write pro bono publico at last," interrupted his fair banterer. "In this age of incredulity," answered he, “it would be in vain, I fancy, to attempt to make you or any one else believe what you are inclined to doubt but I must confess, though I cannot aspire to fame, that public spirit prompts me to exercise thy faculties as far as I am able, for the good of the community at large; and the pen of some ready writer, whose name may give importance to argument, may probably gather renown, from hints and suggestions made by an humble individual. If statements, however, are solid and convincing, it is of little consequence by whom they are made. "To be the little propelling instrument to set some giant genius at work, would be my greatest pride; I shall persevere therefore in my design, and make the attempt, in spite of your raillery, and perhaps, bring you to book by and bye, if you don't mend your manners. The The exposure of slight improprieties, it is well known, has considerable effect upon the economy of human life. To reflect on the follies of the age we live in, has ever been considered worthy of the poet and the moralist. Even trifling errors, when held up to public view, shrink from the exposure, and are contemplated with aversion. Consequently, the humble writer of the common occurrences of life, may be as instrumental in improving the manners of the people, as the greatest philosopher, with all his rhetoric. And it cannot but be admitted that, whoever prevents a fellow-creature from sinking into depravity, or assists him in upholding his virtue, by whatever means the task may be accomplished; that individual may be said to have some share in promoting the morality of a nation, and, of repelling encroachments on the good order of society." NUMBER VII. ON THE SABBATH. I do resolve while here I live, FROM the beginning of the world the number SEVEN appears to have been pre-eminently distinguished. In several instances it seems to have been venerated above all others, and to have had peculiar advantages attached to it. Besides its numeral signification, it denotes, says the Commentator, perfection; several great events being completed in the compass of seven. For instance, in the time of Jacob, there were seven years of plenty in Egypt, which were succeeded by seven years of famine. In Leviticus we read that "the priest shall sprinkle him that is to be cleansed from the leprosy SEVEN times; and after he be cleansed he shall come into the camp, and shall tarry abroad out of his tent SEVEN days." And again in Kings, we see that "Elisha sent a messenger unto Naaman, saying, go and wash in Jordan SEVEN times, and thy flesh shall come again unto thee, and thou shalt be clean.” This number is also frequently used indefinitely to denote a vast many. As in the instance where Peter enquired of our Lord,-" how oft shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him?” Jesus saith unto him,—“I say not unto thee until seven times, but until seventy-times seren;" thereby intimating, as oft as he may, by contrition, seek to be forgiven. But above all, it should be recollected that the Almighty, when He had finished the great works of Creation, rested on the seventh day and sanctified it.-Gen. xi. 3. When the people became wicked and idolatrous, He renewed, upon Mount Sinai, the obligation of keeping it holy::-"Six days shalt thou labour, and do all thy work, but the seventh," said He, "is the sabbath of the Lord thy God; in it thou shalt not do any work," &c. "for in six days the Lord made Heaven and Earth, the Sea, and all that in them is, and rested the seventh day; wherefore the Lord blessed the seventh day, and hallowed it.”—Exod. xx. 9. From the same Mount the Lord spake again unto Moses, saying,-"Six years shalt thou sow thy field, and six years thou shalt prune thy vineyard, and gather in the fruit thereof; but the seventh year shall be a sabbath of rest unto the land, a sabbath for the Lord," &c.-Levit. xxv. 3. This was called a sabbatical year, from being consecrated to that beneficent God, who, in compassion to the brute creation, and in mercy to the poor, established this benevolent institution; |