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He dwells on mere external forms and duties, such as coming to church, receiving the sacrament, being decent, honest, and occasionally charitable. But he is very superficial in his views of the evil and danger of sin; he prophesies smooth things, and avoids what would alarm and terrify.

He reduces the standard of religion to the inadequate conceptions of nominal Christians. He says little of inward religion, and those secret affections and exercises of which the divine persons of the glorious Godhead are the immediate objects. Selfdenial, the crucifixion of the flesh, humility, and non-conformity to the world, are seldom urged by him, or at least in such vague and indefinite terms, as neither to give offence nor create uneasiness in the breasts of his hearers.

His chief solicitude, if he have any solicitude at all, is to display his learning, or his eloquence, or to amuse his hearers with something curious and entertaining; but on the most important topics he is either silent, or cold and lifeless; in other words, he does not appear to be in earnest.

The unfaithful minister may also be known by the following marks.

He does as little as he can without laying himself open to censure and punishment. He is short, slight, and superficial, in his public work, careless how it is done, soon weary of it, and glad when it is finished, and spends the rest of the Sunday in vain company and conversation.

He is careless about private inspection and instruction. When he visits the sick, he hurries through the form without any serious warm addresses to their conscience. His conversation with his parish savours of the world, and earthly things, and he seeks not them but theirs.

He loves sports and amusements, and is oftener seen in the assemblies of the vain than in the church. His dress too often bespeaks the vanity and levity of his mind. He loves the company of the sensual and gay; or, if his behaviour is regular and decent, there appears little of a devotional, zealous spirit in him, and he spends that time in literary amusement or idleness, which should be employed for the service of his flock. He often censures in public, and sneers in private, at those of his brethren who have more piety and zeal than himself; calls them enthusiasts, however rational they may be, or Methodists, however unconnected they may be with persons of that description, and does what he can to injure their characters, and lessen their esteem and usefulness.

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MISCELLANY.

For the Panoplist.

ACCOUNT OF THE BRITISH SETTLEMENT IN NEW SOUTH WALES.

THE Vices of mankind have, in all ages, been the principal causes of legislation. The characters of different governments and people appear strongly mark.

ed, and their varying features are easily distinguished in their penal laws. Ignorance, bigotry and superstition are rendered visible in lines of blood. Knowledge, religion and real refine ment are exhibited in traits of mildness, united with a dignified regard to social order and happiness. Amelioration is evidently the great object of legislators, under this influence, in prescribing correctives or penalties. Cases, the most atrocious, will not divest them of the robe of humanity; and their keenest sensibilities will be exerted in giving sanction to a law, which may put a period to human life.

Various have been the methods devised to correct or prevent the evils committed by the unIn principled and profligate. Great Britain it has been the practice for many years to sentence convicts to transportation. Her colonies, especially in America, severely felt the baneful effects of such a system. The revolution put a stop to this imposition. It became expedient to seek a different situation, to which persons of this description might be sent. The eastern part of New Holland, called New South Wales, in the Southern Ocean, was fixed on : A country thinly peopled by savages, possessing, however, many natural advantages, and capable of great improvements by industry. Arrangements were cordingly made for executing the design. Wisdom, prudence and caution marked the plan. Civil and military establishments were prominent parts. Medical and clerical characters were not omitted. Implements of husbandry and for other purposes

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with a supply of provisions were furnished; also a number of neat cattle, horses, sheep, and swine.

In May, 1787, the fleet sailed, having on board, exclusive of sailors, 212 marines, with 28 wives and 17 children. Convicts 828, viz. males 558, females 270.

They arrived in Botany Bay in January, 1788. Governor Philip, not satisfied with the harbour, nor the adjacent lands, sought a better situation. He soon discovered Port Jackson, a capacious and commodious harbour, and the shore affording a more pleasing appearance. He disembarked at Sidney-cove, east long. 159, 19, 30, and south lat. 32, 52, 30.

The most vigorous exertions were made to erect buildings to cover the people and secure the stores. The governor's commission, the act of parliament establishing courts of judicature, and patents authorising persons different named, to execute

offices, were read in the hearing of all. So great a number of persons, whose vitiated principles and habits had rendered them outcasts from their native country, required an efficient government in all its branches, to prevent the worst evils incident to their new situation. They had been sentenced to service for different periods, proportioned to their respective crimes. They were assured, not only of freedom, but of the possession of lands and other gratuities, in case their conduct, while under the operation of legal penalties, should justify such indulgence, at the termination of those periods. Notwithstanding

ished.

these motives and prospects, eign supplies continually dimintheir propensities appeared in ⚫ divers instances unconquerable. The government were soon compelled to inflict new punishments, and in some cases to make them capital.

This situation, at an immense distance from countries capable of affording regular supplies of provisions, rendered the emigrants liable to peculiar wants and distresses. To provide against such evils, and for other purposes, a detachment was sent to Norfolk Island, more than three hundred leagues N. E. from Port Jackson, destitute of inhabitants, having a convenient harbour. Its soil, however, was found very fertile, and its produce was afterwards found to be of great importance.

Having for years struggled with a variety of difficulties, and suffered many distresses, the colonists gradually experienced a pleasing change in their circumstances. By cultivating their lands and increasing their cattle, their dependence on for

It is deeply to be regretted, that they have not been induced to pay equal attention to their moral and religious interests. Habituated, in general, to vicious courses, they appear uninfluenced by the efforts of successive clergymen. There is too much reason to fear, that those who might aid clerical endeavours, treat them with indifference, if not with contempt. From the patronage of government, the exertions of missionaries, and increased number of settlers, who voluntarily leave their native country with principles and habits friendly to order and virtue, a more favourable aspect is to be hoped.

