deist, and atheist? A little con-, accquainted. Of God, the heasideration will evince what must then entertained three hundred necessarily be the practice of different opinions; and of his infidels. Rejecting the great character, their ideas were such doctrines, which relate to the as the indulgence of their paseternal world, and which the sions demanded. Here then, heathen faintly believed, they behold the importance of revewere under less restraint, and lation. By the light of nature, were consequently more vicious we can learn the existence of a in their lives. Law and order, God, but his will is unknown, and heaven and hell, they pronoun- cannot possibly be discovered by ced the mere phantoms of the the powers of reason. But of imagination, which, tho' some- what avail would it be to know times useful, were created by there was a God, without knowthe superstitious and designing, ing what would please him? By to frighten the ignorant, and to reason, we also discover our imsubserve their own purposes.- mortality. Sure of an eternity While the heathen restrained of happiness or woe, and yet igsome of the grosser irregulari-norant of the means, by which ties of men, by their belief in the former may be secured, and visionary gods, and a future im- the latter shunned, what happimortal existence, they, with a ness could we enjoy? We see sweeping stroke, have wiped the goodness of God displayed away all restraint, broken up the in the works of creation, and progreat deeps of licentiousness, vidence; ourselves to have been and fed the fiery passions with the pensioners of his bounty, a seven fold flame. Their steps and know that we have been have been marked with bold im- ungrateful in the reception of piety against the God of heaven, these mercies. Reason would in whose hands their breathis, and lead us to conclude with Sowhose are all their ways. Does crates, (whose decisions, on these heathenism leave us in uncer- subjects, were more just than tainty? This does more. It those of any of the heathen,) destroys morality, reputation, that God could not forgive sin. and happiness here; it carries Thus, by the light of nature, we us thoughtless to the grave; and are plunged into the world of we awake, frighted, in the woe, but, by revelation, we are presence of our Judge, the ob- taught that in Christ is our jects of his anger. Most em- hope. Had God communiphatically, therefore, do the prin-cated no revelation of his will ciples, and practice of men, who to men, the best, and only way have no revelation, or who are of salvation, by which they could not guided by it, speak its ne-be saved, would never have been cessity.

The character of God, the immortal nature, and final destination of man, are subjects, the most momentous to us. A knowledge of them, is of more importance to our happiness, than of any, with which we are

discovered by them. They must have perished for ever. Faith and repentance, to the eye of reason, would have appeared the most improbable conditions of forgiveness with God, which could possibly have been devised: yet, in the scriptures, these

are made the easy terms, upon | ed with infinite workmanship, a compliance with which, we are employments pure and ravishpromised joy unspeakable in ing, a character completely digthis life, and in the world to nified and lovely, companions come, an inheritance among the the first and best in the universe, saints in light. Every thing, a system of Providence, comwhich respects our duty towards posed wholly of good, refining, God, our fellow-men, or our-ascending, and brightening for selves, is now clearly revealed; and we have confidence in God, that, though the mountains depart, and the hills be removed, his word shall stand for ever.

Let it be remembered, that. in the account here given of the heathen, we do not see them wholly destitute of revelation. They had numerous traditions of facts, which are recorded in the Old Testament, and which, no doubt, led them to more correct conclusions on moral subjects, than they would otherwise have formed. We may safely

ever, and a God seen, known and enjoyed, in all his combined perfections, are there drawn in colors of light and life."* Blush then, ye lovers of darkness, and adore that God, who has revealed the path of life, and invites you to pursue it; the path of death, and warns you to escape it.

S. T. H.

FOR THE CONNECTICUT MAGA-
ZINE.

conclude, that, uninfluenced by"

On Rhetorical Profaneness.

