: cy, might be employed to good purpose on the fide of religion and though hitherto fubfervient to the defigns of intereft or ambition, may we not flatter ourselves, that, at last, they fhall become noble instruments in the hand of God for preparing the world to receive the gofpel? This glorious profpect may be distant, but it is not imaginary. Even in a degenerate age, zealous and active fpirits have arifen, and focieties have been formed upon the generous plan of propagating the knowledge of Chrift to nations far off, which never heard his fame, nor have feen his glory *. What they have already done, encourages the most fanguine hopes of farther fuccefs: and if it shall please God to increafe the number, and strengthen the hands of fuch well-difpofed perfons; if he thall fee fit, to haften his time when one shall become a thousand, and a small one strong † ; then night we expect, that the knowledge of the Lord would fill the earth as the waters cover the jea that the defert would blossom as the rose ||, and the wilderness become a fruitful field ** then might the fpirit of Chriftianity, which languifhes fo visibly in those places where it hath long been planted, revive with new vigour in unknown lands, and fhine with its firft fplendor among the people who now fit in darkness, and in the region and shadow of • If. lxvi. 19. | Ibid. cxxv. 1, + If. lx. 2. death* ; then might the folitary place rejoice t, the barren break forth into finging ‡, and the tongue of the dumb praife the Lord . But the converfion of diftant nations is not the chief care of the Society for propagating Christian knowledge: an object nearer at hand demands their more immediate attention. The highlands and islands of Scotland prefent to us a fcene, which we would little expect in a nation where true religion and polished manners have long flourished. There fociety ftill appears in its rudeft and moft imperfect form. Strangers to industry, averfe from labour, inured to rapine, the fierce inhabitants fcorn all the arts of peace, and ftand ready for every bold and defperate action. Attached to their own customs, from ignorance and habit, they have hitherto continued a feparatepeople; and though the religion eftablished among them be the fame which we enjoy, its progrefs hath been imperfect; and the fixed paftors were never able to furmount the difadvantages of their fituation, or the obftinacy of their people. In this neglected field, the enemies of our religion and liberty have fown the feeds of the worst fuperftition, and the moft pernicious principles of government. This field the Society have occupied, and have endeavoured, by their pious care, to render many of their deluded countrymen good • Matth. iv. 16. Ibid. xxxv. 6. + If. xxxv. I. M 2 Ibid. liv. t. Chriftians Christians and ufeful fubjects. Happily for them, they do not labour alone in this noble work. The reformation of the highlands was never totally neglected by the legislature; but, roufed by a late danger, it hath fince merited their more particular attention. Suitable to this view, laws have been enacted with a moft humane fpirit, in order to retrieve that part of the kingdom from ignorance and barbarism, and to introduce the fame regular government and independence which are the bleffings of other British fubjects. From these falutary laws the Society expect great affistance in the profecution of their defign. In the mean time they adore the divine goodness which hath opened the hearts of many charitable perfons among ourselves and neighbours, whofe liberality hath put it in their power to carry on their plan with vigour and fuccefs; enabling them not only to begin a good work, but in many places to bring it to great perfection. What a reproach will it be, to an age wherein no hand is backward to fupply the most extravagant demands of luxury and pleasure, if this generous undertaking fhall languish and decay for want of support! The pleasures after which a giddy generation run, are unworthy to be compared with that facred joy which fills the heart of a Christian who hath been instrumental in refcuing an immortal foul from vice, in adorning it with virtue, in feafoning it with grace, in manifefting the mystery of the gospel to thofe from whom it was hid, and in feeding the hungry with the bread of life. If we ourselves have tafted of the heavenly gift, if we have passed from death to life, and have not only heard the found, but felt the power of the gofpel, the greater will be our zeal in communicating the fame glad tidings to others, that they also may be perfuaded to flee for refuge to the confolations which are in Christ. If honour to our bleffed Redeemer be the leading principle in our hearts, we will never rest satisfied, till his glory fill the earth, and every knee bow to his facred name. By endeavouring thus to bless others, we fhall draw down the divine bleffing upon ourselves: They that be wife, shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteoufness, as the stars for ever and ever • Dan. xii. 3. M 3 SER 138 SERMON V. The nature, reafonablenefs, and advantages, of Prayer; with an attempt to anfwer the objections against it. By WILLIAM LEECHMAN, D. D. First published in the year 1743 MATTH. Xxvi. 41. Pray, that ye enter not into temptation. WH HEN we confider that our bleffed Saviour has commanded us to pray, directed us in what manner we ought to pray, and fet us an example of frequent prayer in his own practice; it muft appear furprising, that any who pretend to be his followers, fhould indulge themselves in a determined contempt, or carelefs neglect, of this important duty. But, furprifing as it is, a little acquaintance with what paffes in the world, puts it beyond all doubt, that the exprefs precepts, and confpicuous example, of the great inftructor of mankind, with regard to prayer, are treated flightly, nay even contemptuously, by fome of those who call themselves his difciples. To what caufes can fuch ftrange inconfiftency betwixt the profeffion and practice of Chriftians be afcribed? There may be many |