The text on which this discourse is based is contained in Matt. xxiii.: 8. "And all ye are brethren."
After the exordium and stating what is indicated in that far-reaching annunciation of the text, And all ye are brethren, the President says, "Columbus sought a passage to the Indies, and God revealed to him the whole rounded inheritance which he created in the beginning, and intended for the use of civilized man. Our Fathers sought for religious freedom, and God led them on to the practical recognition of those principles laid down by Christ in accordance with which alone man can obtain that political and social and moral inheritance of which his nature is evidently capable, and which we believe God intended for him." The term brethren indicates equality and affection, and these must form the basis of a perfect society. This proposition Dr. Hopkins shows is sanctioned by the Scriptures, and is in accordance with the nature of man. Having proved and illustrated the proposition, he urges upon the descendants of the Puritans to adopt this and this alone as the basis of our institutions, and to carry out this great principle of brotherhood. We conclude the notice of this appropriate and excellent discourse, by quoting the closing address: "And now, my friends, is not the star of hope which we see in this direction, a beautiful star? It is no meteor of a fervid imagination, or of a false philosophy. It is that great idea of a universal Christian brotherhood, pointed out by Christ, not in the text only, but everywhere, as an inherent part of his system. This star our Fathers saw, and is it any wonder, that under its inspiration and guidance, they should come across the ocean? Literally they found a landing here, but figuratively, the vessel which they launched is yet upon the deep, the multitude of their descendants is on board, and we too catch glimpses of the same bright star above the troubled waters. It may be that this vessel is not destined to reach the port. We hear moanings of the tempest, and see aspects of the elements which lead us to tremble for her. But where the bright image of this star has once fallen, it can never be effaced. This is our star. To it let the prow of our vessel be turned. Let every man be at his post, never ashamed of the plain rigging of his good ship, but always hearing that voice of duty, and of the God of our Fathers, which will speak above the roar of every tempest; and then if our ship must go down, the will of God be done. But then she will not go down. Then the hand which guided the Mayflower, will guide her. Then will there be One on board, as we believe there always has been, who, though he may seem for a time to be asleep in the hinder part of the ship, will yet come, when the winds are loudest, and the waves are highest, and say, 'Peace, be still.'"
The Connecticut Register: Being an official State Calendar of public officers and institutions in Connecticut, for 1847. By Charles W. Bradley, Jr., clerk in the office of the Secretary of State. "Vineam—— transtulisti, ejecisti gentes et plantasti eam. Dux itineris fuisti in conspectu ejus; plantasti radices ejus, et implevit terram. Operuit montes umbra ejus, et arbusta ejus cedros Dei. Extendit, palmites suos usque ad mare, et usque ad flumen propagines ejus."—Ps. LXXX. Hartford: Published by Brown & Parsons, Corner of Main and Asylum Streets.
This volume of 224 pages 16mo, well printed and bound, for a work of the kind, embraces much more Historical and Statistical matter than is usual in such publications; as the chapter which contains the Annals of Connecticut, the Patent and Charter of the Colony, Indian topographical names till now never extensively collected, list of Colonial officers, and dates of town and court incorporations. The difficulty which has heretofore existed in tracing out genealogies from the records of the Mortuary Courts, is in part obviated by the table of their territorial changes. The author, connected as he was, with the records of the State, possessed peculiar advantages in preparing the work. The Register contains all the above articles in addition to those which have generally been inserted in its predecessors. It is a valuable book, and should be in the hands of every family in the State.
👉 We regret that we have not room to notice other interesting publications which we have received. We shall give notices of them in the next number of the Register.
EXTRACTS FROM NOTICES OF THE NEW ENGLAND HISTORICAL AND GENEALOGICAL REGISTER.
The object of this work is to gather up the facts which relate to the Fathers of New England, so that the present generation may distinctly understand, that "God sifted a whole nation that he might send choice grain over into this wilderness." It will also contain the genealogy of families which early settled the country. It will not be sectarian in its character, but will be a faithful record of the principles and character of the founders of New England. Among the great number of new publications that are striving to push themselves into the community, this cannot fail to find its way into the study of the minister, the office of the lawyer and physician, and the parlor of many thousands of the descendants of the Pilgrims.—Boston Recorder.
It is a unique magazine. The work will bring to light many amusing personal incidents both of old times and new. It must be intensely interesting to all New England men, especially those who have a taste for such things and have descended in regular succession from the Pilgrims.—Journal of Commerce, New York.
The first Number of the work has just made its appearance, and we greet it with a hearty welcome. We commend it to all interested in pursuing inquiries of a historical or statistical nature relating to New England.—Boston Atlas.