us does it continually call for copy, like the daughters of the horse leach, which cry-give, give. Already in the present number, the significant signature ED. occurs oftener than can be very acceptable either to our readers or to ourselves. Judging from present appearances, it will be still worse with the next number, for which we have scarcely, as yet, received any contributions. If a week or two does not bring us a great access of articles, our readers will be obliged, in the language of the Persian poet, "to solicit marrow from a shrivelled brain and digest the smoke of a profitless lamp"-which, says he, "is not the occupation of sensible men."

We therefore earnestly require all our contributors, as soon as this meets their eye, to lay pen to paper, and give us something profound, brilliant, instructive, interesting-not so long as to be tiresome-nor so short as to be flippant. Let it be "complete enough to satisfy, fragmentary enough to excite, sharp enough to rouse, tender enough to appease." We do not promise to insert all they shall send us, even though it be very good in itself-for it may not suit our purpose. Nor will we insert a tedious, shallow, or ill natured article, if the best friend we have, or the man we most revere should send it us. The conductor of a magazine must be as despotic as the general of an army, in order to make it good for any thing.

We wish for more western articles, containing descriptions of the moral, statistical, economical, social, and religious condition of different parts of the west. Incidents or facts which go to illustrate the character and condition and genius of the people we want very much. In a community like this, where towns and cities are springing up almost like Jonah's gourd, in a single night-not, we trust, to perish in a night-descriptions of towns and of these rapid changes are highly interesting. Can not our friends, scattered abroad, write us letters, giving a description of whatever is interesting in their community?

We do not by any means demand that all who write in our magazine should have our opinions or sentiments on religious or other matters. Our pages shall be freely open to all who appear to write with a good purpose-a wish to do good-and make men better and happier-and who write with clearness, point, and earnestness. In this wide world there must needs be endless differences of thought and of expression; among goodmen there need never be a want of harmony of feeling and courtesy of manner. We pray God to make us charitable and tolerant to all forms of human thought and action; to one thing only shall we never be tolerant-the Pharisaic spirit of bigotry, tvranny, and sectarianism. ED.

TO OUR SUBSCRIBERS.

The publication of the "Western Messenger" has been transferred to Louisville. This change was made necessary by the illness of the subscriber. The character and purpose of the work will remain as heretofore-a medium through which western Unitarians may communicate with each other, and make known their views to the world around them. It will henceforth be under the editorial care of the Rev. James F. Clarke, with whose writings our readers are sufficiently familiar, to know that the work could not be in better hands.

I cannot forbear expressing here my gratitude for the aid which I have heretofore received in the publication of the Messenger. Since the first number was issued, I have been much of the time absent from Cincinnati, and during all the time, I have been debarred by ill-health, from giving that attention to it which I earnestly desired to give. I have had constantly to look to my friends for assistance, and have constantly and abundantly received it. During the last summer, Mr. Howe most kindly superintended its publication. I have been continually indebted to the publishers, Mr. Gallagher and Mr. Shreve, for the aid of their pens, and for their friendly oversight of the work. Especially, I desire to express my sense of obligation to Mr. Perkins, without whose aid the last numbers of the work could hardly have been published. He has at the same time written many articles and superintended its publication; and no one but those acquainted with periodicals can tell the labor which this involves. I would also express the pleasure which I have received from my connection. with my brethren who have been associated with me, as colaborators in the publication of the Messenger, and with my other friends who have contributed to its pages. The ill health, which has thrown upon them unexpected labor, has, so far as 1 am concerned, found a compensation in the friendship which has ever been present in the hour of need. It is indeed one of the not slight blessings of ill-health, that it discloses the friendly feelings, which in the even and prosperous ongoings of life can hardly be made known.

In conclusion, it is my prayer that my brother who will henceforth have the editorial care of the Messenger, may make it all that I have wished it to be; and may He, without whose blessing all human labors are vain, bless the work, and make it an instrument in the promotion of truth and goodness. March 9, 1830. E. PEABODY.

LITERARY INTELLIGENCE.

The number of the Westminster review just published, contains a very virulent and bitter attack on the United states, on account of the institution of slavery. It purports to be a Review of "Abdy's Journal in the United States"-a book written in the true fanatical abolition spirit. Dr. Channing is attacked for not being an abolitionist, both by Abdy and the Reviewer. He suffers the usual fate of independent and moderate menthat of being assailed by both parties.

Books on slavery multiply. We have looked at two. "Slavery at the South," and "Paulding's Slavery in the United States." Both appear too much inclined to the ultra South Carolina doctrine of Gov. McDuffie, which considers slavery right and good in itself.

We have inserted in our present number of the Messenger,. an article on slave education, by a valued correspondent. Whether the views contained in it will meet the approbation of our readers, we know not; its spirit, we are sure all must admire.

