1850-1851.] LECTURES ON CHRISTIANITY. 



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There is no sin which has so many ' thousand treacherous arts 

 to lead the mind astray.' There is no end of the excuses by 

 which the victims of sensuality lull their consciences. The 

 general language of society pronounces these sins as venial, 

 and the general language of young men stamps them as 

 necessary. Even doctors often make it appear that strict 

 chastity is sometimes injurious to health : and the professed 

 teachers of religion do nothing to counteract these impious 

 notions " (p. cxiv.). 



At the end of the year he found " The Helper" not 

 helped," and discontinued it. He subsequently printed a 

 " Town Council Reporter," before "The Warrington Guardian " 

 was established, which was of service in reminding that body of 

 its responsibility. 



Early in 1851, he was saddened by the departure of his 

 valued friends and helpers, Mr. and Mrs. Moulding and others, 

 for America. He sailed out with them thirty-five miles, and 

 felt it very difficult to reconcile himself to coming back again. 

 -The condition of the congregation gave him anxiety, and he 

 was aware that some leading members (including one who was 

 afterwards his fastest friend) disapproved his style of preaching 

 and wished him away. He had it in consideration whether he 

 should accept a mission, or be master in an endowed school, 

 but at length resolved 66 to bear the ills he had," and to show 

 his critics " that they are not to turn out conscientious ministers 

 at pleasure." 



This winter (1850-51) he gave a course of seventeen 

 Sunday Evening Lectures on the Early Times of the Christian 

 Church, ending with one on the influence of the ancient 

 British Church. The attention which he had paid, when at 

 college, to the Rev. J. J. Tayler's course on Ecclesiastical History 

 proved a great help to him. He aimed to show the gradual 

 rise and influence of many of the doctrines and principles 

 now prevalent, * and their impotence to produce a holy life. 

 This series was preceded by a lecture on the Pope's bull, 

 which was then exciting so much indignation. Subsequently 

 (1852-53) he gave twelve lectures on English Christianity, 



