IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 1.25 ■f i^ IIIIM •^ 1^ III 2.2 B 1^ iliio Uuu 1.8 U ill 1.6 Hiotographic Sciences Corporation 33 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) 873-4503 i .-^ &» «, z ^^ CIHM Microfiche Series (l\/lonographs) ICMH Collection de microfiches (monographies) Canadian Institute for Historical Microreproductions / Institut Canadian de microreproductions historiques \ Technical and Biblioyraphic Notes / Notes techniques et bii^Jiographiques The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. 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Thus men are horn unequal; and the necessary coase- quence is, that through lite, some will be stronger, some will be wiser, and some will be richer than others. No man, who believes what he reads in his bible, can doubt that this was the intention of Providence; for from the very first God pfave power to the husband over his wife ; to the father over his children. It cannot, however, be concealed, that the arrangements of Providence, place some men in more comfortable situa- tions than others ; for poverty and nakedness, cold and hunger,are very great evils ; and we mitjht reasonably won- der, that some of the children of God should enjoy a much larger portion of the good things of this world than others, if our short life on earth were all that we had to consider, which is the mistake of thousands. Men are too apt to consider this life ae a state of enjoy- ment, and not a btate of trial ; and finding themselves less happy than some of their neighbours, they endeavour to make all equal, and in doing so they make all miserable. Let us, therefore, consider this world as the Holy Scrip- tures represent it. I do not know that we are ever taught to view this world as a state of happiness, though many blessings are bestowed upon us in our passage through it. This lite is called a journey, a warfare, a pilgrimage ; we are told that here we have no abiding place, but that through much tribulation we must enter into the kingdo7n of heaven. Our business here is to prepare for heaven ; and whatever be the state in which we are most likely tc obtain the favour of God, and work out our salvation, that is the state in which a wise man would wish to be placed. Our gracious Go'^ has been plea- sed to order, that different men shall be tried diiferent ways; and therefore has appointed diiferent ranks among mankind. Why one man was born a king, and another a beggar, is known to God alone ; if they serve him faithfully in their different stations, both will be accepted by him ; and though we are not all equal in this life, we certainly are so when we go out of it, except in what is the consequence of our own bad er good conduct while in this world. Jt^e brought no- thing into ths world with us, and it is certain toe can carry no- thing out of it. We are often mistaken, in thinking that they who are born in high stations are the happiest, even in this world : — ma- ny sleepless nights are spent by thoee who govern kingdoms. Whether we are clothed in purple and tare sumptuously every day, or whether we lie at the gate full of sores ;— whether we sleep in a bed of down ; or, like our blessed jLord, have not where to lay our heads ; still a few moro i' 'i i days and ni£^hls, must put an end to tlieno distinctions. — The rich and the poor must alike rest in their jjraveH, the rich and the poormust alike arise to judgment, (he rich and the poor must alike be sentenced tu everlu8ting buppinesa or misery. If we consider the good of the whole community, even so far as it relates to this world only, it is easy to prove, (hat different ranks in socie(y, contribute niurh (o the happinebs of mankind. There must be some to make laws for the pro- tection of all, or the strong would oppress the weak. There must be some to defend the rest, or the country would be a prey to every lawless invader, and none «;(>uld eat the fruit of his own industry, nor sit in safe(y under his own vine and fig-tree. There must be some rich, or those who meet with misfortunes could hope for no relief. There must be some persons at the head of atluirs, to act