I HAVE lately been led to believe, that much good may be done by publishing, from time to time, hints and plans for doing good. The Apostle, writing to the Hebrews, says, Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works. To do good, and to communicate, forget not. Should your excellent magazine every month contain something upon this subject, it is believed it would be much more extensively useful. In this way, many valua ble hints might be presented to the publie, which would otherwise be lost to the world. Where shall we find a charitable or benevolent institution, which was not first proposed by an individual? There is still great encouragement for others to devise means of doing good, and as far as possible to put them in practice. Should the following suggestions be worthy of a place in the Panoplist, you have liberty to insert them. Φίλος.

HINTS TO DO GOOD. NO. I.

It has frequently been observed, that habits of long standing are with difficulty overcome. If this be true, it is of the greatest importance that children and youth should acquire correct habits. The happiness of society unquestionably depends much upon this point. It is a trite but true saying, "What is bred in the bone stays long in the flesh." Were parents duly sensible how much depends upon their exertious, with respect to the future habits and conduct of their children, a course of education, very different from any which has been generally practised, would be pursued.

Almost every incident, which

comes within the notice of children, contributes to form their characters. If they are brought up in idleness and vice, they will have a strong propensity to continue in them. If they ac

quire habits of industry, and are inured to virtuous actions, there is great reason to hope, that these will continue. Many subjects might be mentioned under this head; but one must suffice at present; viz.

Children should early be accus. tomed to give something in charity, or for benevolent purposes. There are many calls for charity, which are calculated to glad. den the hearts of all, who are truly benevolent. They remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive. They rejoice whenever they have it in their power to impart some of their earthly substance, to supply the wants of the destitute. Beside the pleasure which may be derived from giving food to the hungry, and clothing to the naked, Divine Providence is now giving opportunity to the benevolent, to send the bread and water of life to those who are ready to perish.

Missionary and Bible Societies have been formed; and numbers of all denominations of Christians unite with effect to spread the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Much has already been given, and the hearts of thousands and millions have greatly rejoiced in view of what has been done. These benefactions will continue and increase, until the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. Those

who are in the habit of favoring

benevolent designs, it is presum ed, know some of the pleasures of giving. Great numbers of such are parents, and would gladly impart these means of happiness to their children. This can be done, without diminishing their own happiness in the least; and at the same time more good would be produced with the same sum of money: Should they make their children the almoners of a part of what they have to spare, and in the mean time explain to them for what purpose it was given, would not the little ones rejoice to put it into the treasury of the Lord with their own hands?

The example of Elkanah, 1 Sam. i, 4, is worthy to be imitated by every head of a family. And when the time was that Elkanah offered, he GAVE to Peninnah his WIFE, and TO ALL HER SONS and HER DAUGHTERS, POR·

TIONS. If parents would seek out objects of charity,—and frequently send their children to relieve them, might not their children in this way be taught to inquire for the abodes of distress; and thus grow up in a belief, that it is their duty to do something for the benefit of their fellow-men? Should a parent furnish his child of three or four years old with only a few cents at a time, for charitable purposes; and should these donations be frequent, and increase as his resources might increase, would not the child be more inclined to liberality, and of course more happy, than if he had always been taught to hold with an iron grasp every thing that pertained to himself? Acts of benevolence would become agreeable to him, and he would

sing for joy. Behold him putting on righteousness, and it clothes him, and his judgment is as a robe and a diadem. He is eyes to the blind, and feet to the lame. He is a father to the poor, and the cause which he knows not he searches out. The candle of the Lord shines upon his head; and by his light he walks through darkness. When the ear hears him, then it blesses him; and when the eye sees him, it gives witness to him. His glory is fresh in him; and his bow is re-, newed in his hand, His life is peaceful, his death triumphant, and his eternity blessed.

I seem to hear parents, in dif ferent parts of the world, exclaim, "O that our children, and our children's children to the latest generation, may possess such a character." Let all, who would entail so rich a blessing upon posterity, be careful to give children a religious educa tion, and make use of their influ ence, wherever their lot may be cast by Divine Providence, to promote so desirable an object. Let children be accustomed, while very young, to search out, and as far as they can, to relieve the distresses of their fellow.

creatures.

LXIV. A Sermon preached at Boston, at the Annual Election, May 25, 1814, before his Excellency Caleb Strong, Esq. Governor, his Honor Wil liam Phillips, Esq. Lieutenant Governor, the Honorable Council, and the Legislature of Massachusetts. By JESSE APPLETON, D. D. President of Bowdoin College. Boston: Printed by request of the Legislature.

