for every unprincipled sinner is a tyrant, according to the opportunities and abilities God gives him. Here we see the genuine fruits of infidelity, and of an apostacy from the simple, holy spirit of the Gospel. Here we see the truth of God's word, first, in its description of the sins those would commit, on whom the clearest light shines; and then in the judgments that he has threatened as their punishment. We behold the awfulness of divine justice when it cometh forth to punish guilty nations.

Finally, from such a fulfilment of the prophetic word, we get a new evidence, that the punishments threatened for eternity will actually fall upon the finally impenitent.

What hath been written is designed to introduce some reflections on the present prospects of the American people and church.

We have been contemplating an awful scene at a distance, and may now see its beginning among ourselves. The inquiry which for a number of years hath been made, whether we should have a part, in these judgments which were plainly foretold, is now determined beyond a doubt. The fulfilment of the prophecy is a sure exposition, how far judgment shall extend. We now see it to be on the whole Christian world, and on those people that denominate themselves Christians in every quarter of the globe. We indulged a hope of being exempted, in a situation so distant, from the original causes of war. When God intends to punish, he can prepare the way and provide the means. We, also, indulged a hope, because we supposed the anti-christian apostacy never had a prevalent sway on our shores. We relied much on our privileges, and could not think ourselves wicked enough to expect such judgments as are threatened. It is no new thing for men to overrate their own goodness, and to think that their religious privileges, although greatly misimproved, will be a defence. It is not uncommon for them to be ignorant how they appear in the sight of an infinitely holy God. When most deserving of his rebuke, they think themselves the safest, and see not the cloud of divine anger that is ready to break upon them. Sin always excuses itself, ingratitude pleads many alleviations of its baseness, security hopes the best, when the worst is at the door; and this is that folly of sinners which proves their ruin both for time and eternity.

It would be a lengthy business to give a catalogue of all our transgressions against God; still there are several particulars, it would be very wrong not to mention, especially our national neglect of not acknowledging Him.

We have sinned against privileges, both civil and religious, greater than are enjoyed by any other people under heaven. Enter into a comparison with every other part of the world, this will appear.-We are the children of a people, who at a late period came into a wilderness, purposely to enjoy civil and religious liberty; to erect a civil state on the purest principles of freedom and justice, where all might have equal rights and protection: to form churches on the simple, pure and holy principles of the gospel, in which brethren might dwell together in peace, without any oppression of the conscience. They were men of property, piety and seience; matured by experience, and far different from those ignorant adventurers, who generally settle new countries solely for the sake of gain. The institutions they formed have the internal marks of great wisdom, and their usefulness hath been proved by experience. This hath been our inheritance. We have been the freest people on earth. Our religious institutions have been the most uncorrupted. All the people have been equally favored, and God hath crowned us with every blessing. Of these great blessings we have been very insensible, seeming to think they were so much our natural right they could hardly be forfeited. We have not the piety of our fathers. In vast numbers, there is no appearance of the power of godliness, and the form of religion is more for the sake of a worldly decency than for the honor of God. Religious discourse is banished from our social circles; and we live more for this world than for another. We are become a luxurious people. Multitudes have forsaken regular industry, endeavoring to make gain by deceptive arts, and speculations in little things. Intemperance with its dreadful train of evils, is destroying millions. Where are brotherly love, meekness, humility, Christian watchfulness and vital piety? Where are family prayer, family government and instruction? Where is the evidence that the great body of the people are training up for heaven, under the advantages God hath given them?

Among the sins of a people, who have Christian means of information, a profanation of the sabbath is one of the most displeasing to God, and it is one which greatly increases among us. There are multitudes who do not attend public worship with any Christian denomination. In innumerable instances the day is openly, profaned by amusement or labor. The practice of laboring on the sabbath, is a sin of modern date in this part of the nation. There used to be means of bearing down the transgression, if any presumptuously attempted it. There used to be a fortitude, which did not re

treat before public profanation, and among the fathers of the people, those esteemed themselves the most honorable, who were most vigilant in supporting a visible holiness on the Lord's day; but the gold is becoming dim. It is difficult to determine which is the most guilty in the sight of God, an ignorant man, who amuses himself and labors on the Sabbath; or his dignified neighbor, who hath knowledge, and is clothed with authority to suppress the crime, but neglects his duty.

There is another wide spread evil, carrying in its train all manner of dishonesty ; an immoderate desire of wealth. This sin seems to have taken too much hold in every age and character among us. A decent competency is considered as nothing, unless there be prospects of speedy wealth. All seas and all regions have been searched, and all means used to accomplish the end. The state of the nations for many years past, hath given great scope for these exertions, and they have brought much wealth into our country. In sight of this worldy love God is displeased. This hoarded wealth is to perish by evil travail. By immense losses on the seas, the interruption of lawful and commendable business, and the incalculable internal demands that must be made on the people, a gulph is opened that will swallow up all this profusion of increase. From existing causes the consequence seems to be inevitable. A most holy God hath seen the misuse of his blessings; and hath entered on his book of remembrance all our ingratitude, sensuality, and impiety.

