and the many prophecies that had their unquestionable fulfilment in him, were signs from heaven, furnishing most ample testimony to his divine character. To overlook all these proofs, and to demand others, denoted a criminal unbelief, deserving the censure which it received.

It was to be expected that the coming of the Saviour would be designated, in the language of prophe

and in the arrangements of providence, with marks of higher distinction than any other event in the history of our world. Next to this in importance, is the period when the gospel is to be preached to all people, and the knowledge of the Lord is to fill the earth. The most judicious expositors of the prophecies have expected this period to be ushered in by circumstances of a conspicuous character. So far as the aspects of the present time accord with these prophetic intimations, they attach a special importance to our privileges and obligations as Christians.

I am not about to enter into a minute inquiry how far the characteristics of this day are marked out by ancient prophecy. No advantage to the church has resulted from the taste for visionary and sanguine speculation, often indulged on this subject. Writers of this stamp have a thousand times applied the sublime predictions of the scriptures to events however transient or trivial, which happened to interest themselves. But there is a sober view of the

prophecies, which leads us to look for a mighty change in the moral condition of the world; a change resulting from the universal prevalence of true religion. When this day of triumph to the church will come, and how long it will last, are points on which various opinions have been entertained by the ablest men. But the certainty that it will come, furnishes one of the most delightful, and one of the most general subjects of faith and prayer to Christians. The signs of the times, indeed, seem to indicate that we stand upon the confines of this day. The serious observer of events for the last twenty years, must have been impressed with a strong persuasion that a great moral revolution is approaching.

For a long period the energies and resources of Christendom were exhausted in war. The worst passions of men were let loose from restraint; the nations dashed one against another; and the tempest, fraught with havoc and destruction, swept over the fairest portions of the globe. But he who “rides in the whirlwind," intended that this conflict of the elements should produce a purer atmosphere, and a serener sky.

Among the signs by which the present period is marked may be mentioned, an unusual spirit of prayer; revivals of religion, uncommonly powerful and extensive; the increase of candour and fraternal feeling among different denominations of Christians; un

usual efforts to spread the Bible; unusual efforts to evangelize the heathen; unusual efforts to give religious instruction to the rising generation; unusual efforts to increase the number of pious and able ministers.

These grand movements in the kingdom of grace, are rapidly acquiring an ascendency over the minds of men. In one form or another, they are becoming the general subject of interest, and of conversation. Christians are roused. The long slumber of the church is succeeded by a zeal that "attempts great things, expects great things;" a zeal, which kindles to a brighter flame as it burns, and rises, amidst discouragements, to higher hopes, and bolder achievements. The majestic river, that swells with the accession of tributary streams, rolls onward, bearing away every thing that falls in with its current. So the So the great objects of Christian benevolence, at this day, seem destined to swallow up the thousand minor objects of regard, to harmonize the views of hostile sects, and to combine by a common impulse, the efforts of princes, statesmen, and peasants, to promote the interests of the church.

It would give me pleasure to pursue this train of reflection, and to present in a distinct review those signs of the times, which are adapted to encourage the faith and hope of Christians. It can hardly be necessary, however, to repeat what has been already

so often and ably done, from the pulpit and the press. But as connected with the circumstances of prosperity to which I have alluded, and as growing out of them, there are other characteristics of the present day, which seem to have attracted less notice than they deserve. The history of a few past years furnishes lessons of instruction and caution, as well as of animation. The sober observer of events must perceive that there are dangers to be guarded against, in our great systems of benevolent operation; and it is to these signs of the times, that I purpose especially to call your attention in this discourse.

Let me not be understood, however, in any remarks which follow, to express an apprehension, that we are in danger of indulging excessive zeal for the cause of religion. When I recollect that after a lapse of eighteen hundred years since the Saviour died to redeem lost men, three fourths of our race have not so much as heard of his name; when I see the nations of modern Christendom lavish more expense on one military campaign, than they bestow on the church in a century; when I hear Christians acknowledge that all the luxuries of the world ought promptly to be sacrificed, if that were the price of bringing a single heathen to embrace the truth; and when I lay by the side of this acknowledgment another fact, that very few Christians are to be found, who have come to regard it as their serious duty to retrench any per

sonal comfort or even embellishment for the sake of sending the gospel to hundreds of millions, who are ignorant of its blessings; I can see no reason to think that immoderate zeal in behalf of religion is now, or is likely to be hereafter, a fault of the church. On the contrary, the work of converting the world cannot be consummated without calling into action zeal a hundred times more fervent than we have hitherto witnessed. If I could suppose that any sentence of this discourse would tend to damp the ardor, or paralyse the efforts of a single pious soul, I would blot it out forever. But surely it is not a blind zeal that is to carry forward the great enterprises of this age. It is a zeal guided by wisdom, and one that can perceive the dangers attendant on its own operations.

Let us proceed then to consider these dangers, as they respect men without personal religion; and as they respect real Christians, and the interests of the church.

I. As they respect men who are destitute of personal religion.

Any tendency which there may be in the system of things at this day, to sink the grand requisitions of the gospel out of sight, and to cherish in men the hope of acceptance with God, while destitute of the temper which he requires, must seriously endanger their eternal interests.

If I mistake not, there is such a tendency. The church and the world are becoming accustomed to