systematically and perseveringly upon improvident and unorganized masses, we may learn not to despise this atheistic fraternity.

The alertness and perseverance which characterize minorities in evil is as proverbial as the phlegmatic indolence and security of majorities on the side of virtue and order; — commonly the one gains and the other loses, till the majority changes sides. In all republics, also, the gravitating tendencies of evil, unaided, are powerful. All demagogues flatter the vices of the community, and all who practise licentiousness, and live by its patronage, are open-mouthed for liberty, and infuriated against bigots. What, then, have these men to do but to row downward with the tide ?

In every political movement, also, the unprincipled have the advantage over the principled and sober, in their unlimited variety of means. These considerations without organized treason, tolerated by our abounding charity — made the fathers of the Revolution tremble, before the constitution was formed; whose administration, though auspicious, has not allayed the apprehensions of our wisest and best men. Is it not an infatuated security, then, which refuses to fear, and cries "Peace!" when an organized association of men, wise to do evil, and aided by the immemorial downward tendencies of human nature, are directing their most powerful assaults on our most vulnerable and unprotected points?

Consider, also, with how much greater ease society may be undermined and destroyed, than organized and built up.

Slowly and reluctantly does human nature rise from ignorance, and sloth, and animalism; and many hands and constant effort are required to raise and hold up the sluggish mass, while a single hand may suffice to cut the cord, and let it thunder back upon destruction. A well-tuned orchestra

and a harmonious choir demand science and skill, while a fool can put the instruments out of tune, and send out notes of discord. To raise a garden to its highest state of culture, taste and beauty, requires the experience of generations. But a herd of swine may root it all up in a day.

It must not be forgotten, moreover, in this comparison of forces, that, for the destruction of our institutions, the bad passions only of our nature are needed in a field where the seed is thick sown spontaneously, and the vegetation is rapid and rank, and the harvest abundant, without culture. No Bibles are needed, nor sanctuaries, nor laws, nor courts, nor Sabbaths, nor ministers of evil, to prevent the extinction and secure the continuance of selfishness, and pride, and envy, and covetousness, and ambition, and fraud, and sloth, and inebriation, and revenge; while all possible influence of revelation, and law, and schools, and families, and religious institutions, can scarcely keep down the intrusive weeds, and give space and nutrition to the plants of virtue. What a compact, then, is that, in which the enemies of our republican institutions have only to aid the vices which flourish spontaneously, and strangle the sickly exotics, which our utmost care can scarcely keep alive!

10

LECTURE IV.

PERILS OF ATHEISM TO OUR NATION.

Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts, and saying, Where is the promise of his coming? for since the fathers fell asleep, all things continue as they were from the beginning of the creation.

THE persons described in this passage denied the providence of God, as the administration of a moral government by rewards and punishments, and asserted the indiscriminating empire of the laws of nature. From the uniformity of his providential government, they inferred that no intelligent moral government existed. They were scoffers at God and religion, walking after their own lusts. They are a particular development of wickedness in the last time-the Gospel dispensation. Their appearance commenced early, and in modern days has come out in ample desolation.

We have given some account of this class of men in modern Europe, and have entered upon the consideration of their efforts in this country.

It is proposed, in this lecture, to illustrate, in continuation, the perils of the entire system of scepticism, organized and unorganized, which goes to suspend the action of the government of God, and the influence of Christianity upon our nation: and.

1. The extent of our country renders the efficient super

vision of our laws impossible, without a vigorous all-pervading tone of intelligence and moral principle. Our interests are, in fact, one; but our vision is limited, and our information imperfect, and our selfishness, and pride, and passion, are great, and impatient of self-denial and contradiction; and misinformation, and jealousy, and local prejudice, are of spontaneous growth, and, with the sinister culture of reckless ambition, of rampant vegetation.

When, therefore, we consider the vigor of our national intellect, the freedom of our habits, the self-will and self-sufficiency of our republican character, our boundless enterprise, our corrupting abundance, and voluptuous dissipation, and fractious impatience of rebuke or control,- is this the nationso fearfully and wonderfully made, and so eminently fitted for self-destruction to say unto God, "Depart from us, for we desire not the knowledge of thy ways"? and to Christ, "Let us alone, thou Jesus of Nazareth, for what have we to do with thee?"

Our danger will be seen to be greatly augmented, if we consider, moreover, that, beside the collisions of individuals with law and order, some of our most perilous movements are the conflicts of independent states-of mighty nations — condensed for particular purposes into one nation, by the individual suffrage of the entire people; and that often one half the nation is roused in furious political strife, to counteract the desires of the other half.

Now, what motives of human origin and application can extend their all-pervading and efficient control over such a mass of mind, so diversified by circumstances, and so delicately, and complexly, and slenderly allied, and so infuriated often by passion, pride, and discontent?

Who but God can speak efficaciously to the waves of such

an unquiet sea? What but the omnipotent attractions of his glory, and the sanctions of his eternal government, and the tranquillizing influence of his Gospel upon renovated mind, can hold such discordant and powerful materials in prosperous social alliance? These atheists might as well form a project to annihilate the sun, and hold the material universe together by mere cobwebs instead of his attractions, as to withdraw from masses of depraved mind the moral influence of God's government and the institutions of Christianity.

It was with the utmost difficulty that our union was formed. Nothing but an urgent necessity, and wisdom, and prudence, and patience, and condescension, and confidence in God, and his protection and blessing, saved us. When our numbers were small, our extent limited, our capital and credit and enterprise in embryo,—and at an age of relative purity of morals, and before the agitations of party spirit assumed their fiery aspect, and terrific power,- the patriots, whom nature and the Revolution had made great, and invested with unlimited influence, found it extremely difficult to achieve the compromise that made us one. And when it was done, it was with trembling that the patriot navigators, with Washington at the helm, launched forth upon the untried deep; and though, as yet, we have not foundered, not one of the patriot band has died in full and certain hope. Nor is the danger past. Dark clouds environ our horizon now, and rocks and quicksands are about our way. Our ablest captains, who in ordinary times conceal their fears, open their eyes and tell us that there are breakers, and a stiff wind, and a lee shore, and that they cannot be answerable for the safety of the ship. That she will weather the storm they hope, but fear that in evil hour she may strike or founder. The concussions of party spirit now are not the healthful conflicts of