temples on Zion: but the true magnificence of the temple is derived from the glory of the Inhabitant; and in this place, if we worship Him in truth, will God condescend to dwell; In this place will I give peace, saith the Lord of hosts. In this house shall be published the doctrines of the cross of Christ, and the peace of God shall rest upon His worshippers.

We are told, in the book of Ezra, that when the foundations of the second temple were laid, the people shouted with a great shout, in praising the Lord. But many of the priests and Levites, and chief of the fathers, who were ancient men, that had seen the first house, when the foundation of this house was laid before their eyes, wept with a loud voice; and many shouted aloud for joy.*

How various were the sympathies and recollections which such a place and such an occasion would naturally awaken in their minds! How many days of sorrow had passed over their heads, while, in a foreign land, they were longing for the courts of the Lord, and directing their vows to Jerusalem! How lively was their gratitude for deliverance from captivity, and restoration to their native home! It was on this spot that their ancient temple had mag

Ezra. iii. 12.

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nificently stood: but how was the gold become dim, and the fine gold changed! It was here that their fathers had worshipped, and the God of Israel had fixed His habitation! and in this place they beheld a new temple rising from the dust, and here were their own vows again to be paid. They were unable to resist such powerful emotions of sorrow and of joy! So that the people could not discern the noise of the shout of joy from the noise of the weeping of the people: for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off. And is there nothing, my brethren, at this time, and in this place, calculated to excite in our hearts somewhat of a kindred feeling? If it be pleasant to the

The old church of Clapham having been taken down, and a new parish church built on a different spot, about the year 1775, the old churchyard remained a burial place only, till in 1813-5, under an Act of Parliament, a chapel of ease was erected in it, on the ancient site. The Act was obtained during the incumbency, and mainly by the exertions, of the late Rev. John Venn, M.A.. That excellent man did not live to see the building commenced: he died July 1st, 1813, and was buried in the churchyard, in a part since covered by the church, and almost immediately, indeed, under the present communion table.-It may here be stated, in reference to another part of the Sermon, that a considerable number of free sittings were reserved in the chapel, for the benefit of the poor.

passing traveller to fix his eye upon the new prospect of a house of God; if it be pleasant, in exchange for the silence and solitude of tombs, to listen to the hallelujahs of His people; how interesting to us must be the reflection, that the ground on which we stand has been consecrated by the piety of ages: that the prayers and thanksgivings which we offer are the echo of those, which in days that are past, have ascended from this place to the throne of the Lord: that many of our forefathers, whose bodies are now scattered around us, waiting in the dust of death the resurrection of the dead, once lifted up their voices in this sacred spot, and poured out their souls in the language of supplication, or united in the melody of praise. It may be forgiven me, I trust, if, on this occasion, I allude especially to one who is in the affectionate recollection of all that hear me, in whose heart it was to build a house for the honour of his God, and to whose Christian exertions we are mainly indebted for the gratification which, at this moment, we enjoy in the completion of the work. He did well that it was in his heart, and the intention was undoubtedly accepted and blessed. We presume not to dispute against the ways of Provi

dence, and blessed are the dead which die in the Lord; but there is a melancholy pleasure in considering events as they might have been; and I doubt not that the imagination of every one of you has by this time suggested, with what peculiar delight, had it thus pleased the Disposer of all things, that faithful servant of Christ would have hailed the dawning of this holy day; and with what solemnity of address and kindness of exhortation he would have elevated your Christian views, and have awakened your Christian feelings. The happiness of the disembodied spirit can in no way be affected by the things of this world; but delightful to him was the worship of God, and dear were the assemblies of His people and whilst life still lingered in the mortal frame, had it been permitted him to choose his earthly resting place, it would have been the very spot where his remains are deposited. For it is on the pavement which covers them that we bend our knees in prayer and unite in the psalm of thanksgiving: it is around that table which stands by his grave, that in this place we shall in future years commemorate the cross and passion of our Lord. May the supplications

Rev. xiv. 13.

passing traveller to fix his eye upon the new prospect of a house of God; if it be pleasant, in exchange for the silence and solitude of tombs, to listen to the hallelujahs of His people; how interesting to us must be the reflection, that the ground on which we stand has been consecrated by the piety of ages: that the prayers and thanksgivings which we offer are the echo of those, which in days that are past, have ascended from this place to the throne of the Lord: that many of our forefathers, whose bodies are now scattered around us, waiting in the dust of death the resurrection of the dead, once lifted up their voices in this sacred spot, and poured out their souls in the language of supplication, or united in the melody of praise. It may be forgiven me, I trust, if, on this occasion, I allude especially to one who is in the affectionate recollection of all that hear me, in whose heart it was to build a house for the honour of his God, and to whose Christian exertions we are mainly indebted for the gratification which, at this moment, we enjoy in the completion of the work. He did well that it was in his heart, and the intention was undoubtedly accepted and blessed. We presume not to dispute against the ways of Provi