?s Class y'^ J/ /'if f Book > Gr4-7 ^ ml illl HI Will i 11 !!!!!SBS!^ ^^^^ ^pS«S^^^^S»|Wfr)- mm wmwa, HY t^KNKY aODI)^I^I3, I'OKTLAIVD, ME. £'j^Jff:!.'j'!fj.:j A FEW OF THE VERY MANY MISCELLANEOUS AETICLES, POETRY AND PROSE, AVRITTEN" BY HENRY GODDARD, DURING THE LAST HALF CENTCKT. PORTLAND : PRESS OF B. THURSTON AKD COMPANY. ]8r,f>. T6 n^-i 0- '^^ ANNOUNCEMENT. To Henkv Goddard, Ksii. My Excellent Friend, — Allow me to coiignitulate you, not only for myself, but for others, that you liave at last made up your mind to iiubllsh that noble jioem, enlarged and eoni- l)leted, which I had the pleasure of reading some years ago in manuscript. And if you will add to it soin(^ of the iirose writings whieh have a])peared among us from time to time, ■with the signature of " H. G." or " G ," I thhik you may dei>end upon a hearty wel- come. Such writings are wanted now. The poem of itself would make its way, at any time and in any age, by its own momen- tum, though far from being hniri/ ; and liy the simplicity and strength which characterize it; and the prose articles only need to be brouglit before us in a new shape to engage our serious at- tention; especially that whi<'li you have ('ailed "A Brief Politi- cal Creed." Having been personally acquainted with you for about half a century, and having known of your family, when your father* so distinguished himself from the office seekers of the land, by refusing the position of a Senator i:>f the United States, aftiT hi' had been appointed; and your admirable wife, from the time of her marriage up to her death, and all your c;Iiildren, — you can- not wonder that I should feel a deep interest in whatever you may undi;rtake at yotir age — you are now in your eighty-second year, I believe — regarding it as alegacy for comhig generations. I am, dear sir, your friend and lirnthir in Christ, JOHN NEAL. POUTLAND, Nov. 21, ISIil), * IJon. John (ioddard of IN>rtsia'>uth, X. II., always a leading mau there in matters of statesnianshij) and public policy. The foregoing warm-liearted epistle from a friend witli whom a personal acquaintance commenceil iu 1810, anil whose fame as a writer, both in poetry and jirose, and as a public speaker, has been too long and too widely known, both in this country and in England, to need comment from me, recommends in addition to the ijublication of the poem on " Earth's Destiny — Its Closing Scenes" — to which he prominently refers — that the writer should add prose articles which have borne the signature of G. and H. G. These, through more than a past generation, have been numerous and miscellaneous, and together with such as have been annonymoiis, would form a volume. They have been upon any and most of the subjects of iniblic interest as they have successively transpired; are chiefly political; and in a good de- gree would serve to bind together as links iu the chain, our political, and in some degree, for a long period, our national his- tory; but as it would require much time usefully to shape them to the wants of the jfresent hour, he will add but one of the lat- ter — a speech addressed to a crowded audience of both sexes, in a Trinitarian Church on the eve of the second election of Presi- ilent Jackson — with a word from the aged to the present ruling jjarty iu our land; or, a brief political creed, which closes a pam- phlet of some forty pages. It comprises: Earth's Final Destiny — Its closing scenes. Speech at second election of President Jackson. Thoughts ou Happiness — in verse. Keport of proceedings of two of the earliest i)ublic meetings contemplating the Atlantic & St. Lawrence Railroad. Missionary HjTim on receiving interesting news from China. Hymn on a supposed strain of the hymn sung by our Savior and his disciples before going for the last time to the Mount of Olives. Encomium on the Mechanics' Association of Portland. Brief Poem at request of an adult grandson. A word from the Aged. H. G. EARTH'S FINAL DESTINY ITS CLOSIXG SCENES. All Essay of Imagination, witli Revelation in View. SYNOPSIS OP CONTEXTS, The Eavtli must [m-hh — the dwree is siguud ! The Time, a seci'L-t in the Eternal ]Miii(l. Th' approaching hour its heralds shall declare ; The roar of thunder, and tlie lightning's glare ! Earth's magazines in wild explosion rise. Out peal "the grand artillery of the skies" — Whirlwind and flame their fearful power unite, In prompt obedience to the God of Might. The ocean hears — and, rushing from the strand. Returns to pour its fury on the land — The opening vail, in awful contrast shows The realm of Glory — the ahyss of woes. DESCRIPTION. A calm, bright morning, and a moonlit eve. Form one day more Jehovah deigns to give ; The birds, the sphei-es, their several anthems sing. In wonted praises to Creation's King. All nature smiles — nor whispers aught