Obrazy na stronie
PDF
ePub

ignorance can scarcely be abused. It has shewn us what Atheists and MEN without RELIGION, when associated together and armed with power, could affect to believe, what they could dare to propagate, project, and do. I will not recapitulate a series of horrors, which have already too often outraged the feelings of humanity. But surely their deluded followers might well say, in the language of the prophet "we looked for judgment, but behold oppression; for righteousness, but behold a cry." Thanks be to God the HUMANITY and GOOD SENSE of this nation were shocked, instead of being BETRAYED by what they heard and saw. The only effect of cruelties that harrowed up the soul; of blasphemies, that ought not to be repeated; and of language, that would pollute the lips that uttered it, was to attach ALL ranks of people among us more firmly to their duty towards GoD and MAN, as taught us in the doctrines of our pure, reformed CHURCH: and this, perhaps, more than any other, may be considered as the cause of our UNION and our SAFETY.

"But, there is a generous ardour in virtue, which often oversteps the boundaries of selfish prudence, and which will not permit it to remain neutral, or inactive, in the midst of violence, injuries, and crimes. Accordingly, the strength of this empire, was exerted to check the progress of evils, the origin of which we could not prevent. We succoured princes and sovereigns in their distress; and the aged, persecuted teachers of christianity, though not of OUR communion, here found a HOME; and were fed by the hand of public munificence and private charity, in a COUNTRY which they had been taught to dread, as the land of HERESY and SCHISM. It will be remembered, also, that, this and much more, was done, at a time when our own poor brethren were suffering, with the most exemplary patience and resignation, the compli cated effects of an almost unparalleled dearth and scarcity of the necessaries of life. Notwithstanding these and other trials, they were not, as a body, tempted to "blood-guiltiness," nor sin; but while the horizon of the political world was darkened with storms, and black with horrors, they seem to have become more sensible of the blessings of LEGAL GOVERNMENT, and to have felt an accession of LOYALTY and LOVE for the person of their revered SOVEREIGN."

This certainly affords much ground for consolation and confidence in this arduous moment when a perfidious enemy regardless of all obligations hitherto held sacred by civilized societies, threatens our destruc tion. Our national character stands pre-eminently towering above the kingdoms of the earth, and, therefore, though we have many evils to be sorry for and to amend, yet we may look through all, for a continuance of that heavenly-protection which has been in times past

shield."

our sun and

But it is the paramount duty of every Briton to exert himself to the utmost in defending the blessings we enjoy. This duty, the author of the present discourse has enforced in a very vigorous manner. "We must rouse ourselves to ACTION. The times call for something more than MONEY; and more than can be always bought or hired. We want, and I trust shall have in abundance, from every class of society, HANDS that are able, and HEARTS that are willing to fight their own battles. We need not hesitate to say, that every one who can feel the blessings of liberty and good government, or entertain a just sense of the misery, degradation and incalculable sufferings of such SLAVERY as we may now dread from sluggishness and indifference, ought to be fired with

Cc 2

the

3

the noblest emulation to exceed his fellow-subjects in loyalty and zeal for his COUNTRY'S DEFENCE. All party-spirit should cease; all former animosities should be forgotten; and trifling dissensions among ourselves, should be no more regarded than mere finger-aches, when the whole BODY is burning with FEVER and convulsed with PAIN,"

We are happy to see that this animated Sermon, replete with the soundest principles conveyed in elegant language, has already reached the third edition.

W.

[ocr errors]

The National Defence: a Sermon preached in the Parish Churches of Wainfleet, All Saints, and Thorpe, in the County of Lincoln, on Sunday, the 7th of August, 1803, (the day on which " on which "Important Considerations for the People of this Kingdom," were distributed amongst the Inhabitants of the abovenamed Parishes.) By the Rev. Peter Bulmer, A. B. Vicar of Thorpe, and Chaplain to the Right Hon, Lord Muncaster.-8vo. pp. 16. 6d. or 5s. per dozen. SPRAGG.

THIS

HIS is a very judicious and well-written sermon on Nehemiah iv. 14, which text is happily illustrated, and applied to the existing circumstances of our own country. The character of the enemy with whom we are contending is forcibly drawn, and his horrible transactions in every land, which has been cursed with his presence, are exhibited in a manner well calculated to make a proper impression on the minds of Englishmen, in order to rouse them to a sense of their danger and their duty.

The following is an affecting appeal to every honest heart in behalf of our Sovereign and common father, which cannot be read without a glowing emotion of loyalty.

"As subjects of Great Britain, we have great reason to congratulate ourselves on the many blessings we enjoy, under the mild and beneficent reign of a prince, whose sole aim has been to advance the prosperity of his people; and who, in his discharge of the relative duties of life, in the various characters of a husband, a father, and a christian, has held out to them an example which they will do well to follow. With a generous confidence, which all must admire and revere, has this our most gracious Sovereign now committed himself to the protection of his loyal and faithful subjects. O! desert not then your good and pious king in his declining years. "Forsake him not when his strength faileth*." When asured of your unshaken attachment to his royal Person and Government, how will he rejoice to know that, in the hearts and affections of his people, he is in possession of an impregnable bulwark, which will enable him to bid defiance to all his enemies. will he be led to joy in thy strength, O Lord; his enemies shall be clothed with shame; they shall lick the dust; but upon himself shall the crown flourisht."

"Thus

We trust that this seasonable address will obtain what it certainly very well merits, a large circulation.

* Psalm lxxi. 9. † Psalm xxi. 1. xxxv, 26. lxxii. 9. cxxxii. 18.

