an infatuation, were it not prophesied that THUS it should be. They did not think of giving the Gospel to a people of whom the Prophet had said, "that they should be removed into all the kingdoms of the earth for their HURT, to be a reproach, and a proverb, and a taunt, and a curse," Jer. xxiv, 9. But we can now "speak comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her that her WARFARE IS ACCOMPLISHED;" for it is prophesied again, "That blindness in part is happened to Israel, UNTIL the fulness of the Gentiles be come in," Rom. xi, 25. By this prophecy we see that the conversion of the Jews is connected with that of the Gentiles: and is to be, if not contemporaneous, at least, an immediate consequent. But the conversion of the Gentiles has already commenced; and commenced with most remarkable success. And now, behold the preparation for the conversion of the Jews! Add to this, the Jews themselves contemplate some change to be at hand. It is certainly true that both among the Jews in the East and in the West there is, at this time, an expectation of great events in regard to their own nation. It is not unlike that EXPECTATION, which pervaded the Roman Empire before the coming of the Messiah.

We are now to notice a remarkable peculiarity in all these three Eras of Light.

In the first Era, when our SAVIOR preached his own Gospel, and performed wonderful works, there were some who denied that the work was from God; and he was said to be "beside himself;" and to do these works by the power of the prince of darkness." But our Lord's answer to them was in these words, "The WORKS that I do, bear witness of me, that the Father hath sent me," John v, 36. And when the Apostle Paul preached the Gospel of Christ, he was

accounted "a fool for Christ's sake: he was reviled, persecuted, and defamed," 1 Cor. iv, 10. But he could appeal to the GREAT WORK which he performed, "the deliverance of the Gentiles from darkness to light."

In the second Era, at the Reformation, LUTHER and those other great Teachers whom God so highly honored, were also called Enthusiasts, and were accused of a flagrant and misguided zeal. But "the works which they did" testified that they were sent of God, as Ambassadors of Christ, of which the conversion of our own nation is an evidence to this day.

In the Third Era of Light, those eminent persons who were chiefly instrumental in diffusing it, were in like manner called Enthusiasts. But "the wORKS which they did, testify that they were also Ambassadors of Christ," and "able ministers of the New Testament," preaching unto men the doctrine of life; of which, REMOTE nations as well as our own, will bear witness at a future day.

For let us dispassionately contemplate the works that have followed the revival of Religion in this country. We now stand at some distance, and can survey the object in all its parts, and in its just proportion. We stated these works to be,

1. An increased knowledge of the Holy Scriptures; producing

2. A cultivation of the principles of the Gospel, and the practice of the virtues of subordination, loyalty, and contentment.

3. The almost universal instruction of the POOR: SO that it may be truly said, "The poor have the Gospel preached to them."

4. The more general worship of God in our land.

5. The publication of the Bible in new languages; and,

6. The promulgation of Christianity among all na tions; to Jews and to GENTILES.

Are these works of darkness? Are they not rather the works which are called in Scripture "the fruits of the Spirit?" Let a man beware how he arraigns or contemns those works which he may not perfectly comprehend, lest peradventure he should speak a word against the operation of God the Holy Ghost. There are many at this day who say they believe in ONE God. These may be Deists and others. There are many who say they believe in God the Son, after a certain manner. These may be Socinians, and Pelagians. But the true criterion of the faith of a Christian at this day, is to acknowledge the continued influences of God the HOLY GHOST. "By this shall ye know them." For the Apostle Paul hath said, "That no man can say that Jesus is the Lord but By the Holy Ghost," 1 Cor. xii, 3. And our Savior hath said that the Holy Ghost shall abide with his Church “FOR EVER." John xiv, 16.

But those who deny the influence of the Holy Spirit, will also deny the WORKS of the Spirit. What more undeniable work of the Spirit can be VISIBLE ÎN the Church of Christ than the sending forth preachers to preach the everlasting Gospel to the heathen world? What nobler or purer work of righteousness can be imagined than the giving the HOLY BIBLE to all nations? And yet there are many who behold both undertakings with indifference, or even hostility. Others there are who, professing a purer theology, cannot deny the truth and justice of the principle, but they argue against THE WAY; they contend for the old way; as if a man should think to evangelize the

world after the fashion of his own parish. They say they would conduct these new and grand designs after the old precedent; when the truth is, there has been no precedent for what is now doing, in its present extent, for nearly eighteen centuries past. CHRIST and his Apostles established the first and great PRECEDENT.

It may be expected that those who deny the continued influences of the Holy Spirit in the Church, will deny that the present is an Era of Light. When Christ came, who was "the Light of the world," there were many who denied that any Light had come. When the Truth shone a second time at the Reformation, there were many who perceived it not. And though the BRIGHT BEAMS of Light at the present period far transcend those of the Reformation, there are many who behold them not. They wonder indeed to see various Societies, which have no connexion with each other, engaged in pursuing the same object, They behold men of different nations and of different languages, animated by the same spirit, promoting the same design, encountering the same difficulties, persevering with the same ardor, giving and not receiving, expending money, time, and labor, in an undertaking in which there is no SELF-INTEREST; and all agreeing in one common voice, LET THERE BE LIGHT. All this they behold, and they wonder: but they do not believe. And thus it is written; "Behold, ye despisers, and wonder, and perish; for I work a work in your days, a work which ye shall in no wise believe, though a man declare it unto you," Acts xiii, 41.

A violent but ineffectual attempt was made some time ago to impede the progress of this work. But the current was strong and deep, and these momentary obstructions served merely to increase its force. "There is a river, the streams whereof shall make glad the

city of God,"

Psalm xlvi, 4. No human power can stop its course. Many who are yet hostile to this undertaking will shortly join in it. We believe that the strength of the nation will soon be with it: and that all hope of resisting it, entertained by unbelieving men, will be disappointed. For the prophecy hath gone forth, "He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh; the Lord shall have them in derision. I will declare the DECREE: Thou art my Son, I shall give thee the heathen for thine INHERITANCE, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy POSSESSION," Psalm ii, 8.

It is of vast consequence to the purity and perpetuity of our Church that those Students who are preparing to enter it, should have just views on this subject. There is one fact which ought frequently to be illustrated to them, as being the foundation, on which they are to form a judgment on this and other parts of the divine dispensation. It is the following.

It is an undeniable truth, constantly asserted by Scripture, and demonstrated by experience, that there have ever been Two descriptions of persons in the Church. They are denominated by our Savior, "the children of light and the children of this world;" and again, "the children of the wicked one, and the children of the kingdom." Matt. xiii, 38. These different terms originate entirely from our receiving or not receiving that illumination of understanding which God, who cannot lie, hath promised to give to them that ask him. For if a man supplicate the Father of Lights for his "good and perfect Gift," with a humble and believing spirit, he will soon be sensible of the effect in his own mind. He will begin to behold many things in a view very different from what he did before; he will devote himself to the duties of his profession with alacrity and zeal, as to "a labor of love;" and his moral