1809.] 
with regard to the above-mentioned 
doctrines. I found that they were really 
doctrines ot the New Testament. By 
degrees { discovered more and more 
their material influence in improving, 
ennobling, and felicitating the  haman 
soul ; and thus gradualiy, and impercep- 
tibly, but on that account with fuller 
conviction likewise, and steadfastness, I 
became a follower and asserter of those 
distinguishing tenets of the protestant 
system of religion, 
As a teacher of christianity, I have 
never lost sight of the duty of reading 
and discussing its doubts.and_ ditficulties. 
I have made myself acquainted with the 
niost Important writings, not only of the 
unbelievers and scoffers of religion, but 
likewise especially with those, in which 
even protestant divines dispute the com- 
mon tenets of christianity. Ihave found 
much contained in them, and have re- 
ceived much information from them; as 
well in regard to the better explanation 
of many passages o: the New Testament, 
as to the cleares comprehending of the 
spirit of the Old Testament, and to estab- 
lishing aymore satisfactory developement 
of several doctrines. But all the in- 
guiries which I made upon the subject, 
or with a view to it; and again, more 
particularly the daily devotional use of 
the New Testament, have led me to the 
firmest conviction in the truth of Christ’s 
miracles, and ot those of his apostles, of 
the supernatural miraculous origin of the 
books of the Bible; and likewise in the 
truth of the doctrines of the eternal di- 
vinity of the Redeemer, and Holy Ghost, 
of the meritorioussatisfaction of it,&c.&c, 
And.at the end of these inguiries, this at 
least I can assert-with perfect safety, 
that my religious belief, manifold and 
weighty as its defects certainly are, is 
notwithstanding as unbiassed and -un- 
bigotted, as that of any other indifferent 
person, not appointed to the ofhce of 
ebristian minister, 
I know that most of the arguments in 
this work are no longer fashionable: and 
perhaps will be despised and rejected by 
many as antiquated and discarded.* But 
simple remedies are no less effectual, 
though not fashionable, and the naturally 
red healthy cheeks of unimpaired inno- 
cence, are still really beautiful, alchough 
eis ed ate NN hla oF kia wll cil 
* There is great propriety in the expression 
**verlegene waare” as applying to goods, 
which have lost a sale by staying leng ina 
shop. 
Criticcl Survey of Lessing’s Works. 
453 
fashion, may induce persons to. cover 
their’s with artificial colour. Time, how- 
ever, which is the test of all things, ever 
conducts men at last back to the sim- 
plicity and beauty of nature. In like 
manner, though not so rapidly, yet as 
surely in the event, the mind of man re- 
turns back to the unsophisticated and 
wholesome lessons of truth. The em- 
bellishinents of fallacy are cancelled by 
time: wluie the decisions of truth receive 
from it a more secure establishment. 
Tn addition to all this, I protest before 
the Almighty, that no hours of my whole 
life have becn productive of greater happi- 
ness to me, than those which I have 
spent in an intercourse with christianity, 
and in the more faithful and happy prac- 
tice of it. Lhe more intimate my ac- 
quaintance with it, the more deeply was 
iny heart affected by its majesty,-and sub- 
limity.’ And the more [| was able to 
conform my life and soul to its doctrines 
and precepts; the more confidently did 
my inmost feelings assure me, that I was - 
respectable, elevated, andhappy. The lat- 
“ter years of my life have been full of affic- 
tions: some of them the most severe - but 
E have had none more distressing tian 
those which proceeded from the neglect 
and violation of pure christianity, While 
T continued perfectly faithful to this, in 
the inidst of the most painful sufferines 
I was tranquil, serene, elate, and Chup 
ful. The pleasures of my life were far 
more numerous than its afilictions ; but 
none were more sensibly felt by me, than 
those which arose from the practice of 
christianity. Or rather, without this, 
the Most exquisite Joys were weak and 
insipid. This alone seasoned every 
earthly pleasure; and the hours passed 
away with real happiness, when I thoughe 
and acted in imitation ef Ciirist. i ane 
It then this confession, drawn from me 
by gratitude to Christianity, and this 
work, which proceeded from the bottom 
of asensible heart, filled with thank ful- 
ness aud reverence, may awaken and 
conduct the reader to similar veneration 
and love towards this religions I intreat 
hin to pray to God, that in every one of 
my remaming days, Christ may dwell 
more and more in me. ‘ 
Gottingen, April 6, 1785. 
a . 
Lo the Editor of the Mouthly Magazine. 
SER, 
J Bae publishing, in your Magazine 
_the following account of nny Sie 
cess in obtaining spring water, ‘may ins 
- duce 
