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wielding "the sword of the spirit," with a skill, not to be resisted, and an energy of purpose not to be subdued. The church would go on in the might of her own strength, conquering and to conquer, and the lovely illustrations of the practical influence of Christianity, afforded in the conduct of every follower of the Lamb, would constitute a perpetual barrier of defence, against which the shafts of infidelity would be directed in vain.

Again: The zeal of the enlightened Christian presents a worthy example to those who are just entering on the path of Christian duty; and in this respect it is of eminent advantage to the interests of the church. The young disciple of Christ, who finds himself surrounded by examples of consistent and devoted piety, finds the path of duty plain before him; for these examples accord precisely with those impressions which have been fixed upon his mind, in the prayerful and attentive study of the revealed will of God.

And finally we remark that the enlightened Christian is secure from the influence of error, and consequently, in a great degree, free from the danger of apostacy. Systems of religious belief, sustained only by human authority, have no other influence on his mind, than to increase his attachment to "the faith once delivered to the Saints." His firm belief in the doctrines of revelation, administers to his soul, a hope, as sure and steadfast as the eternal foundation on which it is based. And he is able to give a reason for this hope whenever it is demanded. The moral precepts of the gospel are the rule of his life, and thus, all his actions are the fruits of a living faith, and his moral character is gradually

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advancing toward that point of perfection, which it must gain, to be meet for the enjoyments of heaven.*

These are, briefly, the results that flow from the sanctified knowledge of the doctrines and moral requirements of the gospel. We are saved by faith: but this saving faith cannot exist until the objects of belief are presented to the mind. The Bible is "the sword of the Spirit," and the influence of the spirit can only be felt where the essential truths of the Bible are known. There may be knowledge without faith, but there cannot be faith without knowledge. There may be zeal where the mind is comparatively unenlightened, but it is not the zeal that gives impulse and direction to the actions of the true believer.

It is the object, and the only object, of catechetical instruction, to present to the mind the doctrines and moral precepts of revealed truth; to represent man as he is, depraved and helpless in his moral nature; to direct his attention to the means of his restoration to moral purity, and consequent happiness as a moral being; to urge the claims of the Creator upon human

*It may be said that we are are arguing in favor of points conceded by every one. They may be generally conceded in theory, but practically, they are by many opposed. A writer in the N. Y. Evangelist, who laments the state of things produced by hasty admissions in the presbyterian church, recommends the establishment of a "probation class," where those who wish to unite with the church, may become acquainted with Christian doctrine and duty. And are not the evils of which this writer complains, alarmingly prevalent in our own church? If not there can still be no impropriety in guarding against them. Let us not overlook the fact, that our presbyterian brethren begin to see, and feel, and acknowledge the necessity of an arrangement which has always existed in our church. Every class of Catechumens, is "a probation class."

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obedience; in a word, to bring the sinner to his God. In every case, where this result is not produced, it is to be attributed to the same cause, that renders the preaching of the gospel so often ineffectual in its solemn appeals to the human heart.

There is one advantage, connected with the system of catechetical instruction, which every faithful minister of our church has found to be of inestimable importance. It affords him an opportunity to assemble together the young, at stated periods, when he can impress upon their minds the sublime doctrines of everlasting truth, and teach them their individual obligation to remember their Creator. Every member of the class is separately addressed, and none, therefore, can escape the counsels and admonitions of the gospel. These solemn lessons, sent home to the heart by the spirit of the Highest, often create permanent impressions of duty; and it is a scene of no ordinary interest, when a band of young immortals, thus trained up for heaven, are solemnly dedicated, by the imposition of hands, to the service of their God. And is it not a matter of the utmost importance, to enlist on the side of truth, the devoted activity of the young, and not suffer them to be thrown, unprotected, amid the gay fascinations of the world? What Chris-tian parent does not feel interested in the religious education of his child! And what period of life is more favorable to moral impressions, than that of youth!

I was conversing the other day with an old man, who enjoyed the advantages of catechetical instruction at a very early age, and was received into the church. He is an enlightened and devoted Christian. I was not only pleased, but edified, in listening to his lucid and

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correct views of divine truth and human responsibility. I recollect that, among other things, we were speaking about a bell which had been lately purchased by the congregation to which he belongs. Said he: "I love to hear the sound of the bell, it seems to invite us to the house of prayer. Indeed, we have many calls to visit the sanctuary. The Bible calls; the ministers of religion call; conscience calls; and the bell calls." This is one example of the sanctified influence of early religious instruction. The lessons, imparted to the youthful mind of this aged servant of Christ, have expanded into the most enlarged and enlightened conceptions of duty. And the unwritten history of the church, if explored, would afford many exemplifications, equally interesting, of the truth of that inspired dictate: "Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old he will not depart from it."

Travellers of intelligence and learning have recorded their testimony in favor of the German system of religious instruction, and have stated, that in Germany they had not met with a child of twelve or fourteen years of age, who was not intimately acquainted with the most important historical and doctrinal parts of the Old and New Testament. And it is presumed, that in an age like this, when it is the prayer and desire of every enlightened Christian to witness the universal establishment of Sunday schools, and Bible classes-it is presumed, I say, that in an age like this, none but those who are ignorant of the advantages secured to the church and the world by the early religious instruction of every succeeding generation, will find fault with a system which aims to accomplish this interesting and momentous result. It is

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for the infidel to denominate the firm, unwavering faith of the enlightened Christian, the prejudice of early education-but if the mind of man can be prejudiced in favor of truth, and be made to yield to its influence, his eternal interests are safe.

In conclusion I would exhort every parent and every guardian of youth, to bring those, whose immortal interests are intrusted to their charge, under the influence of early religious instruction. I would urge every minister of our church to be faithful to this part of his duty. Let him adhere strictly to that system of preparatory instruction, which has enjoyed the sanction of the most illustrious servants of the church, from the earliest period of its establishment, through every succeeding age, and which has been honored with the approbation of heaven, as the conversion of thousands will testify; and he may confidently look for the most pleasing and beneficial results. Let the young, throughout the church, be early taught to revere the principles of the gospel, and it is easy to trace the tendency of this course in all its bearings, and in the remotest exercise of its influence. The turbulent spirit of the proud and self-conceited enthusiast will be quelled; the boastings of infidelity will be hushed; harmony of feeling will lead to unity of action, among Christians of every name, and the efforts of an enlightened zeal will every where contribute to the rapid and wide dissemination of gospel truth, until "the knowledge of the Lord will cover the earth as the waters cover the sea," and the dawn of a brighter day will rise upon the nations.