the magnitude and dignity of their work. They could not look down the course of time and see the high elevation and wide extent of the structure, whose foundations they began to lay. A republic, of large territory and rich resources, did not rise to their view. A temple to civil and religious liberty, into which some of many nations should enter, did not rear its dome in prospect. A commercial people among their descendants, whose sons should traverse every ocean, and visit every island, did not make a part of their calculation. They came to enjoy in peace the ordinances of religion, to educate their children at a distance from the temptations of the old world, and if there was a third primary desire in their hearts, it was to publish the gospel to the Indians. Little did they anticipate the dangers of prosperity, the speedy extermination of the native tribes. Little did they comprehend the influence of their enterprise on the disenthralment of the human mind, on the melioration of government, on the increase of knowledge, and the diffusion of the gospel.

A precious legacy is committed to us to bequeath to our posterity. Not to impoverish these lands or waste these estates, is a small part of the trust. Not to contaminate the blood of the race by luxury or sensuality, hardly makes an item in the account. To deny or becloud the doctrines of grace, which purify the soul and inspire hope in death, is a gross breach of trust. To exclude the Bible from the school, and prayer from the fireside, is a great step in the downward path. To pollute the current of public morals, and expose the young to strong temptations, is a cruel violation of parental duty. To desecrate the pulpit, and destroy the efficacy of Christian ordinances by neglect or contempt, is an irreparable loss. If this does not remain a Christian people, it is not because a papal hierarchy denies to us the Bible, nor because the combined power of church and state prescribes our modes of worship; but it must be attributed to the ordinary developement of native depravity, under the best circumstances for the culture of a sincere piety. Our hope is in God. Witness, then, millions of people in the possession of the Bible, and in the free enjoyment of civil and religious institutions. Witness millions of immortal beings, instructed in divine truth, sanctified by the Spirit, sprinkled with the blood of atonement, and at last translated to the paradise of God. And trace the influence of the Word and Spirit on the future hundreds of millions, who shall dwell in this land from age to age. Be faithful to your trust. Transmit to your children's children the legacy of your fathers, in all its variety of privilege and richness of mercy, and attend it with your fervent prayers. "Freely have ye received, freely give."

A people, whose ancestors fled from persecution, will long be zealous for their civil and religious freedom. The right of private

judgment, the Bible in our own tongue, the liberty to worship God without the forms of public prescription, an educated ministry, the freedom of the press, the school and the college, will not soon be resigned. To these, under God, we owe our happy and prosperous republic; and on these its perpetuity depends. Let us be slow to bow the neck to the yoke of Romanism. Let us study the Assembly's Catechism, which has endured the scrutiny of nearly two hundred years. Let us cultivate in our heart and life that divine religion, which was the solace and guide of our fathers. And while we walk among their tombs, and bow our ear to their slumbering ashes, let us hear their voice," Fear God, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man."