dividual industry and self-exertion; no government can feed all its population; no government can give prosperity to the profligate and idle; no government can raise all the ambitious to office and renown. There is a certain degree of rigor necessary in imposing taxes and punishing crimes; because a lenity, which forgets justice, is sure to end in greater pain. In removing human ills, you can level down to a certain base; beyond which, if you think to go, your efforts become forever impotent and vain. They are worse than vain; for under the mockery of relief, the evil breaks in upon you in another form and a greater degree. The old evil is measured and known; but the new has all the indefinite horrors of an untried experiment. Now I ask, what have passion and pride to do in settling these complex problems? It is one of the coolest subjects which can possibly meet the human mind. There should be nothing to stir the passions, for it is a point in which all men have one interest. Nothing is wanted but a few cool heads to sit down, and compare the items until they can come to a result. Such are politics in the abstract. But alas! where am I?-I have wandered from our world. A righteous cause is never totally defeated; and even the feeble efforts of one solitary individual, in doing good, are never entirely lost. In this world of violence and sin, the only permanent victories, (strange as it may seem,) are the victories of principle. I hope it is not too serious in this assembly to make a transi13 VOL. II. tion to the death of Christ. When he left his primitive glory, and veiled his divinity in the form of flesh and blood, he laid aside the greatness of his power, and chose to oppose the hostility of the world, in the weakness of a man. He addressed himself to the minds of mankind, and met them with no other weapons but those of principle. Instructive example! See how Omnipotence renounces its own might— pleased with no other victories than the captivity of willing hearts. For a while this force, even in the hands of the divine Redeemer, seemed to be contemptible. The rage of his enemies accomplished much more visible effect. They conquered him, as completely as brutal force could conquer. They accomplished their utmost wishes upon him; and it is often said, in the language of mystical theology, that he triumphed when he fell. But it is little understood what a strict precision there is to the meaning of these words. He did triumph-he exhibited the meekness and benevolence which shot remorse into the hearts which opposed him; and his death will be a powerful spectacle till the end of time. That simple story will bring millions of hearts to God. Yes, the very violence with which goodness is overwhelmed, is a part of its power. It gives pathos and eloquence to the dying scene. The principle may seem to be slain; but the ghost rises to haunt the murderers; and they find themselves conquered and prostrated in their own victories. Who would have thought, that saw the meek and humble Baxter insulted and oppressed before Jeffreys, in mockery of all justice, and in an age when the sun of liberty seemed to have set forever,-who would have thought that English jurisprudence was learning some indignant lessons which she will never forget? Such is the price which liberty pays for her privileges; and such are the ways in which the victories of principle are won. There is one fallacy, however, against which I must caution you. It is the supposing that all our blessings must be purchased at the price which has hitherto been paid for them. I hardly ever knew a man much versed in the world, who did not fall into this very Indeed it is a part of the system of some politi error. cians. They say the world has always gone on pretty much at the same rate. Governments have always been administered by bribery and corruption; political discussions have always been attended by party spirit and strife. Liberty has always been a violent struggle of human passions. If you purchase it, you must pay the price. But is it so? Does not the hope of improving the condition of man, go on the supposition of separating these blessings from many, very many of their attendant evils? The very object of the expensive examples in former times, has been, I trust, that such examples may never return. Baxter was insulted by Jeffreys, that another Jeffreys may never sit upon the bench. The violence and mistakes of both parties, in our country, from the year 1796 to 1814, are remembered, I hope, that our government hereafter may be administered without these evils. Is there no such thing as growing wise from experience? Is religion nothing? Is principle nothing? Away with such dark wisdom. It is not true; and if it were true, it is better to be deceived. We certainly purchase our other commodities at a cheaper rate. The market has always been improving; the pack-horse has been laid aside for the waggon; and the waggon gives place to the rail-road and the steam-boat. We build better ships-the comforts of life are multiplied. And shall the nobler science of man be stationary? Shall the immortal part be resigned over to despair? No! let us form high ideas of our future destinylet us fill our hearts with a sense of our responsible station; and let us remember that we act not only for man, but for God. I trust that our critical institutions will yet be sanctified; and that a voice will be heard in all our halls of legislation, speaking of BLESSING, and HONOR, and GLORY. THE PURITAN. No. 50. With all thy heart, with all thy soul and mind, Spenser's Hymn of Heavenly Love. WHAT IS TRUTH? THIS question has passed through many reflecting minds, without finding any satisfactory answer. Amongst all the religious divisions which prevail in the world-the clashing interests and jarring controversies, which have distracted the church and darkened the light of revelation, it is impossible for a probationer for eternity, who to-day is and to-morrow may die, not sometimes to pause and ask, what is truth? Truth is that, which bears with a crushing power on the first suggestions of a vain heart. All that pleases |