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Tous les autrsa exemplaires origiriaux sont film^s en commandant par la premiere page qui comporte une empreinte d impreaaion ou d'illustration at en terminant par Is dernidre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un dea symbolea suivants apparaitra sur la demiire image de cheque microfiche, seion le caa: le symbole -♦• signifie 'A SUIVRE", le symboie V signifie "FIN". Las cartea. planches, tableaux, etc., pauvent dtre filmte A dea taux de rMuction diffdrents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour dtre reproduit en un seul clich«. il est fUmi i partir de I'angle supirieur gauche, de gauche & droite, et de haut en baa, en prenant le nombre d'imagea n^cassaira. Las diagrammes suivants iiluatrent la m^thode. 5 6 2:x UNION FAVORABLE TO IMPROVEMENT. SERMON PREACHED BEFORE THE UNITED FREE MASONS IN THE SCOTCH CHURCH MONTREAL, DEC. 27, ISU; BEING THE ANNIVERSARY FESTIVAL m OF ST. JOHN THE EVANGELIST. BY THE REA'. JAMES SOMKHVILLE, G. C. :.r i MONTREAL : PRINTED BY NAHUM MOWER, "mi" IJNION F^ MOKTnEAL, JAKUAHV 16, 1815, To the Right tl'trihlijfiit and Reverend Brother, Jameu floMKHVii,t,e, Orand Chaplain fitr the DUtrkt ((/' Montreal. AtiRKEAlu.E to uvote passeel unanimously, for request ing a copy of thu Sermon, you preached on St. John's day last^ it becomes my duty na Muster of Union Lodge No. 8 to re- quest, you w»U condcBccnd to furnish me with the same, to be published for iho use of the Lodge and our Brethren ii; general. I am, Right Worshipful l^ir and Brother, Your Obedient and Very Humble Servant, JACOti HALL. Isaiah ii. 13.~.Tl ;ies of JuJah shall bi shall not vex Ephraii In these I out those can ous to tlie int ani -which ha, prey to tlieir r Byhsteniiig tc ii^^ a pleasure came divided, ihis means wer (iage under a H ing in view that a common so: in might differ in i that they were c that constitutioi .'o a nation coul to those passion UNION FAVORABLE TO IMPaoVEMENT. '-M .Ul not .ex Ep J: ' ' """ '''' "" ^"^^ ''^'''' -'^ ^"^''^ In these words the inspired Prophet points out those causes which had proved so pernici- ous to the inter;,al prosperity of the Israelites anJ wluch had so often rendered them an easy prey to t.'.eir ruthless and ambitious neighbours. By listening to the suggestions of envy, by tak- m;; a pleasure in vexing each other, they be- came divided, and consequently weak, and by iliis means were often reduced to a state of bon- aage under a foreign yoke. Instead of keep- ing in view that they were brethern sprung from a cammon source ; and that however much they might differ in matters of snuill importance, still that tliey were equally interested in maintauiing I that con:?titution, by which alone their sfrengih as a nation could bepreser^•cd j they gave \xay those passions and those feelin 'o'^> Wh ica ■ I'jk ' ■I ir\] m W/ were tlic occasion of their being visited with great calamities and of being frequently reduc- ed to great distress. But whenever the eyes of the Israelites were opened by those evils which they suffered, so as tp enable tbem to take a view of their true interest, they again bccaui!' united, their efforts were properly directed, and they again became a great and powerful people. This is what the Prophet states in the words of the text. " The envy also of Ephraim rihall depart, and the adversaries of Judah p.hall bt cut off; Ephraim sliftil not envy Jiidah, ana Judah shall not vex Dphraim, Wliat happened tfy the Israelii cs of old, ^.o have seen again taking place in these our days, upon the; largest scale, which perhaps tlic woijJ. ever saw. As long as the different nations cor- tinued to consult their own ease and com eni- ence, and perhaps also the gratification of envi- ous f^hng, in witneS«i»g the humiliation and downfal of their neighbours j they each of them in its turn felt the oppressor's rod ; and in their lw)ur of degradation bad sadly to lament that misery which had corite upon them by their want of firm and magnanimous principles. But the shades of death and the terrors of darkness soon give way, when the sun of uni- •H rises in hi pressor is wai luvay. The descend iipor mm, and fiUi ♦V^hen cor t!ie Lord haili allowed also t( we are this i!ay has now been vdiinof, in any "ity. or the he all that we ha there ever has 1 'lot exist; and end the value of what has been conferred upon him. Betwixt being and not beir.g j the dii .