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PREACHED IN ST. ANdSCEW^S *(DHURCII,

)' ■'.■'■', .j'f .. -"'..,■

« f'\, /-" . *' "" * ■■,,-■■ ..■-..■ ■'.'.. ■" ',

.- NIAdARA,

ON TtJESDAT, tfiE 6TH FEBRUART, 183«, *

•■'^' .• ■'■ , ..•■•.•- ^ ■

(a day appointed for public THANKSflrvmo, Git ACCOUKT <^P OVp
DB«YEIIANCE FROM T^ jnS^EIlIES OT THE LATE INSUHRECTION.)

< A; . . ^ ^ - .. : . .Joy THE

RE V E R E N D E OB EllT M A C a t^h.

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TUB

(f^ .

LOVE OF COUNTRY,

DISCOURSE

PREAC^IED IN ST. AND^tEW'S CHURCH,

NIAGARA,

ON TUESDAY, THE 6TH rEBRUARY, 1 «3{I,

(a day appointed for pueuc thanksgiving, on account of oi;r
deliverance from the miseries of the late lnt?uhrection.)

BY THE

REVEREND ROBERT MACGILL,

^ h

NIAGARA:
PRINTED BY THOMAS SEWELL.

1838,

^*.M

■■

NiAGAHA, 8th February, 1838.
Reverend Sm,

Participating cordially in the patriotic sentiments,
so eloquently expressed in the Sermon delivered by you on Tuesday,
the 6th instant, and sincerely convinced that a more general pro-
mulgation of such sentiments, in these times of peril and alarm,
uould have a tendency to promote the cause of peace, and
perpetuate, in our possession, the invaluable blessings couferred on
us by the British Constitution, we respectfully request you to
favor us with a copy of the Sermon alluded to for publication.

We remain,

Reverend Sir,

Your obedient servants,

[Signed by twenty-four Members of the Congregation of St,

Andrew's Church.]

REPLY:

Gentlemen,

Although yaur well known sympathy with the
sentiments expressed in my Sermon on Tuesday last, affords me
very sincere pleasure, yet I confess that it is not without some
misgivings that I accede to your request for its publication. I
had not received any information of the appointment of a day of
thanksgiving by the Lieutenant Governor, until, by accident, I
lighted on the proclamation on the previous Friday, when the
duties of the coming Sabbath demanded my immediate attention.
Nor could I find leisure on the Monday for preparation except a
few hours in the evening. Yet, under all these disadvantages, I

VI.

will not conceal my conviction, that should the printed discourse
carry ulonj; with it, in those who may favor it with a perusal, all
my own deep feelings of the weighty Irullis it contains, the too
evident haste of its composition will perhaps be less regarded,
and as a voiccloss visitor it may serve to correct some serious
errors into which many have fallen, and warm them with an
enlii^htencd love to country— the soul and life of all patriotic
virtue.

I am, Gentlemen,

Your most aftectionate

And very obedient servant,

ROBERT MACGILL,

¥■

^m^

Ucd discourse
I a perusal, all
itains, the loo
less regai'dcd,
some serious
them with an
f all patriotic"

}rvant,
lACGILL.

THR

LOVK OF COUNTRY,

D I S C O U R S K

PREACHED IN ST. ANDREW'S CHURCH
NIAGARA,

ON TUKSDAY, TIIK Gxil FEBRUARY, 1838.

Except the Lord keep tlie city, (iir \v!U(!liiii;in woketli but in vain.

i'saliu i.wvii.

We every where find in the writings of inspired men a con-
.stant acknowledgement of the providence of God, as exerting
its watchful care, not only over individuals, but nations. To
its gracious dispensation the pious and good have always at-
tributed the peculiar blessings of their own condition, tiie
prosperity of kingdoms, the security of empire and the fate of
battles. And surely it is consistent with all that reason can
discover, and all that revelation teaches of the character and
agency of God, that he continues to watch with paternal care
over the creatures whom he has so graciously distinguished by
his choicest gifts — reason and immortality; for wiiom he sent
his Son to suffer and to die; from among whom he is selecting
a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, to celebrate his glory
in time, and to be unutterably blessed in his presence through-

^ii«i«iiia<i

^ tHE LOVE or COrNTRT.

out eternity. IIovv conformable to reason and the aacred
scriptures, that sucli beings, in all their interests and connec-
tions, Khould be the objects of God'a providential care !

