stands defined. Each existence as it passes away, is 

 but the precurser of others, constantly throwing off 

 their defects, and assuming nobler capacities^ in the 

 wonderful plan of nature. 



When it is considered, that all the arrangements of 

 this mighty scheme end, so far as we can judge, in this 

 existence, with man ; that every revolution of mind 

 and matter brincrs about some chanore in the condition 

 of his life; that, as if to seize upon the moment of such 

 change, still further to benefit his race, providence has 

 endowed him with capacities of thought and language, 

 superior to all animals ; it would seem that he would 

 present, in every age, some distinguishing trait of mo- 

 ral beauty. That there would be something apparent 

 in his nature, at all times and under all circumstances, 

 elevating him, in the pride of mental power, above in- 

 animate and brute creation ; tnat his constant occupa- 

 tion w^ould be to cultivate his nobler faculties, refine 

 his intellectual gifts, and raise his moral far beyond the 

 influence of his physical relations. But, alas ! in un-. 

 folding the map of his history, we are humbled at the 

 view of man's varied condition ; sometimes in the 

 height of civilization ; sometimes in the depths of 

 misery. The race, w^hether regarded as societies or 

 individuals, appears to have reached certain eleva- 

 tions, only to decline. From the rudest assemblages 

 of robbers and outcasts, they have advanced to im- 

 proved societies. Again these have become slaves of 

 barbarians or remnants of scattered tribes. We have 

 seen them rise great in the arts of war and peace, a- 

 chieving splendid victories, attaining unlimited power, 

 only to violate the rights of their associates, and waste, 

 in the extravagance of a prodigal ambition, the blood 



