impart a something which may be termed the impartation of the Spirit, telling men to pray, and then saying that they cannot pray without the spirit, and a variety of notions equally absurd.

Mr Pooley said that instead of men preaching Christ, they preach themselves, promulge their own opinions instead of the Master's doctrines, and this causes them to fail in their endeavours to convert the world. Opinions must be laid aside, they are private or individual property, and not to be bound upon men as burthens; we can only impose on men what is found in the New Testament. Mankind must be as one, and each examine for himself whether the things affirmed be true or not. Baptism is a thing which has not to be chosen by men, the church has a right to demand it of all, not as an opinion, but as a test, it is not private property, but a com. mand. The Lord's supper and baptism are both tests of our obedience. The preachers of the day go forth in the name of self, not in the spirit of Christ, hence they reap their reward.

Mr Yates spoke upon the republicanism of christianity, that it was swept away at the time of Constantine, that we have an aristocracy in the Church, as well as in the State, while the true state of christianity is purely democratical, that the improvements desired by the people to be granted by our Government would be valueless without christianity was more fully developed, that the present system was only calculated to create Infidels. Freedom of opinion must exist, and he congratulated the memhers of the church, in whose house we were meeting, upon their advancing in that particular so far as even to induce them to call for such

meetings. That man was not properly trained-that he constantly violated physical as well as religious laws, and what could we expect but the present state of confusion in sects aud parties.

Mr Black concluded the proceedings of the evening by alluding to the commencement of religion, tracing it in its various stages, from its rise in Eden, to its development at the present time, showing that in all ages it was adapted to the minds and conditions of men.

THE UNLAWFULNESS OF DEBATES IN

CHURCHES.

I met with a few persons who hold the very singular notion that debate must not only be allowed, but encouraged in a church, in order to preserve its purity! The idea was so startling to me, that I reasoned with those most amiable persons on the impropriety of such a course; and I was plainly told that it was too late in the day to talk about our ideas? We must have, said one, a thus saith the Lord for authority nothing else will do! Well, thought I, the church of Christ is a school, and if you do not learn there the meekness and gentleness of Christ by faithful and humble teaching and exhortation, you may learn how to be very smart-how to turn the corners of an argument adroitly— and especially how to depreciate all that other people say, by calling it merely their opinion, and modestly assuming to yourselves, and yourselves only, loyalty to the King!

Finding that I had to do with persons of such wonderful attainments in debating, and remembering the old adage that "practice makes perfect," I began to reconcile myself to a good natured castigation, as my hand was entirely out in this business; for I believe it is fully seven years since I had a debate in the church with any one. Has it never struck you that there is a great difference even in debates?

Some of them are conducted with much of that magnanimity which the victor may always afford to assume; but then it is apt to be really a vinegar affair with him that has been worsted in the rencounter! But mark, the rule in these Olympic churches is, that if you wince under the severest castigation, inflicted too by one who is war to the knife against man-ism, it is evidence that you are not influenced by the proper motive! The man who lays on the stripes is in no danger of being actuated by a spirit of pride and selfwill; but he that refuses to take them patiently, is sure to be ruled out by the judges at these exhibitions as unworthy of fellowship!!

I could but evince my astonishment at the arguments and passages brought forward in support of this combativeness on the part of the church. I did not know, as a churchman would say, but I should have to learn my catechism over again. However, in my unpracticed and inexperienced way I remarked, that there were some general principles in the kingdom which would be infringed upon by such a course; as, for instance, the kingdom of God is said to be "righteousness, and peace, and joy in the holy spirit." Now nothing can be plainer than that the deportment of the disciples in a church must be in accordance with these principles. Paul wrote to Timothy "that he might know how to behave himself in the house of God." The behaviour must be such as not to break the peace of the church, nor to mar the joys of the brethren ; "but where envying and strife is, there is contention and every evil work."

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There are some special injunctions which seem directly opposed to this sanctified pugilism-such as the following : "Do all things without murmurings and disputings.""Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God; give none offence, neither to the Jews. nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God.". "But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes." And the servant of the Lord must not strive: but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient.". "But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work." But the plea is made on the

supposed horror which each teacher has for error, and each teacher would be reprehensible if he did not correct an error on the spot, and in his brother's teeth. All errors and wrong practices are some way connected with or founded on the truth. Thus there is a wonderful flourish made of devotedness to the truth in these bastinado attempts. tortured brother is told in this agrarian equalism that the flagelator has the sincerest love for him, but more for the truth and the common Master! For myself I would prefer other proofs of Christian love than this.

The

This principle is apt to be contended for by those who feel able to debate without successful opposition. A good castigation a public setting down of such an one, is all that is wanted to make him tardy in such uncourteous efforts! It would be a mercy to such an one, who is inflated with ideas of his own importance, and the infallibility of his judgment, to give him a cool, regular, argumentative plucking, until you leave not a feather on him! In such a case, if he did not learn the self-humiliating lesson of the gospel, he would feel that prudence is the better part of valour! Is a disciple of Jesus to sink himself into a noisy, wordy, angry, and swelling gladiator? Is it in keeping with the conduct of Christ and his apostles to take it for granted, without proof, that a brother who may have fallen into error (and who does not ?) has done it wickedly-with an intent to deceive? And if he has not, he does not deserve a public exposure, a sophistical overhauling, by one who is just as liable to fall into error himself the next time he attempts to teach.

This over-acted pretence of such unheard of devotion to truth is very often the mere scape-goat of the sins of envy, jealousy, and maliciousness! Nay, these noisy Bedlamites will split churches, and break down characters, and scandalize the cause of Christ in their entire neighbourhood for the sake of the victory in these unhallowed overflowings of intemperate zeal.

Our Lord loves mercy, and not sacrifice; peace, and not contention; love and brotherly kindness, and not mere skill in debate. Oh! how lean is the soul, and how haughty the spirit of a regular church debater! Listen to Solomon's judgment in such a case: "He loveth

transgression that loveth strife;" and again, "Only by pride cometh contention;""Cast out the scorner, and contention shall go out; yea strife and reproach shall cease.'

I trust that after having been sifted in a seven years' trial, the brethren and the churches in this reformation will have overcome most of those difficulties consequent upon first attempts in every thing, and that they will in all cases put out the spirit of contention by prayer and supplication. Prayer will effectually overcome the demon of strife and debate in a church. Praying men "contend earnestly for the truth once delivered to the saints;" but this is always in reference to those without, not with their brethren! Brethren should enjoy, live upon, and exhibit the excellence of "the faith"not quarrel about it. And if a brother errs, tell him of it privately, and let him correct the error himself. Mill. Har., Feb, 1842.

The present number will close the monthly visits of the Bible Advocate. For three years some of you have welcomed us, but our mission is ended, and we take our stand among the "things that were." The response in answer to our last appeal has not been equal to the requirement, and we say, for a little while at least, Adieu !

We commend to the notice of all who have gained instruction from our pages, the British Millenial Harbinger,' published by Simpkin & Marshall, price Sixpence; and, also the 'Gospel Banner,' published by Hall & Co., price Twopence, both monthly. Concerning our future labours for the public good, through the medium of the press, we intimate our expectation shortly to introduce a magazine of a more general character, and one which our various friends consider will be most efficient in placing the truth before those who sit in darkness.

ED.