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NEW YEAR'S ADDRESS

^2-,

Ql^

TO Tn«;

CONGREGATION

"TRIJSriY CHURCH,"

HALIFAX, N. 8.

' THE P«X>R HAVE THE OOSrEL PREACHBB TO TBBM."— JWI. si. 6.

HALIFAX :
JAMES BOWES & SONS, HOLLIS STREET.

1807.

NEW YEAR'S ADDRESS

TO THE

CONGREGATION

TRINITY CHURCH,"

HALIFAX, N. S.

' THE rOOn IIAVE THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THEM.'— JTaa. xi. 6.

{^ ^<?..-£^ (WV •^<-^- 1'^'^

HALIFAX :
JAMES BOWES & SONS, HOLLIS STREET,

1867.

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NEW YEAR'S ADDRESS.

To THE CnXGREOATION OF TrINITY ClIURCU :
MY DKAR FRIENDS,

^ In tl.e belief that my New Year's Addresses, on former
occasions, have been found interesting, I desire after an interval of
two years, to offer you another of the like plain, and unprotendincr
charaeter. ^ot that I have any new thing to say ti you, no?
anything that I have not endeavoured to enforce upon you in
public and m private— but we all require "line upon line and
precept upon precept." Our treacherous memories, and dcceit-
tul hearts requu-e to be reminded, in all plainness, of what we
have he:.rd over and over again. And this, so much the more
as wo sec the Day approaching, "-the day which will termi-
natc all enithly opportunities of improvement in grace and God-
Imess. M ndfid of this,-mindful that I who write, and you
who read, these humble lines, are two years nearer our departure
hence, than when I thus addressed you last,— mindful that
many whose eyes rested on those pages are now in the " narrow
house ap|.o:nted for all the .iving," aud that so it may be with
the writer and readers of this, before otlier two years shall pa^s
away, I tM powerfully impelled again to say a few plain words on
mal^tcis pertaining to the welfare of your souls, at the beginning
ot this year of grace, to which we are in mercy brou.dit I have
indeed .lone this already from the pulpit, as has been my custom
from tlic (irst year of my ministry. I have endeavoured to im-
pres.s you and myself, with the concerning truth, which all
acknowIe<l.ge, but which we so generally fail to improve, that
when a few years are come we shall go the way whence we shall
not reiui n which was my text on the first day of this year, or
as when I spoke from the words of St. Paul, a few days later •

NEW YEAR S ADDRESS.

" The time is short ; it remaineth that both they that have wives
be as though they had none, and they that weep as though they
wept not ; and they that rejoice as though they rejoiced not, and
they that buy as though they possessed not ; and they that use
this world as not abusing it ; for the fashion of this world passeth
away."

But perhaps the same truths, printed before your ryes, if
taken up from time to time, (it may be when the writer's hand
is mouldering in the dust) will find a place in the memory, when
the words of the lips will have been long forgotten. So may it
be now. My " heart's desire and prayer to God for you all,"
without exception, is, " that you may be saved." And the
nearer I approach to the Scriptural bound of human life, the
more anxious surely, ought I to be, to give "full proof of my
ministry, to take heed to myself and to the doctrine, that I may
both save myself and them that hear me." To teach every man
and warn every man, "declaring unto you the whole counsel of
God," leading you by precept and example, to Him who is the
way, the truth, and the life, — striving to present you perfect in
Christ Jesus, that you and I may rejoice together, when our
race is run, and our warfare is accomplished, when we shall have
done with earth and all its trials and temptations, its short-lived
joys and its many sorrows. To the attainment of this most
desirable consummation, I feel that every power of mind and
body, with which the gracious God has endowed me, ought to be
consecrated But alas ! I feel also, how sadly I have come short
in this matter. When I look back to the solemn moment of my
ordination by the first Bishop of Quebec, (now nearly 43 years
ago,) and remember that injunction, which he so impressively
delivered to me from the Ordination service "never to cease my
labor, care and diligence until I have done all that in me lies, to
bring those committed to my charge, to ripeness and perfectness of
age in Christ." When memory recalls that serious hour, such
misgivings will often arise as can only be calmed by the blessed
truth, that we have to do with a merciful Master, who knows
how frail we arc, whose "strength is made perfect in our weak-
ness, and whose blood cleanseth from all sin." Yes, dear
brethren, that is the only sure dependence for saint or sinner,
minister or people. Prince or beggar, Bishop, Priest or Deacon.
Cling to that "faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation,"

