bones to whiten on the shores of Patagonia-when we see them undertaking an enterprise so desperate, so forlorn, that it scarcely seemed justifiable to attempt to enter yet by a door so fast closed; will not their zeal and precious spirit put us to shame, if, when the finger of God points to Ireland, we should either unconcernedly put off, or listlessly take up a work that is lying ready to our hands. There is no place for saying here, there is a lion in the way. There is no lion, there is no fair objection to make; no difficulty to make that the success is questionable. Our hands may find in that country abundance to do, for God's glory, and our fellow-men's salvation. God give us the ardour that inspired Nehemiah and the Jews when they set themselves to restore the ruined temple. Then the people had a mind to work; they were men of a public spirit, for they built not only for themselves, not only each in his own house, but at the wall of Jerusalem, which they regarded as the security of the whole city. Nay, some there were, who had no houses of their own in Jerusalem; men from Jericho, on the wall, building as deliberately and zealously as any, for they loved the city of God; they were men of large hearts, and public spirits. While at the same time the building of the wall round Jerusalem did not prevent, it rather involved and demanded, that each inhabitant should build over against his own house; thus, in providing for his own security, he contributed to the welfare of the community at large.

In conclusion, let us look at this subject, first, in the way of personal godliness; sighing for, and struggling against our own iniquities, and rejoicing for ourselves in God's salvation; thus building the wall at our own house. This is the principal thing. What avails it that the wall be built round Jerusalem, if it lies dilapidated and unrepaired at my own door?

Then, united with this, ever and inseparably associated with it, should be a public spirit; sighing over the rebellion and enmity of the world to God; setting up our banners at every spot of it, in his name; raising on every side the bulwarks of Mount Zion.

See, brethren, that ye abound in this grace also.

We do not seek to wring out contributions by importunity, for God loveth a cheerful giver; and, if aware of your own separate responsibility to send everywhere the word of salvation,-if you know the need of the gospel for every creature, and the free course given to it in Ireland, if ye have learnt to give on principle,— if ye appreciate the privilege of fellow-workers with God-then, from the largeness of your hearts, more than anything I can say, we may hope liberal things your hands.

at

Preached on occasion of a Charity.

SERMON IX.

Philippians iv. 4, 5, 6..-"Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, rejoice. Let your moderation be known unto all men. The Lord is at hand. Be careful for nothing: but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God."

THE Apostle here presents us with a short manual or vade mecum for daily use, consisting of a few valuable counsels, so concisely expressed that there is no difficulty in remembering them, so weighty in their import, so wide and comprehensive in their scope, as to afford directions for the daily conduct of life, in all events and circumstances. Let me recommend it to you as a motto for the opening of a new year, with every good wish for your welfare and happiness, that however chequered its events may be to some of us, all may work for good, as it assuredly will, if we are among the lovers of God; and let us, as Luther says, shake this particular apple tree of Scripture, and see what pleasant and wholesome fruit it will yield us.

There are, you observe, first, a few short sententious counsels given, and these are followed up by a great and precious promise. Observe, here, the close connection between following the counsels, and enjoying

the promise. It is implied that neglect and carelessness are attended with loss and discomfort, and experience proves it.

The counsels themselves are three :

The first is one that brings out with great clearness, the peculiar nature of christianity-Rejoice! How much that injunction tells of the real character and heart of God, and the real nature of his service and his kingdom; it is to be a joy of satisfaction such as a man feels in his home. The joy of a soul that has come back home to God-redeemed out of bondagebrought nigh, by the blood of his Son, and admitted to Divine confidence and friendship. Having thus

come nigh him-got over all your fears that there were no kind words or gracious looks for you-and your sloth and indifference, so as to have stirred up yourself to take hold, what is it you found? A friend, an omnipotent, unchangeable friend! You are placed on a footing of cordiality with your maker; estrangement as well as enmity is at an end. When you know your God, and see his glory in the face of Jesus Christ, reconciling sinners to himself, your old suspicions, and reserve, and slavish dread, give place to a calm joy, for you understand him now, you see that all along he has meant you well. You were invited long ago to enter on the high and honourable position of his friend, you were assured of his friendliness, and when you come at last to know him, you can bear witness that it is an utter misconception, a great dishonour, to think of him as a severe master, putting a ban on all that could make his creatures happy.