To fix your attention on this consolatory doctrine, consid-
er tiiat the whole fabric of human society has been orduined
and regulated by divine wisdom, and is consequently a legi-
timate object of divine superintendence and government.
The Creator, who knew that it was not good for man to be
alone, has implanted in every bosom the social principle ; unJ
its influence is folt throughout every period and in every con-
dition of our existence. This powerful and universal princi-
ple ja among mankind what attraction is in c.ie material woild.
It conjoins them into the intimacies of neighborhood, the as-
sociations of fiicndi-hip, and the ties of love ; and out of it
arises the fabric of society, based upon the family relation,
and rising up into communities, provinces, states, empires — the
largest family division among the inhabitants of the world ; —
and overall the Lord God omnipotent reigneth as the Gover-
nor among the nations.

Wherever God reigns he reigns by established and equita-
ble laws ; wherever ho has prescribed duty, he has ordained a
rule of duty. If he has rendered us accountable to his own
tribunal for our private, personal and relative conduct, he has
also made known to us the rule by which we shall be judged ;
and it ought to be our chief concern to ascertain what the
Lord our God requires of us in these several relations. On
this day set apart by our chief provincial Magistrate for so-
lemn thanksgiving to Almighty God for his gracious deliver-'
ance from the miseries of conspiracy and rebellion, it may not
be inappropriate for us to consider one of the principa! a^c--

I^n

d the sacred
and conucc-
care !

rinc, consid-
ccn ordained
cntly a logi-
governm-^nt.
3r man to be
inciplo ; und
[1 every con-
crsal princi-
tcrial woild.
jood, the as-
and out cl' it
nily relation,
?inpires — the
he world ; —
s the Cover -

[ and equita-
s ordained a,
3 to his own
iduct, he has
1 bo judged ;
ain what the
lations. On
itrate for so-
ious deliver-^
n, it may not

THE LOVE OP COUNTRY. #

tions of n christian citizen, viz : the love he owes his country,
that a brief consideration of thiy affection may prepare ub fo,
a few observations on the peculiar evils by which we have
boon threatened, and tiic gracious providence of God by which
they have been averted from us.

The christian citizen should love his country because it is
his. God has created us with a tendency to form particular
and local attachments. Welove the homestead of our fathers,
" where our young footsteps in infancy wandered ;" we
love the village where wo enjoyed our earliest friendships; we
cherish a particular regard to the county or district in which
it lies ; and this regard extends itself to the whole realm of
wliich our native village may form only a very insignificant
part. We are conscious to ourselves that wc indulge such
preference?, and wo feel that they are among tlie most agreea-
ble of our sentiments. It is a matter wholly unimportant to
us that men cf other countries describe ours as sterile in its
soil, or changenblc in its climate, or rude in its speech and
the manners of its people. We may in part, perhaps, admit
the truth of the foreigner's dcicription, and yet after all, the
heart's feeling may be— I love iny own sterile land better than
any other in the world, however luxuriant its iields or sunny
its sky. How strong and deep are those local attachments in
the millions of every land whom it would be impossible to al-
lure from their native soil by any promises of gain that might
be holdout to them in distant climes; — who prefer to Hve
and die within their native valley p, humble and obscure, ra-
ther than pursue the most flattering dreams of fortune upon a
foreign shore ! How pathetically have we witnessed the
Btrwigth of these local attac^imcnts exhibited in many of our

THE LOV .^ ^"^ COUNTRY.

own countrymen wliom a storn neceBsity compelled to seek
a home in this new world !

" Good heaven ! what sorrows f'loomed that parting d;:y
That call<ul them from their native walks away ;
When the poor exiles, every pleasure past,
Hung round the bowers and fondly kjoked their last,
Andtook a long farewell, nnd wished in vain
For seats like these beyond the western main ;
And shuddering still to face the distant deep,
Returned and wept, and still returned to weep."

