on the hopes of eternity; a heathen congregation, fully sensible of the degradation of their original state: exulting in the first beams of truth, and in the no uncertain dawning of the Sun of Righteousness; thirsting after knowledge, even while they sweetly drank of the waters of life; and, under the inspiring influence, by every look, expressing the heartfelt truth'Beautiful on the mountains are the feet of him that bringeth good tidings; that bringeth good tidings of good, that publisheth SALVATION!" 14. The simple appearance and yet Christian deportment of that obscure congregation, whom I had once known, and at no remote period, only as a set of rude, licentious, and wild pagans, did more to rivet the conviction of the divine origin of the Bible, and of the holy influences by which it is accompanied to the hearts of men, than all the arguments, and apologies, and defenses of Christianity I ever read. 15. An entire moral reformation has taken place. Instruction of every kind is eagerly and universally sought, and from many a humble dwelling, now "Is daily heard The voice of prayer and praise to Jacob's God: To Him who hears, well pleased, the sigh contrite." QUESTIONS. STEWART. Where are the Sandwich Islands? For what object were the persons assembled as described in this lesson? What is said of their number? What change has taken place in the character of the population? To what is this change to be attributed? Describe their appearance as seated in the church. What is said of their deportment? What conviction is all this calculated to produce? Will you parse" Is," the first word of the poetic extract which closes the lesson? Parse "heart," in the same extract. Parse "sigh." Parse" contrite." Which are the adjectives in the 14th paragraph? Compare each of them that will admit it. What does the word adjective mean? ARTICULATION. — - Gath-er-ing, not gath-er-in: ir-reg-u-lar, not irreglur dif-fi-cult-y, not dif'cul-ty: na-val, not na-v'l: in-fe-ri-or, not in-fe-ror: prim-i-tive, not prim'tive: in-vis-i-ble, not in-vis'ble: u-ni-vers-ally, not u-ni-vers' ly. SPELL AND DEFINE.-1. Procession: 3. reëchoed, assembling, remem brances: 4. irregular, inhabitants: 5. associations, apprised, nightfall: 6. postponed, midshipmen, impracticability: 8. congregation. REMARK. LESSON XLI. When any thing very solemn or devotional is to be read, there should be a full, solemn tone of voice; the piece should be read slowly, and long pauses should be made at the commas. Words to be Spelled and Defined. 2. Drag'-on, n. a kind of winged serpent, here used for all kinds of serpents. Horn, n. here used figuratively for power. 1. 2. JOYOUS DEVOTION. PRAISE ye the Lord. Praise ye the Lord from the heavens. Praise ye him in the hights. Praise ye him, all his angels: Praise ye him, all his hosts. For he commanded, and they were created. He hath also established them for ever and ever: Praise the Lord from the earth, Ye dragons, and all deeps: Fire, and hail; snow, and vapors ; Fruitful trees, and all cedars; Creeping things and flying fowl: Old men and children : Let them praise the name of the Lord : His glory is above the earth and heaven. He also exalteth the horn of his people, Even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. BIBLE. QUESTIONS. What is meant by calling upon things inanimate, and upon brutes, to praise God? What reason is assigned why God should be universally praised? PRONUNCIATION. - An-gels (pro. ane-gels), not ann-gels: commanded, not cum-mand-ed: mount-ains (pro. mount-ins), not mount-anes: excel-lent, not ex-cel-lunt. SPELL AND DEFINE. 1. Heavens, commanded, stablished, decree 2. vapors, stormy, cedars, fruitful, excellent, exalteth, glory. -- LESSON XLII. RULE. Be careful to speak such little words as of, the, a, in, from, by, for, with, on, out, through, at, &c., very distinctly, and yet not to dwell so long on them, as on the other more important words. Words to be Spelled and Defined. 2. Shaft, n. the body of a column. 4. Vault, n. an arched roof. 13. Sway'ed, v. moved, waved back and forth. 18. Sanct'-u-a-ries, n. places set apart for the worship of God. 23. Shrine, n. a box for sacred relics, here a place for worshiping God. 37. Fan-tas'-tic, a. whimsical, odd. 58. An-ni'-hi-la-ted, p. reduced to nothing. 86. Arch, a. chief, principal. GOD'S FIRST TEMPLES. 1. THE groves were God's first temples. Ere man learned And spread the roof above them,-ere he framed 5. The sound of anthems,-in the darkling wood, And offered to the Mightiest solemn thanks Should we, in the world's riper years, neglect Only among the crowd, and under roofs 20. That our frail hands have raised! Let me, at least Father, thy hand Hath reared these venerable columns. Thou 25. Didst weave this verdant roof. Thou didst look down Upon the naked earth, and, forthwith, rose All these fair ranks of trees. They, in thy sun, The boast of our vain race to change the form In music; thou art in the cooler breath, In the tranquillity that thou dost love, 50. Passes; and yon clear spring, that, 'mid its herbs, Wells softly forth, and visits the strong roots Of half the mighty forest, tells no tale Of all the good it does. Thou hast not left Thyself without a witness, in these shades, 55. Of thy perfections. Grandeur, strength, and grace, Are here to speak of thee. This mighty oak, By whose immovable stem I stand, and seem Almost annihilated, not a prince, In all the proud old world beyond the deep, 60. E'er wore his crown as loftily as he Wears the green coronal of leaves, with which Of the broad sun. That delicate forest flower, A visible token of the upholding Love, Lo! all grow old and die: but see, again, The freshness of her far beginning lies, Makes his own nourishment. For he came forth 90. From thine own bosom, and shall have no end. There have been holy men, who hid themselves Deep in the woody wilderness, and gave Their lives to thought and prayer, till they outlived 95. Less aged than the hoary trees and rocks |