because your names are written in heaven," Luke x. 20.

To be employed in promoting the prosperity of a nation, breaking the fetters of the oppressed, and befriending the destitute, is honourable; but the christians chief joy arises from the assurance of his name being on high, written in heaven, written in the "Lamb's book of life." This thought encourages in difficulty, supports the mind in trouble, and brightens future prospects.

If the slave is obligated to the person who procures his freedom, the needy to his benefactor, and the drowning man to the individual who rescues him from a watery grave; how much more is the christian obligated to his Maker, who has delivered him from the bondage of sin, supplied all his wants, and saved him from perdition! Having experienced the blessedness of that man whose sins are forgiven, and received the evidence of his adoption into the favour and family of God, it stirs the joy of his heart, and awakens emotions of gratitude and praise. "He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, and out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings. And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the Lord," Ps. xl. 2, 3. Christians rejoice,

3. Because it is a duty they owe to religion. A gloomy, desponding, fretful, sullen, and discontented mind is inconsistent and incompatible with true religion; therefore, to profess religion, and manifest such conduct, is a libel on christianity.

To be always sighing, repining, and fault finding, is derogatory to religion, and argues, we think, an imperfect knowledge of the system they professedly avow. What defects some discover, and what imperfections they can point out in the conduct of others. They see a mote in another's eye, but forget the beam in their own eye. They are like a gate off the hinges, a foot

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out of joint, or a ship without ballast. And how is this to be accounted for? Is there not a cause? Certainly, for there is a cause for every effect: it arises from a lack of religion, a deeper work of grace in the heart. They are in the shallows, too near the shore. We must not skim along the surface of religion, but launch out into the depths we have not sounded.

A ship sailing near the shore is in greater danger of being wrecked than when out at sea, in deep waters. So is the christian more liable to make "shipwreck of faith and a good conscience," by inclining too much to the world,-steering, too near the sand banks of pride, the rocks of unbelief, and the whirlpools of presumption, than he otherwise would be, by rising to higher attainments in holiness, and pressing into entire sanctification.

When there is not much depth of religion in the heart, it is not surprising to find the thermometer of enjoyments very low.

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Cheerfulness becomes us in the service of the Lord. "O clap your hands, all ye people; shout unto God with the voice of triumph." "Make a joyful noise unto God, lands: sing forth the honour of his name: make his praise glorious. O bless our God, ye people, and make the voice of his praise to be heard." Christians rejoice,

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4. Because it is a duty they owe to the world. Pure religion is not merely to be enjoyed, nor pent up in monkish cloisters, but must be exhibited and recommended. But who are to do this? Not the men of the world, for they cannot consistently recommend in theory what they disapprove in practice. The duty therefore devolves upon professors of religion, upon those who assume the christian character, and enjoy experimental religion. They must, as social beings, hold intercourse with their fellow-creatures, and endeavour by a

cheerful and happy state of mind to represent religion as not to occasion suspicion, but so as to make favourable impressions, and produce conviction of the truthfulness of its representations. For there are some people who entertain sceptical notions of religion, and to change the views of such characters, a uniform and consistent deportment is essential in those who profess godliness. To promote religion efficiently, we must throw into it the weight and influence of our own example. "Then ye shall go out with joy, and be led forth with peace : the mountains and the hills shall break forth before you into singing, and all the trees of the field shall clap their hands."

Having observed the source, chief properties, and grounds of christian joy, I shall close this address with a few remarks.

1. To those who neither possess nor desire the joy I have been describing. You are probably seeking happiness in gambling, rioting, and scenes of dissipation. On the race course, in the haunts of the debauchee, at the theatre, the card table, the billiard room, or in the circles of fashion. Your search for real bliss in such objects and pursuits will be vain. Such amusements, such phantoms of enchantment, are not only illusive, but incapable of yielding permanent joy and inward satisfaction; for when the cup of pleasure is drained, the dregs are bitter, and the sediment is pernicious. "As one who labours to carry water in a sieve, and to catch the wind in a net, so is he who attempts to gain satisfaction by seeking it in the things of this world."

"In vain we seek a heaven below the sky.
The world has false but flattering charms:
Its distant joys look big in our esteem,
But lessen still as they draw near the eye;
In our embrace the visions die ;
And when we grasp the airy forms,
We lose the pleasing dream."

You have no cause for rejoicing in reference to future prospects and destiny, no firm ground for mirth while you are at enmity with God. Dreadful denunciations, and awful woes are out against you. "Woe unto you

that laugh now, for ye shall mourn and weep." Can a person be joyful who is gliding rapidly down the stream to a deep, fatal precipice, over which he is shortly to be precipitated? Can a condemned criminal rejoice on his way to the scaffold on which he must shortly expire? Can a man rejoice as he sets his foot on the threshold of a volcano, and soon may be covered with a shower of fire? Does the mariner see cause for rejoicing while clinging to the wreck of his stranded vessel, expecting every moment to be dashed against the rocks, or sink beneath the roaring breakers, to rise no more? To these questions common sense answers, No. Equally perilous is your state, and that of all who are unconverted. The stream of time is bearing you on its bosom with an irresistible impetuosity; and, if you repent not, you will eventually be precipitated over the precipice of time into the bottomless pit, where there is "weeping, wailing, and gnashing of teeth." You are condemned already; and when the sentence is executed, you will be "bound hand and foot," and consigned to dark despair. You are on the verge of a burning vortex, and soon may be enveloped in its devouring flames. You are on the ocean of time; but, although the elements are now calm, and the skies clear, in a moment the heavens may be darkened, a storm may arise, aud hurl your frail bark on the rocks of ruin, where, overwhelmed with anguish, the frantic soul shall shriek, as it sinks amidst the storms of eternal indignation. "The wicked are driven away their wickedness."

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2. I shall address a few words to those who earnestly desire the possession of that joy which is a fruit of the Spirit. "Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence

to make your calling and election sure." Perhaps you have met with some discouragements, have stumbled at some difficulty, and have said, "Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost." Despair not! "Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord." You need mercy: it is provided for you and is attainable now. Hear the promises and invitations contained in the scriptures.

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"Him that "The

cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out." Spirit and the bride say, come. And let him that heareth say, come. And let him that is athirst come.

And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely," Rev. xxii. 17. You must accede to the Divine requirements. "Repent ye, therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out." "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." There is no joy that can equal the joy of the christian,-none so refined—none so pure-none so satisfying; and this joy you may realize.

3. Let believers adore the Author of their joy. "Thou hast put gladness in my heart, more than in the time that their corn and their wine increased," Ps. iv. 7. None have greater cause to laud and magnify His holy name than they have. You may have to endure painful bereavements, and pass through great tribulations; but these things cannot diminish the lustre of the crown that awaits you in the skies. The sorrows, sufferings, and fatigues incident to the present life, will make the pleasures and joys of heaven more ineffable and refreshing. Exquisite and endless are the joys above. "In thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.' With such a glorious prospect before you, be cheerful, courageous, and faithful. Grieve not the Holy Spirit, by neglecting your duty to your Creator. Live in the element of prayer; pitch your tent on "the mountains of frankincense, and the