many have conFather's wrath to infinite tiger to a

quence the result of it. Not, as tended, that he came to turn the love-to soften and transform an lamb, or kindle the smile, where dwelt the sullen frown; but to bear witness to the love which God the Creator hath for the works of his hands! Such, then, in theory, is the wide contrast between the doctrine which the Savior taught, and those which are the inventions of men!

And here let us ask what is the legitimate moral tendency of these views respectively? For it is by their true tendency and influence, that their worth to man must be tried. And, moreover, we are strongly impressed with the belief that the origin of a doctrine is fully indicated by the spirit which it breathes. If a doctrine descend from heaven, its form and features will wear a heavenly aspect. If it come from man, then will the frailty and passion of man lend their imperfection to its visage. The one, like its origin, will wear the features of the earth, earthy; the other will be but a transcript of the image of the Lord from heaven.

And

We have shown, we think, that a man may be induced to do almost anything for his friend; for to this law even sinners yield. While to benefit enemies-to do good to them that injure us, is to lift ourselves in character above earthly grovelling, and evince our claim to sonship even with God! if the love of man to man is a principle so powerful, as, when we are convinced of it, to lead us to identify their happiness with our own-and sometimes even to sacrifice life for their good-is it not certain that when men are convinced that God is indeed their greatest, truest, best friend, that he loves them with a perfect, changeless love, they

will seek to serve him with as much devotedness, at least, as they would serve a fellow-worm?

If friendship and love in man will draw out acts of returning goodness from his fellow-man, whose soul has been moved by his favors, how CAN a knowledge of God's benevolence and love to man move his children to disobedience, to hatred, and to sin? The thing is utterly impossible! And therefore it is, that he who has realized the truth of God's love, will be constrained from its blessed influence, to say, in heartfelt gratitude, with the Apostle John-" We love him because he first loved

us."

And instead of being inclined to walk in the way of transgression through its knowledge, those who are brought to its light, will, by blessed experience, realize the truth and force of the apostolic assertion, that "the goodness of God leadeth to repentance."

Now if this position be true; if it be a fact recognised by the Scriptures, as we know it is, that the goodness and the love of God, manifested by him to man, are calculated to soften the hard heart, to bow the obdurate spirit, and to cause returning love to him, which is the fulfilling of the law, who does not at once perceive that to present an opposite or different motive to human conduct, must have an opposite or different tendency; and that hence the various limitarian systems which discard this prime and all-powerful motive, and substitute the influence of fear, even that fear which hath torment, must stand condemned as inadequate to the wants of man, and opposed to the teachings of God!

And if, on all subjects but religion, men reason correctly that the love and friendship of man to man are calculated to lead him to make any sacrifice for his brother, not even excepting the yielding

up of life itself, ought we not to be willing to trust in religion also a principle which we know is the most productive of good, and the most potent by which the human mind is swayed? Yea, must we not do it, if we acknowledge the religion which Jesus taught?

Aud if, on the contrary, the hatred of man to man is always sure to kindle up the malignant fires of the soul, and lead to deeds of bitterness and revenge, is it not perfectly evident that the systems which teach that God himself is actuated by these principles in his moral government of intelligent beings, are directly calculated to drive men from him, and beget in them the very feelings which they have been falsely taught inherit the Divine bosom?

In its moral tendency, then, surely, the doctrine of divine and unlimited goodness stands pre-eminent; and is worthy of all acceptation and all imitation. For in it we behold a beautiful practical illustration of the great principle laid down for human action: "Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with GOOD." And the very thought that this injunction has emanated from an almighty, allwise, and infinitely good Being, establishes the unwavering faith that it shall continue to operate with him, till the last sigh of suffering humanity shall have given place to the pure breathings of praise to the redeeming goodness of our God.

And now, brethren, when you are satisfied that such is the case, and when you are satisfied also that thousands around you are walking all their lifetime subject to bondage, in ignorance of that goodness, and in slavish fear-O! think not any little sacrifice which you may be called to make in spreading the knowledge of God's love, a hardship; but (1) Rom. xii. 21.

moved by the Bible maxim-" If God so loved us, we ought also to love one another. Be ye steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, for as much as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord." ΑΜΕΝ.

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ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE SAVIOR'S MISSION. 223

X

SERMON XII.*

ACCOMPLISHMENT OF THE SAVIOR'S MISSION.

BY REV. S. R. SMITH.

"He shall not fail nor be discouraged, till he have set judgment in the earth; and the isles shall wait for his law." ISAIAH xlii. 4.

THIS part of the prophecy of Isaiah, has by the common consent of all sects and parties of Christians, and in all times, been considered as peculiarly applicable to Jesus Christ and his gospel. Indeed it seems impossible to make any other rational application of the whole passage which introduces, and stands in immediate connexion with, the part under consideration. Thus: "Behold my servant whom I uphold; mine elect in whom my soul delighteth: I have put my spirit upon him; he shall bring forth judgment to the Gentiles. He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street. A bruised reed shall he not break, and the smoking flax shall he not quench: he shall bring forth judgment unto truth. He shall not fail nor be discour

The following discourse was delivered entirely without notes -of course the phraseology cannot be preserved. All that can be done-and it is hoped, all that will be expected, is, to furnish the substance of the discourse. This, together with the effect produced upon the speaker, by the presence of a congregation, will account for any deviations from the original which those who heard it delivered may observe.