emphatically required truth in the inward parts; in the thoughts, the desires, the intentions of the heart, although they should never be manifested in action he arraigns and judges. Not he who sheds the blood of a fellow creature alone is a murderer, but he who desires -it. His doctrine is, that whosoever indulges malice, and lust in his heart is a transgressor of the sixth and seventh commandments.

I observe farther, that Christ has given some new precepts, such as became a most wise and benevolent mind; such as the world thought strange, and such as the maxims of a corrupt and wicked world still contravene. "Love your enemies; bless them that curse you; and pray for them who despitefully use you and persecute you." Christ greatly extended the bounds of neighborhood, and brotherhood; and, according to his law, all the children of Adam, the numerous branches of one great family, are required to lay aside their national and individual prejudices and to feel and exercise mutual charity.

This copious theme, which is however only touched upon rather than exhausted, has left me but a few moments to say what improvement we should make of this divine light.

When we look to the plains of Bethlehem, and see what heavenly joy was manifested at the birth of a Saviour, angels exulting in the wonderful mercy of God, not to themselves but to men; when we look to the city of David, and behold the rejoicing shepherds with wonder, contemplating the holy infant, and wise men from

SERMON XX.

THANKSGIVING.

(Preached on the day of the annual Thanksgiving in 1819.)

I. CHRONICLES, xxix. 13.

T

Now, therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious

name.

In the chapter, with which our text is connected, are recorded the death of the devout monarch and psalmist of Israel, and some of the latest acts of his life. His piety, gratitude, and humility appear in these acts, in a most striking light. After God had given him peace on every side, and had established the kingdom in his hand, and settled the succession in his son Solomon, it became an earnest wish of David, to close his reign and life by a memorable act of piety: to build a temble at Jerusalem. He proposed the great design to the prophet; but, though it pleased God to approve, and to commend him, that it was in his heart to build

him a house, the execution of the pious enterprise was reserved for the peaceful reign of his son. David, however, made great preparations for the work; appropriated, from his own resources, what would be equivalent to nearly fifty millions of our money, to its accomplishment, and excited the friends and opulent men of his kingdom, to give liberally after his own example. He seems, at last, to have been astonished at what had been done, and deeply penetrated with pious gratitude, for what both he and his people had been enabled to contribute to this pious object. To God, he gives all the praise; acknowledges that it was his own, which they rendered to Him; that all their riches had been but the mercies bestowed upon. them, in His Providence. In the presence of the congregation, he uttered the deep emotions of his pious heart, in the following effusion of praise and thanksgiving" Blessed be thou, Lord God of Israel, our father, forever and ever. Thine, O Lord, is the greatness, and the power, and the glory, and the victory, and the majesty; for all that is in heaven and earth is thine! thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and thou art exalted as head above all. Both riches and honor come of thee, and thou reignest over all; and in thine hand is power and might; and in thine hand it is to make great, and to give strength unto all." Then follows our text-"Now, therefore, our God, we thank thee, and praise thy glorious name.'

1

家

This sublime hymn was originally adapted to the circumstances of David and Israel; but the senti

other judgment, which an angry God hath ever sent upon a wicked world for its correction. It is time that the voice of the Prince of peace should be obediently heard; and that all his disciples and subjects, imbibing his spirit, should exert themselves in the holy cause of peace. The gospel has mitigated the horrors of war, and has perhaps rendered them somewhat less frequent than formerly. Let the friends of the gospel not rest from pleading the cause of peace, and from exerting their humble influence among christian and even pagan nations, till wars shall cease to the ends of the earth; and men shall, with one consent, "beat their swords into plough shares, and their spears into pruning hooks, and learn war no more." "Blessed are the peace-makers, for they shall be called the children of God." But especially let us labor to promote the principles and sentiments of peace within our own nation. The national sentiment may be affected by a free expression of our disapprobation and horror of the crimes and miseries of war, and the fearful guilt of all those who are accessary to a needless one. A magnanimous and equitable policy, and the uniform love and pursuit of peace in this great and interesting nation, would have no small influence on other nations to the same ends.

But it is in vain to hope for national peace, unless its principles are with christian care and fidelity cherished in smaller communities, in each of the republics which are comprehended in our federal band, in towns and precincts, or parishes. As are the smaller communities, so will be the larger, of which they are consti

tuted. This remark brings our duty, as disciples of the Prince of peace, home to our doors and bosoms. In the circle immediately around us, we must be men of peace, and cherish kind and friendly sentiments, and exhibit conciliatory and courteous manners, and each one give his personal endeavor to preserve a peaceful neighborhood, parish and town. In a word, "let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evilspeaking, be put away from us, and all malice; and be kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ hath forgiven us.' But there is a peace among men, more dear to the Prince of peace, than a civil peace; I mean an ecclesiastical peace; peace among the churches; peace among all the professed disciples of one common master, by whatever shades of opinion, or diversity of ceremonies they be distinguished, or human names they be called. These shades and this diversity are perhaps unavoidable in the present imperfect state. Nor are they of much consequence, if they be not made the occasion of uncharitable censures and bitter alienation. Indeed they may be improved as occasions of exercising, strengthening and brightening some of the sweetest virtues and graces of the christian character. Let them be so improved, if we would please our blessed master. It is time, that Christ be no longer wounded in the house of his friends; it is high time, that the Head be no longer pierced in the unchristian strife of the members. We must learn to receive one another, but not to doubtful disputation; to