springs of religious affection common to several classes, performs at least a seasonable, though very simple and natural, office. It is happily an office which every day renders easier to earnest men. For there is undoubtedly an increasing body of persons in this country, who are rapidly escaping from the restraints of sects; who are not unaware of the new conditions under which the Christianity of the present day exists; and who are ready to join hand and heart in order to give free scope to the essential truths and influences of our religion, in combination with the manly exercise of thought, and just concessions to modern knowledge.

To find one's-self in sympathy with such men is a heartfelt privilege, superior to all personal distinction: it is to share in an escape from the worst prejudices of the present, and in the best auguries of the coming age.

The Sphere of Silence.-1. Man's

XXI.

The Sphere of Silence.-2. God's

281

DISCOURSES.

I.

WHERE IS THY GOD?

EZEKIEL VIII. 10-12.

SO I WENT IN AND SAW; AND BEHOLD EVERY FORM Of creeping
THINGS AND ABOMINABLE BEASTS, AND ALL THE IDOLS OF THE
HOUSE OF ISRAEL, POURTRAYED UPON THE WALLS ROUND ABOUT;
AND THERE STOOD BEFORE THEM SEVENTY MEN OF THE HOUSE OF

ISRAEL, WITH EVERY MAN HIS CENSER IN HIS HAND; AND A
THEN SAID HE UNTO ME, SON.

THICK CLOUD OF INCENSE WENT UP.

OF MAN, HAST THOU SEEN WHAT THE ANCIENTS OF THE HOUSE OF
ISRAEL DO IN THE DARK, EVERY MAN IN THE CHAMBERS OF HIS
IMAGERY?

To a wise man there is no surer mark of decline in
the spirit of a people, than the corruption of their lan-
guage, and the loss of meaning from their highest and
most sacred words. In the affairs of government, of
morals, of divinity, we retain the phrases used by our
forefathers in Shakspeare's time: but it is impossible
to notice the dwindled thought which they frequently
contain, without feeling that the currency struck for
the commerce of giant souls has been clipped to serve
the traffic of dwarfs. Observe, for example, the low-