"tell the towers thereof and mark well her bulwarks." The Church, from the beginning, had been greatly circumscribed, and was still a small flock when our Lord was upon earth. It has continued comparatively small for many centuries, and few have even hitherto entered in at the straight gate, contrasted with the multitude who choose the broad way "that leadeth to destruction." But "glorious things are spoken of the city of God." The interests of religion shal not always be thus depressed. The Church of Christ will emerge from obscurity, and the number of His followers not be small. Nothing is more certain than that God has promised a great enlarge ment of the kingdom of the Redeemer in this world, with abundant communications of His Spirit and presence. In the most unequivocal language it is foretold, that all people and nations throughout the whole earth shall be instructed in the true religion, and brought into the Church of God. "All dominions shall serve and obey Him. All nations shall serve Him. All nations shall call Him blessed. In Him shall all the nations of the earth be blessed. He will destroy the covering cast over all people, and the vail that is spread over alı nations. All flesh shall see the salvation of the Lord. Unto Him shall all flesh come. The earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the seas." In this the promises of the Old as well as of the New Testament completely harmonize. They all establish the desirable fact, that a period will most assuredly ar rive, when there shall not be one nation in the world which shall not embrace the Christian religion. "The nation and kingdom which shall not serve Thee shall perish, yea, these nations shall be utterly wasted."

A time will therefore come when the knowledge of the truth shall universally prevail, and holiness shall characterize the world; a time when the Church shall be known and acknowledged to be but one, a dignified and excellent society, connected in the most perfect or der, and shining in the light of the Sun of Righteousness; a time when the world shall be delivered from the evils and calamities under which it has so long groaned, and the blessings of God the Redeemer be upon all the families of the earth: "Then the wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad, and the desert shall rejoice and blossom as the rose." Then "let the wilderness and the cities lift up their voices; let the villages, the inhabitants of the rock sing; 14 them shout from the top of the mountains, let them give glory unto the Lord, and declare His praise in the islands."

These promises have not yet been fulfilled. There has never been any propagation of true religion that corresponds to the uni

versality indicated in the promises. Where the word and ordinances have been hitherto known and enjoyed, their blessed influ- . ence upon the hearts and conduct of men has not been thus powerfully experienced. And countless millions throughout the earth, have never heard that there is a Saviour.

To the fulfillment of these promises, it is necessary that the Gospel be sent to every nation in the world. The preached word is the established mean for converting sinners, and without the mean the end will not be obtained. "The preaching of the cross" is unto them which are saved the power of God. It hath pleased Him, by the "foolishness of preaching, to save them that believe." If, therefore, the blessings promised, are to be conferred, there will also come a time when God will send His everlasting Gospel to every people, tongue and kindred in the earth. This time, we believe, is arrived. The present exertions in the churches, we are persuaded, are the first stirrings, the gradual beginnings for accomplishing that great end.

Eventful period! A time replete with occurrences of the highest importance to the world! Long lives for many generations have passed in uniform succession, and men have grown old without witnessing any remarkable deviation from the ordinary course of Providence. But now a new era is commencing. The close of the last, and the opening of the present century, exhibit strange and astonishing things. Principles and achievements, revolutions and designs, events uncommon and portentous, in rapid succession, arrest our attention. Each year, each day is pregnant with something great, and all human calculations are set at defiance. The infidel, with his impious philosophy, stands aghast, and destitute of resources, with trembling forebodings, wonders how and where the perplexed scene will end; while the Christian, instructed by the word and Spirit of his Saviour, calmly views the turning of the dreadful wheels, and knows which way they proceed. Strengthened by Divine grace he stands undaunted in the mighty commotion, and looks up rejoicing that his prayers are heard, and that his "redemption draweth nigh."

4. How influential the motive suggested by this prediction to engage in strenuous exertions to propagate the Gospel! How forcible the argument to persevere in the benevolent work! When "Daniel understood by books the number of years, whereof the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet," his attention was fixed; his affections were raised; and it operated as a motive to intercede for the accomplishment of the prophecy; agreeably to the maxim, that

will be inquired of by the house of Israel to do it for them. The pious captives anxiously waiting for their restoration, were no doubt instructed by Daniel, and joined with him in supplicating the throne of grace. The word passed rapidly among the scattered families, and they gladly prepared for the impending change. It is supposed that Daniel, who, from his former station at the king's court, might easily obtain access to Cyrus, communicated to that prince, with suitable and successful arguments, the part assigned in prophecy for him to fulfill. In this way the prophet was instrumental in Divine Providence in bringing forward the completion of the promise. He united exertions with his prayers. He felt the influence of the mo tive; and the grace which was bestowed upon him was not in vain. In like manner let Christians now be wise, and receive instruction. "Ye, brethren, are not in darkness that that day should over. take you as a thief. Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day; we are not of the night nor of darkness, therefore let us not sleep as do others, but let us watch and be sober." It is time for the wise virgins who have slumbered to arise and trim their lamps. The cry is made, "Behold, the Bridegroom cometh!" He cometh to send His Gospel abroad, and bless the world with His truth and righteousness.

