"^" IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 I.I 1.25 m : 5 IM 1112 .^ 1^ M 2.0 U nil 1.6 ^m e o w /, Ca ■c'l y /^ Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (716) B73-4S03 ^" . (meaning "CON- TINUED "), or the symbol V (meaning "END "), whichever applies. Un des symboles suivants appLraitra sur la dernidre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbole •— »> signifie "A SUIVRE", le symbole V signifie ""FIN". Maps, plates, charts, etc., may be filmed at different reduction ratios. Those too large to be entirely included in one exposure are filmed beginning in the upper left hand corner, left to right and top to bottom, as many frames as required. The following diagrams illustrate the method: Les cartes, planches, tableaux, etc., peuvent dtre filmds d des taux de reduction diff^rents. Lorsque le document est trop grand pour etre reproduit en un seul clichd, il est film6 d partir de Tangle sup6rieur gauche, de gauche d droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images n6cessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la m^thode. 1 2 3 32X 1 2 3 4 5 6 mmmmm "^ -y- 9^^^; J^*^ A. MEMORIALS OF THE LATE HUGH MAIR, D.D. (SERMONS, ADDRESSES, &c.) ' ' The Preacher sought to find out acceptable words ; and that which was written, luns upright, even words of truth. — Ec~l. xii. lo. COMPILED WITH BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH BY ALEX. DINGWALL FQRDYCE, FERGUS, ONTARIO.. TORONTO: JAMES CAMPBELL & SON, 1879. C. R. Robinson. Printer. 5 Jord.in.St., Toronto. CONTENTS. PACK Preface v Biographical Sketch (Compiler's Narrative and Com- munications) ix , " Note a. (Rev. Dr. Sprague) xlvii ** " b. (Professor Lewis) xlix " " c. (Late A. D. Fordyce) . . . . li " " d. (Mairs of Orwell, etc.) .... liii Sermons (i) Incomprehensible nature of the Love of Christ I " (2) Christ an Almighty Conquerer and Gra- cious Deliverer 28 " (3) Personal nature of the Gospel Message . 49 ** (4) Nature and Evidence of Divine Sonship. 68 " (5) The Christian Traveller 88 " (6) Self Sacrifice an essential accompani- ment of acceptable Worship and Ser- vice 109 " (7) Duty and Means of Reconciliation to God. 126 " (8) Success of the Gospel Ministry depend- ent on the Christian People's Prayers for their Pastor 142 ** (9) Emotion in the Preacher necessary to successful proclamation of the Gospel. 163 " (10) On Spiritual Insensibility 187 " (11) On Spiritual Beauty, Stability and Pro- gress 199 Communion Address (Fencing of the Tables) . . . 217 Catechetical Exercise (Final State of the Righteous) . 228 l] PEEFACE. The appearance, after the lapse of twenty-two years, of a supplementary volume of discourses by one who was comparatively so little known as the late Reverend Dr. Mair, requires some explanation. For seven years previous to his lamented death , I had enjoyed more frequent intercourse with him, I believe, than anyone else beyond his own family. I had shared, with many others, a high esteem and regard for himself, and appreciation of his abilities and worth, and on his death, had been entrusted with the custody of the bulk of his discourses. Their perusal suggested to me the publication of a selection of his sermons, accompanied by a short sketch of his life. Old arwd valued friends of his own encouraged the idea, and rendered very ma- terial aid in carrying it out successfully. The work came out in the spring of 1856, and was well re- ceived. It, like the present, was published by sub- scription, and consequently its circulation was in a great measure confined to those quarters where he had laboured for a quarter of a century, or to breth- ren in the ministry who had been intimately ac- quainted with him. The fact that several were dis- \ Preface. appointed of copies of the work, induced me to con- template the publication of another edition, or of an additional selection with fuller biographical sketch and likeness, the want of which in the first selection had been regretted by some old friends, one of whom observed that "Dr. Mair's countenance indicated much of his mind." The preparation of such a supplementary volume was, however, inevit- ably delayed in consequence of my unexpectedly entering, in the month of August, 1856, on duties which increased in extent each succeeding year, and effectually prevented th(^ fulfilment of the design. It was not till the month of June last, that the barrier I have alluded to was removed, and I was left free to carry out this long cherished desire. For several reasons, however, it was at a disadvan- tage; general financial depression; a most unpro- pitious harvest in the part of Ontario in which Dr. Mair had resided, and the diminution in the course of years of a number who had taken an interest in the former publication; and, I may add also, of some very old friends who could have furnished particu- lars respecting his early days, and his first years in the Ministry. The sermon on "Spiritual Insensibility," had evi- dently been written just before its delivery. It was preached at Fergus on the first October, 1854!, and as it was the last he ever preached, is included in vi Preface. this volume, notwithstanding its having had a place in the former selection. The sermon on the "Love of Christ" was the first he delivered at Fergus; this was on the first of August, 1847; it had been intended at one time as a contribution to a volume of sermons by ministers of the Church, for use in destitute localities; and the summer before his death, he had resolved to allow it to appear in the "Montreal Presbyterian," for which a communication had been asked. He had revised it for the purpose, and a part appeared in two num- bers before his death, the concluding portion in the very number in which the sad event was announced. The particulars given by the Rev. Dr. Sprague and Professor Lewis, at the close of the general narrative, will be found of much interest. Like him whose character and habits, and even peculiar- ities, they have so faithfully,yet lovingly, delineated, they have both now passed within the veil, and entered on the inheritance that passeth not away. A short notice in the Appendix, of these em.inent and able men, I have no doubt will be acceptable. The friend, whose recollections under the signa- ture of L. E. M., are also given, I have been unable to identify. The Biographical Sketch is unavoidably much shorter than 1 should have desired, and it may be thought that undue prominence has been given in it vu Preface. to the period of Dr. Mair's life and ministry which was passed at Fergus. All I can say is, that it was the only period I had any special knowledge of; and, that, as his practice was in one sphere of labour, so it may have been always and everywhere. For the same reason, many warm and devoted friends were no doubt to be found wherever he labored, and yet, one of the very last he knew has been selected for special notice in the Appendix. Taken in con- nection, however, with all the circumstances as given in the narrative, I trust it may not be thoujjjht out ol place; and that the notice of another family of his own name may not be considered devoid of interest. A. Dingwall Fordyce. Fergus, Ont., ^Oth November, 1878. vui ^LJL BIOGKAPHICAL SKETCH. in con- It might have been interesting in connection with a short sketch of the life of the subject of tliese Memorials, to have been able to have given some particulars respecting his forefathers, besides a few bare facts. I have understood that they belongcid to the farming clusss of the community, although his father's life was spent in v(?ry ditlerent ])ursuits. The name of Mair is not at all uncommon in the neighbourhood of his birth place, families of the same name being found there, in no wise related to each other. Dr. Mair's parents, Archibald Campbell Mair and Janet Woodburn, were both natives of the vilhige of Newmilns, in Ayrshire. The former had probably entered the aimy at an early period of his life. At his death on the l^th June, IS.H, at the age of 79, he had been for many years a Caj)tain in tho 27th regiment. His widow survived till the 27th Nov., liSt)7, when she died at the age of 89. I may ob- serve that Capt. Mair was the son of Hugh Mair and Fanny Campbell, the former of whom died on the 11th May, li^.03, at the age of GO, and was buried at Newmilns ; while his widow lived to watch over her grandchild during the absence of his parents, and faithfully fulfilled the trust. She died 23rd April, 1818, at the age of 73. Hugh Mair, the author of the Discourses contain- ed in this volume, was born on tlie 16th July, 1797. He was the oldest child of Captain and Mrs. Mair, and we are told that in his tender years, he was iz MemoHals of the late Hugh Mair, D.D. watched over with Christian solicitude by his pater- nal grandmother, his mother accompanying her husband lo the Continent during the war. The Parish of Loudoun, in which Newmilns is situated, is famed for its rich and varied scenery, and distinguished besides, as the birth place of no fewer than three martyrs to the cause of religious freedom during the days of persecution in Scotland. It may have been with Hugh Mair, as it was with his friend the Rev. Dr. Bruce, of whom his biogra- pher observes, that the scenery of '"Loudoun's bonny woods and braes' was his daily delight, and that the memories of Wallace and of the Scottish Covenanters, which cluster round Loudoun Hill, helped to keep alive his patriotic and religious enthusiasm." It was remarked of Dr. Mair by his friend Dr. Sprague, that in him, " the imaginative fvcuUy^ was strongly developed, and rendered him always at home amidst scenes of both natural and moral grandeur." May not this development have been due in a considerable degree, to the scenery and associations of his early boyhood and youth ? At the age of eight years he was sent to school at the neighbouring Town of Kilmarnock, but this was only for one year. After that, and till the age of 14, his studies were pursued nearer home, under an excellent classical teacher of the name of Campbell. I have not learned at what time he first publicly professed his faith in Christ, but it must have been ibefore he reached the age of 19, as in 1855 the Rev. Dr. Bruce, of Newmilns, wrote of him, " Nearly forty years ago when I was ordained to the pastoral charge of the Secession congregation here, I found him a member of the society, and from that time I D. Biographical Sketch. lis pater- ing her milns is scenery, ice ot no religious Scotland, iras with s biogra- I'sbonnj'" that the enanters, to keep " It was Sprague, strongly le amidst ' May derable lis early school at this was age (jf nder an impbell. )ublicly IV e been the Rev. ' Nearly pastoral I found at time till the period of his death, he and I felt towards one another, as attached friends." It might have been interesting to have known what had led to his connecting himself with the Secession Church, in preference to the Church of Scotland, to whi(3h his parents belonged. Doubtless he had sufficient reasons as he judged for this step, whatever they were. For almost a century previous to 1872, when Dr. Bruce died, the Secession Church at Newmilns had no more than two ministers ; these were both faithful, earnest, good men, so that the religious privileges he enjoyed from his earliest years, were eminently calculated to mould his char- acter aright ; and to these, after six years' study at the University of Glasgow, were added the judicious and able instructiims, accompanied by the fervent piety of the Rev. Dr. Paxton, Professor of Divinity to the General Associate Synod, with whom he studied theology for three years, and whose daily prayers, morning and evening, in his claSvS, we are told, " were so varied, so appropriate, and so full of unction, as to solemnize the students' minds, and make them feel what it was really to plead with God." After the Union took place between the Burgher and Anti-burgher Synods of the Secession Church in 1820, the theological course of the subject of this sketch was carried on until its close, at Gla.sgow, under the Rev. John Dick, who was the sole profes- sor for several years to the United Associate Synod. Dr. Dick's intellectual excellence is said to have been chiefly remarkable in clear conceptions which were united in him with acuteness and a sound judgment, " so that he instinctively rejected all ob- xi Memorials of the late Hugh Mair, D.D. scure and dubious ideas, shunning entirely some departments of human research, or, when he entered upon them, employing himself in ascertaining where enquiry ceased to satisfy, and in pointing out to others the limits of the human faculties." How greatly Df, Mair had benefited by the instructions received alike from the one and the other professor under whom he studied, will be acknowledged, I believe, by all who knew him. About the year 1JS23 he was licensed to preach the Gospel by the United Secession Presbytery of Edinburgh. For some time afterwards, he was em- ployed in missionary work in the Orkney Islands and elsewhere in Scotland. With(»iit definite in- formation on the subject, it might perhaps be as- sumed that, but for his connection with the Secession Church, his steps might never have been directed to the New World, which appears, at that time, to have opened up a field of labour to many students of that Church, by whom, from various causes, per- manent work in their native land was unattainable. One of these causes might be the greater number of probationers coming forward year after year than there were vacancies for them to fill, the inade- quate support tliat could be offered, and the com- paratively short interval that had elapsed since the Separation, causing points of difference to assume larger proportions than happily they do in our day, when interchange of charges with other Presbyterian bodies, is not altogether unknown, although unani- mity in all respects has not yet been reached. It seems to me not at all unlikely that difficulties arising from some of the causes now suggested, might have led to communication with fellow-stu- xii ! } iiilj ^.D. Biographical Sketch. •ely some le entered jertaining ntinor out s." How 3truetions professor ^ledged, I bo preach bytery of 3 was eni- y Islands J finite ps be in- as- Secession directed time, to students uses, per- ttainable. umber of ear than le inade- the com- ince the assume our day, byterian unani- hed. It fficulties ggested, low-stu- vleuts who had actually crossed the Atlannc, and who were labouring in the United States, and that this might have had some influence in inducing him to follow them there. At all events, I hnd that an intimate and dear friend, who had died the year before he left Scotland, had been settled over a con- gregation, not very far removed from the first to which he was called when he arrived in America. It was in the year 1828 that he left his native land, and shortly after he arrived in the United States he was installed as pastor of the Presbyterian Churches at Fojt Miller and Northumberland. The charge lies on the River Hudson in the State of New York, from 30 to 40 miles beyond Albany. Life-long friendships were formed during his residence here, short as it was. Having remained one year, he re- ceived a call to Ballston Centre, and also to Johns- town, both in the same State. He chose the latter as his sphere of labour, and early in 1830 he was settled at Johnstown, where he prosecuted his ministry faithfully and laboriously for 14 years, and then only moved to other fields, to return to breathe his last among his former flock ten years after. It may not be amiss to introduce here the descrip- tion Dr. Sprague gives of Dr. Mair's appearance in his Annals of the American Pulpit, vol. iv. p 745 : "His personal appearance was not greatly in his favour. He was a short, thick-set man, rather in- clined to corpulency, with his head but little elevat- ed above his shoulders, and altogether looking as if he were specially liable to die of apoplexy. Indeed, he had been troubled for many years by a determin- ation of blood to his head ; and both himself and his xiii 11 Memorials of the late Hugh Mair, D.D. friends were apprehensive that it boded a sudden death. His face had nothing of refinement ; but there was a strong, thoughtful, and withal, modest expression, that could hardly fail to excite interest." On the 29th of April, 1832, he was united in mar- riage to Maria Harriet Metcalf, of Northumbeiland, daughter of William Metcalf, of the same place, whose grandmother, Abigail Edwards, wife of Wil- liam Metcalf, of Lebanon, was a sister of the emin- ently pious and able theologian and preacher. Dr. Jonathan Edwards. President of the College of New Jersey, the well-known author of the History of Redemption, Treatise on the Freedom of the Will, and other valuaV)le works. Mrs. M air's mother, Margaret Van Tuyl or Metcalf, lived till the 28th of August last, when she died at the age of 89. In noticing her death, the " Christian Intelligencer " observed, "She died as sweetly and calmly as she had lived. All who knew her loved -her; her face, on which there was scarcely a wrinkle noticeable, was the true expression of her sweet and cheerful life and character." Dr. Mair visited Canada in 1843, having the year before received the detjree of Doctor of Divinity from the University of New York. He returned, however, to the State of New York, and for eighteen months supplied the pulpit of the Presbyterian Church at Brockport He declined a call to War- saw in the same State, but laboured there for a year. He again visited Canada in 1846 and 1847, when his services were sought by vacant congrega- tions in Markham, Gait, Goderich and Fergus, all within the present Province of Ontario. He ulti- mately accepted a call to St. Andrew's Church in XIV KD. Biographical Sketch. k sudden ent ; but 1, modest interest." d in mar- aberland, ne place, 3 of Wil- 16 emin- icher, Dr. e of New istorv of the Will, mother, the 28th ' 89. In igencer " y as she her face, )ticeable, cheerful the year Divinity eturned, eighteen yterian War- for a 1847, iigrega- gus, all e ulti- urch in ,0 re the last named place. It was on the 28th July, 184«7, that this, his future abode and the scene of his last labours on earth, was first visited by Dr. Mair ; and with regard to his ministry there I may per- haps be excused for entering rather more into detail than I have the ability to do with respect to any of his other charges. When the division took place in the Presbyterian Body in Canada, in the summer of 1844, a portion of the Fergus Congregation, feeling constiained to retain their connection with the Church ot Scotland, were left without a pastor. This was the congre- gation which Dr. Mair came to visit. During the three years which had passed, it had been kept to- gether, audits temporal and spiritual interests cared for, chiefly through the persevering exertions of Mr. Alex. D. Fordyce, (of whom some notice will be found subsequently in note) and who was the only remaining »iember of the original Kirk Session, that is to say, remaining with this part of the original charge. It will be readily understood that the visit, even for a couple of weeks, of one so higldy spoken of as an earnest and able preacher, would be highly gratifying to one burdened with a deep sense of the responsibility implied in the i-ight discharge of such duties as had devolved on him of whom men- tion is now made, and the more so, when the hope was cherished that it might lead to a permanent relation. When Dr. Mair reached Feigus, however, this new friend had been Ivintr on asick bed for more than two weeks ; the crisis of an alarming illness had been safely passed, but his will had been drawn out in preparation for the worst, and the future pas- tor's name attested the invalid's signature. The XV \ p Memoin^fls of the late Hugh Mair, D.D. frienclship thus commenced was a source of much enjoyment in the future, and the two very soon be- came co-worker8 in all that concerned the interests of the congregation, to their mutual and ever in- creasing comfort and satisfaction. In consequence of the division already alluded to, the Presbytery to which St. Andrew s congregation was attached, had been greatly weakened, and thus pulpit supply to the ciiarge had been merely occasional and exceed- ingly limited. The Congregation,however, had been re-organized, and the Sacrament of the Lord's Sup- per dispensed in the spring of 1847 ; but a settled ministry was felt by every one to be pre-eminently desirable. During his two weeks' sojourn on this occasion, Dr. Mair was able to form a tolerably correct idea of the field of labor, and, on leaving, he received a hearty invitation to return to take permanent charge of the flock. It was not long till he signified his acceptance of the invitation. He returned to the state of New York and made preparations for re- moval to Canada, and finally took up his abode at Fergus on the 16th October. He commenced his work at once, and was formally inducted to the charge on the 1st February following. The congregaticm soon became suflSciently large to give full employment to an energetic workman, such as the new minister at once showed himself to be; and that without the additional work he had contemplated in the instruction of a few pupils in Greek and Hebrew. Shortly after coming to Ca- nada, an advertisement in a provincial paper of 2nd November, 18+7, had informed any "who might be disposed to put themselves under his care," that it xvi Biographical Sketch. large ^man, elf to had )ils in Ca- f 2nd ht be lat it " would be his object to make them thoroughly ac- quainted with all the works of 'Homer, Longinus on the Sublime,' and the simple, yet lofty Scriptures of the New Testament." I believe, however, the only one to whom he gave systematic instruction of the kind, during his residence in Fergus, was a young man whos^ home was there, and who now occupies an influential position in the Presbyterian Church in Canada, the Rev. W. T. McMuUan of Woodstock. In view of subsequent remarks felicitously ex- pressed, and quite in keeping with my own recol- lection of Dr. Mair's preaching, it may be sufficient to observe here, that it was evangelical, earnest, and varied. Doctrinal passages were pretty largely dwelt on, but others were by no means overlooked. Prophecy received attention, and was a subject full of interest to his own mind. Religion was on all occasions clearly shown by Dr. Mair to be a personal matter, and to be nothing unless it were all in all. No uncertain sound was uttered by him. He valued the Bible-class and the weekly prayer meeting very highly, making careful preparation, especially for the former, which was commenced on the 5th December, 1847, and carried on with few intervals ever after, all who came to it receiving a cordial welcome, even though not belonging to his own congregation, as was the case with not a few. The subjects taken up and investigated in the course of the seven years of his ministry, were the Epistle to the Romans, the book of Ecclesiastes, the 5th and 6th chapters of Matthew, and the I'tth and 15th chapters of St. John's Gospel, with the Epistle to the Galatians, as far as the passage which was the xvii "l li! ill Memorials of the late Hugh Mair, D.D. Ill ! ■i'lii I subject of the last lesson on the 17th September, 1854: "Let us not be weary in well-doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not. As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith." This was unconsciously a parting advice, but a better, surely, could not have been left with the class. The specified portions of Scripture men- tioned above, were not, however, always taken up consecutively ; there was not one of the cardinal doctrines of the Christian faith, which at one time or other, was not dwelt on in the class; while anti- christian errors and pretensions were carefully ex- amined and presented in what he felt to be their true light. Numerous portions of Scripture history were also interspersed through the course, especially towards its close; the passage from Galatians being always followed by a brief consideration of one or other of these. The Ivt^.v. Mr. McMullan, of Woodstock, Ontario, to whom allusion has been made, writes me on the subject: "I can never forget Dr. Mair's Bible-class. He grappled with every deep and difficult point that came up in the lesson, without ever shewing the slightest disposition to pass by a difficulty; on the contrary, he seemed to have a fondness for deep sub- jects. He had the rare faculty of simplif37ing what- ever was susceptible of being simplified, and those mysteries of the faith which are 'above reason though not contrary to it,' as he was wont to express it, he knew how to present in their sublime grandeur and majesty, as like God, and worthy of Him." In connection with this it may be remarked, that as the latter years of Dr. Mair's theological course xviii Biographical Sketch. were passed under Dr. Dick, at Glas^jow, a natural partiality to his former teacher's mode of presenting truth, and a predilection for the catechetical mode of instruction as more effective in impressing that truth on the memory and bringing it home to the heart, may have been what led to the preparation of a Theologiciil Catechism based on Dr. Dick's lectures. This catechism it was his habit while in Fergus, and probably in similar circumstances elsewhere, to make use of when a doctrinal topic happened to form the subject of the Bible-class lesson. As a specimen of this catechism, one of the chaj)ters, that on the "Fi- nal State of the Righteous," is given in this volume. He took a lively interest in the Sabbath School, not engaging personally in the work as a teacher, but frequently encouraging those present by his presence. He had prepared a sermon on the Sab- bath School cause in the year 1854, but its delivery was prevented through his death. Missions to Heathen lands also interested him greatly, and towards the close of his ministry a monthly Missionary prayer meeting was established in the Congregation; recent intelligence from Mission fields being communicated. The Session which, as has been seen, had but one member remaining when he came to Fergus, was enlarged on two occasions during his Pastorate there, and a Sessional Prayer meeting was held every month at the houses of the several members in ro- tation, when a short exposition or exhortation would be given ; and he very often expressed the desire that all Christians could see their way to joining in a united prayer meeting whatever their special church connection might be. xix Memorials of the late Hugh Mair, D.D. , He estimated very highly the importance and value of the Bible Society, and on several occasions delivered addresses fitted to promote its interests, and other calls of a like nature were cheerfully met; and essays prepared and delivered on subjects of general interest, such as Education, Mental Inde- pendence, etc. He very rarely administered Baptism otherwise than in presence of the whole Congregation ; any departure from his ordinary practice being in cases of clear necessity. Very seldom, indeed, was it sought for in private when his own views of duty came to be known. Conscientious as he was in attendance at Church Courts, he did not take a prominent part in the proceedings. He maintained the friendliest rela- tions with brethren in the ministry, and was always ready to reci[>rocate in every good word and work. He was generally cheerful, rejoicing with those who rejoiced, and weeping with those who wept. His work, in certain aspects, it is true, weighing on his mind, might cause depression, and he did not feel at liberty from considerations of Christian ex- pediency to take part in some gatherings of a social nature, in which others in his position might have felt little scruple in mingling, bub cheerfulness, I think, was the rule with him; the reverse, the ex- ception. He mourned over comparatively little evidence that the Word preached was to any great extent the means of a change of heart among his people ; but while marked instances may in great measure have been denied him, encouragement was not altogether withheld. During the last summer of his life, a special XX Biographical Sketch. illustration was brought to his view, of a decided change in this respect through his faithful exhibi- tion of the Truth, and the Great Day will doubtless disclose other instances wisely hidden from him here, to gladden him hereafter. He shunned not to declare the whole counsel of God, whether men would hear or whether they would forbear. Perhaps he was more speciHc in public prayer than is commonly the case, and more direct in personal intercourse with his people, re- specting their highest interests, and yet he was not one who disregarded prudence in such matters. In a charge to a Brother in the Ministry, at his installa- tion, about a year before his own death, we find he addresses him in these terms : "Walk in wisdom to- wards them that are without. It is a f)rlnciple of our religion to render unto all their dues; 'tribute, to whom tribute; custom, to whom custom; fear, to whom fear; honor, to whom honor.' The courtesies and decencies of certain grades of social life, must not be infringed, but encouraged and exemplitied. Whatsoever things are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report, must be a|)|)roved, cherished