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condemn. This is the heritage | redeem thee from the hand of of the servants of the Lord, and | thine enemies. Arise and their righteousness is of me thresh, O daughter of Zion, for saith the Lord. (Isaiah liv. 17.) I will make thine horn iron, and If we can put our trust in the will make thy hoofs brass, and Lord God, we shall at once see, thou shalt beat in pieces many that neither earth nor hell can people; and I will consecrate prevail against us. And as the their gain unto the Lord, and Lord said unto Moses, speak un- their substance unto the Lord of to the children of Israel, that the whole earth. Micah iv. 10, 13. they go forward-in like man- Now if any of us have in realner does he speak to the direc-ity experienced true religion, we tors of this Society. Let each shall certainly feel in a greater one take heed that they go not or less degree this love for our in their own strength, but in the fellow creatures. Our hearts strength of the Lord Jehovah; will bleed in secret for poor making mention of his righ- Christless souls. Will they not teousness, and his only. Then go forth, even for poor heathens, shall we see the pleasure of the who have never been informed Lord prosper before us, and the of a Saviour, and know not the wilderness blossom as the rose. way the truth and the life?Jesus is preparing the way, and | They have not the bible in their going before--therefore fear not, hands. They do not enjoy those daughter of Zion-behold thy precious and golden privileges king cometh sitting on an ass's that we do the gospel ordinancolt-Hosanna, blessed is the ces. What a miserable situaking that cometh in the name of tion are they in-ignorant of the the Lord. What support this God who made them-of Christ must be to the Christian, when who died for them-of their he reflects that Jesus is in the duty, both towards God and man, way, the great Captain of our having no one to teach themsalvation? Christ hath told us, whilst we, no better by nasearch the scriptures. ture than they, are enjoying Sabbath and sanctuary privileges, and instructed in our duty, both by faithful ministers and Chistian friends. We indeed have line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little. But they are destitute of all these great and inestimable blessings. Are there any individuals in this society, whose hearts can remain unaffected when viewing them in this deplorable condition? If so, it is a sure evidence that such never saw their own depraved hearts, and the need of a cure for their sin-sick souls. But my unexperienced friends, think not that

If we

are careful to look into our bibles, we shall find abundant encouragement to proceed, particularly where the children, the daughters of Zion are called upon to be in travail for souls. For the purpose of being made | strong in the Lord, let us turn to some of them.

Christ saith to the Church, be in pain and labour to bring forth, O daughter of Zion, like a woman in travail; for now shalt thou go forth out of the City, and thou shalt dwell in the field, and thou shalt go even to Babylon; there shalt thou be delivered; there the Lord shall

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there is no treasure in the holy scriptures, because they have never been opened to your understanding.

This institution

It

may be the very means, that God designs to make use of, to discover to you hidden treasures, with which all the riches of the Indies cannot be compared. may be that some souls in this society will be saved, in answer to the prayers of those persons, to whom this word of life has been sent. Therefore do not discourage any from going in to possess the good land; but rather put forth your hand, and take some of those heavenly clusters that are held out to you. Let our hands be ready and hearts open to contribute, for the spiritual relief of perishing fellow mortals, as God gives ability and opportunity. What if some are obliged to arise early and set up late, and even deny themselves some of the necessaries of life, in order to advance the little sum-whilst others out of their abundance, may throw much into their treasury. But let such remember, that the widow's two mites were accepted. It is the heart that God looketh at. The Lord seeth not as man seeth, for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart. If it is but a free will offering unto the Lord-be it more or less, it will be accepted, and returned back four-fold. For thus saith our Lord, give and it shall be given unto you good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give into your bosom. For with the same measure that you meet with all, it shall be measured to you again. Luke vi. 38. Therefore let us

