no sooner does it sink in the west, than night returns, with all its gloom; and even the unclouded horizon, blest with the rays of myriad astral orbs, compared with the lunar splendours, is night to man.

"Elohim formed two magnificent luminaries-the grander, ascendant of day; the inferior, of night; and the stars also." Having treated at large upon these two luminaries, we now treat of, "The stars also." The planets of the solar system, by reflecting the sun's rays, are stars to us; and because they each move in an orbit, thus wandering about the universe, they form a contrast with those which we denominate fixed stars, (of which hereafter :) thus have we a central sun, wandering stars, and a revolving moon, each at once useful and ornamental to our system. The planets always shine, like stars to us, when they are not eclipsed by each other, by the sun, or by our earth or moon, both of which are planetary stars to them also. For the rotary motion of these planets does not cause alternations of light and darkness to us; however they may turn away one face and present another to the sun, being spheres, they perpetually reflect the sun's rays into space, many of which continually reach us. Thus appropriately does the Great Creator call our attention, at once, to the whole host-central, primary, and secondary, of diffusers of light throughout the universe.

We proceed, finally, to "The stars also." Those spheres which we behold far and wide through space, whose light evidently proceeds, like the light from our sun, from themselves-those suns of systems numerous and grand, of whose creative day we know not, formed long ere time with us began his note; yet each of import equal; yea, perhaps, more vast than midst this universe aught appears: all these were not, until He willed, who called forth all our spheres, for here the record stands, Elohim made the stars also.

The creation recorded by Moses so minutely, is that of a single star, namely, our sun, with all its accompaniments; the notice, therefore, given on the day, when the grandeur of this star was consummated, that Elohim created all the other stars, leads us up to the astral regions, most opportunely, there to contemplate the majestic works of God; and surely here we may, with every propriety, be employed, to advantage, on the detail of these radiant orbs.

Were we to contend that all the stars were formed prior to our own, by the creation of matter, in the first instance, and of

light, and the subsequent formations of this matter and this light into orbs and luminaries, in a manner similar to the creation and formation of this universe, we should be borne out by the text, which on the day of the erection of the sun into a luminary, asserts the same of the stars also. But, notwithstanding all the light which then existed, from previous creations, in space, such was in the beginning the declared darkness of that portion thereof, which was destined to receive our system, that a new creation of light, to subserve all its purposes, was deemed as necessary as if light had not existed in space at all. The darkness of our night, in the absence of the moon, notwithstanding the action of the sun is incessant, and even at midnight, we have only the shade of the earth between us and the sun's rays-and also have a plenum of latent light above and around us, to be acted upon by the astral rays-must convince us that, in the absence of all these, darkness itself would have reigned in this portion of space, as it did in the beginning, maugre all the astral light in existence. The universality and plenitude of light, so obvious in and so necessary to the well-being of the universe, never could have been supplied from such distant sources as the stars, -the want was at once beheld and supplied by a creation of light.

Into whatever portion of space we turn our eyes, in a clear evening, there we behold the stars, at nearer or greater distances, differing each from each in radiance, but all shining forth, and forming in the concave of heaven one lustrous whole. But in that portion of space which we denominate the milky way, multitudinous stars, clustered thick, arrest our vision, and form a galaxy of light so brilliant, that the contemplating soul, carried out of itself, is amazed at the stupendous grandeur of the scene. Yet if, in addition to the eye, a telescope is resorted to, myriads, erst hidden, greet the extended vision, star beyond star, far and yet farther, amidst the boundless canopy, appears; and a yet more powerful telescope still launches into space, disclosing at every step, whole hosts of radiance, countless,___immeasurable, approaching infinite. Thousands, yea, millions of these glittering orbs rear thus within our ken, and by analogy, millions more, yet farther on, exist effulgent: all numeration ceases, in opening fields of light, and, lost in wonder, the enraptured soul exclaims, "O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is thy name in all the earth! who hast set thy glory above the heavens. When I consider thy heavens, the works of thy fingers

the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; what is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?"

Contemplating each of these stars, similar to our own, to be central suns, and furnished with revolving planets-a system each, within itself, fraught with verdure and with life, we are led up to innumerable millions of beings-beings of intelligence, meet for these fields of light, whose Father is our Father-the Father of earths and heavens, over all in providence and grace, God blessed for ever. Who, that thus views Him, in the exercise of his glorious beneficence, feeding and upholding all these, can receive his good, and withhold the sole return of praise? "Praise ye Him, all ye stars of light, and all ye sons of men!"