and illustrated. Shall I say that this rule has been vio- lated? the truth requiies it; for it cannot be denied that, under a mistaken notion of fidelity to the souls of men, the lan^juasre and conduft of some have been equally at variance with the spirit of the Gos- pel, and the proprieties of life. These things ought not so to be. They are of serious injury to the cause of the Redeemer. Study always in your every day intercourse and communings with your people, to exemplify the deportment of the true gen- tleman, and of the devoted Christian Minister. Be xxi MemoruiU of tite late Hugh Mair, D.D. like your great Master, who was a perfect model of civility, courtesy and kindness." His personal exertions and means, were employed most freely, where cases of need came before him ; and when these were insufficient in the circumstan- ces he acted on the feeling that he could without impropriety call on such as had, to communicate to such as had not ; regarding those whom God had blessed with abundance, in the light of His stewards for behoof of their poorer brethren. On this point, a Ministc) ial brother and friend, who accompanied him part of the way in the last journey he took on earth, and who has himself now entered the eternal world, wrote me very shortly after Dr. Mair's death in these terms : " With all his profound erudition, his strong intellect, his love for all that was grand or sublime in thought and imagination, and his pure and warm benevolence of soul, he was in spirit and action a true gentleman. His sensibilities were indeed, just too excjuisitely tender for this rude workl of ours ; too nuich so for his own comfort ; and nothing in- flicted on him acuter anguish, than when he found that his own warm-hearted, gushing benevolence was met by indifference and coldness." He had a high regard for punctuality in adhering to engagements ; almost looking on such rts careless- ly transgressed in this respect, as " moral delin- quents." His last journey affords an apt illustra- tration of the inconvenience he would rather sub- ject himself to than be even the innocent occasion of disappointment to others. He certainly did what he could. While he resided in Fergus, Dr. Mair in general enjoyed good health. Much of his profes- sional visiting was done on foot, and this, consider- xxii Biographical Sketch. infif his habit of body, was probably in his favour, but he was occasionally liable to severe headaches, and to a milder and comparatively harmKiss form of the disease which brought his valuable life and labours to what humanly speaking might l)e looked on as a premature close, for he liad not reached hii GOth year at his death. In the summer of 1854 he visited New York, and attended the missionary meetings there, undertaking to return in OrU)bor to Johnstown, to take part in the Communion services. With this intenti»)n he left Fergus on the 2nd of October having on the immediately preceding day addressed his people from the words, " Awake thou that sleepest," and closing in the following solemn and striking n>anner ; 'Is there not some one, on this enchanted ground, who is ready to listen to the heavenly call and awake ? Awake, my brethren, and believers on earth will rejoice over your salvation ; and Saints and Angels in heaven, will strike their harps to a bolder and nobler note of praise." On the 10th he wrote to me from Northumberland : " My dear friend — Oh ! how mysterious are God's dispensa- tions. ' His way is in the sea, His path in the great waters, His footsteps are not known.' I left Fergus expecting to enjoy some innocent pleasure and healthy relaxation in my journey, but it is with deep regret, I am constrained to say, that for the last eight days, I have been laid up under the care of a Physician in a state of sheer prostration. The indisposition under which I labour is a huge, ran- corous carbuncle boil, and if not treated with care and skill, may be attended with great danger. I have neither slept nor been exempted from deep xxiii Memorials of the late Hugh Mair, D.D. agony for the last ten days. May this dispensation lead me to die every day, and to be ever looking out for the last great change. The Doctor says it may be four months before I am finally restored. I trust, however, that God will enable me to preach on Sabbath days and not altogether arrest me, but the writing of these lines has utterly exhausted me. If within the range of possibilities we shall be home next week." On the 16th Mrs. Mair wrote of him : "We ar- rived at Johnstown six days ago. We had an idea the worst was over, but we were mistaken. He has been utterly prostrated since we came here. We are stopping at Dr. Maxwell's, skilful in his profes- sion, and a warm friend. Everything is done that hu'nan skill or friendship can do. Of course it is impossible to say when he will be able to travel, but as soon as ifc is perfectly safe we shall leave Johns- town." The following day Mrs. Mair again wrote : " His case is considered very dangerous. Dr. Maxwell has sent to Albany for Dr. McNaughton to consult with in reference to it; does not see anything immediate- ly alarming, but it has not reached the crisis. I am happy to say the symptoms are more favourable to- day than yesteiday. He has been in a state of high fever for several days ; much less at present.'' On the 27th his much- valued friend, the Rev. Dr. Sprague, saw him. Of this visit he speaks in the funeial sermon he preached at Johnstown, and which is subjoined. On the 31st the Rev. J. P. Fisher, of Johnstown, wrote : " At the request of Mrs. Mair I have to com- municate to you the painful intelligence that your xxiv Biogra2)hical Sketch. Pastor, the Rev. Dr. Mair, is very seriously ill, ard to all human appearance is ra])i(]ly sinking into the arms of death. His ])hysician informs me this morning that tliere is not one rational hope of his recovery. Indeed, we do not expect that he will remain in the body a day longer. This motning 1 asked him if he had a realization of the precious- ness of the 23rd Psalm, and repeated, ' The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.' Alter a few moments, he said, ' He is n»y Sliepherd — in a good sense — in a good sense.' Shortly after he added with emphasis, " He will never leave me ; He will never, iieuer, never forsake me." In the same letter Mr. Fisher added on the 2nd Nov., "The Rev. Dr. Mair is no longer ^'' inhai»itant of earth. He departed this lite at ten o'clock. His funeral will take place to-morrow at two o'clock p.m." And so, this good man, and ahle minister, and faithful friend, was called to hisrewatd. Both in Johnstown and Fergus th" funeral ser- vices were exceedingly imj)ies8ive. In Johnsto\vr> all that was tianspiring during the illness (»f their former Pastor was known to his friends there. In Fergus, on the contrary, owing to distance and other unavoidable causes, his friends had leen kept in a very painful state of sus{»ense from the 19th of October, when they learned that the life of their good pastor was hanging on a veiy brittle thread, till the 4th of Novemlver, when they get word that all was over — his pains, his agonies, his work on earth and a blessed immortality entered on by hi.s ransomed spirit. The tribute Dr. Sprague paid to his fricnid's memory in the funeral sermon he preached at Joh*is- B-" XXV Memorials of the late Hugh Mair, D.D. town on the 3rd of November was too faithful and touch ins: to be withheld in connection with this fcketch. The Sermon was based on the words " They that be wise, shall shine as the brightness of the fir- mament." It had been prepared on exceedingly shoit notice. On the ] 2th of November the Rev. Wm. Barrie, of Eraraosa, who still survives, although now incapaci- tated for active work, addressed the mourning flock at Fergus very suitably from the passage contained in Revelations xiv. 13, " Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord from henceforth, yen, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours, and their works do follow them." The mortal remains of Dr Mair rest in the beauti- ful cemetery at Johnstown — a marble obelisk erec- ted over them — telling simply but very correctly that he was "a noble-minded and true-hearted man, a humble, fervent Christian, and an able and faith- ful Minister of Jesus Christ," and in the vestibule of St. Andrew's Church, Fergus, a monumental slab testifies to his having "an enduring place in the affections of the flock to whom with fidelity he had ministered there, and to the veneration and re- gard in which he was held by them." After coming to America, Dr. Mair had revisited his native land on three occasions — twice while he was residing in the State of New York in 1835 and 1840, and once after his removal to Canada, in the summer of 1849. On the last visit he had the gra- tification once more of seeing his parents in life, and enjoying pleasing intercourse with other friends. His father's death occurred only four months before his own. xxvi Biographical Sketch. The particulars which follow, from the pens of the Rev. Dr. Sprague, Professor Lewis, and an anonymous friend, will supply, as far as can now be done, deficiencies in the foregoing narrative. The " Montreal Presbyterian," shortly after the death of Dr. Mair, contained the following simple lines, evidently a heartfelt tribute to his memory and expressive, I fully believe, of the general feel- ings pervading the congregation in common with the writer when the news of his unexpected demise was received : — " And shall we hear that voice no more Nor see that sainted face ? Our mourning hearts on Sabbath sigh To see his empty place — But hark ! a voice of comfort acmes From yonder shining throne That says ' there is beyond the grave A land where death's unknown, And there, my servant doth abide And sings Redeeming Love And, as the stars, in lustre bright Shines in that land above.'" So far as I know none of Dr. Mair's sermons in the selection which was published in 1856 had been previously given to the public, nor, with the two exceptions noticed in the preface, any of those which are contained in this volume. Four miscellaneous sermons had been published during his ministry at Johnstown, but on what sub- jects or occasions I have not learned. It is possible that the sermon on " Emotion on the part of the preacher," might have been prepared for a special occasion, and subsequently adapted for use among his own people, but this is mere conjecture. xxvii Memorials of the late Hugh Mair, D.D. Dr. Mair's widow is still in life, having with her aged mother, lately deceased, resided for many years in Schuylersville, Sarato^^a Co., N. Y. An ajjjed sister of Dr. Mair's also survives, resident in their native village of Newmilns, Ayrshire. I gratefully acknowledge obligations to all who have interested ^heniselves, and afforded encourage- ment in the preparation of this volume. A. D. F. Tayler Lewis, LL. D., Professor in Union College, to Rev. W. B. S/Jrague, D.D. Union College, Schfnectady, January, 3LST, 1856. My Dear Sir, — My acquaintance wi^h Dr. Mair commenced in the fall of 1828. He had then just come from 8cotlan(i, been received by the Dutch Church and sent as a Missionary to our poor congre- gation in Foit Miller. His preaching there, and in the adjoining Church of Northumberland, soon called out an interest and an attendance which pro- vided him a good settlement, without the farther aid of missionary funds. After rentaining two years he received a '-all to the Presbyterian Church in Johns- town, from which period you are well acquainted with his history. I must ever esteem Dr. Mair among my most valual)le acquaintances and warmest personal friends. To him must I also ever attribute a most marked chanije in mv own life and labours, 80 ^j.r as they have been of any value to myself or others. I had been practising law for several years xxviii Biographical Sketch. in the retired village of Fort Miller, and the result was a dissatisfaction with the profession, with my- self, and almost everything else. In fact, from various circumstances, I was in a state that might al- most be called one of spii-itual desolation. My books were few, my society very limited, my health not the best, and my profession growing con- tinually more and more distasteful. But not to talk too much about myself, you may well suppose what relief came from the society and conversation of Dr. Mair^ althouiih he was not at that time a Doctor of Divinity. It was evident that there was 80!nething about this learned yet unpretending Scotchman, to please every condition of life in our homely neighbourhood. He preachel with great ac- ceptance. He was frequent and faithful in visita- tions and catechisinijs after the old Scottish mode. The power of his ])ulpit exercises, and the great beauty and simplicity of his instructions in his parochial visits, presented a contrast which chaini- ed me greatly. He insisted upon my attending him in many of these catechisings. and the vivid reuicmbrance of them would make mo love the man if I had not had other causes for it, in the warm personal friendship, and the many acts of dis- interested kindness, he ever afterwards manifested towards me. Along with all this, however, there was somethinj; which at first was not a little troublesome. Mr. Mair was a very excellent Greek and Hebrew scholar. His familiarity with Homer especially was remnrkable, l)ut no less so, his love of talking about him, and reading him aloud when- ever he could find one who had interest enough in the matter to listen to him. In these recitations he xxix 1 MemoHals of the late Hugh Mair, D.D. would get into the same loud boisterous manner which you so well know as characterizing him in the pulpit. He was more than anything else like the conception I have formed of the old Homeric Rhapsodists or public chanters of the Iliad — so com- pletely was he carried away by his enthusiasm. He was a Hebraist of the Paikhurst School, but much beyond the common standard of Hebrew learning which prevailed among the Scotch and English clergy ; and although his acquaintance with the language was not of the Andover or German stamp, it was in some respects equally solid, and at the same time more spiritual. He was less skilled in phonetic and grammatical niceties, but saw much in Hebrew roots. In these he was ever discovering a depth of meaning often real, but sometimes perhaps only existing in his own rich, religious and deeply Biblical imagination. He was ever at that time urging me to study Hebrew with him, and this is what I meant in saying that he was somewhat troublesome ; as I had then no thought of doing any such thing. He would sometimes almost provoke me by his importunities, and his continual reflection on my imperfect education, as it seemed to him, in being ignorant of so important and even sacred a branch of knowledge. Every man, he would say, who has any leisure, and any pretensions tt» liberal education, ought to be a Hebrew scholar. In short he worried me out. To get rid of his importunities more than for any other reason, I one day borrowed his grammar and learned the Hebrew alphabet. It was one of the turning points in my own life. The study of Hebrew soon became my one ardent pur- suit by day and by night. Ennui fled away. The dis- XXX Biographical Sketch. agreeable things of the Law were forgotten. To make the story short, the whole after-current of my life was changed. I was introduced into a new world of thought. All my studies, feelings, aims, took a different direction, until the Law was relinquished for that profession of a Teacher, to m hich I have ever since been devoted. You njay well suppose that I have reason to re- member Hugh Mair and his Hebrew Grammar. Our intercourse from that period was ever of the most intimate kind. Although I afterwards made some respectable progress in Hebrew, he ever, from old habit, assumed a sort of tutorship over me. He frequently visited me in New York, and on such occasions one of the indispensable exercises was the reading of some long portion of the Hebrew Bible, verse about, in which we would continue for hours — he taking the lead ar»d assuming a tutorial style, giving his favourite root-meanings in Latin, and in a manner which to one who did not know him, would seem to savour of pedantry. Sometimes this would try my patience a little, especially when I had other demands u]).)n my time, but now my heart reproaches me that the least degree of such a feeling should have ever been called out by any- thing however eccentric from so noble a friend. The remembrance of my intercourse with ])r. Mair is full of the most cherished associaticms. From per- sonal knowledge I am convinced that his last dollar would have been freely shared with any friend who needed it. He was ever seeking out and trying to do good to his own countrymen, in this way ; some- times subjecting himself to repulsive treatment which he never would have borne on his own ac- XXXI Memorials of the late Hugh Mair, D.D. count. Some men of a different school of Theology, and of a different religious type, would say that theie was not enough of what they would call " de- cided active piety "in him. But there could not be a gj'eatcr mistake. His Scotch hihirity sometimes, {ind fondness for anecdote, might strike some of this cImss unfavourably ; but he was, for all that, a most devout, a most lowly-niinded, s))iritually minded, modest Cliristian. Dr. Mair ha]*esent Pastor, more than a year ago, to share with him the services (jf the Com- munion now just passed; and in accordance with his accustomed punctuality, the week previous to the Communion found him here amongst you. But it was discovered at once that he had come with im- paired health, and not only so, but that a disease had begun to develop itself, which often proves an over-match for medical skill, and, while it continues, xxxiii Memorials of the late Hugh Mair, D.D. is little better than a living death. He seems, how- ever, to have had no idea that he was seriously ill, and insisted almost to the last moment that he would bear his part in the services of the Communion Sab- bath ; but when the morning of that day actually came, he was overwhelmed with a sense of his ina- bility to make any effort, and immediately sunk into a state of weakness and suffering from which he was destined never to rise. Your Communion service went on, but he staid in the hospitable dwelling of his faithful friend and |)hysician (Dr. Maxwell) pre- paring himself, no doubt by grateful and devout meditation, for drinking new wine in the Kingdom of the Father. And now it went abroad through all your dwellings that his life was in imminent jeopardy, and that it was not improbable that he had come to make his grave in the midst of you. As each successive day seemed to diminish the pro- bability of his recovery, your pastor, about the middle of last week, kindly informed me of his alarming illness, and I came hither immediately in the hope of seeing him. I did see him, and though, owing to his great weakness, the interview was brief, it will always have a place among my most cherished recollections. 1 found him as I could al- ways wish to find a dying friend, resting with humble confidence on the grace and faithfulness of his Redeemer. I asked him if he had great bodily suffering, and he replied: "Greater than language can describe; greater than you can possibly conceive without the experience." I asked him if his mind was peaceful, and his answer was: "I have no particu- lar anxiety; if God be for us who can be against us?" and then repeated that precious passage, gathering XXXIV Biographical Sketch. himself up into an attitude corresponding with its triumphant tone. Everything that he said showed the depth of his resignation, the strength of his faith, or the warmth of his kind affections. From the representations which have heen made to me, I judge that what I saw and heard was only a fair specimen of all that passed upon his sick bed. His death, though terrible in some of its circumstances, was a fitting and glorious termination of a Chris- tian minister's life, or perhaps I should rather say, an appropriate introduction to the life everlasting. You will all, I think, agree with me, when I say that Dr. Mair was in hardly any respect an ordinary man. One could not meet him in the most casual interview, without feeling that he was in contact with a mind of a peculiar mould; and one could not see him long without being satisfied that it was a mind of marked superiority; it was vigorous, com- prehensive, logical. The imaginative faculty was strongly developed, and rendered him always at home amidst scenes of both natural and moral gran- deur. His taste was less exact, than his imagina- *tion was fervid and sublime; and he never seemed to pay much respect to the rules of rhetoricians. He was, I think, in many respects eminently favoured in his moral constitution; though in estimating this part of his character, it is no easy matter to run the line between the gifts of nature and the effects of grace. Certainly he had one of the kindest hearts that ever beat in a human bosom. While he was con- descending and charitable, and not disposed to make a man an offender for a word, he held to his own convictions with a martyr-like tenacity, and would have found it much easier to sacrifice his life than XXXV McmoriaU of the late Hiujh Mah\ D.D. his conscience. He was aa jruilele.ss and simple- hearted as a cliild; beiiif^ conscious of no evil inten- tions liimsolf, lie was slow to suspect evil in others, the consequence of which was that sometimes an unworthy advantaixe was taken of him. He was uncommonly circumspect in his rh'portmcnt; he ke])t his heart with all dili<:^ence, and set a watch at the door of his lips; and I can tndy say that, in all my intcn-course with him, I never heard him utter a fiivolous or rt'])roachful word. He paid the most delicate regard to the rights of others ; and though far from being in any sense a man of the world, his instinctive notions of honour and ])ropriety were manifest in all his social conduct. He was modest almost to a fault, and though Ins modesty never led him to decline any duty that fairly devolved upon him, it often kept him silent where he might have spoken to advantage. He had evidently great depth of Christian expei-ience; he seemed to live under an habitual sense of the Divine presence, and of his de- pendence on the Divine bounty and grace, atid I doubt not, that those who knew most of his devo- tional habits, would testify that he was eminently a man of prayer. I think I may say, after a some- what extensive .acquaintance among ministers of the Gospel, that I do not call to ndnd one, among either the living or the dead, who has given me more rea- son to say of him, that his conversation was in Heaven. Dr. Mair's literary and theological attainments were of no ordinary character. His knowledge of the original languages of Scripture, particularly the Hebrew, was probably more thorough and exact than that of almost any clergyman of his day, not xxxvi Biourpose of benevolence towards you. God designed thereby, to give him the opportunity of preaching to you from his coffin, though you were never more to hear the living voice. He designed that he should make his grave among you, so that there should be a standing monitor to speak to you of your accoiintableness in respect to his ministry. And now, while your sensibilities are so fully awak- ened l>y these funeral rites^ and you would fain f>ay to his memory the best tribute that you can, believe me there is no other that is so fitting to you, or that would be so welcome to him, if his faculties were not locked up in an iron slumber, as a resolution, formed in the strength of" Divine grace, that you will endeavour still to carry out the great purposes xl BlognipJi ical Sketch. of his ministry among you. Recollect that, thougli you will hear his voice no more on earth, tlie record of all his teachings will he spread out before you in the judgment, and he will himself stand as a witness in respect to the manner in which you have treated them. 1 seem to hear him as he bends towards earth from the throne to which he has just been exalted, pleading with some of you whom his ministrations have never availed to subdue or even awaken, to cheer the heart of your pi-esent pastor, by opening your ears and your hearts to his message. He used to speak to you on the great evangelical themes in strains of awful majesty, and with a .^^pirit evidently bowed under the weiiiht of his own utterances; but how infinitely more impressive would be his pre- sentations of God's truth if he could speak to you now, from his actual experience of invisil)Ie realities? Oh, how he would magnify the great salvation 1 How his spirit and countenance would glow as he described eternal scenes! How he would enlarge upon the value of life as the only accepted time! How he would pour contempt upon'all the little in- terests of the world, as brought into comparison with the grandeur and the glory, and the all absorb- ing interests of the life to come ! God grant that your minds and hearts may be oi»en to all that is moni- tory, and all that is comforting in the passing scene. May that new grave that is to a{)})ear in your cem- etery to-day, and that will render this a day of mark in the calendar of your Society, perpetuate in your remembrance, not only the great and good man who will slumber there, but those living truths, those earnest appeals, by which he sought to make you wise unto salvation. 0* xli Memorials of the late Hugh Mair, D.D. But let us not forget while we bury the remains and embalm tlie memory of our venerable friend, that there will soon be ancther mourning assem- blage convened in a iieiglibouring Province, to re[)eat so far as may consist with their circumstances, the aolemiiiry wliich now occupies us. They will meet as a smitten family to spread their sorrows before our common Fatlier in Heaven, and to ask for His all-sustaining grace. May that grace be given to make their buidea light. In the remembrance of their departed Pastor's instructions and example, his fervid eloquence and exalted piety, may a chan- nel of all-needed comfort aud blessing be opened to them. They will have to reflect that they took their last earthly leave of him without know- ing it, aud with the reHection, God grant, that they may connect the .-solemn purpose, that by His grace they will endeavour so to live, that their next meet- ing with him shall be in Heaven, L. K. M. in New York Observer, of [)th November, 1854. Dr. Mair 's death has n] eady been announced in some of the papers as having occurred at Johnstown ifi this State, on Wednesday evening of last week. He had left his home in Fergus, Canada West, a few weeks before, to vist Ids friends in this State, and especially to pass a SaV»bath with his former charge at Johnstown, aiid take part in the services of the Communion. On nis arrival there, he found him- self considerably indisposed, though for some days he had no idea of the dangerous nature of his mal- xlii Biographical Sketch. ady. It soon became apparent, however, that his life was in great jeopardy and the cotiviction was forced upon the minds of his friends that his disease would probaljly have a fatal issue. After suffering intensely about a fortnight, during which he was a model of submission to the Divine Will, death came to his release ; and the friends to wh(jm he had ministered many years, and whose attachment to him notwithstanding their recent separation, re- mained undiminished, bore him to his grave. I knew Dr. Mair first, shortly after his settlement in Johnstown, and when he had been in this coun- try not more than two or three years. I first saw him in Presbyt<^ry, and was sti'uck with his modest, quiet, grave and eminently Scotch appearance. On beinof introduced to him, I found that the same qualities were still manifest, though other and more striking, were soon developed. And as he appeared to me then, so he appeared ever afterwards, except that his leading characteristics were always becom- ing more intense and impressive If I were to speak of the qualities of his heart, as they came out in my intercourse with him, 1 should perhaj)s notice first, his great benevolence, taking on now the foi'm of sympathy with human suffering, prompting to the most active eftbrts for its relief, and nuw the form of generosity and magnanimity, which makes one for- getful of injuries, and disposed to visit evil with good. I have known more than one instance in which the case of some impoverished Minister has come under his eye, and he has undertaken to meet it with a heroic firmness of purpose that refused to take a denial ; and he has persevered in going around among the rich of his acquaintance and asking aid xliii Memorials of the late HiujJt Mair, D.D. of them, until he has liad the pleasure of seeing that his object was accomplished. There have been some cases in which he felt that the treatment which he received was neither just nor kind, but his manner was to let such things pass in silence, or if he ad- verted to them at all, it was never in a tone of crim- ination. ' it while he was so forward to labour for tliG benefit of others, he always appeared reluctant to accept favours himself, and when he did accept them, his gratitude seemed always greatly to exceed their value. T have never known a man of more genuine i..,Kii;,?