-'c^ Ob. S5. 5— a t^ncc must valley and i; (ii/lerence ? But in a( to consider t of making tl: dignity. W, ers and facul the means of ties/ We ha er of acquirin Creator, and which he exej Tile gift c us that we she Creator jias aj to exhaust the liavc within ol ccssary for ou liieans ofgratif plation of the ( cliaracter is she i""ni to create tJ means by wlii( should be disp " Let there be ; " God saw the : ™oem,K,i be infinite: Betwixt ,l,e clod of (,,e va ey and mteliigence, wl.o can calculate the (li.lcrcnce ? But in addition to the c-ift nfu^- .0— ..,,a,„ea,e,n,.„i,,a,wth,ej ^fmak,n,Mnsgi,t increase in value and riseM J.gn.ty. We .re not o„lv endowed *it,, 1^ -andfacnUies,butwea,.eaIsopJ C ; j!'"7:^™''-ingthesepowLai:; te, ^^eh-e thus in „u,. possession, ti,c„l erofac,pnnngaknowledgeoftl,e AlniZ Creator, and of the nature of tl.of """""^T ««-^e.erci,,es overirc:::::^ —^ Tl.eg,ft of being |,as been conferred „nn a3t.,atweshon,denjo,it,andf„:"i:: cxliaust the sources of emplovinei.t W. '.ave within our reach, not only '« . ""' cl.a.actei ,s shewn n, Ins works. As it pleased ''"" to create the world, so he has givent He means by wlu'fl, «'"■« of that world "..Id be drsplayed to onr view. He said' ^et there be light, and there was light. J God saw the hght that it was good.". Th6 *«en. J. 3. 4, ♦"J J.> ,1 & ligfit of the sun mates cheerful the face of na. ture, and adds splendor and joy to the bounty of lieav en. Througli all the various forms in which we contemplate that provision which God has made for our comfort and happiness ; well may we say ;— " O Lord how manifold ar« " thy works ; in wisdom hast thou made them *• all: the eailh is fiOl of thy riches."* ** When I consider thy heavens, the work of " thy fingers, the moon and the stars which •• thou hast ordained, what is man that thou " art mindful of hira ? and the son of man, tliat *• thou visitest him? For thou hast made him a •• little lower than the Angels, and hast crown- " ed him with glory and honour ; thou madest " him to have dominion over the works of th}; " hand ; thou hast put all things under his " feet."t In the second place, our improvement will be promoted, by a careful attention to the situ- ation in which we are placed with regard to each other. If we only open our eyes, we see that we form a part of those whom God has appointed to inhabit this world, and that we are all neces- sarily connected with each other by various ties. • Tsal: 104. 24. | P»r), 8—5-~C~- Noi u day p occasion to ^iJ(I depcnda ro!notc i less. lat we )ointe4 neces- us ties. d N'ot 4 day pa.,3c-, over cm- hem., Imt we !ave ..coa..o„ to know that, we arc conneetcd with ™l dependant on each other.-Sueh has l.een ' e ca.e. ever since, nan d>veUe.uhc /ace or ".c earth ^ e are thus made to feel that no n.an can hve unto hh„seli,an.Uhould any one tc so fool.h« to mate .h» selfish attempt, he would very «oon feel, how .nd, he hasLuy liii Ignorance and perversity. The law., which God L ordained ibr th,r F-orvat,on of the order .naW,,,^,„i.,„.^ "f ^.""' "^'"'^ I*^ -•"'ka nor transgressed. w.tl. impnnity. So fot^ih,^ „„ „,i, ,„,^^ *„clc the attention ofthetlnnki,„.p„t of man- Ud, that from the earliest ages they have beeu »tpams. to frame rnles and laws for the cn'd- ;'.'cca.uldircction of human conduct; w,HcI. ■mc been sanctioned by certain punish„,ents, f. t.>o.,e w„o should act: contrary ,o those ^Icandwho should transgress those C" i^^t^'f-^'-^'-iKO required fort.; 'dbe:„g of every society; and as mutual ~ and happiness, is tl.e g,,at rei:! ^-v^assoaa^e together;, it is necessary, ^'^. all these ndes and reguJations should be 'fncdy attended to, which se-v^ n,. f r^ ' .,, / ' "''"^'< se.ve most effectu- ^^.