careless soul that is as unconcerned about salvation as if none were necessary? Will it fall upon the soul of him who actually disregards the offer of salvation through

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righteousness not his own? Will it fall on the soul of the poor thoughtless trifler? We answer, with Ezekiel, "O Lord God, thou knowest:" nothing is too hard for the Lord. If he do but breathe upon the "dry bones," they shall live; and if he do but speak to the deaf ears with the still small voice of his grace, they shall turn and hearken; and if he do but drop the dew of heaven upon those plants in the vineyard which appear twice dead, and fit only to be plucked up by the roots; even they shall blossom, and bud, and bring forth fruit unto eternal life! Miracle of grace! but not too great to expect from Almighty power, nor from Almighty love. And therefore we will pause, and secretly pray the God of power and mercy to do this now; that while the dew is descending, some drops may fall on these souls, carrying conviction to their

consciences, and conversion to their hearts. If it were not for this confidence which we have in God's power and mercy, how could we preach the Gospel? No, my dear brethren, we could not exhort a single sinner among you to "flee from the wrath to come," unless we had God's own promise on our side, that "the doctrine shall drop as the dew." But when we find that promise fulfilled, Sabbath after Sabbath, in the "turning of the hearts of the disobedient to the wisdom of the just," we are enabled to open our mouths boldly, never despairing of the salvation of any, but praying for a blessing upon all.

But who are they that are come as the publican came into the temple, saying in their hearts, "God be merciful to me a sinner?" They must be blessed. Who are they who are come as the inquiring Greeks came to Philip, saying, “ Sir, we would see Jesus?" They must be blessed. Who are they that are sitting before us, saying, as Cornelius and his friends did to the apostle Peter, "Here we are present

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before God, to hear all the things which are commanded thee of God." They must be blessed, even as Cornelius and his friends were blessed. It came to pass, that while Peter spake the word, the Holy Ghost fell," like the dew, "on all them which heard it." But we ask, also, where is the dry and empty fleece? Oh how quickly may we find it in any congregation! We may find it in those seats where there has been no prayer, but only the form of prayer; we may find it in those pews where there is no attention to the preached word, nor any desire after the salvation which it holds forth. In short, wherever carelessness and indifference prevail, there we shall find the dry and empty fleece. Should any such be present, I must say, in pastoral fidelity, it is awful to think, my dear hearers, that, so long as the Gospel has been preached in your ears, it has never yet reached your heart. It is awful to think, that, though the dew of the divine blessing has been dropping upon the congregation,

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time after time, refreshing and invigorating one after another, it should never yet have dropped on your soul? Why is this? Is it because, when you called, God refused you the blessing? Is it that when you earnestly entreated, saying, "Bless me, even me also, O my Father!" he said, "No, I will not have mercy ?" Is it that when you fell down before him, in humility, saying, “Behold, I am vile, therefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes," he spurned you from him? No, you cannot say so. It is because he has called to you, in these very ordinances, and you have refused; it is because he has been stretching forth his hands, and you have not regarded: "therefore the heavens over you have been stayed from their dew," and your soul has been as " a dry fleece." Oh let not this opportunity pass without a prayer for grace. It is said respecting the answer to Gideon's prayer, "The Lord did it that night." Ask, then, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find; knock, and it shall be opened to you.'

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Let the subject teach us, next, to pray for each other, as ministers and congregation. Our church has framed an appropriate prayer for us; we have long used that prayer; but have we prayed it? Connect that prayer with this subject, and see how important it is: "Send down, O Lord, upon our bishops, and curates, and all congregations committed to their charge, the healthful spirit of thy grace; and, that they may truly please thee, pour upon them the continual dew of thy blessing." Surely, if we were to put forth this prayer in all its meaning, it would draw down many a blessing; it would moisten many a dry fleece among us, and fertilize many a barren soul. If God answered Gideon's prayers, will he not answer ours? Yes; the gracious promise which I have just quoted has a no less gracious declaration attached to it: "Every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth; and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."

Lastly, let the subject teach us to pray,