tion, consists not of scattered individuals, but of individuals uniting, so far as circumstances may permit, in the open profession of his faith, and in the appointed worship of his holy name. There is, indeed, no spot of earth which may not be hallowed as a temple of Jehovah; but yet no inducement is held forth to selfish or solitary worship. All men, everywhere, are encouraged to seek the especial presence of their God; but all men, everywhere, are taught to gather themselves together in expectation of this blessing. In the light of our Saviour's doctrine, and with regard to his universal promise, none can say exclusively, “The temple of the Lord, the temple of the Lord, are we;" and yet all are excited to exclaim, "Behold how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!"

And, lastly, how glorious is this dispensation, as an introduction to that heavenly Jerusalem, concerning which St. John writes, "I, John, saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I saw no temple therein, for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are

the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it; for the glory of God did lighten it; and the Lamb is the light thereof." (Rev. xxi. 2, 22, 23.)

"To the which his heavenly kingdom, God the Father of mercies bring us, for Jesus Christ's sake, our only Saviour, Mediator, and Advocate, to whom, with the Holy Ghost, one immortal, invisible, and most glorious God, be all honour, and thanksgiving, and glory, world without end." (Homily against Peril of Idolatry.)

SERMON IX.

THE GLORY OF GOD IN THE PROPAGATION
OF THE GOSPEL.

blessed in him: all nations shall call him blessed. Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be his glorious name for ever: and let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen, and

amen.

In this psalm we have a sublime prediction of the establishment and spread of Messiah's kingdom, under the type of the reign of Solomon. And our text describes to us, especially, the sentiments of a true servant of God in the contem

plation of this great event.

Let me now invite

you, my Christian brethren, to fix your attention upon the same happy prospect. And let me entreat you to seek for that blessing from above, whereby we may all be enabled to consider this subject aright, in some of its more important and practical bearings.

The society which you are this day requested to support, has for its immediate object the extension of the visible church of the Redeemer upon earth. Its design is to provide for the preaching of the gospel of the grace of God,—the offering up of acceptable prayer and praise,—and the administration of the Christian sacraments,in lands which have long been enveloped in moral and religious darkness, misguided by vain superstition, or even abominably defiled by the professed public worship of the devil. Lend me your attention, while I set forth some motives which, I trust, may induce you to concur, with readiness and zeal, in the great cause of missionary effort.

I. Consider, in the first place, the grandeur of our object, and its harmony with Christian feeling and desire. Our object is no less than to promote the glory of God by contributing to the conversion and spiritual welfare of our fellow

creatures. All nations shall call the Redeemer blessed. "Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only doeth wondrous things. And blessed be his glorious name for ever; and let the whole earth be filled with his glory. Amen, and amen."

The kingdom of Messiah, in its truth and power, is seated in the hearts of men, where none but God and blessed spirits can behold it. But it is formed and maintained, as you well know, within another which is external and visible. And let me now remind you, my Christian brethren, that the establishment of this external and visible church of the Redeemer does certainly promote, and does, in fact, include the establishment of that dominion which is eternal, spiritual, everlasting. This is an important consideration. It involves a principle of faith. There are, indeed, some benefits attendant upon the spread of Christianity, which even the eye of sense and reason may discover. The gospel, doubtless, advances the temporal welfare of mankind. Civilization goes hand in hand with our religion; industry, order, and good government wait upon her footsteps round the world; and large multitudes of those who daily enjoy earthly comforts have reason, on that account, to rise up, and call her blessed. But, when we would estimate the