ON few occasions is a minister of the Gospel called to discharge a more important duty, than to preach to the assembled legisla tors of a free people. To a reflecting mind the annual return of the day when the newly elected representatives of the people enter upon their duties, brings with it many interesting considerations The stupendous machine of civil government, the beneficent ends which it is designed to answer, the blessings of liberty under the protection of wise and efficient laws, the dignity which invests the char acter of an upright and disinterested ruler, the majesty of a numerous people, as exhibited in the persons of their chief magistrate and of those who fill the other departments of the government; these and many other subjects crowd upon the mind, and fill it alternately with sublime and tender emotions. It is greatly to be desired, that all our rulers should feel, as some of them do, the real dignity and responsibility of their stations. To guard the rights and morals of such a community as Massa

chusetts, containing three quar ters of a million of persons, is indeed a weighty concern. Instead of rushing forward with eagerness into places of power and honor;-instead of consider. ing elevation to office as a personal aggrandizement;-a wise man will enter upon the duties of such a station with diffidence and anxiety. With feelings somewhat analogous to these will a judicious preacher sit down to compose an election sermon. A desire to be the instrument of making a salutary and lasting impression on the consciences of men, whose influ ence is closely connected with the state of public morals, may well excite in the mind a more than ordinary concern.. A desire to make the best possible use of an important opportunity to do good; an opportunity which will never be repeated to the same individual;-is not less easily distinguished from a desire of obtaining reputation, than from criminal negligence. The preacher, on the present occasion, appears entirely absorbed in the attempt to promote the welfare of society by urging upon his audience the paramount claims of God, as the Governor of the world. The great principles, inculcated in this ser mon, would be applicable in any state of society; but are peculi. arly so in a country, where the connexion between the rulers and the people is so intimate as in ours.

The text is Isa. xxxiii, 6. Wisdom and knowledge shall be the stability of thy times, and ↳

strength of salvation; the fear of the Lord is his treasure. After describing the connexion in which this passage stands, and citing Bishop Lowth's translation of it, Dr. A. gives the following brief and satisfactory ex• planation of the prophet's meaning:

"The terms, wisdom and fear of God, as frequently used in Scripture, are synonymous. The fear of the Lord, that is wisdom. But, as both occur in our text, it is rational to conclude, that, by the latter, is signifed an ability to accomplish desirable ends, by à judicious choice and arrangement of means. This ability, though often found in connexion with knowledge and piety, is not to be confounded with either. The fear of God directs men to aim at the purest and nob'est ends. For the accomplishment of these, wisdom makes a selection from those various means, which knowledge has provided.

"The doctrine, inculcated by our text is, therefore, that the permanent prosperity of a nation is best secured by a union of knowledge, wisdom, and the fear of God." pp. 3,4.

The greater part of this sermon is occupied in shewing, by appealing to reason and revelation, by referring to history and addressing the conscience, that the durable prosperity and good government of a nation-must be ultimately sought for, in the relig ious education of children, in upholding the public morals by the preaching of the Gospel, and in preserving a solemn conviction, in the minds of both rulers and people, of responsibility to God. We do not mean, that these topics are every where prominent; (for the preacher spent some time in describing the benefits of science, the nature and design of civil society, &c.) but that the topics abovementioned were held perpetually in view as the great points

to be established. The following arguments to prove the intimate connexion between the moral character of à people and that of their rulers, are judicious and worthy of particular atten

tion:

"Fourthly-as an enlightened people will know how to value their rights, they will place those in office, who, by their ability, knowledge, and integrity, are en

titied to such distinction. To obtain their

suffrages, it will not be enough, that a man professes his attachment to order, religion, or hiberty. He must have more solid ground, on which to establish his clams to public favor. In knowledge and wisdom is doubtless implied a spirit of discernment.

To enjoy the confidence of a wise people, there must therefore, be a consistency of character, a uniform regard to moral principle and the public good They will clearly perceive, that the civil interests of millions cannot be secure in the hands of men, who, in the more confined circle of common intercourse, are selfish, rapacious, or aspiring.

"An enlightened regard to self interest, and a religious sense of responsibility, tical result. will, in this case, lead to the same prac In exercising the right of freemen, the man of religion experiences no conflict between his duty and his inclination. Towards the dishonest, pro

fane, ambitious and profligate, he feels

"The strong antipathy of good to bad."

