ciples with the elements of their society, and to diffuse its influence through all their institutions, civil, political, and literary. Let us cherish these sentiments, and extend their influence still more widely; in the full conviction that that is the happiest society which partakes in the highest degree of the mild and peaceable spirit of Christianity. The hours of this day are rapidly flying, and this occasion will soon be passed. Neither we nor our children can expect to behold its return. They are in the distant regions of futurity, they exist only in the all-creating power of God, who shall stand here, a hundred years hence, to trace, through us, their descent from the pilgrims, and to survey, as we have now surveyed, the progress of their country during the lapse of a century. We would anticipate their concurrence with us in our sentiments of deep regard for our common ancestors. We would anticipate and partake the pleasure with which they will then recount the steps of New-England's advancement. On the morning of that day, although it will not disturb us in our repose, the voice of acclamation and gratitude, commencing on the rock of Plymouth, shall be transmitted through millions of the sons of the pilgrims, till it lose itself in the murmurs of the Pacific seas. We would leave, for the consideration of those who shall then occupy our places, some proof that we hold the blessings transmitted from our fathers in just estimation; some proof of our attachment to the cause of good government, and of civil and religious liberty; some proof of a sincere and ardent desire to promote every thing which may enlarge the understandings and improve the hearts of men. And when, from the long distance of a hundred years, they shall look back upon us, they shall know, at least, that we possessed affections, which, running backward, and warming with gratitude for what our ancestors have done for our happiness, run forward also to our posterity, and meet them with cordial salutation, ere yet they have arrived on the shore of Being. Advance, then, ye future generations! We would hail you, as you rise in your long succession, to fill the places which we now fill, and to taste the blessings of existence where we are passing, and soon shall have passed, our human duration. We bid you welcome to this pleasant land of the Fathers. We bid you welcome to the healthful skies and the verdant fields of New-England. We greet your accession to the great inheritance which we have enjoyed. We welcome you to the blessings of good government, and religious liberty. We welcome you to the treasures of science and the delights of learning. We welcome you to the transcendant sweets of domestic life, to the happiness of kindred, and parents, and children. We welcome you to. the immeasurable blessings of rational existence, the immortal hope of Christianity, and the light of everlasting Truth! LESSON CL. Effects of Education upon individuals.—Its importance to the public.-WORDSWORTH. ALAS! what differs more than man from man! And whence this difference?-whence but from himself? With the same upright form! The sun is fixed, Within the reach of every human eye: The sleepless ocean murmurs in all ears; Into all hearts. Throughout the world of sense, That object is laid open to the view Without reserve or veil; and as a power Is salutary, or its influence sweet, Are each and all enabled to perceive That power, that influence, by impartial law. Gifts nobler are vouchsafed alike to all ; Reason, and, with that reason, smiles and tears; Imagination, freedom of the will, Conscience to guide and check; and death To be foretasted,-immortality presumed. Strange then, nor less than monstrous might be deemed The failure, if the Almighty, to this point Liberal and undistinguishing, should hide The excellence of moral qualities From common understanding; leaving truth Hard to be won, and only by a few : Strange, should he deal herein with nice respects, And frustrate all the rest! Believe it not: Kind wishes, and good actions, and pure thoughts - For high and not for low, for proudly graced The fields of earth with gratitude and hope; Motive to sadder grief, when his thoughts turn For all the children whom her soil maintains, To drudge through weary life without the aid This right-as sacred, almost, as the right *The British empire. To impious use-by process indirect, Declares his due, while he makes known his need. Urge it in vain; and, therefore, like a prayer The discipline of slavery is unknown That permanent provision should be made Be rooted out, and virtuous habits take LESSON CLI. An Evening in the Grave-yard.-AMERICAN WATCHMAN. THE moon is up, the evening star Shines lovely from its home of blue— The fox-howl's heard on the fell afar, And the earth is robed in a sombre hue; From the shores of light the beams come down, The kindling fires o'er heaven so bright, To numbers wild, yet sweet withal, Should the harp be struck o'er the sleepy pillow; Soft as the murmuring, breezy fall, Of sighing winds on the foamy billow; For who would disturb in their silent bed, The fancied dreams of the lowly dead? Oh! is there one in this world can say, That the soul exists not after death? Oh! come this night to the grave and see 'The night's soft voice, in breathings low, No more will sooth the ear of the sleeper, I've seen the moon gild the mountain's brow; So deep, so calm, and so holy a feeling: "Tis soft as the thrill which memory throws Athwart the soul in the hour of repose. Thou Father of all! in the worlds of light, For this is the path, which thou hast given, LESSON CLII. A natural mirror.-WORDSWORTH. BEHOLD, the shades of afternoon have fallen |