>,. than Di*. Mair. I have repeatedly- seen him ir i : npany of clergymen, where, in point of bocli iiit; 11 >ct and acquirement, he was really the sj Trnn ii '^.nd yet, but for an occas- ional moncsylk ile, <-\ ••v brief reply to some question that was put to liim.you might have sup- posed him entirely dumb. In a very small circle especially with two oi three intimate friends, he would be sufficiently coke with a degree of fervour and passion that was sometimes almost painful. He who was so silent and diffident out of the pulpit was a very lion in it. His theme was always in the highest degree scriptural and evangelical ; and it rarely, if ever, failed to impart an exciting influence to all his faculties. You felt that every word came xliv Biographical Sketch. from his inmost soul, and was uttcvod under an awful sense of the powers of the world to come. As he was Scotch by birth and education, he was thoroughly so in his theology, and thougli he was never intolerant towards slight differences of opin- ion, he attached vast impoi'tance to I'ight views of Christian doctrine, and he rarely preached a sermon in which some fjreat cvaniijelical truth was not dis- tinctly exhibited. His sermons were characterised by great fulness and s}»lendoui' of diction, and it maybe doul)ted whether this was not often cai'ried so far as to take somewhat from tlie effect they would otherwise have produced. They were always logically constructed, an«l though containing much striking and sometimes profound thought, I believe they always came within the range of ordinary in- telligence, when joined to close attention. They were generally very long, too long perha})s to suit most American confifreixations. I remember once to have heard him preach more than an hour and a half before the Presbvterv, but it was such a majx- nificent exhil)ition of the great truths of the Gospel and the manner was characterised by so much fer- vour and power, that I think nobody felt that the sermon was too lonff. I have heard one of his stated hearers, than whom there could be no niore competent judge of preaching, say that he never heard a sermon frcmi him that did not contain some- thing new, and well worthy of being treasured up. But there was no more striking feature of Dr. Mair's character than his piety. If I ever knew a man who seemed to me habitually to walk with God, it was he. Not only was he etninentlv con- scientious in respect to e y P^ "J ' xb MemoHals of the late Hugh Maiv, D.D. ful to his convictions (no matter how great the cross to be taken u|)), but he was distinguished for the spirit and habit of devotion ; and he seemed to me, never to h)se the sense of the Divine presence. His prayers in the family were always most pertinent and tender, and evidently lose from a heart which was the constant habitation of the H<»ly Spirit. Dr. Mair had a large store of knowledge, especi- ally in connection with his own profession. I am acquainted with no clergyman in this country, who reads the original languages of Scripture, especially the Hebrew, with greater ease. He was familiar with many of the old Theological writers, whom he seemed to value not loss for their unction, than their orthodoxy. It w^as my privilege to see this excellent man just before the hand of death was laid upon him. Peing informed that he was dan- gerously ill, I was unwilling that he should die without my s<'eing him once more, and I accord- ingly went to Johnstown for the purpose. I found him unable to lift himself from his bed, and evi- dently dying under the sharpest agony. But he was perfectly composed, patient and willing to leave all with God. His heart was as full of kindness as ever, and his mind was wandering gloriously over that field of Christian triumph in the latter j)art of the eighth chapter of the Epistle to the Romans. There was apparently no rapture in his exercises, and yet there was a sublime confidence that cast out all fear and shewed that his spirit was ready for its final flight. I felt that it was a specimen of true Christian nobility that lay before me. I parted with him feeling confident that it was for the last time: and so it proved, for his funeral was one week xlvi 11 Biographical Sketch. from that very hour. I was present and wit!iess(Hl the solemnity, and I felt myself to be in the midst of a mourning community. His remains lie amidst those of his former |)ar- ishioners, and probably his triave could not have been made where it would have V)een more fre- quently and reverently, and gratefully visited. He has left no family except a widow, whom many hearts have united in cominendinjj to the God of all comfort. ' Note A. William B. Spraguk, D.D. Dr. Sprao^ue wns born in Andover, Conn., IGth October, 1795. He succeeded Dr. Latliiopus Pastor of the conf]fregation of We>t Sprin-jtifld, Mass., in 1820, and in 1829 was called to Albany, N. Y., as pastor of the Second Presbyteiian (Miarge there. For the ])eriod of forty years he ministered to this coni^regation and then removed to Flushing, L. I., where he died on the 7th May, 187(), at the age of eighty-one. His Letters to a Daughter, and Lectures on Revi- vals are well known. He published seven extended Biographies of eminent ministers, and contribuird as much to the reliofious literature of the Msje as almost any man who could be named ; l)Ut his great work was the Annals of the American Pulpit, in the preparaticm of which he was engaged for seven- teen years. The New York "Observer" in noticii.g his death, remarked — " He was a cultivated, elegant, xlvii Memorials of the late Hugh Mair, D.D. voluminous, useful and ))o|)ular author ; a justly celfihratcd preacher, an indet'atigahle and success- ful ]):istor; an unselfish and devoted friend ; one of the most child-lik])r()aehing. No sore disease, no fierce pains distuibed the placid dawn of his eter- nal life. But, "as one wraps the drapery of his couch about him, and lies down to ])leasant dreams," so did he " melt away into the light of heaven." With the utmost kindness, in the midst of manifold eniiairemcMits, Dr. Snrairue rendered valuable aid in o o the preparatio!i of the first selection of Dr. Mair's Sermons for the press. xlviii Biographical Sketch. Note B. Tayler Lewis, LL.D. Dr. Lewis was born in Northumberland, Saratofja County, N.V., in 1802 ; graduated from Union Col- lege in 1820; studied law, but abandoned the pro- fession for that of teaching, which was much more congenial. In 18:^8 he became Professor of Greek and Latin in the University of New York, and in 1849 of Greek in Union College, N.Y. Deafness rendering him unable to hear recitations, the chair of Greek was changed to that of 0\ iental Languages with which Bil»lical anil Classical Literature was combined, and thenceforward carried on tlie class by Lectun?. He died at his home in Schenectady N.Y., 11th May, 1877. About six months before his death, a sketch of his life and labours was given by Professor Welch in the "Sunday School Times," for which Dr. Lewis had consented to prepare every week, critical notes on the Old Testament lessons of the International series ; but his fii"st notes had hardly been forwaid- ed, when he was struck down with disease, and utterly incapacitated for writing. Still with the ready aid of his daughter, the work was carried on by dictation, as he lay on his bed in weakness and pain, and was never an hour behind the appointed time for delivery. As the six months series of les- sons drew towards its close, his own strength gradu- ally failed, and when his notes on the last lesson of the quarter were forwarded, he felt that it was his last work, and he was content. xlix Memorials of the late Ilvgh Malr, D.D. In connection with what he has himself said ot his introduction to the study of Hebrew through Dr. Mair's means, and as illustrating his wondeiiul enthusiasm in his great life work, the following memorandum, dated 30th August, 1863, and in- scribed on a blank leaf of his Hebrew Bible, will be found interesting: — " This Bible was purchased in 1829. For a nura- Ver of years it wai read through twice a year, tlien, r)nce a year, and since, repeatedly. Almost every difficult place has been made the subject of margin- al or separate mnemonic annotation ; every rare word noted, .and every rare meaning preserved in marginal signs. It is nmch disfigured, but a much studied, and to me a very ])recious book." In Professor Welch's sketch of Dr. Lewis, he had said " For a long time it has been his habit to make a yearly pilgrimage to his old home and haunts, on the beauiiful banks of the Hudson, noting every change, and especially missing his favourite trees, while musing and resting beneath the shade of those which still hold memories as green as their summer leaves; an old man, now, whose ears are forever closed to the music of the flowing river, the singing birds, and the voices of loved ones — with long, gray locks, and keen, restless, dark eyes, that seem to peer far beyond the present, and with his shoulders held back by his cane under both arms. For thirteen years, this lover of learning, friend of humanity, and disciple of Christ, has dwelt in the lone silence of total deafness. How joyous at last will it be for him to hear from the Divine Master, whom he has so long and so faithfully served 'Well done !' " I Blof/raphical Sketch. Note C. y Alex. Dingwall Fordyce. This warm friend of the sulvject of these " Memo- rials," had sustained repeated and severe trials shortly before Dr. Mair came to Canada, and they were not over then. In the year 1^45 his eldest son, a young man of high promise was cut off* by cholera, at Calcutta, after 24 hours' illness, just as he was commencing business and entering on a career of Christian usefulness. In 184G the partner of his life for US years was removed by a very distressing illness to a better world In 1847 V)usiness anxiety pressed heavily on him, and illnes came on which, at Dr. Mair's arrival, had brought him apparen ly to the very brink of the grave. He had barely recovered from this illness, when the vessel in which his youngest son was cross \g the Atlantic was lost, with nearly all on board ; and in this case, the bright anticipations of a young and ardent mind, looking forw^ard to the work of the Minis- try, suddenly terminated. It may readily be im- agined that, considering all these trying bereave- ments, the friendship and Christian sympathy of D». Mair was peculiarly consolatory to the subject of this notice. His life was prolonged till 23rd February, 1852, when he died peacefully at the age of 6G, after an illness of six weeks' duration. How very highly Dr. Mair's ministrations v^ere valued by him, may be judged from the following extract from a letter to his family, during a short absence from home, just six months before his v>wn death. U Memoridh of ilio late Hugh Malr, D.D. It is dated on Sabbatli, lOth August, 1S51. He says: — "I have no doubt you will be at this time hearing the conchision of our worthy Pastor's ser- mon, full of faith arn! fervency of spirit ; spoken from the heart to the heart, and leaving a lively impression of the things spoken, upon the mind. The seimon I have just heard was good, but there appeared to me a great want of s])irit-stirring matter and manner, and too much delicacy in brinixiiiix the subject home to the conscience. Altogether it made me V)less (Un\ for oui- ju'ivileges — let us make a good use of them while we have them." On the 29th February, 1852, Dr. Mair preached his frienecnHar com|)laeeney during all the after-stages of their being; for it is written most emphatically, "He will rest in His love." All these moditieations'of love, however, are common to Him with the Father and the Eternal Spirit. They are just the good- will of the iUnl of Providence and (Irace in all the varied modes in which it ojierates among the wt)rks of His hands. But the love which we are now contemplating is the love of (JkriM. Now, as the term Christ is the proper name of our Saviour, not in His original character as a Divine Person, but in His assumed character as the Anointed of God, or the Messiah, which in the lanears to us in choosing a peculiar people and decreeing their deliverance, but that operative good-will which positively tells upon the Church, in fully executing that decree, in actually erecting in our world (a planet stained with siu and darkness, with misery and desolation, and but a mere speck amidst the 8 MemoAals of the late Hugh Malr, D.D. ■ I i myriads of worlds that crowd the universe of God) — in erecting in such a world bhat goodly, lofty, and stupendous structure of mercy, the wonder- ful plan of which was hid in the bosom of the Almighty from all eternity. In one word, the love here spoken of is that tender, generous, and sublime moral sympathy which moved the Son of God to rise out of His place, in the greatness of His heart, to come in between the sinner and an angry God, and to stand and mediate between them till He had accomplished an honorable reconciliation. " Unto Him. that loved us," saith John in the book of Revelation, "and washed us from our sins in His own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God and His Father, to Him be glory and dominion, for ever and ever. Amen." Before condescending on the vastness of this love, let it be remarked, that while we thus venture to distinguish between the love of God to the Church as the Eternal Jehovah, and the love of Christ as Mediator, we are not to be understood as insinuating that there is any real difference in the principle of the two, and far less that there is any opposition between them. No ; the good-will of God to the Church is substantially the same, under all the variety of aspects in which we can possibly view it. And between His purpose of love, and the execution of that purpose by the mediation of His Son, there ever has been, and there ever will be, the most perfect and sublime harmony. All the distinction, therefore, for which we dare plead here, is jusi in the manner of expressing His love ; not in the nature of the thing itself, for this is immuta- bly and eternall}' the same. We call that love which Incomprehensible Nature of the Loi^e of Christ. is ilis])laye(I in ehoosiiif]f a certain ])orti«ui of our race to salvation (a doctrine winch, thougii stoutly in»j)U«:(ne(l hy many professed Christians tln-oUL,diout Christendom, is yet one of the ^^reat essential doc- trines of the Christian system, and one "ireat source of the Christian's consolation), we call that love Eh'ctiiKj love ; and why ? just Ix'cause we see it manifested in the revealed ])ur|)ose of Election, and in nothing else. And in like mainn-r, we call the ,love which is displayed* in aceomplishini^ this juir- pose lii'deeniinif love, hecause it is in the work of redt'mj)tion, and there alone, that it is made known to us. But in both of these we see nothin<»: but the same Divine benevolence, exhibited to us under diverse asjjects, or presented to our minds in dif- ferent points of view. At the same time, every one knows that it is not the mere existence of love to him in the breast of another, but the expression, the manifestation of it to his heart, which chiefly attracts his notice, and draws out his atiections towards the ])ers()n in whom it resides. And ac- cordingly, in unison with this univer.sally received fact, every Christian knows that it is not the mere thoue, that w(i see the miglity decree, as it were, brim^iuijf forth and uiifoldinir to our view the nnsearchal)le, exhaustless and innnensely valu- able treasiH'es of Divine ixoodness. Here we j^et a sort of panoi'amic view of that goodness, spread out before us in glorious perspective, and rising to heights at once the most sublime, glorious and majestic — heights towering iti finitely above angelic view, and destined never to be reached bs'^ the loftiest Higlits of finite or created intellects. And it is upon this, therefore — the vastness of this love — that we mean to fix our attention in the secjuel. And here let it be observed, in the first place, that the love of Christ passeth knowledge in respect of its venerable antiqnitij. There is a natural tendency in the human mind to value a friendship which has been of long standitig, and there is a very j)eculiar ])leasure to be derived from thinking of one who has been steady in his attachment to our person, and nniforndy and invariabl}'^ true to our interests amidst all the vicissitudes of a long and diversified life-time. We look on such a one with deep emotion ; we invest him with a thousand attractions, and cherish the recollection of him, as of (me who has been to us the very balm of life, sweetening the sorrows and enhancing the joys of our earthly pilgrimage. Thus do we confide in the friend Avhose benevolence Ave have already experienced, and fondly indulge the hojie of future protection. We have no Incomprehensible Nature of the Love of Christ. II 10 friend on earth, however, — no, not the father that begat us, nor the mother that gave us birth — who couM look through the vista of an awful and dis- tant futurity, and set his heart upon us, when as yet, we were not. Our friend among men, however fond and faitliful, (and sometimes, blessed be God, we meet with one of this description, one, near and dear to us ; one twisted closely to the very fibres of our hearts, and in some measure identifieJ with our very souls), even he must see us existing, before he can love us; and how often, alas ! does he learn to forget us, as soon as we disappear. And hence it is necessary that a correspondence or regular inter- course be kept ujj, in order to swell the tide of love in the bosoms ot creatures, and to make it circulate freely and mutually, like so much electric Huid, from bosom to bosom ; fiut in duration, however remote, ?it vvliich your persons and interests were not near to His heart. When you had no exislen(;e hut amon^ the unnumbered purposes which stored His infinite and eternal mind, He sin;,ded you out and maiked you for His own ; when you knew it not, He fixed the period of your birth, chose out for you the lot of your inhciitanee, and looked u])on you w^ith uiiutteral)le delii,^ht. And if it pleased Him to love you, to cherish in His bosom the very imaossible for us to form any idea of love without their assistance. But, in the Divine mind there are no emotions, no ])!is- sions, no fermentations eithci' of good or evil, like those which fluctuate in the bo.soms of feeble mortals. He is a puie Spirit, absolutely peifect in Himself, and infinitely exalted al)ove the influence of any kind (»f excitement, of which we have any exper- ience. When we s|teak of the love of Christ, then, who is a Divine person, we s))eak of a tiling of which, considered in itself we have absolutely no experience ; and about the jnoperties and operations of which, as it exists in His mind, we know nothing .it all, excej)t that it h: as highly exalted above any- thin*' that bears the name of love in our hearts, as the might}' Cio(l of heaven, that sits upon the throne <>f the universe, and regulates and controls the affairs of all worlds, transcends the feeble and the 11 Memorials of the late Hugh Malr, D.D. li puny children of dust. We can say, indeed, that it is btron<;, and operative, and lasting in its nature ; and that it is holy, benign and generous in its influence, because we know that these must be its attributes if it be the love of God, for God is infinitely perfect, and consecpiently His love, which in very deed is just His moral self, or an assemblage of all His moral attributes under a particular modification, and directed to particular objects, must, like Him- self, be infinitely })erfect. And, fai-thei", we can say that since Christ was God in our nature, it might operate in His hol}'^ hu- man soul, in a manner of which we may be able to form some kind of conceptiim. But, when we turn our thoughts from these things, which are the mere substrata upon which the mind rests, and endeavour to fix them upon the great original Divine principle, we find it inuneasurably above and beyond our reach. It has a height and a dei)th, a length and a breadth, which bid defiance to the computating powers of all created intelligences. It exceeds de- scription, beggars language, annihilates conception, and is alwolutely beyond the grasj) of all finite beings. Well may we adopt, in reference to it, the emphatic language of the Psalmist. " Such know- ledge is too wonderful for me ; it is high, I can- not attain unto it!" It is a love worthy of the Great God, and admirably calculated to produce happiness in man here, and to secure its enjoyment to eternity, hereafter. Thivdlji. — The love of Christ is inconceivably great in the mode in tvhlch it has been manifested. It is usual among men, as is well known to all, to measure the degree of an attachment by the cost- 12 Iiicomprehensible Nature of the Love of Christ. liness of the sacrifice which the person ])ossessed of it is disposed to make, in behalf of its object. If a mail's love to any object be strong, it will dispose him to submit to the greater privations for the sake of this object; and, if it be weak and languid, the benefit resulting from it, will be proj)ortionably small and unimportant. We may take the two fol- lowing Scripture examples, illustrative of this fact. Jacob served Laban seven long years for his young- er daughter, and they seemed to him but a few days, on account of the great love wherewith he loved her. And so stronor was the love of Jonathan to David, that he could cheerfully relinquish the throne of Israel for his sake. He deemed no sacrifice too dear, no effort too great, which he could ])ossibly make in his behalf Nay, to demonstrate the strength of the passion in the bosoms of mere crea- tures, hunger and thirst have been cheerfully en- dured, perilous deserts and oceans have been crossed, and bloody deeds of chivalrous renown have been fearlessly performed, for the sake of a beloved ob- ject, while all seemed light and easy because it was felt to be the labour of love. All this, however, is conceivable by us. We can get a hold of it and make it somewhat intellectually ])alpable, because we see it to be human, and altogether within the reach of finite comprehension. And, if our minds are at all susceptible of tender emotions, we can enter into the feelings and the views of the person, who has been thus actuated, and can form to our- selves a pretty just estimate of the ardour and energy of the principle that inspired and fired his whole soul. Now let us try the love of Christ by this standard, and we shall find that here also, it passeth IS Menwriuls of the late Hiujh Mdlr, D.D. Wm knowledge. And, if it be asked, what lias He done to evince His love to the mighty multitude of His ransoujed ones ? We answer — What has He not done, that God, in our nature could |)()ssibly ac- complish ? " Ye know the grace of our Loi-d Jesus Christ, that tliough He was rich, for our sakes He became poor, that ye through His poverty, might be rich." We know that though His claim was good to the adoration of a universe, He clicerfully sul)- mitted to all the ohhxiuy of a Nazarene ; that He became a " worm and no man, a reproach of men and despised of the people," — that, like a felon un- der the lash of justice," He gave His back to the smiters, and His cheeks to them that })lucked off the hair," — while His face was reddened with shame, and foul with spitting, although He was in- nocent and harndess as a dove ; in short, that, while the foxes were hiv]in«r themselves in the holes of the earth, and the bii'ds of the air were nestlinainfu) and ))aralysing a thinix it is, for an innocent mind to have its be- nevolent purposes thwarted^ and its holy sensibilities stung to the core by the malignity of sinners. But. till we can tell this, till we can number the sighs, and the tears, and the* bitter regrets which the cruel unkindness, even of His own people, wrung from the heart of the Man of Sorrows, we cannot measure the mighty amount of His love. This, however, is not all. He encountered death to demonstrate His love, and such a death as was never endured by any V)ut Himself He was arrested by a dark, mysterious, cold-blooded, money-calculating, avarice-stricken, and hell-inspired and hell-impell(Ml traitor, called Judas; and hurried to a trial in solemn mocker}' of everything righteous. He was doomed to death by an extorted sentence, which he, who pronounced it, knew to be unrighteous; and He was hung upon a cross between two culprits, as if He himself had been the vilest of the three, and unworthy either of heaven or earth. While He was thus sufferinir the slow, the painful, the shameful, and the cursed death 16 Metnomah of the late Hugh Mair, D.D. m of a malefactor, He looked for one to pity Him, He looked for a comforter, but He found none. The Koman soldiers with adamantine souls, rudely in- sulted Him, and the children of tTudaii laughed Him to scorn. How much more i)owerful than men are the legions of hell, or how much more skilful than men in tormenting the innocent, we know not. But of one thing we are certain, that upon this most eventful occasion, their energies were all exerted to fill His soul with unutterahle woe. For this was the very hour and power of darkness ; then all hell was agitated, roused to fury, and called into ac- tion ; then millions of infernal spirits beset the Saviour and His cross, to overwhelm His spirit, and, if possible, to mar and defeat the whole ot* His un- dertaking. And if hi'U ever proclaimed anything like a vacancy, it was at that awfully interesting and ever-memorable period in the history of the universe of God. And to all this the great Messiah submitted, like a lamb to the slaughter. Nor do we hear a single word of com])laint that escaped His lii)s, till His Father's heav}'^ hand was lifted up, and inflicted on His yielding soul the final stroke of avenging justice, when He cried out in all the bitterness of anguish, "My God ! My God ! why hast Thou for- saken me ? " He cried out under the pressure of suffering, for He was alive to its every pang. But He did not change His mind, nor shrink from the terrible conflict, but travelled through the whole in the greatness of His strength, and yielded up His soul at last by a deliberate act of choice. Now, what was it that moved Him to endure all this ? Why did he consent to be baptized with so bloody a baptism ? or how could He set his heart to the 16 iHConiprekenslble Nature of the Love of Chriat. combat with so fonnldaUle .