Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1817-04-22

u Dted States OF America, TO AID misIons TO the
savages of this couatry excellent specimen of
his talents aud piety.
A brief review Of this sermon may not be alto
gether useless. Text" always Astounding in the
work Of the Lord" The vision Of Isaiah III the
valley full of dry bones, which is supposed 10 be
representation OF the recovery of the Jews from.
their captivity in Babylon anti also by analogy,
striking emblem OF the fallen state Of man, and Of
his recovery by gracs constitutes the introduction.
After treating OF the certainty Of The Messiah's
reign earth, the author makes some very plausi-
ole aud just remarks on its perPetniiy- In this
point however even christians do not agree. Con-
sidering human fatiibiliy, and the difficulty of ex
planning the divine predictions we can hardly ex-
pect uaaninity olsentinent even among the learn
ed and good But it's believed that ali must allow
the arguments employed in this dscourse to te IN
genius and forcibe.
From The consideration, that in many passages
of prophecy, day is used cor year, il appears .
very just conclusion thsS the llennium iastead OF
athousand years literally, VII continue, as many
years as there are days in that space Of tune name
ly 365 000. If this be true is certainly very
consoling thought 10 the christian when he views
the present depraved and wretched state Of man,
that Christ will yet gather 10 himself an infinite
number of the human race.
Wedo net pretend 10 advocate this doctrine in
regard to The duration Of the millennium though
we confess, we before observed, that many pas
sages in scripture seem 10 support this hypothesis.
IL would be golly In ggen TO devote much tine 10
speculations OF this kiad but it may be profitable
for all to contemplate the prophecies Of scripture,
as well those that are yet to be accomplished as
those that are already fulfilled. And by occasion
ally melitat1g and converting upon these subjects
christians may be animated and encouCag ed in their
journey, and the thoughtless aud prohgate be
hrau tn i..ne 40, iha Cf
their ways, and to turn unto the living God
In no period Of the world has the prospect Of the
approach OF the millennium been so bright az
at the present time. Within the space Of twenty
years, great exertions have been made to spread
the gospel among the destitute nations of the earth
and these exertions are becoming more general
and are carried on with greater vigor. To corroh-
crate tLis opinion We need only reflect, that be-
sides the British and Foreign Bible Society, there
are in different parts Of he wold not far from seven
hundred associations co-oTe atiBg in dffsing chris
tian light aud knowledge among those, who do not
enjoy the use Of the scriptures.
j. he author, NhOse works are now consider
ING 10 urging his bearers to join their exertons in
disseminating christian principles among the desi-
tute represents the wretched STATE OF the say ages in
regard to their secular affairs and their awful con-
dition in the world to come. lie depicts in glow
ing colours the solemn realities, aud the endless
du' tioH VI tttfuflys lHco6 are snls M9fuS.
londer are the pagens. Friends of humanity
q that icould describe to you--cold, naked, fam
shed, freBdie>s, roaming the desart, burning With
revenge and thrstng for blood.
Yonder are the pagans Friends OF ImmaaueI
y that could describe them to you, assembled On
the ground OF enchan tment practising Ie ,lelusions
Of witchcratt, insulting be heayens by the sacrifice
Of dogs, and paying thar itnpous alterations atthe
shrine OF devils
ID. - 49, =
duration Of eternity have you daily appreciated
the value of the SOU if not, pause-in the name
Of God / allure you pause and reflect both be-
fore you bring your offerings 10 the ALTAR. u he
narrow isthmus, whch interyenes between you and
the world of spirits, is already sinking presently
death will have swallowed it up forever Let your
thoughts carry you beyondit; lost in the immen-
sity of those ages, which have no erd Ages.
which the soul nEerts, and during which its pow
ers increase, and its capacity for happiness and
misery expands and expands, and expands, till
Overwhelming tho ngh0 it is capable of enjoying
the joys or of suffering the miseTies 81 W Grid
Such souls those practitioners possess, in hose
behalf now address you. To that eternity, with
which your minds are 6lled. they are Fastening
Before lie launch inio look up ID heaven and sec
the preparations grace ismaking, and The glory 20
which grace is waiting 20 receive them the crown
of iif,-the presence OF God in which there Is ful
ness Of joy and az whose right hand are pleasures
oTeYcr more.
Before they launch iuto IL look dowR a. hrll,
and the punishments, Nth which justice lhFeat-
ems them; take one deep ard solemn view ~ that
ERE which Is never quenched and o, that worm in
the midst of Il - heh never dies All me, what
spectacle OF woe venting unavailing 0fiss to de-
vourng faG.e, aDA pouring cot vain complaints 10
an Implying dungeon, NArh when the sufferer
asks. bow long echoes back eternity. Ages
hecped on ages intervene sgain The sufferer asks,