stand by them: they refused, and ruin came on them. It was that which made Nehemiah so warm on the subject, when they returned from Babylon: Hear what he says in Nehemiah, xiii. 17, 18: "Then I contended with the nobles of Judah, and said unto them, What evil thing is this that ye do, and profane the Sabbath-day? Did not your fathers thus, and did not our God bring all this evil upon us, and upon this city? yet ye bring more wrath upon Israel by profaning the Sabbath." The recent attempts of the Legislature of this country to effect reform in this matter, whether right or wrong in themselves, elicited those public expressions of disregard of the Sabbath as a holy day, which I cannot but fear have done considerable harm. The writings, too, of blind and incautious men on the nature and the obligation of the Christian Sabbath have done much injury: and some weak persons have troubled themselves with this doctrine, in mooting questions on it, which did not deserve to be answered, but the mooting of which caused angry feelings. Not indeed that the real Christian can be injured by any of these things. Does he want to be told that it is a right thing, a good thing, and a blessed thing, to keep holy the first day of the week, baptized in the New Testament with the sacred name of " the Lord's day," in commemoration of his resurrection, ascension, and the down-pouring of the Holy Ghost? No; he finds that just in proportion as he keeps that day holy it goes well with him body and soul.

How natural it is for us to condemn others, and in that condemnation to lose our own sense of censurableness. We inveigh against our neighbours of the continent, for the way in which they break the Sabbath: but I declare that I scarcely saw more shops open in the metropolis of France on the Sabbath day, than in this metropolis, and none of its drunkenness and riotousness in the streets. Young people, I have made some observation myself on this subject, and I hesitate not to say to you, that I scarcely ever knew a young tradesman, or a young man in any profession, who employed a portion of the Sabbath for secular purposes, or for purposes of vanity or pleasure, but what went through life, either with a wound in his conscience, distress in his affairs, or disgrace in his character. Go to Newgate, and how many will tell you that Sabbathbreaking was the first step in their awful career. I think it lies with Christians, by their decided conduct and by their faithful testimony, to effect a reform in this matter; and unless that reform take place in the keeping of the Sabbath day holy amongst us, I cannot but fear some dreadful blow from the Lord of the Christian Sabbath.

Next to that sin among the number of national sins, and premonitions of national judgments, I might mention drunkenness and profane swearing, the two distinctive and hateful vices of Christian England: to these I might add the sin of fornication: but I shall not enter on these disgusting and commonplace matters. Only let us seek a reform in all abuses of this kind in the circle around us : let us not be averse to enter municipal offices and parochial offices for this very purpose: let us be barr.ers against the torrents of vice in every direction: let us counteract evil with good, and by our example and by our teaching diffuse order, and decency, and good morals, and Christian virtues around the spheres where we dwell: and then, if "the axe" shall come, it shall have less to do amongst us.

Forgive me if I remind you of these things, as I think they remind us of our duty at the present day: Square all things in religion and policy by the Scrap

tures: Cultivate a peaceful and healing spirit: Promote a quiet, rational, and spiritual reform in the means of public instruction.

But I must draw to a close, and I wish to address you candidly and faithfully. The apostle Paul when speaking to the Hebrews of that shaking of the nations which was to prepare the way for the first spread of Christianity, immediately says, for their comfort and direction," But we, receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace to serve God with reverence and godly fear." Have you any acquaintance with that kingdom-the kingdom of God that consisteth not in meats and drinks, not in lifeless notions and carnal ceremonies, but which is within us, and consisteth in righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost? O for a spirit of self-examination among us all! not passing the question over to another, but putting it to your own breasts, "Do I know any thing of the power of religion? Have I got above a religion of dead forms and party notions? Have I any experience of peace and joy in the Holy Spirit ?" Many of you have; what an encouragement to making progress! God, by uniting you to Jesus Christ through faith, has connected you with the fountain of grace; and thus you may address yourselves to the performance of all Christian duties with the consciousness of being accepted. What a prospect is before you! An everlasting kingdom that cannot be shaken by any storm or convulsion, into which nothing shall enter that defileth, or troubleth, or maketh a lie—where the enemy shall never approach, and the friend shall never retire! That everlasting kingdom shall you have who are converted to God, to whatever name or denomination of Christians you may be attached. Those idle disputes that have been introduced about the final perseverance of the saints, and the certainty of the salvation of God's elect, have laid prostrate the whole hopes of the Church; they have shut out heaven from the view of the saint. But it should not be thus: every man born of God should anticipate, with humble confidence, founded upon the promises of Scripture, eternal glory; he should rejoice in hope of the glory of God. The summons to die should never surprise nor frighten the Christian; he should be on the tip-toe for heaven.

