whom

Learn there

you leave behind see you come grudgingly, or of necessity, if they have reason to think that you wish the church were not so often open for divine service, if they are led to suspect, by any act, or word, or look of yours, that you had rather not come if you could decently avoid it, and especially if they find on your return that your temper is not improved by your coming, no wonder that they are unwilling to assent when you say, "Let us go into the house of the Lord." fore to regard the time you spend in church as the most pleasant hours of the whole week long. When the time arrives, have every thing done beforehand that might hinder you from coming punctually. And whilst you neglect no duty you owe to others, for the sake of coming hither, let them see by your indifference to your own other joys this day, that you esteem attendance in the house of God the chief pleasure you desire for yourselves.

Nor must you forget how much the weight of your example is affected by the temper in which you return from this

house of prayer.

If you must be glad when you have to come, and must be glad when you are here, you must also be cheerful, joyful, thankful, in the hours which you spend afterwards at home. Let it be seen that you are both the better, and the happier, for coming hither. Let it be found, for the remainder of the day, that in your conversation you are more humble, more gentle, more kind, more courteous. Let it be seen that at your meals you are more sober, more temperate, more careful to wait on others, more watchful to deny yourselves. Here you have been in "the house of the Lord," in the presence of Christ. When you go forth, take so much more earnest pains to walk in his steps, to follow his example. Instead of holding up yourselves above those who stay away, unite a deep concern for their improvement, with a deep conviction of your own unworthiness. If there be any such in your own household, endeavour that your behaviour, as influenced by your attendance here, may make them glad that you have been

to church. This will greatly help to make them glad to come themselves. Let them experience in your improved temper the advantages of coming; and they will be the more easily persuaded to come.

And remember it is your duty to persuade them. It is your duty to say to them, "Let us go into the house of the Lord." Example is not enough, for we are bound to add, exhortation. Let every one of you now choose in his mind some one relation, friend, or neighbour, who is not now here. Choose the one whom you think might come most easily. And adopt the means which you think most likely to persuade him, to accompany you hither. Repeat your invitation patiently, urgently, affectionately. Plead in private prayer to God, that it may please Him to move your brother's heart. Persevere as long as you have ground to expect success. And when compelled to relinquish one attempt, commence another. Then indeed we might hope to see the house of the Lord well filled with worshippers. Then would your own joy in coming be

made manifest, by your really labouring to impart it to as many as you can.

But there are others, besides your own immediate friends and neighbours; others beyond those whom your words will reach, or who can behold the light of your example; to whom you may help to impart this joy, by contributing to the collection which we make this day. Give therefore, as if you were really glad of an opportunity to help in raising up new houses of God in the land. Give under the conviction that your gifts will be impartially distributed, by those who have the best means to know the truth, amongst those who are most in need of church accommodation. Give under the impression that the public worship of God, according to the order of our Church, which by means of this Society is likely to be so widely extended, is a service full of joy unspeakable. And may it please God to bless gifts, at once to the benefit of your brethren, and to your own endless gain! May He make you at once glad to go to church yourselves, and glad to help many others to attend!

your

SERMON XIV.

AT THE OPENING OF A NEW CHURCH.

THE LORD MUST BUILD THE HOUSE.

Ps. 127. 1.

Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it."

MANY of you, who are now assembled in this house of God, have helped largely in the good work of building it. All are about to give further help this day. All therefore are concerned with the words written in this text; "Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it." May He, without whose blessing our preaching is no less fruitless than our building, give power to this portion of his own Scripture! May He grant unto

L