THE TRUE PATRIOT.

1 SAM. xvii. 29.

And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?

INVITED as I am to address my fellow citizens, associated at this important crisis; and much as I must approve their zeal for the public safety, and still more that which leads them to present themselves this morning before God in his House of Prayer; yet I cannot but lament the Occasion. To meet every where peaceable citizens in arms!-to hear fields and gardens daily echo with the din of martial exercises !Surely this bespeaks a time critical-alarmingnew! a time, which a minister cannot but feel, and ought not to neglect. Far from my heart be that frigid indifference, which refuses to take an interest in what affects so many: For who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not?

But since, in times like these, it is of high inportance first to settle our principles of action, and then to pursue them with firmness and vigour,

I have selected an instance in the text, which, in both these respects, may stand as our example.

Israel had sinned: the scourge of an offended God was now suspended over them; and the Philistines gathered together their armies to battle. On this occasion, an old Israelite had sent three of his eight sons to join Saul and the men of Israel; while the youngest, who had lately gone with his harp to relieve the troubled spirit of the king, was now returned to feed his father's sheep at Bethlehem.

And Jesse said unto David his son, Take now for thy brethren an ephah of this parched corn, and these ten loaves, and run to the camp to thy brethren; and carry these ten cheeses unto the captain of their thousand, and look how thy brethren fare, and take their pledge.-And David rose up early in the morning, and left the sheep with a keeperand came to the trench, as the host was going forth to the fight-and ran into the army, and came and saluted his brethren.

Here it was that he contemplated the approaching storm, which threatened to overwhelm his country. Here he saw the battle in array with fierce invaders, preceded by a champion whose stature and prowess were only to be equalled by his pride and blasphemy. He heard no terms proposed but absolute submission and slavery. He saw no face which was not blackened with fear; and, as the terror approached, Israel fled.

A holy indignation rose in the bosom of the young shepherd. A holy flame kindled within him, to take away the reproach from Israel.Yet, considering what an obscure stripling he was, he could only speak by inquiries. What shall be done to the man that killeth this Philistine?-Who is this uncircumcised Philistine, that he should defy the armies of the living God?

Jealousy is cruel as the grave; and who can stand before envy?-Eliab, his eldest brother, heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab's anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thy heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle. And David said, WHAT HAVE I NOW DONE? IS THere not a cAUSE?

That this was a holy flame which kindled in his breast, is evident from the event: that it was tempered with wisdom, may be gathered from the reply. He would hazard every thing in producing a unity of effort; nothing, that could tend to break it.

"What have I now done," as if he had said, "that should provoke such bitter reflection? What have I now done, that I ought not to have done? If I am come down, is it not in obedience to my father's commands? If, when I came, I felt indignation at the blasphemies which I heard, is

there not a cause for indignation? If I even feel and express my desire to withstand the enemies of my country and of my God in their impiety and rage tell me, WHAT HAVE I NOW DONE? IS THERE NOT A CAUSE?"

These words of David suggest to us the following general remark for our consideration:

EXTRORDINARY OCCASIONS WARRANT EXTRAORDINARY EXERTIONS; IN WHICH, RIGHTLY TO ENGAGE, DISTINGUISHES THE GOOD CITIZEN AND

THE CHRISTIAN.

Here it will be proper for us to inquire,

I. WHAT MAY BE DEEMED SUCH AN OCCASION.

To discuss this question in the abstract, were to trifle with your time: it is sufficient that I can produce such a matter of fact, as one should suppose would make an appeal to every man's bosom. If the present state of things be not such an occasion, he, who resolves to stand still till a greater presents itself, will probably wait till the opportunity for exertion is passed.

Let me ask such an one (if such an one be present)-Had David before him an implacable enemy, making an attack upon the liberty, property, and religion of his country, and threatening it, If I prevail, then shall ye be our servants?—A haughty foe, glorying in his strength-defying God and man-and treating with scorn all resist

ance-spreading terror by his arms, and horror by his curses and blasphemies?-had David, I say, such an one to meet? and need I attempt to PROVE to you that we are in similar circumstances?

Proofs of facts are impertinent and absurd, while every man is trembling and smarting under their consequences. This congregation can bear witness, that political discussion of every kind is a stranger to this pulpit. It is consecrated to the higher concerns of eternity. Let the potsherd strive with the potsherds of the earth! Such strife shall have no consideration here, even on special occasions: nor shall I be intimidated by a term now so often misapplied. But, resolutely as we avoid politics, may we not consider FACTS?— facts, which involve all that is dear?-all that is. sacred?

And what facts could I not produce? How closely could I run the parallel, between the enemy of Israel and the enemy of Europe? Did I say, what facts could not I produce? What facts could not every one of you produce? Who is such a stranger in Jerusalem, that he knoweth not these things? The principles and practices of our enemy have not only made the ears of every one that heareth them to tingle, but will almost induce posterity to question whether the history of our times be a fact or a romance.

Tell me not now what errors, in the high or the low, have accelerated the occasion. Who needs