IMAGE EVALUATION TEST TARGET (MT-3) '< A r >^ 1.0 ^1^ Ui ■tt l&i 12.2 I 1.1 S m 12.0 i^i IUi4 U4 Hiolographic Sdmces Caparadon ^ ^^' 23 WKT MAIN STMHT VVIUTIR,N.Y. 14SM (7t*)l72>4S0S CIHM/ICMH Microfiche Series. CIHM/ICMH Collection de microfiches. Canadian Institute for Historical iVIicroreproductions / Institut Canadian de microraproductions historiquas vV Technical and Bibliographic Notes/Notas techniques et bibiiographiques The Institute has attempted to obtain the best original copy available for filming. Features of this copy which may be bibliographically unique, which may alter any of the images in the reproduction, or which may significantly change the usual method of filming, are checked below. L'Institut a microfilm^ le meilleur exemplaire qu'il lui a 6t4 possible de se procurer. Les details de cet exemplaire qui sont peut-Atre uniques du point de vue bibliographique, qui peuvent modifier une image reproduite, ou qui peuvent exiger une modification dans la methods normals de filmage sont indiqute ci-dessous. Coloured covers/ 1 — 1 Couverture de couleur _^ Coloured pages/ Pages de couleur Covers damaged/ 1 — 1 Couverture endommagte ^^ Pages damaged/ Pages endommagtes Covers restored and/or laminated/ 1 — 1 Couverture restaur^ et/ou peiliculAe n Pages restored and/or laminated/ Pages restaurAes et/ou pelliculAes Cover title missing/ 1 — 1 Le titre de couverture manque 1. Pages discoloured, stained or foxed/ Pages dicolortes, tachet^es ou piqu6es Coloured maps/ 1 — 1 Cartes g6ographiques en couleur ^^ Pages detached/ Pages d6tach6es Coloured inic (i.e. other than blue or blacic)/ 1 — 1 Encre de couleur (i.e. autre que bleue ou noire) v/ Showthrough/ Transparence Coloured plates and/or illustrations/ 1 1 Planches et/ou illustrations en couleur ~~~ Quality of print varies/ Quality in^gaie de I'impression Bound with other material/ ReliA avec d'autres documents — Includes supplementary material/ Comprend du materiel suppKmentaire Th« toi D D D Tight binding may cause shadows or distortion along interior margin/ La re liure serrie peut causer de I'ombre ou de la distortion le long de la marge intirieure Blank leaves added during restoration may appear within the text. Whenever possible, these have been omitted from filming/ II se peut que certaines pagc<» blanches ajouttes lors d'une restauration apparaissent dans le texte, male, lorsque ceia Atait possible, ces pages n'ont pas itA filmAes. Additional comments:/ Commentaires supplAmentaires; D D Only edition available/ Seule Edition disponible Pages wholly or partially obscured by errata slips, tissues, etc., have been ref limed to ensure the best possible image/ Les pages totalement ou partiellement obscurcies par un feuillet d'errata, une peiure, etc., ont At* filmtes A nouveau de fapon d obtenir la meilieure image possible. Th( pot of filn on be( the sio oth firs sioi ori Thi sha whi Mai diff enti beg rig^ reqi met This item is filmed at the reduction ratio checked below/ Ce document est f iim* au taux de reduction indiqu* ci-dessous. 10X 14X 18X 22X 26X 30X 1 y 12X 16X 20X a4X 28X 32X i •■^^na^n^r^ The copy filmed here het been reproduced thanks to the generosity of: Library of the Public Archives of Carrada The images appearing here are the best quality possible considering the condition and legibility of the original copy and in keeping with the filming contract specifications. Original copies in printed paper covers are filmed beginning with the front cover and ending on the last page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, or the back cover when appropriate. All other original copies ore filmed beginning on the first page with a printed or illustrated impres- sion, and ending on the last page with a printed or Illustrated impression. The last recorded frame on each microfiche shall contain the symbol — »• (meaning "CON- TINUED"), or the symbol y (meaning "END"), whichever applies. 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: L'exemplaire filmA fut reproduit grflce i la gAnArosM de: La bibliothdque des Archives publiques du Canada Las images suivantes ont AtA reproduites avec le plus grand soin, compte tenu de la condition et de la nettetA de l'exemplaire film«, et en conformity avec les conditions du contrat de filmage. Les exemplaires originaux dont la couverture en papier est imprimte sont filmte en commen^ant par le premier plat et en terminant soit par la derniire page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration, soit par le second plat, salon le cas. Tous les autres exemplaires originaux sont filmte en commen^ant par la premiere page qui comporte une empreinte d'impression ou d'illustration et en terminant par la derniAre page qui comporte une telle empreinte. Un des symboles suivants apparaltra sur la dernlAre image de cheque microfiche, selon le cas: le symbole — ► signifie "A SUIVRE". le symbols ▼ signifie "FIN". Les cartes, planches, tableaux, dtc, peuvent Atre filmds k des taux de reduction diffirents. Lnrsque le document est trop grand pour Atre reproduit en un seul clich«, il est film* A partir de I'angle supArieur gauche, de gauche A droite, et de haut en bas, en prenant le nombre d'images ntcessaire. Les diagrammes suivants illustrent la mAthode. 1 2 3 32X 1 2 3 4 5 6 f.f m i y- f.' .