then will refrain from embarking in this interprise. The Lord in his providence is addressing parents, ministers and instructors, especially Sabbath School teachers in the language of the daughter of Pharaoh, "Take these children and nurse them for me, and I will give thee thy wages." The salvation of souls shall be for thy hire.-Let it ever be said of those who manage this institution, "Ye did run well for a time." Let it rather be said, they are 'steadfast, immovable, always abounding in this work of the Lord. Let the solemn asseveration of Jesus Christ, "No. man having put his hand to the plough and looking back is fit for the kingdom of God," urge them to increased exertions. Noble was the resolution made in the year 1830, "That the American Sunday School Union in reliance upon divine aid will within two years establish a Sunday School in every destitute place, where it is practicable, throughout the valley of the Mississippi." This measure which warranted the most determined, vigorous and liberal efforts, has been prosecuted with a zeal correspondent, in a good measure, with the magnitude and importance of the enterprize, and most happy results have followed. Such efforts must still be continued. A Sabbath School must be established in every village and hamlet in the land. There are in this country at least four millions of children and youth who ought to receive Sabbath School instruction from week to week. This work can be and must be sustained. In the language of one of the most distinguished members of our national legislature," If our country would render her Union perpetual, if she would elevate to a lofty height the pillars of her fame and place herself permanently above all other nations of present, and of all other times, she must draw her example from the Divine Being, and take little children in her arms, and bless

them by pouring into their infant minds the lessons of early and effectual instruction."

"Patriots, Christians, ministers of the most High God, the alternative is before you. Employ the means to enlighten and sanctify the nation, and it is saved; neglect them and it is lost. The instrument of your country's salvation is at your command, and the responsibility of its failure or success, rests upon you.'

DISSERTATION IX.

PROMOTION OF TEMPERANCE.

"At the last it biteth like a serpent, and stingeth like an adder." Such are the effects of intemperate drinking, as described by the pen of inspiration. Who then will not proclaim, as with the voice of seven thunders, in the monitory language, "Touch not; taste not; handle not." Let the motto of all be, TOTAL ABSTINENCE FROM THE

USE OF ARDENT SPIRITS-TOTAL ABSTINENCE FOREVER.

I. But why abstain from the use of ardent spirit?

1. The expense attending the use of it is a reason for abstaining. This is enormous. From authentic documents it appears, that the sum of money expended for ardent spirits, which are annually consumed in the United States, amounts to at least fifty millions of dollars. This melancholy fact is fully established by ascertaining the quantity of ardent spirit which is annually distilled in our country, and which is annually imported, and also the quantity which is annually exported; and by considering what remains after exportation, as actually drank in the country. This it would seem is a fair way of calculating with sufficient exactness. It is found from the returns of all the Marshalls in the United States to the Secretary's office, that there were, probably, as many as 33,365,529 gallons of ardent spirits consumed in our country in the

year 1810. Assuming the population of the United States, and the habits of the people, in 1810, as the basis of calculation, the quantity of ardent spirits consumed in 1832, will be twice as great, or 66,731,058 gallons, a quantity of liquor sufficient to fill more than 1,090,970 hogsheads, and would form a pond more than 68 rods long, 40 rods wide, and 12 feet deep, covering an area of 17 acres. Considering that these liquors are freely diluted before they are sold to the consumers, and that a large portion of them is retailed in small quantities at a greatly advanced price upon the primary cost, they may be fairly reckoned in sale at one dollar per gallon. The amount of the whole at this rate would-be more than sixty-six millions of dollars. But let the estimate be moderate-say fifty millions. What an enormous sum expended for the consumption of distilled spirits! The expense for wine is not included in, this calculation. This must be many millions."

Besides, will it not be conceded by all, that the precious time of those who drink to excess, which is spent in idle conversation, vain amusements at taverns, grog-shops and tippling houses of all descriptions, is really worth as much, (...for, as Dr. Franklin observes, time is money,) as the cost of ardent spirit consumed, that is, fifty millions of dollars.

In addition to this, statements and reports founded upon facts, lead to the belief, that there are nine hundred thousand dollars expended annually in Massachusetts for those who have been reduced to poverty and to sickness by intemperate drinking. Admitting this to be true, and that there are not more thus effected by intemperance in this state, according to the number of its inhabitants, than in the other states, it follows, that more than nineteen millions of dollars are annually thus expended in the United States, for the support of the victims of alcoholic poison.

Further; much money, say eleven millions of dollars annually, (and this must be considered a low estimate,) is spent for sickness, occasioned by intemperance in those who are able, in a pecuniary point of view, to bear this expense themselves.

The waste of property, then, annually caused or occasioned by intemperance in the United States, if we take into consideration the purchase of the liquors consumed, the time idled away, and the expenditure arising from pauperism and sickness produced by it, (not to say any thing of the expense of law suits, lawyers' and sheriffs' bills following in its train,) amounts to one hundred and thirty millions of dollars. This is a sum of money more than doubly sufficient to defray the expenses of our national and state governments, of all our colleges, academies, common schools, and religious societies for the support of the ministry. It is a sum of money "sixty times. as much as the aggregate income of all the principal religious charitable societies in Europe and America ;—it would supply every family on earth with a Bible, and it would support a missionary or teacher among every two thousand souls on the globe." It is a sum of money, which, were it levied upon this nation at one time by a direct tax, would be ten dollars for every man, woman and child in it, and would revolutionize the government ;-a sum of money, which, were it in silver, would weigh more than thirty-four hundred tons, and would load seventeen hundred waggons.-In order to impress upon the mind clearly and forcibly the cost of intemperance, I subjoin a bill of expense, prepared by an able and accurate writer.

1.

"The people of the United States to Intemperance To 56,000,000 gallons of spirit per year at 50 cents per gallon,

DR.

$28,000,000