we profess allegiance to Christ, if to us may be applied the reproof which was of old addressed to the Israelites, "They have well said all that they have spoken: oh! that there were such an heart in them." No! the motives which should actuate the conduct of the Christian, must arise out of the influence of an operative faith-of faith in the atonement of the incarnate Jehovah, who, as man, overcame the great adversary of man, and, as God, made secure the salvation which he had wrought. The principles of those who, professing Christianity, are regardless of the faith which the Gospel inculcates, are principles subversive of the authority of God, and opposed to the scheme of his spiritual government. If they cause not their followers to go with the multitude, who, with "swords and with staves," would take Jesus by force, too nearly will they ally them in character with him, who, with "war in his heart," would approach the Redeemer with a kiss.

Here, then, my Brethren, what a loud, what a solemn, what a heart-stirring call is made upon ourselves, to exemplify in our lives, the truth of the doctrines which we preach with our lips; to strive that we may each be "an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity." How earnestly should we "covet the best gifts,"-how

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unceasingly pray "for the heavenly assistance of the Holy Ghost, that, by daily reading and weighing the scriptures, we may wax riper and stronger in our ministry!"* Vainly would a blessing be expected on the labours of him whose heart did not glow with the solemn conviction, "I know that my Redeemer liveth." How could he teach the repentant sinner to look for comfort to the cross of Christ, if the doctrines of a dying and glorified Saviour had imparted no comfort to himself? How could he tell him to rely, in his infirmities, for help, on the ever-present Spirit, if he know not so much, by his own experience, as "whether there be any Holy Ghost?" How could he cheer the afflicted mourner by pointing to a brighter and a better world, if his heart were unmoved by the blessed assurance "there remaineth a rest for the people of God ? "

Fearful, at all times, you will bear me witness, is the sense of our responsibility, as messengers of the gospel of Jesus Christ; but amidst the many discouragements to which we are liable, I know of none so painfully overwhelming as the thought that the cold or inadequate manner in which we declare the counsels of God, may render the Gospel "of none effect"

* Ordination Service.

Often have we

to the salvation of sinners. occasion, on reviewing our work, sorrowfully to adopt the language of the Prophet, "I have spent my strength for nought and in vain ;" and often must the spirits, even of the most faithful, sink under the reflection, that the cause of this failure may be in themselves. "We look for judgment, but behold oppression-for righteousness, but behold a cry." Our earnest desire and prayer to God," for our people, is, "that they may be saved.” But we stretch forth our hands to “a gainsaying and disobedient people;" and after years of toil and anxiety, "in watchings often," the desponding inquiry will sometimes suggest itself to our minds, "who hath believed our report, and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?" If we look to the old, the eyes of their understanding are often as obscured to spiritual, as the eyes of their body to natural, objects; and though nearly arrived at their journey's end, rather would they credit any "evil report," which would tend to impede them in their onward course, than strive, under God, for the attainment of the object for which alone they entered the wilderness of life. If we look to the young, how frequently do the promises of Christian excellence end in disappointment? there are always more blossoms in spring than fruit in autumn, and the flower which has been

tended with the greatest care, is often the first to imbibe the withering influence of a blighted atmosphere. Often, again, do the efforts of our zeal receive a check from the indifference of those who care, like Gallio, "for none of these things," or the lukewarmness of those who approach the Saviour, but afterwards, “though sorrowful," go away--who seek to enter into the kingdom of Heaven, but, only seeking, are "not able." Unlike the multitude, who, fed by the power of the adorable Redeemer, would immediately hasten to proclaim him a king, how many, amidst the riches of the most abundant blessings, refuse to acknowledge Him as their Prophet, their Priest, or their King!

These are trials inseparable from the office of the Christian Minister;-they are tests of our reliance upon the arm of Him whose strength is made perfect in our weakness, and who says to us, as he said to the leader of the armies of Israel, "I will be with thee." And hence may be derived a source of consolation under the various discouragements to which we have alluded; for fallacious would be the estimate of our zeal and fidelity, as measured by the extent of our visible success. The toils of a laborious and expensive husbandry, may be borne by him who may not be permitted to behold the luxuriance of the promising harvest. The seed

may be sown, and perhaps be germinating beneath the soil, while the eye of the sower may remain uncheered by the gladdening appearance of a single blade. It is thus that our God would impress upon the hearts of his ministering servants the admonitory caution, that, though Paul may plant and Apollos water, it is He alone who giveth the increase. But let us beware, for though well, under the pressure of our heaviest disappointments, may the mind be cheered by the consolatory reflection, that our

labour will not be in vain in the Lord," sadly should we pervert the meaning of Scripture, and abuse the intent of its encouraging promises, if the sovereignty of God were made an excuse for the listlessness or indifference of his dependent servants. True, indeed, it is, that the purposes of the Almighty are not to be restrained by the wisdom of man; but true, also, it appears, both from the tenour of Scripture and the results of experience, that the success of our labours will in some measure be proportioned to the diligence of our zeal, the degree of our watchfulness, the earnestness of our prayer, the simplicity of our dependence upon God.

How affecting, then, is the appeal, that "by manifestation of the truth," we strive to commend ourselves "to every man's conscience,"