mains of ancient grandeur; not to form a scale of the curiosity of modern art; not to collect medals, or 'collate manuscripts;-but to dive into the depths of dungeons; to particular providence be the strongest consolation under the calamities of life; if a sense of the divine favour, which strips death of its terrors, and establishes the hope of immortality, be valuable; if, in a word, the plea-plunge into the infection of hospisures of devotion and virtue, carried to the highest pitch, be the sum of personal happiness; then the influence of the gospel in promoting it, will not be denied. "In this view, the infidel has sometimes been constrained to commend it, while he has ungenerously charged upon it those persecutions which it forbids, that bloodshed which it abhors, and the dreadful effects of passions which it subdues. The charge has been wickedly supported, by the misconstruction of a passage, in which Christ did not at all allude to the tendency of his religion, but foretold the effects that would result from the unreasonable opposition of its enemies.-Think not that I am come to 'send peace on earth; I came not to 'send peace, but a sword.' That this passage is not to be taken in the sense which at first view it sug. gests, is obvious from its connexion with the whole of our Saviour's discourse, and particularly from the genius of his religion, which is so benign, that in proportion as it is received and understood, it cannot fail to improve the state of society. All the evils which have been imputed to it arise from the ignorance, the bigotry, the superstition, the enthusiasm, of which it is the most effectual, perhaps I may say, the only cure. These assertions would admit of strong proof from fact, had we time to contemplate the blessed change which Christianity, notwithstanding the corrup. tions of it, hath already effected in the state of the world. We might trace its happy influence in all the relations of life, in the constitutions of states, the spirit of their laws, and the mode of administration.-We might enter those charitable institutions, where every want is relieved, every disease mitigated, every calamity softened; and hear the poor, the sick, and even the profligate, blessing the religion of Jesus. We might view his sincere follower travelling through the world, not to survey the sumptuousness of palaces, or the stateliness of temples; not to 'make accurate measurements of reVOL. I. 6 'tals; to survey the mansions of sor'row and pain; and to take the gauge and dimensions of misery, depression, and contempt; to re'member the forgotten; to attend to 'the neglected; to visit the forsaken; and to compare and collate the distresses of all men, in all countries.' We might compare the state of society in those countries where the gospel has had any influence, with the condition of the nations, both in ancient and modern times, which have had no aid from revelation. From these inquiries it would appear, that just so far as men have listened to his instructions, and imbibed his spirit, have their distresses been relieved, and their social blessings multiplied.And the conclusion would follow, that when he is universally known and acknowledged, wars will cease to the ends of the earth; neither the voice of the oppressor, nor the groan of the prisoner will be heard; righteousness, and peace, and joy will prevail." In the second part of this discourse the revolutions and convulsions intended by the shaking of all nations, as necessary to the spread and establishment of Messiah kingdom in its final glory. In contemplating this subject, 1. He cautions us not to arraign the Most High, as if these commotions arose from any defect of goodness in him, and shews that they result from the present condition of our nature, and the corrupt state of the world.-He then shews how these very calamities are over-ruled to display the glory and extent of the divine government-especially as they are means of establishing his church, and of destroying their enemiesyea, the very signs of his coming, and the fulfilling of his word. Speaking of the sovereignty of the Great Supreme, we have the following passage. From the elevation of the sanctuary, we behold an Almighty arm supporting the chain of human events, extending its agency or control to the most trivial as well as the most important, the most ordinary as well as the Y most casual. God withholds the rain, and the nations pine under famine: he sends forth his destroying angel, and disease mingles with their breath: he shaketh the earth out of its place, and they are ingulfed in its bosom. The storm is his breath, the thunder his voice, the circle of the heavens his throne. But who rolls in blood the garments of the warrior, and amidst the confused noise of battle, turns the beam of victory? The God of battles suffers the violence of human passions thus to punish and correct the crimes they produce." p. 26. In improving the subject and applying it to the occasion of a mission among the Indians of North America, the preacher draws the following picture of their present state, and of the prospects of usefulness among them. "I shall not have made the right improvement of my text, till I recal your attention to the importance of the Redeemer's character, and urge you to remember that he is the