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Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre filmds d des taux de reduction diffdrents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seni clich6, il est film6 d partir de Tangle sup^rieur gauche, de gauche & droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ndcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mdthode. 1 2 3 22 1 1 2 3 4 S 6 TWO ^'^^ DISCOURSES, DELIVERED IN ST. MARK'S CHURCH, NIAGARA, On Friday the 14th of December, 1838 ; BEING APPOINTED BY PROCLAMATION FOE A DAY OF PUBLIC FASTING AND HUMILIATION BEFORX ALMJSHTY GOD; AND TO 8UPPLICATE ,US MERCV, THAT HE WOULD BE GRACIOUSLY PLEAS- ID TO PUT AN END TO THE TRO'jnLES WHICH AGITATE THE PROVINCE, AND RESTORE TO IT THE BLESSINGS OF PEACE AND PROSPERITY. BY THE REV. THOMAS CREEN, RECTOR. NIAGARA, t'. C. MINTED BV SIMPSON AND MENZIES, C,„OKICLK OFFICE. 1839. (n) Niagara, Dec. 15, 1838. Rev. Sir : — We the undersigned respectfully request that you will allow us to publish the two appropriate Sermons delivered by you in St. Mark's Church, Niagara, on Friday the 14th inst., being the day appointed by His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor to be observed as a General Fast — as we conceive the excellent sentiments therein contained cannot bo too widely disseminated. We are, Rev. Sir, Your Most Obedient Servants, (Signed by the Church Wardens and 32 Members of ihe Congregation.) To the Rev. Thomas Green, Niagara. Niagara, Dec. 17, 1838. Gentlemen : — The discourses delivered in St. Mark's Church, on the day appointed by His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor to bo observed in this Province as a day of Public Fasting and Humiliation, *ere composed in the usual hasty manner of weekly preparation for the pulpit, without any design of publication, or expectation that they would excite more than a passing attention at the time. Although I am sensible of the kind partiality that prompted your request that my Sermons on this occasion might be printed, and while I feel, at the same time, the utmost repugnance to intrude upon the public notice, yet, in the present situation of the country, the desire so generally expressed that the impression made on their delivery should bo revived and extended, added to my own feelings and personal obliga- tion, would admit of no hesitation in my compliance. I confide myself, therefore, with much cheerfulness, in placing tho manuscripts at your disposal, to the same candour and indulgence by which \ am already highly favoured. I remain. Gentlemen, Your most obedient and affectionato Servant in tho Lord, THOMAS CREEN. To tho Church Wardens and ^ Subscribers of tho Address, ^ i-iiagara, oaica r»__ il. J •.t* A DISCOURSE DELIVERED AFTER MORNING PRAYER. t And Jehoshaphat feared and set himself to seek the Lord, and pro" claimed ajast throughout all Judah. — ii. Chron. xx. 3. In calamities and dangers, public or personal, our first care should be to seek help and deliverance from the Lord our God, who only 13 our defence and '♦ refuge in the time of trouble." When "two or three" agree in the performance of this f'.'ty, in particular seasons of trial, that concurrence adds energy to their supplications : how much more, then, when a whole community with one accord, unite in im- ploring the same common blessing, or in deprecating iho same impend- J"g j''"'gnients ! Hence the advantage o^" days appointed for public fasting, humiliation and prayer ; and it is highly commendable in Christian Rulers and Governors, in times of public peril or disorder, under the apprehension of danger or distress of a more than ordinary nature, to call upon their people, in unfeigned penitence for their nu- merous transgressions, to address their prayers and supplications to the Divine Majesty, for obtaining from His mercy-seat the pardon of their sins through the merits and mediation of the Great Advocate, and for " averting those heavy judgments which their manifold provoca- tions have most justly deserved." In all ages of the Church, fasting has been considered an expedient attendant upon such an observance, being expressive of a mind con- scious of having forfeited every enjoyment by disobedience and ingrati- tude towards our Heavenly Benefactor, and the abuse of His gifts — it is a sort of self-neglect, evincing the deepest anxiety and distress under the pressure of evils felt or feared. Such seasons remind men of their entire dcpendanco upon God, and admonish them to approach the throne of Grace with deep humiliation for their manifold oflences, justifying Him in all the ways of His providence, and confiding only in His mercy for acceptance, and in His power for protection. When persons in au- thority enjoin this public trlhute to the Divine Sovereignty, they openly recognize the providence of the Almighty, and testify in this solemn manner, that notwithstanding every precaution has been used on their part, arid every means provided for safety and defence, yet that their ♦• help is in the name of the Lord," and they repose not for security in the arm of flesh. Such has been the pious ond exemplary course adopted hy our worthy and excellent Lieutenant Governor, after the ex- (4) ample of the distinguished and revered Administrator of the Govern- ment and Commander of the Forces in the Sister Province ; and it is their greatest honour, thus to become humble suppliants to the Ruler of the universe, acknowledging His sovereign sway, and invoking His blessing, favour and protection, "without whom nothing is strong, no- thing is holy." It is no less the duty of every individual, according to his station in the community, to concur in the pious and proper acknow- ledgment, that "except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain ;" and to stir up himself and those around him to engage cordially in this observance. My brethren, in the course of my humble labours among you, I have carefully avoided occupying any part of your sacred time in this place, in the discussion of subjects of a political nature, and have uniformly endeavoured to keep in view the great object of the christian ministry — to declare, to the utmost of my power, " the whole counsel of God," for your salvation, and to preach '< Jesus Christ and him crucified." I shall not, I conceive, deviate from my customary path, if on this day, and in circumstances such as we are placed in, 1 allude to some of the events of the past, and to the aspect of the present period, which, indeed, are such as to excite solemn and serious reflexion, and lead us, in peni- tence and prayer to cast ourselves, as a people, on the mercy and pro- tection of that God who never faileth them that trust in Him. We find, in the passage of Sacred History from which the text is taken, that the foar of the Lord had fallen upon the kingdom of Judah ; and Jehosha- phat had so long enjoyed peace, that he seems to have neglected his military arrangements, and to have remitted of his vigilance. His enemies round about observed this, and sought to take advantage of it. " It was told Jehoshaphat, saying, there cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea on this side Syria." Here we may observe a similarity in the situation of the people of Israel thus recorded to that of the people of this Province, at the time of the late war