sophers seldom extended beyond their particular sphere; their noblest efforts were therefore circumscribed in their operation, principally influencing their own disciples, and a few of the learned. No teacher was of sufficient weight to command general attention, and enforce it by suitable sanction. This forcibly applies to Islamism: for, though the Musulmans regard their Prophet as the Envoy of Heaven, yet how weak are their ties and obligations to obedience, in comparison with that solemn attestation borne to the character of Jesus in the Gospel! A voice from Heaven proclaimed respecting him, "This is my beloved Son hear him."-" All power," says the ascending and triumphant Saviour, "is given unto me in heaven and in earth. I am Alpha and Omega: the first and the last: I am He who was dead, and am alive again, and I have the keys of death and hell. I know my sheep, and am known of mine, and they

shall never perish, neither shall any pluck them out of my hand."

A further error, subversive of other systems, is a total want of assistance in the performance of duty. No suitable provision is made for the helplessness and infirmity of human nature. Subject as we are to so many weaknesses and imperfections, in every stage of life, with the best of rules to regulate our practice, the noblest example, motives and sanctions to guide, warm, and impress our hearts, yet we should fail lamentably in duty without help from above. It is not in man to direct his steps: "Hold thou up my goings in thy way, that my footsteps slip not," was the prayer of the Psalmist, and is agreeable to the experience of our own breasts. Now there is no counterpoise for this disease of our nature any where but in that revelation which gives the promise of the Spirit, to enlighten our understandings, excite good desires, and

assist us with grace, without which our efforts would prove unavailing; and therefore, in the Christian Religion we are taught to expect the assistance of God's Holy Spirit, and assured that God will vouchsafe the same to those who devoutly seek it.

But, lastly, the two systems are in complete variance as to their end and design. While one can be regarded only as an artful contrivance to draw nations over to the faith of Islam, and strengthening the delusion that has too long prevailed, perpetuating war and blood-shed: Christianity tenders its blessings to mankind without interfering with any mode of government, or upholding any temporal interests; it proclaims its kingdom not of this world, disclaims all appeals to the sword, and seeks to establish a spiritual dominion, enlightening the mind, converting the heart, sanctifying the affections, and subjecting the passions to its mild control: it offers present

comfort and future happiness through the Saviour. "I tell you," says Christ, "my sheep are not restricted to any particular fold: many shall come from the north and south and set down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven: salvation and forgiveness of sins are to be proclaimed to all nations through the Saviour, beginning at Jerusalem where he was crucified, and proceeding from thence to every clime, without distinction or difference as to the parties, every one possessing a rational soul, and capable of being the subject of divine revelation, is invited to participate in these privileges'.

The Seeks or Sikhs profess to have improved on Mohainmedanism. "In the religion of this people, the fables of Mohammedanism are united with the absurdities of the Hindu superstition, for Nanac Shah, the founder of the nation, wished to harmonize hoth. Born in a province on the extreme verge of India, at the very point where the religion of Mohammed, and the idolatrous worship of the Hindus appeared to touch, and at a time (the middle of the fifteenth

These topics might be considerably enlarged, but the question at issue is not in fact between Christianity and Mohammedanism, but between Christianity and no religion whatever; for we have seen, that the Moslem faith is untenable on any ground: it receives no countenance or support from miracles or prophecy: is opposed to former dispensations, and labours under such insuperable defects, as sufficiently shew, that it could not proceed from God.

century,) when both tribes cherished the most violent rancour and animosity against each other, the great aim of this benevolent fanatic was to blend these jarring elements in peaceful union."-See Mills, page 421.

It is lamentable to see how error is engendered in endless perpetuity; nothing can prove effectual to the conversion and healing of the nations, save that volume, which, as Locke has beautifully expressed it, "has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any alloy of error for its matter."