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haps, for form sake, it might be added, and the Lord have mercy on your soul!'

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But it was a very favourable circumstance for Cain, that he did not fall into the hands of men, 'whose tender mercies are cruelty! All the punishment which God inflicted on Cain for this aggravated murder, was hard labour and banishment. And Cain thought this was too severe; for he said unto the Lord, My punishment is greater than I can bear.' And it appears that God compassionated his case. For upon Cain's saying that, that it will come to pass that every one who findeth me will slay me.' God kindly relieved him, not only from the danger itself, but also from the fearful apprehensions of mind be was under. And the Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him. Please to take notice. Not lest he should kill another man; the danger of which, (even in this our half humanized age) is urged by many in justification of the inhuman practice of putting murderers to death. But God, who best knew the human heart, knew that the danger of killing was on the other side; and therefore He took his measures accordingly, in order to prevent it.

cial warning to mankind, than it would have been, to have seen a human being, created in the image of God, hanging on a halter under a gallows, and expiring in all the excruciating agonies and contortions of a violent and unnatural death! Such an awful spectacle would doubtless give a greater shock to the feelings and sensibilities of human nature, than the punishment which God inflicted on Cain; but the impression would be momentary, if not pernicious; distressing while it lasted; but would not equally with the latter, convince the understanding, and mend the heart. I might now conclude with this exclamation, what could God have done more than he hath done to prevent the effusion of human blood! But I am constrained to mention one thing

more.

Although the mark placed on Cain might answer its appointed ends, as above mentioned, during his natural life, yet, lest they should be forgotten after his death, and that succeeding generations might be left without excuse, God was pleased to leave on record a inost solemn declaration and warning to civil magistrates, and all others, not to shed the blood even of a murderer. And the Lord said unto him (and probably in the hearing of others) Whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him seven fold.'

The mark which the Lord set upon Cain, whatever it may have been, answered a double purpose. It warned mankind not to commit murder; and not to take away the life of the murderer. In both these respects this mark was a more effectual, lasting, and benefi- them. I am willing that my

Here let us pause a moment. These words demand our most serious attention, for God spake

opponents should give the most favourable construction to the text, which the words can consistently admit. I conI conceive their true meaning to be this, That the vengeance, which God would have taken, here and hereafter, on any person or persons who should have taken away the life of Cain, although a murderer, would have been seven fold more than the punishment He had now laid upon Cain, merely for the violation of a civil duty. At any rate, the text denounces an awful doom on any person or persons who should have inflicted a capital punishment on Cain for the murder that he had committed! I must request all the defenders of sanguinary punishments, once more to read with attention the whole of the proceedings in his trial, as they stand on record in the sacred volume. They will find no dislocation of bones by the tortures of the rack; no burning at the stake; no strangling by a halter under a gallows; no life taken away, nor day of probation shortened; not even a hair of Cain's head scorched or plucked out. And, on due reflection, I request them to say, whether mankind, amidst all their witty and cruel inventions, have ever discovered any sanguinary punishment that has had a more effectual tendency to reclaim the offender; to deter others; and to secure the public, than the punishment which God laid on Cain for the murder of his brother Abel. It is certain, that by it the public was

effectually warned and secured. And there is great reason to believe, that Cain was effectually reclaimed, for he regretted being hid from God's face.' This was a happy omen of sincere repentance, and very different from what his parents exhibited, whilst under the influence of impenitent guilt; they endeavoured to hide themselves from the presence of the Lord.' It appears that Cain lived many years after this; and in all likelihood became a good member of society, for he builded a city, and called the name of the city after the name of his son, ENOCH.'

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been borrowed for the perusal The preceding article has of our readers. It is the substance of one of five Essays on Capital Punishments,' which originally appeared in the Herald, a newspaper published at Windham, in Connecticut. They were reprinted in Philadelphia, in Poulson's Daily Advertiser. In 1811 they were printed in a Tract. In 1812, An Appendix by the author was published, containing anwhole has recently been preswers to 13 objections. The sented to the Editor by a Friend. However intelligent sentiments of this author, there men may disagree as to the talents as a writer. The fourth can be but one opinion of his Essay, which has now been given, is a fair specimen of the ability with which the several arguments and objections are managed.

MR. EDITOR,

IMPROMPTU.

I SEND you the following IMPROMPTU by a gentleman in England, Alumnus of Harvard University, and respectable for his talents and character. It arose literally out of the cir. cumstances mentioned. It contains a moral, which the intelligent reader will readily apply to every sentiment, forced upon the public mind by custom or antiquity, and unsupported by reason or scripture, whether such sentiment relates to church or state, to war or peace. Some of the party present, devoted to high church and to the national ecclesiastical establishments, were a lit. tle indignant, and thought the reader, who was educated a moderate dissenter, had evinced a want of reverence for the only true church

In a conversation with a few friends on church government, a clergyman who was of the party said, "No one was entitled to administer the offices of the church, who had not received Episcopal ordination; for wherever the episcopal succession is preserved, there only is a true Church. "Nulla Ecclesia sine Episcopo." Tertullian.

The opinion of the gentleman being required, he replied, There is in the history of one of the Indian tribes in America an anecdote somewhat analogous, which with permission I will read. Taking down a book, he apparently read what follows:

"As the Sun was hastening to cool himself in the placid waters of Lake Erie, Commemoroonah, Sachem of the Tuscaroras, sat at the door of his wigwam, scouring his red-rusted scalping knife. Bambarrah, his faithful squaw, was preparing hominee for the supper of her lord; whilst their sons were striving, who with truest aim could direct the tomahawk.

