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Donations of Books in the course of the year.

900 Sermons on the Prodigal Son, by a Friend of Missions. 25 Putnam's Essays, by Rev. Aaron Putnam.

12 Doddridge's Rise and Progress, by Rev. George Colton.

A List of Books sent to the inhabitants of the new settlements in the states of Vermont, New-York, Pennsylvania and Ohio, by the Trustees of the Missionary Society of Connecticut.

2 Bibles,

Bound Books, viz.

66 Testaments,

163 Doddridge's Rise and Progress of Religion.

55 Trumbull's Sermons on Divine Revelation.

25 Backus's Sermons on Regeneration.

353 Edwards's Sermons.

8 Vols. of Connecticut Evangelical Magazine. 44 Hartford Selection of Hymns.

1 Strong's Sermons.

717

Pamphlets, viz.

843 Doddridge's Address to Families.
149 C. Strong's Ordination Sermon.
48 Williston's Address to Families.

100 Davidson's Sermon.

12 Catlin's Sermon.

655 Numbers of the Connecticut Evangelical Magazine. 12 Edwards on Baptism.

12 N. Strong's Ordination Sermon. 100 Lathrop's Sermon on the Sabbath. 600 Trumbull's Address on Prayer.

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BY

quences of abusing it. In one passage, the creation is with admirable sublimity personified, and represented as not merely complaining of the abuse it receives from us; but groaning under bondage, and travailing in pain for deliverance, for thousands of years, from the slavery and abuse by which it is subjected by man. "For the earnest expectation of the creature wait

Y the natural creation is meant this world in which we live the vegetable and animal kingdoms, in their infinite variety, and the sun, moon, and other luminaries. Whatever is created is properly acrcature, this is the import of the word. In this paper however, no other part of creation will be respected but that with which man is especial-eth for the manifestation of the ly connected, and which admin- sons of God. For the creature isters to him. We are contin- was made subject to vanity, not ually conversant with the crea- willingly, but by reason of him, ture, and are supplied with food, who hath subjected the same in raiment, shelter, light and innu- hope. Because the creature itmerable comforts by it, and we self also, shall be delivered from are responsible to God its au- the bondage of corruption, into thor, for the manner and pur- the glorious liberty of the chilposes for which we use it. And dren of God. For we know, it is of some importance to us, that the whole creation groaneth that we take the subject into and travaileth in pain together serious consideration. Many in- until now."*-This passage, it structions are given us in the is believed, respects the whole scriptures, concerning the orig-natural world, so far as it adinal state and design of our ministers to man. It represents world, and the manner in which we are to use it, and the conse

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* Romans viii. 19-22.

it as reluctantly in the situation, things were put into subjection in which it now is, loth to be put to him. Some parts ministered to such use, and groaning with food, some pleasure, some inearnest expectation for deliver-struction, and all served to furance from bondage and corrup-nish him with subjects, in which tion, into the glorious liberty, he might behold and contemor exemption from evils, which is reserved for the sons of God. This is indeed a figurative representation; but it is very plain and significant, and is a striking exhibition of truths, which nearly concern mankind.

plate the wisdom, power, goodness and perfection of his Creator, and be filled with admiration and praise. In the sun, moon and stars, he was led to admire the greatness and magnificence of God, in other things, his exquisite skill, and in all, his goodness; for all were very good, and answered the most benevolent purposes. All creation

It will be to the present purpose of the writer, to make a number of observations-On the original state and design of creation,-On its subjection to van-was calculated to inspire delight, ity, And on its deliverance from it.

When God had created the world, he saw, and beheld all was very good-all was as it should be, without fault, or any tendency to evil. The state of creation was at first suited to the condition of man, in his primeval innocence. There was then nothing hurtful, poisonous, voracious or destructive. The lion and the lamb might lie down together. There was no such things as disease, infirmity, old age or death and no tendency in nature to any thing of the kind. Universal welfare, harmony and peace prevailed thro' nature. The earth also was so fertile, that it produced every thing necessary to man, in luxuriant profusion, and the seasons accorded with this happy state in the best manner, and all was incorruptible, and calculated for immortality.

having an endless variety to increase its charms, and inspire man, the lord of all, with sentiments of praise and gratitude. But the creatures were not designed to pamper evil lusts, or to serve a 'rebel against their Creator. Their ultimate object was to glorify God, and enrich mankind, with the knowledge of his perfections. Man was to be the great high-priest of all, to present them, with thanksgiving, unto God, and use them in his service. This was their original design, and in accomplishing this, they answered the important end for which all things were created, and the highest end their natures were capable of effecting. Thus the state of creation was harmonious and blessed, and its end, the happiness and instruction of man, to the glory of God. For this the sun lighted him, the fruits fed him, and the creation in general ministered to him.

The design of the creature We shall now proceed to a was, ultimately, to subserve the few observations on the subjecglory of God. The manner intion of the creature to vanity. It which it was to do this, was to became, and now is, subject to minister unto man, that he might this in several respects. Instead use it in the service of God: all of harmony among all living VOL. V. No. 9.

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original end for which it was made is perverted. Instead of aiding men to serve God, it

things, in the animal world, there is now a constant, and almost universal warfare. The beasts of prey are continually de-aids them to commit all manner vouring one creature or another. of provocations. It even supThe feathered race are pursuing plied those, who took its Creone another for food, commit-ator to the cruel tree. ting depredations on the insects, and even the fish of the sea are all pursuing, or pursued, thro' the deep. Fear, jealousy and terror have broken out, and spread misery through the whole animal creation. And though many animals escape the fangs of their pursuers, yet, in one way or other, all are doomed to die. The earth too has become comparatively barren; for God has said to man, Cursed is the ground for thy sake. Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth.' Nature is subjected to storms, and the seasons are often unfavorable to the production of the necessaries and conveniences of its inhabitants. All the elements teem with death; corruption is every where to be seen. A world of vanity and misery has come on the creature, and harmony is very much at an end. In this respect, creation is now in a manner ruined-it is subject to vanity.

It is also subject to vanity, as it is subservient to sin, and to dishonor cast on God by man, instead of being employed to his praise. The sun lights mankind to dishonor its Maker. The fruits, in feeding him, pamper his lusts; the air he breathes is subjected to preserve a life of rebellion; the beasts are used in the service of sin, are often cruelly lashed, through the passions of their masters, and almost starved through their avarice, and the whole creation subserves the vilation of its Maker's laws. The

This subjection to vanity is wholly the effect of sin-of the sin of man. When he sinned, the creature felt the wound; a dreadful subjection to evil took place. The sin of man inspired the tiger with voracity, and let him loose against the lamb, the hawk against the dove, and the fish against their inferior species. Sin was the cause of all the barrenness in the earth, and the other changes by which creation is deformed. This was designed as a punishment to man. When man became a sinner, it was not fit that he should live, where all was harmonious; and therefore the lower creation was given up to all this misrule and confusion. And it is the sin of man, which has occasioned the creature, to minister to rebellion against God.

The creation is subject to all this vanity, not willingly. This is indeed a figurative expression; but it is a scriptural one, and very significant, and assures us that this is contrary to its nature and end, as it was at first made and appointed. We by our sins have forced it reluctantly into this bondage, and pressed it into the service of sin, and subjected it to disorder. In some respects, this is almost literally true. It is with reluctance that the beasts are driven with severity, and this often in the service of iniquity.

The creature is made to remain subject to all this disorder and abuse out of kindness and mercy to sinful men. It was

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