with the Uni- ted States, as well as in the present conjuncture. At the most critical period of the general wcr in Europe, when Great Britain was engaged in a mighty contest, unparalleled in the annals of the world in its con- sequences to the liberties and the happiness of mankind, with a co- lossal force arrayed against her, she could not afibrd any assistance to a distant colony ; then, at that awful crisis, an unprovoked and treache- rous war was waged upon us by a people who were our natural allies, bound to us by the ties of kindred, descent, language and religion, who yet took occasion to invade those unprepared and unprotected Provin- ces, with a view to wrest them from the British Crown. A general disaffection was then counted upon by our ambitious neighbours, and they confidently expected, tiiat it was only necessary for an organized body, of men to appear within tlm frontier, and the whole population would Pock to the American standard. In this expectation, however, they soon found themselves disappointed ; for with the exception of a few heartless traitors who joined the enemy, the Militia rallied around the British standard, and nobly earned a high reputation for loyalty and bravery. ; jj, ^. The first settlers in this Province, were the Military disbanded at the close of the American revolutionary war, and many of those loyal suf- ferers who had given the strongest proof of their attachment to monar- chy throughout the fearful struggles of that period ; to whom liberal donations of land were granted in such locations as to their judgment seemed most eligible, and who were, in consequence, thinly scattered at long intervals, upon the principal line of water communication. The first Governor, properly estimating the importance of a rapidly increasing population, and believing, in the integrity of his own mind, that those only would avail themselves of the offer, who felt averse to a democratic form of Government, held out strong inducements to emigra- tion from the United States ; and for some time, it is probable, they were almost entirely of that description, inasmuch as those of a differ- ent political bias viewed every thing British with intense dislike. But af- ter a while, the easiness of the terms induced numbers whose principles were somewhat equivocal, to become settlers ; and the stream has con- tinued, with a short intermission, to the present time. The supporters of British rule being generally of quiet, sedate habits, troubled them- selves very little, with politics ; while the republican brawlers, who gradually increased, intruding their opinions on every occasion, upon all who would listen to them, appeared to possess a vastly greater numeri- cal strength than they really had. The greater part of the large influx must have become in the course of years, convinced of the superi- ority of the existing form of Government, over that of the country they had quitted, in the protection of their personal and civil rights ; other- ,wise they would have formed an overwhelming republican majority.— When the country was invaded with the express design of its conquest,- all who refused to take up arms in its defence, were compelled ' nuit it ; and the Province thus got rid of a number of its inhabitants ' ho were very far from adding to its strength or harmony. Since that fruitless and unsuccessful invasion, the country has en- joyed a large share of prosperity, and continued to be regarded with increasing interest by all classes in the United Kingdom. The value of this colony, as an appendage to the British Crown, began to be moro and more appreciated, and the extent and resources of the country as they became known at home invited the in' .stment of capital, and in- duced immigration on a scale of numbers, wealth, education and re- spectability, unprecedented even in the old colonies — so that the wilder- ness and solitary place was made glad with inhabitants ; and the hitherto uncultivated desert brought forth abundantly. But, alas! prosperity, plenty and peace, did not produce contentment in the public mind, any more than in very many cases, in individuals. In the bosom of this favoured colony, so tenderly and bountifully fos- tered and supplied" by the Parent State, there ncstind vipers, who grow with its growth, and strengthened with its strength, and spread their deadly poison by slow degrees, but with sure and fatal effect. The venom thus ruthlessly insinuated into the minds of the unguarded and unsuspecting, soon began to produce envy and jealousy, clamour and complaint towards the government in every corner of the land, among (8) a quiet and otherwise happy people. The prejudices of the weak ari the passions of the wicked— the hopes of the ambitious, and the fears of the timid — the chagrin of the disappointed seekers of place and profit, were artfully wrought upon by means of the most corrupt and licentious press that ever disgraced this oc any other country. Some desperate and unprincipled agitators wera put forward by deep and designing re- volutionists, who proceeded upon an organized system of falsehood and misrepresentation, to hold up to reproach and contempt the Government and its acts, and to generate and foster among their ignorant and credu- lous dupes feelings of bittsr hostility to the institutions peculiarly British; every phantom \vW-h the genius of party could conjure up to advance their unhallowed object »vas held up to the wondering eyes and terrified imaginations of the people, as a fiend that was to destroy their liberties or torment their consciences. Thus every little spark of civil discord or religious dissension was fanned into a flame, and a party, at first insignificant and contemptible, was raised to notice and importance, until they exercised an influence and a sway truly alarming to the friends of the constitution and the loyal supporters of the rights of the Crown. As was to be expected from such unholy and unprincipled de- signs, the venerable Church Establishment of the Empire, was assailed with the greatest acrimony and violence. In vain had the National Church been regarded, under God, as a refreshing shade and bulwark of defence, as well of the truly religious in the land as of the scriptu- ral doctrines of the Reformation — in vain had the Society for the Pro- pagation of the Gospel in Foreign Parts sent their missionaries to this distant corner of the Empire to afford the free ministrations of their pure reformed church to their Protestant brethren — in vain had the Legislature enacted that '.here should be no tithes for ever in this Pro- vince. Notwithstanding the mildness and moderation of her clergy, and the generous forbearance of her people amidst the yells and vitupera- tions of her enemies ; all this availed nothing so long as this pillar and beacon of truth rem.imed. An avowed union was known to exist between infidelity and democ- racy for the purpose of undermining th6 beautiful fabric of the consti- tution, and efTecting the downfall of tlie church ; and to this end the efforts of the vile faction both at home and abroad were directed in con- cert. 1'rue to their party, the agitators in this Province laboured with unxemitting zeal and diligence in sowing the seeds which were destined io produce "sedition, privy conspiracy and rebellion" — while they jnasked their deep and