The

our Church and nation have to fear, the strife and contention of her sons. Virgin', the daughter of Sion, might laugh her enemies to scorn, and the daughter of Jerusalem might shake her head at them, if all were peace within her own walls. Why-why-cannot we, we at least who are members of one Church, we who offer up our prayers and thanksgivings in the same words, we who kneel in holy communion at the same altar, why cannot we resolve to set aside all minor points of difference, and hush all petty jealousies, and determine that, when the interests of our common religion are at stake, our voice shall be "as the voice of one man?"

And suffer me to remind some of you, that the times are not such as to justify indolence or neutrality. The fortress may be lost by the cowardice, as well as by the mutiny, of its garrison. It is absolutely necessary, (let me repeat it with earnest warmth), it is absolutely necessary for well-intentioned men to take an 1 See 2 Kings xix. 21.

active part, and to stand forward on the Lord's side, and not suffer men of a diferent character to pervert the public mind. In times like the present, when the safety of our church and nation is at stake, backwardness in the support of the good cause becomes a positive sin. It is nothing less than "to forsake the covenant of God," to betray his interests, and to incur the risk-I should rather say the certainty-of the same national calamities, which God's anger brought on the apostate people of Israel and Judah.

Pardon me, my Christian friends, if I have seemed to use the language of reprehension. Surely it is time to speak out plainly and boldly on these matters. Let me entreat you to take what I have said into your serious consideration; and let us endeavour to strengthen and encourage each other, and firmly resolve by every means in our power to support that sacred cause in which rich and poor, high and low, in which we ourselves and all that are most dear to us, have so deep and vital an interest.

And may the God of power and wisdom send down his Spirit from on high, to awaken a good courage among his servants, and to kindle into a bright and vigorous flame those sparks of honest zeal which yet glow in the breasts of thousands amongst us. May he give us boldness and discretion on all occasions, and in all situations, whether public or private, social or political, to act and speak in such a manner as may most conduce to his glory. May he enable us, under all the changes and chances of life, to abide by the covenant of the Lord our God;" so shall we continue to dwell under the care of his protecting hand, and future ages may yet see our children's children a God-fearing and a prosperous people.

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SERMON XVII.

ON THE SAME SUBJECT,-REFERRING PRINCIPALLY TO THE DUTY OF CHRISTIANS

THE following Sermon has been so much altered since it was preached that it can scarcely be called the same. In its present state it is not suited to the pulpit ; because it would be applied to local circumstances, for which it was never intended. But, in presenting it to the public, there is not the same objection. The author publishes it in the hope of calling the attention of those who read it, to a most important duty; and in the sincere belief that every thing contained in it is strictly according to God's word.

1 SAMUEL ii. 30.

"Them that honour me I will honour, but they that despise me shall be lightly esteemed." THIS declaration of the Almighty, plain and positive as it is, must be interpreted with some degree of limitation; for to suppose it strictly applicable to temporal as well as spiritual affairs, would be contrary to our daily knowledge and experience. Undoubtedly the general tendency of events is to bring honour and esteem, even in this world, to the consistent servant of God; and to consign the flagrantly wicked to deserved infamy. But so numerous are the exceptions to this rule, that even good and pious men have been staggered by their frequency. "I myself," says David, “have seen the ungodly in great power, and flourishing like a green bay tree1." They are in no peril of death, but are strong and lusty, their eyes swell with fatness, and they do even as they list. They corrupt others, and

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1 Psalm xxxvii. 35.