sacred volume generally, "As the apple-tree among the trees of the wood," so is the Bible in comparison of all other books. In the sacred scriptures we have the words of eternal life, and they are they which testify of the Lord Jesus Christ. In the world saith the blessed Saviour to his disciples, ye shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world. His people have not been left comfortless-the spirit in the word has been to them as rivers of water in a dry place, and as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.How often under the greatest trials and most severe conflicts have they been constrained to adopt the impressive language of the apostle--"Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the father of mercies and the God of all comfort, who comforteth us in all tribulations, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God." Our light affliction, saith the same apostle, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.

Are the people of God brought into great straits and difficulties, such as effect their dearest interests -how consoling is the language and example of his servants of old, "It is the Lord (saith one, under a heavy affliction) let him do what seemeth him good." Of Aaron under a most severe trial it is recorded, "And Aaron held his peace." Lord gave and the Lord hath taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord," saith the patient and afflicted Job.

"The

In the prophet Habbakuk we have these memorable words," Although the fig-tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vine-the labour of the olive shall fail and the fields shall yield no meat-the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and

there shall be no herd in the stall, yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation.”

How often has the trembling believer found the Bible a sure source of comfort in the time of trouble. It is then and then only, when all created streams are dry-when all earthly cisterns are empty, and broken, that the value of this most precious Book can in any suitable degree be realized. How unwisely then do those act, who neglect this sacred volume, and spend the whole of a busy life in building an airy superstructure of sublunary bliss; without foundation, and liable every moment to be swept away.

But contrast with this the man who derives his hope, his comfort and his support from the Bible

"Let cares like a wild, deluge come,
And storms of sorrow fall,"

His hopes and comforts are built on a solid rockon a secure foundation. Let his earthly possessions -his health, or his friends, be taken away, still he can say with the poet-(while he retains his Bible)

"Let the world account me poor,
Having this I ask no more.”

Another unspeakable source of consolation found in the Bible, is, that it points the weary and heavy laden to a place of rest. The believer while he sojourns here is in a state of continual conflict.

"A wicked world and wicked heart

With Satan now are joined,

Each acts a too successful part

In harrassing his mind."

Perhaps there are few sensations of the christian's heart, which he can more clearly and dise

tinetly recognize, than that of which we are now speaking. Although he may often be oppressed with doubts and fears, and unable to speak the language of assurance, yet he can say with the poet"Does the gospel word proclaim Rest for those who weary be, Then, my soul, put in thy claim, Sure that promise speaks to thee. Marks of grace I cannot shew, All polluted is my best, Yet I weary am, I know,

And the weary long for rest."

Experience has taught him, that he is not to look for, or expect a discharge from this warfare here below; yet he is cheered and comforted under his various trials, in the happy prospect which is opened to his view in the holy scriptures-there he reads, "There remaineth a rest for the people of God." "Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, from henceforth-yea saith the spirit, that they may rest from their labours." "There the wicked cease from troubling, there the weary are

How welcome to the weary, war-worn christian, the cheering prospect of the accomplishment of all his wishes, in an exemption from sin, from toil and danger; and in the secure possession and enjoyment of those things which God hath prepared for them that love him-such as eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man. How animating the triumphant language of the apostle-"I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith-henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge shall give me at that day, and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing."

Again, we notice the inestimable worth of this precious Book, on a dying bed. This is a situation which may be said with truth, to try men's souls, and happy the man who can then adopt the language of the Psalmist, "Though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death I will fear no evil, for thou art with me-thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." That sacred word on which the believer has fixed his hope, be now finds as an anchor to the soul both sure and stedfast; and on this foundation he can quietly rest, even when heart and flesh faint and fail; and the bright prospect which is sometimes presented to the view of the dying believer, enables him to say,

On the subject of pecuniary aid to this Society, little need be said. It is known that money is necessary and that money is now wanted. Let those therefore, who have the means, and, the disposition to contribute, give as the Lord hath prospered them-not grudgingly, or of necessity, "for the Lord loveth the cheerful giver." There are those, (and we trust many such present) who can from their own experience, testify to the truth of that divine aphorism recorded by the apostle, "It is more blessed to give than to receive."

Nor is the pleasure of relieving the wants of others, the only reward of charity and benevolence. The Scriptures assure us that, "The liberal soul shall be made fat, and he that watereth shall be watered also himself."

What an endearing relation does our gracious Saviour recognize as subsisting between himself and the meanest of his followers: "Inasmuch (saith he) as ye have done it unto one of the least

of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.". And again, "Whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones, a cup of cold water only, in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward."

If our gracious Saviour has promised to notice and to reward the gift of charity, although in a cup of cold water only, may we not fondly hope, he will accept with complacency the gratuitous offering of the Word of Life.

But few of us have been called to the honourable, the arduous office of preaching the gospel. But let us rejoice that we have the opportunity of being as it were, pioneers in this blessed work of spreading the Sacred Scriptures.

The object to which the contributions of this evening will be appropriated deserves particular notice. It is to procure stereotype plates, with a large sized type for the use of the aged and infirm. How much this will add to the comforts and convenience of thousands who make the Bible the man of their counsel must be obvious to all..

Let those then, who have tasted that the Lord is gracious, and those who believe the Bible contains the words of eternal life, let all such, now remember the poor, the aged, and such as are either destitute of the Bible-or through infirmity, unable to read the small type, and practically say, "of thine own Lord, have we given thee:" For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.