dark designs, they succeeded too well in foment- "^ iag division and dissension among the people — both political and reli- gi^s. The retrospect is, indeed, to every well regulated mind, sick- ening and sad — to behold (notwithstanding two successive visitations of Divine Judgment in the epidemic which swept over our borders, which vvigtit io nave chaytened anil corrected us us a people,) ciumours and e<|«pliEunts, rancour and violence, the lying and misrepresentations, the di^ractioTi and fiery zeal of party spirit, that spread over the once fair (net c£ the body politic, and rendered it hideous and distorted. Oh, we |HH}B|i,|{||^ecd have been a sinful people, else all this evil had not come f\' n cn upofl us! We had not known and improved as we oaght the merciAil day of our visitation. In our prosperity, we said, we shall never be moved. We have been ungrateful for the numerous advantages and blessings with which we have been distinguished above all the other de- . pendencies of the British Crown — for, after our remarkable deliveran- ces from the scourge of war and desolations of "the pestilence that walketh in darkness and the destruciica that wasteth at noon-dav," in the midst of plenty and pvosperity, with every privilege that a free constitution could ensure and an indulgent and munificent Sovereign bestow, exempt from public burdens of every kind, enjoying equal laws strictly and inditierently administered, a cry was raised and echoed throughout the length and breadth of the land — a cry of unmeaning and ungrateful murmur and complaint. What could have been done more for a people than a bountiful providence had done for us? Where could a larger share of civil and religious liberty and public prosperity and happiness be enjoyed in any part of the world, than was enjoyed by tho people of this Province? Yet were they discontented withal ! A few adventurers had, wickedly and to promote their own selfish and aspiring aims, sought to convince the people that the lands and re- venues of the British nation in the North American possessions ought to be claimed by them, and should, forsooth, be placed at their disposal. A weak and vacillating Ministry conceded to these arrogant and unjust clamours and demands the territorial revenue, which they could not do without betraying their trust — because, the people of these colonies had drawn largely upon the bounty of the Government, and moreover, these possessions had been acquired and retained at the expense of the mother country, and upon whom, and not upon the people of these proi: vinces, the burden fell, and fell heavily, and by whom it is still, in a great measure, borne. To the Queen and People of Great Britain and Ireland the lands and revenues of the Crown rightfully belong — they have been dearly purchased at the expense of much blood and trea- sure. Did this concession, added to h'l. >.e other matters that had been con- ceded to silence the clamours and complaints of the faction, satisfy, or in the least abate their demands f No: they had, deliberately, and with unparalleled audacity and ingratitude, formed the design o^' throwing ofT what had been insolently termed "the baneful domination of the Mother Country !" — and with the aid they expected from the cupidity which these possessions excited among the neighbouring people, th^ advanced with hasty and headlong steps to open and overt acts towara^., overturning the Government. So far from anticipating such a cburie of desperate and flagitious atrocity as ensued in this peaceful Piovil^^, the Government had allowed the whole military force to be withdrawIBi ""ri — '■'■' ■'■ <'■ -"iivvu-jii diiu icuciuu:i aiiiuiig li [;"0"p;t; vmxj were alienated from us in language and in heart — confiding in the w>I>» tried loyalty and valour cf Upper Canada for its defence. Then V^ developed, in all its horrible features of cruelty, blood and rapinQ,*^ot which startled the peaceful and well disposed inhabitants with Jkii roV and amazement— a plot, prematurely disclosed by the special '«^H^ (8) of a merciful providence, which involved the lives and properly of the known and faithful adherents and servants of the Crown, who were permitted to see the pit prepared for their destruction before the mine was sprung, and just in time to save themselves. The deluded parti- Zans of the prime movers in this most cruel and unnatural conspiracy were horror-struck when they beheld the havoc they -vere urged to make on the lives and property of their defenceless and unoffending neighbours; and the band of reckless and desperate men, who were abandoned enough to become abettors of avowed treason and rebellion, and to enter into the designs of their leaders, were speedily dispersed and overawed by an outraged and indignant , community. We, my brethren, cannot soon forget, and we ought ever gratefully to record in our hearts the merciful goodness of the Lord, which was manifest in the timely disclosure of the deep and dark designs, so long forming, so nearly matured, and so miraculously defeated. Truly, in this instance, the hand of the Lord was stretched forth in a remarkable manner, for our safety and defence — "not unto us," not to our prudence and fore- sight, nor to our deserts, but to the name of God, and to His merciful interposition, let praise bo ascribed. Since the events of last winter, which are yet fr^^sh in the memory of us all, is the aspect of our public affairs pleasing or encouraging ? Are not the signs of the times dark and ominous? Can we contemplate our situation without the deepest anxiety and concern? The actual in- vasion of the Province below, and the preparations making for exten- sive incursions along the whole frontier by bands of licentious foreign- ers, leagued with traitorous outcasts from this Province, menace our peace. This, be it observed, is not an invasion dictated by a nation's will, or designed to make a national conquest, embracing only the pro- perty of the Government, but nn invasion instigated by a craving appe- tite for lawless plunder. The idle, the vicious and " the worthless of American society, are, it seems, to be let loose upon us — ari'"°d bands of profligates, equipped, provisioned and maintained by the wealth and resources of a jjeople in ostensible amity with our Sovereign, are to bo Sent hither to -xpel the loyalists from their homes, that foreign adven- turers may enrich themselves with their estates, and subject them to poverty and bondage. These hirelings are to be the pioneers of subtile conspirators, who meditate the conquest of this Colony for their own Jucre and aggrandizement; and unrestrained plunder and rapine are to b* their reward if successful ! It is ascertained beyond a doubt, that a» -extensive confederation has been formed, and cemented by fearful oaths — and in an appeal, recently put forth to the good sense and right feeling of that portion of the people of the United States who may bo disposed to deprecate the late most unprincipled aggression upon our tsrritorv. and to he. sprinnslv rlpRi'rniis frir tho ninintHnanfo nf npnr.n hn- tween the two countr-es, the following extraordinary facts are admitted. i •« It was known that meetings of these Societies were frequently held, and numerously attended — receiving constant accessions of strength — inspired by a strange and extraordinary enthusiasm — surmounting eve- ty ob8f(li'?