•-i-- FAREWELL SERMON, PREACHED IN THE EPISCOPAL CHURCHES, ®®«» ^^WSl^ 5&^ S).5 ON SUNDAY, 7th SEPTEMBER, JSIO. *^ <^5 33ir the Rev. JOBUT CAREIT. A. B. ASSISTANT MINISTER. i y PUBLISHED DY REQUEST OF MANY OF THE PARI9HI0^EK^^ 1840. (?) TO THE MEMBERS OF THE CONGREGATION OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH, ST. JOHN, N. B. My Dear Christian Friends — Many of you have requested that I would consent to the publication of a Sermon preached by tne on my resignation of the office of Assistant Minister in this Parish. Ahhough it was not written with the design of being publiHhnd, I feel much pleasure in acceding to your request. In preparing it fur the Press, I have made a few slight alterations and verbal corrections. It has no preten- sions whatever to elegance of style, but contains merely a few plain statements in plain language, relative to faith, practice, and the awful responsibility which rests upon those whom the Lord hath made watchmen unto the house of Israel. Greatly and sincerely shall I rejoice if its publication be instrumental in promo- ting the spiritual interests of even one individual of your body. I am, my dear Christian Friends, with great respect and truth, your faithful humble servant, JOHN CAREY. ^mmmQ)W^ 1 Corinthians, chap. 15, versea 5, 8, two first claiues— " Therafora my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord." These wonls are an inference drawn by the Apostle from the preceding statements of the chapter, at the close of which they stand. Those statements relate to the resurrection of Christ, — of believers as members of his mystical body, and of mankind generally. The doctrine of the Resurrection is eminently calcu- lated to console and cheer the devoted and faithful servants of God. It is not a mere reanimation of the body, that they are authorised to expect. They Lave the assurance that it will also be glorified and immortalized : that which is sown in corruption shall bo raised in incorruption ; that which is sown in weakness shall be raised in power ; that which is sown a natural body shall be raised a spiritual body ; that which is sown in dishonour shall be raised in glory. Amidst all the afflictions of this mortal life, these truths administer relief and comfort to the minds of the sincere followers of the Blessed Redeemer. Hence, when the Apostle had submitted them to the attention of his brethren at Corinth, he added — Therefore my beloved brethren, be ye sted- fast, immovable, &c. &c. This exhortation of St. Paul to his brethren contain? two parts — the first relates to stcdfastness, the second to diligence. — They are in the first place exhorted to aim at stedfastnesa, in the phrase, Be ye stedfast, immovable. The two adjectives here employed, though susceptible of distinct illustration and applica- tion, are yet so nearly alike in import, that we may view them as synonymous — that which is stedfast is frequently immovable ; that which is immovable is always stedfast. Professors of Christ's holy religion should not only be sted- fast in the faith as regards his resurrection, and their own here- after, but also as regards the other fundamental doctrines of Christianity ; with the truths which the Almighty Creator has been pleased to make known to us through Revelation is insepa- rably connected the future happiness or misery of all those, who in the course of His providence enjoy the high privilege of being made acquainted with them, and of knowing their reality and tendency. As the rays of the sun, which is the great light of the natural world, enables us to discern some material objects, as the earth, sea, &c. more distinctly than others — so do the contents of the Bible, which is the great light of the spiritual world, enable us to perceive some truths altogether undiscoverable by the light of reason, more clearly revealed, and made known to us, than others. A / Tho principal fundamental truths presenteil to our notice most frequently and prominently in that blessed book, are, the lost fallen state of mankind, both in consequence of the imputed sin of Adam, and their own actual transgressions of CJod's holy law, whereby they increase thoir guilt and misery — The proper deity of the Lord Jesus Christ, who is both God and Man, God of the substance of his father begotten before the world, man of tho substance of his mother born into the world — The fuhiess and sufficiency of his merits, and sacrifice, to procure the pardon and remissi(^n of sin, and reconcile sinners to their everlasting and offended creator, without any merit or desert whatever on their part to entitle them to such a display of his mercy and good- ness — and lastly the absolute necessity of the influences of the Holy Ghost to change the hearts of men and prepare them for tho enjoyment of God's presence after death. The great truths just alluded to hold a most prominent place in the inspired volume, and one or other of them illumines, as it were, almost ©very page of it from Geilesis to Revelation — other truths such as the resurrection of the bodies of all mankind at the last day, a general judgement, and the certainty and eternity of rewards and punishments after tho judgement, are also most clearly made known to us. The disbelief of one or more of those great truths having the Almighty God for their author, must inde- pendently of inconsistent ungodly conduct on the part of profes- sing christians, endanger the salvation of their immortal souls, and expose them to his anger and displeasure. In the present corrupt state of the world, when the self- righteousness and sufficiency of miserable, guilty sinners, and the pride of human reason and learning are exalting themselves in opposition to the plainest declarations of God's holy word, it is highly expedient that all, who receive the bible as a Revelation from 1 roaven, should be stedfast in their belief of the truths which ii contains. It is not in fact the belief of some of the truths of revealed religion, and the disbelief of others — It is not the be- lief and reception of such parts of it, as we can comprehend and understand, and the disbelief and rejection of those parts of it which nre far above our reason. It is not foolish speculations, as to what God might or could have done, that can save the sinner, and reconcile him to his offended maker — on the contrary, it is an unshaken faith in all the great truths and doctrines made known and set forth in plain intelligible language in the holy scriptures, even though we cannot comprehend some of them, that can be instrumental in bringing the sinner into a state of fa- vourable acceptance with God. The reality and continuance of .sill ij r!tate of acceptance depending upon the sincerity and faith- fulness with which he regards and performs the few simple con- ditions, upon which the Almighty offers Eternal life as a free gift. / The reason why profossors of the christian religion should