We must now close the subject with a few reflections.

1. We are taught the depravity and wickedness of mankind in different ages, and nations; which they have manifested in their rage and opposition to the cause of Christ. This wicked disposition hath led to reject or corrupt Christianity, and finally to renounce it, and embrace positive infidelity. This,' says the author we have quoted, is the last part of the antichristian apostacy. They can go no farther; and when they have spent themselves in destroying one another, Christ Jesus will appear to vindicate his insulted, injured cause.' 'We are come,' says one, to what the scripture emphatically calls the last day. The last tyrannical form of govern. ment is falling to pieces, viz. the Roman; for which event there hath long been a growing preparation in the state of the nations. It is the dy ing pangs of this fourth beast that now convulse the world.' "He that sitteth in the heavens will laugh; the Lord will have them in derision."

2. We learn this pleasing, animating truth, that the cause of Christ shall be preserved amidst all the convulsions of nations, and at last triumph gloriously. To this end he who sitteth in the heavens will conduct the present distressing scene of things; Christ will reign until he hath put all enemies under his feet. Remarkable is the fol lowing part of the psalm, in which the text is. "Then shall he speak unto them, (his enemies,) in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion. I will declare the decree: the Lord hath said unto me, thou art my Son; this day have I

begotten thee. Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession. Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. Be wise now, therefore, O ye kings; be instructed, ye judges of the earth. Serve the Lord with fear, and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him."

Thus you see that this psalm is remarkably ap plicable to the present condition of the church and of the world. God will accomplish all his pleasure as it respects the downfall of antichrist, the punishment of the enemies of his church, and finally cause her to come forth in triumph.

3. Let Christians duly consider what their duty is in such times as these. They should be much in prayer and supplication in private and in public, keep themselves unspotted by the flesh, and provoke one another to love and good works. Our God is a God who heareth prayer. "Ye that make mention of the Lord, keep not silence; and give him no rest, till he establish, and till he make Jerusalem a praise in the earth."

4. There are several sources of encouragement for us amidst the distresses of the times; the principal is the promise and prophecy, and what God hath done in the extraordinary revivals of religion in different parts of the United States. God grant that they may be more universal, and we become a pious, a reformed people. These beginnings give us reason to hope that the Lord will not forsake us, though our iniquities abound.

Another source of consolation to good men is, that there is nothing in the cause of religion that can justly procure such a treatment of it, and of its friends. It is a religion of benevolence and love; it displays the love of God and of Christ, and exhorts its friends to do good to all men; to live soberly, righteously and godly in this present world; and as much as lieth in them, to live peaceably with all men. They who suffer in this cause suffer for righteousness' sake.

The subject affords great encouragement to us who are engaged in the ministry, to preach the It word, to be instant in season, out of season. becomes us to be faithful in our attachments to the apostolic doctrines, and to preach them with fidelity and plainness. If ever we are useful to mankind, it will be by preaching Jesus Christ and free grace.

To such diligence and fidelity we have many calls: one especially solemn and interesting to us all, in the death of our much beloved friend and brother, the Rev. Dr. THACHER.

To the societies united in this concert for prayer, this event is particularly solemn, as he was united with us in it from the beginning, and continued to assist us till his ill health deprived him of the opportunity. We this day miss him:

feel our loss, and sorrow most of all that we shall see his face no more. No more shall we enjoy his company and counsel: no more shall we hear his excellent addresses to the throne of grace: no more shall he return to his house; and the place which once knew him shall now know him no more. We were deprived of the opportunity ef conversing with him in his last moments, by

his absence from home. But on the Saturday evening before he sailed, I was with him. He expressed his confidence that he should not recover, but with a peculiar energy, said to me, 'the doctrines I have preached are now my only comfort. My hopes are built on the atonement and righteousness of Christ.' But as we are favoured with the extract of a letter, from one who attended his last minutes, I shall lay it before you. It would appear,' says the writer, 'that from his first coming among us, he was under the impression that here his days would come to a close. I visited him as often as was practicable, and still found him placid and resigned, waiting for the salvation of his God; particularly on my last visit, a few hours before his death, after expressing his unshaken confidence in the obedience and death of the Son of God, the blessed Saviour of men, he requested me to pray for him, that whether he lived, he might live unto the Lord, or whether he died, he might die unto the Lord; that living or dying he might be the Lord's; to pray also for his family, for his congregation, and for his friends in Boston. All which, after kneeling by his bed, was attempted in humble dependence on divine grace; and in which this worthy and excellent minister of the altar joined with all the fervour of his soul. With the first Christian martyr, the last words which he was known to articulate were "Jesus Christ my Saviour."

May this solemn event have a becoming influence on us his brethren in the ministry, and on you our Christian friends.

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To the greatly afflicted family we wish every divine consolation and support; and to his be reaved flock, hearts devoutly to improve this mournful visitation. And may we all be followers of them who, through faith and patience, are gone to inherit the promises, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory forever. Amen.