in the presence of the will, but does not influence that will in the manner argued for by Mr. C. Else what is the meaning of the commonly used phrases, of which he acted contrary to his convictions' may be taken as a sample. It is possible to look upon man in two ways-either as a link in the unbroken chain of necessity, and consequently in the same category with rocks, plants, stars, &c, and carried along by the course as irresistibly as a ball from one of the guns before Sebastopol; or as in his spirituality raised into a sphere of liberty beyond the reach of that strong necessity which binds all things else. Mr. C. takes the former of the possible views, and in so doing would drag man down from the true dignity of his nature, and stamp him with a character in much the same way as the rock receives the form of the fossil embedded in it.

It is doubtless very much easier for Mr. C. to repeat my statements than to refute them; although it would have been of greater service to his argument had he defended his position against the difficulties which I said attach themselves to it. He does, indeed, say that he will answer such of the difficulties as belong to him, and in the first, while seeking to do so, lands himself into a position whence he sees no occasion for a First Cause.' This is a sad end to make of the matter; but it makes it very easy to see why Mr. C. should boggle at free-will. It would be an infinite pity to break up so pretty a chain as that called the eternal series, by admitting that man is an agent.

The second difficulty remains untouched, nay, even unnoticed, except that Mr. C. has seen fit to tack my words to his proposition, with which, however he will never be able to make them agree.

The third difficulty is put into the same position as the second,--not removed, but unsuccessfully appropriated.

Dear Mr. Editor,

ON THE DUTY OF THE DAY.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE DEFENDER.

J. M.

Your correspondent "AMI" informs us of Mr. Barker's promised return to England. 1 must confess, 1 should not be surprised at all to see this "disturber of our peace" make another appearance. We generally find that any playactor who has taken well and made lots of money, (their one thing needful) comes out again "positively for one week only." So 1 should not wonder at Mr. Barker doing the same.

But, sir, this matter must not be taken lightly. We Christians ought to be up and doing, while it is called to-day. Our opposition to infidelity ought to be still more organised than ever. If Christians will only be united, and work together on a broad catholic basis, sinking their minor differences, I for one will not fear the result! As an instance of what organized opposition will do, it may be said that when the infidels made their appearance lately at Liverpool, the Young Men's Christian Association rather extended their operations for the time, and met the infidels with a firm and prompt resistance. And, afterwards, when Mr. Barker made as it were a last dying effort to get popular here, a few young men joined together, and with the valuable assistance of the Rev. J. H. Rutherford, made a most determined stroke and exposed the infidel tactics most completely, by means of the Monster Meeting, recorded in one of your early numbers. Well, what has been the result? Hear it, O, Holyoake! and give ear, O, Barker and Finch!-The Free Protestant Association, at the age of a few months, CEASED TO EXIST!! It had scarcely got established, its council and executive had scarcely been called into requisition, before it had to be numbered among the things that were! This is one good result of organised opposition.

6

But, sir, if a BIBLE DEFENCE ASSOCIATION was formed in every large town in the kingdom, which I urge most strongly upon the readers of the Defender who could tell of the blessed results which must follow a thorough exposure of infidelity, by this instrumentality? By the report of our public inauguration meeting it will be seen we have now got to work in Liverpool. The Lord pros per our feeble efforts to defend his word from the cavils and quibbles of his enemies.

Yes, sir, it is high time for the professing Church of God to wake out of sleep! What has yet been done adequate to the wants of the times? How little has the press been used for the defence of our common Christianity How little the platform; and alas! how seldom the pulpit speaks out as it ought to do in reply to the objections of infidelity.

Oh, for a thorough arousing of all who profess to call themselves Christians. Oh, that they would quit them like men, and true, brave, and gallant soldiers of the cross; resisting even to blood if called upon, all attempts to detract from the honour due to their glorious captain. Oh, spirit of the living God, come with all thy quickening power! Come and take possession of all thenations of the world. Banish infidelity and scepticism, with their twin-sisters, vice and misery, from the face of the earth. Then may we truly sing

Liverpool, June, 1855.

