O that I might win Christ, and be found in him. Again, wherein consists the real community that is to be found among the people of God? All who are real Christians feel for one another, rejoice when they rejoice, and weep when they weep. Who is found weak, and I am not weak? If any member suffer, all the members of the mys tic body suffer with it. And why? Because they have the same faith-the same hope-the same Lord-the same baptism— the same sense of their pilgrimage here, and they are all travelling on to the same place. Behold, then, how good a thing it is when brethren are found dwelling together in unity. Amen. ON Sunday, the 21st April, 1833, the ence, but particularly by this, that his heart Rev. MATTHEW BARCLAY was introduced is in his work. It will be his aim, I doubt to the Church and Parish of Old Kilpa- not, to do the work of an Evangelist with trick, by the Rev. Dr. Stewart of Erskine, zeal and fidelity, labouring to instruct the who took for his text, Gal. vi. 14, "But ignorant, to reclaim the wandering, to supGod forbid that I should glory, save in the port the weak, to comfort the feeble-minded, Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ." He and to solace the mourner in Zion. And I proceeded to consider a few of the reasons am certain, that the longer he lives among which determined Paul to glory in the you, the more will he be an object of your Cross of Christ, and began by observing, esteem and affection. Listen to his discourses that he gloried in the Cross of Christ, or with tender affection. That scheme of preachin his sufferings and death, because he saw ing which confines itself to the being and in them an all-sufficient atonement for sin, attributes of God, the doctrine of a future and, of course, the only effectual mean of state of reward and punishment, and to the being delivered from wrath. Again, Paul explanation of duty, may be acceptable to gloried in the Cross of Christ, or in his some; and, of course, those sermons which sufferings and death, because he saw in treat of faith, the necessity of divine influthem the most wonderful display of the ence, salvation through free grace, and the attributes of God, and particularly of his atoning blood of him who died on the Cross, moral attributes. The sufferings of Christ are apt to be listened to by them with inafford an awful lesson of the evil of sin, and difference. The time has been in my mePaul gloried in them, because he saw in mory, when men who treated of these things them the only effectual mean of mortifying were considered weak and fanciful, if not every sinful and corrupt affection. In the worse. These days I hope are gone by. last place, Paul gloried in the sufferings and Even the great apostle Paul was accused death of Christ, because he saw in them the of preaching foolishness, when he preached only sufficient and effectual motive to prac- Christ crucified-still he did his duty, detical holiness and virtue. The doctrine Itermined to know nothing but Christ. Prohave now been setting before you is the doctrine that has been taught with ability and eloquence, by your late Minister. And now that his successor is about to enter into the office of the Ministry, I can safely introduce him to you as a gentleman, not less disposed to advocate the same all-important truths, and who, I trust, will be found to be a workman not needing to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. He comes recommended not only by talent and knowledge, and a great deal of experi fit by his ministry, and let that profiting be known unto all men. Remember, you enjoy the benefit of his labour under a solemn responsibility; for the word he speaks must either be a savour of life unto life, or of death unto death. Be not deceived-" God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man soweth, that shalt he also reap. He that soweth to the flesh, shall of the flesh reap corruption. He that soweth to the spirit, shall of the spirit reap life everlasting." GLASGOW:-W. R. M.PHUN, PUBLISHER, 86, TRONGATE, EDWARD KHULL, PRINTER TO THE UNIVERSITY. SCOTTISH PULPIT. No. 63. SATURDAY, 8TH JUNE, 1833. SERMON by the Rev. W. M. WADE, Paisley. Price 2d. THE FAVOUR OF GOD TOWARDS MAN, INSEPARABLY CONNECTED WITH MAN'S OWN FAITH AND OBEDIENCE; A SERMON PREACHED AT PAISLEY ON SABBATH THE 19TH MAY, 1833, AT THE OPENING OF TRINITY CHAPEL THERE, By the Rev. W. M. WADE, The Lord God be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor forsake us; that he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers."