capacity, what room is left for essential diversity of religious opinion? In putting their construction on this language, different individuals doubtless may, consistently with rectitude of heart, ascribe to it somewhat different shades of meaning. Probably it is in vain to hope for the entire removal of liability to this, till they shall be raised to regions of clearer light and greater moral purity. In this view of the matter we find ample cause for humiliation and regret, but no cause for alienation of feeling.

But saints are required to show themselves united not in sentiment and affection only, but likewise in objects of pursuit. They are bound to be helpers of each other's joy. For their mutual edification, their growth in grace, their preparation for the heavenly state, they should manifest deep concern. It should be seen that they regard one another as engaged in the same good cause; as members of the same spiritual body; as aiming at the same great and momentous results. Every individual saint should feel deeply, and should make the feeling manifest, that what affects the spiritual community to which he belongs affects himself. If one member suffer, all the members suffer with it. honored, all the members rejoice with it.

If one member be

The reasons why such harmony should be cherished, are obvious and abundant. Every view which can be taken of the people of God-of their character, their relation to the Creator, and to one another, their condition and their prospects, their connection with this world and the next -shows that there should be no divisions among them, but that they should be perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment.

For every spiritual blessing they are all indebted to the same grace, and in them all this grace has performed the same work-having renewed their hearts into the image of God-having brought them up out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set their feet upon a rock, and put a new song in their mouth, even praise to the living God-having caused them to sit together in heavenly places in Christ. Should not an impression of the manifold spiritual blessings, in which they are common sharers, serve to bind their hearts together in love? O my brethren, had not the grace of God interposed in your behalf, where had you now been? If you have just views of what this has done for you, how kind and affectionate must be your feelings towards them who have derived from the same source the consolations and joys which you experience.

But all saints sustain the same relation to the Most High. They have been born of God. From being dead in trespasses and sins, they have by him been quickened to spiritual life. On him do they likewise depend for the support of that life. Of his fullness do they all receive, and grace for grace. To their heavenly Father are they all united by Fonds of affection stranger than death. Begotten of God, all having their life sustained by the same gracious influences, and constituting one spiritual family, shall they be separated from each other by mutual alienations and jealousies? Is not here an irresistible reason why they should love one another with a pure heart? O, how can they who sustain so important, so endearing a relation to one common Father in heaven, ever indulge feelings of party spirit and of mutual aversion?

The people of God, moreover, are subject to the same trials, the same enjoyments, the same hopes. They are all compassed about with infirmities, and all beset with sins. They are alike concerned in a conflict with spiritual enemies, the world, the flesh, and the devil. Hence they all have the same need of that spiritual armor which the gospel furnishes. None of them can feel too strongly, that all their springs are in God; that if his protection and grace are withdrawn, they shall at once stum

ble, and fall, and be broken. But to them all, the same spiritual, heavenly influences are granted, to raise their souls above the world, to fill them with joy and peace in believing, to afford them an earnest of eternal rest. Saints may come together before their Father's throne, to make known their cares and griefs, to look to him for grace to help in every time of need. How unspeakable the privilege in which they are thus permitted to share.

They all have besides the most cheering and glorious hopes. Relying on the promise and grace of God, they expect in due time to return and come to Zion with songs and everlasting joy on their heads. When all trials shall be past, and temptation and sin shall have come to an end; when the storms of life shall be over, then are they to rest together in the world where there is no more sin-no more separation. Before their Maker's throne they are to be the subjects of a union immensely more intimate, more endearing, more joyful than any ever known among mortals. My brethren, how precious, how cheering, how glorious that hope of the Christian, in which all this is embraced! What object is worthy of a moment's comparison with the future inheritance of those who are allowed to say, For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens? How impressively does this view of the present condition and the prospects of saints show that they should all speak the same thing, that there should be no divisions among them! Have they now the same trials, the same supports and enjoyments? are they to spend eternity in perfect and blissful harmony ?-then how ill does division and contention become them; how obvious that they should be perfectly joined together in the same mind and the same judgment.

Saints should maintain the harmony and mutual affection inculcated in our text, from regard to their own spiritual good, and the interests of the cause to which they are attached. Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity! Let the members of the Savior's household be knit together in love; let them keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace, and how immensely must it contribute to their mutual edification and growth in grace. Let them maintain harmony of sentiment, let the law of kindness towards each other dwell in their hearts, let them in all things love as brethren, and how effectually must it contribute to their perfection in holiness and comfort. How much by these means may they do to alleviate their mutual burdens; how much to render them helpers of one another's joy. In this manner is the happiness of heaven in a measure brought down to earth, and the church below made to resemble the church above.

