The last great branch of the human family which I shall name, is to be found dispersed through the remote and less cultivated States of the Union, or settled in parishes once prosperous, but by which a regular ministration of the word and ordinances is not now enjoyed. Their scattered population, the narrowness of their resources, the sectarian jealousy by which they are, in some cases assailed, are among the causes of the privations which they endure. The attachment which they cherish to the simple and majestic worship of our sanctuary, heightens their sense of those privations. And while their sabbaths pass drearily along, unhallowed by the exercise of social prayer and praise; while their children are growing up without the baptismal covenant, or effectual religious instruction; and, while in their own infirmities, and in the last stern conflict with temptation, no gospel privileges can be procured to sustain the trembling spirit; they must often be reminded of the plaintive language of the captive Jews in Assyria :—“ By the rivers of Babylon we sat down and wept when we remembered thee, O Zion."

Such is the field of moral desolation, which, at the expiration of more than eighteen hundred years since the first promulgation of the Gospel, the world still presents. Now, I say, that in all this there is a great amount of moral evil, detracting from the declarative glory of GoD, and the well-being and happiness of man. Few points, however, in the human character, are more mysterious, than the profound apathy with which men can learn to look at the wretchedness bodily and spiritual brooding over other lands. And yet it would seem that but slight reflection upon what is apparent among ourselves, might awaken for them a lively sensibility. Surrounded as we are by all the privileges which characterize an enlightened and refined state of society; moulded by education, and early habits, to a perception and love of what is decorous and honorable; stimulated to the cultivation of holiness, even by interest and ambition; admonished unceasingly by all the institutions of Christianity, its festivals, its lectures, its sealing ordinances, its everlasting promises and penalties; what is, notwithstanding, the effect

of all these combined moral agents upon multitudes in society?

With what difficulty are they kept within the path of duty and virtue ! How slow the process of purifying and exalting their nature! What then must we imagine to be the moral condition of that multitude in remote dioceses, and decayed parishes, who have grown up devoid of every thing like Christian education; breathing, as tens of thousands do from their infancy, an atmosphere of licentiousness; rejoicing in no sabbaths; taught not to seek in the sacred page, the law of their conduct, nor a refuge in the trials and sorrows of their humble condition. And what must be the brutality of profligate passions, the injuries, the retaliations, the transformation of the human into the diabolical nature, which distinguish heathen nations and tribes? Are not the very temples of their gods offices of the vilest debauchery? Do they not tremble there and worship, not merely before images of stone, graven with art and man's device, but also before the names and the attributes of spirits accursed? What is it calls forth the shout and the exultation at their festal rites, but the expiring groan of some captive taken in war, the immolation of an unconscious infant, or of an infirm and aged parent, the shriek of a widow, as her quivering limbs are bound to a livid corpse upon the funeral pile! Would the close contemplation of such scenes move every bosom? And do they become less odious, or less pitiable, because we are not brought into immediate contact with them? They are our brethren; children of the great God of the Universe; the purchase of CHRIST's blood, of whose moral condition at this moment, I am speaking. And can it be, that for all this infatuation and guilt which He must abhor, and, for all this wretchedness which He must pity, GoD has provided no effectual remedy? "Is there no balm in Gilead? Is there no physician there?" Why are such nations so infatuated and so corrupt? Not from any characteristic inferiority of species, or feebleness of intellect, but because the light of CHRIST's religion has not dawned upon them. In the very bosom of the most opulent and refined cities of this country or of Europe; in the midst of this Christian population, does

not the scrutiny of justice, and the arm of power, continually drag to light individuals, and bands of individuals, as ripe for crime, and as practised in atrocious crime, as the most besotted idolaters ever were? And why are they so, but because the religion of JESUS CHRIST, while it irradiates and warms all around, has never been allowed to send its holy influence into their souls. In one word, because they are living "without GoD in the world."

