sented it on plates, to make if possible, a more lasting impression upon the mind of the child. But now comes the

extract:

"The dogs represent the PERSECUTORS OF THE SAINTS, who, like their master, hate and oppose them because of their excellence. These characters were once to be found only among idolaters, Mahometans, Jews, and Papists; but now they also exist among those who call themselves Protestants." "I admire the justness of this representation," said Master Thoughtful, "for in their nature, these persons and dogs are equally unclean; and in their attacks equally cruel and cowardly. But from the height and closeness of the rails, it seems impossible for them really to injure the sheep." "That is indeed the case," replied his friend; "and the Lord has so surrounded his elect with his power, that none can harm them while pursuing that which is good. And whenever they are terrified, he bids them look to him for protection, saying, 'Fear not, for I am with thee; be not dismayed, for I am thy God; I will help thee, yea I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness.' And though heathens and papists have slain thousands of them, because of their love to religion, they have not destroyed one. No; their spirits are rejoicing in heaven, and their dust sleeps safely in the earth, waiting the bright morning of the resurrection."

In addition to the above, I could show, if it were necessary, that in two or more of the books of the Union, the doctrine of christian perfection, is set at nought; a doctrine too, highly esteemed by Methodists and Episcopalians, being as they believe, essential to salvation.

But this is not all. The subject under consideration, becomes awful and alarming, when viewed in connexion with the eternal destiny of our children, and the leading principles of this Union!-principles not only essentially wrong, but practically dangerous. Any man, let his character and heart be good or bad, by the payment of three dollars, can become a member, and vote in the election of managers.

The Arian-the Unitarian-the Universalist-the Roman Catholic-the Jews-the Mormonites; and those who deny the inspiration of the scriptures, or even the existence of a God, are equally privileged with those termed orthodox, to be represented in this institution. If any one doubt the correctness of this position, I say look at the constitution. It may, in all probability, be said, let Christians unite with the society to neutralize their influence. Such a thing is practicable. But it may also be said, after a while, let Presbyterians unite with the society to neutralize the influence of Arminians; this being practicable also.

CHAPTER V.

SOME AMONG THE MANY MISREPRESENTATIONS MADE BY THE MANAGERS AND AGENTS OF THE AMERICAN SUNDAY SCHOOL UNION.

THE Constant practice of the American Sunday School Union, in saying, that members of the methodist denomination are actively engaged in their board, has been the cause of all the unpleasant collisions between the Union and the Methodist church. If this matter were adjusted as it might, and ought to be, what peace and prosperity would attend the Sunday School cause throughout this land? There would be less jealousy and complaint; and there would be more emulation and action. But until this is done, I say to the Union, so far as the Methodists are concerned, verily, your plans. will meet with opposition.

In a memorial, signed by the officers and managers of the Union, "In answer to a remonstrance, presented to the legislature of Pennsylvania, against granting an act of Incorporation to the American Sunday School Union," there is the following paragraph:-"There are at present, connected with the society, the following religious denominations: Episcopalians, Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians, the Associate Reformed, Lutherans, Congregationalists, German Reformed, Reformed Dutch, Friends, Moravians, Roman Catholics, and we believe others. NO ONE DENOMINATION HAS AN ASCENDANCY, nor has any circumstance EVER Occured in the history of the institution, in which there appeared a disposition on the part of EITHER, to exert an undue influence over the REST. The undersigned are gratified in being able to state, that they have NEVER discovered any thing like denominational partiality, but on the contrary, a disposition has been manifested to an extraordinary degree, to merge all other NAMES in that of CHRIS

TIAN.

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In an address, being a "defence of the American Sunday School Union," delivered by the Hon. WILLIAM HALL, March 26, 1828; and, afterwards published by the Union, and extensively circulated, we find the following sentence:

"We also find, that the society is composed of five different denominations of christians: Episcopalians, Methodists, Baptists, Congregationalists, and Presbyterians. Also, Moravians, Lutherans, and other denominations,"

At a public meeting in Columbia, S. C., held on the 3rd of April, 1831, it was stated by the Rev. ROBERT Baird, general agent for the American Sunday School Union, that the Methodist church was one in the grand Union; as will be seen from the following extract of a letter, written by Dr. Capers, then stationed in Columbia, to the editor of the Christian Advocate and Journal:-"I beg leave to enquire on what authority it can be asserted, before large congregations, in South Carolina or elsewhere, that the Methodist church is one in the grand Union? I am well advised that the general agent of the A. S. S. Union, quite lately, at Columbia, S. C., enumerated our church with those which are united under that designation, to establish within a given time Sunday schools throughout the western country. Is this the result of his having employed perhaps five or six Methodist ministers to act as sub-agents in particular districts, with leave to form schools in connexion with either the American Sunday School Union or that of our own church? Is it possible that a private bargain by an unauthorized individual can thus have been palmed on the public as if it were the act of the church? I hope not. I beg for information. The gentleman here alluded to will, I trust, explain the matter, for it requires explanation."