But not only does the temper which our text inculcates bring with it spiritual satisfaction and peace; it also contributes much to procure the influences of the Holy Spirit. This blessed agent delights to dwell in that religious community, the members of which all speak the same things, and suffer no divisions among them. They are prepared to cherish his operations. By them the power of sin is overcome, and their minds are led to holiness and to God. Contrast these things with what you may witness where an opposite spirit prevails -where diverse opinions respecting the doctrines of revelation are cherished, and these occasion debate, and debate produces strife, and this is marked by an unkind spirit, more solicitous for victory than for truth, and the community which ought to be bound together by cords of love, is arrayed in hostile parties. Can large measures of the renewing and sanctifying influences of the divine Spirit be expected under such circumstances? I will not presume to limit the power or the grace of Zion's

King. I know that the residue of the Spirit is with him; that his ways are above those of men, as the heavens are above the earth; that he can perform the most splendid works of mercy where creatures would least expect it; but I also know, that if he do vouchsafe the special tokens of his presence and love, under circumstances such as I have described, it is a departure from the ordinary mode of his dealings with men. How often, may we well believe, that the God of mercy has withheld the lifegiving influences of his Spirit, or has withdrawn them, because his people have not been perfectly joined together in the same mind, and in the same judgment. In how many instances have they who love the Lord Jesus Christ, deprived themselves of blessings beyond all price, by not keeping the new commandment which he has given them. Doubtless, multitudes there are, who, from this cause, will be less holy and less happy to all eternity.

From the same cause, too, will multitudes fail of the renewing of the Holy Ghost, and be forever excluded from the abodes of the blessed. If diversity of opinion, and the spirit of contention, which it so often produces, prevent the special operations of the divine Spirit, how fatal are they to the prosperity of that cause, for which the Savior died; the advancement of which secures the salvation of men and the glory of God. My hearers may complain, that I deal in mere common-place remark, when I assert, we can have no hope that this cause will be advanced, or the souls of men be saved, without special Divine influence. But though this truth is familiar and trite, is there not danger that it may be practically overlooked? We know full well that the Holy Ghost possesses almighty power; still it may escape our minds, that he is easily grieved; that even men while utterly unable to imitate his operations, can cause him to abandon forever an ungrateful people. Let this once be done, and where could be the hope, that ever another sinner among them would be renewed and saved? But if the people of God are liable to that which may be followed by consequences so deplorable, how ought they to guard their conduct; how should they fear and tremble in view of the responsibility which attends their doings. Are the effects of dissensions and jealousies among saints to be told in eternity in tears and groans, as the smoke of their torment, whom these dissensions are the means of destroying, ascendeth up forever and ever; then who that is a saint would not be most anxious to avoid them?

Our subject also demands consideration in another view. According to Jehovah's plan of administration, his designs of mercy towards this lost world are to be accomplished by means. We are not to expect his purposes of grace in behalf of men to be put in execution merely by his own direct efficiency. To this end the united efforts of his peculiar friends are indispensable. Every rational hope, that the cause of truth and righteousness will be sustained, that it will ultimately triumph, depends, under God, on the human instrumentality to be employed in its behalf. The efforts of creatures must indeed be approved of God, and all their success be from his blessing. Still, according to divine appointment, these efforts must be made, or nothing will be accomplished. order that they may be made with encouragaging prospects, the people of God must cultivate harmony and mutual affection. To expect men to act in concert and with efficiency, unless substantially agreed in sentiment and feeling, is contrary to all experience. But who can doubt whether there is eminent need of such action in all the friends of God? The interests of the Redeemer's kingdom have always been subject to the hostility of powerful enemies seen and unseen. With them it is a fixed, leading object, to divide its friends, that thus they may destroy their

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influence, and effect their own malignant designs. How forcible the reason thus furnished for all who love God to be one in sentiment, in feeling, in action. Let them be otherwise, and who can estimate the injury to those interests which they hold dear? Only by means of united zeal, and effort, and sacrifices, and prayers, can the enemies of the cross be subdued, the salvation of the gospel be diffused through the earth, and our lost race redeemed from the thraldom of sin.

The only effectual means of fully maintaining the harmony and mutual affection which are of so great importance, is the increase of knowledge and piety in the people of God. Ignorance has always been a fruitful source of error and contention. The man who has only superficial views of revealed truth, and is satisfied with such views, is peculiarly exposed to the influence of passion and prejudice. How can he arrive at correct conclusions, while thus unprepared to appreciate the considerations opposed to his present views? Within the limited range of his thoughts he finds nothing to evince the fallacy of his reasonings. But let his mind occupy a wider compass, let him give its proper weight to every thing which has a bearing on the subjects presented to his thoughts-he may then perhaps perceive that his conclusions are altogether fallacious. Ignorance occasions men not to reject only, but also to denounce and abhor the sentiments of others without examination. The follower of Christ who has never been accustomed to think deeply, but has adopted his religious opinions chiefly on the credit of others, is peculiarly liable to demand that all come to his standard. From this source what divisions, and angry disputes, and bitter denunciations have many times sprung, to the disgrace of the Christian name. Hence, party has been arrayed against party, and brother has called brother heretic, where perhaps more intellectual light was all which was needed to evince that both werein the wrong.

