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Comparism between the Happiness and Misery of the World. We can easily imagine, that some fifty years hence the inhabitant of Missouri will reproach the legislators of the present day, in a strain like the following. "Here we are, in a climate and with a soil admirably suited for freemen, impoverished, distressed, and degraded by a numerous slave-population. The evils of slavery were experienced before our civil community had an existence. By the fathers of our national independence the whole northwestern terri tory, now forming a number of rich and populous states, was forever secured against this odious division of society. Attempts were made to extend this beneficial provision to the western side of the great river. But our ancestors, forgetful of their own complaints against preceding generations, entailed the curse upon us. We are not to blame for it. We cannot help it. No hope of escape or deliverance appears, unless after ages of toil, and peril, and suffering."

That these melancholy predictions may never be verified is our anxious desire; but unless great and united and long-continued exertions are made for the removal of slavery, the calamities which it will bring upon this continent will exceed all human powers of conception or calculation. Our southern brethren must excuse us for feeling and expressing solicitude on the subject. No state of mind is so unbecoming the people of this country, or so unsafe in itself, as a deathlike stupidity; or as a presumptuous habit of saying. the evil must take its course; nothing can be done; no interference must be attempted; the Lord will not do good, neither will the Lord do evil.

"The more accurate knowledge any one has of the human character, the stronger will be his conviction of the preponderance of suffering in the world." Panoplist for July 1820, p. 370.

It is important to form a correct opinion on the comparative quantity of happiness and misery in our world, for several reasons. Our opinion will affect our views of the character of God and of his gov. ernment, and have a material influence upon our own enjoyment. Preponderance of suffering around him, must make even a happy man miserable. A state of probation can scarcely be consistent with excess of suffering, and the wisdom and benevolence of God seem entirely opposed to it, where probationers for eternity are the subjects of the divine government. For my dissent to the above quoted sentiment, I give the following reasons.

1. The frequent appeal in the Scriptures to the works of God, as affording decisive proof of his goodness, and of the exhibition of bis goodness to man in that multitude of objects which constantly minister to his happiness. The reader need only be directed to the

1 Psalms, or almost any other part of the Bible. Now, if these works I did not afford more abundance of happiness, there would be no force in these passages. If the works of God were productive of more misery than happiness, these appeals would be entirely lost.

2. That the objects of the world yield more happiness than misery, is proved by the strong attachment of all men to them-an attachment, which even divine grace does not subdue till the hold on life is broken. The cautions and warnings of Scripture, addressed to Christians on this point, show the force of this consideration, while they exhibit the exposure of Christians, because the objects of the world give so much enjoyment. The alluring nature of the world is proverbial. But it is alluring because it yields a preponderance of enjoyment. The question is not, whether the happiness it affords is the best or the highest, but whether its happiness, such as it is, exceeds its misery, such as it is. And this consideration is decisive on the question.

3. The numerous relations of life are calculated for the happiness, and not for the misery of man. If then, the duties involved in these relations, are generally performed, or oftener performed than vioslated, they yield an excess of happiness. We have only to open our eyes upon the world, to be convinced this is the fact. Citizens are not generally in rebellion against their government, nor rulers destroying or inflicting misery on the majority of their citizens. V Compared with the contrary cases, how few men are thieves and robbers; how few generally dishonest in their dealings; how few husbands hate and abuse their wives; how few divorces take place, and how few forsake their families; how few children are generally disobedient, and abusive to their parents; how few brothers and sisters live in enmity, and inflict evil on each other; how few in neighborhoods generally violate their obligations to their neighbor; how few are engaged in lawsuits, compared with those who are not. This list might be swelled to any extent. But a partial view is enough to convince us of the preponderance of happiness from these sources.

