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fore precisely such as suits the true christian. He is, in all respects, pleased with the heaven which the di. vine redeemer has purchased for his followers; and with the terms on which they are admitted to its enjoyment.

V. If we love Christ, we shall cheerfully submit to the services and sufferings of the christian life. Thus Peter evinced his love. Did he deny his divine Master ? deny him in the face of solemn warnings and vows ? deny him before his enemies and in an hour of awful trial ? He did : and the mournful fact is recorded, as one among a thousand demonstrations, that the best of men are frail and fallible.. But, as became a christian, he remembered that woful fall, with an acking, contrite heart. He remembered it, and ' wept bitterly.' He remembered it, and no more lacked for courage to do his duty. The beloved name which he abjured before Pilate, he. was afterwards bold to acknowledge before Jews and Romans, in the streets and synagogues, in prison and on the cross. Behold the man who trembled at the voice of a damsel, triumphs amidst the flames of persecution ! Undismayed at peril or suffering, in their most terriffic forms, he encounters with a martyr's intrepidity, chains, dungeons and death! Many would be glad to sit on Christ's right hand, without drinking of the cup that he drank of. Many vainly hope to reign with him, who refuse to serve him, or to suffer for him. When duty is easy and danger distant, the mere coward may seem courageous. The good soldier of Christ is known by his constancy in the hour of trial. That service which costs him most, is the best evidence of his sincerty,-Through the varying scenes of wealth or poverty, honor or disgrace, he stands inflexible. He fears not the scoffs of dying men. He shrinks not from the terrors of a frowning world. The utmost that human power or malice can inflict, he dares to er.."

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dure, for so dear a Saviour. In so good a cause, suffering is pleasure, reproach is praise. The cup that our father hath given us, shall we not drink it? Blessed Saviour! By the bitterness of thy pains, we may estimate the force of thy love; and therefore, if thou so ordainest, welcome disappointment and poverty; welcome sickness and pain; welcome shame and contempt. If this be a rough and thorny path, it is one in which thou hast gone before us. Where we sce thy footsteps, let us not repine*.'

VI. If we love Christ we shall labor for a thorough acquaintance with his religion. The modern opinion which disclaims any standard of faith, and maintains the innocence of error, is virtual infidelity. Does the gospel contain a scheme of truths which the son of God taught with his lips, exemplified in his life, and sealed with his blood? Can we then be innocent, wilfully or heedlessly rejecting any of these truths? If there be any need of a revelation from heaven, unquestionably it is important that the revelation should be rightly understood. It is implied in the character of true christians, that they have some acquaintance with the leading truths of the gospel. But their knowledge, in many cases, is much less than it ought to be, or than it need be. In religion, as well as other things, a little knowledge is often dangerous. Though a little knowledge might secure our own salvation-what then? Can we be christians on such narrow principles? Have the cause of truth, the salvation of souls, the honor of God our Saviour, no share in our regard? Think of an inquiring neighbor or an own child, under the burden of a

wounded spirit,' coming to such a christian; coming perhaps to you, and begging instruction in the way of life. Alas, in so solemn a case, shall ignorance compel you to say nothing, or expose you to the hazard of saying what may be infinitely worse?

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When open and covert enemies of pure religion abound, when errors of every description are propagated with unexampled industry and zeal, shall those who are men in stature and christians by profession, remain babes in knowledge ? Shall those who can talk understandingly and by the hour together, on common topics, be put to silence when a reason of their hope is required, or the very foundation of their hope assaulted? Shall they be so poorly equipped with armour, or so unskillful to use it, as to furnish occa. sion for profane triumph to the enemies of Jesus? Let us know that our love to Christ is, to say the least, very low and languid, if, at such a day as this, we can sit down supinely, in the neglect of a diligent, prayerful, systematic study of the scriptures; without understanding well, and being able to vindicate, the essential truths of the gospel.