-iiid fi'l I an adversary ? Did tli(.' justice of Uod ivcjuire it? The justice of God required no such thinj,', except in His vicarious ca])aeity. It liad eluinis upon tlie Avhok' family of man, wliich, hut for Him, would h-ive sunk them to the pit of a dark and terril)le and endless per- dition. But it had none upon Him. Its sentence, or at least the sentence of tlie law, whicli is hut a transcri})t of the justice of God, is " The soul that sinneth, it shall die." But His soul never sinned, for He had (h)ne no violence, neither was any de- ceit in His mouth. He was lioly, liarndess. unde- filed, and separate from sinners; He had no sin and could have none, except what was char<^^<'d upon Him, oi- to speak in the lauij^ua^^e of m<»ral arithme- tic, reckoned to His account, as the suhstitute of a mighty multitude of liuman sinners. Why then did He become such a spectacle of woe ? And fiere, upon the sliohtest reflection, the weakest (christian would wldsper to himself, — It was because He loved me that He jjfave Himself for me ! Yes! He h)ved vo!i, and gave Himself for you ; and this is the solution of the great theological problem, tlie solution of tlie whole matter. The law got hold of Him, just be- caus<; His heart took hold ol us ; and, liad lb' not loved us with a love, that like Himself, i^ higher than heaven, and deej)er than hell, a love at onco fathomless and summitles, His suHe'rings antl death would never have b( en heard of. When the king of terrors, armed with the curst; of the law, assailed Him on the dark and mysterious mount of Calvary, when He maintained a connict with this frightful foe, till the earth that supported Him was shaken to its centre, till the rocks were rent, the graves laid 17 I'll m Memoruds of the late HiKjh Mair, D.D. open, the visible heavens clothed with mourning, and the sun enveloped in darkness, hell the lowest convulsed and horrified, and heaven the hii^hest transp' wiiich can once be compared with what He endured for the sake of His j)eople, so every other proof of love which the world lias ever witnessed, sinks into in- signi' 3:\ney, and dwimlles away into a sort of noth- inoness befhoiicnce to ovcry virtuous and holy int(*lli*^enco ; crcat.uros so insi^ri,ificant in themselves, and so ahoniiiiMltic in their si'is, that, thou<^h hy an act ol" Oninipoteiicc they had heen annihilated in a moment, «)r sliut up in the place of retribution — the dark and tremendous ahod*' of hell, the ])rison of the universe — to an endless despair, the l)a])piness and joy of the Son of God would have sutfeied no jihatement. Such were the ohjerts upon whom He set His love. And that He could deli^dit in such objects, sifter they were purified by His grace, is no m^steiy whatevei- ,* for then they were made comely, by vii'tue oi' His comeliness l)eing put upon them. And if He is ])]eased with the works of His material world, much niore may we expect Him to look with comjtlacency on that which cost Him so much in the world of grace. But that He should choose to love them when they had no cumeliness, when their very hearts were unming](Ml enmity ai.,'ainst Him, and when they were everyday piovoking His indignation by their unrighteous deeds, is something passing all created knowledge. We may think of it — we may speak of it — we may wonder at it — we may adore it — and the excellent ones of the earth have done so in all their generations. And what is adoration? Is it not that state of mind in which a nian feels himself lost and overwhelmed in contemplating the incom- prehensible magnitude of an object of religious worship ? So that the veiy first trutli in religion — the grand primary ])iinci(t]e that there is a God — must necessarily be an incom})rehensil»le principle. A man may admire a system of religious doctrine s 20 Tncomprehetisihle Mature of the Love of Christ. which is level to his capacity; he may discover in it iniicli beauty and excellence; but he must rise to an obj ,ct which infinitely outmeasures his powers and fills him with ama/iement before he can beijin to adore. He must see himself encompassed with truths which are t«> him impenetrably mysterious, and yet indisputably certain, before he can be sure that there is a .Sui>reme Spirit above (the only abso- lutely unmixed Spirit), who has a claim upon the homage of his heart. And hence it comes out as a universal truth, that in a system of belief where there is no mystery there can be no God, and there- fore no real religion. Christianity, then, is a rational system ; not as some calling themselves Christians would teach, because all its do(!trines are obvious to reason, but because many of them are mysterious and infinitely above reason. And if this were not the case it would be unreasonaljle, nay, it would be absurd, to regard it as Divine. Accordingly, the very Pagan who cutteth down an ash-tree in the forest, burneth part thereof in the fire, and maketh the residue an abomination, cannot be prevailed with to bow the knee before it, till in height of de- lusion he has in imaginaticm invested it with all the mysterious attributes of a God. If, then, it be true that there must be in the religion of the Bible a certain portion of mystery, in order to convince us that it is really from heaven, what right hfis a creature, who is but of yesterday and knows nothing, to sa}'^ how much or how little that exceeds our comprehension such a religion ought to contain ? It is God, all-wise and majestic, who is speaking ; let us keej) silence before Him, and listen with the profoundest humility and deference to the words of 21 I I ! ::J 'i 1 1^ Memorials of the lute Hiujh Mair, D.D. His mouth. But, after all, it still remains what it was from the l)e;j;inniiii]^, one of the dee)) thing's of God with whieh a sinful creature is not allowed to intermeddle. Let us he persuaded, tin ii, to a])proach the awfully interesting.^ and suhlime mysteries of the Gospel, and espeeially the one now hefore us, with all that humility and prostration of soul which become those who know so extremely little of the character, plans, and govern uient of the Great Eter- nal. God forbid that we should ever attempt (like proud German Neologists) to brin«^ the Bible to the level of reason, or to sist it at reason's tribunal, and to believe it no further than we can compre- hend it. Rather let us come to the Bible with all the humility and docility of little children, and believe, admire, and adore what ^ve may and will in the lapse of ages more enlargedly see, but shall never be able fully to understand. Occupying this humble and suitable moral ground in relation to the lofty mysteries of the Gospel, we will bow to its dictates, believe in its dt^ctrities, repose unlimited confidence in its promises, rejoice in the Saviour whom it propounds, and count all things but loss for the sublime and peerless excellency of that love of Christ whicli passeth knowledge, and which, though clearly seen in the light of the Gospel, will yet be seen more splendidly in heaven, where the Lamb and His love will be its very light and joy, and honor, and glory. Oh ! what views spread before the redeemed of God, in the vast, the bound- less, the immense field of etarnity! — views of moral wonders that shall be ever unfolding and ever brightening, and consequently ever exciting more interest and inspiring more joy. How magnificent tti Incomprehensible Nature of the Love of Christ. their liopes ! How exalted, uiifahilanthit)pists amongst us, and w<; sliall have them again, wlioso souls have been absorbed in the work of benevo- lence, who hav(5 drawn around them the aged and the infirm, the widowed and the orphan : who have pouretl into th«' soul the <'il of consolation, and almost mad vesults of the lovo. of (>lnist, tlie very use of the expression opicns up to us a field of contem]>lation so vast and so varied, so sweepirjg and houndless, that we find it dilHeult to know where to begin wh n thinking of it, or how to IW\ when speaking of it, for here the subject swells out upon our view with a Uiagnitudc^ and a glory, and an expansive grandeur, which are more than sufiicient to over- 24 Incomf)r('hpnfiihle Nature of the Love of Christ whelm the stn^nfjfest, loftiest, and most <:ji<;]fjintic created iritelligcnci's. .I<*sus ('hrist is all goojIiKMs, all benovoh'iice, to the cliildnMi of men ; and if we consider how He came to exist as the ( hrist, we will find tliat He is the very oHsprin^ of love. Let ns only consider how much j)urc and tranijuil de- li<,'ht has heen infused into the licarts of saints, from the beerhaps fnmi the very con- stitution of the moral universe, forever feel the benign, cheering, gladdening, and transporting in- fluence of that love of Messiah, which in our dark world shone forth with such unutteral)Ie lustre, and threw an unparalled radiance over the whole char- acter and empire of the Most High, And could this great, miraculous luminary be shorn of his rays, or could they be turned away from their favored objects, ail that is loving and comely in the »'ioral world would stiffen and expire. But in describing the love of Christ in two points of view, we must not confine ourselves to the Church and earth : for all that is known of it here in comparison with the state of the blessed, is but as the twilight of the morning to the radiance of noon. For it is this same principle whirh pervades, animates, and glad- dens the mighty multitude of the faithful in the heaven of heavens. So that, unless we have tasted the pleasures of the parailise of God, unless 26 Incomprehensible Nature of the Love of ChHst. we have listened to the melody and learned to count the notes of the lofty song of God's redeemed, unless we can tell what it is for countless myriads of human spirits to be sustained in one continued eternal trans- port of delight, after years have ceased to be num- bered, and ages forgotten to revolve, our eye cannot see, our ear cannot hear, nor can it enter iiito our hearts to conceive of the blessed effects which shall never cease to flow from this love to all who shall dwell eternally around the throne of God and of the Lamb. II. CHRIST AN ALMIGHTY CONQUEROR AND GRACIOUS DELIVEUKR. " But who is Ho that is tlio King Of Klory ? Who is this ? The liorJ of HostH, and none but He The King of glory is." — Ps. xxiv. I " Who is this that comoth from Edora, with dyed garments from Bozrah ; this, that is glorious in His apparel, travoUing in tlia greatness of His strength ; I. that speak in righteousness, mighty to Have." — Isaiah Ixiii. 1. Among the Jow.s, it was common to celebrate the victories thov obtained over their enemie.s in sonirs compo.sed for the oceasioii. Tlie.sj pieces of poetry, which often contained a minnte history of the trans- a'ltions which they celebrated, were ropeii,ted by bands divided into regidar order, who sung alter- nately. One band proposed cpiestions, and the other made replies. These exercises were frequently accompanied with music of different kind.s, and dancing; — and at certain intervals, the wliole army bore a ])art in the service. In tliis manner we find the victory obtained at the Red Sea was cekibrated: Exod. XV. 4-:i0. Moses, at the heatl of the tribes, celebrat<,'d in song the praises of the Lord, and re})eated in minute detail the course of thai inter- estinjj: event. In the twentieth Vfrse we are in- formed that Miriam, the pro|)lietess, the sister of Aaron, took a timhrel in he! hand ; and all the women went out after Ikm with timbrels and with 28 Christ ail Almiffhttj Conqueror and Deliverer. dancos. And Miriani uiiswert'd them, "Sing ye to the Lord, for He luith tiiiunphed gloriously ; the horse and Ins rider hath He thrown into the sea." You will find exanq)les of the sanu' kind in the history of David, when he returned from the field of buttle with his vietorious troojts ; and in the Psalms whi(rh were then composed. Jn the sublime passage of whieh our text is a })art, the prophet Isaiah adopted this method to describe the vietory of the promi.sed M( ssiah. He introduces the Church of the living (iod, C()nti'mplating the Ivedeemer returning from the tield <»1" battle, and putting questions to tlie (\jn([ueror himself,to which He con- descends to givt; a gra(;ious answer. With a dvsign to celebrate the victory which tlu; promised Messiah should ol>tain in tlie latter days, the pro- phet avails hims(df of imageiy derived from objects familiar to the .Jewish church, for whose instruc- tion he wrote. The (puirrcl which once prevailed between Esau, the founder of *he kingdom of Kdoni, and .lacob, the ])rog<'nitor of the »)ewish nation, wa.s maintained by their descenilaMts. Upon tl)o retuiii of the Israelites fr(»m the house ol boiulage, the king of Kdom would not permit them to march through his territories. Although brought into subjection under the reign of Havid, made tribu- taries to the Jews, and embiacing thcii religion, the Edomites still nwiintaincd their tormer enmity. With the en<'mies of the .Jewish nation they never failed to unite themselves. They assisted NeltUchad- nezzar in his wars against JudcJi; and were the chief instigators of the cruelties whieh the Uomaiifi inflicted at the destruction of Jerusalem. Their enmity was invincible ; but, ^Vom the conn* etion of 20 MemoriaU of the late JIuyh Mair, D.D. their history witli the liistory of the .Icwish nation, we are informed, tliat Edonj a.s a nation, was com- pletely destroyed, any an itiva- sion oi tlie kin<,'d()m of Kdom, the determined enemy of the Jews; and the compk'tcness of the Messiah's victory over these enemies, l»y the total overthrow of the kinjL(d«)m. The Church, accord- ingly, is represented as (■()ntcmphitin<,' the Conqueror returning; Irons K(h»ni,and in the language of admira- tion and astoni.shmeMt, i>uttin<,' th(i arel, trav«'llin!j; in the j^^-eatness of His strcMii^th ?" to wliich the Contpieii^r himself re])lies: '* I, that speak in ri<;hteousnes.s, miij;hty to save." That tin; per- 8on here addressed, and who (rivo^ the; answcM', is the Lord Jesus Christ, cannot be denied. The Jewish writ'M's allow that the Mfssiah is the person adilress(Ml. 'I'he languai^e, indeed, is so elevated and subline wliat it can apj)!y to no croature, how- ever exalted; and the? ai)ostle John renders its application t«) the Rech'emer certain, by using tho prophet's iniagery iii his description of tlie Re- deemer in Rev. xi.\., I.S: "Ami He was clothed with a vesture d;ppe«i in blood — and Misname is calh'd the Word of (Jod. And the armies which were in heaven followed Him upon white horses, clothed in tine linen, white and clean. And out of His mouth goeth a sharp sword, that vvitli it lie shoukl snute the nations; and He shall rule them with a rod of iron ; and He treadeth the winepreaa 80 Christ an Almiyhty Conqueror and Deliverer. of tlui fscrroness and wratli of Almi«;]»ty Ood. And He hath oti His vesture and on His (hi;;h a name written,' Kin;^' of kin^s and L(mi1 of lords.'" With respect, tluMi, to tlio person tlier*^ ean \m no douht. The event, liowcNrr, to which tlie propliecy refers, it is more y the apostle in the revelation, it voidd appear that it lias at least a secondary rcsjtect to the overthrow of the eneniies of the (.'hnrch hy the Redeemer, hefore the introduction of the ^lory of tlie latter-day. We nee in tlie \viitin<^rs of tho ancient Israelitish seers the first and sini])h' and unencumhered diauLfht of a likeness, wiiich has since heen completed to its lim st and most dejicato shadin<;s, Sy the evanjLjeli.sts and apostles; and in it may l»e (listinetly and vividly perceived whatever is most characteristic and essential. The l*rophet Isaiah has often traced in lines ot tire the portiaiture of One whose transcendent anl!ite tor a wliile those particu- lars in His history, and tlio-ie features of His clwir- aeter, which are liero so distinctly alluded to. Tho text consists of two parts, which siiull he considered in succession. The tirst of these descrihes, in the form of a (piestion, the external appearance of One who had attracteserver ; the latter end )races more secret and hidden characteristics, which couhl bo known only throu<^h express revelation. 1. The question which may be suj)j»osed to be put by the Church, or l»y the prophet himsrlf as a sptjctator. is expressed in tlieso «;raphic words: " Wiio is this tliat Cometh from E(b)m, with dyed ujarments from Bozrah ? — this, that is t^dorious in His apjjarel, tra- vellinjj: in the jifreatness of His sticiiLjth T' The first partic:dar here which retpdres to be noticed, is that the Person liere referred to is described as connng from Edom and Bozrah. Krun<.; from tho patriarch Isaac, had no effect in uintin*^ them to each other in a friendly alliance. Instead of rej^ard- in«jj each other with mutual and lastinj^ good-will, they cherished a reciprocal jealousy and hatretl. To represent any one, theiefore, as coming from Edom and Bozrah, was to convey the impression 32 % Cltrta^ an Almh/ltf^/ Conqueror ami Deliverer. that he luul been for a tiiiu' in the territory and capital of an enemy. Tlie partieiilar position, then, in wliich (Jln*ist is here presented to onr contem- plation, is that of one who lias heen s.»jonrnin^ in a foreij'n and hostile country, and is n hirninjj lioniewanl aftrr havinn»|»lisheattle. H<' was to he greeted l>y the an;:(elic choir with the exultini,' and triumphant exclamation, " Lift up your heads, () ye gates, ami Im* yv lifted up, ye everlasting doors, that the King of Glory may c(»me in." When he de- 8cende«l from the ln!aveiis, He in the strictest sense came amongst those who were His dcteiiniiied foe.s. The creatures wi»h whom He took up His tem- porary ahodi'. were viohMit in their liatred of Hia person and character, and claims, and doctrine, and government, and laws. Their expression of liostile feeling coidd not possihly he misunderstooul(l contrive, or thf ital He halicd Ity sufr«'iiiiy sinkiiii;' into thf nnns of death. His success consisted in exhaustiiiLj the curse of tVie law which had l»een denounced a^jainst His projdc; and th»' ni«*ans adopted l>y Satan to attli«'t and overw}i K 6^ ^^ ir i/x ^ ^^ (1^ ttfT' Memorials of the late Hugh Mair, D.D. gave up the Ghost, was the shout of victory. By the nearness with which His arch-adversary pressed Him to the verge of the grave, was His own ap- proximation to overthrow and defeat really mea- sured. It was thus, in the purple stream of His own blood, that His royal garments, as the King and Head of His Church, were dipped and dyed. It was by a fearful process that His robes acquired that peculiar hue which is characteristic of imperial power and dominion. The very colour of His regal apparel is a proof of the reality and the sufficiency of the atonement He has made. And now that He appears amid the glorious hosts of heaven, and has on His head many crowns, He is still visibly " the 'Lamb which was slain," and is " clothed in a vesture dipped in blood." But while the prophet continues to gaze upon the Person who has fixed his atten- tion and prompted his inquiries, he notices another remarkable and characteristic circumstance : He " is glorious ir His apparel." As the former expression alludes to the atonement He had made, so this clearly points to the personal excellencies and the imputable righteousness of which He is possessed. The numerous and distinguished graces which He exhibited, are here spoken of as woven into a gar- ment of singular beauty and splendour. The figure thus introduced is appropriate and expressive. Hia excellencies had their seat in His heart, in the form of strong and rooted principle : but they also un- folded themselves, and shone with surpassing lustre, in His walk and conversation. The seamless gar- ment which He wore had woven into it all the virtues which can ennoble our nature. These gave to it its warp and its woof, and decided its peculiar 36 Christ an Almighty Conqueror and Deliverer. lo un- ustre, s gar- Li the gave culiar hue and colouring. Its pattern, of Divine contriv- ance, combined and blended in exquisite harmony and agreement all the graces of the Spirit. The design was so complete as that no conceivable ex- cellence was left out ; and its parts were so adjusted that they mutually enhanced each other's attrac- tiveness. It had all the variety which an extended catalogue of moral virtues could furnish, and, at the same time, all the unity and consistency of absolute and unimpeachable perfection. Into the thread and texture of the vesture of Christ there were woven a dignity, the effect of which no intimacy of inter- course could remove, and a humility which made the lowest feel that it was possible to descend ffirther still ; a holiness which could not look upon sin, and a compassion wdiich impelled and drew to the abode of sinners ; a justice which flashed forth in the most terrible denunciaticms, and a mercy which pressed a pardon upon the most enormously guilty ; a courage and firmness which no combination of dangers could move, and a gentleness and meekness which commanded the confidence of the most timid and shrinking ; a zeal for God which felt compla- cency in His equitable judgments, and a love of man which caused tears to be shed over a devoted city on which these were about to descend. If ever the apparel of Christ could appear transcendently glorious, it was while returning from the territory of His enemies. It was then that it was seen to be radiant with beauty. It was then that His graces and virtues had passed through an ordeal th'3 most searching and severe that can possibly be imagined. It was then that His obedience had been tried, and was seen to rise superior to every 37 Memorials of the late Hugh Mair, D.D. kind and amount of temptation, and to be altogether independent of outward circumstances. It was then that the virtues which rendeied Him fairer than the sons of men appeared to be not only surpass- ingly beautiful, but of so firm a texture, and so woven into His moral nature, as to be incapable of being either tarnished or uprooted. God the Father had frowned upon Him in His terrible displeasure, and had caused all the arrows of His quiver to enter into His veins ; but the ardour of that love which bound Him to the eternal throne continued in un- diminished intensity. Human guilt filled the cup of trembling which He was condemned to drink, and human lips poured forth those expressions of scorn and hatred which lacerated His tender spirit, and human hands perpetrated those cruel acts of violence which prostrated His body in death ; but still the human fiimily continued to awaken in Him the keen S3'mpathy which a heart so delicately strung was capable of feeling, and His last audible prayer for His murderers presented a spectacle of the truest moral sublimity. The prince of aark- ness, into whose dominions He had penetrated, had employed all his arts of dissimulation, and all his concentrated force, to beguile or drive Him from the rugged path of duty ; but the waning elements have more eflfect in scattering the everlasting hills than had the restless eflforts of Satan in originating an unholy feeling in His bosom. Every unfavor- able influence was made to bear upon Him — every hostile agency was called into requisition — every instrument and mode of attack was successively and vigorously employed ; but He passed through the ordeal with unscathed excellencies. No duty 38 Christ an Almighty Conqueror and Deliverer. was shrunk from, and no temptation wms yielded to, and no grace was saeriticed, and no blemish was contracted. The white and glistering robes in which He appeared on the mount of transfiguration were not more free from any foul and contaminating stain than were His garments of righteousness after His work of obedience had closed. Arrayed in every moral and spiritual excellence which could beautify and exalt, He might well, in reference to His personal character, be said to be " glorious in His apparel." But, to complete the description contained in the question of the prophet, it is added that " He travels in the greatness of His strength." The circumstance that Christ is here represented as travelling seems to shew that He has accomplished the end of His mission in Edom and Bozrah — that He is leaving the scenes of His protracted obedience and unparalleled sufferings — that He is hastening to His Father's bosom, and His mediatorial throne, and His covenanted kingdom — and that He is most active in conveying and bringing to sinners the ines- timable blessings of which He has paid the mighty price. He is on His way from abasement to glory — from humiliation to exaltation — from the cross to the crown — from the tomb of Joseph to the univer- sal dominion. Having obtained the desired " gifts for men," He hastens to bestow them in royal munificence and profusion. But Christ has not the step and gait of an ordinary traveller. His every posture and movement is expressive of resistless might. Power is the attribute of His person which instantly and forcibly stiikes an intelligent and attentive spectator. One of the distinguishing features by which He is singled out and described 39 P""' Memorials of the late Hugh Mair, D.D. is, that He travels in the greatness of His strength. The omnipotence which is thus so essential and striking an element in His character, is not a mere natural attribute which belongs to Him as a Divine person — is not the almightiness which created and preserv es the universe. It is a power obtained in a particular manner, and directed to the accomplish- ment of a s[)ecial end. It is a might which has been procured by obedience anmt now He had acquired, as Mediator, a power to sa /e. The strenjjfth, in the greatness of which He travelled, was the fruit of all He had done and suffered while in Edoni and Bozrah ; and it is now to be exerted in pardoning the guilty, in sanctifying the polluted, in breaking the fettf^rs of the prisoner, and in rais- ing the vile outcast to glory everlasting. This peculiar strength gradually waxed to omnipotence as He approached the terminati!' III. PERSONAL NATURE OF THE GOSPEL MESSAGE. " His hand is my perpetual guard, He guides me with His eye ; Wliy should I then forget the Lord, Who is forever nigh ! " " For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." — Luke ii. 11. The descendants of the royal house of David had, like the rest of their countrymen, assembled in their own respective towns, for the purpose of submitting to the census or enrolment which had been enjoined by the Roman emperor. The lineage of the royal house of Israel, as well as the humblest triVjes of Israel, behoved to submit to the mandates of their heathen masters ; and the little town of Bethlehem was crowded with a vast number of strangers, who, viewing it as their paternal city, directed their course thither, in obedience to the command of Augustus, and entered their names as the suV)jects of the Roman empire. The grinding tyranny of the Herods, a!id the rapacious extortion of mercenary strangers, had, at this period, greatly depressed the welfare of the Jewish people ; and, partly from the evils of aiisgovernment, partly from disaffection on the part of the Jews themselves, it so happened that the condition of the nation was greatly straitened. There was unusual peace; but, so far as concerned the Jews, it was the peace of sullen, and im|)otent, and unwilling submission. They hated Caesar while they obeyed him ; for they imputed to Roman thral- dom all their misery and degradation. We may well E 49 Metnonals of the late Hugh Mair, D.D. suppose, then, that there would b(^ many |)oor and humble descendants of Davin, hesidt^s Joseph and Mary, who cauje up to BethlelnMn for the sake of the imperial enrolment; but, of all the sojoiirners in that city, who, to the eye of human observation, would have appeared so helpless, so unfortunate, so miserable, as those two strangers from Nazareth, who, after the weary and toilsome journe\ from such a distant part of the Galilees, were unnble to find in all Bethlehem one hospitable, one accessible threshold ? But so the providence of heaven ordained, that He who was to be named Emmanuel should in abject lowliness commence His earthly career. A rude stable was His birth-place; the Desire of Nations was cradled among the beasts of the stall ; and although the prophet had of old time said, " Behold a virgin shall conceive and bring forth a son," this city wouLl not look at the fulfil- ment of the prophecy, it w<>uld not observe the accomplishment of the miracle. Yet heaven des- tined that this joyous consummation should not pass unnoticed and unknown. Hence Nature, or rather the God of Nature, displayed in the firma- ment a splendid phenomenon, to warn an unthinking world that the day of redemption was nigh, and nocturnal visions told the heathen philosophers that a mighty King had risen, and the sons of human wisdom — the first fruits of the Gentiles to Christ — came from the rising of the sun to worship Him who is the root and ofispring of David and the bright and morning star. But what is still more to be remarked, the portals of heaven burst open, and hosts of angelic beings thronged out; and never was the listening ear of night regaled and charmed 50 Personal Nature of the Gospel Message. with such enchanting melody, as when the lonely fields of Bethlehem were the scene of heavenly manifestations, and the shepherd watchmen heard the joyous anthems celebrated in angelic strains, of which the burden was, Glory to God and grace to man, and of which the contents were the words of our text, 'Unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." In this single sentence there is contained a great mass of solid truth. It sets forth the Divine nature of the Messiah, inasmuch as it applies to Him the Old Testament appellation of Jehovah, or Lord ; it sets forth His mediatorial office, as being not so much that of a king, or a teacher, as of a Redeemer ; and it sets forth the fulfilment in the history of Jesus of those ancient predictions which signified that Bethlehem-Ephrata should be the place of His nativity. These branches of the subject we pass over, and propose to confine our attention chiefiy to the first clause of the verse ; that is to say, we shall advert, not so much to the subject of the mes- sage, or the author of it, or the accessories of it, as to the objects of it : " Unto you is born — a Saviour." But even here there is included a variety of topics. For example, there might from this expression be deduced with great force and clearness the Saviour's doctrine, that the poor are pre-eminently the per- sons to whom the Gospel call is addressed. We single out only one truth for illustration, however, and it is one of the most important of them all, viz.: that the Gospel is a personal message — a special, individual, and definitive proposal — addressed, not vaguely and generally to all, but minutely and par- ticularly to each. " Unto you," said the angel to 51 MemoriaU of the late Hugh Mair, D.D. Ill j ■i i 'i I the shepherds — " Unto you in born a Saviour." The objective persouality of tlie Gospel message is there- fore tlie suliject of our discourse. Let Ub,jir8t, con- tem])late the meaning of this property ; secondly, consider its importance; and, thirdly, try to make, each for ourselves, a right use of it. First. What is meant by the personal nature of the Gospel message will, perha|)s, stand out more distinctly to our apprehension by the exemplifica- tion than by the mere description of it. Let us, therefore, endeavour to illustrate the matter. First, by the case mentioned in the text itself The angel who first appeared to the shepherds, and prepared their minds for understanding the import of the seraphic minstrelsy that so soon greeted their ears, told them at once the nature, the design, and the object of the Gospel, when he said, " I bring you glad tidinos of great joy, which shall be to all people." He was the herald of a better than the Jewish dispensation. He announced the commence- ment of an economy which, unlike that of Moses, embraced not the seed of Israel merely, but all the nations, and peoples, and tribes of the earth. He foretold that the Saviour should be a light to lighten the Gentiles, as well as the glory of His people Israel. He knew, therefore, that the Gospel which