this subject, and you will perceive, in immediate connection therewith, an intimation that the true doctrine of the resurrection, or immortal life, had been previously taught. I have allusion, now, to his conversation with the Sadducees, who endeavored to puzzle him by presenting the suppositional case of a woman who had been married seven times, and then asking whose wife she would be in the resurrection. He replied:

"Ye do err, NOT KNOWING THE SCRIPTURES, nor the power of God. For in the resurrection they neither marry, nor are given in marriage, but are as the angels of God in heaven."*

As far as my present argument is concerned, it matters not what "scriptures" are here referred to. It suffices to know that the confused and mistaken ideas of the Sadducees arose from their ignorance of them. "Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures." Certainly, then, there must have been in existence some "scriptures" which taught the true doctrine on the subject then under consideration. Else, what connection was there between the fact of their "not knowing the scriptures" and the erroneous idea they cherished respecting the resurrection? If the truth on this important topic, had been scripturally inculcated before the advent of Jesus, then surely he was not the first to announce that truth.

If I am heretical in contending for the antiquity of the true Christian doctrine of immortality, then is the

*Matt. xxii. 29, 30.

highly respected Mr. Balfour also a heretic;-for in regard to this one point we are agreed, although wé differ widely respecting the mode of the great fact of man's future existence.

In two of his printed works, Mr. B. positively avows his conviction, on this subject. He says: "I contend that the resurrection is taught in the Old Testament.” [This, of course, must have been before the time of Christ!] And in speaking of the declaration of Paul, that immortality was brought to light "through the gospel,”* (which had been quoted in opposition to this view of the subject) he remarks as follows: "If it was, it must have been brought to light to Abraham, at least; for Paul declares, the gospel was preached to Abraham.† And the same apostle says, Abraham, Isaac and Jacob 'all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth."

As I have now shown, the New Testament contains nothing sufficient to convince me, that Jesus either inculcated any principle, or exhibited any miraculous power, that was essentially new or unheard-of. The identical moral precepts which he taught, and a record of miraculous works equal (if not, in some few cases,

*2 Timothy, i. 10. †Galatians, iii. 8.

Hebrews, xi. 13. Balfour's Letters to Hudson, pp. 220, 221. See also his Essays on the Intermediate State of the Dead, pp. 93, 313.

superior) to those ascribed to him, may be found in the Old Testament.

Wherein, then, you will perhaps inquire,-consisted his superiority to his predecessors? If I rightly apprehend this subject, his pre-eminent greatness consisted in the depth of his spirituality and love; in the keenness of his moral perception; in the expansiveness and warmth of his sympathies; in his unshadowed sincerity; in his soul-pervading spirit of obedience to the mandates of Right, and his unwearied, self-sacrificing devotion to the welfare of universal man.

His character is a sublime study; and I believe it was but very imperfectly apprehended, even by his most intimate associates. Their minds were gross-their spiritual view was narrow, hemmed in by Jewish prejudices, and clouded by sensual development. How often did they misunderstand him, construing literally what was designed as purely figurative. And I believe this is one reason why some parts of the Gospels are difficult to explain in harmony with his character. It was proba bly quite seldom that they fully appreciated his rich, deep, spiritual maxims. Certainly, most of them were slow to learn his lessons of filial trust in Providence, and brotherly forgiveness.

To me, his parabolic instructions; his unflinching adherence to duty, even when persecution, torture and death inevitably awaited him; and his compassion for his bitterest foes, evince a far higher degree of excellence, and seem fraught with more of that which in

stinctively awakens the admiration of the good, than any of the miraculous works which the evangelists ascribe to him. Nothing recorded of him appears to me more sublime, than his equable self-possession and serene benignity, when,

"Even in rebuke of sin,

Love brooded over all,

As the mild rainbow's lovely arch
Rests on the waterfall."

But if others can see in the miracles a contradistinguishing and pre-eminent display of divine characteristics, if they can behold in them a more satisfactory proof that he was a true teacher, and a pure moral exemplar; and if they derive spiritual strength from a belief of them, then, so be it. With those who find comfort in the miraculous narrations, and to whose spiritual development and cravings they minister, I have no controversy. I respect the conscientious convictions of all my brethren; and on this, as on all other subjects of mental speculation, I say, "Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.”

The great essentials, which, as I humbly conceive, we need chiefly to attain, are these: an unwavering confidence in our heavenly Father; a rational, consoling and spiritually elevating belief in sentient human immortality; a perpetually realizing idea of the great fact of human brotherhood; and the vigorously active spirit of child-like moral obedience. And if I reach these, through some other medium than a belief of supernatu

ralism, ought I to be denounced, and stigmatized by harsh and unbrotherly epithets ?

I have heard it said, there are many different ways by which travellers reach the great city of London. So, I cannot but believe, there are various routes leading to the New Jerusalem, which has descended from God, out of heaven, the Holy City of Truth, and Love, and Peace. And if one prefers to pass over the mystic bridge of Faith in Miracles, I will not pause, dissatisfied, while travelling upon Nature's grand highway, that is flower-strewn, shaded from burning heat, and toll-free; nor will I call out, in angry tones of reproof, to my brother who has consulted his own conscience, and taken the route he liketh best,-though should he, after a while, think the bridge insecure, or find himself in danger of falling through, into the Gulf of Doubt, no one will rush to his relief with more alacrity than myself.

Before concluding, I ought, perhaps, to offer a remark in regard to what I anticipate will be the most formidable objection presented against these Lectures. It may possibly be feared that their influence will tend to undermine the foundations of religious belief. Some may feel disposed to adopt the lamentation of a certain editor, who not long since exclaimed thus, through a column of his journal:

"It is a sad feature of our times, this falling away in reverence for the Bible......The Bible is our last hope.