clared you that as a great many individuals had been invited to the funeral, you would probably be in a different room, and, perhaps, in a different house from that in which Mr. Harris would be placed. After hesitating a short time, you decould not attend the funeral with Mr. Harris. Such, Sir, are the circumstances as they have been represented to me, and as they are currently reported in the neighbourhood. Are they true? I shall sincerely rejoice in being able, on your authority, to contradict them. But if true, are they accordant with the feelings and the character becoming either a man or a Christian? Are they such as to adorn the profession of a Christian minister? Was it a fitting time, when the hand of God lay heavy on the widowed mourner, when she needed all the consolations of Christian benevolence, for you to pass "by on the other side;" and whilst the grave stood open to receive the body of the husband, to lacerate the feelings of the living, and to dishonour the memory of the dead? Is not the Almighty Father emphatically proclaimed, to be the God of the widow; and did you, regardless of the holy excellences which it was your duty to strive to imitate, cause the widow's anguish to be even more heart-rending? Does not that Religion, of which you are the minister, teach 66 you to with those who weep;" and did you, weep reckless of the duties of your sacred office, add insult to agony? Is such the conduct which your principles teach you to exhibit to the mourner in Zion? Then are they not the principles of the Gospel of the blessed and benignant Jesus, for such conduct is alien to his practice, and opposed to his commandments. Was there any thing in the character of the departed, to justify the outrage on his bereaved partner? He was industrious, he was virtuous-fearing God and in charity with man. But he was poor; and worse than all, inquiry, and prayer, and the Bible, had led him to renounce the prejudices of his youth, and to believe-to profess the faith of Christian Unitarianism! And was this the heinous-the unpardonable offence, which could not be atoned except by your violating your duty to the living? You could not attend the funeral-you could not say Amen to my prayers. Indeed! Have you ever heard me pray? Or did you, in uttering that sentiment, set at defiance every principle of justice, and condemn me without a hearing? Why can you not say Amen to my prayers? Do you not believe and uphold that same Bible which is my most valued treasure? Do you not believe, as I rejoice to do, that "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life"? Do you not believe, as I gladly do, "how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power"? Do you not believe, as I firmly do, "that God hath made that same Jesus" "both Lord and Christ"? Do you not believe, as I do, and "also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement"? Do you not believe, as I do, that, "as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive"? Do you not believe, as I do, that "the hour is coming in the which all that are in their graves shall hear his voice and shall come forth, they that have done good to the resurrection of life, and they that have done evil to the resurrection of condemnation"? Is it not the foundation of your preaching, as it is of mine, that God "now commandeth all men every where to repent, because he hath appointed a day in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained, whereof he hath given an assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead"? Is it not your object, as well as mine, to "preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus"? Is it not "through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father"? Is not the commandment of the Saviour your guide to the exercises of devotion, as I gratefully acknowledge it is mine, "When ye pray, say, Our Father"? Why, then, can you not say Amen to my prayers? Did not your Saviour tell you, that "the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth, for the Father seeketh such to worship him"? Do you not obey his bidding? I trust it is my delight, as well as my consolation, to approach in humility that holy Father, and in the blessed name of Jesus, to pour forth my thanksgivings for his rich and undeserved mercies; soliciting the pardon of transgression, upon amendment; asking for guidance, protection, blessing; imploring that Christian hope and Christian salvation, may be the inheritance of all men; interceding for enemies, and those who vilify and reproach through ignorance or prejudice; fervently uttering aspira tions, that misery may be assuaged and affliction sanctified, and poverty be mitigated, and iniquity stayed, and righteousness and charity abound; that God may be adored in purity, and his creatures be intelligent, virtuous, and happy; that the Saviour may be venerated, and the allgracious Father be hallowed and glorified. And you cannot say Amen to such prayers! Why not? If from ignorance of the faith and practice of the Christian Unitarian, seek for knowledge. If from bigotry, cast out the demon. But of this be sure, the age of priestly intolerance is passing away. The people will not long bow down before the dictation either of Catholic or Protestant Popes. Yours is the first instance I have met with, of the minister of any denomination refusing to meet me at a funeral. For the honour of the age and country, may it also be the last