to govern their own conduct. The eye often mocketh at its father, and scorneth to obey its mother. The servant is often greater than his master. The child behaveth himself proudly against the ancient, and scarcely thinks of rising up before the hoary head. How many hoary heads have been brought down with sorrow to the grave, by the ungrateful and disobedient conduct of children. How many fathers, who fought for the liberties of their children, have seen those. children rise up in rebellion against themselves; and have felt their wicked conduct piercing their own bosoms as with a sword. Had they foreseen this in the day of battle, their arms would have been unnerved, and the weapons of war would have fallen powerless from their hands. The spirit of our young men, and even of young children, is that of self-sufficiency, and aspiring independence. They hate control. They are in haste to be free, from what they deem the hard bondage of parental aus thority; and to assert in all things their contempt of every thing like bondage. Family government is generally slackened, and the discipline of schools has become far more difficult. Our youth are the hope of their parents, and of their country. But if such is the tender shoot, just springing from the earth, what will be the full grown oak?

In the marriage relation, the word of God requires one heart, one interest, one mind, and perpetual, mutual fidelity, with a limited subjection on the part of the wife. But have not the bonds of the marriage covenant become, in many places, a thing held in light estimation? Are not discord, contentions and separations much more prevalent than formerly?

Are not the virtues of connubial life undervalued, and the relation itself often made a curse instead of a blessing?

What is the unerring rule between neighbours? The divine law requires, that a man shall not be a burden to his fellows; but should provide for himself and his household. But each should loveTM his neighbours as himself; and practically regard their feelings, interest, reputation as his own. But where are the sociability, the friendship, the fidelity, the charity and fellow-feeling of former times? Whence come the distance, the cold neglect, the overreaching, the fraud, the litigation, the slander, the contention of the present day? Even in the Church, Christians do not love the brotherhood. Where is that unity of sentiment and feeling, that drinking into one spirit, which characterized our fathers? Ah, they were brethren in sufferings and dangers, fleeing from persecution, pilgrims and strangers on earth, destitute, af flicted, tormented. We are fullwe have all and abound. There fore we slight our divine Benefactor, and are alienated from ourbrethren and his children.

4. In no sense whatever, can men be rightfully independent Fof God. In Him we live, and move, and have our being. To Him we are accountable for every talent, and every blessing. He has a right in us which He cannot alienate, without deserting the throne of the universe. We are under obligations which cannot be cancelled, to know his will, to believe his word, to obey, reverence, serve and worship Him. But men tempt to be independent of their Maker, and say unto the Almighty, Depart from us. They say, Our lips are our own, who is lord over

=us? Of this branch of wickedness, flection, "Have I come to this ?"22 as well as others we have named, N. Y. Rep. human laws do not, and ought not to take cognizance, except so far as it tends to the injury of society. This unhallowed independence apin regard to his institutions. pears Some of these have been already named. Others relate more directly to himself.

"HAVE I COME TO THIS?".. How painful must be the reflection of a young man, who has efi joyed the privileges of society, mor al instructions, and faithful admos nition, to find himself arrested in' his wicked career by the arm of justice, and about to receive the penalty of the law for his crimes, while comparing his past advanta ges with his present circumstances. Indeed he may say, "Have I come to this ?".. war

From the Boston Recorder and Telegraph." "THEIR ANGELS,”WCA Messrs. Editors-In your paper of Oct. 5, "X." gives an answer to "W." on the question, What are we to understand by the phrase, "their angels," Matt. xviii. 10and he says, "I am inclined to think that the text teaches the consoting doctrine, that the departed spirits of very young children are received into the blissful presence of God.”i pauotoiq sonlance box

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New Imust think that "X." at his Author Mr. Bradford have whol ly mistaken the text, I believe, that godly parents, who devote their child en to God, and pray for their salvation, have reason to hope, when they are taken from them in infancy, that God will remember his gracious covenant, and give them a place in his kingdom,

HOPELINS

This is not altogether an imag inary case. It so happened that the writer of this was present when several convicts arrived at one of And I know that there are many our State Penitentiaries.-Among ungodly parents, that console them the number was a young man, of selves with the hope, when their about the age of 24 years, of good children are taken from them, that appearance, and well dressed. On they are happy in heaven; though going into the prison he involun- they never gave them to God. or of tarily exclaimed, "Have I come to fered one prayer for their salvation. this? Alas! too late to avoid the But what is the relation, in which punishment justly due him for his such people stand to a holy God? crimes. What instructions such What right have they to any covea scene, and such language are nant blessing? Surely they ought calculated to afford to the youth: to fear and tremble, lest God should And to a parent who possesses a visit their iniquities upon deep interest in the welfare of a dreng and exclude both son just entering upon the scenes the blessings of his kingdom. of active life who knows the evil In reply to the Question, What propensities of the natural heart; are we to understand by their anand the exposedness of youth to the gels? it should be remembered, snares of the world, a scene like that the disciples had been disputthis must occasion a degree of anxing, and came me to Christ inquiring ious solicitude, lest on some future "Who is the greatest in the kingday he may have occasion to hear dom of heaven?" In reply, and to from that son the melancholy re teach them humility, Christ called 1946 vivipartol med

