Brethren, will rejoice with me, that the cause of Apostolic Christianity looks brighter in the East, and also in the West. May it continue to prosper and to prevail ! Quà sol flammigeris mundum complexus habenis Et spargit lucem meliore comâ.* So shall our sons and subjects both here and in the four quarters of the globe, and those who acknowledge us not, save but in the bonds of Christian brotherhood, be nurtured in the fear and admonition of the Lord, live under the influence of evangelical promises, and seek and enjoy that true peace which passeth all understanding, even from their tenderest years, throughout all the stages of their earthly sojourn from the time that the waters of regeneration descend upon their heads, till they experience the strengthening and confirming effects of that Apostolic rite, which we have seen administered this day; even until that solemn hour, when they are returned to the dust, whence they were taken, not without a benediction, and a sure and certain hope of the resurrection to life everlasting. * Claudian. Printed by W. HEXTALL, SUBSTANCE OF A SERMON PREACHED IN EMBER WEEK, IN THE CHURCH OF SAINT PAUL, POOLE. (PUBLISHED BY REQUEST.) POOLE PRINTED BY J. SYDENHAM, 1835. A SERMON, &c. 1 THESS., v., 25.-" Brethren, pray for us." THIS is one of those practical admonitions with which the apostle concludes his first epistle to the Thessalonians. In urging these admonitions on their attention, he does not forget, either that which is the foundation of all excellence in the christian character, or the encouragement every true believer has to look for the fulfilment of such a blessing"The very God of peace sanctify you, wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it."-1 Thess. v. 23, 24. But God, who conveys these blessings in the use of means, has appointed that the ministers of the gospel should be the medium of communication betwixt himself and his Church; "God hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. Now then we are ambassadors for Christ."-2. Cor., v., 19, 20. This consideration makes the success of their embassy a subject of deep interest to the Church of God; and in this view the admonition of our text applies, "Brethren, pray for us.” I.-The method of address which the apostle uses, as it stands connected with the admonition of the text. He calls them "brethren;" by which endearing appellation, he not only intimates the close connection that subsists between all true believers, but also that the ministers of religion, who stand in their public capacity as the ambassadors of Christ, yet, in their private individual character, stand as brethren among those to whom their message is addressed; they are men of like passions with others; God has seen fit to commit this treasure to earthen vessels; and they come to you as your fellow sinners, in all that feeling of weakness and insufficiency which naturally belongs to human nature; "I was with you (says the apostle) in weakness, and in fear, and in much trembling.”—1 Cor., ii., 3. It is on this ground they desire to claim an interest in your prayers; and they feel that if they can address you as brethren in the gospel, if as such you have with them a participation in its privileges, you must also possess a community of interest in the promotion of its influence; and they shall not plead in vain when, reminding you of all this, they say "Brethren, pray for us." II.-The duty enjoined; " pray for us." This duty may be considered, 1. As having a reference to the fitness of ministers. Scripture recognizes this fitness as proceeding from God; "Not that we are sufficient |