handled of the words of life-there is one thing needful, to wait for the rising of the true light, which in God's own time will beam upon you. For nothing but this righteous principle, which is the true light that lighteth every man that cometh into the world, can guide you to glory. It was this light which enabled Jesus Christ to become what he was, It is this light which enables us to fulfill the great end of our creation, to glorify God, and enjoy him forever.

But let us not deceive ourselves. Let us not imagine ourselves to be walking by the true light; when, at the same time, we are wallowing in our own pollution and filthiness. If we profess the gospel, let us proceed to the work, take off all our ornaments, and all the superfluities and vanities of the world. Let us do away our clothing, in a religious sense, and consider it as a burthen, even to think of the vain ornaments of pride. His hands will not spare, nor his eye pity, until the great work shall be done. Before we can come to experience the true light we must subdue our wills and vain imaginations and bring them into subjection unto God. We must strive after those feelings which animate and enable us to become the sons of God. For if we are children, then are we sons-and if sons, then heirs heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ.

Here the real Christian experiences the true fellowship of God-this is the earnest of his inheritance. He must arrive at this knowledge or what will become of his soul? It must sink into perdition, and lie down in sorrow. Let us, therefore, be up and a doing, and manifest ourselves to be a willing people. Then shall Christ be beautiful to us. Then shall we behold the King in his glory. Then shall we enjoy the happiness of the Heavenly state, and have full assurance of attaining that peace which consists in obedience to the will of God, and of that righteousness which shall give joy and rest forever and ever.

I have often been led to mourn over a weak and backsliding generation, and especially over our own sins. When we contrast the plain and unadorned simplicity of our fathers, with the dress and address of the present day, we have great cause of lamentation. We have become estranged from the purity and simplicity of the gospel. Prosperity in worldly concerns has hidden from us the light. It turns out in the providence of God, that the truth always prospers best under persecution. We have become so flourishing that we mingle with the pride of life, and

with the vanities of the world. The world wars with the spirit, of which young persons especially should beware. Many there are, I hope, in this assembly, who have received instruction from godly parents; and I would remind them of the law written on their own hearts; the covenant of life and love which God opens in the soul. Let them seek after the inward manifestation of the spirit at all times, in the house, at the fireside, and by the way. How great and important is the duty of parents! Every father and mother should rule over their own house. They should restrain their children from the paths of sin, and from partaking of the follies of the world. They are accountable for the indiscretions, of their children, if they forbear to exercise that wholesome discipline which is necessary for their safety. I have had children, and I know it is a trial to constrain them. But it must be done, for the love of God constrains us to withdraw them from the vanities of the world. What can be nigher to our own souls than the souls of our children; and how much more anxious ought we to feel for their souls, than to adorn their mortal bodies! There is too great unconcernedness on this great subject among Christians, and among our own profession. I feel that I am near the closing peri

od of my life; and I therefore exhort you that are to follow me, to turn to the Lord and seek redemption for yourselves. The day of my departure is at hand, and my earnest desire and prayer to God is, that the rising generation may be instructed in the love and fear of God. This only can shelter them from the storm, and enable them to build upon the rock of ages, against which, the gates of hell shall never prevail.

PRAYER.

Great and adorable God! who in thy unmeasurable loving-kindness hast manifested thyself to us in times past to the glory of thy holy name, be pleased to draw near to us at the present time, for we are sensible that we have no strength of our own. The work is thine, and the power is thine. Condescend to regard our weak and undone condition. Impress us with a sense of thy goodness and mercy. Revive in the minds of the aged and of the heads of families the things which refer to their own well-being, their duties to the world, and their duties to their tender offspring. Inspire the hearts of parents and children, and make them obedient to the wis

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dom of the just. May we all feel a deep humiliation and sorrow for our sins, and implore thy forgiveness on the bended knees of our minds, and wilt thou be pleased to have mercy upon the work of thy hands. May we feel desirous of living in thy fear, and of subjecting our wills to thine. Be near to the middle-aged -may they be strong men and women, united in counsel, and put shoulder to shoulder in the great work of reformation. Look down with an eye of pity and compassion on the children. Watch over all their ways, and guide them to the truth. Woo them unto the love of thee, so that they may become thy dear children, and as they grow up in life as men and women, that they may enlist under thy banner. May they take the armour proper for them-the helmet of salvation and the sword of the spirit, which is the word of God, and be the means of spreading the great cause throughout the earth. May their hands be strengthened and their hearts purified, and made fit receptacles for thee to dwell in, and prepared for the enjoyment of thee forever and ever.

How pleasant and beautiful it is to look over this great assembly and see the good order and