INTRODUCTION. * 7 



theme; the philosopher, to pursue his tliscoveries, 

 and the christian that he may improve in grace, and 

 hold a sweet communion with his God. And yet the 

 fund of living reputation;, which is the reward of study 

 and retirement, is ever exposed to the rude winds of 

 envy and defamation, which nothing shields it from, 

 but the cover of the grave. 



He then, who would form the imperishable model 

 of wisdom, genius, and patriotism, must look inquiring 

 to the mansions of the dead : it is there he may con- 

 template the virtues of its illustrious inhabitants, and 

 raise his aftectious by great and noble examples cT 

 benificence and love to man. Divine wisdom in thw 

 gracious expanse of its infinite mercy, has never re- 

 fused the intelligent creation any possession of social 

 good, which is compatible with our being, and worthy 

 of our enjoyment. 



A wide, and at the same time, well organized uni- 

 verse, occupies the extensive sphere allotted to the 

 enjoyment of man, a uniform and undivided council 

 gave it existence, and the same power preserves its 

 dominion : yet but one family compose its inhabitant-?. 

 The living and the dead, are both subjects of its go- 

 vernment ; the one forever are guarded and guided by 

 its providence, as the peculiar favourites of its grace, 

 the other lives only in tlieir virtuous reputation. 



So that when death does take from us any of the 

 reat and good, the dearest ties of our earthly attach- 



