The National Register.
London, England, 1816-03-18 00:00:00

Ille nefitstus erit per quern trio verba silentnr._

Sometimes long■er periods than a day were allotted to
superstitions indolence and dissoluteness ; but there was
nothing like an immunity from labour, extending to all
classes of society, and recurring at stated intervals ; nor
was there any institution for a beneficial employment to-
wards mental cultivation of the leisure actually enjoyed.
The people crowded round their temples, or followed
their religious processions: but they heard no moral in-
structions ; they were infinmed of no momentous spiritual
truths; and retired to their homes, with no feeling but
that of dissolute pleasure; with no remembrance, but of
a splendid show, or of a bloody rite.
. .

Lite vacant aures, ins,tnayuc prOtiilll% absint
Jurgia, differ opus lisida turba tuum
Cernis oduratis ut luceat ignibus ;ether,
Et souet acccnsis Spica Ciliasa tints
Culla rude% °permit priebent ferienda jurencl,
duos adult eampis lierba 'Valise& amis.
Salve, testa dies' tueliorque revertere simper
A puptdo remit' digua putt:ate cceli.

It is needless to mention how much the exercises re-
eommended for the Christian Sabbath, differ from these
heathen ceremonies and exhibitions. By our religion, a
particular order of men is appointed to instruct their bre-
thren in their duties, and to invite them to practise them;
to expound the great truths of a spiritual system ; to
withdraw the worshipper from the dominion of the
senses ; to raise his intellectual, as well' as moral charac-
ter. The poorest of the people thus not only become
partakers of that rest which is an emblem of the repose
which hope teaches them to expect in a happier state of
existence, but arc called upon to exercise the highest fa-
culties of their nature, on subjects of the greatest import-
ance; and to examine doctrines and principles of a nobler or-
der than any that were formerly- delivered in the schools
of philosophy to select parties of auditors and disciples.
Every Christian temple thus becomes a school of divine
philosophy, as well as a place of pious prayer, where the
higher and the lowest, the most enlightened and the most
ignorant, are equally admitted to hear the most exalted
truths, and to perform the most solemn duties. Indeed,
there cannot be a more soathing or delightful idea, amid
the general agitation of the world, than to think that,
by the merciful provisions of our religion, millions of
our brethren of all classes, over distant and hostile lands,
are met at a particular time for one great solemn pur-
pose, have left their secular cares and concerns behind
them, and arc at the same moment prostrate before the
Throne of the Universal Governor, or listening to accounts
of his will and of his works—nor can there be a more
edifying spectacle upon entering one of these assemblies,
to behold the rich and the poor, the young and the old,
people of alp ranks and professions, recognising their equa-
lity as the family of God, and conrting only the distinc-
tion which results from obedience to his will, or anxiety
to attain his fivour.

••• We intended to have given some ad% ice to the Voting re
the observation of the Sabbath, and to have stated its abuse in
Roman Catholic countries; but we must defer tittle topics hll
another ovportunit).