us fathers and friends of those under their care, to direct the execution of the laws, to restrain vice, and protect innocence. If all do their duty all contribute to the wehare of each ; all have reason to love each other, and (o unite in praising God. But considering this world as a state of trial, (hen the on- ly point to be considered is, in what situation is a man most likely to workout hisown salvation,and attain (he final fa- vour of( lod ; and considering it in this light,whicii is the only true one, 1 believe it will be found that the rich are not to be envied, and that, generally, those are happiest, whom Providence has placed in an humbler station. We are taught to pray that God would not it.id us into temptations, which the rich and prosperous must withstand, if they will do their duty : many are the evils to which tlict/ are exposed, from which poverty secures those who cannot mix in scenes of riot and unlawful pleasures. And will not any man, who knows th^ value oi eternal happiness, consi* der this as a blessing ? Will he not thank (lod, that he was taught in the school of poverty to set his uflections on things above ? Unsanctified riches expose a man to pride, luxury, arro- gance, a foolish elation of heart, and too great a fondness of the present world. Upon the whole riches are instruments of good or evil, according to the disposition of the posses- sor ; or, in the words of Eucrates,they are as an edged tool, which a hundred may get for one that knows how to use it. Mankind, for the most part,have a brain too weak to hear a higit scaic Oi cicvation. Dazzled &t once wlih the rajs cf •urrountling lustre, they can no lonjrpr support the sight.— How are men nffectJKl by a name, a title, added to their dig- nity ; an acre of land to their estate, an augmiMitation of e- nuipage, a little information added to their knowledge,, a wing to their mansion, or an inch to their stature ? These things are more than enough to give them high notions of their own consequence. It is indeed true that extreme distress brings temptations of another kind ; and if we were at liberty to chuse for our- selves, every wise man would say with Agur, give mc nei- ther poverty nor ricli(s,but food convenient for me^fest 1 be full and deny thee,and say who is thelMvd ? Or lest I be poor and steal, and take the name of my God in va^n. But de, who best knows what is tit for us, has not lett \\% the choice. He has placed us in diiferent situations, and has conuiian It^l us to do all the duties of that state to which he has been pleas- ed to call us; while he offers to alt,his grace and assistance in this life, and an eternal fruition of glory and happiness in the next. Let no one, therefore repine at the or>ler of providence, but let each consider the duties of his own sta- tion, and endeavour to perform them. While, inallciicum- Btances of this mortal life, we pray that (Jod would Save us alike from foolish piitli', Or imjiioiis discontent, At oiiglit ln» wisdom basi deny'd, Or ought I'is (>oodness lent. Every station in life has certain duties, which are more particularly connected with that station.— The poor and the rich have their duties to perform. I shall call your attention, this evening, to same of the duties which belong to each station. 1 grant, the duties of the poor are no where mentioned in the words of the text, and yet, on an occasion like the present, it is incumbent on me te men- tion them ; and not to do so, would, in my opinion, be a culpable omission. It is the duty of the poor to consider, that whatever o- pinion men may form of the advantages attendant on rich- es, and however they may despise poverty, it appears, from theeospel, that these things are not so regarded by Him, who made both the rich and the poor. For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for our sokes he became poor, that we through his poverty misht be made rich. Yes ! The blessed Jesus, befor*: whom men and ang«'U bow, hid himself from those that would have made him a king. We are told that he was born in a » J i 4 i| ittthle, and Inid in a manner, that he was supposed to be the pon of a carpenter ; — that he was so