To defeat, however, the devices and to frustrate the labours of the emissaries of infidelity amongst the labouring population of the country, religious associations should be formed: for an evil of such magnitude will never be remedied, until there are the more extensive and effective results of well concerted and combined operations, in the place of the desultory movements of partial or individual zeal. This it may be said is already done by societies, amongst which the venerable Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge has stood forward with the most praiseworthy zeal and activity to stem the tide of infidelity, which has been, during the last year, spreading poison and death. But increased efficiency would be given even to the labours of this valuable Society, by associations of the nature proposed; the object of which would be, not only the present remedy, but the prevention of evils so dangerous to the best interests of society. And how great might be the blessed effects, in checking the secret and open enemies of the Gospel, if its true friends stood forward, and united heart and hand with their appointed pastors—giving them all the aid of their rank and influence, and acting, under their superintendence and direction, in the discharge of duties, which may with propriety be delegated to laymen! A writer, who has been already quoted at considerable length, to shew the deep devices, the bold effrontery, the unwearied zeal, and the alarming success of infidel teachers in the metropolis, asks the important question, “what is to be done in a state of things like this? Shall we look calmly on, and say, let them alone; the authors and propagators of the mischief are profligate and worthless men, whom nobody will trust; and, therefore, too contemptible to be noticed. Alas! we should only deceive ourselves, and be led to neglect others, by taking this flattering unction to our souls.—It is clear, therefore, that some active and present remedy must be brought to meet the evil; and there is none which presents itself so readily and so naturally, as that which may be derived from the arguments, and the testimony, and the advice of the true friends of Christianity, particularly of the ministers.” But the whole labour must not devolve upon the clergy: not from any wish to spare them, whose duty it is ever to be found in the van, in every attack upon the enemies of the Lord,—and ever to bear the brunt of the battle; but because the active co-operation of the laity is essential to the success of the undertaking. It has been the artful policy of the infidel teachers to endeavour to persuade their ignorant auditors that our holy religion is a system of priestcraft; in the preservation of which its ministers will always, necessarily, be actively engaged, because they are deeply interested. The deluded followers, therefore, of this satanic school, may look with more than a suspicious eye upon the anxious labours