that sound and liberal toleration, with respect to religion, which, if surrounded with bigots, persecutors, and fanatics, we should so much need and value ourselves, and which we should, therefore, be always ready to grant to others.

This conduct of Joshua, which appears to have been the last public act of his life, and in which wisdom, true liberality, and patriotism were combined, had the desired effect; for the people unanimously exclaimed, "God forbid that we should forsake the Lord, to serve other gods!-we will serve the Lord."

In discoursing farther on the words of the text, I wish particularly to direct your attention to the pious resolution, which this illustrious chieftain had formed, and the actual responsibility, with which he thought himself invested, in regard to his own house; that is, his own household, comprising the whole of his domestic establishment, at least, if not every branch of his kindred and family. A due consideration of his sentiments and conduct, on this occasion, may lead to a train of reflections, which will render the words of the text at all times seasonable, but more especially at present, and replete with practical wisdom.

In the first place, few will attempt to deny,

but that Joshua's determination was founded on a conscientious sense of duty. However he might have contemplated the possibility of failure, in endeavoring to fix the religious faithand practice of a whole nation; yet, feeling that he possessed a great degree of power, he was resolved to exercise it, (with mildness and wisdom, we may be assured, but, at the same time, with firmness and perseverance,) within the proper sphere of his influence. In this respect, he imitated the holy patriarch, Abraham; of whom the Almighty said, (to shew his fitness to be the father of his chosen people,) " I know him, that he will command his children and his household after him, and they shall keep the way of the Lord, to do justice and judgment."

It forms a striking feature in the ordinances of divine Providence, constituting at once its justice, and its goodness, that, in proportion to the envied and elevated stations, which men hold in this life, their trials should be greater, and their failures and transgressions more conspicuous; so that the limits of their authority cannot be extended, without their duties being multiplied, and their responsibility being increased.

This is a very important consideration, and

should be deeply impressed on the minds, not only of princes and rulers, magistrates and men in power; but also on the mind of every father of a family, and master of a household. Now, amidst the evidence of much private and public worth;-in the sincere profession of Christ's holy religion, and in the display of many truly christian, humane, and patriotic virtues among us, I fear there are but few, who think it their duty to form the pious resolution of Joshua in the text; or if formed, who make any great, and constant exertions to carry it into effect. Yet to whom are children, servants, and dependents of every description to look for guidance and protection,-for frequent admonition, and the benefit of a good example, but to their parents, or to those under whose roof they are, and in whose service they are forming their habits, prosecuting their labors, and spending a valuable portion of their days? It is true they are not, as the Israelites were, surrounded with the gross absurdities, and abominable practices of idolaters but they are exposed to the dangerous seductions of idleness and pleasure ;-to the allurements of vanity and pride;-to excess and dissipation in all its forms; and often to dishonesty and fraud, as the natural conse

quence. Lastly, to mention the grand cause and consummation of evil, they are exposed to the danger and the sin of profaning the Christian Sabbath, and the habitual contempt, indifference, or neglect,, of religion.

These, then, are objects, which should render a good man, and a Christian, as anxious to promote the temporal and eternal welfare of his own household, at present, as Joshua was, on settling the tribes of Israel in the promised land of Canaan. As far as respects the relation between parents and children, perhaps, there is not much ground of condemnation, or complaint. Whatever evils, also, might heretofore have existed in the families of the poor, in this respect, we may hope that the numerous schools, which are now generally established throughout the land, will, by the blessing of Providence, afford the best remedy, that human wisdom and benevolence could possibly suggest. The foolish and sinful neglect of a father, in the middle classes of society, on this important head of duty, can only be considered, at present, as an exception to a rule that is generally observed; and the mischievous effects of it are often counteracted in childhood by the regular attention of some faithful preceptor, or

by the exemplary piety, and vigilant affection, of a mother but when we observe the general carelessness, and almost indifference, manifested towards servants of every denomination, from the highest to the lowest, it is impossible not to admit, that there is amongst us a flagrant violation of that duty, which the words of the text inculcate.

It is true, and it ought not to be omitted, in discussing the present subject, that the servants of the Jews were, in some respects, essentially different from ours. The former, indeed, may be considered as a species of domestic slaves, whose services were generally purchased for a term of seven years; at the expiration of which, they received their manumission, or liberty; and they were always released on the return of the year of jubilee, whether the usual period of seven years happened to be then compleated or not. They formed, therefore, more strictly a part of their master's household;—they continued with him, generally speaking, for a longer time; and having much more power and authority over them than our laws entrust to any, he could, and ought to answer for their principles, and general behaviour, on all important points, with greater confidence.