This inquiry opens before us a very wide field for investigation; but on the present occasion I shall confine myself to a few leading particulars, and will discuss them, with as much brevity as is consistent with a distinct view of the subject.

1. The first thing I notice, as connected with the prosperity of the church, is external tranquillity, or freedom from oppression and per secution. Whether worldly favor and patronage are conducive to the church's welfare, would admit of a question. The history of the church, I believe, furnishes but little evidence of good resulting to her from an alliance with the world; but there is no want of evidence to show that she has been most deeply injured by such alliance. The world can hardly extend its favors, without imparting something of its spirit; and the evil resulting from the latter, when the church has been patronized by the world, has generally been found greatly to overbal. ance the good derived from the former.

Christ's kingdom is not of this world. In its spirit, its maxims, and its laws, it is not only different from the world, but directly opposed to it; and the more distinct it is from the world, the more it has generally been found to prosper. But though not of the world, the church is in the world, and so connected with it, or situated in relation to it, that her interests may be affected, and seriously affected, by the feelings and conduct of the world towards her. Worldly influence and power may be used, and often have been used, to distract, oppress, and perse. cute the church; and thus injure her peace or prosperity. I am aware that the spirituality of the church, which is her life, may be injured by uninterrupted tranquillity; and that secular oppression and persecution have been made conducive to her prosperity. This was remarkably the case in the early ages of the christian church. Persecution dis persed abroad the disciples of Christ, and into all places whither they were driven they carried the gospel. Thus the good seed of the word was scattered, the gospel was more extensively preached, and the boundaries of the church greatly extended.

The cruelties, also, inflicted on christians, their martyrdom, and their patience and calm resignation under such severe and cruel sufferings, made a deep impression on others, led them to examine more carefully a system which could produce such astonishing effects, and brought them in many instances to enlist under the standard of Christ;

so that it was literally true, that "the blood of the martyrs was the seed of the church.” And in later times, in the reformation from Popery, the persecution of christians was in many instances made subservient to the prosperity of the church. But all these good effects were produced, not by persecution itself, but by the providence of God overruling this cruel and wicked violence, contrary to its natural tendency, for the good of his cause. It is the province of God to bring order out of confusion, light out of darkness, good out of evil, and to make even "the wrath of man to praise him." He can make all things work for the good of his cause, and the prosperity of his kingdom. As in the natural world, hurricanes and storms, which are serious evils in themselves, are made to purify the atmosphere, and in this way are often productive of great good; so, also, God can make moral convulsions and rage against his spiritual kingdom, subservient to the health and prosperity of his church. Still, these are evils; and God's providence overruling them for good does not at all change their nature they are evils still; and external tranquillity, or peace, is a great blessing.

It leaves the members of Christ's house free to establish and maintain that order, which is essential to its prosperity. It affords an opportunity for that regular instruction, which has an inseparable con. nection with the church's improvement. And it leaves the church at liberty to devise and execute plans for its extension and growth. In every respect it is a blessing, to be earnestly desired, and prayed for. It is mentioned as one of the peculiar blessings which will be enjoyed by the church in the days of her millenial prosperity and glory. Then, God's people "shall dwell in peaceable habitations, and in sure dwellings, and quiet resting places;" then, "there shall be none to disturb and make afraid in all the holy mountain of our God.”

It is our privilege, my beloved brethren, to live where the most entire religious toleration is enjoyed. The church in the midst of us is not checked in its progress by civil opposition, or persecution. That the holy cause of the Redeemer has its enemies here, is not to be doubted; and that the progress of this cause is viewed with jealousy, and feelings of the most decided hostility by some among us, who hate every thing that is good, there can be as little doubt. But, blessed be God, such men are restrained, and we are permitted "to sit under our own vines, and our own fig trees," and to worship God according to the dictates of our own consciences, while there is none to disturb

or make us afraid." For this favor we cannot be sufficiently thankful. And as we value the prosperity of the church we should pray that this blessing of peace with all around may be continued to her, even to the latest generation; that God would ever " make even her enemies to be at peace with her," and that her children may "live peaceably with all

men."

2. Internal peace and unity are essential to the prosperity of the church. I make a difference here, between peace, or tranquillity, and unity, because they are not always found together, in the sense in which I use the term unity. By internal peace or tranquillity, I mean, a freedom from all divisions and dissensions; that christians live together in harmony, loving one another. By unity, I mean, not only a oneness of feeling, and affection, but also concert in action; that they be" of one heart, and one mind," to pray, and labor together, for the cause of Christ. Now we know there may be the most perfect peace, or tranquility, in the church—that is, there may be no divisions or dissensions, but the most entire harmony among the members,-where there is a most deplorable want of every thing like that unity in prayer and effort which is inseparably connected with the prosperity of Christ's But both these are essential to the prosperity of the church.

cause.

