ADDRESS I.

FROM the cares and tumult of the world, from it's seductive influences and its vain conversation, from the anxieties of private and the passions of public life, we now retire, my friends and fellow-communicants, to remember him, of whom we call ourselves the disciples, and for whose second coming in power and great glory we profess to look. We assemble with the view of bringing to our vivid recollection the errand and the character of the Saviour of men and

the Prince of peace. Around this board, we hear no longer the shouts of the battle-field: we see no more the garment of the warrior rolled in the blood of his slaughtered foes. We contemplate other victories gained in another and much nobler cause: we behold Jesus, the first and the last, him who was dead, but is alive and liveth for evermore.

In ourselves, creatures of a day, we here claim some kindred with immortal spirits. The Gospel of our crucified and risen Lord, enables us to look beyond the course of time and the ravages of the grave. While the grass withereth and the flower fadeth, the word of our God shall stand for ever.

"Truly, our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ." To the former we address our worship: we present that worship in the name of the Son; and we may be said to have communion with him, when, in the exercise of pious faith, we read the history of his life, sufferings and death—and especially when, in this rite, we receive the emblems of his body broken and his blood shed. Our understandings and feelings are now aided by our senses: our celebration of this ordinance, powerfully awakens the thought of our beloved master, friend, redeemer and teacher, our guide, example, forerunner; and, while we have the satisfaction of knowing that this very act is one proof of a dutiful regard to his commands, our hearts are open to some of the purest influences.

Let us then keep this feast, like the first Christians, with gladness and singleness of mind; joying in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, to whom He hath committed the ministry of reconciliation.

[After joint participation in the bread and wine:]

My Christian brethren,

We have avowed and strengthened our obligation to walk worthily of the Gospel of Christ. I see not how we can duly remember our Saviour without being more desirous of serving and resembling him.

You will soon go again into the world. This is no subject of complaint; though it may be, in some instances, of our solicitude. There is a necessity for your being there. The world is the scene of your duties, your trials, your enjoyments. Pray and endeavour to perform those duties, to meet those trials, and to receive those enjoyments, under the influence of the wisdom that is from above, and in the exercise of a Christian spirit. All will then be well: and earth will prepare you for heaven.

Surrounded by temporal objects, you are thus in a course of education for a far nobler state of being. But this end cannot be fulfilled, unless, in the language of the apostle, the word of Christ dwell richly in you. Make it your supplication and your aim to be Christians on every occasion, in every place, and in all your actions. Bind the Gospel more closely to your hearts. Think on your need of a Saviour; on the fitness of Jesus for the work of human salvation; on the strong and various evidence which sustains his claims; and on what society, even in this state of trial, would be, if his religion produced its natural and just effects on individual men. Consider practically these things; and then we shall all rejoice -you that you have not run-we that we have not

laboured in vain.