with the laying on of the hands of the pres bytery. Meditate on these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear unto all."

Permit me, reverend fathers and brethren, to trespass longer on your patience, by adverting to the high dignity and awful solemnity, of this stewardship which is committed to our trust. How honorable "the condition of being "workers together with God," in that most sublime, most astonishing, of his purposes, the recovery of a perishing world! To stand as ambassadors for the KING of kings, and by all the majesty of his authority, by all the endearments of his grace, entreat sinners to be reconciled, to believe, and repent, and be saved! "The ministry of reconciliation is given us." In holy admiration, may not each of us exclaim "Lord! what am I, that I should be thus distinguished; that to me the unsearchable riches should be entrusted !" In holy gratitude, may we not adore with the apostle, "I thank Christ Jesus our Lord," that, weak as I am, worthless as I am," he hath accounted me faithful; putting me into the ministry:" He hath committed to me that treasure, by which my own soul may be enriched, and which enriches to immortal glory all who receive it! That Jehovah should save any of our apostate race, is a subject of wonder; but that he should choose one of this race, who is by nature equally guilty, polluted, and abominable, and appoint hin

The instrument of salvation to others, is a wonder that surpasseth: It is a mystery of sovereignty and grace, which excites our gratitude now, and must fill all heaven with admiration through eternity. eternity. "O, the depth of the riches, both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are his judgments, and his ways past finding out! For of him, and through him, and to him, are all things; to whom be glory for ever. Amen."

Again, bear with me, while we reflect on the awful solemnity of our office. To us the souls, the precious souls of men, are now committed; and at our hands, if indolent or unfaithful, their damnation will finally be charged. Are we duly impressed with this all-solemn consideration? Do we occasionally throw our eyes over our flock, viewing each individual, whether aged or young, under our care, as a trust committed us of the living God; as a candidate for an immortal destiny, either of glory, or of wrath? Are we watching over them, "with prayers and tears, night and day, as those who must give an account that we may do it with joy and not with grief?" Have we been in no instance chargeable, either through indifference or untenderness, with the complaint urged against the shepherds of Israel?" Ye eat the fat, and ye clothe with the wool, but ye feed not the flock.The diseased have ye not strengthened; neither have ye healed that which was sick;

neither have ye bound up that which was broken; neither have ye brought again that which was driven away; neither have ye sought that which was lost." Are we careful to recommend, by every part of our deportment in private, those doctrines which we announce from the pulpit-" Giving no offence in any thing, that the ministry be not blamed; but in all things approving ourselves as the ministers of God; in labors, in watchings, by pureness, by knowledge, by long-suffering, by kindness, by the Holy Ghost, by love unfeigned, by the word of truth, by the armour of righteousness, upon the right hand and upon the left." If any man neglect the great salvation, he shall not, he cannot escape: But the damnation of the unholy, unprofitable servant, must be dreadful beyond description. While he is doomed to endure, in his own person, that worm which never dies, and those flames which shall never be quenched; that worm must be envenomed, and those flames infuriated by the blasphemies of others, brought to perdition through his inattention and sloth. They will be eternally reviling him; gnashing their teeth upon him, as chargeable with their destruction, by not forewarning them of that place of torment. "O Lord, who is sufficient for these things? O Lord, enter not into judgment with thy servant; for in thy sight shall no man living be justified."

Impressed with these considerations does

ît not become us to awake from our sloth; to throw off every weight, whatever might embarrass us in discharging the duties of our high vocation; to keep every gift and grace in constant, vigorous exercise; to occupy, with unremitting diligence, each moment of our time? Accursed be that present ease, which is indulged at the peril of never-ending pain. Let that gain be rejected, as worse than loss, which is obtained at the hazard of our own damnation, or the damnation of those committed to our care. May those moments perish from the record of our lives, which are wasted in idleness or amusements, in worldly company, or worldly avocations, while our brethren by nature are sinking a prey to devouring flames. Let those honors wither in eternal disgrace, which are sought in pursuits foreign to our ministerial profession, while men are " perishing, for whom Christ died;" men who might have eternally adorned his mediatorial crown. By all the value of our own souls; by all the value of the souls of others; by the compassions of a bleeding Saviour; by the solemnities of his second appearing; by the terrors of being "cast, as unprofitable servants, into outer darkness," while others, our inferiors, it may be, in age, and opportunity, and office, are welcomed to the joys of their Lord let us be roused to "preach the word; to remain instant in season, and out of season; to make full proof of our ministry." The Lord enable us all

so to run, that we may obtain the prize.May he render us instrumental in turning "many to righteousness" that, through the riches of his grace, we may "shine as stars, and suns in his everlasting kingdom."

Called to be a steward of the mysteries of God, I conclude offering them to the reception of the family present. By the authority of the great Lord of the house, I this moment unlock these treasures, these inexhaustible treasures, and tender them for the use, and enjoyment of every man, and woman in this assembly.-Art thou in poverty? I present these unsearchable riches. Art thou naked? I offer thee incorruptible clothing; robes of everlasting righteousness.--Art thou in want? I tender thee immortal bread; that bread, of which he who partakes shall hunger no more. Art thou in debt, bound over to the curse of a broken covenant? I announce the jubilee of release: I offer thee a pardon, written in the blood of God, and sealed by a triune Jehovah.Art thou unworthy! I am warranted to tender all of grace, free, absolute, unconditional, unmerited grace. All these treasures of the kingdom, precious as they are, costly as they were to the dear Redeemer; all these treasures are as free to thee, as the grace of Jehovah can render them, or his lips can pronounce them. Would to God, I could prevail with you to receive them! Would to God, I could persuade every male, and every female; the bond and the free;