religion; but where do they forbid a union? The apostle Paul, though he exclaimed against the abuse of learning in the church at Corinth, gloried in and commended its acquirements. Those who make this objection should well consider that the precious Bible is the most learned and most difficult book in all the world; and that, but for human learning, they would have had no Bible to read, nor any commentators to explain it. How strangely inconsistent it appears to decry human learning as dangerous to religion, and yet extol the Bible, which is among the noblest displays of it ever exhibited to mankind!

6. God and religion can do without it. This borders on rashness. God being infinite in power, is not confined to any means, nor needs he the aid of men or angels; but to say that religion has no need of learning, is saying that God does not work by means, and that his stupendous plans are accomplished without the instrumentality of subordinate agents. God can do without it! But, has he ever done any thing very remarkable without it? Has he ever promised to do so? Whatever God may have done without it, we are sure he has done much more with it. 'God and religion can do without it" Then Ignorance is the Mother of Devotion; and a barren uncultivated mind more suited to the growth of divine principles than an enlightened understanding. On the contrary, the history of the Reformation testifies that a revival of learning promotes a revival of religion; and were the former banished into some solitary island, the latter would follow, and claim her as a powerful and necessary associate.

Two or three reflections shall conclude this paper. Human learning, notwithstanding all her advantages, may become highly injurious by misapplication, excessive attachment, or want of watchfulness. A man may pore over metaphysics and science at large, till he is bewildered rather than informed, till his religious affections are cold as ice; till he contract a stupid apathy, which unfits him for the church and for the world; and, if he be a minister, it will have a most fatal influence on his labours. All who value their spiritual affections should drink cautiously at these streams; and while we allow that Learning prudently managed may prove a useful servant to Religion, let us beware of raising her to an equality with it. Let us make a wise choice of knowledge, and acquire that most suited to our station, without gathering every gay flower at random. Finally, Let us never forget our weak capacities, and the need of divine instruction; while we esteem the gospel of Christ infinitely above all the lores of all the world, since its glories are too grand and sublime to be acquiesced by human exertion, comprehended by human minds, or overthrown by human invention W. M. Jun.

West Melton.

THOUGHTS ON ITINERANT PREACHING.

VARIOUS methods have been employed for some considerable time past, to facilitate the spread of the gospel to a greater extent both in this and other countries, which have been owned of God for much more usefulness than any thing which has been known within the same length of time for centuries before. These exertions, however, have been employed of late years, principally in foreign countries *. Perhaps some large districts in this kingdom have not been cultivated with all that diligence and labour which might have been used, with no great trouble and with comparatively small expence. Whether the following plan to spread the savour of the Redeemer's name more generally in England, may be thought eligible; how far it may be practicable, or how it may strike those ministers and congregations which are meant to be comprehended in it, I am not certain; but I may be allowed to say, that it has rested upon my mind, for some time, with considerable weight.

In the six northern counties, with which the writer is more particularly acquainted, and some parts of which are distinguished for the knowledge of the gospel, there are large tracts where the light of truth has not shone, or where its enlivening rays have been but few and very feeble. It is very probable that the state of things is much the same throughout the kingdon. It is true, attempts have been made, and are still making, in some of these places to diffuse the word of life; but the whole of what has been done is but little in comparison of what might be done; and what is of importance in this case is, it might be done in a way which appears to be more likely to succeed.

Our Itinerants are, most of them, young men who have enjoyed but small means of instruction, and who have had but few opportunities of being acquainted with men and things. The writer does not in the least doubt their sincerity, or their zeal; and he hopes it will not be thought that he feels the most distant idea of weakening their hands, or of damping

*We apprehend that our worthy correspondent is not quite correct in stating that the exertions of religious persons bave of late years been direct d principally to foreign parts. It is truc, some considerable exertions of that sort have been made, and very commendably; but these have brne no proportion to the exertions made åt home. It is true, also Missionaries have been sent abroad; but how many hundreds, including Itine rants and staled ministers weekly itinerating, have been employed at home! We suali rejoice to see more done at home; but let no discouragement be given to exertions abroad, which may be encreased an hundred-fold more than ever, without lessening these at home.

their ardour; his object is to strengthen and encourage them, by endeavouring to bring into their range such men as are best fitted to awaken and rouse, and by this means to enlarge their sphere of operation.

The scheme which is now suggested with the utmost deference and submission to the public, if it be thought worthy of their sanction, is, that the most popular and lively preachers in the kingdom be requested to Itinerate one month in the year, forty or fifty miles round their respective residences, as circumstances may require. Of the inclination of these ministers, there can be no doubt; for those who possess not'a disposition to this, can hardly be thought to have much of the spirit of the gospel. The chief difficulties of this plan appear to be in our congregations, and in the means of carrying it into effect.. Those congregations, which are served by ministers of a suitable cast for Itinerants, it may be supposed are of that sort who would readily consent to an object so truly evangelical. Perhaps, it might not be quite so well to leave the management of this concern wholly to the ministers and congregations themselves, as it might create some suspicion that a minister was prompted by an undue desire to leave his charge more frequently than he ought; but such an idea would be obviated if the Missionary Society, or any other respectable body of men, were to request the several congregations to give up their ministers for the time for so laudable a purpose. In some places, indeed, suitable supplies to fill up such vacancies as would be made, might be difficult to be obtained; but this. objection can have no great weight, if it be considered that in most parts of the country where there is an evangelical ministry, there are persons who could and would lend their assistance, either at such places as were immediately in want, or at others, who might need them in a secondary way. Where there are academies within reach, the difficulty ceases. What belongs to the temporal part of this scheme, falls within a narrow compass. Conveyance from place to place appears to be the most material thing; for in most places, entertainment, better or worse, with which a man in this employment ought to be content, might be had; but if the expence should happen to be as much as the full demand, there are obvious ways of obtaining all that would be required.

