A SERMON

DELIVERED AT THE ORDINATION OF THE

REV. WILLIAM HENRY FURNESS,

AS PASTOR OF THE

FIRST CONGREGATIONAL

UNITARIAN CHURCH

IN PHILADELPHIA,

JANUARY 12, 1825.

BY HENRY WARE, JUN.

MINISTER OF THE SECOND CHURCH IN BOSTON.

TOGETHER WITH

THE CHARGE,

BY AARON BANCROFT, D. D. OF WORCESTER, (MASS.)

AND THE

RIGHT HAND OF FELLOWSHIP,

BY EZRA S. GANNETT, OF BOSTON.

PHILADELPHIA:

PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY ABRAHAM SMALL.

1825.

21316976,70.8

HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY

FROM

THE BEQUEST OF EVERT JANSEN WENDELL

1918

PHILADELPHIA

REPRINTED BY SHERMAN & CO.

JANUARY 1875

SERMON.

Brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified even as it is among you.-2 Thessalonians, iii. 1.

THE design for which the public institutions of our religion are maintained and its teachers set apart, is so well expressed in these words, that they offer a suitable introduction to our remarks on the present occasion. They declare the object which we purpose to promote, in ordaining our brother to the work of the holy ministry. They describe the end for which he is to labour in the fulfilment of his ministry. They express that spirit of devout dependence upon God, which should occupy the hearts of those who are this day to receive a pastor. "Brethren," says the apostle, " pray for us," the ministers of Christ, "that the word of the Lord"—that word, which we preach, which is God's truth, and the sanctification of man—“ may have free course and be glorified" -may have a wide and unobstructed prevalence, and be an object of the admiration, affection, and faith of mankind.

This is the object of our prayers and labours. This is the object to which we devote our brother. It may not be unsuitable to the occasion, to remark on some of the means by which this object may be effected; which I