carrying by so many channels to the four winds of heaven. "Come with us and we will do you good." I know not, indeed, how a Christian can be indifferent to the spiritual want and destitution of a world that lieth in wickedness: or omit any method of bringing, even one soul to Christ; and yet be prepared to answer that startling question, "Where is thy brother? and whence is it, that while thou hadst the gospel, and mightest have been instrumental in making it the power of God to his salvation, thou hast stood by in cold abstraction, and cried, Am I my brother's keeper?" I do indeed fully comprehend, that well-intentioned Christians may differ upon the most eligible and consistent mode of advancing the knowledge of religion, the faith of Christ crucified, the interests of true morality, and the triumphs of the gospel. But, if it be imperative upon every one who has the cross and hope of the Son of God, as the guiding star of his own Spirit to extend the blessings of redemption, and the supply of temporal want to those who are living in poverty, ignorance, and sin, the only question which I can imagine proper to be asked, is simply, in what manner this work of mercy can be done, in most conscientious accord with every man's view of religion, and of his obligations to that portion of the Redeemer's church, with which,

among its various denominations the inquirer is united. The signs of the times are full of encouragement to all the desires of Christian mercy. Efforts, hitherto unparalleled, are now made to spread the knowledge of religion, at home and abroad; and to hasten that period which shines so brightly in the anticipations of Christian hope, when every idol that hath usurped the place of God shall be broken in pieces before the cross-when from the East, and from the West, from the North and from the South, shall be heard that song of adoring rapture, Hallelujah! for the kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our God, and of his Christ! That glorious dominion is surely on its increase. The angel is "flying through the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel, to preach to them of every nation and country, and tongue, and language, and people." It is the duty of all who are themselves animated by its hopes, to aid the measures which may advance that universal jubilee, when man, in every climate of his habitation, and every circumstance of his being, shall hear the glad sound which proclaims his deliverance from the slavery and death of sin, to become the freedman of Christ, and the heir of eternal life in heaven. Let no one shrink from taking his part in this labour of love whether public or private, according to the ability

66 THE INVITATION BY MOSES TO HOBAB.

which God giveth. Let no one say, in an excessive humility most dishonourable to his heavenly Father, that he can do nothing to lead others in the way of life. That little captive maid, whom the Syrians brought out of the land of Israel, was the honoured, although the humble instrument of inducing Naaman to wash in those waters of Jordan which cleansed the leprosy of his body, and of becoming the subject of that converting mercy, which removed the more dangerous leprosy of sin from his soul. She was probably acquainted with the God of Israel she acted in faith; and her labour was not in vain in the Lord. Avoid ye, the unbelief or doubt of Gideon, "O my Lord, wherewith shall I save Israel? behold my family is poor in Manasseh; and I am the least in my father's house." Stand Stand upon your watch to be spiritually useful to others; and leave the success, in faith, to Him who alone giveth the increase. Above all, endeavour, each of you to persuade others by the unequivocal testimony of a holy life, to admire the influence of religion, and the beauty of holiness. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

SERMON IV.

THE SUPPLY OF QUAILS, ATTENDED WITH THE WRATH OF GOD AGAINST THE DISCONTENT OF ISRAEL.

NUMBERS XI. 31-33.

And there went forth a wind from the Lord, and brought quails from the sea, and let them fall by the camp, as it were a day's journey on this side, and as it were a day's journey on the other side, round about the camp, and as it were two cubits high upon the face of the earth. And the people stood up all that day, and all that night, and all the next day, and they gathered the quails: he that gathered least gathered ten homers: and they spread them all abroad for themselves round about the camp. And while the flesh was yet between their teeth, ere it was chewed, the wrath of the Lord was kindled against the people, and the Lord smote the people with a very great plague.

OUR blessed Redeemer gave an undeniable proof of his acquaintance with the human heart, when he said, "If any man will come after me,

let him deny himself." The desires of an unrenewed mind are so many, and so clamorous, and the indulgences in which it delights, so decidedly at enmity with the will of God, and the salutary influence of his Spirit upon the heart, that he, in whom the love of self-gratification lives and reigns, cannot in sincerity take up his cross and follow Christ. Never yet did any one fully embrace the gospel, who did not desire to deny his own wisdom, as an empty lamp; his own will, as a dangerous guide; his own imagination, as an erroneous rule; his own affections, as deceitful counsellors; and his own gratification, as an unworthy end. As the chosen tribes, in their subsequent history would have slain every one who opposed the royalty of Saul, so will a sincere Christian aim to subdue every opposition to the spiritual dominion of his Redeemer, until that sufficiency which an Almighty Spirit can alone communicate, prompts and enables him to say, Father, not as I will, but as thou wilt.

The history of the tribes of Israel, through every part of their miraculous and mystical journey from Egypt to Canaan exhibits the dreadful influence of that proneness to self-indulgence, that sordid and degrading sensuality, which made them more anxious to obtain meat