% bf inconvenience and expense, avocation and duty. La- I erty of the , who were •e the mine luded parti- conspiracy re urged to jnoffcnding , who were d rebellion, y dispersed We, my :o record in manifest in forming, so is instance, nanner, for ;e and fore- [Is merciful he memory :ou raging ? :ontemplato e actual in- j for exten- us foreign- menace our 1 a nation's ly the pro- iving appo- ^orthless of ri-n-^d bands wealth and 1, are to bo ?ign adven- ed them to •s of subtilo their own ipine are to doubt, that by fearful e and right ho may bu 1 upon our f ncacc bo- •e admitted, iently held, strength — mting eve- \\\\\. La- I bourers left their employment ; apprentices their masters ; r ^chanics their shops ; merchants their counters ; magistrates their official duties ; husbands their families ; children their parents ; christians their church- es ; Ministers of the Gospel their charge— io attend these disorganizing and fanatical assemblioa !" Wo should call this an astounding declaration, if a full knowledge of this atrocious and unheard pf combination had not been circulated far and wide. Cowardly assassins have already imbrued their hands in the blood of one of our own neighbours, who has been selected as a victim on account of his devoted zeal in the service of his Queen and country. And to such a pitch of blood-thirsty rage have they arrived, that thev have di- rected their treacherous aim against the lives of those who have been most forward and conspicuous in proving theii adherence to British in- stitutions and British connection. Even the quiet firesides and peace- ful dwellings of the loyalists are threatened with conflagration, if not with the destruction of tho lives of the owners thereof, as is proved by the recent firing, after tho midnight hour, of the valuable house of a worthy and esteemed public Officer, with fifteen inmates asleep in it at the time, who were providentially roused, 'and escaped as by a miracle. We are indeed fallen upon evil times. The impending and just judg- ments of the Almighty point out the urgent occasion and seasonable propriety of tho present call to the public duty of this day. The conduct of our rulers, at this crisis, is recommended and sanc- tioned by numerous examples, approved and blessed of God in times of old. I need only refer to the instance under consideration. " Then there came some that told Jchoshaphat saying, there cometh a great multitude against thee from beyond the sea, on this side Syria." To avert this danger, "ho set hfmsclf to seek the Lord." We may sup- pose, he made tho best military arrangements that the exigency would admit of ; but his next preparation was to proclaim a fast, and gather his people together to ask help of tho Lord. And we read, accordingly, that "all Judah stood before tho Lord, and their little ones, their wives and their children :"—" And Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground, and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell be- fore the Lord, worshipping tho Lord." And such is the posture of the Governor and people of this Province in the house of the Lord thpir God— on this day of public fasting and humiliation enjoined "to be de-. voutly and religiously observed by all Her Majesty's loyo.l subjects .fei Upper Canada, m unfeigned penitence for our numerous transgressions,' and m fervent prayer and supplications to the benevolent ruler of th© universe for tho continuanco of his gracious favour, protection andsup-* port , earnestly imploring Him to guard us alike from the machinations ot domestic traitors and foroitrti fr^oa • t« i,«oi oii ^,j« „„♦ 1 „„j .•__ ternal dissensions ; and for our Divine Redeemer's sake, by the gw- dence ot His lioly spirit, to amend whatever has heretofore been Wronjr m our conduct, and to servo J Jim faithfrlly for the time to come.'.' iHis pious and seasonable admonition from the highest placsofftu- thority, accords, in spirit, with the declarations and exhortations of e 10) Scripture on the subject. By one Prophet it was declared from the Lord — "I will go and return to my place, till this people acknowledge their offences and seek my face ; in their affliction they will seek me eaJy;" and the same prophet grounds suitable exhortation and en- couragement upon it. " O Israel return to the Lord thy God, for thou hast fallen by thine iniquity : take with thee words and turn to the Lord — say unto Him, take away all iniquity, receive us graciously, then shall we render to thee the calves of our lips," or the fruit of their lips, giving thanks to His Name. Another Prophet more fully inculcates this public duty of a nation in distress. " Therefore, now also saith the Lord, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting and with weeping and with mourn- ing, and rend your hearts and .lot your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God, for He is gracious and merciful, slow to anger and of great kindness, and repenteth Him of the evil." The words of the Apostle likewise, demand our serious attention, on this occasion. "Sub- mit yourselves to God. Resist the Devil, and he will flee from you. — Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners, purify your hearts, yc double minded. Be afflicted, mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned into mourning, and your joy into heaviness. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and ho shall lift you up. Speak not evil one of another, brethren" — that is, instead of reviling and condemning others, every individual should be employed in confessing and lamenting his own sin, in humbly and earnestly deprecating the divine wrath, and using every means of over- coming evil habits and forsaking wicked courses. It becomes there- fore, the duty of every one of us, my brethren, at this time, to consider our ways, to examine our hearts, humbly to confess our sins, to seek forgiveness, and to pruy for grace, that we may henceforth walk before God in newness of life. If any persons have hitherto remained im- penitent and unbelieving, cherishing an inordinate love of the world, a supreme devotion to its pursuits and pleasures, which characterizes the bulk of mankind, they are now called to set about the great concerns of their immortal souls, with peculiar diligence and earnestness. Re- nounce the world, as guided by evil maxims and customs: renounce the world in its pursuits and jjleasures carried to excess — the attachment to the world which is host'lo to the exercise of repentance and of every christian graco. For what is it which dissipates the serious concern lor your salvation which sometimes arises in your minds ? What is it which banishes the sense of your sinfulness, of your guilt, and of your danger, while in a state of diHobodionee to God ? What is it which ioads you to disregard the calls to rrpcntanee ? — Is it not the ensnariiig influence of ua evil world ? And this influence will continue, and will oMtvfint I — ■ — voll fVnin innLini r wifli («>>il. iinrl bv roentaiicOi Vi iinding th(; fell perf<'etion and happiness of your nature in His service, until. it is stripped of thoso delusive! colours it has assumed— until you ffwro « just estimate of it as utterly unworthy of your desire and pur- umU oxcept in subordination to the concerns of eternity, to the prinei- tho laws and to the