On the fifth day following, the session was resumed according to adjournment. The interesting nature of the subjects to be discussed, brought together, besides the original members, an immense concourse of Christians of every denomination, constituting the most respectable Christian assembly ever convened in the United States.

Doc. Bishop appeared on the part of the Protestant Episcopal Church, and Presiding Elder on the part of the Methodist christians. Being thus organized, the Chairman addressed the assembly in the following words—

Gentlemen, it is with a degree of diffidence that I at this time fill this chair-a diffidence which arises from a conviction of the momentous nature of the subjects about to come before this assembly, and the part I am to bear in the decision of the questions which may arise. I hence feel this situation more important than any I have before been called to fill, and my accountability perhaps greater than in any station in which I have before been placed. But I trust, Gentlemen, you are sensible, and especially those of you who are entrusted with the " mysteries" of Almighty God, that I am not alone accountable in this matter. I trust you are sensible, that you, with me,

must render to the Judge of all, a scrupulous account of the trust, which in his providence, is now committed to us.

With the subjects about to be discussed, many of you may be expected to be much better acquainted than myself. I shall therefore place great dependance upon your wisdom, your learning, and your piety, for my guide and support, while I have the unexpected honor of holding this seat. I shall hear you with patient attention; and I pray that all that decorum and order may be observed, which the place and the business demand.

The first subject before you, is, to ascertain what the visible Church of Christ is ?"

The gentlemen will speak singly, without interruption, and will now begin.

Doc. Presbyter Primus. Sir, as I had the honor of proposing this question, it will be expected that I first should make some remarks upon it.

You have with much propriety noticed the importance of the subjects now before us. I am indeed deeply impressed with the force of your observations. I am aware that what is now done by this numerous and learned body of christians, may greatly affect distant posterity. The deliberate decisions of such a body of men as now sur

round me, selected as they are, from one of the most enlightened nations on the globe, will necessarily have a salutary or baneful effect on posterity, as they shall or shall not be controuled by the maxims of divine truth It is therefore my earnest desire, that every thing should be done, not only "decently and in order," but done also with deliberation and intelligence. The question now before us is a preliminary one to others equally important, and should therefore be settled with accuracy. To me sir, nothing is of more importance than to know what Christ's Church is, and where it may be found. For I do assure you, my brethren, that unworthy as I am, I would not for the whole world, and all the kingdoms of it, be in doubt whether I was in the Church of Christ or not whether I was translated or not, into the kingdom of " God's dear Son." I would not be in doubt whether I have the sacraments, or whether I have them not. But how can I be sure in this case, unless I know what the kingdom of Christ is, where it may be found, and what are the marks by which it may be known? I know that doubts have arisen in the minds of many on this subject; of many of enlightned minds and pious hearts; doubts which have placed them "in

ness.

a strait betwixt two." We therefore rightly judge this to be a subject of vital importance to GodliWe have fallen on times when some say, lo, here is Christ," or "lo, there is the desert" or "in the next chambers," and are bid to take heed that none deceive us. Some speak of a Church within, which can be known only by feeling; some there are who contend that the temporal community of Christ is not visible; others preach that the same Church is visible, but self-formed and constituted by man. But my brethren, what a terrible case should we be in, if we had no sufficient warning given us, and no rule to go by! Thanks be to God, this is not the case. But as the lightning that cometh from the east shineth into the west, so plain and notorious was the establishment of Christ's kingdom in the world, together with the form of its constitution, and the order of its ministry in all the countries where it was planted. It would be unreasonable; indeed it would be lamentable; it would seem as if God had mocked us contrary to the nature of his mercy, that he should publish a way of salvation and leave it uncertain where that way may be found. From what is said of it in the gospel, it is impossible that the Church should be a society, obscure and

hard to be distinguished.

Ye are the light of the world" said Christ to his disciples; "a city that is set on a hill cannot be hid." Now light is sure to show itself, and it comes in a straight line which directs us to its source. A City placed upon a hill is so elevated above other objects, that it cannot be difficult to find it ; rather it is impossible to miss it-it" cannot be hid." And Christians in all ages seem to have agreed that it shall not be hid. For when we approach a city in any part of Christendom, the Churches are generally first seen towering over all other buildings.

Furthermore Sir, Christ hath given us a precept, that under certain circumstances we should tell our case to the Church; but unless it be known where and what the Church is, this cannot be done. The precept therefore supposes that the Church must be known to us. The same must follow from the injunction of St. Paul in his Epistle to the Hebrews" obey them that have the rule over you, and submit yourselves, for they watch for your souls, as they that must give account." The rulers of this Church must therefore be known to us; for it is impossible we should do our duty, and submit ourselves to them, unless we are sure who they are. The Church