Mr. Smith is such a character; but through sectarian prejudice, he is indulging the same feelings, and unfortunately has the body of the loose and abandoned on his side. He adds,

"But it is ineffably ridiculous for a methodist to talk of the high morality of his doctrines-and never more so, than when he would contrast his ostentatious parade of sanctity, with the unobtrusive and practical virtue of universalists."

When I renounced universalism, I was not a methodist ; neither had I determined what denomination of christians I should unite with; nor whether I should with any-I had no definite plan of operations then in my own mind. So I said nothing at all about the high morality of the methodist doctrine; as I was not a member of any class of christians, and had no reference to any except the universaliste. But I think the "ostentatious parade of sanctity" of the methodists, consists in their humble efforts to obey Godto live devout and pious lives-to grow in grace and in all the christian virtues, that when they come to die, they may die in peace, rejoicing in their Saviour, and go home to his glorious kingdom. And the "unobtrusive practical virtue of universalists" is, generally, Sabbath breaking, profanity, intemperance, contempt of all the appearances and means of piety, horrid fears of priestcraft, but no fears about any other craft; gambling; laughing, scoffing and swearing about praying, preaching, religious meetings, and religious people; finding contradictions in the Bible, and other great difficulties; etc, etc. ete. He adds,

"Especially when he knows, and all the world knows, that virtue has never yet found a sanctuary so sacred, but it has been profaned by the ministers of that denomination. We rejoice that there are amiable exceptions to this general remark, but that there are only exceptions, should teach them and there converts more modesty."

Now as Mr. Smith is a universalist, this sweeping assertion will be the exercise of "charity" and the "bond of perfectness," and that "unbounded love" whieh " assimilates us to God;" but if Mr. Smith ever renounce uni

versalism, his friend Skinner, in attempting to skin him for his audacity, will call it the "gall of bitterness and the bonds of iniquity," and a spirit entirely foreign to that of true universalism," though he might skin himself again by it.

With regard to the methodist preachers, I think they have a vast number of them, and many among their labouring local preachers especially, who are not very talented or learned; and among so many it would be marvellous, if there were not some bad ones. But on the other side, I think there is not more devotion to piety nor more real talents in any order of clergy in the world than among the methodists. They have a vast many men of the very highest order of talents. Their ardent, fervid, burning eloquence is distinguished, and has distinguished them throughout christendom. As to the common members, they have all varieties, as might be expected, but I believe there are many of them-very many, whose sincerity and ardent piety are such as to command the admiration, as well as to warm the heart of every christian and philanthropist that knows them.*

*Since my Renunciation, I have not considered myself a sectarian in the common sense of that term. I have no sectarian prejudices nor hostilities. And my main object and desire is to oppose infidelity and wickedness, and promote christianity, piety and vir

tue.

The points about which christians disagree and dispute, I consider comparatively unimportant, though I have my own judgement on them. I think the friends of Christ should not suffer their different views on minor points of theology to interfere with good feeling and mutual fellowship. They should not discuss the unimportant points which separate them; especially un less some particular circumstance renders it necessary; and then always in a spirit of forbearance and christian courtesy. The business of every preacher of the gospel, is to bring home the great outlines of christianity to the consciences of men; and persuade them to repent and forsake sin, and practice holiness. Although men will think differently on some points, they will all be the friends of Christ or his enemies. If they are his friends, they should be friendly to one another; and sweeten all their denominational disputes with good temper and candour. All christians have enough to do to oppose the common enemy. I consider myself accountable for the errours or failings of no denomination or class of people. Iseek no popularity in the world, and am only am

He concludes with some remarks, which I cannot under

stand-for instance,

"In due time he will see and admit the absurdity and temerity of such insinuations."

What he means by temerity I know not. It may be temerity for me to speak my sentiments; but the author of the piece was mistaken if he thinks I fear him and his coadjutors more than God-not so. I know not what punishment they intend to inflict; but I trust in the omnipotent hand that gave me being; and hope to so live, that in death, I can reflect that I have been instrumental in turning some from vicious pursuits which lead to misery and ruin. It is hoped that they do not mean to Morganize me.

