ought to "be had in everlasting remembrance;" and however they may be slandered, or ridiculed by some of their degenerate offspring for a season, their memorial will go down with increasing honour, to the latest posterity.

With these impressions on our minds, we were highly gratified to learn, in the early part of the last summer, that the associations of Connecticut and Massachusetts, had recommended the religious celebration of the landing of the first colony at Plymouth, on the then approaching centennial anniversary. It struck us as a tribute, that was eminently due to the memory of those persecuted and suffering pilgrims, and as promising much good, to the present generation of their descendants. As the ever memorable twenty-second of December drew near, we honestly confess, that we became more and more interested in the proposed celebration; and were much gratified by the excellent proclamation of the Governor of Vermont, appointing the annual thanksgiving upon that day. We did not doubt, that the recommendations of the ecclesiastical bodies above mentioned, would be cheerfully complied with, and were ourselves not a little animated with the persuasion, that the prayers and thanksgivings of a thousand congregations, would ascend up at once to the God of our Fathers, who brought them to this western world, sustained and protected them in the wilderness, and into whose labours five generations of their children have already entered.

It is needless to say, that our expectations have not been realized; and it would be quite unavailing to express our regret, that so many have permitted the golden opportunity to pass out of their hands without improvement. It will never return to the present generation; and though the 22nd of December, is no better than any other day of the month, and 1820 was no better than any other year, still it must be admitted, that

there is great power in associations. To avail ourselves of these, when they offer their aid in the cause of virtue and religion, is at once the part of wisdom and of duty. What were the reasons, or objections, which in the opinion of so many, rendered it inexpedient to observe the centennial thanksgiving, we are at a loss to conjecture. Perhaps if they were stated we should be constrained to admit their force. But for the present we must say, that we think the orthodox churches and congregations in NewEngland, we mean those that adhere to the doctrines of the forefathers, have lost an opportunity of strengthening the weak, instructing the ignorant, and confirming the wavering; by showing what sort of men the pilgrims were, and how God owned and blessed them; and by contrasting their faith and practice, with that liberality, "falsely so called," by which some of their descendants affect to be distinguished. It is true, that such a contrast may be exhibited at any time; but then was the time to have done it, with peculiar advantage.

The omission, however, was by no means universal;-perhaps it was not so general, as our inquiries have led us to suppose. In many places we are happy to know, that the landing of the pilgrims was celebrated in appropriate religious exercises; and we believe, that wherever public worship was held, an unexpected degree of interest was manifested by the people. The day was also observed, by many of the sons of New-England, who have emigrated to other states. Some of the sermons which the occasion called forth, have been given to the public. The titles of those that we have seen, stand at the head of this article; and we propose to present our readers with such extracts as our limits will allow, accompanied with a few observations and reflec tions of our own.

The passage selected by Dr. Hyde, as the foundation of his discourse, is Psalms xliv. 1-8. Mr. Humphrey

More appropriate texts than these could not perhaps have been found in the Bible, and the discourses do credit to their respectable authors. It was to be expected, that as men of sense and judgment, they would naturally fall into similar trains of thoughts, would bring forward the same leading historical facts, and would enlarge upon many of the same prominent topics. Each of these discourses, upon the landing of the pilgrims, ought to contain, and does contain, a brief sketch of the causes which exiled them from their native country; of the hardships and discouragements which awaited them here; of their laws, institutions, usages and general character; and of the smiles of heaven upon their descendants. There is, at the same time, a variety in the arrangements, reasonings, illustrations and reflections of these discourses, which must be at once pleasing and instructive to the attentive reader. In confirmation of this remark, and as favourable specimens of the sermons, we have selected the following extracts, referring to the same interesting event, the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth, and their immediate prospects and sufferings.

Dr. Hyde. "Who can think of the many trials, privations and sufferings of these our fathers, without sighing and sbedding the tear of pity! They landed in the midst of winter; they were without shelter, and were subjected to incessant labour and hardship, to prevent their immediately perishing with the cold. A general and very mortal sickness soon began among them, which in two or three months, swept off about one half of their company. Of this small number, sometimes two and even three, died in a day. They were not only destitute of comfortable accommodations, to meet such scenes of distress, but very few of them were well at a time to take care of the sick. P. 12.