How Mr Baird, could have mustered up sufficient audacity, to have acted thus, after the severe basting Dr. Bangs gave him in Pittsburg, Pa. in May, 1828, I am utterly at a loss to divine! No sooner had the General Conference of the Methodist Episcopal Church, convened in Pittsburg, than they were informed that this general agent of the American Sunday School Union was there, with a view to invite that body to express its approbation of the principles of that association, and to recommend to the ministers and members of the Methodist Episcopal Church, a free and friendly union, in our endeavors to increase and extend the facilities of Sabbath school instruction," &c. Accordingly, a communication was presented to the Conference by the general agent, containing the above, with many additional remarks; among others, showing the utility of the measure, from its tendency to prevent controversy, and that the Methodists should be greatly benefited by it, as they might obtain ALL their books from that union, and thus save themselves the expense and trouble of printing them!!

From several circumstances which occurred in the General Conference, on that occasion, it was evident, to both Mr. Baird and a number of spectators, that there was a very

general feeling of surprise and indignation. And Dr. Bangs delivered a speech on the occasion, in the hearing of the general agent, which, it was thought, would last him all the days of his life; but from his conduct in Columbia, three after that, it really seems not to have had its desired effect.

years

The year I travelled the Tellico circuit, 1831, two agents of the American Sunday School Union, the Rev. Messrs. White and Beecher, were travelling through almost every part of East Tennessee, singing every where, this same song. of equally interested, &c. Such was the painful state of things, within the bounds of my circuit, that I was under the disagreeable necessity of publishing them in my daily ap pointments, to guard against the influence they were like to exert on the Methodist Sunday Schools. And in despite of all I could say and do, they did take some of my schools in my absence, and make them auxiliary to the American Union. Finally, I took right after these men-discussed the points of difference between us and them publicly-afterwards published a pamphlet of 48 pages against them;-and by this means, I succeeded in chasing them off out of the Hiwassee district. In the Presbyterian church in Tellico, or Madisonville, as it is now called, I heard Mr. White make the following statement to a large audience: "You are apprised, my friends, that there have been some unfortunate differences among the several denominations with regard to the American Sunday School Union; but I am happy to inform you that these difficulties have been amicably adjusted, and that the Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, &c. are all engaged in promoting the interests of the Union." He then proceeded to recommend the books of the Union, as both cheap and free from all sectarianism, &c. The following certificates, taken from my pamphlet, will fully exhibit the conduct of Mr. Beecher:

"Whereas, the Rev. Messrs. Brownlow and Beecher, did, on the 17th of April, at the house of Mr. Stone, contend and debate publicly about Sunday schools; and whereas, Mr. Brownlow did aver and say, that the Methodist church had no connection with the Americen Sunday School Union whatever; and inasmuch as Mr. Beecher arose and stated to the congregation that he could disprove Mr. Brownlow's statements by members of the Methodist church, without applying to any other source; this is to certify, that we, the undersigned, did hear said Beecher read a letter, which he said was from a respectable Methodist in Philadelphia," together with an extract which he said was from the Christian

Advocate and Journal, edited by Dr. Bangs. We, moreover certify, that Mr. Beecher did so read and comment on said letter and extract, and particularly the latter, as to make it appear that the writers of them preferred the American Union to any other, and also recommended the same. Given under our hands, May 5th, 1831. JOHN KEY,

CARTER TRIM,
REUBEN STONE."

"Whereas, Mr. Brownlow has called on us to give an account of the proceedings of Mr. Beecher, in organizing a Sunday school in our neighborhood, this is to certify, that we (the Methodists) have had a Sunday school in our school house for the last two years; and that said Beecher did preach a sermon and make a great many remarks, in all of which we understood him to teach that the Methodists, Baptists, Presbyterians, Episcopalians, &c. were equally interested in the American Sunday School Union. We, moreover certify, that in view of these statements being correct, we consented to UNITE our schools, and two of our members are teachers. -May 15, 1831. JOHN W. JOHNSTON, JAMES SMITH, NATHAN CARTER."

I have only to add, that at the house of Mr. Stone, we had a Sunday school, and the family had told Mr. Beecher so the week before our debate. With regard to the six gentlemen whose names are attached to these certificates, three of them are local preachers, one a class leader, and the other two, I believe, lay members of our church.

But in addition to the information contained in the foregoing certificates, Mr. Beecher, on the day of our controversy, stated that he had in his possession a letter from a very respectable Methodist, who was a Judge of the supreme court of the United States, and a Vice-President of the American Sunday School Union, and that this gentleman prefered the Union, &c. I demanded this letter, but he would not show it; and indeed subsequent circumstances have proven, that he had no such letter! That the honorable gentleman to whom he alludes, is pious member of the Methodist Episcopal church, a patriotic statesman, an able jurist, an honest man, and a gentleman, is all true; but that he has any particular partialities for the American Union, is wholly untrue. I wrote to this gentleman on this subject, and requested him to say to me what were the facts in the