How often docs the wish prevail in the bosom of the exile,
after long years of succet^sful toil, to return to tiie scenes of
his youtli, that he may enjoy a happiness that he never enjoy-
ed in all the period of Ids expatriation, and at length resign
life where he first drcv/ its breath, and be buried in the sopul-
chro of his fathers ! These sentiments of local attachment
are natural to the human heart : it requires violence to eradi-
cate them ; and when to all {Appearance they scorn dead, it is
net in general difficult to fan them anew into life. God, my
fellow countrymen, has so formed us, tliat this natural senti-
ment 13 not easily destroyed, because he has implanted it in
the soul for a beneficial and necessary purpose. It is the
source of that deeper interest which we feel in our neighbor-
Ijood and our country ; it prompts us, with the strong arm of
patriotic love, to guard it from lawless invasion — we rally
around our national banner, and contend pro arts etfocis with
emotions that rise in strength as danger threatens ; and when
blessed with peace, this natural sentiment of regard for our
country makes us rejoice in its prosperity and honor. We
delio-ht to- see it surpass other lands in the career of improve-
ment ; and one of our most fervent aspirations is, " O bless
my count ry Heaven !'' and make it truly great. These- senti-

THE LOVE OF COUNTRY.

led to seek

ig dtiy

St.

of the cxik',
tlie scenes of
never enjoy-
engtli resign
in the sopul-
[ attachment
nee to cradi-
)m dead, it is
-e. God, my
latural senti-
planted it in
se. It is the
)ur neiglibor-
itrong- arm of
3n — we rally
s etfocis with
s ; and when
egard for our
honor. We
ir of improve-
! is, " O bless
These senti-

ments which nature inspires and which are sanctioned by the
purest dictates of religion, arc implanted and approved by
God, as the means of exciting and concentrating our energy
for the improvement of our fellow creatures within a suitable
sphere where it may be beneficially felt. Our influence can-
not extend throughout the world ; although a few vain men
have styled themselves "citizens of the world" — the sphere is
too wide for intense afibction and practical beneficence. But
we can make our afiTection bear practically upon our own little
neighborhood — combined with r-thers we may perhaps make
it bear even upon a province — nay, when God has endued any
one with the requisite gifts, he may st:ind up before the gaze
of an empire, as a sage, as a statesman, as a warrior, and the
benefits of his genius and deeds may awaken gratitude and
joy in its every cottage and its every palace. Thus the local
attachments formed in early life give birth to the most ele-
vated sentiments and the noblest \ a'tuc - . In the most eminent
men it becomes a passion, and uii'ler itb dominion what enter-
prises pregnant Vv'ith good to future ages hath not the patriot
achieved !

It is not to be denied, however, that that this passion for
one's country has, when not governed by wise and christian
principles, been productive of very pernicious consequences,
especially wiien allied with conmianding talent and eminent
rank. It has inspired tiic lust of conquest — as if the groans
of the conquered and extended territory were capable of aug-
menting national happiness. It has often Postered in a people
ignorant prejudices and vain boasthig — as if the disparage-
ment of other countries enhanced the merits of their own. It
hfts sometimes led one nation to adopt restrictive laws, which,
while they were little profitable to itself, were inj'irious tn

THE LOVE OP COUNTRY.

neighboring states. But because love of country has been
thus misdirected, let us not forget that it is entitled to an em-
inent place among the incitements of virtue. Imagine not
that it must necessarily be associated with a dislike of other
countries. This would indeed be a melancholy perversion of
the sentiment. What ! — can I not love my own child with
all that is tender and holy in parental regard, and yet love the
•chiId,of my neighbor too? Can I not toil and labor for the in-
terests oi" my own famil}', with a diligence that never wearies,
and at the same time be free from envy — nay rejoice in the
prosperity of my neighbor ? And can I not hear my coun-
try's name resounded in tiie plaudits of contiguous empires
without v;ishing tiiat these empires may be crushed that she
niay rise higher upon their ruins ? — Far away be the barbar-
ous and unchristian thought ! For as my family will prosper
best when the families around are prospering, so will my
country prosperbest when the countries around are prospering.
The bounty of indulgent Heaven is enough for all ; and the
prayer that I offer to the King of kings for "my own, my na-
tive land," mi:rt not be accompanied witli one feeling of envy,
or one imprecation of judgment on any part of his wide do-
minions.

