\SU\ ♦« \\ IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) &, 1.0 I.I ■tt iii2 122 « u& no !:25nu |L6 Photographic Sceices Corporalion 33 WIST MAIN STRHT WnsnR,N.V. 145M (716)173-4303 (/ « ^ ^\^ TINUED"), or tha symbol V (moaning "END"), whichavar appiiaa. Laa Imagas suhrantaa ont itA raprodultas avac la plus grand soln, compta tanu da la condition at da la nattatA da l'axamplaira film*, at an conformity avac las conditions du contrut da fllmaga. Las axampiairas originaux dont la couvartura an paplar ast ImprimAa sont filmis an commanpant par la pramiar plat at an tarminant salt par la darnlAra paga qui comporta una amprainta d'Imprassion ou d'illustration. solt par la sacond plat, aalon la cjis. Tous las autras axampiairas originaux sont fllmto an commandant par la pramlAra paga qui comporta una amprainta d'Imprassion ou d'illustration at an tarminant par la darnlAra paga qui comporta una talia amprainta. Un das symbolas sulvants apparattra sur la darnMra imaga da chaqua microficha, salon la cas: la symbols — ► signlfia "A 8UIVRE", la symbols T signlfis "FIN". Maps, platas, charts, etc., may ba filmad at diffarant raduction ratios. Thoss too larga to ba antiraly included in ona axposura ara filmad baginning in tha uppar laft hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, plenches, tableaux, etc., peuvent Atre filmAs A dss taux da rMuction diffArants. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seul clichA, il est fllmA A partir da I'angie supArisur gauche, de geuche H droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant la nombre d'images nAcesseire. Les diagrammes suivsnts illustrent la mAthode. 1 2 3 1 2 3 4 5 6 ',■ M '-jjJi "^8 oF A DISCOURSE DBLrVBBBD IN .> •';i. ■ ©®. j^mw>mMw^m oiswaoiHi, 'ap®!a®2!5r'i'©, ON THB THIRTIETH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 1838, ( Snrirfp. Ai.F.x. Dixo.v, ]h'e /*/isiilent St. I'itt)-ivl:^n S'n'icty. John Ki.no, M. D,, I'ice-l^rcsident St. J*atiH-k\i Sucieti/. W. li. Jauvi.s, Vice-P/esiitent St. Ocorge^.t Smietij. Gkoikib I*. RiuuuT, Vice-Preaidail St. Hear ire's Society. TO THE PRESIDED TS, THE VICE-PRESIDENTS AND MEMBERS OF THB St. DalrUU'8, tijc St. eSrovBc's, nn^ t|)c St. .^nUvciu'fi Socfctfcs. GESTIiEMEN, — Since it has pleased you to express your satisfaction with the Discour^T delivered before you iu St. Andrew's Ciiurch, on St. Andrew's Day, and to request the publication of it, and as it woulil ill become any one, howovor diffident and sensible of delects in a performance of this kind, to W' .'(hi what may bethought useful in a matter which at this moment is pnramunn: in the thoughts of every right-hearted person — his country's good — to YOU thij DiscouroL' IS KESPKCTFULLY DEDICATED, By your most obedient servant, And affectionate friend, WILLIAM T. LEACH. Toronto, Deccml>er B, 1838. 58674 i i t e -s DISCOURSE. I Judges, xxi, 25.— "In those dnye there Avas no King in iBracl; every mnn did tlmt whitii wns right in his own eyes." My Christian Rrctiiken, Thcso words arc now selected lor the matter of our mcditntion, not because they are precisely applicable to our present circuinstaijces, nor because you, the inuMnbersof the Saint Andrew's Society, require the lesson which the ex|osilion of them would administer; but for the establisluuent of our own principIcs,for the for- tification of those habits of social order and subordination, and love of public security which it has been the elFect of those institutions which have moulded the Scottish character to produce, it may, neverthe- less, be profitable to have them brought under seiious consideration. We who inherit the blessings, do not always sulficiently appreciate the wisdom that opened 'he avenues through which they have been derived upon us ; but we may rest assured, thou[;h we refiise to confess it, or even little know it, that the social virtues which used to distinguish the natives of the northern part of Great Britain, were the product of much laborious and persevering reflection on the part of those who, amidst the wild waves of internal strife, wrought out the institutions under whoso plastic or fashioning power we grew. They were the constructives of the destiny of future generations, at a time when the securities of peace and the elements of national felicity aud greatness were scattered about and trodden upon like the half burnt bonrs of n dcnd mnr(yr. To levivc within you nt this present )our hercditiiry puixiiasioii oi tho necessity oi'law, your humble and voluntary HubiiiissiDU to tliu rcstrnint ufconslitutionnl authority, and to de«'pen, if possible, yuur innate horror of that abominable mixture of tyronny and an;iiclty which in these parts of the world is denomina- ted Lynch lvhich it is our ordinary aim to attract you, condescend upon those things which more imme- tliately touch our llehh mid our bones, oiu' obligations ns citizens. Had wc, each and all of u-i, nothing elac to do than to do what h rig'it in our own eye.