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ance, nor of their utter helplessness without it. Whenever men are left to themselves, their wretchedness is extreme. The measures adopted to accomplish their purposes, instead of producing the desired effect, often bring a train of disasters, from which they have no strength to escape. By a trifling change in organic structure, of which the sub. ject is unconscious, the aliment taken to nourish him is converted into a fatal poison; the air he breathes is easily charged with noxious principles, and conveys the seeds of disease and death into his bosom ere he suspects his danger.

I think very few men derive that instruction from providential occurrences, which they are adapted to convey. Seldom is a lesson taken kindly, in which men are taught their own impotence. Especially, in the ruin of those plans, on which the projectors set a high price, some excuse is sought and some foreign intrusion alleged, to screen themselves from the imputation of erroneous calculation, and, at the same time, to exclude the Supreme Director from any control over his own universe. It is with the most pinching reluctance that an acknowledgment of impotence or weakness can be forced from them. Scarce another idea can be presented so hateful, as that of their entire dependence on God, and the nullity of their labors without the smiles of a Sovereign, by whom they are permitted and strengthened to labor at all. It implies too direct a recognition of divine sovereignty, to allow that God controls their operations, or manages their designs, to subserve his own holy purposes.

In all estimates respecting the effects of human agency, in an important work, large deductions are required from the first calculation. This allowance is demanded by the fact, that in moral, as well as in physical operations, much power is expended, and much labor lost, by the imperfection of the instruments.

Let it never escape the sight of those in public employments, or of any engaged in extensive labors of benevolence, that all institutions projected and carried on by depraved beings, must necessarily partake of the imperfections of the agents employed; that as such institutions proceed along the common course, every step of advance incumbers them with additional burdens, immerses them, as it were, in a noxious atmosphere, from which they cannot fail to receive contamination; so that the very means of cure, being partially corrupted, must produce a secondary disease:-in fine, that in the purest enterprises, directed by the best of men, there is always to be expected some of the declension of all sublunary things; and that this opposing force of evil will in time counteract the original intention of public benefactors, unless a portion of the evil be overcome, and the fountain purified, by the immediate and constant agency of the Divine Spirit.

This ceaseless tendency to corruption in the very means of improvement has always furnished occasion for humiliating reflection to those, who with great earnestness have toiled to diminish the miseries of men. It is one of the imperishable monuments of human depravity, which no time can destroy, nor any coloring conceal. So quickly do the structures reared by human ingenuity fall by their own weight,-so sudden is the decay from the corruptible nature which they inherit, that in the moment of their greatest apparent stability, an eye, which could

detect the perishable composition of the materials, might at once weep at their frailty and predicate their fall.

Here let the reader look a single moment at the condition of the infidel. No prospect can be darker than the impenetrable gloom which rests on the mind of such a sturdy enemy of God and the happiness of his creation. In whatever direction he turns his wandering eye on the condition of the world, it is met only by midnight darkness. If he ever studies the history of six thousand years, he must know, that the natural and only tendency is to ruin.

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ON THE USES OF THOSE REFLECTIONS COMMONLY CALLED

REVERIES.

An emotion of great delight is sometimes enjoyed for a moment, when in a profound reverie the mind instantly reverts to other times. The pleasure of the sensations, which, on such a recollection, thrill through the soul, I shall not attempt to describe, as they are perfectly indescribable. Their momentary duration, as in other things, serves to increase my regret at their departure. Could the state of feeling thus produced be continued unbroken for a length of time, I think it would afford such elevation of mind, or at least, such a vigor of imagination, as might assist in the execution of far nobler designs, than the person could hope to accomplish under any other circumstances. There are instances, in which this species of reminiscence so completely absorbs the attention, that for a little moment all other subjects are lost,and the soul seems to range again into the path she has trodden, marking the footsteps of her former excursions on the same pilgrimage. Whatever of real elevation is conferred by such pleasures of memory, unhappily the effects are generally transient. To glance our eye along the tempestuous waves of a stormy ocean, and see them broken by each other and then subside forever;-to see, as in a departing vision, the dim shadows of joys of which nothing remains but the recollection;— to notice around us but the faint resemblances of what we once were;to watch, in the lingering of twilight or the dusky shadows of evening, the ill defined outlines of great objects, which in brighter day displayed their fair proportions;-and to trace in all these, and the thousand passing revolutions of nature, but the feeble image of man's delusory joys, pours a bitterness into the cup, of which all taste sooner or later.

