abasement and humiliation. The displeased God sees the contrition of the guilty Sovereign; and David having repented, "the Lord repented him of the evil" he had threatened, and said to the angel that destroyed, "Stay thine hand;" and so it was. Thus did the messenger from heaven, and the pestilence of the earth, obey the word of Him "who ruleth over all;" thereby showing that it is with God to save or destroy, to kill or preserve alive.

2. And with him there is not only power, but mercy, to remove judgment.

It is

As Jehovah does not willingly afflict, neither does he unnecessarily afflict the object of the visitation being secured, the visitation is removed. Of this we have an instructive example in this history. When David was brought to see his folly, and to confess and lament his sin; and when the indignation of the Lord against him had been displayed, the Lord said to the angel of destruction, "It is enough ;" as much as if Jehovah had said: "The end is accomplished; the King is humbled; his pride is abased; and the number of his mighty men in whom he would have confided is diminished. It is enough;' for the Elders also are in the dust; they confess my sovereign rule, and in sackcloth supplicate my grace. It is enough: the nation at large has been taught, that it is in vain that they exalt themselves against me, and the holiness of my character has been fully sustained. enough: stay now thine hand.'" And who, that truly loves his country, can forbear pleading that the calamities now resting on our land may be so speedily sanctified to us as a nation and as individuals, that our sins may be forgiven, and that God, in the midst of deserved wrath, may remember mercy, and say, "It is enough?" "It is enough,' mysterious disease! no more destroy the valuable produce of the earth. It is enough,' meager famine! no longer devour, but let plenty be the portion of the poor. It is enough, burning fever! cease to rage and spread, and let health and strength be the inheritance of man. It is enough,' commercial embarrassments! flow again, ye streams of commerce, deep, far, and wide, and give employment to the industrious of the people." Who, we again inquire, that loves his country, can forbear praying, that God, in mercy, would thus interpose, and speak, and bless, and that our suffering land may yet flourish and prosper? Lord, hear the supplication of this assembly, and say to the instruments of thy just and holy wrath, "It is enough!" IV. From this history we likewise learn, that when delivered from the visitations of judgment, we should manifest our gratitude by appearing before God in the duties of holy worship.

6

To David such direction was given. The angel of the Lord instructed Gad to say to David: "Go up, and set up an altar to the Lord in the threshing-floor of Ornan the Jebusite."

We remark, for our personal profiting,

1. To this duty of worship David was obedient.

He went up at the saying of Gad, and bought the threshing-floor of Ornan, and built an altar to the Lord. From the duty required, and so promptly observed by David, we may learn the pleasure of the Lord. concerning ourselves, that we are called to appear before God in worship. And where, indeed, in the time of trouble and distress, personal or national, can we appear to greater advantage, than in the courts of the Lord's house? There we ought to be found as intercessors for

ourselves, our families, and for our nation. There, like the Ministers of the Lord in the days of Israel, we should be found weeping between the porch and the altar, and praying, "Spare thy people, O Lord!" offering up all our prayers in the name of our redeeming Lord, that better altar that sanctifies the gift; and, after calamities have been graciously removed, where should we go, but to the sanctuary of worship, and there present our thanksgivings to the God of our mercies? for "it is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord, and sing praises unto thy name, O Most High!"

2. In the duty of worship David was accepted of the Lord.

:

Having built the required altar, on it he offered the burnt-offering and the peace-offering; the former as an atonement," that the plague might be stayed from the people ;" and the latter to express his devout gratitude and this he did, "calling upon the Lord;" thus sanctifying the acts in the spirit of prayer. When so employed he found favour; for "the Lord answered him by fire from heaven on the altar," and by this manifested his approval and forgiveness. And equally we may find favour before God in worship, through that all-availing sacrifice, which has been offered once for all. The burnt-offering presented by David was only typical; yet, through it, as the representation of the good thing typified, his acts of worship were received. But how superior are our privileges! We pass not to the substance through the shade, but have immediate access to the High Priest of our profession, who has offered up himself for us. In his name, and for his sake, prayers and praises ascend to the throne of God with acceptance; yea, through him all the blessings of salvation are freely and richly bestowed. We further observe on this subject, it is a fact of this history worthy of special notice, that it was not until David had built the altar, offered the sacrifice, called on the name of the Lord, and found acceptance, that the destroying sword was sheathed. Before this, "the hand was stayed" to give David the opportunity of complying with the command of his God; but the sword remained drawn, ready to resume the work of destruction, should he neglect or delay; but having obeyed, "the Lord commanded the angel, and he put up his sword again into the sheath thereof." By this remarkable fact of the divine conduct we are admonished, that visitations may be suspended or removed, to see whether men will hear and obey the voice of God; but if they continue to offend, the Lord remaineth near and powerful to enter again into judgment, teaching that those nations and individuals who answer not the purposes of sparing goodness, have cause to fear and tremble. Happy the inhabitants of the earth, who, when the hand of the Lord is lifted up, learn righteousness. (Isaiah xxvi. 9-11.)

