engage, from the highest to the low est, and thereby afford substantial proof that there is life and power in the religion they profess; that it is an active vigorous principle, which may be mighty, even in feeble hands, to the pulling down this strong-hold of multiplied evil, and setting at liberty 830,000 immortal beings, the wretched victims of a twofold bondage, bondage of soul as well as body. We are aware that great offence may be taken by some individuals at such an employment of the Christian Pulpit; at such an exposure, in such a place, of a system in which many persons of the first consequence, and of allowed respectability, "men of education and liberal attainments," are concerned. But that can be no solid ground of objection with those who consider the great offence excited by the preaching of their great Lord and Master on a similar occasion,-that of detecting, exposing, and reprobating "wickedness in high places,"-the injustice, extortion, and cruelty of Scribes and Pharisees, persons in their day of great eminence and distinction.

Under existing circumstances, we can imagine no subject which can more worthily engage the constituted guardians of the public virtue, its morals and religion, than the denunciation of that anti-Christian tyranny which tends to obliterate all sense of natural justice, every feeling of humanity, every principle of religion; which renders the hearts of its active agents and abettors inaccessible to Christian reproof, and subjects them, consequently, to a more hopeless bondage than even that of their poor victims, inasmuch as it extends beyond the period of their present existence.

We can imagine nothing more truly in character for Ministers of that Gospel which lays the axe to the root of every corrupt tree, than to make open war against this bold and malignant "enemy of all righteousness;" since it is apparent that in no community, where it reigns as

in the British Colonies, can the Gospel have "free course," so as to produce those extensive moral transformations which it is destined to accomplish. It is a matter of heartfelt rejoicing, indeed, that the preaching of the Gospel, even in the land of slavery,should not be unaccompanied with its renovating power; but we consider such instances of its success as no argument against the general hostility which the system of slavery bears to Christianity. Such, indeed, is the baneful influence of that system, and the contaminating effect which a familiarity with it produces, that even zealous Ministers of the Gospel are led to imagine themselves under the melancholy necessity of administering that Gospel partially. They inculcate, indeed, upon the oppressed slave, its gentleness, meek. ness, and long-suffering; but they withhold from his oppressors the exposition of the woes which it denounces against injustice and oppression. And even those other sins, which prevail the most among the masters of slaves-the violation of the Sabbath, and impurity of conduct-they dare not condemn, with the explicitness which becomes the Christian Minister, but at the hazard of persecution, if not of martyrdom. The truth, instead of being preached without reserve, and impartially to all, must, in this part of the dominions of Christian Britain, be garbled and mutilated. To preach the pure doctrines of the Gospel to slave-holders; to enforce upon them the sanctity of the Sabbath; to tell them that uncleanness is one of those sins for which the wrath of God will come upon them; to remind them of the absolute right of their fellow-men, the Negro slaves, to receive at their hands compassion, justice, humanity, brotherly kind. ness, love, would be to rush into the very jaws of destruction. We may imagine, from the example of the Missionary Smith, what would be the fate of the Minister or Missionary who, in the land of slavery, should have the boldness to tell the

slave holders, "It is not lawful for thee thus to degrade and oppress thy fellow-creature, thy brother: It is not lawful for thee to treat immortal intelligences as brute animals; to Scourge and chain thy over-worked and defenceless slave: It is not lawful for thee to force him to labour on the Sabbath for the subsistence thou art bound to give him: thou art thereby heaping to thyself wrath against the day of wrath." And, yet, is not this the language he is bound to use?

But "to touch on such topics," it may possibly be said, "would be the height of imprudence, and must wholly defeat the object of Missions, and endanger the lives of the Missionaries: the fate of Smith and of Shrewsbury are sufficient proofs of the necessity of caution." We admit the existence of the danger: we admit that persecution more fierce and cruel could hardly be expected in China or Japan, than has been experienced in the Slave Colonies of Christian Britain. But without censuring those who have submitted to the alleged necessity of thus abridging their commission to preach the Gospel, to declare the whole counsel of God, to every creature; we would ask, whether all this does not prove the incompatibility, not only with law and justice, but with Christianity itself, of the slavery which prevails in our Slave Colonies. But though it may be difficult, and even peril ous, to exhibit, in those colonies, any other than an imperfect and mutilated picture of Christianity; yet here at least, in this happy country, the Minister of the Gospel may enforce its obligations without concealment or reserve. In the United Kingdom, at least, an unmutilated Gospel may still be preached, without hazard, to the highest as well as to the lowest of the community, none daring to make the boldest assertor of its uncompromising doctrines afraid. Here, NEGRO SLAVERY, the most daring of all outrages on the laws both of God and man, may be safely and successfully at

tacked from the Christian pulpit; and, by the instrumentality of that mighty engine, even have its deathblow speedily administered.

