which throng the lanes and courts of our cities. Another mighty engine to improve society, another mode in which the Church should be linked with the State, and which has never yet been resorted to, -is the systematic education of the people in the principles of the Gospel. We hear much indeed of plans in contemplation for national education, but if it be not conducted on gospel principles, I hesitate not to say that it will be worse than useless. Education without religion is altogether an ineffectual agent either to amend an individual, or to improve a nation. It may raise a man's intellectual powersyes, it may convert a footpad into a forger, and make the paltry pickpocket an accomplished swindler,-but this is all the good it will effect. It is utterly incompetent to amend the heart of man, or purify it of its corruption. It is the infusion of religious principles alone, that can prepare a man for this world or the next; or that sanctify and elevate the moral character of a nation. Brethren, we do not sufficiently set our minds on these incontestable truths,truths, incontestable, at least, by all who acknowledge the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ as the rule and standard of their lives. We wonder at the evils which vex society, and which seem increasing upon us. Some lament them; others in selfish indolence turn their eyes away, that they see them not; others blame their rulers, forgetting that in the present day, rulers, in their legislative capacity, are but the representatives of public opinion; some few attempt to stay these evils; but it is by applying a few local remedies; when, alas "the whole head is sick, and the whole heart faint." They think to draw off the superfluous humours of the body politic by emigration; or they reform the poor laws; or amend the laws of municipal government; some propose one thing and some another; but let us be well assured, that no remedy will arrest the evil but a general and systematic effort to infuse the life-blood of religious truth into the body politic. It is this alone which can renovate the system, and yet, strange to say, this alone is the only plan which has no compact body of advocates to support it. Nothing will much longer preserve even tolerable order in society but to teach men to obey the laws for conscience sake; laws will be evaded by cunning or overborne by violence, or nullified by passive resistance; it is only when men are taught to obey them from Christian principles, that the people will be tranquil and the nation prosperous. I exhort, therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks be made for all men; for kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. WE shall understand the force of the Apostle's injunction more correctly, if we consider the circumstances under which it was delivered. The exhortation was addressed to St. Timothy, "his own son in the faith," a youthful but most zealous Christian, whom St. Paul had sent to - Ephesus, in order that he might superintend the affairs of the Church in that city; and exercise an authority corresponding, as far as circumstances coincided, with that of our Bishops. And the first thing to which the Apostle bids him turn his attention, is to establish, in the assembly of Christians in his diocese, a decent and orderly public worship; where " supplications, prayers, intercessions and giving of thanks might be made for all men." This, from the mode of his expression, he evidently considered to be a business demanding primary attention,—an act admitting of no postponement-being essential to the very constitution and establishment of a Church. Accordingly, it appears that such a worship was established, not only at Ephesus, but in every Church, in the days of the first Christians; and has been continued down to the present time. It is still, as formerly, the bounden duty, (should I not rather say the blessed privilege?) of Christian men, to assemble |