“Grace begun below."

18919 edi búlla OBSERVER.

FOREKNOWLEDGE AND FATE.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE DEFENDER.

My dear Sir,

It appears that your correspondent “ PHYRRO" is at a loss how to reconcile omniscience with the free-will of man. I cannot wonder at this, as he appears completely ignorant of the nature of both. Let him first give a comprehensive definition of the subjects he wishes to reconcile. and their compatibility, or incompatibility will at once appear. For my own part, though I am not able to enter into, and fully explain, the subjects, yet no difficulty opposes itself to me, but I am able instantly to disperse it to my own satisfaction.

It has been repeatedly affirmed, that foreknowledge cannot be predicated of God, because the infinite existence is not successive, but simultaneous.. Thus omniscience sees all things present with itself, as they will be to man as the periods arrive. Yet, for all this, "PHYRRO" goes on throughout his article to speak of omniscience as absolute prescience, eternal foreknowledge, &c., which are objectionable terms. Prescience cannot be absolute, nor can foreknowledge be eternal. Thus it is, that by having the subject and predicate incompatible, the whole is enveloped in confusion.

Again, what can "PHYRRO" mean by infinite experience? If it is infinite, it cannot be experience and vice versa. If Divine prophecy depended upon experience it might be as "PHYRRO" says, or seems to imply, that it is not fulfilled exactly according to prediction But before we conclude that there is any mistake in the prophecy, we ought to be sure that our interpretation is there is any

correct.

1 do not wonder that "PHYRRO" should say that absolute prescience destroys that omniscience destroys the idea of design? If so, he must show us how, as we consider omniscience and design to be one.

the idea of design, for it destroys itself. But will he te prescience destroys

"PHYRRO" says also, that it can be objected to omnipotence that God cannot cease to exist. We should consider it a very strange omnipotence that could destroy itself! God is, therefore he must be. What then, does it prove

that he is not? Phyrro's idea of absolute omnipotence is, that he ought to have power to destroy himself. This is to me the most childish idea imaginable! think the Christians idea of omnipotence is, that he has power to fulfil his own will, which is to give an eternity of bliss to all his creatures, who will, by virtue of their freedom, make application to him for it. Which is also the end and design of all creation.

31

June 22nd.

IGNORANCE.

I am, dear Sir,

Yours sincerely,

J. G.

It is admirable to consider how many millions of people come into, and go out of the world, ignorant of themselves, and of the world they have lived

in.

If one went to see Windsor Castle, or Hampton Court, it would be strap

strange not to observe and remember the situation, the building, the gardens, fountains, &c. that make up the beauty and pleasure of such a seat. And yet, few people know themselves; no, not their own bodies, the houses of their minds, the most curious structure of the world; a living, walking, tabernacle; nor the world of which it was made, and out of which it was fed; which it would be so much for our benefit, as well as our pleasure to know. We cannot doubt this, when we are told that "the invisible things of God are brought to light by the things that are seen;" and, consequently, we read our duty in them, as often as we look upon them, to Him that is the great and wise Author of them, if we look as we should do. DIS DIS

The world is certainly a great and stately volume of natural things, and may be, not improperly, styled the hieroglyphics of a better; but, alas! how very few leaves of it do we seriously turn over! this ought to be the subject the education of our youth; who, at twenty, when they should be fit for business, know little or nothing of it.

His mind should always be awake to devotional feeling; and in contemplating the variety and beauty of the external world, and developing scientific wonders, he will always refer to that Infinite Wisdom through whose beneficence he is permitted to enjoy knowledge. In becoming wiser he will become better; he will rise at once in the scale of intellectual and moral existence; his increased sagacity will be subservient to a more exalted faith; and in proportion as the veil becomes thinner through which he sees the causes of things, he will admire more the brightness of the divine light by which they are rendered perceptible.

