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tion-no force in that train of reasoning-no conclusion in that demonstration-no order in those starry heavens. All access to the tree of knowledge is denied to him; and he turns from the page full of genius, of energy, of intelligence, and says, "I cannot read it, for I am not learned." In respect of RANK IN SOCIETY, one man differs from another. One is born to sway a sceptre, and to rule a powerful empire. Nations tremble at his frown, and princes are his servants. His navy thunders along every hostile shore, and the sword of his army is drunk with the blood of the slain. He travels-and a whole country is in motion. Harbingers precede his face, guards encompass his person, a willing people bow the knee to him. Not daring to lift his eyes, yonder peasant retires, as the equipage passes, and turns his rough hand, rendered hard by labour, to the most menial services. He eats bread, and drinks water, with heaviness of heart. A large family multiplies upon him. His children cry with hunger. He gives them all -he divides the last loaf among them, and returns himself faint to the labour of the field, without tasting a morsel, lest he should diminish their scanty pittance. And yet he is also a child of humanity! In respect of RELIGIOUS PRINCIPLE, one man differs from another. Here, is a man who receives every blessing as the gift of Heaven with thankfulness, who bends with lowly resignation under the stroke which robs him of his comforts. In his habitation, however humble, the voice of prayer and

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It will be readily acknowledged, that through the medium of revelation alone, we can form any conception of things which are "not seen as yet." We can know nothing, we can anticipate nothing of futurity, but as revealed religion removes the curtain and unveils a portion of invisible objects. But we will venture to assert, that the visible creation itself is not beheld to perfection, but through the medium of revelation. "The heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament sheweth his handy work :" but the man, who has never received this divine medium, discerns not that glory. 'Day unto day uttereth speech, night unto night sheweth knowledge:" "There is no speech, nor language, where their voice is not heard"-but he understands not their testimony. For this reason, many have beheld their beauties, and have heard their voice, who have not acknowledged the existence of God; and, from these alone, none have understood his perfections. And if revelation be necessary to the developement of creation, how much more is it necessary to unfold the mysteries of Providence! After all, but little is at present discovered. Our curiosity is repressed, and our impatience controlled, by the declaration, “what I do, thou knowest not now, but thou shalt know hereafter." Yet we are permitted, sometimes, through this medium, to comprehend a part of the scheme, that we may form some conception of the magnificence of the whole. God deciphers a little of his own mysterious handwriting, to prove

his perfect ability to construe the entire volume. He makes known a portion of his purposes, as a pledge, that he will hereafter fulfil his engagement to show the harmony, the propriety, and the wisdom of all.

USE OF SACRED HISTORY.

It is the glory and the beauty of sacred history to make us acquainted with men, and to disclose to us human feelings. No artificial strokes are used in the delineation of character in this volume. No romantic, unnatural circumstances, are recorded as belonging to the individual selected, to raise wonder and to lead captive the fancy for where miraculous events are asserted, we trace the finger of God, and are no longer surprised, and they bear all the marks of matter of fact, for which some cause is assignable. No false gloss varnishes a depraved disposition. No unreal splendours dazzle and astonish us. All is natural; and feeling ourselves among our brethren in the flesh, correspondent emotions spring up within us, when we perceive them agitated by grief or joy; and we read our own hearts while the narrative permits us to look into theirs. Whether we are overwhelmed with the perplexities of kingdoms, or are occasionally called to the field of battle; whether we witness the slaughter of our fellow-men, or are involved in the intrigues and policies of worldly courts: or whether we enter the tranquil bosom of a family,

and share their domestic comforts and trials, and read in these hallowed pages the same scenes which pass before our eyes every day that we live ; we mark, with equal gratification and advantage, the developement of the plans of Providence, in relation both to public and domestic life; and deduce from it some inferences applicable to the dealings of God, with us, as a nation, or as individuals. Who can read the scriptures without feeling that instruction and amusement are combined? Pleasure and religious information intermingle, and are blended. The imagination is captivated, the heart is warmed, the judgment is enlightened, the spirit is refreshed and invigorated.

HORRORS OF WAR.

WHEN war is awakened, the judgments of God are abroad in the earth. Thus have we seen tonight a people distinguished for their religious privileges, for their prosperity, and for their separation from all other nations, devoted to destruction because of their transgressions. Let us learn, that whenever the sword is permitted to devour, it is to chastise the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity. War is horrible in its nature and in its effects. It separates the dearest and the closest connections of human nature. One battle renders thousands of wives, widows: thousands of children, fatherless: thousands of parents, childless thousands of spirits ruined beyond redemption! See, pressing into yonder slippery,

empurpled field, throngs of all ages, seeking their own among the dead! In this disfigured countenance the child discerns with difficulty the features of his father. In that mangled body dwelt the spirit which was the prop and the glory of yonder silvery head, now bowed down over it in silent, unspeakable sorrow. There the widow washes the wounds of her husband with her tears. And how few of that dreadful list of slaughtered men were fit to die! Surely war was let loose upon the world as a curse, in the just anger of God.

WRITERS OF THE SCRIPTURES,-WISE AND GOOD MEN.

WHO will call in question the understanding or the accomplishments of Moses? Under what circumstances of honour has his name been transmitted through ages and generations, till, irradiated with all its pristine glory, it has reached even these latter days! To a mind far above the common standard-to talents the most illustrious, he added all the learning of the Egyptians. Born at the fountain head of literature, he drank copious draughts of the salutary stream. Before him the celebrated lawgivers of antiquity, although much later than this renowned legislator, shrink away, as the stars which shine through the night, fade before the first tints of the morning, and hide their diminished heads when the sun uncovers his radiance. In like manner all the writers of the Old