He is himself the surest and fullest well-spring of joy; the soul can no where else drink such deep draughts of it; its desires can be allayed at no other fountain; its dignity and capacity is such that the whole world cannot content it long. That which shall afford it real and lasting joy must indeed be something inexhaustible: and thus saith the Psalmist, "in thy presence is fulness of joy, at thy right hand are pleasures for evermore." It is a joy, too, of security, as of a man in a safe retreat, with a rock to which he can always resort; a shelter to fall back on. But dont

imagine that religion is all joy, or even chiefly and constantly so. Other experiences will have their share.

It is of especial importance to notice, that those who know most of the terrors of the law will drink deepest of this joy. The more we comprehend the nature and fearfulness of Divine wrath, by reason of sin,-(who knoweth its power?) the better fitted shall we be to appreciate the value and excellence of him who is the hiding place. The soul over which God's mightiest waves and storms have gone, the conscience that has felt most strongly what it is to be under condemnation, must know best the value of a sure hope. When all the fountains of the great deep were broken up, and the windows of heaven were opened, with what feelings of perfect security did Noah find himself shut in the ark, while full of pity for the doomed ones outside-with what joy his heart beat when he knew and felt himself safe!

Let us not rest satisfied, brethren, without participating in these feelings. Let us seek a strong faith to lay hold of him who stretches out his arm, to yield a full committal of our soul and all its interests to his care, in the confidence that he will keep it safe unto the end.

You observe the light the Apostle places it in: this joy in the Lord is not held above our heads, almost beyond reach, and not to be looked for, or thought of, until a great way on the road,-a privilege that none but christians of the highest stamp and first quality can be admitted to, he speaks of it as a duty, a thing to be done in the way of obedience. We are to please God by rejoicing; such intimate and friendly terms he would have us on-so near he would draw us to himself-he thirsts for our best affections-it is our own fault if we do not find abundant matter for joy in what God is, and what he doth for us. A perpetual, unintermitting joy it should be; we are to be always rejoicing. This mortal, this sinful life will bring us, in the natural course of things, its griefs and its joys. We know not what black cloud may be in the horizon advancing to darken and dissipate the sunshine of the present moment; but here is the Apostle's counsel-" Rejoice

always." You may have a time when, if you are not able to rejoice in Him, no other spring of joy will open. Your heart must laugh while it weeps-rejoice in its sorrows-mingle its tears with singing. Thus the first counsel respects our behaviour and temper towards God.

The second directs our conduct and spirit among men -moderation. What is this quality, which, as christians, we are to be distinguished for, which is to be conspicuous in us, and incumbent on us to shew before the world. It is not a counsel of prudence he is giving; he clearly does not mean by moderation not to have too much zeal or energy-not to be too enthusiastic or earnest, lest enemies may be stirred up thereby. He rather appears to mean to express self-control;-that valuable quality which will produce in our tempers a spirit of mildness and gentleness, and in our relation to the world, the opposite of the eager disposition which characterizes its children, carried away by the lusts of the flesh and the pride of life. Thus, for example, with respect to the frame of our spirits, he is anxious we should be conspicuous for moderation, that we should obtain the power and the habit of governing ourselves,-be the masters of our tempers and passions, not carried away beyond the occasion. It is not that he would have us without all regard to natural temperament and character, so crushed and restrained that nothing could even move or stir our spirits; he does not demand an unimpassioned equableness and absence of all impulse, all enthusiastic feeling, that would make us very like mere animated machines; it is a power of keeping within bounds he is anxious we should possess. It must be seen that we can maintain a composed spirit within us, where there may be much to ruffle it, that we can regulate both appetites and tempers, and keep them in subjection.

Again, with respect to our pursuits in life-our calling and business in the world. The christian is to be distinguished by his moderation, as, says the Apostle in his First Epistle to the Corinthians, 6th chapter and 12th verse, "All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient; all things