cultivate and manifest in his own particular sphere, one effect of redeeming this pledge will be the destruction of sectarianism and bigotry in the church. It has, we hope, received its death blow; and the Evangelical Alliance directed that blow. The spirit of sectarianism is admitted to be the spirit of the Pharisee. It is deplored by all denominations. But most unhappily, while each has condemned it in another, it has failed to admit its existence in itself. Hence, so little has been done for its extinction in the visible church. But now a great multitude of good men, and many of them great men, have had the christian heroism to acknowledge the existence and operation of this spirit in themselves, have deplored it, and publicly declared that they will mortify it, and seek its utter destruction in their own breasts, and in the breasts of others. These men are all home to their respective localities and spheres of labour, and of influence. Now, suppose that each remembers his pledge, that he manifests the spirit of brotherly love, and seeks its extension among his flock or his friends, why, here we have a thousand centres of influence, each operating in leavening the mass, and purging out the old leaven of pharasaism in his own immediate circle. Let but each member of the Alliance be true to his engagements, and all the churches in the land will be drawn closer to one another, and to the cross. Another effect will be, that religious controversy will be conducted in a different spirit from what it has generally been in past times. No member of the Alliance is pledged not to enter into controversy with his brother. There is yet too much difference of opinion on many questions among the professed disciples of Christ, to justify the hope that all controversy among us is at an end. There are many momentous questions which will originate discussion; and every member of the Alliance has as much right as ever to take part in them. But each is pledged to do so in the spirit of his Master. And if this be acted upon, what a blessed change will be effected in the mode of controversial discussion. This point was well put by Mr M'Leod of Dalkeith,- -a clause excepted, which seems to hint the propriety of keep ng in the shade denominational differences, which it is certainly not the object of the Alliance to do. "The good," said he, "which the Alliance has done to our hearts can never be undone. If any one, in the discharge of his own duties, felt bound to lift up his voice against any other denomination, it will be done in a way in which it has never been before. If I should have to speak against Methodism, which I trust I shall never have to do, I shall be thinking of my reverend father, Dr Bunting, and I shall not be able to utter any thing harsh. If against the Congregationalist, I shall remember my friend the Rev. Mr James, and I shall not be able to use a rough word. Hitherto we have been dealing with speeches and resolutions, and with abstract matters; henceforth we shall deal with men themselves. And if, when we meet together, any one in the discharge of his duty for the Alliance, pledged not to silence, should launch a shaft at my church, it will be sent firmly but tenderly, when the archer knows that it has to pass through the heart of one whom he loves, and loves him."

If the objects which the Alliance have resolved to endeavour to accomplish be sought in the spirit of its resolutions, the effect upon the

But we

If

cause of truth, and upon the world, will be most beneficial. confess that we hope more, from them anifestations among Christians, of the spirit of union in love and truth, than from any thing else. we exemplify the church's unity, then will the world believe that God has sent his Son into it, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. Glorious consummation! Let the members of the Alliance never lose sight of this. Let all believers every where unite themselves to this holy confederation. Let them at all times, and in all places, exemplify its principles, and ere long the spirit will be poured out in pentecostal effusion, the blessed gospel will be diffused over the earth, with a rapidity rivalling apostolic times; and soon, from a converted world, will be heard the angelic song, "Glory to God in the highest. Now there is peace on earth, and good will to and among men.' G. J.

FAREWELL ADDRESS.

THE interesting relation which has so long existed between us has now been brought to a close. In bidding you farewell, I am desirous to leave with you a few directions and counsels, as a parting expression of my affection, and of the deep interest which I feel in your spiritual welfare in your everlasting security and happiness. I know that you will receive them, as they are given, with an earnest desire that God would vouchsafe his blessing, without which, my speaking and your hearing, would be alike in vain.