Thirty-eight years have now elapsed since the wrongs of the Negro Slave have occupied the anxious attention of the people of England. How little has yet been done for his vindication, we need not specify. But we may ask, how much longer we are to wait in the expectation that the Colonists will themselves achieve the work of reformation? Or shall we leave them still to place their reliance, for the perpetuation of their immoral and destructive system, on our carelessness, or timidity, or insincerity-a feeling which, it must be owned, our conduct in time past has been too well calculated to engender? Is it not at length high time to resort to decisive and effectual measures? Is it not high time that Christians (those to whom the name truly belongs) should combine all their efforts, should concentrate all the force of their moral and religious principles, in the strenuous use of every means by which they themselves and their country may be soonest purged from this deep pollution? Is it not, most especially, high time for "the Priests, the Ministers of the Lord," to interpose, that this moral plague may be stay. ed, before this highly favoured land be smitten with a curse? Let the worshippers of Mammon propose a league with this "enemy of all righteousness;" but let Christian Ministers give it no quarter. To them we would say, in the words of the Prophet of old, "Cry aloud; spare not; lift up thy voice like a trumpet; and shew my people their transgression, and the house of Jacob their sin." After the example of the same Prophet, let them reprove and exhort those who, while they frequent the courts of the Lord, and appear to "delight in approaching to God," yet continue to "smite with the fist of wickedness;" and, on the very day appropriated to His service, " to find their pleasure, and

exact all their labours;" reminding them, that the service which God requires at their hands, in the first place, is "to loose the bands of wickedness, to undo the heavy burdens, to let the oppressed go free, and to break every yoke." Nor does He less require, at the hands of all his Ministers and all his People, that they should combine their strenuous and unceasing efforts to bring about this righteous consummation*.

FAMILY SERMONS.-No. CCV.

Colossians iii. 17.-And whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus.

It is the glory of Christians that their leader is Divine. He to whose service they are devoted, and under whose banners they are enlisted in their warfare, is the Lord Jesus, "the brightness of the Father's glory," and the partaker of the Father's power." In his name ye are to do all, whatsoever ye do, in word or in deed." You are habitually to contemplate him in his Divine character, and in the endearing relations which he sustains to you. Your hopes of acceptance at the throne of Heaven, must be placed on him whose merits are all-sufficient. Your strength and support must be derived from him, whose power is almighty. Your prayers in time of need must be directed

*The following publications of the Anti-Slavery Society contain a full view of the nature and effects of Negro Slavery:Stephen's Delineation; Wilberforce's Appeal; Clarkson's Thoughts; Negro Slavery as it exists in the United States, and in the British Colonies, especially in Jamaica; Debate of 15th May 1823, with an Appendix; First, Second, and Third Reports of the Anti-Slavery Society; Tracts, No. I. to XV. on Negro Slavery, of which No. XIII. solves the question, Is Negro Slavery sanctioned by Scripture?; Anti-Slavery Reporter, No. I to VII.; Impolicy of Slavery; Stephen's England enslaved by her own Slave Colonies; A Picture of Negro Slavery, drawn by the Colonists themselves.

to him, who is the "prevailing Intercessor with the Father." He is to be your example, " in whom was no guile," and who "did all things well." His laws you are to obey, who" spake as never man spake." His honour you are to pursue, who is "seated at the right hand of the Father," the King of kings, and Lord of lords. And him you are to revere and love, who, for your sakes, poured out his soul unto death. These are the duties implied in that precept of doing all things in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I. The precept implies that we habitually contemplate him, in his Divine character, and in the endearing relations which he sustains towards us.

He possesses every possible claim to this affectionate remembrance. Adorned with all the perfections of the Godhead, he sustains to us the most endearing relations; our master, our friend, our protector, our benefactor, and our Saviour. We should habitually contemplate him, engaged with incessant and painful toil in his Father's work, in promoting the salvation of men; enduring reproach, scorn, and suffering; wounded by the tongues and cruel hands of his enemies; lacerated by the scourge, dying on the cross. Often should our hearts turn from the mournful spectacle of his humiliation, to the triumphs of his exaltation in heaven; to the crown of honour, which now encircles his head; to the robes of majesty which now invest him; to the throne of dominion, on which he is now seated; to the sceptre of power, of justice, and of mercy, which he now holds; and to "the thousands, the ten thousand times ten thousand; the multitude, which no man can number, who cast their crowns at his feet," ascribing adoration, and praise, and homage, to him who was slain to redeem them by his blood.

II. This precept further implies, that all our hopes of acceptance at the throne of Heaven should be de

rived from his merits-that we should consider him as our only way of access unto God.

"There is no other name given under heaven among men whereby they can be saved, but only the name of the Lord Jesus Christ." He is the "only Mediator" between the offended Majesty of heaven, and the sinful race of men, "In his name," trusting to his meritorious performances as the only ground of acceptance with God, are we to offer our prayers. "In his name,' acknowledging that through his intercession all our blessings and mercies are conveyed to us, are we to give thanks. Our transgressions had excluded us from the favour of heaven, and had rendered us obnoxious to the justice of God. But by the blood of Christ, we who "were once afar off," are now "brought near," and by his righteousness, the justice which was offended is appeased. On his merits, therefore, must all our hopes of acceptance be founded.