3. In the duty of worship David persevered.

"When he saw the Lord answered him on the threshing-floor of Ornan, he sacrificed there." He had done so before, but now repeats the offering, and continued to do so; thus showing that his obedience to the divine command was not the mere effect of appalling terror, but from principle, in which all devotion should originate. That which is only produced by alarm will abate, and become lax and lukewarm, as the danger which excited it retires; but devotion from principle promises to be permanent. And such should be the character of that worship we profess to give unto God; not servile, but free; not

occasional, but constant; remembering that in health or sickness, in prosperity or adversity, in youth or old age, amidst national judgments or national blessings, the command of Heaven is, "Fear God, and give glory to him; and worship Him that made heaven and earth." (Rev. xiv. 7.)

In conclusion, we observe from this subject,

1. We should examine strictly the motives of our conduct.

Too frequently, when projects of a doubtful character are contemplated, an attempt is made to silence conscience, and obtain the consent of the mind, by pleading there is no express scripture that forbids the purpose. It may be so; for there are various sins not so much as named in Scripture; but if those who are guilty of them were to examine the motives which lead to them, they would find that they originate in principles expressly forbidden. Nor is it sufficient to the sustaining of the full Christian character that the work performed is just and righteous: the principle of that work ought to be pure, to render it acceptable. Even good and required deeds may be performed from bad motives; but good motives will generally secure good actions. 2. We learn to whom we should repair in the time of distress. We should go to God: his hand should be acknowledged, and his mercy should be sought to remove visitations, or for his grace to be sustained under the stroke of the rod. We should also inquire of the Lord the design of his dealings with us, and apply ourselves with diligent sincerity to the duty that may concern us. This we should do, that the end of the dispensation may be accomplished in us, and by us; that it may be removed in mercy.

3. We see the duty of those God has delivered from sickness and restored to health.

In the night-season of affliction, many, on examination, find themselves to be wanting: they reflect on the past, and feel cause of regret; they look into the future, and have reason to fear: then they resolve and promise, if restored to health, that they will live a new, reformed life. But, alas! how many wicked weep and vow in affliction, but, when health returns, they return to their former ways! and how many professors of religion in the season of suffering are convinced of their past lukewarmness, formality, and neglect of duty, and promise, if spared, they will be more fervent in spirit, diligent in obedience, and fruitful in righteousness, but again yield to supineness, and become at ease in Zion! We would warn all of this character of their folly and danger. See, see the hand of the angel of death is only stayed; the sword is yet drawn, and ever ready to obey the command, " Pierce and destroy."

4. We should connect with the worship of God the required spirit of benevolence.

When David requested the threshing-floor of Ornan to build an altar to the Lord, Ornan generously offered to give it to him with the oxen for sacrifice, and the threshing-instruments for wood to burn the offering. But David refused to receive them as a gift, assigning for his refusal the noble determination, "I will not offer unto the Lord my God of that which doth cost me nothing." How different from the conduct of many at the present day, with whom it is a grave consideration how little they should give to the Lord, and with how small a cost they can go to heaven; even absenting themselves from the

house of the Lord to avoid giving! Such, we affirm, have no legitimate claim to the name of Christian; for they are destitute of the spirit of Christianity. Be ye otherwise minded; and with the worship of this service offer unto the Lord that which in the order of his providence he requires from you. You have joined in prayer, that compassion may be shown unto the wretched; and in this you have done well. But to do nothing more, is in effect to say to the brother and sister of the human family who are destitute of daily food, ye warmed and be ye filled, yet to give them not those things which are needful." Rather remember, according to your ability, "those who suffer adversity, as being yourselves in the body;" and, by so doing, realize the truth spoken by the Redeemer: "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