4. Providence directs events for the greater good of mankind. Compared with the contrary, how rare, in any given place, is famine, and drought, and pestilence, and earthquake, and the desolations of war and fire and inundations. How small is the number of the sick generally compared with the healthy, and of the mourners, with those who mourn not; the blind, with those that see, and the deaf, with those that hear, and the lame, and maimed, with those that are whole; and how very great is the number of those, who have the comfortable exercise of all their powers and faculties. How few are accidents and casualties, compared with the contrary. The same is true of shipwreck in the most dangerous seas, and of conflagrations in the most crowded cities: how profitable a speculation is insurance even in these cases.

5. Numerous objects seem designed merely for the enjoyment of man. For ought we can see, the great objects of utility would have been answered, had the foliage of trees and herbs, the covering and form of animals, the mountain and the valley, the stream and the dew-drops, not been beautiful to the eye; or food gratifying to the

taste; or exercise indifferent, instead of pleasant to the body. Ar induction of particulars, like those under the last three heads, wil convince any one of the preponderance of happiness.

6. The appearance of mankind indicates much more enjoyment than suffering. Let each one begin with himself. Seldom is the person found, whose appearance convinces others that he is more miserable than happy. For myself, though not very happy, I have a great excess of enjoyment. If I consider my family, they generally appear comparatively happy. Their fare is coarse, but it appears to be sweet. Their countenances generally wear the smile of happiness, or the calm expression of general contentment. My children, like all others I see, are generally engaged in such employment or amusement, as keeps their countenances happy for the most part of the day. When I visit from house to house, and when I go abroad among other people, I see every where the same indications of happiness which I find at home. The traveller tells me, such is the fact every where. And the whole satisfies me of the great predominance of happiness in the world.

Occasionally I meet a person, who enjoys all the riches of the divine goodness around him, and yet declares it all to be poor_compared with the richer joys the Gospel affords. He does not depre ciate the goodness of God in his material works, in order to enhance the worth of the Gospel. But he enhances the value of the Gospel and the riches of divine grace, by beholding and enjoying the objects which God has profusely thrown around him, and then feeling and admiring the far superior enjoyment afforded by divine grace. That man, I have ever thought, viewed things as they are exhibited in the Scriptures. While he thanks his Lord for the predominance of happiness in the world, he adores him for that "joy unspeakable and full of glory," which is realized only by the true friend of God and the Redeemer. U. Y.

EXTRACTS FROM THE DIARY OF COTTON MATHER.

(Continued from p. 453.)

June 14. 1716. My letters for Europe give me fresh opportunities | for extensive service to the kingdom of God.

15. A memorial of great consequence to the christianized Indians must be laid before the General Assembly.

16. Saturday. I set apart this for prayer with fasting as I use to do. Alas! that I may say, with grief and shame for the mean performances, as I use to do. The sick state of my two elder daughters was a special article of my supplications. I hope I have obtained mercy for them.

18. The death of some young persons must be pungently improved on the survivors in the flock.

20. My parent is just finishing seventy-seven years. I must now, more than ever, treat him as one taking wing immediately for the heavenly world.

21. The General Assembly now sitting, I would improve the opportunity to deliver in their hearing a discourse about the due improvement of advantages for good, and especially insist on one article: the advantages which our people in general have to be the best people in the world; and the advantages that men in public stations have to be public blessings.

24. The astonishing mercies of God unto me, in a constellation of happy circumstances, oblige me not only to maintain a very heavenly frame of mind, ready and willing to take wing for the heavenly world at the first call of God, and prepared also for afflictive changes in my pilgrimage through this world, but also to study intensely how I may improve these days of my prosperity in a very uncommon industry and fruitfulness.

I have not so many opportunities to do good by way of the press this year, as I have had in some former years. I must look up to the glorious Lord, who has all my opportunities at his disposal, that he would not permit any abatement of them.

25. I must draw up a more complete catalogue of inquiries to be made, and of directions to be given, and of articles to be insisted on, when I make my pastoral visits to the flock.

