benevolent designs, it is presum ed, know some of the pleasures of giving. Great numbers of such are parents, and would gladly impart these means of happiness to their children. This can be done, without dimin ishing their own happiness in the least; and at the same time more good would be produced with the same sum of money. Should they make their children the almoners of a part of what they have to spare, and in the mean time explain to them for what purpose it was given, would not the little ones rejoice to put it into the treasury of the Lord with their own hands? The example of Elkanah, I Sam. i, 4, is worthy to be imitat ed by every head of a family. And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he GAVE to Peninnah his WIFE, and ro ALL HER SONS and HER DAUGHTERS, POR TIONS. If parents would seek out objects of charity, and frequently send their children to relieve them, might not their children in this way be taught to inquire for the abodes of distress; and thus grow up in a belief, that it is their duty to do something for the benefit of their fellow-men? Should a parent furnish his child of three or four years old with only a few cents at a time, for charitable purposes; and should these donations be frequent, and increase as his resources might increase, would not the child be more inclined to liberality, and of course more happy, than if he had always been taught to hold with an iron grasp every thing that pertained to himself? Acts of benevolence would become agreeable to him, and he would dispense blessings to the full ex. tent of his means. Contemplate such a person just entering upon active life, with an ample fortune daily increasing by economy and good management. Behold him like pious Jab of old, delivering the poor that cry, and the fatherless, and him that hath none to helft him. The blessing of many ready to perish comes upon him; and he causes the widow's heart to sing for joy. Behold him putting on righteousness, and it clothes him, and his judgment is as a robe and a diadem. He is eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame. He is a father to the poor, and the cause which he knows not he searches out. The candle of the Lord shines upon his head; ana by his light he walks through darkness. When the car hears him, then it blesses him; and when the eye sees him, it grver witness to him. His glory is fresh in him; and his bow is renewed in his hand, His life is peaceful, his death triumphant, and his eternity blessed. I seem to hear parents, in dif ferent parts of the world, exclaim, "O that our children, and our children's children to the latest generation, may possess such a character." Let all, who would entail so rich a blessing upon posterity, be careful to give children a religious education, and make use of their influence, wherever their lot may be cast by Divine Providence, to promote so desirable an object. Let children be accustomed, while very young, to search out, and as far as they can, to relieve the distresses of their fellow. creatures. REVIEWS. LXIV. A Sermon preached at In chusetts, containing three quar and lasting impression on the consciences of men, whose influence is closely connected with the state of public morals, may well excite in the mind a more than ordinary concern. A desire to make the best possible use of an important opportunity to do good; an opportunity which will never be repeated to the same individual; is not less easily distinguished from a desire of obtaining reputation, than from criminal negligence. The preacher, on the present occa sion, appears entirely absorbed in the attempt to promote the welfare of society by urging upon his audience the paramount claims of God, as the Governor of the world. The great principles, inculcated in this sermon, would be applicable in any state of society; but are peculi. arly so in a country, where the connexion between the rulers and the people is so intimate as in ours. ON few occasions is a minister of the Gospel called to discharge,strument of making a salutary a more important duty, than to preach to the assembled legisla tors of a free people. To a reflecting mind the annual return of the day when the newly elect ed representatives of the people enter upon their duties, brings with it many interesting considerations, The stupendous ma chine of civil government, the beneficent ends which it is designed to answer, the blessings of liberty under the protection of wise and efficient laws, the dignity which invests the character of an upright and disinterested ruler, the majesty of a numerous people, as exhibited in the persons of their chief magistrate and of those who fill the other departments of the government; these and many other subjects crowd upon the mind, and fill it alternately with subJime and tender emotions. It is greatly to be desired, that all our rulers should feel, as some of them do, the real dignity and responsibility of their stations. To guard the rights and morals of such a community as Massa The text is Tsa. xxxiii, 6... Wisdom all be the strength of salvation; the fear of the Lord is his treasure. After describing the connexion in which this passage stands, and citing Bishop Lowth's translation of it, Dr. A. gives the following brief and satisfactory ex planation of the prophet's meaning: "The terms, wisdom and fear of God, as frequently used in Scripture, are synonymous. The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom. But, as both occur in our text, it is rational to conclude, that, by the latter, is signified an ability to acconiplish desirable ends, by a judicious choice and arrangement of means. This ability, though often found in connexion with knowledge and piety, is not to be confounded with either. The fear of God directs men to aim at the purest and nob est ends. For the accomplishment of these, wisdom makes a selection from those various means, which knowledge has provided. "The doctrine, inculcated by our text is, therefore, that the permanent prosperity of a nation is best secured by a union of knowledge, wisdom, and