NEW YEAR S ADDRESS. 5

that although we ought to feel ourselves the "chief of sinners,"
yet such did Christ come to save ; that though we should feel
our lost condition, by nature and practice, yet *' He came to
seek and to save the lost." We know if any man sin we have an
advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous, and He is
the propitiation for our sins:" that the work of atonement for
all the sins of the whole world yiti^ finished on the Cross — and
no lapse of time, or change of circumstance can add to, or
diminish from, the perfection of that atonement, — that we are
justified by faith, and have peace with God, through Jesus
Christ, — thai; He is nil in the salvation of the soul. These and
such like precious truths, are the only balm, for the wounded
spirit, the only source of real comfort, in view of the judgment
seat, and the boundless Eternity. Miserable, indeed, would be
our situation, hopeless our prospects there, if we were to depend
on our own works, be they ever so good, or numerous,
or ever so highly extolled by man. Imperfection still marks
them all, in every day and every hour of our lives ; and therefore
our only resource must be in the merits and perfect righteous-
ness of the Saviour, applied by faith to the soul. And that is
enough. Out of His fulness we may all receive all we want, and
more than we deserve. — Prodigal children though we are, when
once we return to our Father, we will find the best robe of the
Redeemer's righteousness ready to put on, and to cover up all our
rags, and fit us for the Holy of Holies. Keep these things ever
before your eyes ; they are the teachings of your Bible and of
your Church.

But in these days of perverse disputings, error and false
doctrine, there are those who would obscure the simple shining
of Gospel truth. Beware of such. St. Paul tells us that
in these last days there will be efforts to spoil our faith through
" philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, and not
after Christ, in a voluntary humility, and worshipping of angels,
after the commandments and doctrines of men, and with a show
of wisdom in will-worship and neglect of the body, — and not
holdin^nr the Head." Such errors creep in by stealth, not boldly,
like " the truth as it is in Jesus." And they do not come all at
once, but gradually, by the introduction of some new ceremony,
some change of previous customs, not startling the casual obser-
ver, as if it would lead to any corruption of word or doctrine, but

NEW year's address.

always tcnrllnir to some adulteration of the simple Gospel of Christ.

Such, I ro<rrQt t ) say, seems to bo the aim of too many in our
Church at home, who while eating her bread, are undermining
her foundiitijns, laid i« the blood of her martyrs and confessors
at the time of the Reformation. Such there have been in all ages
of the Church, and they are to bo expected in the perilous times
which mark these latter days. St. Paul in his farewell address
at Ephesus (Acts xx.) warns his flock against them. •' I know
this, that after my departing, shall grievous wolves enter in
among you, not sparing the flock, also of your own selves shall
men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw disciples after them,
therefore WATCH." And that word I would im{)ress upon you.
Watch against any change in the customs of the Church to
which you belong, as they have come down to us from our
fathers. Watch against any innovations in our form of wor.ship.
Regard tliem as the forerunners of unsoundness of doctrine, and
departure from the faith. Compare what you see and hear with
your Bibles and your Prayer Books. Look out, not for what may
attract and please the eye, but what may mend the heart and fix
your minds on Jesus, and save your souls.