INCONSIDERATION.

The want of due consideration is the cause of all the unhappiness man brings upon himself. For his second thoughts rarely agree with his first; which pass not without a considerable retrenchment or correction. And yet that sensible warning is, too frequently, not precaution enough for his future conduct. Well may we say, "Our infelicity is of ourselves;" since there is nothing we should not do, but we know it and yet do it,

To neglect at any time preparation for death is to sleep on our post at a siege i but to omit it in old age is to sleep at an attack,

ed

A PRAYER.

"Lord! who art merciful as well as just
Incline thine ear to me, a child of dust-
Not what I would, Oh Lord! I offer thee,
Alas! but what I can :

Father Almighty! who hath made me man
And bade me look to heaven, for Thou art there,
Accept my sacrifice, and humble prayer-
Four things which are not in thy treasury
I lay before thee Lord! with this petition,
My nothingness, my wants,
My sins, and my contrition."

Southey.

Never

A SHORT LECTURE TO YOUNG MEN.-Keep good company, or none. be idle. If your hands cannot be usefully employed, attend to the cultivation of your mind. Always speak the truth. Make few promises. Live up to your engagements. Keep your own secrets, if you have any. When you speak to a person, look him in the face. Good company and good conversation are the very sinews of virtue. Good character is above all things else. Your character cannot be essentially injured, except by your own acts. If one speaks evil of you, let your life be so that none will believe him. Drink no kind of intoxicating liquors. Ever live, misfortune excepted, within your income. When you retire to bed, think over what you have been doing during the day. Make no haste to be rich, if you would prosper; small and steady gains give competency, with tranquillity of mind. Never play at any kind of game of chance. Avoid temptation, through fear you may not withstand it. Never run in debt, unless you see a way to get out again. Never borrow, if you can possibly avoid it. Never speak evil of any one. Be just before you are generous. Keep yourself innocent if you would be happy. Save when you are young, to spend when you are old.-Hunt's Merchant's Magazine.

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Our correspondents are requested to write on only one side of the paper.

RECEIVED:-Willis Knowles; W. T. H.; Phyrro; John J. Brack. Some gentlemen seem to think that we have room for any of their lucubrations. We must have short, pithy, and relevant articles, else we must consign them to the flames.

THE COMMENCEMENT OF A NEW VOLUME is a favourable opportunity for securing new subscribers, and we hope our friends will use it.

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Our correspondents in different places will do us service by giving us prompt information of what goes on in their localities.

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THE DEFENDER:

a Weekly Magazine,

OF CHRISTIAN EXPOSITION AND ADVOCACY.

Who knows not that truth is strong, next to the Almighty; she needs no policies, nor stratagems, nor licensings to make her victorious, those are the shifts and the defences that error uses against her power.-MILTON,

In your 2nd letter in reply to mine on the 'Design Argument,' you again combat my opinions on the Eternity of Matter,' and say but little on Paley's noted argument. My rejoinder to your reply needs a few lengthened observations on the cardinal point of Atheism.

-

You say, "but even if you had succeeded beyond the possibility of a doubt, in establishing the indistructibility of matter, would that be proof of its eternity? I think not. An event of which man is the cause, as a fact in history, may be indestructible, but who would argue that it is, therefore, eternal. That Sebastopol has been besieged for nine months by the allied forces of France and England, is a fact absolutely indestructible, but we all know that that is evidence for its eternity. A thing, then, may be indestructable, and yet have begun to be." Is this, then, to be the proof, that matter can be indestructible, and yet have begun to be? The argument is fallacious for the one is finite the other infinite; the one is a fact of an operation once taking place and then ceasing to take place; to make the argument TENABLE, you should have proved that the allies began to besiege Sebastopol; and that they will continue throughout eternity to besiege it-then you would have a beginning without an No. 2, Vol. II.