the fear of God." pp. 3,4. "Fourthly as an enlightened people will know how to value their rights, they will place those in office, who, by their ability, knowledge, and integrity, are en titied to such distinction. To obtain their suffrages, it will not be enough, that a man professes his attachment to order, religion, or liberty. He must have more. solid ground, on which to establish his clams to public favor. In knowledge and wisdom is doubtless implied a spirit of discernment. To enjoy the confidence of a wise people, there must therefore, be a consistency of character, a uniform regard to moral principle and the public the civil interests of millions cannot be good They will clearly perceive, that secure in the hands of men, who, in the more confined circle of common intercourse, are selfish, rapacious, or aspiring. "An enlightened regard to self interest, and a religious sense of responsibility, will, in this case, lead to the same prac tical result. In exercising the right of freemen, the man of religion experiences no conflict between his duty and his inclination. Towards the dishonest, profane, ambitious and profligate, he feels "The strong antipathy of good to bad.” He has no wish to behold, arrayed in the robes of office, men, whose largest views do not extend beyond the limits of mor tal life, and whose deportment and con ence for the Author of their being. The greater part of this sermon is occupied in shewing, by appealing to reason and revelation, by referring to history and addressing the conscience. that the durable prosperity and good gov ernment of a nation must be ultimately sought for, in the relig-versation indicate neither love nor reverious education of children, in upholding the public morals by the preaching of the Gospel, and in preserving a solemn conviction, in the minds of both rulers and people, of responsibility to God. We do not mean, that these topics are every where prominent; (for the preacher spent some time in describing the benefits of science, the nature and design of civil society, &c.) but that the topics above mentioned were held perpetually in view as the great points "In very popular governments, where the elective franchise is widely extended, it is, doubtless, impossible, that cand.dates for public office should be person. ally known to all, whose suffrages they receive. How generally soever knowl edge is diffused, all the members of a large state cannot be brought within the sphere of mutual observation. In this case, resort must be had to the best sources of information. But it should not be forgotten, that a portion of the same intelligence and virtue, required m rulers, is necessary in giving information concerning cand dates." An honest and well-informed freeman will rely on noné but honest and well-informed witnesses. "Fifthly-a nation, distinguished by a union of wisdom, knowledge, and the fear of God, is morally certain of having its government well administered, not only for the reason just assigned, but because the tone of morals, existing in such a nation, will operate as a powerful restraint, if, by any casualty or deep dissimulation, persons of yielding virtue should be placed in office. "Public opinion constitutes a tribunal, which few men, and, least of all, those, who are in pursuit of popular favor, will dare to set at defiance. It is scarcely possible, that a people, truly wise and virtuous, should have a government badly administered. Whenever the majority of a community complain of their rulers, they implicitly utter reproaches against themselves, for having placed their des tiny in the hands of men, with whom it is insecure If their reproaches are long continued, it is good proof that their own morals exhibit no very striking contrast with the morals of those, whose profligacy they condemn. In popular overnments, the virtues and vices of rulers must flourish or wither with those of the people." pp. 7-9. We are particularly pleased with the high testimony which Dr. A. bears to the wisdom of the early rulers of New-Eng land, particularly as it is becoming fashionable, in some degree at least, to depreciate their characters, and undervalue their patriotic exertions. "To illustrate and exemplify these remarks, we need only refer to the early history of our own country. Those illustrious men, who, under God, directed the earlier destinies of New England, were distinguished for the character, of which we have been speaking. They were equally remarkable for their love of liberty, and their hatred of anarchy and misrule. They could, without complaint, forego the indulgencies and elegancies of life; they could look unappalled on a vast, stormy, unfrequeated ocean; they could plant, themselves and families, in a wilderness rendered hideous by every danger; they could submit, with invincible fortitude, to toils and privations;-but their noble minds could not endure the spirit of civil and religious bondage. How well they understood both the rights of the people, and the rights of government, pears from the following words of one of their chief magistrates. "There is a • Governor Winthrop. liberty of corrupt nature, which is incon sistent with authority, impatient of res traint, and the grand enemy of truth and peace; and all the ordinances of God are bent against it. But there is a civil, moral, federal liberty, which consists in every one's enjoying his property, and having the benefit of the laws of his country, a liberty for that only, which is just and good; for this liberty you are to stand for your lives."" pp. 12, 13. Again; after urging the duty. of family instruction, the preacher adduces the example of our forefathers: "In view of this subject, I am irresisti bly led to contemplate the primitive character of New England. In relation to those, who, by planting civilization and religion on these shores, transmitted to us this fair inheritance, the language of inspiration may be well used; when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in d lund, that was not sown, Israel was holiness to the