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ELIOT'S ORDINATION SERMON.

repose, after the fatigue of their march.
The cyprefs is in the first order of A
merican trees. Its majestick ftature, the
ftatelinefs of its trunk, lifting its cum-
brous branches towards the skies, the deli-
cacy of its colour, and the texture of its
leaves, fill the mind with mingled emo-
tions of pleasure and of awe.
mighty branches hang ftreamers of long
From its
mof, which float in the wind; and on
its lofty top the eagle builds his neft, and
the ftork finds a refting place. p. 53.

fail to interest the hearers for
ORDINATION discourses seldom
whose particular benefit they are
intended. The occasion naturally
leads them to
recur to past

The mocking-bird is the fweetest chorister of the feathered race, without excepting even the nightingale. While it poffeffes the power of imitating the notes of other birds, it equals that charming fongfter in the peculiar melody of its own ftrain.

But the mocking bird mingles action with its fong, and its measured movements accompany and exprefs the fucceffion of its emotions. to rife flowly, with expanded wings, and Its prelude is foon fink back to the fame spot, its head hanging downwards. Its action now correfponds with the varied nature of its mufick If the notes are brifk and lively, it describes in the air a number of cir cles, crofling each other; or it afcends and defcends continually in a fpiral line. If they are loud and rapid, it with equal brifkness flaps its wings. Is its song unequal? It flutters, it bounds. Do its tones foften by degrees, melt into tender ftrains, and die away in a pause, more charming than the sweetest mufick? It gently diminishes its action, glides fmoothly above its refting place, till the wavings of its wings begin to be imperceptible, at la ceafe, and the bird remains fufpended and motionless in the air." pp. 54-5.

ART. 7.

A sermon preached in Providence, at the ordination of Rev, Henry Edes, A. M. July 17, A. D. 1805. By John Eliot, D. D. pas tor of the New North Church. Boston.

Ubi autem sapientia cum religione inseparabill

nexu cohæret, utrumque verum esse Recesse

est; quia et in colendo sapere debemus, id est scire, quid nobis et quomodo sit colendum, et in sapiendo colere, id est re et actu, quod scierimus, implere.

Lact. de vera sapient. çap. 8. Providence. Carter. pp. 40.

scenes, to recollect past instruc and hope their opening prospects. tions, and to view with anxiety There is indeed a combination of circumstances favourable to both the eloquence of the speaker and the feelings of the auditory. The sermon, however, which is the subject of our present remarks, independently of time, place, and incident, is an excellent perform, It is judicious and appropriate; rich in sentiment; brilliant in remark; serious and evan The learning of its author is gelical. Yet it is not faultless. sometimes unnecessarily displayed. Its method is not, as it ought to be, so lucid, as to be plainly perceived by the careful hearer without the aid of either promise or recapitulation.

ance.

Its transitions

are not easy; its wit is obnoxious may possibly exasperate and to misapprehension, and therefore some of its similies are so confus for illustration nor embellishment; ed and so trite, as to serve neither for then only, when sparingly and aptly used, are rhetorical figures "like apples of gold in baskets of silver."

The sermon is founded on Luke marks, explanatory of the text, Dr. x. 18. After some general reity in the world. He then ably E. traces the progress of christian, describes the duty of its preach. ers, and indicates the various means by which their mission may be most successfully accom plished. With pointed satire and with holy zeal he combats the sneers and doubtings of the unbe. liever on the one hand; and on the other he forcibly descants up

on the injuries, which pure chris- mind with proofs of God's existtianity sustains from the false fer- ence. He displays the nature and vours of ignorant and fanatical ex- duties of civil society. He shows horters, who mar the beauty of the superiority of civilized to savreligion, who clothe that angel of age life. He remarks upon the peace in a demon's dress, and un- necessity of subordination, labour, der the pretence of piety seek on. and union in a community, and of ly a support in their idleness, and a firm and steady government to & cloak for those disorders of the prosperity of a people. He which they are the occasion. speaks of the advantages of divine After exposing these opposite revelation, and closes with a strik. evils, and showing them to be ex- ing summary of the a priori argu. tremely injurious to the progressments in favour of a future state. of undefiled religion, he concludes Dr. Lathrop is a writer who is with the usual addresses to the always filled with his subject, and candidate and the church. To who gives to every subject he the first he is affectionate, to the touches a high degree of interest. last respectful.

His style is simple, perspicuous, The charge by Rev. Dr. La- and forcible. He communicates throp is paternal and instructive ; much matter in an easy manner, and the right hand of fellowship and performs more than he promby Rev. Dr. Kirkland contains ises. We regret that so good a hints on the exercise and display sermon, as the one we have dese of christian charity, on which cribed, should not be impressed christians of every name would on better paper and with a better do well to meditate.

type, and that its punctuation and

orthography should be sadly imART. 8.

perfect. A discourse, delivered at Spring

ART. 9. field, Oct. 30, 1805. On occasion of the completion and opening of A discourse delivered before the the great bridge over Connecti. members of the Boston Female cut river, between the towns of Asylum, Sept. 20, 1805, being Springfield and West-Springfield.

their fifth anniversary. By Wil. By Joseph Lathrop, D. D. pastor

ham Emerson, minister of the first of the church in IVest-Spring field.

church in Boston. Russell & 2d edition, Springfield, (Mas.)

