Unitarianism at Stirling, and Proceedings of Town Council, Rev. R. E. B. Maclellan's Lectures at Edinburgh, Death of Mr. Walker of Tillicoultry, - Opening of Christian Unitarian Church, Aberdeen, - Mr. and Mrs. Mott of Philadelphia, and Quaker Bigotry, Anniversary of Scottish Christian Unitarian Association, Stewart on the Deity of Christ, Review of, Sunday-School Association, On the, Anniversary of, 287, 337 332 413 Visions of the Past, Worship, On the Designation of Unitarian Places of, RELIGION is a sense, a quality, an affection, a principle of human nature. Man has never yet been discovered utterly devoid of this characteristic. In his diversified tribes, and amidst all his relative circumstances, however barbarous, uncivilised, savage-however improved, refined, spiritual-the religious affections have ever glowed within him, bowing him down before the Power which bestowed his life, which guided and governed his destiny. Whether we regard the child of the forest, and look on "The poor Indian, whose untutor❜d mind Sees God in clouds, or hears him in the wind," or contemplate the cultivated inhabitant of Athens or of Rome, amidst his groves and his gods, the sense of religion is that by which man in every age and country has been distinguished. No doubt the principle has been fearfully perverted: ignorance has debased it; superstition has demoralised it; and these foes to humanity, united with bigotry, have converted it, in numerous instances, from a blessing almost to a curse. But, from its abuse to argue against its use, from its erroneous manifestation to infer its non-existence in truth, from its perversion to conclude that it is not founded in, nay, that it is contrary to, human nature, is as preposterous as to attempt to stay the whirlwind by a straw, or to pluck the sun from the firmament. "Though time each earthly work erase, Religion nothing can efface, 'Tis mind's enlightening ray." That the religious principle has been perverted, not alone by those whom the light of Revelation never blessed, but by thousands to whom "the way, the life, and the B truth" has been manifested, is also a melancholy fact. It is a fact acknowledged by every denomination of religionists. The more necessary, therefore, is it that careful and untiring study should be given to ascertain truly the "way everlasting;" the more wary should men be, when cries of lo! here, and lo! there, are heard, that they be not led astray from Christian truth and righteousness by an empty sound. Mistakes in relation to this holiest and most elevating affection of our nature, may lead far away from the paths of improvement, virtue, peace-may entail vain regrets, misery, ruin. Mummery may be substituted for genuine devotion-mysticism for Revelation-rhapsody for sobriety-inexplicable and irrational feelings, for a conscience void of offence toward God and men"-penance for purity-full moons, and Sabbaths, and assemblies, and solemn meetings, for "doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with God." Instead of the kingdom of God being believed to be within us, by enlightened minds and purified affections, consecrated to the performance of daily, hourly duties, personal, domestic, social, religion may be imagined to be something extrinsic, supernaturally impressed, and not at all dependent on human effort, or consonant to human nature. "Pure religion and undefiled before God, even the Father," which, on apostolic authority, "is this, to visit the widows and fatherless in their afflictions, and to keep himself unspotted from the world," may thus be lamentably neglected, whilst at the very same time so-called "Revivals of Religion" may be trumpeted forth over the length and breadth of the land. There may thus be a name to live, whilst, in very truth, moral and spiritual death is triumphing. An individual who would really know what true religion is, must seek his information, not from the traditions, the follies, the perversions and fanaticism of man, but from the Oracles of the living God; he must go for guidance and instruction on this most important of all subjects, not to the Mass-book, the Thirty-nine Articles, the Confession of Faith, or Calvinistic Catechisms, Larger or Shorter; he must go to the Gospels, the discourses, the life of the Great Teacher. He must study the impersonation of religion, as exhibited in the words, spirit, deeds of that Son of the Father's love, full of grace and truth. If he drink deep into the spirit of the Anointed "Religion's voice to every land, In every heart, its mild command, Its priest is every virtuous man, To human temples not confined, Its joys it shall impart. Does |