its promises rejoice our
hearts, and its precepts direct our lives!

"A glory gilds the sacred page,
Majestic like the sun;
It gives a light to every age,
It gives, but borrows none."

Ah! there are no words comparable to the Scriptures. None containing
doctrines so useful--commands so reasonable--arguments so powerful.
The lines of Scripture are richer than the mines of gold. How
evidently suited to a sinful, sinning race! and how delightfully
framed for the perfection of human happiness! What proofs of a Divine
original! Show, if you can, in all this world, any one book of all
that ever was produced in any age or nation, like the Bible. Ay, the
Bible came from God; and it bears a moral resemblance to Him from whom
it came. God is holy, just, and good; and the Bible is also holy in
its nature, just in its requirements, and good in its provisions and
tendency.

[Illustration: PORTRAIT OF REHOBOAM.]

_From its beneficial effects._ It has wrought wonders in all ages, in
all places, on all persons, and in all possible varieties of human life.
Christianity--the religion of the Bible--has taught the great lessons of
devotion, self-government, and benevolence. It has diffused and
preserved literature--abated illiberal prejudices--produced humility,
forgiveness of injuries, regard to truth, justice, and honesty, firmness
under persecution, patience under worldly afflictions, and calmness and
resignation at the approach of death--discouraged fornication, polygamy,
adultery, divorces, suicide, and duels--checked infanticide, cruel
sports, the violence of war, the vices of Kings and the assaults of
princes--and rendered its sincere professors true, honest, just, pure,
lovely, and of good report. It has improved the condition of
females--reclaimed dissolute men--abolished human sacrifices--prevented
assassinations of princes, and revolutions in states--encouraged
hospitality to strangers--founded charitable institutions--emancipated
slaves--abated the rigors of servitude--redeemed captives--relieved
prisoners--protected widows and orphans--softened into tenderness and
tears the hearts of despots--and given stability to thrones, wisdom to
human laws, and protection to the people. Has it not done more for the
honor of the prince and the weal of the subject than any other system?

_It has been a blessing to every country into which it has been
introduced._ It has been a blessing to Britain. It has en