desire of all nations. It is supposed, that at this day, much more than one half of the human race dwell in the dark places of the earth. They groan under the anguish of guilt; but have never heard of the blood which cleanses from sin. They torture their own flesh, and mingle their tears with the pain of the unoffending victims; but the wounded spirit is not healed. On this continent their number is great, notwithstanding the rapacity and vices by which we have exterminated so many tribes. Some of these have come from afar in search of clearer light. The ancestors of that nation to which our efforts were first directed, travelled many moons to the place of their present residence, in search of a people who knew the Great Spirit. It had long been a tradition among them, that far towards the rising sun this happy people would be ⚫ found. "For my country, for the profes şion of Christianity, I blush to think how grossly they have been disappointed-how long they have been suffered to continue in this condition. They found a people who knew more of the Great Spirit, and yet, in general, had less fear of him before their eyes. They found among that people, many who knew his name, yet constantly blasphemed it-who knew his law, yet turned it into an occa sion of sin-who knew his worship, yet never did him homage. Be astonished, Oh ye heavens, at this!— They found multitudes who spoke of a Saviour's blood; yet trampled it under foot. Oh my God! lay not this sin to our charge. "The prejudices, however, which have been raised, have not extinguished the desire of instruction. Their caution is increased; but the missionary receives a fair audience. As soon as it is seen that he hath not come to encroach upon their lands, nor to rob them of their furs, the calumet of peace is put into his hand; their bosoms glow with gratitude for his disinterested zeal; and whenever he opens to them the unsearchable riches of Christ,' they gather around him, examine his doctrine with shrewdness, and listen with attentive curiosity, or deep emotion. Spirit of the Lord, breathe upon their soulsdemonstrate the truth to their understandings-apply to their conscience the blood of sprinkling! "Their desire of instruction is great encouragement to continue our efforts: but the absolute necessity of this instruction, to their everlasting happiness, would require these efforts with less encouragement; would justify them under opposition. It was observed in the course of the illustration, that this is the great motive to missionary attempts. It is the only motive strong enough to carry us over the difficulties which must ever attend the preacher of the cross; and it can never be addressed to the Christian without effect. "If we send the gospel to the Indians by those who love it, we shall soften their manners, purify their social intercourse, and rapidly lead them into the habits of civilized life. But I repeat it again, this is not our leading object.--This will never produce the disinterested, patient, persevering exertion necessary to ensure success. The salvation of their souls is our great concern. We preach to them Christ crucified; because there is salvation in no other. Brethren! here is the point of the argument. They are perishing for lack of knowledge, and this proceeds in a great degree from our supineness. It is true, we have made some feeble efforts, and the success of these has proved our sin in delaying the work so long. But how far does our zeal in the duty fall short of our obligations to engage in it? What proportion do our exertions bear to the necessity of the heathen, or to the means of the Christian church in this land? My brethren, if they perish through the want of that instruction which we might afford them, their blood will be required at our hands. If we withhold that portion of our substance which we might easily spare for missionary purposes, and with sluggish indifference dwell in our ceiled houses, while the house of the Lord lieth waste, he will blast our comforts. We may sow much, but we shall reap little. We may eat, but shall not have enough.' However great our gains, they will be put into a bag with holes.' Say not, then, the time is not come, the time that the Lord's house should 'be built.' But remember that ye in time past were without Christ,' having no hope, and without God. Call to mind all that he hath done for you; think upon the privileges he has granted you; restoration to his favour, the joy of his communion, the transforming influence of his truth, the blessings of his house, the support of his promise. From the pleasant habitation of Zion, let your imaginations carry you into the habitations of cruelty-the wilderness where the benighted Indian roams.--Behold the hoary chief. His enemy fell into his hands, and he triumphed in every groan which slow torture could produce. His son offended him, and he plunged a knife into his bosom. His aged mother was accused of witchcraft, and he thought it lawful to take her life. His relatives have been slain, and he thirsts for the blood of the murderers. Weighed down with sorrow and with years, view him stretched upon the bed of death. The Comforter is afar off; the balm of Gilead bath never been applied; no promise is heard to soften the anguish of disease. His only heaven is the country beyond the hills; its highest pleasure, food without the toils of the chace. The grounds of his hope, are the trophies of his cruelty. I see him point to the number of these which hang around his hut: 1 hear him charge the youthful warrior to emulate his deeds, and to revenge him of his enemies. The earthly scene is closed; the awful realities of eternity open upon his soul. O how hard it must be to die in total uncertainty!