disdain, while they saw them busily employed in raising from their degradation the very lowest of mankind. But in a few years the most striking and beneficial effects were produced by the amazing influence of the new principles and the new spirit. The heathen temples were forsaken, and idolatrous vices abandoned. The character of countless multitudes underwent a complete renovation. So exemplary were the lives of Christians in the first and purest ages of the church, that their very enemies represent them as a devout, innocent, and charitable sort of men, and the ancient defenders of the faith challenge their adversaries to produce one of their number "that was condemned as a thief, or a murderer, or who was guilty of any gross enormities for which the pagan world was so infamous.” changes which have taken place are to be ascribed. But the slightest investigation of the ancient philosophy will convince us, that though perhaps not so gross as the idolatry, it was imperious, licentious, and cruel. Will the friends of this philosophy point us to any one system of pagan ethics which disapproved of what we as Christians condemn? or will they name any of their most eminent philosophers who expressed detestation of practices which we justly consider horrible? So far from this, they expressly approved and recommended the worst of them. But had philosophy possessed all the truths and motives of a pure and faultless virtue, its proud, unaccommodating spirit would have rendered it useless. It despised "the million," and suffered them to continue without pity in all the darkness of superstition. It had no apostles: it looked with complacency on the favoured few. No vulgar or plebeian feet were allowed to pollute the grove of Plato, the lyceum of Aristotle, the porch of Zeno, and the shades of Epicurus. While priests and legislators surrounded the great body of the people with intellectual and moral darkness, philosophers stood by with cold indifference, nor made one effort to dispel the gloom, though the horror of it was every moment increased by the wailings of guilt and the agonizing shrieks of despair. But in the darkest hour a "daystar from on high" shed its lustre over the regions of Judea, indicating the approach of "THE SUN OF RIGHTEOUS-nounced against parricides. The exposure NESS," who was to arise upon the nations "with healing in his wings." Christianity began its course unaided by policy, unsupported by power; with all the habits, prejudices and feelings of mankind against it, this religion made its dignified and simple appeal to the understanding and the heart. It embraced the ignorant and miserable of every character and every clime. It applied itself to the important task of enlightening the most abject votaries of superstition. Philosophers regarded the missionaries of the Cross with proud It is of importance to remark, that the abolition of the unjust laws and inhuman customs which were the greatest barriers to the full civilization of the ancient world, was effected by Christian princes and Christian legislators. With respect to paternal power, the first Christian emperor, in order to prevent the destruction of grown children by their fathers, (a practice at that time too prevalent,) very wisely and humanely advised that the public should maintain the children of those who were unable to provide for them. In the year 319 he put an effectual stop to this horrible practice, by making it a capital offence, and even affixing to it the punishment de of infants however still prevailed: this he also restrained by an edict, in the year 331. Under the emperors Valentinian, Valens and Gratian, this crime was made capital. Another branch of domestic tyranny-perpetual servitudewas greatly discountenanced by the Christian religion; and about the 12th or 13th century, when ecclesiastical legislation was at its height, is dated the extinction of slavery in Europe. The first edict against gladiatorial shows was by a Christian emperor; and Honorius afterwards completed what Constantine had begun. This horrid exhibition was The inhumanity and cruelty, so long. by his laws finally abolished. To this the disgrace of our criminal code and of we may add, that the savage punishment our colonial relations, are dying away of crucifixion was also terminated by before a religion whose genuine character Constantine. In these instances (and is universal love. The abolition of the more might be produced) we see that slave-trade and the legal extinction of some of the greatest miseries which op- slavery itself are glorious achievements pressed mankind in the heathen world of the gospel in modern times, and show were actually renounced by the laws and what a friendly aspect it bears towards edicts of Christian rulers. Here, then, social happiness-nay, how irresistible there can be no doubt that the happy is its power to bless. This godlike work effects of these laws are to be ascribed in both its great divisions was accomsolely and exclusively to the beneficent plished by the labours of Christian men, spirit of that heavenly religion which who carried it through to its happy meliorated the heart and humanized the consummation by the energy of Christian dispositions of those who made them. principles. At a time when these prinAnd we are therefore warranted in con- ciples were little felt, and all the policy cluding, that many of the other great and power of the world were combined improvements in civil, social, and domes- against them, this noble band of brothers, tic life, which render our situation so in- breathing one spirit, devoted themselves finitely superior to that of the ancient as to one cause; before the altar of their well as the modern pagan world, are to God they pledged themselves never to be attributed to the operation of the same forsake Africa! After struggling with principal cause. The ferocity of war has difficulties and dangers unparalleled, at likewise been softened, and philosophy length they vanquished their foes. The has condescended to learn virtue and hosts of Moloch fell back before them humanity of Jesus of Nazareth. Without attempting what our limits forbid, we may just glance at the beneficial effects of Christianity in our own happy country, which has