Although local attachment, or love to country is a strong
natural affection implanted by God for beneficial ends, and is
distinctly sanctioned by the genms of Christianity, we some-
times meet with persons in whom this natural affection is
neaily extinct. Beware, I intreat you, of drawing the
conclusion from such instances, that the affection is artificial,
not natural ! Do we not occasionally meet with persons in
whom the strongest natural affecticr.s are nearly, or perlmpii. .

i:^

ry has been
;d to an em-
[magine not
like of other
)erversion of

I child with
yet love the
)r for the in-
ver wearies,
?joice in the
ar my coun-
n\s empires
lied that she

the barbar-

will prosper

so will my

5 prospering-.

II ; and the
)wn, my na-
ling of envy,
his wide do-

^ is a strong
;nds, and is
y, we some-
affection is
[rawing the
I is artificial,
h persons in
, or perhftini

THE LOVE OP COUNTRY. XS

altogether eradicated ? Have we not heard of fathers who
had ceased to love or care for their family ? — of mothers who
felt no compassion for the infaiit they bore ?— of children who
poured contempt on their parents ? — of husband and wife who
cherished towards each other t: mutually emb'Ltered hate ? —
persors in whom the well-spring of parental, and filial and
conjugal love had been dried up, as brooks v. ith the drought
of summer ! And is it to be deemed strange — contrary to
what we observe in respect to other natural affections — that
love to our countrymen and our coun; • y should sometimes in
like manner be destroyed 1 Oh no ! the fact is melancholy, but
not strange ; for the aff;K<ior with which we regard out
country may unhappily be tA'tinguished, as well as the
affection with which we regard a parent. If a child permits
himself habitually to look only at the defects of his futhor's
character — only at the instances of severity he has shown — if
week after week these- are magnified in his eye, and made the
subject of invidious comparisons and insulting language — if
be accustom himself to go round the neighborhood loquaciously
holding up to censure his fathers failings and vices — say
would it be strange that filial reverence and love fiould bo
destroyed in the bosom of such a son ? Would noL oven a
natural affection, although implanted by God and com-
manded by God, utterly perish from the heart by such means T
And may the same not happen in regard to our love of
country ? If we look only at what is unfuvorable in its
physical aspect, on its barren heaths, on its rocky and snow-
clad hills, on its unequal and ungenial climate, on its long and
dreary winters — would it bo strange that the local attachment
•hould be diminislied or debLoyed ? Or, if turning to its
political institutions, we should regard only the friction and

14 THE LOVE OF COUNTRY.

jarring of their imperfect machinery; if week after week we
should fix our attention only on what is faulty in its legislation,
or defective in the frame work of its constitution, or corvupt
and selfish in the conduct of its rulers : and if these should be
the subject of a constant newspaper reading, and the theme ot
endless talk in the family, and of exciting harangues when we
assemble with village groups, in which mind imparts to mmd
a more embittered dissatisfaction-tell mo, would it be at all
wonderful that those who act in this way should destroy
within their h(?arts all love to country ; should be ready at
any hazard to attempt its subversion : or if hopelessness or
fear should prevent their attempts at insurrection, that they
should go out exiles to other lauaS, soured and discontented
with, 01 even detesting, the land of their birth ? And tell iv.e,
even admitting that such persons were correct in some of their
judgments, would this blight of disaffection that hath come
over their heart, withering some of its bc^t sentiments— would
this render them more amiable, more happy, more virtuous
beincrs, as they left the homes of their fathers in pursuit of
Utopian excellence on foreign shores ? Ah me ! it is impos-
sible, for if our earliest and dearest local attachments are thus
rudely uprooted from the heart in despite of nature and the
command of God, it will always, wherever be the place of its
sojourn, feel the unsettledness of a stranger and a wanderer as
soon as new scenes are bereft of tlie charms of novelty, and
new political int^ti'.utions have disclosed those imperfections
which are inseparable from all that man has framed, and all
that man administers.

