our own.

efficient, the assistant agency of moral instruction. To ensure the last, our systems of common school education might undoubtedly be rendered more signally available than past observation has generally shown. The remark of the celebrated reformer Martin Luther, in respect to the seminaries of his age, "That they were more pagan than christian," possesses unfortunately too much of applicability to The school boy, for the most part, is treated rather as a creature of mind than of soul; and the anxiety seems to be, to turn him out a far better proficient in worldly science and the learning of profane antiquity, than a disciple of divine wisdom, or a pupil in the school of Christ. I can only glance at the fact with the hope that attention may be drawn to the subject, and remedies may not be wanting, and proceed to advert to the more encouraging auguries furnished by another class of juvenile establishments; I mean, our sabbath schools. As an auxiliary among the means of early religious instruction, they should receive the approbation of all. Supplying as they do, to a considerable extent the deficiency, and administering some antidote to the bane, just complained of, they cannot be too warmly commended. Conducted by different and somewhat discordant sects, the end of all is Good; and the amount of good achieved or in prospect exceeds calculation. The very emulation inspired among the conductors of these noble charities, is not without its salutary uses. I envy not the feel

ings of that man who can look with frigid indifference on these little nurseries of infant immortals ;-who can survey unmoved their gentle yet auspicious influences on the dawning capacities of the deathless soul; and whose bosom heaves not with kindling emotion as he reflects that here the seeds of goodness, judiciously instilled, are gradually trained into those plants of piety and holiness which, through the mercy of God, will hereafter unfold with unfading beauty in the pure air and the bright light of heaven.

Among the provisional means of moral and religious instruction, it is scarcely necessary to say, that the pulpit holds a prominent place. A vast responsibility belongs to it, one which should be wisely and faithfully exercised, and which cannot be too profoundly cherished and realized. The age demands that no meagre nor lifeless form of Christianity be suffered to supplant the noble simplicity of scripture truth. It requires, as we have elsewhere intimated, that the gospel, stript of the technics and mysticism of bygone times, should be propounded as an enlightening and energizing principle, adapted to meet all the capacities of the understanding, no less than to satisfy all the wants and aspirations of the soul; that, in short, the religion of Jesus,-clad in that meek-eyed grace and virgin loveliness which she wore when following in the steps of One "who went about doing good,” -shall be triumphantly heralded as a ministering

spirit sent forth to gladden and bless all the habítations of men-to hallow their joys and sorrows, their hopes and enterprises, their schemes and occupations-to guide them through life, cheer them in death, and breathe her sweet and soothing farewell in the ear of their departing spirits.

These blessings in their fulness have never been. enjoyed-perfectly enjoyed-in any age or country. Christianity has consequently never been fairly tasked to her utmost powers. Never, at least, has she been completely tried in her sublimely regenerative and strengthening action on society and nations. Under her happiest modifications, it is only the comparative few who have yielded entire submission to her laws. The residue have experienced but partially the purifying and life-giving influences of her "free spirit." Yet when we candidly consider the sum of her benefits; when we remember that imperfectly as she has been allowed to operate in the world, she has nevertheless dispensed an inestimable amount of good; when we bear in mind that, like the ark, she has left a blessing on every place where she has rested; that nations, the rudest and most polished, which have bowed to her authority, in proportion to such subjection and their recipiency of her genuine spirit, have been strengthened, and humanized, and exalted; that the gospel is still the power of God and the wisdom of God for safety and salvation,-how powerful are our inducements to aid the victorious march

of her principles in our land, and to ensure them an universality of influence and dominion. For these ends, the pulpit must exert a more stirring influence; and the press must lend a strenuous and earnest co-operation;—and parents and teachers be inspired with a more solemn sense of accountableness in their respective spheres and offices;-and every man must act on the persuasion that by the reform of personal vice and the practice of personal virtue, he may contribute something to his country's advantage; and there must be principle in citizens and principle in rulers;-and men clothed with high official trusts must honor in their lives what they ratify by their public acts, and reverence the divine, as the surest helps to the stability of human laws,and then along with piety will prosperity abound in our land, and the national peace, security, and happiness be planted on the only firm and solid platform, a sound national morality.

Other specifics may fail. But that public virtue which is associated with a truly enlightened condition of the public mind, will work a cure in the distempers of the most degenerate times! Education then, to be completely successful, must be directed to the one grand ultimate object, the thorough Christianization of a people. Accomplish this, and all the accompanying pledges of a nation's welfare and security derived from its political institutions, will be abundantly confirmed and made good. Christianity would operate as the transfusion

of fresh, nourishing blood into a weak and languishing frame. It would renovate the exhausted, vital principle,—supply new powers and energies,―give strength to infirmity, and youthful buoyancy in lieu of premature decrepitude, and send a vigorous pulse and a healthy circulation through every vein and artery of the body politic.

Conclusively to test the remedy, and make full trial of the various means and instruments placed within our reach for the maintainance of our public privileges and blessings, we are urged by the strongest Motives which can address our sensibilities as men and patriots. To the existing generation-ourselves in common with our fellow-citizens-have been committed in custody the highest interests ever entrusted to human charge, involving not only our own welfare and the happiness of our posterity, but bearing on the condition and prospects of civilized man in every quarter of the globe. However we may flatter ourselves that the problem has been successfully solved, we have not yet lived sufficiently long as an independent nation, to silence the cavils of those who affirm the incompetency of a great and free people for the arduous duties of self government. To the princes and cabinets of the old world-the patrons and minions of despotism,-we stand forth collectively an object of suspicion, aversion or hate. Our example is dreaded; our influence deprecated; our vaunted institutions and the blessings they bestow are regarded with a temper of ill-disguised