he preached was no limited, no narrow, no exclu- sive system. He knew that the ends of the earth should see it and rejoice in it, as the glory of God and the salvation of sinners. He knew that all kingdoms should be blessed in Jesus, and that all generations should call Him blessed. He not only knew, but declared, that the advent of the Saviour would be glad tidings of joy — of great joy — to all 52 Personal Nature of the Oospel Message. people. And yet, addre.ssinf,' himself to the humble shepherds, exclusively of all (dse, he said, " Unto you is born a Saviour, which is (Christ the Lord." Now, observe the full meanin*]^ of this statement. It clearly implies somethin^^ that is direct and personal. It implies that these shepherds were ])laced in a most peculiar position; that they were involved in a definite ndation ; that they W(3r(' inclnd(Ml some- how in God's mighty pur[)oses. Tin; Saviour waa born for them. He, the seed of the woman, who had been foretold to Adam in Paradise ; He on whom the patriarchs looked with the eye of adorii)<^ faith ; who was a ])illar of confidence to afflicted. Job, a promised Son and Saviour to Abraham, the giver of a new name to Jacol); He who was the hope of the ends of the earth, and was to the spiritual what the rainbow is to the natural world, the guarantee of its peace and tmlfare — this mighty deliverer is described by the angel to the shef)herds as having been I'aised u]) for them, as having come for their salvation, as having put on for them the nature of lowly humanity. " Unto you is born this day, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." Here, then, my brethren, may we see what the per.sonality of the Gospel message is. It singles out each particular individual to whom it is ad- dressed, and, dettiching him from all other consider- ations but the consideration of himself, tells him that on him God's omniscient eye is fixed — that towards him the purposes of eternity have refeired — that for him the high counsels of heaven have been consulted — that for him God han made most extensive and mighty preparation — that for him the gift of salvation has been provided — that in his 63 Memoricds of the late Hugh Mair, D.D. ears it is preached — that at the door of his heart its message is knocking — and that, in short, the Gospel is a scheme of communication between him- self and God — a personal message which God sends to him as such, and which, as such, he ought to receive. The mode in which the angel preached the Saviour to the wondering shepherds naturally led them to view the Saviour in the light which we have described ; for no sooner had the notes of the celestial anthem, with which the heavenly host closed the miraculous scene, died away, than the spell-bound listeners left their flocks and hastened, with all the alacrity and enthusiasm of gladdened hearts, to inquire into the fulfilment of the angel's disclosure — to see the child born, and the Son given unto them — and, in the manger of Bethlehem, to look upon the wonderful, the wise, the mighty, the divine Prince of Peace. In the second place, let us endeavour to explain the personality of the Gospel message from the way in which it is addressed to sinners in general. The mode in which it Avas preached to the shepherds is, indeed, exactly descriptive of the way in which it is preached to all others. It is a message of glad tidings to every person who has it delivered to him ; and if it be deliver- ed to any individual, no matter through what agency, it is to him a message from God, as really, indeed, as if the curtains of heaven had been opened and an angelic herald descended from the presence of Jehovah fraught with the Gospel mes- sage of Gospel jieace. If a servant have put into his hands a communication purporting to be a com- mand enjoined by his master, that servant, from the 54 Personal Nature of the Gospel Message. as een the very fact of its being given to him, will see it to be his implied duty to execute the commandment in quotion ; and if, in addition to this, the document be endorsed with his name, and most specifically addiessed to him, then it will carry all the weight and authority of the master who wrote it. In like mannei", the very fact of a revelation from heaven being in our possession, ought of itself to draw towards that revelation (^ur most attentive regards. If, in the miraculous signatures and credentials which attest its genuineness, the signs and wonders which acconipaiiied its introduction, and the internal symptoms which it contains of its heavenly origin — if, in all these, we find reason to listen to the Scriptures, as being the oracles of God, then the account which they give of themselves most plainly indicates that we are the individuals to whom they are sent, and for whom tht^y are designed. There is not a mark, not a trace, not a lineament of the sin- ner's heart that is not descriljed and represented in the Bible. Now, these are the indications of the persons to whom the Bible is sent ; and every per- son whose character, and nature, and habits are such as it describes — every person who can read in his own heart those same truths which the Bible declares —every }>erson who sees himself to be what the Bible so plainly sets forth — every such person, we say, is the inauperism of human language and human thought, cannot afibrd a term more adequate to express the fulness of God's love. Strictly speak- ing, then, the language of human affection cannot embody the value of the relation wliich subsists between believers and God. " Can a woman," says the Pr()))het, speaking in the person of Jehovah, — *' Can a woman forget her sucking child, that she should not have com])assion on the son of her womb? Yea : they may forget. Yet will I not forget thee." " Behold," says Jehovah to His people, " I have grav^i thee upon the ])alms of My hands: thy walls are continually before Me." So vast, then, and incal- culable W the love of God to His people; and, if debt infer obligation — then, what all-absDrbing love is that which believers are bound to yield to their Heavenly Father. Thirdly, Sonship implies same- ness of character. In the case of the earthly rela- tion, it implies absolute identity of nature. It implies as much in reference to Christ, because His nature is Divine ; but in reference to man, it cannot imply this, inasmuch as human nature is incompat- ible in the case of mere men with such an idea. 76 f ft. Nature and Evidences of Divine Sonship, Man's being the son of God signifies his bc'ng like God in all things in which he can be like Bini. It ini]>lies, therefore, his receiving a new and heavenly nature, a pure and sanctified heart, a holy and obedient will. It implies his being born from above, not of the will of man, but of God. It implies his beinor renewed in knovvledfje after the imajjfe of Him that created him. The sons of God are the holy creatures of God, who are united to Him by their resemblance to His perfections, and by drinking of His fulness. Moreover, — Sonship implies sameness of interest. A divided family cannot stand : hence all the mem- bers of a rightly constituted family are united in their interests and plans. Thus it is with the family of God. All His children have His spirit, and do His will. They seek to love wliat He loves. His commands are what they desire to do. His precepts are the support and joy of their hearts. His sta- tutes are their song in the hou>^e of their pilgrimage. All who belong to the great family above, therefore, have a fellows-feeling and sympathy in their >>ouls, by which they may be discriminat d fiom careless worldlings. They subject things to a spiritual cal- culation : they weigh them by a totally'' different standard from what the latter employ. Their feel- ings and desires do not concentrate in self, but like the Hebrew exiles in Babylon, they esteem the prosperity of Zion and the glory of Jehovah as the most desirable objects of solicitude and love, • aymg: " If I forget thee, O Jerusalem, let my right hand forget her cunning ; if I do not remember thee, let my tongue cleave to the roof of my mouth, if I prefer not Jerusalem above my chief joy." 77 Memorials of the late Hugh Mair, D.D. Lastly — Sonship implies sameness of society, and the sons of God enjoy, therefore, the Divine fellow- ship. They are, while in this world, in a s ate chequered by many an alternation of lepose and trouble; but they enjoy communion with the Father, and with His Son, Jesus Christ. They are partakers of a relationship, which being spiritual and invisi- ble, the world sees not and knows not. But, it is not on that account the less certain and solid. It is nurtured (m earth, and it is perfected in heaven. The believer can approach God at all times, and in the spirit of av walk ye in it." If to these we add the instruct of the ministers of the Gospel, and the mutual > i- couragements and exhortations of his trusty com- panions, we must verily admit that the traveller to 102 The Chinstian Traveller. d the Heavenly Canatin, enjoys advantages peculiar and distinguished. Uh, how wonderfully and wisely are the means of ealvation connected! The Word of God furnishes the traveller with directions and promises, and re- veals the Spirit of God to explain and enforce them upon his mind and his heart, while the ministers of the Gospel and fellow Christians act in the most en- tire subserviency to both. 2nd. — He needs a j)rotector. A protector is essentially necessary for the comfort and the safety of the traveller. Although the higliway of holiness is consecrated ground on which there is " no lion nor any ravenous beayt," but, on which the " redeemed of the Lord ' alone, travel ; yet the way of holi- ness is beset with robbers, who not onl}' maltreat the traveller when he deviates from the right way, but frequently attack him even when he keeps upon consecrated ground. The roaring lion of the bottom- less pit cherishes a deadly malice against the travel- ler, and his legions being skilled in the arts of deceit and war, never desert the skirts of the road ; and embrace every opportunity to molest, to intimidato, and terrify the traveller, and, if possible, to accom- plish his destruction. All tliese enemies are continu- ally upon the alert, and being frequently joined with the " Canaanites," who inhabit the country through which the traveller passes, he is every moment ex- posed to danger, and needs a protector, whose power can defend him from the malice of his numerous and mighty foes. In this respect, likewise, the traveller to Zion, enjoys peculiar advantages. The self-exis- tent and independent Jehovah, who nurabei*s the hosts f heaven and eai-th, is the protector of th© 103 Mevioridls of the late Hugh Mair, D.D. traveller ; and, " under the shadow of His wings," his safety is secured, although sun-ounded by ene- mies on every hand, who wait for his halting and long for his destruction. In the ear of the traveller, "persecuted but not forsaken," his Protector exclaims: " Fear thou not for I am with thee : be not dismayed for I am thy God; Iwillstrengthenlhee,yea,Iwill help thee ; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness." " Thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and He that formed thee, O Israel, fear not, for I have redeemed thee, and have called thee by thy name, thou art mine. When thou passeat through the waters I will be with thee, and through the rivers, they shall not over-flow thee. When thou walkest through the fire thou shalt not be burned, neither shall the flames kindle upon thee." The poor traveller, although in the garb uf a pilgrim and a stranger, is in fact a king and a priest in disguise, and is furnished with a defence that his enemies cannot penetrate, and with a guard of honor which marks the grandeur of his pedigree. His escort is truly invincible. The providence of his God is as a wall ot fire around him, and His spirit and His grace reign within him. The faithfulness of his God is the girdle the traveller wears. ^Vjigels are sent to " minister to the heirs of salvation." The credentials of his spiritual aristocracy he carries in his hand, marked with the broad seal of the heavens. " He shall give His angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways. They shall bear thee up in their hands, lest thou dash thy foot against a stone. Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder ; the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet." The gates of hell, then, may assault the tra- 104 The ChHstian Traveller. veller, but they "shall not prevail." They may strive to stop the traveller on his way to Canaan ; but his God, who disposed him to begin his journey, shall be his Protector to the end. 3rd. — He needs accommodation. It is impos- sible for the traveller to proceed on his journey Tvithout accommodation and frequent supplies of food. Without them the heart of the traveller will become lan^ijuid, and the most Herculean faint by the way. This is still strikingly descriptive of the situation of the traveller on his journey to the Heavenly Canaan; but in this respect, also, he enjoys peculiar advantages. The King of Zion has furnished the road of holiness which leads to His kingdom with houses of rest and refreshment, into which the traveller may enter and renew his strength, and be fitted for the prosecution of his journey. The boun- ties of Divine Providence may be considered as the temporal accommodations prepared by love for the comfort and the support of the traveller's mortal part ; and the ordinances of Divine appointment as the spiritual accommodations, designed to quicken, to strengthen, and to sustain the soul of the traveller on his way to heaven. These ordinances — secret prayer, searching the Scriptiu'es — family worship — hearing the Gospel — encompassing the table of the Lord — the ordinary channels of precious communications — are indeed effectual, through the influences of the Holy Spirit, for the comfort end strength of the traveller. He can thus "go on his way rejoicing," and sing as he advances aiong the r(/ad, " The King hath brought me into His banqueting house." The traveller, on entering these places of consecrated rest and enjoyment, is frequently blessed with de- 105 s^ww- Tj^, ,. Memorials of the late Hugh Mair, D.D. lightful manifestations of his Father's love, and lays up a stock of sweet experiences and* consolations on which faith afterwards leeds, and which enliven and invigorate his soul during many days. These sweet experiences are frequently found to administer com- fort to the traveller during the cold and the dark nights of desertion which he often passes on his way to Emmanuel's happy land, as the j)ot of manna reserved in the ark reminded Israel of the months and years that were passed, and remained as a token . for good long after God had ceased to " rain " on His people, and to feed them with " angel's food." Nor is this all. The traveller has not only his table in the wilderness spread with the bounties of Provi- dence, and his soul refreshed and strengthened by the consolations of religion in attending upon the ordinances of Divine appointment, but his Sovereign King sometimes softens the toils of his waHare, and sweetens the fatigues of his journey, by a discovery of the glory of the country to which he is travelling, and a taste of Canaan's grapes on his way to Canajin's land. When the traveller ascends the Mount of Communion, and faith looks through the telescope of Gospel promises and Gospel ordinances, then, like Mosts on the top of Pisgah, he takes a survey of the good land, and '* sees the King in His beauty, and the land that is afar off." Then hope trims her lamp, and love raises her song to the heavens ! Then all is light, joy, and triumph ! In the enjoyment of such exhilarating contemplations of glory, the traveller exclaims : " Oh, how amiable is even this distant prospect of Tliy dwelling, O Lord of Hosts ! When shall I drop this mortal body ? When shall I arrive at the end of this desert 106 The Christian Traveller. that stretches itself before me, and take possession of the promised land, the heavenly inheritance ? Wlien shall I receive the end of my faith — the sal- vation of my soul ? How long, O Lord, holy and true ! Why tarry the wheels of Thy chariot ? Turn, my beloved, and be Thou like a roe, or a young hart, on the mountains of Bether." Has a regenerated sinner such seasons of peace, joy, and triumph, as these ? Fear not then. Chris- tian traveller, who thus longest to reach thy home. A few more sojournings, and you shall reach the Canaan above. Soon, O travellei-, it shall be said to thee, " The Master is come and calleth for thee ! " And is this death ? Yes ! Death to the Christian traveller is the command of his King to leave the wilderness of this world, to pass over Jordan, and to enter on the possession of the promised land. Addressing impenitent sinners briefly, we would say : To you the path of holiness, on which all who reach heaven travel, possesses no charms. It is con- sidered a narrow, a dark, and a cheerless road. You consider the persons who frequent it strangers to pleasure, and unacquainted with enjoyment. You consider their society gloomy and morose, and their toils and their hardships utterly insupportable. But you are grossly mistaken. " Wisdom's ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace." "Godliness is profitable unto all things, having pro- mise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come." It is on the road of holiness alone that the Sun of Righteousness shines, and the influences of the Holy Spirit descend. Darkness, thick darkness, broods over all the paths of iniquity. Over your heads, oh sinners, the clouds of Divine indignation 107 Memorials of the late Hugh Mair, D.D. ever hang, and are prevented from bursting by the patience of that God whom you hate and despise. Over your heads the lightnings of Divine vengeance are collected, and flash in every disease with which you are visited, and in every trouble to which you are subjected. These, like the distant thunder, may not alarm you, but if you persist in the prosecution of iniquity's paths, the cloud will burst and overwhelm you with everlasting destruction. You are natives of Sinai, and placed by the mountain that smokes with the fire of the Divine indignation. It is infatua- tion and madness alone that influences you for one moment to remain on such dangerous ground ! Shall the thunder roll and peal in your ears, shall the lightnings flash, shall the sound of the trumpet wax louder and louder, and will you not listen to the voice of mercy ! Now your God proclaims, " As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from their way and live ; turn ye, turn ye, from your evil ways ; " "And the Spirit and the Bride say, Come ; and let him that heareth say, Come ; and let him that is athirst come ; and whosoever will, let him take the water of life treely.'' Amen and amen. VI. SELF-SACRIFICE AN ESSENTIAL ACCOMPANIMENT OF ACCEPTABLE WORSHIP AND SERVICE. ' No, rather let me freely yield What most I prize to Thoe : WHio uever hast a good withhold, Or wilt withhold, from me. •'Neither will I offer burnt-offerinRS unto the Lord my God, of that which doth cost me uotliiug." — 2 Samuel, xxiv. 24. The whole history of the children of Israel, affords a striking manifestation of the s})ecial and over- ruling Providence of Almighty God, and of His power to control the mightiest etibrts of man. The form of their government was unlike that of any other nation which had ever existed on the earth. It has been justly called a Theocracy, because the Almighty Himself assumed the administration of it, and from Him the people received their constitution and their laws. He supported and enforced His authority over them by conferring temporal rewards, and by inflicting temporal punishments. He even directed them in the intercourse which they maintained with foreign states ; and when, in the preservation of their just riglits, or to obttiin possession of promised temporal blessings, the Israelites marched lorth to encounter the shock of battle, it was under the ban- ner of the God of Abraham, and Isaac, and Jacob. It was through the power of Jehovah that they so frequently triumphed over their enemies ; it was His assistance which crowned with success the arms of Moses, of Joshua, of David, and of other warriors of 109 Memorials of the late Hugh MaiVy D.D. Israel. The favour of the Almighty was displayed towards David at a very early period of his life, and in a very extraordinary manner. By it, he was raised through innumeraV^le ohstficles and ditheulties (insurmountable by mere hinnan ]>ower) from the lowly condition of a she])herd, to the splendor and glory of royalty. The Ahnighty crowned liis arms with success, and it was (miy wh.en he forgot his dependence upon God, and fell into sin, that He sub- jected him to reverses, and sent upon him severe afflictions, both personal and national. David, though a favored prince, was sometimes unmindful of his duty as a man. and as a servant of the Most High. It was not, therefore, his steady obedience to the law of God (for in fact, he committed some heinous sins) that procurt-d for him, at times, so much of the Divine favour, but his dee]) humiliating lud ivas lity leut vith o\.le lood- ved, into the and, out, ipon bad and ^eing was* jr to reely and diat id to ie at a price ; neither will I offer burnt offerinjjfs unto the Lord my God, of that vvliieh doth eos^ me nothing." it is evident that the ])riee of the threshing-Hoor, and of all that was necessary to constitute his offer- ing unto the Lord, could not l>e a matter of great consideration to the King of Israel ; and, therefore, it is not to the woith or extent of the service done to God, when he ])aid for them instead of accepting them as a gift, that we mean to direct your atten- tion, but it is tlie sentiment embodied in the words that is worthy of your a]>prol)ation ; and it involves a principle which, when pro])erly explained and illus- trated, will be found to be peculiarly deserving of the regard of every Christian, and a principle whieh, we fear, is too seldom kept in view. All that can be infer- red from this act cf David's is, that he did not consider the service of the Almighty of such a nature as that it could be rightly performed without some sacrifice on the part of His creatures ; and from it we shall take occasion to expose and condemn the practice of those Christians wIk) appear to entertain a very different view of the obligations imp(jsed upon them. Oh ! it seems to be a maxim with many th^t they should yield obedience to the commands of God to such a degree only as may be com})atible with their own peculiar views of ease and convt'nierjce, or of approbation, which in their opinion may be due to them. Instead of fairly interpreting the Word of God, they exj)lain its injunctions in such a way as to make them correspond with their own wishes. Instead of searching for the standard of duty in the Holy Scriptures, where alone it is to be found, they raise a false one of their own, founded upon views which are erroneous — sometimes by reason of ignor- 1 113 Memorials of the late Hugh Mair, D.D. ance, but much more frequently from design and wilful misconception. We shall now give the following illustrations of these remarks : — Fii\st. — There are «ome who wish to be religious, but not more so than is consistent with the love of the world. These form a very numerous class of mankind, who, without Ix'ing positively inHdels, are neverthe- less, strangers to tlie feelings and sentiments of true religion. Their hearts are bound up in the present worM, but whether from the eH'ects of education, from respect to long esta))lished custom, or from scmie indistinct idea of the utility of good morals, they are of opinion that is their duty to give a small share of attention to religion. As to yielding them- selves up to its guidance, as to making it the I'ulc of their life, more especially when it interferes with the prosecution of any favorite worldly cd)ject, nothiuij could be i'artlujr from their thouirhts and desires. Their creed is, that as man has a mo.st im- portant part to act in society, which reiiuires him to engage in the ])ursuit of the business, and the plea- sures of the world, the duties of religion ought on no account to interfere with it, or, if they do, that they must not be regarded. They know well, in- deed, that " no man can serve two masters ;" they are aware that they cannot love the Saviour and the world with equal affection, but, when the duties re- quired by both come into com])etiti()n, they arn never at any loss how to act ; they quickly dispose of religion as a secondary concern, and give their hearts to the world. When religion appeals to them at a time when they are not under the influence of any strong present tem})tation, like Agrippa they are 114 Self-sacrifice Essential to Worship and Service. almost persuaded to be Christians ; but whenever it seems to intei'pose any obstacle to the })ursuit of a favorite worldly object, like the young nmn who came .o Jesus tor instruction, but would not act upon it, they go away sorrow i'ul, because they have great possessions. When men's religion extends no farther than this, how unworthy is it of the name. Faith in Christ is an energetic, active, mighty prin- ciple, ])ervading the heait,and biingingthe thoughts {iiid actions uiuler the (h)minion of the law of God. Our Savu>ur re([uires that we should makt^ tiie dis- charge of religious duties the paramount ol)j('ct of life, anposition to this })recept of our Lord i Do tlu^y not give their hearts to the world, and a cold, a languid, and oft interrupted attention to the im))ortant interests of their deathless souls.'' Whatever they niay ])retend, therefore, their reliixion is not the relic more uidoundcMJ or ridicul(>us than the claim to be regarded as religious which is fre- (piently set up b\' such persons. To his besetting 8ins tl / attention of every (jn*; who calls hiiMself a Christian ought to be supremely directed; anii of those who hear the name of ( 'hristiiins. how dill'er- ent is it from that which the (Jos|iel delineates! is it a warm jirinciple of love to (lod, and ^ratitnde to Christ, seatcii in the heart ovcr-rnlin-'" evfry wk ked thouL,d»t that raises itself in oj(|»()siti(tn to the will of the AlmiL,djty, and retj^nlatini^ the lil(! accoidiiiLT to tin; Divine law ? D(m's it consist even in a hahitual conviction of the sn|>eiintendiii;,' i'rovidence of ( rod. and of th(5 nec(»ssity of j,'ov«'rnin!^ onr actions, with a due reijfard to His irlory i No, it amounts oidy to tMs ifidelinite and indistinct idea, that th(» duties of »uliL(ion caTuutt l>e alt<>nether nenlec^tetl without danger, and that men cannot safely indulge them- Helves in the ]»ractice nf rveiy sin. \\ ith many, we a])|>rehend, the ]>iinci|>le of i-elii^^ion is still less ex- tensive, and consists of little more than ar attejition to those forms which a regard to decency, and t!:e opinion of the woild. and even the maxims of self- ishness enioin. 'I'he',' know that reliirion has i^rirat influence in ch«'ckin(»od ordei' in thestativ This explanation will account l'«>r the apparent zeal of many worldly men ; they know (to use theii-own language and in their own sensej that r(digion is a good thinj 119 I 's- MemoridlH of the late Iftu/h Malr, D.D. good, that is to say, for preserving tlie temporal prosperity and interest of man. Notwithstanding their scrupuh)us complianee with its forms, their hearts are often entirely unafiect( d by the truths of religion, and tliey remain inse.isible to all those feel- ings of ardent love and attachment, which are due to CJod, and to the Saviour of men. They atiect an outwanl decency and propriety, ))ut these only con- ceal the worldliness and .sen.suality of their hearts. They may shew a respect for the ordinances of re- ligion by fie of (lod ; it is not, however, because they delight in Ills service, but because they believe that their example may be useful to those whose outrages against the laws of their country would be dreadtMl by them, unless their wickedness were counteracted bv a certain s^nae of moral and religious duty. But what is this whow of respect for the forms of religion ? Dot*s it consti- tute it a reasonable service on the ])art of man, or a suitable tribute of love and atiex^tion to God i No; it may <*xist when the soul is devoted to the plea- sures of sin and of the worhl. and is therefore, upon the part of those who present it, an ottering unto the Lord "of that which doth cost them nothing.' Fourihly. — Some men who devote themselves to the woild and its pleasures during youth and middle age, would l)e religious in their latter years and at the clone of life. It is in youth that tlnj mind enters with the greatest eagerness, uj)on the pursuit of every o))ject, which can excite the admiration or en- gage the ntlVn'tions of man. At that time the world is comparatively unknown. Man is not disj)0vsed to take his information from the report of wisdom and accumulated reflection. He has not yet been able to 120 P Sel/sacHJice Essential to Worship and Service. a o; ca- )on nto to UUe I at torn of en- ovld I to autl lie to form a decision from experience, and draws, conse- quently, upon the rich stores of imagination, which adorn and bespangle with ten thousand beautiful colours, the wh.jle tenor and phase of his existence. In this way, he raises to himself a world of fancy, which he Hlls with beings and pleasures of his own creation, but which are all doomed to vanish in rapid succession before the unerring lighl of wisdom and experience. Youth is not only the season during which tlu' wanderings of a luxuriant imagination are freely indulged; but it is the time when the mind feels the greatest relish for worldly pleasures; when it is exposed to by far the least share of worldly atHictions, and when these make the slightest and least sensil)le impression. It follows, from all this, that it is the season when all the pleasures of the Yorld will 1)0 pursued with the greatest ardor, and -vhen all the means of enjoyment will be (enlarged and multiplied. As yet the health and vigor of the body remain mimpaired; the senses are not blunted by long-contir. ued gratification ; reverses and disap- pointments have not clouded the bright prospects of happiness ; conviction of the vanity of t\u) world has not reat-herl the mind; and men's thoughts have not been seriously directed towards the time when dust must return to dust. Mankind are seldom, therefore, so deeply and seriously imjjrcssed with the great and solemn trutlis of religion during the time of youth as they ought to be. The tide of |)as- sion runs too strong and impetuous to be checked by those re.straints which the Gospel imposes. "What," says the youthful devotee to the woild, "shall I shut myself up from the enjoyment of pieavSure when it is most dcse'ving of my pursuit ? 