Ah! if we have lost the light of God's countenance and the joys of his salvation, we must seek them again in our closets. There we must weep, and strive, and pray, till the "Holy Dove," the "messenger of rest," returns, with healing, and refreshment, and comfort on his wings.

Are there no heads of families, who "keep back a part of the price?" When you presented yourselves at the altar, and offered your vow of fealty to the King of heaven, was it a solitary, personal, selfish vow, that aimed only at your own interest and salvation? Or, was it the resolution of Joshua, "as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord?" Has not God made you a Priest in your household? Does He not require you, in this capacity, to present the daily sacrifice upon the domestic altar, and "train up your children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord?"

If there be, then, a Christian household unsanctified by the daily offering of domestic devotion, is it not an anomaly in the religious world? Is the head of that household keeping the vow which he has offered to God, and adorning the religion he professes? Is he looking forward to the day of judgment with a hope of saying, amidst the solemnities of the final trial, "here am I, Lord, and the children whom thou hast given me?" Or, is he not, rather, exposing himself and those who ought to be dear to him as his own life, to the "wrath" that will be "poured out upon the families which call not on God's name?" If

his children grow up in the love of the world and its vanities; with indifference or contempt for religion; and at last die without faith in Christ, or the hope of the gospel;-may he not behold in this, the wretched fruit of his own unfaithfulness; and charge himself with the guilt of being accessory to their perdition?

Are we regular in our attendance upon social and public means of grace, as distinguished from those which are personal and domestic?

The professor of religion virtually avows that he considers God's service to be "perfect freedom;" his highest privilege, as well as his bounden duty. He professes that "one day in God's service, is better," in his estimation, "than a thousand" spent in vanity and sin. That, he "had rather be a door-keeper in the house of God, than to dwell in the richest tents of wickedness." How solemnly, then, is he bound, to "remember the Sabbath day and keep it holy," to enter the sanctuary whenever its doors are thrown open for his admission, to listen with meekness to the preached word, and assemble with his Christian brethren of the same communion, whenever two or three meet together in the name of Jesus, to sing his praise, and claim his promised blessing? When we gave ourselves up to be the disciples of Jesus, was there any reservation? Did we promise to attend church only when the sun shone brightly, and other outward circumstances were peculiarly inviting? to be present

only in the former part of the day, and not to engage in the offering of the evening-sacrifice? Did we bind ourselves to be present at the lecture, or social prayer meeting, only when it perfectly suited our convenience, and involved not the slightest interference with our worldly business, domestic avocations, or social pleasures? Was this the nature of our engagement? Or, was it, to "follow the Lord fully;" to deny ourselves, and take up our cross, and follow Jesus whithersoever he goeth; to permit nothing to interfere with our duty to Him, and the interests of our souls?

Alas! what multitudes are there, who either misunderstand the nature of the Christian covenant, or "keep back part of the price?" May God bring them to a better mind!

That most precious mean of grace which has formed the principal subject of this volume, at every celebration of it exhibits, by their neglect of it, the inattention of multitudes to their plighted vows, and carries a mournful addition to the record of guilt in the register of heaven.

Every returning month, the table of the Lord is spread before us, and we are invited to join in the most sublime act of Christian devotion by partaking of the consecrated memorials of that great sacrifice which was offered up for us on the cross. But how many of those who have been baptized into the faith of Jesus, turn their backs upon his table and refuse

to unite in this appointed commemoration of his death? And among these neglecters are thousands of whom the church had reason to hope better things. Where are those in our different congregations who have stood before the altar, and with their own lips avowed their determination to lead a Christian life, when receiving the imposition of Episcopal hands to confirm them in the faith which they professed? Have they all united in sacramental communion with the faithful? Do we see them all walking in visible fellowship with the people of God? "They have well said all that they have spoken; O that there were such a heart in them!" Why should they not enjoy all the privileges connected with their profession? Why should they "keep back part of the price?" Ah! let them "remember Lot's wife!" Let them remember the alarming declaration of our Lord, "no man having put his hand to the plough and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." Let them ponder the memorable saying of the wise man, "when thou vowest a vow to God, defer not to pay it; it is better not to vow, than that thou shouldst vow and not pay!"

13*

SECTION IV.

Christians are bound to aid in the work of disseminating the Gospel.

THOSE "keep back part of the price," and are unfaithful to their religious vows, who do not contribute of their substance, and by their personal efforts, to the support of the Church and the spread of the Gospel.

We live in a favoured age. The Lord is carrying forward a great work upon earth. He is preparing the way for the conversion of the nations. This work is to be accomplished by the agency of his Church. To enter at large upon the duties of Christians as connected with the present state of the world, and aspect of the missionary enterprise, would lead to a more extended discussion than our present limits will admit; and is rendered unnecessary by the arguments and appeals on the subject that are constantly issuing from the pulpit and the press. But I cannot close this address to those who profess and call themselves Christians, without at least a cursory hint upon this paramount duty.

In the warfare in which the Church is now engaged against the vices and superstitions of the world, sustained by the principalities and powers of darkness, every enlisted soldier of the cross must be