Amidst the milky way, the clustering stars seem too thick set to admit of planetary systems, and therefore numbers of these are deemed by astronomers to be habitable worlds, furnished with luminous appendages, like our sun, revolving round, and, if not round, near each other. Yet bewildered amidst their immensity, each to each shining equally as to us, in the obliquity of the range of vision, we may be, and I apprehend we are, deceived, as to the distances of these orbs from each other, and as to the space required for a system. A planetary system does not require a sphere, the diameter of which is equal to the diameter of the orbit of its utmost planet, with its atmosphere, on its equator, but a broad ring or cylinder, in space, for the action of its orbs; and these cylinders may, in parallel ranges, be so disposed that they appear to us, at this immense, this immeasurable distance, much nearer than they really are. Thus worlds to worlds may roll by us unseen and unimagined amidst that field of light which, radiant above all, illumines heaven and if there, elsewhere also; for what is the utmost stretch of our most extended vision? It is, in infinite space, a mere point, compared with the immeasurable whole. In the contemplation of such vastness, our utmost faculties shrink back upon themselves, rather than soar aloft, afraid to tempt the giddy height, and fall. Yet, "Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: He calleth them all by names; by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power, not one faileth. It is He that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out 2D. SERIES, NO. 20.-VOL. II.

as a tent to dwell in: hast thou not known, hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of his understanding: in his works, then, behold your God !" Isaiah xl.

Yet there are stars which wander, yea, more eccentric these than planetary orbs, within this universe; and not within, alone, do these wander, but, wide and far, from systems into space. There may be truth in the annexed lines,

Behold, to all connecting mean,

Vast wandering stars of glaring sheen,
With luminous trail-huge comets speed,
System to system; as the reed,

Woof binds to warp, uniting fair

System to system, midst the air." These eccentric orbs, the comets, while their portentous glare often affrights whole nations, do not appear to possess light within or around themselves, like our sun, but to derive light and heat by near approaches to the sun, on their periodicalreturns to that luminary. We may even conjecture, as above, that from sun to sun these wander, deriving light from each and heat, heralds of space to systems numerous, and witnesses to all of His Almighty power who called them forth, and onward bears them in their course, by laws created for their sole guidance, durable as time.

The

"And Elohim surveyed the whole, and, behold, it was beautifully perfect." beauty and perfection of light is obvious: the most learned philosopher appreciates these, amidst his profoundest researches ; and this beauty and perfection are every where so evident and splendid, that men of every grade behold them with admiration. If this is true of light, it is by no means less so of the luminaries which were this day called into existence by the omnific Word: their beauty, their perfection, their glorious ascendancy on high, even to this day, bear unimpaired testimony to the sublime truths expressed by Elohim on this occasion; and to which we say, Amen.

"The evening was, and the morning was, the fourth day!" This day, diverse to all former days, completes the solar system : the robe of light, heretofore worn by Elohim, is girded upon the central orb; and it, in his stead, becomes the sun of the universe-the ascendant of day therein. In this robe, the sun shines forth to worlds, the image of that uncreated light-that glory which perpetually emanates from Him, who was, who is, and eternally will be, Lord of all.

King Square, Feb. 15. 1832.

3 A

W. COLDWELL. 164.-VOL. XIV

THE FISHERMAN.
(Founded on fact.)

"God moves in a mysterious way,
His wonders to perform;
He plants his footsteps in the sea,
And rides upon the storm.
Deep, in unfathomable mines
Of never-failing skill,

He treasures up his bright designs,
And works his sovereign will.”

Ar a time of general sorrow, amid accumulated distress and devastation, such as storm and tempest leave behind in their career of confusion, destruction, and death, an isolated case is easily passed over; and the heart, in its pity for the suffering mass, can scarcely confine itself to one, however high the climax of woe may rise. Notwithstanding, there are persons to be found who can behold individual woe prominent in wretchedness, without feeling emotions of sympathy awakened in their icy bosoms; yet it is presumed that few, if any, can read the following brief narrative, though not a tale of yesterday, with indifference.

John Thomas was the only son of Richard Thomas, an industrious and skilful fisherman; who, after plodding through threescore and seven years, quitted "this vale of tears," to take possession of "an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens." In less than twenty years, from the death of his father, John, with the fruits of his profession, and the gleaning of a transaction unknown to the writer, erected a small but convenient cottage, in one of the most beautiful and picturesque creeks in the west of England.

In this sequestered spot where

piled by God on high, The giant mountains almost touch the sky,

he lived in the possession of Agur's wish, a stranger to "vanity and lies," and neither poor nor rich. He had a worthy sea-boat well furnished, decent and sufficient furniture for his house, a faithful dog, the constant companion of his nautical labours, and an affectionate sister, who for several years performed the simple domestic occupations of his humble mansion. A sister beloved indeed,

and few are such, Or torn by death away."

