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TO THE EDITOR OF THE COX-
NECTICUT MAGAZINE.

REV. SIR,

lating among them small tracts, and copies of the scriptures.Were this done in a wise and prudent manner, I am persuaded from what has already taken I HAVE lately attended an place, that the happiest effects Ordination at Granville, in Lickwould soon follow." Mr. B. ing county in this state, about concludes with saying, "Con- 90 miles N. W. from this. And sider the nature of the Moham-agreeably to the request of the medan religion, the state of the ordaining council, I herein transcountries in which it is profes-mit to you an account of the sed, and the prophecies respect- solemnity, for insertion in the ing it in the holy scriptures, and Connecticut Magazine. you must be convinced that it Yours. respectfully, will meet with an awful and sudden downfal: but for this the minds of Mohammedans must be gradually prepared."

FRANCE.

SAMUEL P. ROBBINS. Marietta, December 27, 1808.

ORDINATION.

ON Wednesday, the 14th of December last, was ordained over the congregational church and society in Granville. state of Ohio, the Rev. TIMOTHY HARRIS.

FROM SOME recent statements, It appears that protestantism is reviving in various parts of the French dominions. By the union The council, convened of Geneva, and of the German by letters missive, attended to provinces on the left bank of the the examination of all matters Rhine, a very considerable addi- requisite on such an occasion; tion is made to the number of and being well satisfied with protestants subject to France. respect to the qualifications The protestant pastors receive of the candidate and the regu an allowance, in the country larity of the church, proceeded places, of about 1001. a year; to attend to the usual solemniand in cities, about double that ties. The introductory prayer sum. A seminary is proposed was made by the Rev. Mr. Scott to be established for protestants; of Clinton. The Rev. Samuel the expense attending which, it P. Robbins of Marietta, preachis intended to defray by means ed the sermon, from 1 Tim. vi. of voluntary contributions and 20." Timothy, keep that which annual charity sermons through- is committed to thy trust." out the protestant community in consecrating prayer and charge France. It is likewise added. were performed by the Rev. Lythat very little doubt exists of man Potter of Steubenville. The their ability, in this way, to obtain right hand of fellowship was the object of erecting and main-given by the Rev. Stephen Lindstaining the proposed establish

ment.

The

ly of Marietta; and the concluding prayer offered by the Rev. John Wright of LancasterVocal and instrumental music, performed in a lively, yet solemn

:

and impressive manner, contri-riousness has prevailed among buted much to the joy and so-them. During this space of lemnity of the occasion. The time, thirty-two have been adhappy union and harmony ex-ded to the church all giving isting, afford pleasing prospects" a reason of the hope that is in to the minister and society. them, with meekness." Mr. The people in Granville came Harris has been with them seven from the town of Granville (and months; and has been apparentits vicinity) in New-England, ly a great help to them in gospel about three years since. For doctrines and pious counsels.the important purpose of enjoy- After making these remarks, it ing gospel privileges as far as is hardly necessary to mention their circumstances would ad- their regularity and Christian mit, a regular church was form- behavior on the above occasion. ed among them previous to their The council were all witnesses removal. As soon as they ar- what comfort they took in the rived at the place of their desti-pleasing prospect that this land nation which was then a wilder- would ere long become a fruitful ness, they began social worship. field, which the Lord God will The summer past, a general se- | delight to bless.

POETRY.

The Prayer of a Youth.

KING of universal sway,
Fountain of celestial day,
Lord of nature's boundless frame,
Quick'ning Spirit, pow'r supreme,
God of mercy, bow thine ear,
God of love, propitious hear.
Aid me, for I cannot speak,
Ere my swelling heart shall break;
Teach these youthful lips to pray,
Guide, for darkness clouds my way.
Drest in smiles, great God, descend,
And a pow'rless youth befriend.
Blind to truth, perverse my will,
Lost to virtue prone to ill;
Poor and wretched, helpless, base,
Vilest of a fallen race;
On my soul thy Spirit pour,
Purity and peace restore.