Mr. Humphrey. "And here, my brethren, let us pause for a moment, and think of the situation and prospects of this little band of betrayed christian exiles. In another hem

isphere were all the comforts, honours and emoluments, which the sacrifice of a good conscience might have purchased; but which they voluntarily relinquished, for peace within. Behind them were the chill surges of the Atlantic, darkly rolling to the solitary shore. Above, was a frownwilderness, such as they had never seen, ing December's sky. Before them, was a inhabited by wild beasts and savage men. The sun himself was gone from these rigorous latitudes, to cheer other climes, and not soon to return. Nor friend, nor kindred was near, to welcome their arrival; and not a single shelter prepared, to screen even the women and children, from the shrouded in storms and fiercely coming down from the seat of his empire in the north.

stern monarch of desolation, clad in ice,

"Such, my brethren, was the almost hopeless condition of the forefathers, whose landing on Plymouth rock we this day commemorate, and no tongue can tell the hardships which they underwent, during the first winter. The fatigues and pri ty of the weather, from which they were vations of their long voyage; the severi

but miserably sheltered in their green, unfinished huts; and the want of almost every necessary, brought on a mortal sick. ness, which in two or three months, swept off about half their number, including the governor, and reduced the survivors so low, that not more than six, or seven, were in a condition to take care of the sick. They however persevered in the midst of weakness, danger and death.About a year after their arrival, thirty-five of their friends joined them from Holland; and assisted them in laying the foundations of a flourishing colony."-pp. 15, 16.

Mr. Porter. "On the 22d of Dec. 1620, the pilgrims landed; and the rock on which they first stepped, is memorable, by the name of "forefather's rock" to this day. The prospects of the infant colony at Plymouth, planted on the border of an immense wilderness; entering upon the severities of a northern winter; without sufficient means of sustinence; without a prospect of immediate supplies, or a pledge of future support from their parent country; and surrounded by savage hordes, must, to a degree beyond our conception, have been appalling; yet they were firm in their purpose. They believed their cause to be approved of God, and committed to him the event. Long was the trial of their faith. By exposure, toil and scarcity, or unwholsomeness of food, a mortal sickness prevailed among them, by which forty-six of their number, before the opening of the spring, were numbered with the dead. And when, "From the broad chamber of the south Look'd out the joyous spring,"

their heaviest calamity was yet to come. Their beloved governor, the excellent Carver, fainted under his labours and died."-pp. 6, 7.

Dr. Spring. "Their condition on landing was such as to call for the peculiar benignity of a superintending Providence. Without the limits of their patent-enfeebled and sickly, through the length and hardships of their voyage, without shelter and without friends, before them a wide region of solitude and savageness, they were compelled to pitch their tents, between the bowlings of the forest, and the storm of the ocean; and spend a dreary season, in burying their dead, and thinking of their sorrows. Like the pilgrims of other times, "they wandered in the wilderness, in a solitary way, they found no city to dwell in."—pp. 10, 11.

Mr. Chester. "Deceived in their situation, they enter in their "tempest-tost bark" a bay, unknown and unexplored! Her shrouds glitter with ice, the shore is desolate with winter.

Yet, they leave

the ship with praises, and land on the rock with prayer. Here was the courage of self-denial and boliness, that may challenge the wreath from the hero's brow. There was no external excitement, no inspiring trumpet, no pennon streaming on the wind; all without was black and desolate, all within was calm; they rested on an arm that was never weary, and "found peace for their souls."-pp. 24, 25.

The view that is given in these extracts, of the hardships, sufferings and mortality, which were experienced by the pilgrims at Plymouth, during the first winter, might be extended, with only circumstantial variations, to most of the other early settlements in New-England. The first planters of Salem, with Mr. John Endicott at their head, suffered much, in the first year, for want of provisions, and lost many of their number in a few months, by a mortal sickness. Those also who came over soon after, and settled in the vicinity of Boston, under Governor Winthrop, suffered extremely the first year, from the severity of the winter, against which they were but miserably defended in their tents, and in their huts. This exposure, together with the want of provisions, brought on a distressing sickness, which swept off more than a hundred and twenty, before the opening of the spring.

