ler began a discourse, which discovered such vast penetration of judgment, such extensive knowledge of law, and was expressed with such energetic and manly eloquence, that it astonished the judge and the whole court. 14. As he was going on with his powerful demonstrations, the judge, in great surprise, stopped him. "Where did you come from, and who are you?" "I came from Westminster Hall," replied the miller; "my name is Matthew Hale; I am Lord Chief Justice of the King's Bench. I have observed the iniquity of your proceedings this day; therefore, come down from a seat which you are nowise worthy to hold. You are one of the corrupt parties in this iniquitous business. I will come up this moment and try the cause all over again." 15. Accordingly, Sir Matthew went up, with his miller's dress and hat on, began the trial from its very commencement, and searched every circumstance of truth and falsehood. He evinced the elder brother's title to the estate, from the contradictory evidence of the witnesses, and the false reasoning of the pleaders; unravelled all the sophistry to the very bottom, and gained a complete victory in favor of truth and justice. LESSON LXXXIV. Sunday Morning. 1. THAT is not likely to be a profitable Sabbath which is commenced without some suitable recollection, some sincere desire to improve and to sanctify it. Our first waking thoughts should be thus consecrated; should thus take possession of the mind, and preoccupy it; otherwise those of a worldly kind will soon flow in; so that if we "do not our own works," we shall "think our own thoughts," which is as great a sin in the sight of God. 2. This Sabbath dawns not on ourselves alone, but also on the millions of our favored land; inviting all to forget the six days, in which they have labored and done their work, and to remember this, and keep it holy. Alas! to multitudes how vain the summons! It is melancholy to reflect on the thousands who welcome it only as a day of indulgence, idleness, or amusement. The Sabbath sun, which ought to arouse them betimes to its sacred duties, does but witness their longer indulgence. 3. How many, who "rise early and sit up late," on other days, to attend diligently to their worldly affairs, when they awake and recollect that it is Sunday, resolve to have "a little more sleep, a little more folding of the hands to sleep"! And when at last they arise, if they do not allow themselves to engage in the business of other days, they do but fill up the heavy hours in the meanest indulgences; in the preparation or enjoyment of a luxurious meal, in the most trifling occupations, or in absolute idleness. 4. Others rise early, indeed, but it is only in order to lengthen their holiday. How many such are now preparing to profane the Sabbath! How are the roads and fields, in almost every part of our beautiful country, disfigured by these unhallowed visitants! How are our streets thronged with Sabbath-breakers! The doors of the houses of God are thrown wide open, and they would be welcome as well as others. "Is it nothing to you, all ye that pass by?" In vain is the affectionate invitation! They pass on, resolved to have their pleasure, at whatever price. 5. But there is a brighter view of Sunday morning, to which it is refreshing to turn. How many are there, who have said of it, "Early will I seek thee," and who, from their various and distant dwellings, have been, at the same hour, seeking in their closets a blessing on this welcome Sabbath! Their united supplications, uttered in various, accents, and rising from the lowly cottage, the darksome hovel, as well as from abodes of comfort and affluence, ascend together, as an acceptable morning sacrifice to the throne of grace. 6. Again :-see from the streets and lanes, from the courts and alleys, of our crowded cities, from the hamlets and villages, from the highways and hedges, what numbers of decent children now issue forth to their respective Sunday Schools! How many little feet are at the same moment pacing the streets on this blessed errand! What an innumerable multitude would they form, could the whole of them be assembled on some vast plain before our view! 7. The crowded streets of a large city, on a Sunday morning, may also afford another observation which should excite our liveliest gratitude. To see multitudes, of every different denomination, quietly proceeding, in open day, unmo lested and unquestioned, to their respective places of worship, is a beautiful evidence of the religious privileges we enjoy. "Every man may now sit under his own vine; and -whoever might wish to do it-none dares to make him afraid." And now the voice of prayer and of praise is heard in our land. What numberless voices unite in that universal chorus which ascends, like a cloud of incense, to the heavens! This, then, is another animating reflection for Sunday morning. 8. But there are many who are absent from these solemnities, not from choice, but necessity. Sunday morning has a peculiar aspect in a sick chamber. Those now on the bed of languishing, who have hitherto neglected their Sabbaths, view it with peculiar emotions, feel its value, and resolve, if they are restored to health, to improve these precious seasons in future; while the true Christian, from his sick bed, hails its cheerful beams, and hopes for a Sabbath of rest, and profit, even there. 9. But let our thoughts-already so excursive-wander from our own happy land to distant climes; recollecting that, within the passage of a few hours, the same sun that beams in so cheerfully at the windows of our sanctuaries, and on the walls of our pleasant school-rooms, shines upon the plains of India-the wilds of Africa-the forests of America;-upon the ices of the North, and the islands of the South. 10. The same rays are reflected from the gilded pagodas, where the millions of China flock to their idolatrous worship; from the mosques of the false prophet;-from the gaudy temples of India; and light up the hideous features and grotesque shapes of ten thousand idol gods, "which are no gods," in every "dark corner of our globe. While we are illumined by the rays of the Sun of Righteousness, and are instructed in "the truth as it is in Jesus," the red Indian roams the desert in search of his prey, or of his enemies; the dark Hindoo muses idly on the banks of the Ganges; far in the impenetrable regions of Africa, "The Negro village swarms abroad to play." 11. The fierce Arab hunts for spoil, or follows the slow caravan of spicy merchandise across the burning sands of the desert; while the hardy Laplander urges his reindeer along the frozen way. Ah, then, what are the privileges of a Sabbath in America! Here and there, indeed, in those benighted regions, the solitary missionary goes forth, in the midst of hardship and peril, to hold up the light of truth; and would not he unite in the exclamation, surrounded as he is by difficulties and discouragements, and say, What are the privileges of a Sabbath in America! 12. But now let us return nearer home, to make a more practical reflection. This Sabbath sun, that shines on the millions of the human race, beams also on us; 66 on me," let every leader say; and to me the question is, How I shall employ it. I am not one of the open Sabbath-breakers of the land; but am I not one of the countless multitude, who, while in form they "keep a holy day," yet secretly say, "What a weariness it is! When will it be over?" 13. If so, reader, no longer, we beseech you, waste your time in pitying or despising the poor Indian and Hindoo; no longer censure the pleasure-taking Sabbath-breaker: let your charity begin at home; and remember, that if your Sabbaths are misimproved, you are in more alarming situation than the untaught savage, "Who knows not his Lord's will!" Recollect, also, that the period is hastening, when the ange! of Death shall swear concerning you, that "Time," and its Sabbaths," shall be no longer." LESSON LXXXV. Pleasantness of God's Service. 1. How amiable are thy tabernacles, O LORD of hosts! My soul longeth, yea, even fainteth for the courts of the LORD: my heart and my flesh crieth out for the living God. Yea, the sparrow hath found a house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O LORD of hosts, my King, and my God. 2. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house: they will be still praising thee. Selah. Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are the ways of them; who, passing through the valley of Baca, make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools. 3. They go from strength to strength; every one of them in Zion appeareth before God. O LORD God of hosts, hear my prayer: give ear, O God of Jacob. Selah. 4. Behold, O God, our shield, and look upon the face of thine anointed. For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. 5. For the LORD God is a sun and shield: the LORD will give grace and glory; no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. O LORD of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee. LESSON LXXXVI. Purposes of God developed by his Providence. 2. Deep, in unfathomable mines He treasures up his bright designs, 3. Ye fearful saints, fresh courage take; 4. Judge not the Lord by feeble sense, 5. His purposes will ripen fast, The bud may have a bitter taste, 6. Blind unbelief is sure to err, |