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pretended science and philosophism, which set themselves in opposition to the religion of Jesus; but where in the tents of infidel philosophy, or in the temples of paganism, or in the mosques of mahomedanism, are to be found such sublime truths concerning God, such accurate statements concerning what man is; such gracious revelations of divine mercy; and such glorious hopes to them that walk uprightly, as are exhibited in thy lovely tabernacles, O Jehovah, God of Hosts!

But it is not privilege alone that is to be learned in Christian churches; the Lord said to Moses concerning the first tabernacle, "There will I meet with thee, and commune with thee of all things which I have given thee in commandment to the children of Israel." Christians, who should not forsake the assembling of themselves together, are to come together not only for prayer and praise, but also to hear what God the Lord will speak from his word in matters of duty, as well as in matters of privilege, and to exhort one another to love and to good works. Our attachment to the Saviour must be manifested by obedience to all his commandments. The Christian life, like that of our blessed Lord, should be a life of active benevolence, going about doing good. Not a life of monastic, selfish, and unsocial seclusion, which the folly of the human mind has every where suggested, as well in Pagan as in Christian lands. Oh no!-Apostolic, (which is the true primitive) Christianity, knows nothing of inactive, antisocial, selfish contemplation. Of the Holy Bible, nine tenths are made up of precepts and exhortations concerning man's duty to God, and to his fellow creatures. I trust, that on this occasion, whatever is right and expedient will be done and to goad a willing mind, is not the practice that a generous nature approves.

Remarks on another occasion.

And there is one duty of which it becomes me to put you in mind, viz. that of assisting, as God shall give ability, to

* A collection for the chapel was to be made.

rear tabernacles dedicated to Jehovah, throughout the whole earth. To excite your gratitude, I have already alluded to the temples dedicated, by deluded votaries, to dumb idols, or to apostate demons, in various parts of the world; but gratitude to God and to the former benefactors of our race, whom Heaven employed to originate spiritual blessings in our native land, is not to be confined to mere feeling. Although, even if it were, I fear we seldom feel enough on this subject. However, it is not enough to feel grateful or to express thankfulness; gratitude should rouse us to exertion, for the purpose of establishing tabernacles to Jehovah in all lands; that all nations, and peoples, and languages, may also exult in those lovely edifices, where mercy and salvation are revealed to the children of men. There is no possible good work at all comparable to the originating, amongst any tribe of men, a Christian Church. Alas, that there should be so often a spirit of cavil, and censorious criticism, in reference to those who have gone before us in good works of this kind; because, forsooth, it has been discovered that the operators were not perfect, that frailty and imperfection attended them and their efforts! Did a right spirit prevail amongst Christians, it would subdue or annihilate the spirit of censorious cavil, and lead to an emulation and imitation of those who first erected tabernacles to Jehovah in these lands, the beneficial effects of which have so far exceeded all calculation. Oh, what would Christian Missionaries in some parts of the world not do, or suffer, to witness a hundredth part of the Christian temples which adorn this land, rising up in the regions in which they labour. But next to Heaven's aid, they require the constant and energetic co-operation of the churches at home, and it is incumbent on those who rejoice from Sabbath to Sabbath, in the enjoyment of the unspeakable privileges of God's house, and the loveliness of his sanctuary, to co-operate assiduously to convey similar bliss to all mankind. And when Christians arrive at the house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, that better and infinitely more perfect tabernacle, if they can look back and review the occurrences of earth, what can possibly yield

satisfaction equal to that arising from having begun and finished, in new districts or regions of the world, tabernacles appropriated to the worship of Jehovah! For those who have been brought to delight in Jehovah's tabernacles on earth, shall be there gradually fitted for the inheritance of the saints in the realms in light and glory, and unmixed happiness, before the throne of God and of the Lamb. And there all the ransomed millions washed in the Redeemer's blood, shall assemble, and remain for ever in those eternal mansions. Oh, my brethren, to be instrumental in saving a soul from death, in rescuing an immortal spirit from misery, and in placing it amongst the inhabitants of Heaven-how great the felicity! O Lord of Hosts, happy are they that dwell in thy house on earth, they will be ever praising thee; but infinitely more happy are they who attain to the heavenly inheritance, and who shall there dwell for ever in thy lovely tabernacles; then, indeed, shall the tabernacle of the Lord be with men, and he shall dwell amongst them, communicating pure and ineffable felicity. To those blessed regions the Divine Redeemer has already ascended, and prepares mansions for all his followers. Let us, therefore, look to Jesus, rely on his Almighty aid, imitate his holy example, and gather consolation from the hope of being, after having passed through this desolate valley, for ever with him.

