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ment of the wicked. His object been, from infancy, instructed in would then be to place before the laws of their country, and his hearers so vivid a picture of are perfectly aware of the punthe misery to which they are ishment to which they are liable. exposed, that they should not be An ambassador is sent for the able to dislodge it from their purpose of beseeching them to recollection for a month to come. be reconciled. He is at liberty Having done this, he may leave to address their hopes, or their the result : Conscience will fears, or their interest, or any of do its office, and every sinner the principles of their nature, by will say to himself, this is the which he may be likely to acdanger to which I am expos- complish his object. He chooses ed. Or, lastly, to take the true to address their fears, and atidea of the text, suppose he tempts to move them by the conwould preach upon the certainty sideration that they shall cerof the future punishment of the tainly be punished. The punwicked. This is evidently a ishment which they know the field wide enough for a single law has attached to their crime, discourse. Here he may take it is banishment. They assemble for granted, that his audience to hear him; and his text then, know what he means by the we may suppose, would be, if wicked, and also what he means expressed in a single sentence, by hell. At least, it is not say- Rebels shall certainly be banishing much in favour of his preach- ed.-- What should we think of ing, if they do not know. His a man in these circumstances, great design then would be, to who should, after a few remarks, show the certainty of thé fu- announce that he should first ture misery of the impenitent, shew, what it was to be a rebel; and in showing it, he may ad- secondly, what it was to be banvance as many, and as powerful ished; and, thirdly, that rebels arguments as the word of God should certainly be banished; supplies. When he has done and conclude with a few practithis, his sermon is concluded. cal reflections ? Under the first He may, it is true, in each case, head he would, doubtless, show make an address to the con

kinds of rebellion science, and awaken the hear- there were, as, for instance, of a er to apply to his own child against its parent; of a serthe truth he has heard. But vant against his master; of a subthis should always be short, ject against his government; and directly springing from the sub- this last might be conveniently ject, and evidently designed for subdivided into rebellion against no other object than to rivet the a republican, an aristocrical, or previous doctrine upon the mind a monarchical government. He of the audience.

would thus show very clearly to To illustrate more fully this his hearers who stood with their system of triple division, let us arms in their hands frowning desee what would be its effect fiance at his sovereign, negativeupon an audience which should ly, what he did not mean, and, be addressed upon some subject positively, what he did mean. merely secular. Let us suppose Under the second head, he a number of citizens to have re- would, of course, explain what belled against their government. was meant by being banished, They are leagued together, and and in how many senses the word have assumed the attitude of un- was used in the criminal code disguised hostility. They have of the kingdom. He might

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how many

case

himself very

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“It stands, like the Cerulean arch we see, From affectation and from weakness free Majestic in its own simplicity.”

irrefragably prove, that in this gotten thought, that the plaintiff, case it did not mean to be turned in this case, should be nonsuited. out of a house, as a parent might Now we do not ask whether a turn out a disobedient child ; that lawyer might not, by such a plea, it did not mean being dismissed discover a very deep erudition ; from service, as a master would but we do ask whether he would dismiss an unprofitable servant; not also render nor did it mean being obliged to profoundly ridiculous ? leave this territory, or that terri- It will, of course, be said by tory, or this monarchy, or that re. many readers, It is much easier public; but the very country in to discover faults, than to point which they then were. He the way to excellence. might then come, thirdly, and We should pursue the subject very briefly to show, that under further, but our limits at this time his government rebels would forbid. On some other occasion certainly be banished. From we may resume it. We close this view of the subject he might our remarks by applying to a reflect, ist, what a bad thing it good sermon the well known was to be a rebel; and, 2d, how lines of Cowper, with reference important it was for rebels to to that gospel which it should be submit.

the great object of every sermon What would be the effect of to exalt. such an oration, we shall not stay to inquire. But we ask, in the name of common sense, whether the orator would not be considered a candidate for a mad-house ? If I may be allowed to follow

IMMORALITY OF LOTTERIES. the illustration a little further, let us suppose a lawyer address- EXTRACT FROM SCOTT'S COMMENing a court upon an important TARY ON EXODUS XX. 17. cause, in which it was his design to nonsuit the plaintiff.

Messrs Editors,

In this You are requested to insert the foloration, bis text would be, The

lowing remarks on the evils of LotPlaintiff ought to be nonsuited. teries, from the pen of the judicious We will suppose him to divide and pious Thomas Scott.

