gard of His power and authority; a profanation of His Sabbath, and a neglect of His sanctuary and word. As a nation, we must plead guilty, before God, of these offences against His providence and authority, as well as of many against our neighbour and ourselves. But the latter present too wide a field for me to enter upon at present, at any length. Let us inquire, therefore, how far all of us have increased the amount of national sin, as to the former; and then apply to our particular cases some general heads of selfexamination, which will be supplied for the latter.

First, then, of the distrust, and even, in some, denial of God's providence and authority. I trust, brethren, that there are none amongst us, guilty of the grievous sin, in its fullest extent, which is equivalent to "denying the faith, and being worse than an infidel." But who is there amongst us, who has not offended against God, by a distrust of His fatherly care and protection? The Providence of God governs all things in heaven and in earth, and whatever happens to any of us, is by His appointment, without whom not even a sparrow falleth to the ground. And yet how weak is our trust in Him! When He chastens us, how little are we inclined to receive His correction as the chastisement of a loving father. When he blesses us with health, prosperity, and happiness, how little are we disposed to refer our blessings to the bounteous Giver of all good. Some amongst us, in the pride of our hearts, say, "it was my own hand, my own right arm,' and forget God, "who maketh rich and maketh poor; who bringeth down to the grave, and bringeth up."†

These Works may be had for Distribution, at Five Shillings per Dozen.

DUTY OF A CHRISTIAN PEOPLE,

UPON

THE REMOVAL OF A DIVINE VISITATION:

BEING

A CHRISTIAN PASTOR'S ADDRESS TO HIS FLOCK,

UPON REDEEMING THEIR VOWS.

"VOW AND PAY TO THE LORD YOUR GOD."

BY

THE REV. NEWTON SMART, M. A.,

MASTER OF FARLEY HOSPITAL, WILTS;

AUTHOR OF

THE DUTY OF A CHRISTIAN PEOPLE, under DIVINE VISITATIONS.

SALISBURY:

PRINTED AND SOLD BY W. B. BRODIE AND CO.: SOLD ALSO BY RIVINGTONS, LONDON,

M.DCCC.XXXIII.

The sin of ingratitude is one of the deepest dye in the sight of God and man. How would you look upon the person, whom, when poor and friendless, you assisted with money and advice, set him up in business, counselled him in difficulties, and consoled him in sickness; and who, when he thought he no longer required your aid, thanked you not, but ascribed his success solely to himself? Would not every

virtuous mind look on such a character as a monster of ingratitude? Yet, brethren, this is too true a picture of thousands, in this evil day, who, when their flocks and herds multiply, and when their silver and their gold is multiplied, and all that they have is multiplied, their hearts are lifted up, and they forget the Lord their God."* My brethren," the lot is cast into the lap, but the disposing of it is of the Lord."† Not only has your situation in life been allotted to you by God, but his Providence orders every thing for you your sickness and your sorrows, your health and your joys, are his gift; for life and death are in His hand, and He appoints the number of your days. And, oh, my friends, what a source of joy and consolation is this to the true believer! He sees life surrounded with dangers, he knows it hangs upon a thread, which a moment may snap; and yet he fears no evil,-and why? because, without God's permission, nothing can happen to him; and God has promised in His blessed Gospel, "that all things shall work together for good to them who love him."‡

Again, as to the profanation of the Sabbath,

Deut, viii. 13, 14. + Proverbs.

Romans viii.

do not our consciences condemn us all, when we consider the sacred duties of the Lord's day, and its strict observance required in Holy Scripture? The Sabbath is to be set apart for the honour and service of God, and for our own advancement in religious knowledge. It is to be a day of rest from all temporal concerns, except those of necessity or charity; and is to be employed in the public worship of God, in private prayer, in study of the Scriptures and religious books, in devout meditation, and in profitable conversation. No truly Christian mind can be at a loss to understand how this holy day should be employed. Intervals there will be of remission of spiritual exercises and profitatble occupations. Still the sacred character of the day, and the end for which it was instituted, are never to be lost sight of. There are to be no visits, except those of kindness and charity, paid or received; no entertainments given; no journeys of business or pleasure made; newspapers and books of amusement are not to be read; letters are not to be written, and no worldly business, except that of necessity, to be done. Most gracious and encouraging are the promises given in Scripture to those who keep the Sabbath of God, and no less fearful the denunciations against those who pollute them. Truly it may be said, "the love of money is the root of all evil." This is one chief cause of the profanation of the Sabbath, which has now reached an alarming height. In some places, it is made a day of the most gainful traffic; but have the parties to such a wicked traffic, on the Lord's day, ever asked themselves our blessed Lord's fearful question? "What is a man