You will not conclude, my fellow countrymen, from any
thing that I have now said, that the love which an enlightened
and dirictian citizen bears towards his country should render

THE LOVE or COUNTnY.

*ter week we
;s legislation,
I, or corrupt
)se should be
the theme of
ncs when we
jurts to mind
d it bo at all
ould destroy
be ready at
pclessness or
)ii, that they
discontented
And tell me,
some of their
it hath come
icnts — would
nore virtuous
in pursuit of
! it is impos-
icnts are thus
Lture and the
e place of its
a wanderer as
'novelty, and
imperfections
imed, and all

len, from any
in enlighteii6d
should rettdbr

him blind to its ianlts, or careless of its reformation. Nay,
lie may searcli them out with the most laborions invostigatidn ;
he may labour to obtain their removal by the most strenuous
cflorts ; if he have devoted himself to public life, his whoh;
lieart and soul may be absorbed in this work ; and in defiance
of obloquy and opposition he may consume hinif-elf in the
toils and struggles of patriotic virtue. Fucli a course the
illustrious Wilberforce pursued. He saw that his country was
involved in the guilt of trading in human beings ; the groans
of innumerable captives reached him from innumerable slave-
ships ; the crack of the slave driver's whip as it fell on its
writhing victims was carried over the waves to his oar ; liis
hand was stretched out to receive every record of the slave's
miseries : and yea.r after year did he rise up in the senate of
his country, and thunder his denouncements against tiiis
detestable traffic carried on in the British dominions, under tlic
sanction of law. Undismayed by the opposition of those
in power, unseduced by the sophistries of those who pocketed
the unholy gain?, he persevered in his career of philanthropy.
Long frustrated, he never fainted ; and ngo had whitened on
his head, and infirmities had wasted iiis strength, while
exposing amidst continued disappointments the iniquity of his
country. But did he cease to love that country ? Did his
abhorrence of that enormous crime, at which Britain long
connived, render him incapable of exclaiming, "Britain, with
all thy faults I love tiie still 1" Far from it ; for though he
knevv' the errors and sins of his country, he had studied well
her excellencies loo ; and tlieye had impressed him with so
ieep an admira^^ion that i:e could give no slumber to his eye-
lids Until he ^.^.3 vv'iped away the spots on ids country's name.
Jmegine-notj lehiistiin citizens, that love of cotmtry can ever

» ii « <l i iifeii Mi n ii <j| |i l l < i i... ...

•■" •'•^*--

THE LOVE or COUNTRY.

render its possessor indifTerent to its improvement ; will ever
mako us connive at wickedness, however high the power be
that commits it. Love always desires the perfection and

happiness of its object.

It cannot be denied that the aiTection of which we now speak
has passed, during the last few years, as severe an ordeal in
Canada, as ever it passed thiougli, perhaps, in any land.—
The causes which tend to its destruction have here operated
almost unrestrained. Political controversy and factious strife
have long raged throughout the province with unusual
acrimony. Partizans on either side have not generally been
guided by nice rules in the conduct of their warfare. — Wo
say nothing whatever at present on the merits of the questions
agitated. My design is rather to show that the manner in
which they have been agitated has had a great tendency to
destroy that love of country which is essential to popular
contentment. With what persevering industrj'-, for example,
have particular subjects of complaint been kept before the
public eye ! How insidiously have they been magnified 1
The most active portion of the daily press was constantly
employed in their dissemination. In many populous townships
nothiiig was circulated but newspapers of the most pernicious
description — vehicles of groundless censure and disaffection ;
and recent events may lead us to infer tliat not a few havo
been led into tlie belief,that the whole of the administration of
otir public aliairs was so incurably corrupted tiiat nothing but
the entire subversion of the whole frame-work of our
constitution, could bring a remedy ! Hearing nothing',
reading nothing, talking nothing, save what went to criminate
the officers of th.- 3tate, and to expose the rottenness of its
whole machinery— overlooking every thing iaJ^K? M which ■

thi=

TIIK LOVE OP COUNTRY.

