exhibit a deep interest in the prevalence of correct religious views. They may consider religion a very good thing for society in general; but, they do not seem to consider its instructions as having any application to themselves in particular; do not acknowledge its claims upon their own heart and life; do not realize that each one is accountable for himself to God, who will render unto every man according to his deeds; do not feel themselves any farther interested in the public exercises of the church, than to be amused, or entertained, or pleasantly excited; and thus inconsiderate do they often remain, until some alarming providence turns their thoughts. to the momentous concerns of their immortal welfare.

Is it not likewise a fact, that another part of some christian societies, consists of critical hearers ?—hearers, who assemble at church,-not to worship the Most, High; not to hear the important truths of the gospel defended, explained and enforced; not to obtain moral and religious instruction; not to have their good resolutions confirmed, their hearts made better, and their whole characters improved ;-but, principally, to gratify a love for criticism; to hear fine writing and eloquent speaking; to have the fancy amused, and the imagination delighted; and to acquire materials for conversation, and the display of their colloquial talent. They afterward find sufficient employment in commenting on the various discourses which they have heard. For instance, such a word was too common, and such a sentence was not sufficiently rounded;-such a part was commonplace, and such a part superfluous;-there was an attempt to dash, and here was a specimen of the bathos;-here a paragraph should have been added, and there a particular doctrine intro

duced; there was a head too liberal in sentiment, and here one too orthodox ;--this reproof was applicable to my friend on the right, and that to my neighbor on the left; and in this hypercritical way, they unsettle the minds. and excite the prejudices of honest hearers, injure the minister's usefulness, and obtain no benefit to themselves.

Is it not further a fact, that another portion of some congregations, may be distinguished as prejudiced hearers?-hearers, who are strongly prejudiced against those ministers whose voice, and manner, and style, do not suit their taste, that they cannot be benefited by their services? Just as if one man could so think, and write, and speak, and look, as to please the varying fancies of a whole congregation. Or hearers, who are so strongly prejudiced against other christian sects, that they cannot be instructed or edified when they happen to suspect, that the preacher is not of their own party. They are not only so strongly prejudiced, as to incapacitate their minds for any free and impartial examination; but they are too apt to try the sentiments advanced,--not by the infallible word of God, the only standard of truth,-but, by their own preconceived views, their interpretations of scripture, the unscriptural creeds of their party. And it often seems a matter of little or no consequence with them, whether their party belief can be expressed in scriptural language, or only in terms of human invention; whether it has been drawn unpolluted from the pure fountain of salvation, or received through the muddy channels of some party commentators; whether its natural tendency be to increase exertion and produce holiness of heart and life, or to paralyze all human efforts, and lull to sleep the guilty conscience. Should the preaching of Christ Jesus ;

his sermon on the mount; nay, every sentiment he uttered, be tried by some party standards, I fear it would be found wanting. I suspect it would be called moral preaching. It would be called good, so far as it went; but it would not go far enough. It would not contain the great, gospel. What! the instruc

essential doctrines of the tions of Jesus not contain the essence of the gospel! Would prejudiced hearers of all sects listen with more candor, and imitate the noble example of the Bereans, we should not hear so many christians denounced as unconverted and unbelievers.

Finally, is it not a fact, that some part of almost every congregation may be styled waiting hearers ?-hearers, who are waiting for a more convenient season, before they begin the work of reformation and improvement,or hearers, who have unfortunately imbibed the false sentiment, that they must wait patiently for the Lord to convert them. Hence they forbear commencing a religious life, lest they should be guilty of taking God's work out of his hands; or for fear they might go about to establish a righteousness of their own. Consequently, they are waiting, in expectation that God in his own good time will instantaneously work a miraculous change on their hearts. Do such hearers realize, that the false and pernicious sentiment on which they are resting the wel fare of their immortal souls, has no foundation in scripture? That assistance is promised to those, and those only, who ask, seek, and strive?-whilst a tremendous punishment is threatened against those who neglect or misimprove their privileges and talents? Does not observation teach them that religious lives are not ordinarily commenced by a sudden and powerful excitement of

mind?-and that those who have waited for this excitement, have waited until their doom was sealed by death, and their impenitent souls hastened into the presence of a pure and holy God?

Now, my friends, after deducting the various classes who are hearers only, how large a proportion will remain who are sincerely endeavoring to be doers as well as hearers? How large a number will be left, who take an open and decided stand on christian ground? How many who make religion a serious and constant concern? In short, how many who habitually strive to obey the commands, imitate the example, and exhibit the spirit of Christ Jesus? The number, you will all admit, is not so great as could be wished; is not so great but it may be increased. And one reason, why it is not greater, as I have attempted to prove, is because so many who hear the word, are not doers. Whether there be any of this number present or not, you will permit me to urge upon your attention the apostolic exhortation, "Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves."

Yes, if there be any present, who are hearers and not doers of the word, permit me to tell you, that ye are de ceiving yourselves. Ye are deceiving yourselves in regard to the object and the reward of your attendance on religious instructions. And what are these? Is not the object of attending church to receive assistance in becoming wise and good? And is not the reward of wisdom and goodness, present and future happiness? Should ye not attend then, to have all the duties you owe yourselves, your fellow men, your Saviour and your God, made plain before you; that by a faithful discharge of them, ye

may secure the approbation of your own conscience, the love of the wise and good, and the present and future blessing of your heavenly Father? Should ye not attend to have all your transgressions set in array before you; that by seeing the wickedness of your doings, ye may be excited to reform every evil and false way?— Should ye not attend-to hear of Jesus the Saviour?to hear his wearisome labors described, that ye may never become weary in well doing?-to hear his example illustrated, that ye may have a perfect pattern for all your conduct?-to hear his sufferings and death proclaimed, that ye may know the price of your redemption, and thus be moved to penitence, and gratitude, and odedience?to hear his resurrection declared, that ye may feel assured of meeting all the ransomed of the Lord in a better world?-Should ye not attend--to have inspired in your bosom a love and delight in the worship of the most high God, that when ye leave this world, you may depart in peace, and be prepared to unite in the purer worship of the heavenly host? Now if you do not accomplish these objects by your attendance; if you do not increase in wisdom, and goodness, and happiness, do you not deceive yourselves in regard to the object of your attendance? Do you not lose the reward of your labor? Most certainly.

But this is not all. Such deception is the worst of all deceptions. For it is self-deception; and for its attendant consequences, ye can blame none but yourselves. Can the traveller, who disregards proper directions, and follows the suggestions of his own inclinations, justly blame any but himself, should disasters befall him in his wrong but chosen course? And can ye, who come up