-1 KINGS viii. 57, 58. THE dedication of the first Jewish tem- | bestower of grace; and concluded with ple was a peculiarly grand and solemn this very suitable exhortation : Let your event. And the prayer which Solomon heart, therefore, be perfect with the Lord then poured forth, is among the most noble our God, to walk in his statutes, and to compositions of the kind that even the keep his commandments." Bible contains. While it virtually celebrates, in a very sublime strain, the attributes and the providence of God, owning the latter to have been most benevolently exerted on behalf of Israel, from the time of the people's departure out of Egypt to that at which Solomon thus publicly invoked the Lord on their behalf, it implores from him, in a prophetic spirit, pardoning mercy for transgressors of various descriptions: for even Gentile proselytes, and for the people at large, when in calamitous circumstances of peculiar and specified descriptions. The words of my own text on the present occasion are part of Solomon's conclusion to his benedictory address: " The Lord God be with us, as he was with our fathers: let him not leave us, nor forsake us, that he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers." My brethren, each of us should, in an especial earnest manner, pour forth, on this, to us, very interesting day, a similar prayer: viz., that the Lord God would 66 be with us, as he was with our The general tenor of this most impressive fathers," that he would never "leave nor prayer shows how well aware Solomon was forsake us," but would "incline our hearts of these two things; first, that the evils unto him," and to his service. That He and afflictions of mankind, whether national has already been with us in much goodor personal, spring from transgressions-areness, we at once and thankfully acknowtheir natural and very fitting consequence; ledge. I now speak more particularly of and, secondly, that deliverance, whether for states or for individuals, must be sought in faith, penitence, and prayer. Having ended his direct supplications, Solomon, in a form of benediction, gave glory to God for his goodness to the people; expressed his wish and hope that God would continue to be with them as a protector and those of us who form a congregation connected with the Protestant Episcopal Church of these realms; and refer, especially, to the good providence of God, inso ordering circumstances and events, as that we have at length the privilege and happiness of assembling for public christian worship in a building of our own, adequate, or that may be made adequate to our exi- And farther, it must be recollected, that all gencies, as respects church accommodation. proprietors amongst us have to contribute Nor will the enlightened and liberal of their full proportion of the cost of upholdother christian denominations who may ing the Churches, and maintaining the now be present, blame the preacher, if, ministry of the Established Church; tobefore entering on a particular consideration wards which no enlightened and Gospelof his text, (and such consideration must be principled Episcopalian does, or can, entervery brief,) he sketch the history of this tain hostile sentiments; how conscienparticular congregation. Fifteen years and tiously soever he may, on what he feels to a half have now elapsed since his appoint- be sufficient grounds, prefer his own. When ment to labour here. That appointment it had thus become obvious that something took place in conformity with a request like a regular place of worship for the Propreferred to our late ecclesiastical superior, testant Episcopalians of Paisley was rechiefly by a number of titled and wealthy quisite, and yet equally plain that people, then resident in and around the prospect existed of one being as yet built town. I say chiefly, because, in that re- for them; they, and the friends to their quest, at least four liberal-minded gentle- cause, were in no small perplexity. But men of the Established Church concurred; Providence so ordered things, that, in the -concurred, on account of their thinking month of August, 1819, the congregation it very likely that, in so populous a place were enabled to assemble in a building and neighbourhood, the introduction of a sufficient, and indeed more than sufficient, ministry of the Protestant Episcopal Church for their accommodation, held on a fourteen would prove, under God, beneficial. I use the years' lease. Nearly nine of these years word "then," because, of those who signed had rolled away, when a member of the the call in question, several have exchanged congregation, one who has been very usetime for eternity. May they also have ex-ful among us, one whom we both respect changed earth for Paradise! по we behold the result. The Lord God has been with us as he was with our fathers; oh! "let him not leave us, nor forsake us." and value, proposed, and set on foot, a At first, a school-room was used as our subscription towards building a cottage, or place of worship; and in that school-room, small manse, for the existing and future on the 23d of November, 1817, public Episcopalian clergymen of this populous worship, according to the forms of our and increasing place. But the period at Church, was, for, it is believed, the first time which the lease of our late place of worship since the Revolution of 1688, celebrated in would terminate drew nigh; the necessity this town. My associate on the occasion of providing us with future church accomwas a clergyman who will this afternoon, if modation was growing urgent; the manse God permit, occupy the place that I now fund was converted into a chapel fund; do; and address you on the important in- exertions were made; and here, thanks terests of your spiritual and immortal part-to the help and good providence of God, the soul. Not more than twelve or fourteen Episcopalians attended our first day's services in the school-room; but, by the middle of the following year, it had become manifest that there was great occasion for something