jnt ; will ever
the power be
)erfection and

we now speak
t an ordeal in
n any land. —
here operated
[factious strife
with unusual
generally been
warfare. — Wo
f the questions
the manner in
Lt tendency to
;ial to popular
I'-, for example,
ept before the
sen magnified !
was constantly
ilous townships
nost pernicious
[id disaffection ;
not a few havo
1 ministration of
hat nothing but
;-work of our
laring nothing,
ent to criminate
ottenness of it8
I thair lot which

calm and sober minds would appro vo and be lliankful for, can
we be surprised that they were wrouglit up to the frenzy of
revolution, and that conflagration, and massacre and robbery,
w ere deemed very trivial sacrifices for its accomplishment !
This state of mind was the necessary result of the means
employed to produce it ; nor is there a government imdcr
lieaven that might not be subverted by an effective use of the
same means. Let its public writers tell only of its faults —
let its public speakers always declaim on these — let the luxury
and avarice of its officers be colored, exaggerated, held up
incessantly as objects of popular reprobation— and such arts
plied for a few years, without any correctives, would array
opinion and physical force against any government, even the
most perfect that the human imagination can conceive. We
must surely, therefore, deem it the heaviest public calamity
wlicn those who are capable of directing public opinion
direct it into a wrong channel ; when they fan the embers of
discontent — so natural to the human heart ; when they labor
to -involve law, and property, and personal safety in one
common ruin. Alas ! there have been thc^e among us,
capable of better things, who have implicated themselves in
this heavy guilt ; and had not God graciously interposed, the
misguided — along with us who lamented their error — might
Imve painfully suffered by the consequences.

May 1 not take occasion from these remarks to remind you
that a true and enlightened regard to our country should
ifest itself very much in the same way as we manifest
;f|r4fejr. ft friend. No man loves to hear the faults of lus
||p4'i^ifce«;l^(IWLliciously referred to ; no one can ])atiently
]^if|iaea(lk'«.!5J^f^^|(|r.misrepresentcd or set forth only on

. '>•■

•

'"■t^"'

THiv LOVE or COUNTRY.

i I*

the (lark side. Granting that he has his faults, why should
they always be held up to view while his excellencies are all
concealed ? la not this manifest injustice, and would we not
be guilty of conniving at it by listening to it in silence? But it
is an equal injustice to our country, and equally inconsistent
with the love we owe it, to listen with patience or favor to
isuch factious and evil designing men as speak of nothing but
its faults ; who are never warmed into pathos with any thing
but some instance of mal.administration,and that for no other
purpose but, by fomenting discontent, to make us the tools of
their ambition ! Alas, there are not a few who yield to such
men, and arc gratified with their conduct. Deluded by their
o-lozing lies, they are now disposed to treat the government
of their country, not as a friend set to promote their well-being,
but as an enemy, whose every motion is to be jealously
watched ! Let it be acknowledged that it is the duty of the
citizens of every free state, if they would preserve the
mheritance of their freedom, carefully to watch the conduct
of those to whom they have entrusted the management of
public affairs ; yet surely it ought not to be with the suspicion
and jealousy with which we regard an enemy, but with the
confidence and aftcction with which we regard a friend.—
While we reserve to ourselves the privilege of condemning
what is wrong, let us cheerfully yield our cunfidonce in
doubtful and diflicult measures, and our approbation for the
faithful services which the officers of the state may have
rendered it. This conduct is manifestly just ; no christian
can recede from it. Had those who have renounced th^i*
•allen-iance to their country acted on such principles, tiiey'Md
saved themselves from disgrace and wi0,^d;Wpve^eot
from a shock which has made it touw tv wT^ Nr^- " "

THE LOVE or cou.vTnv.