Though

some of his observations are more the subject in the usual method. Under the first head he might go

particularly applicable to the au

thor's own country, yet the princiinto a very learned investigation ples on which he reasons, are as of the meaning of the word plain- true on this side of the Atlantic as tiff, and shew, incontrovertibly, in England. that it was derived immediately

Yours, &c. from the French. He might also " Public gaming by Lotteries, explain how many sorts of plain- so far from being less criminal tiffs there might he ; and this than other species of that vice, is would afford an opportunity of the worst of them all: for it abets going deeply into the general na- and sanctions, as far as example ture of law and obligation. He and concurrence can do it, a might pursue the same course, in practice which opens the door to treating, secondly, upon the term every species of fraud and vilnonsuited, and having bewildered lany; which is pregnant with his hearers in a maze of defini- the most extensive, evils to the tions, and disgusted them by his community and to individuals ; scientific foppery, he might en- which seldom fails annually to deavour to impress the almost for. bring several to an untimely end

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by suicide or the sentence of the law: which unsettles an immense multitude from the honest employments of their station, to run in quest of imaginary wealth; and which exposes them to manifold temptations, unfits them for returning to their usual mode of life, and often materially injures their circumstances, breaks their spirits, sours their tempers, and excites the worst passions of which they are susceptible. Indeed, the evils, political, moral, and religious, of Lotteries, are too glaring to be denied even by those who plead necessity for continuing them, and too numerous to be recapitulated in this place. Can it therefore consist with the law of God, "Thou shalt not

covet," or with the character of a christian, to concur in such an iniquitous and injurious system, from a rash desire of irregular gain? Whatever argument proves it unlawful for two or three men to cast lots for a sum of money, or to game in any other way, much more strongly concludes against a million of persons gaming publickly by a Lottery for a month or six weeks together, to the stagnation, in a great measure, of every other business; whilst the gain made by government and by individuals, from the stakes deposited with them, renders it as imprudent as it is sinful in the adventurers; for every individual stakes three to one on an even chance, if a covetous appeal to providence may be called chance."

Review.

The Importance of the Scriptures to a Teacher of Religion. A Discourse delivered in the Meetinghouse of the Sec. Baptist Church in Boston, Sept. 18, 1822, before the Boston Baptist Association, by Lucius Bolles, A. M. Pastor of the First Baptist Church in Salem. Boston, printed by Lincoln & Edmands, No. 53 Cornhill. pp. 24.

WE seize the first opportunity to introduce this sermon to the attention of our readers. If we might anticipate the effect which it will produce upon others by that which it produced upon ourselves, we should feel confident that they will rise from the perusal of it, gratified and instructed. Both in the choice, and in the discussion of his subject, we think the author has been eminently fortunate. It is addressed specially to clergymen, and its design is, as it purports to be, to

illustrate the importance of the scriptures to a teacher of religion. This is the grand thought which is constantly kept in view throughout the whole of the discourse. It is the centre towards which every line converges. Indeed we have rarely met with a sermon which presents a happier model of unity of design.

It is the duty of a "teacher of religion to give instruction on subjects not easily explained by men, but involving their highest interests and eternal hopes. He ought to be able to teach with clearness and certainty; to hesitate, would paralize his efforts; to presume, might mislead the learner to his final destruction." Hence arises the necessity of his possessing a book which bears upon it the acknowledged impression of supernatural origin, and which comprehends within its sanctions all that is solemn in eternity. It is only by the help

of such a book that a religious teacher can instruct in what is true-confute what is false-animate to reformation of life, or be instructed in what manner it becomes him to do either. This is a brief outline of the sermon, and we hesitate not to say it is very ably filled up.

We select a few passages, merely to give our readers an idea of the manner in which the subject, throughout the whole discourse, is treated.

66 Suppose his subject be the first and most obvious in religion-THE CHARACTER of god. To what inadequate and undefined conceptions is he abandoned, without revelation? Too early after the apostasy its fatal

effects were discernible in the extinction of all true knowledge of God. Even traditions of him which ought to have been perpetuated, and to have exerted a salutary influence, became distorted, and for the unseen Jehovah

were

substituted the inventions of men. A deceived heart turned them aside, to conceive the most absurd systems of idolatry, and to fall down and worship images of every sort, and beasts and reptiles of almost every name. The unity and true character of God have never since been known to the wisdom of the world. Some have admitted his being, and others rejected it; some have ascribed to him attributes, and others denied them; some have allowed him prerogatives over good, but not evil; over tight, but not darkness; over the hills, but not the vallies. Who was there to draw forth from the mazes of error, and exhibit, in the light of truth, the natural and moral character of God? This was a service, which, however necessary and important, was appropriate to Him alone. It remained for Him to assert the spirituality and per fection of his own nature, and the supremacy and universality of his government. It was for Him to say, "I am the Lord, and there is none else; there is no God besides me. I form the light, and create darkness; I make peace, and create evil; I the Lord do all these things."