been most eminently indebted to the gospel, and stands amongst the nations a living monument of its unrivalled excellence. Even our populace are humane: nor are they disgraced by that ferociousness in agitation and tumult, which has been exhibited by our politer neighbours, especially at the period when they repudiated Christianity and adored Reason as a goddess in the person of a Harlot. How is it that we alone, among all the people of the earth, can boast of "mutinies without murder, of triumphant mobs without massacres, of bloodless revolutions, and of civil wars unstained by a single assassination?" It is not because Englishmen are naturally more virtuous than other men, but because religion has diffused around them a moral atmosphere, which restrains their violence and prompts them to noble and virtuous attainments. the field was their own. And then came the Emancipation question, after some of the veterans in the former conflict had ascended to their reward: but the few were multiplied to legions, and every one bore a cross, and every one fought, by "the dear might of Him" who came to proclaim "deliverance to the captives and the opening of the prisons to them that were bound." ReligionChristianity, was their solace, their strength, and their triumph! But if we would behold the social test to the divinity of our religion in its most vivid and impressive confirmation, and brought home to our times in the completest manifestation it has ever assumed, we must turn to that portion of the globe which now obtains the appellation of Polynesia, and which comprehends the islands of the Southern Ocean. This seems to have been selected by Providence in our own day, as a theatre on which to try the grand experiment, and to hold up to the world the most unequivocal and convincing proof that the influence of Christianity is altogether in favour of social happiness; and that the simple operation of its principles, without any other aid than is secured from its own sanctions, is at the same time the most beneficent and the most mighty power that has ever been brought to bear upon the improvement of the species. These islands, a few years since, were peopled by hordes of savages. Their religion was idolatry in its worst and most revolting forms; their laws and customs were so sanguinary and cruel, as materially to diminish the population; and their most prevalent vices such as to threaten the very extinction of society. Nor had they any redeeming virtues. Their intercourse with Europeans had, moreover, imparted to them all the evils of civilization without any of its benefits. At the peril of their lives our missionaries took up their residences with these atrocious barbarians. The simple remedy which they proposed for all the social enormities with which they were surrounded was Christianity-Christianity alone without any imposing adventitious appendages. What has been the result? Let the most disinterested eye-witnesses testify. Let the intelligence that is borne by every breeze to Europe and America be heard. They are rising to the dignity of nations; their civil polity is erected on the solid basis of universal justice; their social economy exhibits in a remarkable degree the ethical purity of the religion which they have embraced. The sensual vices are under a check, which keeps them down below the average of the same vices in the most Christianized parts of our own country. Every cruel custom has vanished with their idolatry; and they who were incessantly engaged in the most sanguinary conflicts "learn war no more." Tahiti, afflicted with a French Protectorate, nefarious in its object, and ferocious in its character, and which has been eloquently described as "a violation of the faith of nations by those who call robbery justice, and murder protection"-Tahiti, through all the scenes which have deluged her plains with the blood of her unoffending people, has displayed courage, magnanimity, and unexampled forbearance. The Christian virtues triumph, though their civil rights and social liberties have fallen before the merciless invader. "O," said one of her chiefs, "had this attempt been made in the days of our idolatry, we should have driven these intruders into the sea; not one would have lived to tell the tale." Thus the social test applied to Christianity proves that it is what the Apostle Paul declares it to be-"a great mystery of godliness"-every step of whose progress leaves the impress of its Divinity. And from all that has been said, we may discover who are the genuine philanthropists-those who are concerned to maintain and propagate Christianity, or those who resist its influence, impugn its authority, and reject its evidence. The gospel is a positive good, the greatest blessing which Infinite mercy has bestowed upon a guilty race. If its spirit, its doctrines, its consolations, and its moral authority be abandoned, with what is it to be replaced? With Idolatry? With Philosophy?-with its perfect and last refinement-Atheism? Indeed, there is no real medium between the admission of Christianity and the denial of God as the moral Governor of the universe. Are we prepared for this alternative? Are we indeed willing to surrender our civil government, our social economy, and all the interests of our country, the interests of our species, to Atheism, to Socialism, to Rationalism, (they are one and the same), to that hateful power described by Robert Hall as "inhuman, bloody, ferocious-equally hostile to every useful restraint and to every virtuous affection-that, leaving nothing above us to excite awe, or around us to awaken tenderness, wages war with heaven and with earth?" The only real friend and renovator of our fallen nature is the religion of the despised NazareneChristianity. Wherever she has been permitted to walk forth in the native majesty of her form, and the native loveliness of her character, a blessed influence has travelled by her side. What enlightened and sanctified mind can view the glorious procession advancing through the world, without admiration and delight, without feeling all its affections drawn forth, and riveted to the scene? We acknowledge at once the Queen of Heaven,* FAIR RELIGION, with her lovely train-Faith, ever musing on the holy book-Hope, resting on her sure anchor, and bidding Bishop Horne. defiance to the tempests of life-Charity, PICTURES FROM LIFE. EARLY PLEASURES. "But why the morning of this busy scene, EARLY pleasures! Why the very expression is beautiful, most beautiful; teeming with thoughts and recollections which are animated and delightful, and awakening spontaneously a train of associations, the most vivid in their character, and the most inspiring in the effect produced. In such a world as ours, where, as we advance in life, we realize so many anxieties, have to pass through so many changes, and to encounter so many storms, where is the individual possessed of any sensibility, cherishing any appropriate thought and emotion, who does not recur, with powerful and enkindling feeling, to early pleasures?