which had a powerful influence in forming such characters as the fathers of New England. In view of our subject, we also perceive the blessing of a pious ancestry. The pride of ancestry, so far as it relates to birth, and wealth, and honor, cannot be justified. It is of little consequence, whether we are descended from a prince or a peasant-whether noble blood flows in our veins, or whether our origin is humble and obscure. But, surely, it is of no trifling importance, to be descended from pious ancestors; for, in addition to the divine promise, that the blessing of the fathers shall descend upon the children, we may rationally expect much from the prayers, instructions, and example, of godly progenitors. The circumstance of having pious ancestors, furnishes a powerful motive to follow their example, to imbibe their spirit, and to imitate their virtues. Let us follow them so far, and so far only, as they followed Christ. "An affectionate and respectful remembrance of those worthies, who have laid the foundation of our multiplied enjoyments," says one of our own orators, "is a debt of gratitude. We possess a goodly heritage, and it should heighten our sense of obligation, to recollect, that a generous fore sight was a distinguished characteristic of our ancestors. An ardent desire to lay a solid and lasting foundation, for the best interests of posterity, influenced all their plans of policy, so expressive of their wisdom. In every stage of their enterprise, they were prompted by an enlightened humanity, and a prospective reference to the happiness of their descendants. To contemplate the character of such men, is no less our interest than our duty. "Just men they were, And all their study bent To worship God aright, and know his works, Not hid, nor those things least which might preserve To be descended from such an ancestry, is, indeed, a high and inestimable privilege. Let us, then, my respected hearers, realize that we are the children of the Pilgrims, and let us live as pilgrims and strangers on the earth. Our fathers, where are they?-and the prophets, do they live forever? Several generations have passed away, since the scenes were transacted which have this day been brought to remembrance. In a little while, we, too, shall be gathered to our fathers. The clods of the valley will cover our dust, and the spirits, by which it is now animated, will take their flight to other regions. Happy shall we be, if we can leave to our children such a legacy, as we have received from our fathers. 289 SERMON XII. REVIEW OF MINISTERIAL DUTY. GENESIS XXi. 38. This twenty years have I been with thee. IT has been the custom of mankind in all ages, to perpetuate the remembrance of events by periodical observances; and as a year is the largest division by which we are habituated to measure time, these observances have generally been annual, and thence denominated anniversaries. The ecclesiastical and civil calendar is replete with days set apart by the Christian and the patriot, in commemoration of interesting and remarkable events in church and state. Almost every individual, too, has his days, the annual The pious, in return of which refreshes his mind with scenes that are past, either of a pleasant or a painful nature. The anniversary of our birth-of endeared connections in life-and of striking events in our personal history-cannot but be regarded with interest by every reflecting mind. all ages, have been accustomed to observe, with meditation and prayer, the return of certain seasons, in which they have signally experienced the interpositions of a kind and gracious Providence. And it must be granted, that these observances, where they are not unreasonably multiplied, are admirably calculated to promote serious reflection, and self-examination. Their return will be interesting, in proportion to the importance of the events they are designed to commemorate, and to the sphere of action to which they relate. The anniversary of an event, which may be of deep and thrilling interest to an individual or to a family, might be entirely devoid of interest to every one else. The same remark will apply to most of our annual commemorations; to all, indeed, excepting those in which we are interested in common with all the children of men,such as the commencement of a new year, the birth of a Saviour, and the various eras in scripture |