an enlightened and pious maternal training. Let them proclaim to all, that the criminal list is swelled by the mother's ignorance, imprudence, and neglect. Let presidents refer to the importance of this subject in their messages to Congress. Let governors of states, under whose supervision the subject of education more immediately comes, present this important subject, in all its importance, to the legislators of our land. Grace be with you all! Amen.

SERMON XXIV.

BY REV. ZECHARIAH CONNELL.

PATIENCE.

"Let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing," James i, 4.

Of all the graces, few more adorn and beautify the Christian character, bring more glory to God, render more happiness to the Christian himself, or make him more agreeable to those around him, than patience. Men generally set their seal to this truth, though they possess not the grace themselves, and commend it to others, though, by so doing, they condemn their own practice. It is our purpose to present, as we are able,

I. PATIENCE, AND ITS PERFECT work.

Patience is a virtue which enables the Christian to bear afflictions, temptations, persecutions, and pains of every character and degree, with calmness of mind—with an even and unruffled temper. It prevents all complaining, or undue indications of what is suffered. There are constant occurrences, which are calculated to harass and ruffle the temper, unless the mind is under the influence of this grace. Resignation is exercised only in bearing great ills, when

the dearest interests are concerned. It is a positive sentiment of conformity to the existing circumstances, be they what they may. Patience applies only to evils that actually hang over us, and ills from which we cannot be exempted; and is connected with a firm trust in Providence, and a reliance on the promises of God, which extends its views to the future, and prepares us for the worst that may happen. It lies principally in the manner and temper of suffering, and is, therefore, more than endurance-endurance being the mere experiencing of suffering. Patience is always a Christian virtue, as it is a suffering quietly that which, under the circumstances, cannot be remedied; and, as there are many such evils incident to our condition in this state of trial, it is made one of the first Christian duties. Patience is not a cold and careless insensibility to present evils, nor an indifference to future good: it is called a holy behavior in affliction." Our Lord himself was not insensible to his sufferings; nor should the Christian be, though patience may keep the mind calm and steady in the discharge of duty, under a sense of sore afflictions, and in the delay of fond and cherished hopes.

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Patience is sometimes called "long-suffering, or a length of mind." In this sense, it is directly opposed to rash or hasty movements. Murmuring, complaining, repining, carking care, and peevishness, are not only weaknesses, but destructive vices-the outbreakings of our unsanctified hearts. When patience has "its perfect work," it secures the entire possession of the soul, in every circumstance which can have any possible tendency to discompose it. Our Lord apprised his disciples of the dangers and sufferings to which they would be exposed, and then added the necessary exhortation, "In your patience possess ye your souls." Sore and heavy trials, long delays in our deliverance, and the deferring of our hopes, often make our hearts sick; but patience places a guard around us, and

keeps our souls calm and sedate, under all the complicated afflictions we are called to endure. We are prone to form hasty conclusions and rash purposes, and to judge from present appearances; but patience forms its conclusions after sober investigation, and acts neither from the force of present troubles nor the suspension of desired good. An impatient spirit charges the Lord foolishly, and questions the truth of his promises, when they are not fulfilled in our own way, and at the time we have fixed for their accomplishment. His mercy and goodness are called in question because we are not exempted from afflictions. The language of the impatient is, "Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favorable no more? Is his mercy clean gone for ever? Doth his promise fail for evermore? Hath he forgotten to be gracious? Hath he, in his anger, shut up his tender mercies?" But the patient spirit endures the trial, rests in the promises of God, and says, “He that hath delivered will yet deliver." A patient endurance of sufferings is not without tears; but these tears are shed in hope. We may be deeply affected with all ills, and yet cast down by none-quiet in the midst of the storm, and free from alarm when tossed on the dashing wave, standing still, and waiting to see the salvation of God. The fires may burn; the waters may drown; we may be called to mourn the loss of dear friends; all around us may be murmuring; but when the grace of patience is fully exercised, all is made up in the Lord our God. The due exercise of patience, guards and fortifies us against all unlawful and rash methods of securing our deliverance from dangers, real or supposed, and hasty endeavors, by any means, to obtain our wishes. Saul, by his rash and forced measure to secure the favor of God, lost his kingdom. Patience would have restrained him from unlawful expedients, and disposed him to look for deliverance in God's own time and way: "He that believeth shall not make haste."

"The Lord will provide," is the constant language of the patient heart, under all trials and sufferings.

It is a most essential part of patience to enable us to persevere in the discharge of Christian duty. Nothing short of a patient perseverance in the way of duty, can secure the fulfillment of the promises made to us. However onerous the duty, or whatever discouragements may arise, from the pressure of afflictions, or from the delays in the bestowment of God's promised gifts, the patient spirit is submissive. The course of Christian duty must be persevered in, whatever difficulties may attend us, or whatever it may cost us. When we become impatient, we become weary and faint in our minds, and grow remiss. We must count the cost, and then deliberately and vigorously resolve to do our duty, however uncertain the results may appear. All we can do, when difficulties and dangers are actually present, or when we are threatened with them, is seriously to consider calmly to deliberate, and, after balancing all matters, determine on a firm and faithful discharge of duty, at any sacrifice. Satan may throw hinderances in our way, the world may lay snares for our feet, and our own impure hearts may resist; but in patience we must go forward in the way of duty, resolved to conquer or die. When patience has its perfect work, we are ready to undertake hard and difficult services, if God calls us to the performance of them. Uniform steadiness of Christian conduct sometimes obliges us to go upon ungrateful errands; but we may not decline from any service of which we are capable, however great and visible the dangers that await us. Whatever is our duty must be eminently for the glory of God, and for our present and future good, though we cannot see how it can be, and should, therefore, be performed without delay-without our stopping to ask for reaWhat may be done to-day, may not be done to-morrow; and, therefore, if not done promptly, may not be done

sons.

at all. Opportunities to do all our duties come, and pass, and return no more.

Patience prepares us to do our duty in good earnest. All great things that have been done, were done by men who were in real earnest-who labored with their might; and, "after they had patiently endured, they obtained the promises." When Israel was to be saved, a man was chosen who was ready to sacrifice a kingdom and a crown in so noble and glorious a work, "esteeming the reproaches of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt.” When they were to be led into the promised land, it was by a man who followed the Lord fully, saying, "We are well able to go up and possess the land." When Jerusa lem was to be rebuilt, a man stepped forward who "put not off his clothes," aided by a people patiently continuing in well-doing. The Gospel was diffused by men of patient spirit, who counted not their lives dear unto them, that they might testify the Gospel of the grace of God.

Be ye followers of them who, through faith and patience, inherit the promises." The perfect work of patience is necessary to the existence of a zeal which is according to knowledge, and to the exercise of a diligence worthy of the cause of Christianity.

The grace of patience enables us calmly to endure temptation. It prepares us with composure to inquire for the source of temptation. Temptation is from the world, the flesh, and the devil. God never tempts to evil. No evil can proceed from him; for "God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man." However numerous and severe the temptations which come upon us, patience enables us to suffer, without murmuring or complaint, whatever God permits, and to suffer in the manner, and for the time that may please him: " Though now, for season, (if needs be,) ye are in heaviness, through manifold temptations, that the trying of your faith, being much

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