more, that they are all registered before Him in a "book of remembrance.' Think not, for a moment, that He overlooks the smallest and least important of those who fear Him. "His eyes are ever open upon them." But more especially is He present in any society or congregation assembled together in his name, and united by a bond of holy brotherhood as his servants. Numberless are the instances that might be named, of God's watchful care, and protection, and blessing, over those who feared Him, while He poured out his indignation upon the "nations that knew Him not, and the families that called not upon his name."

Look at the blessing which went with Joseph, with Abraham, with Lot, with the chosen people of Israel in the land of Egypt, and with the holy men of old ;look, again, at the promises of Christ to "two or three gathered together in his name;" observe how, after his resurrection and before his ascension, that very time of the Christian year in which we

are now assembled.-He so often came and stood in the midst of the little band of his disciples, when gathered together in secret, for breaking of bread and prayer, and spake unto them those soothing words, "Peace be unto you !"

My brethren, are we here this day in the fear of God? Do we come here now as a mere form and custom, or in sincerity and truth, as waiting for God's blessing? Let me trust that we are really here “gathered together in the presence of God, to hear all things that are commanded us of God." Let me hope that this, which is probably the last time that I shall address you on the day of your annual meeting as your appointed minister, will be a day of blessing to us all-and that the Lord, who hearkens and hears us, whether we will or no, has heard and will hear this day nothing which can provoke Him to anger against us. Let us hope that He has heard sincere prayers, sincere resolutions of amendment, sincere desires for grace to do his will, sincere vows of fu

ture obedience. Let me hope that those of you who may be spared to meet in this church upon a like occasion next year, may have passed the year that was between that day and this in the fear of God-that you will think upon the "things which belong to your eternal peace," that

you

will labour for the meat which endureth unto everlasting life," that you will flee from the paths of vice and the ways of sin, and seek to live to the glory of God in your respective stations, and to train up your families by precept and example in the right way-that brotherly love may increase and abound among you, and that you may be united together in lasting bonds of christian charity..

And now, brethren, I can wish you no better wish, as your sincere friend, and as one who will ever retain an affectionate desire for your welfare, and remembrance of many a kind and neighbourly act received from you, during the time that I resided among you-than that, as the names of those whom I see around me

D

are registered as brethren in your own club-book, so those names may also be written in that "book of remembrance, which is kept before the Lord for them that fear him, and that think upon his name;" for mark the blessing which follows" They shall be mine, saith the Lord, in that day when I make up my jewels;" or, as it stands in the margin of our Bibles, "my special treasure;" "and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him ;"" then," it is added, in that awful day, when the secret characters of all men shall be made manifest, and the evil shall be finally separated from among the good," then shall ye return and discern between the righteous and the wicked; between him that serveth God, and him that serveth Him not." That you, brethren, and I, and all in whom we are interested, or with whom we are connected, may be then found among the blessed children of our heavenly Father, may God of his infinite mercy grant, for the sake of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Saviour!

SERMON III.

ST. JAMES i. 26.

“If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.”

THERE are very few persons who are bold enough, deliberately and openly, to confess a determination not to be religious. There is something in the very idea of such a confession, which strikes the feelings even of those who are not at all ashamed of living habitually in the ways of sin. It is not our greatest difficulty as ministers, brethren, to lead you to make religious professions, but to provoke you to examine into the true nature