In despotic countries, those men,

it is, must now be advanced. whom God hath inspired with lofty sentiments and a thirst for freedom (and such are spread through all Europe), must, in their individual capacity, communicate themselves to individual minds. The cause of liberty on the continent cannot now be forwarded But in every country there are by the action of men in masses. those who feel their degradation and their wrongs, who abhor tyranny as the chief obstruction of the progress of nations, and who are willing and prepared to suffer for liberty. Let such men spread around them their own spirit, by every channel which a Let them give utterance to jealous despotism has not closed. sentiments of magnanimity in private conference, and still more by the press; for there are modes of clothing and expressing kindling truths, which, it is presumed, no censorship would dare to proscribe. Let them especially teach that great truth, which is the seminal principle of a virtuous freedom, and the very foundation of morals and religion; we mean, the doctrine, that conscience, the voice of God in every heart, is to be listened to above all other guides and lords; that there is a sovereign within us, clothed with more awful powers and rights than any outward king; and that he alone is worthy the name of a man, who gives himself up solemnly, deliberately, to obey this internal guide through peril and in death. This is the spirit of freedom; for no man is wholly and immutably free, but he who has broken every outward yoke, that he may obey his own deliberate conscience. This is the lesson to be taught alike in republics and despotisms. Its full application reAs yet it has but dawned on the world. mains to be developed. They who have been baptized, by a true experience, into this vital and all-comprehending truth, must every where be its propagators; and he who makes one convert to it near a despot's throne, has broken one link of that despot's chain. It is chiefly in the diffusion of this loftiness of moral sentiment, that we place our hope of freedom; and we have a hope, because we know that there are those who have drunk into this truth, and are ready, when God calls, to be its martyrs. We do not despair, for there is a contagion, we would rather say, a divine power in sublime moral principle. This is our chief trust. have less and less hope from force and bloodshed, as the instruments of working out man's redemption from slavery. History shows us not a few princes, who have gained or strengthened But freedom, which is another thrones by assassination or war. name for justice, honour, and benevolence, scorns to use the private dagger, and wields with trembling the public sword. The true conspiracy, before which tyranny is to fall, is that of virtuous, elevated minds, which shall consecrate themselves to the work of awakening in men a consciousness of the rights, powers, purposes, and greatness of human nature; which shall oppose to force, the heroism of intellect and conscience, and the spirit of self-sacrifice. We believe that, at this moment, there are virtue and wisdom enough to shake despotic thrones, were they as confiding as they should be in God and in their own might, and were they to pour themselves through every channel into the public mind.

We

"We close our present labours, with commending to the protection of Almighty God, the cause of human freedom and improvement. We adore the wisdom and goodness of his providence, which has ordained, that liberty shall be wrought out by the magnanimity, courage, and sacrifices of men. We bless him for the

glorious efforts which this cause has already called forth; for the intrepid defenders who have gathered round it, and whose fame is a most precious legacy of past ages; for the toils and sufferings by which it has been upheld; for the awakening and thrilling voice which comes to us from the dungeon and scaffold, where the martyrs of liberty have pined or bled. We bless him, that even tyranny has been overruled for good, by exciting a resistance which has revealed to us the strength of virtuous principle in the human soul. We beseech this Great and Good Parent, from whom all pure influences proceed, to enkindle, by his quickening breath, an unquenchable love of virtue and freedom in those favoured men, whom he hath enriched and signalized by eminent gifts and powers, that they may fulfil the high function of inspiring their fellow beings with a consciousness of the birthright and destination of human nature. Wearied with violence and blood, we beseech him to subvert oppressive governments, by the gentle yet awful power of truth and virtue; by the teachings of uncorrupted Christianity; by the sovereignty of enlightened opinion; by the triumph of sentiments of magnanimity; by mild, rational, and purifying influences, which will raise the spirit of the enslaved, and which sovereigns will be unable to withstand. For this peaceful revolution we earnestly pray. If, however, after long forbearing, and unavailing applications to justice and humanity, the friends of freedom should be summoned, by the voice of God within, and by his providence abroad, to vindicate their rights with other arms, to do a sterner work, to repel despotic force by force, may they not forget, even in this hour of provocation, the spirit which their high calling demands. Let them take the sword with awe, as those on whom a holy function is devolved. Let them regard themselves as ministers and delegates of Him, whose dearest attribute is Mercy. Let them not stain their sacred cause by one cruel deed, by the infliction of one needless pang, by shedding without cause one drop of human blood.”

A New-Year's Day Discourse.
(Concluded from page 309.)

THESE Considerations lead me to observe upon the latter verse of my text, "Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light." These words contain an urgency and an assurance. The change it proposes is complete, absolute, and entire: the difference to be effected is as striking and discernible as that between the oblivion and repose of sleep, and the animated

movement, and sparkling and powerful intelligence of consciousness; as that between darkness and light, life and death. What state is this denoted by the Apostle, under the forcible imagery of "sleep" and "death"? The state of sin-the state in exact opposition to that which bears the "fruit of the Spirit, in all goodness, and righteousness, and truth, proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.

