"And, let it be remembered, that the forlorn and wretched part of the community, on whose behalf I would enlist your feelings, and excite your compassion, are emphatically our neighbours. They are bone of our bone, and flesh of our flesh; and if we could be made to exchange situations with them, and to suffer as they suffer, and to feel as they feel, and think as they think, we would then know by experience how "hope deferred maketh the heart sick:"-and then could we again resume our former station, we would not need any argument to convince us that it is our duty to assist by all lawful ways and means, the American Colonization Society, in the mighty enterprise in which it is engaged. Our contributions would then be liberal, for they would be prompted by our feelings, as well as by our judgment." Extract from a Discourse delivered on the Fourth of July. By noble and illustrious actions, we, as a NATION, should exhibit to the world the excellency of freedom and of Protestant Christianity. Individuals have sometimes risen, who, by great and virtuous actions, have honoured their country and their age, and been acknowledged the benefactors of mankind. Though passed away, they live, and must forever live, in the memories and affections of those who have succeeded them on the stage of life. They still shine by their examples as lights of the world. They have, perhaps, arrested the progress of degeneracy, extended the boundaries of human knowledge and elevated the tone of public virtue; removed the causes of human suffering, or given a new impulse to the human intellect; defended the cause of liberty, or nobly laboured and suffered for the cause of God; and though no longer on earth, we are surrounded by the glory of their deeds, the undecaying monuments of their wisdom and their worth. The influence of such men does not waste by time: it is a perennial stream widening and deepening its current, as it flows down from age to age, to purify and refresh the successive generations of mankind. Such men were Luther and Sharp and Howard. Such men were our Revolutionary worthies who pledged in the warfare for freedom, their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honour. But to what nation shall we look for an example of honour, and justice, of mag nanimity and christian principle and practice? Where shall we find national examples of forbearance, disinterestedness and benevolence? Unless the suppression of the slave trade be an exception, we can hardly name a national measure which was adopted because required by christianity, while hundreds have been carried into effect by the government of christendom in manifest violation of its dictates. The eyes of the world are upon us. We are called upon by the spirits of our Fathers, by respect for ourselves, and more emphatically by other nations, bleeding, and crushed, and broken down by oppression, to maintain consistently and throughout, the principles of liberty and of that Religion wherewith Christ has made us free. We ought to prove our devotion to freedom not merely by enjoying it, but by conferring it upon others; our love to Religion not merely by rejoicing in its hopes, but by practically exemplifying the benevolence of its precepts, the exalted philanthropy of its spirit. If the actions of a single individual, if the talents and virtues of one man have influenced and blest a nation, what would be the moral power of a nation itself, animated by one spirit of zeal and charity in the cause of the human race. The old Despotisms of Europe could not stand before this influence; the empire of superstition could not stand before it; the dominion of antichrist, the power of Mohammed must fall before its march; and liberty and truth, like the Angel seen in vision by St. John flying through the midst of Heaven, would speed their way to dispel the ignorance, arouse the energies, and to call forth the acclamations of an emancipated and regenerated world. What are some of the means and methods by which our solemn obligations, as a Nation, may be most effectually discharged? I might here insist upon the importance of universal Education, and of the absolute necessity of preparing those who are to succeed us in life, by intellectual culture, and especially by christian instructions, to guard and perpetuate the precious inheritance for which our Fathers bled, which they consecrated by their tears and their prayers, and which invaluable as it is, must surely perish, if left to ignorant, profane, or impious hands. I might beg you cherish and sustain all those Institutions which are based upon the christian principles and christian sentiments of this people, and which will prove to us a better defence than armies, navies and munitions of war. They render our country the object of Divine Benignity, and secure to us the protection of an Almighty Arm. But it is my duty to invite your attention and charities to a cause, than which, none other more justly claims the immediate and most energetic aid of this nation. The American Colonization Society exhibits to this nation a plan, by the adoption and execution of which, in my humble judgment, we may most effectually fulfil the highest and most solemn duty imposed upon us. The plan itself, and the means by which it is to be effected, alike commend themselves to the candid, the conscientious and the benevolent of every religious sect, and of every