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be so unprofitable in the line wherein he has placed us, and that we should do so much less than we might, without other op

to secure unto themselves their earthly glory, splendor and dignity; and the pulse of their soul beats high or low, irregular or

portunity than he has been pleas-uniform, accordingly as the as

ed to give. We cannot say that we have done what we might have done, nor that we have done any thing as we ought, when all is done. But blessed forever be our Heavenly Father, who hath made us to know that Christ died for the ungodly, and that there is eternal life given through him. We hope, through the belief of this, and of all the promises of Cod, at length to overcome every hindrance to our salvation, and to join in the triumph and eternal praises of the Heavenly train of saints and martyrs, who came up out of great tribulation, and now behold the face of their heavenly Father, and of the Lamb in the midst of the throne; and the forethought of this eternal glory makes us even now anticipate the work of heaven, and begin the songs of Zion in a strange land.

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May 19, 1795."

YOUR favor was indeed refreshing. To hear of the propagation of the gospel in is litterally good news from a far country." It yields anothIt yields another sort of relish to the mind of the Christian than to hear of sieges and battles crowned with success, and of the great extension of commerce, riches and territory. These things, though, when lawfully acquired and well employed, they are not without their use, are but lying vanities compared with the true riches. The great men of this world carry on what they reckon their grand and masterly projects, in order

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of things on earth suited to their inclinations, and you put life and spirit into them. Cross and disappoint them here, and the success of religion, or the extension of our Redeemer's kingdom, will yield them no consolation. Men seem to be so much of a piece with this earth, that as a certain writer observes, "they partake in all its pangs and paroxysms and tremulous motions. By the beating of their pulse you may know the state of things in this lower world, as if they had but one soul with it." And as the same author observes, in another place, were men's belief of what they were sent into the world for, to be judged of by their practice, and this belief written in their foreheads, then might one read, Such an one born to put others in mind of his predecessor's name, and lest such a father should want an heir-Such an one to consume such an estate, and to devour the provenue of so many farms and manors-Such an one to fill so many bags and coffers, to sustain the riot of him that succeeds Some created to see, and make sport, to run after hawks and dogs, or to spend the time

their own fear, and reason, and conscience, death also will yield them as easy a victory, or be afraid to encounter men of so redoubted courage; that the God of Heaven, rather than offend them, will not stick to repeal his laws for their sakes, or never exact the observance of them from persons of their quality; that they shall not be called to judgment, or there only be complimented with res

which their weariness redeems | ing their humanity, and baffling from converse with brutes, in making themselves such, by drinking away the little residue of wit and reason they have left; mixing with this gentle exercise their impure and scurrilous drolleries, that they may befriend one another with the kind occasion of proving themselves to be yet of the human race, by the only demonstration remaining, that they can laugh -Others born to trouble the world, to disquiet the neighbor-pect, as people who bore much hood, and to be the common plague of all about them, at least if they have any within their reach who value not their souls at so cheap a rate as they do-Others made to blaspheme their Maker, to rend the sacred name of God, and make proof of their high valour, and the gallantry of their brave spirits. by bidding defiance to heaven, and proclaiming their heroic contempt of the Deity and of all religion; as if they had persuaded themselves into an opinion, that because they had sc prosperous success in conquer

sway in their country, and
could number so
many hun
dreds or thousands a year; and
that, at least, the infernal flames
will never presume to touch so
worthy personages, and that
devils will be awed by their
greatness, and fear to seize
them, lest they should take it as
an affront."

This is exactly what we might suppose to be the inward sentiments of many, were to judge by their temper and conduct. How different from those of the real Christian!

We

Donations to the Connecticut Missionary Society.

1804,

Nov. 20. From Rev. O. Wetmore, contributed in new

settlements,

11 34

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A REVIEW of times past, and contemplations on future prospects, humbly attempted for general instruction, and to excite pious meditations, &c. or, the Editors' NEW-YEAR'S GIFT, to their generous read

ers.

(Cont. from Vol. IV. p. 250.)

N a review of times we shall

ourselves and others. A serious attention to these words of the apostle, Who maketh thee to differ from another? And what hast thou that thou didst not receive?* might be highly beneficial in religiously recounting these differences, and the various events of the year. Might it not teach us much of ourselves, much of God and of

In a review of times we cling our duty to him?

new and surprising events.We shall witness admirable, 'and to us unaccountable differences made between kingdom and kingdom, between the inhabitants of one country and another, between churches, families and individuals. We shall witness differences with respect to birth, education, natural and moral endowments, with respect to acquirements of every kind, with respect to health of countenance, length of days, civil and religious liberties, and with respect to all personal, domestic and public opportunities, advantages and enjoyments. We shall find them in every place; we shall see them every year and almost every day, among our neighbors, in our own families, and between VOL. V. No. 7.