Mr. Gurley, the Secretary of the Colonization Society, passed through this city last week on his may to New Orleans. He proposes to return this way. His object is to advance the interests of that Institution, and we wish him all success.

Our present number contains an article from the N. A. Review for 1817. We happen to possess a file of the first numbers of this work, which are now quite scarce. They contain a number of valuable articles which we have long wished to see reprinted, and we shall insert them from time to time in the Messenger.

The North American Review is now edited by Dr. Palfrey, of Cambridge, Mass. Under his hands it promises to take a higher standing than it has before held. The agent for this work in Louisville, is Mr. W. F. Taunenill.

We are much amused by a long and able article in the last Biblical Repository, by Prof. Hitchcock, of Amherst, in reply to one written by Moses Stuart, of Andover, on Geology. With great calmness and politeness Prof. Hitchcock points out the rash decisions, wild assumptions, and blundering statements of the learned Theologian. It is very strange that Prof. Stuart should not have been taught by past experience, not to undertake to lecture ex-cathedra, on subjects of which he is wholly ignorant. If any thing could cure him of this fatal propensity, he is now effectually cured.

THE

WESTERN MESSENGER;

DEVOTED TO RELIGION AND LITERATURE.

Vol. I.

JUNE, 1836.

ART. I.-A SERMON,

By Rev. GEO. W. HOSMER, of Northfield, Mass.

Psalms II. 11 v.

Rejoice with trembling.

No. 11.

These words are peculiarly significant. They require no elaborate exposition. As soon as announced, they awaken in every generous mind trains of rich and useful thought. Rejoice and how much cause have we to do so! But why should we tremble? Because with every gift and privilege, responsibility is imposed upon us.

The language to us as the recipients of a father's blessings, is, "use till I come;" "unto whomsoever much is given, much will be required." The rejoicings of gratitude should be mingled with a sense of accountableness "Rejoice with trembling." My friends, it is not my purpose to treat this subject in its universal application-I wish to apply it to your condition as inhabitants of this western country. You have abundant cause to rejoice. Your home is in the midst of fair, fertile, and wide spreading regions. Within the memory of men now living, Indians and savage beasts held dominion here. The eastern mountains were the wall which divided civilized from barbarous life. Within a few years, what a change has been wrought. Scenes of violence and bloodshed have been exhibited; but the struggle has ceased; the denizens of the forest have disappeared, and civilized man dwells here in peace. In such a change we should all rejoice; it is better that this beautiful portion of the globe should be occupied by cities and towns-the homes of civilization, than lie waste and be the abode of beasts and roving savages.

Especially you may rejoice that your lines have fallen to you in these pleasant places. The keen winds of the north, and the searching suns of the south are not permitted to visit you. Your climate is temperate, and as the settlement of the country advances, becomes healthful. Your soil yields an abundant reward to the farmer's toil. Navigable streams afford unparalleled facilities for intercommunication. It is indeed a noble heritage-vast-beautiful, and admirably suited to promote the growth and happiness of its favored inhabitants. What more could you ask from the bounteous hand of Nature's God! Your lives are crowned with blessings. In common with every other portion of our country, you have free institutions—all the rights of civil and religious liberty. Another item in the sources of your prosperity which should not be omitted, are the means of transportation which science and the useful arts have furnished. What would this country be in comparison with its present state, without the inventions of the Marquis of Worcester, of Watt, and of Fulton? Without these its vital circulations would cease: no cities would rise in the inland regions, and scarcely would the abundant products of the soil repay the labor of in-gathering, commerce would cease, and agriculture lose its reward. Look back a few years, and consider the exposure, labor, and peril attendant upon the navigation of the western waters. We read of these trials, half incredulous because the mighty agent which has been pressed into our service has effected an entire change. The work of breasting vast currents which sweep from the Rocky Mountains to the Atlantic, and from the far regions of the North and East to the Gulph of Mexico, is now done by muscles which never tire; while we are borne "on burdened keels," with or against the hurrying stream, surrounded with comforts and luxuries, at leisure for social intercourse with friend and stranger, or to behold and admire the richness of the surrounding scenery. These surely are not among the least of your blessings, and why should they not be regarded as such. We give thanks to God for civil and religious rights, those blessings conferred upon us through the patriot and sage; and why should you not be grateful for the results of scientific discovery, and the successful application of the arts to the uses of life? Why not bless the author of good, that ingenious minds have been lent to us, to unfold the secret powers of the elements, and combine them for our benefit? Yes it should be so. Reflect, then, on all these sources of your prosperity, and rejoice not with a self-gratulation; but with a generous gratitude, with a sense of responsibility-Rejoice with trembling.