firmly believe all the fundamental doctrines already alluded to, is, because they are most clearly set forth in that book which (in the words of a man justly celebrated for his writings and virtues, but unhappily for himself a slave to the pride of human reason,) has God Almighty for its author, truth for its subject matter, and salvation for its great and sublime consummation. It is one of the peculiar, and distinguishing excellencies of the Church to which wo belong, that almost all the fundamental doctrines of Revelation are brought under the notice of her members every Sabbath day. It is almost unnecessary for me to observe that 1 allude to the Nicene and Apostle's Creeds, which are constantly read in our churches, and which were drawn up by wise and holy men in defence of the faith once delivered to the saints. But although a firm belief in all the groat leading truths of revealed religion, and particularly in the divinity of the Lord Jesus Christ and the sufficiency of his one offering of himself on the cross, for the pardon of sin and justification of sinners, be absolutely necessary to salvation, and was considered so to be by the Holy Apostles and the Primitive Church — professors of the religion of the only Mediator between God and man, must also aim at steadfastness of conduct, and act consistently with their profession, otherwise their firm belief of the inspiration of the Holy Scriptures, and of the great doctrines already enume- rated, cannot save their immortal souls. It is a high privilege to be in communion with a Church re- cognizing no other rule of faith and practice, than the inspired word of God — having that form of Government established by our Lord and his A;postles, and constantly bringing before the minds of her children, even in her Liturgy, many of those fundamental doctrines which have been most assuredly believed from the beginning. But it is quite a different matter to avail ourselves of such a privilege, and to bo " doers of the word, and not hear- ers only." — Javies 1. 22. The Jews were a highly favoured people — ■.<< .iisessed a writ- ten revelation of God's will, and had been long uu Jer the special care of divine ;^rovidence. They however abused their privi- leges, caused the name of God to be blasphemed amongst the Gentiles by their idolatry, and other wicked practices, and vainly imagined that the very circumstance of their being Jews, and of having Abraham for their father, would secure them against the displeasure of God, and avert his judgements, how ungodly and wicked soever might have been their conduct and practices. In this expectation however they were most miserably de- ceived — for John the Baptist warned them not to say within themselves, that they had Abraham to their father, and on the ground of such relationship, attempt a justification of their hypo- crisy and ungodliness — for that God could of the very stones, () raise up cljildrcii unto Abraham. Malt. 3. 9. — St. Paul also most distinctly tells them, that he is not a Jew, which 13 one outwardly, neither is tlmt circumcision, which is outward in the flesh — but that he is a Jew, wliich is one inwardly, and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit and not in the letter. Rom. 2. 28. — Ho also tells them that the circumstance of their being Jews, and under the covenant made by God with Abraham would profit ihem if they kept the law ; hut that if they hroke the laiv, such privileges could in no wise profit or benefit them. Rom. 2. 25. It is not therefore the mere circumstance of being church- men, that will profit and avail us — It is not the more profession of faith in Christ and the truths of his holy Gospel, that can pro- cure us the friendship and favour of God, and the continuance of thorn ; our churchmembership and profession of Christianity, must bo accompanied with pious and godly living, agreeably to the precepts of Christ and his holy Apostles : — of little benefit will it 1)0 to us to boast of our connexion with tlie pure Apostolical (/hurch of the Redeemer, if our repentance be not sincere, our faith genuine — and if both these great conditions of salvation pro- duce not such fruits as the word of God requires on the part of christians. It is truo indeed that many members of Christ's visiblo church may not bo guilty of any open gross sins, such as adul- tery, drunkenness, falsehood, blasphemy, sabbath breaking, &c., and would even abhor the very idea of having any part in such practices ; but it is equally true that they might at the same time have affections wholly set upon this world, its riches, amusements, Sec, and have their thoughts so absorbed by such things as to devote very little time and co^^sideration to the concerns of eter- nity ; — they might in fact at the same time suffer the things of time so to engross their attention as to be unprepared to appear in the prortenco of their God, should death unexpectedly make his appearance ; instead of keeping themselves unspotted from the world, they might in fact be participators in its foolish pomps and vanities — stedfaslnoss of conduct of such a character as this is diametrically opposed to the apostolic precepts. 1 John, 2. 15. — Janes 1. 27. The scoffs and ridicule of those who are living only for this world, and have their minds and affections wholly set upon its goods and pleasures, frequently deter and discourage some who feel disposed to walk humbly with God, and retire from a further participation in its empty pomps and sinful amusements. The example of our Lord should however encourage such well dis- ])oscd persons to be stedfast and immoveable in their good reso- lutions — uninfluenced alike by the smiles and frowns of men he uniforn.'ly pursued the path of duty, without the slightest devia- tion either to the right hand or to the left. From the beginning to tlie end of his ministry he was reviled, slandered, and perse- cuted, yot was hig resentment novor provoked, nor was liig zeal ever abated. He was stedfast in ull tilings unto the end. Next in im))ortance to stedfastness of faith and conduct, stands that of attachment to the Church to which we belong. If we examine her doctrines, we find them in exact accordance with the plain declarations of tho Holy Scriptures — if we examine her constitution and government we find them to be such as were re- cognized by our Lord and fully established by his holy Apostles. If we examine her rites and ceremonies, we shall find them in conformity to the Word of God, and the practice of tho primitive church. The more carefully we investigate her claims, the more fully will we be persuaded that she is the pure Apostolical Church of Christ, equally removed from tho practice of degrading super- stitions, and the baneful influences of fanatacism, and, having every thing relating to Externals done decently and in order.