DISCOURSE.

Venerable Fathers and Beloved Brethren

in our Lord Jesus Christ :

I CONFESS to you, that in view of my appearance before you to conduct your meditations, by your own appointment, I have felt myself much at a loss in the selection of a suitable theme.

So many years have transpired since this annual service was begun, and so many and such able pens have been employed, that it seemed to me that every aspect in which our great work could be, has been presented, and that I could hope to say nothing which would attract by its novelty or its peculiarity. But I have been rebuked by the reflection that this most blessed work never loses its freshness; that what has interested will still interest; what has commanded the heart will still command it, though often called up. This is the peculiarity of God's plans and works; while man's inventions become monotonous and fail in their hold on the mind.

In my dilemma I have taken counsel of the occasion, and asked myself why this solemn convocation, why this gathering of Christian brethren from every part of this land? Is it to learn "some new thing," " like the ancient Athenians? Is it not to have our minds and hearts refreshed by mingling in meditation on the characteristics of our work? Is it not to contemplate the progress of that work, and thank God and set out with new courage? If this be so, I feel that one great point will be gained, if we may take our places at our Master's feet and learn of Him; and this I would seek in this exercise.

Let us transfer ourselves mentally to the scene depicted in the fifth of Matthew. We behold there our dear Lord in the midst of an intensely interesting throng, removed from all the exciting circumstances of the world. It was a mountain sanctuary, the broad expanse of heaven the canopy. He developes clearly and beautifully the spirit which he would have his disciples cultivate; he clears away the false interpretations of the divine law which had debased the people; he leads them into just views of the practical course his system required; he teaches them duty and devotion; what a scene! The Master inducting his chosen ones into the mode in which they should approach the throne of the heavenly grace, and what subjects should occupy the mind and the heart! It is there, our object as men laboring that truth and righteousness may fill the earth, has a special and prominent place. Thus shalt thou pray, "Thy kingdom come." Oh, I Iwould that we could here for a moment lose all

thought of official relations, and realize the simplicity and sublimity of that scene, and, taking part with that assembly as learners, bring every circumstance strongly home to our own hearts. This is the theme which our Great Teacher gives for our meditations

THY KINGDOM COME.-MATT. vi. 10.

And may His Holy Spirit aid us, while we bring ourselves to the contemplation of what is here involved.

My Brethren, you will observe,

I. That our object as a missionary association, seeking to establish the kingdom of righteousness, is commended by the highest authority in the church of God. He who speaks is the Head over all things to the church, who has all power given unto him in heaven and upon earth.

To the inquiry what kingdom is intended by this petition, we can be at no loss for an answer. Two kingdoms in general are spoken of in the word of God, viz: his providential kingdom or his sovereignty, and his kingdom of grace. Of the former it is to be remarked it is universal. Ever since there has been a world or a created being, this kingdom was "come." Universal, unlimited dominion, supreme sovereignty, belong necessarily to God. And though many of his intelligent creatures neither acknowledge nor know him as their God, over all, his might and his goodness are constantly exercised. Of this it is said, "His kingdom ruleth over all." He is Lord of lords, and King of kings-the King

"In

of the nations of the earth. All wait upon him and receive the daily supply for their wants. him we live, move, and have our being."

There is another kingdom spoken of in the sacred word-one not yet fully come, and that is the gospel kingdom, or the kingdom of grace. Of this it was prophesied by Daniel, five centuries before Christ, "And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever." A careful comparison of the portions of the chapter, preceding this verse, proves indubitably that the kingdom of the Messiah, or the gospel kingdom, is the one contemplated by Daniel. The prevailing opinion in the time of our Lord was, that a mighty kingdom was to be set up. Hence the inquiry of the Pharisees (Luke 17:20) "when the kingdom of God shall come." With this our Lord's mind was naturally filled, and as naturally he commended it to the affections and devotions of his disciples. Having given a distinct place to this in his first recorded discourse, he made it the subject of charge in closing his ministry on earth. That command, "Preach the gospel to every creature," bequeaths to the church the same object.

And what do we seek, but to take up the work as left by those who have gone before, and carry the Scriptures to every benighted, revolted heart; to convey the message of mercy to the lost wanderer; apply the balm of Gilead to the stricken. soul; recover the rebel and bring him as an humble

devotee at the feet of the God of heaven; seeking that the kingdom of grace may fully and triumphantly come to all and over all? Does our Lord commend this work? We can ask no higher warrant. We know we are right. Our work is taken altogether from the category of theories and speculations, and ranges with solemn realities which bear the impress divine.

If our

Most comforting, blessed conclusion! hearts at any time hesitate, this will re-nerve them. If our brethren become affected by unbelieving apprehensions, this is the key to remove every difficulty and rally their energy anew. What more potent than the consideration, "Wist ye not that I must be about my Father's business?" "Tis our Father's work we do, our Father's will we obey. There are times when it is especially proper to dwell on this. One of these is, when results are reached so slowly, and then are so stinted, that the benefactions of the church seem almost as committed to the deep. Then, to refer to this starting principle" It is God's work; we are right"-settles all the discouragements and difficulties of appearances, and rallies the wasting energies. Another season is, that when the sympathizing heart contemplates the sacrifices and trials of the convert from heathenism, and reasons, Why place the unhappy creature in situations of such danger? Do we well to disturb him? Do we well to call him to the adoption of what will almost necessarily provoke suffering and entail sorrow upon his life?' With all other views and considerations, this comes in, to quiet the sympathetic questioner, This work is

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