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"But no place on earth has been more distinguished for a bold and manly vindication of these sacred truths, than this ancient refuge of the pilgrims. We daily walk over the ashes of some of the most valiant champions of the christian faith; and constantly breathe the air that was perfumed by the incense of their prayers. What christian has lived in any period of the last century and a half, and has not heard of the impenetrable phalanx formed by the ministers of Boston, to defend the doctrines of the Reformation? These were the truths taught by your Wilsons, your Cottons, your Mathers, your Thachers, your Willards, your Colmans, your Pembertons, your Sewalls, your Princes, your Webbs, your Coopers, your Foxcrofts, your Checkleys, your Moorheads, your Eliots, and as many more, whose names will always adorn the annals of the church.

"If the tendency of any religion was ever thoroughly tested, it was the religion of the fathers of New-England. No such colonies ever formed the beginning of any other nation: no other nation ever inherited equal blessings from their ancestors. By what then were those colonies distinguished? By the purity of their faith, and the fervor of their piety. These evidently had a leading influence in forming the state of society, and the venerable institutions, which they bequeathed to posterity. The happiness of New-England is a monument, raised upon an eminence, to teach the world the tendency of the faith and piety of the puritans.* I venerate those holy men. I reverence their fortitude, their patience, their wisdom; but most of all, their love of truth feel ambitious to say, Among those ancestors were my own; and in this ground sleeps the dust of my fathers. But I am more ambitious to say, Their views of evangelical truth are mine. It is with mingled emotions of pleasure and hope that I see an edifice raised to support the doctrines of our forefathers; and to promote those views of practical religion which restrained them from frivolity, and prompted them to a course of strict and manly piety.

"What then were those doctrines and views? I will tell you ;--that if ever the time should come, when men shall support themselves by a professed veneration for the religion of our ancestors, while seeking to banish that religion from

*This subject is treated of in a most satisfactory and udmirable manner, by Dr. Dwight in his Sermon on the Death of Gov. Trumbull. See our review of that sermon in our last number.

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They believed that the Scriptures of the Old and New Testament, given at first by the inspiration of God have been preserved, by His providence, sufficiently pure and entire; and that the translation which we have in our hands, is, in every important point, correct.

"They believed that by the offence of one, judgment came upon all men to condemnation; that the posterity of Adam are shapen in iniquity and conceived in sin, are by nature the children of wrath, dead in trespasses and sins, and possess that carnal mind which is enmity against

God.

، They believed that the second per. son in the adorabie Trinity, took upon Himself, as Mediator, the seed of Abraham; and that this Mediator suffered death, as a vicarious sacrifice, to atone for the sins of the world.

"They believed that no man can see the kingdom of God except he be born again; that this change, which in scripture is called a new creation, a new birth, a resurrection from the dead, is produced by the supernatural influence of the divine Spirit; that there is a specific dif ference between common and special grace; that the repentance and faith necessary to salvation, are altogether distinct from any thing which exists in the heart before this change.

"They believed that by the deeds of the law no flesh shall be justified; that by grace we are saved, through faith, and that not of ourselves,it is the gift of God.

"They believed that God hath chosen His saints in Christ before the foundation of the world, that they should be holy, and without blame before him in love; having predestinated them unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will; that as many as were ordained to eternal life, will believe, being predestinated according to the purpose

of Him who worketh all things after the counsel of His own will; that the names of those who, in the eternal covenant of redemption, were given to Christ, were written in the book of life from the foundation of the world, that, in the same transaction, the Mediator received power over all flesh, that he should give eternal life to as many as the Father had given Him; that all whom the Father hath given Him, shall come to Him; that of all these He will lose nothing, but will raise it up again at the last day; that the Father which gave them Him is greater than all, and none is able to pluck them out of the Father's hand; and that of course they will be kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.

"They believed that the wicked will be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of His power.

"They believed that the church and the world are two separate kingdoms; and that none but true believers have a right to the sacraments of the New Testament, either for themselves or their children.

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"Such were the views of the fathers of New-England and I repeat the declaration, that to support the same views of the truths and duties of our holy religion,

this church was erected. Those, there

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fore, who stand in the ways, and ask for the good old paths, and walk therein, will say, Peace be to this house those only who have abandoned the religion of their fathers, will regard it with a cold or a jealous eye."

The following sentences of the dedication are, to our minds, impressively solemn.

"And now, in pursuance of the design of our meeting, we proceed to dedicate

this house to Him for whom it was erected. May God attend! Let all the angels witness -We religiously devote this edifice to the Father, infinite and selfexistent; to the Son, the brightness of His Father's glory; to the Holy Ghost, almighty and eternal. To the honor and VOL. II. New Series.

service of the ever blessed Trinity we solemnly dedicate these walls,these arches, these columns, this pulpit, that towering spire, and all that contains, with all that is contained within these sacred limits.. For the preaching of the word, for the public service of prayer and praise, for the administration of the sacraments of the New Testament, and for the residence of the eternal God, we consecrate the house."

