devotedness to their mother Church; and never did that Church stand in need of more cordial and undivided support than at this present time. Already has a dangerous principle of Theology reared its head within the revered precincts of this University-already are dangerous and unsound views of Scriptural truth promulgated from the professorial chair. It rests perhaps with the Members of Convocation whether this pestilence be at once arrested, or whether it be allowed to spread its baneful, its deadly influence through the length and breadth of the land. But at all events, independently of any consideration of probable consequences, the path of duty is plain and open. Results are not indeed in our own disposal, their regulation belongs to a much wiser and better judge than we are, to him then it will be well for us to leave them; but we have duties, and those duties are of a most important nature the duties of testifying to the truth, of manifesting our attachment to the Church, and our uncompromising opposition to a system of Theology, whose tendency is to corrupt the simplicity of Evangelical truth. And what avails it to say that we have great difficulties to encounter? Undoubtedly we have, for probably truth never was vindicated against error, except at considerable cost; apply indeed such a principle of excuse to bygone facts of history, and never would the glorious light of the reformation have dawnednever would Christianity have made its way against the opposing mass of human weakness and corruption and deceit. Such pleas then may suit the unsteady statesman, the wily diplomatist, or the indolent sensualist; but God forbid they should ever be found in the mouth of the Minister of the Gospel of Christ. Nor let it be thought by any that enough has been done by the manifestation of opinion on the subject at the last Meeting of Convocation. What importance is felt to be attached to the authoritative and formal declaration of the University by its only legitimate organ, the house of Convocation, may be seen by a reference to Dr. Hampden's correspondence with the Chancellor of the University. Dr. H. knows full well that individual opposition is comparatively unimportant, that until the University, as a body, has authoritatively pronounced him unworthy of her confidence, nothing effectual has been done. Let it then not be said that Dr. H's tactics have been successful, (we do not use the term in a disrespectful sense,) he has throughout fought for time-he fought for * * "I do not object to the expression of feelings on the part of individuals, however unjustifiable I may consider them. What I wish to call your Grace's attention to is, the circumstance of the University having taken upon itself the censorship of theological opinions, without any authority, as I conceive, for so doing by its statutes, or by the law of the land." Dr. Hampden's Letter to the Chancellor of the University. it week after week last term at the board of Heads of Houses-he fought for it by his faithful friends and servants the late Proctors; but let him be taught that he has utterly miscalculated his chances, and that we did not engage in this distasteful and arduous controversy without fully reckoning the costs. And oh! happy will it be for the Church, and more especially for the University, when these painful discussions shall have ceased. That end is to be brought about, not by compromise of principle, (for such never was the foundation of a lasting peace) not by an unsteady and wavering line of conduct, but by zeal united with charity, and a vigorous exertion accompanied by Christian forbearance. Our duty will then only be rightly regarded, when setting aside sectarian feeling on the one hand, and personal considerations on the other, we gird up our loins to the fight, in humble reliance on that power who can overrule for good, the most wayward purposes of man, who can say to the troubled sea be still, and who can alone guide us in safety to that haven of peace and quiet where we would all be. Acting on such principles and contending with such dispositions we shall be enabled to look back with mixed pain and gratification on the proceedings of the present time— with pain that the unity of the Church should have been endangered—and with gratification that amidst all the mortifications and obloquy to which we were |