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earth, in which all may assist. "The poor," says he, "have the Gospel preached to them."* Wisdom is no longer confined to a few, but all men are now called to hear the glad tidings of saivation. All are called to share in that mercy which is offered through CHRIST to the whole world. And here, my brethren, all may endeavour to imitate the example of our Saviour and his Apostles. We are not indeed all called to preach, but we may all speak to each other of the loving-kindness of the LORD. If we do this, and try to lead our poor afflicted brother to the Father of Mercy, and GoD of all comfort; if our advice and example induce him to seek those things which belong to his peace; we have done much more good than those who have the power to heal his sickness, or relieve his wants. If we train up our children in the way of godliness, if we teach them to be industrious and contented, we give them the best and most valuable riches. And if, by precept or example, you instruct others that "godliness with contentment is great gain;" and lead them to trust in GoD, and to obey his laws, instead of being idle, dishonest, swearers, drunkards, thieves, or liars, which would ruin their souls for ever; can there be a doubt that you have done more good than; * Matt. xi. 5. t1 Tim. vi. 6.

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those do, who by giving money can only lessen the miseries which such crimes produce?

Think not that such labours of love will be of no account with Him who reckoneth with every man according to what he hath, and not according to what he hath not. We are told that at the great day He will say to the righteous, who have fed the hungry and clothed the naked, "Forasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." Surely, then, He will not look with less favour on those who have taught the unfortunate to turn these sorrows into blessings, by setting them an example of Christian resignation; who have fed the hungry with the bread of Ife, and visited the sick and the prisoner, to give them heavenly consolation. These are the greatest acts of charity which one Christian can perform to another; and they may be performed by all. Let no man therefore, however, poor, however unhappy he may be, let no man suppose that he is to think only of himself; but let him remember, that though we are called to assist each other in different ways, all may and must do good. Every day, in which we have not contributed, in some way or other, to the happiness, the assistance, or the improvement of our fellow Christians, should be considered as lost.

And let not those who feel that they cannot do much, be afraid of losing their reward, while they do all they can. The widow's mite was accepted by CHRIST, and declared to be of more value than the large offerings of the rich. Do all you can; by giving money if you have it, and if not, by friendly assistance, by advice, and by example; and when nothing else remains to give for the relief of the unfortunate, give him your prayers. The prayer of faith may heal the sick, when all the skill of the physician fails. The prayer of faith may reach the Throne of Mercy, and bring down blessings on his head, and on your own. Perhaps, when we all meet in another world, the poor sufferer may thank you for it, more than for any assistance which money could have afforded him. And He who went about doing good, and who has commanded us all to go and do likewise, He will not forget your labour of love; but will say to every one who has done the best he could, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant, thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things. Enter thou into the joy of thy LoRD!"*

* Matt. XXV. 21.

SERMON XIV.

ST. LUKE xxii. 42.

NOT MY WILL, BUT THine bé done.

WH

HEN the only-begotten Son of GoD left the bosom of his Father, and took upon him the nature of man, he was also pleased to take on himself the sorrows to which men are subject, and greater than any other man ever felt." He was despised and rejected of men, a man of sorrows and acquainted with grief. He was afflicted and tormented. He was led as a lamb to the slaughter." But amidst all these dreadful trials he has left us a glorious example of patience, and resignation to the will of GOD. In his agony in the garden, when he appears. to have felt such anguish as never was in flicted on any other man, when "his sweat was as it were great drops of blood, falling. * Isaiah liii. 3, 7.

down to the ground;"* he then taught us how every good man should meet the severest trials which can befal him. He prayed earnestly, that if it were possible, GOD would remove this cup from him, but immediately he adds, "Not my will, but thine be done." With this example ever before our eyes, I will consider the situation of a Christian under those afflictions, which at some time or other of our lives are the lot of all; and will point out the conduct which the Gospel requires from him. In order to make what I wish to say on this subject more clear and distinct, I will mention, first, the sorrows which we receive immediately from the hand of God; secondly, those which are inflicted upon us by men; and lastly, those which we bring on ourselves.

The sorrows which we receive from the hand of GoD, are often great; but they are almost always, in the course of our lives, mixed with many and great mercies. We have many days of health for one day of sickness, many hours of ease for one of pain, many comforts to balance one afflic tion. This ought to be gratefully acknowledged, even when the day of trial comes; and we should say with Job, "Shall we receive good at the hand of GoD, and shall

* Luke xxii. 44.

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