28. There are some very unwise things done, about which I must watch for opportunities to bear public testimonies.

One is, the employing of so much time upon ethics in our colleges. A vile piece of paganism.

July 1. That so my care of holy and useful meditation may be invigorated, I would have always ready a set of subjects; and in the intervals of business, especially as I walk the streets, I would have recourse to one or other of the subjects, and so prosecute it in my thoughts, that I may be able, on the first opportunity, to write down the heads of them. A perpetual treasure this may produce for my public performances.

2. Several special cases of calamity in the flock I am to consider, with suitable applications; especially in the public supplications.

5. I take notice of several very considerable deceits of Satan, appearing to do very much hurt among the people of the country. Will the Lord enable me to take a nice and wise observation of them, and then bear my testimonies.

6. I would move diverse things to the Indian Commissioners: especially, the education of some Indian youths for the ministry in a better way than has yet been practised.

8. Methinks opportunities and invitations to turn my enjoyments into sacrifices grow more and more acceptable to me. Oh let me be very much dissatisfied with myself, until I find an incomparable pleasure in the exercises of a sacrificing soul.

I find a progress, (but I must make a much further yet,) in the experience of growing dead unto the world, and I more feel the meaning of being alive unto God. I will study upon the subject.

9. The humors of many in the flock, who easily withdraw from the assembly, afford me such an exercise for a patient sacrificer, as may have happy consequences.

10. I have been guilty of an oversight, in my not making the birth days of my children a more useful occasion of inculcating the VOL. XVI.

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most lively and pungent admonitions upon them. Though I have said something to them on those days, yet not enough.

15. Except in the sickness of my two daughters, I enjoy upon al accounts, a most wonderful prosperity. A comfortable dwelling; 1. kind neighborhood; my son vastly to my mind, and blessings without number. Together with my own health and strength strangely recruited.

I would be very solicitous to hear what the Holy One speaks to m in my prosperity, and set apart some time to think on the more special improvement I should make thereof.

16. Some foolish and froward people in the flock fall out about their seats. I must use the methods of prudence and piety to manage such roots of bitterness.

17. Some occasions arise of more than ordinary concern, relating to the education of my son ——. And in relieving him I may pro

vide for the relief of other children.

But oh what a work am I put upon;-the sacrificing of my daugh ter Catharine!

18. A great variety of services may be done by me this day for the churches in the neighborhood.

This day I went over to Marblehead, and with extraordinary assist ances of heaven to me, in the variety of services wherein I was concerned, I ordained Mr. John Bernard, as pastor of the church there.

21. A pious woman in my neighborhood, under great affliction, must be comforted all the ways I can think of.

Having lately delivered unto some young men, associated for the purposes of religion, a discourse on the resolutions of piety, I gave them a copy of it which they are publishing. It is entitled, PIETI DEMANDED. A very plain and brief essay to demand piety from all people, more especially from young people; and to direct the answers that are to be returned to the demand. Offered unto a Society of young people associated for the intentions of early piety, in the city of Boston.

Wednesday, July 25. The languishing state of my daughter Catharine brings me unto the dust before the Lord. I set apart this day for prayer with fasting, to carry the condition of this child unto God her Savior. I took all the methods of the most successful persuasion and managed the cause in such ways and with such frames, as are most likely to be followed with answers of peace.

And now, I am waiting for thy salvation, O Lord.

27. I am employing several hands to make agreeable collectious of such things in the country as may give some entertainment unto men of ingennity.

29. I am afraid, lest the multiplicity of my affairs, and my easy circumstances, procure some abatement of those ejaculations towards heaven, with an eye continually unto the Lord, which I am used unto. Oh, it must not be so; it must not be so.

30. I must single out a number of special cases, wherein the combats of Christianity are most usually called for, and in a sermon briefly and plainly show the flock, how to manage their combats in

these cases.

August 2. In the astonishing things done at Halle in the Lower Saxony, under the influence of the incomparable Francke, our Savior