being done towards securing a continuance of the ministry that had, in humble dependence on God, for Christ's sake, begun to be exercised. The congregation had increased to about 80, or perhaps 100. Building was, however, out of the question. The work was of too recent a date-of, as some imagined, too uncertain a characterto warrant even the thought of such a step. Besides, although it must be acknowledged that our little society did then comprehend not a few wealthy persons; still, the expense of providing even a small chapel would have fallen, especially at a time when materials and wages were high, heavily upon them. Thus brought once more to my text, I would, brethren, offer a few words expressly upon it. After Solomon's pious breathing forth of the devout wish, and virtual prayer, that the Lord God would be with the people of Israel, as he had been with their fathers-that he would never leave them, never forsake them-he adds this sentence, 66 that he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers." Here Solomon markedly exhibits that wisdom with which he had been so largely endowed by Him from whom cometh every good and perfect gift. While he evinces a deep anxiety that himself and people may have God's favour, blessing, and protection, abiding with them, he plainly shows his conviction, that to walk in the ways of God, keeping his commandments, statutes, and judgments, as He has himself ordained, is indispensable on the part of all who would have the favourable light of God's countenance beam upon them. And, farther still, in the following words of the same passage, Solomon shows himself fully acquainted with the humbling truths of man's depravity and moral weakness through the fall, inability of himself to serve God acceptably, and need of God's own prevenient, as well as assisting grace: "that he may incline our hearts unto him, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments, and his statutes, and his judgments, which he commanded our fathers." While, then, brethren, we with truly thankful heart praise God for having permitted us to raise and occupy this place of worship-a place surpassing in size, accommodation and appearance, aught that we could even have ventured to hope for at the outset of our efforts, let us recollect that it is our duty here to offer God a holy worship. Our lot is cast in a period when novel modes of belief, or of professed belief, are boldly introduced; and, by too many, readily adopted. We live at a time in which unsteadiness of character with respect to things religious, is, unhappily, very prevalent; we live at a time in which excitement in the political, has led to a corresponding excitement in the religious world; in which the peaceful kingdom of Christ is disturbed by the cry of war; and agitation, universal agitation is the order of the day. But let not all this (God, for Christ's sake, grant that nothing of all this may!) move us; but kept from wavering, unmoved by those winds of varying doctrine that blow around, may our great wish, and anxious care be, to "finish our course with" humble "joy," in the simple, quiet, and peaceful path of the gospel of salvation by Christ Jesus; in repentance, that is, faith, and newness of life. But let us never forget where our strength lies-even in heaven, where God especially is; where, at his right hand, Christ ever maketh intercession for us, pleading the infinite merits of his shed blood. And may the God of our fathers be with us, inclining, by his Spirit, our hearts unto himself, to walk in all his ways, and to keep his commandments." His divine and 66 mankind, atoned for transgression, and reconciled man to God. He is therefore the Saviour-the only Saviour. And to Him be fully, cheerfully ascribed, the whole glory of saving us. As our Saviour, he claims our love-the sincere affection of a grateful heart; and in proof of such affection dwelling in the heart of any one, he requires from that one, obedience." If ye love me," (these are his own words, brethren,) "if ye love me, keep my commandments." Now, his commandments are God's commandments; for he has declared his Father and himself to be one. While, therefore, deeply, on account of our multiplied offences, our heavy guilt, sensible of our need of Christ as a Saviour, to make atonement for sin, we bless God that we have him as our advocate with the Father, let us be as deeply sensible that he requires from us, not only repentance and faith, but obedience to his kingly authority in the way of righteousness. May He, therefore, bless effectually our use of the means of grace; renewing us by his own Spirit in the spirit of our minds; infusing into us the same mind that was in him. Then shall we become, as a portion of his peculiar people, zealous of good works; without which faith itself is dead. On the indispensable necessity of faith in Christ to our justification before God, i. e. to our acquittal of condemning guilt in his sight for Christ's sake, every one who understands the Gospel, and preaches it faithfully, will insist; but so will he on the practical use and importance of the same great principle-its use and importance, i. e. to man in the concerns of this life. St. Paul, you know, observed that " Faith" is, to those who really have it, "the evidence," and