121 Memorldlfi of the late Hugh Mdir, D.D. Shall I deny myself the gratifieations of sense, or stop short ill the career of ambition, of gain, of renown, at the very time when all my powers for obtaining every object which is most desirable are in their highest vigoi-, and when Hiey shall speedily be enfeebliMl by the approach of age and infirmities ? No ; the present is the season best fitted for enjoy- ment; the })resent only is my own." The man ot middle age, with his passions cooled, but not sub- dued, bv time — with desires not satisfied, but trans- ferred, perhaps, from objects mere)}' sensual to others whi(rh, though different, ai-e ecpially at variance with the spirit of the (iospel- — still continues to employ a similar train of reasoning as an excuse for his perseverance in the pursuit of earthly ])leasures and advantages, and for refusing to set his aflections Uj)on things which are ab()V(^ " Shall I relax my diligence and ardor in the prosecution (^f my wordly interests at the very time when they are so neces- '"•ary in order to secure a suitable provision for myself against the season of oiiesent is the time when my whole stren;jth and vigor nnist be bestowed uj)on the world. When the s(»ason of activity is at an end ; when infirmities approach ; and when tlu; progress of years, gliding .silently along, shall at length warn me that 1 must speedily depart from the earth, then will I think of my (mmI, then will I earnestlv strive to be reconcilcMl \mto Him through (^hrist." But, alas! the period of retire- ment iVom the active duties, and fnun the cares and anxieties of the world, nevei* nrrixes. it is post- poned by many from one time to another, until at 122 i Self-sacrifice Essential to Worshij) and Service. , or , of for are iUly ies ? V>y- in ot sub- raiis- thers iiince liS to se for isures •tions X my orclly U'ces- 11 for \Y the come vhole the end ; lonj^th in the II will Him Iretire- Ifs and l»»»Ht- litil at last they cea.se to think of it. Calculatin*^ always that a season of greater leisure, and hetter ada[)ted for abstraction from the world, shall arrive, they delay reformation as lont; as they inia<'ine it can be safely dc^ferred ; but, as they "know neither the day nor the hour wheicin the Son of Man cometh," they continue to ])r()erastinate in this way till death approaches, and thus the season (»f rej»entane«', if it arrive at all, is confined to the last anxious moments of existence. What, then, are we s(^riously to think of the ccmduct of those men who dev(tte theujselyes to the pleasures of the world dm-in<^' the wlioh' sea- son of youth, of health and activity, and who resolve to turn unto Ood only at the last { What is this but expending their vigor and energy upon the world, and bestowing the intirndties and the weak- ness of age u])on (Jod ? What is this, but a revers- ing of the Scripture rule, by loving the worM " with all their heart, and soul, and strength, and mind," instead of the Lord their Ood ? What is tins, but the draining of the cup of pleasuie to the dregs ? What is this, but approaching unto (Jod when they can no longer have enjoyment in sin ? What is it, but an offering unto the Lord " of that which dt>th cost them nothiiig ( " it would appear, then, my brethren, that there are many who deceive themscdves as to the those orna- ments and graces of the Christian which rjualify him for tlie kingdom of (iod ; but a more etdight- ened view of the declarati(»ns of the Scriptures will 123 r i Memoridh oj the late Hugh MaiVy D.D. convince them of their en-or, and shew them that it cannot be by such trivial and unimportant services as those which we have taken notice of in this dis- course, that they can })rove the sincerity of their obedience to God, or their love of Christ. It is indeed to be conceded, in the first instance, that when men have once, with tlie aid of Divine grace, ob- tained a victory over their darling sins, and have brought them into captivity unto the law of Christ ; and when, by the same moans, they have been en- abled to make progress in the virtues of the s]>iritual life, the difticulty of their task is in a great measure surmounted, and they have the satisfaction of feeling that the yoke of Christ is easy and His burden light. But this conviction is only obtained after victory is gained — certainly not at the time when they are struggling with all the unsubdued power of their spiritual enemies and of their unrenewed and un- sanctitied nature. While they are yet in their sins, and live at eimiity with Ood, they may be assured that they have many laborious efforts to make, many painful sacritices to submit to, and many a severe ccuHict to sustain with their carnal natures, before thc\' walk worthv of the vocation wherewith they are -ailed. VViicn we are informed by our Saviour that though the duty of forsaking our darling sins should be like cutting oti" a hand, or plucking out an eye, we must nevertheless perform it, we cannot doubt that the task which we have to accoujplish is a difficult one. The sam^» thing may l>e justly concluded from these words of our Lord : " If any nuin will (Njuie after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me ; " ' Enter ye in at the straight gate : for 124 Self-sacrifice Essential to Worship and Service. it it rices dis- :,heir It is vheii s, ob- have irist ; u en- ritual asure 3eling light. ,ory is »y arc their 1 un- r sins, hsured make, any a itures, •ovvith >y our our hand, heless which The these after )Hs anass3' of reconciliation that he is sent; ai'd the nu\ssage which he l>ears from high heaven to earth is, '* lie ye reconciK d to Ood." We are told that when our Lord tirst appeared to His disciples, after His resurrection from the dead, " th(;y could not believe for joy." 'J'hey daied not trust tlieir own minds, by giving credit to wluit so far exceeded anything th«'y had ventured to expiict. A simihir feeling might well arise in our njinds upon first hearing those words tluit the apostle makes known to us. We might almost l)e led to suppose that there nnist l)e some error «>r niistake, and that it was impossible that an invitation, so inconceiv- ably gracious on the i)ait of God, could be intended for us, " Be ye reconciled." Who is it that is to be reconciled t TIk; children of men have sinned against (lod, an«l are by natuie in a state of enmity with Him. The ditlicultv, then, must surely be, not on the part of man, but of CJod. Is not the object to be attained the averting of His anger who has been offended ? And, instead of our being exhorted to be reconciled to (iod, ought we not ratiier to be ex- horted to devise some means by which we might 127 Memorials of the late HiujJi Mle to ilie relation in whieh the Sovereign of tlie universe Htant actiuainted with tln' fulness and the freeness of the ^'race of Ci(mJ, or do n(»t make a practical use of oui' know- les they are blendi'(l with the doctrine of reconciliation, making it more clearly un«l«'rstood, or facilitating its appli- cation, they are utterly valueless in regard to the woild to come. Seeing, then, the vast impoitance of these words, we trust you will give your seiious attention wldle, in the simjucI, we enhice it is implied in the words of our text, that those who are addressed are in a state of enmity with God. Keconciliation pre-supposes dif- ference, or variance, or enmity. There is more than mere inditi'erence Hupj)osed ; if that had heen all we AVould havt; been exhorted to love, or to obey,or to fol- low alter God. Unless there were hostility a reconcil- iation could not be ne(;essary. We may be made acquainted with those whom we formerly ditl not know ; we may be made to love those respecting whom we were formerly inditierent ; but when we are said to be reconciled, this shows to a moral demonstration that there has been something more than ignorance or indifference ; that theri^ has been actual variance, positive enmity. Such, my brethren, is our state b}'^ nature. " The carnal mind is enmity K 129 ^^ '^.'k .0^. \'-^>^:a IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) 1.0 l.i 1.25 '- lllllM IIIM '■° "'"^ IIIIIM il!IM 2.0 III— 1.4 III 1.6 V] (^ C: ■cf'l /i o1>.. <5> c*. /a /A ¥^w '/ Photographic Sciences Corporation 23 WEST MAIN STREET WEBSTER, N.Y. 14580 (7)6) 872-4503 i ritual creation; and it shall have fr<>e, full, and irresistible course through every part; "tor the knowledge of the Lord shall cover the earth, as tlu^ waters cover the channtd of the sea." The glory of ( 'hrist shall be consnnunated then and not till then, when all the members of His spiritual body are ([uickeiuid and revived ; and hence, all the mend)eis of this body partici})ate in the same feelings. Therefore, every professor of the Gos})el, who is careless and indirter- ent about the free course and glorification of the Word of the Lord, is a lifeless and corrupt meml)er. He wants the spirit of life and the spirit of love. How can he love God whom he hath Jiot seen, when his brethren who associate with him, and stand around him, are viewed with cold am! unrelent- ing apathy \ The cousunuaation of the wishes of God's people is, to see the ultimate and universal triumj)h of Divine grace; and if, tlierefore, no cor- responding wish animates our hearts, what is the inference, the legitimate and necessary inference, but that we are not called with a holy callin*:: ? Let us, in the Second place, ariiieij>al nirdiuin tliroULjli wliich (Jod giants t\\v saving inlhienees of lieavenly graee. Now, lias it, in our own case, hren attenrd is tlie l»h'ss(.'d instrunimt eiii|»loyed for this purjiose. Now, that agency we [)ossess. l)ut has it, in n irrcnee to us, etfeeted tin; residts tor Mic sake of whieli it has been appointid i We profess to ]>elievc^ the Ciospel, and to honour the; inspired record wliere its prineipNvs ai'(^ unfolih'd. We pio- fess to reverence tlie ordinances whicli have the san(;tion of heaven, and to wait on them with Chris- tian feeling and faith and fei'vour. We profess to say " Amen " to every pul)lic prayer as a toke?i of our desire and of our a.ssuiance to be heard. Jiut have we constantly in our minds a distinct view of the grand aim and ol>ject of the Christian ministry, as beinix intended to give free cou)se and lilory to the Divine Word ? Do we come to the eniovment of this ministry, with a lull-fornu'd and deep-iootetl desirt! that the Word may have free course in us and be glorified in us ? ])o we, in this matter, seek to be fellow-workers Avith God, by striving after con- formity to His revealed will ; hy striving to weed out of our hearts the roots of sinful principle, and to have the same mind in us that was also in Christ Jesus ? Do we seek to believe the whole of tlie Divine testimony, even when it militates most de- cidedly against our prejudices and natural feelings, and are we willing to crucify every favourite desire, 155 Memorials of the late Hugh Mair, D.D. every cherished hist, every impure motive ? Are we willing on eveiy occasion to bow to the authority of God, and to let conformity to His recjuirements re- gulate the whole frame of our inner man ? Do our hearts never lift up a front of proud rebellion to the law of heaven ? And under every dispensation, cal- amitous or prosperous, are we ready to breathe out the prayer of resignation, " Thy will be done ? " If we love the Lord with all our souls ; if we stir up our spirits within us always to bless His holy name ; if we reckon the mt't of His Son all our salvation and all our desire, if we determine to know nothing but Jesus Christ and Film crucified; if, in one word, we yield ourselves up to take wliat God gives us, to do what God commands us, to be what God wishes us, then His word has free course in us, and it washes and justifies and sanctifies us, through the name ot the Lord Jesus and b}' the Spirit of our God. In the Third and last place, the qualification for its purpose, of the preaching of the Gospel, is essentially and completely dependent on the co-operative agen- cy of the prayers of the Church. This idea stands out broadly and pre-eminently on the face of the text, for the apostle speaks of the success of the message which he bore as being unattainable other- wise than by the Thessalonian believers assisting his labors by their fervent and effectual supplica- tions. The statement of the text is tantamount to the assertion, that unless the churches would pray for the success of the Gospel Ministry, the Word of God would never have free course and be glorified. Now, my friends, this is a most singular, a most im- portant, nay, a most momentous declaration, and it 156 Success of the Gospel Ministry. lo involves some very striking practical lessons. We are apt when we read of the apostolic niis-yionaries, and of their indefatigable labors, and their s})londid success, to explani them entirely on the ground of the signs and miracles by whicli they were accom- panied. When we read of tlie congregated thous- ands at once, who, amidst tlie levity and the bustle and the worldliness of a crowded citv, instantane- ously abandoned their wicked ways for the faith and the baptism of Jesus Christ. When we reaon the co- operative a^eney-of the prayers of the Church. Without this the soil is hai'd, stubborn, unproductive ; but with this, the Woi'd of the Lord lias free course. It is de])osited as ])recious seed, and it springs up to everlastini'' life. It is (jlorilied in causing nuich fruit to be yielded to the praise and honoi" of (irod. Oh, my brethren, by the unceasing and universal eni- j)loyment of the exercise of ])rayer, strive that, among all of us, that Divine Word may have free co\n\se in enlightening our ignorance, in removing our guilt, in reiiewing our wills, in regenerating our hearts, in sanctifying our lives; and -that it may be glorified in attesting the holiness of God, the excel- lency of Christ, the veracity of His Word, and the power of His Spirit; and that, as He Himself hath said (Isa. Iv. lO-l.S), "As the raincometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth and niaketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower and bread to the eater ; so shall My Word be that goeth forth out of My mouth ; it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accom])lish that which I please, and it shall |)rosper in the thing whereto I sent it. For ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace ; the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands. Instead of the thorn shall come up the fir tree, and instead of the briar shall M 161 w Memoridls of the late Hugh Mair, D.D. come up the myrtle tree ; and it shall be to the Lord for a name, for an everlasting sign that shall not be cut off." IX. EMOTION m THE PBEACHEK NECPSSAnv t. Fl^I. P«O0I.AMATIO.V OE THE OOSPE,, Content to bc« the hardeo Of weary days for Thee." nafl^i^a:ntu'S:..^l»i:;Ln5:' - *° -•> -oryone, To be a minister of Ohri«f • i . to be a devoted ,„«n „i ', "^ ''•'<"^' 'ind in truth is the .salvation touf^t'l '" ^'"•'■^'■« ^'4 and d'^fosed to lay great lef""'' T' ^'^"^ We are }" this passage. ^rtviX "" *'?'^ ''^'*' '^^ ^'o'-ds '"'>v Paul, a,s°a Min itJr otw'v" "! '? ^"'^ P^'ticular ^as with tears. Ko m^l ^'"'''''' '^''^ ''is work. It correct vievvs of the tCstlr""- ?"*«'-'ained more did anyone ever.liseWe^rh-'l"''''''^ timnhe; nor ^^th peater fidelity or fu.ees'^''^;fP°"-^'We duties have been evangelized lon„! l''". '^'=''d would profes,sed to be Pm.r' ^ '^^'°' had all who have been anointed for"^^: ^^^^7 « the miniX a learned Jew ; but it wis ' eif^ ^T^ ^''"- «« w^: h.s earning that gave hTmht!^ ^" ^'''■•action nor m.mstry. for manj- a GenMle h7'r""'"'^"«« *" the to the same worij n™.„ • ^^^ ^^"^ cabled of God "ore extensi v: 'an7:3' T"" l'- ''^^^'''g ">"eh apo-stle, acting on the lut .n » ^'^ ^'^- «« was an commission, fnd endow d^l"^ ^'^ «-tmordi„a^ 163 '"P«"«tural gift^ MemoHals of the late Hugh Mair, D.D. and powers. His extraordinary commission, how- ever, did not autliorize him to j)reach an extraordi- nary Gospel, or to enforce its claims by extraordinary means. It distinguished him from us, ehieHy by the plenary authority witli which it clothed him, to adjust the ordinances of the infant Church. We preach the same Gospel which he did, and we have the same facilities for oivini; it a lodo'ement in the heart which he had, if we except the demonstrations of miraculous ])ower that were placed at his disposal. But what use did he make of these, and what ends were they intended to subserve ? They were simply visible confirmations of the Divine authority under which he acted, the marked and splendid signets which the heavens put in his hands to accredit his commission. But men were converted under his ministry just as the}'" are converted now^ ; not by miracles, but by the Spirit and truth of God. He was doubtless endowed with such a profusion of ministerial gifts as that, from that age to this, the Church has not seen his parallel. But what gave him this distinction and mighty pre-eminence ? Not his commission as an apostle, not his vision, and revelations, and miracles ; but the burning ardor, the invincible energy, and the unparalleled self- devotion which he brought to his work. In these respects he stood alone among apostles, and here he holds a solitary prominence among the stars that have since been set in the Church's firmament. No man has ever bestowed upon the propagation of Chiistianity the same amount of well-directed zeal, exact fidelity, untiring industry, and unfaltering courage that Paul did. The beamings of his spirit are seen in that small fragment of his history which 164 Emotion in the Preacher Necessary to Success. it we have already recited to you. "By the space ot three ycai-s, I ceased not to warn everyone, niglit and day, with tears." This was liis contrilmtinn to a single church. But he s})ent thirty-three years in the ministry, and the whole period was enij)loyed just as he had spent the three years at E|)liesus. What a flood of tears must he have shed in that time ! What a victim to emotion must have been the manly spirit of this flaming herald of the cross, for it is manly to wee]) whero there is occasion fur weeping ! The sensibilities of the heart duly ex- cited, are a fragrant atm()S})here investing the soul, and shedding its soft and balmy dews on its powers. They are the golden tissues that are woven int'» the delicate but immortal texture of the mind. They are the electric fluid that pervades the regions of the heart, throwing its subtle influences upon the springs of thought, and shooting its lightnings through every channel where the mind is wont to give expression to its hidden movements. Our apostle could not, under any circumstances, be suspected of either im- becility or fanaticism, as he was under the govern- ment of God's unerring Spirit. His tears issued from fountains which that influence had opened and sanctified. There must, however, exist in his min- istry, independently of this influence, adequate and perceptible causes for them. These causes it is our intention in the sequel of this discourse to bring out distinctly to your view ; for we have proposed to illustrate and establish the following proposition, viz. : That emotion in the ])reacher is necessary to an effective and successful proclamation of the Word of God ; and also, to answer the following enquiry : By what means may this important attribute be 165 MemoAals of the late Hiujh Mair, D.D. secured to our ministry ? We have, however, a few preliminary remarks to offer, and First, — By emotion, we do not mean a mere pathetic tenderness, or a weepinL( scnsihility only and always pervadin<^the bosom ; hut tliose diHer- ent states of the affections, wliith coircspond with the imjwrt of the different themes on wliicli we dwell, and the nature of the vary in<^ circumstanci^s with which wo are surrounded. Noi , wlien we speak of emotion, do we mean those undefinahle impulses, or sudden bursts of animal feelinir which sometimes flood the soul, carryin<^ away the landmaiks of reason and thought, and leaving the mind to the mercy of a resistless tempest of passion. But we mean that deep and holy movement of the affections, which has been produced by the energy of truth understood and believed; such a state of feelings as corr(?s))OMds with the import of truth. When such (^motions have a place in the preacher's soul, they will depict themselves in his countenance, and find expiession in every look, and tone, and gesture. They will infuse into his manner an earnestness and warmth which will leave to the hearer no alternative but a clear conviction of the perfect honesty of the speaker's heart. These will be to his audience visible demon- strations of the preacher's faith. Secondly. — In the economy of salvation the natur- al relations of thinro(Uu'e effect, which the minis- try ot the other has not. The Spirit of God does not employ our agency to accomplish His jjurpoaes, in the renovation of human hearts, simply because we aiC good men ; if He did, then piety woidd con- stitute the only ([ualitication for our work, and the Church might dispense with the services of an or- dained and instructed cla.ss altogether. But this would accord neither witli the recpiisitions of the Gospel, the priate, and generally no other than those which are seen hy us to be apj)ropriate instruments, to accomplish His purposes of grace. Now, we have to remark that emotion is necessary to render preaching su(;h an instrument, and without it this agency cannot pos- sess the adaptedness necessary to give it the greatest effect upon mind. This is the aspect under which we wish to present the subject. Thirdhi. — A susceptibility of emotion is not the only qualification which a })reacher of the Gospel will need. A slight practical ac([uaintance with tiie difficult and responsible duties of the ministry will teach a man, if he has not learned it before, that something besides feeling will be recpiisite to (jualify him skilfully to handle the Word of God. He will soon understand that his office has introduced him into a sphere, which ade(iuately to fill would require arch-angelic powers ; and whatever the resources of his mind may be he will ever see occasion to mourn that he has drunk no deeper at the fountains of 167 Memor'utlH of the lain, Uaijk Mair, D.I). \ 1 i wisdom aii'l kii<>wle(l;^e. Wlion, tlierofore, we speak of the iiiiportaiice of emotion, let it at no time be imdei-stoDd tliat we s[)eal< to the dispara^fc'inent ot* those other endowments tor our work wliieli are to be deriv^ed only from a tliorough ac(jniiintance l)Oth witli secular and sacred science. The 'M'eat interests of the (Jhurcli are never so fearfully jt^opard- ised.as when eommittcd to the care of men who feel strongly, but know nothing. But we atiirm, on tlie other hand, that not all the endowments which the most profound and vai-ied leai'uing can give, will render a cold and insensate preacher of the truth a successful one. Now, to proceed directly to a ccmsideration of the proposition which we have announced, viz : that emotion is net'essary to an elfective and successful dispensation of thci Word of (Jod. 1st. — It cannot be denied that the themes on whicli the preacher dwells demand emotion, and are calculated to inspire it. The minister ot Jesus is an ambassailor of G«)d. When he speaks in his official character, he speaks for God, and when he pleads with men, he pleads with them on the behalf of God. The mission on which he is sent is one of mercy, involving, li(nvever, the most extended and multifarious interests. On the part of God he is charged with the vindication of the honors of His throne and the rights of His government ; and in the prosecution of this high conunission, is brought up to a near mental view of the unutterable glories of the Eternal Godhead, and is conversant with scenes and objects that awe and thrill and bespel the heavenly world. When he pleads for God he is called to a conteniplation of the most astonishing 168 Emotion in the Preacher Xecest^ary to Sdccesa. bi'Tiif^nity, tlio most ama/inei!ii(, convieted of treason a<^^ainst tlie govern- ment ot* (lod, and cond('mneassad(}r for the heavings of emotion and the pleadings of love? Can he view such a scene and yet remain unmoved ? This is a fellow-man endowed with the «ame susceptibility of })ain and pleasure with him- self. Must he be shut out of heaven ? Must he bear no part in the sweet and undying songs that will be chanted in that blessed world ? Must his eye ever weep and his bosom heave with grief, and the waves of eternal woe dash and roll over his frightened and fainting spirit ? Here is a pardon written out and sealed with blood, bearing the impress 169 SB Meraorials of the late Hugh Mair, D.D. of the cross, and proffered on terms the most gra- cious and condescending ; but he rejects it. It opens to his soul the only refuge from impending wrath; but he refuses to embrace it. He is standing on the jutting and slippery edge of that profound abyss where billows of fire are rolling, and the slightest breath of God's anger may at any moment sweep him from his position and bury him in the flood below. Has the messenger who is !^nt to warn him of his danger and plead with him tO' escape, no reason for emotion I Is no occasion given to his heart to dissolve, and his eye to weep? The benevolence of the Gosj)el can execute no commis- sion like this and leave the heart unsoftened by its influence. The sufferings of Christ are the central point from wliich the cheering beams of the Gospel all radiate and diverge. The preacher of the Gospel must therefore be often at the cross. He must often look upon the bleeding sacrifice, and take account of the doings of that dreadful hour, when the powers of darkness were unchained, and Christ was devoted a victim to their rage. In the circumstances at- tending the tragedy of His death, the treachery in which it was commenced, the duplicity and suborna- tion by which it was carried forward, and in the bar- barous cruelties which closed the horrid scene there, is more than enough to subdue and melt the mo>»t adamantine heart. But, blend with these consider- ations, the perfect and acknowledged innocence of J^sus, with the fact that, as a victim to these tor- tures, He was altogether voluntary, and more than all, endured them for His mortal enemies, not exclud- ing even the incarnate demons that pierced His limbs and danced around His cross, and who can re- 170 J^motion in the Preacher F^'cessary to Success. frain from emotion? Wa3 ever love like this, so pure, so comprehensive, so vast, and yet burdened with such sorrows, and humbled to such a death ? Its achievements on the cross effected the world's redemption. On this is suspended all human hope. How can we handle themes like these, how can we deal with interests so interminable and vast, and not be the subjects of emotion, sometimes unutter- able, always fervent and deep ? The stupendous magnitude of the objects which the Bible j^roposes to man, the incomparable sublimity of eternal pur- suits, the astonishing scheme of redemj)ti()n by a Mediator, the native grandeur of a rational nnd im- mortal being " stamped with the impress of God," the ruins which sin has produced and the renova- tions which Almighty grace achieves, open to the herald of the cross fields of vision and thouglit, able to awe, and tire, and fill, and subhmate the most ffiant and enlarreach- •ers of certain other nc> foundly schooled in the science of the age,, tJi* ; • ; ' "^ say, without patronage, or wealth, or learning, ur iriends, but tlieir voice reached the ears of kinofs and carried troubled thouii-ht into their bosoms, and shook their thrones, and electri- fied the nations, and changed the s})irit and customs of the age. " Tlie wea})ons of their warfare were not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strongholds." The power of God's Truth seemed to be conctentrated in their hands, and where- ever they wielded this sword of heavenly temper, it " ])ierced to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit." They " so spake the Word, that multitudes both of the Jews and also of the Greeks," and other Gen- tiles believed. What was the secret of theii* success ? After the demonstrations of the Spirit, which at- tended their preaching, and upon which all success depends, it was the artless manner in which they told the simple and sublime story of the Cross; and the honest and burning fervor with which they bore their testimony to its collateral and dependent truths. They were men whose spirit was fired and filled with 176 Emotion in the Preacher Necessary to Success. it of hs. 1th the iinpoit of their solemn message. Tliey went foitli burr your pride." And, as though it were the ai)[)ro}»ri- ate business of the Lord's Propliets to wee[), he di- rected one of them to bear this messat^e to his com- panions, " Let the Priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and tlie altar, and let them say, Sj»are thy people, O Lord, anidroductions of such men as Leij^hton, Baxter, Howe, Edwards, Pay son, Chalmers, Newton, Hall, and many othcs. Purer, loftier, and better spirits have never been lodged in terrestrial tenemc ts. S'»me of them })ossessed giant ])Owers of mind, approa(;hing perha})S to the order of the seraphic, and were stars in the expanse of science and literature. All of them " walked with God " and maintained familiar, close, and con- tinual intercourse with tlie heavens. In their writ- ings we have the productions of ri[)e, sanctified and elevated ndnds, enriched by the results derived from a personal acquaintance with the power of a living an I lofty Christianity, and disclosing to our view the workings of the heart when under the mighty tran.s- fomiing heaven-attracting influence of grace. Tt is not possible to be familiar with their writings with- out having a glow of holy enmlation kindled in our bosoms, and experiencing in some measure an assimi- lating process at once pervading our hearts and our lives. 