-how dreadful under such delusion! If you have seen the demerit of sin, the case now presented will awaken all your compassion. If you have known the value of the soul, you will not cease to pray for its redemption. If you rightly appreciate the instruction, the atonement, the unsearchable riches of Christ, the heathen shall not desire them in vain. If the love of Christ constrain you, neither your substance nor your efforts will be wanting, to spread the savour of his name: and if your faith in his promises be firm, no discouragements will cause you to despond. From the very events which threaten the subversion of all human institutions, your hope will derive stability, For thus saith the Lord of hosts; yet once it is a little while, and I will shake 'the heavens, and the earth, and the 6 sea, and the dry land; and I will 'shake all nations, and the desire of all "nations shall come." p. 39-12. To this sermon is subjoined the report of the directors-several Indian letters and papers-with other documents relative to the society. me, Is to another downright misery. "E'en while I stray along the mead, to share The genial softness of the spring-tide air, Or from the hill, survey the fertile vale, Or swelling woodland waving with the gale, Or thro' the walk, high arch'd with nut trees, rove, While airs melodious, echo from the grove, Mix in wild concert, as they chance to flow, With all the murmurings of the brook below, Haply some eye its censures may impart, Unseen ny motives, and unknown my heart. "Thro' paths that vary, wide as east and west, How all mankind are hurrying to be blest." p. 10-12. Among the various objects suppos ed to yield happiness, the author gives the palm to virtuous content ment. Who strives too little or who toils too much, Then surely this must be the magic speil, To choose right objects, and pursue them well; Say wealth, or pomp, or pleasure, or renown, Or aught that virtue need not blush to own: No, not each singly, nor in compact join'd; Unless with this-a rightly temper'd mind. "Contentment then's the source of happiness. Is blest itself, and has the power to bless; Not apathy, whose gorgon looks impart A petrifaction to the feeling heart; Nor cold indifference, such as stoics preach, That scarce will taste the good within its reach; Nor yet disgust, that quarrels for a toy, With all the happiness it might enjoy; Nor gleams of pleasure, sunshine of an hour, The glittering presage of a coming shower: But what they feel, whom faith empow'rs to see A hopeful prospect of eternity. Contentment only on that base can last, Which joins the future, present, and the past. No gloomy mists in dreary order roll, To cloud that calm tranquillity of soul, Whose genial light, which on to-day descends, O'er life's whole landscape its bright beam extends. Each rugged hill we lately travers'd o'er, Struck by its rays, is rugged now no more; Each rock that frowning lifts its awful head, And theatens all the path we have to tread ; Those clouds that darken all the distant view, This cheering pow'r can soften and subdue; Ting'd by its lustre every gloom subsides, As distance smooths the mountain's craggy sides. "The vacant mind, tho' letter'd yet untaught, Each hunts a phantom that eludes Or with the dregs of human know the touch. ledge fraught, Deems this alone true happiness below, To seize the fleeting pleasures as they flow: But what is pleasure?-here the world divides, Points different ways, and chooses difrent sides. Part thro' the paths of sensual pleasure stray, To pluck each flower that blossoms in their way; The wiser part, each sensual wish suppress'd, Choose what will bless them, and will keep them bless'd." p. 20-23. Supposing these specimens sufficient to put the reader in possession of the author's sentiments and poetic talents, we only add from a note on the back of the title, that the profits arising from the sale of this poem, will be applied to the fund of the Charity for the Relief of necessitous Widows, Sons and Daughters of Clergymen within the Archdeaconry of Coventry." XLV. THE Peasant's Fate: a rural HE first and chief poem is di Tvided into two books. Argu ment: Invocation to the Rural Muse, warm, The plowman's lantern dangling on Tho' He The his arm: moon nor stars dispens'd one cheering ray, whistling homeward, urg'd his ready way. barn, the cow-house, and the bridge he past, And reach'd the solitary lane at last, Beneath whose mould'ring banks, at even-tide, 'Tis said, a restless ghost was wont to glide: Where oaks, o'er arching, form a And rising breezes rustle thro' the With bald, transparent head, and hollow eyes, The mouth, from ear to ear, extended wide, With long black teeth, abundantly supply'd. A rushing horror curdled all his blood; Fast beat his heart, his hair erected stood; His knees, that now together 'gan to smite, Could scarce assist him in his back. ward flight; |