30 



plore in this and other lands^, the evils which have 

 resulted from the ^fears of the brave and the follies 

 of the vi^ise.' 



How touchingly beautiful and subhme are the 

 pictures of those primitive days^ when under their 

 own vines and fig trees^ the babbhng brook at their 

 feet; and the bleating and spotless flock around them, 

 the shepherds of Israel poured forth their morning 

 song of praise to Him who made the meadows to 

 nourish; and the trees to shade them^ with what 

 fervour did they exclaim^ ^The Lord is our shep- 

 herd we shall not want; he maketh us to lie down 

 in green pastures and leadeth us beside the still 

 waters.' The altars of Christianity never burned 

 with a purer incense than this : and are we not then 

 invoked now to realize from the pursuits of this 

 Society the primitive charms and excellence which 

 they impart? 



Peace and abundance cover our land— in others 

 less happy and exalted, some flower or shrub is 

 the household and tutelary emblem and watch- 

 word of national honour. The hly of France and 

 the rose of Burgundy, have encountered the thistle 

 and the shamrock on the bloody field, or interwoven 

 in peace become the olive branch and pledge of 

 union and friendship — with us as yet, not one of 

 the many beautiful productions of our soil is the 

 badge of American freedom. — And why should it 

 not be, like the song which animates in the fight — 



