THE ERAS OF LIGHT.

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cannot be feigned, namely, " righteousness in
"life, and peace in death."
At the very

time when the spirit of Infidelity was fostering
its strength, under the name of philosophy,
and preparing for the awful revolutions which
followed, the spiritual religion of Christ began
to revive, and has since produced the most
beneficial effects. True Religion and Infi.
delity have shown their proper fruits in our
own time; and we can now contrast them
with advantage. Let us therefore look back,
and examine what have been the effects of
each.

INFIDELITY first caused a whole nation to renounce Christianity; and, by natural consequence, destroyed religious hope and moral obligation; that nation, inflamed with cupidity and lust of dominion, invaded other nations, deluged them with blood, and at last, having acquired the temporal power, would, like Papal Rome, enslave the world by its despotism. And the principle of its despotism is the same; namely, " To keep the "minds of men in the CHAIN OF DARKNESS. Thus do Infidelity and Superstition lead to the same point, by different ways.

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The Spiritual religion of Christ hath, during the same period, produced very considerable effects.

D

ས 1:|:| ལ

1. It hath promoted a knowledge of the Holy Scriptures (the same effect which was produced at the Reformation), and hath thereby cultivated, to a great extent, the print ciples of the Gospel. And, on this foundation, hath been built the practice of many. excellent VIRTUES (some of them very sea- ›› sonable in this age of revolution), such as subsubtan ordination, quiet conduct, loyalty, and MX9

tentment.

2. It hath promoted the instruction of the 13 POOR. The number of those among the lower classes, who can read the Scriptures for them/ selves, is supposed to have been more than doubled, within the last thirty years.

3. It hath promoted a more general worshipi of God. The volume of Praise and Thanksgiving which rises to the Most High from voices in this land, constitutes an ACCLAMA-f TION, compared to the feeble sound at a period not very remote.

4. It hath cultivated very extensively a critical knowledge of the Holy Scriptures. A reverence for HEBREW learning seems again to.. be restored to the nation; for persons, even in secular life, begin now to study the Bible in . the original Tongues; as we know was the case in a former age.

5. But this revival of religion has been pro

ductive of another

another good, new and extraordinary in its nature; not confined to this coun try, nor to the present time; but extending to remote nations and distant ages.

Christianity hath again, after a lapse of many ages, assumed its true character as the "LIGHT of the world." We now behold it animated by its original spirit, which was to extend its blessings to ALL NATIONS." The Scriptures are preparing in almost every language, and preachers are going forth into al most every clime. Within the period of which we speak, men have heard the Gospel "in "their own tongue, wherein they were born," in INDIA, throughout many of its provinces; in different parts of AFRICA; in the interior of ASIA; in the western parts of America; in NEW HOLLAND, and in the isles of the PACIFIC SEA; in the WEST INDIES, and in the northern regions of GREENLAND and LABRADOR. MALAYS, CHINESE, PERSIANS, and ARABIANS, begin how to hear, or read, in "their own tongues the wonderful works of "God." Acts ii. 11.

III. It is with propriety then that we distinguish the present period as a THIRD Era of Light in the Christian Dispensation. Yes, it is true, that while INFIDELITY, like the pillar of the cloud hanging over the Egyptians, (Exod. xiv. 20.) is rising in awful form, threat

1

ening to involve the earth

darknessy the religion of Christ, on the other side, like ba "pillar of Fire," is giving light to the world While Infidelity is prostrating thrones, and forging bhains for mankind, the religion of the Messiah is diffusing its pure and free spirit like a copious stream, into the hearts of inent constraining them not only to cultivate sits moral and benevolent principles in their own country (whereby they resist Infidelity with the best weapons), but to communicate them to others; and to enrich, with higher bless'ings than those of commerce, the most distant climes and nations. Yefterrain to trig:I sit

i

Is it asked why this spirit for diffusing rehgious knowledge did not sooner appear in this nation; for it seems scarcely to have been thought of at the era of the Reformation? The desire was not given, because we had not the MEANS. Our commerce had not extended to the uttermost parts of the earth. We had no Empire in the East. Another reason was, The Romish Church held the world in chains. Its superstition had supplanted us in calmbst every region. But by the revolution of events, this obstacle is now nearly removed. *' του

It was an opinion delivered by Sir Isaac Newton, after the study of the prophetical books, that the power of Superstition, which had so long senslaved the world, would at last

bet broken by the strong arm of Infidelity, And we have just seen this strong arm"

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give the last blow to the temporal power of Rome. This loosens her hold upon remote nations. Now then the fulness of time for enlightening the Gentiles seems to be come, for theo obstructions are nearly removed, and the smears are granted. And no sooner are the means granted, than the DESIRE is given; and thus, in every age, the great designs of the Almighty are executed by the Sons of mehi radgid run dels

९

InsBub let us now inquire by WHOM it is that the Light of Christianity is diffused throughdut the heathen world? To whom has been assigned the honour of leading the way in this undertaking?

Our own Church acknowledged the object a hundred years ago, and LED THE WAY. TWO Societies were incorporated for the purpose by fthe Royal Sanction; and Letters were written by the KING of Great Britain and by the Archbishop of Canterbury to the humble Missionaries in the East, to animate, strengthen, and encourage them in their important work. * .hgroa

These Societies still exist, and prosecute the primary objects of their institution. A

tesl tablaosée Letters in Christian Researches.