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At Worcester, Rev. C. A. Goodrich was ordained over the first Church in that place. Introductory prayer, by Rev. B. Wood, of Upton. Sermon, by Rev. Mr. Goodrich, of Berlin, Conn. Charge, by Rev. Mr. Smith, of Durham. A monitory exhortation, by Rev. Mr. Goff, of Millbury. Right hand, by Rev. Mr. Nelson, of Leicester. Concluding prayer, by Rev. Mr. Whittlesey, of Washington, Connecticut.

Wednesday, October 9, at WilJiamstown, (Mass.) Rev. Ralph W. Gridley. Introductory prayer, by Rev. Mr. Marsh, of Bennington, Vermont. Sermon, by Rev. Mr.

Henry Ware

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Rufus Hurlbut

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In Hillsborough, Maryland, lev. Jesse Lee, late Chaplain to Congress, aged 59.

In Virginia, Rev. Thomas Lason, a minister of the Baptist Church, aged 55.

In the city of Washington, Columbia, Tobias Lear.

In Milon, New-Hampshire, Hon. Beard Plumer, aged 62.

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How rapid is the flight of time, on the use or abuse of which our

future destiny depends! Whether we are at home or abroad, idle or busy, asleep or awake, sick or in health, time is passing and eternity approaching. What then can be more reasonable than that dependant and accountable beings should adopt the prayer, "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom?"

As our time is divided into days, weeks, months, and years, it is of useful tendency to observe its progress, to reflect on its connexion with eternity, to review the course of Providence, and frequently to call ourselves to account. If this should be devoutly done, it would have a happy influence on our hearts, and on our lives.

The year which is soon to close, has been distinguished by some occurrences, which demand a serious consideration! This year has been remarkable for cold and frost, during the spring and summer months; and for drought in several districts of Vol. IV. No. 12.

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our country. These occurrences are adapted to teach people of every class, that their comforts and their subsistence depend on causes over which they have no control-on the pleasure of Him, whose will the elements obey.

Whether the uncommon coldness of the season had any immediate connexion with the spots on the sun, or not, it is certain that the hand of God should be acknowledged with awe, with submission and with gratitude: With awe, because it is evident that He who could produce such a change in the seasons, could, if he pleased, deprive us of the means of subsistence, reduce us to distress, and destroy our lives, by merely increasing the cold of summer: With submission, for "shall not the Judge of all the earth do right;" and "shall a living man complain, a man for the punishment of his sins." With gratitude, because the chastening has been light compared with our offences; and because in the midst of judgment, the mercies of the Lord have been innumerable.

Innumerable indeed are the mercies which have been conferred on the people of this country, in the course of this year. Al though the hopes of the husbandman have been in many respects disappointed, still, by prudence, economy and beneficence, the amount of suffering may probably be rendered far less than many have anticipated. The scarcity of provisions, however, which in many places must be felt, will try the faith and patience of the poor, and the benevolence of those who may have it in their power to relieve the wants of their brethren.

The prospect of a scarcity of bread calls loudly for the united exertions of all the friends of humanity, to put a stop to the practice of converting "the staff of life" into liquid fire and the means of death. Perhaps the design of God, in this calamitous year, was to open the eyes of people in respect to the practice of changing the bounties of his providence into means of vice and destruction. Hard must be his heart, who can think of the multitudes who will be in want of bread, and still persist in reducing grain to intoxicating liquors, which do a hundred fold more mischief than good. "Whoso hath this world's goods and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion towards him, how dwelleth the love of God in him!"

This year our country has been favoured by an exemption from the ravages of pestilence and of war. The voice of health and of peace has resounded through

the land. Such favours demand a grateful heart towards the Preserver of men. Nor should we be regardless of the mercy of the Lord, in that so great a number of the nations of Christendom have shared with us in the blessings of peace. Still, however, we have reason to lament the unhappy condition of our fellowbeings in South-America. There the sword has continued its ravages, and spread desolation and WO. What should we think of a race of tigers, which would thus torment and destroy one another! Should we not suspect that they had "run mad?" "Lord, what is man!”

But while we weep for the follies and miseries which yet prevail in the world, let us rejoice in every thing which evinces, that the state of society has been improving in our own country, and in several of the nations of Europe. That such is the fact we think is evident, not merely from the many reported instances of reformation in different places, but from the multiplication and progress of benevolent institutions. Considerable had been done in several of the preceding years; but more in this, than in any other since the earth was inhabited by man.

