for their obedience to their LORD and Master CHRIST. And this is an advantage which we are too apt not to value enough, because we have had it, and we know that all may have it.

But recollect the thousands in this world who have never heard the name of Christ yet, who are unregenerated in Baptism, and have no fellowship with GOD. Think, even in our country, how many have all their lives heathenishly neglected this Sacrament of our Blessed LORD, and have never to this day become Christians. And recollect too, in order to considering the greatness of this privilege, what were the words of our LORD to Nicodemus about it, "Except," says He, "a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."

Here then is one great blessing common to us all. Then consider that here you have had the opportunity of prayer, the opportunity to join with all the Church of Christ in this place, in sending up your requests to the throne of

grace. Here you have from time to time been receiving, or at least have had offered to you, the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of your Saviour; here you have been taught, as far as men could teach you, the way in which you should go, which leads you to everlasting habitations.

These are the greatest advantages of your situation; but there are others, smaller indeed, but which have helped you in using these, and which are to be used chiefly as helps to them.

Need I tell you of your health, which has been sufficiently left to you, to allow you to come here to-day? Need I tell you of your having food and clothing? which, be it much or little in quantity, is still a blessing given by our Almighty Father, and secured to us by His Providing hand? Besides these, your own recollections will point out to you many others, which have all been advantages, and still are; and which if you have used, you have done well, and if you still continue to use them, you will be doing

the will of your Father, which is in Heaven; but you must consider whether you have used them, and how you are to use them.

Have you then, ever since your Baptism, been striving to do nothing unworthy that holy Sacrament in which sin was washed away from you by water and the Spirit? You will say, as most must, no-we have fallen into sin. Have you then repented? Have you confessed before God that you are vile, and that you plead only the atonement of your Saviour, and not good works of your own by which you hope for Heaven?

Have you joined us here in prayer heartily and truly? Have you made your requests known to God, as the Church went on and prayed for you? Have you come to the Altar, humble in heart, repenting truly of your former sins, stedfastly purposing to lead a new life, with a thankful remembrance of His death, and in charity with all men?

Last of these privileges, and certainly least, but still, greater than any merely

listened to the

earthly one, have you messages which we have given you here from our Master; have you received the word of God preached by us humbly, and not as cunningly devised fables, but as the truth itself?

Have you used your worldly advantages to the best of your power? Have you not allowed them to lead you astray? Have you been thankful for them-have let your thankfulness for them appear

you

to men?

Have you been charitable to your neighbours, choosing rather to do good unto all men, than to have malice and ill-will against any? Have you imitated the unjust steward in being considerate with your neighbours, in dealing with them in the common intercourse of life? Have you shared their troubles? Have you done your best to comfort their afflictions? Have you wept with those who wept, as well as rejoiced with those that rejoiced?

I cannot answer these questions for

you. You can, and God who sees in secret will know whether you deceive others or yourselves, or both or neither. These questions will shew you, if you listen to your consciences, whether you are taking the lesson our LORD gives from this unjust steward; they will let you see plainly whether the mammon of unrighteousness is your master, or whether you are so using the things of this world as not abusing them,-whether improving the talent given you, or hiding it in a napkin,-whether you are watching with oil in your lamps, or sleeping with none ready.

you are

Let me sum up what I have been saying in the words of our LORD, with which He applies this parable to His hearers.

"He that is faithful in that which is least is faithful also in much; and he that is unjust in the least is unjust also in much. If, therefore, ye have not been faithful in the unrighteous mammon, (that is, in the use of the privileges you