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MONTHLY ANTHOLOGY,

AND

BOSTON REVIEW.

CONTAINING

SKETCHES & REPORTS

OF

PHILOSOPHY, RELIGION, HISTORY,

ARTS AND MANNERS.

EDITED BY A SOCIETY OF GENTLEMEN.

Omnes undique flosculos carpam atque delibem.

VOL. V.

BOSTON :

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY SNELLING AND SIMONS,
No. 5, DEVONSHIRE-STREET :

AND HASTINGS, ETHERIDGE AND BLISS,
No. 8, STATE-STREET.

1808.

THE MONTHLY ANTHOLOGY,

FOR

JANUARY, 1808.

ADDRESS BY THE EDITORS.

It was

FOUR years have expired since the first publication of the Anthology, and we have now commenced the fifth volume. originally undertaken by a society of gentlemen for their own amusement, and for the diffusion of literary taste. As it was begun without any sanguine expectations of success, the mortification of disappointment was precluded; and the proprietors, satisfied with a subscription sufficient to defray the expense of publication, have cheerfully continued their labours, without the prospect or desire of pecuniary remuneration.

They are fully sensible, that the Anthology has never been a favourite with the publick at large, nor were they ambitious of popularity; since they scorned to discuss the trifling topicks of the day, and to gratify the malice of tattling gossips with the little tales of private slander. But from the ablest pens in the United States they have received praise, more than enough to satisfy reasonable vanity, and from the liberality of their patrons, sufficient encouragement to induce them to persevere. Amongst the subscribers to the Anthology they may proudly boast of the first names in the country, of those most distinguished by political knowledge, general information, extensive learning, the integrity of their publick conduct, and the virtues of their private life.

Without promising improvements, which may not be realized, they may reasonably flatter themselves, that the future numbers of this work will not be inferiour to the former, as the literary labourers will be increased. It is their ambition to diffuse useful knowledge, and inspire a taste for literature among their fellow-citizens. If they should

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succeed in this laudable attempt, they will be amply rewarded by the pleasing consciousness of having done the state some service. If they should ultimately fail in their object, however deeply they may regret the want of success, they will console themselves with reflecting, that they have omitted no exertion to deserve it.

FOR THE ANTHOLOGY.

OBSERVATIONS ON ALLOWING THE CLERGY THE OC-. CASIONAL USE OF PRINTED DISCOURSES.

IN the Anthology for September 1805 (vol. ii. p. 454) there was a short piece with the same title, as is prefixed to this, and upon the same subject. In what follows, it is not intended directly to repeat any thing already said; but to enlarge upon some of the considerations formerly suggested, and perhaps to add some new remarks to the same purpose.

The religious and moral principles of the greater part of Christians depend very much upon the stated instructions of the sabbath. Of those truths, which we do not disbelieve, it is necessary, that we should be perpetually reminded. Practical principles of the most serious importance have no proper influence upon our conduct, not because we doubt their evidence, but because we forget their authority. To these principles, therefore, it is necessary very frequently not to require our assent, but to recal our attention. To keep alive then the remembrance of those truths, which it is of most consequence that man should remember, nothing perhaps immediately contributes more, than the publick discourses of the sabbath. There are many, who have but little leisure to read, and many, who have

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but little inclination; and of those, who have both, more read for amusement,than for instruction,and more for instruction, than for moral improvement. There are those therefore, from whose minds all serious thoughts might fade away and disappear, if it were not for the continual reimpression and renewal, which is afforded by the publick discourses and other exercises of the sabbath.

If this then be true, if any thing like what I have stated be one of the purposes of publick preaching, it is not of little moment that this mode of instruction should be always such, as to produce its proper effect; and especially that it never should be such, as to have a contrary tendency, such as only patient piety can hear without forgetting the seriousness, the importance, and the sublimity of its subject. It is matter for unpleasant meditation to consider the condition of a christian society, engaged perhaps throughout the week principally in secular concerns, and coming together sabbath after sabbath,not to have inattention reclaimed, not to have attention rewarded, but to sleep away the time of instruc tion, or to sit impatiently till released from their constraint, and to hear

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