of change — Through field and wood their joyous tenants range ; Observing man sees naught to cause alarm, — No sign of tempest sleeping in the calm ; But paints the morrow beauteous as to-day : Grlad, hke all else, but adds no ijraU-ful lay. To-morrow comes ! its sun seems loth to rise — Contending winds howl through the di-eary skies — Portentous omens mark the appointed time, When nature's dirge the elements shall chime ! O'er the wide earth, dark, lowering vapors form, Now fast converginji for the final storm. Convolving clouds in deepening blackness roll — Thunder and tempest rage from pole to pole. The spring-tide fields an autumn gai'b assume. Nor mock their own, and nature's fall, with bloom — The trees stripped leafless, ne'er to bud again. But spread tlicir ashes o'er the grave of men. Earth's famed volcanoes wear their craters wide With the vast vohime of tlieir molten tide : From chasms fresh opening, and with loudei- roar, Exhaustless cataracts unmrmbcred pour — Eartli's inmost fires no more their prison keep — Burst through the sea ! upheave the boiling deep ! The feverisli earth drinks in each river's flood : With feai-fiil throes then casts them all abroad : — Ocean recoiling, leaves its caverns dry — Its upthrown depths, returning, sweep the sky. Instinct suspects — man comprehends the scene — For conscience roused, has turned its glance within. Carnivorous tribes no more can danger brave, But leave their prey, and seek themselves to save. The lion, trembling, shrinks into his lair — The eagle, cowering, shrieks a note of fear — The serpent waits no more the bird to cliarm ; His quickened windings speak his first alarm — Ocean's proud monarch now forgets his pride ; Deep in the abyss. Leviathan would hide: But frantic Ocean no protection shows; 8 Nor for himself finds safety nor repose — Mixed with his foam the war ship's fragments toss — Its last defender sinks a lifeless corse — The ships of commerce meet a kindred doom, Swept of their tenants to a billowy tomb. No ark, as once, a remnant to embrace — No mount of safety for its resting place — No floating mansion lingers on the deep — The sons of Ocean sleep their final sleep. Landmen remain, a tardier death to meet — Not sea, but flame prepares their winding sheet. Now prostrate forests pave the ■vvhirlwmd's path — The swifter lightning bears Jehovah's wrath ; Kindles the wide-spread mass to seas of flame — Stamps on their dust the teiTors of His name. The valleys rise, as conscious of the day — Mountains and hills make haste to flee away — The rocks — earth's outguards — trembling at their post, Resist no more, but join the routed host. Now rent to fi-agments — or in fusion lost. Tornado, tempest, hold alternate sway — Thunder and earthquake close the dire aiTay. 9 The astonished Sun looks, and averts his light — While the pale Moon turns paler with affright — Shrouded, they cast no ray upon the gloom, Leavins Earth's fires to li<;ht her to lier tomb. o Now darkness, ten-fold dark, the earth o'erspreads, Veiling fi"om man the world on which he treads — Pale, lurid meteors make each horror seen : Naught in creation's realm lias power to screen. Nature dissolves — her last grand sceiie is near — All passion, else, is dead, and life is fear ! The fires ai'e seen — the winds are heard, no more — The shrinking sea has ceased to shake the shore — Volcanoes hush — the exhausted earthquakes sleep — Earth's clouds of smoke are scattered o'er the deep — A calm prevails — the restless tideg are still — Destruction pauses at its Author's will ! Lo ! a new light of more than solar ray ! The Power that lit the Sun, now jtours the day! Still o'er the scene a deep, dead silence reigns — Man's heart-streams dry, or freezing in liis veins. But hark ! The archangel's trump the silence breaks! 10 The Eartli convulsing, to lier center, quakes ! Swift in her orbit now she meets the blast ! Thrown quivering back, slie stands, like man, aghast I A voice — the Eternal's — rends the tottering Earth — Brings her last labor to tlie liour of birth — Calls to the Grave — Death's outi>oured myi'iads range ! While all 3'et living, in a twinkling change ! Now to be judged, these hosts on hosts are brought. With joy or woe, transcending speech or thought, — Clouds, like a curtain, all the heavens concealing. Slowly withdraw — in silent awe revealing The Throne — the Enthroned — His guards in cir- cling rank ! Conception here must fill the awful blank I — The judgment closed — the assembled legions risen, To share and swell the unuttered bliss of Heaven ; Soaring in robes of white, on seraph wing. From blood-washed throngs, fiill Hallelujahs ring — Gloky to God, the Bethlehem note prolong. In full fruition of Celestial song : — Or, woe alike ^muttered, gone to dwell Where raging passions fan the