-*, without rcfcrenci to the rights and happi- ncss of othcis, there wcjc the less need of any suggestions upon this subject. There arc tho.se, it seems, both in this country and- neighboiu hood, who couijiJor such a stale of alfairs extremely desira- ble. IIa|)py days, they say of the past, when there was no King in Israel, and v/lien every man did what was right in his own eyes; and they arc the ])rophets of happy days in the future, when neither Queen nor King, nor any cor.stilutional authority shall interpose a barrier between them and the possession of any object that may happen to seem right in their eyes. As to the past, wc know for certain that the era concerning which the assertion in the text is made by the historian, was anything but an illustration of social happiness or national prosperity. There was war with the Philis- tines, and civil war ; wrongs perpetrated publicly by the multitude, and secretly by individuals ; private and public treachery ; a very general declension into the practice of idolatry. The Levite became priest of the graven and molten image ; ravage, ravishment, revenge and blood-thirstiness were the horrid offspring of anarchy, that pro- lific mother of evil. The framework of the Jewish polity was thus shattered ond t)roken, though constructed after the design, and by the hand of heaven. What with the contagion of heathen example — ^what with the direct artifices which the heathen appilied to foster their disunion— and what with the new temptations which their n i i conqnMl of lljn lnniieil prii'slhoxl to -tTatc, in onirr to n-nder thfin the choice peoph; of CJod ; fi peculiar people, zltiIous of «oo(l works. Their eneinit's succeeded, no douht with their own concurrence, in de- stroyiu;^ their respect for and patience of the restraints which Heaven hail imposed upon then instantly quelled. The spirit of order and constructiveness, which is the architect of all the civil relations of men, as well as the mason of their habitations, has hitherto excluded and put to flight the rais and wolves that beset the foundations of the Constitution ; and the fact of this is indicative of the patience of the public character to submit to the restraints of law and government. They are canservatives still. They are willing to forego the barbarous opportunity of doing, every man what is right in bis own eyes, a principle, or rather wesb^uld say, ^ii ftn abandonment of principle, which conducted the Jews to the brink of destruction, iinrl nearly delivered them up a prey to the Phili.)e(l nwr uMters.and inny again roll upjn u^ its wnves lilce a ll )•»!, unless the c.iii-ii'rvativf' spirit and good* sea^B of ti)3 c.i.nn'iuity, opfjis-j a hivnor, and a higher moral huv th:in we yet pw^esibj h;^)tten in the ptihlic character. For nothing else can be found sulTieient to make men suhmi-^sive to the restraints of law. But for this the institution of property would be smashed in a moment, in every country where tl»e mass and majority were not in possession of it. The very existence of society, far more the high improvement and spiritual clevaiion of men to all good and divine arts, depends upon their voluntary or involuntary desertion of the rule, "to do every man what is rii^ht in his own eyes." This submission to restraint upon self-will and passion, may be described, first of all, as a matter of absolute necessity. Two men cannot exi*»t in companionship without acquiescing more or less one in the desires of the other. They could neither hunt together, nor plough, nor sow, without allowing, the allowance they expect. They must permit some restraint to be imposed upon the utter selfishness of their own desires, if they are to live in company, and wish to enjoy any fair correspondence with each other — any goodly interest in one another's blessings, Kven in the rudest lorms of life, were this mutual restraint not subnVitted to, socicly would disband, and man be no longer a gregarious creature but a solitary savage. His rac6 would become extinct from the time that it began its being, as if dropped from the hand of its creator a thing not intended, but acci- dental, and unworthy of continuance among the works of (lod. Not only is this restraint a matter of perfect necessity in regard to the existence of the human being ; it is no less necessary to their social^ell-being. Wherever laws and constitutions are, there it is indispensable. To whatever civilizes or polishes the rudeness of human nature, it nmst lend itself liberally. Every flourishing slate of hmnan affairs, every state of human nature that looks to perfec- tions—a!! their delightfu] prospecti, and all the charm of their beauty, to if to be hoped for and expected, not by letting looie lu tU^ wind tlnj^ bloweth where it listeth, the selfish will oi every hunidn creature— i^ot by proclaiming a day of jubilee and frolic (or the infernal pas- sions that lurk in the heart of every wicked man, but by imposing • and by bearing willingly and cheerfully such restraints as shall act as a terror to evil doers, and leave room for the pra^e of th^m that do well. H \ i I lit . Hence arise