Since my last address, the hope therein expressed, that wo
might be permitted to have a Church of our own. has been
happily realised, and we have now been in occupation of it since
2nd December last, on which day, another and a very pretty
Church was consecrated in this Parish, at the north end, by the
name of St. Mark's. It has occurred to me that it would be
interesting to you, and also serve as a memorial of our removing
the Ark of God to this House, if I should embody in this address,
some extracts from the Sermon preached by me to a thousand
people on opening Trinity Church for the 'first time. My text
was from the beautiful 122 Psalm, i. v. *' I was glad when
they said unto me, lotus go into the House of the Lord."
After some explanr^tory remarks, I went on to say :

I trust it is with feelings in some measure akin to those of
David, that we find overselves to-day in this beautiful House which
has been built for Divine worship, and is now used for the first
time. I trust the language of our text, is the language of every
heart before me. " I was glad when they said unto me, let us go
into the House of the Lord." Certainly it is mine. I rejoice to
see around me, once more, those familiar faces which have been
turned toward me for spiritual instruction for so many years.

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NEW year's address. 7

The flock which I have humbly, however imperfectly, endeav-
oured to feed with the Bread of life,— among whom I have gone
preaching the kingdom of God, from house to house, for more
than eleven years,— with whom I have been so often, in sickness
and health, in joy and sorrow,— so many of whom I have joined
xn Holy Matrimony, whose children I have baptised, and instruct-
ed in the Sunday School and many of whose departed friends I have
committed to the grave. When thus again seeing those before me
with whom I have so long ta.cen sweet counsel, and walked in the
house of God as friends,— surely it would be strange indeed, if my
heart did not rejoice at the restoration of our pastoral connexion,
btrannre if each one of you has not been ready this morning to
say with David of old, " I was glad when they said unto me, let
us go into the House of the Lord, I will go into thy .rates with
thanksgiving and into thy Courts with praise." And especially
to such Courts as these, which have been so nobly and disinter-
estedly prepared for our reception. But before I make a more
particular allusion to the handsome structure to which we have
been permitted to come, I would say a few words in refc-ence to
the one we have left. Humble and inferior tho' lo was, I trust it
has been used to some purpose. Soon after mv removal to this
city, more than fourteen years ago, I suggested the occupation of
that building then vacant, for the purpose of gatherino- in the
numbers whom I had discovered to be without churcir accom-
modation, and living in the neglect of the worship of God.

My suggestion was not acted upon for a considerable time, but
at last on the 2d Sept, 1855, Salem was opened for Divine Service.
Jb or several weeks, the Congregation did not number more than
20 or 30.— riie singing was done by one individual. But by the
blessing of God the numbers increased, as it became known th^t
sittings were free, and as you know the place for some years has
been too strait for us ; and this has led to the noble effort by which
this elegant and commodious Temple which encloses us to-day,
has been brought to a successful completion. When I look back
through the past eleven years— when I think of the thousands who
have passed in and out of the doors of yonder chapel— when T think
ot the more than 2,800 services which have been held therein, the
I'rayers, and praises, and Holy Sacraments, and Word of God there
read and preached ; when I think of the number, there ad-
mitted mto Covenant with God by Baptism ; and the many min-
istrations and warnings to the well, the sick and the dyincr, to
which that Chapel has given rise ; when I think of the bedlides
to which It has brought me, and of the numbers who, once under
my care, have departed in the faith and consolation of the Gospel,
1 cannot but feel, that hallowed associations will ever in my mind

NEW year's address.

cluster around that unpretending edifice, where we joined to-
irether so often in the worship of God. May He pardon all our
s'hort-comings, and, if good has been done, to Him alone be all the
praise. It may be interesting to you to stnte that during our oc-
cupancy of Salem I performed Old Baptibxus, 176 Marriages, and
317 funerals ; paid upwards of 21,000 visits to sick and well ; took
part in about 2,800 Services. About $6,800 has been contrib-
uted by the Congregation, including Sacramental Collections.

So much for the past, " for our day of small things." And now,
we are permitted to meet under far more encouraging prospects
than those with which we opened the doors of Salem. Our first
feelings ought to be those of thankfulness to Almighty God who put
it into" the hearts of some among us, to undertake and carry on this
good work and erect this substantial Building to the honour of
His name, and for the benefit of this and future generations.
For it is from Him and Him alone, that any good thought or pur-
pose can enter the he?rt of man.