flames of hell — 11 Where, too, unpardoned sin in vain may try God's omnipresent, witliering glance to fly — Despair, solo monarch, rules ^^•ith iron might — And ho^ie expires in everlastino- night. And here I pause — where inspiration glowing Shows a new Earth, with righteousness inflowing. The old, in ruins, hasting to decay,- — • Proceed my muse, an outline to portray ; And since we read not of Earth renovate. Trace to her grave our world thus desolate. Now at command the elements rush forth To fiercer havoc of defenceless Earth : AYaters contest the victor's jialm with Fire ; This shows his mandate, and the seas retire. Thus far the vigorous germs of earth(piake lie. Deep, (but not central) shaking earth and sky : But closed within this outer globe of earth, A world of fire had its primeval birth — Asbestos walls surround this burning sea. Till the last fiat set the prisoner free : Then conflagration sweeps its outward way ; Earth's vitals now become an easy prey ; Back from the heart her watery fluids rush, 12 Through countless veins the liquid cuirents gush ; From clefts above her boiling fountains pour, Leap from their cauldi'ons, and return no more. Now, mighty streams no more the deep supply. But yield their tribute to the fervid sky ; Their all ascends — the mightier flame pursues, Dyeing the azure vault in fiery hues — ()"er wasted Earth a scarlet pall unfui'ls — A moral beacon to surrounding worlds ! Now instinct's mjTiad tribes in dust are lain ; And death, himself, the last dread conquei'or, slain : The melting skies no more allay their thirst — Where once were seas, is naught but scorching dust : Ocean itself has sunk — or fled in air — From naught derived, they all to naught repair — Earth, now a cnimbling wreck, (destruction done), Her dross and ashes rushing to the Sun ! Th' o'erhanging firmament, without a base. Flies oft', collapsed ; a scroll-wrapt cloud in space ! Time, with its partner Earth, has ceased to he — Probation's Term, lost in Eternity ! My soul, prepare — ere life's swifl hours be flown— Oh ! make the Savior's righteousness thme own ! SPEECH. Made on the eve of the second election of Pues- IDENT Jackson, to a crowded audience of both SEXES, IN the Second Parish Cutrch, Portland. Mr. Chairman : As my course of remarks will not consume much time, I hope I shall he allowed a lirief introduction. This is the first time after fifteen years residence, that I have attended a yeneral jiolitical meeting in Portland. I have uniformlv avoided all temptation to engage in puhlic life. I desire no oftiee in the gift of the ])eople or their rulers. I am, however, one of the people of the United States, and in common witli every otlii'r citizen I have an interest in our constitutional rights; and Sir, I live to see, what prohaMy no one present I'ver expected to see in this generation — these rights 14 Tvrested from us, trampled on, by Executive power. Yes Sir, that officer in this government, who is bound to protect our rights, and to promote oui- interests, has seized upon the one, and is sacrificing the other ; and says he is determined, in spite of petition or re- monstrance, to persevere in his experiment thus forci- bly made. He first arrayed himself against the will of the people as expressed by both Houses of Congress in vetoing a re-charter of the National Bank. Here, Sir, he commenced a dictation to his own f)arty, while assuming undelegated power as Presi- dent of the nation ; leaving his electors to follow him, or not, as they pleased ; and ready as were most of the party to brook it, lie insulted them in doing so. His next step was to procure the appointment of a Committee of Congress to examine the affiiirs of the Bank. A majority of this committee were fi-iends of the President, and opposed to the Bank, and re- ported under the influence of such feehngs — the chairman of which committee afterward, however, had the magnanimity publicly to confess that he acted under the influence of what he now saw was un- founded prejudice. 15 Notwithstanding tlic coloring wliicli tliis prejudice must have given to the report of the committee, both Houses again, (and tliat by no small majority), voted in favor of the Bank, and that the deposits were safe in its vaults, where by covenant they belonged. Here, Sir, in contempt both of the rights of the Bank and of the people, and of the wish of a major- ity of the people, as far as he had a right to presiime on a knowledjre of their wish, the President, bv act and by tvord, assumed the responsibility of taking the the deposits from the Bank, (removing tlie Secretary of the Treasury who remonstrated, anil appointing another for the pm'pose) ; and this within a short period of a session of Congress, scattering the amount where he pleased. President Jackson is therefore now