In the autumn of 1817, Mary Thomas left time, to appear before the tribunal of God. John was not insensible to his loss; but while he wept, he rejoiced that his beloved sister had finished her course, and bade adieu to the world, "in sure and certain hope of the resurrection to eternal life." Time rolled on, and the fisherman pursued the "noiseless tenor of his way." Often at the dawn of day, as he passed the door of

Harry Jones the mason, he heard with delight the merry voice of the old man's daughter, vying with the lark, as he beat the morning air with rapid wing, and soared beyond the scene of mortal eye-and as he returned in the evening, John knew no creed of politeness which should prevent him from peeping through the window, and listening to the same sweet voice reading to her aged parents the word of God. He sought opportunity, and hesitated not to tell her he loved :-ere the sun had finished his annual race, Jane was in possession of his heart and his hopes, and, with the ready consent of her parents, became the fisherman's wife. "The house is not very nice now," said John when he took his bride to her new home, "but I know you will soon make all shine like a shilling." Jane speedily planned many improvements; and as she was telling John her little plans, he caught her to his throbbing bosom, and, as she returned the gentle pressure, each whispered, "Shall we not be happy?" and they were happy. Content in the situation in which a benevolent Providence had placed them, and happy in the possession of each other,

"They thought, they felt, they wish'd the same,
They seem'd for each to live;
And yet a hand was sent to strike

What mercy seem'd to give."

66

Only a month and a few days had glided away, since the morning of their nuptials, when, on the evening which preceded the tempest, the recollection of which will never be effaced from the memories of the inhabitants of the west, John, as usual, secured his boat, and returned to his home; and as he sat with his spouse at their plain but ample repast, the hollow rush of wind without gave indications of a coming storm. “Louder and louder still," said John; “ if it continues in this way much longer, I shall wish my boat hauled up." They bent their knee at the family altar, and retired to rest; but as the storm continued to increase between two and three o'clock, he quitted his bed, at the same time observing to his wife, “The tide is coming in, and if I don't get my boat up, she'll go to pieces." "But there is danger, do not go, my dear," said Jane; "the night is so dark and terrible, that I am afraid some harm will befall you." "Jane," replied the affectionate husband, "don't alarm yourself, I am not afraid of storm and tempest. Is not my life in the hands of my Maker? Is it not my duty, and interest too, to save my boat? I go then in the path of duty, under the providential care of Him who doeth "all things well." "May our heavenly Father be with you, and

protect you," said she, as John and his faithful Swim departed.

Jane made no efforts to sleep; with many prayers for his safety, she accompanied her John, in imagination, along the path of danger, and each gust of wind to her appeared to increase in violence, as the period of his absence lengthened. She calculated the distance he had to go-allowed for delays-doubled that period-and her husband returned not. Wearied with watching, she arose, and saw the awful night departing, leaving to the doubtful morning the legacy of its terrors. Her fears now increased, for as she gazed, she saw only one drear tumultuous watery expanse; and the confused rush of wind and waves, which swelled upon her ear, convinced her that the waters had become a mighty destroying flood. A few hasty thoughts darted through her mind,

and she resolved to share her husband's danger, and, if it might be so, his grave. She quickly dressed, and, drawing her cloak close around her, with hasty steps proceeded towards the place where she knew the boat was kept; but ere she had gone a hundred yards, her way was stopped by the rising waters. Before her lurked certain destruction, and why should she return to the solitary misery of her home?

While yet she paused in an agony of doubt and fear, the quick barking of a dog was heard-again the same sound, but more loud, caught her ear, and she recognized the voice of Swim. She turned toward the spot; the wind and rain continued in unabated violence the lightning gleamed fearfully on the foaming billows of the deep, revealing in quick succession heaps of floating masses, and the loud thunder in repeated peals proclaimed the terrors of agitated

"The

faithful Swim. Again she gazed-trembled -clasped her hands-looked up, Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be"-she would have finished the sentence, but the words died away on her quivering lips-her eyes closed, and she sunk down in a state of insensibility.

The fisherman's cottage and boat were destroyed on that dreadful morning; and old Jones's house is again inhabited by her whose voice was wont to vie with the lark's. But when shall it be heard to utter notes of rejoicing again? When she shall rejoin her husband in that place, where "God shall wipe away all tears from the eyes " of his people, and cause them to dwell where "there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away."

Polperro, May 15th, 1832.

F. H.

AMERICAN NEGRO COLONY, ESTABLISHED

AT LIBERIA ON THE COAST OF AFRICA.

THE following article, which furnishes some gleams of hope to the progeny of Ham, will be perused with much interest by every friend of negro emancipation. In their report for the year 1831, the Pennsylvanian Colonization Society thus introduce this important subject.