"Lord of the worlds above,

How pleasant and how fair
The dwellings of thy love,
Thy earthly temples are!

To thine abode
My heart aspires,
With warm desires
To see my God.

"The Lord his people loves;

His hand no good withholds
From those his heart approves,

From pure and pious souls:

Thrice happy he,

O God of hosts,
Whose spirit trusts
Alone in thee."

DISCOURSE XIV.

DELIVERED AT DR. RAFFLES' CHAPEL, LIVERPOOL, IN BEHALF OF
MORAVIAN MISSIONS, JULY, 1824.

INTRODUCTION.

[The Association in London for the aid of Moravian Missions, requested Dr. Morrison to preach two Sermons at Liverpool, on his way to Ireland, in 1824. The following discourse was composed for that purpose, in the residence of the author's father-in-law, John Morton, Esq. at Liverpool. A Quaker lady, Mrs. Hannah Kilham, who has herself visited the shores of Africa as a teacher of Christianity, thus expressed herself on the subject of the following discourse, in a letter to the author.

TO DR. MORRISON.

ESTEEMED FRIEND, I am quite sorry to have given thee the care of an inquiry respecting the manuscript which thou kindly sent, and for which, indeed, I have felt greatly indebted. It was read with deep interest and pleasure, and not considering it as of private communication, I took the liberty to allow a few friends, who had the gratification of being with thee at the time it was mentioned, to read it also; and it is now in the care of Robert Forster, who is out on a journey for two days. On his return, I intend immediately to have it forwarded to Hackney.

I cannot but greatly desire, that principles so consonant with the grand doctrines of Christianity, as taught by our Holy Redeemer, should be most fully declared to the world, and pressed home upon the consciences of all professing Christians. The appeal which has been made, appears to me so strong, so clear, and undeniable, not only on the fraternity of mankind, but on the claims, which an acknowledgment of that fraternity must involve, that I cannot but believe it greatly desirable, that many others should have the privilege of hearing it; and would hope that it may be felt as a debt due to society at large, to have this appeal, by means of the press, brought into a current, through which it may be instrumental in conveying into wide circulation a correspondent feeling.

"What hast thou that thou hast net received?" may be justly inquired of those stewards to whom have been committed the precious gifts, the sense and feeling of the truth, and of the just demands of Christian duty. I earnestly wish nothing may be withheld that would tend to arouse

to a consciousness of the just demands of the great Parent of the Universe, and the claims of brotherhood in the family of man; claims, which the supineness of human nature is so often disposed to turn away from, as with the deaf ear, and the cold insensible heart. But the day is brightening. I am, with earnest desire, that infinite goodness may be pleased to bless thy labours, and render them, through his own power, instrumental to the everlasting welfare of many in that land so interesting, to which thy attention has been led, and in which his providential care has been thy shelter; and trusting in the continuance of the same divine support in thy future labours in his cause, I am, with much respect and esteem, Thy sincere friend,

Robt. Howard's, Bruce Grove, Tottenham,

13th of 9th Month, 1825.]

H. KILHAM.

THE KINDREDSHIP OF THE NATIONS.

ACTS, XVII. 26.

"God hath made of one blood all nations of men.” SOME of the principles contained in divine revelation, are so different from the commonly received opinions of the world in its present state of apostacy from God, that they are generally overlooked and disregarded, either as preposterous, or as inapplicable to men of the existing generation. The pacific spirit of the Gospel, in opposition to wars-the meek and long-suffering virtues of our holy religion, in opposition to resentful duels, are examples of what I refer to; and the doctrine taught in my text, viz. the kindredship of all mankind, is amongst the number of disregarded, although heaven-derived truths.

The pride of man,-that satanic sin,-has induced in individuals, families and nations, a constant effort to elevate themselves above their neighbours, to claim a superiority, not only in exterior and existing temporal circumstances, but also to claim a superior origin to that of their neigh

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