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rise up against thee? I hate them with perfect hatred, I count them my enemies." (Ps. cxxxix. 21, 22.)

5. They who are on the Lord's side are anxious for the success of his cause. They pray for it. They give the Lord no rest till he establish and make Jerusalem a praise in the earth. They use means to gain others over to the Lord's side. They entreat them to be reconciled to God, to renounce the fellowship of the works of darkness. They rejoice in the conversion of sinners from the error of their ways. They are grieved when any who professed to be on the Lord's side make defection from it. They use all proper means to reclaim them.

6. They who are on the Lord's side distinguish themselves by the manner in which they appear for him. Their adherence to the Lord's side is open. They are not disciples of the night, like Nicodemus. They walk in the light. They confess the name of God before many witnesses. They stand with Christ in a conspicuous place, even on Mount Zion. The name of God is written in their foreheads, and therefore obvious to all. They speak a language and act a part which ' show to what side they belong. Neutral and equivocal conduct is inadmissible. Indeed, they themselves scorn it They are not ashamed of their cause or their Master.

Their adherence to the Lord's side is uniform and constant. "Then said Jesus to those Jews that believed on him, if ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed." (John viii. 31.) "Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord." (Hos. vi. 3.) "If any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. But we are not of them that draw back unto perdition, but of them who believe to the saving of the soul." (Heb. x. 38, 39.) Many in their professed adherence to the cause and interest of the Lord are as unstable as water. They waver. (Heb. x. 23.) Their heart is divided. (Hos. x. 2.) They are one day on the Lord's side; another on the side of the world, the devil, and their own lusts.

Their adherence is universal. They cleave to the whole cause and interest of the Lord; to all his truths, ordinances, and laws, as far as they are known to them. They follow the Lord fully; walk in all his ordinances and commandments; esteem all his precepts' concerning all things to be right.

Their adherence is upright in respect of the principle from which they act. This is not a selfish, carnal, and mercenary one, like that of those mentioned, John vi. 26. In respect of the end which they have in view, which is the glory of God, not any carnal and selfish object. In respect of the

manner, cleaving to the Lord in the strength of his grace; living in faith on him.

This adherence is zealous, affectionate and resolute. They may sometimes feel and discover a degree of languor, and indifference, and irresolution. These are not characteristical of them. They are habitually distinguished from cold, carnal, and cautious professors, who are afraid of committing themselves in the service of God.

III. There are seasons when in a particular manner the Lord is calling us to appear on his side. The following are some of them:

1. When few appear on his side. Compared with the number of his enemies, the Lord's followers have been few. They are a little flock. There are times when they are fewer than ordinary; when the side of his enemies is numerous and powerful. Then there is a special call to appear in an open and decided manner on his side, in defence of his cause and interest.

2. When defection prevails among them who profess to be upon his side. In the time of the ministry of Christ on earth, many professed to be on his side, and attended on his sermons, and witnessed his miracles. Their motives, however, were not genuine. They adhered to him because they expected to derive some worldly advantage from him. In one of his discourses, they took offence at his doctrine, which did not accord with their preconceived notions. They went back and walked no more with him. Jesus turning to his disciples, said, "Will ye also go away?" Then Simon Peter answered him, "Lord, to whom shall we go? thou hast the words. of eternal life." (John vi. 66-69.) When Israel apostatized in the worship of the golden calf, all the sons of Levi stood forth on the Lord's side. In the same manner the faithful followers of God acted under the reign of Antichrist, when all the world wondered after the beast. Though few and obscure, they bore testimony for Christ.

3. When those who profess to be on the side of the Lord discover a lukewarm and wavering temper as to his cause and interest. When they begin to temporize-this is an alarming symptom, and often proves the cause of actual defection from the Lord's side. The true adherents of Christ should not be indifferent to it, but should endeavor to excite their brethren to a consistent and active zeal in the cause of God. Thus acted Joshua towards Israel," Choose you this day whom you will serve," &c. Thus acted Elijah toward the same people at Mount Carmel: "How long halt ye between two opinions?" Thus Paul towards Peter, when he withstood him

to the face, and blamed him for his dissimulation. (Gal. ii.) Christ condemns this spirit of indifference in the Church of Ephesus, who had fallen from her first love. (Rev. ii.) And in the Church of Laodicia. (Rev. iii.) How much of this appears now! and how few are there, who, by their example and conversation, endeavor to check it.

4. When the Lord's side is in great reproach and contempt. Sometimes it has been in repute; it has enjoyed the favor of the great, and many outward advantages. Then many accede to it, and none make defection from it. But often it is in circumstances the reverse of these. This was the case in the days of Nehemiah. The remnant of the captivity was in great affliction and reproach. When they began to re-es tablish themselves in Jerusalem, and rebuild the temple, and restore the worship of God, Sanballat and Tobiah derided them. "What do these feeble Jews? Will they fortify themselves? Will they sacrifice? Will they make an end in one day? Will they revive the stones out of the heaps of the rubbish which are burnt? Even that which they build, if a fox go up he shall even break down their stone wall." (Neh. iv. 2, 3.) Then the Lord had some on his side, who were not afraid nor ashamed to espouse his cause and interest, though much opposed, oppressed, and despised. Nehemiah preferred the interest of Zion above his chief joy. He was deeply affected by her depression. He wept and mourned and lasted and prayed to the God of heaven. He interceded with the Persian king to extend his patronage to her. He entered on the most perilous enterprizes in her behalf. example is worthy of imitation.

His

5 When the Lord's side is exposed to ravages and persecution. A time of peace multiplies professed adherents to the cause of God. He sends persecution to try their integrity. Many do not stand the test. All who are upright in their profession are disposed and enabled to suffer rather than sin. They remain faithful unto death, resisting even unto blood, striving against sin.

[The above discourse has no written application: and in several places there are marks which indicate that what occurs under various particulars, was merely the introduction. or outline of what was intended. Nothing, however, has been added, nor is there any correction of the language, except when there are such omissions or mistakes as naturally

occur in the haste of writing. It would have been desirable that the discourse had been more full, but even in its imperfect state, it can do no discredit to the dead, and by the divine blessing, may do much good to the living.-Editor.]

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

OF THE REV. JOSEPH SHAW, L. L. D.

THE subject of the following memoir was born at Rattray, Perthshire, Scotland, and baptized, December 6, 1778. He gave evidence of early piety. The early part of his life was spent in preparing himself for the arduous and highly responsible duties of an "Ambassador of Christ." He was educated at Edinburgh, and finished his collegiate course with credit and reputation. He prosecuted the study of Divinity under the Rev. Professor Bruce; and having spent the usual time, was commissioned to preach the everlasting gospel. Soon after this, a request was made by the Associate congregation of Philadelphia, to the General Associate Synod of Scotland, to appoint one to labor among them in word and doctrine. Mr. Shaw was selected and appointed to this work. In the fall of 1805, he arrived in this country, and after a fair hearing, the congregation called him to be their fixed pastor. In this situation he continued until the year 1810, when, for reasons which he deemed sufficient, he gave in the demission of his charge of the congregation.

He was afterwards called to the professorship of languages in Dickinson College, Carlisle, where he continued till the operations of that institution ceased. In 1815, he received a similar call to the Academy of Albany, New-York. Here he taught with reputation and success. His labors as a minister were occasionally, and for a time, almost statedly enjoyed by the congregation in Fox-street, and he was the principal instrument in bringing that congregation into connection with the Associate Church. Those who were educated under him, always spoke of him with gratitude and affection, and regarded him as a father and friend. He was elected a mem

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