-^ It is true indeed that she contracts some slight defilement while in her militant state, and during her contact with a corrupt world, but the few spots, which some may deem unsightly, and which we all could wish to see removed do not materially mar her beauty — She is still venerable and lovely — under the watchful care of Him who has promised to be with it even unto the end of the world. When we reflect upon the disorders and divisions which exist amongst professing christians, in all countries where Christianity has been introduced, by the conduct of those who pretending to recognize no other rule than the word of God, yet pervert and distort its plainest statements, as to church government, for the pur- pose of acquiring notoriety and supporting their own crude theories and systems. When we reflect upon the astounding but undenia- ble fact, that skepticism, unitarianism, and other heresies, also seisms and divisions without number prevail almost universally in those countries, in which although the Bihle he the only recogni- zed rule of faith, yet Episcopacy has been set aside, and forms of church government of man's invention and contrivance have been substituted for that form established by the inspired Apos- tles. When I say, we reflect upon this astounding but humilia- ting fact, can we for a moment entertain a doubt of the danger and peril of interfering and tampering with divine institutions, even in a case of the most urgent necessity. When moreover we reflect upon the prevalence of tho unhallowed spirit of opposition to the appointments of God, which in former times caused the earth to open wide her jaws and swallow up Corah and his re- bellious companions, and on the contempt and ridicule which are brought upon Christ's holy religion, by the conduct of those, who of their own ?nere 7notion are setting themselves up as teachers of Christianity, it maters not how ignorant and unqualified soever they may be — can we be influenced by any other feelings than those of affection, and veneration for our Apostolic Church, and can we for a moment allow our stedfastness in attachment to her to be s moved and shaken — God forbid my brethren. Let us then lovo her and constantly pray that she may bo sunplied with faithful, pious Ministers, that she may the more cflectually extend her Denign influences, and bring the greater number of sinners within her pale. Some of you my brethren, may not perhaps have attentively considered the subject of church government, and may in conse- quence thereof be disposed to think that forms of ecclesiastical government are not of very great importance provided the gospel be preached. I admit that they would be of very little impmt- anco if one particular form — I mean that by Bishops, Presbyters, and Deacons was not a divine institution. I have already alluded to the frightful consequences of rejecting this form and introdu- cing in Its stead those of human invention and connivance — heresies, seisms, and endless divisions have been the bitter fruits of such conduct — the fact is undeniable. But do you imagine my brethren that every man who sots himself > p as a teacher of Christianity without any lawful authority for so doing, preaches the gospel. The Unitarian, who denies the divinity of Christ says — ^he has the gospel ; so says the Universalist ; so says the Quaker ; and so say the numerous discordant sects, that are con- stantly quarelling, dividing, and bringing contempt upon the chris- tian religion. Be not deceived my brethren. I have stated to you the real cause of such a melancholy state of things. But if any of you should ask, may not the hearers of any preacher escape the displeasure of God, even though the person who instructs them teach them unscriptural doctrines, &c., will not he alone be responsible for the mischief and injury done to the spiritual interests of his hearers — If any of you think so, ask yourselves whether children escape the consequences of their parent's bad example and ill conduct — Do we not daily see them suffering in various ways by the neglect and irregular lives of their parents. Such is the mysterious economy and arrangement of the Almighty Creator — away then my brethren with the delusion that one church is as good as another, and that the hearers of any religious instructor will escape the anger and displeasure of God, even though he teach them anti-scriptural erroneous doctrine. The latter clause of my text lelates to diligence. In addi- tion to stedfastness, the Corinthians are exhorted to abound at the same time in the work of the Lord — " Be ye stedfast immoveable lays the Apostle, always abounding in the work of the Lord." Christian diligence should be manifested in reference to our- selves, by directing our conduct and lives agreeably to God's holy will. We must during our stay here work out our Salvation with fear and trembling. It is the appointment of the Almighty Creator, that there exists a variety of pursuits, and different modes of employ- ment amongst mankind. He did not intend that Christianity should ; ^Ij. !» jiit. vlii'c wiifi human ]);r.,:ijitn .ind tr.ui a.-tioii,! , u\\\y -.:■_, I'.ir iis \o ).• «|uiro iliat they .slioiild lie coiidiiclocl ami rcfinLiUxi hy jjiiiiciph^s of o.