4th. The highest joys of holy beings are promoted in consequence of the blessed effects of the preaching of the word. As the gospel ministry is the great medium of opening the eyes of mankind, and of turning them from darkness to light; and from the power of satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and an inheritance among them which are sanctified, so there is joy in heaven among the angels of God, over one sinner that repenteth. But, if the conversion of one soul gives additional joy to the glorified spirits above, how will the salvation of the myriads of human beings increase their burning love, and raise still higher their heavenly anthems of praise, and render louder their glorious songs of joy! When all the redeemed, the ransomed of the Lord, shall be brought home to glory, then, with the most intense glows of divine love, and raptures of heavenly bliss, will be given glory to God in the highest, with thanksgivings of eternal hallelujahs. Yes, and unparalleled will be the joys of the redeemed; and they will even outvie the angels in praise:

Never did angels taste above,

Redeeming grace and dying love.

As the glorious scheme of redemption through Jesus Christ unfolds peculiar displays of the perfections and glory of God, so it will be the beauty of perfection, and the darling theme of heaven. But, such peculiar glories, through the grace and mercy of God, must be ascribed to the glorious successes and blessed effects of his preached gospel.

We may readily see in the third place, why it is desirable that the gospel should be preached to every creature, or to the whole human race. The same arguments which may be adduced to show the goodly effects and vast importance of a preached gospel among ourselves, are reasons which may be assigned with equal force, to prove its utility and necessity as it respects others. Is the gospel the greatest blessing of heaven to those who enjoy all its inestimable

privileges? What a pathetick, and forcible plea, then, that the destitute in our own country, enjoy its enlightening and saving influence. It has been handed down to us from the apostles, by missionaries, and these gospel heralds are going forth into all the world, and flying as the messengers of heaven to every nation upon earth. Give a helping hand then, my brethren, and help some feeble church and scattered people support a gospel minister. Through increasing attention and property, they will shortly erect a house for God: Yea, and even another congregation spring up near them. How desirable that Pagan superstition, the midnight Egyptian darkness of heathenism, and their abominable idolatries, give place to the light and power of the gospel! What a blessed view for angels to see wretched pagans and heathens, from the east and the west, through a preached gospel, become lively stones in the heavenly temple, now erecting on mount Zion, in the new Jerusalem above. Ŏ! that those miserable beings enjoyed those civil laws which are framed under the benign and salutary influence of the gospel. Then a man would be permitted to have but one wife and horribly deluded parents would not put to death their children as the only means of ending their misery. Listen to an anecdote: An aged mother was standing in a school of heathen children, weeping. She was asked by the catechuman, why she was grieved and distressed. O! if you had come here ten years ago, my son had lived, and been one of this school; I should not have put him to death. Ah! my friends, you have Christ and him crucified, preached unto you; and unto them that believe, he is precious. But how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? and how shall they preach, except they be sent? Bless the Lord, O ye his saints, that he is sending forth labourers into the barren and forlorn parts of his vineyard. Yes, and the varied

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means and glorious effects for extending the Redeemer's reign, are but as yet the first beams of the morning sun, compared with the full blaze of noon-day. May we, by our prayers and substance, be awake to the calls and perishing necessities of the destitute at home and abroad. An Owyhecan youth, having in this country experienced the joys of believing, was lamenting the death of his aged mother. Being asked if she died happy; No, no, said he, it cannot be; they have no Bibles, no preaching, no heaven, in Owyhee.

IMPROVEMENT.

1st. We may see, that a faithful gospel minister is a great blessing to a people, and should be accounted as such. Some of the heralds of the cross are more worthy of esteem than others, according to their talents, their wisdom, and faithfulness. Those of great abilities, natural and acquired, and whose piety and zeal in the cause of Christ are eminent, should be considered among the number of the most worthy. But those who have less splendid attainments, and whose christian walk is worthy of imitation, should be received as precious gifts of heaven. The prospects of gospel ministers depend very much upon the reception which they receive among any people; for their prayers, friendly remarks, and pecuniary aid, are the main-spring of their usefulness. And such supports, by a mutual reciprocity, serve to render their labours a blessing to individuals and families, to parents and children, to schools and societies. Moreover, the establishment of churches and a stated ministration of the word, not only serve to promote the spiritual interest of mankind, but from observation and general facts, their natural tendency and consequence are, to promote their temporal interests, to increase the value of property, and greatly to multiply the means of subsistence. Yes, what is contributed for the support of gospel privileges, is

doubly repaid by a natural and gracious return of earthly blessings. But the highest object of a gospel minister, is to prove a savour of life unto life to the souls of their hearers, and to be the happy instruments of promoting their immortal interests.

2d. We may see, that the gospel is worthy of all acceptation, of the cordial reception of every creature, or human being to whom it is addressed. The tree of life grows out of the gospel, and its leaves are for the healing of the nations. It bears twelve manner of fruit, and yields her fruit every month; and thousands of thousand, and ten times thousand, are now participating of its delicious and heavenly repast; and it proffers a rich feast to all the world, though thousands rather starve than come. The river of life flows from the gospel, and all who drink of it, quench their parching, dying thirst. It has healing streams which are flowing to the remotest corners of the earth, that all who wash may be healed of their diseases; yea, and the polluting, incurable leprosy may be cleansed and healed. Eat then, O friends! drink, yea, drink abundantly; and wash at the head fountain of the waters of salvation. The Spirit and the bride, say come. And let him that is athirst, come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely. Yes, and beckoning angels at heaven's gates are looking down to see if we will come. Blessed gospel! how worthy of acceptation, which pours joy and consolation into the soul, yields the peace and balm of our mortal life; renders triumphant and victorious in the trying hour of death; and crowns with glorious immortality beyond the grave.

3d. This subject teaches us not to esteem it a burden to be charitable and to send the gospel to others, but to claim it as our unspeakable privilege:

Let sweet charity attend our door,

And smiling mercy bless the poor.

There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and

there is that withholdeth more than is meet; but if tendeth to poverty. The liberal soul shall be made fat; and he that watereth, shall be watered also himself. Let us take a few examples. Suppose an aged father, and mother were bowed down with all the infirmities of old age, tattered with rags, afflicted with rheumatick complaints, and under a shelter which could not secure from the inclemencies of the weather. Suppose they should receive some comfortable clothing and other aids in their necessities. How would their souls daily bless the kind hand of charity! Surely you would say, It is more blessed to give than to receive. Picture to yourselves a family of half famished children surrounding their mother, preparing them victuals from provisions received from some unknown hand. Listen to the simplicity of their inquiries, who was that charity that stopt at our door? Hear their expressions of gratitude and thankfulness. With blushing checks and a glowing heart, you would see the propriety of this exhortation, Let not thy left hand know what thy right hand doeth. My dear hearers, we live in such plenty, that we know not what it is to want; consequently we are insensible of the blessings of our charity. We know not how much good we do, when we give. Methinks I hear one say, I have no part in this matter; for I never gave for charitable purposes. Open your heart then, reach forth your hands, and reap the reward of the liberal. One evening a missionary, to some heathens soliciting a Bible, promised to give them one next morning. At the break of day, he saw they were laying on the ground, and had endured the dampness and chills of an inclement night. Being asked the reason, their reply was, they feared if they returned home, they should miss of a Bible. Charity once presented a Bible to a woman lately made rich in faith, but miserably poor in the good things of this life. She most thankfully received it, pressed it to her bosom, and exclaimed, Had I ten thousand dol