TO THE PUBLIC.

THE following DISCOURSE, as will

readily be believed by all who read it, was written in great haste, under the pressure of numerous distressing cares, and in the midst of unavoidable interruptions. The causes which compelled a hasty draught, in the first instance, prevent a deliberate and corrected copy. The Author submits it therefore to the public, nearly in the state in which it was delivered; and his apology for so doing, is a belief that its avails will be a mite, at least, put into вINEVOLENT HANDS, to buy BREAD FOR THE HUNGRY, AND RAIMENT FOR THE NAKED.-The circumstances under which it was written will, the Author trusts, soften the edge of criticism; and the motives which induce him to consent to its publication, meet the approbation of humanity. Be this however as it may, should the funds of the SOCIETY be benefited by the sale of it should the arguments unfolded in it, awaken the public attention, and excite the public sympathy towards AFFLICTED, UNFORTU

NATE,

AND PERISHING HUMANITY-above all, should it excite, by the Divine blessing, to the practice of CHRISTIAN CHARITY, the Author will have received for his labor an abundant reward, and for any censures which it may occasion, sufficient indemnity.

praving the morals, and taking off all restraint from the wicked, infidelity sunders the very bonds, and undermines the very foundations of society.

Infidelity has already converted Europe into one vast Golgotha. Around its seat the earth is covered with bones and soaked in blood. Still hungry as the grave it shakes its bloody sceptre, and growls destruction to the world.

A departure from the pure principles of religion has been, in all ages, and in every country, the sad prelude to destruction. When the Jews became hardened in sin, when they rejected the Saviour who died for them, judgment came upon them to the uttermost. Their city was rased to its foundations, their land given unto strangers, and they were driven out from Judea and scattered abroad over the face of the whole world. In like manner God is now scourging the nations of Europe, who have lost their first love, and provoked him to anger by their disobedience.

With these examples before your eyes, can you madly act over the part which they have acted, and rush to that destruction to which they have rushed?

Your fathers were pious. When they landed on these shores, they made a covenant with God, and solemnly dedicated themselves and their offspring to the Almighty. For their sakes hitherto, you have been blessed. But can you imagine if you deny the God they worshipped, if you blaspheme the Savior

they trusted, and turn aside from the paths in which they walked, that you will enjoy the protection they enjoyed, and hand down to your posterity the blessings they handed down to you? No; if there be any truth in God, ye shall not prosper. For he who holds your country's destiny in his hand, hath sworn by himself, that if ye do these things, wrath shall fall upon you, and judgment from the Almighty shall overtake you. And you shall be cursed in the city and cursed in the field. Cursed shall be your basket and your store. Cursed the fruit of your body and the fruit of your land, the increase of your kine and the flocks of your sheep. Cursed when ye come in and cursed when

ye go out.

"For, saith the Lord, I lift mine hand to heaven, and I live for ever. If I whet my glittering sword, and mine hand take hold on judgment, I will render vengeance to mine enemies, and will reward them that hate me."

God is not a disinterested spectator of the conduct of men. With holy indignation he looks down and beholds the abominations of the earth. He has already come forth out of his place to punish the nations for their sins. A fire is kindling in his anger, that shall burn to the lowest hell, and shall consume the earth with her increase, and set on fire the foundations of the mountains. Hitherto he hath borne with us; but there is something fearful even in this forbearance. For the longer his mercy spares us, unless we repent, the fuller will be the vials of his wrath, and the more dreadful the day of our visitation.

Turn therefore from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel.

Choose you this day whom you will serve. This is no time to hesitate. Your country is in jeopardy; your all is at stake. If immorality, impiety and infidelity prevail, they will plunder you of happiness here, and rob you of Heaven hereafter. Patriots, I adjure you by the love of your country; Christians, I adjure you by the love of Emanuel, to unite in your exertions to oppose the common enemies of your peace, your liberty and your salvation. Why will you weaken each others influence by division? Are you not all brethren? Is not your interest one? Are not your dangers the same? A portion, rich and immense, is put in your possession. Will you cast it from you? Will you despise the bounty of Heaven, and sport with an inheritance purchased with the toils of your ancestors and the blood of your brethren? No party interests governed your fathers; no foreign influence divided them. No; they were united united in the love of their country; united in the duties of religion; united in the worship of their God. They have obtained the victory; they have received the crown; they have entered into Heaven. And now, bending from yonder skies, they address you, saying, "Children of our pilgrimage below, imitate the example we have left you; be virtuous, be united, be happy. Act worthy of yourselves. Hand down to posterity unimpaired the portion which we left you, and persevering through faith to the end, come up hither."

Ye spirits of our fathers, we hear your voice; we venerate your counsel. We will obey it. We will honour the Saviour you honored, revere the religion

;