— to that sunny and delightsome period when the mind was vivacity itself; when the spirits were nothing but buoyancy; when the whole nature was not only prepared for enjoyment, but was full of it. Every object was novel in its aspect; every scene appeared to be clothed with radiance and beauty. The sky which arched over us was not only fair, but without a cloud; and loveliness of the purest order was visible in every direction. How much do we see of the kindness of God in attuning the mind to early pleasures; in communicating a disposition to receive gratification, and gratification of the highest kind, from a thousand sources, which, in succeeding life, would, perhaps, not awaken the same enjoyment at all-at any rate, not to the same extent. Thus it is that we see the goodness of our Heavenly Father-the endearing kindness of that Providence which is ever ready to bless us, and to render us truly happy. Thus it is that the ruggedness of the road in early life is diminished, or slightly felt; and those elevations which we have to ascend are reached, not only without difficulty, but with emotions of pleasure. If in early life everything wore an aspect of gloom; if at that interesting and important period depressing and painful emotions were awakened, and there was little or no capacity for enjoyment, how different would be our condition in the initiary stages of existence! How dull, how sombre, how clouded everything would appear! As we advanced in years, how dissimilar would be our feel ings, and the habits of our minds-indeed, our entire character, from those sentiments which we have been accustomed to cherish. Therefore, let us express lively gratitude to a kind and graci ous God, that he has rendered us peculiarly susceptible of early pleasures, which are pure, healthful, and most beneficial, and communicated to us so many, during the spring and the may-bloom of our existence. Our early pleasures, with those of thousands, and hundreds of thousands, have been derived from rural scenesfrom rural sights and sounds-from familiarity with the objects of creation: from rambles, quiet, long, and habitual rambles, amid the beauty and luxuriance of nature. How have we traversed the fine meadows of our lovely country, especially during early spring! How have we admired their rich verdure, and trodden, with exquisite and ever-fresh delight, on their soft carpet, in "the leafy month of June!" How have we plucked "the meekeyed daisy," and the golden buttercup, with which they have been enammelled! With what eagerness have we gone out into the beautiful lanes and dells in April, to gather "the pale primrose," and to hunt after the fragrant violet, and to bring home, with delight, a hand well filled to adorn our mantel-piece. In early May, how have we repaired to the well-known place for cowslips, and what a burst of joy has been induced, when hundreds and thousands of them, fully blown, on some extensive field, were first descried! What a treasure was the first nosegay of cowslips! How have we plunged into the thick and umbrageous wood, or the more extended forest, fearless of danger, and finding something as we advanced, step by step, to awaken our astonishment and admiration! How have we ranged some beautifully-ornamented park, and deeply felt the loveliness expanding around! How have we delighted ourselves in our own garden, or in that of some dear friend, and rejoiced either in the promise of rich fruit, or in the ripe and luxuriant clusters which we have seen on every side! How difficult to repress our wonder and our joy! How have we ascended the lofty hill, and surveyed the wide expanse of nature, stretching, to an almost immeasurable distance, before and behind, and, indeed, all around, while beauty and grandeur, variety and harmony, have been delightfully blended! How have we traced the meandering river's course, or walked, half-knee high, in the shallow stream; or hunted after the tiny fish which were swimming so happily in the little pellucid brook, while the sun-beams have been playing so brightly on it! How have we gone down to the seaside, and roamed, for hours, on the sandy or pebbly beach, seeking after shells and curious sea-weeds, and wondering at the breakers, as they came successively dashing to the shore! These, and a thousand circumstances in connection with nature, have rivetted our attention, inspired our interest, and enchained our minds, in early life. These have been, and still continue to be, some of our purest, sweetest, and most unsating pleasures, and, the best of all is, they are pleasures which can always, to a great extent, if the mind be in a proper frame, be realized. How full of eloquence and beauty are the lines of our favourite Beattie : "O how canst thou renounce the boundless store Of charms, which Nature to her votary yields, The warbling woodland, the resounding shore, The pomp of groves, the garniture of fields, All that the genial ray of morning gilds, And all that echoes to the song of even, All that the mountain's sheltering bosom shields, And all the dread magnificence of Heaven, O how canst thou renounce and hope to be forgiven ?" Our early pleasures, with those of multitudes, have been derived from reading— varied, appropriate, instructive, reading. And what art is more valuable to acquire? What taste is more desirable to form? What habit is more important to cultivate? What treasures does the perusal of interesting and sterling books, |