(To be Continued.)

From the Massachusetts Missionary Magazine.

Abrief sketch of the conversation which passed between a clergyman in New-England, and one of his parishioners, a young householder, who had, for years, embraced the doctrine of universal salvation.

HAVING embraced this doctrine, he thought, as the doctrine very naturally suggests, that he might live as he listed, and after all be happy.

A. D. 1801, he was seized with a disorder, which a number of physicians told him would carry him away lingeringly. His chief surgeon being a serious man, and perhaps apprised of his state of mind, very seriously advised him to set

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his house in order, for he must die and not live.* From this time he was confined to his house till his death, which happened within twenty months.

From the time he was given over by his physicians, he had some, tho' at first very few serious thoughts about futurity. I, (the clergyman) who was present at the time a number of physicians made known their decision respecting his case, and whose mind was much affected for the young man, visited him in the early part of his confinement, and was but very cooly received. Still I was determined to visit him as long as I should be permitted. In a month or two, my visits were not only willingly but gladly received. Conversation now began to assume a more familiar tone. He began to be somewhat inquisitive with regard to doctrines; acknowledged his belief in universal salvation, and wished to hear what objections could be raised against it. I endeavored to lay before him some of the more prominent objections furnished by reason and the word of God. They seemed to be received with little emotion. Perceiving this, I asked him if he firmly believed in that doctrine. He replied he did, and had been in the belief a number of years. I laid before him what I conceived to be gospel truths; declared by divine authority, the necessity of regeneration in this world, in order to future happiness: he must be born again in this world, or he must be miserable in the next. He heard such truth with as little concern as the Jewish counsellor. Realizing he was a dying man, I could not forbear addressing him as such, and put to him a very serious question. I prefaced it in the following manner: Mr. ——, you are not insensible that a few months will close your temporal existence, and then you must appear before the dread tribunal of your Maker and Judge, who is holy himself, and approves of nothing but holiness in his creatures. I wish to ask you one question, to which I wish you to return an honest and direct answer. As you profess to believe that all mankind will be saved, whatever may be their character in this world. to bring future things present. Are you willing to appear before your holy and impartial Judge with the character you now sustain? He paused—and pausing-answered, No. I further asked him if he ever felt secure in resting his all upon the doctrine. He frankly replied, "There was always a something that whispered, Your scheme may not be true." These

*How desirable it is that physicians be pious men. The good they may do can easier be conceived than expressed. We have reason to think that this concise observation led this careless young man into a train of serious thought..

observations made an open way for further conversation, suited to existing circumstances, as all would naturally expect. I expostulated with him upon the unsafeness of trusting to a scheme of religion, which admitted of such an alarming possibility. Be you holy as the Scriptures of truth require, and there is no possibility of your being lost; for holiness and happiness are inseparably connected, as are also sin and mis

ery.

Much conversation of this sort passed at this, and other succeeding visits. He grew more and more free to open his mind, as it respected past and present exercises. I believe he revealed every thing of importance. He owned he had taken much pains to believe this doctrine, which so well agrees with human depravity, allows men to slumber in carnal security, and invites to pleasure, earnal gratification and indulgence in every sin and vice, upon the daring presumption that God will not punish them in the future world. To confirm himself in such a dangerous belief he had read, among others, and owned Dr. Huntington's work. He wished me to read it and lay before him what I thought exceptionable. It was done. Some things in that book appeared differently to him from what they had before appeared. The Dr.'s sentiment, when treating of the parables of the sheep and the goats, of the wheat and the chaff, in representing the wheat and sheep as the people, the goats and chaff as their sins, (preposterous representation) he joined with me in saying was an affront offered to common sense, and equally against the wisdom and truth of God.

He now abandoned his formerly beloved scheme. and looked upon himself, as he really was, a lost, undone sinner, exposed to everlasting death. He was really under pungent conviction. Being a young man of high, brave spirits, he said but little; but his countenance and deep and involuntary sighs evinced keen sensations! He now could wonder at his former ease in sin! He looked with astonishment upon his past life, spent in transgression, forgetfulness of God, attachment to pleasure, pride in profanity, and the contempt he cast upon seriousness in matters of religion. "What a life," said he, with a deep anxiety," have I lived! I have laboured hard to believe a lie! I have exerted all my powers to work myself into a delusion! Now, though I see, in some measure. my lost state, yet I have not obtained the one thing needful!! Soon I must die, and unless God have mercy upon me, I must perish forever!!! And since I have resisted the truth so long. and set myself against the Lord so persevering ly, I have little hopes of ever being saved!!! He wished me t