may be to speak of its exact nature, every one who takes an interest in the welfare of his fellow-sinners must desire that it may lead to that saving faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, which may give peace here, and eternal glory hereafter. And this can only be obtained by the gift of the Holy Spirit. Oh, may this gift be very largely bestowed for our blessed Saviour's sake; that those who are at present in bondage to the church of Rome, may attend to the divine warning-" Come out of her my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.'

Such a grant is the more necessary from a third event connected with the present year-the encouragement given by our rulers to the church of Rome.

No doubt they have done this with the best intentions, and from a desire to promote the welfare of her Majesty's subjects; but not taking the word of God as their sure guide, they have, alas! overlooked the unscriptural tenets of the church of Rome, and the dangers to which those who are in her communion are exposed. But you, my beloved brethren, who unite with our Protestant forefathers in their belief regarding that corrupt church, you regard those concessions with serious alarm and poignant sorrow; the more so from the jeopardy into which our dear Protestant brethren in our sister island have been brought; and from the schism lately made in our church by some of the leaders of the Tractarian novelties, who have left our communion, and united themselves to the church of Rome; now more active than ever in spreading her pernicious

errors.

Surely these are loud calls for prayer, that, enlightened by the Holy Spirit, we may retain our privileges as the Protestant nation, that our divisions may be

healed, and that our beloved brethren in Ireland may stand fast in the faith-cheered by that gracious word, "Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer." "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”

There is yet one more event of which I desire to remind you, which in a very special manner should lead to this concert for prayer. The desire which has lately arisen in the church of Christ, for the scriptural union of all sincere Christians.

This invitation must of necessity be brief—but this subject is of such vital importance that I trust to your indulgence for stating the following reasons for every sincere believer exerting himself to the uttermost to promote this union.

1st. That the whole Church of Christ in its present position, is in a state of sinful disobedience to the command of our blessed Lord "to love one another." The guilt connected with this state, will lay as a heavy burden upon the conscience of every one who reflects upon the frequency and urgency with which this command is enforced, and the little regard which has in practice, been shown to it. For who that sincerely asks himself, Have I loved my Christian brethren with the love wherewith my blessed Saviour has loved me, but must feel guilty? And feeling his guilt, he will desire that this burden may be removed. Whilst, therefore, he entreats forgiveness for the past, his aim will be that his love may be fervent for the future; believing that the insensibility of Christians to this burden may have been a principal great cause why our prayers have not met with greater acceptance.

2ndly. That the great Jehovah delights in union whilst there is a diversity in all His works, his purpose

is unity" to gather together in one, all things in Christ," to make Him the Head over all to his Church. The Lord has also revealed our future blessedness to us by unity-one Father's house-one city-one country -one kingdom-one King over all, who is King of kings and Lord of lords; therefore, as we promote union, we are in our degree following the divine mind -using our endeavours to bring all into one bond of brotherly love.

3rdly. That whilst the Lord Jehovah delights in union, it is very dear to the heart of our blessed Saviour, he not only giving this as his new commandment, but making it the subject of his last prayer. Doing this in this very affecting manner, that if the belief and knowledge which are mentioned in John xvii. 21, 23, are saving belief and knowledge, then our Lord seems to suspend the blessedness of the world upon the love of his people. If it be only a belief and knowledge of conviction, then the glory of our Saviour is connected with it-the love manifested by his people being the proof to the world of his Messiahship. Whichever mode of interpretation, therefore, is adopted, it proves that the advancement of Christian union is of the first importance.

4thly. That the promoting Christian union is in perfect accordance with the ordination vows of the Church of England, and with her devotional liturgy. At our ordination for the priesthood, the Bishop asks will you maintain and set forwards, AS MUCH AS LIETH IN You, quietness, peace, and love among ALL CHRISTIAN

PEOPLE.

Previously also to receiving the Lord's Supper, the first prayer which we offer to the Divine Majesty is Beseeching Thee to inspire continually the universal

church with the spirit of truth, unity, and concord ; and grant all they that do confess Thy Holy Name, may agree in the truth of Thy Holy Word, and live in unity and godly love.' When, therefore, clergymen are promoters of Christian union, they are carrying out their ordination vow, and all other members of our church are acting in conformity to their frequent prayers.

5thly. The great benefits which would follow such a scriptural union. It would put to silence the cavils of those who now speak so loudly against the party spirit of Christians. It would much lessen those angry strifes and contentions which alas! at present subsist between different members of the Church of Christ. It would promote a kind and courteous spirit in the ordinary affairs of life; remove the prejudices which distance and strangeness occasion, lead to an earnest desire that those conscientious differences which now keep them from a full union might, if possible, be removed, and produce friendly discussions upon such subjects, instead of hostile disputes each desiring that the Lord would give clearer light to his people, that they might at length have "the same mind in all things."

6thly. It would enable Christians more readily to realise their final blessedness-that happy day when we shall see "eye to eye," and when clothed "in robes made white with the blood of the Lamb," we shall all stand before the same throne, and unite in the same song.

These are some of the reasons which I would respectfully offer to you, my beloved brethren, which should lead sincere Christians to use their efforts to promote the scriptural union of all who love the Lord Jesus in sincerity. And as this cannot be expected without an

abundant outpouring of the Holy Spirit, it forms a very powerful motive for uniting in this concert for prayer, on the first day of the new year, the more especially as the spirit of brotherly love, mutual forbearance, and harmonious concord and unanimity, which, as I am informed by persons who were present, was manifest at the late meeting, at Liverpool, for promoting Christian union, warrants the pleasing hope that this gracious God, whose name is "Love," and who is ever ready to hear the prayers of his faithful people, will vouchsafe a gracious answer to our petitions.

Bearing, then, in mind that the same general causes which have led to previous concerts for prayer, on the first day of the new year, in former years, still remain— Let me request you to reflect upon the various important events connected with the present period to which I have referred, as calling for special prayer for the abundant outpouring of the Holy Spirit; and giving them the weight which I trust they merit, cheerfully accept this TENTH INVITATION FOR PRAYER, ON NEW YEAR'S DAY, THURSDAY, JANUARY 1ST, 1846.

The following suggestions are respectfully offered, to assist those who are desirous of this union :

1st. Let Christians follow the example of our blessed Lord, (Mark i. 25) who rose up a great while before day for secret prayer. Let them thus secure the blessing of Him who says, "Pray to thy Father which seeth in secret, and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly."

2nd. Let them call upon the Lord in their families, for his Spirit to be poured upon themselves and their households, their neighbours, their country, including Great Britain and Ireland, and our Colonies, the ministers of the Lord, the churches of Christ, and more es