and the only example. No religious teacher can be long respected, however loud may be his professions, or however stern may be his orthodoxy, who does not show by his conduct on all occasions, his practical regard to the commandment and the spirit of Christianity, "that he who loveth God, love his brother also." I have addressed you plainly, as I conceived the circumstances demanded. If I have been misinformed, you can easily set me right, and I shall be happy in refuting the statement. If it be a correct representation, I fervently pray, that you may see and acknowledge your errors; and that, as your mind becomes more enlightened, your heart may become more benevolent. And to this aspiration, I hope your future conduct at least will respond, Amen!I am, With sincere wishes for your present and eternal happiness, GLASGOW, 6th September, 1830. GEORGE HARRIS. Extracts from Sermons [posthumous] of the late (Continued from page 15.) A recommendation of knowledge in general. "Knowledge of almost every kind is agreeable and useful; and in an age of general inquiry, the means of improvement A Stone Tablet, in the chapel in which Mr. Scott officiated, at the village of the Lye-Waste, near Stourbridge, bears the following inscription: should be extended as much as possible. It is knowledge in connection with virtue, that chiefly distinguishes us from the inferior creatures, and that makes the principal difference between man and man. If we look back upon past ages, or survey the present state of the world, we shall find that the most respectable nations cultivated science. The ancient Egyptians countenanced and excelled in various branches of learning; the studious Athenians are still celebrated for their knowledge; and the wise Romans were the zealous imitators of learned Greece. In America and Switzerland, the great body of the people are enlightened, and converse much upon the various subjects of knowledge. And in Britain, more true knowledge now prevails amongst the people at large, than could be found in the universities some ages back, which is owing to the invention of the art of printing, progressive reformation, the increasing circulation of the Holy Scriptures, and the numerous periodical publications, which are read with great avidity by all ranks of people"-(p. 119, 120). Connection of Knowledge with Piety. "Some may seem disposed to ask, Is the acquisition of general knowledge favourable to the advancement of piety? In some particular cases it may not; for instance, a person who has a taste for science and literature, may devote so much time and attention to his researches, as to neglect to cultivate and cherish a spirit of devotion. I grant, also, "In Memory of The Reverend JAMES SCOTT, who, after making several atttempts to establish and The first place of public worship ever erected in In the evening of the Lord's day, January 5, 1806, He also acted as Patron; generously defraying He died universally lamented, Dec. 19, 1827, aged 59. The Trustees appointed by the Founder, G that there are some kinds of knowledge much better never learned, and which may be very injurious to religion; I mean such as is communicated by conversation, or books which tend to inspire levity, to give false and romantic ideas of human life, and to corrupt the morals. But a proper course of reading, duly regulated, in which I include ancient and modern history, the nature, progress, and improvement of the arts and sciences, and the lives of persons of distinguished eminence, will furnish us with knowledge highly favourable to piety, by expanding the mind, and suggesting valuable ideas and useful reflections. The real Christian will make all his studies subservient to his growth in religion. When he reads of the vices and punishment of the wicked, he stands in awe, and fears to sin. The contemplation of excellent characters leads him to imitate their virtues. The history of nations and of every succeeding age, directs his admiring thoughts to the superintending providence of God. And when any useful hints of instruction meet his eye, or strike upon his ear, he points the moral to his heart”—(p. 120, 121). Duty and advantage of studying the Scriptures. "If we are fully persuaded, after impartial, diligent, and serious investigation, that the books of the New Testament proceed from God, that they contain a clear, consistent, and complete system both of truth and duty, and that they have a direct tendency to form rational, immortal beings, to wisdom, goodness, and happiness, our next care and concern should be, to inquire into their sense and meaning; to study and apply the important principles with which we are there furnished, as the rule of our faith, as the directory of our conduct. The enlightened and serious Christian is fully convinced that there is no volume which contains such valuable information as the Bible; no book which describes such an extensive portion of time, or so great a number of facts; which records such remarkable changes and events, or which abounds with such excellent instructions and awakening motives. The man who has carefully studied this book, has acquired a considerable portion of general and a large store of valuable and useful knowledge"-p. 121, 122. Sketch of the origin and history of Protestant Dissenters in England. "When the doctrines of the Reformation began to prevail in this kingdom, about the year 1530, those who separated from the Church of Rome, |