In like manner, the first emigrants from Massachusetts to Connecticut, suffered incredibly from cold, and for want of food; and nothing but the special protection of Heaven, saved them from perishing, either by famine, or by the tomahawk.

souls stead, under the circumstances which "O could we place our souls in their I have related, how would our hearts sink within us. When winter roars in the for. ests and drifts around our dwellings, let us think of the pilgrims and be thankful. Let us think of them, when we sit by our warm fires, enjoying the the society of our neighbours and friends. Let us think of them, when our "garners are full, affording all manner of store," and when we are sick, let us think of the pilgrims, sick and dying, without the aid of physicians or nurses; and let the fond mother think of them, when in a piercing night, she goes from room to room, to see if her children are warm. Let us this day, in particular, dwell much upon their priva tions and sufferings; and when we contrast our happy lot, with every thing, that was distressing in theirs, let our hearts rise in the warmest gratitude to Him, "who maketh us to differ."-Mr. Humphrey, p. 13,

But though often "perplexed," the fathers of New-England, "were the same merciful Providence, that not in despair." They confided in had brought them across the ocean, and they were preserved.

"Whatever, says Mr. Porter, may have been the virtue and the valour of our fathers, he must be wilfully blind, who is not prepared to lift his heart to God, and say,

they got not the land in possession by their own sword, neither did their own arm save them; but thy right hand, and thine arm, and the light of thy countenance, because thou hadst a favour unto them."

His providence, in the establishment and preservation of the New-England states, has been illustriously manifest The very policy of their enemies, has been mysteri ously employed for this end. As in ancient days, be hardened the heart of Pharaob, to show forth his power and glory in the redemption of his people, so for similar purposes, be hardened the hearts of New-Englands proud monarch's and prelates. These oppressive acts, were the sword by which he drove our ancestors from their pleasant seats into this howling wilderness, that he might prepare for them a city; and so far as we can perceive, were the only means, by which so great a portion of his church, and numbers of such

wealth, talents and worth, and these, united to each other by such kindred views, habits and affections, as were necessary to lay the foundation of these colonies, would, have been induced to the arduous enterprise."-p. 15.

God over all blessed forever," and to him who would degrade the eternal Saviour, to the rank of mere manhood.

In discipline, the founders of the NewEngland churches were strictly congrega tional. They denied the authority of Arch Bishops, Bishops, and all such eccle

When difficulties and darkness perplexed them, [our ancestors,] God sent his light and truth to lead them. When they were hemmed in by enemies, he opened a passage for them "through the sea;" when they "wandered in the wilderness, where there was no water, he brought water out of the rock, and rained down manna for them out of heaven." "He found them in a desert land, in a waste howling wilderness; he led them about, he instructed them, he kept them as the apple of his eye. As an eagle stirreth up her nestAuttereth over her young--spreadeth abroad her wings-taketh them-beareth them on her wings; so the Lord alone did lead them, and there was no strange god with them." How obvious to the most superficial observer, that the whole course of our venerable forefathers, was the result of the divine purpose, lay under the divine inspection, and was directed by a divine and omnipotent hand. There was no slumber to his eye, no intermission to his agency and care."-p. 13.

But we must hasten to exhibit a very brief sketch of the character, laws, and institutions of the early settlers of New-England: Mr. Humphrey,

says,

power in England and Scotland; but they admitted the right and expediency of Consocialing for mutual edification and advice.

The religion of our puritan fathers did not consist in mere abstract doctrinal

propositions and modes of church government. Is was eminently spiritual and practical. It was a religion of the heart, as well as the bead. The essence of it was that holiness without which no man shall see the Lord "-that "love which is the fulfilling of the law." They were men of prayer, and they were "strong in faith." They knew what it was to wrestle with the "Angel of the covenant and prevail." They were peculiarly attentive, both to the smiles and frowns of providence. Public dangers and distresses, such as exposure to enemies, unfruitful seasons, the destructive rage of the elements, the ravages of insects, and all the more private afflictions and disappointments which they experienced, were regarded by them as the rebukes and judgements of a holy God, and as calling for public and private humiliation. Accordingly, they kept a great many solemn fasts, and received extraordinary answers to the prayers which on such occasions, they offered up to him who was able to save.

