It is the last argument of kings; but it sometimes works their own destruction. The patriot fathers were men of peace. But they had fled to this continent to escape religious oppression; and they felt that if their asylum for civil and religious liberty were destroyed, there was no land to which they might escape, and found another empire for God. Therefore they sought for years to avert the blow by deputations, petitions, and remonstrances; and when these and every peaceful expedient were fruitless, they prepared for war. It were better for them to die freemen than to live slaves.

2. We are prone to consider too exclusively the civil aspects of the revolutionary struggle. Our histories, narrating the obvious and striking events of those times, do not lucidly and philosophically display the religious features of that era; and in some of them, religion is allowed to have very little to do with it. We protest against this as unfaithful to truth, unjust to posterity. The materials of a complete history, civil and religious, are yet sufficiently ample; and whoever judiciously executes this work will supply an important vacancy in our national annals, and deserve the honors of his country. Such a work, among other things, will show, first, That the religious element occupied a place in the causes of the Revolution much more important than is assigned to it in the current histories of that event. Secondly, That the Bible is the charter of our liberties. It taught our fathers the true doctrine of human rights, and hence its principles of morality and benevolence enter into the foundation of our institutions and the spirit of our laws.

The consequence of overlooking these important truths is seen, on the one hand, in a disposition manifested in some quarters to yield to the audacious demands of foreign religionists, who claim privileges which are wisely withheld from any denomination, in order to preserve the equal rights of all; and on the other, of infidels and scoffers, mostly from foreign lands, who claim the privilege of abusing our liberties and trampling on our most cherished religious rights. To yield to the demands of either, will be the entering wedge of destruction. The ancient republics were destroyed by the corruption of the people. The low state of public morals in our land is shown by the increase of crime, the evasion of pecuniary obligation, the profligacy of political parties, and the disregard of religious ordinances. The only barrier to these polluting streams, swollen by foreign currents, is that which our fathers erected in "the days of old." It was a pure faith established on the Word of God. They found it firm enough to bear them through every change, disaster, and struggle; and they bequeathed to their descendants, together with its rewards, the benefit of their example. To follow human guides in this day of light is egregious folly; and he is a conceited fool who pretends to be wise above what is written in the

Sacred Scriptures. The lively oracles of God are the only guides to national prosperity, the only safe-guards of public honor and fidelity, the only trustees of permanent and future welfare. Though they are in their nature unchangeable, yet they are endowed with a living power which stimulates human exertion, and therefore favors change in the right direction, and with a flexibility which adapts them to the basis of every stage of human advancement. Hence they are the only true principles of stability and progress, which are the twin-angels of reform. The one retains all that is good, while the other reaches forward after better things for man. Happy is that nation whose institutions are founded on this rock of eternal righteousness; "happy is that people whose God is the Lord."

3. We should strive to retain and perpetuate the influence of that honest, patriotic and religious spirit which prevailed in our country in the days of old" This Republic has come to be too powerful to fear the armies of foreign nations. Its most formidable foes will arise within its own bosom. If our liberties are to be destroyed, at this day, they will be lost through the suicidal act of profligate and misguided citizens, led on by the specious cry of "Reform or Philanthrophy," under whose banners much mischief has already been perpetrated. If, in this land of ours, industry is well rewarded and property is secure; if education is highly valued, and knowledge abounds; if morals are elevated, religion honored, and homes happy if all men are free to do that which is lawful and right, we should not forget that these blessings are directly traceable to the liberal patriotism and piety of those, who laid the foundations of our institutions, and gave tone to our morals, "in the days of old." On their posterity devolves the less arduous work of transmitting, at least unimpaired, these inestimable blessings. We are called, not to originate, but to preserve-not to overturn, but to maintain; and from the fixed and central point of Equal Rights-the pivot on which all complicated machinery of our government revolves-carry forward among men the great work of virtue and liberty-faith and love.

Our fathers and our elders, in character and in life, furnished convincing illustrations of the safety, peace and happiness resulting from adherence to the principles which we have been considering; and we turn with a mournful pleasure to the particular instance before us in the person of JEREMIAH KEELER, the patriot soldier, the useful citizen, the sincere Christian; for the following brief notices of whom I am indebted to another hand.

Mr. Keeler was born May 6th, 1760, in the town of Ridgefield, Fairfield County, Connecticut.

In the spring of 1777, a party of the enemy having burnt Danbury, and proceeding through Ridgefield on their work of destruction, were opposed by a small company of militia. Mr. K. was aroused to patriotic ardour by witnessing the short engage

ment that followed, and at the solicitation of Col. Bradley, eagerly enlisted in the army, being at the time, not 17 years of age. With the Connecticut Line he shared the fatigues and dangers of the three memorable years that immediately followed. Shortly after which, being selected by Baron, Steuben, he joined the Light Infantry commanded by General de La Fayette, under whom he held the post of orderly Sergeant. He was frequently appointed to execute difficult and responsible duties; and on an occasion of this kind the Marquis presented him with a sword and his thanks as a testimonial of his regard for a faithful and courageous soldier. At the memorable siege of Yorktown, when La Fayette's Brigade was employed to storm one of the British forts, Sergeant K. was one of the first who in the midst of a murderous fire, scaled the breastworks, and compelled the enemy to yield. He witnessed the surrender of Cornwallis, which virtually terminated the war: but he remained faithfully at his post, until the disbanding of the forces in 1783, having participated in the reverses and successes of the Continental Army, without interruption since his enlistment. As a vivid illustration of the sufferings which the brave soldiers endured, Mr. K. relates that he was sometimes so tormented by hunger as to be tempted to gnaw the flesh from his own shoulders!

