feelings of perfect good-nature. And as others may not be so pliable as we wish, and may not bend to the new plan of benevolent action, which we should prefer, let us learn to be pliable ourselves, and quietly go along with them a while longer, in the old way, thus avoiding the evils of division and strife, and keeping the unity of spirit in the bond of peace.

ARTICLE II.

AUTHORITY, A SOURCE OF MORAL OBLIGATION.

By Rev. L. P. Hickok, Prof. of Didactic Theology, Western Reserve College, Ohio.

A PREVAILING spirit of insubordination to law fearfully characterizes the present day. It is evinced in the thousand individual cases where inclination, ambition and interest trample upon authority-in the frequent appeals to a false code of honor-in the frenzy and corruption of contested elections—in the violent assumption of law by reckless men into their own hands, and wreaking private hate by a tumultuous and summary vengeance and in the excited commotions of a collected and frantic populace, rushing like a tempest over all law to its object amid scenes of riot, conflagration and blood. Yea, in addition to the licentiousness openly advocated by some shameless lecturers both male and female, there are not wanting instances where the influence of a christian name and profession is directly applied to the dissemination of principles which sap the foundations of all authority, and prostrate the salutary restraints of civil legislation. All witness the prevalence of this disorganizing spirit, and all the wise and good deplore it.

Perhaps this result was to have been expected from the pro