SERMON XIII.

FOR THE CHURCH BUILDING SOCIETY.

JOY IN DIVINE WORSHIP.

PSALM 122. 1.

"I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord."

THIS is what the Psalmist felt.

This is

what he wrote, in order that we might feel it. This is what he was moved by the Holy Ghost to set down, for our instruction in the will of God; how God would have us delight in his worship, in going to his house, to pray to Him, and to praise his name. And though these words were written hundreds of years before the preaching of the Gospel, and thousands of years previous to the present period, yet

they express a kind of joy which we may feel at this hour, which Christians may feel always to the end of time. We must be glad when it is said to us, We will go into the house of the Lord. We must rejoice in an opportunity to say the same to our neighbours, to invite and to assist others, as far as is in our power, to enter into the courts of the Most High.

Few indeed there are who resort to church with joy, few, compared with the many millions of this realm, who ought at this hour to be worshipping God, with one heart and with one voice. Some are of necessity otherwise engaged. But how many plead works of necessity, who can easily put aside the very same employment to roam abroad to some vain amusement! In how few families is it really necessary, that there should be any one kept at home the whole day long, for the sake of attending on the rest! Alas, it is more than probable, that the real reason which hinders many from attending divine worship is this, they do not care to come. Let it be your earnest desire, my

brethren who are present, to prevail with those who stay away, that they may stay away no longer.

But, besides lack of inclination, there is with many, another difficulty, not so easily overcome, and this is lack of room. As our numbers have increased, as our dwelling houses have been multiplied, we have not in the same proportion enlarged the number and size of our churches. Shall I venture to say that the reason is this? we have not felt enough of joy and gladness in the worship of Almighty God, and therefore we have not cared as much as we ought to extend this privilege as widely as we might. And think not now of the generations that are gone. Nor suppose that in what was said before, concerning lack of inclination, we wish to find fault with the absent. No; it is to try you who are present. It is to press on every one of you this question, Are you glad to come to church? Do Do you feel it so great a privilege, do you find it so great a pleasure, as that you cannot bear to have your brethren debarred from

enjoying it? Is your joy so real, so lively, so great, that it overflows in love towards all around you, and prompts you to communicate the same holy delight, to the utmost extent of your ability?

It is on this principle, that I desire to found the appeal to be made to you to day, in compliance with the letter of our gracious Sovereign, in behalf of the Incorporated Society for Promoting the Enlargement, Building, and Repairing of Churches and Chapels. And therefore I would now proceed to shew what that joy is which we ought to feel in the service of the church, and why we ought to feel it.

And first the minister for himself must be ready to declare, "I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord." I was glad to think of coming. I am glad to be here. I am glad at the assembling of some portion out of those, amongst whom I am appointed to minister; that I may join with them in prayer, and praise, and read to them, and explain to them, the

word of God. Though I know of many more who ought now to be here, I rejoice in those who have grace to attend. I am glad to think that their number is continually increasing. I am glad to believe, that though there were no more than two or three here gathered together in the name of Christ, He is in the midst of us. I am glad to feel assured, that the prayers and praises here offered in his name, are accepted by the Father for his sake; and that the word here preached according to his will is applied by his Spirit to the hearers' hearts. But oh, in the midst of all my joy, how saddening is the thought, that this house of God is not as full as now it might be, whilst hundreds stay away on the plea that there is no room! How grievous is the case of thousands throughout the land, who through long neglect and want of church accommodation, have altogether lost the habit of coming! Thanks be to God that great exertions are now making on every side to supply this want! Thanks be to God that it is my duty at