poor, that it was neces- sary for him to work a miracle in order to pr.y the accas- tomcd tribute : — he describes bis own situation in these re- markable words : Fo.r(s fiine hofes^ and the birds of the air have rifsfft^ hut ihe Sou of Man hath not where to lay his head. Such was the situation, in which tlu' Lord of hearen and earth, \\iis pleasi'd to appeir anions; men : and by doin^^ ho he has < xnlted tlio liuiublr, ami iMadc liis example particu- larly UM'liil to the poor, ilc did not u|)pear in the charac- terofa rich man, of a conqueror, of a statesman, or of a monarch ; b»it the poor man sees his Saviour perform all the diitie'i of his own situation in life, and may learn from him humility, patience, and resignation. 'i*o him then let us look as the pattern of every virtue, while we consider the duties which belong to an humbU» ^-latioii in this world, and let us learn to reverence that station in which the Lord of glory did not disdain to appear. Itistheduty of the poor to be perfectly contented, and never to mnrmur at the dispensations of Providence. If you are pollrtlv coi;vinced ofthisfi^rcat truth, that all events of tlii>i lii'i>,;in> directed by an all-wise and goodGod,who orders them in a way that is best for you, and v. ill at last make all things work together foryourgood, if you love God ; then, instead of murmuring, you should be ready to follow the example of your Saviour, and say, Not my wilij but thine be done. Our Saviour uttered these words, at a time when he was despised and rejected of men ; — when he was afflicted and tors; < rted ; — when in his agony; — when he felt such anguish »s was never inflicted on any other ; — when hi»f sweat was as it were great drops of blood, falling; down to the ground. You ought further to consider the providence of (jod. — Suppose now a voice from heaven were to assure you — that a little was best for you — [ can easily anticipate your an- swer — You would answer, 1 will try to acquiesce. And cannot God speak by actions as well as by words ? And does not his providence tell you all this ? — By the subver- sion of your schemes ; by the disappointment of your hopes; by the situation and circumstances in which you are placed. This consideration repressed the ferment of unsanctified passions in JJavid — 1 was dumb, and opened not my mouthy bemust thou didst it. This calmed Holy c/o6, though the Chaidean$y the Habeansy and the elements of nature had de* A/^. m earth i the L^d^'aJ/l r'Y ""i '^'" ^"''^ "''^ because ho h«8 . o inch. 1 Lr /• ^•^f ''"" '^'''''^^■- '« '* n^inistratln , '; It' ^H^^^^^ '^'"t^" ^^'''^ «^- and hi3 kindne "win „ot /ffe I im 'r''""''^-^"" ^'^^ ^^•'^ The poor should be Jen mJed Th.t ^u' ^u"" '''''''' verty, in many re«»ects^^ SI • ' ''°"^'' " '*^*« "^Po- a safeV state tLn t^af ^V^^utneT'"^^^ '} '' ""^^^'"-^ powerfully attract bees than Sn ^ '^'''^' ""^ '"°''e Our Saviour, aware of f hi. " generate te.npf.tions. admonitions'rt?W.:s"ulj iTn"^^^ that will be rich fall into temiJnnn^, T e,stament.-2%,y hurtful lusts, uiich drov^^'^fnTrl "" ''?''""' ""'^ '"^'^ "^'^4 ^oi hardlj Zllthe^':t^^^^^ «"'' Perdition, of heaven / And lVou^lt7^"'["'': '"^' t/Jkinsdom wore diflicult "lK.n ilT U i*- .'"ake the way to heaven jou ? And, ' ''•^^ *^^''""S ^^hat God has denied *ur^e?"Ti,L"aJ:?:w"lule"e"n'f" *^ "---'-s of „a, should distingufsh betZ^n^'a itd'LV^i'fT^-P^^'^ ^°' "^ vilization has made tliP l^f* artificial wants. Ci- n>er. It is to b^feared If' ™'"'^ «"n,erous than the for- i«aximso livin^iTdee^^^^ are inspired with false which rheir weffiredo^not reqre"' l,^K)"d'spensable, ly made ; there are riinv «i, ^ .V '^, ^'^'ai^strequent- those .hing. whirar^ sZo" R^r/^'^"^^ "^^ ^«^^''"*« «f being : but do they «ot li^vS „! i n ^ 'T'''^^ *^ «"•* ^^ll- thy as the heirs of ab.mdanL v/' ? ^i''^'^^^' ^"'^ "^ ^^^l- live longer, and hluhS^tand happi'er^ t'J^\r''fy are free from those maladies whicT«rL /P^''?"