being there settled, the interests of Christ's kingdom among the colored race, has received a most propitious impulse.There is no region, nor equal population, even of white persons, in the United States where temperance, reverence for God's name, and respect for the sabbath, and the institutions of divine worship are more,-perhaps none, where they are equally manifest. The fact, under the blessing of God, may be accounted for. In religion, as in every thing else, men act with zeal when they can act with the freedom, and independence of men. The christian church there, and with them is no longer confined to some obscure corner of a town, or city. It is not a lower, and less respected portion of a christian community. It is first, and best, and all. They have the strongest motives to cherish, and sustain it. To them God has committed his cause there. Of their faithfulness, and success, they will, under God, have the honor and reward. How differently must the ministers of the gospel, and the friends of Christ feel under those circumstances, from what they do, or can feel under the circumstances in which they are here, as a portion of the church of Christ.

I will conclude my remarks on this subject by the statement of a few facts which, I believe, show that colonization is adapted to hasten the conversion of Africa.

1. Many of the African colonists are now competent to perform many of the duties of missionaries; and will become more so, in proportion to the growth, and prosperity of the Republic.

2. The church in Liberia will furnish many missionaries. 3. There will be easy, cheap, and safe intercourse, and means of communication between the Republic and the native tribes. <

4. There will be the winning, and authoritative example of civilization, and Christianity presented to all who visit Liberia, and with whom its population may be in habits of trade, or frequent intercourse. In view of these facts Mr. Clay well remarked, "The colony, compared with other missionary plans

presents the force, and grandeur of a noble steamer, majestically ascending, and with ease subduing the current of the Mississippi, in comparison with the feeble, tottering canoe, moving slowly among the reeds, that fringe its shores."

5. The civil government in Liberia, will have it in their power to restrain, and prevent demoralizing influences.

6. There will be ample provision for living, and appropriate inducements to abandon savage life, and their present cruel, dangerous, and precarious employments, and pursuits. The Libe rians will, in exchange for the productions of their soil, and other articles of trade, furnish all, and more than the natives obtain by their horrid traffic in the bodies, and lives of their fellowmen : whilst their continuous summer, and the abundance which their country yields with little cultivation, will make the means of sustenance, and comfort, and even of wealth, of easy acquisition. "The country," says Dr. Blodget, "wants nothing but industry to make it a place of delightful residence."

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7. Mental culture, and the arts of civilized life diffused from the Republic, will sustain, and coöperate with religious instruction, and conversion. Christianity, and civilization are mutually needful, and cannot exist in a state of separation. Churches cannot be formed of wandering, and unassociated men and government cannot be sustained without knowledge, virtue, and christian principles. In view of the whole case we ask— Is not this the preparation of a wise, and gracious providence? Is not this the development of the divine purpose as respects that injured, and benighted land? Does not the opening of so wide, and so effectual a door of hope, summon the christian world to "enter in, and reap, and receive wages, and gather fruit unto eternal life?"

INFERENCES.

1. We should not despise "the day of small things"-either in becoming good, or in doing good: nor should we despair of any cause which God approves. Progression is a law of wide, and various operation. Creation was from a comparatively small beginning gradually brought to its consummation if indeed, it be not still in progress.

The race of man commenced with a single pair leading to an indefinite multiplication. The dispensation of mercy to man in all its manifestations, and with all its remote, and interminable consequences began with an obscure promise. Eternal life has its inception in a regeneration of the soul to be perfected by a progressive sanctification.

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2. God operates, efficiently, in the accomplishment of his purposes: but, usually operates by appropriate instrumentalities. He worketh all things according to the counsel of his own will," and he is as to physical power the only efficient cause. In him every living creature "lives and moves, and has its continued existence." What we denominate "the laws of nature," are the operation of God by such means as he has ordained. In the natural, and in the moral world he usually effects his purposes by second causes. He is all, and in all," but his will is accomplished by such means, causes, and agencies as he in his wisdom employs.

3. No nation can rise, continue, and prosper but by the favor of God. "He hastens it in his time." The beginning, and the progress, and the issue of all created things are according to his counsel. He can create, or destroy: exalt, or abase: increase, or diminish. He can give wisdom, or leave to distracted, and infatuated spirit, and purposes. Worldly wisdom, pride, and self-sufficiency may presumptuously neglect his admonitions, and disregard his authority, and favor, but the consequences will expose their folly, and show that no counsel, or device can prevail against God.

4. Finally, The first, and great concern which each of us should have is the salvation of our own souls, and the advancement of the cause of truth, and happiness: and this is to be accomplished by promoting the religion of Christ in ourselves, and in others. "What is a man profited if he gain the whole world and lose his own soul? or, what will it avail for us individually, that our nation prosper if we are enemies to God, in our minds, by wicked works"-and incur "everlasting shame, and contempt?" To be accepted, and blest by God ought to be our first, and great concern. To seek his glory, supremely, will se

cure our own. His cause must, and will prevail, and if we be "workers together with him" we will participate in the triumph, and blessedness. They will obtain "eternal life, who by patient continuance in well-doing seek for glory, honor, and immortality:" but "it shall be ill with the wicked, for they will reap the fruit of their doings; and the reward of their hands shall be given them."

SERMON XIV.

PERSONAL, AND INDIVIDUAL CHARACTER OF MOSES.

ACTS, VII. 22.-And Moses was learned in all the wisdom of the Egyptians, and was mighty in words, and in deeds.

On the page of history there are some men who hold a distinguished place. Their names stand prominent as those brighter lights which attract our special notice in surveying the countless glories of the midnight sky. This distinction is to be ascribed to various causes. Some have obtained it merely from the elevated places which they have occupied. Like a city set upon a hill, they could not be hid. Invested with office, they had the homage of the servile, and the envy of the ambitious; whilst their authority and influence were a matter of interest to all. Their eminent honors, and important trust, gave them a peculiar claim on the attention of their cotemporaries, and the notice of the historian, though it may have been ill sustained by either personal worth, or useful deeds. Had they not been eminent in station, they must, deservedly, have been passed by in silence, and doomed to perpetual oblivion. This is true of very many whose names are transmitted to posterity with marks of distinction.

Some have become memorable by illustrious events with which they were connected, and in which they bore a conspicuous part. Such were the benefactors of their country, or of the world who were employed by Providence in vindicating the cause of liberty, or religion, in breaking the bonds of oppression, or in dissipating the darkness of superstition. Thus patriots and reformers, the advocates of freedom, and the lights of the world, have won and merited an honorable, and imperishable memorial. "The righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance;" and it is little that they should stand distinguished in the records of time.