I, why shou Id
leiicies are all
would we not
ilence? But it
^ inconsistent
e or favor to
if nothing but
vith any thing
it for no other
us the tools of
D yield to such
ludcd by their
le government
leir well-being,
[) be jealously
,he duty of the
1 preserve the
ch the conduct
management of
th the suspicion
ly, but with the
ard a friend. —

of condemning
ir confidence in
probation for the |

state may have
ist ; no christian

renounced t^^
H6iples, t*fey bad

Animated, as I trust we all arc, with the desire of being
guided by such principles, we shall be disposed, on this day
of thanksgiving, gratefully to acknowledge the providence of
God in those events which have ftlvorcd the preservation of
order and constitutional government among us. It is not
possible for us, believing as wo do, in the declaration of the
psalmist, "Except the Lord keep the city, the watchman
waketh but in vain," to overlook those very remarkable events
by which the hand of the Lord hath wrought out our
deliverance from all the horrors of rebellion and civil war. —
Can we doubt tliat He smote to the eartli the fierce and
blaspheming * leader of the rebel band, and spread indecision
and fear throughout their ranks ? Can we doubt that lie
paralized all their subsequent opposition, and scattered them
as chaff before the wind ? By what power hath the breath of
winter been rendered mild as tlie morning of autumn, so tliat
our lake has not been sealed up with ico, nor intercourse
between distant places impeded ? Have we not reason to see
the hand of God in the liarmonious assembling of the loval and

* We have it on ilic authority of an eyc-wi'aicss, that tli:.^ reb'^
leader, whose Ucime wc have no* wish to perpetuate, met his tlenth
a moment after his utterance of a volley of prolane oaths. A
!j:eni Ionian of Torontf/, who liad been taken prisoner on Yonge
Street by theiibi)ve leader, disehar^-ed his pistol at him, while in
the act of makinp; his escape. The shot mis^-ed the object at
Avhich it was aimed; but his iiorse beiii;^' fri.",htencd, the rider, a
' orpulenv man, Ujst his bahmce, fell to the g-roiind, and broke his
eck. This sinc^ular event disconcerteil the plans of the
nsurgents, and prevented the attack tVom bein'r ma'le on Toronto
Q Monday evening, Avhen the diab^ilical dcsisni could sccircely
bavefallpd, as the inhabitants of the ciiy M-erc v,-hollv unprcp.ire'd
rti) resist the assailants. On the f )llowin",- day The city was
■ 4'epRre4 Thn*j -by- the gracious inierposition of Ciod," were
l^-Unflagiatioqri, ir^5!sacre,«^^ averiod from the metropolis.

'v^

fifwp»«r.

ijWMiiiiiifaiiMri

THE I<OVE (IF COUNTRy.

! I

well aflocted throughout every part of the province for the
preservation of life and property, and constitutional authority ?
And are we too sanguine in our interpretation of the ways of
God in these recent cventsj'when we hope that the storm hath
purified our political atmosphere, and that hereafter we shall
enjoy a freedom, at least from intestine political strife, which
for some years we have not known. Would to God that the
experience of the last few weeks, presenting as they have done
a near prospect of civil convulsion with its alarms and danger.^,
may lead every inliahitant of this colony to maintain the laws
as the guardian of right, and the constitution as the ark of our
security and the bulwark of our freedom. Then will our
thankfulness to God manifest itself in appropriate fruits.

Recognising God in his providence as the averter of those
calamities, the bestovver of these benefits, I ought not to con-
clude these remarks without making some allusion to the laws
by which this providence is conducted, in reference to the
well-being of nations— that these may serve as a guide to that
love of country which, I trust, we all feel. Let it not be for-
gotten, then, that if we would wisely hope that God shall keep
our city — shall preserve our country — it must be our care by
every right means to propitiate the divine favor. Oh, what
title can an ungodly and profligate people have to trust in the
protection of God ? — Is it not with nations, as it is witli in-
dividuals, evil shall be to them that do evil ? — If throufJiout
our land there shall continue to prevail that recyess indiffer-
ence to the word and the ordinances of Cbfist's gospel wKleh
BO unhappily mark our provmcial populatiori ;'i-if the religious
education of the young shall dontiniie : to be : nqgleeted as it

haa been

if Sabbath dcsccrat*^*^^ ^

AV*«*- A# «A« v-y*** i''v» ^a^A^fv^a

I'lIK I-OVK (tr COUNTRY.

jvince for tho
nal authority ?
jf the ways of
he storin hatli
ifter we shall
strife, which
God that the
hey have done
i and danger.s,
itain the laws
the ark of our
'lien will our
te fruits.