HOU shalt not take the

God in vain." The epithet improper is too mild a term, to be

any thing unseen, society could not exist. But allowing the light of nature all the assistance which tradition affords, and it * See two sermons, on Infidel Phipresents a faint, imperfect sem-losophy, by Dr. Dwight, where blance of those beauties, which revelation sets in full view before us. "What the natural eye thus sees with dim and probable vision, Christianity, possessed of superior optics, discerns and promises, with clear prophetic certainty. Endless death and endless life are written in full and glowing characters in the book, sealed to unenlightened and unassisted man with seven seals. That book, a hand infinite and supreme unrolls to every humble, penitent, believing mind, and discloses to the enraptured view the page of eternity, on which, things divine and immortal are pencilled with sun-beams. A residence finish

most of the facts, mentioned in this essay, are to be found. These sermons connected with a sermon on Infidelity, by ROBERT HALL of Cambridge, (Eng.) and a contrast of the life and death of Dr. Finley, with the life and death of David Hume, in the fourth Number of the first volume of the Christian's Magazine, form a bulwark, which Infidels would assault in vain, were they not aided by the corrupt passions of men. Let no one refuse to read these publications, because he is unfind himself amply rewarded, should interested in the subject. He will he get no religious instruction from them. Though different in kind, they are specimens of eloquence, never surpassed in this or any other age. In them may be seen all that do; and most forcibly do they teach the light of nature and infidelity can the necessity of a revelation.

applied to the frequent exclama- | induced many, through a false

tory invocations on the name of the Deity, which grate upon the ear, from the tongues of eloquent speakers, or pain the sight, from the pages of impassioned writers.

taste, to prostitute the name of their Maker in order to support an elevation of style, which elevation, the subject did not re quire, nor the sentiments allow. Boldness is a characteristic of style, which it is desirable to possess, but which should never be purchased, by a breach of the third command.

Animated discourse may admit indeed of warm ejaculations, or solemn asseverations, in which not only with evident propriety, but with great beauty of style, the name of God may be invok

cerity St. Paul calls God for a record upon his soul, and the Psalmist in his prayerful effu

From the high veneration in which the rhetorical productions of the ancients are held, seems to have arisen in part, the evil of which I am complaining. Dii Immortales! was the frequent exclamation of the Roman Orator: and, My God! responds the modern Ciceronean, as though no higher reverence, than that paid to the fa-ed. In protestation of his sinbled son of Saturn, were due to Jehovah. But an attachment to heathen productions is not the only cause of this irreverence.sions makes frequent use of the If attachment to the ancients is name of his Creator. But when acquired only by a perusal of a writer or a speaker introduces their works, and strengthened into his language the exclamain proportion to the degree of tions, good God! For God's attention with which those sake! &c. as inere unmeaning works are examined, no satisfac-expletives, designed like the tory reason can be given, why oaths of the profane swearer, for ancient eloquence should be held no other end, than to give boldin higher estimation by the pul-ness to his expression, and ropit orators of France, than by those of England.*

The more efficient cause of profaneness in the pulpit is vanity. "The preacher's oath is rhetoric, and he swears for fame." Vanity so unbecoming a minister of the gospel has, I am persuaded,

tundity to his periods, it cannot fail to be regarded, as a high degree of wilful profanation. It is recorded of a truly great man, that he never uttered the glorious and fearful name of God without pausing with reve-rence. This manner of regarding the name of the Deity, will lead one to more exalted con*The sermons of Massillon and ceptions of his character, and Bourdaloué, however eloquent, it is conceived, have a tendency, by their unlike the person who makes a frequent appeals to heaven, to les-debasing use of the divine titles sen in the mind, those ideas of fear and reverence which the Most High so justly requires, of his creatures, and to lower that standard of action which is furnished to us by the contemplation of a Being beyond conception, great and adorable.

upon trivial occasions, to discern an important distinction between the names of Jupiter and Jehovah.

