Conjunctions that are of a positive and absolute nature, require the indicative mood. "As virtue advances, so vice recedes:" "He is healthy, because he is temperate."

Exercises, p. 108. Key, p. 74.

The conjunctions, if, though, unless, except, whether, &c. generally require the subjunctive mood after them: as, “Iƒ thou be afflicted, repine not;” “ Though he slay me, yet will I trust in him ;" " He cannot be clean, unless he wash himself;" "No power, except it were given from above ;” "Whether it were I or they, so we preach." But even these conjunctions, when the sentence does not imply doubt, admit of the indicative: as, "Though he is poor, he is contented;" Though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor."

The following example may, in some measure, serve to illustrate the distinction between the subjunctive and the indicative moods. "Though he were divinely inspired, and spoke therefore as the oracles of God, with supreme authority; though he were endued with supernatural powers, and could, therefore, have confirmed the truth of what he uttered, by miracles; yet, in compliance with the way, in which human nature and reasonable creatures are usually wrought upon, he reasoned." That our Saviour was divinely inspired, and endued with supernatural powers, are positions that are here taken for granted, as not admitting the least doubt; they would therefore have been better expressed in the indicative mood: Though he was divinely inspired; though he was endued with supernatural powers." The subjunctive is used in the like improper manner in the following example: “Though he were a son, yet learned he obedience, by the things which he suffered."

1. Lest, and that, annexed to a command preceding, necessarily require the subjunctive mood: as, "Love not sleep, lest thou come to poverty;" "Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee;" "Take heed that thou speak not to Jacob."

If with but following it, requires the Subjunctive Mood: and, when futurity is denoted, the phrase is in the following form: "If he do but touch the hills, they shall smoke;" "If he be but discreet, he will succeed." When future time is not signified, the form is as follows: "If in using this language, he does but jest, no offence should be taken;"" If she is but sincere, I am happy."-The same distinction applies to the following modes of expression: "If he do submit, it will be from necessity;" "If he does at present submit, he is not convinced:" "If thou do not reward this service, he will be discouraged;" "If thou dost heartily forgive him, endeavour to forget the offence."

2. In the following instances, the conjunction that, expressed or understood, and denoting a consequence, is improperly connected with the verb in the subjunctive mood: "So much she dreaded his tyranny, that the fate of her friend she dare not lament." "He reasoned so artfully, that his friends would listen, and think [that] he were not wrong."

3. In the same sentence, and in the same circumstances, it is irregular to apply different forms of the Subjunctive Mood; as in the following instances: "If there be but one body of legislators, it is no better than a tyranny; if there are only two, there will want a casting voice." "If the donor was rich, the present was too little; if he were poor, it was too much."

4. Almost all the irregularities, in the construction of any language, have arisen from the ellipsis of some words, which were originally inserted in the sentence, and made it regular; and it is probable, that this has generally been the case with respect to the conjunctive form of words, now in use; which will appear from the following examples: "We shall overtake him though he run," that is, "though he should run;" "Unless he act prudently, he will not accomplish his purpose;" that is, "unless he shall act prudently.” "If he succeed and obtain his end, he will not be the happier

for it:" that is, "If he should succeed, and should obtain his end." These remarks and examples may be useful to the student, by enabling him, on many occasions, to trace words in question to their proper origin and ancient connexions. We shall, however, add a few observations on this subject.

That part of the verb which grammarians in general call the present tense of the subjunctive mood, has a future signification. In cases of this nature, the terminations of the second and third persons singular, are varied from those of the Indicative; as will be evident from the following examples: "If thou prosper, it will be a source of gratitude;" "Unless he study more closely, he will never be learned." Some writers however would express these sentiments without those variations; "If thou prosperest," &c. "Unless he studies," &c.: and as there is great diversity of practice in this point, it is proper to offer the learners a few remarks, to assist them in distinguishing the right application of these different forms of expression. It may be considered as a rule, that the changes of termination are necessary, when these two circumstances concur: 1st, When the subject is of a dubious and contingent nature; and 2d, When the verb has a reference to future time. In the following sentences, both these circumstances will be found to unite: "If thou injure another, thou wilt hurt thyself;" "He has a hard heart; and if he continue impenitent, he must suffer;" "He will maintain his principles, though he lose his estate;" "Whether he succeed or not, his intention is laudable;" "If he be not prosperous, he will not repine;" "If a man smite his servant, and he die," &c. Exodus xxi. 20. In all these examples, the things signified by the verbs are uncertain, and refer to future time. But in the instances which follow, future time is not referred to; and therefore a different construction takes place; "If thou livest virtuously, thou art happy;” “Unless he means what he says, he is doubly faithless ;” “If he allows the excellence of virtue, he does not regard her precepts."

