Greenland, the individuals sent out for that purpose, employed many arguments to convince the inhabitants of the country, of the existence of a God, and of the nature of his abstract perfections. Their laboured reasonings, however, made no impression upon the minds of this simple people; they "appeared as those that dreamed unto them." Ten whole years elapsed, and not a single convert was made to Christianity. At the end of this period, the missionaries discouraged, resolved to alter their plan: they left the principles of natural religion, and fully and freely exhibited, the compassion and love of the crucified Saviour. This new doctrine arrested the attention of the Greenlanders; touched the chord of their common sympathies; led them to inquire more about him, "who loved them, and gave himself for them," until multitudes flocked, from the remotest recesses of the northern ocean, to hear, and embrace, the glad tidings of salvation!

2. We may contemplate the world then,

as a great hospital, in which the old and young, the rich and poor, are as patients. The disease under which they labour is sin; the Physician who heals them is Christ; and the manner in which he conducts their cure is, that, to one he administers a cordial; another he humbles; a third he instructs; a fourth he strengthens; to all he gives his Gospel, as the grand prescription, that, learning thence the nature of their malady, they may gratefully submit to the remedy.

3. Let the Christian examine himself by the marks of his remaining disease. What are your symptoms?

A want of appetite, for the grace and milk of the word of God, is a bad symptom; you should delight in it, and feed on it, with eagerness and joy.

If the food you receive, does not yield nourishment to your soul, it is a bad symptom: you should grow thereby in faith, in hope, in charity.

If you are careless, and inactive, in the discharge of your duties, it is a bad symp

tom; you should zealously, and diligently labour while it is day, "because the night cometh when no man can work." 18

4. Learn the importance of shunning the evil influence of the world. A sick man would not willingly place himself in an unwholesome atmosphere; neither must he, who is seeking a spiritual cure, breathe the pestilential atmosphere of the ungodly, which will obscure his faith, damp the ardour of his hope, and rob him of the brightness of his vision.

5. Learn, lastly, to adore the free and unmerited grace of God, in the conversion of the soul. "Forasmuch as ye know, that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, such as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish

and without spot." "Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind; be sober, and hope to the end, for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ, as obedient children, not fashioning your

18 John ix. 4.

selves according to the former lusts in your ignorance; but as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation." 19

19 1 Peter i. 13, 15, 18, 19.

DISCOURSE V.

DANIEL IX. 9.

To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgiveness, though we have rebelled against him.

In this chapter, the prophet Daniel acknowledges the unworthiness, both of himself and the people, in the sight of God, and offers earnest supplications, on behalf of the rebellious and apostate Jews. And as the feelings of true penitence are the same in all ages, notwithstanding the endless variety of outward circumstances, we need not be surprised that, the language of the prophet, while humbling himself before his Maker, should closely resemble the language adopted by our church, to express the contrition and repentance of her members. The confession of Daniel is, "We have sinned, and have com

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