i

life of every one severally for trial and discipline, and places fresh blessings ever in our reach, as the reward of the next earnest endeavour. And as He Himself, in some sort, waits for the glorious completion of the work, by which His Body is to be perfected, yet withdraws not His over-seeing eye and helping hand from any point where there is need, so is it the part of those who would be "workers together with Him," to their own salvation or to that of others, never to slack their attention, but to strive continually that all their doings may have their place in the fulfilment of that great purpose. No part of it is so small and seemingly insignificant but that they may call Him to their aid, and may be sure He will be at hand to help them. No enemy is so powerful but that they may go forth with confidence to the battle in His strength. But these are the days of faintheartedness and of love growing cold, and of men's thinking God slack concerning His promise.

And we cannot expect that the character of the times will change, though we doubt not but that God will always maintain a witness against it. However, we are warned, and there is therefore the less excuse for us

i 2 Cor. vi. 1.

if we give way to this temptation. We read our warning written eighteen hundred years ago, and that warning does not turn aside the evil, though men profess to believe it, and to receive the authority on which it is given. Still it may serve to awaken and strengthen some of us, for no one is precluded from obeying it, though it be foreknown that most men will not obey. Though all hearts faint, Joshua and Caleb shall inherit the land. Though all Israel be faithless, he that is steadfast may say, "as for me, and my house, we will serve the Lord."

The present occasion is one that may well remind us of our duty, and encourage us in it. We are reminded especially of the duty and necessity of following up every good work and endeavour, that it may not be unfruitful. A Church is planted here, which may be a beginning of new life to the surrounding district, but if it is to be so the work is not at an end, any more than the Christian life is completed by Baptism. The baptized child is yet to be instructed, confirmed, brought to the Holy Communion, led through all the stages of a Christian course, visited in sickness, prepared for death

k Josh. xxiv. 15.

and for God's Judgment, committed to the grave. The newly-formed district must have its school, and must go on to acquire its habits and customs of Christian worship and Christian practice, or it will be little benefitted by the beginning which has been made. The work to which we are just going to proceed is a witness to us that this duty and this necessity are not forgotten by those who are set over the work of God in this place, but it is a duty in which every inhabitant may take part, and which, if well fulfilled, may afford example and encouragement to perseverance not only in the public work of other places, but in the private practice of individual religion. To see a congregation of Christian people well ordered and devout, and ready to join heart and hand in every good work, is a strengthening thing, and moves the heart to thanksgiving to Him of Whose grace the blessing comes, and to confidence in His power to guide and support those who believe in Him. The light of Christian love and holiness shining in His Church is the evidence to the world of His presence in her, and the first means of drawing men to Him. It shews them where to come if they would find Him, how to live if they would obey

Him. It awakens conscience, and directs it, and supports it in striving to overcome evil habits and desires.

That this congregation may be such a shining light in the Church of God is not too much for us to hope, and should be an object of the prayers of all who are interested in its welfare, and the earnest endeavours of all who belong to it. And let the humble remember for his encouragement, and the vain for his correction, that God's work is forwarded, and men advanced in holiness, more by what is done in secret, in the sight of God only, than by what is done openly, and wins the praise of others; and the very light which shines before men is maintained most effectually by secret communion with God, and striving to overcome self, simply in order that the soul, with all its powers, and in all its acts, may be made subject to Him.

SERMON XIV.

WHIT-SUNDAY.

S. John xiv. 15—17.

"If ye love Me, keep My commandments. And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever even the Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth Him not, neither knoweth Him: but ye know Him, for He dwelleth with you, and shall be in you."

When the course of the Christian year leads us to speak of any of the great mysteries of the faith, as this day of the coming of the Holy Ghost, the Divine gift of our risen and ascended Lord, we find Holy Scripture full of passages that contain important notices of every such truth, and each of which it would be both interesting and instructive to explain. The careless reader little knows what treasures of thought are hidden in a page which he fancies he understands at sight, merely because he has never taken the trouble to think what it meant. At present, however, I wish rather to con