-)ijily, juslicn, iniUi, and humanity; hasi-d upon hi:i holy and imnm- Uiblo law. — liodid not intend that'll should intrrCore with the di«cn;t.'t and legitimate use, and exercise of those foculties which he has be- stowed upon the human race, lljr their individual, and mutal benefit, advantag^c, and happiness.— He did not intend that it should retard ilicir honest and well directed efforts to procure this world's floods, for the comfort and enjoyment of themselves and others. But ho. did intend, and docs require, that the care of their immortal souls, which arc destined for an eternal existence, should be the great leading con- cern of their lives, in the midst of all their worldly employments, avocations, and exertions; and that the spirit of religion should ex- hibit itself in all their doings, and in all their intercourse with ono another. Christianity supposes mankind in a state of probation and trial for another world, in which they will bo rewarded or punished according to the use they make of the light which God has been pleased to give them in this. It represents all men indiscriminately as violaters of God's law ; as at enmity with hi;u while in such a state, and makes no allowance whatever for the condition in which it finds them, as regards worldly advantages. All equally need the light and blessings of the Gospel to bring them to God and to future happiness, and all will be judged impartially according to the recep- tion which they give it both as regards faith and practice. Hence arises the necessity of diligence on our parts. — If we al- low this world and its concerns to engross our attention, and neglect the conditions upon which the Gospel offers us its blessings and pri- vih^ges.— -If wo do not endeavour to grow in grace by a diligent and conscientious use of those means appointed by God for the purpose ; if Avc live in the neglect of stated daily prayer to Him for his gui- dance, pardon, and spirit, through Christ Jesus : if we examine not ourselves frequently as to the reality of our repentance, faith, and state before God : if wo keep not ourselves unspotted from the worki, and live with death and judgement constantly before our eyes, wo cannot be prepared to meet our God; and death, the moment of whose approach cannot bo foreseen, may make us wise too late. Truly, iny brothern it will be a fearful thing for careless, negligent sinncrJ under the gospel dispensation, and particularly for those who enjoy the full splendour of gospel light in one apostolical church, if thoy fall into the hands of the living God. Dreadful will be the conse- quences if they defer and postpone the consideration of the thinfa pertaining unto their eternal state, until the hour of death.— Matt XXV. 11-12. Christian diligence should also be manifested in reference to others ; every professor of religion should apply to himself the word,^ of our Lord, who says " I must do the works of Him that sent me, while it is day ; the night cometh when no man can work." — John ix. A. If wo consider the spiritual condition of mankind irencrallv, particularly iu lho;iC nation::^ which have not enjoyed the light of re- u 10 "olation, wo sliall find a \rido field lor the pxcrcit^rof christian bens volcncc. While every sincere humble follower of Chritil r( joii-os in the privileges of the gospel, he should according to his ability pro- mote the extension of it amongst the Heathens, who are to U'- con- verted by human instrumentality. Many nations are still lying in the grossest darkness, and ignorance of God, (and such are the mys- terious ways of Jehovah, who frequently works by subordinate agency) that it is only by the well directed efforts of those who en- joy the light of Revelation, and are blessed with the moauc, that buch nations can be raised from their present degraded condition. But although the case of the heathen should excite the commis- seration and call forth the exertions of all sincere christians in their behalf, much remains to be done at home. You have in this very city a considerable number of your protestant brethren, who for waiit of church accommodation are obliged to spend the Sabbath of the Lord in a manner nearly similar to that of the heathens. Many of them who are far from friends and the land of their fathers, are un- der the necessity of repairing to other places of worship for the pur- pose of obtaining that instruction which they cannot procure in that church, which has a strong hold upon their affections, and in which they were first taught to lisp their Maker's praise. Many of them are so circumstanced as not to be able to pay for that accommodation which is offered to them in other houses of worship without money and without price. This is a state of things, my brethren, which demands the most serious consideration on the part of all those mem- bers of our church whom God in his providence has blessed with the means; although we can by no means approve of the principles of many of our dissenting brethren, and of their conduct both in having, and still continuing separated from our apostolic church, we would do well to imitate the spirit of kindness and sympathy which they exhibit towards their more humble members ; and emulate the zeal with which they exert themselves to provide church accommodation for the poorer class amongst them. You have also in this city a Sabbath School, organized and superintended by your pious and worthy Rector ; in this school some hundreds of your brethren now in the days of their youth are taught on every Lord's day to bless, reverence, and adore their Creator, preserver, and benefactor. In it they are taught to love their God and their neighbour, and instructed in those blessed truths of religion which pertain to their eternal hap- piness. — What a contrast is there, my brethren, between the condition and conduct of children thus instructed in their duties both towards God and man, and the condition of those, who from want of oppor- tmiity of instruction, spend their time perhaps in desecrating the Lord's Day, and in uttering oaths and blasphemies. Such an esta- blishment is a great blessing in any community, and should call forth the most active and continued exertions of every