and that it is the way to have for them; for then there are more the love and blessing of God upon snares, both within and without. them. Sometimes separate them, When marriageable, see that they but not long; and allow them to have worthy persons in their eye, send and give each other small of good life, and good fame for things to endear one another piery and understanding. I need with. Once more I say, tell no wealıb, but sufficiency; and be them it was my counsel they sure their love be dear, fervent, should be tender and affection. and mutual, that it may be hapate one to another. For their py for them. I choose not they learning be liberal. Spare no should be married to earthly, cost; for by such parsimony all covetous kindred; and of cities is lost that is saved; bot let it and towns of concourse, beware: be useful knowledge, such as is the world is apt to stick close to consistent with truth and godli. those who have lived and got Dess, not cherishing a vain con- wealth there: a country life and versation or idle mind; but inge. estate I like best for my chil. puity mixed with industry is good dren. I prefer a decent mansion, for the body and the mind too. of an hundred pounds per annum, I recommend the useful parts before ten thousand pounds in of mathematics, as building hous- London, or such like place, in a es or ships, measuring, survey- way of trade." ing, dialling, navigation; but He next addresses himself to agriculture is especially in my his children.

my

children be husband- “Be obedient to your dear men and housewives; it is indus. mother, a woman whose virtue trious, healthy, honest, and of and good name is av honor to good example: like Abraham you; for she hath been exceedand the holy ancients, who pleas. ed by none in her time for her ed God, and obtained a good re- integrity, humanity, virtue, and port. This leads to consider good understanding, qualities not the works of God and nature, of usual among women of her worldthings that are good, and diverts ly condition and quality. Therethe mind from being taken up fore honour and obey her, my with the vain arts and inven- dear children, as your mother, tions of a luxurious world. Rath. and your father's love and delight. er keep an ingenious person in Aud though she be of a delicate the house to teach them, than constitution and noble spirit, yet send them to schools, too many she descended to the utmost ten. evil impressions being commonly derness and care for you, per. received there. Be sure to ob- forming the painfullest acts of serve their genius, and do not service to you in your infancy, cross it as to learning; let them as a mother and a purse too: not dwell too long on one thing: I charge you, before the Lord, but let their change be agreea- honor and obey, love and cherish ble, and all their diversions have your dear mother. some little hodily labor in them. “Next: betake yourselves to When grown big, have most care some honest, industrious course

eye: let

ears.

of life, and that not of sordid you: therefore do your duty, and covetousness, but for example be sure you see with your own and to avoid idleness. Aud" if eyes, and hear with your own you change your condition, and

Entertain no lurehers; marry, choose, with the knowl. cherish no informers for gain or edge and consent of your mother reven-e; use no tricks; fly to no if living, or of guardians, or devices to support or cover injus

, ur those that have the charge of tice; but let your hearts be upyou. Mind neither beauty nor right before the Lord, trusting riches, but the fear of the Lord, in him above the contrivances of and a sweet and amiable disposi. men, and none shall be able to tion, such as you can love above hurt or supplant." all this world, and that may

We should like to see any pri. make your habitutions pleasant vate letter of instructions from and desirable to you. And being a sovereign to his heir apparent, married, be tender, affectionate, that will bear a comparison with patient, and meek. Be sure to the injunctions of this honest seclive within compass; borrow.not, tary. He concludes as follows. peither be beholden to any. Ru. 6. Finally, my children, love one iņ not yourselves by kindness to another with a true, endeared others; for that exceeds the due love, and your dear relations op bounds of friendship; neither will both sides, and take care to prea true friend expect it. Small serve tender affection in your matters Į heed not."

children to each other, often marAfter a great number of other rying within themselves so as it be affectionate counsels, he turus without the bounds forbidden in particularly to his elder boys. God's law, that so they may not, ...And as for you, who are like likethe forgettinguunatural world ly to be concerned in the govern- grow out of kindred and as cold ment of Pennsylvania, 1 do

as strangers; but, as becomes a charge you before the Lord God truly natural and Christian and his holy angels, that you be stock, you and yours after you, lowly, diligent, and tepder, fear. may live in the pure and fervent ing God, loving the people, and love of God towards one another, hating covetousness. Let justice as becometh brethren in the spirhave its impartial course, and itual and natural relation. the law free passage. Though to 6.So farewell to my thrice dear.. your loss, protect no man against ly beloved wife and children. it; for you are not above the law, Yours, as God pleaseth, in that but the law above you. Live which no waters can quench, na therefore the lives yourselves you time forget, nor distance wear would haye the people live; and away, but remains forever, then you have right and boldness

“WILLIAM Penn, to punish the transgressor. Keep “Worminghurst, 4th of 6th ppon the square, for God sees mo. 1682"

W

· ON PERFORMANCES AT ORDINATIONS:

MR. EDITOR,

charge, and thus not only unneAs your instructive miscellany cessarily increases the length of is read by many of the clerical the services, but obliges the perprofession, will you permit me son, who gives the charge, to rerespectfully to address to them a peat sentiments and oftentimes few suggestions on the subject expressions, which have already of performances at ordinations! been fully delivered and enforce

I think, I can say, that occa- ed. sions of this kind excite in me an Sometimes the charge itself is unusual degree of interest. But injudiciously extended to the this interest has, in some instan. length of a moderate sermon. ces, been exceedingly lessened by Sometimes the right hand of the want of consideration in the fellowship is given by one, who performers.

repeats many of the topics more You well know, Sir, that such properly belonging to the sermon solemnities usually consist of and the charge. three prayers, a sermon, a charge, But the greatest evil, which I an expression of the fellowship bave lamented in the exercises at of the churches, and sacred mu- ordinations, has been the injudi- . sick.