183 Memorials of the late Hiujk Mali , D.D. Fourthly, — Pastoral lahours faithfully performed within the range of our churches will decidedly tend to sustain and deepen the interest which we feel in our work. These em[)loyinents, hy bringing us into direct contact with tlie diversified conears dis- tant, and he sleej)s notwithstanding. Secoudl}/. — Sleep is a state of inactivity. This, indeed, is a natuial conse([uence of insensibility. The j»erson wlio is asleep neglects his business, of course, however importaiit it may be, whether of b(^dy or of mind he is unahle to pursue it. This, also, is a lively re])resentation of th(^ natural condi- tion of man. He can never do anything wiiile Ik; is asleep; he can never take one stej) toward Heaven till he awakes from his slumbers. The work of his salvation remains neglected till he is roused by the Spirit of God from his stupidity, and constrained to flee from the wrath to come. Tliirdlif. — Persons in sleep are very nuu'h given to illusions of divers kinds, called dreams, not found- ed in facts, and sometimes directly contrary to what facts will warrant. Thus, for instance, the poor prisoner who is confined with chains and manacles may dream that he is ranging at large ; that he is the occupant of a thnme or a ])alace ; that he has thousands at his nod, and is surrounded with all the attractions of power and splendor. So, also, the man in poverty may dream that he is in affluent cir- cumstances; that wealth floats into his hand by every breeze, and that he is richly provided with all 189 Meniorials of the late Hugh Mair, D.D. that can administer to his convenience and comfort. The hungry man dreams that he eateth, and the thirsty man dreams that he drinketh, but they awake and their souls are faint and empty. So it is in reference to mankind. Life itself is a dream; and if you examine the greatest of men you will find them dreaming ; and the only difference between them and the least usually is that their dreams are apparently a little more pleasant. In- deed, look at persons in every stage of life for an illustration of the fact, that life is a dream, and that men are dreaming. Behold it particularly in youth ; see them dreaming of honour, of pleasure, of riches, of influence and of applause in the world I The young man puts on his armour, and triumphs by way of anticipation in his splendid and glorious career; but, alas ! how soon their dreams vanish ! Where are they who were once dreaming in like manner, in this congregation, only a few years ago? Their dreams are now over for ever ; their illusions have all vanished and gone. Generation after generation passeth quickly away. One closely followeth upon the heels of anotlier, and yet, those that are left, do not appear to find that their slumbers are disturbed in the least. Persons also often dream that all is well, when the house is on fire over their heads, and they are just ready to be consumed ; and so poor sirmers dream that it will be well with them, even when they are just ready to fall into that burning lake, where their worm dieth not and the fire is not quenched. We proceed now. my brethren, to sug- gest several considerations of the plainest kind, to induce sleeping sinnera to awake. There is an analogy between waking from natural sleep, and 190 On Spiritual Insensibility. lo [d is Id )r Lo Lll Id from spiritual sleep. When we attempt to awake a person out of sleep we usually do it by sound ; we «peak to him and call him by name, and in some way which we cannot explain, he is affected by it, and comes out of his slumbers. So it is, a!so, by the instrumentality of sound that men generally who are in a spiritual sleep are awakened. Yes, my brethren, a sound has g'^ne out into all the earth, and words unto ihe ends of the world, to awaken sinners out of their sleep. Not, indeed, that we are to suj)- pose there is anything in the mere human voice that is able to produce this effect ; no, my brethren, no human power, angelic, created, can do this ; no reasoning and no ekxiuence, though it were that of the Arch-angel, is adequate to it. The slumber is too profound to be distuibed by reasoning, persuasion, or eloquence of any kind. Still, God makes u.se of means, and it is with the hope that He will make these means successful that we proceed to offer several reasons why you should awake out of sleep immediately. And the first reason which we shall offer is, that the light is already shining around us. A person of good character will nut content himself to sleep long after the sun is risen and shining into his chamber, scattering the darkne.ss of night. It is considered as disgraceful. Now, my brethren, tlie light has shone on us ; not merely has the day-star dawned, and some streaks of light appeared in the horizjn, but the Sun of Righteousness has arisen, and sheds His light around you, though you comprehend it not, for the light shineth into the darkness, and the darkness comprehendeth it not. There was a period which may be called the night — tlie times of ignorance, which Gcd winked at. Persons who 191 Memoridls of the late Iluf/Jt Ma'ir, D.D. Ble])t under these circu instances were far less crimin- al, but now the Sun lias arisen, and shed His illumin- ating V)eams into every corner, so that you are most inexcusable if you do not awake. Even tlie Jews who had some faint glinunerings of this light, were in some degree awake ; and the j)oor heathen, also, who liad only the dim and feeble taper of nature,, which shone faintly on the path of duty, but not on the path of life. Another important reason i.;, that otliers have awaked already, and are up and doing. Yes, blessed be God, thousands have heard the heavenly s(mnd^ and have arisen from their beds of sloth and obtained salvation. Multitudes of them have already passed into the most glorious state, and many more are per- ha})s at this very time entering the gates of heaven. Oh, my brethren, could you see them at this moment, could you w^itness their sublime j(3ys, and could you hear their thundering anthems of praise, surely you could recjuire nothing more to awake you. But there are others, also, in every part of the world that are awake, and are actively engaged in seeking sal- vation. In some places large numbers are awake^ and are now waking up together to enjoy the light and comfort of spiritual and divine life. Multitudes are ready to testify to tlie efficacy of the sound by which they have been aroused from their spiritual slumbers. Some such, it may be, are to be fDund in this place, and even in this assembly. Admitting the probability that some are deceived, you cannot doubt that many have really awaked. Now, there was no reason which induced them to awake, which does not operate in your case with equal force. Thirdly. — There is an important work for you to 192 On Spiritual Inscnsibilitif. do, and it is impossihlo that you sliould overdo i(, if you continue to slecj). It in a <^i'eat and momentous work. It isnotlnn<; less tliaii the work uj)on which you were s(;nt into the worUl, the work of j^U)ri tying God and savinj^ your own souls. I'his work must stand still until 3'ou awake, because it rerjuires active exertion, and your present skunboring state is inconsistent with activity. It is a work of prayer, it is a wuik of repentance and faith, of renouncing sin and forsaking it altogetlier. It is the very work for which you wen* made, preserved, and governed; for wliich the Son of God came into the world, and for which He labored and died. It becomes you, therefore, to awake out of sleep and begin tliis work without anv delay. You have also a most important interest at stake, an interest which is not contined to this world ; which is not to exist merely through this short life and then to cease to be. It is something of uns|»eakable value, and which will last for ever. Youi- title to all the joys of heaven, to those robes of honor, to those crowns of glory, to those fruits of iimnr)rtality, to those rivers of life, to the bles.sed society above, to the immediate presence and fruition of God and the Lamb, and to live and reign with them for ever — depends on your awak- ing out of sleep. Oh ! think then, what you will lose by remaining in this lethargy. Think what you will give in exchange for the richest bequest in the vast universe ; think how mean, how grovelling do all earthly joys appear, for which you spurn the blazing crown of glory which even angels might covet, and which shines so brilliantly in the world of light. You are ready, perhaps, to say at present, all is well; let us have our worldly possessions, our pleasures o 193 Memorials of the lute Iliufh Alalr, D.D. and our proHts her^ and w«' will not tmvy thi? pious cither their comforts or tlirir liopcs. But, let me ask, wliat sort of calculation is this If you are not downri<;ht atheists there is nothiuix so infatuated as these sentiment.s, unless it be a conduct confoimed to them. Awake, then, oh, awake ! Let the an^ads who are awaitin<^ tlu* effect of this exhortation carry tlie transporting news to the heavens that you have awoke. There is reason to believe that these holy beiuiTs are constantlv wondeririLT at the exhibitions which God is pleased to make to them of His glorious goodness, and power, ami ijrace ; but wliat more cal- cuhii-ed to excite their astonishment and their horror, than to see a coneak to them; they may attempt to rous.3 th(un, but it all effects nothing. They may gaze u[>on their «?yes, but they will never be voluntarily openej^, therefore, the terrors of the Lord, we ])ersuade men. We persuade and beseech you by the dreadful denunciations of ]Jivine wrath, by th(> lii^htnings (»f (Jod's ven^^eance, by the tliunders of His fury, by the abyss of toiinent, by the smoke which ascendeth for ever and ever, by all the dreadful a])paratus of eternal misery, to awake and arise from the dead, and apply unto Christ for life. If the.se motives will not awake y»)U, the proV)al'ility is that you will continue to sleep till you are' awaki'ued in a more dreadful manner. We might also mention, on the other hand, the joys of Heaven as furnishinj' further motives why you should awake out of sleep ; but here again is a sub- ject to which it is im])ossible for us to do justice. We know there are crowns of glory, robes of beauty, palms of victory, thrones of immortality, and ever- 197 Memorials of the late Hugh Mair, D.D. lasting hal)itations of peace and felicity ; but we dare not attempt to pierce the veil, to describe the joys, the transports and the triumphs of the blessed. They are beyond the conception of mortal minds. Think, then, of what you will lose and of what you may gain, is there not some one, we ask, on this enchanted ground who is ready to listen to the heavenly call and awaked We know there is an enemy here who will exert himself to tht; utmost to prevent any impressions of Divine truth, and to catch away the good seec' that has been sown. Be on your guard against him, for it may be that God designs mercy for some one who is here to day. It often happens that persons come to church without knowing why, and the event proves that God has brought them tliere to soften their hearts and to awaken them from their lethargy. Awake, then, my bn^thren, and believers on earth will rejoice over your salvation, and saints and angels in heaven will strike their har]»s to a bolder and nobler note of praise. Amen and amen. XI. SPIRITUAL BEAUTY, STABILITY AND PUOGRESS. Rivers to the ocean run, Nor 8tay in all their course ; Fire ascending seeks the sun ; Both speed them to their source. So a soul that's born of (iod, Pants to view His glorious face ; Upwards tends to His abode, To rest in His embrace. "The righteous shall tloin-isli like tlie palm-tree ; he shall f,'row like a eedar in Lebanon. Those that bi* phtiited in the house of the Lord sbiiU tlourish in the courts of our (Iod. They shall still brini,' forth fruit in old n^e ; tliey sh-ill be fat and nourishing. To shew that the Lord is upright. He is my rock, and there is no unrighteousness in Him."' — Lecture on Psalm xcii., verses P2-15. This Psalm boars the title of a psalm or song for the Sahhatli-day. It seems to be one of those brief but strikinj.,^ eti'usions in whieh the fervent piety of David at times embodied his thou'dits. It bet^ins with eomnu'ndini' the otlerin»j of thanks<'ivini' and praise as becoming and delightful, and specifies the morning ano Wel- ti ley are overwlielmed before Him with ruin — scattered like autumnal leaves before tlu^ breath of a ti'irible st(»rm. Amidst this desolation which overtakes the wicked, lie refers to his own security, strength, and freshness, comparinji* himself to the vi'^orous an utteiabortiveness of the atteni[)ts of the wicked t> injure and annoy him. He thus bn'aks forth in the poetical description of the prosperity and fruitfulness of God's people, contain- ed in the pa.ssage selected for exposition. " The righteous shall Hourish like the palm-tree,' as if he 200 Spiritual Beauty, Stability and Progress. had said, " Thou Lord art just {ind supremo. Tho wicked on thy footstool are |)ermitted to live for a season. Piject : *' Ho is my rock, and thero IS no unri ght eousne.ss in H nn. First. — The cliaracter of helievers. They are tho righteous. In an apostate world this seems a strange 201 Memorials of the late Hucfh Mair, D.D. designation. Man was made righteous under the first covenant, and while he continued to obey, he stood in spotless beauty before his Maker. But the one act of sin obscured the brightness, disordered the constitution, and destroyed the ])eaceof his nature; and now, through the transgression of Adam, all are sirmers. " There is none righttjous, no not one. " It is true that men imagine they [)ossess a righteous- ness of their own still ; and not a few, like the apostle in his natural state, "alive without the law, ere the commandment came," entertain the hope that the)' will enter heaven in virtue of their own obedience. But this hope is a sheer delusion. The first covenant is syllabled in lire, and speaks death to the siuTier. It demands absolute perfection, and the slightest departure from it, inevitably and uni- versally exposes to condemnation. There are great div(^rsities among men, some being decent — fornialists in religion, and agi'eeable members of society, while others are profiigate. profane and turbulent. But all are destitutt; of righteousness in the eye of that law which nothing short of perfection can satisfy, and in the judgment of that God, whose will the law is. The sinner's righteousness is a broken reed, on which if he lean, it will go into his hand, and in- evitably j)ierce it ; in other words, ])erdition will be the fearful result. But we find the Apostle Paul speaking of a "right that God wouM accept as righteous any siniuu" while the 1()V(» of sin continued to rei*nj in that sinner's heart would be an impeachment of His own essential ])urity, a dishon- our done to His ccmsummate rectitude. In provid- ing the righteousness ot (^hrist for the sinner's q.v- ceptance, God has provided for the renovation of the heart, so that he who is justified, is also renew- ed ; and the renovation of which he is the subject, implies the establishment of righteous principles; 203 Metnoriah of the late Hugh Mair, D.D, and, as the fruit of these, a 77iw.<»»tre of acceptable ohedieiice to the Divine will. The justifying right- eousn(»ss and the inherent righteousness of the believer, are thus inseparaltle, though totally and eternally distinct. The fornuM' is a change of state from condeiinwition to acceptance; the latter is a change of nature from the love to the hatred of sin. Imputed rigliteousness is relative, inln^rent right- eousness is personal ; the one confers a title to ht.'aven, the other a itu'etness for heaven. The one is peifect, tlie othe/ is ])rogre.ssive. The one is an act, the other is a work ; but they are as inseparable as light and colour, lire and heat. It is true the inherent lighteousness of the converted sinner is imperfect and far trom being sinless. In all things he otfends and comes short, liightcousnesa pre- dominates, but not without much resistcance. Its empire is shaken by contlict, its power en- feebled and almost neutralized by obstacles, and at times it even seems to l)e dethroned and abased under the temporary usurpation of evil. But it becomes more and more viijforous, firm and complete. It is indestructible as the Spirit which im[)arts it. It strikes a dee])er root, ac- quires a tiruicr te.>:ture, and a more ex])an- sive form, and yields a more copious and delightful produce. Sanctitication gathers all the features of the Divine image; a,more and more to "eternity and eternity." They shall be like Him for they shall see Him as He is. Second. — Theprospca-ityof thebeliever. — "He shall flourish like the palm tiee ; he shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon." Various comparisons are em- ployed in Scripture, to illustrate the spiritual life. Some of these are general, others particular and local. Thus, it is occasionally compared to natural life ; with an infancy of much weakness, a childhood of peril and promise, — a youth of ardour and enter- prise, and a manhood of strength and maturity. Christians are babes, children, young men ; while mention is made of the stature of the [terfect man in Christ. In like manner, images of a local kinernianence was ])re.stnit to th<^ nnnd of the Psalmist in these similes. 'The wicked,' he says, " sprin<^ up as grass," but the righttM)us are as the palm tree and the c<'dar. The grass is verdant, but only for a day. The heat of noon at once develops its growth, and exhausts its juict's; and before that sun which dawned on its tender leaf has set in the west, it is withei'ed and dead. lUit tlu; palm tree and the cedar tlouiish through successive years. Their ver- dure contimu's anudst the heat of sunnner and the cold of winter. So is it with the wicked and the righteous. The wicked n])pear to prosper for a H(;a.son. They an^ secure; it may ])e rich, powerful and honoured; but soon their prosj>erity is dried up. Sin, like a secret canker, withers their gourd ; their calm is rutHed, their confidence destroyed, and their greatness smitten to the du.st. But the righteous abide. Storms of trial pass over them, but they still survive. The verdure of their privileges and holiness, fed by perennial source's, continues bright and untainted; and time and trials seem but to deepen its tints and renew its freshness. The grand idea, however, suggested by the simile of the text, is that of progress, unwearied, irresistible, illimitable progress. The palm and the cedar not merely con- tinue while the grass withers, but they shoot up, extending their branches, multiplying their leaves, 206 Spiritual Beauty, StabUitt/ and Pntjjresa. increasing in fniitfiilness, and acquirinrj a stability and stn-njifth, whii'h the .stonn that (jnce hent them like twij^rs, can scarcely disturl). Now, believers in like manner continiu' to ;,n-ow, and hmc*' tlu'ir path is compared to the shinin^niijjht which shinetliniore aiid more unto the ]>erf»'t't day. This L(rowth, in- deed, is fVeipiently enjoined in the Word of (Jod. Not merely are active exertion, zeal and watchful- ness, the suhjeets of particular precepts, hut positive, perseverin;^ progress is enJoineernacie was reared. At tirst, in the vvihlerness, when they were yet at tlu^ foot of Mount Sinui that hurned with fire, each of the (r)iosen jx-oplo lirouj^lit Ids c(»ntribution of^'iid and ]»nM'ious stones, and purple and linen, or whatever he had ; and tin- skill of Bezaleel and Aholial), the wise-heartetl and cuiujin<^ workmen, was put forth toconstrul(^ was huilt, St)lonjon de«licated tlie wealth oi his kin<^dom to the nia^niticent under- takin^jf. 'I'y*"^' "^^'"^ •^^ artificers and its purple, Egypt j^ave its fine linen, Lebanon yiehled its cedars and its firs, and Parvaini its ijold. Tlie Teniple crowned the sunnnit of Sion, which was the Idll of beauty, the wonder anrofusely displayed. They are glad, therefore, when it is said unto them, "Let us go into the house of the Lord." They at- tend it with earnest desire and holy delight. They attend it that they may honor Him whom their souls love; that they may hear those precious truths 211 Memorials of the late Hugh Mair, D.D. which tii'st brought light into their souls, and peace unto their hv>arts, and which are the continual ground of their hope and aliment of their stniugth. They att<;nd it that they may ask and receive the supply of their wants, that they may commemorate re- deeminglove,i)rofess their attachment to the cross.and l)e prepan^d for the toil and trials of their pilgrimage. Tluy would rather sit in its vestibule than dwell in the most gorgeous tents of sin. They take j)leasure in its stones, and favour its very dust. "The testi- moiiy of Israel is there, the set thrones of judgment, the thrones of the hou.se of David." Their language is, "My soul longeth, yea even fain fceth for the courts of the Lord, my heart and my Hesh crieth out for the living God" ''Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God." "All my springs are in thee.'* The language of the text further implies that even when believers are not present in the Sanctuary in a bodily .sense, they keep themselves sj)iritually pre- sent in it, by dwelling on its privileges, preserving alive the impressions which its exer<;ises have made, and cherishing the dispositions and affections which they have awakened. From the mount they de- .scend, like Moses, with their faces shining. From the altar they go forth like the priests of old, rich in the |)erfume of intercession. The savour of Divine things acts upon their thoughts. Amidst the small cares of the domestic hearth, aiul tlu^ agitating jmr- suits of business, they remember what they have learned and experienced tht»re. They recall the views of God, of tlu; Saviour's love, of the Spirit's power, of the wisdom ot the covenant, of the fulness of the jjromises which made the .sanctuary bright as the threshold of heaven. These shed a sanctifying, •) 1 •) Spiritual Beauty, Stability and ProgresR. comforting, and exhilarating influence on their daily life, give the Sanctuary a sort of omnipresence, and perpetuate its in8tru(;tions and its joy.*. And though these become fainter and less exhilamt'Jig, amidst the collisions of worldly intercourse and the neces- sary distractions of duty, they impart the interest of lively anticipation to the coming solemnity, and make tho SaVjbath, what indeed is its high im])ort, a time of refreshment and a season of repose. "Sion is the perfection of beauty." The tinjt day of the week is as good news from a far country. Its hours are not clogged with tedium, or its duties cumbrous from fatigue It is as the shame common sins. There are maiiy who come to the Sanctuary without interest, and. as might be (ixpecti'd, h'ave it without profit. Though they are regular in their attendnnce. they aie not planted in it, and th«'refore they do not flourish, it is not a congenial soil. They never strike' root. For them no sunshine falls. n<» dews descend. They are like stones or blocks of wotxl .set up in a Held. The Sabbath Imngs heavily on their lumds, and the or- dinances of grace are to them forms without lif(; and j>ools without water. The raptures of a l)avinot<)ny, and the Sanctuary service is a galling yoke. There are sinners fiom whose darkened minds the veil of unbelief h»is not been removed. The wcmder is th .;. they attend the Sanctuary, not that they receive l » proHt. Why, my brethren, do you coined This is God's house ; He is to be met here. His mes.sage to be heard, and His glory to V)e seen. O! then, how necessary to be thoughtfully (joncerned, engaged, while in God's house. This is the holy place, and to yield profit, it must be (uitereil with holy prepara- tion. Is it not mournful to see professing Christians of whom we wtmld wish to hope better things, for- saking the assembling of themselves together, as the manni>r of too many is / Does not the benefit of souls rerd (}«)d of Israel was fount I, has «lied in childhooil. Often the hope of Christian pan-nts has pjus.sed away amidst the bright blossoms of sanctified youth. Compara- tively tew arrive at three-score yeai"s and ten «'ither in the Church or in the world. But it nuiy be re- marked generally that a religious course, particular- ly wlu^n early begun, has a tendency to prolong life. Oh! consider how numy lives are«brid»'ed bv sinful haAnts. Calcidat*' the victims of Inteiiipenince. When we speak of the mortality which it (xrcasions, we n^fer not merely t«) those instances, in whi«'h, as with the stroke of a sword, it cuts o\X life. In num- 215 II Memorials of the late Hu nuiscular, the eye bright. But the soul, early led to (Jod, halemn command, " But let a man examine himself;" notwithstanding th(^ many earnest preparatory prayers and expostu- lations and appeals, there may be some now present with the design ofconnuunieating, whose hearts have never once been examined, who are profoundly ig- n(>rant of themselves, of their true character and state, and constMpiently devoid of the feelings and desires which it is calculated to awaken and excite. And in reference to such it is necessary that, even at this late period, a solenm appeal should be made on the subject of their (pialitication for this duty. Nor is it to be overlooked that even where there have be(ui ])revious earnest attempts at .self-examination, the awful .solenmity of this duty requires and renders it imperative that the grounds and the results of these .should be cmce more considered, — that the mind may b»» thus put into a pro])er frame for tho.se exercise.s ol penitence and faith, of love, gratitude and ho[)e, to which in communion, it is called; tliat the devout may be refreshed, the downcast comforted, the timid encouraged, and. in short, all confirmed. It is there- fore highly expedient that innnediately before the serving of the table begins, while the mind is yet glowing with the truths brought before it inthe.ser- mai element on which it rests. There is a structure, however, to be leared upon them; and, apart from that structure, they an» little wortli. They are mei'ely the cry of one in innncdiate and awful danger, who sees and feels that he is on the verge of death and <'ternity. j^ut as that cry would Ik* utterly useless unless it was followed hy instnnt and energetic action, with a view to escape from the impene pcaeo you want — the only peace that ean fill your hearts i Has any nu'asure of that p«'a<'e tran«|uili/ed your minds i Have vou telt that it is no l<>n«rer witli v»)U as it once was, when you were either sluniherin^' in a spiritual death which no dis|M'nsatinns of providence could disturl), or when your minds werr restless and excited, operateey- in^ His laws, honorin«( His institutions, and copyin«^ His example. The re<(«>neracy of his nature towhicli grace has awakeneil him, does not appear in super- ficial impressions, and evanesj'ent feelings, and occas- ional desires. It has impressions peculiar to itself, but these are pennanent ; feelings pecidiar to itself, but these are habitual ; desires peculiar to itself, but these are influential and progressive. The st»nse of need is not confined U> the guilt, it reaches to the power of sin ; and hence, the true Christian not oidy believes in Christ as a JSaviour but submits to Him as a King, conforms to the laws of His king«lom,and strives to resemble His image. Here there can Ini no mistakes. This, by the very constitution of our nature, is the proper and conclusive evidence of spiri- tual principle: " By their fruits ye shall know them." Grapes upon the thorn, or figs up. A y /A Photographic Sciences Corporation %^ « €^ ^. «^ 23 WEST MAIN STREET "^ WEBSTER, NY. 14580 (716) 872-4503 A. m-^ Memorials of the late Hugh Mair, D.D. Christ, zeal for His honor, or the imitation of His excellence, in the unrenewed man. Do these, in any manner, distinguish you ? We have already said we do not ask for superlative and peerless attainments, for finished character and stainless lives. But there must be some fruit ? Do you constrain men to take knowledge of you that you have been with Christ ? Is His law in your minds, as a rule ; His example, as a model ; His honor, His glory, as an end the most sacred and sublime ? There are not a few professing Christians who rarely think of Christ, and never with any peculiar emotions of confidence and joy, who regulate their lives solely by worldly maxims, who never say to themselves "Christ has commanded this, and it must be done ; or Christ has forbidden this, and it must be shunned." With the exception of a few religious observances, an occasional perusal of a passage of Scripture, or a few superficial expres- sions of reverence ; there is nothing to distinguish them from those who have never become the pro- fessed disciples of Christ, learned His law or become familiar with His history. Could you denominate such, Christians ; or, have you any the least impres- sion that Christ is acknowledged by them as Law- giver and King; that His ejLample is ever before them, to quicken, excite and animate them to pursue the course of duty and of life ? Unquestion- ably not. If Christ be King, He must receive corres- ponding homage. There must be loyalty to Hia person, admiration of His law, submission to Hi» government, reverence for its institutions, and interest in its prosperity. Apart from these, acknow- ledgment of His royalty were useless and worsa than useless, being disingenuous and hypocritical. 