But we turn with pleasure to the character of the departed patriot, as exhibited in a long subsequent life, in the midst of peaceful scenes. For nearly half a century a disciple of Jesus, he bore a faithful testimony to the reality of the Gospel-a “living epistle, known and read of all men."

His reverence for the Sabbath was an example well worthy of imitation at this time. Within his house on that holy day the most perfect order and quietness must be observed. During the hours not devoted to public worship, the Word of God was his constant companion, and well did he become acquainted with its history, its doctrines, and its requirements. As a faithful parent he instilled its precious truths into the minds of his children, and thus furnished them with a fitting preparation for the trials and responsibilities of life. The fast-day also, was to him a solemn occasion, which he religiously observed.

As a counsellor, he was a safe guide. Principles of the strictest integrity controlled his conduct and formed the basis of his advice to others.

He was emphatically a peace-maker, studying the harmony of the entire neighbourhood, and endeavoring both by precept and example to bring into general operation the law of kindness,-a practical obedience to that new rule, that as Christ hath loved us, so should we also love one another.

He was hospitable; a consistent observer of the Scripture direction, "Be not forgetful to entertain strangers." Especially was his abode a refuge for the distressed and needy, who found in him

a sympathising friend, and by whom they were never sent empty

away.

But pre-eminently as a Christian did the excellence of his character shine forth with the brightest lustre. He was humble and devout, cheerful in the performance of duty, and punctual in his attendance on the services of the sanctuary. He said less in regard to his private feelings, than some would have done, but we doubt not experienced much of that peace which passeth understanding. During the latter part of his life, being laid aside from active duties by his infirmities, much of his time was spent in the retirement of his own room in acts of devotion, communing with Him who is no longer seen through a glass darkly, but face to face. The approach of death brought with it no terrors to him; for he had long regarded the dread messenger as a welcome friend who would remove the shackles of clay, and enable him to wing his way to that house not made with hands, whose happy occupants shall never more be distressed by the trials of life or the infirmities of age. His hope, built upon the Rock of Ages, did not fail him; and when informed that he could not long survive, he replied, "I am ready to go whenever the summons comes,"-a blissful confidence, in view of which the most thoughtless might offer the request of one of old, "Let me die the death of the righteous, and let my last end be like his!" His departure we should not regret ; for he has gone to his everlasting reward.

In closing this discourse, we cannot refrain from the expression of one interesting thought. This aged veteran was a soldier in another army besides the one we have mentioned. He had felt the chains of the soul's slavery; and he heard a voice from Heaven exclaiming, "If the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed!" He enlisted for life under the great Captain of Salvation. He maintained a successful warfare against the soul's adversary, with weapons which are not carnal but spiritual, and he now wears the victor's crown. I invite you, beloved hearer, to participate in this "glorious liberty of the sons of God!" The civil freedom which you now enjoy-the blood-bought gift of a patriotic ancestry-is as a means to this glorious end. The act of Providence which conferred the one, bids you accept the other. Be no longer an alien from the Commonwealth of Israel, which is now the great Republic of God's people, whose citizenship is in Heaven. The Lord Jesus Christ proclaims liberty to the captives"in Satan's bondage held." Put on therefore the whole armour of God, that you may war a good warfare, and come off conqueror and more than a conqueror, through Him that hath loved us. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life The conflict may be long and obstinate, but the victory is certain, and the reward is infinite. Our glorious Leader looks back on the long line of struggling combatants, and proclaims, "To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame and am sit down with my Father in his throne !"

BY REV. EDMUND NEVILLE, D.D.,

RECTOR OF ST. THOMAS' CHURCH, NEW-YORK.

AUTUMNAL LESSONS ;* OR, THE LEAF AN EMBLEM OF MAN. "We all do fade as a leaf."-ISAIAH lxiv. 6.

THE temples, tombs, and other monuments of Egypt are covered with figurative writing, in which the symbols employed bear some resemblance to the objects they represent.

In like manner, the works of God may be regarded as sacred and emblematical characters, much more important to understand, and much easier to decipher than the hieroglyphical language of antiquity. The setting sun, the waning moon, the distant stars, the stormy clouds, the unbroken sky, have all their peculiar and instructive meaning. The instincts and habits of the brute creation, the wonders of the deep, the changes of the seasons, and the various phenomena of vegetable life, are eloquently expressive of some spiritual lesson or moral truth.

Look abroad, for instance, at the change which so lately has taken place in the face of nature-a change from the graceful and luxuriant forms of the summer season, to the increasing desolation and decay of autumn. Stripped of their foliage, instead of refreshing shade, the trees present nothing to us now but naked branches, while the ground, so recently adorned with flowers, is disfigured and overspread with mouldering leaves. This change, we are admonished in the text, bears a resemblance to that experienced by ourselves-" we all do fade as a leaf," so that one of the most familiar objects, one which passes through

* Preached in St. Philip's Church, Philadelphia, Nov. 28, 1845.