But do we not find, even in the midst of ourselves, an evidence more powerful and convincing still? To what is it that England owes her supremacy? Why is it that success has attended her arms almost without a single exception? that the Queen of these small and insignificant islands is the Sovereign Lady of nearly a sixth part of the human race? that the sway of Great Britain is undisputed upon the sea, and her arms respected by every foreign nation? How is it that while revolution after revolution has disturbed the tranquillity of neighbouring nations, while kings have been hurried into exile or to death, and scenes of carnage and bloodshed been of terrible frequency, we have been suffered to remain in peace and quietness, our friendly relations with Foreign Powers been maintained unimpaired, and our commercial prosperity never, perhaps, known to be greater? I think the true answer will be found in the fact, that as a nation we have “acknowledged GOD in all our ways,” and that so “He has directed our paths.” Nothing is more striking to any person who has visited the neighbouring countries of Europe than the difference with which the LORD’S day is observed in them, and amongst ourselves. And after all, it is mainly in this respect that a _national_ acknowledgment of GOD can be made. Take, for example, the metropolis of the neighbouring empire of France, the city of Paris. It is a well ascertained fact that, in that city, there is a far greater amount of dissipation and wickedness on the Sunday, than on any other day in the week. It would seem that GOD’S day is especially selected to be dishonoured. Every place of public amusement is open,—galleries of painting—public gardens—theatres. Reviews of troops, displays, and pageants of every kind commonly take place upon this day. It is quite true that the people attend the services of the Romish Church, and that religion is treated with some degree of decorum and respect. But what is the result of such a system? Simply, that the service of GOD comes to be looked upon as something which may be satisfactorily performed by a mere attendance at Mass, and by obedience to such outward duties as the Church may enjoin, and that then every kind of sinful pleasure and amusement may be indulged in with impunity. Can we wonder at the consequences which follow from such a state of things? Can we be surprised at a corruption of manners which prevails to an alarming extent amongst all classes of society? Can we marvel that, time after time, the foundations of that kingdom are shaken—that, in its many changes and revolutions, the handwriting of GOD is seen, which says with fearful significance, “Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting?” {13}