baffled projects, the deserted settlements, the abandoned adventures, of other times, and find the parallel of this. 10. Was it the winter's storm, beating upon the houseless heads of women and children? was it hard labor and spare meals? was it disease? was it the tomahawk? was it the deep malady of a blighted hope, a ruined enterprise, and a broken heart, aching, in its last moments, at the recollection of the loved and left beyond the sea? was it some, or all of these united, that hurried this forsaken company to their melancholy fate? And is it possible that neither of these causes, that not all of them combined, were able to blast this bud of hope? Is it possible, that, from a beginning so feeble, so frail, so worthy not so much of admiration as of pity, there has gone forth a progress so steady, a growth so wonderful, an expansion so ample, a reality so important, a promise, yet to be fulfilled, so glorious? LESSON LXXIII. THE PILGRIM FATHERS. BY REV. J. PIERPONT. 1. THE Pilgrim Fathers, where are they? Still roll in the bay', as they roll'd that day When the sea around was black with storms', 2. The mists', that wrapp'd the Pilgrim' sleep', And his rocks yet keep their watch by the deep', But the snow-white sail', that he gave to the gale As an angel's wing, through an opening cloud, 3. The Pilgrim exile,-sainted name'! The hill, whose icy brow Rejoiced, when he came, in the morning's flame, And the moon's cold light', as it lay that night Still lies where he laid his houseless head': 4. The Pilgrim Fathers are at rest: When Summer's throned on high, And the world's warm breast is in verdure dress'd, On that hallow'd spot is cast; And the evening sun, as he leaves the world, 5. The Pilgrim spirit has not fled : It walks in noon's broad light; And it watches the bed of the glorious dead, It watches the bed of the brave who have bled, Till the waves of the bay, where the Mayflower lay, LESSON LXXIV. THE DUTIES OF AMERICAN CITIZENS. BY DANIEL WEBSTER. 1. FELLOW-CITIZENS, let us not retire from this occasion without a deep and solemn conviction of the duties which have devolved upon us. This lovely land', this glorious liberty', these benign institutions', the dear purchase of our fathers', are ours'; ours to enjoy, ours to preserve', ours to transmit`. Generations past', and generations to come', hold us responsible for this sacred trust'. Our fathers from behind admonish us with their anxious, paternal voices; posterity calls out to us from the bosom of the future; the world turns hither with its solicitous eye: all, all conjure us to act wisely and faithfully in this relation which we sustain. 2. We can never, indeed, pay the debt which is upon us'; but by virtue', by morality, by religion', by the cultivation of every good habit', we may hope to enjoy the blessing through our day', and to leave it unimpaired to our children. Let us feel deeply how much of what we are, and what we possess, we owe to this liberty, and to these institutions of government. 3. Nature has, indeed, given us a soil which yields bounteously to the hand of industry; the mighty and fruitful ocean is before us, and the skies over our heads shed health and vigor. But what are lands, and seas, and skies, to civilized man, without society, without knowledge, without morals, without religious culture? and how can these be enjoyed, in all their excellence, but under the protection of wise institutions and a free government? 4. Fellow-citizens, there is not one of us, there is not one of us here present, who does not at this moment, and at every moment, experience, in his own condition, and in the condition of those most near and dear to him, the influence and benefits of this liberty and of these institutions. Let us, then, acknowledge the blessing'; let us feel it deeply and powerfully'; let us cherish a strong affection for it', and resolve to maintain and perpetuate it'. The blood of our fathers', let it not have been shed in vain'; the great hope of posterity', let it not be blasted'. 5. The striking attitude, too, in which we stand to the world around us, a topic to which, I fear, I advert to too often, and dwell on too long cannot be altogether omitted here. Neither individuals nor nations can perform their part well, until they understand and feel its importance, and comprehend and justly appreciate all the duties belonging to it. It is not to inflate national vanity', nor to swell a light and empty feeling of selfimportance', but it is that we may judge justly of our situation', and of our own duties', that I earnestly urge this consideration of our position and our character among the nations of the earth'. 6. It cannot be denied, but by those who would dispute against the sun, that with America, and in America, a new era commences in human affairs. This era is distinguished by free representative governments, by entire religious liberty', by improved systems of national intercourse', by a newly-awakened and an unconquerable spirit of free inquiry', and by a diffusion of knowledge through the community', such as has been before altogether unknown and unheard-of. 7. America! America! our country, fellow-citizens, our own dear and native land, is inseparably connected, fast bound up, in fortune and by fate, with these great interests. If they fall', we fall with them'; if they stand', it will be because we have upholden them'. Let us contemplate, then, this connection which binds the prosperity of others to our own; and let us manfully discharge all the duties which it imposes. 8. If we cherish the virtues and the principles of our fathers, Heaven will assist us to carry on the work of human liberty and. human happiness. Auspicious omens cheer us. Great examples are. before us. Our own firmament now shines brightly upon our path. Washington is in the clear upper sky. These other stars* have now joined the constellation; they circle round their center, and the heavens beam with new light. Beneath this illumination let us walk the course of life, and at its close devoutly commend our beloved country, the common parent of us all, to the Divine Benignity. LESSON LXXV. MARSEILLES HYMN. BY DE L'ISLE 1. YE sons of France', awake to glory'! The avenging sword unsheathe! March on march on! all hearts resolved 2. Now, now, the dangerous storm is rolling, And shall we basely view the ruin, While lawless force, with guilty stride, With crimes and blood his hands imbruing? * Adams and Jefferson. 3. With luxury and pride surrounded, 4. O Liberty, can man resign thee', To arms! to arms! ye brave! &c. LESSON LXXVI. THE NOBILITY OF LABOR. BY REV. ORVILLE DEWEY. REV. ORVILLE DEWEY was born in Sheffield, Massachusetts, in 1794. He graduated from Williams College, and entered the Andover Theological Seminary in 1816. For ten years he was pastor of a church in New Bedford. In 1835 he removed to New York, where he continued to preach until 1849, when he resigned his charge on account of ill health. He has of late resided on his farm in Sheffield. 1. WHY, in the great scale of things, is labor ordained for us? Easily, had it so pleased the great Ordainer, might it have been dispensed with. The world itself might have been a mighty machinery for producing all that man wants. Houses might have risen like an exhalation, "With the sound Of dulcet symphonies and voices sweet, Gorgeous furniture might have been placed in them, and soft couches and luxuriant banquets spread by hands unseen; and man, clothed with fabrics of nature's weaving, rather than with |