untrained to reflect upon the relations of society, and the duties which arise out of these relations-when we see him indulging the wildest desires, without regard to future consequences, giving way to the most groveling appetites,. ferocious passions, and selfish enjoyments-when we see his very devotions tending to debase his nature, by ascribing to his gods his own passions and vices-we are ready to rank him with the beasts of the forest, which he hunts for subsistence. When we compare the ignorance, the rudeness and helplessness of the savage, with the knowledge, the refinement, and the resources of civilized man, the difference between them appears so wide that we can hardly regard them of the same species. Yet compare the infant of the savage with the infant of the most enlightened philosopher, and you will find them, in all respects, the same. The same high capacious powers of mind lie folded up in both; and in both the organs of sensation adapted to these mental powers are exactly similar. All the difference which is afterwards to distinguish them, depends upon their instruction and education. While the mind of the savage, left entirely neglected, will scarcely raise him above the level of the animals around him, insensible to the wonders of creation, and shut out from the treasures of naturethe more favored member of enlightened society, whose capacities shall be evolved by proper instruction, will comprehend, within the range of his intelligence, the universe of God. The beauties of creation will lie unveiled before him-nature will unlock to him her sacred stores and reveal her secret laws. The powers of other creatures will become subject to his control, and the faculties and attainments of man will be made subservient to his advantage and delight. There is, then, in man a well defined corporeal and mental constitution, which distinguishes him from, and raises him above, every beast of the field. A constitution which renders him capable of the same instruction, and makes him a proper subject of the same government in every part of the world.

We will now inquire whether there is a constitution of laws, or a well defined system of government, adapted to the capacities of man universally. We believe there is; and

that this form of government, or constitution, which is of universal application, is to be found in the narrow compass of a single human dwelling. In the social organization of a single family, are to be found those principles of instruction, and that system of relations and laws which are applicable to all human families, in all ages and nations. Communities and nations are made up of families, and families are composed of individuals, which sustain all social relations, and incur all social liabilities, whether conventional, hereditary, or instructive. It is in the family circle, by the home fireside, that the future man and future woman are formed and trained for becoming parents, heads and rulers; and just as they are formed and trained under the domestic constitution, so will their influence for good or ill be exerted and felt on the next generation. To feel the importance of the domestic constitution, you must look attentively at the connection of the several parts, and the principles by which each of them should be governed. And, first, the connection of husband and wife, which is the foundation of all other human ties, social and civil. This connection is intimate and endearing, and is made as enduring as life, by the honors and delights of paternity. Hence arises the connection between parent and child. This is natural, and involves great responsibilities; and much of the good or evil in society must depend on the manner in which these obligations are met and discharged. There is, also, a third natural relation, of great delicacy and importance, the connection between brothers and sisters. The other domestic relations are conventional and adventitious, such as the connection between master and servant, between child and servant, and that between superior and inferior servants. Súbordination is absolutely necessary to happiness in society, and the difference between superior and inferior servants should be analagous to that among children, arising from age, ability, and good behavior. Children occupy a middle station between master and servant, connected to one by natural, to the other by civil ties. one respect the child differeth nothing from a servant. is under tutors and governors. In another respect, the difference is great-he is instructed and educated as heir to the name and estate of him who is both father and master.

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Thus we have, in the domestic constitution, in the organization of a single family, all the classes into which society can be divided, superiors, inferiors and equals. And such are the relations and principles of action in this organization, that the wants of every family may be supplied, and the happiness of every human being promoted, by the regular operation of this system.

I shall now attempt to prove that we have a language adapted to the wants of every family, that is, to the wants of the whole world. I shall not enter upon a history of languages, nor discuss the difference between natural and conventional signs. The term language is used here in its proper sense. It means the enunciation of human thoughts and sentiments, by means of articulate sounds made by the organs of the human voice. By a comparison of languages it is not difficult to perceive that some are more excellent and perfect than others.

