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very important at present to determine; but so it was, they crowded to hear the word of truth, and they hailed the teacher, as the seed of the patriarchs, in whom "all the families of the earth should be blessed." From what we are able to learn of the Gentile world, they too were included in the same state of preparation. Magi came from the East, and, guided by his star, the emblem of that "bright and morning star" which was then rising upon the nations, they paid their homage, and presented their tribute at his feet. Western nations were watching in suspense amidst the thick shadows of their palpable darkness; nor is there any difficulty in believing, that the Almighty impressed generally upon the minds of men a feeling of expectation, for which probably they could not account, and which was vague and indefinite,— soon however to be explained and gratified in the bestowment of a free and an eternal salvation.

It was from these circumstances, that the words of the Redeemer were justified, and that his description was proved. "The fields were white to harvest;" and in whatever view the position and character of human affairs were contemplated, then was the time for the effective interposition of mercy-then was the time for his delegates to go forth, and fulfil the commission he should give, proclaiming life and immortality.

The state of the world, since the time when the Messiah dwelt among men, has always, in some sense, and to some extent,admitted the application of the expression-" white to harvest;" and his commission has never been revoked, or qualified-" Go ye out into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature"-in the permanent pressure of its obligation, holding up the fact of readiness for Christian cultivation, or for Christian triumph. There have been some periods, which an observer would select from the ordinary course, as those in which the phrase of the text has applied with peculiar force. Such was that, when the gloom of the middle ages was about to pass away; when men began to penetrate the dark and awful ecrets of antichristian iniquity; and when, by the prevailing spirit of inquiry, the general diffusion of knowledge, and the remarkable conjunction of political events, they were prepared to receive the rising doctrines of reformation and purity. Omitting here what might be made the subject of expanded and interesting illustration, may it not be said in a fulness of propriety, perhaps never equalled since the days of Christ and his apostles, that now, in our own times," the fields are white to harvest?" Never surely was there such an opportunity, such a providential disposal, such an imperious call, for sowing the seed, or for reaping the harvest of the kingdom. There is a combination of circumstances, which cannot fail to strike all who have the power of rightly considering the

signs of the times. The state and relationships of human governments; their interchange of commerce, and their principles of treaty; the situation which our own country now holds, with the very remarkable influence it possesses over every continent; the feeling of sympathy, and acknowledgment of duty, which evidently press with increasing power upon the body of professing Christians; the unparalleled amount of wealth and talent, still we admit partial and inadequate, which is placed at the command of the church; the actual wants of heathen countries, now so generally exposed, and so generally recognized, and their amazing and affecting readiness to receive the word of God;-these in one loud, distinct, commanding voice proclaim, --" All things are ready"-" the fields are white to harvest." To stand forth now, and object, "The time is not come, the time that the Lord's house should be built," is palpably to contradict all that correct observation can teach. If ever, from the state of the world as depicted by the Saviour, there was an obligation, that obligation is now, to unite in the most zealous and wellcompacted efforts in the cause of Christ, to pro→ pagate his empire, and preach his salvation to every country under heaven.

The disciples of the Saviour are summoned themselves to contemplate this state of the world. Their own observation is appealed to. They are challenged to make their personal inspection of

the matter. They are not called to admit the description on mere authority; they are invited to use the most decisive method of proof. "Lift up your eyes, and see." Behold those people, how ready they are to receive the instruction I shall convey; see the dispositions which they exercise, in leaving their customary employments, that they may listen to my words; mark the eagerness it is so easy to observe: your own senses give you the confirmation" the fields are white to harvest." To all who are concerned in diffusing the Saviour's redemption, the same appeal may properly be made. Let each man use his own means of observation, and testify for himself whether our statements are not correct. Much of the success of our cause depends upon accurate and general examination. We do not wish to impose our individual assertions, or utter our individual decision, attempting to preclude all inquiry into the grounds on which they rest: we wish, that every one to whom we appeal for support, would employ every opportunity for evidence which his sphere will allow; well knowing that there can be no conclusion formed on such a subject, by a free and candid mind, that shall not precisely accord with ours. "Lift up your eyes and see." It is an absolute duty. You have now means of acquiring information as to the moral state of the world, unparalleled in former times: let them be improved to the utmost, and we are confident that the result will be your sympathies

for human misery will become more sensitive and more tender; your conviction of the propriety of exertion will become more pointed and more conclusive; your zeal for God and man will become more glowing and more imposing; and you will go forth to the mighty labour thinking every faculty well employed, and well spent, in a work so seasonable, so vast, so benevolent, and so sublime. Make then the admission, and let it form the basis of future exertion" The fields are white already to harvest.”

We view the text as containing

II. A STATEMENT OF THE DIFFERENT OFFICES OF LABOUR, APPOINTED AND HELD IN CONNEXION WITH THE CONDITION DESCRIBED..

The statement is given, in the allusions to him" that soweth," and to him "that reapeth,” in the verses which are before us. Here are represented, under the continuance of the same agricultural figure which has been partially illustrated, men who occupy different stations of usefulness in the same system of means, for relieving the miseries, and promoting the happiness, of the world. They are the men of every time and order, who are employed in the service of Heaven for the promulgation of the truth, and the salvation of human souls.

1. It is to be remarked, as to the origin of the

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