lic weal or his neighbour's peace, together with the more atrocious crimes of violence and rapine, (which are at these times brought before our notice) not only forbid us as yet to look for the arrival of that period when, "the work of righteousness shall be peace, and the effect of righteousness, quietness, and assurance for ever,"-but, indeed, press most forcibly on our daily observation, the withering nature and deadly effects of that curse entailed on mankind by sin, and which nothing less than the blood of the Son of God could expiate or retrieve. Yet, again, if we place this our country in the less trying light of a comparison with other realms, it exhibits a fabrick of religion and liberty, of which history has recorded no similar example. It were, methinks, no unhallowed presumption, which would trace the mighty hand of God in that awful conflict which this country so long sustained against unjust aggression and lawless power. "Jehovah, indeed, had his way in the whirlwind, and in the storm and amid the putting down and setting up of the other kingdoms of the world, more firmly secured to this our land, that model of political and social harmony, which we trust it will long exhibit, calculated as it is, if duly appreciated, to call forth the liveliest gratitude, and most ardent devotion of her sons. And how can they better testify this feeling of devotion

i Isaiah xxxii. 17.

Nahum i. 3.

to their country's interests, than by a due contribution of their services in their several stations, and according to their several abilities, to the promotion and maintenance of its safety and prosperity?

Nor let it be for a moment imagined that it is meant to confine the application of these remarks to power and greatness, or to insinuate that the "high places" of the earth are those only in which a true spirit of patriotism can be evinced. It is true that where more is given more is naturally required. To the noble, the senator, and the magistrate, and to all in authority is allotted a peculiar and more extended sphere of action-to them appertain the introduction and maintenance of those laws which are at once the foundation of public security, and the guardians of private peace-and to them we therefore look for that steadiness of deliberation, and that integrity and energy of administration, which alone can give efficacy to human laws, and render them subservient to the great purposes of their enactment. But if these are the duties attaching to exalted station, and if it is in their due fulfilment that we are to trace the evidences of a genuine patriotism on the part of those on whom they devolve, no less surely, and no less honourably may the same feelings be evinced by those moving in the more humble, and even the laborious walks of life, by a quiet and respectful demeanor, a dutiful submission to authority, a pious jealousy of their country's

The

honor, and a consequent abhorrence of every thing which may entail reproach upon her name. great and splendid occasions in which any man can benefit his country are but few, the humble duties by which her peace and stability may be promoted, are of daily occurrence; the duties, my brethren, of religion, the duties of social and domestic life. To their conscientious discharge, (that blessed consummation and end of all doctrine and preaching) let all of every rank and station apply themselves as earnestly and steadfastly, as if the salvation of their country depended on their own individual uprightness and devotion. without odium, zeal without offence. It is by these means that we shall prove ourselves the true friends of mankind and genuine lovers of our country-the friends of mankind by circumscribing the prevalence of vice-the lovers of our country, by making that country the abode of innocence and tranquillity, of virtue and prosperity.

Here there may be rivalship

But cold and spiritless, my brethren, and ineffectual to any purposes of real moral improvement were the most fervent patriotic affection, if confined to the tabernacles of a mere earthly inheritance, unillumined and unsanctified by any visions of the heavenly Sion in her perfect glory. Most unfaithfully then should I have fulfilled the solemn duty at this time imposed on me, were I not here for a moment to recal your attention to a truth,

which, although inculcated from earliest childhood, youthful hope, and riper ambition, are alike but too prone to forget; the truth, my brethren, that here we are all " strangers and pilgrims," that here we have "no abiding city," but seek another and a better country, a city which hath foundations, whose maker and builder is God." We, the ministers of the Lord, are indeed bound to admonish all, that they are to look for the most powerful claims of this country on the love and gratitude of her children, in the circumstance of its being the sanctuary of that truth which proclaims the glories of a future and an eternal inheritance; that truth, my brethren, which it was the pious work of the true champions of the cross in the days of our forefathers, to rescue from the trammels of superstition which oppressed it, and thereon to rear the beautiful fabrick of a pure and scriptural Church, a Church which, enriched as it has been by the labors, and consecrated by the blood of those now sainted spirits, will, we trust, go on increasing in numbers and in holiness, till He, who is its "chief corner stone," shall in his own good time "present it to himself a glorious Church, not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing, but holy and without blemish "." These are the reflections which if at times entertained, even in the giddiest career of human pursuit, will be

'Heb. xi. 10

m

Ephes. v. 27.

7

found powerful to break the enchanting spell, and raising the mind above this world, and its transitory interests, direct it to heaven, and heaven's rest, that rest which the Almighty, in the gospel of his incarnate Son, declares as yet awaiting, not the arrogance of the gainsayer, or the pride of the moralist, but that genuine humility, which, while in due dependence on the aid of the Spirit, it strives unto perfection here, yet looks for acceptance hereafter to the imputed righteousness of the Redeemer alone.

THE END.