blest life,--if it be only in the discharge of family duties and of domestic charity that he is employed to serve, let him remember the "high rewards" which are promised to follow these "little things;" and that, in the equal eye of God, his service is as important as that of those to whom many talents are given. If, on the other hand, it be in the higher stations, and the more commanding circumstances of life that he is placed, let the words of his Lord teach him in what estimation all mortal advantages are to be held. These things are great in the eyes of man. Let him remember that, in the eyes of his God and his Saviour, there are 66 greater "things than these," and that the future and the final happiness of his being depends not upon the "good things" he now has, but upon the use to which they are employed, and the fidelity with which they are administered. Let him remem

ber, that, in every condition of life, to "the unprofitable servant" God “ giveth "travail to gather and to keep up;" but that, "to those who are good in his sight, "he giveth," both here and hereafter,

66

knowledge, and wisdom, and joy." Let him lastly remember, that the same redeeming voice, which once spoke the words of this parable for his instruction upon earth, is that which, when everything that is earthly is dissolved, can "Enter thou into thy Mas

alone say,

"ter's joy."

SERMON XVIII.

ON THE PARABLE OF THE PRODIGAL

SON.*

LUKE, XV. 11.

"And he said, A certain man had two "sons.".

Of the various seasons of devotion which our religion prescribes, the season of Lent is at once the most solemn and the most salutary. From the dangers and the temptations of the world, it summons us to solitude and meditation, and from the deluding voice of man, to listen to the voice of God. Over the wide extent of the Christian world, it reminds us that all the

• Preached in Lent.

holy and the good are engaged in the same purifying work of self-examination; and while we "commune with our hearts "in our chambers," and are still, "the "Son of God seems again to descend "from heaven, to seek and to save those "that are lost."

Upon such a season, my Christian brethren, we have now entered. The voice of our religion invites us, with a tone which has in it more of tenderness than of command, to thought and recollection. It tells us, that things more valuable than all that time includes, are now at stake. It reminds us that years are passing, and that we are all passing to our graves ;—that the seasons which are given may never return ;-that "now" to all of us may be the time accepted by heaven: And there are none of us, I am sure, who do not feel, that were such a season devoted to its genuine ends, we should close it by being wiser, and happier, and better.

The great duty of this season is that of Repentance, the first duty of every fallen being; and, to all of us, the first and indispensable condition of that pardon which the Son of God hath purchased for mankind. It is for the excitement and encouragement of this momentous duty, that all the services of our church are at this time adapted; and it is upon the supposition of its sincerity (a supposition which your own hearts alone can justify), that the great solemnity of the season is properly and effectually to close. 66 Judge, therefore, yourselves," my brethren," for He who alone can jus"tity is that Lord to whom all hearts are 66 open, all desires known, and from "whom no secrets are hid."

Upon the subject of repentance, you know, however, my brethren, that there have been many mistakes; and there are weaknesses incident to human nature, which will ever continue those