sincere christian to promote its efficiency and usefulness. It is a religious nursery in which many tender plants, deeply rooted in the fine fruitful soil of christian principle and duty, and nourished and strengthened by the 11 iV'.wa of iho Divine blcssino^, will hereafter he siafely removed to the rough and ' "o sterile soil of human life, and will difllise around them the u ant odour of christian graces and practice in the midst of much s".; wounding moral taint and barrenness. You have also amongst you many poor widows and fatherlesa children : — the case of some of them is deserving of the utmost com- missevation and consideration on the part of their more favoured pro- tcslant brethren. Allow me now to call your serious attention to one circum- stance, the mention of which may perhaps be offensive to some of you, but to which I make allusion, merely for your own advantage, agreeably to the exhortation to diligence on the part of the Apostle to his brethren at Corinth. There has been a theatre open in this city for some months. Withoirt making any observations at present on the amount of moral evil, which is, 1 am persuaded, connected with theatrical exhibitions, I would merely remark on the present occasion, that if all the money expended on such exhibitions during the present year, /;;/ members of our church alone, were collected into one sum we should have a fund which would do much towards the erection of a church for our poorer brethreri — enable many destitute protestant children to attend our Sunday School, (many of them are prevented from so doing by the want of suitable wearing apparel), and also afford us the meaiis of supplying the wants of many widows and fatherless in their affliction. — Some might object to such a mode of disposing of their money, and exclaim that it is very unreasonable to require that they should not enjoy such a scourcc of amusement whenever they please. It is certainly optional with them to act just as they please in such matters — ^but their doing so is not consistent with their duty as christians. Do you seriously think, my brethren, that professors of the christian religion are abounding in the work of the Lord, when they spend their money on theatres, and encourage others so to do by their example. Do you imagine that He whose glory is above the heavens, approves of the conduct of those who hesitate not to la- vish their silver and gold on trifling unprofitable amusements, which gratify only for the moment ; while so much remains to be done for the promotion of His cause, and the spiritual and temporal welfare of our fellow-sinners and humble brethren. Think you that a gracious God, the giver of all good, would be belter pleased at our using the means with which he has blessed us, for the momentary gratification of the eye and ear, than if we were to use the same means in provid- ing for the spiritual destitution of the poor members of our church, and ministenng to their necessities in divers ways. If any of you, my brethren, think so, be assured that you attach very little impor- tance to the exhortation of the holy apostle. If you possess Avealth and riches, remember and forget it not, that it was God who gave them to you, (how much soever you may estiuiate your own tact and sagacjiy ill }n;uiaging your worldly ronrcvnf^). Remember also that )^t^ nxprrl- and rrquirr? nf yon ;i> '^tewnrdj-', lo firvnfe n pmtion of ihcm to Ills! service. While those wlio name llic name of Clirist, ant) proll.'ss liis rchc[ion, have such laudable duties to perform as the pro- motion of the glory of Jehovah and the spiritual and temporal iri- tercsts of their fellow-sinners and brethren, (such duties they will al- ways have) they are not justified in expending oven a small por- tion of their money upon worldly pomps and trifling amusements — and they are certainly acting contrary to the mind and will of God if they allow their means to be appropriated to purposes which so far from bringing glory to (jiod, contribute to the encouragement of jirac- lices diametrically opposed to the spirit of true and vital religion. Be not deceived, my brethren, a day of reckoning will yet come, and an awful one will it be to those who have hero sown to the flesh, and liave been ^mnting in fhcivork of Him whose goings forth have been from of old from everlasting. While in the enjoyment of health and the poi3Scssion of this Avorld's goods, many professing christians think themselves most happy, and consider that the vanities and pleasures of this world are the only objects worth living for : — but the hour must come when they shall haA'o to leave all behind them ; death makes no distinction amongst mankind, and his stroke is certain and inevitable ! What a source of inward comfort and satisfaction would it be to a sincere christian when on his death-bed, and on the eve of departure to that undiscovered country from whose bourne no traveller returns, to re- flect that he had made a good use of his talent in promoting the glory and honour of his Almighty Father — instead of having expended even a small portion of it on the unprofitable, sinful amusements of this world. What a cheering and consoling thing would it be for him to call to remembrance his pious exertions in behalf of his fel- low-sinners, and particularly those of the household of faith ; and that such exertions affected not only the interests of time, but iii all probalnlify those of eternity. While all the sincere members of our church should not only use diligence as regards themselves, and manifest it in reference to. others, they should at the same time make it their study and earnest endeavour to exhibit towards one another the reality of the relation- sliip which the Apostle recognises between himsolfand those to whom he Avrote. He calls the Corinthians his beloved brethren : from this wo may learn that true christians of every age, name, and nation, aro brethren in the most interesting and important sense of the word. — Let each individual of you, then, regard all his pious fellow-church- men as dear brethren ; m all your mutual intercourse be kindly afl'ec- tionate one to another, forbearing one another in love. — Eph. iv. 2, Lot those distinguished for rank and wealth amongst you condescend to men of low estate — Rom. xii. 10: and exhibit a kindly sympathi- zing spirit toward their more humble brethren. Do not sufl[(}r petty jealousies and differences to di.sturb the harmony and uni )ii which .sliould rxist ainonp^ you as followers of Ilim who was meek antl lowly in heart — Init merrre and sink all such things in the great principle of love to :i common and mer'.