relative to the little affairs of time, are generally confined to the narrow fpot where we live, or to the country to which we belong; and must always partake of the perishable nature of all fublunary things. But the views of this inftitution are wide as the inhabited globe, and extenfive as eternity. The powers of the Society, it is true, are limited, and their exertions cannot exceed their powers. Their attention, therefore, hath been chiefly directed to their native land, and especially to thofe parts of it where the gospel is but little known, or imperfectly understood.. But fill they must be confidered as acting a part in that great plan of providence, which hath for its object the converfion and everlafting happiness of the human kind.

An establishment, founded on fuch liberal principles, directed to fuch a grand object, and conducted with fo much attention and fidelity, will not, I truft, fail of fuccefs, nor the managers and promoters of it lofe their reward. It is the work of God in which you are engaged, and your heavenly Father will not forget your labour of love. Nay, it carries its own reward along with it. Acts of humanity and benevolence, efpecially when the immortal interefts of men are concerned, yield a fatisfaction of the pureft and nobleft kind. Look around you, my respected friends, and furvey the prefent fruits of your pious labours, and their probable confequences in future times. light of Chriftian knowledge fcattering the clouds of

See the

fpiritual

fpiritual darkness; genuine piety, and fubftantial goodness, rifing on the ruins of fuperftition and vice and the diligent hand of induftry, ftrengthened and encouraged by you, turning the barren defart into a fruitful field. Extend your views, and behold this glorious light fpreading its falutary influences through diftant and unknown lands. Look forward into futurity, and think of the advantages that unborn millions may reap from this excellent inftitution :-Think of all this, and tell me if you can exprefs the joy you feel, when at the fame time you confider yourselves as inftruments chofen by Providence for promoting fuch great defigns. Is there, or can there be a pleafure fuperior to that which springs from the exercise of fuch godlike beneficence? Doing good to the fouls and bodies of men, conftitutes our faireft refemblance to the Father of Mercies, and imparts a fatisfaction which bears the nearest likeness to the felicity of God. This is a pleafure as durable as it is exquifite. It will never lead to uneafinefs or remorse. In no circumstances, and at no time, will it defert you; but, like a faith. ful friend, it will attend you through life, to heighten the relish of every innocent gratification, to sweeten the bitterness of adverfity, and to foften the agonies of the laft folemn fcene of mortality. It will accompany you into the manfions of peace and purity above, where, by the affectionate welcome of the Redeemer, whom you have, faithfully ferved, by the applauses of all those benevolent beings who rejoice in the converfion

fion of finners, and by the kind regards of every glorified spirit, in whose salvation you have been inftru mental, it shall be turned into a joy unspeakable and full of glory.

Are there any prefent, who are not immediately engaged in the godlike work of charity, or who have never yet contributed any thing for its fupport and advancement? It is in your power to come in for a fhare of its honours, its pleasures, and its rewards. Have you any intereft at a throne of grace, you may affift by your fervent prayers to God. Are you persons of rank and influence in fociety,-you may give it ftability by your countenance and patronage. Are you rich and encreafed in goods,-you may give it most effectual aid by pecuniary benefactions. A pious and prudent appropriation of a part of your riches to fuch a noble defign, would add to the refpectability of rank, brighten the splendours of affluence, and give a high relish to all the gifts of Providence. With refpect to thofe who are devoted to the vanities and amufements of life, permit me to fay, that faving a small fum annually for fuch a charitable purpose, from the extravagance of drefs, from the theatre, the gaming table, and other purfuits equally expensive and unprofitable, as it would not abridge any real pleasure, fo it would not cost you a fingle pang of regret at the clofe of the year. If you are unwilling to believe this, try the experiment for a season, and then let your future conduct be regulated by the refult,

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They

They who are Chriftians indeed will be easily perfuaded to exert themselves in forwarding fuch a benevolent scheme. Love to God and charity to mankind are the principles upon which they habitually act. And these will furely prompt them to labour for the enlargement of the Redeemer's kingdom, and for the increase of human happiness. But there are others who have never felt the power of true religion upon their own hearts, and yet appear to be no ftrangers to the feelings of humanity and benevolence. Such, though they cannot be fuppofed to fee this undertaking in its true magnitude and extent, yet, as they cannot but perceive it to be work of charity, conducive, at leaft, to the happiness of focial life, ought furely to give way, upon the prefent, to that benevolent propenfity which they frequently difcover upon other occafions. And with respect to fuch, I do not hesitate to express a ftrong hope, that what is now only a natural softness of temper may gradually be changed into Chriftian benevolence; and that in time they may come to dif cern the excellency, and to feel the happy effects of that divine knowledge which they have been inftrumental in conveying to others.

What shall we fay more? To thee, O Father of Lights, we lift up our eyes, and implore thy divine bleffing. The cause is thine; for it is the caufe of truth and of charity. Reveal thy mighty arm for its fupport; ftrengthen the hands employed in carrying it on, and crown their laudable efforts with fuccefs. Difpofe all

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of

of us in our different stations, to employ, with a steady zeal, the talents and opportunities which thy provi dence hath put in our power, for the defence and propagation of the gofpel. Haften the happy period, when the kingdoms of this world fhall become the kingdoms of our Lord Jefus Chrift; when all nations fhall hear and embrace the words of eternal life; and when the empire of truth and righteousness and peace shall obtain an univerfal and lasting establishment; and to thy name let all the praise be ascribed. Amen.

FINI S.