"Go ye also into the vineyard," and whatsoever the gospel, in free mercy, promises, that shall ye receive. It is the property of religion alone, to bring forth fruit in old age. When a man is far advanced in life, to commence the attainment of any human art or science, would be vain and fruitless. These must be entered on, in all the freshness and vigour of man's youth and prime; or the attempt is but labour lost. Not so, with that celestial wisdom, by which the soul acquaints itself with God, and is at peace. Simple, as the fountain from which it flows; convincing by its own light, and not by elaborate deductions; sent from above, to tranquillise the heart, and not to fill the head with notions; a science suited to all ages, because addressed, not to the faculties which fluctuate and fade, but to the immortal spark, to the principle which links the soul to heaven: this wisdom can descend upon grey hairs, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass. Το you, then, I would conclude my address, by saying: You, who, so emphatically, have nothing else to turn to, turn, even now, to the Lord your God. Turn to him, I say, and, behold, I show you a mystery: God can change your old age into youth; the close of this life's day, into the morning of a bright and cloudless immortality.

And now, having, at the suggestion of my text, addressed my hearers, according to the several stages of the life of man; I would, before I dismiss you, make a general application of the lessons which this day teaches, to the two great classes, into which the human family is divided— namely, those who serve God, and those who serve him not.

One reason, why the Almighty has ordained, that Nature should not be stationary, but pass through successive stages, and run her course, rejoicing, through all the changes of that circle marked by heaven; one of the reasons of that allotment, was, I say, to give fresh opportunities, and renewed encouragements, to the sons of men, to turn from the error of their ways, and set out, as it were, from some marked and memorable point, upon a new course; leaving painful recollections, as well as habits and associations of evil, behind them. Are any of you, then, living insensible to these gracious calls, to this language, which the whole Creation speaks, throughout her varied operations? Is it in vain for you, that God has placed his lights in the firmament of heaven, to be for signs, and for seasons, and for days, and for years; and caused this globe on which you tread, to shape her annual voyage, through the ocean of wide space, and to run her race of glory

round the sun? Is it in vain for you, that the seasons return, and that this commencing year comes down, like a new messenger from the regions of eternity, and serves you with a fresh notice, for your attendance at the bar of heaven? Shall all this, I say, be in vain? "All things," says the Apostle, "are yours." It is for the salvation of souls, that the visible heavens, and the visible earth, were made. This lower creation is but a scaffolding, to raise up the spiritual temple of the sons of glory. But we must improve our opportunities; and for our privileges we are accountable. The stars, then, as in the case of Sisera, even the stars in their courses, fight against the man, who neglects so great salvation. The whole system of nature, leaves him without excuse. And the years, which have passed unheeded round, will all be summoned back, and re-appear, to testify of the warnings they have given him.

My brethren, let it not be so with you. Whatever your past years have been, let this year enrol you, amongst the citizens of the new Jerusalem. If the annals of this world, as some suppose, live throughout eternity, upon the pages of the records of heaven, Oh! may 1837 be registered there, as the year in which you were born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever. Oh!

may your names stand written in that book, as, from the date of this coming year, ranked amongst the heirs of glory, amongst the sons and daughters of the Lord Almighty.

A few words I would now add, to those who have found joy and peace in believing. You cannot be exhorted to turn to God; for you have turned to him already. Your desire is to serve one master, and to lay up your treasures, beyond the chances of mortality, or the reach of time. And, assuredly, those of us who have thus resolved, have made a happy choice. "The lot is fallen to us in a fair ground; yea we have a goodly heritage." If we be of that number, we may well congratulate one another, on the setting in of the new year. Every annual revolution tells us, that the night is fast spending, and the day is at hand; that our redemption is drawing nigh; that now is our salvation nearer, than when we believed.

But, still, the children of God have much to be thankful for, when time is granted, to grow in grace, and to perfect that which is lacking. There is a clear distinction, between a state of mere salvation, and the sanctification, which sheds abroad the Holy Spirit, and breathes his consolations, in all their fulness, through the soul. We may be justified, and yet babes in Christ. We may have our treasure secured in heaven, and often sigh for peace on

earth. We may often endure heaviness of soul, from the weakness of our faith, and from the consequent power of manifold temptations. But religion should be a continual progress; and the Christian should exhibit, every year, an improvement, and an advance, upon what he was before. Let all of you, then, whom I may address, in the true sense of that important term, as believers, take advantage of this new season, to examine and prove the state and temper of your souls. Have you, I say, fully, or in any comfortable degree, realized, and made your own, that holy, contented, and happy frame of spirit, which you see so amply described, in Scripture, as the privilege of God's children? If not, there must be some let, some hindrance, some intelligible cause. Is it that you suffer your mind to be ruffled and discomposed, with petty provocations, and with the daily trials of domestic life? Is it that you are voluntarily engaged in more business, than suits a heavenly mind, or than befits a pilgrim, on his road to heaven? Do the cares of life press too heavily upon your spirit? Does a hasty temper lead you to offend, and often put you in the wrong, even when the cause you are defending, is that of righteousness and truth? Do you neglect the Christian rule, of never saying anything to any man's disadvantage, without some positive intention of doing