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the Jews and Gentiles through many nations;"-and it has been receiving accomplishment from that day to the present time, in the revivals of religion, with which our world has been blessed; especially in the present day when God is appearing in his glory to build up Zion. Thus it is evident from the Bible, that revivals will be multiplied, become general, and extend throughout the earth; for the whole world is to become converted to Christ.

In conclusion we remark,

1. All who oppose revivals of religion, oppose the temporal and eternal good of men and the glory of God, and ought to be distrustful of their own piety.

We have seen that a revival of religion is promotive of the good of men. All who are subjects of it are delivered from many temporal and eternal evils, and are made to participate in unutterable felicities, temporal and eternal. Society also is benefited. It reforms, and ameliorates, and renders prosperous and happy, all within its influence. It robs none of happiness or joys, which Heaven approves. As there was joy in the city of Samaria, at the outpouring of God's Spirit, and the conversion of souls; so now there is joy wherever a revival of religion exists-joy with individuals, families, and societies. Husbands and wives, parents and children, brothers and sisters, masters and servants, who are its subjects, rejoice in each other, and rejoice in the Lord. In some measure the place becomes

an emblem of Paradise. Now it is such a revival of religion, as produces these effects, we advocate, and no other. We plead not for enthusiasm, or distraction-the fruits of a distempered mind. We contend for nothing injurious to individuals or society; but for that which is beneficial to both. Are not industry, temperance, frugality, chastity, honesty, truly moral and religious deportment productive of the public good? Do they not elevate

the character of society? And is not a moral and religious life the happiest life on earth? Besides all this, in a revival of religion the kingdom of our blessed Redeemer is enlarged, which consists in righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Ghost. Hereby the glory of God is advanced, while precious immortals are rescued from the jaws of destruction and saved forever. Such is the revival of religion we wish. We speak in favor of no other. We pray for no other. Now we seriously and candidly ask, if all who oppose such a revival of religion as has been described, do not oppose the temporal and eternal good of men, and the glory of Jehovah? And if so, if they oppose, understandingly and willingly, the happiness of individuals and society, and the honor and glory of their Maker, ought they not to be distrustful of their own piety? Ought they not, if they do this, willingly and willfully, to conclude, that they are enemies to God, Christ, and their fellow men, and destitute of that "holiness without which no man shall see the Lord." It would seem, that no candid, well informed, and well disposed person could object to such a revival of religion. How is it possible! Should there be any whose hearts rise against such a display of the power and grace of God in the conversion and salvation of souls, they are affectionately and solemnly entreated to stop in their opposition and consider; consider lest haply they be found even to fight against God; lest God in his wrath denounce them : "Wo unto you for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men; for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in:" "Behold ye despisers, and wonder, and perish." God forbid, that any should thus merit his displeasure, receive his rebuke, or lie under his condemnation.

2. We see the duty of Christians in relation to religious revivals.

They should let their light so shine before men, that they may see their good works, and glorify their Father who is in heaven. They should watch over each other with Christian affection, and endeavor to reform themselves and their erring brethren. They should converse one with another on religious subjects, and stir up one another's pure minds by way of remembrance. They should pray for a revival of religion, particularly, and distinctly;-pray that God would pour down his Spirit like rain upon the mown grass, as showers that water the earth;-pray, that he would arise and plead his own cause, bearing in mind that the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much, and that God has never said to the seed of Jacob, Seek ye me in vain. But, alas! how culpable Christians are in so awful a neglect of this important duty. Beloved in the Lord, it should not be so. The people of God, of all descriptions, should come up to the work of the Lord in building his spiritual temple, and be diligent and laborious in it. The whole congregation of the children of Israel, great and small, rich and poor, men and women, helped to erect the tabernacle in the wilderness. The Jews who rebuilt Jerusalem wrought from daybreak till the stars appeared. The walls of Jericho did not fall till the blowing of the trumpets became so frequent, as to be one continued blast. There should be no Laodicean lukewarmness. And no Christian may be excused in this glorious enterprise. A poor man in his cottage may have great influence in this work by his prayers. As a prince he may have power with God and prevail. Like Aaron and Hur he may help forward in this mighty achievement. Were the people of God thus to act, the church would speedily be enlarged, beautified, and blessed. Then let Christians be affectionately and earnestly entreated to do all in their power to effect a revival of pure and undefiled religion, a revival of religion,

in which Christians shall be excited to a fuller discharge of all holy duties; the dead in trespasses and sins arise to spiritual life, the temporal and eternal good of individuals be promoted, society benefited, Christ's kingdom and the glory of God advanced. It is to such a revival of religion and no other, that we call their attention. And in view of it, in view of the great good which shall result to individuals, society and the world, we call upon them to lend their assistance-to be frequent and fervent in prayer for the outpouring of God's Spirit, and the conversion of souls, to pray and faint not;-to converse about Christ and his kingdom, death, judgment, and eternity, and from the fullness of their hearts, to speak for God and the things of religion; to live the life of the Christian, and to maintain order and discipline in the church;-to diffuse religious instruction and intelligence around them, and endeavor to excite an interest in these subjects. If they faithfully act up to duty in these respects, they may humbly hope that God will bless them, that he will grant the desire of their hearts, that he will open the windows of heaven, and pour them out a blessing, that there shall scarcely be room enough to receive it.

We would also, in an affectionate and persuasive manner, call upon those who have no hope, to yield themselves to God; to touch the sceptre of his grace and live. They must touch it or die. Such is Heaven's irreversible decree. O then,

"Be wise to day; 'tis madness to defer,
Next day the fatal precedent will plead;
Thus on till wisdom is push'd out of life,-
Procrastination is the thief of time,
Year after year it steals till all are fled,
And to the mercies of a moment leaves

The vast concerns of an eternal scene."

Appendix P.

DISSERTATION XVII.

MILLENNIUM.

THE present is a day of religious wonders. "While the enemy comes in like a flood, the Spirit of the Lord lifts up a standard against him." While infidelity and delusion are assuming a more visible form, and a bolder front, Christ is on his way, for the conquest of the world, converts to righteousness multiply, truth triumphs, and the cause of God makes rapid progress through the earth. Christendom has awaked from the slumber of ages, and arisen to higher faith, purpose, and action. Various benevolent societies are established, having in view specifically different objects, but the same great end-the glory of God and the salvation of men. These announce the latter-day glory of the church to be at hand; these are precursors of that blissful state and period of the world. True, they are but small things, compared with the mighty efforts and achievements which are to follow. They are the morning stars which will usher in a better and brighter day. In view of them we feel constrained to adopt the language of the prophet; "And it shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations

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