I have now answered in order the writers for one universalist paper, only; but others have foamed out their wrath in a very similar manner. The horde of universalist editors appeared to be affected by the Renunciation, like a hornet's nest upon receiving a fire coal. But this reply will answer them all, as they are little more than the echo of each other. Upon an examination of all these facts, how clearly it appears, 1. That the author, becoming convinced of the errour of universalism, and of its fatal and pernicious tendency, did, like an honest man, and a philanthropist, renounce it; knowing that in so doing, he was sacrificing his highest pecuniary interests; and bringing upon himself the unsleeping vengeance of malicious men. 2. And that these men, who boast of being the very cham

bitious to do some little good while I act in a publick capacity. And would much rather, on my own account, spend the rest of my days in perfect retirement, far from the strifes and censures of men, where I might read, and think, and enjoy the sweets of uninterrupted peace. I fear universalist editors will make it necessary to write a few volumes more, in this "seven years war for independence," before they will make peace. But I hope they will not; for I want not the labour; and as to the notoriety, I only regret the necessity of getting so much. For I fully believe, and have long believed, that they, who are but little known, and have but little intercourse with mankind, enjoy the most real and substantial happiness.

pions of benevolence, and the only charitable men in the world, did immediately begin to sophisticate, and torture, and misrepresent every thing in relation to it; and conjured up mountains of suspicious circumstances, which after all, upon investigation, vanish into the baseless visions of jealousy and malice; and "leave not a wreck behind."*

I am not conscious of having had the least unfriendly feelings toward the body of the universalists at the time of writing my Renunciation. I did not intend either to abuse them, or to injure their feelings, any farther than would be absolutely necessary to let my acquaintance know why I left them. I was obliged to leave them, because I was fully satisfied the doctrine was untrue, and not the doctrine of Christ and the apostles; and that its general promulgation, instead of improving the condition of mankind, would be a serious and fatal evil. I positively know that my convic

*That the world may see farther how powerfully my charitable Renunciation altered the minds and feelings of universalist preachers towards me, I will copy the following from this same Mr. Skinner, published in the 4th vcl. p. 117, of his paper at Utica; only about one month before the Renunciation appeared.

The Genius of Liberty, which has been published for nearly two years at Jamestown, Chautauque county, N. Y. by Br. Lewis C. Todd, we learn by a late number of it is to be discontinued at the end of the present volume, which closes in May or June next. We regret that the patronage of the Genius of Liberty, has not been such as to warrant its continuance; we have ever considered Br. Todd as one of the best of men and one of the best of our writers. However, we know that the task of an editor and publisher is generally rather a thankless one, however faithful his labours or great his sacrifices for the publick good may be; and perhaps Br. T. feels anxious to get rid of the labours and toils, and perplexities and vexations of such a life. We cannot blame him if he does. We hope when he leaves his editorial he will be better able to attend to his ministerial labours, that prosperity and peace may attend him through life, and that his patrons, especially all that are good, will become the patrons of other and similar publications, whose owners will be glad of their support, that the number of patrons to universalist papers may not be diminished. We hope also that Br. T. will occasionally furnish us with an article from his able pen." Who would suppose this to have been the same Mr. Skinner, who soon after, so profusely poured out his vials of bitterness upon me, without the least provocation, only that I had ceased to be a universalist! But such is poor human nature. I feel in my heart this moment a perfect willingness to forgive all the efforts among infatuated universalists to injure me without a cans e.

tions and impressions on this subject, wrought up as they were at last, were such, that I could not have continued to preach universal salvation, any more than I could be guilty of deliberate murder. In view of my accountability to God, and the short time allotted me to live I dared not do otherwise than renounce the doctrine. The monarchy of half the world would not have hired me to continue openly a universalist. Could I have retired into obscurity, and avoided the cross of a renunciation, and the suspicions and reproaches, which I knew would fall to my lot, I should gladly have done so; but I could not be satisfied that I was not bound to do more than that. Many that know not my feelings, trials, and motives on this subject, of course, will execrate me. But the Great Searcher of hearts, knows that I have acted solely from the convictions of duty.

Additional remarks and facts bearing on the subject of the Renunciation.

It has been abundantly shown already, that the author of this book, had been not only discouraged with the moral influence exerted by universalism, but had frequently expressed his dissatisfaction to numerous friends, and also through the press to the publick, for years before his final Renunciation. This too was well known to his friends generally in Chautauque, and had often been made the. subject of serious conversation with such of them as were candid, and most familiar with him. Well known too were these facts to Mr. Stacy, and partially known to Messrs. Skinner and Smith. Under such circumstances, how much more fortunate for them, would it have been, had they barely admitted the Renunciation to have been brought about as it professed to be; and only contended its author