"habitation of his throne." Not with the glories of conquerors, whose history is written in characters of blood; whose triumphs are purchased at the expense of human life, and often terminate in the destruction of the liberties of mankind: for, although Jesus is a conqueror, "with "righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people "with equity." Not with the researches of philosophy: for these can only give respectability and advantage to the present life; but upon the cause of the Redeemer all eternity is suspended. It stands alone and unrivalled; and is the sublimest object to which human talents can be directed.

Christians are laid under especial obligations so apply their talents. They have the force of a positive command acting upon them; it is enjoined: "Occupy, till I "come." It is the giver of talents and of opportunities who speaks. They are addressed by their allegiance and responsibility. However others may dream of independence, they avow submission. Whatever claims others may advance to time, to property, to talent, as their own, denying the interference of foreign interests, and even disregarding accountability, the professor makes none of these pretensions. He has disavowed principles so absurd and so injurious. He has called Jesus Master and Lord. He has acknowledged that "a man can have nothing, except it " be given him from heaven." By his own creed shall he be judged, and out of his own mouth shall the misapplication of his talents and the neglect of his opportunities be condemned. In calling himself a disciple of Jesus, he has in effect made the cause of religion his own; and if he withdraw from it those contributions of every description which he is able to afford to it, he is wasting the property of his Master, and shall be judged and sentenced accordingly. But the Christian indeed has a law written upon his heart, the transcript of the precept just quoted, which renders obedience to him habitual, easy, and delightful. He is not driven to the improvement, or to the right application of his powers and circumstances; he is urged alike by duty and affection to active and useful exertion. From a willing heart the offering proceeds; and while he regards all his possessions as borrowed, and all his faculties as bestowed, he will adore the Being who conferred them, and consider no cause so worthy all their assistance as that of the Redeemer; no employment of them so honourable as their application to its advancement. To be so distinguished as to be entrusted with the means of promoting the interests of

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Christ, he will deem his highest honour, and the confidence thus reposed in him will produce the most profound humility. Thus it acted upon the mind of David, when he had finished his immense preparations for building the house of the Lord." But," said the holy monarch, "who am I? "and what is my people? that we should be able to offer so willingly after this sort? for all things come of thee, "and of thine own have we given thee!" It is needless to contrast this spirit of genuine religion with the reluctance with which professors sometimes contribute to the cause of Christ; and the disproportion which so often subsists between their ability and their efforts; between the property expended in self-indulgence, and the pittance devoted to the support of the Gospel at home, in their own churches, and its furtherance abroad, among nations perishing for lack of knowledge. It must be admitted, that much is done by the religious world; that in the present day they carry their liberality beyond all precedent; but it must be also conceded, that if every one gave in proportion to his actual ability, while some few might be found to advance more than prudence will justify, most bestow less than gratitude demands-and much more might be accomplished. Christians, however, are bound to apply their talents to this best of causes, by an especial obligation, and according to the rule thus laid down. "The love of Christ "constraineth them," and their obedience is prompt and cheerful, in proportion to the operation of this transcendent principle.

Opportunities constantly arising, should be diligently improved.

Some offices afford greater scope for general usefulness than others. From ministers the word of exhortation is expected; and when they tenderly, but firmly, point out an error, or reprove a sin, none but the unreasonable can take offence; none but the hardened will despise their friendship. And let them take care that they avail themselves of the privilege of their office, and the opportunities of correcting evil, with all affection, but with all fidelity: otherwise he who gave them their commission, and holds them accountable for it, will set their sins of connivance before his face, and hold them guilty of the ruin which they foresaw and did not prevent. They are also endowed with talents peculiarly fitted to advance the interests of religion. They can plead a cause, to which others only can contribute. While some can only support the great institutions of pub

