There is a most material distinction between truth and error: for who will venture to assert that all opinions have the same moral and religious tendency; an equal influence on the heart; or an equal controul over he will, the affections, and the conduct?

Let us, however, give a hasty glance at the divisions and sub-divisions of what may be called the Religious World; and, though we cannot reconcile discrepancies, let us judge with charity for Charity is the "child and the offspring" of true religion; it is the genius, the essence, the very spirit of that "bond of peace," a Christian temper. Set that man down as "worse than an infidel,” who, professing the christian faith, is yet destitute of christian love; who cannot contemplate even error itself but with feelings of hot indignation; abhorring where he should pity;-shunning when he should instruct;—who, with the faith of a saint, hath neither a saint's love, nor a saint's zeal; but, cold and heartless, or hot and infuriate, he stays to destroy, or he retires to frown.

Such a person will start with the horrific temper of a persecutor; or will cast away this book from him, with the zeal of a bigot, the moment he beholds in what varied forms mankind have worshipped the common Parent of all; especially, when he perceives amongst them, some who, having not the knowledge of God,” nor any comprehension of his revealed law, are "a law unto themselves," shewing "the work of the law written in their hearts; their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts, the meanwhile, accusing or else excusing one another."

But let us hasten to draw the picture, and attempt to induce impressions which its beauties or its deformities may make on the charitable Christian and the true philosopher.

The Religions of the World may be divided into the following great classes: The CHRISTIANS,-the JEWS, --the MAHOMEDANS,—and the PAGANS, or those, who hold some notions, and adhere to some practices, which, they imagine, have reference to a supernatural power: which notions and practices, to avoid repetition, we call their Religion.

It is generally supposed, that the inhabitants of the

globe amount, in number, to about 800,000,000: of these, it has been thought, there are about 170,500,000 CHRISTIANS; 200,500,000 Jews;* 140,000,000 MAHOMEDANS; and 482,000,000 PAGANS. The ingenious and impartial author of "A Sketch of the Denominations of the Christian World," the Rev. Dr. Evans, has stated, that the Christians may be thus distributed :the Greek and Eastern Churches, 30,000,000; the Roman Catholics, 80,000,000; and the Protestants, 65,500,000; total number of Christians, 175,000,000.

The respectable author above quoted, has furnished a very curious "schedule" of the Christian sects, in which is included the origin of the names by which Christians are distinguished; and in what great points they may be fitly classed together: as-1. according to their opinions respecting the person of Christ; 2. according to their opinions respecting the means and measure of God's favour; and, 3. according to their opinions respecting Church-government, and the administration of Ceremonies. To these is added a Miscellaneous Class of Sects, which do not properly come under any one of the other three heads.

It would be difficult to give any thing like a correct idea of the respective numbers of the several sects, or classes of Christians, otherwise than that which has already been attempted with respect to the Protestants, Catholics, and Jews.

The Wesleyan Methodists are the only sect who may be said to "number the people:" at their last yearly Conference, their numbers, throughout the world, amounted to 485,148; being a falling off, or rather deficiency, in the old or regular connexion of 8,000, from their last yearly census. But these seceders should not be reckoned amongst any other sect, as, properly speaking, they hold the same doctrines; they should all be reckoned amongst the Wesleyan or Arminian Methodists. To the whole number ought also to be added the new connexion of Kilhamite Methodists, and some other minor branches of seceders; amounting, perhaps, altogether, to not fewer than 500,000 persons, holding the same faith, and worshipping in nearly the same way.

* Basnage states the number of Jews to be about 3,000,∞.

The Calvinistic Methodists are, probably, equal, or nearly so, in numbers; and, if we include the Calvinists in every part of the world, certainly infinitely greater in number than, perhaps, all the other Protestants put together.

The Quakers are a numerous, but not, perhaps, an increasing body. The Unitarians, including nearly all the English Presbyterians, and those called Arians and Socinians, have greatly increased of late years; but still, compared with some other sects, they are not numerous in this country.

