pected. The infected members unless speedily healed or removed, affects the whole body, and experience proves, that whenever churches neglect or pervert the wholesome discipline of the gospel, they become themselves lukewarm, and possessed only of a name to live. Their influence of course, is most injurious upon the world. They are dishonored, and inefficient; and can no more come up to the help of the Lord against the mighty, or stand before their enemies, than could the host of Israel when they had an Achan in their camp. But let a church by a well-directed course of Christian discipline, purify itself of unworthy members, either by bringing them to repentance, or removing them from its fellowship, and that church is comparatively strong. Its members, it is to be expected, in all essential things are of one heart, and that now there lives in that heart a spirit of humility, penitence, and prayer. From the sins of others who professed love to Christ, they learn their own; and are led to reflect, and watch, and strive, and pray, lest they also fall into temptation. This feeling of their own weakness and dependence is evidence of spiritual life and strength, and when their hearts are alive unto God, they are ready to labor for the salvation of men. Upon a church thus purified, unbelievers around, may look, but they. can discover no just cause of reproach. It now stands distinguished from their company; and the greater distance a church is from the maxims, fashions, and spirit of the world, the greater its efficiency in the cause of Christ. And now, dear brethren, by a prayerful attention to these considerations, may we not hope for copious and extensive blessings upon our churches? And should you not feel that a great work is before you, and that you are bound individually to do your part in performing it? When you contemplate the infinite love of Christ in his condescension and death for sinners, and your own obligations as redeemed and sanctified; when you think of the perishing multitudes around you, and of the perishing millions abroad, and that the loss of one soul only, is infinitely more to be deplored than all finite misery; you surely have the highest motives for immediate, persevering, and holy effort, to glorify Christ in the salvation of sinners. "We beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present yourselves, a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." General Association of Massachusetts, in account with THOMAS SNELL, Treas. June 25, 1840. Received from District Associations, as fol Cr. To postage on package to London, 25, 1840. To travelling expenses of Secretary, To Messrs. Crocker and Brewster, Agents for Freight on bundle from Portland, 16 81 We hereby certify that we have examined the above and find it correct. |