224 Communion Address. Lei me then, here, most seriously admonish you. We rest short of nothing but obedience to Christ, as a proof of your sincerity in acknowledging His au- thority and claims. We look not for the purity of the loftiest saints that have ever lived, we look not for the zeal of seraphim, but we look for honesty in Christian profession, consistency in Christian prac- tice, familiarity with the law which you admit to be supreme, and imitation of the model which you consider to be perfect. None who neglect Christ's ordinances, who are careless and irregular in perus- ing His Word, who can think without gratitude of His work, or speak without joy of its fruits, who can look with indifference on the progress of His cause, be utterly unimpressed with its triumphs, and, in their whole system of action have little or no re- spect to His law, — none of this description can be Christians in deed, and consequently cannot be true communicants, and sit down acceptably at the table of Jesus Christ. We wish no pompous display of zeal, no unnecessary formal profession of an interest in eternal things, no loud or high-sounding declar- ation of your devotedness to the Saviour's cause; but we want the evidence of sincerity, which one man requires from another ; deeds to substantiate words ; and, of course, a system of life somewhat in keeping with the Christian's vocation and character. If Christ be loved, He will be obeyed ; if He be ad- mired. He will be imitated ; if He be the object of your confidence. He must and will be precious. In looking into the state of your own hearts, and search- ing and trying your past ways, many among you may feel that you do not possess the character as now described,and may be constrained to confess that Q 225 Meynoi^ials of th^ late Hugh Mair, D.D. there have been occasions on which, notwithstand- ing your professions, you did not give to Christ the obedience that was His due. Now, let it be dis- tinctly observed, that among sincere Christians it would be out of place to expect the same attainments and knowledge. Though you be comparatively ignorant, unsteady and defective as members of the Church; though the holiness of the Christian char- acter seem to you almost unattainable, and your timid hearts are yielding to despair, yet, come in the spirit of repentance and prayer to the table of your Lord, and your hearts will be comforted and your faith confirmed. Jesus Christ now stands at the head of the table and cries aloud as He did of old on the great day of the feast : " If any man thirst let him come unto Me and drink." Come, then, though shrinkingly and tremblingly, yet profoundly peni- tential, and you will receive the most satisfactory tokens of pardon and grace; your doubts will be dis- pelled, and your darkness removed, and the Lord your God will arise in the brightness of His glory, to revive your drooping hearts, and to satisfy your souls with good. This is the marriage feast of His Son ; He has prepared His dinner; the oxen and the tat- lings are killed,a nd all things are ready. Come unto the marriage. Encouraging invitation. His guests are the maimed, the halt, the blind, the miserable, the ignorant and the poor; and ample as the table is, and crowded as is the scene of entertainment, not a guest ne-^d retire with an unsatisfied heart or a de- jected look. All, looking to Christ and depending upon Him, shall be satisfied, and gladdened, and blessed. In some the principles of religion have been longer cherished and more assidiously culti- 226 Corn/munion Address. vated than in others. Some have been much more highly favored than others by the privileges and op- poi-tunities they have enjoyed, and there must be differ- ent degrees in the improvement of the character, and the exercise of spiritual dispositions. But, in all, faith is a principle, and is productive of fruit. The fruit is more or less luxuriant as the tree which bears it is vigorous and healthy. Do not be deterred, there- fore, from coming to the communion table, because the fruits and evidences of your faith are not so strik- ing and ample as they ap])ear in the conduct and experience of some other Christian professor. Be jealous of yourselves, doubtless, but do not yield to unreasonable doubt or groundless suspicion. Do not suffer a sense of weakness and deficiency to oppress and overwhelm you. If you have the smallest faith in operation, if you have anything like satisfactory evidence of the Spirit's influence, you have reason to thank God and take courage; and rest assured that in Christ there is an infinite fulness, and that united to Him, and complete in Him, you will be accepted and be sanctified and saved for ever and ever. la IHH CATECHETICAL EXERCISE. ON THE FINAL STATE OF THE RIGHTEOUS. Q. Will the resurrection of the dead be followed by the general judgment ? A. Yes. — Q. Will there be a visible appearance of Jesus Christ? A. Yes.-^Q. Who will be His ministers? A. The angels. — Q. Will saints and sinners, now mingled together in the common offices of life, and connected by various ties, be then parted for ever? A. Yes. Matt. xxv. 32-33. — Q. Are these words commonly understood in a liter- al sense? A. Yes. — Q. But doe ; a literal interpre- tation accord with our other conceptions of the grand assize ? A. No. — Q. As the saints are to be caught up to meet Him in the air, can the position of the two parties, on the right and left hand, be easily conceived ? A. No. — Q. May we regard it, therefore, as a figur- ative description ? A. Yes. — Q. What may the place at the right hand, which will be assigned to the righteous, signify ? A. The station of honor which tliey will occupy. — Q. Is this the general idea which that situation suggests in Scripture ? A. Yes. — Q. Must it be so understood in the case of Christ who is said to sit at the right hand of His Father ? A. Yes. — Q. Whv so ? A. Because the Father has no right hand, but has exalted Jesus "far above all principalities and powers." — Q. Are we infomied in the Revelation of John, that the books were opened ? A. Yes. — Q. Is it out of the Book of Life that the saints will be judged ? A. Yes. — Q. May we under- stand by this book, either the Gospel or the Divine decree by which they were appointed to salvation ? 228 Catechetical Exercise. A. Yes. — Q. Are they amenable to the law, as the rule of justification and condemnation? A. No; they have been delivered from it by Jesus Christ. — Q. Will any enquiry be necessary for the satisfaction of the Judge ? A. No. — Q. But will it be necessary for the gieat design of the general judgment ? A. Yes. — Q. What is that design ? A. The manifesta- tion of His righteousness in the final allotment of the human race. — Q. Will all be perfectly satisfied that it is not by an arbitrary decision that heaven is assigned to them in preference to others ? A. Yes. — Q. Will the sentence be founded on reasons which ac- cord with the rectitude of the Divine administration? A. Yes. — Q. Will evidence be exhibited of the validity of their title ? A. Yes. — Q. Will this evidence be furnished by their works? A. Yes; Matt. xxv. 34- 36. — Q. Is it evident to every person who understands his Bible, tha.t the works of the saints are here men- tioned, not as the foundation, but as the evidence of their title ? A. Yes. — Q. But while it appears that the good works of the saints will be exhibited in the day of judgment, will any mention be made of their sins ? A. This is a question about which those who have deemed it worthy of attention, are divided in sentiment. — Q. What arguments have been urged by such as maintain tliat they will not be mentioned ? A. That there is no reference to them in the account which our Lord gives of the general judgment in the Gospel of Matthew ; that the remission of them is expressed in such terms as imply that they are henceforth to be forever concealed, for they are "cast into the depths of the sea, and are to be remembered no more;" that it is not compatible with the char- acter of the Judge, who is also the propitiation for 229 Meinorials of the late Hugh Mair, D.D. their sins, to suppose that He will bring them to light in a manner so public ; and that, notwithstanding their full acquittal, we could not conceive the saints not to be affected with shame, if their crimes, the recollection of which has often made them blush, were exposed to the view of the universe. — Q. What are the arguments adduced in opposition to these ? A. It is said that according to Scripture, " God will bring every work into judgment, with every secret thing, whether it be good or whether it be evil;" that justice seems to reipiire that there should be an im- partial review of the conduct of each individual; that to recall the memory of the sins of the saints will display the virtue of the atoning blood of Christ, and the riches of the grace of (Jod, through which they have been pardoned; that, in many cases the sins of the wicked could not be published without the pub- lication of theirs, as they were associated in the same deeds; that some of them are already made public in the Scriptures, and are held up as a spectacle to all generations; and that no feeling of shame would be excited because God has fully remitted their trespasses, and they glory in the righteousness of Christ with which the}'' are adoi'ned. — Q. Is there some force in the arguments on both sides? A. Yes. — Q Is it easy to determine which is the more power- ful? A. No. — Q. Is the question, however, more of a curious than of a profitable kind ? A. Yes. — Q Would anything be gained or lost by a decision in either way? A. No. — Q. But without pretend- ing to determine this question, may we rest assured that there will be a general referenc 3 to the particu- lar sins of the saints ? A. Yes. — Q. Will it then be universally understood that thev were once sinners, 230 Catechetical Eocercise. and were pardoned solely through Divine mercy? A. Yes. — Q. Will it be an important })art of the transactions of the last day, to publish the sentence of acquittal in the ears of angels and men? A. Yes. — Q. Is their title to the favour of God often doubt- ful to themselves amidst the darkness of the present state? A. Yes. — Q. Are their fears, however, dis- pelled either before they die, or immediately after their spirits enter into the presence of God? A. Yes. — Q. Is their title to this favour disputed by others, and are the grounds on which it rests ac- counted visionary? A. Yes. — Q. Is their faith de- rided as a mere caprice, and the doctrine of im])uted righteousness pronounced a mere chimera? A. Yes. — Q. Will the decision of the last day put an end forever to these suspicions and accusations? A. Yes. — Q. Whither will the saints go, after being openly acknowledged and acquitted? A. Toheaven, — Q. What do you mean by heaven? A. That region of the universe in which angels and the spirits of the just now dwell, and all the righteous shall be finally assembled. — Q. Where is its location ? A. We know not. — Q. Do we speak of it in commim language as being above us? A. Yes. — Q. But is this phrase used in conformity to a notion founded upon the appearance of the visible heavens? A. Yes. — Q. Will what is above us at this moment, be beneath us twelve hours hence? A. Yes. — Q. Wherefore? A. In consequence of the revolution of the earth. — Q. Does what is beneath us seem to be above to those who are on the opposite side of the globe? A. Yes. — Q. Does it seem warrantable, however, to conclude that it lies beyond the limits of the visible creation? A. Yes. — Q. How does this 231 Memorials of the late Hugh Mair, D.D. appear ? A. For Jesus Christ who is now in it, is said to have ascended "above all heavens." — Q. What do you mean by "all heavens" here? A. The aerial and stany heavens according to the Jewish division of the superior regions — Q. Is it obviously local ? A. Yes. — Q. Does Scripture uniformly suppose that there is a particular plac»', which is appointed to be the final abode of the right- eous ? A. Yes. — Q. Can we foi-m any definite ideas of the ubl of spirits ? A. No. — Q. Will all the saints, however, after the general Judgment be clothed with a material fi-ame ? A. Yes. — Q. How does it appear, then, that Heaven must be material 1 A. Because it is inhabited by our blessed Saviour, and Enoch and Elijah, and the saints who came out of their graves after the resurrection of Christ, and will be inhabited hereafter by the myriads whom He will raise to life at His second coming. — Q. Can we form any conjectures concerning the nature of the place ? A. No. — Q. Are the Bible descrip- tions of it, obviously, of a highly metaphorical char- acter ? A. Yes. — Q. Have we reason to believe that Heaven is vastly superior to what the earth was, even before its loveliness was impaired by the curse ? A. Yes. — Q. How does it seem reasonable to suppose that it w'\\\ be totally different from the earth ? A. Because the beings who inhabit it, although men, will be entirely changed in respect of the constitution of their bodies. — Q. When we are told in Rev. xxii. 1, 2, that a river flows in it, and that trees grow^ upon its banks, what are the ideas suggested by that imagery ? A. Those of beauty, refreshment, and abundance. — Q. Is it likewise re- presented to us in Rev. xxi. 19-21, 23-25, under the 232 Catechetical Exercise. splendid image of a city of pure gold, whose founda- tions and gates are composed of precious stones ? A. Yes. — Q. Will there be visible tokens in Heaven of the presence of God ? A. Yes. — Q. How does He manifest Himself upon earth ? A. Not only by im- pressions upon the minds of His intelligent crea- tures, but by displr.ys of His perfections in the splendour of the heavens, and the various ])rocess»'s which are going on above us, and around us. — Q. May we, tlnirefore, l^elieve that He will manifest Himself in Heaven, both by a secret intercourse with the souls of the saints, and bv such external siijns as will show that He is near.and that it is His temple and His palace ? A. Yes. — Q. Will all the magni- ficence and beautv which we admire in the universe be here blended with beauty and magnificence of which we can form no idea ? A. Yes. — Q. Will it be the noblest material work of His Almighty hand ? A. Yes. — Q. Have some pro- posed the absurd question whether, in this blessed abode the saints will know one another ? A. Yes. — Q. Would it be any part of their perfection to have all their former ideas obliterated, and to meet as stian- gers in the other world ? A. No. — Q. Ciiuld any- thing be gained by such ignorance ? A. No. — Q. But would much be lost ? A. Yes. — Q. What would be lost by it ? A. They would lose all the happi- ness of meeting again, on the peaceful shore, those from whom they were separated by the storms of life ; of seeing among the trophies of Divine grace, many of whom they had despaired, and for whose sakes they had gone down with sorrow to the grave ; of knowing the good which they had been horioured to do, and being surrounded with the individuals 233 Meirwruds of ike late Hugh Mab\ D.D. who bar] been saved by means of their prayers, and instructions, and labours. — Q. Could those whom the minister of the Gospel had been instrumental in converting and edifying be to him a crown of joy and rejoicing in the day of the Lord, if he did not recomiize them when standinly societ}^ and dwell to- gether in perfect friendship for ever and ever ? A. Yes. — Q. Will they reciprocate hap{)iness ? A. Yes. — Q. Wherein, however, will the supreme happiness of man in heaven consist? A. In the enjoyment of God. — Q. How does this appear ? A. From the consideration that his chief end is the glory of God. — Q. Is this the view of all regenerated men ? A. Yes. — Q. Why is heaven the object of their hope ? A. Because, in that place, their desires for His presence and the full communication of His love will be ijrati- fied, (Psalm Ixxiii. 2n). — Q. Why does our Lord pro- nounce the pure in heart to be bl(^ssed ? A. For they shall see God,(Matt. v. 8). — Q. How do you reconcile the apparent contradictions between His words and those of one who calls Him the blessed and only Potentate, that " no man hath seen or can see Him ?" A. The one speaks of mental and the other of cor- poreal vision. — Q. Will an3'^ man see Him by way of corporeal vision, even in the future state ? A. No. — Q. Why not? A. Because that although the bodies of the Sfiints will be highly refined, it is phy- sically impossible that a sf)irit should be perceived by natural organs. — Q. Does the Father dwell amidst inaccessible light ? A. Yes. — Q. Is it in- compatible with this statement to suppose a visible manifestation of His glory, similar to the symbol which appeared in the most holy place ? A. No ; because this would not be God Himself, ])ut only a sign of His presence. — Q. Will the saints obtain in heaven a clear and com[)rehensive knowledge, when compared with the obscure and imperfect knowledge which they at present derive from His works and 237 Memorials of the late Hugh Mair, D.D. His Word ? A. Yes, (1 Cor. xiii. 9-12).— Q. Can this language, emphatic though it be, be understood of an adequate knowledge ? A. No. — Q. Why not ? A. For an infinite being can be comprehended only by an infinite understanding ? — Q. Will the know- ledge of the future state be comparatively perfect ? A. Yes ; it will be free from all doubts and errors. — Q. Will knowledge there be acquired without effort or labour? A. Yes. — Q. While here we can see only the skirts of the Almighty's glory, will the re- velation there be as ample as our finite faculties will permit ? A. Yes. — Q. Will mysteries be ex- plained, difficulties solved, and excellencies rise to view in the Divine nature, of which no vestige was discovered m His works ? A. Yes. — Q. Can we well conceive the knowledge of the saints in heaven to be stationary ? A. No. — Q. Why not ? A. Be- cause the Almighty cannot be sought out to perfec- tion by the finite mind. — Q. Is it possible that the soul in the lapse of ages may reach the ne plus ultra of its knowledge ? A. This may be possible^ but by no means probable. — Q. Do we naturally judge of the future by the present state ? A. Yes. — Q. Are we led, therefore, by analogy, judging from the grad- ual acquisition of knowledge here, to anticipate the soul's perpetual progression hereafter ? A. Yes. — Q. May the Almighty so enlarge its powers, as that, in the infinitude of His nature, there will be new dis- coveries to be made for ever and ever ? A. Yes. — Q. May all the wonders of creation be surveyed in the course of an eternal duration ? A. Yes. — Q. But can the Almighty ever be fully understood ? A. No. — Q. Will the knowledge of God in the future state be ever accompanied with love intense and 238 CatecJietical Eocerc'ise. supreme ? A. Yes. — Q. Why so ? A. For it is im- possible to contemplate infinite excellence without thus loving it. — Q. Are ihere seasons even here, when the hearts of saints go out to God with an ardour which no created object can excite ? A. Yes. — Q. Will this flame glow still more ardently in the pure atmosphere of heaven ? A Yes. — Q. Will love, which here struggles with the infirmity of the flesh, the reluctance of conupt nature, the opera- tions of selfishness, and the opposing influences of visible things, be then free and unfettered ? A. Yes. — Q. Will the fervour of aflection then ever abate ? A. No. — Q. Will anything then ever occur to .suspend it, or turn it into a different rhannel ? A. No. — Q. Will God always maintain tlie pre- eminence and appear infinitely greater and betterthan all other beings \ A. Yes. — Q. Will their love to other beings be in perfect harmony with supreme love to God? A. Yes. — Q. Will it flow from this •exalted source and be attracted by its image as im- pressed upon them in all its loveliness and glory ? A. Yes. — Q. Have some ancient philo.sophers im- agined that after death the souls of men were ab- sorbed by the Divine essence from which they had originally emanated ? A. Yes. — Q. Will there be a union of the most intimate kind between God and the soul in the future state ? A. Yes. — Q. How is this union eflected ? A. By the purest and most active mutual love. — Q. Will they rejoice in God as He is, and will every power be devoted to Him alone ? A. Yes. — Q. Is love adapted to every condition of our nature, and does it constitute its moral perfec- tion ? A. Yes; (1 Cor. xiii. 8-13).— Q. Why will i'aith and hope be unnecessary in the world to come ? 239 Memorials of the late Hugh Mair, D.D. A. Because the object of the one is seen, and that of the other is enjoyed. — Q. Will the happiness of the saints in heaven arise from the absence of all the causes of pain and sorrow, to the operation of which they are at present exposed ; from the presence of the highest possible good, and from the certainty of the perpetual possession of it ? A. Yes ; ( Rev. xxi. 4). — Q. Are sin and suffering connected as cause and effect ? A. Yes. — Q. But will the inhabitants of heaven be sinless, and therefore beyond the reach of suffering ? A. Yes. — Q. Will affliction and sorrow be for ever unknown and unfelt in that blessed region ? A. Yes. — Q. Will reflection upon all past evils serve only to heighten the contrast, and to give them a more lively feeling of their present en- joyments ? A. Yes. — Q. Will they to whom death made this world a blank mourn no more ? A. Yes. — Q. Will they either find those whom they bewail- ed in the better country, or far better friends ? A. Yes. — Q. Have they any will but the will of God ? A. No. — Q. Have those whom He does not love, ceased to be the objects of their regard ? A. Yes ; (Rev. xxi 4). — Q. While exem})ted from all evil, are they put in possession of the greatest possible good ? A. Yes. — Q. What is that good ? A. It is God Himself, who is their everlasting reward. — Q. Is it possible for man to be happy, in a state of separation from God ? A. No. — Q. Would the whole rational crea- tion, if abandoned by Him, wither and die as the vegetable creation, when the rain and dew of heaven are withheld ? A. Yes. — Q. Is it the place alone which will make the wicked miserable ? A. No. — Q. Is it because they will see God afar off, being banish- ed from His gracious presence, and separated from 240 Catechetical Exercise. Him by an impassable gulf ? A. Yes.— Q. What is ^tthaconsftutes heaven ? A. It is the presen « t ^hAT?- ^1 ^^- ''■"'^ ^-^''^ '*«« Him as He IS, and hold with Him an intimate uninterrupted and eyerlastmg communion ? A. Yes.— Q Will this felicity be heightened by the knowledge that it s everlasting A. Yes.-Q. Is there any appre- hension of evil in heaven i A. No.-Q Does Tt while we are here, disturb our best hours? A yes.— y. How IS it excited? A. Partly by the suggestions of conscience and partly by an experi- ence of the yic ssitudes of human affairs.-QTre llj^^J °V'«''S'°" «q"ally subject to mutation a.s tho.se of a temporal nature ? A. Yes.-Q. How so ? A Jiitler because the saints are not at all times dis- posed to receive them, and by the unhappy influ- ence of unbelief, they are excluded fromtheKs ■ Z^'V':: 0°^ }\ Pl«^«ed to suspend them for the sins' " O ?f i*"*; "J"^ ^^^ chastisement of their A Y^s n wn fu** °{ '"'''''"-'" *""'"y different? tJ T^- ^'" .^^^ Juration of the saints in heaven bring any change of eircum.stances? A No- nn^f " ."^^'^^f PO'"' of space, and shine with u.>d minished splendour.-Q. Would the very no" «bihty of an end mar the felicity of the righteous ? wbi.h 7^' ou .'^ '.'■ *" *'<''■"*' redemption of which Jesu,s Christ is the author ? A. Yes -O What IS the la^t change which saints experience ? a' when Ar P^'*?' '"P^" C'-operly, the resurrection; O Wil.*t''?t™'' 'P'"*' ^'" ^^ "^ain embodied.- be fin- w^' »° ?!:"«'-"Pon acanerwhichwillnever I'^tW k'- u/- Tf'-* '^"1 there be any night m that bright world? A. No; no literal or natural I R 241 Memorials of the late Iftu/h Malr, D.D. night of(laiknuH8; no mental nigh c of ignorance nnd error; no moral night of sin ; and no penal night of sorrow and attliction. (Isa. Ix. 19-20). — Q. Has the question been often agitated, whether there will be different degrees of glory in heaven ? A. Yes. — Q. Is this a quohtion more curious than useful? A. Yes. — Q. What are the various reasons adduced by those who adopt the negative view? A. That all the saints are clothed with the righteousness of Christ, and being equal in this resi)ect, have a title to an equal reward; that they all stand in the same relation to God, as His children are all the first-born, and will therefore receive the same inheritance; that it would seem an inq^erfection if one of them had less glory than another, and the former might conceive something better than he actually possessed, and be disturbed by an anxious desire for it; that our Sa- viour has promised to all a kingdom, and has said that they shall shine forth as the sun; and that, while speaking of a difference among them, we use words to which no distinct meaning can be annexed, as it is granted that all will be perfect. — Q. What are the arguments urged by those who adopt the positive side of the question ? A. They a|)peal to different degrees of grace in this world, from which they infer that there will be diflerent degrees of glory in the next; they grant that all saints will be perfectly happy, but compare them to vessels of dif- ferent sizes which are all full, although some contain a greater (quantity than others; and they support themselves by several passages of Scripture, as the parable of the talents, in which the servants are re- compensed according to their diligence; the declara- tion of Paul that "he who soweth sparingly, shall 242 Catechetical Exercise. m •t reap also sparingly; and he that soweth bountifnlly, shall reap also bountifully ;" and of Daniel, that " they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firma- ment, and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." — Q. With respect to the last passage, must the supposed difference in the degree of splendor be considered as imaginary till it is shewn what is meant by "the brightness of the firmament," and that it is inferior to the brightness of the stars; ami till it be proved that something more is intended than simply to convey by a variety of phrases the general idea of glory ? A. Yes. — Q. Has the passage in 1 Cor. xv. 41 been quoted in favour of this opinion by those who attended to the sound without thinking of the sense? A. Yes. — Q. Will any intelligent person who reads the passage perceive that the apostle is sjxaking of a totally different subject? A. Yes. — Q. What is the subject to which he refers? A. The difference between the present and the future bodies of the saints, and is illustrating it by the different appearance's which matter assumes in the plastic hand of the Almighty. — Q. Would the discussion of this question serve any valuable purpose? A. No. — Q. Whether the final allottment of the saints shall be equal or un- equal, will all be content, and will all rejoice with joy unspeakable? A. Yes. 11 243