The task is certainly formidable that lies before a writer who has undertaken, not only to give some account of the several Sects and Denominations of the Christian World, but also of the Religion and Religious Ceremonies of all Nations, including the Jews and the Mabometans; of the Hindoos, and the Bramins, generally; of the religion of the Grand Lama;-of Lapland;-of China;-of the Kamtschadales ;-of India in general ;-of the Peninsula of India beyond the Ganges;-of the Asiatic Islands; -of Africa, including Egypt, Barbary, and Abyssinia;of Guinea, the Caffres, or Hottentots;-of the South Sea Islands; and of Paganism and Idolatry in general.

Amongst this vast variety and contrariety of opinion, no wonder, if, especially amongst the Christian sects, whose range of intellect is more enlarged, and whose fancies are more excursive than others, besides numerous truly wise, good, and liberal-minded men, there should be come pretended prophets; some workers of miracles ;some companions of angels; and mystics, and visionaries of various kinds. Viewing the subject, however, as a whole, we shall discover that religion has a powerful influence on the human mind, leading it to that which is good, and directing to "whatsoever is honest, whatsoever is lovely, whatsoever is true, and whatsoever is of good report;" constantly inviting us to think on those things that have a direct tendency to produce peace of mind, and to inspire the most exalted sentiments of peace and goodwill amongst men.

It would be desirable to conclude this chapter with a perfectly correct Table of the names and numbers of the various Religionists of all parties, now

in the world; but as it is impossible to make such a table, the following may serve as a round estimate, probably, not very far from the truth, though differing, in a slight degree, from some conjectures already given:

Roman Catholics....

I. CHRISTIANS.

Greek and Eastern Churches

Protestant, Lutheran, and Calvinistic Churches.

II. JEWS.

Basnage states the Jews at about........

III. MAHOMEDANS.

100,000,000

36,000,00

50,000,000

3,000,000

Of the various tribes of persons following the doctrines of Islamism, there are about..

143,000,000

In England, Ireland, and Wales, the number of Reli gionists of various sects and denominations may be estimated nearly as follow:

1. Church of England*

2. Roman Catholics+

3. Presbyterians, who are (in England,) chiefly Unitarians, Arians, and General Baptists

.......

60,000

4. Quakers and Moravians....

60,000

5. Wesleyan Methodists.

500,000

6. Baptists, of various kinds, exclusive of General

11. Deists, Theopilanthropists, and other Free-thinkers.

25,000

* The number of Livings in England and Wales is above 10,500. + In England and Wales there are about 300,000, of whom 5,000 are in London. There are 900 Catholic churches and chapels in England.

The Wesleyan Methodists" all over the world," exclusive of the New Connexion and some others, amounted last year to nearly 486,000.

OF CHRISTIANITY IN GENERAL.

THE term CHRISTIAN simply means followers of Christ. The name was given to the disciples of Jesus at the city of Antioch, about the year 41 or 43. The early history, doctrines, forms of worship, rites, and ceremonies, are to be found faithfully detailed in the books of the New Testament, compared and illustrated by the moral and prophetical books of the Old Testament: for these two portions of the sacred scriptures ought not to be separated; the one is proof of the other. These ancient and most excellent books begin by describing the creation of the world, and informing us of the origin of our first parents, Adam and Eve; their state of innocence, perfection, duty, and happiness ; of their fall and consequent punishment. The Old Testament, or first part, opens not only these things to us; but also gives clear and repeated intimations of the propitious intentions of the Deity towards His erring and sinful creatures: it likewise informs us of the general degeneracy of mankind, and of their destruction by an universal deluge; it then treats of the character and conduct of Moses, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Israel, and his family. It gives us a general history of the Jews, of their laws and statutes as prescribed by God and dispensed by Moses, Aaron, &c. for their regula tion and government; ceremonial as to their sacrifices and judicial respecting their economy and discipline, with the sanctions whereby they were enforced.

The Old Testament certainly affords more clear and ample discoveries of the being and perfections of Almighty God than could have been attained by the mere light of nature, or the most powerful effort of our reason. In many parts of this history the scenes of the divine providence are most admirably displayed, shewing that God is the moral governor of the world,-the lover and the rewarder of virtue. But, in a very peculiar manner, it exhibits many great and glorious prophecies and promises of a Messiah, all making way for, and introductory to, that far more glorious dispensation of truth and grace, the gospel of Jesus Christ. All who embraced his doctrines, whether in reality, or only formally, became,