lamentations on the death of their revered fathers. Now listen to the voice of the Prophet Zechariah : Your Fathers, where are they? do they live for ever? No! fifty-four of them, who where honoured by the Almighty to give birth and freedom to our country, have now gone to their long home, and only one yet survives in the land of the living. Astonishing! that both those venerable patriots should be permitted to live to so great an age, and to see the very day of our Jubilee, and before the curtain of night dropped, they closed their eyes, and bid their saved country, farewell, for ever! This was none other than the Lord's doing, though it be marvellous in our eyes; and the coincidence of circumstances connected with these two great personages in their life, and in the event of their death, were so astonishingly remarkable, that a collection of them may be deemed necessary on the present occasion.

We hesitate not in saying, that however different in natural or acquired talents, Jefferson and Adams were equally inspired with a love of liberty, and mutually determined to seek their oppressed country's liberation and independence.-By Congress, they were both appointed members of a sub-committee, to prepare the important written instrument of our freedom.-Jefferson read this paper to Congress, about one o'clock on the fourth of July, 1776, and Adams elucidated its several parts.-On the same day, at a quarter before five in the afternoon, Adams and Jefferson, with the other members of Congress present, publicly read and signed the same paper, and the Declaration of Independence was announced amidst the acclamations of the populace.

Both these venerated characters, in addition to their first energy in producing our freedom, continued in our national council, and proved themselves able statesmen; and in succession, were elected to the supreme office of President of the United States.-They were permitted to live fifty years after they had signed our independence; and, notwithstanding their great age, both retained their mental faculties, and the love of their country, to their last moments.-Both lived, and rejoiced to hail the morning of our Jubilee; and both closed their eyes in death before the sun sat on that auspicious day!—Jefferson died ten minutes before one o'clock in the forenoon, aged eighty-three years, three months and two days. Adams died on the same day, at five o'clock in the afternoon, aged ninety-two years. Thus, like Saul and Jonathan, they were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided; and like them too, in the defence of their country: they were swifter than eagles; they were stronger than lions. 2 Sam. 1. 23.

Perhaps, occurrences like these, were never known to have attended two public characters in the history of time; and they ought, unquestionably, to create an impression upon us, that they could only have been produced by the hand of the Almighty. If this most remarkable visitation of death has created a solemn feeling in the breast of the nation at large, permit me to ask-what must have been the sensation of the aged Mr. CHARLES CARROL, the only survivor on the list of fathers?

The recollection of his associates in Congress; the time of signing the Declaration of Independence; the rapid progress of America's prosperity; the repeated slaughters of death among his companions; and now, the death of Adams and Jefferson, while he himself, by extreme age, was tottering alone upon the brink of the grave :—all these painful reflections must have rushed like a torrent to his soul! He was the last that signed the Independence, and now the last that lives! And, have we no generous wish to express for him, while under the weight of years and his depression, that shall soothe his passage to the grave? Yes; while his love of liberty, and the love of his country, shall be coeval with his latest breath; we sincerely wish, that the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, may dwell richly in his heart; and, that while he rejoiceth in his past successful labours for his country, we also pray, that through the merits of the Redeemer, he may anticipate a better country, that is, an heavenly where he shall dwell with the Lord for ever, crowned with immortality and glory!

Let me conclude this discourse with a few necessary reflections. As it is the duty of children to honour the memory of their deceased fathers: so let America continue to pay the highest expressions of veneration and respect to the names, the characters, and the heroic deeds of their departed worthies; and, by every possible means, cherish their fame through successive generations.-Our fathers are dead, but they have left us an inheritance, which was the gift of Heaven; and we must equally ac

knowledge, that it bears those strong marks of glory, of which no other nation could boast. Who then but must express the fervent wish, that the sons of America may hold it sacred and inviolate; enjoy it in virtue, and that the true spirit of liberty, instead of expiring with the breath of our heroes, may be transmitted to the latest generations.-We cannot but most solemnly confess, that the great Head and Redeemer of the church of God, has reserved for America, the brightest jewel which ornaments her crown. Church and state have been combined for many hundred years, in nations called christian, by which rights of conscience have been laid prostrate at the feet of princes. But in this favoured land, the church rejoices in God alone; and is subject to no sceptre but that of Jesus Christ her heavenly King. From this most valuable consideration, let every religious denomination evince their gratitude for the mutual privilege which they respectively enjoy; and as no one of them has a superiority over another, let it dictate candour and charity to each other, as equally entitled to the same glorious privileges. Nor let us cease to pray, that here, the church of Immanuel, and the standard of his cross, may continue to display their glories and their virtues, until He shall come the second time without sin unto salvation, and transmit his church militant to the church triumphant in glory! Once more, I will repeat the text. Our fathers, where are they? and the prophets, do they live for ever? No; they were mortal, and are now numbered with the dead. We also shall soon follow

them, and the place that now knoweth us, shall know us no more for ever. Therefore, prepare to meet thy God.

The strains of joy no longer float,
Or thrill upon our raptur'd ears,
But grief awakes the saddest note,
And millions are dissolv'd in tears.

Columbia mourns, though not bereft
Of all which makes existence dear:
For blessings, joys and hopes are left.
Which brighten in affliction's tear.

Yet still she mourns, for those are gone
Whose wisdom rais'd her fame so high,
Whose noble acts, her name adorn,
With honours that shall never die :

Who fram'd that bold, that dauntless chart,
Which gave a mighty empire birth;
Which rous'd to freedom, every heart,

And spread its influence through the earth.

WOODWORTH.

FINIS.