which makes us no longer sinners against GOD, and at enmity with him, but children of GOD, and heirs of everlasting life.

What a change, indeed, must it be, for the angels of heaven behold it with an increase of their own happiness; and well they know the important results that shall follow the exercise of sincere repentance; and far better than we can, are they able to calculate the eternal loss of the finally impenitent.

Is there one child then in this congregation who feels real sorrow of heart whenever he has done any thing which he knows to be wrong; who prays to be kept from evil, and strives also to keep himself from it. Who wishes, and prays, and strives to be good. Let him know that such feelings are pleasing to GOD: that the angels of heaven mark, approve, and rejoice at the sight; they are all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister unto them who shall be heirs of salvation;-greatly interested, therefore, they are in the actions of pious children.

But is there one child here that lives wickedly-let him know that his conduct is highly displeasing to GOD, who knoweth all things; let him know, that his sinful wicked habits give also joy to angels, but they are angels of

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a far different description-fallen spirits-angels of darkness. Yes, they know, they delight in the wicked; they will be the companions of the impenitent in everlasting misery, and they now rejoice and triumph in the iniquities of the sinner. God forbid that any of you, my children, should be the subjects of such horrid joy: sinners you are by nature, for all are sinners; but, O, reflect, resolve, repent; turn to GOD, and serve him with full purpose of heart. He will accept and freely pardon, like the parent in the parable. He will observe, embrace, forgive, and bless you, receive you into his family, re-adopt you for his children, make you partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light, and render you perfectly and eternally happy.

Which may he of his mercy grant for Jesus Christ's sake. Amen.

SERMON XI.

1 SAMUEL Xii. 24, 25.

Fear the Lord, and serve him in truth with all your heart; for consider how great things he hath done for you; but if ye shall still do wickedly, ye shall be consumed.

MY CHILDREN,

WHAT a wonderful and interesting book is the Bible! It contains such information as we could not have obtained from any other source, and on subjects too, the most important that can occupy the mind of man. It tells us about GOD, that infinite Being, who made us and preserves us from day to day; who is always near us, and knows whatever we do. "He is about our path, and about our bed, and spieth out all our ways." It tells us about the happy state of man when he was first created, and how he broke GOD'S commandment, and was driven out of Para

dise, and lost the Divine favour, and became subject to sorrow and death-death everlasting. And it makes known to us also, the exceeding love of God to his fallen creatures, and how he sent down from Heaven his onlybegotten Son, and that Christ Jesus died in our stead, to secure us from the eternal punishment of sin; and it directs us to pray to God for the grace of his Holy Spirit, that we may be enabled to please him, and be truly good. And then it tells us about eternity— the state after death-how heaven is prepared for the righteous, and how wicked men and wicked children will be miserable for ever and ever.

The Bible gives us such information as this: it is, then, a wonderful, important, and sacred book. Read it then, my children; read it carefully and seriously. Search the Scriptures, for in them ye have eternal life.

And remember this while you are young, and when you are older remember it, that one of the greatest men this country ever saw said of the Bible, "It has GOD for its author, salvation for its end, and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter."

But there is another point of view in which we may regard the Bible;-it contains many

exceedingly interesting accounts of good and pious men, and it shows how such are pleasing to GOD, and how he watches over them, preserves them, even in the greatest difficulties and dangers, and blesses them.

Samuel, from whose book the text is taken, is a striking illustration of this; and were I required to point out a faultless character in the whole of the Scripture history, I do not know that I could direct you to one (except that of the Saviour himself) more excellent and estimable than that of Samuel. He feared the LORD from his youth, and manifested through a long life, under every difficulty, unshaken confidence in GoD, and the most zealous regard to his commandments. For this his early youth, his manhood, and his old age were distinguished. It is said of him, "He grew before the LORD." And again, "The child Samuel ministered unto the LORD." And again, "Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and let none of his words fall to the ground. And all Israel knew that he was established to be a prophet of the LORD, for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD." I need not explain these passages, their meaning is evident: Samuel was distinguished