^ ... w.,ox tno genera, cmfor. end happ.; In the third place ; If we wlsli to attain to a high degree of improvement ; we must go iar- ther tlian has been pointed out or provided Ict by human laws: We must study to !ic{piiic those habits which indicate not only intellect) ;:;) ability, but also, Moral Worth. Experience has shewn that no laws> howc ver salutary, will at all times secure the obe- dience of those who are placed under them. Ignorance or corruption will always prompt some men to act contrary to those laws whicJi they are required to obey ; and which a r jgaid for their own happiness, as well as the hap])i^ ness of others ; should induce them strictly to observe. But man in his present state does not attain to perfection. His knowledge is limited, hk progress in the attainment of excellence is only gradual ; and even this gradual progress is tic. quently counteracted by causes over which he has no controul. — When such is the case inaiir from inabihty, and also many from want of in- clination, will neither see, nor try to see, wli.it means are most eftectual for promotinn* the "C- neral good, peace, and harmony of society.— Accordingly it has been found, that men liavfl often abused that power of which they had j^i possession^ of })assion ; gences, wlii general orde iSiicIi person ring durkiies possible, to i established ii But what is tliis ; tl\at men cominit character, an the moment 1 there are otlic gainst which i ed ; at least, ccd bv human at any human ccedingly perr i^oeietv. In do errors produce grade the fei nftliose perso ting them. T ashamed to si ness, and take To this class of XI possession, and tiiat when under the influence of passion ; they liave given way to those indul. gences, which were highly injurious to the gcuerul order, peace, and welfare of society. Sucli persons are justly represented as prefer- ring darkness to light; and wishing, if it were possible, to subvert that order which Qod has established in his worlds. But what demands our particular attention is this ; tl\at in addition to those errors wH.'ch I men commit, from ignorance or depravity of character, and which we must condemn as bad the moment that we know of their existence 5 tliere are oUicr errors in point of conduct a! gainst which no positive laws have been enact. ed ; at least, laws, which admit of being enfor- ced by human means. They are not cognizable at any human tribunal ; and yet they are ex- ceedingly pernicious to the peace and welfare of society. Independent of the evils which these eiT(n-s produce in society, they debase and de- grade the feelings and the understandings of those persons who are guilty of commit- ting them. They produce deeds which are ashamed to sec the light, they love dark- ness, and take refuge in the shades of night . To this class of evil deeds, belong envy, man '^n lice, evil speaking, hatred, rcAcngc, selfishness, and all tlie tribe of meaner vices. These errors are so deeply rooted in tlic hearts of those who are depraved by them, ihd nothing short of having good principles im- planted in the mind, and good moral qnaKu'cs can counteract their influence. They cannot be checked in the same mariner, as those crimes are, which more immediately affect the peace and welfare of society ; because the evils which they occasion are not so apparent— The in. jury which they do to society is of a slow thouoh sure progress J andis attended with so mucli deceit, as not to.be easily, or readily brouglit home upon those who occasioned it. , How then, it may be asked, is the enormif y- of^uch vices to be brought to tlie light? How is their deformity to be exposed ; and how is the tux-pitude of. such practices to be guarded against? The only way in which this is to be d^ne, is to make it our business to acquire thoso habits which not only indicate intellectual abii.