From the statement which has now been made, we may, I trust, clearly perceive that the doctrines and offices of the reformed church, exhibit, in a comprehensive view, the very essence of christianity. Equally averse to false philosophy, and fanciful theories, she draws her principles pure and unsullied from inspiration itself. What the Scriptures sanction not, she disclaims, what they dictate, she maintains and enforces, presenting to her members a safe, and per

ie an instrument of promoting. Prayer and praise, is religion in the church, or the closet. Industry, from a sense of duty, is religion in the shop, or in the field. Commercial integrity is religion in the mart. The communication of consolation, is religion in the house of mourning. Tender attention, is religion in the chamber of sickness. Paternal instruction, is religion at the hearth. Judicial justice, is religion on the bench. Senatorial patriotism, is religion in the public council.In this manner, do the offices of devotion, by being periodically brought back to the breast, produce an efficacy upon the moral character, and at last settle .in the heart, so as to be ever present to the mind, and uniformly operative upon the conduct. They effect, and inspire a meek, humble, modest, sober piety, equally remote from the coldness of a formalist, the self-importance of a systematic dogmatist, and the unhallowed fervour of a wild enthusiast.

fect system of moral conduct, which (whilst novelties are daily starting up in the land,) unchanged by the vicissitudes of popular opinion, serve as an abiding beacon, to guard the flock of Christ, against the delusive glare of all false lights.

By the unmerited and boundless goodness of Almighty God, a scheme of duty, is therefore proposed for our acceptance, every part of which is useful and delightful.

As we act our various parts upon the stage of time, religion shews a regard for the sorrows of man, tender, soothing, and supporting. The poor, the sick, the outcast, the friendless, and the disconsolate, acknowledge her as their patron. To aid the sufferers in this vale of tears, she furnishes the peace, the patience, and the fortitude of piety.

But the most important consideration is yet to be suggested, a consideration infinitely awful and glorious. There is an hereafter,— a future retribution, when the misery of sin, begun here, will continue through ages

which cannot end, and virtue blossom, with life and happiness, for ever.

With respect to these amazing prospects, philosophy knows nothing, threatens nothing, promises nothing. To philosophy, the invisible world is an unknown vast, over which, like the raven, sent out of the ark, she wanders with a wearied wing, seeking rest, but finding none. To her exploring eye, the universe is an immense and trackless ocean, without soundings and without a shore?

And who that has within him one spark of soul, can endure to think of coming forth as a flower, and fading away, of fleeing as a shadow, and passing with all his eager enterprises, and humble triumphs, into the sullen region of annihilation, destined to receive, and wrap him in eternal and oblivious night.

How cheerless must be the heart of him whose terrestrial hopes have reached their wall and closed their flight for ever? who can bear to find that his breath is going from him,

but the man, who is promised a revival to a yet more animated existence, than he has hitherto known? Who can endure to see himself upon the point of being turned out of this garden of God, to behold the angel of death coming to drive him out, to feel him laying his hand upon him, and hastening his lingering, struggling nature away, who can bear this banishment, but he who is able to fix the eye of faith upon the gate of another, and yet a fairer paradise, standing open to receive him?

To the stings and disquietude of the last hour, the Christian is a stranger. That book which God has put into his hand, informs the good man, upon what conditions sinners are forgiven, and "all in Christ shall be made alive," conditions, in the discharge of which will infallibly spring the peace of an approving mind, the dignity of conscious virtue, the retreat of gloomy apprehension, and the dawn of radiant hope, -the star of immortality, to sustain his sinking confidence, upon the bed of death, to dispel the darkness of the grave, and lighten his steps, into a world of future being.

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Thus supported, multitudes have walked through the dark valley of the shadow of death, without fearing any evil. Thus armed they have triumphed over the king of terrors, in his most frowning and tragical forms. The soundness of their religious principles, and the hope of immortal happiness, have proved sufficient to subdue the fear of axes, and of flames, and left the persecutor discontented with his cruelty, and baulked of his vengeance.

Such are the glorious effects of that faith, which is held by the sound, and apostolic branch of the Christian church, established in this kingdom.

How high then is our responsibility, and how great will be our delinquency, if either with Gallio's temper, "we care for none of these things," or by forming to ourselves new and various paths, capriciously depart from the excellency of our doctrinal code, and the equal excellence of our devotional service, which for the evangelical purity of its sentiment, and the majestic simplicity of its language, is most justly placed