After so many extracts, we give only the close of the ser

mon.

"And when the dust of this crumbled edifice shall be scattered upon the winds of heaven ;--when the stones of the last earthly sanctuary shall tremble in the convulsions of expiring nature ;--when the agonies of disappointment and despair shall seize on those who reproached your religion;--then, in the full assembly of your fathers, and with all the triumps of victory, you shall ride the clouds with your victorious Prince. And when all the myriads of the redeemed, following the triumphant chariot of their returning King, shall shout at heaven's gate, Lift up your heads, ye everlasting doors, and the King of glory shall come in! you shall be welcomed to those abodes of salvation where there is no temple but the Lord God Almighty, and the Lamb.

Amen."

We think this sermon well adapted to the occasion, and

calculated to excite the best emotions. As a literary performance it is respectable; but its principal excellency consists in the topics of instruction, and excitements to devotion, which it contains.

There is an unpleasant and improper recurrence of the word view in the first sentence, which we presume, was on oversight. Some other verbal criticisms might be made; they are not, however, of very great impor. tance.

The sermon was printed at the request of "The Brethren of the Park Street Church."

3E

An Oration delivered June 21, 1809, on the day of the author's induction into the office of Bartlet Professor of Pulpit Eloquence, in the Divinity College, at Andover. By Edward D. Griffin, D. D. Published by request of the Trustees. Boston, Farrand, Mallory, & Co. pp. 27.

It has given us great pleasure, that a Professorship of Pulpit Eloquence is established in the Theological Seminary at Ando

ver.

In the education of ministers in our country, the rhetorical parts of the art of composition, and the whole subject of delivery, have been comparative. ly neglected. To be an accurate thinker, and a logical reasoner, are high attainments; but the ability to discuss plain and com. mon subjects, in an interesting manner, and to deliver with propriety and animation, what is written with judgment, is scarcely less useful. It has been no uncommon thing to hear sermons which indicate piety, good sense, and learning, delivered with such unnatural tones, such ill-judged pauses, and such misguided em. phasis, as inevitably to detract much from the effect they were otherwise calculated to produce. That the perception of these defects is becoming more general, is a happy circumstance; and that a Professor is devoted to the great object of making candidates for the ministry good public speakers, furnishes a belief, that so far as the influence of this Institution shall extend, a remedy will be, in a great measure, provided. To these reflections we have been naturally led

by the subject of the Oration upder review.

After an introduction in which the "efforts which have been made to erect this school of the prophets," and the object of the institution, are just mention. ed, the following passage, on the importance of the chris. tian ministry is worthy of notice.

"The business to be conducted here

is, in the highest degree, benevolent ; and will have incalculable influence on the present and future happiness of men. This is not the place to form generals for fame and for carnage; but youthful Gideons, to lead "the sacramental host of God's elect" to fight the battles of their King-to fight with tears, not with swords; to wield the weapon of prayer, instead of spears; and to carry to the

assailed mercy, instead of death. This is not the place to form statesmen, to settle the little concerns of nations; but ministers of Christ, to manage, under their king, the interests of an immortal kingdom, a kingdom which will shine with the splendors of heaven, when all This is not the place to elicit the sparks the kingdoms of men shall be no more. of forensic eloquenee, or to raise up men to shine in national debate; but to fit young evangelists to pour the strains of immortal truth, and to plead before a dying race the cause of God, and His anointed Son. Generals may conquer, and statesmen may rule; but there is no work so great or so good, as that of a gospel minister. If the memory of a Howard is blessed, for visiting the pris ons and lazarettos of Europe, to relieve temporal distress, surely they ought not to hold a thankless office, who spend their lives in efforts to deliver their brethren from the prison of endless despair, the lazaretto of eternal disease."

The Orator guards against any supposition that ultimate reliance is to be placed on human art, or the unassisted exertions of men, by several judicious reflections. His definition of pulpit eloquence, is a good one; viz. “The perfection of pulpit eloquence consists in displaying the most affecting gospel truths, in the most impressive manner.”

He proceeds to show that a preacher may avail himself of the imagination, the natural affections, and the sympathy of his hearers.

"But" he observes, "through whatever medium an impression is made on the mind, it must be made by divine truth, or it is made in vain. And it must be made by the power of God."

That the understanding is to be addressed, and the conscience assailed; that the preacher himself must feel; and that all affectation is to be avoided, are positions distinctly stated.

We transcribe a brief enumeration of the subjects which present themselves to the pulpit orator.