"At this interesting moment three envoys approached, bearing a talk from Alpequot, the renowned Sachem of the Chippewas; which they thus deliv

ered.

"Brother, when the great Spirit created Tobacco for the solace of red men, He delivered to Animboonab, Father of the Chippewas, a torch, which the had lighted at the great, day-star-The Chippewas have not suffered this celestial spark to be extinguished; but from it have all our pipes been ignited for ninety nine thousand five hundred and fifty moons. This therefore, and this only is the true canonical fire; all other is unholy and damnable." (A belt of wampum)

"Brother, I send to you a portion of this sacred fire, preserved by uninterrupted succession, that with it you may light your pipe, and diffuse the blessing through your nation." (A belt of wampum)

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* Ferunt, si justum est credi, etiam ignem cœlitus lapsum apud se sempiternis foculis custodire-Amm. Marcellinus.

to the dark torrent of the Ohio. Reject it, and instantly shall the red war-hatchet be dug from its repose; and the warriors of Tuscarora shall be given as a feast to the sons of Anim. boonah. (A belt of wampum.) "Decide for Alpequot will suffer no pipe to be smoked that is not lighted from the fire uninterruptedly derived from the great day star." (Three belts of wampum)

To this courtly message Commemoroonah returned this

talk.

"Brothers! Chinquolinga, my grandfather, whose girdle was always hung with the scalps of Chippewas, received from William Penn, the white Sachem, an amulet, which en

ables us to draw fire immediate• ly from the great day-star. With this the Tuscaroras are accustomed to light their pipes. (A belt of wampum)

"Our young men are expert at the tomahawk; our squaws are ingenious at roasting prisoners; and the arm of Commemoroonah has not lost its vigour." (Three belts of wampum)

In the succeeding moon the scouts of Tuscarora gave notice of the approach of Alpequot. Commemoroonah dressed an ambuscade. A battle was fought; and the bones of the Chippewas now lie bleach, ing on the plains of MuskingH.

um.

ANTICIPATED FULFILLING OF THE PROPHECIES OF THE
LATTER DAY.

Dr. INCREASE MATHER in his "Exhortations to faith and fervency in prayer," published in 1710, makes the following remarks.

"The providence of God is calling us to prayer. Great things are doing in the world. Wonderful revolutions there have been in our days, and greater are expected. Are not the nations in travelling pains? We see the beginning of sorrows. Are not the judgements of God abroad in the earth? The sword is devouring in many places, and in some the famine and pestilence. A vial is pouring upon the earth and if we consider our state, does it not call for prayer? What frowns of heaven have been upon us! And so much the

:

*

more should we be in prayer as we see the day approaching when the glorious prophecies and promises shall receive their accomplishment. We are assured that when the sixth trumpet, called also the second wo, has done its work, the seventh trumpet, called the third wo, will come quickly. Now there is reason to hope that the second wo is past, that is, that the Turk shall be no more such a plague to the christian world as for ages past he has been. At the time when the second wo passeth away there is to be a great earthquake; in that earthquake one of the ten kingdoms over which Antichrist has reigned will fall.*""There is a great earthquake among the nations, page 87.

MAY THE KINGDOM OF FRANCE REVOLUTION THERE! We shall then know that the kingdom of Christ is at hand." + page 97.

FALL!

BE THAT TENTH PART OF THE
CITY WHICH SHALL
MAY WE HEAR OF A MIGHTY

INDULGENCE FOR ROBBERY.

JOHN TETZEL, a Dominican inquisitor, employed to sell the indulgences of Pope Leo X. travelled throughout various parts of Europe persuading the people that the moment any person had paid the money for his indulgence, he might be certain of his salvation; for all his crimes, however enormous, would be forgiven. At Leipsic, it is said, that after he had "scraped together a great deal of money from all ranks of people," a nobleman who suspected the imposture, put this question to him-"Can you grant absolution for a sin which a man shall intend to commit in future?" "Yes," replied the frontless commissioner, " but on condition that the proper sum of money be actually paid down." The nobleman instantly produced the sum demanded, and in return

received a diploma sealed and signed by Tetzel, absolving him from the unexplained crime which he secretly intended to commit. Not long after, when Tetzel was about to leave Leipsic the nobleman made inquiry respecting the road he would probably travel, waited for him in ambush at a convenient place, attacked and robbed him; then beat him soundly with a stick, sent him back again to Leipsic with his chest empty, and, parting, said, "This is the fault I intended to commit, and for which I have your absolution !"

This humorous story is related by the cautious Seckendorf, and may serve to show the almost incredible lengths to which the popish agents proceeded in the detestable traffic so clearly laid open by this anecdote. Am. Bap. Mag.

LESSONS USEFUL AND ENTERTAINING.

A MAN of letters on viewing the destruction of his library by fire, observed, "I should have gained but little improve ment from my books, if I knew not how to bear the loss of them."

WHEN Fenelon lost his library by fire, he exclaimed "God be praised that it is not the cottage of some poor family This was characteristic

of the amiable archbishop of Cambray, and expressive of his compassion for the poor. By his tenderness towards the poor peasants, his kindness to them in their distresses, his habit of visiting them to impart to them of the good things of this life and the consolations of religion, he gained their affections in a remarkable manner. They regarded him as a father and venerated his name long after his

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