IV. It is very unsafe not to do it, because all men will have some notions of religion, and if they be not correct notions, they will be erroneous, wild, fanatical, superstitious, or in some way highly dangerous. On this subject we present a short extract from a discourse published by the late Dr. Rice, in the year 1825, on the subject of the injury done to religion by ignorant teachers. In that discourse the writer speaking of fanaticism says: "These remarks have a bearing on a particular part of our population, which I think it my duty to state in such terms that the intelligent will understand me. And that this subject may present itself with greater force it ought to be observed, that there is always a predisposition to superstition, where there are no settled religious principles. This state of the human mind, may be regarded as a predisposition to fanaticism where there is a general prevalence of ignorance and rudeness. Now it is well known that there is a large and increasing part of our population whose ignorance is almost absolute. Their spiritual interests have been very generally neglected; and attempts to afford them religious instruction have often been frowned upon by men of power and influence. But have they thus been able to suppress the workings of the religious principle? That is impossible. It would be as easy to exclude the light of the sun by a leaf of the statute book. What then has been the result of this very general negligence? Why, thousands of this race have a set of religious opinions of their own in many very important respects at variance with the religion of the New Testament. They have long shown a most observable preference for those meetings, by whomsoever conducted, where there is most noise and vociferation, most to strike on the senses, and least to afford instruction. While some among them are, no doubt, true Christians, many unquestionably are rank fanatics. They are chiefly under the influence of ignorant spiritual guides. It is most obvious to the careful observer that they are withdrawing more and more from those ministrations, where they can learn the true character of Christianity; and insist with increasing pertinacity, on holding meetings in their own way, and having preachers of their own colour. The profession of religion among them is becoming perceptibly less beneficial: so that in some neighborhoods, this very thing generates suspicion of the professor, rather than confidence in his integrity. The preachers among them, although extremely ignorant, (often unable to read a verse in the Bible or a line in their Hymn book) are frequently shrewd, cunning men. They see what influence misdirected religious feeling gives them over their brethren and they take advantage of it. Many of them feel their importance, and assume the post of men of great consequence. This thing is growing in the Southern country. And while efforts to afford these