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    minds , and laid the deep foundations of habit and a course of action I if in your early years the principles of religion have taken , as I trust they have , deep root in your minds , you are now reaping its comforts . You have found by this time , or you have been little benefited by experience , that they are the best comforts . Many enjoyments and pursuits you once ^ yere eager after , begin perhaps to sicken and pall upon your mind ; and you have read the inscription of vanity upon earthly goods , which younger eyes cannot discern ; but have you ever found that the satisfactions of a good conscience are deceitful ? Have the hopes of a future state sunk in their value ?

    Lastly , consider the works of God in his providences amongst the kingdoms of the world and in his church . In the course of years you have seerj many changes , and can recount to the rising generation a long series of revolutions and events . You have seen the increasing light of science and religion spreading gradually over the world ; a spirit of improvement , a spirit of inquiry , a spirit of humanity , visibly increasing ; the monstrous edifice of

    superstition , the work of dark ages of cruelty and ignorance , shaken to its very foundations ; and the iron rod of persecution broken . Perhaps you have been able to discern prophecies drawing towards fulfilment , and to catch a glimpse of the happy time when the kingdoms of the world shall become the kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ . To this country , in particular , his mercies have flowed with such a full and unabating stream , that our happiness is now reckoned by the full period of revolving centuries .

    Not months or years , but successive generations ^ have rolled away , blest by law , order , and internal peace , almost without a cloud . Our liberty , that invaluable treasure , has gained by the hard struggle of our ancestors , descended to us like a fair inheritance , sanctified by prescriptive right and the indisputable tenure of long possession , and it concerns our honour now no less than our interest to preserve the precious patrimony . Religious liberty has kept pace with civil . Its principles have been thoroughly convassed , are well understood , and placed upon the broadest basis .

    Can you consider these things , and not see that they are the works of God ? Let worldly politicians confine their speculations to the narrow views of a party ; do you raise you mind to that great plan which is carrying on by the Ruler of the universe , and while you consider every event as his ordinance , this thought , while it will not destroy the interest we take in what passes around us , will effectually repress all corroding anxiety , and soften

    all our transient disappointments . The works of God are not like the works of man ; every thing which he hath taken in hand will be brought to sure issues ; though we may not see it , posterity will . Every plan which God has formed for the virtue and happiness of his creatures , will be completed , for he doeth all his pleasure . To associate ourselves , therefore , to his schemes * is the only sure way not to be disappointed in our own wishes .

    Consider , then , these things , and when by silent meditation and holy musing a fire is kindled within you , when your hearts are warmed , and your bosoms burn , then speak as well as think of the works of God * Break forth into praise , cry aloud , spare not , lift up your voice as a trumpet , tell the wonders you have seen , tell what you have felt . Be living chronicles of his acts . Upon you is devolved the honourable task of pointing out to the world and to posterity the various passages in nature or in providence which have passed under your observation ; let slip , therefore , no proper opportunity of making known to others that God who has been so richly manifested to you .

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    4 New Year Discourse .

• Citation
  • Monthly Repository (1806-1838) and Unitarian Chronicle (1832-1833), Jan. 2, 1828, page 4, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse.ac.uk/periodicals/mruc/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2556/page/4/