coverable,
non-existent thing. I wish here to add, that a reference to
obvious facts leads inevitably to the same conclusion. In the
all-wise providence of the great Head of the church, the matter
has been brought to the test of experiment, which has been
going on upon a sufficiently large scale for more than two
centuries in this country. Two Christian parties have
conscientiously refrained from having their children baptized;
so that, if the baptizing of infants were accompanied with any
measure of the Holy Spirit's influence, the effects would have
been rendered quite evident by the contrast. But what do facts
declare! What spiritual advantages do baptized children
discover themselves to be possessed of which unbaptized
children do not possess, in cases where all other things are
equal! Surely all fair Christian observers of the dispensations
of the King of grace in his church, must be constrained to
allow that the advantages are undiscernible, and therefore can
have no existence."

There is still another passage in this sensible and truly Christian
letter, which we must be allowed to present to our readers.

"It may be assumed that I have come to a wrong conclusion;
but, I presume, it will be admitted to be desirable that the
question I have considered should be more satisfactorily
settled than it is at present, and if, as I trust it will
appear, that I have examined it under no influence but the
love of truth, it may be allowed that the work may be useful in
assisting others to come to a _right_ conclusion. Every man who
treats a subject honestly, does something to put it in a right
point of view. I confess, I cannot now hope that, if I am
wrong, I shall live to be convinced of it; but truly I feel no
interest in error, and I take no pleasure in differing from
ministers and brethren in Christ; so that, if I were convinced
of being wrong, I could renounce my present opinions with more
ease than I can now divest myself of a garment."

Whether the able writer to whom these respectful and impressive appeals
are made, will so far resist their influence as to make no reply, and
attempt no vindication from the charge of a destructive error, so
distinctly brought against the church of which he is a member, remains
to be seen; yet, after reading the powerful pages to