filled. It can be done only when the whole. object for which he was commissioned has been completed, and the existence of sin in all its forms ended. The Captain of human salvation will not be subject to the deep mortification of returning his commission to him who gave it, with the acknowledgment that he has been partially defeated in his work, that the means employed were ineffectual, and that more than half, or that even a small portion of those he came to save, have resisted his power and are yet the subjects of sin. We would not "limit the Holy One of Israel" so much as to suppose that such a result can be contrary to his will; and we would not ascribe to him such a character as we must, should we say that he purposed any one of his creatures to the miseries of eternal rebellion. No! but we would, on the other hand say, and we say it with confidence, because it is supported by abundant evidence from Scripture, as well as by the teachings of reason, that Jesus will return from his mediatorial reign crowned with the laurels of victory. His triumph will be complete, and he will bring back a world of redeemed sinners and deliver them into his Father's hands, as the evidence that the

purposes of his mission are fulfilled. All souls having been morally subdued unto him, he will deliver up his entire kingdom to God even the Father. And then, as the old dispensation of Moses entirely accomplished its object, in the establishment of the truth, respecting the Oneness of God, so will that better dispensation of grace, have accomplished its purpose in the moral reformation of a world.

III. And then God will "BE ALL IN ALL." In one sense God is "all in all" even now. His creative energy is felt in all places and in all worlds. It propels the life-current through the veins of the minutest insect, and heaves up the mountain torrents of the sea. It fashions the beautiful mechanism of the tinniest flower, and regulates, with perfect harmony and order, the motions of worlds and systems of worlds. His spirit, which "moved upon the face of the waters," during the long primeval night preceding creation's birth, still upholds and sustains and vitalizes all things. Omnipotent, All-powerful and All-wise, "his works declare him and show forth his praise." The most insignificant creature that lives, is eloquent in lessons of his wisdom and love.

Thus to the practised

eye, he is ever "all in all," calling forth responsive praises from the thinking and feeling heart. And he is "all in all" by that higher nature which he gave to man. By his "inspiration hath he given us understanding"-by his voice within us is he calling upon us to "walk in wisdom's ways and be at peace," and by the warnings and reproaches of conscience, is he urging us to "'cease to do evil and learn to do well." But in a far higher sense will God be "all in all," when his Son and all the world are subject to him at last. To the sincere Christian, God is ever all. He is, always, in all his thoughts. An ever abiding sense of the Infinite Presence is with him. His meditatation of God is sweet-his faith in him

unfailing - his trust, unbounded. Every thought and desire of his heart is to love his law and to do his will. To him "God is Love," and to love God with all his heart is the one great object of his life. What is true of one Christian, is true of all; and what is true of them now, will be equally true of every soul, when the period spoken. of in the text shall arrive. Then God will be the all of every soul-he will be all to all, and "all in all." He will be the only object

of desire to an infinity of beings. Adoration and praise shall fill all souls, and all the creatures he has made, shall worship him as the Universal Father.

We conclude then that the plain and obvious teaching of these words, is that of universal salvation from sin, and universal reconciliation to God. We think we see in them the prediction of the end of suffering and sorrow, and all the evils that produce them. We rejoice in the assurance thus given of the annihilation, the total and everlasting destruction of those base and clamoring passions which render earth a scene of wretchedness and misery- the doing away of envy, malice and selfishness - the end of rebellion and irreverence- and the universal reign of righteousness and peace. In that day there shall be no note of discord, no wail of angnish, no sighing of bitter disappointment, to disturb the general blessedness and joy. All will be calm, peaceful, serene. Rapt meditation, devotion and praise - these will be the employment of all souls, disenthralled, redeemed, and glorified. Wonderful efficacy of the gospel to perform all this, and out of all discordant materials, such as exist in the disturbed affiars of this world,

to bring universal order and harmony! This gospel is ours to prize, possess and profit by. We cannot value it too highly, or live too completely under its influence. "Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift". for the gift of his Son to die for us, and of his grace to save us. Thanks be to him for the hope he has set before us a hope so satisfying in its nature and extent. "Eternity is too short to utter all the praise" due to him who has counted us worthy of so great and inexpressible blessings. Did we possess a thousand tongues, and were each capable of uttering seventy thousand voices, the vibration of all these through eternal ages, would not fill the measure of gratitude we owe to him who has thus purposed to confer upon universal man an infinity of happiness and glory. But let us ever remember that the most acceptable tribute of gratitude we can offer, is that of hearts and lives devoted to his service and conformed to his will- a tribute we can render, if we choose.

My brethren, what are all the anxieties, the trials and afflictions of this world, when set in opposition to this hope? They cannot rob us of it—they cannot quench it from our hearts. It rises above them all, assuring us,