visible warfare, and were animated above indifference and above fear by the emulation of thousands; but so have our Christian youth as real requirements; and over them is a cloud of Heavenly Witnesses, with the sharp vision of immortality, and an interest in the progress of the Christian cause on earth,-an inspiration this, certainly, beyond the ghosts of warriors and their empty prerogative. It only remains to promote an equal emulation by some public mode of teaching Christianity. We hail, as a mighty engine over the mind, that new mode of public instruction, by emulation, which gives exercise to ingenuity from the earliest lessons in attaching a meaning to every word; which makes a boy teach himself, and not think it enough to apprehend the communications of his master; which lays fast the foundations of attention and application, and calls out that manly earnestness of spirit, which yields not to idleness and its near vices, but which is bold and clear in apprehension, and girt up for the duties equally well of religion and worldly business. Here is a mind train

ed and well appointed for the earnest study of the Scriptures, alert to comprehend at once the spirit of duty, to bring conviction into action, and make "the firstlings of the heart" "the firstlings of the hand." One single point taught in such a school, is not simply a communication; but, pledged in emulation—the concentrated belief of many hearts—and in noble self-respect, is an abiding impression, and more than equivalent to the same instruction in private with the adjunct of the most solemn sanction; is a part of the soul itself.

It remains but to direct and apply this body of energy, that it be effective in the teaching of religious duty; or rather, it is necessary that the best institutes of Christian education be brought forward at first, that the organized power may not hold itself independent of a religious application, but that in its growing frame-work may grow the decision of moral responsibility, and the strong distinction between virtue and vice; that these distinctions may be so enforced by the deep cen

sure and weighty praise which the surrounding sympathies of decided minds impress, that any conscious feeling of virtue shall be the pledge of delight, and vice the token of dissatisfaction; and that in all may be secured not only due justice to truth in general, but a determined prepossession in favour of Christianity and its grand distinctions. Now, the same rules by which a boy is trained in principles and duties at home, may, if judiciously managed, engage the economy of our public institutions and their commanding influence, without hurting much that sacred modesty which best keeps the core of religion.

It may well be trusted that the noble patriot-teachers, to whom our country owes so much, shall lose no time in perfecting the adaptation.

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CHAPTER VIII.

GENERAL CHRISTIAN EDUCATION-MILLENNIAL HOPES.

The last great age, foretold by sacred rhymes,
Renews its finished course: Saturnian times
Roll round again; and mighty years, begun
From their first orbs, in radiant circles run.

DRYDEN'S VIRGIL.

They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. PROPHECIES OF ISAIAH.

SHALL the present state of religion in this country abide and be progressive? And what influence shall it have on the world?

There has been in every period of the history of Christianity a curious mingling of progress and declension; but, under the above hope,

from the mode of our public education, an affirmative to the first clause of the question may readily be suggested. The hearts of a whole nation of youth can be brought under the efficient direction of a few good men. With regard to the second,-the Christian patriots of our country are meeting together and planning. They have got beyond the first mere ardent feeling, and have instituted a general and dispassionate economy of charity. The eagle-eyed and eloquent Douglas hath anticipated time, and surveying the world, hath laid down the laws of general amelioration. Whether to be justified by time and event, such noble calculations,—they serve, at least, to draw attention and public opinion, and to animate them with a great hope. And this is no trivial engagement; for did every man in Britain think as such Christian philanthropists think, and wish as they wish,-under the extensive implications of our country with all the kingdoms of the world, we might expect at once a direct and