the sole Lord of the Treasury, by I'ight, Sir, of force — and with- out giving any secui'ity — and the House of Repre- sentatives are waiting for the returns of town and city votes throughout the land, before they decide wlietli- er it is best to establish the usurper in alsolute poiver, or resume their own or their countrj-'s rights — and thorough-going partisans would take cause for effect, 16 and transter the ilirect and ine\itable consequence of the act of the President, as a charge agahist the Bank ; reproaching the Bank for curtailing discoimts, and at the same time watcliing to break it down, if it does not. Here, Sir, is a specimen of tiie consistency of the President of the United States. Ajid if tlie party which elected liiin approve, or even tolerate this as- sumption of power, the question with them should henceforth be, not Avhether the President repi-esents democratic prmciples, bvit do democratic principles represent the passions and caprice of their President ; if not, they should see that their principles are shaped to the caprices of his will — which is henceforth to be their law — for surely no Executive has ever done so much to weaken the force of previously established laws. Mr. Chairman, I believe we are the fii-st people on the face of the earth, who, under any form of gov- ernment, have felt the first evidence of the loss of tlieir rights, m the destruction of their employmetit, and the decline of their proyerty. Sir, I am much within bounds when I say that the 17 twenty millions of dollars, directly taken from the Bank, and the gi'eater sum taken as a consequence from the circulation of private banks, has injured the covintry more tlian to anmhihite fifty millions of dol- lars ; if that sum could have heen assessed and taken from the people in any other fcmn than in their cur- rency, M-hich is the jirice of all proj)erty, and the life- hhiod of our pecuniary pros]ierity. Under any other form of go\erinnent, the people thus circumstanced would .-it once rcassume their riijhts, and drive off the invader by force. In a. republic, or what should be a rejiublic, we nnist wait to express our will by our votes: if we do not as much as tliis, we shall provoke the very stones to cry out. It has been aptly said, Sir, in aiuither place, that we arc treading on a \olcano — and I add. Sir, a vol- cano whose crater will circmnscribe our Avhole land — a human hand, the liaiid of the Executive, has applied a torcli to its con.bustible materials — as a consequence of this act, the unholy passions of one ]iortion of tlie community are excited and nrraycd against the prosperity of the whole. 18 The tire in our political earth is spreading. We hear the rumbling, we feel the trembling ; streaks of flame from below meet flashes from above ; and if party pride and obstinacj' on the side of tlie sup- porters of absolute power, do not soon yield to higher considerations of country, and if public sentiment be not speedily united, and poured as a cataract upon this subterraneous fire, (even if it drown the incen- diary), this volcano will hurst forth, and our republic be forever lost in the ruins. Let, therefore, every freeman, and every one who wilh to be fi'ee, assemble to-morrow at the polls, and by his vote repeat the sentiment that both our civil and political existence, as well as our pecuniary in- terests, are at stake, and depend on the coming elec- tions in our land — and that our vote to-morrow will be the voice of Portland. But, Sir, I would not forget, and the sacredness of this place serves to remind me, that as a professed Christian nation we have a duty to perform beyond that of giving every man his vote in favor of the friends of a repubUc, and of our constitution, for our municipal officers. 19 We should practically remember that there is a Power above man, and above all other instrumentali- ties ; that He is not confined to famine or pestilence, fire or flood, or the sword of a foreign enemy, as in- struments of chastisement against a sruiltv nation. He can take their rulers as rods wherewith to scourge them and to execute his purposes, though they mean not so, but only the gratification of their own will. Is it improper, then, to add upon this occasion, that we should look to that Power for such an influence as shall humble the oppressor before Him, and be- fore his much abused country : and though he can never atone for the injury already done to our con- stitution and laws, any more than for the sacrifice of our employment and our property, yet that he may, by a surrender of his assumed jiower, prevent a con- tinuance and increase of the evils already produced ; and that those branches of government, wliose duty it is, shall at once unite against despotism, and leave the tyrant unsupported to the then unpotence of