of desolation and death-yet, to sins such But there is a fearful declaration made as these, go forth the healing waters of in the 11th verse, mention is made of the Spirit of God they go to this 'de- "miry and marshy" places these it is sert they go even to this 'sea'-the said "shall not be healed, they shall be dead sea-they have power to heal sin and given to salt," by these "miry, marshy guilt such as the dead sea had buried places" we understand stagnant soulsbeneath its waters and what does this obdurate, hardened souls-souls that have propound to men? that the Spirit of trifled with gospel appeals that have God has power to visit the harlot, the "quenched the Spirit" - that have had a drunkard, the blasphemer, the murderer "reprobate mind" continued upon them; such was the case in Paul's time, when such are described in Proverbs 1. 25. healing waters visited the believing people | "because I have called and ye refused, I of Corinth-see what vile characters have stretched out my hand and no man were some of them, as noted by Paul, regarded, but ye have set at nought all 1 Cor. vi. 11. "and such were some of my counsel and would none of my reproof, you, but ye are washed, but ye are sanc- I will also laugh at your calamity, I will tified, but ye are justified in the name of mock when your fear cometh." &c. &c. the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our Dear brethren! pray that this day be not God." added to former days when convictions were silenced, and God provoked! what an awful idea is it, to think that this daythis hour this minute may be the last occasion when the Spirit of God will ever strive more_lift up the heart in prayer, and agonize in entreaty That the Gospel is the "power of God unto salvation" is shewn in this chapter from whence the text is taken, for in the mysterious language of the 9th verse it is stated, " and it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live, and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither; for they shall be healed, and every thing shall live whither the river cometh!" "all who hear and believe "Withdraw not thou thy help, III. OUR DUTY IN ACKNOWLEDGING They flow in order to convey light, life, shall live-all who welcome the refreshing and immortality! he that shall receive of streams shall drink and live for ever."_ Who then has excuse? the desert heart want sthe Spirit-the dead heart wants the Spirit" Unless we be born again, we cannot enter the kingdom of God"-let them who have tasted the "waters of life freely" pray for those who are yet in the desert and dead-sea state! and may God pour his refreshing streams upon us, and may all belonging to us live in the refreshing influence of God's stream, and ever lie down beside the still waters! these waters shall never thirst, these are the "living waters" spoken of by Jesus, John iv. 10. Those upon whom they come, have their eyes enlightened, their hearts softened and subdued, their views changed and a very foretaste of heaven is often their portion: the social duties of life are all improved and exalted by the visitations of God's Holy Spirit where that Spirit pours its healing waters, there such a building as this is greatly valued; it stands up before the eye as God's own - Oh what a bountiful God to have shed mercy-seat, where intercessions will be made, where the hammer of the word applied by the Holy Spirit will break the stony hearts, where wounded consciences will be healed-where those who "sow in tears will reap in joy" - where little ones will be led to Jesus, and aged men exclaim " Lord now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, for our eyes have seen thy salvation!"-here the waters will flow when the word of God is readwhen the Gospel is preached and when the emblems of a broken body and of the outpoured blood are distributed to grate-overlooked, perhaps because God's comful recipients-here, minister and people will be blessing and blessed of God and each other. Here above all things we are to rejoice, that the love of Christ will be proclaimed, and holy waters will bear that love upon their bosom to the sinner's heart-the love of Christ to the poor man and to the sorrowful the love of Christ to the husband and the wife, and to the seed of the righteous-here Christ is to be lifted up as having left heaven for our sakeswalking this visible world in poverty, and despisal, and then beaten, bruised, wounded, stabbed, crucified! and here Jesus will be exhibited as a 'brother!' high and exalted honour! rich relationship! heavenly fraternity! let Christ find but one brother, one sister here, one penitent Peter, one convinced Thomas, one weeping Mary, and who will grudge the silver and the gold that reared the pile? who will take their eyes from the work which is yet to be done in rearing more temples for God's glory and man's good! the stream has gone forth, it has enriched Belfast, it has extended to Holymount, let it wend its heavenly way to Tyrella, Kirkcubbin, Castlewellan, Annaloug, &c. Love to ministers, love to churches, love to the brethren of our own household is strongly bounden upon us; the duty mandment