But again, why was the East thus honoured? Why was the East, and not the West, the scene of these transactions?

The East was the scene of the first revelation of God. The fountains of inspiration were first opened in the East. And, after the flood, the first family of the new world was planted in the East. Besides, millions of the human race inhabit that portion of the globe. The chief population of the world is in those regions. And, in the middle of them, the Star of Christ first appeared. And, led by it, the wise men passed through many nations, tongues, and kindreds, before they arrived at Judea in the West; bearing tidings to the world that the Light was come, that the " Desire of all "Nations" was come. Even to Jerusalem herself they brought the first intimation that her long-expected Messiah was come.

As the East had this honour in the first age of the Church, of pointing out the Messiah to the world; so now again, after a long interval of darkness, it is bearing witness to the truth of the religion of the Messiah ; not indeed by the shining of a Star, but by exhibiting luminous evidence of the divine origin of the Christian Faith. It affords evidence of the general truth, not only of its history, but of its peculiar doctrines; and not of the truth of its doctrines merely, but of the divine power of these doctrines in convincing the understandings and converting the hearts of men. And in this sense it is, that "we have seen his Star in "the East, and are come to worship him."

And when these evidences shall have been laid before you, you will see reason to think that the Time is come for diffusing His religion throughout the world; you will "offer gifts" in His name for the promotion

of the work; and you will offer up prayers in its behalf, "that God would be pleased

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to make his ways known, his saving health " to all nations."

In this discourse, we propose to lay before you,

1st. EVIDENCES existing in the East, of the general truth of the Christian Religion.

2dly. EVIDENCES of the divine power of that religion, exemplified in the East.

I. The general truth of the Christian Religion is illustrated by certain evidences in the East. Of these we shall mention the following.

1. Ancient writings of India, containing particulars of the History of Christ.

2. Certain doctrines of the East, shadowing forth the peculiar doctrines of Christianity, and manifestly derived from a common origin.

3. The state of the Jews in the East, confirming the truth of Ancient prophecy.

4. The state of the Syrian Christians in the East, subsisting for many ages, a separate and distinct people in the midst of the heathen world.

These subjects, however, we must notice very briefly.

1. Hindoo history illustrates the history of the Gospel. There have lately been discovered in India certain Shanscrit writings, containing testimonies of Christ.

They

relate to a Prince who reigned about the period of the Christian æra; and whose

history, though mixed with fable, contains particulars which correspond, in a surprising manner, with the advent, birth, miracles, death, and resurrection of our Saviour. Even supposing them to have been derived from the evangelical history, or spurious Gospels, it is remarkable, that they should have been recorded in the sacred language of the Brahmins, and incorporated with their mythology. The event mentioned in the Text is exactly recorded, namely, That certain holy men, directed by a Star, journeyed towards the West, where they beheld the incarnation of the Deity.*

These important records have been

*This testimony of the Hindoo writer accords with that of the Greek writer, Chalcidius, the ancient commentator on Plato, who adds, "that the infant Majesty "being found, the wise men worshipped, and gave gifts "suitable to so great a God." It is remarkable, that the History of the wise men, which is recorded by St. Matthew only, should be confirmed by Hindoos and Greeks.