And here I would mention an interesting circumstance con-
nected vvith the spot on which this church is built. You are
aware that the old mansion in which I lately resided, was once
occupied by a worthy Captain of the Royal Navy weU known and
universally beloved in this community. He had a pious family,
several of whom passed to their rest from that earthly abode.
One of these, I am told, often expressed the wish, that at some
future day there might be built a House of God, on the spot she
loved so well— a wish often echoed to me by her good parent.
That wish is now realised. This Church covers the scene of
many joys, and many sorrows, in their occupancy and mine— from
whence the spirit of that pious girl and others have been removed
on high; thus consecrativg as it were, by those hallowed associa-
tion8,°more than any human Service can, the spot beneath our

feet. . Ill

And if these ransomed spirits are permitted to look down upon
us now, mingling with those angels who as in Jacob's vision, are at
this moment passing up and down from our midst— surely they
would rejoice with us, that here we have " set up an habitation
for the mighty God of Jacob," whom they loved and served
on earth. Let this pleasing thought often enter our minds, while
worshipping here in time cominf^.

It behoves us also to praise His holy name that the work ha.^
been begun, continued and ended Avithout unj loss of life or hurt
to the workmen of various trades engaged in its erection, a mercy
which is not always extended to those engaged in similar under-
takings. It has been a gratifying circumstance also, that as far
as I know, strict propriety of conduct, in word and deed has dig-

NEW YEARS ADDRESS.

\^'

tinguished all engaged in the holy work. The ear and the eye
have not been oflfended, as is too often the case, by anything of an
opposite character.

The highest praise is due to those gentlemen who have hart
the more immediate supervision of the work, whose time and at-
tention have been largely taxed from its commencement to the
present time, more than a year and 6 months. Although men of
business aud multiplied engagements, I can bear witness to the
unwearied attention which they have bestowed upon the endless
multiplicity of matters which required their daily care. And not
only so, but they have without hesitation, assumed large pecuniary
liabilities, in order to carry on the work, which remain upon
them at the present hour. If they had not done this, the jirogress
of the Church would have been indefinitely delayed, and it might
have been years before we could have enjoyed the pleasure we
have this day, of assemMing within these walls to worship the Lord.
It is right that the whole community should be aware of the
disinterested and laborious part which has been borne by the
Buildin<T Committee, and that a strenuous effort should be made,
to reduce the debt of £3,000 which has been contracted by them.
It cannot be doubted, that hundreds who have not yet been
called upon, will readily resi>ond when a call is made, and thus
share the satisfaction of helping in so good a cause. The collec-
tions this day I hope will shew, that you desire thus to be fellow
helpers with them; and I trust on all future occasions the contri-
butions will be such as to shew that you ^re sensible of the great
boon which has been bestowed upon this community, in having
such an edifice as this, free for ever, to the poor and the
stranger for the .orship of their God.

It^must be remembered, that while other Churches are gene-
rally supported by the sale or rental of pews, no such source of
revenue exists here. By the law of the land, "Trinity" must ever be
free to all who enter these doors, and so should it be, like that Gospel
which is without money and without price, offered to every believ-
ing soul. But still, it 'is not reasonable that those who enjoy the
prTvileges of holy worship in this place, should contribute nothing.
Certain expenses must be met from week to week, and therefore
all should be ready to contribute according to the ability which
God has given them, like those who passed in and out of the Tem-
ple of God at Jerusalem, and gave, some more and some less, into
the Treasury of the Lord, opposite to which, you will remember, our
Lord was one day sitting, and watching what each one put in, just
as He looks down upon you to day, and will mark how you bestow
upon him your goods, whether grudgingly and of necessity or as
cheerful and thankful givers. While alluding to these matters it is

NEW YEAR S ADDRESS.

most fitting that I should make grateful mention of that aged and
venerable member cf our Church without whose munificent gift
of$4000itis very doubtful whether at this moment this good
work would have been accomplished. That noble donation power-
fully stimulated others, and thus secured success.

It is to be hoped that this respected individual, now verging to
a century of years, while yet his eye is not dim, nor his natural force
abated— may yet be spared for the further exercise of Christian
liberality — and to see the fruit of his works. I had hoped to have
seen him among us to-day, but he would not leave the Table of
his Lord, whi'^h is spread at this time in his Parish Church. But
his heart is with us, and he has taken a deep interest in this Church
from the beginning, and is very thankful that his life has been pro-
longed to see its completion.

