this morning called upon to contemplate. Lo! he hangs upon the tree! Wrapped in a vesture dipped in blood, he treads the wine-press of the wrath of Almighty God. Now, the mandate goes forth from the throne of the Eternal King, "Awake, O sword, against my Shepherd, and the man that is my fellow, saith the Lord: smite the Shepherd!" And think, O my soul, the Shepherd was smitten! The sword of divine vengeance pierced his very heart! and now, shrouded in darkness, and almost expiring, in agony he cries, "Eloi, Eloi, lama sabacthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?" My brethren, here is a scene, a spectacle of a most extraordinary character! It is full of wonder and mystery, and is said to be pregnant with immense consequences. Nay, it is said to be the point upon which hangs the only hope of a ruined world! Let us take up the subject at this time, as if we never heard of it before. For this purpose, there are three inquiries which we would base upon our text:

I. Who is this sufferer?

II. What did he suffer? and

III. For whom, or what did he suffer?

I. Who is this sufferer?-His character is certainly unique; it is without precedent, without parallel! For example: the circumstances

connected with his birth, show plainly that he is no ordinary personage. What says the Evangelist Matthew? "When Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judea, in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east, saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him. When Herod the king had heard these things, he was troubled, and all Jerusalem with him. And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born. And they said unto him, In Bethlehem of Judea: for thus it is written by the prophet, And thou Bethlehem, in the land of Juda, art not the least among the princes of Juda: for out of thee shall come a Governor, that shall rule my people Israel. Then Herod, when he had privily called the wise men, inquired of them diligently what time the star appeared. And he sent them to Bethlehem, and said, Go, and search diligently for the young child; and when ye have found him, bring me word again, that I may come and worship him also. When they had heard the king, they departed; and lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was. When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great

joy. And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh. And being warned of God in a dream that they should not return to Herod, they departed into their own country another way." And what says Luke? "There were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone around about them; and they were sore afraid. And the angel said unto them, Fear not for behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day, in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord." "And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Now, these things are wonderful. When did a star announce the birth, or angels sing the the natal song of any other born into the world?

Again: The circumstances connected with the presentation of the child Jesus in the temple, show plainly that he is no common personage. Luke gives this account of the mat

ter: "And behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Ghost was upon him. And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Ghost, that he should not see death before he had seen the Lord's Christ. And he came by the Spirit into the temple; and when the parents brought in the child Jesus, to do for him after the custom of the law, then took he him up in his arms, and blessed God, and said, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel." These things also are unprecedented. Who is this sufferer? The circumstances connected with his life show plainly also, that he was no ordinary personage. He spake as never man spake. His miracles were stupendous, and all miracles of kindness; and, on several occasions, miraculous attestations were given to his character, peculiar to himself. At his baptism, the Spirit, in a bodily form, as a dove, descended and rested upon him; and an audible voice was heard from heaven, saying, "This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." On one occasion, an angel ministered to him in the desert; and on an

other, Moses and Elijah conversed with him on the mount. He asserted his dominion over all things; and, in proof thereof, he not only healed the sick, and raised the dead, and cast out devils; he not only opened the eyes of the blind, and unstopped the ears of the deaf, and caused the lame man to leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb to sing; but he stilled the tempest, walked upon the waves of the sea, turned water into wine, and declared that he existed before Abraham; that he was with the Father before the world was; that he was Lord of the Sabbath; that he had power to forgive sins; was the resurrection and the life, and would, finally, judge the world at the last day! Who is this sufferer?

The circumstances connected with his death also show that he is no common personage. It is true there were certain things of a humiliating character connected with his death; but these were closely linked with other things of a character entirely different. Did Judas betray him for thirty pieces of silver? He did; but afterwards he brought back to the priests the pieces of silver; cast them down in the temple, and, in the agony of an accusing conscience, he went out and hanged himself. Did Peter deny him? He did; but a few hours afterwards he went out and wept bitterly. Did Herod, with his men of war, set him at naught