94 statistical notices of N. America. Now. 2+ 
church, than what, arises from the opinion whieh 
_the subjects of them ascertain of their sacrednefs ; or 
from that terror which exclusion from the privileges 
and society of the faithful carries with it to their 
consciences, or their sentiments of honour. We 
profefs to have uniform rules of church government, 
which are nearly the same with yours, only mod 
fied to the state of the country; but gentlemen ac= 
customed to the exact order of the church of Scot- 
land, would esteem them to be very laxly executed. 
For admifsion to the sacraments, particularly to that 
of the Lord’s Supper, I fancy we are as strict in the 
qualifications we require, as you are in Britain; but 
we know little of the combats and jarring of sefsi- 
ons and presbyteries, tc. which our clergy think 
often affect church order by destroying Christian 
charity. Almost every thing that relates to the 
peace and union of the members of the congregation | 
with each other, is accomplifhed by advice and me- 
diation. Jf this is ineffectual, we proceed to what 
other measnres of reprehension or exclusion, the 
state and spirit of the people have left within the 
power of the rulers of the church. 
When I speak of religion, I mean to speak of it 
as it is within our synod. ‘The same observations, 
however, may be applied to great part of the New 
England churches, except that they govern more 
profefsedly by advice than we do; but wherever the 
church of England prevails, and that is over at least. 
a fourth part of the continent, there is almost no at- 
tention paid to orthodoxy, to discipline, or almost 
