principles of moral rectitude upon which is founded, not only the prosperity, but the existence, of a commonwealth? Is not truth between man and man, the basis of mutual confidence, and the life of society, shamefully violated? Are not unmeaning professions, and gross adulation, too general in the circles of fashion? Is not the breach of absolute promise, particularly among debtors and tradesmen, become so common, that it is scarcely considered as a fault? Is not the bond of all civil union, the solemn appeal to Omniscience by oath, fallen almost into contempt, from the irreverent manner in which it is both administered, and taken? Is not the name of the great and terrible God, wantonly and outrageously blasphemed? Are not even children, who, it is probable, were never taught to put up one prayer to the Author of their being, expert in the infernal science of profane imprecation? Do not our "streets resound with this language of hell?" Is it not heard even from the lips of many who presume to call themselves by the name of Christ? Yes, my brethren, "Because of swearing the land mourneth."

What regard is shown to the important duties which are reciprocally incumbent upon the different members of families? Where

are the watchful, circumspect, conscientious, praying parents? Where the humble, dutiful, pious children? What is become of family devotion? What, of family discipline? What, of the engagements into which parents, at the baptism of their infants entered to observe both? Is not neglect, in these particulars, a fatal source of youthful dissipation ?* And what shall we say of that profligacy of principle and manners, which is everywhere observable. Who " rises up before the hoary head, and honors the face of the old man?" On the con

* Families supply both church and state and if genuine religion, and strict morality, be wanting there, society is poisoned at the fountain head. Through disrespect to family religion, the young grow up profoundly ignorant of their Creator, and unimpressed with reverence for his law; and surely we cannot expect that they who fear not God, will regard man. Family discipline also, is of the utmost moment. Parental vigilance and care, form useful members of the community. We have no right to flatter ourselves, that disorderly, disobedient, uncontrolled children, will become good citizens. To a criminal, a very criminal inattention in these two particulars, may be ascribed, in a great measure, that trifling character, and that vicious conduct, which mark the fopling and the rake, and of which the pious and the observing so generally, and so justly complain. Vain are the wisest laws without virtuous habits; and these habits must be formed in early life. Where the reverse obtains, the energy of law must necessarily be enfeebled, and the arm of justice unnerved. But although the fear of public ignominy, should, in most cases (for sometimes it certainly does not) restrain from the commission of enormous outrages; it will be but a slender proof of social probity, that the terrors of penal statutes are barely sufficient to keep men from the gallows.

trary, are not the aged often treated with disrespect; the maxims of wisdom ridiculed, and the counsels of experience despised? Are there not multitudes who scarcely behave with common civility to the magistrate whom God has commanded us to revere? Are not intemperance, impurity, and debauchery hardy enough to face even the light? Do we not hear repeatedly of the lawless rabble, and the midnight revel? Are not these deeds of darkness and obscenity deemed, by too many, the marks of a generous spirit? And those who will not "run to the same excess of riot," vilified as contracted bigots or superstitious fools?

In what manner is the SABBATH observed ? "Remember," is the divine injunction, remember "the Sabbath day to keep it holy." Is it, indeed, kept holy? Do men, indeed, " call the Sabbath a delight, the holy of the Lord, honorable?" Do they "honor him, not doing their own ways, nor finding their own pleasure, nor speaking their own words?" Do not many waste the day in idleness? Are not some so indolent or carnal, or both, that they will not wait upon God, that day, in the ordinances of his grace? Or that they too frequently allow their seats to be vacant at least one half of the day? Or esteem any pretext weighty enough

to excuse their absence from the sanctuary? Let none hope to palliate their conduct by pretending that they improve themselves at home. It is altogether incredible, that he who will not sanctify the Sabbath in God's house, will sanctify it in his own. This profanation of the Sabbath is truly deplorable; but in not a few instances the profanation is still more gross. Do not some make it a day of business? Others a day of feasting? And others a day of visiting and amusement? Have not salutary laws been enacted to protect the Sabbath from this open and shameless indignity?* Do our citizens regard these laws? Do our magistrates find fault with the breach of them? Whatever be the opinions of men, the Lord God will not suffer this iniquity to pass unpunished; for he has sworn "if ye will not hearken unto me to hallow the Sabbath day, then will I kindle a fire in your gates, and it shall devour your palaces."†

* See, in the laws of the State of New York, an act passed Feb. 23, 1788.

† Jerem. xvii. 27. The enforcement of the observation of the Sabbath, by civil authority, cannot be viewed as an unwarranted interference of the magistrate in matters of religion, or an infringement of the rights of conscience. For respect to this divine institution, is a point in which all denominations of Christians are agreed. Apart from Christian principle, the due observation of the Sabbath has the happiest influence upon civil society as such; and therefore it merits the most vigilant and unintermitted attention of

What reception is given to the everlasting gospel? "Who hath believed our report, and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?" Who

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fly as a cloud, and as doves to their windows?” Who glories in the cross of Christ? Who takes refuge from the curse of the law, in his covenant righteousness? Who bends the

the civil magistrate. "It has been observed by the wisest men, that were the celebration of this weekly festival totally neglected, religion would not long survive its disuse." (Venn's tracts, p. 170.) And no society can exist without religion; because the members of it can have no hold upon each other. On proper inquiry, it would perhaps appear; it has, in fact, appeared, that a great majority of those unhappy men who are abandoned to infamy, or who terminate their days in a sacrifice to public justice, commenced the career of their crimes with the violation of the Sabbath. "Consider those who help to fill the jails, and furnish the gallows, and it will be found (upon their own confession) they are such as have neglected the observation of the Lord's day, by following their own pleasures." (Sabbatum redivivum, p. 660.) To these remarks may be added a short extract from a published pamphlet. It is too much in point to be omitted, and too excellent to need an apology. "One Christian institution alone," says the ingenious author, "the sanctification of the Christian Sabbath, diffuses a more benign influence on society, and has a greater efficacy on the morals of mankind to purify and refine them, than all the institutions of civil policy, or terrors of civil government, put together. The pauses it creates in human transactions; the interruptions it makes in our worldly cogitations, and earthly cares; its fixing, or keeping alive in the mind, the impressions of a God infinitely great and dreadful, whose we are, and to whom we must be accountable for all our ways; and who will most dreadfully punish the wicked, and plentifully reward the good; its tendency to keep constantly in our view the immortality of the soul, and a future state of retribution; its being connected with such religious services as reading