/ f ' *''«J^ J I i 9 tiire, nnd doins many things rnfmifani,/ which tho lower classes are coiHtrtuned to do ironi Hiccssitu That Mein-;who well underHtands thehumnn heart, nnd he nature o substantial enjoyment, positively declares, that « nmns Ufi'tomistctli mt in the abundance of the tlnnsl he possessdh. And in reference to happiness a man onl v /m» tvhat I,,, can mc. If he possess a thousand pound, which he cannot use, it matters i.jt as to the benefit he derives froni It, whether It be in his cofler, or in the b.wels of tho earth. yy tjat IS more than servic rr.ble is Huperduous and needless, and such a man is only rich in fancy. When we see men dissatisfied, and all anxiety and exer- tion to amass an abundance of this awAi, ffotVv, we are ready to in.asrme,||,at they contain asupcrlative excellency, nnd that happme«s absolutely depends upon them. «ut real ielicity 18 nntnlerml thing. The happiness of man depend<» more upon the state of his own mind than upon any exter- na circumstance ; nay, more than upon all external Ihinifs put together. Inordinate passions are the great disturbers ot lite ; and, therefore, unless we possess n good consci- ence—a conscience purified from dead works, discontent will blast every enjoyment, and the highest prosperity will prove only disguised misery. A good man has a source of pleasure, independent of external events, and which shall survive the dissolution of the globe. If therefore, on the one hand, you meet with worldly prosperity, be not too TOMch elated; it is but the sunshine of a day— the evening shades are beginning to spread, and will hide all glories fromyour view. On the other hand, if you are afllicted, re- member, that time is short, and,thereforc,your troublecan- not be ot long continuance. This is not all— (iod will mix pleasures with your miseries. Man needs, at least, a de- gree of present gratification, and religion provides for it.— Ihe master the good man serves, does notrequire him to Jive only in expectation ; he has much in possession, though he has more in hope. There the clusters grow, but hither some of them are sent. Tito hill of Zion yields A tlioiisami sacVed sweets ; Before we leaeli the heiiv'nlv fields, Or walk tlie golden stiet^ts. It is incumbent on the p jor to ask whether, by their own folly, they have brought any of their present personal wretchedness upon themselvps. To suppose this U a sup- position, which, in manv cases, is illustrated by /'o(7^. h is as notorious as it is lamentable, that many die by the hand 10 ol civil justice ; and acknowledge at tlie place of execuUorr, that the commencement of their career, was a disre|!;ard to instruction and reproof. How many of thoser^vho die, wlnit is called a 77a/t/ra/ death, might now have l>een living, had not their bones been filled with the sins of their youth ? ilow many, yet living, whose bodies are emaciated figures, exhi- biting the appearance of decay and old age, might have been sound in constitution, and heahhy, and stron'T, had Ihey li^^- tened to that wisdom which halh fcnofh of days in her riofit hand, as well as in her left mhef: and honour ? How many reduced and worn down !»y hard labour and scanty living, to which they had been unartustonted ; who are pining away in want, or dragginff on a miserable exis- tence in prison ; might have been enjoying liberty and case, had they followed that godfiness^ zMvh halh the promise of the life, that now is, and of thai xchich is to come ? The poor ought lo be industrious — From the beqcianing God commanded man to labour. J a the sweat ofthf/ fare shaft thou eat bready was the sentence passed on every son of Adam. Everyman is commanded to employ the ta» lents God has given him, and none is allowed to l)e idle. — And, indeed, the idle man in every view is both foolish and criminal. He I'ves not to God, the world, nor himself. £xistence is a sacred trust ; but he who misemploys and squanders it away, thus becomes treacherous to its Author. Those powers which should be employed in the service of God, and the promotion of his glory, lie dornutnt. While all creation is full of life and activity, and nothing stands still in the universe, the indolent remain unemployed, for- getting that mankind are connected by various relations and mutual dependencies, and that the order of the world cann«t be maintained without perpetual circulation of ac- tive duties. Such a man lives not to