And now, were it poffible to add to the folemnity, or increase the public fenfe of our gratitude for the joyful return of this aufpicious day; we of this place have new cause of rejoicing, in feeing by our own hands a beautiful Structure thus recovered from its ruins, and raised a Church before our eyes; in opening a wider door, and more effectual, I hope, towards propagating, as well as preferving the established doctrine of our faith; and in taking off the reproach from ourfelves and nation, that the heathen fhould not ftill fay; Where is now their God? Not that we are Sufficient of ourselves to think or do any thing as of our felves, but our fufficiency is of God; and therefore not unto us, but unto his Name ought the praist to be given, for his loving mercy, and for his truth fake: For all things come of him. But that we may not altogether detract from men that lawful and fubordinate regard that is due to their good works; the charitable contributions of our worthy Benefactors may and ought to be admired and commended: for it is they who have been the inftrumental causes of this benefit; it is they, who by their hearty concurrence to the work, have made proof of their faith, affection and liberality; like thofe noble inftances. of zeal and emulation recorded by St Paul of the Churches of Macedonia, who to their power, I bear them record, yea and fome even beyond their prefent abilities, contributed; not mentioning the fubftantial teftimony of others, the repeated liberality of feveral in this place, in imitation of fo illuftrious a precedent before us. May the memorial of this their abundant kindnefs, which cannot deferve less than an annual commemoration, be tranfmitted to pofterity in this Church throughout all ages? And may the GOD and Father of our Lord Jefus Chrift, who is able to make all grace and charity abound in you more and more, confirm and strengthen you in all goodness, that ye always having all fufficiency in all things, may abound to do every good word and work, through Chrift Jefus our Saviour; to whom with the Father and the bleffed Spirit be all honour and glory, now and for ever. Amen. BOMBAY, CHRISTMAS-DAY 1718. THE THE PLAN or PLATFORM O F BOMBAY CHURCH, OPENED CHRISTMAS - DAY 1718, Long. 170 Feet, Lat. 70 Feet. N. B. Those whofe Names are particularly mentioned under this mark [See Pages 82, 83.] have subscribed 200 rupees and upwards towards the Church, and are to be commemorated annually on Christmas-day. Those marked thus + have fubfcribed 300 rupees. contributed to the Church about Thirty Years ago, before the Siddee war, when firft it was in building, and now again to the finishing of it. An |