Now, brethren, let me ask the honest and deliberate judgment in the matter, of the individual among you, who, like Gallio, may care least for these things; - is it to be inferred from the known attributes of the ALMIGHTY, as they are proclaimed in his Gospel, and manifested in his works and daily providence ; from the solicitude which he discovers for our bodily comfort; and from the strivings against sin which he awakens in every conscience; is it to be inferred that the idolatry of the Pagans is a matter of no concern to God? Is it to be inferred that the immorality among so many professing Christians, and the privation of Gospel privileges which is the affliction of wide districts in our own land, are in correspondence with his pleasure and purposes? This can admit but one reply, that "GOD is holy," and that a holy GOD must hate iniquity. If then, a remedy is designed, and must be found, for prevailing sin, it must either be in the direct and supernatural interposition of heavenwhich is contrary to the whole analogy of his present dealings with us, or the means intended, is the instrumentality of man. What is the whole plan of his measures by which our enjoyment is supplied, and our life sustained? The earth yields its corn, and its fruits, only to the persevering agency, to the toilsome culture of man. The diseases of the body find their mitigation and cure in the application of human skill. The moral character of youth is formed, not by the plastic power of the spirit of God alone, but under vigilant, and ingenious, and untiring human control. The mysteries of science are not developed, the seemingly magic power of the mechanic arts is not revealed to the philosophic mind, except as the result of determined scrutiny. When providential calamities are permitted VOL. III.-19

to befall remote towns, or countries, the remedy, the restoration is not attained by a similarly direct providential appointment, but human compassion and human agency are called for, and promptly yielded too. And why should we expect that religion, more precious than all the other bounties of heaven, should be showered down upon the slothful, reluctant, undiscerning world, when abundant means are furnished for sending its sacred record to every shore, and to every tribe? Had not the ALMIGHTY a right creating men of one family, and thus binding them in endearing ties to each other, had he not a right to make us all, his agents for disseminating a knowledge of his religion, and of the means of salvation? Is there not in the heartless response of the world when called upon to minister the hope of salvation, the ordinances of religion, to their destitute brethren, something like the spirit of Cain, when he asked of GOD, "Am I my brother's keeper?"

But without further enlargement upon this point, whatever you and I may judge of the expediency of leaving to us, to carry on, and make known to our brethren, the purposes of God in redemption, is it not the fact that God has so left it? and after all that CHRIST, and his Spirit, and his apostles, have done to evangelize the world, "to send the Gospel to every creature," if man were at this moment to withhold all further agency, would not whole nations remain for ever ignorant of the very name of CHRIST, and the rest of the world perhaps sink back again in the course of a few ages, to former immorality and idolatry? Yes, brethren, the work of sustaining the Church where it now exists, and of sending it with all its attendant institutions, to districts and countries now destitute of it, must be effected; and must be effected by man. You and I, - GOD grant that we may acquit our conscience of some portion of its responsibility in the matter this night! You and I, all men enjoying Gospel privileges are the instruments, by whom this great work is to be accomplished. Even through us the idolatry eventually of pagan lands is to be dispersed by the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST.

There is then a work, a great, and difficult work, a work of

mercy, a holy enterprise, to which we all acknowledge that God has called man. If it be not taken up, and with energy by devout men, who have felt the power and consolations of religion, will men of the world adopt and carry it on? No man dreams of such a thing. But Christianity is presented under various modifications, more or less strictly conformed to the primitive standard. Although when it had received at one period, through the influence of peculiar circumstances, a vast accession of foreign doctrines and observances, the intelligence and genuine devotion, and discerning faith of the Christian world, rose in their combined force, aided it is true by some coadjutors of a less worthy character, — and indignantly threw off the mighty mass of corruption, yet notwithstanding this convulsion in the moral world, a great portion of believers, cherishing opinions and ceremonies ingeniously adapted to the passions and to the taste of erring man, still remain attached to the Church of Rome. There are also various other Christian associations, distinguished by peculiar doctrines and names. Our Church is bound together by the conviction, that while she threw off at the Reformation all that did not belong to the primitive apostolic Church, she carefully retained all that did. And while we esteem her rites and ordinances, and articles of faith, singularly pure, orthodox, and edifying, we find cause for gratitude to GOD in the strict correspondence between the government of the Episcopal Church, and the government which the apostles set up in the churches founded by them, and cemented by their blood. Yet, as it was remarked with palpable truth, that if Christians do not become the agents for propagating the Gospel, men of the world never will; with equal justice it may be said, that if Protestant Churchmen do not advocate the cause of primitive truth and order, Romanists and separatists never will. That which we esteem the nearest approach on earth to the purity of the Gospel system, must be extended to other districts of this country, and other nations of the globe, by Churchmen, or it will not be enjoyed by them at all.

I know that, by such an observation, I may be for a moment, chilling the sympathy which a view of the moral desolation of