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make this precious loan unto the Lord-let us not be weary in well doing; for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.Gal. vi. 9. Those who cannot contribute so bountifully as others, nor so much as they wish, must be careful to make it up by their prayers; for the establishment of this Society depends much, yea, altogether upon the exertions and earnest prayer of Christians. And we are as much dependant on God for a spirit of prayer, as for ability to give of our substance. But the Lord saith, for this will I be enquired of by the house of Israel to do it for them. Therefore wake all ye praying souls, and call upon your God. There are many who need your prayers-some perhaps within your own walls-many all around you; but particularly those to whom we intend sending the glad news of salvation by Jesus Christ.And for the establishment of this Society, let the directors of it, and all others that have an interest at the throne of grace, be earnest with their God for its continuance; for it is he that must increase its numbers and its funds. All depends upon the divine blessing. Many may say and all be ready to think, that one year will supercede the necessity of any further exertion; but who can tell what God is about to do? He may open the hearts of the same individuals to subscribe again, and make large accessions to their numbers. Jacob passed over Jordan with his staff, and afterwards became two bands.-Thus it may be with us, for the Lord giveth power to the faint, and to them that have no might he increaseth strength, for they that

Wherefore gird up your loins,

wait on the Lord shall renew their strength. Isaiah xl. 29-be sober and hope to the end.— 31. If there are but five wrest- Put on the whole armour of God, ling Jacobs, and Queen Esthers, take the shield of faith, the helthat are truly engaged to go met of salvation, and sword of from time to time, to the king, the spirit, which is the word of making their petitions with im- | God-praying always with all portunity; the golden sceptre prayer and supplication in the will be held out. By the estab- spirit. Rejoice in the Lord allishment of this Society, the ways, and let your moderation Lord may work wonders, which be known unto all men-for the may cause many hearts to re- Lord is at hand. Let the words joice. Therefore, sing, O daugh- of Christ dwell in you richly, in ter of Zion; shout O Israel; all wisdom, teaching and adbe glad and rejoice with all thy monishing one another in psalms heart, O daughter of Jerusalem, and hymns, and spiritual songs; fear thou not, let not thy cords and whatsoever you do, in word be slack; the Lord thy God in or deed, do all in the name of the midst of thee is mighty, he the Lord Jesus; and the peace will save, he will rejoice over of God, which passeth all unthee with joy; he will rest in his derstanding, shall keep your love. Zeph. iii. 14, 16, 17. Sing hearts and minds through Christ and rejoice O daughter of Zion, Jesus. Be ye also patient, watchfor, lo, I come, and I will dwelling your hearts, for the coming in the midst of thee, saith the Lord; and many nations shall be joined unto the Lord in that day; and shall be my people, and dwell in the midst of them. Zach. ii. 10, 11. For I, saith the Lord, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and a glory in the midst of her; therefore

of the Lord draweth nigh. The last words which our dear Saviour spoke to his disciples, were, observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, and, lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the world.

wait ye upon me, saith the Lord. On the reasonableness of an im

Now ye
friends of this Society,
fear not to meet often, to con-
verse about the great and glori-
ous things which concern the
kingdom. You will find that in
Malachi iii. 16. we are encour-
aged to speak often one to an-
other. They that feared the
Lord, spake often one to another,
and the Lord hearkened and
heard it; and a book of remem-
brance was written before him,
for them that feared the Lord,
and that thought upon his name.
And they shall be mine saith
the Lord of hosts in that day
when I make up my jewels.

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they were born; they have sin- | unhappiness. If, when he mildly remonstrated, informing them that they were destroying themselves, and that he would offer every assistance to recover them from the devious paths of error, and bring them back to obedience and happiness; but that he could not always bear with their obstinacy, and should be obliged to disinherit and renounce them finally, unless they complied with his wishes and their duty; if they then abused his tenderness, and treated his proffered favor with contumely, reproach and aggravated rebellion, alledg

