confidence, and happiness will then be universal.But what, my friends, is capable of producing so surprizing and glorious a change? It is, as we have seen, the religion of the gospel. How great then must be the power, and how benign the influence, of this holy religion-a religion which can transform the desert into a garden, and the wilderness into a fruitful field; and which scatters in its progress, over a wretched and dying world, the seeds of happiness and endless life!

If the remarks which have been made relative to the commencement of the Millenium are founded in truth; it may, I think, be reasonably expected, that this happy period is at no great distance. My reasons for believing this, it will be seen, do not result from any mystical representations, or numbers of our sacred books; but from the animating fact, that so much is done and doing, for the universal diffusion of the gospel. When the gospel shall universally prevail, then the Millenium will have commenced. When the means of grace shall be extended to all people, and be every where accompanied with the promised influences of the Holy Spirit; then " the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea.' Who then can avoid concluding, in view of the signs and exertions of the present age, that this happy period is approaching, and is near? The grand object and effort of Christians now are, to extend the gospel. Much has been already done, and more is doing, in this all important work. Every succeeding year is witness, not to a relaxation, but an increase of effort. The various portions of Christendom are awaking more and more to the claims of this high and holy cause. Although "there remaineth indeed much land to be possessed,"

yet, should the present exertions continue and increase, in the ratio of their increase for the last twenty years; should they be followed, as they have been, with the Divine favor and blessing; it cannot, obviously, be a very long period, before the Bible will be translated into every language, will visit every place, and be read by every creature; the institutions and blessings of the gospel will be universally diffused; and "the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea."

Let Christians then awake to greater and to greater efforts, in the work of extending the means of grace, and diffusing the gospel of Jesus. We have been accustomed, my brethren, to look forward to the Millenium with bright and joyous anticipations, and have often perhaps been led to inquire, when it would commence. And here we have seen when it will commence. It will commence, as soon as Christians, aided by the promised blessing of heaven, have spread their religion throughout the world-as soon as they have made the appointed means of grace, and the institutions of the gospel, universal. It never will, it never can, commence before. It must be idle therefore, and worse than idle, to spend our time and labor in calculations as to the commencement of the Millenium, while we are doing nothing to hasten it. This happy state of things must be brought about by means; and these means must be furnished by the sacrifices and efforts of the people of God. Let Christians then awake to exertion. Every thing, under God, is depending on their efforts. They have the strongest of all assurances, that they shall not be left to labor in vain. The object they are pursuing is secured by many promises, and it will

be accomplished. The Millenium will come. The latter day glory of the Church and world will be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together.

it, O God, in its time.

Hasten

END.