"Be

Finally. Personally humble yourselves before God for your own personal offences, whether of neglect of duty, of unfaithfulness to privileges, or actual violation of any divine law. In deep humility of mind, and godly contrition of spirit, let your sincere confession be, "Lord, I have sinned," I have done the "thing" deserving of thy displeasure. Let confession be followed by a departure from all that has been evil in heart or life, and with fixed determination resolve henceforward to observe every required duty as subjects, and as professing Christians. Then may you confidently implore the mercy of a "displeased God," in the name and for the sake of his dear Son, through whom he has promised, "If the wicked forsake his way, and return unto the Lord, He will have mercy on him, and abundantly pardon." Thus presenting to your fellow-subjects a reformed holy conduct, you may lead them to a consideration of their ways, and induce an imitation of your example; and should reformation and devotedness to the service of God commence at any centre, it may spread from a smaller to an enlarged circle, until its influence forms national character, and produces national obedience to the laws of Heaven. Blessed day to our country, when its inhabitants shall thus render to the Lord for the benefits bestowed by him: then would he "make us glad according to the days wherein he has afflicted us." Now unto him, "in whose hands is the soul of every living thing and breath of all mankind,” be glory, dominion, and praise for ever. Amen.

MISCELLANEOUS COMMUNICATIONS.

ENCOURAGEMENT FOR YOUNG MINISTERS TO ENGAGE IN OPEN-AIR PREACHING.

(FROM THE EVANGELICAL MAGAZINE.)

I. CHRIST practised it.

We never feel so happy as when we think our feet are just in the footsteps of our Divine Master. I appeal to all godly men, if it is not so. Well, "the Sermon on the Mount" will always remain as Christ's sanction to the important work.

II. The New Testament commands it.

"Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind." Begin with the city, because its dense population most needs it; but do not stop there. "Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in." (Luke xiv.)

III. The state of our country requires it.

Multitudes are inaccessible, both from the pulpit and from the press. They will not come to our sanctuaries; they will not read our books. The people are perishing for lack of knowledge. O, I wish this were more prayerfully considered: then I am sure it would cause the Preachers to go forth to the people. One Minister told me, "The time is past; men are so engaged, that large congregations cannot be collected now, as they used to be in the days of Whitefield and Wesley." It may be so; but it remains to be proved. Men were always much engaged. I can remember forty years ago, and then men were as busy as bees; not in railways or in steamers; but they loved the world, and were steeped in its cares or its pleasures. Men have never any time to think of God, until they are roused by the voice of some man of God. It is a great call for gratitude, that we have hundreds of chapels and Ministers more than there were in former days; yet still there are multitudes in our country who need the awakening that faithful out-door preaching can produce.

IV. The success that attends these labours is another great inducement to go everywhere preaching the word. Here facts are of great importance; and, thanks be to God, they are not wanting. I could mention a score ; but let the following suffice :—

When a stripling, I preached in a benighted village, under a cluster of trees. Some singers accompanied me. It was in the cool of the day, and the stillness of the evening greatly favoured my voice, while the gentle breezes wafted the sound of the singing far down the valley. Many, who wished well to that village, had circulated the intelligence of our intended meeting. The people came from miles around, and a solemnity, becoming a sacramental feast, pervaded the congregation. One zealous man went to the parsonage, and informed the Rector of it, who ought to have rejoiced that some one was attempting to awaken his sleeping neighbours; but he took the alarm, and preached a rousing sermon about it the next Sunday morning, from the words, "Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing." And what of that? Was the matter quashed? O Two persons were hopefully converted to God, who long lived to show the sincerity of their religion; and a Sunday-school and regular preaching followed. Was not this encouraging?

no.

me.

A few years after this, I preached one Sunday morning on Gosport beach. Several men-of-war were lying in the distance, and several regiments were in the barracks and garrison around us. The Sunday morning generally presented an awful scene. The beach was crowded with sailors and soldiers, and a busy throng. Several Missionaries, now in heaven, went with We stood on the market-house steps. One brother gave out the hymn, "Life is the time to serve the Lord," which we sung to the wellknown tune of the old hundred. The singing roused the half-drunken people in the taverns, who turned out immediately, some of them with long pipes in their mouths, and tankards of beer in their hands. Many of the respectable people in the high-street opened their windows, or stood at the doors, to see what was the matter. The butchers' shambles were full