part with them all for his sake. In the sight of God, that same poor man forsakes all for Christ. He who can forsake his sins, and resist the claims of corrupt passion, performs, to say the least, as difficult a service, as to forsake houses, brethren, and lands. The poor man who has little to give, and much to bear, frequently shows the self denying spirit of religion to the greatest advantage. In his heart often burns as pure a flame of love and zeal, as in the heart of an apostle. It may not be visible to the world; but it is visible to him who seeth in secret. His prayers are animated by fervent affection for God and man. And when he contributes his mite for the advancement of the Redeemer's kingdom, he does it with heart large enough to part with millions.

The character here exhibited belongs to the devoted Christian, who is possessed of opulence. Though he does not literally forsake houses and lands, he uses them for the glory of Christ. And as he supremely regards the divine glory, and uses the things of this world in subserviency to it, he is ready, when duty calls, to surrender them for the same object. To use riches for Christ, and to forsake them for Christ, evince the same elevation above self-interest, and the same devotedness to the cause of God. He, then, who values his estate for Christ's sake, and uses it for the advancement of his cause, has the same disposition and character with those, who for the same object actually suffer the loss of all things. In heart he gives his earthly all to Christ; saying with sincerity, here Lord, I am; and here are my possessions. I yield them all to thee. either use them, or part with them, for thy sake, as

I will

vilt. Animated with such sentiments, he

esteems it comparatively loss, to do any thing with his property, which tends merely to secure his private advantage; while he esteems that as the best use of his property, which tends most to advance the kingdom of Christ. It is for the sake of that kingdom that he values his earthly possessions. Take away that kingdom, and his possessions lose their highest worth.

In

The character presented in the text clearly belongs to every faithful minister of the Gospel, even in the most peaceful days. Whatever may be his earthly prospects, he cheerfully resigns them for Christ's sake. The love of Christ bears him on. He declines no labor, no sacrifice, no suffering. He foregoes indulgence and ease. private, he gives himself to reading, meditation and prayer. In public, he preaches the word; and is instant in season, and out of season. Wordly pursuits he totally abandons, and sets his affections on the kingdom of Christ. His cordial language is, "If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning."

This character is strikingly exhibited by a devoted Christian in times of persecution. He feels as Paul did, when his friends, anxious for his safety, besought him not to go to Jerusalem. "What mean ye," said he, "to weep, and to break my heart? For I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus." Times of persecution and distress have a favourable influence upon Christian character. In such seasons, as the prospect of earthly happiness is overcast, the followers of Christ are led to a more serious contemplation of the heavenly inheritance, and naturally from a stronger and more operative attachment to that

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kingdom, in which their all is contamed. They are reduced to the necessity of feeling that they have no other interest, and no hope of enjoyment from any other quarter. Accordingly, they make a more unreserved surrender of every thing for Christ, and become more consistent and more decided in their religious character. In the discharge of difficult duties, they have less hesitation. They are less ensnared by the friendship of the world, and less awed by its frowns. The prospect of suffering, as it becomes familiar to their minds, ceases to move them. To give up the interests and pleasures of the world for the sake of Christ, becomes habitual and easy. It costs them no struggle, and no sigh. They are prepared to encounter any trial, even a violent death, without fear or reluctance. Yea, they rejoice in their sufferings, and gladly fill up what is wanting of the af flictions of Christ in their flesh for his body's sake which is the Church.

The Christian Missionary, whose motives are as sublime as his office, forsakes all for Christ in a remarkable sense. The proof which he gives of devotion to Christ is indeed of the same nature with that, which other Christians give, but it is higher in degree. Others forsake the world in affection, but enjoy it still. He renounces the exoyment, as well as the attachment. Other Christians esteem Christ above friends and possessions, and yet retain them far enough for the gratification of their natural affections. The Missionary, who has a right spirit, counteracts and mortifies natural affection, by actually abandoning its dearest objects. The distinction in short is this; other Christians have a willingness to forsake all for Christ; the Missionary actually forsakes all. The

cause of Christ among the heathen possesses attractions above all other objects. It has the absolute control of his heart. He forsakes father and mother, house and land, not because he is wanting in affection for them, but because he loves Christ more. He forsakes them, because his heart burns with the holy desire, that Christ may have the heathen for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession.

The wife of a Missionary, when influenced by the Spirit of Christ, gives still more remarkable evidence of self-denial and devotion;-evidence, I say, more remarkable; because for her to forsake friends and country, is an instance of greater selfdenial. The tie, which binds her to her relatives and her home, is stronger. Her mind is more delicate in its construction; more sensible to the tenderness of natural relations, and to the delights of domestic life. When, therefore, she forsakes all, for the name of Christ, she makes a higher effort; she offers a more costly sacrifice; and thus furnishes a more conspicuous proof, that her love of Christ transcends all earthly affection.

My friends, have I been entertaining you with visions and dreams? Or have I been teaching realities? If you admit the truth of the Bible, you must admit that men of the character above described, have existed in all ages of Christianity. Indeed no other can be acknowledged, as disciples of Christ. For he himself has declared, that whosoever forsaketh not all that he hath, cannot be his disciple. And again, to teach us in the most forcible manner, that our affection for all other objects must fall below our affection for him, he says;-If any one come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and breth

ren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. However severe and impossible these conditions of discipleship may seem; they have often been performed. Yea, there are multitudes who daily perform them, and to whom the performance appears not only just, but pleasant. Multitudes, now on earth, have that supreme love for the Lord Jesus, which leaves little of the heart for any thing else. When they enlisted into the service of Christ, they engaged to follow him, though at the expense of every earthly interest. In the very act of faith, there is an implicit forsaking of all things for Christ. So that when the trial comes, and they really forsake all things on his account, they only do in open act, what they did in heart before. When they are called to surrender all things, even life itself, for Christ's sake; they are not called to perform a new condition, to which they did not consent in the first exercise of faith. They made choice of Christ and his ways, Christ and his cross. Had they certainly known, when they, first received Christ, that they did it at the expense of earthly good, they would not have re ceived him with any less cordiality and joy. Paul knew from the first, that he must sacrifice every thing for Christ;-which, in his view, was only parting with trifles, to purchase a pearl of great price. "What things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea, doubtless, and I count all things loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord; for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ," Such was the spirit and practice of the first Christians. They rejoice that they were counted wor