State in this Union. The selfish and the prejudiced, the enemies of freedom and the foes of truth, may indeed be hostile to this scheme, as indeed they are to every scheme worthy of the thoughts and affections of generous and virtuous minds. They may feel no interest in a cause which must gradually raise a long injured, degraded, and wretched people from darkness and the dust, and give them, in a land appropriately theirs, from which their ancestors were wickedly and cruelly torn away, the laws, institutions and privileges of a free and independent people. But is not such a work worthy of a nation like this? Is any one more deserving of our thoughts and our charities on this day, memorable and joyous as the anniversary of that which proclaimed us free from political servitude, and hallowed by the resurrection and triumph of Him who hath redeemed unto God by his blood, and whose gospel shall give a liberty to the nations, "Unsung By Poets and by Senators unpraised; Which Monarchs cannot give, nor all the Powers Of Earth and Hell confederate take away— Which, whoso feels, shall be enslaved no more-- We well know how to estimate our National Blessings for our- Heaven for all men. not freely give? in the universe might rejoice in their own freedom, and be loud in the praises of liberty. Have we as individuals and as a nation rendered obedience to that moral Law from Heaven, that Golden Rule of Jesus Christ, whatsoever ye would that others should do to you, do ye even so to them, for this is the law and the prophets? To establish this principle of justice and kindness in the human mind, the Law was given, Prophets commissioned to expound, and the command and the example of the Son of God added to enforce it. This principle of impartial benevolence towards men is identical with piety. He that loveth not his brother whom he hath seen, how can he love God whom he hath not seen? It is the eternal bond of attrac tion and union and strength in the moral empire of God. Let it once pervade the world, all the elements of disorder would be hushed, and the peace and the light and the harmony of Hea ven come down into the habitations of men. To this nation the interests of the African race are especially entrusted. Of the numbers and the condition of those within this Union you need no information. But are you aware how upon these and our efforts to colonize them, seem suspended all the hopes of Africa. To men of colour, appears principally to be reserved the work of reclaiming Africa from barbarism and converting her tribes to the faith of the gospel. Were I but master of thoughts that breathe and words that burn; could I speak with a voice which every American might hear, on this subject I would hope to touch the springs of action and to wake this nation into life. I would solemnly urge the people of these United States, from a sense of gratitude to God, to come forward to aid the scheme of this Society; I would call upon them to assist it with a view to preserve their own inestimable privileges, and to strengthen and perpetuate their glorious Institutions; I would conjure them not to lose the opportunity of doing a work of charity and mercy, which must give to our reputation, immortal honour and renown among the nations, and throw abroad upon their darkness the glory of an example, the moral influence of which might move and bless the world. Finally, I would appeal to them in the sacred name of Christianity; I would point to the Son of God upon the cross, and ask them if in the message from Heaven and the Redeemer's sacrifice, they saw no motive to excite them to higher and more generous efforts in the cause of neglected and miserable men. Extracts from Correspondence. I feel constrained to give my mite, that the Repository may not come to me gratuitously. As long as Providence permits me to preach, and wherever I preach, I shall always remember Africa; her rights, her wrongs-her claims and pleas, on the 4th of July; and will, therefore, according to your arrangement, secure for the people of my charge, the monthly journal of the proceedings and progress of the Colony, as long, as it continues. As a native of Virginia, I feel much on this subject—as a Christian, I feel much more-but as a Christian Minister, so necessarily drawn to contemplate slavery in its connexion with the progress or obstruction of the gospel, I feel most of all.— You need not my words of encouragement; but, brother, "Hold on." God's providence, God's blessing, God's promise-God's glory, all bid you hold on. Africa, stretching her hands to America, that has wronged her, and gathering confidence from the Colonization Society, as from the rainbow of promiseseen across the mighty waters-urges you to hold on. From a Gentleman in Massachusetts. I am very desirous of obtaining your last Annual Report, as the public become more informed on the subject of African Colonization, your Society will obtain more and more patronage. Many are as yet, entirely ignorant of its plan, and believe the idea a wild chimera. The only way to dispel this darkness, is to spread light before them clearly and plainly. The Report, I think, is well calculated to do this. I should also like to have a few numbers of the Liberian Journal sent me. From a Clergyman in New York. I have long felt a strong desire to see your Society accomplish the grand design of elevating a degraded nation-in re |