VII. If we love Christ, we shall also love his true disciples.

It is characteristic of his followers that they love one another.' That bond of holy affection which unites them to their divine head, unites them to their fellow members. Redeemed by one Saviour, sanctified by one spirit, embracing one faith, heirs of one inheritance; their desires, pursuits, interests, sorrows and enjoyments are essentially the same. Their birth and residence may be in different quarters of the globe; they may, be separated by intervening continents or oceans; still, they are brethren. In proportion as they have opportunity for familiar intercourse of hearts, their mutual love will be more strong and apparent. Especially will this be the case with those who meet, for the highest exercise of christian fellowship, at the same communion table. To those who love Christ, there is no privilege so exquisitely solemn and delightful as that of testifying their remembrance of his affectionate and dying commands. Upon this part of the subject, it is impossible to dwell without feeling its attractions. Cold

and hard as flint must be the heart, that does not here swell with emotions which language cannot utter. There is something so ineffably tender and endearing in the Saviour's parting counsels to his little family... on their union to himself and among themselves, es pecially in his parting prayer that his disciples should love one another, that he who can read the latter part of St. John's gospel, without feeling his heart moved, I had almost said melted, has much reason to question his love to Christ.

VIII. If we love Christ, we shall possess a spirit of general good will to our fellow creatures. We shall embrace the whole family of man,' in our benevólent regards.

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The gospel recognises no bond of union among intelligent beings, but love. When this becomes an universal principle of action, as assuredly it will, in God's appointed time, men will beat their swords into ploughshares, and their spears into, pruning hooks.' Earthly rulers will reverence the Ruler of heaven earthly laws will accord with his laws. Man will cease to be the enemy of man. Peace, holiness and joy will pervade the earth. This will make happy families, happy nations and a happy world. A world, Ohow unlike one that is filled with discord and sin! When shall infatuated mortals, blind to their own true interest, cease to hate a religion which proclaims peace on earth and good will to men! When shall this divine religion extend its heavenly influence over the nations and heal this distracted, bleeding world of its enmities, its wars, and its miseries! Fly swiftly the intermediate years...Come, O come the delightful period,' when nations shall be born to God in a day, and unnumbered millions feel the power, and share in the blessings of gospel love! For this long predicted joyful day, shall not the friends of Christ and of human happiness, pray with united hearts!! Amen...even so, come Lord Jesus.'

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Finally If we love Christ, we shall desire the universal spread of his gospel.

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Millions of our race are perishing in ignorance of a Saviour. The infant settlements, spread over the wide wilderness of our own country, are lamentably destitute of religious instruction. Vast objects are here presented to awaken our Christian philanthropy: Objects which require us to love in deed as well as in word...to act as well as pray. Our brethren in the eastern hemisphere have nobly led the way and invite us to emulate their labors of benevolence. While thousands have joined in the animated prayer, to the head of the church, Thy kingdom come.' The heralds of the gospel have met around the globe. Where Satan's empire had remained quiet for ages, the standard of the cross has been displayed. Yes, in this sinful world, men have been found, that from love to Christ and immortal souls, could quit their pleasant homes for a dreary wilderness; encounter the perils of the deep to embrace their pagan brethren; and to publish the unsearchable riches of redeeming grace, could traverse the snowy cliffs of Greenland or the burning plains of Africa. To unite in this work of love, a great door and effectual is opened' to the christians of America. More ministers are wanted. To say nothing of the lack of able and faithful pastors, for the supply of old and vacant churches; in the new settlements, the field is spaci, ous but the labourers are emphatically few. Their condition claims the commisseration of all that have hearts to pray. O how earnestly should we implore the great head of the church, that he would raise up more Mayhew's and Elliot's and Brainard's; that he would sanctify the hearts of young men for himself; give them zeal to labor, and holy courage to suffer, if need be, in his service! The signs of the times summon us to diligence. The kingdom of Satan must fall...it will fall. But its dying struggles may

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