III. Doing all in the name of Je sus, implies reliance on the strength and grace derived from him.

"It pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell," and that he should be the source of strength, sanctification, and comfort, to frail, corrupt, and miserable man. In the precepts and promises of his word, and in the secret but powerful influences of his Holy Spirit, are this strength, this sanctification, and comfort to be found. "In the name," confiding in the help," of the Lord of hosts," did the stripling David go out against the Philistine, and laid in the dust the boastful defier of the living God. "In the name of the Lord of hosts," looking to him who giveth' the victory, did the king of Israel go out against the multitude of his enemies, and made them flee before him. "In the name of Jesus," whom the Father bad exalted, did the Apostles and first Disciples do mighty works;-heal the sick; raise the dead; still the tempest; CHRIST. OBSERV. No. 289.

walk upon the sea; tread upon scorpions; and dare all the power of the enemy. And "in the name of Jesus," to whom "all power is given in heaven and in earth," and who is the hope, the strength, the sufficiency of his faithful people, can we do greater things than these; for his grace shall disarm temptation, more formidable than the Phillistine of old; heal the disorders, quicken the affections, and calm the passions of the soul; and finally, beating down Satan under our feet, despoil him of his power.

IV. Doing all in the name of Jesus, further implies, that our prayers are addressed to him.

"All things," saith the Apostle, "are sanctified by the word of God, and by prayer." It is prayer which procures God's blessing on our undertakings; without which, vain are the help and labour and devices of man. Blind and ignorant, impotent and corrupt, he cannot advance in his spiritual course, without the illuminating, directing, strengthening, and sanctifying energy of Divine grace. Dependent as he is, for this grace, on Jesus Christ, the great King and Captain of his salvation; in all his doings, "the name of Jesus" is to be invoked, for illumination, for direction, for sanctification and strength. Placed in the midst of many and great troubles, and temptations, "the name of Jesus," who can give us comfort and victory, is most importunately to be addressed. And in the dread hour when the soul is to depart from her mortal tabernacle, to whom shall we commend her, trembling and desponding, but to him who is the Lord of life and death? «Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."

V. Looking unto Jesus also im plies, that he is to be our example.

Then indeed may we be said to "do all things in his name," when we resemble him in the humble and holy tempers of his soul, and in the spotless purity of his life. The declaration of the Apostle is, "He

C

that saith he abideth in him, ought himself also to walk even as he walked." It is the distinguishing excellence of the Gospel, that it proposes to us a perfect pattern of all those virtues which it inculcates. It is the peculiar privilege of Christians, that in the discharge of the duties of their high vocation, they are aided and animated by the example of him whose grace is promised to enable them to practise what he proposes for their imitation. The example of Jesus Christ, bright and pure and splendid as that heaven from which he descended, we are to imitate. In every situation, we are to contemplate this illustrious pattern, and seek to do what we think that our Divine Master, in similar circumstances, would have done.

VI. But if this precept implies our imitating the example of Christ, it necessarily also implies our being governed by his laws.

To act in the name of another, is to fulfil his injunctions, minutely to carry into effect his wishes, and, in every particular, to conform ourselves to his requisitions. To do all things in the name of the Lord Jesus," is to govern all our conduct by his precepts. "What does he, my Divine Master, enjoin? what would he wish me to perform? how shall I act conformably to his laws?" are the inquiries which will occupy the sincere Christian. Vain and impious are all professions of acting in the name of Jesus, while we violate his commands, or display tempers and views contrary to those which he inculcated" He that doeth my commandments, he it is that loveth me." "If a man have not the spirit of Christ he is none of his." We may boast the fervour of our zeal; we may exhibit our labours in the cause of religion, our spiritual gifts and endowments"Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name, and in thy name cast out devils, and in thy name done many wonderful works?" but he will say, "Depart from me, I

never knew you."-" Lord, we have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets." "Depart from me, I never knew you."

VII. Doing all in the name of Jesus, still further implies, that in all our actions we aim at advancing his honour.

To profess to act in the name of another, and yet to be indifferent to his interests and reputation, is the grossest inconsistency. To profess to act in the name of Jesus, and yet to be regardless of his honour, is adding impiety to inconsistency. He is not only our gracious Master; our bountiful Friend and Benefactor; but the compassionate and Almighty Redeemer, who shed his blood for us. The honour of our Divine Master, Friend, Benefactor, and Saviour. should be most dear to our hearts. It should be the object which we keep constantly in view; the polestar that, in all the mazes and difficulties of life, should direct our steps. And this honour we must advance, by acting in all circumstances agreeably to the spirit and laws of our Christian profession, and by endeavouring to promote among men the knowledge, the love and service of our Divine Lord.

VIII. Lastly-doing all in the name of Jesus, implies our cherishing for him the sentiments of reverence and love.

Jesus, our Lord, is "seated far above all principality and power, and might and dominion;" having "all power in heaven and in earth.' Jesus, our Lord, having, for us men and for our salvation, come down from heaven, and suffered and died upon the cross, rose from the dead, and has become our Intercessor, at his Father's throne, in order that he may receive the weary and heavy laden, who come to him; bind up the broken hearted, and comfort them that mourn; and dispense pardon to the wounded spirit, and strength and comfort to the weak and desponding; and he is preparing, for all his followers, man