cious length of the prayers. I The fault, of which I complain, have known each of these to be is, that each performance seems longer, than would be thought at times contrived, as if it were reasonable for all the devotional a whole, and vot a component exe ses on a common occasion part of numerous religious exer- of worship. The consequence eises.

has been, not only that the sevThe error sometimes consists eral prayers have embraced, for in selecting more musical pieces the most part, the same topics, than are consistent with the due but have also consisted of the performance of the other parts. same expressions. It is imposSacred music is indeeed ad- sible, under such circuinstances, mirably adapted to such occa- for the attention of the most desions, and it is often a relief from voat to be suitably engaged. the tediousness of the other per. Let it be considered, that our formances. Still great judgment houses of worship, on such occais requisite, as to the quantity to sions, are geperally thronged; be sung, as well as to the male and, of course, that many are in per of performing it, lest a ser. uncomfortable situations. Some, vice, otherwise highly delightful, coming from a distance, are should excite disgust, instead of greatly fatigued, and, being conducing either to entertain. obliged to stand throughout the ment or to edification.

exercises, are liable to be overAnother error, on sach occa- burdened by long prayers. Besions, is, when the preacher in sides, many thoughtless persons the applicatory parts of his ser- would be more likely to receive mon completely anticipates the serious impressions, were the dė.

votions less wearisome, and more this range, his devotions may be

, appropriate.

short and impressive, and they Is it not highly desirable, that will not interfere with the other ordination prayers should pos. services. sess all the interest, of which Let the closing prayer consist, they are susceptible? It seems as is usual with such prayers in reasonable, that the consecrat. public worship, of a comprehening prayer, as it is understood to sive summary of the sentiments constituie the essence of ordi- contained in the discourse, exdation, should embrace a greater pressed in a devotional form. yariety of topics, than the oth- Thus letthe pious gratitude of the er prayers. Let then the intro- audience for the occasion, which ductory and concluding devotions assembled thein, and for the be so framed, as not to interfere transactions of the day, be utterwith the leading solemnities of ed with such brevity, and yet the occasion.

such particularity, as shall inLet the person, who opens the terest all, but those, who have solemnities, confine his attention no relish for the beau'y of hoto some such subjects, as the fol. liness." lowing. Let him adore the per- By some such arrangement, fections of that omnipresent Be. which propriety itself suggests, ing, who delights in the assem- our ordination services might be bly of his saints.” Let him ac. rendered more effectual auxiliaries knowledge, that "holiness be- to the great interests of religion, eometh God's house forever.” They might thus be adapted, by Let him seriously and feelingly the blessing of God, more generpray, that every thing may be ally to attract the worldly and to done "decently and in order." affect the thoughtless, instead of Let him supplicate a blessing oppressing them with weariness, upon each of the exercises dis- and filling them with disgust. tinctly. If be confine himself to

ECCLESIASTES.

GOD MEANT IT UNTO GOOD.

The history of Joseph is both to inspire the humble with coninteresting

and iustructive. fidence in the government of God, While it displays the envious amidst the perplexities and af. and cruel character of his breth. fictions of the present state, and ren, and bis own virtue and pie. especially under such trials as ly, it illustrates the wisdom of result from the evil dispositions, God in overruling the designs of or the passions and prejudices of wicked or deluded men, and fellow beings. making them subservient to his 66When Joseph's brethren saw own benevolent purposes. The that their father was dead, they narrative is particularly adapted said, Joseph will peradventure

hato us, and will certainly re- seph was the governor of Egypt, quite us all the evil which we and the second ruler in the kingdid unto him."

dom, and, as they very well knew, While their pious father was he had it in his power to save or living, they felt in a measure se- to destroy them according to his core from the resentment of Jo. pleasure; to pass over their transseph. His love and veneration gression, or to revenge the injury for his father was so fully dis- they had done to him. The iem. played, that they probably felt per of Joseph was therefore satisfied, that he would do no- brought to a fair test. thing to them, which would “And Joseph said onto them, grieve their aged parent. But fear not; for am I in the place of judging of Joseph by what they God? But as for you, ye thought had found in themselves, and evil against me, but God, meant had observed in others, they it unto good, to bring to pass as were naturally filled with anxie. it is this day, to save much peoty for their own safety, as soon ple alive. Now therefore fear as their father was laid in the ye not, I will nourish you and grave. They knew that they de- your little ones.

And he comserved punishment, and they er forted them, and spake kindly

expected their cruelty to their unto them." brother would now be avenged or Behold the man! the man in requited.

whom God delights! How dig. * And they sent a messenger nified, and yet how amiable! unto Joseph, saying, thy father How pious towards God, and did command before he died, say, how tender towards his injúrious ing, so shall ye say unto Joseph; brethren! How opposite to that Forgive, I pray thee, now the tres- haughty and revengeful spirit, pass of thy brethren and their which is commonly found in men sin; for they did unto thee evil: of exalted rank. “Fear not," and now we pray thee, forgive said he, to his guilty and anxious the trespass of thy brethren and brethren—"am I in the place of the servants of the God of thy God?” to pardon your transgres. father.”

sions, or to avenge the wrongs Whether indeed Jacob had you did unto me.

Both pardon given such directions to his guil. and vengeance belong to God. ty sops, or whether they invent- He did not excuse them from ed this story to influence the mind blame: “But as for you, yé of Joseph, is not very certain; thought evil against me:" li is but nothing could have been bet

proper

that

you should be sensi. ter adapted to excite his com- ble of your sin, and humble yourpission.

selves before the forgiving God. "Apl Joseph wept when they He did not however dwell long spake unto bim; and his brethi. on their offence, but turned their ren also went and fell down be attention to the benevolent de. fore his face; and they said unto sign of Jehovah, and' his overrul. him, we be thy servants." Jo. ing providence: “God meant it