favour of your God. pi. hop' ig«on, d from the cknowledge ill seek me M and en- ad, for thou turn to the graciously, ruit of their a nation in 3ven to mo t'ith mourn- n unto the tiger and of ords of the iion. "Sub- i'om you. — ^our hands, ;ted, mourn d your joy jrd and ho "—that is, .1 should bo mmbly and ms of ovei- mes there- to consider ns, to seek valk before nained im- hc world, a 3tcrizcs tho jonccrns of ncss. de- nounce tho ;achment to id of every us concern What is it ind of your ia it which ! ensnaring 10, and will 1 (jrod= ixud lis service, —until you ro and pur- tho princi- vouf God. Tho world must not bo your portion — for this is not your rest. God hath reserved some better things for you — a more lasting inheritance. Seek, the- , to know Him through Jesus Christ, whom he has sent to deliver you from a present evil world and to purify unto himself a pe- culiar people zealous of good works. Turn to Him who shed his blood for you ; and that precious blood will bo a fountain of pardon, of holi- ness, of peace and joy for evermore. Repent — all ye who live in forgetfulness of God, in neglect of the concerns of your salvation, in devotion to the world, making only pro- vision for the flesh. Repent, all ye who delude yourselves with a name to live, while you are dead in trespasses and sins — who rest in a form of godliness, while you are destitute of its power — who have never been humbled under a sense of your corruption and guilt, nor known and felt that there is none other name given under heaven among men whereby you can bo saved, but only the no' of the Lord Jesus Christ. Tho remembrance of your sins must bo g\. ous to you, if you repent with ««a godly sorrow which worketh repentance unto salvation not to bo repented of" — you must die unto sin and rise unto righteousness — through the power of the grace and spirit of Christ, the same mind .nust bo in you which was in him. The meek and holy graces of the spirit must dwell in your hearts and shine forth in your lives and conversa- tion ; — and you must be steadily and resolutely devoted to adorning the doctrine of God your Saviour in all things, pursuing whatsoever things VLTOjust, whatsoever things aro pure, lovely, and of good-report. Pinally, my beloved brethren, if you thus return to the Lord and seek hia face, I am sent to you with the encouraging words, "Let the heart of those rejoice that seek the Lord. It shall be ivell with you." "Be not, thoreforo afraid of evil tidings" — only "let your hearts be fixed tnjsting in tho Lord." "Trust in Him at all times, ye people; pour out your hearts before Him ; God is a refuge for us. Now to God tho Father, &c. IT Proper Psalms, XXV. XXXVHL LVH. First Lesson, laaiah 37. Second Lesson, Luke 2L tl This collect to bo used instead of tho collect of tho day. O Lord God, moat good and powerful, we, thy sinftd people, hew assembled before thoo, acknowledge it to be of tliino unspeakable mer- cy, that for our manifold and heinous provocations, we aio not utterly ccnsumod, and given over for a prey to the fury of our enemies, « other scourge of thine avenging hand. Wo confess with sorrow ami confusion, our long unfruitfuhuKsa uii(l(>r the means of grace, the lt|;ht of the Gospel, and the many wonderful deliv(>rancea, which Tbon, in Thy groat goodness, hnst vouchsafed unto us. O Lord, shouldst ihm enter into judgment with us for our sins, for our profaneness «T.^^' ^^^ ^'^^ MAJESTY'S REGULAR iKUOJ^b, STATIONED AT FORT GEORGE, U. C. racious exer- ' grant to the of most sig- s of ungodly ince ; accept igncd thank- ige that wo ■bundance of I one accord magnify thy before thy ith our lips, id display it ence both in videnco, we bee, of zeal grow in all leso praises 1 the name, smer, Jesus ill' ^r ''-^/""'^ courage, and Ut us play (he men for our veovle and far II.qT.I Tl ^"''' ""' ''' ^ordWthat whiciseernerZ'g^^d/l a£gSn;t&^>;s-^^ ot Itjr ,T '^?r '"? ""'' '"■"■"("'ion, i.9 obviiu3 lo you „n ■ and ,ho teou iv Si 1^ " ,'° ^""i;'""', ^''"i^h'y eo-" "■■" H °-ol d Ut. graciously pleased to put an end to the troubles whi^S naitnto ^K^ 'il ( " ) surcs adopted by the guardians of the public safety, and the posture of defence in which the whole Province has been placed, have been, under the merciful protection of Divine Providence, the means of saving us from the repeated ferocious attacks of bands of savage ruffians, who disregard the laws of God and man, and seem to have given themselves up to the guidance of their appetite for lawless plunder, and the most atrocious purposes of outrage. Already has our country been invaded, our fellow subjects murdered, property destroyed, and public confidence and tranquillity almost extinguished by hosts of American brigands bound together by horrible oaths to exterminate us. And for what pur- pose is it 1 Are we to suppose that it is in consequence of their sym- ]iathy for Canadian traitors, who escaped merited punishment last win- tor ? Or is it because they are convinced that the majority of the inhabitants of this Province are panting for a republican form of govern- ment ? No ! these are not the reasons — but the reason is, they want to plunder us : they want not only the lands and revenues of the Crown, the property of the British nation, which has long excited their cupidi- ty, but the property of the most loyal and devoted subjects of the Queen is deliberately marked out, as their prey and booty. And, moreover, the neighbouring people seem determined that the inhabitants of this Province shall give up their own attachments and wishes, and submit to sHch a government as they, and a few fugitive traitors, shall prescribe to them. Such being the case, then, what is our duty ? Our duty in to defend ourselves — to arm ourselves for the conflict, in the proud consciousness that wc are engaged on the side of religion, good order and govern- ment, of virtue and humanity, opposed by those who are enlisted in the ranks of infidelity, envy, murder and rapine, and all that is to be ab- horred and despised, by any people calling themselves christians. But, in order to show a proper sense of our dcpendance upon the *' Lord of Hosts, " '• who is the only giver of all victory, " and who, in the gracious exercise of his Providential Government, has been pleased^ to grant to the counsels and arms of our Sovereign a recent instance of signal success, our Lieutenant Governor and General has, with the pi- ety and trust in God becoming a Christian ruler, commanded and invi- ted the people committed to his charge t«i humble themselves before Al- mighty God, confessing their manifold sins and provocations, which havo merited His heaviest judgments ; and to implore the pardon of their sins, and the continuance of the Divine favour, protection, and support. Let us hope that our prayers and the united supplications of our fellow subjects throughout the Province, this day, have been heard— that our penitence and tears have been accepted ; and let us, alter our retire- ment from the Sanctuary, search and try our woys, and turn to Uie Lord our trod -: lot u« ameiid whore wo have done amiss, and pray God that his grace may always be with us— that he will "keep us," as a people, "under the protection of His good providence, and make us to havo a perpetr.al fear and love of His Holy Name. "' Then shall the (dessinr of Heaven descend upon tho