is not understood; how few understand the text, Gal. vi. 8. in its special meaning, "He that soweth to the flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption, but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting," yet that verse from its context has special reference to what is due from us to our clergy and to our own brethren, of late years we have thought upon our Zion let us build them in the strength of the Lord, for we are told in this same chap. 9th verse, "let us not be weary in well doing, for in due season we shall reap if we faint not." And now dear brethren, if the division of the text admitted of the simple question (with regard to the waters of life, flowing from the sanctuary of God) namely-whence? and whither? well may we apply the same series of questions to each individual. We will soon separate, the same company in all human probability never to meet again! whence? from the dust! whither? to the cares, or vanities, or pomp, or gain, or pleasures of life! they are nought they will have an end ask the aged man and he will tell you ask the widow and she will tell you ask the lonely and desolate an they will all testify how fugitive is all happiness save that which is found in communion with God! scend upon the noble individual who endowed, and upon the Society, the founders of this Church! for ever upon its walls be inscribed the words of the last verse of the last chapter of Ezekiel, "The Lord is there!" may he delight in this place may it be holy of the Lord, honourable, and blessed to a multitude of souls and may all who have met this day here to do him honour, and to contribute their aid to his work, may they all meet in the heavenly sanctuary, and dwell for ever in the blessedness which God has prepared for them tha Then ask God's dear children, 'what is their estimate of communion with God?' they will answer 'peace and joy in believing!' may God touch our heartsand remembering for what end we were born (for eternal heaven-or eternal hell) may we be roused and stimulated to appreciate more and more the things that belong to our peace! may this place be a monument of mercy to all generations! may faithful pastors ever be found here, and praying people! may a blessing de- | love him! AMEN. THE CHRISTIAN IN HIS DEATH. He is not so careful to keep his soul within his teeth, as to send it forth well addressed for happiness; as knowing, therefore, the last brunt to be most violent, he rouseth up his holy fortitude to encounter that king of fear, his last enemy DEATH. And now, after a painful sickness and a resolute expectation of the fiercest assault, it falls out with him as in the meeting of the two hostile brothers, Jacob and Esau; instead of grappling, he finds a courteous salutation; for stabs, kisses; for height of enmity, offices of love. Life could never befriend him, so much as death offers to do: that tenders him (perhaps a rough, but) a sure hand, to lead him to glory, and receives a welcome accordingly. Neither is there any cause to marvel at the change. The Lord of life hath wrought it; he, having by dying subdued death, hath reconciled it to his own; and hath, as it were, beaten it into these fair terms with all the members of his mystical body; so as while unto the enemies of God death is still no other than a terrible executioner of divine vengeance, he is to all that are in Christ a plausible and sure convoy unto blessedness. The christian, therefore, now laid upon his last bed, when this grim messenger comes to fetch him to heaven, looks not so much at his dreadful visage as at his happy errand; and is willing not to remember what death is in itself, but what it is to us in Christ; by whom it is made so useful and beneficial, that we could not be happy without it. Here, then, comes in the last act and employment of faith (for after this brunt passed, there is no more use of faith but of vision) that heartens the soul in a lively apprehension of that blessed Saviour, who both led him the way of suffering, and is making way for him to everlasting glory; that shews him “Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right-hand of the throne of God;" that clings close unto him, and lays unremoveable hold upon his person, his merits, his blessedness. Upon the wings of this faith, is the soul ready to mount up toward that heaven which is open to receive it; and, in that act of evolation, puts itself into the hands of those blessed angels, who are ready to carry it up to the throne of glory. BISHOP HALL. "FELIX TREMBLED." He trembles when no foe is near, who, on the battle field Why does the Prefect tremble thus? has he the ruler crown'd Word of the living God, how bright its vast achievements are! Yet 'twas an evanescent pang, and Felix' terrors cease, *2 Cor. ii. 16. DUBLIN: Published by the Proprietors, T. R. and R. DUNCALEY, at the NEW IRISH PULPIT OFFICE, 1, ST. ANDREW-ST.; JOHN ROBERTSON, W. CURRY, Jun. and Co.; R. M. TIMS, W. CARSON, D. R. BLEAKLEY. London, SIMPKIN and MARSHALL; Edinburgh, WHITE and Co.; Cork Tract Repository; Derry, CAMPBELL; and all Booksellers. -000 GEORGE FOLDS, Printer 1, St. Andrew-street |