-ifiil Saviour. Pray for tlio^e 13 who arc set over you in ilic Lord, and esteem very liiglily in lovcio^- t|»eir works' sake. — 1 Cor. iv. 1. They need your indulgence, my brethren, and particularly your prayers ; they arc men oi" like pas- sions with yourselves, and stand in p-^ed of your sympathy and peti- tions to the Giver of all Good. Were you fully aware of the anxiety Avhich some of them, at least, sulTi-'r, on your account, even in the silence of the night, when oth t mortals sleep — you would, I am per- suaded, make large allowance for their faihngs, and pray for them constantly. I am the more anxious, my dear brethren, to direct your atten- tion to the preceding observations, as this is the last time I shall have the pi ivilcge of addressing you. For the same cause 1 deem it in- cumbent upon mc to say a few words relative to my connexion with you in my present capacity. It will be unnecessary for me to allude at any length to the circumstances under which I came amongst you, further than to observe that they were not very favorable. The de- rangement of health, occasioned very soon after my arrival by a change of climate, was of all others, the most unfavorable ; and prevented mc for some time from discharging my part of the duties of this Pa- rish widi all the efficiency which I could have wished. It has frequent- ly been to me a source of regret that the numerous calls of duty on the part of our poor Protestant population, interfered with my desire of holding frequent intercourse (as regards domiciliary visiting) with the parishioners generally. With regard to the Sabbath portion of the duty, I considered it incumbent upon mc to aflbrd you occasion- ally some information on the claims and excellencies of our Church, and direct your aUention to some of the great fundamental doctrines, of revelation. With these exceptions, 1 have on all ether occasions endeavoured to lay before you, in intelligible language, the conditions upon which your Almighty Father offers you iuturc happiness — to explain to you, in all plainness of speech, the nature and necessity of true repentance, and of a true and genuine faith, and of pious, holy living as the fruits of them. It has been my sincere desire to repre- ficnt to you the danger of formality and delay in a matter of such mo- )ncnt as the salvation ol your immortal souls ; — it has been my con- stant aim and endeavour to impress upon you the necessity of being always prepared to meet your God, by sincere repentance, unshaken, faith in the blood of Christ, and by the diligent use of those ordinan-. ces which God has appointed for your spiritual benefit, and for pro-, curing you the influence of the Holy Ghost to cleanse the thoughts, of your hearts, mid sanctify your souls. I have also cndenvourcd to urge upon you the duty and necessity of daily humble prayer to God; for his spirit and guidance, through Jesus Christ ; also the necessity of frequent meditation on death and judgement, and of a stated rever-. ential attendance upon that blessed ordinance, the Lord's Supper. It in not, my brethren, obedience to one or more of God's com- maUdments, and regard for some of his ordinances to the neglect of othev:', thai can save ul^, and render us worthy of that eternal life which he oHvur. as a free gili, un ccrUiiu ccnditionf, to be performed 14 hv Usj; — but it is universal obedience to nil liis precepts, whether such precept!? relate to his holy law or to the ordinances which he has in- stituted, ' t will do so. They who think diflcrently labour under a jiiost awl'ul delusion ! What was it that brought death, miseries, ^voes, and calamities into the world, and gave it and everything con- jrectedwith it the appearance of a wreck — Ihc eating of an ajtpl r vas the came of all. Think you then, that it is a niiUter of no impor- tance to trifle with even the least of God's commandments ; no, verily, my brethnn. There is no one passage of Scripture which warrants us in coming to such a conclusion — on the contrary, it most distinct- ly tells us that Gcyi's revealed will refjuires universj^l obedience. — ■ James xi. 10. Some few of youitovc taken offence at the plainness of speech with which I endeavoured to impress on your minds the serious conside- ration of such momentous and all-important subjects ; and have not, it appears, expressed yourselves in terms very favorable to me. For your own sake I regret that such has been the case — for my great object in pursuing such a course was that I might arouse you to a sense of your danger before death n\vu\p you inhabitants of the eter- nal world. There are, I am well aware, many highly intelligent — and what is infinitely of more importance — many truly pious, sincere christians amongst the members of this congregation. I am, hoAV- cver, at the .same time fully sensible that there may be intelligent in- dividuals in it who are \iot pious, and 1 am certain that there are very many in it, who from their situation in life, and worldly purpuits and circumstances, cannot be said to be either very intelligent nor to pos- sess the same opportunities of religious improvement, which many of their more favoured brethren enjoy. The last class of persons to whom I have just alhidcd, comprises such of our brethren as are en- gaged in manual labour; and also of our brethren of the military profession, who occupy the galleries. Each of those individuals, though humble he be, has a soul, which is of as much value in the sight of the Eternal God as that of the greatest monarch upon earth. Wrll aware that the peculiar