the moral energies of the soul. What says that great apostle, who won more souls to Jesus, than any other herald of his salvation has ever done? "The love of Christ constraineth us." But why did it constrain him, and to do what? "It constraineth us, because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead;" i. e. it constrains us, because when we were dead in trespasses and sins, Christ died to redeem us. What follows? He died for us, "that they which live, should henceforth no more live unto themselves, but unto him who died for them and who rose again." Preach the same doctrine; it must forever have the same influencethe same mighty, overpowering, saving influence -on every heart that receives it. Proclaim to a perishing world glad tidings—glad tidings of great joy. Jesus died for them. Jesus can and will save them, if they accept the offers of his mercy. Glory in nothing but his cross. Be not turned aside from preaching him crucified, by any scorn and contumely on the one hand, or cold and speculative philosophy on the other. This doctrine is the power of God unto salvation to all who believe. Proclaim it then to a world perishing in iniquity. Proclaim it to the very ends of the earth. It will force open the prison doors. It will liberate the captives. It will scatter heavenly glory over our benighted world. It will call the dead to life. It will convert this great Aceldama into the garden of God. This boundless valley of dry bones will become the scene of as boundless a resurrection to life. I thank God, whose providence has so long de tained me from this sacred place, that I have now enjoyed another opportunity of testifying to you my convictions in respect to a Saviour's dying love. If I should never again be permitted to do it, receive this as the last and highest expression of my affection to him and to you. I ask for no other privilege on earth, but to make known the efficacy of his death; and none in heaven, but to be associated with those who ascribe salvation to his blood. AMEN. 4. A SERMON PREACHED IN THE TABERNACLE CHURCH, SALEM, NOV. 5, 1818, AT THE ORDINATION OF THE REV. MESSRS. PLINY FISK, LEVI SPAULDING, MIRON WINSLOW, AND HENRY WOODWARD, AS Missionaries TO THE UNEVANGELIZED NATIONS. BY MOSES STUART, Associate Professor of Sac. Literature in the Theol. Seminary. ANDOVER: PRINTED BY FLAGG AND GOULD. |