degree of security for life and property little short of perfection. We see a general demand for useful books, teaching studied as an art, schools in every corner of the land, religious tracts left at every cottage, and the Bible sold to the working man for the price of two or three hours' labor; while abroad the few Methodists whe went in 1770 on a missionary errand to the United States have multiplied, and become the largest religious body in that republic, numbering seven hundred thousand communicants, and having under their care onesixth of the population of that mighty country; in our colonies slavery has been abolished; religious books are sent forth in fifty and the Bible in one hundred and fifty languages; and missionaries and schools are at work in all our dependencies and in many heathen countries. So that the vibrations of that movement, whose feeble beginning we have been endeavoring to trace, are now felt, not only in every village in these realms, but in the remotest corners of the world. While a great and beneficial change has come over our own population, aided immensely by the wise and beneficent legislation of the last thirty years, a worldwide charity has been awakened; so that now, east and west, north and south, the Hindoo widow, the emancipated negro, the tattooed Feejeean, the settler in Arkansas or Minnesota, the gold-digger at Ballarat, and the brave soldier before Sevastopol, have practical demonstration that Christianity is "good-will toward men."

Yet no new truth has been proclaimed-no announcement of some occult mystery has startled the Churches from their sleep. The doctrines which awoke the nation had lain all along in the articles of the Church, and had been taught by Doddridge to two hundred dissenting divinity students. Mere orthodoxy will not

save the Church from stagnation. Looking to second causes, the revival occurred because, in a time of great depravity, a few men threw their whole souls into the work of proclaiming the Gospel, preached as if they believed what they were saying, and, being in earnest themselves, excited attention and earnestness in others. Looking beyond second causes, let us humbly acknowledge that God was pleased to pour out his Spirit and rain righteousness upon the land.

The work, however, is far from being done. The refreshing rain has not yet fertilized the whole land. Thousands of our cleverest artisans are still opposed to the Gospel, while thousands more are fascinated with a gay sensuality or insnared among the negations of skepticism. In addressing ourselves to the work yet before us, we may well be animated by the example of our ancestors. There is danger, especially among young men, lest we should overvalue the nineteenth century. Amid the wonders of our own age, let us not forget our fathers. Brave men labored and suffered to secure for us the political liberties which we now enjoy; and in regard to our religious advantages, other men labored, and we have entered into their labors. Shall we rest when they toiled? shall we repose on their ashes as on a soft bed? They toiled for our advantage; shall we ignobly enjoy the result of their labors, and neglect the next generation? Honor and religion alike forbid the thought. The best reverence we can show to the memory of the noble men who have gone before us, is to carry forward the work which they begun. And if we would emulate the successes of the last century, let us endeavor to speak as the men of that day did, and as the great Teacher did--so that the common people shall hear us gladly. Whitefield and Wesley aroused the Churches;

but how? Not by addressing themselves directly to the Churches, but by standing on the banks of the river of life and crying to the neglected perishing crowds with a trumpet voice, "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money." The wondering people came and drank, and lived; the Churches saw it, and were amazed; and by degrees these Churches saw and acknowledged that this was a work of God. We acknowledge it to-night with gratitude. Let us show that we appreciate our own share in the benefit, by striving, every one in his place, to exemplify and to extend "the faith once delivered to the saints."

SELECT LECTURES.

III.

Music in its Relation to Religion.

BY REV. JOHN CUMMING, D. D.,

MINISTER OF THE NATIONAL SCOTCH CHURCH, CROWN COURT.

DELIVERED BEFORE THE

YOUNG MEN'S CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION,

IN EXETER HALL, LONDON,

JANUARY 29, 1850.

8