Did they stop here, who could condemn them? Who but would pity them, for depriving themselves of so many sources of rational amusement to fritter away life in religious trifling*? But here they do not stop.-The sweetest things will cloy. When hymns, ghosts, witches, bibliomancy, and the sacred lottery have been exhausted, then comes on the formidable fiery ordeal, through which the characters of all within their ken, must pass. How few will pass unhurt, I can only imagine, by the outcry raised against them for their propensity to this uncharitable, unchristianlike attack upon their absent neighbours +. The

* Knowing the aptitude of this most respectable body to twist and torture plain sense, I think it necessary to state, that I mean downright TRIFLING, however they may flatter themselves that they are all the time religious because they are SERIOUS.

The sapient gentleman who counted the number of letters in the old and new Testament, must have been oue of these amusing serious triflers.

+ I cannot confine this religious stricture to the Methodists;-I have known women of birth and fortune, with no inconsiderable share of intellect, after having become serious, evangelical, vital christians (i. e. STEPPING STONES TO METHODISM) turn out the most loquacious gossips in the parish, entertaining their guests with anecdotes better calculated for a tete-a-tete over a washingtub, or the borachio of a barber's shop, than a drawing

life of the female Methodist can only be paralleled by Mrs. Graham's description of the ladies composing a mahomedan Haram. "They mutter "their prayers, and some of them read the Koran, but not one in a thousand of them understands "it. They thread beads, plait coloured silks, sleep, ❝quarrel, make pastry, and chew betel, in the "same daily round."

But to return to the object of their hatred.-If the use of a theatre be attended with all the abominations described by these brawling sons of zeal and bigotry, how comes it that Jesus and his apostles remain silent on the subject? Why did they not, in express terms, forbid the use of it? They have been minutely particular, not only upon the commission of crimes, but explicit in their condemnation of every remote agent and conductor to vice. We are instructed to "abstain from all "appearance of evil." The usurpers of the apostolic mission trick out the stage, not only as

room. I suppose it is all for the good of our souls that they endeavour to support a system of family espionage (throughout the kingdom.-Nay, if any of these rich PRECISE should get familiar: footing in your house, they will not only tell you what is passing under every roof in the hundred, but will edify you with gratuitous lectures upon the improprieties of each, department in your own economy.

R$

the tempter, but actually the encourager, supporter, promoter, and patron of every vice. Surely their zealous fears either aggravate and over-charge the picture, or the apostles, were remiss in their duty. I leave it to the rational and truly religious to decide, which of the parties are in error.

It is a subject for curious admiration, that in ths whole ministration of our blessed Saviour and his chosen followers, there is no evidence of their ever taking advantage of popular opinions to establish their cause, or add to the number of their proselytes.

The woman taken in adultery; gathering ears of corn on the sabbath; eating with publicans, and a variety of instances, will fully elucidate my

assertion.

upon

Their silence upon the use of a theatre in Jerusalem is another striking proof. An establishment forced the inhabitants at the expence of several lives, by Herod the great-an amusement so diametrically opposite to the laws and customs of the Jews-an innovation so violent to their feelings and inclinations-must have been in a very y feeble, precarious state; particularly when it had lost its founder and supporter by the decease of Herod.-Yet, notwithstanding the temptation to popularity, and the evident respect he pays to the

customs of his country, Jesus passes it by without the slightest mark of condemnation, in which he is imitated by the whole of his apostles*.

66

The immediate followers of our blessed Savionr were persecuted, despised, contemned; sealing their belief in their great instructors doctrine, by meekness, humility, forbearance, charity, and death itself! They endeavoured to conquer the enemies of their faith by peace and good-will. They would not destroy or anathematise their bitterest foes, but they were ready to shed their blood in defence of their ministration. Forgive us our "sins as we forgive them that trespass against us" with them was not lip-service, it was indelibly engraved on the heart-incorporated itself with their natures-regulated their actions-purified their thoughts and endeared them to their great exemplar. Look at the mildness, the simplicity, the philanthropy of the apostles; their continual prayers and intercessions with the Almighty for mercy upon the ungodly. "The primitive christians 66 were of a joyous as well as of a devout turn of "mind. Being justified by faith they had PEACE "with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ. "Believing they rejoiced with joy unspeakable " and full of glory."

* Vide Father Caffaro's letter, p. 84.

Turn an eye upon our modern saints.Wiliat a contrast!--An affected sternness of manner*a brutality of behaviour-a frantic bellowing of voice, more in unison with an enthusiastic priest of Bellona, than the humble and meek attendant upon the merciful God of peace and concord. Threatening, not soothing; denouncing, not praying; cursing, not blessing; are the marks of the beast upon them! They cannot feel the genuine principles of christianity. Are they not mislead by -false lights-groping in the dark-insensible to the divine emanations of its exalted founder,!

"When will the unbeliever learn the nature

Moreover when ye fast, be not as the hypocrites, of sa sad countenance; for they disfigure their faces, that they may appear unto men to fast. Verily say unto you, they have their reward.

But thou when thou fastest, anoint thy head and wash thy face, that thou appear not. unto men to fast, but unto thy father which is in secret, and thy father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Matt, vi. 16, 17, 18.

+ But I say unto you which hear, love your enemies, do

them good which hate you.

Bless them that curse-you,-

›-and-pray-for-them-which

despitefully use you.

Luke vi. 27, 28.