Christ Jesus, the great Head of the church, is the "Prince of peace." His kingdom is a "kingdom of peace;" his subjects are "called to peace;" and they are strictly enjoined to be "of one mind," and live in peace. They being many are one body, and in this one body, there should be but one heart, and one way. All the members of Christ's body, in the bond of love, and the spirit of peace, should "walk by the same rule, and mind the same thing." That christian brethren should "fall out by the way;" that the church of God should be torn by discord, and rent by divisions; that the members of Christ's family should wrangle, and contend, and quarrel, and devour one another; while it affords gratification to their enemies, must bring a reproach on their profession, and inflict a deep wound on the cause of their Lord. Thus do they cast a stumblingblock, in the way of others, and expose themselves to the frowns and chastisements of their heavenly Father. Nothing, dear brethren, is more destructive to the prosperity of the church, than internal discord. Let but a spirit of jealousy and contention go forth among christiansno matter about what they contend--and religion ceases to prosper,

the

enemy triumphs, the church is in sackcloth. Christian brethren, do you love the kingdom of the Redeemer? Do you love your own church, and desire its prosperity? Then live in peace; shut your ears and close your eyes against every thing that would excite the spirit of jealousy or discord. Place a double guard over your lips, that nothing escape you which can possibly lead to strife. Remember, the great art of making and preserving peace consists, principally, in abstaining from that which gives offence and engenders strife*. Then avoid every thing that can create dissensions and cultivate a spirit of peace; and, as you value the prosperity of the church, pray that " within her walls."

peace may be

But it is not sufficient that there be peace, or harmony in the church; oneness of feeling in regard to her great and important interests, and unity of effort to promote these interests, are essential to her prosper. ity. Unity is the beauty, and strength of the church. Where there is this agreement in desire and prayer, it is effectual in obtaining the divine blessing; and when the church is perfectly united, in efforts to advance the cause of the Redeemer, that cause will go forward, Union here, emphatically, is strength. It is powerful, both with God and man. Of the primitive christians, it is said, "they were of one heart, and one soul." They were " of one accord" in prayer, and in action. There was among them perfect agreement; and the consequence was "The Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved." "Great numbers believed, and turned unto the Lord." The cause of Christ rapidly advanced. And the same effects would still be seen, were there the same perfect agreement among christians. Yes, my brethren, if christians in our own widely extended, and much loved church were thus of one heart, and one mind; if there were among us this perfect agreement in faith, in prayer, and in action, we should soon witness the glorious effects, in the conversion of many souls, and the enlargement of Christ's kingdom, in our land and through our world. Pray, then, for unity in the church. Pray that believers now, as in former days, may be "of one accord,"-and then the church will prosper.

In this con

3. Purity is essential to the prosperity of the church. sists her chief beauty, and glory; and whatever else she may have, if she have not purity, or holiness, she cannot prosper.

Purity in doctrine is essential to the prosperity of the church.

*See 48th page.

The

church is founded in truth; and truth is the great instrument, which is used by the Holy Spirit in her growth and establishment. It is by the truth instrumentally that men are converted to God. "The law of the Lord," by which is meant in this passage, his truth, "is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple." The scriptures uniformly make faith, or belief of the truth, essential to salvation; and it is by the truth, instrumentally, that believers are sanctified and comforted, and “nourished to eternal life;” and the truth of God will be the great instrument used in the conversion of the nations, and the consequent enlargement and glory of the church. Jehovah will send forth his light and his truth, and establish his kingdom throughout the world. It is of vital importance, then, to the church, that her doctrines be kept pure; that she be free from all heresy, and every error. God will never own, as the instrument of building up his church, that which opposes his word; and it is not more certain, that truth is the great means of the sanctification, and salvation of men, than it is, that error has a natural and direct tendency to delude, corrupt, and destroy them. Error in doctrine, my brethren, which always necessarily leads to error in practice, has been in all ages of the church, one of the most powerful engines in the hands of Satan, to mar the beauty, and destroy the prosperity of Zion.

But in order to advance the prosperity of the church, it is not sufficient that she be kept free from false doctrines; if the truth be withheld, she suffers in her most important interests. A church may be free from gross errors, and yet, in her instructions, have very little, or even nothing of the great and essential doctrines of the gospel. The evil in this case is, not that errors are inculcated, but that truth is withheld; and in either case, her interests are sacrificed. For her prosperity, she needs the whole system of divine truth, which her Master has committed to her. The great doctrines of the cross, in all their simplicity, and purity, as they are found in the living oracles, are necessary to the growth, and prosperity of the church. These doctrines are her life; they are the food of her children, and she cannot thrive, without them. In praying for the prosperity of the church, then, pray that she may be purified from all false, polluting doctrines, and that she may have the truth, in all its purity, simplicity, and fulness.

Purity, or holiness, in her members, is also essential to the pros