It is an honor to be employed in the service of the Redeemer. "I had rather be a door-keeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness." It is a privilege to be laborers together with God. It is a pleasant work, to go up to the mountain and bring wood and build the house, when we are convinced the time is come, and the Lord saith, "He will take pleasure in it, and will be glorified."

Every motive which stimulates to vigorous efforts in propagat ing the Gospel, derives additional force and energy from this word of prophecy. Is the glory of God an impressive argument? Attend to the prediction before us, and be encouraged to hope, that God, who hath glorified His holy name, will soon glorify it again. He will make Himself known throughout the whole earth, not only in His Divine perfections, as the one only true God, but in the adorable manner of His existence, as Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, and will be worshiped every where in the blessed relation of Redeemer as well as Creator. Doth the love of Christ constrain? Have you crowned Him with your homage; and often grieved at the contempt cast upon His precious name and cause? See what is doing in the churches! To Him every knee will bow; "the most Mighty is girding His sword upon His thigh; the arm of the Lord will awake

as in the ancient days, in the generations of old; and the people shall fall under Him. His name shall endure forever." Are Are you affected with the deplorable condition of the greatest part of the world, which lieth in ignorance and wickedness? Behold the everlasting Gospel is going forth to every tongue, and kindred, and nation, and shall universally prevail. Yet a little while, and the people that walk in darkness will see a great light, and upon them that dwell in the land of the shadow of death will the light shine. All the precepts which are our warrant to engage in this work; all the promises which are our encouragement to persevere with firmness, receive new weight and influence. While we are musing upon the prediction before us, our hearts are hot within us; the fire burns; zeal kindles to a flame; we glow with ardor to perform our part, and assist the flight of the preaching angel. We live to see the dawn; we long to see the day. We witness at least the beginnings of what many prophets and righteous men have desired to see, and have not seen them. For those of us who are advanced in years, let this suffice. We now can depart in peace! We shall hear of the accomplishment, and join with. those who rejoice in heaven, over sinners who are converted to Christ!

DISCOURSE SEVENTIETH.

WILLIAM WHITE, D.D.

BISHOP WHITE was born in Philadelphia, Pa., April 4th, 1748, and educated in his native city. After graduating from his collegiate course and studying theology, he visited England, and received deacon's orders from Dr. Terrick, then bishop of London, and diocesan of all the Epis copal churches in America. On his return he was settled as assistant minister of Christ Church and St. Peter's, of Philadelphia, and in a few years was chosen rector of these churches. During the Revolutionary struggle he was the friend of Washington, and was elected chaplain to Congress, at Yorktown, 1777. He presided at the Convention for the union of the different Episcopal churches in this country, and as bishop elect of Pennsylvania, proceeded to England for bishop's orders, and was consecrated by the Archbishop of Canterbury; after which he returned and commenced the duties of his Episcopate in 1787. The place of his residence was Philadelphia; where he ceased from his labors on the 17th of July, 1836, expiring without a groan, in his dwelling-house on Walnut-street, where he had resided for more than fifty years.

Bishop White was a man of unquestioned piety, and his whole life was marked by complete and beautiful consistency. He was eminent as the minister of religion in the councils which gave liberty to his country, and the center of affection to a large community. For more than forty years he was the senior bishop of the Episcopal Communion, where he exerted a wide influence, mild and paternal. He was a man of considerable erudition as a scholar, and as a preacher, was esteemed for his judicious and solid instructions. He wrote and spoke with earnestness and impressiveness, and often invested his thoughts with great beauty and eloquence. A collection of his sermons has been published; and the excellent memoir by Dr. Bird Wilson, is a fitting tribute to his worth.

The sermon here given is not found in his printed works. It is kindly furnished by his son, Thomas H. White, Esq., of Philadelphia; and owes its appearance in this form to the suggestions of several distinguished Episcopal clergymen, who, from having heard it delivered, or other wise, entertained a high estimate of its value, and desired to see it in print. The subject is treated with much discrimination and ability, re lieving it from difficulties, and rendering it profitable for instruction.