plished. We are justified, in the name, and through the obedience and death of Christ-we are sanctified, by the grace and power of the Holy Ghost-we are justified, by a righteousness wrought out for us, and imputed to us on believing our sanctification, is wrought in us—our justification, is one complete and entire act of infinite mercy-our sanctification is progressive, through the means of Christian ordinances, and the dispensations of divine Providence ; but neither ordinances, nor providences, operate in advancing our sanctification, without the influence of the Spirit, which strengthens every holy tendency and principle. Faith has an omnipotent and extensive power in this regenerating change; for it is said "to purify the heart, to work by love, and to overcome the world." Joy and peace are intimately connected with Sanctification, as they can only thrive and grow in connexion with tenderness of conscience.

Love is also a powerful and active medium of promoting our Sanctification. Love to Christ leads his disciples to Gethsemane and Calvary, and fixes their meditation upon the sufferings and death of their best Friend. The fear of offending God, as our Father, operates to subdue and to restrain the corrupt affections of the human soul, and strengthens it, in the ardent pursuit of an habitual aud increasing conformity to the divine nature.

U

ON THE

NEGLECT OF WEEKLY LECTURES AMONGST PROTESTANT DISSENTERS.

THE enlarged liberality which is exhibited in the support of our numerous institutions to promote the religion of Christ, and the cordiality and co-operation subsisting between different denominations, would induce the belief that there is a wide diffusion of religious principle. But there are signs of apathy, and even of declension, that make a retrograde movement too apparent. The devotions of the closet, and worship in the family, are not easily brought within the range of our examination; but that constant and serious attendance in the house of God, which prevailed some years since, is not equalled in the present day.

The declension referred to, is evident from the indifference existing towards those Lectures in the week, which were, formerly, attended as a duty and a privilege. The morning Lectures in the metropolis are now nearly deserted.

If merchants and tradesmen are too much occupied to attend morning service, the female part of their families might steal one hour in the week, from their ordinary cares and duties, to promote the higher interests of the soul. A still larger number of both sexes might be expected to attend those evening Lectures where a list of interesting subjects is printed, which embrace an excellent mixture of the doctrinal, the experimental, and the practical parts of Christianity. Those who neglect and forsake public ordinances, forget the promise, "In all places where I record my name I will come unto thee, and I will bless thee." Exod. xx. 24.

To ascertain the causes of this extensive and habitual neglect of week-day services, and to induce a more general attendance, are duties incumbent on ministers. If we could effect the latter, it would promote the spiritual improvement of individuals, and would cheer and encourage those ministers, who feel it a duty to continue the service for the very small number who attend.

The neglect of Weekly Lectures arises from various causes; some of them no argument will weaken or destroy. There are Dissenters who think attendance once or twice on the Sunday, quite enough for all the purposes of making their peace with God, and securing their eternal happiness. These persons seldom witness the commencement of the worship; yet, if it be extended a few minutes beyond the accustomed time, their tempers are disturbed, their devotion spoiled, and they inwardly sigh the language of those who said of the Sabbath, "What a weariness-when will it be over?" Their evening engagements during the week are never in the service of God, but at the dance, at the card table, or in the theatre. Here they breathe their native air, and pursue their course with spirit and energy till the approach of midnight, without any apparent symptom of that weariness and disgust, which is so frequent and so evident in their devotions. on the Sabbath. From such Dissenters, a cold and a casual attendance on the Sabbath is all that can be expected, and therefore to plead with them would be hopeless.

There are however some, of whom we would hope better things, as they evidence in their conduct a desire to perform the duties of religion, and to enjoy its blessings.

The universal change which has taken place in the habits and routine of commercial transactions, has assisted to produce a neglect of Lectures in the week. Merchants and tradesmen commence their business at a later hour than formerly, and are dining when their ministers are entering the

pulpit; and, while these faithful pastors are praying that the influences of the Spirit may descend on them, and that they may make progress in knowledge, grace, and holiness, they seem by their absence to say, "We care little for these blessings; we must be diligent in business, and conform to the customs and habits of those, with whom it must be transacted." Industry is a duty, but activity in the affairs of this life is not the whole of our duty. The maxim of the apostle should be acted on,-"Not slothful in business, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." Let the counting-house, the exchange, and the warehouse, have each its due proportion; but let not God, Religion, and Eternity, be either forgotten or slighted.

The question is; Ought not business to be so arranged, and time so prudently distributed, as to secure one or two hours for the house and ordinances of God, and for that preparedness of mind, which the most active man would wish for, when he is commanded to lay aside his pen and his chequebook, that he may retire to his chamber and die?

The modern insatiable desire for riches, leads to the sacrifice of all, that is most valuable in morals and in religion. Christians forget that they who will be rich "fall into divers temptations;" their thoughts, their affections, and their energies are devoted with so much intenseness to the things which are temporal, that their hearts become cold and indisposed to those which are eternal. Our Lord said, "What is a man profited if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" Matt. xvi. 26. This overwhelming anxiety, while it indisposes the mind for sabbath-day duties, induces a total withdrawment from public worship in the week, removes all the guards and fences with which the professor of religion was for a time surrounded, and subjects him to the inroads and machinations of that vigilant and malignant enemy,

who walketh about seeking those whom he may devour. Instead of being diligent in religious duties, the individual becomes a total stranger to those which once marked his course, till it may be said of him, as St. Paul said of Demas, “He hath forsaken me, having loved this present world.” The apostle Peter declares, that the latter end of such is worse than the beginning,-" For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.” 2 Peter ii. 21.

Such warnings should stimulate us to a rigid observance of closet, family, and public worship. There are various and important duties which we owe to the pastor and to the church, with which we are connected in the sacred bond of Christian fellowship. There should be a minute, a steady, and an active performance of these, and all should be so arranged as to prevent the one from interfering with the other.

Let pastors and members of different communities read the epistles sent to the seven churches of Asia. There the privileges enjoyed, the duties commanded, and the dangers to which they are exposed, are faithfully exhibited. They are cautioned against those declensions, which will inevitably steal into the church, where watchfulness, prayer, and vigilance are not in constant operation. Let them read, examine, and improve the following admonitory injunctions :"Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God." Revelations iii. 2.-" Remember, therefore, from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place." Revelations ii, 5.