subject is too serious for that mode of dismissing it; it involves eternal consequences.

In comparison of the impious and the selfish man, who recognises not, nor submits to any heavenly Father; and who, from the selfishness of his heart, feels not at any time as a friend or brother-in comparison, I say, of this man, how happy is he who loves God, and who loves his neighbour, or who is pious and benevolent. When he looks up to heaven, he is permitted to address the supreme Sovereign of the universe, the ever-merciful and the everblessed God, the Almighty, as his Father; and when he looks around him in the world, he sees no human being for whom he has not cherished the kindest feelings, and whose good he has not only desired, but promoted to the utmost of his power.

But till man be renewed in the spirit of his mindwhilst the mind is what the Scriptures denominate carnalit is "enmity against God;" and St. Paul describes unregenerated men as "haters of God." "I know you,” said Jesus, to some of those around him, " that ye have not the love of God in you." This state of the heart is shewn by a distaste of serious subjects, which have a reference to God, and to the Saviour, and redemption. This distaste is often shewn by those who yet preserve attention to the proprieties of life, and who are prudent in their worldly affairs, as well as those who allow themselves to be profane and profligate. But how can we live quietly in a state of mind that is inimical to the great and good God, and the ever-merciful Saviour. The love of God and of Christ should constrain us to cherish love and dutiful affection in return; and, I say it with reverence, should induce us to be "workers together with God," in his plans of mercy to our guilty race. Alas! how many in the world still seem to be "given over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; being filled (as the apostle says) with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity, whisperers, backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to pa

rents, without understanding, covenant breakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful, who knowing the judgment of God, that they that commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them." Now seeing the holy law is as our Saviour stated it, and the fact is as the apostle has described, can we wonder at the afflicted condition of the world? And how difficult is it to exercise either individual benevolence to, or a benevolent government over wicked men. Duty is seldom easy, and than these no duty is more difficult. But although difficult, duty must not be relinquished. A heaven-derived principle of love to God, and love to our neighbour, will sustain the mind. under very strenuous and long-continued efforts to be and to do good. And may such a principle be implanted in every breast here present; and in forming this new settlement, may no consideration induce the adoption of regulations in the remotest degree unfavourable to virtue, or that can be construed into giving a license or countenance to vice. May Christians, by example and by persuasion, endeavour to lead others to know and love God, and to love each other; still allowing perfect liberty of conscience, and of conscientious religious usage and worship, (even to Mohammedans and Pagans ;) but gross and open immorality has no rights,* should not be recognized, nor meet with any support, nor furnished with any pretexts, lest ye be "partakers of other men's sins."

Said in reference to vices licensed for the sake of the revenue. Pagan China will not license gaming, nor opium-houses. When reasoned with, in the European manner, that to make vice expensive, is the way to diminish it, they reply-No father can license vice in his house to his children, but must prohibit it altogether.

DISCOURSE V.

delivered oN BOARD THE WATERLOO, IN THE CHINA SEA, ON SUNDAY, DECEMBER 14, 1823.

INTRODUCTION.

[Dr. Morrison having served the Hon. East India Company in China, in the capacity of Chinese Secretary and Translator to the Select Committee, about fifteen years, received, in consideration of his services, their permission to visit England for two seasons, to recruit his health and see his friends, took а passage on board the Waterloo, Captain Alsager.

On the 9th of December, 1823, the Waterloo quitted the shores of China; and, after touching at the Cape, and St. Helena, reached soundings on the British coast exactly on the hundredth day of being at sea. A thunder storm of considerable severity off the Cape, and a "fiery south-easter" on entering Table Bay, were the only cases of imminent danger that occurred. For passengers, the China ships, with a cargo of tea, are universally allowed to be the most pleasant and comfortable vessels that sail the ocean. Although extremely liable to the usual complaint occasioned by the giddy motion of boats and ships, Dr. Morrison was generally able to read and write; and composed, whilst on board ship, a "Domestic Memoir," for the perusal of his kindred; a Schoolbook, concerning China, consisting of "Ten Conversations between a Father and his Children;"* and also a few discourses, of which the following is one.

When the weather permits, in the Company's ships, "a church is built," as the sailors term it, by arranging handspikes for seats on the quarter deck; a flag is laid on the capstan, for a desk, and the Captain, or some person in his stead, reads prayers on Sundays.

Captain Alsager requested Dr. Morrison to officiate as chaplain, and allowed him to add a short sermon, addressed to the officers and men. The following discourse was the first, and was preached after being five days out, in the China Sea.]

*Since published in London, under the title of "CHINA, a Dialogue, &c. By an Anglo-Chinese."

E

RECONCILIATION.

2 CORINTHIANS, V. 19.

"God was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them."

To speak of reconciling two parties, two men, two nations, or a servant to his master, supposes that some enmity exists between them. But the Almighty God, who created the heavens, the earth, and the ocean, is not the Of all the creatures in the world, man enemy of man. is the first and the noblest. He alone possesses a soul or spirit, that can think and reason, and comprehend, in some degree, the works of the great Creator. And who made man what he originally was-a holy and a happy being? It was the Most High God. He spread abroad the heavens, and placed there the sun, and moon, and stars. He laid the foundations of the earth, and filled the air, the ocean, and the land with living creatures; and to man, whom God created in his own image, he gave dominion over all, requiring only man's obedience to himself, the supreme Lord of the universe. The Divine Being himself pronounced the whole creation " very good," and whilst man was obedient to his Maker, he was the child, the friend of God: he was not an enemy then; at that time there was no occasion to speak of reconciliation.

But man was created a rational creature, to be governed by reason and religion. He was not like things made of mere matter, the sun, and moon, and stars, which have never gone wrong, and cannot do wrong. Man was made free to obey, and free to disobey; but he was forewarned of the consequence of disobedience. God gave him a law, and told him what would be the consequence of his breaking that law. And to this arrangement who can object?

What could be more reasonable than that the Great Creator should give a law to his creature, man, and require him to obey it; and so doing, be for ever the happy child and friend of God.

Man, however, tempted by a disobedient and malicious Spirit, presumed to think that God's commands might be disobeyed, and no harm follow. He thought that pleasure instead of pain would be the result of his disobedience, and he trusted his own foolish thoughts, and believed the tempter, instead of believing and obeying his Maker and Divine Benefactor. It was disobedience to God's commandments that made man the enemy of God. And a heart disobedient to God's commands, is what is otherwise called sin and wickedness, and carnal or fleshly mindedness. And St. Paul says, "The carnal mind is enmity against God, for it is not subject, or obedient, to the law of God. All mankind have become "enemies to God by wicked works."

And could not the Almighty justly and easily destroy all his enemies? The angels that sinned he cast out of the abodes of bliss, and has consigned them to everlasting punishment. In our world he has inflicted many and awful calamities, on nations, and on families, and on individuals.

How manifold are the diseases which afflict humanity; some loathsome, some painful and excruciating; the forms of death how numerous! and some of them how awful! He can destroy, by the lightning's flash instantaneously, or by long protracted disease; by the storm on land, or by the tempest at sea; by the deluge of waters that overflows the earth, or by the rending earthquake that swallows up crowded cities. The plague, and the pestilence, and the famine, can at God's command destroy myriads in a day, or an hour. These are punishments which we read of; and some of which we have seen or have felt, which righteous Heaven sends upon the world, because it is in a state of enmity to God by wicked works. And since we see and know assuredly that God sends heavy bodily and temporal calamities, is there not every reason to believe that the