Perhaps some part of the design of a wise Providence in imparting to the soul so kéen a discernment of the beautiful and the sublime in nature, and allowing it to turn with unutterable delight to those points of time or place in which it has glanced upon them,-may be, to afford it a momentary glimpse, a single ray of unusual lustre, to stimulate it to the utmost intensity of exertion to reach a tranquil abode.

Whatever might have been the ultimate design of the Almighty, in imparting to immortal minds such occasional, such momentary gleams of joy, as seem to be reflected only from the cloudless refulgence of glories yet to be revealed to the just made perfect, however different degrees of such cheering anticipations good men may enjoy,-I am persuaded, that a valuable use should be made of them.

Assuming it in the instances in question, that the soul thus partially eliminated from earth is guided by the religion of the Gospel, I notice several of the advantages accruing from keeping before the mind, as much as possible, a distinct recollection of those calm yet clevated e feelings, resulting from what may be termed a dream of heavenly happiness.

1. The amazing contrast between the enjoyment of such raptures, and that produced by what are generally called pleasures, would assist the mind, though in a feeble manner, to guess at the exultation of a glorified spirit on its entrance into a state of spotless purity. Sensible objects would thus be disarmed of their power. The world sinks to its real dimensions before the keen glance of a vision once cleared and strengthened by a view of heaven. Temptations, deriving their influence from the attachment to earth, lose that influence whenever the bond of attachment is broken.

2. By observing how much may be effected in a few hours while the - man has an ample range of thought, a powerful motive will be presented to seek those occasions, and join in those labors, which assist in bringing the mind to such a state of elevation. If benevolence itself is ennobling, if every sincere endeavor to benefit the souls of men, to honor God in the performance of our duties, serves to raise the mind from earthly to heavenly desires, then it is easy to see, in the general, what course should be pursued.

3. Having once tasted the delights of leaving the earth behind him, the Christian will more easily relax his hold of it, and learn to establish an habitual intercourse with heaven. I mean that endearing comnunion which the soul holds with its Maker by meditation and prayer. As temporal objects retire, the view is more readily directed to the world to come. If these anticipations are lively, and make a permanent impression, it is but reasonable to expect, that the effects should continue perceptible a long time;-and that the return of seasons marked with such signal smiles of heaven should be earnestly sought by the devout aspirations of soul. Z. Y..

MISCELLANEOUS.

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ON THE QUALIFICATIONS REQUISITE IN CONDUCTORS OF PUBLIC

CHARITIES.

ON few other occasions is the waywardness of our nature more clearly discernible, even by the hasty and the unreflecting, than in the treatment of public benefactors. That inattention to the greater number should happen, when few only can be known, is not surprising;-that the kindlier affections, being of difficult cultivation amidst causes of ccaseless irritation, should be regularly poured into the bosoms of a very few, is naturally to be looked for;-nor is it a matter of great astonishment, that examples of apparently pure benevolence should be somewhat rare, after all allowances are made for the difficulty of bringing up the mind to such an elevated standard,-the strong and steady

current of masculine piety requisite to its support, the natural in pediments of a selfish nature, and eventually, the extreme hard usagi those receive, whose lives are devoted to the purpose of doing good Taking men not as they ought to be, but just as they are, instead of wondering that they have not been oftener blest by such messengers of mercy as Howard, and Elliot, as Brainerd, Swartz and Buchanan,there is rather abundant cause for admiration and gratitude,—that such resplendent stars have now and then twinkled in some parts of the moral hemisphere, and occasionally, through them, some rays of unusual lustre have darted across the palpable darkness, which still broods over a world studious only to continue undisturbed the slumber of death.

