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sins, nor rewarded us in proportion to our iniquities. The punishment has been less, far less than we had deserved to bear; but still sufficient for our warning. In the straitness of the famine there perished, as we are informed, in Ireland, upwards of a million of our fellow-subjects; and they were not sinners more than ourselves. Does not their death repeat the lesson which our Lord gives us in the Gospel, "Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." Indeed, my brethren, it does, and we shall not be wise, if we neglect so to interpret it. The mercy, the forbearance, which the Almighty has shown towards us, will assuredly add to our condemnation, unless it leads us to amendment. And how shall that amendment be carried on better than in those very points wherein we have been found wanting ?

If then, before, God's holy laws have been broken, let us for the future strive to do them more religiously. If His ordinances have been neglected, let us henceforth more diligently keep them. If His bounties have been misused, let us see that we now use them more worthily. Instead of that thankless receiving of the fruits of our land, as though we were indebted to no one but ourselves for their growth, let us always give glory to Him, whose Providence alone has preserved them to our use, and whose mercy has spared us to enjoy them. Let us, I say,

not keep still silence in the midst of the manifold blessings by which we are surrounded, but always, at all times and in all places, let us give hearty and humble. thanks to God for all things in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Hearty and humble thanks to Him for His wondrous love, of which we are tasting day by day in which we live, and move, and have our being. But, above all, thanks and praise for that strongest proof of it, the redemption of our souls from death, through the sufferings of His. beloved Son.

Once more, ere I conclude, let me ask you, as I am in duty bound, to show forth your love and gratitude to God by a work of Christian charity. Almsgiving seems inseparable from true thanksgiving if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. If we have received a blessing from Him, the least that we can do is to impart as hare of it to the indigent, and afflicted; and who are more indigent, who more afflicted, than those of our fellow-subjects in Ireland, and some of the destitute parts of Scotland, who are put forth as claimants for relief on this occasion? The Letter of the Queen tells us," that notwithstanding all that has been done," (and much, I allow, has been done,— much by every class of persons throughout the country, yet notwithstanding this,) "a large portion of the population in these countries is still

suffering severe distress, distress which can only be relieved by the charitable aid of their brethren throughout the empire." That aid will not, I am persuaded, be denied them. Though we may not have much to spare from our own immediate necessities; though our home charities have the first and foremost claim upon our resources; yet something we may all afford; we may all, rich and poor, help to increase the national gratitude by contributing to the relief of those less prosperous than ourselves. For remember what the Apostle tells us of a like occasion, "The administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God." Therefore, my brethren," shew ye to them, and before the churches," the proof of your love." Freely ye have received, freely give." Every man according as he purposeth in his heart; "not grudgingly or of necessity, for God loveth a cheerful giver."

Hartley Wespall, Oct. 17, 1847.

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SERMON XXI.

ALL SAINTS' DAY.

REV. XIV. 13.-" And I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them."

THE very glorious and gracious truth which these words contain, is one that has in all ages since the time they were written, been a source of comfort and encouragement to the Christian. The assurance here given us by St. John of an after-life of rest and recompense,- -an assurance conveyed, as you will observe, by a direct communication from the Almighty-by a voice from Heaven-is such as may well serve to smooth all the difficulties, trials, troubles, and temptations, however manifold and bitter they may be, with which, while in this world, we have to contend.

It is on this account, no doubt, because of the blessedness which is here promised, that our church has selected this particular verse to be read at the burial of the dead,-read, too, at that part of the solemn service when its comfortable words are most required, even at that moment when the last anxious looks of the accompanying mourners are rivetted upon the narrow opening which already holds the object of their regret and grief. Then, when the body has been committed to the ground, when to all human seeming it is cut off for ever from our gaze, when the noise of the scattered mould echoed from the coffin lid, shoots with a pang across the heart, proclaiming the nothingness of our being,then, when hope itself almost dies within us, are these words of comfort to be pronounced by the minister, "I heard a voice from heaven, saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours, and their works do follow them."

Surely, if at such a moment anything could stem the flood of natural sorrow, and turn it into peace and resignation, it would be this. And that such, in many cases, is its effect, your own experience will, I think, confirm. For have you not, my brethren, have you not all, when placed in circumstances of this kind, felt the power of these words?

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