deliberations of those who sit in q)W»cil, and upon tlio exertions of those who "turn the battle from tho )osture of en, under saving us ans, who lemselves the most I invaded, ;onfidence brigands what pur- heir sym- t last win- ity of tho )f govern- they want le Crown, nr cupidi- ihe Queen moreover, Its of this submit to prescribe to defend iciousness i govern- tod in the to be ab- ms. upon the d who, in ;n pleased istance of ith the pi- and invi- bofore AI- ns, which an of their J support our fellow —that our lur retirc- irn to the pray God us, '' as a nake us to shall the ivho sit in from tlw ( 15 ) gate. " Then shall they who arc buckling on their armour of defence, in the best of causes, put it off with honour. Displaying our banners in the name of the Lord, with full confidence in the loyalty and courage of our gallant Militia, and the well known valour of the regular Forces, (which has reaped laurels on many a battle field in Europe) we shall not fear as to the issue. For our mutual encouragement I shall endeavour to illustrate and apply to the present occasion, tho address of the great General in the text : — " Be of good courage and let us play the men, for our people, and for the cities of our God ; and the Lord do what seem- oth him good. " This stirring appeal was uttered by Joab, the Israelitish General, who had long served under King David, and had shown himself an officer of true courage and consummate ability. The Amorites, a neighbouring nation who had frequent hostilities with the Jews, had ungratefully ofl'er- od insult and indignity to some of David's courtiers, whdm he had sent to condole with their King upon the death of his father, and to congra- tulate him on his accession to the throne. Our holy religion teaches us to bear personal injuries without private revenge : but national insults and indignities ought to excite the public resentment. Accordingly, King Duvid, when he heard that the Amorites were preparing to carry their injuries still farther, sent Joab, his General, wHh an army to a- vengo the affront they htid offered his subjects. It appears that the en- emy had hired mercenaries, in great numbers, from other nations ; and tho army of the Amorites was much more numerous than that of Israel. Those forces were disposed in the most advantageous manner, and sur- rounded Joab's men, so that they might attack them both in flank and front, and cut them off. Prudence and firmness are of the utmost im- portanc3 in tho conduct of an army, and tho Israelitish General gives « proof, in this critical situation, how much he was master of both. Ho divides his army, and gives one part to his brother Ah'shai, and with tho other he resolves to attack tho Syrian mercenaries, ./ho seemed the most formidable. He gives orders to his brother in the moan time to fall upon the Amorites, and he animates him with this noble advice, *'Ue of good couragii," &;c. Courage, or bravery, is a noble virtue, and stands in opposition to foar and slianio ; it guards the mind against tho evil of both these feel- ings. Courage is essential to a soldier ; not a fool-hardy insensibility of danger, or a headstrong rashness to rush into it : but calm, delibe- rate, rational courage — a steady, judicious, thoughtful fortitude — such a temper as Addition ascribes, with so much justice, to tho renowned Marlborough and Eugene : — "Whoso courage dwelt not in a troubled flood •'Of mounting spirits iind fermenting blood ; " Hut — *»Lodg'd inji soul, with virtue ovcr-rul'd, •♦Inflamed by reason, and by reason cool'd. ' i This is true courage, which will render men vigilant and cautious ft* gainst surprises, prudent and deliberate in concerting their mcosUKw, ( 18 ) pnd steady and resolute in executing them. But, without this, they fall into unsuspected dangers, and are struck with wifd consternation ; they will meanly shrink f:om dangers that are surmountable, or precipitate- ly rush into those that are evidently fatal, and throw away their lives in vain. The wise Creator has adapted the natural genius of mankind with a surprising and beautiful variety to the state in which they are placed in the world. To some He has given a turn for intellectual cul- ture, and the liberal arts and sciences ; to others a genius in trade and commerce ; to others a dexterity in mechanics and the ruder arts, ne- cessary for the subsistence and convenience of society. The generality of mankind may be capable of tolerable improvement ill any of these : but they only, whom the God of Nature has formed for them \\[\\ shine in them— every man in his own province. And as the All-wise Creator well knew that in a world of degenerate, ambitious, and revengeful creatures, such as men became by the fall and apostacy of their race ; as He knew that innocence could not be protected, ncv the property, liberty, and lives of mankind be preserved from tlie law- less grasp of ambition and avarice, and the rude hand of violence and tyranny, without resort to the sword and the strong arm of power, Ho has formed some men for warlike entcrprize, and fired them with a martial spirit and love of glory in arms. Such a spirit, though most pernicious when ungoverncd by the rules and maxims of justice and be- nevolence, is a public blessing, when rightly directed, and necessary for our safety and subsistence in such a world as this. The impress of true courage and valour is from the same Divine original as that which winged the imagination of a Homer or a Milton, and give penetration to the mind of a Newton ; that made Tubal an instructor of artificers, and gave skill to Bezaleel and Aholiab in curious works. Nay, He that chose, and fitted, and commissioned Paul and his brethren to con- quer the nations with tho gentler weapons of truth, and the love of a crucified Saviour ; — the same gracious 'nd over-ruling Power and Pro- vidence formed and raised up warriors and mighty conquerors in every age ; some as scourges of a guilty world, and others to save nations on the brink of ruin, and inspired them with this dauntless and intrepid spirit. Our own times and country have produced men of distinguish- ed military genius — men wonderfully qualified to put forth a nation's prowess, and wield a nation's might. At present, Great Britain maybe considered the most warlike nation on the face of the Globe, whether wc consider tho extensive latitude of her sway, or the amazing energy ©f her operations. Tho thunder of her arms has been heard by the most difltant nations. Those who once dared to invade her shores now trem- 'blc at her name, and those who thought to subjugate her to their autho- rity have imnlored her protection. Our minds cannot but be struck ■with astonishment, that she who was obscure among tho Northern Isles ■houid rise from burboricii) to such grandeur I from insignificance to • ijuch national importance as not only to bo tho pride of her allies, and tlie admiration of the world, but the nrbitress of nations ! that while she k (M'rible in thi^ field, sho is triumphant on tho waves ! Victory 1ms Ijccn Written on the shield of Britain ; and the armies that have been led this, they fall nation ; they r precipitate- y their lives s of mankind lich they are ellectual cul- in trade and ier arts, ne- improvement iias formed. ce. And aa e, ambitious, and apostacy •otccted, ncv rom the latv- violence and f