fractional part, so small, as to make no considerable addition to the census of the Christian church. The church then is the sacred lamp destined to enlighten all the nations. The church is the hope of the world. Her moral culture will render this rebellious province of Jehovah as mount Zion, where the tribes kindled the fire of sacrifice. She will transform this wilderness into the garden of the Lord. We are not to suppose that light will burst from the clouds and overwhelm the nation, as it did Saul on the road to Damascus. No, the missionaries of the cross will traverse the world having the everlasting gospel to preach to them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation and kindred and tongue and people. Schools of the prophets will be increased, Education Societies will be supported, the minds of children will be formed to virtue and godliness; and whenever such a system of education shall become UNIVERSAL, then will the day of the millennium shine. When the rulers of nations shall unite in a truly holy alliance, when Peace Societies shall be established among the people, when the empire of benevolence shall be universal, then will holiness to the Lord be inscribed on the bells of your horses.

In future years, the learned historian of the millennium, seeking materials for his work, will explore the archives of Christendom. Coming down to this century, he may employ some profound antiquarian to open their books, to decipher their characters. Then will he discover the year when Education Societies gave a new impulse to the Christian public, when Christian morals were required in teachers of chil

dren, when Sunday schools visited the regions of ignorance and vice, when Peace Societies, when Bible and Missionary Societies, first shed their glorious light over the darkness of this world. Having established the dates of these events, the historian will pause in his narrative and exclaim, "here was the beginning of the millennial age, here was the dawn of that day which has shone so long and so bright, whose meridian splendours yet dazzle and delight the world." Proceeding in his research, exploring the marble tombs, the historian may form a splendid catalogue of the founders, the presidents, and munificent patrons of the Societies, which are now sending instruction, light, comfort and salvation, to the most distant corners of the globe.

These children of benevolence, these men of holy renown he will honour as the great agents of God in introducing a thousand years of peace and joy, these men he will applaud as angels of charity, these he will eulogize as the deliverers of mankind from sin and ruin.

Finally, how important are the periods of childhood and youth. In these periods, education is chiefly acquired, the character is then formed, the person generally becomes what he is to be forever and ever. What is sown in spring will be reaped in autumn. The impressions and passions of childhood and youth will be experienced in old age. Every thing, my young friends, is infinitely important to you. As the atmosphere in some places conveys health, in others death, so the place where you live may cause moral health, or spiritual death. The books which you read, the

sermons which you hear, may convey saving truth or fatal errour. One wicked companion may be as fatal to you, as the serpent in Paradise. One evil example may disturb your judgment, may fascinate your imagination, may inflame your passions; one alluring word, one enticing look, may, like enchantment, relax the vigour of your resolution, and plunge you down the gulf of ruin. Take heed, then, to all your ways, your labours, your amusements, your studies, your words, your thoughts;-the objects which you see, the sounds which you hear. "He that walketh

with the wise shall be wise, but a companion of fools shall be destroyed." Amen.

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SERMON IX.

1 COR. xiii, 12.

Now I know in part.

DID mankind know how weak are their mental powers, it might subdue their pride, humble their vain glory. Were they conscious how partial and imperfect are their most liberal attainments in knowledge, it might cure their contempt of others, and often convert their bitter reproaches to pleasant strains of approbation. This knowledge of our own weakness has a powerful tendency to render the heart affectionate, the language kind, the manners gentle, the man holy. It produceth that charity which hopeth all things, believeth all things, thinketh no evil, becometh all things to all men.

Saul of Tarsus, with Stephen and Barnabas, had received his education at the celebrated school of Gamaliel, in Jerusalem. He was well acquainted with the orthodoxy of the Jews and the literature of the Greeks. He had enjoyed visions and revelations, he had been caught up to the third heaven, to Paradise, and heard unspeakable words, yet he humbly says, "I know in part." Although I have an imme

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