No people, I believe, ever set a greater value upon the institutions of the gospel, or more conscientiously regarded its holy precepts. There was no sacrifice which they were not ready to make, to secure to themselves and their families, the regular administration of divine ordinances. Their first care, when they landed upon these shores, and afterwards io extending their settlements was, to organize churches, settle ministers and build meetinghouses. And so highly did they prize religious instruction, that in some instances, even while their congregations were small and feeble, they supported both a pastor and a teacher at the same time. This was the case at Salem, Hartford and New-Haven-pp. 27, 28.

With our ancestors a profession of religion, was understood to be a profession of real holiness of heart, a living faith in Christ, and a sincere dedication of soul and body to God, for time and eternity. They were remarkably strict in the administration of gospel discipline, and their form of covenanting was peculiarly solemn and impres

sive. Dr Hyde has copied from Mather's Magnalia, the covenant of the first church that was formed in Massachusetts, which is in our judgment, so very excellent, that we shall here present it at full length to our readers.

"We covenant with our Lord, and with one another; and we do bind ourselves. in the presence of God, to walk together in all his ways, according as he is pleased to reveal himself unto us, in his blessed word of truth; and do explicitly, in the name and fear of God, profess and protest to walk as followeth, through the power and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ. avouch the Lord to be our God, and ourselves to be his people in the truth, and simplicity of our spirits. We give our selves to the Lord Jesus Christ, and the

We

We

word of his grace, for the teaching, ruling and sanctifying of us, in matters of worship and conversation; resolving to cleave unto bim alone, for life and glory, and to reject all contrary ways, canons, and constitutions of men in his worsnip. promise to walk with our brethren, with all watchfulness and tenderness, avoiding jealousies and suspicions, backbitings, censurings, provokings, secret risings of spirit against them; but in all offences to follow the rule of our Lord Jesus, and to bear and forbear, give and forgive, as he hath taught us. In public, or private, we will willingly do nothing to the offence of the church; but will be willing to take advice for ourselves and ours, as occasion shall be presented. We will not in the congregation, be forward, either to show our gifts and parts in speaking, or scrupling, or there discover the weakness or failings of our brethren; but attend an orderly call thereunto, knowing how much the Lord may be dishonored, and his gospel and the profession of it be slighted, by our distempers and weaknesses, in public. We bind ourselves to study the advancement of the gospel, in all truth and peace, both in regard of those that are within, or without; no way slighting our sister churches; but using their counsel as need shall be; not laying a stumbling block before any; no not the Indians whose good we desire to promote ; and so to converse, as we may avoid the very appearance of evil. We do hereby promise, to carry ourselves in all lawful obedience to those who are over us in church, or commonwealth, knowing how well pleasing it would be to the Lord, that they should have encouragement in their places, by our not grieving their spirits, through our irregularities. We resolve to approve ourselves to the Lord in our practical callings, shunning idleness as the bane of any state; nor will we deal hardly, or oppres sively with any, wherein we are the Lord's

stewards.-Promising also, unto our best the knowledge of God, and of his will, ability, to teach our children and servants that they may serve him also; and all this, not by any strength of our own; but by the Lord Christ, whose blood we desire may sprinkle this our covenant, made in his name."

In their observance of the Sabbath, the first settlers of New-England were remarkably strict and conscientious. With them it was a day of sweet and sacred rest. It was wholly devoted to reading, meditation and prayer, in private; and to family instruction, and social worship in public. We heartily join with Mr. Chester in the following sentiment. "0 clime they make their home, be dismay their descendants, in whatever tinguished like their fathers, for their sacred regard to the Sabbath of the Lord to its hallowed rest-to its delightful duties.”

Such was the abhorrence of immorality amongst our puritan ancestors, and so strict were they in the education and government of their children, that vice sought a distant retirement, and scarcely found a place among them. This fact is attested by almost all the records of those times. We shall only copy the testimony of the Rev. Mr. Firman, in a Parliament, and the Assembly of Disermon which he preached before the vines at Westminster. "I have lived, said he, in a country, (meaning NewEngland) seven years, and all that time I never heard one profane oath, and all that time, I never did see a man drunk in that land." Alas, what would be his testimony could he now return, and spend seven years more in New-England?

It seems to be taken for granted, by some, that the men who lived two centuries, or a century and a half ago, must have been very inferior in point of education, if not of talent, to the present generation of their descendants; and that they could not have duly appreciated the importance of literature and science to a community. But this opinion does great injustice to the pilgrims. "It is no