May 1800. In noticing" Family Sermons, by "the Rev. E.. Whitaker, Canterbury, three vols."the writer observes

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Prepossessed by the title of this work, we " commenced our perusal of it with the flattering expectation of finding, what has in“deed been long wanted; viz. a set of sermons " particularly calculated for the use of families; such as are proper for parents and masters to readi on Sunday evenings to their children and servants. It is astonishing that amidst the torrent of sermons continually issuing " from the press, there should scarcely be found “any which answer this description: but our

clergy do not sufficiently consider that com`66 positions calculated for the pulpit, are not “always adapted for the purposes above speci“fied. In our opinion, Family Sermons ought "to be short, plain, pious, and practical.

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They should not tire by length, nor perplex by profundity. The plain truths of the Chris

tian religion, the social and personal virtues, "should be their subjects, and these should be "treated with a view to practical application, " rather than to learned explanation.

"Our modern sermons are considerably "shorter than those of the last age, but they

"and servants are soon tired of listening to ad> "monitions; and when languor prevails, the "mind ceases to be in a proper state to receive "instruction. Above all things, therefore, he "who composes Family Sermons, should avoid prolixity and dry argumentation. He should "endeavour to put himself in the situation of "a sensible and well-disposed master of a fa

mily, who wishes to embrace the opportu❝uity afforded on the Sunday evening, of inculcating on those under his care and autho"rity, the lessons of religion and virtue. Such “a man, in making such an attempt, would "select no subject of controversy, would "discover no desire of display, but would "strive with all brevity, affectionately and piously to address their plain understandings, "consciences, and feelings.'

دو

The author has inserted this paragraph because there is such a remarkable coincidence of reflection, and because by such an authority he would strengthen his own opinion. He apprehends there is only one article in which the work now introduced will be found to differ. from the plan recommended above. And it is this. He has brought forwards, sometimes more fully and distinctly, and oftener still by connexion and implication, subjects which the

conductors of this celebrated review may consider as too much partaking of the controversial, and speculative, which they would entirely exclude from such a performance. But the author is satisfied, not only of the truth, but of the importance of these doctrines : he has seen their beneficial influence practically exemplified; and he is persuaded the inculcation of them is necessary to ministerial useful-ness. And as he has written from conviction, and has delivered himself without censoriousness, he expects from impartiality, the same candour with which notwithstanding difference of sentiment his former works have been received.

Lower East-Hayes,

June 1805.

2

AN..

ADDRESS.

ΤΟ

MASTERS OF FAMILIES.

MASTERS OF FAMILIES,

YOU have often heard, and perhaps always admired the resolution of Joshua. He had gathered all Israel together in Sechem-and thus he addressed them. If it seem evil unto you to serve the Lord; choose you this day whom ye will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

This determination derives a considerable force from the person who forms it. It was Joshua.

But who was Joshua? A soldier, a hero, a commander in chief of the armies of the living God, the governor of Israel, the principal man in the state. He it was, who in the presence of an assembled country, was not ashamed to say, as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.

And does religion degrade talents, tarnish dignity, disparage greatness? It ennobles titles, and adds lustre to a crown.-Are they only the vulgar, the foolish, the dastardly who profess to acknowledge God? God has been served by persons of all ranks, and of all distinctions. In every age of the world, some of the wise, the mighty, the noble have been called. And no where does religion shine to more advantage than in circumstances of elevation. Nothing is more pleasing than to see a combination of greatness and goodness in the same character. And nothing can be more useful. The higher classes have more opportunities and capacities for doing good than others. They are like a city set upon a hill-they cannot be hid they are widely visible. Their influence is extensive and powerful. Their example regulates not only manners but morals: for it would be easy to prove that morals equally with fashions work downward-from superiors to inferiors.