a staff, and the victorious warfarer songs of welcome and strains of music."* As with individuals so also with states; the only effectual means of their restoration to purity and order, stability and repose, are lodged in that divine book; and just in proportion as they love and revere Christianity, will they be prosperous and happy. For more than a thousand years has it gone hand in hand with civilization, science and law. It has never been behind the age,-nay, it has always gone before it, like the pillar of fire before Israel in the wilderness. Its great principles of order, submission and freedom, have been the stability of states. Its very presence among them has been a saving ark, a refuge, and a rest. How far even beyond the present time gleams the light of that wondrous book, which describes and promises true freedom and fraternity, that divine and universal brotherhood, of which the nations only dream! In a word, the Christian Revelation is the true salt of the earth, the vital force of communities and states. It alone regenerates while it preserves-preserves while it regenerates. "There never," says Lord Bacon, "was found in any age of the world, either religion or law, that did so highly exalt the public good as the Bible." "We account the Scriptures of God," is the language of Newton, "the most sublime philosophy." "Good and holy men," says Coleridge, "and the best and wisest of mankind, the kingly spirits of history, enthroned in the hearts of mighty nations, have borne witness to its influence, have declared it to be beyond compare the most perfect instrument, the only adequate organ of humanity; the organ and instrument of all the gifts, powers and tendencies by which the individual and the state are privileged to rise above themselves." "I believe in Christ," says Lamartine, whose testimony we quote on this occasion, not only on account of his transcendant genius, but on account of the peculiar position which he occupies at the present time; "I believe in Christ, because he has introduced on earth the most holy, the most fruitful, and the most divine doctrine that ever shed its beams on human intelligence. Christ has spoken as reason speaks. The doctrine is known by its morality, in the same manner that a tree is known by its fruits; the fruits of Christianity are infinite, per * Confessions of an Inquiring Spirit. fect and divine, the author of which is the Divine Word, as he so styled himself."* The greatest work, then, which, in this age of reform and revolution, falls upon the Christian and the lover of his race, is to give the word of God to the nations; to scatter it, far and wide, in all the European states, especially in France, Germany and Italy, and not only so, but in all lands, Papal and Mohammedan, heathen and idolatrous. Let a copy of the divine volume be placed in every home throughout the world, "for the fairest flower that ever climbed a cottage window is not so fair a sight to my eyes as the Bible gleaming through the lower panes." The field is the world, a world yet to be redeemed, by the power of celestial truth, and made to bloom, like a new Eden, under the smile of God. Then, in their highest sense, liberty, equality and fraternity shall engirdle the globe as with an atmosphere of light. Radiant and peaceful it will inhabit all its hills and vales, breathing in all that lives, and blushing into untold forms of grandeur and beauty. Then, on earth, shall commence the song of Moses and the Lamb, the melody of angels, the rhythm and eternal harmony of that music which fills all the heavenly spheres. "One song employs all nations, and they sing Earth rolls the rapturous hosanna round!"‡ * Lamartine remarks, that, in this reference to the fruits of Christianity, he speaks more of those which are yet to come, than of those which have been "already gathered and already corrupted." See his Pelerinage, etc. Voyage en Orient. This discourse was preached before the American and Foreign Bible Society, which will explain some of its references. Cowper. A SKETCH. THE GOSPEL A "JOYFUL SOUND." Blessed is the people that know the joyful sound: they shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance. Psalms. lxxxix. 15. AMONG the innumerable sources of pleasure and pain, the harmony or dissonance of sounds is not the least. The melody of song fills the heart with rapture, and the wail of distress thrills the soul with anguish. But they are both sounds; the one a sound of joy--the other of woe. Hence, in our text, the gospel is denominated a "joyful sound," and those that "know" it are pronounced "blessed;" while in Job xv. 21, the law, wordly adversity, and the fearful apprehensions of the sinner, are said to become a "dreadful sound" in his ears. We remark I. The gospel is a “joyful sound," because it proclaims— 1. Liberty to captive sinners. "Acceptable year of the Lord." 2. Peace to man as a rebel; i. e., terms of peace. 