In this connexion let us not forget that two other individuals gave
each S2,000, others $800 and $400, there being only 41 names in
a list of S16, 000 — let us remember too that in our own oono-reo-ation
numbering none of the rich ones of the land, between £500 and £600
have been subscribed, and I hope will be paid ere long, nor shouhl
we omit to mention that in our Lord's estimation the willin '•offerinffs
of the poorest are as acceptable as the largest gifts of the richest.
If there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what a
man hath.

^ Perhaps it may be necessary to mention here, for the informa-
tion of some who may wonder why the ceremony of consecration
is not performed to-day, that, according to custom, that ceremony
is not used until the building is free from debt, or nearly so. But
this Church is virtually consecrated to-day, by our united prayers
and by the thankful aspirations of many hearts before me, which have
ascended up on high. It is actually set apart now, from all unholy
and profane uses, dedicated to the worship of the Hoiy, Blessed and
glorious Trinity. Holy, Holy, Lord God of Sabaoth' has resound-
ed for the first time to day, through the arches of this House of
Prayer, together with those other glorious ascriptions of praise
which the holy Church throughout the world has been offering
froni age to age in every land. " Thou art the King of Glory,
Christ," which has gone up in such pleasing melody on this blessed
morning, we trust will be echoed by the voices of future

generations,

long

after

we have gone to our rest. And the
Gospel of that same blcnsed Saviour, which it falls to my happy
lot to be the first to proclaim from this place, we trust and pray
may never cease to be heard while this house shall stand.
That pure Gospel, which as our Saviour declared, is to be
preached to the poor forever- -the good news that Christ Jesus
came into the world to save sinners ; that God was in Christ re-

A.-

NEW YEAR S ADDRESS.

Concilinnf the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses
unto them ; that being justified by faith we have peace with God
through Jesus Christ; that except a man be born again he cannot
enter the Kingdom of God ; that the Holy Ghost, the Comforter,
is necessary to turn our hearts to God and to sanctify our souls for
ever ; that there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin ; that Christ has
made one sufficient atonement for the sins of the whole world — and
we_ are complete in Him. These and other kindred doctrines,
which make up the blessed Gosp*^! of Christ, which have been handed
down to us, and which only can bring life and salvation to our souls,
I trust will continue to be preached, with simplicity and fervour in
this place so long as one stone of it remains upon another. Here we
have united for the first time to-day, in that beautiful Liturg;, .vhich
has been tested and admired for ages — and which has this niorning
been offered up in every clime. Far from us be for ever kept,
those errors in doctrine, faith and practice, which have in former
times disturbed the peace of the Church, and diluted the Gospel,
and which are still creeping in and subverting the faith of many.
God forbid that they should be preached here ; God forbid that
the faith for which our Bishops and Martyrs suffered at the stake,
should ever be denied in this place. I who am addressing you to-
day am but a poor and unworthy preacher of that most holy faith ; but
such as 1 have, I would give unto you. I desire to know nothing
among you, but Jesus Christ and Him crucified. I desire, as long
as God gives me strength, to declare Him unto you as the way, the
truth, and the life, the all in all of your salvation — and to spend
and be spent in his service, and in yours. While enforcing the
duty and the privilege of celebrating all the ordinances of God's
appointment, far from you and me be the error, of exalting the
Sacraments above their proper place as means of grace. The one,
as no " Sacrifice" but a memorial of the great Sacrifice of Calta-
ry ; the other as the sign of the washing of Regeneration, and
renewal of the Holy Ghost. In short, I desire to stand in the " old
paths," to preserve the good old Church of England, in forms, and
ceremonies as well as in teaching, such as we received them from
our fathers. J. want nothing different, nothing better, and this I
hope is the case with you. " Hold fast then the profession of your
faith without wavering." To the law, and to the testimony be ever
our appeal, — not to the traditions of men — ever looking unto
Jesus, as every thing to your souls, his blood as your only plea,
his robe of righteousness as the only one worth having. This day
which begins the Church's year, well coincides with the beginning
of Divine services in this place, and suggests to us solemn
thoughts, — thoughts of him who is to ( ome again to judge the
quick and dead, — who, as related in the Gospol of to-day, cast