worldly situation of such persons ex- posed them to many and strong temptations as regards intemperance, and prevented their professing those facilities for acquiring religious knowlpdge which others differently situated do possess, 1 considered it incumbent upon me, not only to make kuQwn lo them their real state before God, as guilty fallen sinners, and the mercy and goodness of God in the plan of salvation through Christ Jesus, but also to ex- plain to them the nature and requirements of His Holy Law and his indignation and anger against the indulgence in those particular vices, to which, as has been already observed, they are most expos- ed. — I considered it of far greater importance to instruct such indivi- duals in plain intelligible language as fiir as I was able, than to gratify and please the ears of any particular person or persons by the use of well turned periods. Our Lord and his Apostles did not spend their time in amuiiing and plca.jing learned Scribes nud proud I w soif-suflicicnt Pharisees w'nh line lan":iia!Te and soft words, linf tlu.'s employed themrfelves in pretichinij the gospel to the pojr and dinipli; minded — and regarded not the censure a of ihpsn who merely cauie to hear and not to obey. Such is the course which a minister of tin; gospel ought to puraue at the present day. If there arc intelhgcnt, truly pious persons amongst his hearers, they will rejoice that their unlearned and more humble brethren are addressed in plain Ian guage which they can easily understand : — the censure uf those members of any congregation, how learned and wealthy soever they may be, who come to the house of jprdyer merc'y for the purpose of hearing sermons; who have been long hoari;igthem without any benefit, and who arc dissatisfied and^dispUnsed with plaumess of speech, is a matter of very little importance to any preacher. Ilti Cannot expect to please mankind at the present day, better than did Christ and his Apostles in the days of old. — But as regards the pro- f>riety of using plain language generally in the instruction of the fal- en children of Adam, relative to their eternal interests. Let us como to the law and the testimony. Moses thus addressed the Jews, Dout. XXX. 19-20, " I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing — there- fore choose life that both thou and thy seed may live."— Our Lord told the Jews that it would be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomor- rah in the day of judgement than for them, in consequence of their impenitexJce dnd unbelief He told them that unless they repented they should perish; and informed his disciples that unless they were converted and became as little children they should not enter into the kingdom of heaven, Luke xiii. 3 ; Matt, xyiii. 3, and that all sinners ivho rejected his gospel, and did not practically believe it, should be left to die in their sins. — Mark. xvi. 16. St. Paul tells us that the wages of sin is death. — Rom. vi. 23 : and that they who obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord. — 2 Thess. i. 8-9. Think you, my brethren, that such language as the foregoing is too plain and common for sinners of the present day. — Think you that such lan- guage was desimed merely to amuse us and to convey to us no aw- ful, solemn, ana terrible warning ; think you that there has been such an improvement in human nature during the last eighteen centuries as would entitle it tod modification and dilution of such language ; think you that such language is not as deserving of our most serious attention, as if the Lord Most High were to call to us out of heaven and address us in the same words. If any of you think differently, be assured that you are labouring under a strong and awful delusion. But what think you will be the recompence of that man who firmly believes the Bible to contain the revealed will of the Eternal Creator of all things — and who in the capacity of a religious instructor pro- phesies smooth things to sinners, standing every day on the brink of eternity — and neglects to warn them duly of the actual relation in which they stand to God — and of th(? dreadful consequences of their disregarding his messafje to them, - 1 jr if \ 10 L''t ^1.; Jir;u' v.h.-jt Will l»i; his Vi^'omprnro in thn wnnlh-. of tin Hroat Joliovah hijnscli'. Ilo tliiia luMroast'S llic Prophc^t ; "Sonot Man I have mado iIkjo a wutchman unto tho house of Israel; — when I s.iy unto the wicked, thou shalt sjuixly die, and thou givcst him m)t warninjj, nor speakest to warn tho wiclced frorti his ways, to save his life, tho samo wicked man shall die in his iniquity, but his blood will I ro at thine hand." — Ezok. iii. 17-18. What think you, my brethren, of such a recunipcnce both for mo and every otiicr person in my situation. What tliink you of Qod Almighty requirintr nt our hnnJs the blooil uf every member of this coiigrc^'ntion who has not Item fully and duly warned to flee from tho wrath to come by sincere repentance, faith, and holy Jiving, as their fVuits. — Think you that the prosiTcct, nay the certainty, of such u rocompence is calculated to make a man prophecy sinful tilings, and lull perishing sinners into a fdlse securiiyt— think you 'hat it will not be A sufticienf ly ditTieult work for every Minislel: «Jf the Gospel to secure his own salvation without Imvint; tho blood of his fellow-sinners requiral of hiiil at the hands of an angry Ooen wc shall hate enteroil that world wnither we are all fast hastening. Wherever my lot may be cast aftc i iny departure from this place, I shall not cease to pray to God for the spiritual and temporal welfare of every member of this congregation ; — and now may He, who Is from everlasting to everlasting — in whose smUes the angels of Heaven exisi, ,ind in whose presence we shall all one day meet, guide you into all truth and the knowledge of Himself and His boloved Sou; and may He in mercy enuble you by His grace so to pass through things temporal, as neither to loso nyr forget llic things which arc eternal, for Jesus Christ's sake— Amejt. 1 y 1.1 :*(]••.« <)■-• ('>_ ^^ Ih i I! i /* ■W *«(