^ ity, but also moral worth. ' I appeal to your own hearts, and to the ;>oundness of your judgment, that the doctrine which I now teach is true and correct. There is a conscious dignity arising from the possess. Ion of ri:'( any tiling t:ige whicii \.'j'I by si'c \antage ; i A^ it djstro am have ib iiig done a i Bat I oh place, that ^otQ our iin al beings, i; v/luch are f hvxe and go Vvliam we ca! ciie same Cre provided for Providence. It hath pi dow man witi thcni hi very i all of us expos sagacity or po affords room f and for the csn ^"onfer a lustre ■ioble the mint dfish incss, :i in the lem, tliut '"pies im- qualities "■ cannot se criiiK-s e peace h which ■TJie in- i^ thou oh 3 much brought norniify ? How how is jnaiclcd is to be 'e those to the :>ctrine There 'ossess. I«n of ryht pri,u.,-pH U,at win not «o„p ,, '"•y tl.wy that i. ,„oa„ „, ,„,,. . P *• ■' ' ''-" ''•^'' •'' '""'d. bo consalercd as no J vantage ; biif mi i?.„ , "' e l...t on the contrary as a real evil; - iiKtt scJf respect which no man ran liave ibr n'inscJf wl,n ;, ■ "'>u I, wiiois conscious of hav. '"S 'lane a. nean or a base action. pUce'',V.?"r:'"T'"'''"''^'''^'"'' *'''='•-«'• p.ace. t.K t what tends most effectually to pro- moo on., nnprovement as intelligent and ratL ;-'■ are fonnded in sentiments of\e et !-e and goodwill to our felW men: to th" ,vom we can our brethren, as beingfonnedb; e same Creator, and as being protected an4 r t ' "" """ ^"^^ ""<» ''"""tifa lioyidence. ^ IthathpIeasedGodforwisepnrposcstoen. o,v-men,v,th different abilities, and to plac^ t on, ,n very different circumstances. We are »'l 0. us exposed to casualties, which no human ^yoty or power can foresee or prevent. This . f --oom for the exercise of those principles, and for the employment of those virtues which confer a l:,s.ro upon human nature, which en. ^=*kthe mind, and mafe us feel the dignity «f fK'tii'ig as becomes rational and, intelligent bt, ings- "Wlicn men act in this inanncr, the only distinction which they acknowledge is that which arises from superior intellectual endow- ments, and i'rom superior moral wortiu 'J'hose ptlicr distinctions which necessarily arise I'rom tlie. various circumstances in which men are placed, are not regarded (arthcr» than as they aftL'Ct the character ; and give an opportunity Ibr tl'.p more extensive exercise of those virtues "wlu'ch confer a dignity upon human conduct ; and indicate that mode of acting which is real. ly entitled to be called pn^ise worthy. It is perfectly evident tliat when the mind is thus constituted from the possession of those principles which rectitude and truth supply ; and the exercise of which is guided by a really benevolent spirit ; then nothing will be more disgusting j nothing will be more disagreeable to it than what is base and mean. irence it obviously follovv's, that the posses- sion of tho^e principles, which are founded in sentiments ot" benevolence and good will is higli- ly conducive to the peace, welfare, and happi- ness of society ; as il will tend directly to do away all those mean practices which are so jjrc- judicial to tliut order and harmony which sliculd . Iways prevail among brclhrcn. TllC po: Valuable :n can at all ti operation is but is ackn ibund. Th not circinns vide kina'do tliroughoiit 1 ry situation, difficulty^ ; \ fen ; and fc I have tl that the can 5 iiess among i of the mean vvay of guard fluence is to maker has p liave also n(jt particularly f hieans of ini] our reach. I provement, w ly in view the with humility on liim. Tiia ligentbt, the onlv w is that 1 ciulow- . 'I'lio.se rise i'rom men are 1 as they )ortuiiily e virtues londuct ; 1 is real- he mind of those supply ; a realiv )e move :euble to posses- nded in is higli- [ happi- i to do so pre- shcuM i3 The possession of these principles is highW valuable in tliis other point of vii-w. that they can at all times be brought into exercise. TlK^Jr operation is not confined to country or ch'nuTtc but IS acknowledged wherever man is to be found. The duties which they inculcate are not cn-cumscrib.d by tirose bounds, wliicli di- vide kmgdoms and nations ; but thev extend throughoT:t the world, and teach us, th^t in eve- ry situation, in ail circmnstanoes, and in cn erv difficulty ; we shouid know th:>.t we are bretll fen ; and feci and act a brotlier'.s part. I have tJnis taken occasion to