THE following abstract, made by Father Campbell, will give his manner of discoursing, and his views on certain subjects, in the early part of 1800, and will not be destitute of interest to the reader:

AHOREY, June 22, 1800.      

      "What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? Can faith save him?"--JAMES ii: 14.

HEAD I.

      1. Introduction from the general scope of the Epistle, and the early corruption of Christianity.
      2. Then, endeavor to catch the train of the apostle's reasoning in the context.
      3. Show the consistency between James and Paul.

ASSUMPTION.

Faith without works will by no means save a man.

      1. Consider the necessity and importance of faith in order to salvation.
      2. What kind and degree of faith an unconverted man may have.
      3. What are the genuine fruits of a true saving faith?
      Lastly. Conclude with some suitable application. [207]

Faith is necessary:

      1. To bring religious truths into the mind.
      2. To feed upon them, to enjoy the good of them.
      3. To give God the glory of his great salvation.

HEAD II.

      1. He may have a national faith or opinion.
      2. He may have a professional faith.
      3. He may have an imaginary faith.

HEAD III.

The genuine effects of a true saving faith are:

      1. Sorrow for sin.
      2. Application to the Divine mercy, as revealed.
      3. Reliance upon the Divine love through the merits of Christ.
      4. Conformity to the Divine will in all manner of conversation, viz.: in piety, purity, justice, charity, and universal benevolence.

WHY CAN NOT FAITH ALONE JUSTIFY?

      1. A lonely faith can not justify, because it is deficient in itself.
      2. It can not justify, because it can not reconcile.
      3. It can not justify, because it can not sanctify.
      4. It can not justify, because it can not glorify God.
      N. B.--It has the direct contrary tendency.

INFERENCES.

      1. Mistakes about faith ire most dangerous.
      2. A person may suppose he has faith when he has not.
      3. The sure way to prevent this self-deceit is to walk in the steps of those that are approved ensamples of faith. [208]

CONCLUDING ADDRESS.

      First.--To the poor.
      Second.--To the rich.
      Third.--To those in a middle station.

      1. A reflection upon the conduct of the poor in time past.
      2. A reflection upon that of the rich at present, with the moral tendencies.

      The above was Father Campbell's general method of discussing his subjects, and somewhat in accordance with the general method of sermonizing at that time. It is worthy of consideration whether his example, in thoroughly digesting his subjects, is not worthy of imitation by many in our times. No man should be less careful as to what he teaches than he was; because no man can teach others what he does not understand himself. [209]

[METC 207-209]