himself; for though he imagines he leaves to others the drudgery oflife and be- takes himself to enjoyment and ease, yet, in (act, lic has no true pleasure. Wliile he is a blank in society, he is no less a torment to himself ; for he who knows not what it is to labour, knows not what it is to enjoy. Sloth shuts the door to all improvement ; — it equally enfeebles the bodily iind mental powers : — it undermines every virtue ofthe soul ; — it is like the slowly flowing putrid stream, which stagnates in the marsh — breeds venomous animals and poisonous plants, and infects with pestilential vapours the whole country round it. Every man should, therefore, say with his Sa- viour,/ otm5< do the work of God, But the poor are particular^ .1. ^ t n ly oUin^iul to be Imliistrious, lest distress ghould tempt them to dishonpsty. This appears to nie to be u point ot\<^reat importance, and deserves to be considered with attention. When a man by idleness or vice, ha» reduced himself to such indigence, that he cannot procure the necessariesof life, he is sometimes tempted to perpetrate actions^ on which, at o- ther times, he would have trembled to think. For thi* reason it is very important that ^'ounsf persons should al- ways be taught some means of procuring an honest niain- tenartce. Some persons, for reasons best known to them-» selves, are ashamed to have it known, that in their younger days, nith their own hands the^ had to earn their bread be- fore they partook of it ; especially if now they be elevated to places of distinction in the world. For a man to be born wealthy and honot >le confers no merit, nor does it imply any ; but for a man to become honourable by his own good conduct, and the blessing of God upon his ertdeavours, ia certainly meritorious. The poor man, who having done his utmost, to gain an honest livelihood, may cast his care on God, and place his helpless wife and children under the protection of him j who has said. Leave Ihj/fat/ierless children >• 1 wilt preserve them alive ; and let thj/ i£idow trust in me. And as to him8elf,thft same Being has declared, To your old age I am he / and to hoar hairs will 1 carry ; 1 have made^ und 1 will bear ; even I iiiill carry you and will deliver you. Such a roan though he be surrounded by children, looking up to him for bread when he has none to give them, and ready to sink under the last day's labour,and unequal to the next, may look up with confidence to the hour when all tears shall be wiped from his eyes: influenced by this hope, he bears with patience the burden laid upon him by VLinyaterious Providence, vth'xch he adores, and still looks forward with exultation to the re- vealed proBiises of his Creator, when he shall be greater than the greatest, and happier than the happiest of nmnkind. When the poor and pious man dies, he ha* Neither hou- pes, nor lands, gold nor silver, to leave his children ; but he leaves them an inheritance superior to these : — he leaveg them a good example : — he leaves them with habits of in- dustry — he has made them the subjects of many fervent addresses to the Father of mercies. The children of such a parent should not fail to remember, that it is much mora nonourable to have it said, that their father was a man of prayer, than than he was a man of wealth. The poor man's «hild that i^oes into ^he world, and has ianoeeui^ to protect IS him;~indu9try to support him : ancUl.e Messini? of (Jod to at end him, will always do well. It is much beUer f..r a limn to leave his children the subjects of many prayer.s,tha.i to eave them in possession of riches, extensive iHdueuce and pompous titles. ' But as there are duties incumbent on the poor, so there areduties peculiar to the rich, and those in easy circum- stances. Among themost important of all relative duties IS that mentioned m the words of the text— To have fitt ON THE POOR. I will not detain you this eveninpr, till I inquire whether the law of nature enjoin this duty, or to what extent it en- forces it: but I will exhibit to you a few plain arguments in Its tavour, derived from indisputable sources. I aul, when writing to Timothy, says (J/mrge them that are richm this icorld-that they do good ami that they be rich in good i;)orks, ready to distribute, n^illing to communicate ,- ('''P'^iup tn store a good foundation against the time to come. , 'r, • •'•»"•«« <>hserve8, Jf a brother or sister be naked, and d'stilule of daily food, and om of yon say unto them, depart in peace, be ye warmed and be ye filhd ; noftcithstandino- ve iXne them tiot those things which are needful to the l!ody, i<^hat doth it profi i '^' Some are probably saying, that what they possess is their fiwn, and therefore at their own disposal. 