Another of our number has just been taken away from us; an affectionate wife, and the mother of four dear children, whose minds she had carefully stored with the seeds of divine truth. She lived with her sorrowing partner (who is now present with the dear children) for the space of twelve years, without one solitary instance of discord, so sweet was her spirit. The fatal spasms, in a few days, carried her off. There was no time for preparation: but none was wanting the soul so prepared needs no delay. It is as ripe fruit upon the tree, that waits but for the gentlest pressure to fall into the owner's lap. How many die as suddenly-how few as safe! Since her connexion with this church, I am told by her partner (and I have no reason to believe he intended to flatter) that she has eminently enjoyed religion. Her heart was in her religion; and she was united to the church and the pastor by the closest and most affectionate of bonds. I have lost another voice of prayer for me on earth; but I have gained another attraction, as the pastor of a Christian society, to the heavenly world; and I give thanks to God that those whom he has been pleased to remove from us have given the most satisfactory proof that they were prepared to go that they were ripe for eternity and heaven. We stand in no doubt of the reality and the evidence of their faith; and that I take to be the best of all.

In that burial-ground in France which all English people go to see, and which they admire on account of its affecting sentimentality, there is no inscription in the whole place, that I could find, making mention of the religion of the individuals whose ashes lie there. They are all "good fathers," "good mothers," and "good children," and "good neighbours;" but I could not meet with one that was mentioned as remarkable for religion. But that is the praise of our sister; and the best praise of all that you might write upon her stone is, that she "died in faith," she "died in the Lord," and "Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord, for they rest from their labours." Her sacred spirit is happy, full of joy; and nothing in this world could add to her joy like the knowledge of those, so dear to her heart, whom she has left behind, and who were the last, perhaps, in her thoughts when she quitted the world, giving themselves to God. There are many of you who are not deciding for God: what a mercy that you were not taken! What a mercy that those who were suddenly called away were the individuals the most prepared! But the vine-dresser's prayer has been heard for you-" Let it alone this year also." But I hope you will remember the condition: "If it bear fruit well; if not, cut it down." And listen-it is for not bearing good fruit, that the tree is to be hewn, and cast into the fire; not for bearing bad fruit; it is not for your being immoral, ambitious, and worldly, that you are to be condemned if you die; but it is for your not bringing forth good fruit, the fruit of holiness, the fruit of righteousness by faith in Christ, and of good works. Those persons who go from Christ with a 66 depart," are not the persons who have injured the poor, and stripped them naked, and cast them into prison: no; but they are the individuals who did not comfort them, clothe them, sustain them, and succour them for Christ's sake, and in love to his name. "Inasmuch as ye did it not unto one of the least of these, my brethren, ye did it not to me. Depart." Therefore, if you die without bringing forth the fruit of righteousness, which is by Jesus Christ, to the praise and glory of God, you are cast into the fire. Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire."

