৮ gave light by night to the Israelites but was a cloud of darkness to the Egyptians. A proper attention to the words of our Savior to the Jews, would free us from all difficulties of this kind. If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself. Those who have been the most faithful in their service, have ever been the least perplexed in their minds; and if we would have more discernment we should ask for more faith. The promise of God in the text, that he would give it; the kingdom, or the world, to Christ, whatever there may be in it which we cannot comprehend, clearly conveys this idea, that the kingdom, or the world, should be brought into such a situation, as to be subject to, and quiet under, the government of Christ. This must be the case if things civil, and religious; if the affairs of the great community of mankind, experience such an alteration, or overturning, that it will be proper to say, Old things are passed away behold all things are become new. If those evils, public, and private, and of every name, and nature, which have hitherto disgraced the human character, shall be laid aside, what can take their place, but holiness in its various manifestations? Many will treat as chimerical, whatever is said about a day of universal peace, and holiness. Why do not the same persons treat as chimerical, the calculations of astronomers, and say, that the eclipses which they predict, will never take place? Are the truths of God less to be depended upon, than the principles of astronomical calculation? Does not history coincide exactly with prophecy, so far as the time has come for the prophecy to be fulfilled? Let no one then, congratulate himself, and call his own unbelief superior judgment; but let every unbeliever take warning from unbelievers of old time. Noah's ark, doubtless, furnished a topic for much ridicule. But what became of those who ridiculed the ark, and its builder? The flood washed them away. The people of Sodom disregarded, and despised, all the What became of them? of fire, and brimstone. counsels, and instructions, of Lot. They were consumed in a storm What became of the unbelieving lord, who treated with contempt the prophecy of Elisha, respecting plenty in Samaria? He lived to see the plenty; but not to partake of it, for he was trodden to death at the gate. It is acknowledged, that the change we are contemplating as to take place in the world, will be so great and wonderful, that those who disregard what God has said about it, and are unmindful of his power, may, in perfect consistency with their principles, pronounce it altogether impossible. That it will be effected we are assured; and how it will be effected we are, generally, informed. Miracles have had their day and have answered their purpose. What is now to be done will be brought about in the ordinary way of God's dispensations, and by the instrumentality of second causes. The work was going on in St. Paul's day; and he was one of the instruments; and from him we may learn what means are suitable to be used and what will be effectual. For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal; but mighty through God, to the pulling down of strong holds; Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God; and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ. A single clause of Daniel's prophecy with respect to the time of the end, or the last days, will be sufficient information. Many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased. From this we learn, that many persons were to be employed as teachers; or to give them another name, as missionaries, to instruct the ignorant, not only, nor especially, in things relating to civilized life; but in the higher concern of religion. Of course we are to expect that the bible, which hitherto, has been confined within a narrow circle; will be sent in every direction, and translated into the various languages of the world, that it may be understood. Perhaps it may be thought that since the bible has had but a partial influence in those christian countries where it has long been used as a school book, the most that we can expect from it, should it be circulated through the world will be, that it will produce such effects within a great circle, as it has already produced within a small one. Such an opinion would have more to support it than it now has, if we were not taught, in the plainest manner, to look for such things as the world has never yet experienced. The text is a mass of information, and evidence, of itself. The eleventh chapter of St. Paul's epistle to the Romans deserves to be consulted likewise; and whoever believes it to be true, must have very high expectations with respect to future time. We have now given our subject a hasty, and imperfect discussion, and will bring it to a close with a few words of improvement. St. Paul's words to the Romans are pertinent in our case, What advantage then hath the Jew, or what profit is there of circumcision? Much every way; chiefly because that unto them were committed the oracles of God. The chief advantage which the Jews had in that day consisted in this, that they were favored with revelation which other nations had not. We have the same revelation, enlarged by the addition of all the New Testament. If this constitutes our principal advantage, as doubtless it does, we are thankful for nothing, unless we are especially thankful for this. From the scriptures we may learn the character of God; and our own character; our duty; and our destiny; what has filled the world with evil; and what will cure the evil of the world; what events are to take place at one period, and another, and what will be the grand result; and from this source we may derive our highest enjoyments for the present; and our brightest and most substantial hopes for the future. God has also given us a goodly heritage. Instead of inhabiting a barren nook of earth, we dwell in a land so extensive as to offer easy acquisitions to the people; and so abundant in its productions, that industry is seldom disappointed. If we should be thankful for a litttle of this world, how thankful should we be for the abundance which we possess. Notwithstanding all the wretched beings who are held in bondage within some sections of our country, we are a free people, for those who have any thing, have it under their control; and appoint their rulers, and displace them, at their pleasure. The means of information too, are general, and easy to be obtained; and schools of various kinds, and colleges, are numerous, and increasing. Here religion has flourished in every age, and though the gospel net has gathered of every kind, many will be found in the end, who will not be cast away. The past year has been marked with much favor as our condition has been regarded. The earth has yielded her increase, and the means of subsistence can be obtained with uncommon ease. Peace has given to business a new direction; but have not all who have wished to be busy, found something profitable to do? Some parts of our country have been visited with mortal disease, to a very great degree; but notwithstanding the season with us, has been uncommon, there has been general health among the people in this region. We in this society have had as many deaths as common, which we should remember as adımonitions; while we should notice with gratitude, the health that has prevailed. If we are thankful for the blessings which we have always had, we shall be thankful that God is blessing other people; the savages of our wilderness; many other parts of the heathen world; and the world, generally. The work of God goes on so rapidly, that he must be insensible who can inquire, Where is the promise of his coming? Nations are born in a day. Whether a world which has been soraccustomed to convulsions, will not be again convulsed, time must determine, but for present favorable appearances let us thank God and take courage. We meet here my friends, annually upon such an occasion as this; and every year we miss some who made a part of the assembly the preceeding year; and who had as good reason as any others to calculate upon future opportunities. If from what has been, we may judge of what will be, this will be the last day of public Thanksgiving with some of us. Where should we have been had God taken us instead of others whom he has called away? Are we thankful, that the Spirit, and the bride still address us, and say, Come? To spend life on the abuse of God's goodness is to spend it foolishly, and wickedly, indeed. The general appearance of things among us it must be acknowledged is less favorable than it was the last year at this time. Let us all consider what God has done for us, and what returns we ought to make to him. Let those who have lamps inquire whether they have oil; for lamps without oil, are useless things. May God add his blessing to our services, and accept us for his name's sake. |