decrease of the false pretensions of Saracenic superstition, and Mahomedan imposture.

4thly. A manifestly awakened interest in the Christian world to the great and peculiar doctrines of the Gospel; and a visible and an acknowledged dying away of that listlessness and indifference to their spiritual post, which for so long a period marked and disgraced the Christian ministry.

5thly. The interest felt, and through a considerable portion of the Christian world evidenced by outward deed, for the forlorn and affecting condition of the state of the Jews; a people once greatly beloved, but now, and for many centuries past, cast off and forsaken, until the Divine Word shall speak, "It is enough."

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And, lastly, that prodigious increase of knowledge, among all ranks of people, a general desire most especially directed towards the study and acquisition of religious knowledge: the press teeming with religious publications; the people eager in the purchase thereof; and the wide circulation of the sacred Word of God over so large a portion of the earth.

More than the bare enumeration of these

six different subjects for our future consideration, in due remembrance of the uncertainty of every thing future, our time will not now permit me to bring before you. In their separate and individual character they appear to my own mind greatly momentous; and, therefore, that in their combined character they should be considered as intended to be influential. That they are " signs of the times," for myself I entirely believe. But of what they are the especial sign, beyond the evident call to spiritual thought and watchfulness for our souls, I do not, for one moment, venture to affirm. That they signify something, is quite evident. These are matters too big for human agency alone, and far beyond all human calculation. Had any of us, my brethren, who lived at their commencement, some five and thirty years ago, been told of what we have lived to witness, we should indeed have regarded the matter as the speculation of a visionary, or as the sinister aim of an impostor.

Inasmuch, however, as we have experienced a succession of events around us in other lands, and among ourselves at home, which no period of the world, in its history of a six thousand years duration, has ever witnessed; I feel that

it is an especial duty, on my part, to bring your thoughts to this particular view of them, now so much spoken of in the Christian world every where.

And while this I endeavour to

do, let me urge upon you again and again the only justifiable object of your considering them at all: namely, that you may regard the ways of Providence as the visible interpretation, in its measure, of his written word: that whether I put before you, as your Minister, matter of public or of private incident, it can have but one intended end; that the soul may be moved to deeper consideration of those interests which involve it in the events of time, as introductory to their consummation in eternity. For a few short years you are stationed in this place of your moral probation. During that little interval which passes between your first introduction into existence and your unchangeable condition fixed for eternity, you have God with you working for your good. In his sacred Word, he reveals his will, and shows you, what otherwise you would have never known, save only in its unqualified and bitter fruits, the origin of our evil, and its only cure; the corruption of our soul, and its redemption in the free mercy of Jesus Christ, our great, our only,

our sufficient propitiation. In his book of nature he shows you his power, his wisdom, and his goodness; and surrounds you with the infinite wonders of his power and wisdom, that he may draw you to the contemplation of his unbounded love. In the revolutions of empires, and the changes wrought among nations and individuals, he bids you see that "it is the finger of God;" and puts "the

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signs of the times" before you, with the paternal manifestation of his tender mercy; and of all his dealings ever repeats to us his recorded testimony, "O that they were wise, "that they understood this, that they would "consider their latter end." (Deut. xxxii. 29.) You, my brethren, who, through grace have been led to consider it, in reference to your great salvation in Christ Jesus, continue thus to "commit your souls unto him as unto a "faithful" Redeemer. "You are compleat in "him" but remember, in him alone.

You, my brethren, who have not considered your latter end, certainly do not consider the ways of God, whether he speak through his Word, or through "the signs of the times.' To you, nevertheless, God still in forbearing mercy speaks through both. They are calls

urged upon you with a holy calling every where. A merciful Saviour still invites, "Come unto me." Heretofore you have made your excuse your farm, your merchandize, your business, your pleasures; and your time is fast hastening to its final close. "The night "is far spent; the day is at hand." The hour will soon be here which terminates the assigned period of your few days upon earth; and then are you called no more, save only by the awakening blast of the Archangel's trumpet from your dust to the Judgment. Scripture now tells you that you are among those of whom Christ, in tender mercy and fulness of redemption, declared, " Many are called:" take heed lest, " through an evil heart of "unbelief," you be not among those of whom Christ, for your warning, also declared, "few Choose but Christ now, and

"are

are chosen."

Christ will not reject you then.