B.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE CON- stroyed, by stumbling over an

portance for the interest of reli-
gion, and the encouragement of]
experimental piety; at the same
time very difficult in the execu-
tion. You must expect many
temptations to unfaithfulness.
In some instances, you will find
it difficult to determine what
ought to be approved, and what
rejected.

imprudent description of the truth.- -Great caution ought to be observed in describing Christian experience. To this

subject, those, who are anxious

ly concerned for their own souls, are ever attentive. If you describe Christian experience, in a way, more metaphysical than we find in the word of God, both Satan and the wicked heart, will become reasoners, and in the opinion of ignorant and sinful people, may prove that to be true, which is both heretical and vicious. Or, if you describe it in the loose language of transports, frames, and the first warm conceptions of those, who either are, or think themselves to be Christians, you may lose the essence of unfeigned pi

The monthly religious publications, now multiplied in our country, have a great influence in forming, both the opinions and the practice of those who read them; on this account, the responsibility of conducting them is great. It cannot be ex-ety in the vapor of enthusipected, from any man, or number of men to avoid mistakes, therefore, the greater care ought to be exercised, in the selection of proper matter. Many periodical publications on religious subjects, in the English language, are printed either in this country or in Europe; the greater part of which I have read.

These have their characteristic differences, perhaps arising from the different tempers, or different religious experience of the persons by whom they are conducted, or of the parties by whom they are patronized.

What I wish of you, is to avoid all parties, and to be both scriptural and prudent, for although prudence, in the worldly acceptation of the word, doth not always imply gracious affections, it is not to be neglected. Many persons have been de

asm.—It is very common for young converts to relate their Christian experiences in the most glowing language. They are sincere, but not acquainted with the wiles of Satan, nor with the insidiousness of spiritual pride. A few years of Christian experience will lay them in deep abasement, through a sense of their own imperfections.This reason induced me to bring the matter into your considera. tion. Young Christians, in the state I have mentioned, imagine their own present views to be the test of all truth; they speak, in the warmth of their hearts; they judge, and approve or condemn, according to their present frames; they write to their friends in the ardor of feeling; their letters are transmitted to you for publication in the Magazine.Although, many exercises of a renewed heart are

for the season of youth, and content yourself with believing, that some years hence will be soon enough to think of this most important of all concerns.

Are you then, Maria, too young to serve the God who made you, who constantly preserves you, and to whom you are accountable for all your conduct?-too young to love the Saviour who suffered and died to redeem sin

expressed, they are mingled with sider yourself too young to remuch imagination, and some- nounce the pleasures which aptimes written imprudently. Pi-pear to you so well calculated ous friends are delighted with the change in those, for whom they have often prayed, and transmit all their sayings for the public eye. It is not to be expected, that all who are pious or have had uncommon manifestations of the truth, should be able to write for the edification of the church. Although a true picture of gracious affections in the heart is desirable, above all other things, some atten-ners like yourself?-too young tion is due to the style, and man- to secure the happiness of your ner of expression. In many in- immortal soul? Are you too stances, it will not be expedient young to die? Look back a few for an Editor to alter an account years upon the circle of your of Christian experiences while acquaintance and you will behold it is so drawn, as must be disa- many bowing to the "king of grecable to every one, who either terrors," the number of whose thinks or writes correctly. In years did not equal yours. And all such cases, propriety must when taking this retrospect, reprevail, although the feelings of flect upon your beloved brother a few persons may be wounded. suddenly taken from you in the Narratives of revivals of re-bloom of youth. While mournligion, when judiciously com-ing his death, you appeared to feel posed, are useful, and I hope will the insufficiency of earthly ob be solicited for your Magazine.jects to console your afflicted Being a subscriber, I shall care-mind, and said to me, as I was fully notice the publication, and if it will be agreeable, will give you some further cautions in my future letters.

standing by you, "O Caroline! this world will never afford me any more satisfaction." I fondly hoped these impressions would be lasting, and would lead you to seek a permanent good; but alas! scarce one year had elapsed before they were, if I may judge from your conduct, wholly effaced from your mind, and you became, gay and thoughtless as ever.

"Smitten friends Are angels sent on errands full of

love;

"For us they languish, and for us they die:

serve in your last letter, that you believe me influenced" by a desire to promote your happiness, when I urge upon you the necessity of attending to religion; but you seem to conVOL. I. NO. 3.

" And shall they languish, shall they
die in vain?
P