The Litchfield County post., 1828-01-17
R~sAs suss. R.osra.,.
REVIEW or THE YEAR.

year. At this solemn period in the course Ofall earthly things we pause, to take rec view of our official labOurs. With the cOn- scioasness of upright intentions, we have much to lament in the sight Of God while we cannot but record our unspeakable Ob- legations for the assistance He has impart. cd, and for the abundant reason we have to believe our labor has not been in vain in the Lord. We would renewedly conse- crate ourselves to the same service, and pray that we may this year have occasion to record far greater things concerning Zi- on, and be ourselves humble instruments OfpromOting its enlargement.
 We intend, however, not so much a re- view of our own work, as of the prominent events the year in the church in and the world at large.
 The political changes in the earth. have been few. Peace has prevailed among most of the civilized nations on the globe. The records ofthe earth have been seldom reddened with blood we have heart little ofwar and carnage and desolation South America has been in great measure cx- empted from it's long continued c":nmo- tions; and we may hope that it is beyn- ming to rise to the intelligence and free dom of the north. Greece has Cun;inEed to struggle against tyranny and poverty, and every thing which could generate -des- pair. As the year was drawing to close our hearts were gladdened by the report, that the arm of the proud, naughty Turk was broken, and that Greece might yet c. her bonds. Three powerful nations have combined to set limits to savage cruelty, & to promise security to the oppressed. It was tale ofhorror in the beginning, for it was the sound of battle and war. But we must thank God, that even by such means greater evils will be prevented, and the way be prepared for liberty and science & gospel light to bless that unhappy country. In the world at large, probably correct principles of government and freedom have not made any great advances; but their progress is sure, and their glorious effects cannot be remote. The nations sigh for liberty more and more, ,and their groanings are heard in heaven. Yet there is still mnch to lament. In our own country, tho the cause of emancipation is gaining ground and Liberia is prosperous, and obtains fa- vor with the people; still, two millions of men are held in bondage by republicans,& their cry during another whole year of oppression has gone up to heaven against us.
 Literature 0ed science have made evident advances. We are not aware of any change peculiarly striking in the old world. In this country, many things deserve to be mentioned. Inventions and improvements in the arts are numerous, and many public works are successfully undertaken. Exis- ting institutions of learning have been much improved, and others have sprung up in every direction. The business of ed- ucation itself is to be considered as a sci- ence to be acquired, and is treated more philosophically and systematically than ev- CT before. Our children have some pros- pect ofbeing educated for acting their part on the theatre of life, ,and in the very time in which it is their lot to live. The press is becoming every day a more powerful engine, and operating more directly on the human mind, ,moving it to great results. Its periodical productions are multiplying beyond all former example. And while many of these are positively evil and inju- rious, and many others are lighter than vanity; others still, and not few in num- Der, sustain character which will endure investigation, and carry forth an influence which will bear favorably on the character and the happiness of future generations. These advances we observe at home. But we must not forget that our benighted neighbors in the south have ordered pres- ses from New England; and that native tribe of our forests have established one among themselves, conducted by one of their own educated sons.
 Religion has prospered in a wonderful manner. The word of the Lord has run nightly. Zion has heightened her cords, and strengthened her stakes, and broken forth on the right hand aud on the left. Here we still advert both to the new en- ployment of instruments. and means, and to the success which has attended them. Where the Lord prepares many labourers or puts new in operation, it is an evidence that he is about to perform great work {; and where his people put forth unwonted efforts, that circumstance is an evidence that religion has already revived, because it is itself the fruit of that revival. In this respect there is a great increase and be- asA Ann .t. I-o.