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Rh reference to the discourse he had just held with the Curate, "that all denominations of Christians, whatever religion they profess, all assert their doctrines to be true?"

"And why," asked the Doctor, "but because they have been educated in them, and brought up under such a persuasion, without giving themselves the trouble to examine whether such doctrines are true or otherwise?"

"Or if they do examine," again observed Philimore, "it is from a desire of confirming themselves in the particular tenets of their ancestors, in which they have been born and instructed: this I fear is too evident in the case of the Curate whom we have just left."

"Too truly, my young friend; and thus they but too often confirm themselves in error. 'Search the Scriptures,' we are expressly told; and when this is done from the pure affection of learning truth, man is enlightened by the Lord, and he becomes confirmed in the good in which he is principled."

"What a motive is this, my dear Doctor, for us to obey the injunctions of our Divine Master, and, with a meek, reverential spirit, quaff at the holy fountain He has given us, and satisfy our righteous thirst after true wisdom!"