The following statement, collected from an account of the English colony in New South Wales, by Lieut. Col. Collins, several years judge advocate of the colony, and afterwards Lieut.. Governor of Port Philip, will give a succinct view of the progress of the colony.

About 120 ships had arrived at Port Jackson, the former part of 1800.

There were at Sidney and its vicinity,

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In June, 1801, the number of European inhabit

ants in New South Wales was

In Norfolk Island

5547 961

.6508

In May, 1803, the former amounted to 7097; of whom 4193 supported themselves without receiving provisions from the gov

ernment.

THE SINNER'S COMPLAINT, AND WARNING TO SAINTS.

1.

Tell me, ye servants of the Lord,
Ye heirs of glory's bright reward,
Of crowns beyond the skies :
How can you see us glide along
The stream of life, a giddy throng,
Without unceasing cries?

II.

Our cries are scatter'd in the air:
The gracious God hears not our pray'r,
Nor heeds whate'er we say;
But your's ascends to meet his ear
And draw the dear Redeemer near,
To listen while you pray.

III.

Fearless, we travel tow'rds the tomb,
Defy the pow'r of wrath to come,

And waste our golden years.
You know the terrors of the Lord;
You see the splendor of his sword,
And should excite our fears.

IV.

On us, immortal wrath shall pour,
In bursting floods, an endless show'r
Of unconsuming fire.

Seraphs shall wake your souls with joy,
While they their tongues in praise em-
ploy,

And strike the sounding lyre.

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And when the trump of God shall sound,

And call the slumb'rers from the
ground

To hear their final doom;
Should you behold us chain'd in fire,
Subject to God's eternal ire,
In hell's devouring tomb;
VII.

And hear our souls, despairing, cry,
"Ob, had you warn'd us not to die,

"We then had been forgiv'n :" Could grief in paradise appear, These words would start a mournful tear,

And damp your joy in heav'n.
VIII.
Ye saints, in ardent pray'r, unite
To plead for sinners day and night,

Before your Father's throne.
Then, drawn by God's resistless grace,
You'll see us flock, for life and peace,
To God, th' anointed Son.

S. T. H.

Review of New Publications.

Sermons on Important Subjects. By the late Rev. DAVID TAPPAN, D. D. Hollis Professor of Divinity in the University at Cambridge. To which is prefixed a biographical sketch of the author; and a sermon preached at his funeral by Dr. Holmes. W. Hilliard, and Lincoln & Edmands..

THE interests of religion and the community have rarely sustained so severe a loss, as in the death of Dr. TAPPAN. His abilities, which were confessedly of a superior order, were ardently devoted to the service of God and his generation., Providence had assigned him a sphere of ac

tion peculiarly congenial with his talents. From his pious labours, much important benefit had already resulted to the university, and the world; and more seemed yet in prospect. But in the full career of exertion and usefulness, he was summoned from this earthly scene.

It is the privilege, however, of eminently great and good men to enlighten and instruct future ages. The effusions of piety and genius are immortal. They are the best legacy which posterity can receive; and to this it has a claim. The religious public may now be congratulated that, after a solicitous expectation of four years, it receives a valuable portion of the works of Dr. Tappan. It is comprised in two volumes: one, consisting of sermons on important subjects; the other, of lectures on Jewish antiquities, delivered at the university. Of the former, we shall now attempt

a brief review.

The volume is introduced by a biographical sketch of the Author; and a sermon preached at his funeral, by Dr. HOLMES. The tribute here paid to departed worth is affectionate, yet discriminating and just. The picture, though beautiful, had an original. As a man and a Christian, as a preacher, a pastor, a professor of theology, and a patriot, Dr. Tappan was all which these pages describe.

The following are the titles of the sermons which compose this volume:

"Sermon I. On Christian Zeal. II. On Brotherly Reproof. III. On Secret Faults and Presumptuous Sins. IV. On the Love of God. V. On the Love of our Neighbour. VI. On Christian Charity. VII. On Christian Charity. VIII. On the Vices of the Tongue. IX. The Character of a Wise Man. X. On the Pleasures of Religion. XI. The Want of a practical Regard to religious Truth, the Cause of dangerous speculative Errors. XII. Naaman the Lerer.

XIII. On the Love of the World.

XIV. On the Divine Preference of Mercy to Sacrifice. XV. On Christian Vol. III. No. 8.

Y Y

Hope. XVI. The Christian Pattern. XVII. and XVIII. Religious Joy explained and recommended. XIX. On Prayer. XX. The Spirit, Employment, and Design, of the Christian Ministry. XXI. The Benefits and Advantages of worshipping God. of Affliction. XXII. On the Duty XXIII. On Forgiveness. XXIV. On the Connexion between denying the Son and denying the Father. XXV. Religion the one Thing needful."

These sermons must be acknowledged to possess great merit. In a style and manner equally calculated to instruct, convince, and persuade, they delineate the most important doctrines and duties of our holy religion. They place full in the

reader's view, those peculiarities

of the gospel, which, however offensive to human pride and perverseness, are the real glory foundation of a sinner's hope, of the scheme, the grand and the soul of all true piety and

virtue. Yet these doctrines are exhibited in so rational a light, that it must be difficult for the most ingenious caviller to form a specious objection against them.

The author is particularly happy in illustrating the connexion and harmony of natural and revealed religion.

We observe with pleasure that, in these discourses, truth is delineated in its own lovely features, displayed in its most mild and benignant aspects, and defended only by its appropriate weapons:

And while clearly

presented to the understanding, it is powerfully pressed on the conscience and the heart. Evey principle, every passion of the soul, is forcibly addressed. Every spring of action is skilfully touched.

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