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lic benefit with their countenance and property, these can silence the gainsayer, and demonstrate the truth and justice of the principles upon which they are founded. While some can only set their hand to the truth, these can defend it, and are ready to give to every man a reason for the hope that is in them. Nor can he be deemed guiltless of hiding his talent, instead of putting it out to interest for his Lord, who stands aloof from such noble institutions. For although it is not the duty of ministers to sacrifice the few to the many, they must not merge the general cause in an exclusive attention to their immediate charge. Their duties to them are not incompatible with the claims of the human race. They must discharge the one, and not leave the other undone. Let them also, in their preaching, faithfully and fully display the principles of the Gospel. It is by the preaching of the cross, and by it alone, that sinners are converted. It is this which has been the mighty engine of war in the hands of the Redeemer. This has been the instrument of his triumphs. But we must not imagine, that such means are possessed by ministers alone. Their hearers can preach also-preach by the purity of their lives, the integrity of their principles, the consistency of their character, the devotion of their spirit, the sweetness of their temper, the seasonableness of their instructions, and the force of their example. And they can preach to those who never come within the sound of a minister's voice, who give him no opportunity of conferring such benefits upon them, who turn away their foot from the sanctuary, and who will not receive the truth from the ministers of religion. They avoid their teachers, but they cannot avoid his hearers. They shun the stated periods and places of worship, but they cannot escape general intercourse with Christians. Judiciously then to seize the opportunity of doing them good; by some affectionate hint dropped-not forced, but emanating without effort from conversation, or elicited perhaps by some remark of their own--is of infinite moment. The indiscriminate introduction of religious conversation has done incalculable injury, and driven away those who were intended to be benefited, or hardened those whose admonition was designed. "But a word spoken in. season, how good it is!" not more beautiful and grateful to the eye, were the citrons presented at Solomon's table in baskets of wrought silver. Affliction may afford encouragement, when God maketh the heart soft, to direct the wounded spirit to him who promises rest to the mourner; adversity,

to speak of an incorruptible inheritance; disappointment, to awaken thoughts of hopes which never deceive. And how many such opportunities are afforded pious physicians, religious nurses, and even godly servants, to drop a word or a hint, without impertinence, and without offence, the effect of which shall be most beneficial and lasting. These are opportunities which must be secured as they arise, or they may never return. The favourable moment suffered to escape, is lost for ever; and a soul which might have been snatched from death, remains the slave of sin. We should all think seriously of this-exercise constant vigilance, and "watch for souls, as they who must give account." It is not enough to seize opportunities as they present themselves, but we must wait for them, or many a golden moment will escape unobserved and unimproved.

The observation must not here be omitted, that the wives and children of ministers have excellent and frequent opportunities to support pulpit labours, by their example and their advice. It is taken for granted that they are in situations to visit the sick and the poor-to them, exhortation and encouragement may be administered. They are admitted on terms of equality into all ranks of society:-by prudence, firmness, courtesy and piety, how much may they recommend the cause of religion? The children too may possess much influence over the minds of those of their own age, in the superiority of their information and education, while their companions are prepared to receive them with respect.

To specify the probable opportunities of doing good to the cause of Religion presenting themselves to persons of different ranks and stations in life, is unnecessary and impracticable. They arise hourly, and cannot be anticipated. It is enough to establish and define clearly the general principle. The object of the question has not been lost sight of throughout the discussion; and it will then be easy to infer from its general scope, the methods of application, which must vary according to the abilities of individuals. I shall glance at some of the more general methods in which the talents and opportunities of all Christians may be employed for the advancement of the cause of Christ; and shall barely enumerate these, as they will be too obvious to require elucidation, and the true application of the subject will be, that each one shall respectively practise its evident obligations, and individually act upon its benevolent principles.

Wealth may be hallowed by relieving the afflicted: and thus God is honoured. The mammon of unrighteousness, unfaithful riches, often so injurious, may thus become friendly to their possessor by being rendered subservient to the cause of Religion. Thus Job employed them; and the blessing of him who was ready to perish was the balm which sanctified the head of that patriarch. To such_purposes the precepts of Scripture have destined them. Then they descend in showers of comfort upon the distressed, and blessings upon their distributors. But as all incomes are limited, economy must provide for the exercise of beneficence. True charity consists in the practice of self-denial, in order to the indulgence of benevolence. He who spares to give, is the individual who best understands and fulfils the precepts of mercy. Wisdom should be exercised in choosing objects which we design to support. As we cannot assist all, we must apply the means which we possess to those whose claims are strongest, either from the extent of their usefulness, or their local fitness to benefit.

Talents must be employed in instructing the ignorant, and supporting truth. These are not always, perhaps not often, associated with riches; but their sphere of usefulness is not less extensive, and is certainly more elevated than that of wealth. The question is, how may the cause of truth be best served? and the answer, by applying diligently different talents to the same noble object. Talents are sometimes excluded the place they might and would occupy in public interests, because contributions are also expected from their possessors, which they have not the honest means of affording. The conductors of general institutions should be aware of this, and not deprive themselves of the assistance they might command, by the expectation of that which the individual cannot bestow.

Influence should be employed in attracting those, who would otherwise stand aloof from a good cause, or remain indifferent to it. For this reason men of rank incur a dreadful responsibility, when they withhold from the interest of religion a patronage, which it does not absolutely need, but which they are bound by every possible obligation to bestow. And when much good might be effected, at so small inconvenience to themselves, when also their own respectability is deeply involved in their aiding the cause of religion and benevolence, if they are reluctant to come forward on such occasions, an indelible disgrace attaches to their indifference.