have her cherish all those who are within, and pity all those who are without; I would have her a common blessing to the world, an example, if not an instructor, to those who have not the happiness to belong to her; I would have her give a lesson of peace to mankind, that a vexed and wandering generation might be taught to seek for repose and toleration in the maternal bosom of Christian charity, and not in the harlot lap of infidelity and indifference.  Nothing has driven people more into that house of seduction than the mutual hatred of Christian congregations.  Long may we enjoy our church under a learned and edifying episcopacy!  But episcopacy may fail, and religion exist.  The most horrid and cruel blow that can be offered to civil society is through atheism.  Do not promote diversity; when you have it, bear it; have as many sorts of religion as you find in your country; there is a reasonable worship in them all.  The others, the infidels, are outlaws of the constitution, not of this country, but of the human race.  They are never, never to be supported, never to be tolerated.  Under the systematic attacks of these people, I see some of the props of good government already begin to fail; I see propagated principles which will not leave to religion even a toleration.  I see myself sinking every day under the attacks of these wretched people.  How shall I arm myself against them?  By uniting all those in affection, who are united in the belief of the great principles of the Godhead that made and sustains the world.  They who hold revelation give double assurance to their country.  Even the man who does not hold revelation, yet who wishes that it were proved to him, who observes a pious silence with regard to it, such a man, though not a Christian, is governed by religious principles.  Let him be tolerated in this country.  Let it be but a serious religion, natural or revealed, take what you can get.  Cherish, blow up the slightest spark:  one day it may be a pure and holy flame.  By this proceeding you form an alliance offensive and defensive against those great ministers of darkness in the world who are endeavoring to shake all the works of God established in order and beauty.

Perhaps I am carried too far; but it is in the road into which the honorable gentleman has led me.  The honorable gentleman would have us fight this confederacy of the powers of darkness with the single arm of the Church of England,—­would have us not only fight against infidelity, but fight at the same time with all the faith in the world except our own.  In the moment we make a front against the common enemy, we have to combat with all those who are the natural friends of our cause.  Strong as we are, we are not equal to this.  The cause of the Church of England is included in that of religion, not that of religion in the Church of England.  I will stand up at all times for the rights of conscience, as it is such,—­not for its particular modes against its general principles.  One may be right, another mistaken; but if I have more strength than my brother, it shall be employed to support, not to oppress his weakness; if I have more light, it shall be used to guide, not to dazzle him....