1

The advantages of this plan present themselves with considerable force. The result of any thing is very material towards a vigorous prosecution. It is true we cannot go on the ground of absolute certainty; but where there is strong probability, and the prospect is reasonable and extensive, it rises to moral certainty, which is all the encouragement that can be had in such a case. All means are in the hand of God, whose prerogative it is to bless the weakest as well as the most

powerful; but, on close inspection, it will be found that, in general, those means which are the best adapted are the most extensively useful.

To send out the most able and popular ministers, whose talents lie in awakening the mind to a proper sense of religion, and who have abilities to speak with propriety and force, might call a more extensive attention to the word, and remove some of those prejudices which are so prevalent in places where the gospel is not understood. It might also give some idea of the respectability of the connection to which such ministers belong, and of course it would bring the evangelical interest into greater notice among such inhabitants of a neighbourhood as might have considerable influence in the promotion of the general cause. It would likewise encourage those pious young men who are already employed in the good work, who feel the pressure of the service, and who may be tempted to think that their brethren leave them to serve alone. They would certainly go on with more pleasure when they knew that such ministers as were esteemned, were willing to enter into their labours of love, and to participate in their trials. A plan of this kind, subject to such amendments and modifications as might be suggested, would bring the Itinerant course into more respect, and make it more general through the country, and consequently enlarge the sphere of usefulness to a very considerable extent; it may be added, that it would be an imitation of the example of such worthy men as have been most eminently useful, and who have given abundant proof of what might be done in this way. The examples of these men have a most powerful claim upon our imitation, as the blessing of God upon their labours has furnished us with some of the best materials for building up our churches. Nor would the benefits of this plan stop here; the ministers and people of our several congregations would feel the advantage. The love of God and sinners would burn with brighter flame; zeal in the divine cause would be quickened by such motion; and ministers and their friends would meet again with new energy, and a stronger impulse on their spirits. By such a practice it seems possible to unite the advantages both of a stated and Itinerant ministry, and to, make the one subservient to the other. The services of a man whose mind is matured by a close application to study, would. bé received abroad with much more respect; and at home, the zeal of the Lord, which prompted him to such disinterested and painful labours, would strongly recommend him to greater love and esteem; but the best argument is, the probability of success. Every minister of Christ feels this to be the first object of his heart. To go out in the way which has been recommended, would give fuller scope to these feelings, and

an opportunity of preaching the glad tidings of salvation to such as never heard them before, and who may by this means find the Pearl of great price. Some spacious field may open on his view, where he may sow the seed of the kingdom which shall produce a plentiful harvest.

It is with pleasure I have seen some of our leading characters go through the country in favour of the funds for Missionary Exertions. Nothing, perhaps, could be better adapted. Where money is in the case, the best means readily occur; and there is commonly a prompt and animated execution. Is it not possible to improve by this hint? If an itinerant excursion, performed by an able man, is thought to be the best way of working on the mind to accomplish one desirable purpose, is it not, on the same ground, the best method to send the best preachers to win souls? Men are wrought upon by argument and affection in all cases. Such means as answer for one religious purpose would answer for another. It is true, we may not have a Bogue in every part of the country; but we have men of piety, zeal, and activity; and if they can be sent out in search of new discoveries, and to convert souls, we have every reason to expect success in proportion to the means we employ. EUMENES.

A CONCISE VIEW OF

THE PRESENT STATE OF EVANGELICAL RELIGION THROUGHOUT THE WORLD.

NO. III.

[Continued from p. 434.]

Respecting the state of the different denominations among us, it may be difficult to be accurate and impartial. The Me thodists, generally so called, subsist under the two great divisions, with minor differences in each. Mr. Wesley and Mr. Whitefield were both of the established church, in origin and by ordination; and took, as is the case with many in the church, different sides, in the Quinquarticular Controversy. Mr. Whitefield adhered to the Articles in the sense called Calvinistic; I believe generally admitted as the literal and grammatical one; and such as almost all our first reformers and bishops, till the time of Charles the First, held. Mr. Wesley, as the generality of the modern clergy of his day had done, was more inclined to the Arminian scheme and interpretation. This naturally divided their followers into Calvinists and Arminians, though neither professed to take either Calvin or Arminius as their master universally; but, in their general opinions, were more correspondent with the one than the other. Indeed, the line of division is so strong, that on whichever side you stand in general sentiment, there must be a se