his will. To-night we speak and hear, to-morrow we act. Let it be in imanunous accordance with the spirit of our utterance here. THOUHGTS ON HAPPINESS. WRITTEN IN 1826, AT AN EAKLY PERIOD OF BUSINESS LIFE. Musing on themes like man, (and time, and earth), And for what end Ids Maker gave him birth. Thence glancing o'er this busy stage, the world. As honors pi"omj)t pursuit, or power, or gold, — In all his paths to pleasure, wealth, or fame. Deceived of or in his darling aim ; Nor wisdom learns, nor upward looks for light. Nor doubts that what all seek, is sought aright. See one man worshipping his goddess, fame ; His summum ionum, an exalted name ; This sure possession of his nightly dreams, This ignis fatuus of his daily schemes, First, in a morass, leads his eager stride ; Then mocks his vision on a mountain's side ; 21 If yet pursued, it still eludes liis care ; Or if he grasp it, finds it only air. See licre, one miss the object of his toils ; Some unforeseen event his judgment foils ; Once known for thrift, and diligence, and pains ; Now, rash adventurer witli another's gains : The poor man leams, since he has failed of pelf, Tlie world commends when one does well for self. Another strives for wealth, — nor strives for naught ; A yovitli of toil has needed habits tauglit ; With strength and skill his little barque to guide In pleasure's eddy — never in its tide, — Freighted each way, as up or down lie phes. Meets fashion's fleet, and all their wants supplies : His gains he vests in wliarf, or house, or block ; Observino; neighbors too can count his stock : He perseveres — nor heeds a rival's frown ; A street receives his name — perhaps a town : His lieai't now asks, (for wealth the lieart can lift), Is not tliis Baisylox that I liave built ? — Is tills man happy? No — lie sighs for more; Dependants, wants, increase beyond his store, — 22 Restless, more wealth he asks ; noi* tliis alone ; He wants, lie knows not what, and can not own He needs a crop where he has never sofvTi. See that one change his purjiose or his track, As transient joys have left him on the rack : He's found, thus far, with every rose, a thorn ; But memory sleeps, and other hopes are born ; And running still the visionary race For happiness — he falls, while full in chase. Thus man, by nature lives, and thus he dies, Unless by faith he seek a nobler prize : Then bubbles bui'st, and phantoms disappear ; Earth now I'ecedes, and heavenly scenes draw near ; Glories now shine, as contemjjlations soar, Which now he wonders never gleamed before : Time now no longer fills eternal space, — Even temporal comforts take a second place ; Now great things seem like great ; and small, like small ; And God and Christ become his all in all. What subject then, my muse, if write you must, Would you select to profit fellow dust ? 23 The Christian's life, as witnessed in liis end ; — My theme, the dying Cliristian to his friend — Hear, then, his accents as he breathes his last ; " His heaven commencing ere the world be past." In Bunyan's land of Bcidah, I reside. Which Jordan washes with its varying tide : Beulali, the hapjiy land on Jordan's shore ; Its air delightful, and its pi'ospect more ; Jordan, which once a cold, dark torrent poured. As seen through guilty fears, while far from God, Seems ghding now its gently sloping way. Warm and transparent in celestial day ; Approaching still, its waters still retreat, Till but a rill it laves the pilgrim's feet : Jast on tJie brink in blissful thought I stand. Whence but a step will reach the promised land. Now, full in view, the heavenly city shines ; Its glories beam on my enraptured mind ; Its breezes cool my fever's kindhng flame, And waft its odors to my fainting frame ; Seraphic music greets my listening ear, And heaven's pure spirit breathes a heaven here ; 24 That God, who once a fixed star was seen, Thro' this dark atmosphere of self and sin, Advancing smce, my atmosphere has cleared ; And shown the standard wliich my Saviour reared : Approaching still, the hemisphere he fills ; — With light and life, o'erpowering human ills : Afflictions trying furnace have I passed. Screened h}^ my Saviour, from its burning blast ; Not scorched, but purified, triumphant see My joys, by contrast, raised to ecstacy : Myself, an insect floating on the flood Of solar rays, I seem ; my fountain, God. Unutterable wonder fills my soul, That round a worm like me such glories roll : One heart is now incompetent to feel — One mind, to think, — one tongue, my thoughts re- veal ; — (Jne heart, each separate emotion claims, — One tongue to speak it, leaves no choice of names. But why so much with self your utterance task ? Of God and Christ so little do you ask ? It is, because, if language can't portray The gifts, — what of the Giver can it say ? 