NEW year's address.

out all Liiat profaned his House of prayer, — thoughto of the day
sure to come " ,vhen we must all appear before the Judgoment
seat of Christ," when earthly Sanctuaries will be closed for ever,
and there will remain none but the Holy of Holies above. When
Christ the Almighty judge will come to take account of his
servants, and will say to them on his right hand, " Come, ye bless-
ed of my Father," and to them on his left, " Depart, ye cursed."

God forbid that this last should be addressed to any who are
here to-day. May He grant that thio House may be the gate
of heaven to us all ; that none be missing then, who are here now;
that the poor among us who may resort to these courts from time
to time, may turn out to be rich towards God ; — that the stranger
and the wayfaring man for whom a place is provided here, may no
longer be strangers to God, but through its instrumentality may
find a place provided for him there, a home " in the House not
made with hands, eternal in the heavens." May such be our
blessed portion, when this short life is ended, and the Second
Advent is actually upon us. And to the blessed Trinity, Father,
Son, and Holy Ghost, be honor and glory forever."

I sliall add to this extract from my sermon but little more.
But I must remind you of the abundant causes of thankfulness
which we have in this favored land. While elsewhere, in the
last two years, wars and commotions have raged, we have been
blest with peace ; "hile famine has prevailed in some countries,
especially in India to the loss of 2 millions and a half of lives,
we have been favored with more than a sufficiency for the wants
of our people. While pestilence has swept away its hundreds
of thousands, — we have had it only within sight of us, and have
seen it pass on to other lands, leaving indeed, its sad marks
behind in the graves of our citizens, and the deposit of hundreds
of poor foreigners beneath our soil. While conflagrations and
hurricanes, and earthquakes, and explosions have been heard
of by us, our country has been mercifully spared. Surely for
all this, wo ought to praise our gracious God And then, how
many and how rich are our civil and religious privileges still
continued to us. Clmrches, and "Bibles, and Ministers to spread
and maintain the light of the blessed Gospel in our midst ; edu-
cation brought within the reach of the poorest. "What shall
we rentier unto the Lord for all his benefits," should bo the
eager enquiry of each one among us. And remember the best
return is to "shew forth His praise not only with our lips, but
in our lives, giving up ourselves to his service, and walking
before Him in holiness and righteousness all our days." Be
this more and more your endeavour.

NEW YE\kl S ADDRESS.

In
O

I trust you will aim at a larger measure of holiness ; and in
order to this, cultivate with increasing earnestness all means of
grace. Let nothing but impossibility keep you from God's
House, not waiting, either, for the shades of night, if you can
come in the blessed morning, so that you may indeed feel that
you do not keep back any part of the day from God. And while
I trust you need not be told, that unless you *' worship Him in
spirit and in truth" your service is empty and worthless, let me
remind you, that every churchman, woman, and child, has a part
assigned them in the Sanctuary. The responses should be far
louder than they are. There should be a hearty, loud Amen,
and not a timid whisper. You will thus shew that you are at
work ; you will animate yourselves, your minister, and your fel-
low worshippers, and the stranger coming in, will be constrained
to feel that " God is with us of a truth," — May I beg your
special attention to this ? Then again let me once more implore
you, who are not yet communicants, to neglect that important
duty and blessed privilege no 1 ;nger. I cannot feel satisfied
while so many habitually turn their backs on the Lord's table, as if
He had not said in the last hours of his loving life, " This i/O in
remembrance of me." Be reminded, that it is as much a com-
mand as any of the Ten, even more touching, as being a dying
injunction, — and also, that it is a fruitful privilege — " for the
strengthening and refreshing of the soul." Moreover, it is
•designed not for saints made perfect, nor for sinless angels, but for
poor sinners. If we feel ourselves such, and bewail it, and resolve
to amend our lives, we have the best elements of fitness for that
Holy table. The bread and the wine indeed, are not to be
adored, as if they were the very body and blood of Jesus, and
as if the sacrifice of the Cross, was to be repeated every time
we partake. They are not changed by any mysterious power of
the Priest, or by any words he may utter, — they remain bread
and wine still. They are simply memorials of the Saviour's
sacrifice, blest only to " the faithful" in the receiving. To such
there is indeed a " real presence" of Christ, but spiritually in the
heart; and you must receive the Holy communion when possible, if
you would claim to be joined to Christ. Come then, beloved, in
larger numbers than ever. Come, for all things are ready. Life
is ebbing away ; you may not be hero " next time." Scatter your
vain pleas to the winds, lleraember, no excuse will be sufl&cient
unless it will pass in the .Judgment day. If my counsel can