Cutler. 1805. pp. 30. Text. H. Brewer, pp. 16.

Matt. xxiv. 13. The first object of this discourse This discourse is introduced by is to exhibit the wisdom and be a text, which is perhaps more apnevolence of God in adapting the propriate to the circumstances of earth to the habitance of men. This charitable institution, than any The author then shows it to have other in the whole compass of the been the design of the Deity, not-sacred writings. The delicacy withstanding what is done for us, and elegance of the compliment it that we should do something for conveys must have been peculiarly ourselves. He lastly very happi- grateful to the members of this ly uses the occasion for suggests society, and have excited a degree ing several reflexions of immense of expectation, which, we dare to importance. He refreshes the say, was not disappointed in the

progress of the discourse. The connexion of the text is well illustrated and applied; the observations follow from it without labour or constraint.

Though the Female Asylum has been generally approved, still there are some benevolent and judicious men, who have been doubtful of its ultimate tendency, and have therefore been less unreserved in their commendations, than our author. We do not say that he has been immoderate in its praise; but we suggest to his consideration, whether he has not expressed himself with too little caution, when he compares to the avarice and envy of Judas the motives of those persons "who may persist in condemning the design of this institution?" The friends of the Asylum, however, have found in the preacher an eloquent advocate, and, but for the exceptions just mentioned, an enemy might almost be made a

convert.

The word "reciprocity" is hardly admissible, and the phrase "empyrean heavens" is rather above the heads of common audiences.

We extract the following specimen of the writer's style and man

ner.

The fubject also suggests a fine leffon on the effect of commendation. How fweet is the voice of praife! It is neceffary to the young, it is exhilirating to the old. There is none fo high as to be above, and none fo low as to be beneath its influence. To repofe under the shade of the laurel, we fee the ftudent wafting his conftitution before the, lamp, the ftatesman denying himself ease, and the victorious general braving death in a thoufand forms. Let us however diftinguish the applause of the fickle multitude from the calm approbation of the wife and good. The firft is unworthy the pursuit of man or woman, the laft is an ornament of grace, of which the most modest chriftian is permitted to be fond; it is a crown of glory, which the

humbleft christian may be proud to wear. This alone is genuine honour; it is the natural and well ripe fruit of genuine the humble cottager, as well as of him worth. It is fometimes in poffeffion of who figures in the walks of publick life. This is that good name w'ich is better than precious ointment, and rather to be abofen of merit, whofe actions are guided by than great riches. To a perfon conscious wisdom, and terminate in private happinefs, publick utility, and the honour of religion, how grateful the commendation of a difcerning friend! It is like the precious ointment, which was wont to moiften the head of the Hebrew priest, and to perfume his facerdotal veftments. Or it may be likened to the dews, which copiously defcended on the hills of Hermon, quickening the progrefs of vegetation, and clothing them with luxuriance and the reward of beneficence. And it and beauty. It is at once the stimulus is a reward which we cannot, without doing violence to the best feelings of the heart, refrain from bestowing. As like begets like, love begets love. It is impoffible to behold a high degree of naIt is equally impoflible to witness an act tural beauty, and be filent in its praise. of fincere generofity, and not feel a sentiment of complacence for the agent. It is immaterial whether the action be done for our advantage, or that of our neighbour. Jefus would have commended a fimilar action in Mary performed for any other man; and he would have praised the fame deed performed for him by any other woman. What a beautiful encomium is here paid by our master to his worthy friend! Who will henceforth doubt if love of honour, within moderate limits, may be justified? It is manifeft that Chrift here fanctifies a defire of glory, and confecrates it to the practice of virtue. Verily I fay unto you, wherever this gofpel fhall be preached throughout the whole world, there fball alfo this, that this woman bath done, be told for a memorial of ber. Bleffed Jefus! We this day help to make thee a true prophet. In these ends of the earth we verify thy words. Yes, thou excellent woman, who anointedst with precious ointment the holy faviour of the world, at the distance of eighteen centuries from thy death, we publish thy beneficence with joy and gratitude. Though no ftatue is erected to thy fame, thy bounty fhall yet be had in everlasting remembrance; without the aid of brafs,

ry character will every where be dear. Wherever the gospel of our falvation fhall be made known; wherever it shall carry peace to the turbulent, and light to thofe in darkness; wherever it shall offer pardon to the penitent, and immortality to the good, there thall thy lovely name be more fragrant than the perfumes, and thy memory precious as that of the juft!

ART. 9.

A sermon, preached at the ordination of Rev. Charles Lowell to the pastoral care of the west church and congregation in Bos ton, Jan. 1, 1806. By Eliphalet Porter, pastor of the first church in Roxbury. Annexed are The charge, by Professor Ware; and right hand of fellowship, by Mr. Buckminster. Boston: Belcher & Armstrong.