"Or, suppose that the object of a teacher is to solve that great mystery, how shall man be reconciled to God? This question, even where the gleamVOL. IV. 3

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ings of the light of nature only are felt, excites

innumerable anxious

thoughts. Conscience, that dwells in every man, suggests, with more or less clearness to him, that he is guilty, and this conviction produces restlessness and painful concern. Its harassing effects become visible in conduct, in a round of expedients to obtain the desired end, a persuasion of the divine favour. The penances which the Heathen impose upon themselves, and the austerities to which they ignorantly submit, discover the extent of the anguish that rankles in their bosoms. One is driven by it to expose his body for a full year, to the rays of a vertical sun, and for the same length of time to the damps of night, and the sickly influence of the moon, till he has less the appearance of life than death; another, performs a long pilgrimage, walking on pointed irons; a third, measures the distance of some hundreds of miles by the length of his body-and all this, to obtain deliverance from a galling sense of guilt, but without effect. Miserable when they commenced those expiations, they are miserable when they are ended. The unknown good eludes their pursuit, and leaves them the subjects of unavailing sorrow. Who shall remove the veil, and show them how sin shall be atoned, and their burden taken away? The man who takes his stand in the midst of the light of revelation, alone can do it. He can say to the labouring and heavy laden, Behold the Lamb of God, the way, the truth and the life! Behold Him who knew no sin, made sin for us; made lower than his angels for the suffering of death, that he might redeem us unto God by his blood, and purify to himself a peculiar people! He can say, Look unto him, all ye ends of the earth, and be ye saved; for whosoever cometh unto him shall in no wise perish."

We can allow room for only

one extract more.

"Equally profitable is the scripture for reproof, or, as the word signifies, the confutation of errors. It constitutes a standard to which the ever varying and different opinions and practices of men, may be brought and tried, and by which they may be authoritatively approved or condemned. Men claim a. right to think for themselves, and to express what they think; and where their right has

No

to their feet and a lamp to their path. shown them; and at the same time the unwarrantable collisions and animosities of christians be condemned, if they cannot be silenced. Such an unpire, of course, will not be found in either of the parties concerned. one of them has that confidence in the other, as to refer the decision to them. Besides, if this were conceded, such is the changeableness of man, that what was approved at one time, might be rejected at another. Under such circumstances, the utility of the Bible becomes apparent to all. The authenticity of this admitted, it is of no sect or party, is biased by no prejudice or self interest, changes with no change of time, or men, or measures; and what it speaks once, it speaks forever."

We conclude, by uniting with the Boston Baptist Association in for his excellent sermon. returning our thanks to Mr.Bolles

been recognized, and no undue restraint imposed, the consequence is, a great mass of conflicting opinions are put in circulation, and these darken the moral atmosphere. We consider it an acknowledged principle, that we have no right, by coercion, to restrain the liberties of men, on the subject of religion, and yet the effects of their differences are such, both on believers and unbelievers, as we may justly lament. On some unbelievers, at least, if we credit their declarations, it produces neutrality of feeling and conduct. They know not what to believe, or whom to follow, and therefore determine to believe nothing. And among the avowed disciples of Christ it produces bitterness and strife, evil speaking and evil work.

It ap

pears to be of immense moment, that there should be an umpire to which an appeal might be made, and made with confidence; that those who profess to stand still, only because they know not what course to take, may Be convicted of the truth, and a light

Missionary Intelligence.

BURMAN MISSION.

ADDRESS TO FEMALES IN AMERICA, RELATIVE TO THE SITUATION OF HEATHEN FEMALES IN THE EAST.

In the land of my birth, rendered doubly dear from the long entertained thought of never again beholding it; in the country favoured of Heaven above most others, it is with no common sensations, I address my sisters and female friends on this most interesting subject. Favoured as we are from infancy with instruction of every kind, used as we are to view the female mind in its proper state, and accustomed as we are to feel the happy effects of female influence, our thoughts would fain turn away from the melancholy subject of female degradation, of female wretchedness. But will our feelings of pity and compassion; will those feelings which alone render the female character lovely,

Boston, Nov. 19, 1822. allow us to turn away-to dismiss the subject altogether, without making an effort to rescue-to save? No! I think I hear your united voices echo the reply: "Our efforts shall be joined with yours. Shew us the situation of our tawny sisters the other side of the world, and though the disgusting picture break our hearts, it will fill us with gratitude to Him who has made us to differ, and excite to stronger exertion in their behalf." Listen, then, te my tale of wo!

In Bengal and Hindostan the females, in the higher classes, are excluded from the society of men At the age of two or three years they are married by their parents to children of their own. rank in society. On these oc

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