25 God's will, perfected reason now appears, (And heaven's clear light foi-hids delusive fears :) My will, ahsorbed in His, has heaven attained ; (When self is lost, transcendent bliss is gained ;) Glory and love and joy my cixp o'ei-flow ; Another drop, all earth cannot bestow. My dearest, thrice dear sister would yon know Of heaven, what even to me is known below ? Strive, watch, and pray, a few days more on earth, Frnition, then, will seal yonr heavenly birth ; Your risen, happy brother will you meet, And cast your crown with liim at Jesus' feet : There, thought enlarged, exalted utterance finds. Nor speech, angelic, lack angelic minds ; Celestial songs, celestial voices raise. And heaven's wide concave sounds Jeliovalfs ])raise. GREAT RAILROAD MEETING. WEDNESDAY, JUNE 11, ISlo. After the liotte.st day, and on tlie hottest night of this or the past season, the citizens of Portland met again by adjournment from Friday evL-ning. The hall was crowded. The Chairman on that evening heing ahsent fi'om the city, Joseph Adams, Esq., was chosen ChauTnan ; but being absent at the moment, Henry H. Boody, Esq., was elected to fill the place ; Henry Goddard, Secretary from adjournment. The meeting was first ably addressed by John Appleton, Esq., who previously had the floor. The Rev. Asa Cummings was then called on, who for reasons assigned, declined making a speech, but offered some remarks with his accustomed directness and point; after which, presenting the resolutions 27 which follow, they were adopted nem eon, and ordered to be published. Resohed, That the Provisional Committee, tirst — and next, the gentlemen named in the act establishing the Atlantic and St. Lawrence Railroad — by the wisdom which has marked their eiftire proceedings, their sleepless vigi- lance, which looked east, west, north, and south, to catch every propitious gale, and to frustrate the execution of plans designed to defeat the enterprise; by their excessive and protracted toil, mentally and ))odily; by spreading before the community facts and estimates, to enable all concerned to form an intelligent opinion fif the i)racticability and probable advantages of tlie contemplated work ; and, final- ly, by their recent strongly fortified and convincing appeal to the citizens of Portland — have faithfully discharged their trust, and richly earned the gratitude of tins com- munity i and should the enterjirisc fail, they must, now and always, stand exonerated ft'om lilame. Resolved, That the point has now been reached, al which the responsibility pa.-*ses from the Committee and Corporators to the pubUc at large — but specially and em- phatically on till! citizens of Portland, who, bj' swelling the subscription, understood to have been nobly commenced by the Committee, to 10,000 shares, may in their turn, he exonerated from the blame of a failure, and secure for 28 themselves and their children, and children's children, an inestimable boon. Resolved, That when the subscription books shall be opened, the citizens of Portland must not be found wanting; — that the crisis will allow of no flinching or evasion — that every citizen should come up to the work, make it a com- mon cause, and help it forward to the extent of his ability. Mr. Goddard was then called for, who, after a few prefatory remarks, occupied his time in offering a response on the part of a Citizen, to the late address of the Railroad Committee to the citizens, which was adopted as the general response of the citizens of Portland to the address of the Committee, to be pubhshed in such papers as had not previously pub- lished the response in its private capacity. RESPONSE TO THE ADDRESS OF THE COMMITTEE ON THE ST. LAWRENCE AND ATLANTIC RAILROAD COM- PANY. Gentlemen of the Committee. — Your season- able and pertinent Address to the Citizens of Portland, and to the State of Maine, is before us, and has been read with lively interest. The time has come, when as you say, we are called upon individually to aid an 29 enterprise which has for montlis occupied tlie puhhc attention, and your own. The great project of connecting the Atlantic at Portland, with the St. Lawi-ence, at Montreal, by railroad, is at length brought to that point of maturity, that we, the citizens of Portland, must decide whether it shall be carried into practical effect, or whether it shall be abandoned — for its accomphshment or defeat does depend upon ourselves. The Government of our State, with a unanimity imprecedented, has granted what we asked — a liberal and unequalled charter. The Government of the Canadas, at the request of the citizens of Montreal and Quebec, has responded to our call, and in express terms connected the Maine charter with their own. Efforts to prevent this union have been powerful, but unsuccessfLd. Misrepresentation has been