One thing, then, requisite to remove evils of this kind, is that thorough, accurate acquaintance with the word of God, which is acquired only by diligent attention to it, united with humble, earnest prayer. If we would have harmony and brotherly love, the teachers of religion must never go themselves, nor send their hearers to human philosophy to learn what they are to believe in relation to the great and mysterious subjects of religion. It is matter of everlasting gratitude to God, that he has sent down to this dark world a light to guide us in the ways of truth_and peace. If we come at a full and correct understanding of the documents from which this light is reflected, then we may be sure that we know all that is here to be known respecting the subjects to which they relate. From the history of past ages, not less than from observation of our own times, is derived full and melancholy evidence, that all attempts to be wise above what is written are worse than useless. How fruitful a source of disputes and divisions have been attempts of this nature! Would we see the whole church of the same mind and of the same judgment, our first endeavor should be to awaken in all its members a resolution to labor, with diligence and prayer, for understanding the holy Scriptures. In this undertaking every individual should be willing to confine his inquiries within the limits which God has prescribed-always remembering that secret things belong unto the Lord our God, and only those which are revealed belong unto us and to our children.

But in order that the harmony and mutual affection, so much to be desired, may become universal in the church, not only must religious knowledge be increased; the standard of piety must also be elevated. Christians must become more spiritual; their affections must be more holy. They must pray more. They must have more faith and more

love. Their minds must be more exalted, more detached from the world; they must be more desirous of their Maker's giory, and less concerned for their own. Those disorderly, wicked passions which are the origin of divisions, contentions and numberless evils, must be subdued, and in their place must be love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, which are the fruit of the Spirit, and against which there is no law. O when will sairts be more like their divine Master and Lord, united in sentiment and feeling; kind and affectionate to one another, and disposed to co-operate in every good work! When will they exhibit the meekness and gentleness of Christ, sitting at his feet, receiving his instructions with implicit credence, divested of that pride which produces a wicked anxiety to be the greatest, which is an endless source of envy, jealousy and rivalship; which is most hateful to God and tormenting to its possessor? Then will the gospel appear in far greater simplicity and glory than before; the system of truth which it reveals, will be divested of many things which men have attached to it, heavenly influences continually descending, will make glad the city of our God, and earth will exhibit a resemblance of the light, and harmony, and peace, and joy which fill the world of glory.

Would you who are called saints do what is in your power to hasten the time when all this shall be experienced? then take heed that you imbibe and put in practice the principles and the spirit taught and enjoined in our text. Let your conduct towards one another be such that it may be said of you as heathen men said of Christ's disciples in primitive times, "See how these Christians love one another." Let all who love the Lord Jesus adopt this course-humbling themselves for past deficiency, and how blessed would be the consequences. The mouth of gainsayers would be put to silence; the church would appear in new beauty and glory; the influences of the divine Spirit would descend powerfully on the minds of men, and speedily would be verified the prediction, "The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the depths of the sea." My brethren, how much is such a consummation to be desired and to be sought? How closely connected is it with the glory of God and the dearest interests and hopes of the human family? Then with what solicitude should the followers of Christ. cultivate that union with one another which leads to it; how anxiously avoid every thing of an opposite nature?

If I have rightly marked "the signs of the times," this is eminently a period, in which the friends of the Redeemer should all speak the same. thing, and there should be no divisions among them, but they should be perfectly joined together in the same mind and in the same judgment. Many things now passing before our eyes indicate most plainly that the world is fast approaching some great moral revolution. The church is beginning to rouse from her slumbers; the systems of false religion, which have been so widely diffused are beginning to lose their influence over the minds of men. A spirit of free inquiry has gone abroad among the nations. Errors in opinion and in practice do likewise extensively prevail. Infidels of every name, and transgressors of every grade, are seen combining with determined hostility against the Savior-against his truth and his cause. How impressive the argument hence arising for unity of feeling and action in the friends of Christ? Will their love to Him who has purchased them with blood, allow them to waste in mutual contention the strength which they ought to array against the common enemy? In such a day as this, when the cause of truth is assailed from so many. quarters, and the united efforts of its friends against the virulence of its enemies, are so much needed, will they suffer themselves to impair their