THE chief entertainment of an ordination sermon is to be found in the addresses at the close. The preceding matter resembles the half hour, which is spent in the drawing room before dinner it is irksome; but a good-natured and civil man, if he does not attend to it with delight, will endure it with patience, sensible that a half hour, though it may be tedious, cannot be long," and that the feast, which is to follow, will compensate him for his mental fatigue. Mr. Porter is an entertainer who deserves our thanks; for whilst he has interested and pleased us in the conclusion of his discourse, he is neither long nor dull in the introductory part. His text is," Sanctify them through thy truth; thy word is truth;" and the two divisions of his subject are, " 1. It is by means of truth, that God sanctifies mankind. 2. The word of God is the truth, by which this important purpose is effected." The three extracts which follow

are favourable specimens of his

manner.

I will not assert, that the knowledge of the truth and the practice of righteousness are inseparably connected; and much less, that the latter is always in exact proportion to the former. But it is a fact, which I believe will not be denied, that they have been associated in a manner, which could not have been the result of accident. A history of the progress and state of religious knowledge, in the various ages and countries of the world, would be found a valuable index of their state of moral improvement.

To search the scriptares, in order to acquaint ourselves with their meaning, is our indispensable duty. When we engage in this employment, we must take with us our reason and conscience. These are essential to our understanding the written word of God. Without their light and aid, we cannot proceed a step shall be led into errour and absurdity, in interpreting the sacred scriptures; but by the first metaphor, or figurative expression that occurs.

The successor of a Mayhew and a Howard ought not to content himself with low attainments in knowledge and goodness. This flock have been accusbe fed with chaff. They will require tomed to substantial food, and must not knowledge and understanding; or in other words, doctrines and precepts, founded on plain scripture and common

sense.

The charge, by Professor Ware, is such as we should expect from the decent and correct mind of its author. It is destitute of ornament, and contains little novelty. But as ornament would be misplaced in an authoritative exhortation, and novelty could not be obtained, without deviating from the model which St. Paul has given, these circumstances, we think, entitle it, not to censure, but praise. In the following passage, Mr. Ware, without insisting on any doubtful qualifications, points out, in concise terms, the endowments, which a candidate for ordination ought to possess. We give it as a specimen, not only of his style,

but of his moderation and good

sense.

The ministry, which you have received yourself, you will be careful also to commit, as you fhall be called in providence to that fervice, only to faithful men, who give fatisfactory evidence of found understanding, of competent knowledge, of pure morals, of unqueftionable piety, and of unblemished rep

utation.

The right hand of fellowship, by Mr. Buckminster, is the splendid performance of a young man of genius. The following simile was received by the auditory with a murmur of applause; and we doubt not it will afford a high grat

ification to the reader.

Is there not, amidft all the varieties of difcipline and faith, enough left us in common to preserve a unity of fpirit? What though the globes, which compofe our planetary fyftem, are at fometimes nearer than at others, both to one another and to the fun, now croffing one another's path, now eclipfing one another's light, and even fometimes appearing to our short-fighted vifion to have wander ed irrecoverably, and to have gone off into boundless space; yet do we not know that they are still reached by some genial beams of the central light, and continue, in their widest aberrations, to gravitate to the fame point in the fyftem? And may we not believe that the great head of the church has always difpenfed, through the numerous focieties of christendom, a portion of the healing influences of his religion; has held them invifibly together, when they have appeared to be ruthing fartheft afunder; and through all the order and confufion, conjunction and oppofition, progrefs and decline of churches, has kept alive in every communion a fupreme regard to his authority, when clearly known, as a common principle of relation to him and to one another?

In the extract which follows, Mr. B. has, with a few masterly strokes, drawn the true characters of the great Mayhew, and the vir tuous Howard.

Surely the defk, where fuch men as Mayhew and Howard have ftood, is privileged above the common walks of publick inftruction.-Of Mayhew we have heard and read only, but enough to know, that pofterity will hear and read of him also. They will be curious to learn more of that intrepid fpirit, which nothing could deprefs; of that vigorous understanding, which broke fo easily the little meshes which were spread to entangle it. However they may hef itate to follow him in all his fpeculations, they will never hesitate to admire his noble attachment to his country, its

liberties, its churches, and its literature; they will not be interested to depreciate the independence of his virtue, the manliness of his piety, and the undiffembled love for the cause of his Redeemer.

Howard we have feen; and who that has feen him has forgotten the patriarchal fimplicity of his character, united with a tenderness, which would have been adknew him is not eager now to affure us, that he had ingrafted the moft fublime virtues and honourable accomplishments of his predeceffor on the found and uncorrupted stock of his own integrity?

mired even in a brother? Who that

In the last extract we have marked a word, which appears to us to be incorrectly employed. As Mayhew and Howard only stood in the pulpit, other publick instructers ought not, in the same sentence, to have walks assigned to them.

ART. 10.

A discourse delivered at the request of the American revolution society, before that society, and the state society of the Cincinnati, on the death of Gen. Christopher Gadsden, Sept. 10, 1805. By Nathaniel Bowen, A. M. rector of St. Michael's, and member of the American revolution society. Published at the request of the two societies. Charleston. W. P. Young. p, 22.

THERE are various defects in this discourse. The style is too

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