to prosper the military operations in America: particularly, in the attempt against Louisbourg, on the island of Cape Breton. That strong fortress, that important harbor, which is as a key to Cazada. and commands one of the finest fisheries in the world, is reduced to obedience to the crown of Great Britain; and with it a vast quantity of arms, ammunition and warlike stores. And what ought very much to heighten our gratitude to God herefor, is, that notwithstanding the strength of the place, the many difficulties to be surmounted, the many hazardous scenes to be passed through, the whole was accomplished with very small expense of blood— a remarkable smile of Providence !

Again, in God's good providence the attempt against the place usually called Frontigniac, has been happily succeeded: Hereby the enemy have lost great store of provisions, arms and ammunition; which damaged them, it seems, not only the worth of them, but prevented their using them, in designed attempts upon the exposed settlements of some of the British colonies. This enterprise so soon accomplished, (and indeed the despatch of it, is one of its greatest glories ;) I think something extraordinary, if we take into consideration the critical conjuncture of time, in which it was effected; the hardships gone through, with vigor; and the small number of lives lost in the whole affair: And it will probably facilitate the execution of some other designs depending.In these instances, success has attended the British arms employed by land the year past.

Nor have the smiles of Providence been less visible, in succeeding the naval power of Great Britain.-A large number of ships of war, many of them line-of-battle ships, have been taken and destroyed at the siege of Louisbourg, in the Mediterranean Sea, and elsewhere; which has very much weakened the naval power of our enemies; and established our nation, more firmly, in what has long been her privilege, a superior maritime force.The private ships of war and merchantmen, taken from the French, the year past, have been very numerous : More than an hundred were taken or destroyed at St. Malo's: and by these captures, immense riches have been transferred from their nation to ours. The reducing the naval power of France, and increasing our own, will probably prove of the greatest importance of any of our successes, as it is this, that, under God, has from time to time, enabled our nation to chastise and humble, the pride and insolence of our old adversaries.But I may not enlarge. I go on-to mention in few words, the smiles of Providence upon the king of Prussia; which ought not to be passed in silence; for we are indeed nearly interested in the events of his operations; as he is so strong a support to the reformed. religion; as he is in strict alliance with the British nation; and

as peace may be hastened or retarded, according to his success; as well as established upon more or less advantageous terms. He is indeed a great man; a man of great prudence, policy, and courage. He is engaged for the defence of civil and religious liberty, against united, papal powers: Through God, he and the brave troops under his command, have done valiantly; have done wonders: wonders indeed they will appear, if we consider the great disproportion between their numbers, and the united forces which oppose them.-To have defended himself, would have been heroic; but to put the enemy to the rout, to gain victory after victory as he has done, and almost entirely to demolish a formidable host, as he did the Russians, are marvellous works.— "From the blood of the slain, and from the fat of the mighty, his sword returned not empty."-But while we justly admire the hero, and celebrate his great accomplishments, and mighty acts; while we heap encomiums upon the truth, intrepidity and resolution of his soldiers; we may by no means forget who it is that "teaches their hands to war, and their fingers to fight;" who it is that enables them to "play the men for their people, and the cities of their God;" who it is that gives the victory; but give supreme praise to Him.

Thus in general our public affairs relating to the war, wear a more favorable aspect than they did a year ago: Heaven has prospered England's and Prussia's arms. Nevertheless it is yet a day of public calamity among us; and the enemy, it must be confessed, have gained some advantages against us; though nothing that may be imagined any thing like an equivalent, for the successes I have been mentioning.

And now, if we turn our view upon the affairs of this province, we see the goodness of God,-that our charter privileges are continued to us. And it no doubt gives us pleasure, and ought to make us thankful, that two places of power and trust, which not long ago became vacant, are filled up, by his majesty's commissions, with so valuable men ;* men so capable and so faithful to discharge the duties of their stations, so agreeable to the people, and so likely to prove great blessings to the province.

Another favor which deserves our thankful remembrance, today, is the fruitfulness of the seasons the year past. God has caused the earth to yield her increase, in great plenty; a greater plenty than has been known for several years past; especially of English grain, and food for cattle; though some particular places have suffered considerably, by sweeping rains. And there seems to be some peculiar kindness in these large supplies, this year, as there has been great demand therefor, to furnish the British troops

*

His Honor Thomas Hutchinson, Esq., Lieutenant Governor, and the Honorable Andrew Oliver, Esq., Secretary.

employed in America. And by this means, there has been a free sale for what the fruitful earth has yielded, more than to answer private or common demands. This has been a great advantage to the community in general, and to the husbandman in particular.Had there been a dearth or scarcity this year, it would have been peculiarly distressing; because of the great quantities of provisions needed to supply our military forces. The mercies of the Lord have been seasonable: He has caused the clouds to distil refreshing rains in their season, whereby the earth has been softened, and enriched, so that the produce of it has been very plentiful. This benefit should excite our gratitude to Him, "whose open hand satisfieth the desires of every living thing."

Again, the general health enjoyed the year past, throughout this land, much more general than common, is a very great instance of divine goodness, which loudly calls for our sincere thankfulness to God. This is a mercy of very great worth, if we consider it, either with relation to the public welfare, or the happiness of the individuals who enjoy it. A mercy too little thought of, or prized, it is to be feared, by the healthful, and athletic.-Sickness unfits both body and mind, for the discharge of those offices, which, in health, would be their proper exercise; it prevents our relishing any outward enjoyments, and renders us in a great measure, unprofitable to ourselves or others. For the general health enjoyed, and for our own share in this blessing, let us therefore praise Him, "who is the health of our countenance, and our God."