In regard to the great body of the congregation, I rejoice that I can say in sincerity, I have confidence in the Lord concerning them. I am persuaded that they are saints and faithful brethren in Christ-members of the household of faith-who, having "obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ," shall in due time be partakers together of the inheritance of the saints in light. I am glad, and have holy joy I trust, that you have been brought to the knowledge of the truth-that you have been enabled to profess a good profession before many witnesses-that you have abounded in faith, in hope, and in love, and do still abound-and that you are manifestly declared to be the epistles of Christ, known and read of all men. But while, on all these accounts, "I thank my God upon every remembrance of you (always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy), for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now," I would avail myself of this opportunity to entreat you all," that with purpose of heart you should cleave to the Lord." Hold fast your confidence in him who came seek and to save that which was lost." When I entered upon my ministry among you, I declared my determination, in dependence on divine 66 grace, to cease not to teach and to preach Jesus Christ;" and though I have been with you in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling," I have endeavoured-however feebly, I trust faithfullyto follow up this resolution, and to "testify to you the gospel of the grace of God," as including the all-important truths, that you are sinners; that Christ is the only propitiation for sin; that it is through

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faith in his blood alone that you can be saved; and that all who believe this "glorious gospel" are sanctified through the truth brought home to their hearts and consciences by the Holy Spirit. These are truths of infinite importance, of unequalled suitableness, of remarkable efficacy, and of eternal duration. "It is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." His atonement and mediation constitute the only foundation of hope to the guilty. "Other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ;""neither is there salvation in any other, for there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved;" "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life, and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life." "This is the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory (or hold fast) what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain." And every day's experience and observation, and every new situation in which in the providence of God I am placed, serve only to deepen my conviction of its truth and paramount importance. Keep this gospel, then, ever before your view; hold it fast; let no man take it from you. It is the sum of christian doctrine, and the spring of christian duty. It is the source and security of every blessing-the only means by which you can be delivered from the guilt and condemnation, the power and pollution of sin-by which you can be justified, sanctified, and saved. It is the great instrument in the hand of the Spirit of renewing the heart and life, of strengthening every christian grace, and building you up in faith, holiness, and comfort; of making you at once holy and happy-fit for serving God here, and dwelling with him hereafter. It will sustain and comfort you through life, and cheer your souls in death. "Continue, then, in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel which ye have heard."

Changes are perpetually taking place in our domestic circles, in the church, and in the world around us, for here "there is none abiding ;" but amidst all changes, and all the trials and sorrows which flow from them, what unspeakable comfort is it to know that "the Apostle and High Priest of our profession" remains unmoved and unchanged. The under shepherds are "not suffered to continue by reason of death," or other dispensations of providence; but the Great Shepherd ever reigns; He is "the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever," in his all-sufficient sacrifice-in his all-prevailing intercession-in the purposes of his love -in the riches of his grace-in the tenderness of his compassion-in his ability and willingness to save. "Therefore, my brethren, dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved." In darkness he will enlighten, in perplexity he will counsel, in difficulty he will strengthen, in affliction he will comfort and sustain. "Trust, then, in the Lord for ever, for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength."

Be careful to maintain a deportment worthy of your profession. "Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ, that whether I come and see you or else be absent, I may hear of your

NO. XI. VOL. III.

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affairs, that ye stand fast in one spirit, with one mind, striving together for the faith of the gospel." Let your conduct be the result of the dispositions, be maintained under the influence of the principles, resemble the patterns, be conformable to the laws, and be directed towards the ends, which the gospel recommends and enjoins; "for though I be absent in the flesh, yet am I with you in the Spirit, joying and beholding your order, and the stedfastness of your faith in Christ. As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him; rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith as ye have been taught.” Keep ever in view the great end of your vocation—the salvation of your souls. It is to this "that all your expectations and efforts should be directed. Nothing beyond this can be enjoyed, with nothing short of this ought you to be satisfied. The forfeiture of this you should most anxiously dread, and the possession of this you should most eagerly and intensely desire." Habitually place before you this one great prominent object," The end of your faith, the salvation of your souls.' "Gird up the loins of your mind, be sober and hope to the end," waiting for this salvation. However great may be your present attainments, think not that your labour is completed, or your warfare accomplished. Forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Imagine not that by continuing till now, you are safe for the future. Watch and pray that ye may be “ kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation." "Give diligence to make your calling and election sure," that not only an entrance, but an abundant entrance, may be ministered unto you, into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. "Wherefore my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but, now much more, in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain."