"The preacher of everlasting truth has certainly the noblest subjects that ever elevated and enkindled the soul of man;--not the intrigues of a Philip,-not the plots of a Cataline ;---but the rebellion of angels,--the creation of a world,---the incarnation and death of the Son of God,---the resurrection of men,--

the dissolution of nature,--the general judgment,---and the final confirmation of countless millions of men and angels in happiness or misery. No subjects are so sublime ;---none so interesting to the feelings of a reflecting audience: no orator was himself ever so deeply interested in

his subject, as a godly minister is in the truths which he presses upon his hearers.

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The difference between the eloquence of the pulpit and that of the bar, or of popular assemblies, is illustrated by a comparison between Paul and Cicero ; and the Oration is concluded by some pious and animated reflections on the good effects to be expected from the Institution, into which the author had been chosen a Professor.

We think a just estimate of the importance of eloquence in the pulpit, is given in this Oration. It is not suffered to be depressed, on the one hand, as unworthy the attainment of the student in Theology; nor is it exalted, on the other, above the station of a humble instrument in the hands of God.

The only remaining criticism which we shall offer is, that the Orator might have profitably enlarged more upon what may be called the didactic parts of his discourse, viz. those parts which relate to the foundation of pulpit eloquence, and the objects at which it aims.

RELIGIOUS INTELLIGENCE.

CONSTITUTION OF THE MERRIMACK BIBLE SOCIETY.

ARTICLE I. THE distribution of the Holy Scriptures among the needy and destitute, within the reach of our aid, shall be the only object of the society; and the version of the Bible in common use, without note or comment, shall be the only version to be distributed in the English language; and it shall also be the standard in selecting the versions, to

be "distributed in other languages.

II. In the accomplishment of this great object, the Society will cheerfully, correspond and co-operate, as opportunity may offer, with all other institutions of a similar description; and especially with those in this State.

III. There shall be an annual meeting of the Society, holden at Newbu

ryport, on the first Wednesday of January, at two o'clock, P. M. when there shall be elected by ballot a President, Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secre tary, and Treasurer; who shall ex officio be Managers.

IV. There shall also be elected by ballot, at the annual meeting, ten Managers, who, in conjunction with the Officers mentioned in the preceding article, shall constitute the board of Managers seven of whom shall be necessary to form a quorum: and this board shall be authorized to make any regulations, comporting with this Constitution, which experience may indicate, as necessary. The President of the Society shall also be the President of the board of Managers.

V. The Society shall, if they think proper, determine at each annual meeting the amount of monies to be expended for the year. If they shall make no such designation, the matter shall be determined by the Managers.

VI. There shall be a standing Committee of two, appointed by the Managers, to receive the annual taxes, contributions, and all donations to the Society; and deliver the same to the Treasurer, obtaining his receipt for the amount.

VII. The Managers shall appoint a committeeofthree, who shall purchase and distribute Bibles, conformably to their Instructions; and they shall receive from the President an order on the Treasurer for the amount. All orders on the Treasurer shall be signed by the President, under the direction of the Managers.

VIII. There shall be at least a semiannual meeting of the Managers to examine the accounts of the Treasurer, receive the report of the Committee of Distribution, and transact any other business,relative to the objects of the institution and they shall report their doings, and the success of the institution during the year, at thẹ annual meeting of the members.

IX. Special meetings of the Society shall be called by the President, or in case of his disability, by the Vice President, at the request of seven of the members; and the objects of such meeting shall be specified; and

the manner of notifying the meetings shall be prescribed by the Managers. If the President and Vice President be absent at any meeting, some other person appointed shall preside.

X. The payment of twenty-five dollars upon subscribing these articles shall constitute a member of the Society for life; and the payment of two dollars annually, shall constitute the subscriber a member.

XI. No person holding an office under the Society, shall receive any compensation for his services, except the receiving committee; who may be compensated at the discretion of the board of managers.

XII. Thirty members, regularly convened, shall constitute a quorum. The constitution shall not be altered, except at an annual meeting; nor then, but by a vote of three fourths of the members present: but the first article shall be subject to no alteration.

XIII. Upon the adoption of the constitution, the society shall be immediately organized by a choice of officers ; and a committee shall be appointed to obtain subscriptions; and it shall moreover be the duty of the members at large, to increase the number of subscribers, and the funds of the Society, by all laudable meas

ures.

XIV. The transactions of the Society at their several meetings, and also of the managers at their meet. ings, shall be signed by the recording Secretary.

XV. The board of managers shall, as soon as convenient, apply to the General Court for an act of incorporation. OFFICERS.

William Coombs, Esquire, President.
Rev. Samuel Spring, D. D. Vice Pres.
William Woart, Esq. Recording Sec.
Rev Daniel Dana, Cor. Secretary.
Richard Pike, Esq. Treasurer.
MANAGERS.

Rev. John Andrews,
Rev. C. W. Milton,
Rev. James Morss,
Rev. James Miltimore,
Rev. John S. Popkin,
William Bartlet, Esq.
Thomas M. Clark, Esq.
Daniel A. White, Esq.
John Pearson, Esq.
Capt. Stephen Holland,

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