tians are not called upon to make these important and self-denying exertions: but it is invariably required, even of the least and lowest of such as tarry at home, to be aiding and assisting in this great work, by supplying the means of putting and keeping those in motion, who are qualified for extensively cultivating the Lord's vineyard.

This then, my brethren, should be considered as our common concern; and we are this day assembled together, for the special purpose of animating one another to do that with all our might, which our hand findeth to do in this sacred cause. Our nation, great in every point of view, has lately taken the lead in disseminating the good Word of God, through every continent and island of the habitable world. And it must be universally allowed, that this is an undertaking for which our country is almost exclusively qualified; by the power it has acquired, the riches it has amassed, and the unlimited connexion it maintains with every part of the earth. We have lately astonished the surrounding kingdoms, by accomplishing for them a great temporal deliverance; and now, their admiration is heightened by

the exertions we are putting forth for their eternal good.

There was a time when the miraculous gift of languages was no unusual qualification among the ministering servants of the Church. At that time, the missionary evangelist could present himself in foreign countries, and before the most distant tribes of the human race, with the fullest confidence of making distinctly known to them, in their several tongues, the wonderful works of God. But this extraordinary privilege being now totally withdrawn from the christian world, there has sprung up among us an honourable body of men, who, with wonderful labour, and at an enormous expence, are preparing editions of the Holy Scriptures in nearly all the different dialects at present employed in the world. That so vast and benevolent a design can be no otherwise accomplished than at a nearly incalculable charge, may easily be conceived—and this must form my excuse, if an excuse should be thought necessary, for entreating and beseeching you this day to come forth to the help of the Lord against the mighty. A few of you are already stated contributors

to this noble institution; and if any thing now urged should either increase the interest you take in this blessed work, or add to your numbers, I shall on that account most thankfully bow my knee in adoration and praise to Him, in whose name I now address you.

Of all the gracious gifts which God hath vouchsafed to his Church, the gift of his Holy Word may well be considered as the most inestimable. This special grant most effectually distinguishes man from all the inferior creatures. It carries our views far away beyond the utmost bounds of time and sense; it sets before us a plain revelation of Jehovah's gracious intentions towards our fallen race; it brings us acquainted with things, which all the collective wisdom of man could never have discovered. Need I, then, apologize for spending myself upon so interesting a topic as this? I find it impossible to address you, on such an occasion, with a less degree of earnestness than that which now animates and draws me out, in the presence of our common Lord and Master.

Are you, my brethren, in any competent

degree, acquainted with the sacred Scriptures? Have Have you ever made them your serious study? And, feeling your want of wisdom to understand their spiritual mysteries, have you earnestly besought his promised help, who alone is able to make you wise unto salvation? If not, then go, I conjure you, to the study of these Scriptures with all the mingled reverence and desire, which they ought to excite. Consider them not as the word of man; but, as indeed they are, the quick and powerful word of God, minutely adapted to every case that can arise among men, most wonderfully calculated to give light and understanding to the simple, to support the weak, to comfort those who mourn, and infallibly to guide aright the humble believer in the way everlasting. The further you penetrate into this sacred mine, the richer you will find it; the deeper you drink of these waters of life, the sweeter they will become to your taste-till they constrain you, at length, to rise up and pledge the nations round, entreating them to drink of the same cup, and draw from the same fountain.

Do you, my brethren, give any credit to

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the declarations of the sacred volume? or do you build any hope upon its exceeding great and precious promises? Do you expect to derive any comfort from it in the day of trouble? or to draw from it any support in a dying hour? Then unite your friendly efforts for the purpose of communicating it to those, who are now ignorant of its existence, that they may rejoice with brightest prospects, and taste with purest enjoyments, allowed to man.

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Fear not to consecrate a small portion of your worldly substance to this charitable work, that a double blessing may descend upon the remainder of it. He who loved the Church and gave himself for it, will graciously accept such an offering at your hands and if a cup of cold water given in his name, shall by no means lose its reward; then rest assured, that such an act as I now invite you to, cannot fail to draw down upon you the divine benediction. The appointed period is hastening on, when the Church of Christ, whose cause I am now anxiously advocating, shall be presented before the throne of Jehovah, covered with the robe of righteousness, and adorned with the

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