ned against the most convincing evidence; when they have known their duty, they have not been willing to perform it; and, to add a deeper stain to their guilt, although they have been frequently intreated to repent and forsake their sins, they have uniformly refused. Still God exhibits himself on the mercy seat once more, and causes it again to be proclaimed in their ears, that now is the accepted time. To requite him for this renewed instance of long-suffering kindness and tender mercy, they, with unexampled insolence, forming that they should return to the cool and deliberate conclusion, that they will continue in rebellion till they find a more agreeable time to repent and renounce their sins. To assist us in estimating the awful criminality of such conduct, let us consider an earthly parent, (yet Oh, how inadequate must be the comparison between the kindness and forbearance of any created being, and the forgiving love of Jehovah :) let us consider a parent who had brought up his family with all possible tenderness and care; who had spent days of toil, and nights of wakefulness to provide for their wants, and to watch against the dangers which might beset their paths; and who had uniformly and invariably exhibited himself the benefactor, the friend, the bountiful parent of his family.Let us suppose his children to be possessed of a different spirit, to show no gratitude for his kindness, to set themselves in array against his government, and to behave unceasingly in such a manner as to wound his feelings, and throw the family into a situation of confusion and constant

their duty whenever they pleased, how ungrateful should we pronounce their conduct, how hardened their hearts, and how just the indignation of the afflicted parent! If this faint sketch should exhibit ingratitude and obstinacy in an odious light, how deep must be the stain of that guilt which refuses to obey the call of God, the kindest of benefactors, the ever glorious and Almighty Father.

There is one reflection which ought to strike the minds of those who are guilty of the conduct which I have been considering, with terror, if not with contrition. It is this: God has the power to cut them off in the midst of their wickedness, and they have no security that he will not exercise the powerHe certainly is in no need of their assistance or obedience ; for with a word he could create any number of glorious and obe dient beings. Behold, even to the moon, and it shineth not; yea, the stars are not pure in his sight; how much less man that is a worm, and the son of man which is a worm? There is, indeed, an

awful declaration that those who, being frequently reproved, harden their necks, shall be suddenly destroyed, and that without remedy. To such persons, also, a solemn passage in the first chapter of Proverbs, is peculiarly applicable: Because I have called and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand but no man regarded; but ye have set at nought all my counsel, and would none of my reproof; I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; when your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you.

8. Upon this naturally arises a consideration which might justly be esteemed important by every sinner, and which the bible teaches to be of the greatest importance.

I allude to the danger of being suffered to go on according to the inclination of a hard and impenitent heart.It is a truth which can be abundantly proved both from scripture and experience, that the heart of man is exceedingly prone to sin; and it seems equally evident to every thinking mind, that the way of sin is the way of misery, and that all they who hate wisdom, love death. At least these truths must be believed by all who believe the bible; and therefore it seems proper that the consideration of being left to the native wickedness of the human heart should fill the conscience with alarm. The man who has a just sense of the plague of his own heart, and the wickedness of his past life, deprecates, above all things, the being left to his own froward inclinations, and his own evil habits. So in all revivals of reli

gion where the attention of people is excited to seek after salvation, the common and earnest prayer is, that serious things may not wear off from their minds, and that they may not relapse into their former stu-. pidity and deadness. They are convinced how unspeakably great their danger was while they remained secure in sin; and their greatest fear now is, that they shall be left to their natural hardness of heart, and blindness of mind. They recollect, with sensations of astonisment, their former obduracy, and the light views which they had been wont to enterain with respect to eternal things; and they see that it is of God's rich mercy that they have now any sense of the madness and danger of sin. But those persons who feel at ease for the present and expect to attend to religion at some more convenient season, are not in a less dangerous situation because they are insensible of their danger. They are travelling that dismal road, with their eyes shut, in which thousands have gone before them to destruction. To such the following passages of scripture may well be addressed. Therefore shall they eat of the fruit of their own way, and be filled with their own devices. And it shall come to pass at that time, that I will search Jerusalem with candles, and punish the men that are settled on their lees; that say in their heart, The Lord will not do good, neither will he do evil.

9. Again, let persons who are inclined to procrastinate in these all-important concerns, cast their eyes upon those who have heretofore given place to the same inclination, and they must

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