other animals, this is amply supplied by the appointed instruments of our birth.

The mind, our distinguishing excellency, is at first a perfect blank, fitted and ready to receive whatever impressions may be made upon it; for which we are entirely dependent on those about us, and the circumstances in which we are placed: which accounts for the infinite diversity of characters that are in the world. Ever in action, which is the source of all our improvement, from our first coming into life, and in every stage of it, we are delighted in gaining continually new ideas, and powers, and knowledge of

all kinds.

The several parts of our make, our appetites, passions, and affections, spring up-gradually in us, as they are called forth, and their objects present themselves; all of them in themselves good and right, and necessary for our well-being and perfection, yet, without due restraint and regulation, capable of being perverted, and of misleading us; for which, Reason, the ruling faculty, is given, to guide us to private and public good.

Wholly the creatures of association and habit, our characters are insensibly formed by the instruction, conversation, and example of those we first mix with, and the things and scenes and persons to which we are accustomed, and among whom our lot is cast. And thus being from the first, and all along, the sub. jects of perpetual care and kindness and attention of parents

parents and of those about us, our good affections are generated and excited we : are induced, we are prompted, we desire, we feel it right, to be kind to others, as others have been kind to us, and take pleasure in adding to their happiness.

As we grow up our wants constrain us still more, to seek the aid and assistance of others, and our social habit incline us not to live in solitude." Prompted also by nature to unite ourselves with a tender companion for life, a way is opened from the construction of one family to the union of many families together, and the formation of larger communities for security, comfort, and advantageous intercourse; and thence to the establishment of government and laws; which when built up and upheld by principles of equal liberty and the general good, are fruitful of the greatest blessings.

In the morning of life, at reason's earliest dawn, we are transported with the sight of verdant fields, and lawns, and their various peaceful inhabitants grazing on them, with those combinations of different objects, of hill and dale and groves, that present themselves in beautiful landscapes; heightened at the same time with the harmony and music furnished by the choristers of the woods and sky, rejoicing in their being, and calling upon us to join their song: the whole scenery together forcing upon the beholder, the joyous, venerable idea of a parent almighty Mind; a Power unseen, of wisdom and goodness without bounds, which framed, adjusted, and preserves the

whole,

whole, worthy to be loved and adored by all; as Bloomfield, in his artless numbers, happily describes it,

There his first thoughts to Nature's charms inclin'd,
Which stamps devotion on th' inquiring mind..

And indeed by the use of reason, the light within us, every attentive mind may, from the view of his works, as well know that there is a God, who made and governs the world; as he may know, by the use of his cyes and senses, that there is a Sun, which enlightens the earth, and by its warmth cherishes the growth of vegetables, and ripens the corn and fruits.

This natural light moreover teaches us, that as we owe our existence and all its blessings to our Maker's unmerited kindness and bounty, we should be edious monsters were we ever to fail in the gratitude, reverence and obedience, ever due to one so much above us, who shews himself so interested for us and desirous of our happiness. And as the frame and constitution, which he, who giveth every thing to all, has bestowed upon us, are also such, that we cannot be happy ourselves, without promoting, as much as possible, the happines of our fellow-crcatures; these plain intimations within, and interwoven in our very frame, of gratitude and love to God, and affection to our fellow-creatures, can be considered as none other than the voice of God within us ;-his secret voice, by which he calls to the sons and daughters of men in all ages and countries, and teaches them their duty and the

road

road to their own happiness; as once, by an audible voice at Mount Sinai, he delivered his solemn commands to one people.

Thus are those primary duties of piety and benevolence engrafted in us, and provision is made for our happiness as rational beings. This is the law written in the hearts of those who have no written law to guide them. And thus has the cause of religion and virtue been kept up in the world, amongst all the rational creatures of God, and the means of virtue and holiness, of their present and future happiness, afforded to all: not the same means and advantages to all, but sufficient for every one who can attain to no other. For no more will be required of any, than the honest and faithful use and improvement of the talents and advantages given, be they more or fewer.

Photinus having ended, the company paused a while, absorbed in involuntary silence and reflection on what he had brought together, on the support and happiness of all sentient beings that we are acquainted with, from man down to the lowest worm.

Marcellinus standing up, thanked him for furnishing them with such an exquisite moral treat; "How' natural," exclaimed he, "on such a prospect of the world we inhabit, for the pious mind to adopt those strains in which the Hebrew poets first led the way, inspired by the sublime subject, and called upon all nature to assist them in hymning and celebrating in their songs the common creator and benefactor:

"Not only the young and old, and those of every

age

age and class of the human race; but all the irrational tribes of those who fill the air, and walk the earth, and creep on the ground, or that glide along the watery element; the different families of living crcatures, who in their different ways shew themselves, busy and cheerful and happy.

"And, not satisfied with this tribute, still in bolder strains they invoke the mountains and hills and plains, and every tree and shrub that grows, to contribute their share of praise, for being made to afford shelter and delight to so many living beings, and for other numberless uses;

"Nay, they invite even summer and winter to join the general chorus of praise; the changing seasons so necessary to the health of man and beast, the growth and preservation of each herb and fruit-bearing tree, and to the ripening of the fruits of the earth, by which the whole is sustained and filled with gladness".

And though these holy men were not such deep philosophers as we boast ourselves to be, they hereby shewed that they had attained to the chief end of all true philosophy, in having learned to read and trace out in his works the hand and kindness of the One Supreme, the benevolent creator, and divine artist.

From these few instances produced by you out of the inexhaustible store that remains behind, we are able with satisfaction to see that the Creator loveth all his creatures, and has brought them all into life to bestow upon them a happiness suited to them.

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But