in their application to the public weal. The liberty of Britain's subjects is not vacillating and uncertain as the corruscations of light from a meteor, but invariable and ardent as the effulgence of the sun-always gladdening, and blessing every one. Who then after visiting foreign lands where freedom is so much kept down by the iron hand of despotism, can help feeling proud on his return to free England! "Magnific King of kings, and Lord of lords! Another circumstance gladdens the soul, especially the soul of a Christian, when he is restored to England. He re in their application to the public weal. The liberty of Britain's subjects is not vacillating and uncertain as the corruscations of light from a meteor, but invariable and ardent as the effulgence of the sun-always gladdening, and blessing every one. Who then after visiting foreign lands where freedom is so much kept down by the iron hand of despotism, can help feeling proud on his return to free England! Magnific King of kings, and Lord of lords! And pass away like whirlwinds o'er the deep,- Another circumstance gladdens the soul mecially the soul of a Christian, stored to England. He re turns to a country in which not only political freedom of the highest order, but religious freedom of the most delightful character, unceasingly prevails. In England every religious denomination enjoys great privileges, and all are free from undue restraint, as well as exempted from all painful molestation. Every person, in the language of Scripture, can "sit down under his own vine, and his own fig tree, to worship God, none daring to make him afraid.” There is a third circumstance which rejoices a Christian on his return to England; it is a country in which great regard is paid to religion, " pure and undefiled." It is true that the profession, more than the practise of piety, is very common; but, after all, no one can say but what the gospel has a great and glorious sway in England. Scarcely a village or hamlet is unblessed with it, and if the Redeemer be not proclaimed in every parish in our country, he has devoted and humble followers in all parts of it. The most insignificant spot, generally speaking, can boast of a real Christian, whose meat and drink it is, to do the will of God. Oh! how different to nearly every other country! In many parts of the world you may travel days without meeting with one who publishes the good tidings of salvation, and weeks without falling in with one who truly knows the Lord. Though "not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble are called,"* to the knowledge of the truth, yet in England numbers of the most illustrious characters are proud of doing every thing to advance it. * 1 Cor. i. 26. |