the busy theatre of action, and driven, one after another, either by disease or accident, into the house appointed for all living! Upon the decease indeed of relatives and friends, they heave a sigh, utter an exclamation, shed a tear, but clothing themselves in the garments of sorrow, the tragedy is quickly over. Reassuming their former views, and laying their minds open afresh to the dominion of their passions, they return with avidity to the occupations and amusements of life. Thus proceeds the tenor of their existence on earth, till they also are swept away into THE RECEPTACLES OF THE DEAD. Pilgrims and sojourners on earth, we are hastening to an ETERNAL WORLD, and a few more fleeting years will place even the youngest of us before the tribunal of Heaven. Whether we can abide the awful scrutiny which shall be instituted at the last great day, "for which all other days were made," is a question of infinite importance, and intimately concerns rational and accountable creatures. Amidst the din of controversy, and the jarrings of adverse parties, the opinions of the head are often substituted for the virtues of the heart, and thus is PRACTICAL RELIGION neglected. Fleeing, therefore, those pernicious disputes, which damp our devotion, and contract our benevolence, let us cultivate the means by which our faith may be invigorated, our hope enlivened, our charity confirmed, and our affections elevated to the things which are above, where CHRIST sitteth at the right hand of God! The veil now thrown over this preliminary state, and concealing from our view celestial objects, shall be removed. Then bidding an adieu to prejudices which darken the understanding, irritate the temper, and deform the spirit, we shall embrace each other with perfect love, and shall be astonished at ourselves for having been on earth so addicted to unprofitable disputations, and so backward to the exercise of BROTHERLY KINDNESS, and of CHRISTIAN CHARITY, Banish ALMIGHTY GOD! look down on thine erring creatures. Pity their darkness and imperfection. Direct them into the truth as it is in Jesus. from their hearts the bitterness of censure. Cherish in their minds a spirit of moderation and love towards their fellow Christians. To their zeal add knowledge, and to their knowledge CHARITY. Make them humble under the difficulties which adhere to their faith, and patient under the perplexities which accompany their practice. Guide them by thy counsel, and, through the mediation of thy Son JESUS CHRIST, receive them into thy kingdom and glory! AMEN. 1 RECAPITULATORY SCHEDULE. SHEWING THE ORIGIN OF THE NAMES, BY WHICH THE CHIEF SECTS ARE DISTINGUISHED. CHRISTIANITY is a Revelation from God by his Son Jesus Christ-consists of Doctrines, Precepts, Positive Its PROFESSORS hold various opinions, and are thus denominated: I. According to their opinions respecting the Person of Christ. III. According to their opinions respecting Church Government and the Administration of Ceremonies. INDEPENDENTS, from the independency of each Church in its discipline or Government. BAPTISTS, from the Greek verb Banlw, signifying to baptize, dip, or immerse the body in water. QUAKERS, from the agitation or quaking with which their first preachers addressed their auditors. MILLENARIANS, from the Latin mille, a thousand, the years of Christ's future reign upon Earth. A NEW COMMANDMENT GIVE I UNTO YOU THAT YE LOVE ONE ANOTHER. JESUS CHRIST. BRIEF TABLE Of the leading Events of ECCLESIASTICAL HISTORY, from the Birth of CHRIST down to the present Times, the importance of which can only be ascertained by studying the history of the Christian Church. A. D. 1 JESUS CHRIST born in Judea, now called the Holy Land, the World being four thousand years old. 8 Our Saviour disputes with the Jewish doctors. 26 John the Baptist enters on his ministry. 29 CHRIST is baptized by John the Baptist in the river Jordan, preparatory to his entering on his ministry. 33 He is crucified under PONTIUS PILATE, rises from the dead on the third day, and six weeks after ascends up into heaven, with the solemn assurance of his ap pearing a second time at the end of the world. 85 The miraculous conversion of the apostle Paul. 39 St. Matthew writes his gospel. 44 St. Mark writes his gospel. 52 Council of the apostles at Jerusalem. 62 St. Paul sent in bonds to Rome. 64 The first persecution against the Christians. 67 St. Peter and St. Paul put to death. |