Beat

Zeal and Unanimity in the Defence of our Country recommended in a Sermon preached in the Parish Church of Great Baddow, Essex, on Sunday, July 24, 1803, and published at the Request of the Parishioners. By A, Longmore, LL. B. Vicar, 8vo.

4

ΤΗ HE pulpit and the press have produced the most powerful effects upon the public mind, and the formidable front which Britain now presents against her insidious and sanguinary enemy, is in a great measure the consequence of their efforts. It is highly to the honour of the English Clergy that they have distinguished themselves in this virtuous and patriotic career, beyond any other class of their fellow subjects. They have, by their impassioned, but truly Christian exhortations, roused their parishioners to an ardent zeal in the cause of their country, and they have been active in lending their utmost assistance to the carrying into effect those measures which the exi gency of the times require for the salvation of the State. That their influence has been very considerable, appears even from the sermon before us, which is introduced by a resolution of thanks from the parishioners of Baddow to their pastor, and a request to have it printed. This is followed by a list of subscribers, a circumstance very unusual in the publication of a single sermon, but highly honourable in this instance to all the parties concerned. From that striking declaration of our Saviour, Matt. xii. 25," Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and every city or house divided against itself shall not stand," the necessity of civil order and subordination is well explained, and the particular duty of Britons to unite their efforts at this crisis in defence of all that is worth contending for, is enforced in a very impressive manner.

A Sermon preached in the Parish Church of Boughton-Monchelsea, in Kent, by the Rev. Sir JOHN HEAD, Bart. M. A. on Occasion of the first Muster of Volunteers, for the general Defence of the Country. 8vo. pp. 16.

THIS

HIS is a short but very impressive discourse, on 1 Cor. xvi. 13. "Watch ye, stand fast in the faith, quit you like men, be strong." Though the text certainly relates to our spiritual warfare as Christians against the snares of the devil, yet the reverend baronet has judiciously applied it also, but without omitting to notice the original sense, to our present critical situation" Watch, (says he) lest a vindictive and cruel enemy should invade our shores, and find us unprepared to meet him; an enemy, who like Satan himself, has upon the altar of rebellion vowed universal destruction; let us be well on our guard, for as with our ghostly so with our earthly foe, we may with propriety say" Resist the devil and he will flee from you."It is the indispensible duty of every Englishman to step forward upon this trying occasion, as he hopes for comfort here, or happiness hereafter, for he can neither be a good christian, or a brave and virtuous man, who does not think it his duty to protect from violence and desolation whatever the usage and feelings of mankind have established as sacred." Stand fast in the faith-" St. PAUL here means you have chosen a leader which is JESUS CHRIST,

and

and have agreed to serve under his banners; he therefore exhorts his followers, to "Stand fast in the faith" they have chosen, nor on any account to desert their Saviour and their God! apply this also to the present times; let me exhort you, my friends, to stand fast by your King and Government; he is one of the best of men, and the Constitution of this realm is at once the admiration and envy of the world. Faults there may be, but shall mortality dare to boast perfection? Let us then neither forsake our beloved monarch, nor be wanting to ourselves in the hour of danger; let us not suffer an insolent and haughty foe to overthrow the goodly fabric which has been reared by the wisdom, and cemented by the blood of our ancestors!"

The profits of this Sermon are intended as a donation to the PATRI OTIC FUND, and therefore we sincerely wish it abundant success.

[blocks in formation]

Why comes, at this ill-omen'd hour,
Minerva's favourite to my bower,
For solitude design'd!

And, op'ning wide her clam'rous throat,
Thus with her harsh discordant note
Disturbs my thoughtful mind?

Acquaint me, for I long to know,
Whether to chance or fate I owe
This nightly serenade ?

Why, when the groves in shades are drest,
And weary'd mortals sink to rest,
Dost thou my peace invade ?
Is it, that midnight glooms among,
To cheer my studies with a song,
Thou friendly dost incline?
If so, forbear thy minstrelsy,
And know that song delights not me
From such a voice as thine,
Or, dost thou, to my anxious mind
Portend some ill, that lurks behind
Futurity's dark shade?

Alas! the dread of woes to come,
Finds in my fancy ample room,
I fear, without thine aid,

Evils, no foresight can avert,
With voice unfriendly why impart ?
We wretched need it not.

Enough does varying life display
Of ills sufficient for the day,

Without the morrow's thought.

That scream again! hence, bird obscene,
Of frightful shape and haggard mien,
Abhorred imp of night!

Whose voice loud echoes thro' the wind,
And fills the apprehensive mind
With terror and affright!

Hence, with thy raving note and wild!
Thon bird of wisdom falsely styl❜d1
For thee no laurels bloom.

On some remote and desert coast
Scream if thou wilt, and idly boast
Thy philosophic gloom.

Think not that fair philosophy
Has thy deep gloom and hollow eye,
Sad look and brow severe.
Wisdom, the friend of human kind,
Is not to lonely cells confin'd,

Dark shades, and cloisters drear,
With such as thee she ne'er abides,
Nor, silent, in the desert hides

The lamp, that burns so bright;
But lifts on high her laurell'd head,
And o'er the world delights to shed
A portion of her light,

To angry Dæmons liker thou!
Misanthropy, with sullen brow,

That scorns and shuns mankind
Or Hatred, whom the Furies tear !
While passion, like a whirlwind, there,
Roots up his peace of mind.

Or, like Remorse, with madd'ning breast
By all the Fiends of Hell possest,

That, shunning human sight,
To woods or deserts bends his way,
As, fearful, that the blaze of day

Might bring his crimes to light.
Go, then! with these, or such as these,
Go! and thy gloomy fancy please,
With every hateful sound!

Or, in some lonely cavern hide

For fear and misery betide,

The place where thou art found t

LITERARY

« PoprzedniaDalej »