He has no wish to behold, arrayed in the robes of office, men, whose largest views do not extend beyond the limits of mor tal life, and whose deportment and conversation indicate neither love nor rever ence for the Author of their being.

"In very popular governments, where the elective franchise is widely extended, it is, doubtless, impossible, that capd dates for public office should be person ally known to all, whose suffrages they receive. How generally soever knowl edge is diffused, all the members of a large state cannot be brought within the sphere of mutual observation. In this case, resort must be had to the best sources of information. But it should not be forgotten, that a portion of the same intelligence and virtue, required in rulers, is necessary in giving information concerning candidates." An honest and well-informed freeman will rely on none but honest and well-informed witnesses,

"Fifthly-a nation, distinguished by 2 union of wisdom, knowledge, and the

fear of God, is morally certain of having its government well adniinistered, not only for the reason just assigned, bat because the tone of morals, existing in such a nation, will operate as a powerful restraint, if, by any casualty or deep dissimalation, persons of yielding virtue should be placed in office.

"Public opinion constitutes a tribunal, which few men, and, least of all, those, who are in pursuit of popular favor, will dare to set at defiance. It is scarcely possible, that a people, truly wise and virtuous, should have a government badly administered. Whenever the majority of a community complain of their rulers, they implicitly utter reproaches against themselves, for having placed their destiny in the hands of men, with whom it is insecure. If their reproaches are long continued, it is good proof that their own morals exhibit no very striking contrast with the morals of those, whose profligacy they condemn. In popular governments, the virtues and vices of rulers must flour

ish or wither with those of the people." Pp. 7-9.

We are particularly pleased with the high testimony which Dr. A. bears to the wisdom of the early rulers of New-England, particularly as it is becom ing fashionable, in some degree at least, to depreciate their characters, and undervalue their patriotic exertions.

"To illustrate and exemplify these remarks, we need only refer to the early history of our own country. Those illustrious men, who, under God, directed the earlier destinies of New England, were dis tinguished for the character, of which we have been speaking. They were equally remarkable for their love of liberty, and their hatred of anarchy and misrule. They could, without complaint, forego the indulgencies and elegancies of life; they could look unappalled on a vast, stormy, unfrequented ocean; they could plant themselves and families, in a wil derness rendered hideous by every danger; they could submit, with invincible fortitude, to toils and privations;-but their noble minds could not endure the spirit of civil and religious bondage. How well they understood both the rights of the people, and the rights of government, appears from the following words of one of their chief magistrates.* "There is a * Governor Winthrop

liberty of corrupt nature, which is inconsistent with authority, impatient of restraint, and the grand enemy of truth and peace; and all the ordinances of God are bent against it. But there is a civil, moral, federal liberty, which consists in every one's enjoying his property, and having the benefit of the laws of his country, a liberty for that only, which is just and good; for this liberty you are to stand for your lives."" pp. 12, 13.

Again; after urging the duty. of family instruction, the preacher adduces the example of our forefathers:

"In view of this subject, I am irresisti bly led to contemplate the primitive character of New England. In relation to those, who, by planting civilization and religion on these shores, transmitted to us this fair inheritance, the language of inspiration may be well used; when thou wentest after me in the wilderness, in a 1. nd, that was not sown, Israel was holiincrease. In almost every dwelling was ness to the Lord, and the first fruits of his

there both an altar and a church. Then be

It

gan men to call on the name of the Lord. The child was early engaged in the wor ship of Jehovah, to whom he had been consecrated by a Christian ordinance. From the lips of maternal piety and love, he imbibed the lessons of heavenly wisand softened by the spirit of religion, his dom. By a father's authority, guided aberrations were reclaimed, and virtu ous habits were aided and confirmed. was a scene, which angels delighted to witness! The Bible, the Sabbath, and the sanctuary, were objects not only of veneration, but of affection. Together with the love of truth and probity, they formed a strong attachment to rational freedom; a character, remarkable for solidity, decision, and independence. They knew both how to appreciate their rights and to defend them. They knew what was expected from children, of whose parents could be emphatically said, that they "feared God, and feared nothing else." p. 20.

22 35

From the address to the Gov. ernor we select the latter part, as an admirable specimen of ministerial fidelity, the appropriateness and solemnity of which made a deep impression upon the audience.