"We all like forest trees do stand,

And some are doomed to fall;

The axe must smite at God's command,
And soon shall smite us all."

religion is not begun; When you begun this

Here are some of you that are not converted; your you are not on the foundation; you are not in Christ. year, you thought before it closed you would be decided for God; but you are not, even now: there is a spirit of procrastination and delay and trifling in you on this matter, which nothing can eradicate. What warnings have you had! What shakings have you had! How has he smitten you; not in anger surely, but in mercy he has given you tokens of his displeasure; and he has said to you, by all these things, " Because there is wrath, beware lest he take thee away with his stroke; then a great ransom cannot deliver thee." Do you say, "O, we cannot turn to God; it is no fault of ours that we are not turned?" consciences say so? Will you be able to say so at the bar of the Lord Jesus Christ, that it was no fault of your's? Why then you cannot be lost, unless the faur is to be laid at your door. But what says conscience? "You will not pray to God earnestly to turn you. If I could get you to pray earnestly and

Will your

solemnly to God this night before you retire to rest-if I could but get you now on your knees to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to say to him, "O God, create within me a new heart! O Lamb of God that takest away the sins of the world, have mercy upon me, a miserable sinner "" then I should have hope. But you will not pray. Then I will pray for you; it is all that I can do. Brethren, join me. Men and women of God, lift up your hearts in prayer. There is a Spirit-there is an Almighty Spirit—and Christ has promised to send that Spirit down. He stands waiting for our prayers. Lift up your hearts in silent prayer unto God, that he may send a spirit of seriousness upon us all, and bring conversion into many of our hearts.

And you, dear friends, who have had this stroke of affliction, for you we pray; and pray yourselves; and it shall be found that this is his name-" A God hearing and answering prayer." "Prove me now," says God, (6 prove me; call upon me; do not mock me with faint and heartless prayer; prayer that rolls from your ongue, without any corresponding feeling in your mind: but call on me in the day of trouble, and I will hear you and deliver you, and thou shalt glorify me." And seeing that we have a blessed Mediator, a great High Priest, touched with the feeling of our infirmities, Jesus the Son of God, let us come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

REMARKS ON THE REFORMATION.

• LET us be concerned to make a right improvement of the subject. And can we do this better than, first, in a way of thanksgivings to God; of whom, and through whom, and to whom, are all things, to whom be glory. From Him all holy desires, all good counsels, and all just works do proceed. He turns the hearts of men to any particular purpose, and strengthens their hands for the enterprise. He furnishes the means, and the opportunities for employing them. He blesses the use of them, and insures their success. Let us not forget his works and the wonders which he has shewn us. Let us not induce him to complain of us as he did of Israel; O my people, what have I done unto thee? and wherein have I wearied thee? testify against me. For I brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, and redeemed thee out of the house of servants; and I sent before thee Moses, Aaron, and Miriam. O my people, remember now what Balak, king of Moab, consulted, and what Balaam, the son of Beor, answered him from Shittim unto Gilgal; that ye may know the righteousness of the Lord.' Bless the Lord, O my soul and all that is within me, bless his holy name. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt his name together.'

'When we are rais'd from deep distress,

His love demands a song;

We'll take the tribute of our praise

From Zechariah's song'

And say, 'Blessed be the Lord God of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people—that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear, in holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.' And let our gratitude be not only practical but fervent. Let it bear some proportion to the vastness of the excitement. What as men, as Britons, as Christians, as Protestants, should we feel for such an inestimable blessedness as the Reformation we this day celebrate! Who can read Robertson's account of this interesting event, in his History of Charles V., and not be grieved and offended at the cold manner in which this divine of the Scots Kirk, and this secret friend and admirer too of Hume the sneering infidel, relates what was enough to make an angel burn with rapture, and did inspire a seraph in flesh and blood-Yes, hear the language of the immortal bard who has furnished our isle and our world with its sublimest song.' . When we call to mind at last, after so many dark ages wherein the huge overshadowing train of error had almost swept all the stars out of the firmament of the Church, how the bright and blissful Reformation by Divine power, struck through the black and settled night of ignorance and anti-christian tyranny ;—methinks a sovereign and reviving joy must needs rush into the bosom of him that reads or hears, and the sweet odour of the returning Gospel embathe his soul with the fragrancy of heaven. Then was the sacred Bible sought out of the dusty corners where profane falsehood and neglect had thrown it; the schools were opened; divine and human learning raked out of the embers of forgotten tongues. Then the princes and cities were seen trooping apace to the new erected banners of salvation; and the martyrs, with the unresisted might of weakness, shaking the powers of darkness, and scorning the fiery rage of the