Having briefly mentioned to you, my brethren, the public smiles of Providence the year past; I now descend to the consideration of those, which are more private and peculiar to ourselves; and in them we shall find abundant cause of gratitude to God, and have reason to say, O how good is the Lord!

Have not health and prosperity usually attended our persons and families, the year past? Hath not God given his blessing upon our secular employments, and established the work of our hands? Especially, hath he not continued to us the day and means of grace, which, by his blessing, and our due attendance upon them, will promote our future and eternal happiness?

It would not be unprecedented, Psalm cxlviii. 12, and I hope not unprofitable, if I should particularly call upon old and young to praise the Lord, for his goodness.

Let me then speak unto you my aged fathers.-Besides the public mercies the year past, which I hope you take a due notice of; have not God's kindnesses toward you in particular, been very great? It is he that has held your souls in life, and by his visitation your spirits have been preserved-He has supported you under the infirmities of age-He continues you in the enjoyment of spiritual privileges, even those of a public nature; as he enables

you yet to go up to his house, with those that keep holy day; while many much younger than you, have been carried to the place of silence. Suffer me upon this occasion, to remind you of what you very well know, that special returns of praise and gratitude are due to your Preserver and gracious Benefactor. I hope you are often engaged in the delightful business of praise and thanksgiving. O! live holy, thankful, obedient lives, the few uncertain days before you, that you may finish your course with joy.

Again, suffer me to invite you who are middle aged and heads of families, to a thankful consideration of the personal and domestic favors, you have enjoyed the year past.

Has not God preserved your families, as well as persons, from sickness and death, that your number is not diminished? And do you not still enjoy the pleasures of friendship and society, among your dear relatives? And have you not some of you had your children preserved while absent from you, and of late returned to you again in safety? Surely the consideration hereof, may well excite you to make that inquiry, "What shall we render to the Lord?"-O! let family-mercies make you very careful to walk in your houses with a perfect heart.-But while I congratulate prosperous families, and endeavor to persuade them to manifest their gratitude, by holy and obedient lives; I would heartily sympathize with such as God has been pleased to break in upon, by sickness and sore bereavements.* Against several of you, my friends, God hath been writing bitter things; and has put the cup of affliction into your hands. I am far from thinking these afflictions small; or hardly to be taken notice of, among the mercies that have attended them. I desire to weep with those that weep, as well as rejoice with those that rejoice; and I have felt the rod of God myself, in so sensible a manner, in my long continued weakness, and infirmity of body; that I must be very stupid and inhumane not to feel a tender concern, for the sons and daughters of affliction.-Let me exhort you so to improve these visitations, that they may do you good; and then you will be able to look upon them as being, by the blessing of God, turned into the nature of mercies to you.-And do not so despond under the rod of God, as to overlook the many merciful circumstances, which have attended all your afflictions; or fail to be thankful therefor. Again,

Let me call upon the young people, to praise the Lord for his goodness; in public blessings, and such as are peculiar to themselves. You, my young friends, have shared largely in the bounties of a kind God; have been supported most of you, in health, ease and pleasure.-Learn to look upon all these things, as coming

Several deaths referred to, particularly the death of a young man at Lake George.

from the hand of your God; for which you are accountable to him. Consider them as given to engage your love and obedience to him; and oh! study to make suitable returns therefor. Do not be so ungrateful, so provoking, as to consume these good things upon your lusts. Look not upon the common blessings and delights of life, as sure and stable, fit to build your hopes upon; but while you thankfully receive, and fruitfully improve them, give all diligence to secure that better part, which shall never be taken away from you. Content not yourselves without an interest in the benefits of Christ's purchase; without a share in God's everlasting love.

I ask your patience, my hearers, a few minutes longer; while I congratulate our friends who have been called forth to jeopard their lives, in the wilderness, the summer past, upon their arrival at their homes again. My brethren and neighbors, I heartily bid you welcome to your friends and habitations again, and sincerely rejoice with you, and your friends, in your safe return.

You are sensible, beyond what I can tell you, of the dangers, hardships and difficulties, which you have passed through; and I hope you are not insensible who has supported and upheld you, has defended you from the sword and the pestilence, by which some of your companions have been cut off. You have experienced the distinguishing goodness of God: Certainly then it will be vastly ungrateful in you to forget it, or not to endeavor to render to him according to the benefits done unto you. In the spring of the year, when you were about to take leave of your friends, and go forth into the public service, I trust you were ready to say, as Jacob when setting out for Padan-aran; Gen. xxviii. 20, 21. "If God will be with me, and keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on; so that I come again to my father's house in peace; then shall the Lord be my God." I believe some of you had such serious thoughts, and made such solemn resolutions : And now you see the goodness of God in preserving you; he has performed the thing, which you sought to him for, which you trusted in him for. Oh then be not so ungrateful as to forget the performance of your Take the Lord for your God and portion; devote yourselves unfeignedly to him and his service: love, honor and obey him as your God; and trust in his mercy, through the blood of the great sacrifice, for the pardon of your sins, and a title to eternal happiness.

vows.

Finally, let us all meditate upon the mercies of God in the year past, both public and private-and how great is their sum! May our gratitude therefor, be such as he will accept. Let us manifest a deep sense of the goodness of God, and of our obligations to him, by a cheerful obedience to his will; for indeed, the exhor