The present state of the world differs in many respects from the condition of any preceding period. The moral miseries, which bring the strongest claims to compassion, are more fully known to intelligent men, than formerly. All the events of the age show that these miseries are not beyond the hope of relief. During the last century, the revolution of public opinion on religious subjects has been scarcely less than that concerning civil legislation. While a spirit of disorganization has overthrown many kingdoms, blasphemy and heresy have been equally furious in assaulting Christianity. But the progress of these evils has gradually unfolded their exciting causes: it has turned men's attention more frequently to the frightful disorders, which still ravage the earth, and to examine into their origin. But let it not be supposed, that the eyes even of civilized and Christian nations are yet opened wide enough. Far from this: they are but just beginning to be unsealed. Here and there an individual appears, whose vision seems to be clearing up. The cloud, which long concealed from his sight the unnumbered woes of the nations who know not God, is bursting away, and leaving in his full view things worse "than fables yet have feign'd or fear conceiv'd."

Wherever such an one is found, some signs of activity are discoverable. Although perhaps unable to do great things in person, he seeks out those of a kindred feeling; he unites his efforts with theirs; something is attempted, and the way preparing for those who follow to advance with a firmer step and to move with greater celerity. Amidst whatever excitement is yet produced by charitable institutions, several circumstances wear an aspect by no means favorable, and show that the public mind is far from the truth on many points of high importance. I shall mention two or three of these.

There is a widely circulated notion, that charitable institutions demand very little labor; that nothing more is needed than an occasional contribution or a few good wishes, and the work of restoring the earth to its allegiance to God will go on of itself. But no opinion is more destitute of foundation. The great Adversary of souls never unlocks the fetters of his captives without a contest. If pagan nations were ready to abandon their vices and their false deities,-if they generally greeted the messengers of the Prince of Peace,there would be more room for the belief that small efforts only were needed. Every province of this revolted region is engaged with different degrees of violence, in war with its sovereign. Its strong determination is to hold fast its miser

es, not to learn their cause, attempt their cure, or suffer it to be attempted by others. Indeed, taking the state of an immense majorty of all nations, and speaking of their conduct in the aggregate, as he predominant feeling, the moving principle of the whole mass, it is incontrovertible, that in all its principal movements, its spirit, the prominent actions of its inhabitants, the attitude and the expressions of this world most closely resemble those of the maniac on the mountains of Palestine, clanking his chains, "crying, and cutting himself with stones." Whoever attempts to cure such maladies as these, must make up his account to meet a storm of opposition somewhere. He in fact often does meet it both at home and abroad. No man ever yet labored for the diminution of wrong and outrage without incurring resentment.

The need of devoted men, and such as possess mental qualities of an high order, will be obvious from whatever view is fairly taken of the subject.

1. An immense proportion of men is always actively employed in direct hostility both to their own best interests and the interests of all around. These need restraint from others of a better character. Nothing can be plainer, than that the extreme energies of this world are intensely occupied in producing evil. The wicked show a greater activity and zeal in their works of mischief, than the followers of Christ in doing good. A different state of things must take place before the knowledge and worship of God shall cover the earth.

2. The amazing facility with which wrong is produced, even by men of inferior talents, when contrasted with the difficulties of an enterprise for advancing the eternal happiness of immortal beings,—is a disheartening consideration. To combat an enemy with hope of victory it has been thought desirable, that at least advantages equal to those of that enemy were indispensable. What then must be his reflections, who sees all external advantages of numbers, alacrity, and determined zeal, in favor of his enemy?. Indeed, such a constitution of things as exists in the present world is an unfathomable mystery: but so far is this consideration from affording a plea to indolence in the work which God assigns us, that the fact of the existing constitution of things being as it is, presents a powerful argument for the highest possible exertion. God is not only a Judge but a Sovereign. If to oppose the fall, the overflowing torrent of human depravity cost such unremitting toil; if the soldier in this warfare must never sleep off his arms; if raising a finger against the camp of Satan bring around our head such a host of enemies, what an exhibition is thus given every day, of the extent of the awful desolation, which has swept over the face of the earth. And how forcible is the lesson taught, in that part of the divine administration, hitherto controlling the movements of men, and how great the encouragement to confide in his promises, who has shaken the nations. in exact accordance with his predictions.

3. The miserable delinquency of some, who undertake responsible employments, not only gives enemies an opportunity for reproaching the cause thus injured, but discourages many of its friends. To be reminded of delinquencies does not gratify any one; but to observe the distressing fears of the timid, to dread the defections of the wavering,

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