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and in providing for a time of need, as they have projects and schemes to gain the riches and honors of this world, surely religion would flourish more than it does among us in the present day; but alas, it is too evident, that the children of this world, are wiser in their generation at the present day, than the children of light.

I shall now conclude with the practical improvement which our blessed Lord draws from this narrative. "And I say unto you, make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness, that when ye fail, they may receive you into everlasting habitations." By the mammon of unrighteousness appears to be meant, worldly riches, whether great or little; and they seem to be so called, on account of the many evils, snares and temptations to which they expose those, who possess them, covet them, or make them their confidence. Be assured, riches are a great snare; and without the grace of God, a heavy curse; but by the grace and blessing of God, to whom nothing is impossible, they may be turned to an excellent account; and instead of being our enemy, may be converted into a friend. "Make to yourselves friends of the mammon of unrighteousness;" but how this may be effected, ought to be well understood, or it may be much abused. It is not that they will purchase pardon or in

dulgence for sin, or that by giving alms however great, we may make our peace with God; or by leaving large sums at our death, when we can no longer hold them, we may purchase a seat in. heaven when forced to leave this earth. No, this is one grand error of the Church of Rome, and it would be well indeed, were it confined to that church; but it is to be feared, many others have fallen into, and acted on the same erroneous view; the meaning of the passage seems to be this: instead of spending your riches, whether much or little, in an unrighteous manner, or in the gratification of self, sense and sin; use them in a proper way, in promoting the welfare of others, and in doing good; but above all, use them in the service of God, and in pro. moting his cause on earth, which is connected intimately, with his cause in heaven; and " "lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where the moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal-but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through, nor steal; for remember, where your treasure is, there will your heart be also."-And thank God, in the present day we can be at no loss to discover, how we may bestow a portion of our riches, according to what God has given us, in promoting his great cause, even the establishment of his king

dom and surely all will have hearts to do so, who are in earnest, when they say to God in their daily prayers, "Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven :" yes all such, will feel happy, when they look around, and see the great exertions now making in the cause of religion, by the various societies established in these kingdoms; and not in these kingdoms only, but throughout the whole world; to promote Christian education, the diffusion of the Holy Scriptures, and enlightening the heathen nations, who hitherto sat in darkness; preparing the way for that happy period, when “the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdom of our God, and of his Christ; when he shall reign for ever and ever." For these purposes, He appears in the present day, as it were to have opened his treasury, into which all are invited to cast-the rich out of their abundance, and the poor out of what little they possess; even the widow's mite is not rejected. The time is short, in which we are permitted to work; and the night is coming, "wherein no man can work." "While we have time therefore, let us do good unto all men, and especially unto them who are of the household of faith." All earthly things are hastening to a close; and as it respects ourselves, all belonging to time, must soon, very soon fail us-we can no longer use or enjoy our possessions; we cannot take them with us-let

us therefore use them now in such a manner as shall redound to our comfort at the last; that when health and strength, heart and flesh fail us, we may be received into everlasting habitations; where God himself shall take us up, and shall be the strength of our heart, and our portion for ever.

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SERMON IX.

JOHN Vi. 53, 54.

"Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.

THESE words contain a solemn address to those Jews of whom we read; that they did not understand the spiritual meaning of what our Lord had spoken, when he declared unto them, that he was the bread of life. Perceiving that many had sought after him, and followed him; not because they saw the miracles that he did, and in consequence believed on him, but because they did eat of the loaves, and were filled-he took occasion, from the circumstance, to exhort them, not to show so much anxiety concerning

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