fanatics, who had a little ruffled him, "I would recommend thee, friend," said he, but with the true spirit and meekness of Christianity," to have done with these ill-timed and ill-judged contentions, they do but engender strife. And what does all your knowledge of Scripture amount to after all?" asked he, "are you the better for it think ye, or does it only tend to make you wiser? Doeth thou these things? for whosoever knoweth them, and doeth them not, is, you may rest assured, in a pitiable plight." It is a trite observation, and not, however, the less true for that, "that the greatest part of those who engage in controversial discussions, contend rather for victory than for truth;" though butchers, bakers, cheesemongers, and blacksmiths, all in their turn, enter the list.

"No,"

"I'm a strict churchman," says one. says another, "the gentleman you sit under doesn't preach the Gospel." "Not preach the Gospel," returns the churchman, "what can you mean? he preaches as Christ himself was wont to preach-Believe in God, and keep His commandments; do unto all men, as you would they should do unto you; avoid hypocrisy; pray for your neighbours; and forgive, that ye may be forgiven."

"Vain and frivolous are the motives that lead you to your duty," replies the fanatic, "your good works will avail ye nought till they proceed from a right spirit, you may rest assured."'

"As to that," retorts the other, "the rules of our Divine Instructor, as they are laid down in the Gospel for our observance, are too plain and easy for a person of moderate capacity to mistake them. Be aware of false teachers, friend, as well as false prophets; nor vainly suppose that your election is sure, and that nothing remains for you to do. Look to the words of our Saviour, Blessed are they that HEAR the word of God and KEEP it.' For the rest I refer you to the Sermon on the Mount, the best, you must allow, that was ever preached in this world; there you will find fixed, certain, and indisputable rules of conduct, both as to faith and practice, the one being incomplete without the other."

Thus are these religious contentions carried on by the most ignorant as well as the most learned. But as few in this age of piety and independence will be convinced of their errors, they serve but to create a kind of enmity between Christians, that degrades the character they profess to maintain. But while there are preachers in every house, errors must abound. Would the Clergy compare notes, and come to a better understanding among themselves, in all probability, there would not be such a diversity of opinions among the Laity; but as long as the former contend for the true doctrine, the latter will run after different pastors, and the most eloquent preacher will generally succeed in collecting the most numerous congregation. Hence schisms arise. The bigot

token of the sincerity of the heart, of a welcome reception, and of the most flattering esteem. Such might be the original feelings attached to the practice, and may still exist in the breasts of many; but of late, the custom has been so alarmingly encroached upon by every order of individuals, that really, both ladies and gentlemen in the present age, are in dread of all whom they may chance to meet, lest they should lay violent hands upon them, the custom being indiscriminately practised by friend and foe.

This national shake, as it may be termed, when given in the true spirit of John Bull, is really tremendous. The great Prussian hero, General Blucher, who experienced it in its most genuine style, declared that "he would, at any time, sooner meet the enemy's army in the field of battle, than have to encounter the friendly grasp of honest John Bull." And no wonder,-for the very rough testimony of public admiration that was so enthusiastically bestowed on this aged veteran, shook his tottering frame, it may with truth be said, "near dissolution." Even females, struck with the general mania, flocked round his carriage wherever it stopped, not only to take a peep at the venerable warrior, but to give him a free and hearty squeeze. At length, overpowered with these flattering evidences of British popularity, he was, one day, counselled by a native to dismiss one of them with a kiss; which he assured him would put the rest to flight, and

prevent his being thus assailed in future. But how mistaken was their countryman-how astonished the General !—Instead of producing the promised effect, it served but to augment the persecution, and encourage their advances. In fine, his gallantry was so liberally rewarded with the profusion of kisses bestowed on him in consequence, that, according to report, he narrowly escaped suffocation. And England may congratulate herself, that kissing was not from that event again revived and adopted as a national custom. From such trivial circumstances do neral usages sometimes prevail.

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