as it were "substance, of things not seen." It realizes, in short, to man the great truths of the gospel; rendering them habitually and powerfully operating principles of support and direction, as well as of comfort. This is what is meant when it is affirmed of the just that they live by faith. The true Christian walks with God in the exercise of faith; mortifying, through the power of the Divine Spirit, the whole body of sin; gaining a growing victory over the world and self; increasing in internal holiness; advancing steadily "in" that "way of rightteousness," which, says Solomon, "is life, and in the path-way thereof there is no death." Unite with me, brethren, in fervent prayer, may be, through his blessing for our gracious | bestowing of your substance, as a help to Redeemer's sake, a means of forming multitudes of such Christians, and of ripening them for glory! us in completing the good and necessary work that we have undertaken; and have, to the extent that you now behold, brought Upon a detail of the particular parts of to a conclusion. You will thus become means christian character, I cannot now, for ob- of great good to a body now consisting of vious reasons, enter. But I must, even at least 1200 people, men, women, and now, speak of one distinguishing feature of children; of whom certainly not fewer than that character. It is, benevolence. This 500 are united under pastoral care. Had is a necessary evidence of man's having the not the kind providence of God, directing new heart and the right spirit within him. and seconding human exertions, enabled us Let not professors of Christianity flatter to provide this place of worship, the people themselves with the notion of being real referred to would, in the event of the death Christians, if they be not benevolent. It or removal of their present clergyman, have is peculiarly benevolence, (i. e. the spirit of been, there can be little doubt, from the Christian charity, or love, so admirably peculiar circumstances of the case, dedescribed by St. Paul, in the 13th chapter prived of a ministry of their own, after of his 1st Epistle to the Corinthians,) that having had one among them for many qualifies us to share in and enjoy the bless-years. And this would surely have been edness of heaven; that makes us, while to them a calamity. Besides, brethren of here, a blessing to our fellow creatures; other christian denominations who may be that perfumes with fragrance our homage present, we feel that, in entreating your to God; that fits us for glorifying him kind assistance, we entreat it for a branch now and eternally. “It is,' as a modern of Christ's true church. We feel that we writer on theology well, indeed beautifully, can claim it on these following grounds :— observes, to the intelligent world, what that our church is pure in doctrine, aposattraction is to the material one; the tolical in constitution, scriptural and edifypower which holds the parts together, and ing in her forms, mild and tolerant in chaunites them in one immense and incom-racter; assuming, therefore, a noble and prehensible system.-Each member of this great kingdom it attaches to each, and all to God."* And, brethren, the benevolence which Christianity enjoins, is not a mere feeling; not a passive, but an active principle. It will lead those in whom it really exists, to deeds of beneficence; and this, in every mode in which such acts may be called for. Far from spending itself in thoughts or words-far from evaporating in sighs, or flowing off in tears, it will incite to cheerful contribution; it will be seen employed in solid and useful acts of kindness and service to mankind. These remarks naturally lead to the introduction of another subject connected with the pulpit ministrations of this day; viz., that of the collections by which they are to be accompanied. Though our place of worship is provided, it is not yet finished. Towards finishing it, as well as towards defraying much of the expense already incurred, we still require considerable aid. And we call on you, brethren and sisters beloved in the Lord, for some of this aid. We earnestly entreat you to be liberal in • Dwight. beautiful, as well as, we doubt not, a firm position in the christianized world. No doubt, the claims put forth upon your charity in bestowing are very numerous, as well as often very urgent. But is not a blessedness attendant on giving? Has not an Apostle caught up, and an Evangelist recorded, this one declaration of our blessed Lord, not found in any of the Gospels :-" It is more blessed to give, than to receive?" Is it not also written, “ whosoever seeth his brother have need," (need of whatever kind-need, with respect to things spiritual, as well as with respect to things temporal)" whosoever seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in that man?" This passage confirms the assertion already made, that benevolence is an essential part of truly christian character. At the church door, on entering, some, nay most of you have, doubtless, already contributed; but, while there may be persons present who have not yet had an oppor tunity of so doing, an important question is, have the actual donors met by their benevolences the urgency of the case, due regard having been, at the same time, had to |