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It would afford me unspeakable satisfaction, could I leave you with the persuasion that the whole of the congregation are the disciples of Christ. But in every society of professing Christians there are some whose sins are unpardoned, and whose hearts are unsanctified, and I cannot but fear that there are some among you, with reference to whom I have laboured in vain. I desire, therefore, most affectionately, for the last time to address myself distinctly to this class of my hearers, leaving it to the consciences of each of you to decide who are the persons to whom this statement is applicable. However fair your characters may be in your own eyes, or in the estimation of your fellow-men, in the sight of Him who seeth not as man seeth, you are "sinners in Zion," enemies in the midst of God's friends-slaves of sin in the midst of the Lord's freemen-vassals of Satan among the sons of God— tares among the wheat. You are still "without Christ, being aliens from the commonweath of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world." How appalling then is your condition! However attentively you may have listened to me, as your minister, the word preached has not been to you "the savour of life"-you have not received the counsel of God, but " have rejected that counsel against" yourselves. The terrors of the Lord have been de

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grace,

clared to you, but you have not fled from the wrath to come. tidings of the gospel have been preached to you, but you have refused to"know the joyful sound." The Saviour himself, in all his has been offered to you, but your language has been, "We will not have this man to reign over us." He has promised you pardon, peace, eternal life, if you will only receive him, but you have said, "Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another." The salvation he has provided, has been urged on your acceptance, in all its richness and freeness, but you still "neglect so great salvation." Brethren I have conflicting feelings in parting from you. "I have. great heaviness and sorrow in my heart" at leaving you among the unsanctified and unsaved, and yet I have been almost ready to rejoice at the prospect of our separation, in the hope that, as you have remained careless, hardened, impenitent, under my ministry, some other mode of presenting the truth may perhaps, by the divine blessing, be instrumental in plucking you as brands out of the fire. But yet I desire to plead with you once more, with all earnestness on this subject. As you value your own immortal souls,- as you desire to escape everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and to be found of him in peace at his second coming," I beseech you in Christ's stead now to be reconciled to God." Though he was "the brightness of the Father's glory, and the express image of his person," he took upon him the form of a servant, became a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief, submitted to the agony of Gethsemane, and the anguish and ignominy of Calvary, in order that guilty sinners like you might not perish, but have eternal life; and though you have so long despised his love, trampled on his blood, spurned his invitation, he is still entreating you to be reconciled to him, and to accept a free, full, and glorious salvation. "Behold I stand at the door and knock, if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come into him, and will sup with him and he with me." Can you listen to such an entreaty, and not instantly open the door of your heart to receive and welcome that gracious Saviour, who is thus plenteous in mercy, ready to forgive? I implore you by all that is endearing in his love and appalling in his wrath, by all that is glorious in heaven, and terrible in hell, that as you desire to escape the fearful doom denounced in these terrific words, "I have called and ye refused, I have stretched out my hand and no man regarded, therefore, I also will laugh at your calamity, I will mock when your fear cometh," you delay not one moment longer to repent and turn to the Lord. "Behold now is the accepted time, now is the day of salvation." You have had the gospel freely proclaimed to you,-you have had line upon line, and precept upon precept-you have been warned, entreated, urged to receive the grace of God which bringeth salvation, if you perish then, will not your blood be upon your own heads? Therefore be persuaded, now, listening it may be for the last time, to the voice of one you have loved, to flee instantly from the wrath to come, and as guilty, lost, and perishing sinners, to take refuge with him, who alone can save you from everlasting destruction. May the Holy Spirit "enlighten your darkened understanding to perceive the Saviour's preciousness, bend your subborn will to bow beneath the Saviour's yoke, and soften your heart to embrace with devout gratitude the invitations of the Saviour's