supplied with the Bible? Secularize the statement of the object. Then propose it to the men of the world, and ask them if it cannot be done. It can be done; and it must be done. If necessity ever existed, it exists in this case.

But why resolve to accomplish the work in twenty years? Why designate any number of years? And if any, why twenty? Why not give time enough, and say forty or sixty?

There are several reasons in favor of twenty. There is, in the first place, a greater agreement on that number, than could probably be obtained for any other. Besides, we propose to resolve what we will do, not what our successors shall. If we say forty years, the great majority of us will not be here to act on the resolution, the last moity of those years. Again, our object is to do something for the existing generation of heathen, and if that is done, it must be done within twenty years. Moreover, we find that much may be achieved in twenty years by human enterprise alone; and may not much more by faith which "overcometh the world?" See how much the men of the world can do in twenty years—what magnificent works construct-what important conquests make-how change the physical and political aspect of things in a whole nation-and cannot the men of God do as much?

We scarcely need do more the next twenty years, lo accomplish our object, than was done the last twenty, in comparison with the twenty which preceded. Is it impossible for us to do as much more the next twenty years, than we did the last, as in the last, we did

more than in the twenty which preceded?

Cannot we keep up this ratio of increase? It is only necessary to do so, and our part of the great work is done.

But there is another consideration which pleads, if not for twenty years, yet for a shorter term. It is that after the adoption of this resolution, we may calculate, as I allow myself to think, on a more abundant blessing from God, than the world has ever yet experienced. Since my thoughts have been turned to this great subject, it hath occurred to me that probably some such movement as that which is now contemplated, is all that is wanting on the part of the Church, to that full proving of God, which is to be followed by the opening of the windows of heaven, and the pouring out of a blessing upon her, such, that, she not having room to receive it, it shall flow forth to the world. The Church has never yet fully proved God. She has always proposed and attempted less than he has required. has never taken the Bible, and gone out with it, intending to go into all the world, and that may be the reason why Christ has been no more with her. How can we expect the fulfilment of the promise, "Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world,” unless we attempt obedience to the command to which that promise stands annexed? That promise was intended to encourage those who should make the conversion of the world their object. And we may well suppose that its most glorious fulfilment is reserved for the period when Christians shall resolve on the conversion of the world.

She

Does any one doubt, that if we adopt this resolution, and act in the spirit of it, its object will be accomplish

ed, provided the divine influence which attends our labors be as abundant as was that which attended and gave efficacy to the labors of the apostolic age? With our men, and means, and facilities, and their humble sense of dependance on God, and looking to him for his blessing, would not all which is proposed, be accomplished in twenty years? Well, why should not we cherish a similar sense of dependance on God?-and expect as large a blessing to crown our efforts, as attended theirs? Will never again the Gospel come in such power to the hearts of men, and the arm of the Lord never again be so gloriously revealed for salvation? Has the Gospel achieved its greatest victories already? In the process of becoming universal in its dominion and influence, will not a more wonderful power attend it, than has ever attended it hitherto? Will not God hereafter make a short work on the earth? Does not that prophecy, which declares that a nation shall be born in a day, yet remain to be fulfilled? Who knows but the period of its fulfillment may fall within the next twenty years? And if it shall, twenty years will be ample for the accomplishment of our resolution?

Does any one fear that if the resolution be adopted, we shall not be able to answer for it to God? Will the remembrance of it be a new terror to us in the prospect of going to the judgment seat? I think not. But if we decline to adopt it, I am by no means so sure that we shall stand acquitted.

If the resolution, on the speedy adoption of which so many hearts are set, is adopted, and fails of accomplishment, it will be the first great resolution of benevolence

that has ever failed. All our resolutions up to this, have been accomplished. Shall that which proposes the truly Christian object of the world fail? It may fail. God will not be wanting to us; but we may be wanting to ourselves. We may pass the resolution in the spirit of pride. We may forget where our strength lies. We may go forward in the confidence of our own resources. But we shall be in equal danger of doing this, any number of years hence. I confidently trust, that He, whose Spirit suggested the resolution, will give us grace to adopt it, if at all, in the true spirit of dependance on him. In that case it cannot fail.

But if it fail, I contend that it is more glorious to undertake such an enterprise and fail, than to decline undertaking for fear of failing. Perhaps, however, Christians of America, are not prepared for this resolution. Perhaps, should it be adopted, there would be no great accession to your annual income; and, peradventure, it would be found at the end of two or three years, that Christians of this age have not that love for Christ, and that faith in God, and that good will to men, which alone can secure the sacrifices, the efforts and the treasures necessary to the success of the enterprise. But shall it be so? Friends of Jesus, shall it be so? Christian philanthropist, shall this fear be realized? I lay the cause at your feet-the cause of the world—the cause of bleeding, dying humanity. I am sure you will not trample on it. I hope you will take it up and lift it high, and bear it on to victory, speedy, complete, and glorious, through the blood of the Lamb, and the grace of the Spirit of God.

SALVATION GREAT AND DIFFICULT.

Some think and represent it as easy, exceedingly easy to save a soul—to bend a will-to change a heart. Easy? It is God's greatest work. Creation is not so hard a work. And it is more difficult than destruction. It is the most wonderful species of resurrection. With men it is impossible; and with God barely possible: for the righteous are scarcely saved. Here, ye sons of God, is something for you to think about, that God, in saving a single soul, putteth forth a mightier energy than in making many worlds; that in order to bring you to a saving faith of the Gospel, and to persuade you to the love of God, a greater exertion of power is requisite, than to produce the most stupendous physical creation. If this be not the doctrine of the Bible, why did the Apostle speak of the "exceeding greatness of his power to usward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power"? We sometimes, and indeed more commonly in our discourses, treat of the moral attributes of God, displayed in the salvation of sinners, of the divine wisdom and goodness, the justice and mercy exhibited in the conception and carrying out of the wondrous plan of redemption. How benevolent the motive! How wise the scheme! How beautiful and glorious its progressive development !-until at length on Calvary, the Captain of our salvation said, "It is finished," and justice and mercy met and em