:

The age which is past has left us ano ther subject of national gratulation,—— that, I mean, of the extension which it has given to human knowledge. In no age, certainly, has the spirit of science so fully been awakened, or so generally disseminated and were we to compare the state of knowledge at the beginning and the end of the period we are considering, the step which the human mind has made in that time would appear almost incredible. On every side, indeed, the boundaries of science have been enlarged; our acquaintance with nature increased; and the labours of philosophy withdrawn from visionary speculation, to those practical ends by which humanity may be bettered or improved. Under this influence, the arts of social life have been cultivated with unprecedented success; the foundations of national wealth and greatness have been investi

gated: and that great doctrine first taught from the schools of science, which unites national prosperity with national justice, and which will one day reduce the conduct of nations to the strictest rules of Christian benevolence. But, above all, the extension of knowledge has ministered to the happiness of men, by the support which it has afforded to the cause of religion,-not only in the memorable labours of those who have either displayed the beauty, or demonstrated the truth of Christianity, but also in the unparalleled discoveries with which, in the age that is past, the perseverance of science has been rewarded, with respect to the Works of the Almighty;-discoveries, in comparison of which all former knowledge was trifling; which, at every step, lead us to more exalted conceptions of the goodness as well as greatness of Him that made us, and which have now engraved the name

1

of God upon the altar of the universe with the hand of demonstration.

3. I trust I may add, in the third place, my brethren, that the age which has past has also improved in virtue. However much we may still have to regret the weakness or the vices of our nature, it were unjust and uncandid not to acknowledge, that, in comparison with the ages that preceded it, the last age has added eminently to social happiness. Many of the barbarities of ancient manners have been softened; many of the prejudices which divided men from each other have been dissolved. Learning and knowledge have found their way to every rank of mankind; and, while they have given new dignity and happiness to the higher conditions of society, they have, at the same time, improved the conduct, while they have elevated the minds of the 'people. But, above all, the virtue which

peculiarly distinguishes the last age, is that of humanity, the humanity that from the fountain of the Gos

has sprung pel: a humanity not capricious and momentary, but principled and enlightened; which directs the labours of the legislator, as well as the meditations of the philosopher; which, in every moment of distress, associates the great and opulent in the service of the poor and the distressed; and which, even in the midst of war and animosity, unites all the wise and benevolent of every Christian nation, in the common cause of alleviating the distresses, or improving the condition of the human race.

Such, my brethren, is the view which we may justly take of the century that has passed. And, if it be pleasing to think that, under the influence of the Gospel of Christ, human nature has, in that period, made some advance towards

knowledge and happiness, it is, at the same time, solemn to remember the duties that fall upon us. In the opening of a new age, we are the actors in this great system. Upon us it depends, whether the progress of mankind is to be accelerated or retarded. And there is no sentiment with which we can more nobly meet the season, than the profound conviction, that, upon our conduct, in our different situations or conditions, depends the character and happiness of the age that is to follow us.

4. There is another reflection, my brethren, of a still more solemn kind, which must naturally have occurred to us all. Of the period of which we have seen the beginning, none of us can see the end. Long ere the century closes, all of us, young or old, rich or poor, will be numbered with the dead. "The silver cord "will be loosed," and "the golden bowl