Drter of these
it not to con-
on to the laws
arenco to the

guide to that
t it not be Ibr-
rod shall keep
Je our care by
r. Oil, what
to trust in the
it i.s w'itli iii-
If throug-JKjut
:kless indiffer-

gospel v^ilch
fthe religious
nqgleetedasH

"yws

and besotted pursuit of tewjporal thinofs, if the contempt of
intellectual pursuits shall continue to characterise our people;
—how can we hope that we shall be a people blessed of God ?
(iod has taught us in his word, and in nil the history of the
past, that national greatness cannot be attained apart from
national virtue ; that freedom can never bo long enjoyed by a
people devoid of intelligence ; that sin is tho curse and re-
proach of any people, and by righteousness alone can a nation
bo exalted. Thus taught, have we not reason to dread the
heavy judgments of God, when we consider what as a people
we are — and may wo not tremble lest the evils which have
lately befallen us siiould only bo the beginning of sorrows !

In the humble sphere allotted to us in the dispensation of
God — we may have 'but little in our power to promote our
country's well-being. Our voice, our influence, is confined
within a very narrow circle ;— but we discharge the duties
we owe to Gud and our country if wo make that influence
felt for good within our own sphere narrow though it be.
By the grace of God, each of us may rkfokm himself ; by
care wo may rectify our own opinions and amend our own hfe.
Our example may be a guiding light within the circle of our
friendship ; we may educate our children to bo consistent
christians and useful subjects ; — combined with a few kindred
spirits, we may be the means of preserving our own vicinage
from him who goeth about to devour ; — and were the numer-
ous hamlets throughout the land to become as so many cen-
tres of a reforming influence, witjdom and the fear of God
would yet become our glory as a people. Abundant reason have
we to thank God for our connection with an empire whose his-

irenjoto ogC5,i6 as Di'igiit as aught pie-

«— ... ^u:.

V 7*«««v»*»*»g

tAVMU W)

i if ■ t ii-UfM in l^ am ^ „' iTiimrftt ■-- 'i y.^ — ^.,....t^-^^.>- ,

r;V;;^

rrn: i.ovk ot' colntkv.

sontoii to lit* in the annals of nations ; whoso present position
iHniost honorably conspicuous ninon^r thn kiiiNdoms of tho
world. We arc the subjects of a monarch whoso only wish is
our prosperity and liappiness — and who •wields a power
capable of proniotin<r them, so far as mere human power can
promote tiicm. Our Queen's Councillors can Iiave no wish but
that our own dependence on the present state may be for the
advantage of her colonial sn-Siiects. We have received a
constitution conferring almost %n excess of liberty on the go-
verned ; and if in theio Circumstances aught oi evil should
remain, the remedy rests with ourselves. And we doubt not
that this remedy will bo applied. Eut let it bo applied — my
fellow subjects— under the influence of that love of country of
whicli wo liavo now spoken, and in the fear of the Kino- of
kings,to wl"^' lighandlowamongus nv,: equally accountable.
Wo shall th»-? always bo naved from tlio wicked dc^iijus of
ambitious and discontented men, and our path in the a'scent of
empire— may be worthy of t!io linen g-o from wliicli it is our
boaf?t, that wc liave spr;ing.

-'J^V

osont position
ijjdoma of tho

only wish is
olds ii power
m power can
'e no wish but
lay be for the
ve received a
ty on the go-
of evil should

we doubt not
3 applied — my

of country of

the Kino; oT

^ accountable.

ted dcsif^ns of

1 tiio accent of
I'liicli it is onr

c;t

t- ^^J.f f

,/■^ '

' 1