busy ; detraction, ridicule, and contumely, have been fi'eely poured fi'om the press of neighboi"ing rival States upon oui* agents in Canada, and upon the fiiends of the measure throughout the State — our presiunption, kindly reproved — our poverty, feelingly enlarged 30 upon — and oiu" down-east insignificance, pointedly sneered at. Shall it be, you ask, that after every preliminary movement toward this great object, notwithstanding all opposition, has been so signally crowned with suc- cess, that tlie means for its accomplishment shall be loithheld? We say, No. We will not render the wisdom, energy, and untiring labor of our Committee of none effect, nor leave their pledges for us unredeemed. The project is a mighty one — its effects, when com- pleted, upon our city, and upon our State too, it is believed, wiU exceed all which has yet been expressed. Reahties have exceeded all expectations in all the past enterjmses of minor magnitude in a sister State ; and is this enterprise, in which great National, as well as State interests, are so intunately connected, and will be subserved, to be the fii'st to fail '? It cannot be. The conception of the project was a great one ! The approving smile of Divine Providence, at eveiy stage of the labors of our agents and ourselves, has been most expressive and cheering ! Great as is the work before us, it is not near so great to complete, as it has 31 been to conceive, to cominencp, and to advance as far as we have ah-eady gone. In continued reliance, then, upon Almiglity God, and in tlie spirit of the resolutions adopted at our last meeting, we will, as a (•ommunity, individually assess ourselves in the nec- essary ratio of our individual property, whether this ratio be a tenth, an eighth, or even a quarter ; and the more as far as we are owners of real estate. Rarely, it is believed, will the si)irited or diligent, whether owning property or not, fail to do something. We are further encouraged to do this, not only by exemption from taxation, but by the premium offered, in the in'and condition that the stock shall be at interest, as you have set forth, as widl as l>y the other wise provisions on the subject. The enterprise is also distinguished from many oth- ers of a public nature, in the fact that such will bo its rapid tendencies to promote popiilation, and the com- forts and welfare of increasing population, and also especially to enlarge and cement the social and Christian feeling of the two jrreat national commun- ities, that eveiy stockholder may rationally expect to derive such satisfaction from this investment of his 32 property as he has never experienced before — tending further, as the enterprise when completed must, to help forward all the exchisively philanthropic under- takings of the day. If, as we are unwilling to believe, any capitalist shall be found among us, who, while his property is to be advanced incomparably more than that of others, shall so annihilate his own self-respect, as well as forfeit all respect fi'om others, as to withhold his contribution at this critical moment, with a hope of speculating here- after on the stock constituted by the comparative inability of others, we will not be influenced by such examples ; but will freely accord to such the sympathy of our pity, that one should be found who is thus willing to declare, that to share with others, though in a higher degree than others, in the advantage of a great public enterprise, is not sufficient, but prefers the hope that the less able will do the work for liim, and without him ; and that some, (however good the stock may prove,) whose public spirit may cany them beyond their means of prompt payment, may thus hereafter become his prey. But we will believe in no such exhibition of humanity among us, but are ready 33 and eager to do our part, with those who will aid ; following the great in capital, when they sot a worthy example, and disregarding the great little, if any such appear. Once more, then, we say, we are keady. A Citizen. The meeting was then adtiressed successively bv Charles Holden, Esq., John Ncal, Esq., (who infuses life into everything) and Messrs. John B.Brown and Abncr Shaw, each in his characteristic manner, filling a place not so fully occupied hy his predecessor. In the course of the meeting it was announced that the Committee would take •tlOO,000 of the stock, probably to be increased hereafter. Thus, as a city, are we progressing toward our great object, maintaining, as we hope, the confidence with which we have liitlierto been honored by our friends in Canada. To individual s])eakers, and the jioints they respect- ively presented, we have not time in a particular manner, to do justice, and close with rema'-king that "ur jirogress is onward and ujiward, as with the l)lessing of Providence