'jJut can any one t»e so Ignorant as not to know, that he is not the proprietor. but only a. s7(t£V/?Y/ of what he possesses. i;Ook around you, and say, do you behold any thing mad« lorits own use only : I.ook up to the magnihcent, regular order of the heavens, to the uniform arrangement and mo- tions ©t the stars and planets. The sun rises, sets, and re- turns to his place, and there rising again, makes his round to the south, till at a fixed and certain point he turns back towards the north, without ever deviating from his track, iVithout ever ihortening or protracting his annual course, without ever refusing his usual light^to the earth. The moon, though changeable \u her aspect, never fails in her at- tendance on him. JVor, of all the shining hosts of heaven, IS a single star ever seen to break the order, or wander from the station assigned him by providence. What is all this but to spread light and comfort more widely in theircourse.' liehold again, tlic alternate v'cissifudes of day and night ; Hi© chariiHii|», regular, and coatiuual succsssioii of the seasons, that rnricli add diversify the yenr. Behold the multijdicity of flowers, plaiKs, aaU trees., that adorn the earth, producing not only ne- .■7- I •i If fc'^janes but (li'llracJes for matt. WarniM by • Job fe wh „ he :I/m"TTT ''. '^'' !"^"/y-»-l. holv ll^/k. ^^'."^j^ me,, t gave witmss untc me ; because I delivered th^ TiLA ''■'fr''i'^'/'''^'rUss, and bh. that had nojni^. but .t.ss(.il more satisfactory and agreeabfe/to b^nf^ld^of the particular motives of it; which when duly entertained T,«l?« fZlZ^'' *!•' 'S^t^ '' •^' •» ^" P-«c«l ^rs^a most' de « " Ul employment. W ith respect to the chief of these motives am- pie information Is given us. The apostle savs llw i^cT" Mus, ^e ought also to love one anotler, The^kive of Go^t^ Is! ttcZl °?''* ^" ''^ ^''^ ^''""'^'^"- *>f *h«t benevolence" whichir f Jnn '"f '^^stu.g our love towards our brethren, by relievinir the oppressed supporting the destitute, and comforting the afflic"? edjhow ennob ing is the reflection, that we are not onl^^olly ng IV Ith the positive injunctions of our Creator, but imitatZhm '^hose tender merciei are over all hU ^orkt. * ^ *" !.. f«^™°^^'"""''^ your charity on accountof what you have done n former t.mes ; do not complain of our importunity • doTot sav that the miseries of the po.r have no end ; do not Ly, thaf he fnTacrildT/itu "'''"' :'/? y°" '^"^^« '""'^ •- '^'^^ - -founded thanks' of ,1 ^^."^ "*>»' I ^"o^ you too well to suppose,that the Pir"d wft L^hT' '""^r'" you t, give. You, my hearers are i«. spir.,d with nobler motives. And for liberality to the poor, many of you have no superiors in Nova-Scotia. Do not say, thaTwe surely is not spoiieu to our disgrace, but to our honour; Let, then, your former chanties be considered as motives to yourfutui^ char- ' ■fciplr. Ft rs ill fheluarl aiidour, for^ as so many )t confine it-* far ns its in- 'O cKn bo no •ecause they do not join ss, of what- I he may be > a want of his virtue : nd yi' shall yU'ich holy i nis ; and e/ivereti the help him j nd I caused m the du" uthoiity ; 1 formed of led in the t delight- tives, am- » if God t0 od to uHff J, which it es. ' relieving ^heafilict- oinplying tting him iftvedone o not say that the ifounded ,that the i, are io- )r, many that Me d : this et, then, re char- ts ities. Become models to yourselves ; follow your own example. Yea, and, if possible this evening, let your liberality ksceed that V, hich you have manifested upon any former occasion. The scriptures consider works of bencvftlenee to the poor, ai done to the Juflije of hcavrn and earth ; and are