fident I need not assure you, that I am a warm friend to revivals of religion; although the ideas intended to be expressed by the phrases in question, are, in my view, perfectly sound and scriptural, and infinitely momentous; and although any one who is capable of ridiculing these ideas, knows nothing yet as he ought to know;" yet I cannot think that the use of these phrases, especially in mixed companies, is advisable. My objections to them are several. Some of them are, in a great measure, if not altogether unintelligible to many to whom they are addressed. Others are derided as vulgar cant, as terms expressive of the appearance of a plague or pestilence, rather than of a rich blessing, and which rather repel, than instruct or conciliate. While a third class are regarded as a presumptuous invasion of the prerogative of Him who alone can know the heart, and tell the number of those who have become reconciled to him. Would it not be better to use language which all seriously disposed persons understand and approve? Would it not be quite as expressive, and more intelligible to many, if you were to say, that " a revival has commenced," or "a work of divine grace appears to have commenced," in such a place :that a particular individual is "under serious

impressions," or is "deeply anxious on the

subject of religion," or, " appears to be convinced of sin,"-or, is "in great distress of mind;"-that "many appear to be awakened from a state of carelessness, and to be more or less anxious," and that others "appear, or profess, to enjoy the comfort of gospel hope ?"

I presume, if you had occasion to interrogate an intelligent stranger, who you had reason to fear was destitute of piety, in relation to the state of his mind, on the subject of religion, you would hardly think it wise to begin by saying" Pray, Sir, are you born again? or are you yet carnal?" Yet, why not, as both the principal phrases in this question, are taken from the Bible; and as you and I fully believe these phrases to be expressive of important realities? Your reason, I suppose, for not thinking it wise, would be, that this language is very imperfectly, if at all, understood by many who are well informed on other subjects; and that such persons, because they have frequently heard it bandied about by the ignorant and fanatical, and cannot enter into its precious meaning, are generally revolted by it.

I am far from agreeing with Mr. Foster, the pious and eloquent English Essayist, in his proposal to discard what he calls, the "theological dialect,"-the "technical terms of evangelical religion." I am afraid that, if these terms were dismissed, the things intended by

them would soon disappear also. I do not wish a single Bible-phrase to be banished either from the pulpit or the parlour. Yet, I can easily conceive that there are even Bible-phrases, which may be advantageously exchanged for others, more familiar to those who are ignorant of the Bible, and better adapted, until they become enlightened, to convey spiritual ideas to their minds. It is, evidently, on this principle that ministers, every sabbath, in the pulpit, explain Scripture, by using more common language, and that which is better understood, to express its heavenly doctrines. But the language which I advise you to avoid, is not, as commonly employed, Bible language at all. And I see no advantage, but rather the contrary, in the use of terms, against which many are strongly prejudiced; and which if it do not deserve the name of cant, will certainly, by many, be considered as bearing that character. Let your general rule be, in conver. sing on the great and precious subjects of revivals of religion, and christian experience, to employ terms which are warranted by Scripture, and the most enlightened practical writers, and adapted to make the best impression on those whom we address.

20. Take pains to PREPARE YOURSELF for conducting religious conversation in an easy and edifying manner. For this purpose, be

familiar with practical books, and especially with the lives of eminently pious men. Take a few minutes to premeditate before you expect to go into the company of any person or persons on this important errand. Adjust in your own mind topicks and thoughts for discourse, adapted to the cases of those whom you expect to meet. Study some variety in this matter. If you go over the same common-place, narrow little round of remark, in all companies, for thirty or forty years together, you will soon entirely cease to interest any one, unless, perhaps, a stranger, who happened to hear it for the first time. Above all, let every attempt to perform the service in question, be preceded by humbly asking for Divine help. Remember that God will be inquired of" to grant us his aid; and that "He will not give his glory to another." Remember that He can render the feeblest sentence that ever escaped the lips of simple piety, richly and eternally beneficial: while the most able and well conducted conversation, if. administered without imploring a blessing upon it, may, and probably will, prove useless to all concerned.

21. If you desire to gain an easy, natural and attractive manner of introducing and maintaining religious conversation, let the foundation of all your efforts at improvement in this res

pect, be laid IN THE CULTURE OF THE HEART. Study daily to grow in VITAL PIETY. Perhaps there is nothing more indispensable to the happy discharge of the duty under consideration than that the HEART continually prompt and speak; that heart felt emotion and affection dictate every word, and tone and look, while engaged in addressing a fellow creature on the most important of all subjects. Truly, without active, fervent love to God, and to the souls of men, it will be vain to hope for the attainment of this happy art, in any considerable degree. But if your heart habitually glow with interest in this subject; if the "love of Christ constrain you;" if you daily cherish a tender concern for the salvation of your perishing fellow mortals; if your mind be constantly teeming with desires and plans to do them good; then religious conversation will be as natural as to breathe. Then your lips will be opened seasonably, unaffectedly, and profitably to all around you. Then, instead of being at a loss what to say; or being timidly backward to say it; or saying it in an embarrassed, awkward, pompous or unnatural manner; there will be a simplicity, a touching tenderness, a penetrating skill, a native gracefulness, an unction in your mode of conversing, which no spurious feelings can successfully imitate. The true