the island of Ceylon, in many parts of Hindostun, in Tartary, in many parts of Africa, on the southern continent of America, in the West-Indies, in NovaScotia, Canada, the country of Labrador, and Greenland. Almost all these have met with some success, and several of them with much. The prospect of success, also, which was at first faint and doubtful, has been shining more and more, as there is reason to hope, unto the perfect day.

Bibles also, and Testaments, have been distributed already in such numbers, and in such a variety of languages, as almost exceeds belief. What is remarkable, many Roman Catholic ministers have readily permitted the free use of the Bible to the people under their charge; and, what is still more remarkable, one Bible Society has been formed among Catholics.

In the mean time, the Scriptures have been translated, either partially or wholly, into 19 Asiatic languages. Into four of them, the whole Bible; into eight more, the whole New Testament; and a part of the Old, and the whole New Testament, into two more. In ten of these languages, the New Testament is either in the press, or has been printed. In one of them, the whole Bible, and three editions of the New Testament; in another, two editions of the Gospel ; and in several others, parts of the Old Testament.— In this manner, the Scriptures have been actually sent in their various languages to every nation in Europe, except the Turks; and, if I mistake not, a translation of them into the Turkish language is in good forwardness. They have also been distributed into various parts of Asia, Africa, and of both North and South America. The liberality, zeal, and activity, with which all this has been accomplished, has been

wonderful; and, what perhaps is no less wonderful, it has been regularly increasing to the present hour, St. Paul directed the Thessalonians to pray, that the word of the Lord might have free course, and be glorifid; or, as it is in the original, might run, and be glorified; even as it was among themselves. The good men, who are now living, who have so often prayed for this blessing, behold their prayers answered in a manner new, singular, most delightful to themselves, and most glorious to their Creator. Now he sendeth forth his commandment upon earth; his word runneth very swiftly; to the amazement of the most sanguine, and to the unutterable joy of the virtuous. Now, also, many run to and fro, according to the promise, made to Daniel; and knowledge is wonderfully increased; and many are purified and made white.

These things Christianity has accomplished, or rather GOD has accomplished them for her, in this day of darkness and gloominess, of clouds and thick dark

ness.

Nor ought any Watchman to forget, on such an occasion as the present, the mighty change in human affairs, accomplished by the final termination of that disgrace to the name of man, that insult to Heaven, the African slave-trade. This is a glorious proof, that God has not forgotten to be gracious to the present generation of mankind. Accordingly, he has at the very time, when this vast reformation was accomplished, and in that very nation, by which it was first carried into final execution, discovered the means, in the Jennerian innoculation, of preserving, annually the lives of 2,000,000 of mankind.

Such is a summary view of the brighter parts of this immensely interesting scene. Let us now see,

whether we may not derive from it some profitable instruction to ourselves. We have many things to fear, and some, I trust, to hope.

There are three extensive reasons, why we should fear. The first of these is, the general aspect of prophecy, and of the times. If I am right in my exposition of these prophecies, the terrible judgments, which the last of them denounces, are not yet finished; and the language, in which these are conveyed, is sufficiently alarming to shake the stoutest heart. Such exactly is the state of things at the present moment. The war, the slaughter, the devastation, the terror, the bondage, the wo, are, to the human eye, far from their termination. With us, the war is merely begun. What will be the future career of these evils, no eye, but the Omniscient, can foresee. No men are so hood-winked, so kindred to the mole, as those, who confidently believe, that they foresee them. Of such men I ask, "Who hath known the mind of the Lord? Who hath been his counsellor? Who beside His Spirit, can search the deep things of GOD?" It is enough for us to know, that, when every island shall flee away, the cities of the nations fall, the mountains cease to be found, and the great hail come down upon men out of heaven, the period will be sufficiently distressing to overwhelm with terror, distress, and amazement, all the bold, impious wretches, who every where say to themselves," Peace," when there is no peace. Who can tell what even a day may bring forth?" The beginning of strife," says Solomon," is as when one letteth out water." The breach, small at first, often becomes a vast chasm, and the lit

tle stream, which trickled through it, swells into a deluge.

The second of these reasons is, the sinful character of our nation. Notwithstanding the prevalence of Religion, which I have described, the irreligion, and the wickedness, of our land are such, as to furnish a most painful and melancholy prospect to a serious mind. We formed our Constitution without any acknowledgment of GOD; without any recognition of his mercies to us, as a people, of his government, or even of his existence. The Convention, by which it was formed, ́never asked, even once, his direction, or his blessing upon their labours. Thus we commenced our national existence under the present system, without GOD. I wish I could say, that a disposition to render him the reverence, due to his great Name, and the gratitude, demanded by his innumerable mercies, had been more public, visible, uniform, and tervent.

At the same time I have no hesitation to say, that the eagerness, with which public offices are hunted for, and the sacrifices of principle and conscience, which, as we have but too much reason to believe, are made, in order to acquire them, constitute a great and dreadful sin; and are a deep brand upon the moral character of our country. Let it not be here supposed, that I intend in this, or in any other observation, to refer, even remotely, to any particular party, or political dispute, which now exists, or has heretofore existed. I stand in the presence of GOD; I speak in his name. While, therefore, I shall not shun to declare his counsel, I intend not to dishonour HIM, nor to trifle away this solemn season, in reciting the feelings of spleen, and the pitiful imputations, sneers, and obloquy, of party-spirit. Our whole business lies with our sins, and the judg

ments of GOD. Let me warn all, who hear me, not to spend this day in secretly quarrelling with their neighbours, or their government. Let me warn every one to mourn for his own sins, and those of his country; and to tremble at the mighty hand of God.

This very party-spirit itself, this hostility between citizens of the same country, between neighbour and neighbour, friend and friend, nay, often between brother and brother, father and son; is a great and dreadful evil; a smoke in the nostrils of JEHOVAH; an abomination, which he cannot away with. Think how many unkind thoughts, how many slanders, how many malignant threatenings, have been vented by this disposition against persons of an opposite party; not one of which, in a great proportion of instances, would perhaps have been thought of, had the objects of them been of our own. In this respect we do less, and worse, than publicans and sinners.

The eagerness, with which wealth is coveted, and sought, by our countrymen, is another deplorable proof of that love of the world, which is utterly inconsistent with the love of GOD.

How often is that glorious, and fearful name, JEHOVAH OUR GOD, profaned in our streets!

To what a terrible extent has the brutal sin of drunkenness spread through our land! To such an extent, that most, if not all, of those ecciesiastical bodies, which preside over extensive divisions of the Christian Church in this country, have thought it necessary to enter into a course of public, solemn measures, for the purpose of instituting a general, and efficacious, resistance to its progress.

Falsehood, also, in all its various forms, is, unless I am deceived, a more widely extended, and dreadful