SERMON.

ZECHARIAH iv. 6.

NOT BY MIGHT, NOR BY POWER, BUT BY MY SPIRIT, SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS.

THIS was spoken by the angel of the Lord, concerning the building of the second temple. It is the explanation of a vision, which was seen by the prophet Zechariah, the object of which was, to show him, and through him to make known to the people a truth, which it was of great importance that they should clearly understand and deeply feel; viz. that while they must, themselves, make strenuous and persevering exertions to build the temple, their dependence for success must be placed, not upon themselves, nor upon creatures, but upon the Spirit of the Lord. This is a truth of universal application, with regard to every good work; and of fundamental importance to all people. For this reason God takes a variety of ways to make it known, and to impress it upon the hearts of men. And for the same reason I invite your attention to it at this time.

The angel of the Lord came to the prophet, and awaked him, as a man is awakened out of his sleep, and said to him, What seest thou? He looked, and lo, a candlestick all of gold; with a bowl upon the top of it, and seven lamps thereon. He saw also two olive trees, one on each side; and two olive branches, one from each tree, hanging over the bowl. These branches were emptying oil out of themselves into the bowl. And from this bowl it was carried by seven pipes to the seven lamps, which were burning, with distinguished lustre, upon the top of the candlestick. Here was an emblem of the reality, the necessity, and the consistency of divine and human agency, in the furnishing of the light of life, to this dark and ruined world.

The prophet, not understanding the meaning of the vision, was astonished; and said, What are these, my Lord? The angel answered, Knowest thou not what these be? He said, No, my Lord. Then the angel answered and said, This is the word of the Lord to Zerubbabel, who was at this time prince of Judah, saying, Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, saith the Lord of hosts.

As these lamps which you see, are supplied with oil and kept constantly burning, not by the agency of man, but of God, so the temple shall be built, and the nation established and made prosperous and happy, not by human might or power, but by the Spirit of the Lord. He shall operate on the heart of the king of Persia, and incline him to favor you; on the hearts of your enemies, and keep them at a

distance; on the hearts of the people, and excite them to the work, to undertake it with resolution, and to prosecute it with diligence, amidst all the difficulties which they may be called to encounter, until it shall be completed. All this shall be done, not by might, nor by power, but by the Spirit of the Lord.

Yet, in the accomplishment of this work, there must be might and power. Human might and power, with great skill and perseverance, must be exerted, or the work will not be done. Olive trees will not grow, bear fruit, and produce oil, in such a manner as to give light, without human effort. Candlesticks and lamps, bowls to receive oil, and pipes to convey it to the proper places, are not made without hands; and hands under the guidance of sound heads and hearts; dependent, indeed, upon God, but voluntarily employed in the accomplishment of that, which is represented in the Bible, and represented truly, as done by the Lord.

This unfolds a principle of vast importance to all men. Notwithstanding their dependence on God, which is real, entire, and universal, what their hands find to do, they must do, and with their might. That might which God has given them, and for this purpose, must be voluntarily and perseveringly exerted, in accordance with certain laws which he has established, or his Almighty power will not be exerted in their behalf. It is true, and it ought deeply to be felt, that, except the Lord build the house, they labor in vain that build it. And it is equally true,

and it ought as deeply to be felt, that, except men labor, according to his appointment, vain are their expectations, that he will ever build it. For he will not exert his power, except in his way. And to experience the benefit of that power, men must take that way. His promised operations were not designed, and when correctly understood, are not adapted to supersede their efforts, but to awaken them; to give them new energy; and to crown them with glorious success. And this is an aspect of Divine operations, which should never be lost sight of; that which awakens attention; which excites to effort; and in dependence on him, of whom, and through whom, and to whom, are all things.

This was the aspect in which the subject was presented to the mind of the prophet, and this the aspect in which he presented it to the minds of the people. And so they understood it. No sooner were they told that the Spirit of the Lord was to be the builder of the temple, than they ascended the hills and the mountains, collected their materials, brought them to the spot, and, according to laws by which God operates in such matters, fitted them for their places, and put them together. Had they not done this, they might in words have acknowledged their dependence, and waited and prayed, and prayed and waited for the Lord, or rather against him, all their lives, and not even the foundation of their temple have been laid. Why not? Was it not the temple of the Lord? and had he not promised that it should be built? and that he would be the

builder? And had he not decreed that this should be done, and thus shown that it was certain? Yes, it was the temple of the Lord. He had declared that it should be built, and that he would be the builder. He had decreed that this should be done, and made known that decree; and thus showed to the universe, that its accomplishment was certain. But it was not his house in any such sense, that he would build it without them. He had not promised or decreed any such thing, but the contrary. He had indeed said that it should be built, not by might, nor by power, but by his Spirit; and this was true. But it was not true in that sense, which those men put upon his words, who would not work, and gave his declarations as an excuse for their neglect: who said that they had nothing to do, or that there was nothing which they could do; and of course, did nothing. But it was true in that other sense in which God meant it; and in which those understood it, who were awakened by it to inquire, each one for himself, Lord, what wilt thou have me to do? and who, as God showed them their duty, were ready, in dependence on him, to do it. And who, in this way, caused their temple to rise, and who continued their exertions, without becoming weary, till they saw it completed. And then, as a confirmation of God's truth, and a public testimony to their faith in it, brought forth the head-stone thereof, with shoutings, crying, GRACE, grace, unto it.

This is the effect of a biblical conviction of dependence on God, in every age. It will awaken atten