Such has been the progress of Bible Societies in Europe and in America, and such their influence in other parts of the world, that there is now an animating prospect that the earth will soon "be filled with the knowledge of the Lord."

In the course of this year, the American Bible Society has

been formed and organized, and many auxiliaries.

In addition to the many Bible Societies, an almost innumerable multitude of other religious and benevolent/Institutions are now in operation in various parts of the world, for the diffusion of useful knowledge, for the conversion of the Heathens, the Jews and the Indians, for relieving the wants of the needy, for humanizing the minds of men and improving their condition and their morals, for abolishing sanguinary laws and customs, and for cultivating the principles of humanity, benevolence and peace. The combined influence of these various Institutions, under the direction and smiles of our heavenly Father, cannot fail to hasten the period when light and truth, love and peace, shall overspread the world; when the savage customs, which have filled the world with vice and misery, shall be regarded with horrour, and when it shall no longer be problematical, whether "the Son of man came not to destroy men's lives, but to save them."

Is it a pleasant dream, resulting from an enthusiastick desire for such a season, or is it a fact that the baleful comet of contention among Christians, has passed the meridian, and is now going down to rise no more? Is it not a fact, that in our region, Christians of different opinions have become more aware, that the fruits of the spirit of Christ, are not "hatred, variance, wrath, strife, sedition, and reviling;" but "love, joy, peace, long

suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance ?" Such a state of things is certainly desirable, and we cannot but indulge the hope, that such a day has already commenced. "Behold! how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity."

It is moreover believed, that the virulence of party spirit in politicks has abated, and that newspapers are conducted in a less exceptionable manner, than they were in former years. Every judicious observer of events must have been convinced, that a thirst for the honours and emoluments of office, has been the principal source of the bickerings and calumnies, by which society has been agitated, and the minds of our citizens alienated one from another. If all the writers for newspapers, and for the various periodical works, would unitedly lay aside party passions, and study the things which belong to their own peace and the peace of society, the benefits would be incalculable.

But notwithstanding all the encouraging appearances of reformation, and all the efforts which have been made to better the state of society, we are aware that there is still much room for reform, and that much remains to be done. We often hear the phrase "this enlightened age," and we admit the propriety of the language, in comparison with former ages; but it is not improbable, that future generations will regard the people of the present time, as having but just emerged from a state of

barbarism. They will perhaps, discover so much errour in the popular opinions and customs of this age, so much inconsistency between our practice and the religion we profess, that they will wonder how we could consider ourselves an enlightened people. Our benevolent Institutions will probably stand as the best monuments in our favour; but these will appear associated with much "wood, hay, and stubble," and as cotemporaries with some of the most barbarous customs and practices, which ever disgraced the name of man.

We are also aware, that there may be serious interruptions to the progress of improvement, and that success in the most laudable exertions depends on the pleasure and blessing of Him with whom "is the residue of the spirit," and who superintends in all the revolutions of the natural and moral world. Without him we can do nothing. But when we consider him as the benevo1ent Father of the human race, we cannot but believe, that he looks down with the smile of approbation, to behold the efforts of his friends in promoting the general welfare of the family. Nor can we doubt that he will give effect to benevolent exertions, and crown them with glorious success.

As the close of the year is approaching, let every reader seriously consider, what God has done, what he is doing, and what there is reason to suppose he will

do, to advance the happiness of mankind. Let every one also consider, what part he has taken in regard to the great works of benevolence and mercy, which have originated in the present age; whether he has done any thing on which he could reflect with pleasure, in the prospect that his life will close with the present year; whether he has done any thing on which his posterity will reflect with gratitude.

A multitude of our fellowbeings have this year closed their eyes in death; among whom were some who were an honour to human nature, and who served their generation by the will of God. But, alas! how many have left the stage, who lived as without God in the world; and who died without having given any evidence that they had not lived in vain, as to any solid advantage to themselves, to their children, or to the communities of which they were members! Let survivors take warning by such melancholy events, lest they experience the doom of the unprofitable servant.

This is not our rest; and this year may yet prove the last to many who are now alive. It may to the writer; it may to thee, O reader! Let us then so live, that we may be ever ready for the awful summons; that whether we live, we may live to the Lord, and whether we die, we may die to the Lord; and that whether we live, or die, we may be the Lord's.

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