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Whittle child unto him, and set him in the midst of them, and said, Verily I say unto you, except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. Whosoover therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven." Christ then points out the happy consequences of receiving such little children in his nume; and the dreadful consequences of offending them. He then states the reasons why Christians, but especially his ministers, should not despise one of them. 1. He says. That in heaven their angels do always be hold the face of his Father. 2. That the Son of man is come to save that which was lost. Verses 10, 11, 2007 Evidently the design of Christ was to reprove the disciples for in dulging an ambitious spirit, and to teach them, and all his ministers, to condescend to the least of those, that believe in him, and not despise one of them.

ed to Christ was young, yet listen“, ed to his instructions, obeyed him, when called, and was a pattern of humility. The apostles were re quired to be converted from their ambitious schemes, and become humble like this child and others of the same spirit. All that were converted and became humble like this child, were to be great in the kingdom of God. And whoso received such a person, who had been thus converted, and possessed this humbie child-like spirit in the name of Christ, or as one of his disciples, received him. But whoso should offend one of these, which did believe in Christ, must suffer the painful consequence. Take heed then, saith Christ to his disciples, who had been disputing for preeminence in heaven; that ye des pise not one of these little ones, who has been couverted and be come humble and teachable, fike the child which I have set in the midst of you. For however they may be despised of men, their an gels, who are appointed to minis If the terms little child, and lit ter unto them in their humble sit-; tle ones are all to be taken as mean uation, and who cheerfully attend ing young children, then it should to this duty, do in heaven always. be remembered, that the little child, behold the face of my Father. And which Christ called to him, was even the Son of man has left the able to come of his own accord, heavenly world, and appeared on and was a real believer; as were earth, to save such humble believ the little ones mentioned verses 6 ers from their lost and wretched and 10. The passage will then state. Look at the example of an teach us, that there were some, gels and of their Lord, and see thats young children, who believed in you do not despise and neglect. Christ in the days of his humilia- those, on whom angels wait, and tion; and there may be some of whom their Lord has redeemed... the same description now; and that If the exposition given above be gospel ministers, and established Christians should be careful not to despise or neglect them.

But I apprehend the terms little child and little ones, should not all be considered as meaning very young children. The child that was call

correct, then the passage, deter mines nothing about the future state of children, except they believe în Christ. But it does teach, that young children have believed ins him, and that they may do it again: That all, who ever get to heaven

must be divested of ambitious views, and be humble as little children; that ministers and older ⚫ Christians should not despise, or cause to fall, weak and humble believers; and that angels are ministering spirits, sent forth to minister unto those who are heirs of salva=tion.

212 89 OBITUARY.

Y.

Died, in Carlisle, Ms. on Monday evening, the 5th inst. the Rev. PAUL LITCHFIELD, aged 75. He was pastor of the church in that place 46 years, and was much devoted to the work of the ministry. His qualifi cations for the office were very re=spectable. His mind was clear, strong, and discriminating; his manner grave and solemn. He cherished a deep sense of eternal things, and appeared very uniformly to live and act under their influence. He was a man of decision and firmness, and of sound judgment. In his ministrations, he exhibited the peculiar doctrines of the Bible with clearness and force, and ably defended the 1 truth. In revivals of religion, he took a lively interest. The prosper ity of Zion was dear to his heart, and he engaged in the efforts of the day, to spread the gospel through the earth. To the Massachusetts Missionary Society, he bequeathed a generous legacy. He was kind and affectionate in his family, and hospitable to his brethren and friends. Many were gratified in calling to see him, and enjoy his society. In his last sickness, which was short, he was favoured with peace with God, through the merits of the great Redeemer. Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord-Rec. & Tel.

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1827. Nov. 21st, Ordained Rer. Society in Chelmsford, Ms. Sermon JOHN A. ALBRO, over the 2d Cong. by Rev. Mr. Withington of Newbury.

1827. Nov. 21st, Ordained Rev. EZRA SCOVEL, as Pastor of the Sermon by Rev. Mr. Barton of ConCong. Church in Pittsfield, N. H. cord, from Deut. xxx. 19.

1827. Nov. 21st, Installed Rev THOMAS TRACY, Over the Unitarian Society in Saco, Me.

1827. Nov. 22d, Installed Rev. Ev. Con. Church in South Boston, JAY H. FAIRCHILD, as Pastor of the M Sermon by Rev. Mu. Stogas pr Braintree, from Isaiah Ixii. 10,

1827. Nov. 22d, Ordained in Taunton Ms. by the Association of H. PATRICK, as an Evangelist. Serr Taunton and vicinity, Rev. Josepá mon by Rev. Alvan Cobb of Taunton.

1827. Dec. 5th, Ordained Rev. DANIEL CAMPBELL, as Pastor of the Union Church in Kennebunk, Me. Sermon by Rev. Mr. Camp bell of South Berwick. 1^

1827. Dec. 5th, Ordained at North Wrentham, M3. by Mendon Associ ation, Rev. TYLER, THACHER, as an Evangelist. Sermon by Rey. Otis. Thompson of Rehoboth, from 2 Tim. ii. 10.

1827. Dec. 26th, Installed Rer." the 1st Con. Church in Dighton, Ms. PRESTON CUMMINGS, as Pastor of Sermon by Rev Calvin Park, D. D. from Deuteron, xxix. 29.')