He who commands a man's purse, commands his soul. Money has a powerful influence on friendship, politics, and religion. If money was deprived of its bewitching charms, a great part of what is called religion, would die of the consumption. Must ambition of office, and the love of money, dissolve our union and destroy our rights? That kind providence who has watched over us for good, ever since we have been an indepe. dent nation, and signally delivered us in the darkest hours, I hope will yet deliver. Wild speculation has labored hard to make something out of nothing, but failed for want of stock. Our vices, as individuals, cry aloud against us. Our contentions among ourselves have no just excuse. Our ingratitude for the exclusive favors we enjoy above every other nation, threatens a deprivation of those favors. But yet, the treatment of our government with all other nations, has been concilatory, and morally just. The United States are setting the example that moral honesty, and good faith, is as sacred among nations, as it is among individuals. And will the supreme governor of all worlds suffer the nations who feel power and forget right, to crush us? I hope not. "And now the mighty war is o'er." Cool reason has triumphed over the ambitious insurgents. Twelve months past, I had dark boding fears that there was not patriotism enough in the United States, particularly in the eastern section, to withstand the encroachments of foreign powers, at the expense of privations; but those fears are now at an end. The experiment has made it manifest, that as fast as the people were delivered from the impressions of false alarms and false statements, they have rallied around the standard of their own government, in unusual swarms. For there has been no time since the adoption of the constitution in 1789, that a greater majority has appeared in favor of the administration, than at the present era. Let this attachment continue, and we have little to fear from foreign nations. Any subject, act, or event, that is worthy of record, is worth reading; but much time is spent, and much labor lost, in writing, printing, and reading, what makes men neither wiser nor better. Many dangers I've been in, Many troubles I have seen, Many wicked paths I've trod, Yet have been preserved by God. MARCH 3, 1837. This day closes the administration of Andrew Jackson, who has spent the greater part of his life in public services. In the command of an army, he was never surprised or defeated. His victories were many, and that at New Orleans was brilliant to admiration. As president, the energies of his mind have proved sufficient to adjust every hard question, and expose and confute all conspiracies formed against him. The rights of the people, the integrity of the states, and the chartered powers given to Congress, he has adhered to, with a moral courage that has astonished the world. Under his administration, the debt of the nation has been all paid, with a large surplus remaining, monopolies have been cramped, indemnities obtained, treaties made, land purchased, commerce protected, &c. And I know of nothing, that a people may reasonably expect from good government, but that the United States have enjoyed under his administration. No calamity, that his enemies predicted would attend his measures, has ever appeared; and every good that his friends looked for, far beyond their expectation, has come to pass. But now his work is over, and millions are exclaiming :—" well done, good and faithful servant." In returning to his longed for home, he will carry with him the good wishes and gratitude of a great and prosperous people. The first seven presidents of the United States, had, all of them, an active part in the revolution; but that generation has now passed away. To-morrow, a president will take the chair, whose knowledge of the revolution is drawn from books. Whether, during the presidency of seven succeeding presidents, should' the world remain, the principles of democracy will be as dear to the people, and as much adhered to by men in power, will be known hereafter. Our children will have the same right to change their government, and alter their laws to suit themselves, that we and our forefathers had. If they choose a government of aristocracy and hierarchy, though we deprecate the change, yet we acknowledge their right. Jan. 6, 1841. Gen. Harrison comes into the presidency by an overwhelming majority; of course, the greatest part of the people are pleased. If, as many men believe, the means made use of for his promotion, have been ridiculous, false and deceptive, degrading to any country that looks for respectability, still he is the chosen one. I will acknowledge him. For him will I pray. But whether he is exalted to be a scourge to the United States, or a blessing to the people, I leave for the future historian to say. I am no prophet. HYMN. "COME," said Moses, "and go with us, When we've passed the desert through. "Manna shall be rained from heaven, We, like Moses, now invite you, You will shun an endless curse. Works that should be done to-day? Lingring souls, how can you slumber, O repent, and seek salvation, Christ stands waiting to redeem ; If you feel your hearts lamenting, And salute with words of peace. "I am Jesus, I will save you; All my blood your souls have cost, Power and grace shall cleanse and keep you :— None that come shall e'er be lost, Go and tell to all around you, What the Lord has done for you; Tell them if their hearts are broken, PART SECOND. Moses chose to bear affliction Golden crown, and purple robe. Come, good people, be like Moses, Oh, ye humble, wrestling Jacobs, LINES WRITTEN AT THE AGE OF 83. Not much can be expected To win himself a bride. This theme resounds in heaven, We find the saying true, But O, thou great Redeemer, And be your constant aid; Of boundless love profound. "Then go and preach the gospel, Be faithful, just, and true; And come before the king," O sinner! be awakened How can you tarry longer, The two following scraps were written for a young person who had enjoyed the comforts of a lively hope, but was, at that time laboring under darkness of mind: Must I forever spend my years, In darkness, doubts, and gloomy fears, Come, my dear Jesus, fill my soul, AM thinking while I'm spinning Was my soul from sin set free? Evil thoughts I find within me, O my Saviour, look with pity, On my poor, afflicted soul, 1 Speak the gracious word, I pray thee, 145 |