3. The restoration of sight to the blind, and of health to the morally enfeebled. 4. The security of an eternal "inheritance" to impoverished sinners. 5. Salvation to the lost. Consider, II. The "knowledge" of the gospel, and the happy condition of those who possess it. "Blessed is the people who know." 1. The history of the gospel,-of the plan of human redemption. 2. The doctrine of the gospel. 3. The experience of its power to save from sin. 4. The practice of its holy principles. III. The benefits arising from this knowledge of the gospel are, 1. Divine illumination. "Shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance." 2. Delight in God. "In thy name shall they rejoice all the day." 3. Distinguished honor. "In thy righteousness shall they be exalted." REMARKS. 1. How exalted the privilege of the Christian! He may know the gospel as the "power of God" unto his personal salvation. 2. How many turn away from the gospel as an unwelcome message! To them, alas! there is no harmony-no inspiring music in the proclamations of mercy! 3. Let us remember that the thunders of the law will shake heaven and earth when the "joyful sound" has ceased to charm and invite lost men back to God. Selected. A SKETCH. THE PRODIGAL SON. And he said, A certain man had two sons: and the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. And he divided unto them his living, etc. Luke xv. 11, 16. Of all the Saviour's parables, this is one of the most interesting and affecting. It is impossible to read it without being struck with the felicity of its descriptions, and the tenderness and compassion which it breathes throughout. Surely sin was never painted in more striking colors, or human wretchedness in more piteous strains. And where can we find such an instance of the paternal love and compassion, as is presented to us in the conduct of the father? Let us then examine and dilate on the important particulars it presents to our view. Let us look at the prodigal, I. In his original circumstances of honor and happiness. He was in his father's house a partaker of all its comforts and enjoyments. The object of paternal affection, bearing the honored name, and moving in the honored rank of his family. This was man's original state,-upright, innocent, and happy. God his Father. Eden his home. The earth his domain. Angels his companions. Bliss his portion. All that divine wisdom and love could provide, he possessed. All that he could really enjoy was provided. An ample portion was his inheritance. See him, II. In the arrogance of his presumptuous claim. What did he really want? Where could he be more dignified or happy? But he seeks to have his portion to himself. He desires to do with it as he pleases. He seeks to throw off parental restraints and control. He deems himself sufficient for the management of his own concerns. What was the original sin but throwing off God's restraints, though reasonable and kind, and really for man's good? He desired to act as he pleased, and to have his powers and possessions at his own disposal. Alas! this claim was foolish, ungrateful, and as the sequal shows, fatal to his hopes and happiness. Observe him, III. In his dissipated wanderings. His portion awarded him, he flies the paternal roof, escapes the parental jurisdiction, and goes into a far country. Sin is the soul's moral departure from God. Sinning is wandering from his family, and throwing off his authority. Every step in the course of transgression, is going further and further from the Lord. 1. This wandering is very gradual and insiduous. The moral aberations are at first small, and only just perceptible. Our first parents gazed on the forbidden tree. Then admired it. Then desired. Then with the passions on the side of evil, they reasoned and listened to the temptations of the seducer. Then the hand was stretched out. And last of all the fruit was eaten. This generally is the gradual and insidious course of the sinner. The prodigal would retire at first a day's journey from his home. 2. This wandering is increasingly rapid. The habit and love of evil formed, the course is downward and rapid. Conscience becomes seared,-self-respect abandoned. The good opinions of others despised. Now enormous sins are easily perpetrated. No fear of God before the eyes. He now runs greedily and hastily to do evil. He can blaspheme,--mock at sin. Sit in the scoffer's chair. Be the hearty associate of the vilest of, the vile. He is sold, body, soul, and spirit, to do wickedly. 3. This wandering is awfully dangerous. It is the way of |