Lord, and the first fruits of his increase. In almost every dwelling was there both an altar and a church. Then began men to call on the name of the Lord. The child was early engaged in the wor ship of Jehovah, to whom he had been consecrated by a Christian ordinance. From the lips of maternal piety and love, he imbibed the lessons of heavenly wis dom. By a father's authority, guided and softened by the spirit of religion, his aberrations were reclaimed, and virtuous habits were aided and confirmed. was a scene, which angels delighted to witness! The Bible, the Sabbath, and the sanctuary, were objects not only of veneration, but of affection. Together with the love of truth and probity, they formed a strong attachment to rational freedom; a character, remarkable for solidity, decision, and independence. They knew both how to appreciate their rights and to defend them. They knew what was expected from children, of whose parents it could be emphatically said, that they "feared God, and feared nothing else." p. 20. It From the address to the Governor we select the latter part, as an admirable specimen of ministerial fidelity, the appropriateness and solemnity of which made a deep impression upon the audience. 1 "In the midst of those scenes and duties, which are connected with an office so highly responsible; while there are a thousand interests to regard, and a thou sand temptations to resist; while, on the one hand, there are solicitations to repel, and, on the other, provocations to pass by and forgive, your Excellency, per haps, needs not to be reminded, that there is scarcely a poor han among your constituents, whose situation, in regard to spiritual improvement, is less favorable, than your own. We implore for your Excellency a large supply of the spirit of Jesus Christ, that, when all hus man beings shall appear, as trembling suppliants, before the Divine Tribunal, it may be your glory, not that you have been frequently called to preside over a free state, but that, by divine grace, you have been enabled to do justly, love mer. cy, and walk humbly with God." pp. 24, 25. We close our long quotations from this able discourse, by presenting our readers with nearly the whole address to the Coun cil, Senate, and House of Representatives. After briefly mentioning the present war as an awful calamity, Dr. A. proceeds. "Wherever may exist the immediate occasion of our unhappy condition, the ultimate cause is to be sought in our na tional character. The spirit of vice has diffused a deadly contagion throughout every state in the union. The infection is not unknown in this northern extremity, once so pre-eminently the abode both of private and of public virtue. The holy Sabbaths of God are extensively violated by men of all conditions in life, and of all political creeds. As temptations to this sin have been recently multiplied, the evil has become enormous and intolera ble. The habitual profanation of sacred things, but especially of the divine name and attributes, is as general as it is impious and demoralizing. The demon of intemperance is stalking through our country, wasting our property, consuming our health, and destroying our best hopes, both from objects of earth, and from those beyond the skies. The morals of men hang loosely about them, and are too frequently thrown off whenever an assault is made by individual or party interest. "On this subject, I make a respectful, but solemn appeal to the honored legisla tors of the Commonwealth. Do you be lieve, that any state, community, or nation can be powerful, tranquil, and per manently happy, if their morals are ex. tensively depraved? Would not the most alarming depravation of morals result from a general disbelief of the Christian religion? Would the happiness of families, would property or life be secure in a na tion of Deists? If Christianity is the most powerful guardian of morals, are you not, as civilians, bound to give it your support and patronage? Do you, in the least, question whether the institution of the Sabbath has an extensive influence in bringing to the view of men their dépen dence on God, the extent and purity of his law, the soul's immortality, and a day of judgment? Is it doubtful, whether that reverent regard, with which this day was treated by our ancestors, was nearly connected with those habits of integrity, industry, sobriety, and moderation, for which they were so remarkable? Have not the general profanation of God's name, and the inconsiderate use of that language, in which he has been pleased to express the sanctions of his law, a direct tendency to impair the influence of those sanctions, and to dissipate the fears of profligate men? "Probably there was never a time, since we became a nation, when the crime of perjury had become so frequent, as at of other sins, to which we have been present. This is the legitimate offspring long accustomed; and to those, who are acquainted with the human character, it can produce but little surprise. When the witness, the complainant, or the accused adds to his promise of uttering nothing but the truth, these words, help me God, he does, indeed, imprecate on himself the divine anger, if his testimo ny should be designedly false. But imprecations of a similar import, he has used, perhaps, a thousand times, without feeling his responsibility, or realizing the solemnity of an oath. That individual, therefore, especially if placed in a com manding station, who swears profanely, or violates the Sabbath, does much to wards demolishing the foundations, on which civil society is supported. He breaks up the fountains of the great deep the waters will rush out from their cav erns, and overflow the earth. Whoever may be the immediate authors of our present sufferings, certain it is, that in or der to our obtaining the blessings of per manent and solid prosperity, a reforma tion must be effected in our national character. "The Greeks, with good reason, inveigh ed against the ambition of Philip. No with less reason were the patriots of Rome alarmed at the daring measures of |