name from didactick and popular harangues. We have abundant proof that they could write with great elegance and pathos. We have a high degree of probability in favour of the conclusion, that they frequently did write their publick addresses to the people.

There are many reasons for inducing the teachers of religion to study and pen their publick discourses. The truths of religion

are of too great weight to be trusted to the uncertain impulse of the moment. Their reception into the hearts of the auditors greatly depends on the dress in which they are presented to them, and the arrangement in which they are brought forward.

Preaching with notes has many advantages which extemporaneous instruction cannot boast, and is free from those evils which u'sually attend the other mode of preaching. These are, want of method and connection, ill choice of words, sameness of sentiment and phraseology, scarcity of ideas, unintentional errours, mis-quotations and constructions, and finally, inflammatory addresses, which put the passions in motion, but impart no strength to the understanding to direct or control them. Dr. Cotton Mather in his day remarked, that there were some in New-England, who preached to tolerable acceptance without the use of notes ; sed rari apparent; but they rarely appear.

I shall conclude with the remarks of sev eral eminent divines, which I find collected

by the indefatigable author of the "Magnolia Christi."

Bishop Burnet observes, that many complaints were made of those who were licensed to preach about the time of the reformation; and that they might be able to justify themselves, they began to write and read their sermons. Thus did this custom begin in New-England; by which what is wanting in heat and force of delivery is made up by the strength and solidity of the matter.'

Mr. Baxter says, I use notes as much as any body when I take pains, and as little as any man when I am lazy.'

Dr. Mather adds his own remarks on this subject, which I think are incomparably excellent, brilliant and just. I would have a distinction made between the reading of notes and the using of them. If the preacher use his notes as the lawyer does his minutes, and carry a full quiver into the pulpit, from which he may at one glance of his eye, after the lively shooting of one arrow fetch out the next, it might be a thousand ways advantageous.'

Chelmsford, April, 1806.

A.

SELECTIONS

2

From the "Beauties of OWEN FELLTHAM."

ON FAME.

It seems strange that man should be excited by the desire of a noble fame and memory after his death, when the account must pass upon his actions, and not upon the report of others. Virtue were a kind of misery if Fame only were all the garland that crowned her. Glory alone would be a reward incompetent for the toils of industrious man: this follows him but on earth; in heaven is laid up a more noble, more essential recompense: yet in others I will honour the fame, where deserving deeds. have given birth to it-in myself, I will regard those actions that may merit it. I will not for itself seek it, though I shall be glad if it may follow me, to excite others that they may go beyond me. If I can but tread the path that leads to it, I shall on my own account be content. Check thyself, vain man, that with the ardour of a diseased fancy dost pursue fleeting shadows! Love substances, and hear what Boetus tells thee;

He that eks a glorious prize,
Thinking that the top of all,
Let hin view the expanded skies,

And the earth's contracted ball;

Then blush to think that glory's plan
Is bounded by the breath of man.

ON THE USE OF PLEASURE.

THE wisdom of Demosthenes was admirable in the answer he returned to Corinthian Lais, "I would not buy repentance at so dear a rate." Surely pleasure is lawful, and God at first did ordain it for use, and if we take it as it was provided for us, we take it without a sting; but when in the measure or manner we exceed, we sully the pure stream. As every dishonest action is but an earnest laid down for grief, so vice is the infallible forerunner of wretchedness; on the best conditions it brings repentance and

torment too.

:

I like those pleasures that are legitimated by the bounty of heaven, after which no fancied goblin upbraids the sense for using them such may be dreamt over and not disturb my sleep; the use of them is like taking off the parching of the summer sun by bathing in a pure and crystal fountain; while unlawful pleasures, though they look fair and attractive, carry a venomous quality with them.

A wise man will not venture on that for present enjoyment, which will inevitably involve him in future pain and suffering. Whatever we do, we ought first to examine the se-quel or end; if that be good, our pleasures will be crowned with ease and content; but to rush on any delight that must end in sadness, suits not the prudence of a sound mind;

it is but over-rating pleasure to undervalue vexation, and like a beast to be caught in the snare by dint of appetite.

ON POLICY IN FRIENDSHIP.

POLICY in friendship is like logick in truth, a kind of crafty wisdom that turneth every thing to self profit. Give me a friend who is virtuously wise, not cunningly hid. Scipio would not believe it was the counsel of a wise man, which taught so to love as if we were soon to hate. The purpose of true affection is perpetuity: that friendship which is soon at an end was never well begun. The politick heart is too full of angles and devices for a plain and honest character to meddle with. The end of policy is for a man to make himself great; the end of true friendship is to promote the interest and well-being of another. The perfection of love is constancy, and of friendship disinterestedness.

ON OSTENTATION.

He that boasteth, if he be not ignorant, is at least inconsiderate, and knows little of the casualties which man is exposed to; if he had intrinsick worth, he would rather wait till the world had found it, than impatiently proclaim it; it is more true satisfaction for a man to know himself honest than for all the world to approve him so. Virtue is built upon herself, and we disgrace her.