ADVERTISEMENT.

THE Author of these letters had at one time intended to throw them into the form of dialogues, in which a Quaker, another dissenter and a churchman, should have been the interlocutors. There are many advantages he thinks, beside the obvious one of escaping the appearance of egotism and dictation, in this form of writing. In no other is it equally possible to make the treatment of a particular controversy the means of elucidating a method which shall be applicable to all controversies. In no other can you so easily do justice to the reasonings of an opponent without any affectation of liberality or indifference. In no other can you with so little effort exhibit truths which belong to all ages, in the drapery of that one with which God has intended you most to sympathize.

But there were some objections to this plan, which induced the writer, not without reluctance, to abandon it. The form of dialogue has been adopted by the greatest artists and philosophers of every age as the happiest medium for conveying their thoughts. One who has no pretension to rank himself in either of these classes, might on other grounds than those of mere modesty avoid the very appearance of such presumption. With

out securing him the attention of speculative men it would lead men of action and business to suppose that he did not write for them. A dramatic form of writing is always connected in their minds with contrivance and authorship. They cannot conceive that it is intended in a plain and straight forward way to remove practical - perplexities from their hearts, and guide them to practical conclusions. At all times much should be sacrificed, every thing perhaps but earnestness itself, for the sake of convincing men that we are in earnest. But it was especially a duty, to aim at producing this impression in a series of letters intended primarily for the use of a sect which counts simplicity the first of virtues, dealing with questions which at this very moment occupy and distract the hearts of hundreds of its members, and purposing to prove to them and to all others, that they must take a certain practical course, if they would be delivered from their theoretical difficulties.

For such a work as this the epistolary form with all its presumption and impertinence seemed more suitable and even more modest than that which upon some accounts the author would have preferred to it.

In writing the present letter the author has often wished that he had adhered to his original purpose. He could then, without awkwardness, have introduced one of the parties in the dialogue urging any objections to opinions advanced in the former tracts, although they had occurred only to the writer, or to some private friend. On the contrary, he has been obliged in this letter to put forward objections to his own positions

without stating who suggested them, or by what arguments they have been enforced, He is fully aware that such a course is inconvenient; but it could not, in justice to himself or others, be avoided. He knew that he had been supposed grossly to misrepresent the opinions of some for whom he expressed and felt the greatest respect; and if there were the least chance of any other of his readers being led by his language to fancy them chargeable with doctrines which they had never professed, it was his duty to explain that language, even at the risk of repeating himself and appearing to answer a shadowy opponent.

With respect to the imputations upon his own principles, he is very thankful for them, as they have enabled him to give a more perfect view of that method which, as he said just now, he conceives is applicable to all controversies, than it might have been easy to exhibit while he was occupied with the details of a particular one. In this respect, his present letter may belong more to other sects and to churchmen than those that have preceded it; but he trusts also that the Quakers will perceive much more clearly, by means of it, how he conceives their disputes may be reconciled, why he refuses ever to speak of his church as a sect, and why he takes so much pains to persuade them that the church is an actual living body, not a fiction or a theory.

It will be observed that the author here has only entered on the subject of the Eucharist. He thought that the history of that sacrament would be the very best

illustration and support of the principles laid down in the first part of this tract; but he could not overcome a great unwillingness to enter upon the more deep and mysterious parts of the subject, while he was under the possible influence of any personal or controversial feelings. He trusts that he may have removed some of the most serious obstacles to useful meditation upon this topic. If he should hereafter be enabled to give a right direction to such meditation, the highest end he proposed to himself in writing these letters will be accomplished.

March 6.

LETTERS

ΤΟ Α

MEMBER OF THE SOCIETY OF FRIENDS.

No. III.

MY DEAR FRIEND,

I AM most anxious that you should clearly understand my letter upon Baptism. It has, I am grieved to find, been most sadly mistaken. That opinions should have been imputed to me which I abhor, is some cause for personal annoyance,— that I should have been supposed to impute opinions to others which I know that they are as far from holding as I am, is a ground for serious sorrow. I have determined, therefore, in justice to myself and to them, before I enter on the subject of the Eucharist, to spend a few pages in explaining my sentiments on the other Sacra

ment.

I. I will notice a charge which affects the whole character of these letters. If it is believed, my pur

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