No. XVII.

By faith, Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. HEBREWS, Xi, ver. 7.

Of all the vicissitudes experienced by travellers in this wilderness, none can compare with those which are recorded of this eminent servant of God. Many make their boast of an extensive knowledge of the world; but he saw two worlds; - a world expiring,—a world reviving, and commencing a new existence. He witnessed the end of all flesh; and again, he witnessed the commencement of a new state of society. He had found the wickedness of mankind to be great, when

have desired to clamber up their steep sides for the purpose of gaining the lofty summits, that they might gaze around: for then they were familiar with busy towns and populous cities; with mighty heroes who were of old men of renown; but alas! the works and the very names of these men of renown have perished in the ruin that has swept over the wilderness, and now not a memorial of them bestrews the desolate plains. These costly monuments of the age in which they lived, and which served to embellish the wilderness in which they were then travellers, undermined by the destructive torrent, have yielded to the mighty ruin, and silence and desolation reign around. But when the fluctuating movements of the ark had announced to its anxious inhabitants that it was alighting on a resting place, the mountain top seemed clothed with verdure; hope sprung up spontaneously, and bedecked all around in the gay vestments of spring. So are our views frequently changed by afflic

tion. In prosperity we are prone to call ' good evil, and evil good;' but adversity changes the aspect of the scene, and frequently shows us that those things, on which heretofore we set but little value, possess intrinsic worth, and are capable of contributing essentially to our comfort and well being.

And now they descend the mountain sides, to seek an eligible spot in this wide wilderness, on which to pitch their tents. They might freely take their choice: the land lay before them; there was none to dispute their rights, or fix their limits. Now some of them, perhaps, might have been disposed to yield up those claims for which, before, they had so obstinately contended-for the privilege of again enjoying society and being enlivened by the busy scenes around: but all is hushed contention and rapine have forgotten their arts; the oppressor and the oppressed sleep together. Ah! ye three sons of this man of God, ye who are to replenish this desolate wilderness, in compassion

;

to the countless millions who are yet to traverse it take heed to your own ways, and as far as your influence extends, make it blossom as the rose by your virtues considering yourselves as the forerunners of the human race, let your eye penetrate the remote distance, and pursue an even track; so that when you have taken your flight, and for ever bid adieu to this wilderness, they may steadily follow the footsteps of their forefathers, who will then be inheriting the early promises, on which they had rested all their hopes. Surely the bow in the cloud, and the benign sound of a patriarch's voice blessing his sons, are in sweet harmony, and afford a happy presage. We delight

to dwell on the subject:

6

Blessed be

the Lord God of Shem;' blessed be the Lord God of Japhet; and he shall dwell in the tents of Shem.' Here was prosperity, and brotherly union as the basis of it, ultimately promised; but, alas! the original pollution which man had contracted, and which overspread the former world, has not

been cleansed by the waters of the deluge, A father's blessing is ushered in by a father's curse! O! were children sufficiently aware of the stupendous consequences often annexed to parental displeasure, how would it promote the peace and prosperity of families, and of course the general happiness of society. Duty to parents is the first commandment with promise; a commandment which is exceeding broad, embracing that deference and respect, which in numerous instances seems to be utterly forgotten. Whether it will not suffice for children to conceal the failings of parents from the world in general, but that they are required if possible to hide them from each other, let the history of these three sons decide. That the punishment due to a breach of these duties is not delayed to a future state, is seen in innumerable instances. And can there be found a stronger confirmation of this sentiment, than in the subsequent destiny of those three families? Let Afric's groaning sons