The principles contained in this fourth Note, may perhaps be further elucidated, by the production of a number of sentences introduced by conjunctions, which exhibit, in contrasted points of view, futurity without contingency, contingency but not futurity, and cases in which neither contingency nor futurity is denoted. In the three following sentences, the first of these forms is signified: "As soon as the sun sets, it will be cooler;" "As the autumn advances, these birds will gradually emigrate ;""Though the winter approaches, we hope it will not be severe." The three sentences which follow, show contingent but not future events: "If he thinks as he speaks, he may safely be trusted;" "If he is now disposed to attend, I will continue the lecture ;""He acts uprightly, unless he deceives me.” And in the following instances, neither contingency nor futurity is denoted: "Though he excels her in knowledge, she far exceeds him in virtue;" "I have no doubt of his belief and principles: but if he believes the truths of religion, he does not act according to them;"" Though he seems to be simple and artless, he has deceived us ;" "If Edward is more learned, and has more genius, than his brother, which we readily admit to be the case, yet he is much inferior to him, in true humility and benevolence of heart."

It appears, from the tenor of the examples adduced, that the rules above mentioned may be extended to assert, that in cases wherein contingency and futurity do not concur, it is not proper to turn the verb from its signification of present time, nor to vary its form or termination. -It will, doubtless, sometimes happen, that, in sentences constructed according to some of the Notes and Observations under the Nineteenth Rule of Syntax, as well as on many other occasions, a strict adherence to grammatical rules, would render the language stiff and formal. But when cases of this sort occur, it is better to give the expression a different turn, than to violate grammar for the sake of ease, or even of elegance. See Rule 14. Note 2.

5. In the Perfect Tense of the Subjunctive, some writers appear to approve of the following modes of expression. "If thou have determined, we must submit:" "Unless he have consented, the writing will be void:" but we believe that few authors of critical sagacity write in this manner. The proper form seems to be, "If thou hast determined; unless he has consented," &c. conformably to what we generally meet with in the Bible: "I have surnamed thee, though thou hast not known me." Isaiah xlv. 4, 5. "What is the hope of the hypocrite, though he hath gained," &c. Job xxvii. 8. See also Acts xxviii. 4.

6. In the Pluperfect and Future tenses, we sometimes meet with such expressions as these; "If thou had applied thyself diligently, thou wouldst have reaped the advantage;" "Unless thou shall speak the whole truth, we cannot determine;" "If thou will undertake the business, there is little doubt of success." This mode of expressing the auxiliaries does not appear to be warranted by the general practice of correct writers. They should be hadst, shalt, and wilt and we find them used in this form, in the sacred Scriptures. "If thou hadst known," &c. Luke xix. 47. "If thou hadst been here," &c. John xi. 21. "If thou wilt, thou canst make me clean,” Matt. viii. 2.

7. The second person singular of the Imperfect tense in the subjunctive mood, is also very frequently varied in its termination: as, "If thou loved him truly, thou wouldst obey him ;" "Though thou did conform, thou hast gained nothing by it." This variation, however, appears to be improper. Our present version of the Scriptures, which we again refer to, as a good grammatical authority in points of this nature, decides against it. "If thou knewest the gift," &c. John iv. 10. "If thou didst receive it, why dost thou glory?" &c. 1 Cor. iv. 7. See also Dan. v. 22.-But the form of the verb to be, in this tense of the Subjunctive Mood, is often very properly and considerably varied. See pages 94, 202.