it will be, till its full accom- plishment. Henuv II. IJooDY, (Jliairman. Henry Goddard, Secretary. MISSIONARY HYMN, ■WPJTTEX 1846, On receipt of news that tlie Emperor of China had recommended to his subjects the New Testament as a book of pure moral sentiments. Tlie interest increases, now that we Ixear in 1866 that our Missionaries are welcomed throughout that vast Empire. While Science advancing, its banner unfurls — To systems of Newton, adds thousands of worlds — Wliile Arts and Philosophy speed in the race. And Steam and the jNIagnet annihilate space, — While Nature and Matter lie open to Mind, Is the standard of Jesus to hnger behind ? To which, as the clouds and the doves wing their way, A nation of islands is born in a day. Forgive us, gi-eat God, that thy servants still sleep, When the soul-stirring news echoes back to the deep. That an Empire of Heathen, — one-tliird of mankind — 35 Tiriiigt'iiious — the k-arned — the [jroud — tlie refiiit-d — Tiie ranks of Confucius — tlie aged — the youth, Their Monarch invites to the Vohuue of Trutii. Arouse then to action — bid farewell to slumber — The morn of salvation has dawned on tlie East ! Renounce self-indulgence, and gird on your armor. Ere stones become soldiers to conquer the Beast I When Simeon and Anna rejoiceil beyond measure, They saw in tin- prospect the scenes of this day : To us is reserved that fruition of pleasure. The takuif/ possession where Christ leads the way. The wise men — the shejiherds — who lived at His coming, In concert with angels sang praise at his birth : More blessed, we hear of that Peace wide-extending — That f/Qod wi/l to mm, circumscribing the earth I LINES SUGGESTED AS THE POSSIBLE STRAIN OF THE LORU's HYMN, SUNG WHEN IN NEAR VIEW OF THE CRU- CIFIXION. "And when they liaJ sung an Hymn, tliey went out into tlie Mount of Olives." Who, among true believers, has not felt a desire to know what were the precise thoughts and expression of that farewell hymn, sung by our Saviour with his disciples? As simplicity of thought and language marked all His communications to mankind, maj' not its strain have been somewhat as follows: — ■ As God's Eternal Son, I left my Father's throne, Incarnate on the earth. To make my kingdom known. Though ushered by a star. And hailed by angel bands, — 37 My mission is denied By men of" unclean hands. Unlioliness disowned — Self-righteousness professed — My sacrifice they spurn ; My peace, and joy, and rest. You only, as my friends. My Gospel to pi'oclaim, I clothe with power to teach. And suffer for my name. To heal, and cure, and raise to life. My further power I lend, — And send you forth as liglits on earth. Henceforward to the end. Translated then to heavenly thrones,— Exalted high with trust, — Each shall a tribe of Israel Judge, With wisdom to be just. Wlien on mv cross, a two-fold sij-'n. Recorded shall endure : 38 Tlic ilarkc'iKMl suii, — tin- temple rent, — Will seal my promise sure. Entombed, I soon shall leave my tomb. And gladden thrice your lonely hours : Then full in yoiu' enraptured view. Ascend to Abraham's God, and ours. To meet and part, is life below : Earth has no bliss without alloy ; But we shall meet in realms above, ( )f efinnqeless, pure, ecstatic jo\'. Meanwhile, with sound of rushing wind, The Holy Spirit from above, ^\'ill soon the i/ift of Tongues impart. World-wide to spread Redeeming lo\e. THE .AIECHANICS OF POirrLANI). WlilTTEN IX 18U4. a It is |iIoas;uit to write anytliini;' ilL'Sfrijitivf of larj^v I'lass in society, wlieu trutli will permit one to do so in terms of praise. Sueli a siihject is jir(/seiitei_l at tlie liead of this eommunicatinn. In 1820, wJien tlie writer transferred Ins residence to this city, and tor a period aftei', lie saw notliiui:; to distiiiiiuish this nseful and indis|)ensal)le portion of our community from tlie same class in othei- towns and cities — hut it is far otlierwise now. During' the jiast tiiirty years, or more, hy aid of Associations, sncli as Delniting C'luhs, wel! sustained, and a lihrary, lonjj; sin<'e connnenced, and ever since enlargiiio', and now in 1S()4 munherini; 'ijOOO volumes, th<'v havi' at c unitiMl mi the t'uiiilaiiirutal jirincipk's of a Republican Gmc.'rnmt.'nt. Equal and impartial miffrai/e for all : trit]iniise wliicli eonrtict with the eternal principles of ecpiity and truth, will end in their defeat. * Corruption, with shnery, must he purged from our roll: — No voice, l)ut for freedom, he heanl at our polls. Then with propriety we may quote the closini; lines of Dwight's Ode to his Counti'v, written when chaplain in the war of the revolution. On freedom's hroad hasis our empire shall rise, — Extend with the main, and dissolve with the skies. * Corrnptiuii fruui our JIalls of Li-gislation. I. i-iefl/, fiy 01 OF pOhlQ «ESS 6 21 969