The words import that there are great differences among the creatures of God: that he maketh those differences; and that they have nothing but what they have received from him. They also import that this ought to be matter of serious contemplation. God hath made an innumerable variety of creatures. Among them there is a gradation from the most glorious angel, who sings nearest to the throne of his Creator, to the worm upon the earth, and the atom which floats in the air. Among angels there are differences. Some are denominated thrones, others dominions, principalities and powers. Next to

* 1 Cor. iv. 7.
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angels are men, who, though | babes may say our eyes never

far below them, yet possess noble powers, and are fearfully and wonderfully made.

saw a parent, the knees of our mother never supported us, her paps never gave us suck. Oth

Below man, for his use anders enjoy kind parents to nurse convenience, are the beasts of and educate them, to form them the earth, the fowls of heaven, to piety and usefulness, and to the fish of the sea, and every leave them an inheritance. Some living thing. In the vegetable and are born to wealth, honor and inanimate creation, are trees public usefulness, others to povplants, herbs, fruits and grass in erty, obscurity, laborious and immense and pleasing variety: hard living. Multitudes are enSun, moon, stars, earth, seas, slaved, bought and sold like lakes, rivers, streams and foun- beasts of burden, always optains of water; mines, minerals, pressed, and live and die in crugolden sands, and every thingel bondage. Others enjoy the nutricious, healing, convenient, amplest freedom. Some have and useful to man. These won- their existence in barren and underfully increase and aggran-healthful countries, in burning dize this variety; and display, the greatness, sovereignty, wisdom, power and goodness of the Creator.

sands or frozen regions; others in a land, like Canaan, flowing with milk and honey. To some their lot is appointed in times and countries, of the grossest ignorance, where they never

With respect to man, he is constituted Lord of this lower creation, and all things are sub-heard or thought of a Creator or ordinated to his use and convenience.

Among men thus distinguished from all the works of God, in the present world, there is still a further and wonderful variety and difference. Some are born perfect in body and mind, others are greatly deficient in both. Some have a vigorous, healthful constitution, great activity of body and mind, and enjoy health and ease from childhood to old age. Others are enfeebled, pained and miserable from their infancy, and never eat or drink with pleasure. Others are born in a sickly and distressed condition, draw every breath with pain, expire in a few hours and are never known among men. Others are born to be orphans, the father dies before their birth, and the mother almost as soon. The forsaken

Redeemer, and perish for lack of vision. To others the lines have fallen in pleasant places, and in the most favorable periods of time; in Immanuel's land, and in the Christian era. They have been taught by prophets and wise men, by Jesus Christ, his apostles and ministers. The gospel shines upon them with meridian lustre.

Beside among those in Christian lands there are great differences. Many are called, but few chosen. To some the gospel is a savor of life unto life, and to others a savor of death unto death. Some are vessels of mercy prepared unto glory, but others vessels of wrath fitted to destruction.

Even among the saints there are differences. Some are men and others are babes in Christ. Some are stars in the firmament

7

of the church, but others only lights in the world. Differences equally great will extend themselves into the most distant ages of eternity. For as one star differeth from another star in glory, so also is the resurrection from the dead. All will be rewarded according to their works. The splendor of their crowns, their dignity and blessedness will be for ever different.

sparrows fall not on the ground without his notice. The verdure of the grass, the beauties of the rose, the inimitable tinge and spots of the tulip are his gift,† and the very hairs of our head are all numbered. Of him, and through him, and to him are all things.§

Highly important is it, that men believe and seriously contemplate that it is God who maketh all these differences in his works of creation and providence. To this persuasion and serious contemplation the apostle calls the Corinthians, and all Christians. It is of great moment to consider that God maketh these differences, and religiously to consider them, because it is abundantly taught us in the scriptures, enters very essentially into religion and has an important influence in all the pious feelings of the heart, and on the whole conduct of the Christian's life. It is in this persuasion only, that we can think properly of God, or of ourselves, or worship him as God. This firm confidence, with serious contemplations on these differences, at once, lead to the most affecting, admiring, and rever

But who maketh thee to differ from another? And what hast thou, that thou didst not receive? This demand strongly implies that God in his works of creation and providence makes these differences, and that all which creatures have, they received from him. It is as though the apostle had said, "Who maketh you, O ye Corinthians, to differ from other Gentiles, who know not God nor our Lord Jesus Christ? Who sent you apostles and teachers by whom ye have believed? Who disposed you to embrace the gospel rather than other Gentiles, and than thousands of your own citizens? Who hath enriched you with gifts and graces beyond many other Christians? Did these differences originate from your selves? Certainly they did not.ential views of the wise and hoFor what have you that ye did ly sovereignty of God, of his not receive? Nothing. Not the glorious majesty, and of his inleast natural, moral or spiritual finite exaltation above all his endowment: Not the least en- creatures. What clear and imjoyment: Not a moment of pressive ideas would these give time, not the breath of your nos- us of our absolute, entire detrils." Every good gift, end ev-pendence on him for all things, ery perfect gift is from above, and of that immense everlasting and cometh down from the Fa- debt of gratitude, thanksgiving ther of lights.* His government and obedience which we owe to is universal. When the lot is him? How will a realizing sense cast into the lap the whole dis- that God is All and in all, and posing of it is of the Lord. The

* James i. 17.

+ Luke xii. 27, 28. Matt.x. 29, 30. § Rom. xi. 36.

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