"Slavery, and its inconsistency with the dictates of Christianity, have long been freely acknowledged and deeply lamented by the people of the United States,—and its removal, is the great problem which has occupied the attention of her best and

wisest men.

"So far back as 1698, the Assembly of Pennsylvania, to put an end to the introduction of slaves, laid a duty of £10 per head, upon their importation; but this benevolent law, together with about fifty of similar tenor, which were passed by the neighbouring colonies up to the period of their Revolution, were all refused the sanction of the mother country. The introduction of slaves was one of the great causes of complaint, which led to their Declaration of Independence, dated July 4th, 1776.

"Scarcely had that struggle ceased, when a colony on the coast of Africa, similar to that of Liberia, was proposed; but the prosecution of the slave-trade, by every civilized power, defeated these benevolent views. In 1796, the plan was again revived in a series of luminous essays by Gerard T. Hopkins, a distinguished friend in Baltimore; and shortly afterwards, the legislature of Virginia, a state containing nearly

one-third of the black population of the Union, pledged its faith to give up all their slaves, provided the United States could obtain a proper asylum for them. President Jefferson negotiated in vain for a territory either in Africa or Brazil; but that great state again renewed its pledge in 1816, by a vote of 190 to 9, (most of the members being slave-holders,) upon which, Gen. C. F. Mercer, the Wilberforce of the American Congress, opened a correspondence with the philanthropists of the different states, which led to the formation of the American Colonization Society, on the 1st of January,

1817.

"The great objects of that Society, were -the final and entire abolition of slavery, providing for the best interests of the blacks, by establishing them in independence upon the coast of Africa; thus constituting them the protectors of the unfortunate natives against the inhuman ravages of the slaver, and seeking, through them, to spread the lights of civilization and Christianity among the fifty millions who inhabit those dark regions.

For the following particulars of this very interesting colony, we are indebted to Hinton's History and Topography of the United States.

"For this unhappy race, a star in the East has appeared, and the dawn of a brilliant day has risen upon them.

"Fourteen years ago, some benevolent individuals formed a society for establishing a colony of free negroes on the shores of Africa. Like other noble institutions, it has had difficulties to contend with which have impeded its early progress. Very much has, however, already been effected by it-much in point of number of individuals benefited --but infinitely more in the convincing proof afforded them, that, placed in circumstances reasonably favourable, the negro is capable of forming a character which may make the pride of distinction all his own.

"One of the earliest acts of the Society was, to despatch a competent agent to Africa, to explore its coast, and the countries bordering upon it, and to select a suitable spot for the establishment of the contemplated colony. The Society was eminently fortunate in the choice of its agent, as it has been generally in those whom it subsequently engaged in its service. A selection was finally made of a proper district, and a purchase of it was effected from the native authorities in December, 1822, to which, additions have been made, as the growing wants of the colony, actual or anticipated, required.

"The country so acquired, upon terms

as moderate as those on which the government of the Union extinguishes the Indian title to the soil within the United States, embraces large tracts of fertile land, capable of yielding all the rich and varied produce of the tropics, possesses great commercial advantages, with an extent of sea-coast of from 150 to 200 miles, and enjoys a climate well adapted to the negro constitution, but providentially fatal to the whites. Within that district the Society founded its colony, under the denomination of Liberia, established towns, laid off plantations for the colonists, and erected military works for their defence. Annually, and as often as the pecuniary circumstances of the Society would admit, vessels from the ports of the United States have been sent to Liberia, laden with emigrants, and with utensils, provisions, and other objects for their comfort. No difficulty has been experienced in obtaining as many colonists as the means of the Society were competent to transport; they have been found, indeed, altogether inadequate to accommodate all who were willing and anxious to go. The rate of expense of transportation, and subsistence during the voyage, per head, was greater in earlier voyages; it was subsequently reduced to about twenty dollars, and is believed to be susceptible of considerable further reduction. The number of colonists, of both sexes, amounts now to upwards of 2,000.

"The colony, in the first period of its existence, had some collisions with the native tribes, which rose to such a height as to break out into open war. The war was conducted by the late gallant Mr. Ashmun with singular good judgment and fortune, and was speedily brought to a successful close. It had the effect to impress upon the natives a high idea of the skill, bravery, and power of the colonists; and having since become better acquainted with them, perceived the advantages of the colony, and gradually acquired a taste for its commerce and arts, no further misunderstanding with them is apprehended, and the colony is daily acquiring a salutary influence over them.

"The colony has a government adequate to the protection of the rights of persons and property, and to the preservation of order. The agent of the Society combines the functions of governor, commander-inchief, and highest judicial officer. The colonists share in the government, and elect various officers necessary to the administration. They appoint, annually, boards or committees of public works, of agriculture, and of health, which are charged with the superintendence of those important interests.