power, Ho them with a though most istice and he- ld necessary 3 impress of s that which ! penetration of artificers, '. Nay, He hrcn to con- the love of a vcr and Pro- ors in every 'e nations on and intrepid ' distinguish- th a nation's ritain may be 3be, whether izing energy by the most cs now trem- their autho- ut be struck srthern Isles gnificance to r allies, and lat while she Victory has lavc been led ( 17 into the field by a Marlborough and a Wellington, and the fleets that have swept the seas under a Howard and a Nelson, have astonished our minds, and the splendour of their victories has dazzled our imagination. But their lustre docs not eclipse the glory of a Wolfe before the walls of Quebec ; nor the renown of the little army of Upper Canada, when led by a Brock; who returned victorious with the spoils of a foe sufficient in number to overwhelm his handful of troops. And, should an enemy again attempt to cross the St. Lawrence, we venture to predict that the trophies of tv'c^or;/ shall be laid at the feet of the British Commander. This continent is, no doubt, destined in its turn, to become the thea- tre of war. The disorganizing and violent spirit of democracy com- bined with the infidelity and irrcligion that prevail throughout the vast republic of the American Union, already begin to produce disorder and insubordination among themselves, and aggressions, in the true spirit of republican propagandism, upon their peaceful and unoffending reigh- bours. When it is remembered that they ^^ formed their Constitution without any acknowledgment of God : without any recognition of his mercies as a people — oj his government, or even of his existence. (The Convention by which it was formed never asked, even once, his dirccaon or his blessing upon their labours*);" when the working of party spirit in that country under the present system — the eagerness with which public offices are hunted for, and the sacrifices of principle and con- .science, which are made m order to acquire tl»em ; the bitter hostility that exists between the contending parties, the eagerness with which wealth is coveted and sought, and the dismal recitals of deeds of violence and blood, perpetrated m defiance of all the laws of God and man, and yet left unpunished by the very government which is thus insulted to its face ; — and, above all, when it is observed that there is no regular stated worship of God provided for by the constitution, and that over the wide-spread moral waste there must be a very large proportion of the population, notwithstanding all the efforts of missionary zeal, who arc without any settled ministers of the gospel, without any churches, and, of course, without any religion !— All these considerations put to- gether aflbrd abundant matter for anxiety with regard to the future prospects of America, to every serious and reflecting mind. In the inscrutable providence of God, Great Britain may yet be destined to fight the battles of true and rational liberty, in this Western World, as she has already done, with so much glory and success in the Eastern Hemisphere. There she nobly and successfully contended with the revolutionary spirit, that reduced France and the greater part of Europe under the iron rule of a military despotism. In that awful period, .the British nation gallantly stood forward in defence of their freedom and independence, and marshnlled a mighty host, who, led on by their illus- trious commander, persevered at immense sacrifice of blood and trea- suro, until they effected the downfall of usurpation, tyranny, and oppression. Here, in the- American Union, may bo traced some of the *ThiM are the words of Dr. Dwiffht, President of ¥■!• Cullefe, in a dhMoufs« Chapal, Jul/ 93d, 1619. ( 18 ) ing Provinces, and ^ ho ?«'elS!o? th '"if ^P^'^^ "'" '^' "^^ghbSur- wo, the descendants, and so^f^^^^^ t' ^^^•'^'^'\Empire. And shall free-born and valian race Zr/nn^^ f /If'?^"^''"-' ^" ^^'"^ «^ that blood in defence rtheSitTsrnn^^^^^^^ their wealth, and shed their wo shrink from Se stru^l .P°"''''"^'°".' ^'""^'arion and laws-shall ophold here, B^iM n^e^atd ^rZ/'J ''''"''' '^ ^'^' '''''^ P^^P^'^ty. to out- posterity thrbLs nL^rm f . '"^7r'^^* ""^' ^<^ hand down to honour of our aric4nio ' dZU "^f hapPX. constitution, and the and uuimpnirod r iVper.uad^^^^^^^^^^ ?, *^' ^'^''^'^ ^'■°^^-" ""«""'^d loyally and devotion to om- n.H f- .V^ '^'^''' indomitable spirit of of the people in tWs Pro -in" ' ''^^'^^'ons ^nhr^ates the greit body burned in he breasts of Z f^Z'"' ""' '^' '^^^'^^ °^' ''"^^ ^'"^ ^^'hich heroism and vXufnk'r.^ ?;,'"'' "''^"' ^''""^ °" ^-^ deeds of among us, and V be k ndled t f^'"' "'T'^.' "^^ ^'^d'^ly di o workers of iniquity and have lou I!?; 'on ""^'^ hyP°^-^-it- ^-^"d unbeliever.. Need T tell you Smt Of our r^.'th""; "V ■ .. '^^"^i"^^ "' yotirsouln; and when this "end of the peo- neighbour- And shall ras of that 1 shed their aws — shall roperty, to lid down to )n, and the n unsullied h spirit of great body tire which I deeds of ly diffused c rebellion ary array, I has been dy to take jesty's re- 9 heaven- nprovoked and cruel breast. more en- 'ourselves ;e for this •nscience, 1 of God, unknown y be sud- ces fear, dangers; or a stu- ayond the nortalitv, •St impor- mntter of I through within us 'vive tho )r in the and have you that iiis "end ig form, a release nee into eecurcd? ( 19 ) lnr::::ieTinl^^^^^^^^^ -^^y an .nbclievln. peace; but by a sWat the rn 1 ? ''^'^K'^j'^^S to your everlastin| lethargicsleepof ySnatu a^tn 1 h'"'"'-^^'^ ""/^ ^'''^'^ ^^°"^ tJ>« about your conditio • bv . vilnroM ^ 'f "'"', '"'' ^^^^^'""^te concern and influence of trkl So f^ 10!^ I 7^'"'° 'V''^'^""^ ^''' '^' ^^'P you in Christ your Sav our^nnd to hi P' ]'^ T^, *''" ^""P^ '''' ^'^^^ yop wisdom and rightoousn; / snnct^ in!!? '" ^7' "' .""'"^'^ «' ^"^ »° But you may savlw^w' Lw?« 1 '""^ """'P^'^" redemption.- God of infinite purity and inewn; T% '''''''S^-'''or. against a does not the pos ure of noni n'^ l %'" f ''"""^'^'^ «'•«' And tance, deep, ea^^est broke Hp /h'^°'' ^''''''"' >'^^"- ^' »«* repen- ners,'suitaL tr^cm- cW^^^^^^^^^ f ^"^^^ '^^"i^^-^bie to sin- short of the glory of G J Unl M 'wT' ''.'• ''' ^'T ''""'^^^ ^"'"^ ^«">« be exhorted to rcp,^u_S I'dnun ,? ""^^ '^ ,"~""^ "^'^ foUow-sinners, fended SovereiS heavon nn ? 'T ^^"J" ^'"'"''^ ^'^^'^^'^^ ^^« J^'s^ of- -acknowledg?your o fence, di-?' ^Sf^^'^^^^' -^"" ^'^'' ^^^^^Hed the footstool ^f His n'er^^^^^^^^ P^"^'^""^'^"^' ^o^'row at cheer; your sins ^r:^^' y:^ ''' jZ^\^^V:r''^ ^-^ good repentance make atoncm4t for sin will f' f" ''"^""'^' "^^>'l No: but the penitent on^vr>.v ' r ''• '' '"'"''' ^''^ '^''^'^^ of guilt?" the Redeemer-!Scld fh^ L-^t n7r 'f '?"T' ^'V^^^Sh the me'rits of of the world, -"'-nndlh' hnnllZ'r r' ^''''^"'^ ^"^^"^^^ ^'^^Y t^e sin the penitent soul on y bc^e '^^^^^^ c/..^.c. from afi sin; but and corruption, will Jim^ " S f " r " t'L'i'r ''' '""'"\°^ ^uilt who thus come to the Smv,-,-.,,,. ;,, '' .^"^^ ""^ deliverance. And they be ^shed i-ti^dtd^S dT th":.r o^^'l "^^^°'' 4 by His Holy Spirit will m on tlv ir unv ;. • u • ^""'^ •^''■'"^' ^^^ to holiness, an'd tho en.f ever la^t^n^ iU^ ^7'>"' ^'-^ving their fruit un- founded on religion;~cournp.?', '"f ' 1 . ^* }"'''' courage, then, bo is wanting in one vitaM o r ^^^ ^epaia ed from p,ety and christian hopo mote the '.use"in whi h "is Sd " J '"'^^"V'^ '''''''''''' ^-P-"' world's glory and renown- b,f .M I ' , T^ ^"^ crowned with this bloforhtfa^o! {Cf\o AcrL n°^^' ''!' 