why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptised, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord." Acts xxii. 16.

The more I investigated the subject, the more I became convinced that an important spiritual benefit was attached to baptism, or rather formed a portion of it; and that the doctrine of the Church concerning baptismal regeneration was strictly in accordance with both the letter and spirit of God's word. I took many days-nay, weeks-to look thoroughly into the subject, and drew up a statement, which I sent to my friend Mr. Flavel. He answered rather shortly, professing himself too much occupied to write a long letter he complimented me on my diligence; but added that, according to my doctrine, if we desired to know whether a person were saved, we had nothing else to do but to look into the parish-register.

This flippant answer a little annoyed me; and I replied, that it appeared to me scarcely a sufficiently reverent way of treating so important a doctrine. The fact of second birth having taken place could no more be annulled than the fact of the first birth could. The benefit of regeneration depended on the use made of it; and if a baptised person did not live according to his profession and privileges, he lost the benefits of his adoption. Instead of such a doctrine leading to formalism, I contended that it was impossible to conceive a more powerful stimulus to spiritual mindedness and love of God, than to follow the guidance of the Church in her catechism, and to imprint on

the hearts of children a deep feeling of the great mercy which God had shewn them by making them His children by adoption and grace, and bestowing on them the seeds of holiness, which if duly cherished would grow up unto eternal life. And what appeal would fall more strongly on the heart of the sinner than to remind him of benefits which he had received; the possibility of recovering his forfeited birthright by repentance; and the great ingratitude, as well as danger, if he neglected so great salvation? And what a different aspect did it give of the relation in which we stood to our brethren around us, if we looked on them as adopted sons of God, brethren of Christ and of ourselves, and heirs through hope of God's everlasting kingdom!

I began to feel very strongly on the subjectpreached several times about it, and, as I thought, with effect. The office of baptism was more reverently attended. People discerned that it was something more than the mere ceremony of naming the child. It now appeared to me a great principle of the Church to secure souls to Christ at the first, and then to keep them. This view encouraged my exertions in the schools, and led me to view the children in a much more solemn and interesting light than I had hitherto done; and to think more of the vital importance of training them up in godly ways; so that they might not forfeit, through wilful and habitual sin, the benefits of their baptismal regeneration.

I verily believe it was this discussion about the doctrine of regeneration that saved me from evangelicalism, into which I was fast descending. I had been struck with the usefulness and apparent zeal of Mr. Flavel, and others of his way of thinking,— had made him my counsellor, and adopted many of his views. But this discussion staggered me. I did not for a moment consider Mr. Flavel as dishonest; but I thought there must be some strange perversion of the understanding which could explain away the scriptural doctrine held by the Church of baptismal regeneration. If Mr. Flavel could so palpably distort the language of our formularies, supported as they were by Scripture, in one instance, how could I trust his advice in other matters ? Was it not possible to find pious and zealous men who were more cordially attached to the doctrines of their own Church?

These considerations dwelt on my mind, and increased my thoughtfulness.

Watchwords of party, on all tongues are rife:

As if a Church, though sprung from Heaven, must owe
To opposites and fierce extremes her life-

Not to the golden mean, and quiet flow
Of truths which soften hatred, temper strife.

WORDSWORTH.

ABOUT this time a circumstance occurred which had a great influence on my subsequent life. It must be remembered that my theological studies had been very limited. Previously to my ordination, I had read next to nothing of controversial divinity. Since I had been ordained, my reading had been confined chiefly to such books as aided me in getting up materials for my sermons, and consisted of a most indiscriminate dipping into the "old English divines," without the slightest regard to their difference of views and nothing having hitherto called my attention to the controversies of the day, I knew as little of modern publications as I did of the ancient fathers.

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dern race of clergy. Many who are settled in remote districts do very commonly, notwithstanding the facilities afforded by magazines, reviews, penny-postage, and other modern inventions, live almost separate from the rest of the world. I have known some who actually decline to take in a printed letter, though the postage costs them nothing. Wrapped up in their own affairs; engaged, perhaps, in the conscientious discharge of their parochial duties, or it may be, in very trifling occupations,—they lose sight of the fact, that they are members of a great and influential body, the Church, one principal source of whose influence for good is united action. While the Papists and Dissenters are linked together and organised, so as to make the most of their strength, Churchmen are too often entirely dissociated from each other; and it is almost impossible to move them to act as an united body. This indifference in the parochial minister communicates itself to the members of his flock, insomuch that there are many whole parishes which stand isolated, as it were, from the rest of the Church,-parishes from which not a shilling is sent in support of the efforts the Church is making for the increase of Christ's kingdom, whether abroad or at home; not a vote or petition to be obtained, though the need be ever so urgent. It is in a great measure to this apathy that we must attribute the comparatively small progress of the noble scheme undertaken by the Church for the education of the people. If the clergy will not sup