the scoffs of the infidel. That the miraculous gift of tongues is not necessary to the conversion of the heathen, has been abundantly proved by the events of the present age. When groups of islands have been induced to renounce idolatry, and embrace the religion of Jesus, through the instrumentality of plain unlettered men, who, having gone to reside among the natives, have gradually learned their language, and taught them the great truths of the gospel with simplicity and godly sincerity, adorning that gospel by the holiness of their lives; it is evident there can be no necessity, to say the least, for the supernatural gift alluded to, to accomplish the great design of the Christian ministry. Philosophy, embellished with the charms of Grecian and Roman literature, hath in vain endeavoured to rescue mankind from their immoral and degraded condition; in vain have human legislatures attempted to stem the torrent of vice by punishing overt acts, while the root of corruption remains untouched; it is the gospel alone which, through the energy of the Eternal Spirit, restores order, moral beauty, and happiness to our fallen race; it is the preaching of the cross of Christ which is the power of God unto salvation.

With regard to miracles in general, it may be observed that God never works them but to effect a great and necessary purpose. In the early ages of Christianity they were of immense use, in order to introduce and establish the new dispensation. But if they were to be of daily occurrence, they would cease to impress the minds of men, and would lose their moral influence. It is enough for us to know, that miracles, both numerous and of the most extraordinary kind, were wrought in the fittest season, and it would be weakness and ingratitude to wish for the repetition of them. Nor have we need of the predictions of modern prophets, even if they were more rational and plausible than they are. It is enough for us to know that many Scripture prophecies have been already accomplished; that the fulfilment of others seems to be fast approaching; and that all that remains to be done, will be brought to pass at the appointed period. "It is not for you," said Christ to his disciples, "to know the times and, the seasons which the Father hath put in his own power." We have abundant evidence of the divine inspiration of the Scriptures, and should an angel from heaven descend and speak to us in the name of the Lord, it might excite our surprise and consternation, but could not add to the conviction of a cool and deliberate judgment, as to the truth and excellence of the gospel. Doubts probably would soon arise whether the whole scene were not a delusion; and the infidel would still increase in his demands for further satisfaction. "If men hear

not Moses and the prophets, nor Christ and his apostles, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead."

But I proceed,

III. To assist you in the improvement of the subject to which your attention has been called, and,

1. Let us consider that the principal duty of this day, is to humble ourselves for the sins of our country, and particularly for the share we have had in the national guilt.

Let us lament the sins of others. The pious Psalmist says, "Rivers of waters run down mine eyes, because they keep not thy law." And again, "I beheld the transgressors and was grieved." National visitations call for general humiliation. It behoves us to sigh and cry for the abominations of the age and place in which we live. When we take a view of the moral state of the country, in connexion with its extraordinary privileges, civil and religious, can we wonder that a holy and righteous God should appear in awful majesty, and armed with thunder? How justly may he say, "Shall I not avenge myself on such a nation as this?" Let us pray for the peace of Jerusalem; they shall prosper that love her. There is the greatest encouragement given in Scripture, to supplications at a throne of grace. Had Sodom contained within it but ten righteous men, she would have been spared at the intercession of the father of the faithful. If the effectual fervent prayer of one righteous man availeth much, what showers of blessings may not be expected in answer to the united, humble, and earnest intreaties of the multitudes that we trust fear God in our native land?

But if we would give evidence of our sincerity, we should individually examine our own hearts and ways, consider the defects of our own character, smite upon our breasts, crying, God be "merciful to us sinners!" and purpose, by the help of divine grace, that we will offend no more.

2. Let us adore the goodness of God, that in the midst of judgments he remembers mercy.

Gratitude for blessings continued, is closely connected with penitence and humiliation for our transgressions. And have we not abundant cause to be grateful; that, although many are subject to want, yet there is nothing like a general famine in the land; that although a dangerous disease has sprung up among us, yet it has not occasioned that extensive destruction of human life which has taken place in other countries, and which we ourselves were ready to apprehend; and that the alarm of a general contagion has in a considerable degree subsided? And amidst the somewhat dangerous agitation of the present period, it surely calls for thankfulness

that we have a patriot king, who is truly the father of his people; one brought up in the midst of us, not a child, but of mature age, who has been conversant with all classes in society,-who enters fully into British feelings, and while, with a noble greatness of mind, he withholds not the tokens of condescension and respect from the abettors of long-continued abuses, yet reposes a steady confidence in an administration that is anxiously studying to diminish the evils that afflict the body politic, and to lay a foundation for important improvements in our civil, political, and ecclesiastical concerns. Above all should we be thankful for the extension of religious, in connexion with civil liberty; for the increasing circulation of the Scriptures at home and abroad; for the faithful preaching of the gospel in many pulpits in the established church, as well as among other communities; and that a spirit of grace and supplication appears to be poured out upon multitudes, whence the most happy results may be anticipated.

