literature, are alike honorable to herself and beneficial to the nation.

Moreover, the blessing of God on our colleges and highschools has been so richly given, that it may be justly regarded as the broad seal of divine approbation-rewarding us in our labors, and encouraging us onward in this work, until science and religion, mingling their brilliant hues, like the bow of promise, shall bend their broad arches to span the moral world, giving to man the delightful assurance that the waters of infidelity and superstition shall no more deluge the earth.

III. THE MOTIVES WHICH SHOULD INFLUENCE US то

CULTIVATE THIS GRACE.

And, first, let us reflect on the great sin of covetousness. “Take heed, and beware of covetousness," is the solemn admonition of Christ. When the shipwrecked apostle kindled a fire for his comfort, a viper came forth from the sticks, and fastened on his hand; so, while gathering the materials for our temporal comfort, does covetousness, like the "venomous beast," coil its serpent folds around us; and, unless we beware, it will plant its envenomed fangs deep in our bosom. From the beginning of the world has the love of filthy lucre been the cause of wretchedness to man. It brought the plagues on Egypt, and sunk Pharoah and his hosts, like lead, in the mighty waters. It dug a gloomy grave for Achan and his family. It murdered Naboth for his vineyard, and gave the blood of Ahab to the hungry dogs. Covetousness gave to Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, as an inheritance for his doomed family for ever, the horrid leprosy of Naaman, the Syrian. Connected with pride, its usual companion, it built the gallows for the righteous Mordecai, and hung Absalom by the locks of his head. It turned the proud Nebuchadnezzar into a maniac-to dwell with the beasts of the field, and to eat grass as oxen, until seven times had passed over him. It brought the

vessels of God's house to add splendor to the bacchanalian feast of Belshazzar, who met his fate according to the handwriting on the wall. It sold the Son of God for twenty pieces of silver, and sent Judas, smitten with remorse, "to his own place;" and, soon after, put Ananias and his guilty consort, in one sad day, into a grave of infamy. It has no ear for the widow's wail, or the orphan's cry. Neither the

tears of suffering virtue, nor the moans of pining want, nor the honor of the Christian name, nor souls bought by a Redeemer's blood, can move its heart of iron.

Few, indeed, are willing to admit that they have alliance with this great sin; but "by their fruits ye shall know them." "If ye have not the spirit of Christ, ye are none of his;" and he who has not the spirit of benevolence must be covetous. If he can "see his brother have need, and shut up his bowels of compassion "—if he does not feel that it is "more blessed to give than to receive”—if he is rich in this world, and not " rich in good works-ready to distribute-willing to communicate;" then, without controversy, he is a covetous man—the plague-spot is on him, whether visible to himself or not; and, as God is true, he must repent or perish.

What portion do Alas! how many

Professed lover of Christ, what have you done for God? Zaccheus said, to an approving Savior, “Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor." you give for all objects of benevolence? of the rich, in the day of judgment, will be awfully disappointed! Many of them, with thousands in their possession, have never, in a whole life, given what might be called a liberal offering. But the day of reckoning is at hand. Their fearful doom is but too painfully intimated by the apostle James: "Go to, now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you. Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a

witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire."

Has God blessed you with competence or wealth? Then lift up your eyes on the whitening fields, and thrust in your sickle. In addition to the ordinary claims of the Church, what a favorable opportunity do our rising literary institutions present, to enroll your name on the list of those who have been the noblest benefactors of mankind! In addition to what may be given from time to time, how many might make bequests, or secure, by will, a certain part of their estate, to endow professorships, or otherwise to aid our highschools and colleges! If you have children, or other relatives, to inherit your property, let the cause of God come in for a share with them; and what they might receive from you, would be doubly beneficial, when connected with so noble an example.

In conclusion, let me suppose, beloved hearer, that you have given yourself to the Lord, and that you feel that you are not your own, but bought with a price. Blessed with grace, you have aimed to respond, cheerfully, to the many everyday calls upon your bounty. The ministers of the Church at home have been fed at your table, and missionaries in foreign climes have shared in your kind regards. And now, with the journey of life well-nigh finished, perhaps, and your long-sought rest, by faith, in view, you still love our Zion; and, with a full heart, can say,

"For her my tears shall fall;

For her my prayers ascend;

To her my cares and toils be given,

Till toils and cares shall end."

And now, in view of that period, when you shall retrospect, for the last time, on earth, the path you have traveled, do you not think it would sweeten the remembrances of that hour, to look back on, at least, some one act of more than ordinary liberality-some judicious and well-timed contribution, which shall stand out in bold relief amid the everyday apportionments of your bounty, as the sun in the

heavens? The moment of such a blessed deed, would, in review, glow as the brightest page in your earthly history-a green spot on the checkered pathway of life; and although you rest no hope of heaven on the merit of works, yet the reflection that you had aimed to be not only a faithful, but grateful laborer in your Master's cause, would sweeten even the chalice of death. And, while such an act of love would bless mankind, and embalm your name in the hearts of the pious, no doubt it would place you nearer to the throne, and wreath your brow with a more glorious diadem; "For as one star differeth from another in glory, so shall it be in the resurrection of the dead." "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and they that turn many to righteousuess as the stars for ever and ever."

SERMON XXXIV.
(A SKETCH.)

BY THE LATE REV. RUSSEL BIGELOW.

CAUTION TO BELIEVERS.

"Let us, therefore, fear, lest a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it," Heb. iv, 1. I SHALL Consider,

I. THE REST SPOKEN OF IN THE TEXT.

1. A rest from the labors necessary to procure sustenance. 2. From the labor necessary to enjoy the means of grace. 3. A rest from bodily afflictions.

4. A rest from losses and disappointments.

5. A rest from persecutions and temptations.

6. This rest implies refreshment. 1. The fruits of paradise. 2. The water of life. 3. The garments of salvation. 4. Palms and crowns. 5. Society of saints and angels. 6. Union with God.

7. This rest eternal.

II. THE PROMISE SPOKEN of.

1. The characters to whom the promise is given. 1. All men, on condition of repentance. 2. All believers, if they continue faithful to the end.

2. The Promiser-the Lord, even Jehovah. 1. What he promises he is able to perform. 2. He is willing to perform. 3. He is a God of truth-he cannot lie.

III. THE NECESSITY OF THIS FEAR.

1. As the promise to all men is on condition of truly seeking the good, there is necessity of fear.

2. As the promise to believers is on condition of continuing in the faith, there is need of possessing fear.

3. Our ignorance, weakness, depravity, and the danger which surrounds us, afford causes of fear.

IV. THE NATURE OF THIS FEAR.

1. A fear of jealousy-be jealous over ourselves.

2. A fear of caution-be afraid of sin.

3. A filial fear before God.

APPLICATION.

1. How abundant the goodness of God in providing rest! 2. How glorious that rest, and how happy those who enter into it!

3. How awful the situation of those who fall short!

SERMON XXXV.

BY REV. JACOB YOUNG.

CHRIST'S LEGACY TO HIS DISCIPLES.

"Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid," John xiv, 27.

THESE words were originally spoken to a small company of men who had, literally, left all the world to follow a