extend the limits of his church; that he would in. crease the influence of his gospel; and that he would make known his salvation and shew forth his right. eousness in the sight of all the nations.

In our prayers we are to remember, and in our benevolence to embrace all men; but we are more especially to think of, and intercede for the land in which we dwell, and the church of God which is there. Benevolence must be diffusive; but it may operate with greater strength near the centre, than at the extremity of the circle. Our own country is more within our view, than other countries; In her are our friends and connexions; in her prosperity we are peculiarly interested; and for her happiness we are daily to pray. "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem; they shall prosper that love thee. Peace be within thy walls and prosperity within thy palaces. For my brethren and companions' sakes I will now say, Peace be within thee. Because of the house of the Lord our God, I will seek thy good."

We are still more particularly to remember in our prayers the religious society to which we belong, and to accommodate our petitions to the cases of particular members, so far as the peculiarity of their circumstances is known to merit a distinct consideration.

We are to pray for the edification of the church, the increase of faith and holiness, the success of the divine word, the conversion of sinners, and the establishment of saints.

"

One reason why we are required to covenant and associate with one another is, that by mutual coun sel, social prayer, reciprocal example, and a joint attendance on divine ordinances, we all may be com. forted and edified, and may all be builded together for an habitation of God through the spirit.

We see, in the example of David, in what manner we ought to begin every day that we live.. We should direct our morning thoughts to God-lift up our hearts alive to him before they are sunk and buried in the world-contemplate the holiness of his character and his displeasure against the workers of iniquity-incline our hearts to his testimonies, and fix our resolution against every evil way-devote every day so entirely to God, that we may casily from the business of the world to the devotions of the sanctuary-implore the guidance of the divine spirit amidst the errors of a corrupt age-take heed to our ways, that we may not dishonor, but recommend religion by our daily example-and by our daily prayers solicit God's blessing on those, to whom our immediate influence cannot extend.

pass

Thus beginning the day piously, we may spend it profitably, and close it pleasantly, Let every day be thus begun and thus employed, and our last day will be peaceful, our death bed easy, our change safe, and our eternity joyous. Thus our age will be clearer than the noon, our evening brighter than the morning, and the end of our life better than its beginning.

SERMON XIX.

The Shortness of Time illustrated.

I CORINTHIANS vii. 29.

The time is short.

A CONCISE, but solemn sentence, and

pertinent to the season of the year.

It is winter-How short are the days!The sun rises far toward the south; and, just peeping over the hills, casts upon us a pale and oblique glance -then withdraws his face and drops below the horizon. We are naturally reminded, how short and transient is our time on earth, and how soon the day of life will be closed. When we rise to catch the first scattering rays of the morning sun, and assiduously employ the few hours, which he lends us, to dispatch the business in hand, we may reasonably contem plate the more important business, which relates to eternity, and the uncertain period allowed us for its execution. Hence we should be excited early to begin, diligently to ply, and unremittingly to pursue our great work.

The Apostle introduces our text with much solemnity. But this I say, brethren."What does he say?" THE TIME IS SHORT."What more interesting could he say? There is a similar admonition in the 40th chapter of Isaiah "The voice said, CRY. And he said, What shall I cry? ALL FLESH IS GRASS."

We will, first, illustrate, and, then, improve this serious thought.

1. The expression in the text is general, "Time," all time "is short," compared with that incomprehensible duration, which is never to end.

Time is duration measured by the motions of the heavenly bodies, especially of the sun and moon, which are appointed for signs and seasons, for day's and years. When these began their motion, time, in relation to this earth, began its existence. When they shall be plucked from their spheres, then time shall be no longer. Duration will continue; but it will be duration to which no measure can be appli ed. The little portion of time, which our system shall have occupied, will be lost in eternity.

This world has existed nearly six thousands of years; and it may continue to exist as many thousands more. The great scheme of the Creator in forming this globe, and placing man upon it, is far from being finished. The scripture foretells many interesting events and mighty changes, which are yet to be accomplished. When we consider the duration of this globe by itself, or in comparison with shorter periods, it seems long. Ten or twelve thousands of years is a duration which our minds cannot grasp They take it peacemeal. But still it is a duration, which will come to an end. One half of it is gone already: The rest will follow. Long, as it may seem, it shrinks to a point, when eternity is placed by its side.

The revolutions of the sun, after awhile, will have completely measured off such a period. But all the rays, which, in that period, shall have been poured from the sun, in floods so constant and copious, as to fill millions and millions of leagues of space, will not be sufficient to count off the ages of eternity. Are we to exist in such a duration as this? Is its commencement just before us? Will a few more revolutions of the sun-ah, perhaps a few more changes of day and night, bring us into it ?-How solemn the thought! How serious should we be in the contemplation of the grand and untried scene before us! How diligent in the execution of the business here assigned us!

2. Short is the time alloted to man in the present state of his existence.

The duration of the world is short compared with eternity. Inconsiderable is the life of man compared with the duration of the world. Solomon ob. serves, "One generation passeth away, and another generation cometh; but the earth abideth forever," or continueth for ages; we know not how many, There is a similar expression in the 104th Psalm. "God hath laid the foundations of the earth, that it should not be removed forever." This is intended to signify, not its absolute perpetuity in the present form; but its permanence and stability compared with its mortal inhabitants. For in a preceding Psalm it is said, "Of old God hath laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of his hands. They shall perish; but he shall endure -Yea, all of them shall wax old as a garment, and as a vesture shall they be changed; but he is the same, and of his years there is no end."

In the early ages of the world, the life of man was extended to nearly a thousand years. But this term seemed short to those, who reflected, that man was made to be immortal; to dwell on earth till he was