Here thy utmost mercy shew,
And my heart create anew.

All thy goodness now display,
All thy grace, O God, I pray ;
Break the rock, and melt the stone,
Make an alien heart thy own;
These impure desires refine,
These affections mould like thine.
Quench these raging, restless fires, .
Change my lawless, base desires.
All my guilty thoughts suppress,
Or the legion dispossess.

From the terrors of thy wrath;
From the pangs of sin and death;
From corruption's devious maze;
From the world's infectious ways;
From the snares false pleasures spread
Guilty honor's gory bed;

From the envious mastiff eye;
From lust's endless craving cry ;
From the deadly throes of rage;
From the war the passions wage;
And the bondage of the slave,
Save, O God of mercy, save!
Rather than all joys of sense,
Grant me those thy smiles dispense
Rather on love's mighty theme,
Fix my spirit. pow'r supreme.
On thy wondrous counsels, Lord,--
On thy rich exhaustless word;
On thy providential skill;
On thy nature, kingdom. will.
Open thou my heart to scan,
Thy redemption's matchless plan,
Guide me to thy bright abode,
Thro' thy works, incarnate God.
Now while at thy feet I mourn,
Sins by thee, meek Saviour, borne,
Lead me to thy natal scene,

Thou my sins say why thus mean
To the garden night-scene lead,
There their guilt in blood to read;
To the cross where Jesus hung,
Give each bleeding pore a tongue;
To the dark sepulchral gloom,
Painting, O my soul, thy doom;
To the dead-discharging earth,
Giving life immortal birth.

From these mighty proofs of love,
Raise my soul to realms above;

To the interceding Word,
Pleading partion of its God.
Thus a willing captive bring,
To the feet of Zion's King,
This defiled spirit clean,

Humbled, wash'd and freed from sin.
Kindle into sacred fire,

To be thine each pure desire;
Let his blood my heart o'erflow,
Seal its pardon, save from woe;
Strength of gratitude impart,
An oblation of my heart,

Now to make, and hence to be,'
Thine, my Saviour, one with thee.
Bid my soul in concert move,
Hence with saints, and sing thy love..

Peace divine, & Spirit blest,
Hence possess this glowing breast;
Faith, love, hope and joy control,
Ev'ry passion of the soul,
Till it reach thy blest abode,
Precious Saviour, blessed God.
Of thy glory there to boast,
Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
Thine all praise has ever been,
Shall be ever more, Amen."

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Memoirs of Rev. Cotton Mather | grees of the university, so libe

Smith, late of Sharon, Conn.

HE Reverend Cotton Ma

THE ther Smith was born at

rally bestowed at the present day, he was nevertheless, as we trust, a faithful minister of the New Testament. His eulogy.

evidence than an honorary diploma, namely, from the heartfelt testimony of a church and people to whom he broke the bread of life for more than half a

Suffield, 16th October, 1731.-is derived from less equivocal His father, Samuel Smith, was grandson of the Rev. Henry Smith, who came from England an ordained minister of the gospel, and was installed the first pastor of the church in Weth-century. ersfield, in 1636. His mother At college Mr. Smith was was grand daughter of the Rev. distinguished for sprightliness of Increase Mather, president of genius, uncommon agility of Harvard College, a distinguished body, and a truly amiable disposifather of the New England tion. He graduated at Yale, in churches, and whose son the 1751. His Latin exercises, and Rev. Dr. Cotton Mather was various effusions in prose and alike an ornament to the evan- verse, which are still preserved, gelical ministry, and to the re-evince that his time was not public of letters. The subject | misemployed, and that he deof this memoir was named af-served the character he acquiter the celebrated divine last red, of a respectable scholarmentioned, and was early de- From college Mr. Smith went signed by his pious mother for to reside at Hatfield (Mass.) the same sacred employment.- where his mind became seriousIf he never attained the celebrity ly impressed, and after making of his ancestors, he was at least a public profession of our holy not an unworthy descendant. If religion, he immediately entered he never received the higher de- upon the study of divinity with VOL. II. NO. 4. Q

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