notice to jm that the causes which create division ai.d weak", iiess among a people, arise from the infiuence oftiic mean and low vices, and tliat the best way of guardii;g again this most pernicious in^ fluence is to observe all those means yvhich our maker has provided for oiir improvement. I liave also noticed that a state of union seems particularly favourable foi attending to those liieans of im])rovement which we have witiiin our reach. I slated particmaily tliat our ini- provement, will be promoted by keeping steaui^ ly in view the duty which we owe to our maker, with humility and a sense of cm- dc^nendence on him. Th.t with the same view we .imuld v.ii K ^ ill' le attend to tiic sltimion in wliidi we ar^ placed With rogurd to eadj other, tliat wg should mahc it our care to display those hahits wJiich iiuli cate nut only intelJectual ability, but also moral worth ; and that in an especial nuiP.r.cr, v,c should attend to the influence of tliose i)rinci. pie;] which are louudeJ in sentiments of bene volencf and good will to our ieilow men. Bulbro I conclude, allow mc, my bretlu'cn, tc rccomnit'ud to you, this seriou. coiLsideratiou ; whence have we derived car bein- and all tho^-c benefits which constitute the happinei^s of ration, al and intelligent creatures ? Oilcn think ofthe phicc wineii yon fill in the rreation of Almlgii. ty God : when lie rendered you capable of be- coming afjuaintcd with his perfections, and ^'hcn ho enabled you to perceive and observe • the order and beauty and har.nony wl-.ich he has e:^tabli.hcd in his works. Consider the ^rati. tude that you ought to feci, think on the humil- ity With which you should he impressed • Rr fleet on the obligations under which yon arc Placed to act a. it becomes those who have beci so Iiighly favoured. Let it bo your ere to a^ certain the nature of those principles by which you are really actuated ; and also whether the sentimrnt. of benevolence nnd good-wiU a.-> i. Yoa, an act vate and to •viine time t your mode c wards each brethren. Be assure of knowledff( o worth of chai pany each ot the light that i knowledge ceit and vanit coiuhict whicl goodness of Jic ly takes an int Be just to ^•liieh will mos or debase. N( your cheek wit pcrior worth. that part whicli principles, and months of thos< portunity to spe pose always beai ''•■ho displayed ii i'ff placed III J maUo lich ivdi Ifo mornl in'.cr, v,c e ])rinci- of bene, ■n. tlircn, to oralioi] ; all tho.sc >f rat ion* i!v oftlie Almio-h- e of be- ns, and bfecrve ; !i lie has ^ grati' hiiniil- : lie yon arc ►'e bec'i :; to as- ^v]lic•Il icr tJio 17 ma, an active principle disposing you to culti. vate and to exorcise those virtues ; which at the ^inie t..r,e that they add a conscious dignity to" your mode of acting, will shew that you feel to- vvaras each othersuch sentiments as become brotlireii. . ^~' ^;«;^«l that s.,porior attainments in point "' T'l^' ''' "f ""'-^ avail without moral worth of chamcte., for where they do not accom- i-ye^ch other, then it may be truly said, that *e hg t that is in thee is darkness, ^t is such ' '^""^^''••'tee as may beget and nourish selflcon ce.t and vanity ; but it will never lead to that •■'"".net which displays bcrteVoience of principle goodness of heart, or that disposition which real' '•'■ '-"''' ™ interest in the welfare of others Be just to those principles, the exercise of imchwill most assuredly ennoble, but can nev. or debase. Never let conscious meanness tin..e your cheek with a blush, in the presence of su- lienor worth. Be disposed at all times to act ' that part which will shew tho correctness of your i.rme,i,les, and which wilT p„t to silence the ».oi:ths of those who may wish to have an op- portunity to speak-ovil of you. For this pur- m aUvays bear in mind what was said by him - 'ao displayed in his conduct the value of t!io4 il * ,•'! 18 principles which we profess to esteem ; «« Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your lather who is in heaven.*" Amen. • Matt. 5. 16, I / N 1 S. i; "Let Lhcy may ir Father -I- 'km ■■■' '*i -^■ :■» 1 ^^ 1 1 ' 11