But, my brethren, as a society of Christians, are you not under the strongest obligations to "offer unto God thanksgiving?" For the first time, on an occasion like this, you have assembled within these consecrated walls, a band of believers in the infinite goodness, the unbounded love of your God and Father. The year which is now drawing to a close has witnessed your zeal and faithfulness in the cause you have espoused. Enjoying the blessing of that liberty wherewith Christ has made you free, you have, with a zeal and devotedness worthy the imitation of all, erected this neat and commodious temple, and dedicated it to the worship of Almighty God. And you have the rich satisfaction of knowing that your labors have not been vain in the Lord. The promise of Jehovah has truly been verified to you, "No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment, thou shalt condemn." And as a society of Christians professing the same faith, animated by the same hope, and cheered by the same prospects, you should on this joyful occasion "offer unto God thanksgiving," for the abundant success with which he has crowned your efforts, and let your fervent prayers ascend to him that he would continue to smile propitiously on you, and that here, with your families and friends, you may long be permitted to listen to the sound of that gospel which is the bread of life to the believing soul. Let the encouragement you have received from the past, stimulate you to renewed exertions; and when this day shall again return, may this temple resound with the praises of many, who, through your instrumentality, have been brought out of darkness into the marvellous light of the gospel. Finally; encouraged by the cheering prospects before us, and the holy hopes which our religion inspires, of a time when sin and sorrow shall be swept from the earth, and benevolence and love shall universally prevail, and when the whole world of mankind shall with grateful hearts offer unto God thanksgiving-let us endeavor, so far as the frailty of our nature will allow, to be perfect as he is perfect on whom the consummation of our hope depends. And while we are assembled around our festive boards this day, partaking of the rich bounties of an all-wise Providence, may the flame of grateful thanksgiving, which is glowing in our bosoms, ascend to the almighty Parent of good, for bringing us in safety to the close of another year, and crowning our lives with his loving kindness and tender mercies for his goodness manifested to us in the privileges we enjoy as a nation-for our temporal and spiritual blessings. And when we shall forever cease our offerings in his earthly temples, may we be permitted to enter those heavenly courts, where one eternal day of thanksgiving shall crown our joy, and where we shall unite at last with a ransomed world in celebrating the praises of our God forever and ever. . Amen. Nature of God. Ir is an express doctrine of Revelation, that God is love. But it is nowhere said in scripture that God is wisdom, that God is justice, or that God is power. These are only attributes of him - the same as limbs are parts of our body. As our limbs are set in motion by our body, so the attributes of Deity, his wisdom, power, justice, &c., are governed by, or exerted in accordance with love, which is the nature of God. His wisdom is the wisdom of love; his power, the power of love; his justice, the justice of love. And these, with all his other attributes, must ever be exerted to bring about an end, in accordance with the great design of infinite and immutable love. We take it for granted, of course, that it is the nature of love to desire the happiness of its objects and, consequently, that God, being love, desires the happiness of his children. Now, to say that the wisdom of God is not exerted in accordance with love, is to charge the Almighty with supreme folly. It is virtually saying that he is not wise enough to frame a scheme which will succeed in accomplishing his own desires. The truth is, the wisdom of God is ever exerted in devising plans to accomplish the desires of love. For, as God is love, love must prompt wisdom to action. So with the power of God. That is a mighty attribute. But, when we reflect that it is only the power of love, it loses all its terror. We behold the power of God displayed in the lightning's flash — the thunder's roar in the tempest, and earthquake in all the mighty operations of nature. It fills us with awe. But, when we reflect that it is directed by love, we fear no evil. That power which formed this beautiful world, might have filled it with hissing serpents, and rendered it the abode of misery and wo. That power which rides forth upon the storm-cloud, instead of the gently falling rain, might shower down the thunderbolts of his wrath. That power which awakes the slumbering tempest, might fill it with the arrows of death. And why is not this done? The answer is plain. Because that power which we see displayed, is the power of love. As God's power is omnipotent, and is ever directed by love, we can perceive at once the happy consequences which must result from the exertion of that power. And we can also see the beauty of that scripture which says, "Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power." A glorious assurance. The power of love shall make them willing! This will cause every wandering rebel to bow, like Saul of Tarsus, in humble submission to the Prince of Peace; and the effectual workings of God's omnipotent power shall be followed by results, over which love will rejoice through ages without end. An Invitation. "Come thou with us, and we will do thee good."- Num. x. 29. THESE words of Moses may with much propriety be addressed to those who, at the present day, are so violently opposed to the doctrine of Christ, and who are groping in the midnight darkness of error and superstition. We are all in search of happiness; it is "our being's end and aim." Perfect and unalloyed happiness is not attainable by mortal man, in this frail and imperfect state of existence. That rich feast is prepared for us in the mansions of everlasting bliss- there the pure streams of peace and happiness shall flow unruffled there shall a ransomed world find fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore. But, notwithstanding this, we believe man may enjoy a happiness in this life, which assimilates itself to that prepared for him in an immortal state of existence. Where is this happiness to be found? What course shall we pursue, in order to obtain that which we most desire; and, indeed, all we desire ? I answer, By entertaining right views of the character of God, and a strong and unwavering faith in his gracious promises-a faith which shall work by love, and purify the heart. Here alone is true happiness to be found. ""T is this that makes our darkness day; |