NEW YEARS ADDRESS.

help you, you knew how freely you can command it. Come,
not for confession, but for guidance, and tell me all your
doubts. We ought, instead of 150 eomni'inicants in " Trinity."
to have at least double that number. Then again my friends
read your Bibles, I entreat you, more than ever, at least every
morning and evening, a purtion, however short, and read with
prayer for the Spirit's all essential help. And above all, let
private prayer be your unfailing practice, at least twice a day.
This lies at the very root of the matter of your personal religion.
Your spiritual life depends upon it. Nor should an hour of the
day pass witliout " the upward glancing of the eye when none
but God is near." Swift-winged thought niay ascend, you
know, from the midst of household work, from the workshop,
from the office, from the counter, and from the very street itself,
amid the busy crowd. Then again is the duty of family prayer,
incumbent on every head of a household — full of benolit at the
time — and of future blessing to each member of the family,
long after parents are laid low. Oh that I could sec God thus
honored in every house. That house would be surely blest of Him
in return. How good, if in place of the unhallowed sounds which
shock our ears, as we traverse tlie streets, at morn and eve, the
passer by could hear the voice of prayer and praise ascending
up to the God of all the families of the earth. May the Lord
hasten the time ! There is another exercise of prayer which I
fear is too much neglected on all sides. Too many fiiniilies of
professing christians sit down to the meal which God has piovid-
cd for them, and got up from it, without a word of prayer for a
blessing at first, or of thanks afterwards. If such is the godless
practice of any who read this, I hope it will be so no longer.
The two short words "thank God" if coming from the heart,
will not be lost on the family circle, nor despised by the great
Provider for every want.

If thus, dear brethren, you begin, continue and end your days,
making rolii^ion to leaven all your every-Jay emplnynjonts and
conversation, and associations, you will do well fur your own
souls, and by the light of your example shining before men, they
also may be led to " glorify your father which is in heaven."
Let that be the aim of us all, " The life wo are now living iu
the flesh, let us live by faith in the Son of God," As parents,
husbands, wives, children, brothers and sisters, maslei\s and
servants, rulers and ruled, let it be our endeavour to fulfil every

NEW YEAR S ADDRESS.

social and relative duty to the glory of God, and the welfare and
happiness of each other, remembering the account we are soon
to give.

The experience of every year shews us the great uncertainty
of life and all the world can give. Many of us have been called
to mourn the loss of some one dear to our hearts. Wo have not
had it all sunshine in the past, and we must not expect it to be
unclouded in the future. Who are marlced out for the call to
Eternity in the present year, neither you nor I, nor angel nor
archangel can tell. Let us all then awake from the slumber of
sin and carelessness, let us watch and be sober — the night is far
spent and the day is at hand, and now is our salvation nearer
than when we believed.

The present moment flies

And bears our life away.
Lord make thy servants truly wise.

That they may live to-day.
Since on this winged hour,

Eternity is hung,
Awaken, l)y tliy mighty pow'r,

The aged and the young.

And now my dear people, young and old, of all sorts and
conditions, accept the best wishes, for your present and eternal
welfare, of

Your affectionate Pastor,

J. C. CoCIlRAN.

Halifax, Jan. 18G7.