more copious and explicit U')r)M this duty, than upon aln»ost any other. The de- scription which Christ has left us of the proceedings of the last d;»\, rst:i!)lish('s the obligation of bounty be\ond controversy : — It hi fi llw -So// of Man shnltcome in the clouds of heaven^ and till his holij (Wiicfs iCHh him, then shall he sit upon the throne of his s^lojy, and htfore him shall be gathered all nations ; and ho shall separate them one from another. Then shall the kin^ saij unto them on his right hand, come t/thlessed of my Father^ in- herit the, kin'j^dom prepared for f/uu from the foundation of the world : for J toas hHnjrru und t/e ^ave mc meat ; I was thirst jf and i/e gave me drink ; J was a stranger, and ye took me in ; naked, and ye clothed me ; I was sick, and ye visited me ; 1 was in prison, and ije came unto vie.— And insomuch as ye have done it unto one of the least ofthesn my brethren, ye have done it unto me. So true is it, that he that iiatii ifiTV ri'ON Tlir, J'OOU, LENttETlI TO THE LoHD. l):t how (Iocs it appear, that what he giveth, the LoHD will PAY uiM \( viv : Or, in otiier words, have yow any reasoo to believe, that what you give, from proper motives, to the needy, shall naeet a blessed reward ? You have substantial rea;f>ns for such a belief. For Whosoever shall give to drink a cup of cot d water t unto one of these little onest shall in no whe Use bis reward. The charitable man has* his reward in this life. And iu the day of adversity shall be comforted by the approlialion of his own con- science. It was partly this timt rendered Job iuvincible in all hit calamity. He hiui not made gold his hoiie, nordid he say to riches, ^011 are my coiifiden.ce. His unbounded wealth, he hoarded not like the miser, who neither shares it with others, nor enjoys it himself; nor like the infamous protligata, squandered it on his passions ami lusts ; but with a liberality, resembling that of God who gave it, scattered it in acts of benevolence, ou all within the circle of hi» influence. Appealing to his Makftr, in the midfit of adversity, he exclaims, \n words neajly like the followini; :— viz. I wept heretofore with him that was in affliction, and my soul had compassio.t on the poor. tor what shall I do when Ood shall rise to judge ; and when he shall examine, what shall J answer him ? Oid not he that made me make him also ? — If 1 have denied to the poor what they desired, and have made the eyes of the widow to wait ; if I have eaten my morsel alone, and the fatherless hath not eaten thereof: if J have despised hint that w«.9 perishing fo r tcaM ofchathivg, and Ike poor man that had m covering : tf his sides have not btessedme.andif e ueretto i.anned with thcfecceof m^ sheep : iflhuTeifled uj nuj hand against the falherlesi evin zohen / {« Zf. gross.ons of nature, daily authnXirate i^s ^u.a.lli 7. ' W .^0 a I be mu t.fanou. ohjocts around us is not ten.porafy and p Hsh- ng? Ih. heavonsand the earth have thoir staj tinus and revo- lut.o.is : the planetary worlds ahove, as well a, our petty hnbilal .ons beneath, perpetually shift their' shapes and Zionf 'wh: th ng ,n hfe ; „hat theory in seience ! uhat specimen of art or industry, ,s not in a state of constant vicissitude ? The pa are of Itrit"' 'Z' "'"'."'^ '''''^'' «f *'"« P'>-' daily moKr into dust • the proudest cities that ever gave dignity and Jffect to tyran- ny, have been successively depopulated and have disa.lared i . out leaving behind them a single vestige to tell the « ,xL us t'rl!e - lZur"''^'ri'''':' ^y^'y "'g^-^ the ocean fro™ shore oS nnd thrca ens the boundaries of its ancieut habitations ? Why 2 the perturbed bowe 3 of the earth so perpetually ffro« I,and p odu. e the most violent volcanoes and convulsions, bulthat the deepen io,. has already reached her vitals? Yet, n little while and tt^:; ^unt^ins and h.Usdurable as they now appear,shall be uprooteZ the chaunels of the deep exhausted,and the rarth shook to her cen- t e. A period hastens with the velocity of lightening, that shaM efface the splendour of the firmament, a^d extlnguir'theg o y i the sun. 1 hen the heavens shall pass away also '"^ IS honoiii FINIS. %^n ^^b leie votive.