once sunk in the lowest depths of heathenism? Had we been left to ourselves— had our forefathers not been visited with the light of revelation, what would our condition at this moment have been? Say not education, and reason, and civilization would have refined our creed. Look at the spiritual condition of ancient Greece and Rome in the golden age of their literature and refinement. And look even now at the empires of China or Japan. The wisest and the greatest men of antiquity were polytheists. It is not what reason might have taught, but what she has taught or rather what she has invariably and every where failed to teach. To God, then, be all the glory for the light of Christianity which shines upon our happy country.

But, brethren, shall we stop here? Shall we content ourselves with congratulating one another, or even with blessing God with our lips, for the mercies of redemption, and depart hence forgetful of

the awful condition of millions of our fellow-creatures, still lying in darkness and the shadow of death? Oh, no! Let us ponder in our hearts the solemn duty of endeavouring by every means in our power to communicate to the poor heathen the blessed gospel of our salvation. And let us stand ready at all times, according to our several abilities, to contribute of our possessions, and in the full tide of gratitude, compassion, and love, pour them forth into the treasury of the Missionary cause, or rather into the treasury of our Lord, for they are identically the same. Sure I am, brethren, that the cause of missions is emphatically His. Who indeed can doubt it, that remembers his last injunction to his Apostles, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every

creature ?"

L. VOL. II.

218

LECTURE IX.

ACTS xiv. 19-28.

And there came thither certain Jews from Antioch and Iconium, who persuaded the people, and having stoned Paul, drew him out of the city, supposing he had

been dead.

Howbeit, as the disciples stood round about him, he rose up, and came into the city: and the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.

And when they had preached the gospel to that city, and had taught many, they returned again to Lystra, and to Iconium, and Antioch,

Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation, enter into the kingdom of God.

And when they had ordained them elders in every church, and had prayed with fasting, they commended them to the Lord, on whom they believed.

And after they had passed throughout Pisidia, they came to Pamphylia.