which we need, to qualify us for the sublime service of our Maker, is conveyed to us thro' the medium of christianity. The "true light" of the gospel shews us at once our duty, with its grounds, its objects and its rewards.

The occasion, which has convened this respectable assembly, will assist in the illustration of the text, while it justifies its appropriateness and impresses its application. We have not assembled for an ostentatious display of unmeaning rites or insignificant ceremonies. Religion, the bond of relationship between God and man, is all a sacred reality. If outward performances are required, they are only useful, as they describe the inward nature and spirituality of heavenly things. We meet to rejoice with our christian brethren in the erection and completion of this house, specially designed for the worship of Him "who dwelleth not in temples made with hands." We meet to assist them in the public expression of the objects contemplated, in setting apart a house to the service of the "Most High." The occasion warrants every well intended

Its sacred

effort to describe true worship. characteristics are before us, in the text. And if there were a remaining doubt, on the mind of a single individual, here present, as to the most appropriate place, time or manner of worshipping the Father, the passage we have read, and the connexion in which it stands, would silence such doubt. No particular places are pointed out, “neither at Jerusalem nor in this mountain ;" no special regard is had to "times and seasons;" but they that worship the Father shall worship in spirit and in truth, for the Father seeketh such to worship him.'

In managing this subject, with reference to the solemnities of this dedication, and with due regard to general improvement, we shall,

First. Shew that the duty and privilege of worshipping" the Father," is more plainly and clearly pointed out, under the gospel, than under any preceding dispensation.

Secondly. Mention some of the essential requirements of true worship.

Thirdly. Offer some reasons, why "the Father seeketh such to worship him, as worship in spirit and in truth."

First. The article, which is now to engage our special attention, is founded on those words of the text, which designate a particular period, when the worship of God should become more pure and simple than it had been before. "The hour cometh, and now is;" that is, the period has already commenced, "when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth.” This interesting declaration was made, in reply to a suggestion of the Samaritan woman, with whom our Saviour was conversing, at Jacob's well. "Our fathers worshipped in this mountain," that is, in Mount Gerizim, 66 and ye say, that in Jerusalem is the place where men ought to worship." Here we cannot but remark, how exceedingly natural it is, for persons who possess strong prejudices, to suppose, that others possess them likewise. This woman could not believe, but the person with whom she conversed, was as much attached to Jerusalem, as a

place of worship, as she and her own people were to their favorite mountain. We may

also observe, that the great truth of the gospel is calculated to remove all narrow habits of thinking, to destroy local prejudices, and absorb the conflicting interests of individuals, in the general interest and enlarged felicity of man. Had our Saviour argued for the peculiar sanctity of Jerusalem, in preference to the mountain, where the Samaritans worshipped, it would probably have produced no favorable views of him, in the mind of this woman. Had he admitted the superior claims of Mount Gerizim, as a place appointed for religious devotion; the concession, so unlike the opinions of other Jews, would have only excited surprize and suspicion. Indeed, the answer, given on this occasion, was the only one, worthy of him who "The hour cometh, when ye shall neither in this mountain, nor yet at Jerusalem, worship the Father." The opposing opinions and prejudices, which then prevail. ed, were, by this answer, properly exposed, without partiality or respect to one more

gave it.

than another. The gospel of truth removes every thing, which is contrary to its own na

ture.

But, in pursuance of our main design, we may ask, was not "Jerusalem the place where men ought to worship?" Were not the Jews directed to visit the sacred eity, and within its consecrated walls, perform the many rites, and engage in the several solemnities, prescribed in the Mosaic code? These questions receive their only proper answer, in the language of inspired truth. "The law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices, which they offered year by year continually, make the comers thereunto perfect. The "priesthood" was afterwards to be "changed,” and this makes a "necessity of a change also of the law." "There is verily a disannulling of the commandment going before, for the weakness and unprofitableness of it." Moses and Christ have each their appointed stations in the church of God. The first “ "was faithful over a few things," and "as a ser