various degrees of subordination. If men arp to be governed by a rule, some persons must make it their business to Ree that the rule be applied. If men are to be governed by a Constitution, some persons must be invested with power to protect and administer it. It is thus that the good of all is sought for* that the interest and prosperity of the whole are aimed at. It i» thus that we are saved from each other's violence— that all the blessings of social and civil life are secured — that no n^an can n\alKe it his pleasure to destro} us, or his triumph to torment i^s. But if e^very man did what was right in his own eyes, it is e.asy tp sc^ that stranget hings would be done ; and yet, vck noH^f s^cb b^ certainly been the tendency, and still i% too nauch the t^ndenpy Q^ the public mind, in this once happy land. The destructive spirit has been strpng and powerful, and has already proved itself sharp as any two-edged sword. If it succeed, it will wrench from us Q^ of the noblest prerogatives that can belong to humanity — the beiqg governed according to the rules of a fixed, permanent and efpqient (Constitution. For a pure democracy combines the calamiti?^ of granny and anarchy, either of which is sufficient to bring dieiti^i in the world and every woe. It is tyrannical because a n^an n^iut follow the multitude, because he must live as his neighbours please to hX hin^) and must form no opinions discordant Mrith theirs. He i To heep Her life and honour unassailed." Before the commencement of the Yonge Street insurreotioni it is wonderful to think what security and civil order the administra* tion of the laws had effected in so short a time. We had friendly Been instead of fights, — what warfare there was, was only against the timber of our own lots. No man destroyed his neighbour's cattle, nor disturbed with his foot his neighbor's landmark. Among persons of different kindreds end tongues, it reminded one of the golden age, to see how easily people lived, and how ready to let others have the means of living — to hear their plans of irnprovement for the growing and grinding of corn, for building churches and founding cities. We may judge then from the effects of thj gust of disorder that has already passed over us, what the consequences would be of a prevailing anarchy, when every man does what is 18 right in his own ejes. He would becouie (he avenger of hb ownr wrongs, and the aibitrator of his own dues. He would carry his point by pertinacity, by force, or by inspiring the fenr of it. '1 he churl and brutish person would always be sure to carry the day ; and what^ else do they aim at who wantonly try to ruise strife and rebellion in< a country. They grasp at the lash and make an effort to get thti whip-hand of others in the race of life. They wish to take by violence and wickedness what a peaceful state of society refuses to their wick- edness ; and for this object of course they must be their own rulers and judges and tax-gatherers. Their intolerance of the restraints of the laws, where no oppression exists — their angry denunciations' of the rulers of the land, where no wrongs are perpetrated — what can itihese things mean? what is their source and signi6catioD, but jealousy «nd envy and selfishness and ambition. "Ah ! thoughts of maa accursed !" It is for|these, that God turns a i'ruitful land into barren- ness — for the wickedness of them that dwell therein. These are the- passions that engender our woes— thnt stir i*;> strife in the souls of brethren — spite, rapine and revenge — and anarchy is the high season of their swarming, when they come boldly forth from where they lay muffled up, into the lightof the sun, till the hearts of men fiicken,and the very earth is blighted. He that assists in the procuring such a state of things, invites the assassin* to his door and delivers himself up, his kindred and all that he has, into the hands of the ruffian. There was a man whose family having taken counsel together, agreed to go forth into a far country. A kind father, he selected for them a guide, whom he rewarded out of his own stores, to keep them in the right way, and to constrain them by gentle means to be prosperous and happy. It came to pass, as they journeyed along, *A few weeks »jfO, Ca pi. Usher, a ircntleman of whose chiiracter his ac- auainlancen Kpeak in terms expressive of the hiahcst pstctsm, wns tiiiirdered in in lobby of hi* own house, by soiiip individuals wlio cnma over the bora«T for tho express purpose of ttccomphsliing his death. Tho murderer hnvinir completed this act of vengeance, is said, to have declared himself '• to he salicficd"— the last satiH> faction that remams in tiiis life for him, whose spirit Uiencefurth la bound in the burning chain of an evil conscience ; " There's eangbt im earth has power to snite. Like the eorse ia a dead maav eye." m 14 that they grew impatient of the pi-esence of their guide, nispicious of his intentions, and averse in all ihinajs to his intierference. Never- theless, they waxed fat and strong on the fruits of the