feel our dependence on his enlightening and sanctifying influences, and daily look to him for guidance into truth, support under trials, and strength for the discharge of duty? Is our faith of that positive, living, active kind, which works by love, and produces peace and righteousness?

Once more, let us ask, are we glad when we "see the grace of God?" Do we rejoice in the progress of truth and righteousness? Do we sympathize with the heavenly hosts in that joy which they feel, when one sinner repents? When "much people is added to the Lord," by the preaching of the gospel and the conversion of sinners, does it fill our hearts with joy and gladness, more than they experience, who rejoice in the time of harvest?

Finally; following the order of topics discussed, let us ask; are we active, according to our ability and in our appropriate sphere, to promote the glory of God, in the salvation of our fellow-men? Do we throw the whole weight of our example into the scale of virtue? Do we aid, as far as our influence extends, all wise plans of reformation, and all good measures for the propagation of the gospel and the promotion of human happiness? Is it, in a word, our meat and drink to do the will of our Father, who is in heaven?

I cannot close the discourse, without adding the remark, that the present age furnishes a peculiarly favorable opportunity for the trial of our characters, on all these points. Never, since the days of the apostles; never, since the time of the good Barnabas, has "the grace of God," in the conversion of sinners, the enlargement of the church, the extension of the benign influences of Christianity, been more manifest, than within the period of the last fifteen or twenty years. The number and extent of revivals of religion, in our

own country; the united exertions of Christians, in all protestant Christendom, to disseminate the Scriptures and propagate the gospel; the rapid increase and happy success of missionary labors; the great number, both in Christian and heathen countries, who have recently been "added to the church;" the various associations which have lately been formed, to check the progress of vice and immorality, to secure the temperance and meliorate the condition of mankind, to communicate divine knowledge, and promote the cause of liberty, peace, righteousness and human felicity; these things conspire to render the present a distinguished era in the history of Christianity and the prospects of the world. If, therefore, you read the religious journals of the day, if you attend to the information which is daily received from the North and the South, from the East and the West; from Europe and Asia and Africa, and the far distant islands of the sea, if you have any correct knowledge of what is taking place in the religious state of the world, you may readily try your feelings, and learn whether you possess the pious aud benevolent spirit of Barnabas.

In view, therefore, of all these facts and circumstances, let us ask again, "Are we glad, when we see the grace of God?" Do we rejoice, when we hear of the triumphs of the cross? Do we behold the various, the united, the powerful, the unexampled exertions, which are made for the spread of the gospel and the conversion of the world, with complacency, with approbation, with joy? Do we, likewise, perform our part in this work of love? By our example, by our conversation by our prayers, by our influence, as far as it extends, do we endeavor to promote the glory of God, in the reformation and salvation of our fellow-men? Or, like many, do we care for none of these things; or,

like others, do we secretly mourn over them; or, as is the case with the bolder class of the enemies of truth and righteousness, do we openly oppose all these benevolent operations, and treat them with pointed ridicule and marked contempt?

These, my hearers, are not vain and merely speculative questions. A faithful answer to them, will furnish to each one of us a distinct view of our real character and spiritual condition. Wherefore, let us judge ourselves; I repeat the exhortation, let us judge ourselves, that we may not be condemned with the unbelieving world! And may God, of his infinite mercy, make us perfect, through faith; fill us with his Spirit, and give us grace to rejoice in him and do his will, through Jesus Christ, our Lord.-AMEN.

LECTURE XVIII.

CHRISTIAN PATRIOTISM.*

PSALM CXXXVII, 5, 6.

IF I FORGET THEE, O JERUSALEM, LET MY RIGHT HAND forget her CUNNING. IF I DO NOT REMEMBER THEE, LET MY TONGUE CLEAVE TO THE ROOF OF MY MOUTH.

FRIENDS AND FELLOW CITIZENS;-The event of Prov idence, which has given occasion for the designation of this day, to purposes of meditation, public prayer and religious instruction, is one of no ordinary occurrence; and its probable results are of no ordinary interest to the people of these United States. I feel, therefore, that the circumstances, under which we meet, impose on me a responsibility of great weight and uncommon delicacy.

When we visit a family in affliction, recently deprived of its head, and left to mourn the death of a father and a friend; we are not unfrequently embarrassed by the solemnity of the occasion, and the depth of the affliction in those with whom we are called to sympathize. Like the confounded friends of Job, we are often inclined to sit down in silent sympathy, rather than attempt to impart consolation or give instruction. But how much more embarrassing

* This discourse was delivered in Northborough, at the request of a committee of that town, on the 14th of May, 1841, in consequence of the death of President Harrison, who died on the 4th of April, one month from the time of his Inauguration.

is our situation to-day, when the head of a nation is suddenly cut down, the chief magistrate of these United States taken away and put into darkness, the father of this great family laid low in the earth, returning "dust to dust and ashes to ashes;" and when we are thus called to sympathize with an afflicted nation, with our brethren and fellow-citizens, throughout the length and breadth of the land.

Under such circumstances of embarrassment and responsibility, friends and fellow-citizens, I meet you, to-day, as a portion of this great and much afflicted family. A nation is bereaved; the head of the nation is fallen and the nation is in mourning. It is true, the first paroxysms of grief have passed away; but a settled gloom still hangs upon the public mind; and it is still difficult to give utterance to public feeling, or express sentiments in complete sympathy and accordance with the heart of the nation. The embarrassment, resulting from the magnitude and solemnity of the occasion, and from the multitude of thoughts which crowd upon the mind, still remains, holding it in suspense, and almost forbidding the concentration of its powers upon any definite topic of discourse.

When we visit an afflicted family, as soon as we are able to speak and can obtain a hearing, we find, at our command, two distinct subjects, which in some of their modifications, are always appropriate. We may always, in the language of inspiration, remind those most deeply interested in the afflictive event, that "the Lord hath done it," and that "he doth not willingly afflict and grieve the children of men." We may, accordingly, exhort them, "not to despise the chastening of the Lord, nor faint, when they are rebuked by him;" we may encourage them to look to him with confidence for consolation and support; and