purpose is mēre profaneness. I know well that pâssion is often pleaded for the use of this language. But why should passion' prompt to profâneness'? Anger, one would supposé, would naturally vent itself in expressions of resentment against the person' who had provoked us'. But this pērsōn is always a fellow creaturé; a man` like ourselves'. In what way, or in. what degree, is God` concerned in this matter'? What has the passion', what has the provocation', to do with Hîm, his nâme' or his character? Why do we affront and injure hîm, because a creature, infinitely unlike him', has affronted and injured ús^? I know that custom, alsó, is pleaded as an extenuation, and perhaps as an explanation', of this crimé. But how came such a custom to exist? How camè any rational being' ever to think of profaning the name of God'? How came any other rational being to follow him in this wickedness' ? Whence was it' that so many millions of those who ought to be rational beings', have followed them both^ ? What ênd can it have answered'? What honor', gain', or pleasure' can it have furnished'? What taste can it have gratified'? What desire', what affection, can it have indulged^? What end can' the profane person' have proposed to himself"? Can any explanation be given of this conduct', except that it springs from love to wickedness itself'? From a heart fixedly opposed to its Maker'; pleased with affronting him^; loving to abuse his character', and to malign his glorious agency'? A heart in which sin is gratuitous'; by which', in juster' language nothing is gained', much is plainly lost, and every thing is hazarded'? What', beside the love of sinning^; what', but the peculiar turpitude of the character', can be the sourcé, or the explanation', of this conduct'? you Ask yourselves what you gâin; what you expect to gain'; what' do not lose. Remember that you lose your reputation', at least in the minds of all the wise and good', and all the blessings of their company' and friendship'; that you sacrifice your peace of mind'; that you break down all those principles on which virtue may be grafted', and with them every rational hope of eternal lifé; that you are rapidly becoming more and more corrupted', day' by day'; and that with this deplorable character', you are preparing to go to the judg ment. Think what it will be to swear, and curse, to mock God', and insult your Redeemer' through lifè; to carry your oaths and curses to a dying bed`; to enter eternity with blasphemies in your mouths'; and to stand before the final bar', when the last sound of profaneness has scarcely died upon your tongues' LESSON CXXXII. PRAISE TO GOD FOR HIS GOODNESS AND TRUTH. Iambic. Four feet in each line. Long proper meter 2. Why should I make a man my trust'? Vain is the help of flesh and blood`; 3. Happy the man whose hopes rely' And earth and seas', with all their train`; And none shall find his promise vain'. 4. The Lord hath eyes to give the blind; The Lord supports the sinking mind'; He sends the laboring conscience peacè ; And grants the prisoner' sweet release. 5. He loves his saints', he knows them well`, But turns the wicked down to hell' ; Thy God', O Zion', ever reigns'; Let every tongué, let every agé In this exalted work engagè ; Praise him' in everlasting strains'. 6. I'll praise him' while he lends me breath', Praise shall employ my nobler powers; LESSON CXXXIII. IN THAT DAY, &c.-Zech. xiii. 1. Trochaic. First and third lines of each stanza contain four feet each. Second, fourth and sixth contain three feet each, and a long syllable added; the fifth line has but two feet. 1. SEE from Zion's sacred mountain' Streams of living water flow`; God has opened there a fountain'; This supplies the plains below'. They are blessed' Who its sovereign virtues know. 2. Through ten thousand channels flowing', 3. Gladdened by the flowing treasuré, Lò, the desert smiles with pleasuré, Sings for joy where'er it flows. 4. Trees of life the bank adorning Yield their fruit to all around'; Endless life with glory crowned. LESSON CXXXIV. THANKSGIVING HYMN. Iambic. Every third line has four feet. All the other lines have three feet each, and a short syllable added. 1. FATHER of earth and heaven', Whose arm upholds creation', To thee we raise the voice of praisé, We praise the power that made us', 2. Life is from theé, blessed Father'; With bliss are crowned', with joy abound', 3. Though trial and affliction' May cast their dark shade o'er us', That love has smiled from heaven' To cheer our path of sadness', And lead the way', through earth's dull day', 4. That light of love and glory' Has shone through Christ, the Savior', 5. And when Death's final summons' From earth's dear scenes shall move us',From friends', from foes, from joys`, from woes', From all that know and love us', O, then, let hope attend us`; Thy peace to us be given', That we may rise above the skies', LESSON CXXXV. GOD'S UNIVERSAL DOMINION. Trochaic. Three feet to each line, with a syllable added. 1. HARK'! the song of Jubileè, When it breaks upon the shore:- God omnipotent shall reign'; Echo round the earth and main. 2. Hallelujah! hark'! the sound', Sheathed his sword: he speaks', 'tis done; And the kingdoms of this world' Are the kingdoms of his Son. 3. He shall reign from pole to polé He shall reign, when like a scroll', LESSON CXXXVI. HYMN TO GOD. Iambic. Epic. NATURE', attend! join', every living soul One general song! To Him', ye vocal gales', 5 Breathe soft', whose Spirit' in your freshness breathes': Oh! talk of him' in solitary glooms' Where o'er the rock the scarcely waving piné |