God, pours its healing and refreshing streams to fructify the moral world.

But why laud we thus the power and conquests of the pulpit? Not to inform, but rather to remind the reader of its moral prowess, which we would again call into operation against these new opponents of social happiness. We say, again call the power of the pulpit into exercise against the sin of Sabbath-breaking, because we feel convinced that its power has not been fully brought forth to check and overthrow the increasing vices of the age. The power of pulpit ministration does not now, as in days of old, produce the magic transformation in society; it does not so generally excite the veneration of the sage, nor command the respect of the lawless libertine, as formerly. And why? Have its themes become less important, less exciting, less commanding, or less powerful? No! but the manner in which they have generally been enunciated has militated against them. They have been misdirected and clogged with appendages which have neutralized their influence upon the heart and conscience of man. Those burning, quickening, and renovating truths, which should issue from the consecrated altar in their native lustre and power, have been mixed with the sterile theories of metaphysical

jargon, and with the freezing coldness of mere speculative philosophy.

The manner, too, in which they have been delivered has eclipsed their brilliancy, and nullified their force upon the conscience. The declaiming violence of some ministers; the high flowing diction and pompous style of others; the insipid monotony and straining finesse of many more; tend to blunt the sword of truth that it cannot pierce, much less divide asunder the man of sin from the soul. By such lifeless, enervating methods of preaching, the truths of the gospel fall from the pulpit like icicles from an icebergchilling instead of invigorating,-palling instead of expanding, the faculties of the soul. Thus, the grand and elevating themes which belong peculiarly, yea, exclusively to the pulpit, and which should shed a permanent and burning glow, emit but few and feeble rays. Like the golden points which stud the azure sky, they but faintly glimmer, just making "darkness visible;" but they neither warm nor guide. Themes which would thrill, and animate, and raise the soul, lose their vitality by being treated with an air of indifference so vapid, cold, and listless.

Let it not be supposed that we speak thus strongly on the present character of pulpit exercises with bitter or contemptuous feelings. We

speak earnestly; but with deep regret that the ministry should have lost so much of its moral power in the church and in the world by the perversion of its high prerogatives.

Further, the reformatory power of the pulpit is not now so much felt, because ministers do not make the crying sins of the times the subjects of their sermons and denunciations, so frequently and so pointedly as they demand. And this sin of Sabbath desecration, the most universally and flagrantly practised, is, perhaps, the least considered and the least condemned. Many, it would seem, quiet their consciences, and persuade themselves that they have done their duties, by occasionally noticing and denouncing some of the most prominent features of Sabbath profanity. They appear to act as though they thought that a direct and continued attack on this cherished evil would endanger their reputation for variety of topics and originality of matter in their discourses. The people, they think, would sicken at the constant repetition of the subject, and "the wearied ear would turn from the oft-repeated tale." And so, to save their credit, they go through their routine of topics with the regularity of revolving planets. Hence it is that Sabbath-breaking is so far ahead of the work of reform. We are aware that, of late, many in the ministry have been

awakened to this fact, and are now making strenuous efforts to impede the further progress of this mighty evil. Yet, we cannot throw off the conviction that those agencies should have been earlier exerted: then, the rest and sanctity of the Sabbath would doubtless, to a far greater extent, have been held inviolable; and, to an equal amount, the present numerous evils consequent on its violation would have been prevented.

The continuance, yea, the increase of Sabbathbreaking, we attribute in a great measure to the neglect of the public ministry. Had ministers stood forward with more unity and boldness to oppose the invasions which have lately been made on this day, its fearful desecration would notcould not-have attained to such a magnitude and extent. They have not exerted the power they possess, but have suffered these inroads to be made on the rights of the working man, without steadfastly lifting their voice against them. So far, they are chargeable with the existence of these evils, and are responsible for their guilt. We speak thus plainly to excite to more unanimous, ardent, and constant opposition to further encroachments on the claims of God and the privileges of man, and to exterminate those already in existence. This is a most important part of their great commission; and, without due atten

tion to it, other duties and objects, in a great measure, will fail of accomplishment. This is evident from the present state of religion in the Christian church. The power of vital godliness has waned in proportion as the Sabbath has been profaned the progress of Christianity has been regulated by the same criterion. Religion has neither prospered nor advanced where the day of the Lord is so employed-so treated with indifference and contempt. How could it do so? The Sabbath is so important an ally, yea, it is an adjunct, a component part of Christianity, that to destroy the former, is, in fact, to annihilate the latter; whilst, to regard the Sabbath, is to promote the prosperity of the gospel.

This consideration is enough to lead ministers to employ their influence to obtain for the working man the day of rest and of peace which God has given to all.

No one can dispute the efficiency of pulpit ministrations to accomplish the object, if they be properly exercised and directed. There is no principle in the human heart, no disposition in the mind, nor any injurious custom in society, that can long resist the sustained and well-directed efforts of the public ministry, when attended with that divine agency which ever accompanies the faithful discharge of duty. And these systems of