3. Lastly, let us be concerned, by the cultivation of habitual and ardent piety, to be prepared for all the events which may hereinafter arise.

What precise events may take place, and at no very distant period, is altogether concealed from us. Of this, however, we may be certain, that although human agency will be employed, yet that the nature and progress of events will be determined and directed by the great Ruler of the world and of the church. The changes in

society, which have been effected during the last forty years, are, no doubt, the precursors of other changes not less marvellous and important. When the waters of the deluge are let loose, it may be many days before they subside. The signs of the times are undoubtedly portentous. Let not any, however, that fear God, indulge in gloomy apprehensions. Of the righteous, it is said, "he shall not be afraid of evil tidings, his heart is fixed, trusting in the Lord." The plan of divine providence will be found worthy of its Divine Author, and all the movements of society, whether well or ill intended by the chief actors in them, shall be subservient to the accomplishment of that plan: "the counsel of the Lord shall stand, and he will fulfil all his pleasure." Let us then humbly and patiently wait for the salvation of God; and, in times even of the greatest extremity, say with the Psalmist, "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear, though the earth be removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though the waters thereof roar, and though the mountains shake with the swelling thereof. The Lord of hosts is with us; the God of Israel is our refuge."

SERMON XXV.

THE HIGH REWARD OF THOSE WHO TURN MANY TO RIGHTEOUSNESS.

A Funeral Sermon, preached at Chapel Street, Soho, on occasion of the death of the Rev. THOMAS STOLLERY.

BY JOHN MORISON, D. D.

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DAN. xii. 3.—And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

AMIDST the sad bereavements of mortality it is unspeakably consolatory to be enabled to lift our minds to the contemplation of a world, where death has no victims, and where sin and misery have no place. Were the bright and peaceful scenes of that world familiar to our daily thoughts, we should be less conscious of the burden of earthly care, and less agitated by all that even death itself can effect, to disturb our repose, to interrupt our fellowship, and to blight our prospects. When we know what it is to seek a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God,”to "endure as seeing Him who is invisible,”—to "walk by faith, not by sight," to have "respect unto the recompense of reward,"how does it tend to fill up the chasm which death has made between us and "those who have fallen asleep in Jesus," and how does it reconcile the mind to that temporary separation which is to be succeeded by eternal union in the presence of God and the Lamb! Why should we not derive consolation from the thought, that many whom we loved on earth, and many with whom we took sweet counsel, and went to the house of God, are gone before us to the place of our everlasting abode? Had we determined to emigrate to some foreign land, it would surely comfort us to know that many intimate and beloved friends had gone before us, who might be ready to hail our arrival on a far distant shore; and

shall we not, then, cherish the delightful thought, that many of our departed brethren in Christ are waiting, with all the eagerness of celestial friendship, to "receive us into everlasting habitations?" We do cherish the thought; and while it cheers and animates our drooping spirits, we seem to regard death as divested of its terrors; and to realize, in the pure and unbroken companionship of eternity, an ample compensation for the imperfect and transitory friendships of time.

The once-laborious and faithful pastor of this flock has been summoned into the presence of his great Lord; the most tender ties which bound him to a present world have been snapped asunder; his domestic circle, his spiritual converts, and the friends who possessed and valued his confidence, are all left to feel and to deplore their loss. But with the lights of Christianity on our path, we are called to lift up our heads and to rejoice; remembering that the intercourses which are now, for a time, interrupted, will speedily be resumed,that husband and wife, parent and child, pastor and flock, shall ere long meet in a world where parting will be unknown, and where the tear of grief and bereavement will never again be shed.

To the contemplation of that bright and glorious state of existence we are powerfully directed in the text. It would be a mockery of scriptural exposition to confine such a magnificent portion of the word of God, as Grotius and others have done, to any temporary or earthly condition of the church. The most enlightened of the Jewish commentators have maintained, that the dispensation of the gospel, that the deliverance of the true church, that the scenes of final judgment, and that the rewards, both of the righteous and the wicked, are here referred to. To confine all to the persecution of the Jews under Antiochus, or to their deliverance after his death, is much below the spirit that animates this fine passage, and most derogatory to the sobriety and truth of prophetic diction. The prince spoken of is doubtless Messiah, who is here styled Michael, which signifies "like God." The words "at that time," embrace the whole period elapsing between Christ's first and second advent. The season of trouble here portrayed denotes the persecutions of the church, more especially those which shall precede her final triumph. The awaking of many from "the dust of the earth," denotes the general resurrection of the just and of the unjust. And the transcendent scene which opens up in the text, presents to our view the high felicities and unfading glories which await, in eternity, those who, in the present life, have themselves attained to heavenly wisdom; or who have, in an eminent degree, been instrumental in conducting others to its possession.