'T''"' ^'''^^^ ^'« ^renS to him, not only thariuiflne fnc^.lf '""f"^'-' ^^"•°' ^ ^^^^uld assign before which danger vanisesSt 1 T°' ""^ ""^f ^^""^ "^^"^^ ^f" duty excludes from the^ear ctSv o,- • ^'T'""^^"' ^"^^ °^ ^od which science and that^.../w tW-'^V..?'' '^^' testimony of a good con- rors, and disarms it ofuf 3 ?nT\r^'''^ ^ brighter recompense, and las eso'ect to ^''^'^ >Y\^-1^'«1^ ^ooks to a- earthly sovereigns can bcs/r Th nV '^'^^'^ ?'?^-^?'« ^'^^^ard, than fall, indeed, in tho field of X,/ i I'^uV^'^T'^^''' f""' ^"' '^'^ ^^^"Jd were tho drops of heaven tho on 1^ f *'l" ^^•'"'' °^ honor ;^a,ia head, his immortal snSlTs «afe v • { t"'r^^ ^''^'''''^ ''' ""'^""^^ ^od. i am anxious', my brethren in .' ^^^\^'"'^"^' ^" ^^^ pa'-adise of am more concerned for your 'sil taHnn ^ ' ^°T'' "' ^'"'^'^^^ 5 hut IJ God by repentance toward Him S Pi,"' •"' , ^^"^^^ >'°'^^ P''^'^^ ^^'"th has sent;-ithen march at you Sumrv^l/" •'^'".^ Christ, 'whom m . - 'he cannon, mouth, or^I^^^Ti: dSl^roalS ^^ r;:^;:^ 1 ( 20 ) pendent of every event that can befal you-your eternal welfare is se- cure. It IS, also, of great moment to excite and keep up our couraec that we should be fully satisfied that we are engaged in a rightful and good cause, and one of great moment and importance. This Joab evidently had in view, in his heroic advice to his brother. "Be of good courage," I7r^rn:j "^""l '* "' P'^^y *^^ '"'" f"' «"'• P''P^'^ ^"d>'- if^ Ci(i^ of w , A ^" r T ^'^ engaged in a just and righteous cause; we are not urged on by a lust of power or desire of richel, to disturb our quiet neighbours, or chcroach upon their rights and property; we act en- m-ely upon the defensive; we are engaged also in a cause of the ut- exhortation of Nehem.ah, in parallel circumstances-"Be not afraid of them, remember the Lord who is great and terrible, and fight for your brethren, your sons and your daughters, your wives and your hou- mP^r^'Sn?"""'^'' ^- ^^^ ^"^"^ *^^ ^° ^™y' ^"d °" ^^^ «ve of engage- ment, made a more impressive speech. It comprizes everythine. The considerations which he suggests would inspire cowardice with valour. Brother is an endearing name. In the hour of common danger, all its tenderness is felt; and to sacrifice life in a brother'^ defence is, at once, the impulse of nature, and the precept of the gospel. But your sons, and your daughters, your wives and your Am..-shall the inheritance of your fathers, or the hard-earned fruit of your honest labour, become a robber's bounty? Shall the babe, who now smiles in you; face, and calls, you father, spil! his blood on a murderer's sword? Shall she whom you are pledged to cherish and defend, become a ruffian's prey » How forcible, and at the same time, how applicable is this appeal to ourselves, and to the circumstances in which we are placed ! Can we remain unaffected by considerations like these ? And yet these are not ot'Z^ ^r^^'^u^'' '\?'^''' °f^"'' Gf«'J"-to defen, 'ur hearths and our altars from the pollution of the bandit ! God ha. distinguished us above all nations with a pure Christianity recognized by the State, and established to promote our improvement in true religion and virtue, and to guard us against the inroads of infidelity and irreligion. He has con- descended in a peculiar manner to be the God o'' our nation, and to ho- nour our «« cities" and churches with his g acious presence, and to smile upon our civil and religious institutions with peculiar favour and blessing. But now those most valuable right, and privileges are in jeo- pardy.— 1 liese are the prizes for which wc contend ! Finally, the consideration of the justice and importance of our cause encourages the firm trust and confidence that the Lord our God will be tnour side~tlmt He will be with us as Ho has been with our fathers. 1 he event IS in His hands. This is beautifully suggested in the remain- ing part of the text :— "The Lord do that which secmoth him good." lo indulge sanguine and confident exnectations of virtnrv. tn h««=t When wo put on our armour as though we were putting it off, and to ' I ffu"I',"^T" P^o'^^^^s «nfl skill, without any regard to the dispo- sal 01 the Almighty, would be arrogant and presumptuous ; and the very circumstance of our being called together this day by authority, in a vir- Ifare is se- )uragc that ] and good evidently courage," e cities of se; we are I our quiet 3 act en- )f the ut- I was the t afraid of S for your your hou- f engage- ng. I'he h valour, er, all its , at once, our sons, ritance of become a face, and ihall she, I's prey ? ippcal to Can we 3 are not rths and iished us ite, and tue, and has con- id to ho- I and to our and B in jeo- ir cause • will be fathers, remain- afood." id hoHP.t and to i dispo- lie very !j a vir- ( 21 tual recognition on the part of the Government, of the overruling pro- vidence of i ho Lord of all who giveth the dominion to whomsoever he will. Let your minds, Soldiers, be deeply impressed with this senti- ment. Often let such thoughts as these recur to your minds :— " I am under the care and government of Almighty God ; success in this un- dertaking is at his disposal. Therefore into thy hands I commend my spirit, for thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of my salvation ! I cheerfully resign myself and the event of this enterprise to thee."— Thus seek to entertain a habitual sense of Divine Providence ; let prayer to the God of your lives be your daily exercise ; make the Saviour your friend ; he will either shield you m the battle, or ho will take you to him- self, and crown you with glory, honour and immortality. I'hcn " be of good courage and play the men" for the rights and possessions of your Queen and people, and for the cherished institutions of your beloved country. And the Lord do what sccmeth him good.— Ame.n. IT Proper Psalms, VIL, LXIV., LXXXVL First Lesson, Joel IL Second Lesson, i. Peter IV. THE COLLECT. O Almighty God, wi.o rulest over all the nations of the earth, and on whose gracious providence they depend evermore for preservation and prosperity, extend, wc bescc.h thee, thine accustomed goodness to the people of these Provinces ; v,ho, looking up to thee, as the Author of ail blessings, and their sure Safeguard and mighty Deliverer in all dan- gers and diflicultics, do now implore thy watchful care and protection. ULord, thou nast before wondcrfullv delivered us ; if ihou hadst not been on our side when men rose up against us, tlicV would have swal- lowed us up. Contauie thy mercy, and cast not out the prayer of thv people who call upon thee. Defeat the counsel of the wicked ; open the eyes of the deluded; strengthen ^lic hands of our defenders; grant to our rulers a spirit of wisdom ana firmness, and give to them and to all of us a spait of faith and prayer. Stretch forth the ri^ht hand of thv majesty to save and acfend us from the evils with which we are threat- ened. But If, in thy wisdom thou hast ordained that they should visit us, give us grace that we may humbly and patiently submit to thy cpr^ lection ; and alter having been exercised thereby, may bring forfh the peaceable fruits of rightrnusness, to the praise and glory of thy name through Jesus Christ our Lord.— Amen. S y oi my name 04#i*t»Vif5(f,