gifts and endowments, for the special work of laying the foundation of this great republic. There was Washington, and Hancock, and Adams, (the father of John Quincy Adams,) and Otis, and Jay, and Franklin, and Jefferson, and Madison, and Hamilton, the subject of this sketch, who, though named last, was by no means least in the host. While thinking of them, one cannot but think of that text of Scripture, "And there were giants in those days."

Alexander Hamilton was born in the year 1757, on the 11th of January. His birth-place was the Island of Nevis, then, as now, in the possession of England. You will find it among the West India Islands. He was a descendant of one of the great families of the old realm of old England, though, in our estimation, this confers no honor upon him, as greatness, we mean true greatness, is not hereditary. His mother was of French descent.

Alexander was the youngest son of the family. As his father was unfortunate in business, Alexander was early thrown upon his own resources for a support, and entered the counting house of a merchant in St. Croix, and by his faithfulness and attention to business, so secured the love and confidence of his employer as to be intrusted with the whole management of his affairs during his absence. This was remarkable, as at this time he was but fourteen years of age. But the drudgery of a counting room did not suit his taste; his temperament was too ardent to submit to such a tame mode of life, and he earnestly desired an education, that he might become more useful, and take his position among the eminent men of his day.

After studying some time in one of the high schools of the West Indies, he concluded to come to New York. His arrival here was at a most exciting and interesting period. The troubles with England had just commenced, and he soon, arraying himself on the side of the colonies, identified himself with all their interests. His first appearance in public was in obedience to a call of the citizens of New York to address them on the subject of the wrongs of the colonies. His appearance was that of a mere boy; small in stature, effeminate in appearance, he seemed like a child mingling in the councils of grave men; his success was complete, and the truth of the adage appeared never more clear, "The mind is the standard of the man."

When the war broke out, he immediately buckled on his sword, he had argued, England would not hear, and now the appeal is to the sword. He commanded a company of artillery in the battle of Long Island, the Raritan, at Trenton and Princeton, and then he was appointed aid to Washington. It is evidence of his high moral worth that he was thus selected by the father of his country as one of his staff, and made subsequently a bosom friend and counsellor. He was a man of the purest morality, and governed by the loftiest principles of honor. At the close of the war he went into the practice of law in the city of New York, and took an active part in the formation of the constitution and organization of the federal government.

Party politics raged at this time with great violence, and a resort was often had to deadly weapons to settle such disputes; it is a singular circumstance, as connected with his own end, that his eldest son about this time should be killed in a duel; he fell at Hoboken, and his murderer, overwhelmed with remorse, soon followed him to the grave.

Aaron Burr was one of the leading spirits of that day; a man marked by as great meanness of soul as Hamilton by magnanimity. Jealous, vindictive and vile, he envied the greatness and fame of Hamilton, and resolved to destroy him. Hamilton had prevented his receiving the support of the federal party, as it was called, as a candidate for the office of governor of the State of New York. Burr sent him a challenge, and Hamilton, trained in the military school rather than that of Christ, had not the courage to refuse it; they met at Wehawken. It was a beautiful morning; Hamilton rose early; his family were still sleeping. He went to the chamber where his little children were sleeping in the peace of innocency, kissed each of them, stepped softly out of his house, crossed the Hudson in a boat, met Burr; they took their places — the word was given they fired, and Hamilton fell, mortally wounded. He was carried home to his heart-stricken family, a corpse; he fell a victim to what is called, most falsely, "a code of honor."

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THERE are many intelligent and pious individuals who do not think themselves justified in speculating upon the events of Providence by getting their lives insured. At the first thought it does seem that there may be something wrong about it. Yet a little reflection will generally clear away all difficulty, and all question of wrong, and the number of those who question the benefits of lifeinsurance is daily growing less.

Life-insurance is precisely similar to any other kind of insurance. If a person builds a house or a factory, you know there is more or less risk that it will be burned up within a year. If situated among other buildings the risk would be greater than if it stood alone, for some of them may get on fire and communicate the flames to it before it could be prevented. The person knows that his property —perhaps it may be all he possesses in the world—is in danger, and it troubles him. But the agent of an insurance company comes to him and says, "Sir, if you will pay us ten dollars, we will insure your house one year. It is worth a thousand dollars. Pay us ten dollars[called the PREMIUM]-and if your building should burn down within a year we will pay you for it." And so general has this system of insurance come into practice, that none but an imprudent person will let a building stand uninsured a single day.

If a person owns a ship, and has filled her with a valuable cargo

that he wishes to send to Europe or to any other country, his reflections will be very much the same. He knows that every vessel is liable to be cast away, and lost. But the agent says, "Pay us so much, and we will insure your vessel and cargo. If they are lost or injured, except through your own carelessness, we will pay you for them." And very few vessels now leave home without being fully insured.

So in life-insurance. The system has not yet become so general, yet the principles are precisely similar. A person sees around him a family wholly dependent upon him for support and maintenance. Perhaps he has children too young to take care of themselves. He desires above all to see them educated and brought up to be an honor to their parents and friends. This he knows he is able to do from the labor of his hands. As long as he lives he is pretty certain they will not want a guide and protector. But life is uncertain; he may be cut off suddenly from among the living, his children become fatherless, and his wife a widow. He has little property. Who will then become the guardian of his family, the supporter of his young children? They may be distressed and in actual want of the necessaries of life, and though we have the promise that the righteous are never forsaken, yet no person would be justified for a moment in sitting down and folding his arms imprudently upon the strength of that promise; for it presupposes that the righteous man will be wise. and use all reasonable endeavors for the welfare and support of those whom a kind Providence has placed under his care. Well, the agent of a life-insurance company says to him, "Pay me fifty dollars, and if during the next year you are removed from your family by death, we will pay your wife and children three thousand dollars in cash." Of course the premium varies according to the age of the person being insured, and in proportion to the sum agreed to be paid over to his heirs. It is true that money can never compensate for the loss of a near and dear relative; yet I trust I do not need to tell you of the many comforts, necessaries, blessings even, such a sum of money would bring to a family which had been deprived of its supporter, and having no property beside. My readers may think it is a kind of lottery. So it is. But it is no more a lottery than any other kind of insurance, nor has the system any of