The excellence or perfection of any language consists in perspicuity, copiousness, precision, regularity of structure, and harmony in sounds. That language is most perfect that is best adapted to the wants of the common, people, and fit, also, for the use of the poet, the orator, the historian, and the philosopher. A language adapted to the wants of all men must be easy, plain, and unlimited in its vocabulary. The English language is such. It is unfettered by the rules of inflexion—all its changes are sufficiently marked by particles and auxiliary words, and it is capable of receiving terms from all other languages, to an indefinite extent. The confusion of tongues, though more miraculous, is not more wonderful than the absolute, yet beautiful combination and union of all languages in our own native tongue. This fact makes the English language so extensively desired by other nations, and soon it is likely to become the diplomatic and business language of the whole world. To sustain and illustrate this opinion, let us only consider how widely the English language is spoken throughout Europe and America, how widely diffused through the British East Indies, and likewise among the principal islands of the Pacific, Atlantic and Indian oceans. It has entered Africa on the south, west

and north. Missionaries who speak and teach the English language, are now located in almost every part of the world. The British government, in India, has laid aside the Persian, and adopted the provincial languages for business, while the principal men in these provinces are sending their sons to English schools. It is also published, I believe, without contradiction, that the Roman Catholics in the city of Dublin, have celebrated the mass in English, to the great joy and admiration of many people. But, above all, there are not less than three hundred thousand persons from Great Britain and America, who speak the English language, engaged entirely in navigation, and are visiting, year by year, every portion of the globe. These three hundred thousand navigators may be considered as a unique nation of missionaries for spreading the knowledge of the English tongue. Besides there are thousands and tens of thousands going to and fro, by land and sea, on business or pleasure, increasing the same knowledge.

The facilities of intercourse afforded by recent improvements, are seized on with an avidity which increases with the increasing means of gratification. Thus the strongest instrumentalities are furnished for bringing the whole human race to the mutual resemblance of one common standard. And here I may quote a passage from the memoranda of a recent traveler. Speaking of England, he says, "Her holy religion is ours-her immortal literature is ours-her free and ancient laws are our best human birthright-her noble language is ours as much as it is her's-and we are striving together in a course which is likely enough to make it the language of the human race." R. J. B.

And now I may enjoy the pleasure of pointing this College of Professional Teachers to one book, published in this noble English language, which contains in it the best system of universal instruction, and may be obtained and used by all

men.

This book is the Bible. Yes, the Bible, as published in the English language, without pictorial representations, notes or comments, by the British and American Bible Societies. The ancient languages, in which the books collected in the Bible were originally written, have for ages,

been dead languages, and, therefore, not subject to change. Hence they remain as the standards. But many translations have been made of these books, and among all of these, the translation selected by the noble societies mentioned, stands pre-eminent, and is most likely to bring the whole world to one language and one religion. It is a subject, therefore, of serious regret, that these benevolent institutions should have ever lent their aid to the publication of books in any other than the English tongue. Let us never forget that all nations must be brought to a state of amity-to full, free, and confidential intercourse, by being brought back to one language and one religion, by means of one system of instruction. Therefore in contemplating the English Bible as containing that system, we must duly consider the following facts. The Bible gives us the most pure, sublime, and rational conceptions of our Creator. It makes us acquainted with the very best system of cosmogony extant. It teaches us the origin and end of our being. It fixes the highest standard and purest laws of morality. It discloses disobedience as the prolific source of all evil, and unfolds to transgressors the remedial system by grace. It describes every civil and social relation, and defines the responsibilities and duties of each. It furnishes practical lessons and powerful motives to human happiness, both for a present and future state of existence. It lays a foundation for the best system of human government, by furnishing the soundest principles of justice and equity. It instructs the ignorant, comforts the sorrowful, succors the tempted, and saves the lost. In the Bible are to be found the most certain chronology-the most authentic history-the most edifying biography—the most sublime poetry-the soundest philosophy-the best specimens of eloquence and above all, a religion which gives, "glory to God in the highest, peace on earth, good will to men!" The simplicity of the Bible is milk for babes-its grandeur is meat for strong men-its wonderful details of redeeming mercy, through Him who was dead and is alive, and liveth forevermore, "the angels desire to look into!" This is the Book of Books-the text book of "a thorough system of universal instruction.”