It becomes us, then, to inquire if there be any of us not yet awake to the recognition of the peculiar nature of the calling, which is ours in Christ Jesus, of the "sacrifices" we are required to "burn without the camp," that with “boldness" we may "enter into the holiest, drawing near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience;" of the self-denying ordinance, we should impose upon the rebellious movements of the passions, even the "denying ungodliness and worldly lust, and keeping unspotted from the world;" of the zeal with which it is expected from us, that we should press into the "“chambers of imagery, and bring out one abomination after another, and slay them before the Lord." Now, should there be any of us who yet "sleep" in perilous contempt of these considerations, oh! let him "awake," let him shake off the cold and fatal palsy that paralyzes him, let him, in the powerful language of Scripture," arise from the dead!" And should there be one present whose mind is stirred to a sense of his insecurity, whose desires after holiness are as those of a "thirsty soul after cold water," the "rock" of whose heart" is smote, that the waters" of remorse are gushing out, and the "streams" of contrition "overflowing;" who entertains the holy purpose and sincere resolve, of freeing himself from the fetters of a dangerous and degrading indulgence, let him reflect, that "now is the appointed time, now is the day of salvation!" Another criminal compliance may rivet his chains, those chains "a yoke of iron on thy neck" for ever! Another opportunity of being roused from the lethargy of sin, may be denied! Another hour may find you beyond any note of warning, be it urged in as moving terms, and with as loud and impressive an emphasis, as it may! Another hour! Ay! ere another cadence may find utterance from these lips, one of you who are now assembled before me, in all the unconcern of a positive self-security, may be struck a convulsed and blackened corpse, at the feet of

those who now press so closely and fondly beside you; and the light and flexile form of childhood, towards which your mother's heart yearns with so fond and anxious a solicitude, may grow cold and rigid, and drop a withered bud into your bosom; or the smooth and open brow of female loveliness may become shrunken, and her eye of splendour darkened, and her cheek of bloom be shrivelled like a soiled and trodden rose-leaf; or the hoary locks of venerated paternity, sweep the dust from beneath your feet! Oh! may the appalling suggestion animate us all to the putting forth of an immediate and powerful and persevering agency, in ridding ourselves from the trammels of early sinful habit-in subduing every unholy appetitein "so running, as not uncertainly-in so fighting, as not one that beateth the air"-in purifying from all defilement the holy temple of God," which temple are ye," "that it may be filled with the brightness of the Lord's glory." Oh! may it summon us, by the power of all its heartrending associations, and all its solemn and affecting imagery, and all its fearful and possible reality, to "awake from sleep, and arise from the dead," supported by the encouraging assurance, that "Christ shall give us light." When temptations assail us, sore to the overcoming, and our hearts sink dispirited beneath the burthen of the conflict, and our powers of resisting are fast ebbing before the intensity and continuance of the struggle, then shall the assurance, that "Christ shall give us light," infuse fresh vigour into our exhausted spirits, and supply increased energy to our failing resolves, and nerve our minds to more determined efforts, to more persevering and unyielding resistance. When our spiritual affections grow cold and inert, and the visible realities of sense shut out from our contemplation the invisible realities of faith, and our hearts droop in listless despondency beneath the enervating influence of unusual and overstrained excitement, or the depressing contact of worldly relations, pursuits, and prospects then will we bear in mind, that it is God who hath "set darkness in our path," who hath "stripped us of our glory, and taken the crown from our head," and recurring to the assurance, that "Christ shall gave us light," lift up our face unto God, and say, "There is lifting up.' When prostrate in prayer before the throne of grace, we plume our spirit for the solemn flight, and bend our might to sweep the unfathomable range, and kindle the mind's eye

to the vast survey of eternity, but fall back on the first feeble rising, faint and powerless, dazzled, overwhelmed, confounded by the immensity of his nature, and the infinity of his perfections, and an opaque veil of doubt and dread seems as though it were closing in upon our souls, smothering all our heavenward tendencies; and we feel as though neglected and abandoned by our God, we were left to the sway of our unruly wills and headstrong passions, exposed to the snares and attractions of a seducing world then will we bring to mind the assurance of the text, that "Christ shall give us light," and in patient waiting, and humble submissive confidence, possess our souls in peace. And when we approach the dark and silent chambers of the dead, and the chill moisture of the grave settles heavily upon the heart, and we shrink dismayed before the appalling visitation, with timid anticipations and distracting doubts-then shall the assurance, that "Christ shall give us light," shoot athwart the gloomy void, a bright and cheering ray, and with a sacred halo, gild the tomb.

May the great and good God, in his infinite mercy, guide and support your steps through this present year, and grant that it may prove a portion of that "strait and narrow path, that leadeth to life everlasting." Amen.

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The World, a State of Probation.

"In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth." The decree of unerring Wisdom fulfilled by omnipotent Power, must produce those effects, and those only, which the Deity contemplated. There could not possibly be any vacillation in council, or uncertainty in result, but the design which the Almighty had in view, in calling the world and its inhabitants into existence, must be fulfilled; to deny this, is to deny, or, which is the same thing, to limit the attributes of God.

Man is deemed to be the noblest work of the divine Architect. For what purpose, then, are we created? What the object and design to be accomplished? From the constitution of man, we conclude, that being gifted with the perception of, we are also fitted for, the enjoyment of happiness; and argue, that such enjoyment must be the intention of pure benevolence.

And the situation in which we are placed, seems designed and admirably fitted to produce this result; for