that the great bulk of the world are but to lis ten to its expressions, or be the spectators of its operations. Far otherwise! It is as necessary for the humblest as the highest; for the private as the publick station. Its duties, and the benefits it secures, are to be performed and sought, as well by the subject as the sovereign, by the peasant as the prince. Unless, indeed, it be generally diffused and operative, vain in a great degree will be the exertions, to which it may stimulate a few generous spirits. For a community long to retain liberty or enjoy prosperity, the body must be sound and healthful; and every limb and member perform its regular and appropriate offices. In a sober and industrious pursuit of our respective callings, in cultivating the useful arts, in endeavouring to promote knowledge, in countenancing and encouraging the means of virtue and piety, in the upright and unbiassed exercise of the right of suffrage; in these, among other ways, may and ought each one to prove, that he "seeks the peace of the nation, while he prays to God for

it."

Publick prosperity and happiness is the aggregate of personal; social of individual.

The man that fills up, according to his best discretion, the sphere in which his lot is arranged, by the course of providential events; who exerts his utmost powers and influence to increase the stock of national wealth, and especially by honesty and purity, contributes a full share to the national honour and character: such an one shall be owned and valued as a true patriot, when neglect and contempt are the deserved portion of the noisy demagogue, who, neglecting his appropriate duties, is eager to instruct others in their rights, or enforce their allegiance; who, himself the slave of his interests or passions, professes to be ever watchful for the liberties of those, who are contented under a good government; or is ready to compass sea and land to make proselytes to corruption, under tyranny; and would spy out and expose every one, that crouches not in silence under a despot's rule.

Literature and science, the necessary, the ornamental, and useful arts, raise nations in the scale of glory. These each should seek to advance. Those who are gifted with ingenuity, who have a taste for improvement, and possess the means, by applying them to real utility or innocent elegance; such as may not

themselves excel, by contributing to approve and reward meritorious exertions; thus respectively answer the claims of a country on its children. To patronize genius, endow schools, and higher seminaries for the advancement of knowledge, human and divine, is also one most probable means, by the blessing of heaven, to secure an enlightened, and virtuous, and pious succession of worthies, to fill the important departments in church and state. Having such, all who truly love their country will seek that they be employed for the good of society, in places of trust and authority. Party busies itself in advancing its favourites to office: often those who have been its flatterers, or will be its tools. Well principled patriotism directs its eyes, and gives its voice, for the "faithful of the land" to serve it for men "fearing God, hating covetousness," who "love the truth and peace." It lends all its influence to the support of the upright policy which wisdom projects and integrity executes is candid and temperate in canvassing the claims of men and measures but is resolute in defence of its rights. Willing to fulfil the obligations, it remembers the privileges which belong to moral and social beings; and views the tame surrender of

the chartered freedom wherewith "the God of the spirits of all flesh" hath made his rational offspring free,-as ingratitude to his heavenly Sovereign, and treachery to his fellow subjects. After all, Piety is the crowning evidence, as of every great and good quality and principle, so of that which has now very imperfectly, but with the hope and wish of utility, been exhibited. With this commenced, with this closes, the discussion.-Pray to God for your country for its peace and freedom, for its improvement and honour, for its virtue and religion.-Be sure, as respects your personal and collective interests, that those enterprizes and purposes, which you cannot conscientiously commit to the divine care, and for which you cannot venture to hope, and dare not implore the divine approbation and favour, will not prosper. Are we not irresistibly compelled to distrust not chiefly the policy, but the justice of that course of measures, on which we know many of the most sincere and fervent worshippers of Jehovah do not, cannot intercede for his benediction. It has not been, and is not my purpose to obtrude the expression of views and feelings, irritating or wounding to any good mind. But is it not a

fact, too plain to be concealed, why then need any hesitation be felt in declaring, that in the contest in which for near two years our once happy country has been involved, by far the greater portion of suppliants, in publick and secret, have not been emboldened with trust to implore the smiles of the Lord of hosts, the God of armies? Is it weak superstition to believe that not only, nor chiefly, have the successive disgraces and losses, that have at· tended its great enterprizes, arisen from the imbecility or disunion of its managers ;-but that it was of equivocal or unjust character? True it is, that accounts are occasionally circulated of meetings to approve of the principle, and apologize for the management of this, then termed, "necessary and lawful war." But such spectacles, all know, are as fallacious demonstrations of the real sentiments of many who take a part in them; as they are prepared with ease by the managers. The real merits of the controversy, if indeed there can be a question on this point, is rested willingly here. Is this war, and are its authors, abettors, and conductors, commended with unwavering reliance on its innocence and rectitude, to the throne of grace? Do we from