valleys, rtnd at ^he living spi ing> of water by the way of which he led them, and wanted one thing alone, as thej suid, to render their happiness per- fect, namely, to do " every one what was right in his own eyes;" Wherefore rose they up against their guide to smite him with the edge of the swon], against whom, however, their attempt was hurt- less, because their father had armed him with strong armor of proof. At length they prevailed so fur as to force him to flee from them ; and as he took his dep:irture, wroth at their ingratitude, and pitying their errors, wild cries of joy rung through the forest ; such a day of joy, they thought, they had never known. In the meantime, certain strangers from another country passing by, and happening to hear the voice of their mirth, came unto them, and being stronger than they, took possession of their substance. Being also, like them, addicted to their own will, they forced them to do whatsoever they pleased. Hungry and thirsty, these miserable men found not in nil that country any city of habitation, save the cities of these strangers. But concerning these things, it is unnecessary, at present, to insist further. Neither is it requisite to try your patience by advert- ing to the necessity of submission to the restraints of law for the religious and spiritual well-being of Society. The truth is, that it is the happiness of the country that gave you birth, that her children are trained to submission to lawful authority, as well as to the perception of constitutional right. It is a matter that has been engraved upon the heart of the nation by many a bloody scar. They reckon an adherence to it sacred as well as honorable. If you inherit anything of that love of order and subordination which it is natural to expect as due from you, now is the time for its exemplitieation. This is expected as your duty, as well as required by your interests. You have nothing to expect from anarchy but its calamities ; and this, I am well aware, is your profound persuasion. Let no destructive spirit, begotten by the plagues of the times, infect you. Be the 15 •fdvopfttei and coQitrucUve workmen of liubordination and constitu- tional authority, though your compluiots in a matter that seems intimately to concern you, may be just. To these complaints it is sdsrcely thought necessary to allude, hecnuse there is little reason to doubt, from many indications sufficiently visible to him who gives himseli the trouble to observe them, that the members of the Church of Scotland in this province are likely enough to grow with its growth, and strengthen with its strength. The day of their redemp- tion will always continue to draw nearer and nearer. I rest satisfied in this, ''.at if peace be maintained— that if a strong and upright Government shall administer the Constitution — that if the country be preserved from the horrors of anarchy and republican misrule — that this race remains immortal. " Hoc genus manel immortale." It contains in iti>elf the means of its own preservation. Rut there is a matter which ought to concern us fur more closely than this, — the preservation from confusion and lawless misrule of this fair country, that has become our home and the spring of our hopes. Let every man, who is not a destructive and pseudo-patriot, but a lover of God and of the order and subordination by which God preserves the harmony of all things, lend to the powers that be the shoulder of his might. Things will jostle right if only the name and sense of right be preserved. In this case there may be reasonable expecta- tion, that notwithstanding the ignorance and disorder that heavily press upon the land, there may one day be presented the glorious spectacle of a people holding '^orth with prosperous effect the light of truth and the Sceptre of lawful power. This is an end that might well deserve to become our " last dream at night, and first vision in the morning-." Nor is this a thing to be altogether despaired of. The proud and loyal men of England, They of Ireland so well tried and honorably distinguished, and the Sons of our own country, whose deeds of late require no one to speak their praise — these are many, and combined, would be invincible ; for thrice are they armed whose cause is just, the cause of God and of humanity, whicb is also His ; at i^ny ffi^i Hevv^n has.decre^d that the servants of a righteous cause sbdB »VXf\y Ire. bles»3d,;whethi3r or] not ^^^y prevail : and if the time ev^r. ^JP^ ;when these senJments, which he has ■ ■ • • A 16 liastily, and almost fiom (he impulse of the moment, expressed, shaft nicken and expire, (he prnyer of (he Chnplnin of the bt. Andrew's gocic(y i.4, (hut (he lii!4( (hrob ol (hent iiiay exist it) a Si'o((ish heart. Be strong in (he Loril nnd in (he power ol his might. Be hnppy all (he da)8 of your moi(«l life, and may God crown your mor(ality wi(h immortal joys. tt* Amen. i H Ifj 'i .; • .. ;. . • .. • • .; ; • " H",^^' 'r~^WT m I II 1, 1 , m §. ressed, sbaN it. Andrew*! ottlsh heart. Be hnppy ur mortnlily r % J