itself to the extremities of the land, and when the towering boasts of commercial prosperity were overwhelmed by a mighty tempest of disaster, the truly religious believed that then the voice and hand of God could not be resisted, and that then multitudes of the careless and profane would return unto the Lord, and, convinced of the vanity of earthly good, would seek the treasures which are in heaven. As yet they have endured a grievous and bitter disappointment. And what do they now behold, but the very same strength and activity of evil as were manifested in former years, just as if the voice from heaven had never uttered a reproof, and as if the God of Israel did not see or regard? It really appears to be with us, as the awful time portrayed in the apocalyptic vision, when men were scorched with fire, and blasphemed the name of God, and repented not to give him glory."

In illustrating the fact of the non-improvement of divine judgments, we may properly allude to the state of the professing people of God. There was doubtless, in former periods, much within the church of God, that was susceptible of improvement, and deserving of condemnation. There was a great carelessness to the attainment of religious eminence; there was a great worldliness of affection; there was a great want of zeal toward the cause of Christ; there was a great indiffer

ence to the valuable evangelical privileges that were possessed. We ask, are these evils now removed,—and have the judgments of God, added to the other modes of dispensation he has employed, been observably profitable and useful? Is there less carelessness to the attainment of religious eminence now? Is there less wordliness of affection now? Is there less want of zeal toward the cause of Christ now? Is there less indifference to the value of evangelical privileges now? Verily, we are unable to recognise the change: many inconsistencies and disorders disgrace the church; a low and an exceedingly defective standard of Christian principle and feeling still prevails; and it is to be feared, with a few splendid exceptions, prevails without any diminution.-Leaving the general imputation, let me put the question pointedly to the consciences of those of whom I have received the oversight in the Lord, whether their standard of spiritual excellence is now substantially higher than when they were first formed into the public fellowship of the gospel,—and whether they are more diligent in removing the defects the prevalence of which has been mourned, and in acquiring the graces the increase of which has been desired? Acknowledging some causes for thankfulness, fidelity compels me to tell them, that they have not adequately improved the judgments of God, and that they have abundant reason to put on the sackcloth of the heart, and wrestle in prayer,-" Wilt thou not revive us

again?" I wish my words to be as goads; and if offence should rise within your bosoms, without any retractation of the charge, I have but to ask -"Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?"

But the fact of non-improvement is to be more strongly impressed, by adverting to the state of the population at large. The general characteristic, is an habitual neglect of God and of eternal things. Without at present counting open transgressions and flagrant immoralities, it is not possible to look abroad without observing, that the prevalent habits of society are formed and indulged on the tacit presumption that the concerns of religion deserve scarcely any attention at all. The duties of private religion, there is reason to fear, are subjected to an extended practical contempt: as to those of family religion, how many are the houses in which are reared no altars, and offered no sacrifices to their God! and to the public worship of the sanctuary, how small the proportion of persons who resort, to render spiritual homage and praise!—In the ordinary avocations and pursuits of life, it seems as if there were a compact that religion shall not be named, and that God shall not be acknowledged. Amid the common haunts of men, you hear not a whisper breathed respecting what is sacred and holy; all is loud and boisterous and vehement for the world that now is, the fashion of which is passing away; and there is pre

sented to view the sickening spectacle of a vast population, numbering up many millions, crowding rapidly along the path of earthly being, as if they had no death to suffer, no judgment to receive, no hell to escape, and no souls to save!

In referring to those specific iniquities which hold the character of national transgressions, and which it is of vast importance to correct, I cannot omit a separate and prominent notice of colonial slavery, the continuance of that infamous system which is founded on diabolical wrong, and which is maintained only by an unrelenting outrage of all the rights of humanity, and a daring blasphemy against the laws of religion and of God. Its present existence and enormities are a blot upon the character of the British empire which not all the splendours of that empire can hide,—a public sin outweighing multitudes of public virtues; and every delay of its absolute extinction, heaps up new and tremendous aggravations in the presence of the Just Being, whom, by the oppression of his immortal creatures, we do so foully dishonour.

Sabbath-breaking must unquestionably be viewed as a national sin. It is an evil which not only has not diminished, but has increased. Observe the conduct of those who conduct the government of the country:-is it not a notorious fact that on the Lord's day they, with shameless frequency, hold their

cabinet councils, and assemble their political parties, as if they would set to the whole realm a specific example of profanation? Observe the conduct of what are called the higher ranks, generally, who make this hallowed season the gala time of fashionable amusement and splendour. Observe, how there follow servilely in their train the more extended classes of life,→ all agreeing in the one principle, though it may operate in the varied modes of worldly traffic or worldly pleasure, that God shall have no time of honour whatever, and that having given man six days, he shall be robbed of the seventh!Behold, as a specimen, the exhibitions of the city in which we are assembled. What mean those comparatively scanty attendances on the house of God? what mean those open news-rooms? what mean those infested streets? what mean that military pomp and music? what mean those immense crowds that jostle in the haunts of public resort, and make the firmament ring with the roar and brutal merriment of lust and drunkenness? We dwell amidst scenes of scandalous profligacy, and go where we might through the land, still should we witness them. Truly for this, the saints are called, as was the prophet of old, to "smite with the hand, and to stamp with the foot, and cry, Alas, for all the evil abominations!"

We cannot now do more than name-the extent of profaneness, and. we believe we must say