slumber in which they lay, and who were instrumental in calling forth a goodly band of labourers in the Redeemer's service. We appeal to this fact as a triumphant evidence that God was with them, that the same period has been distinguished by the great increase of philanthropic institutions at home, and by the noble and disinterested labours of our Bible and Missionary Societies abroad. And when we contemplate these works of faith, and consider the many and subtle attempts that have been made to injure them, we cannot but offer to the throne of grace the most fervent prayer that the God of heaven may protect them, and that they may be made further instrumental in enabling his people "to increase and abound in love one toward another and toward all men.”

Our lot is cast in times admitted by all to be remarkable; and if the apostles ministered under the abiding realization, that the "Lord is at hand,"* surely we cannot be wrong in following in their steps. Do you address to us the anxious inquiry once heard from Seir, "Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night ?"+— from the watch-tower of Zion we reply, "The morning cometh," the morning of the Saviour's advent, the morning without a cloud to the people * Phil. iv. 5. † Isa. xxi. 11.

of God. Awake, dear brethren, to the contemplation of this glorious event, for it is the consummation of the Divine purpose in the covenant of redemption, and it is in the light of this that we now seek to build you up in the faith, that your hearts may be found "stablished unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints."

In reference to this, how all important the graces of the Spirit to be manifested in your daily experience. Brethren, do you believe in the Son of God? Throughout this assembly there is, perhaps, a deep response, "Lord, we believe," and if so, oh, abide in the simplicity of your confidence, for this is "faith." Do you look forward to the advent of your Redeemer with joy unspeakable and full of glory? This is the privilege of his servants. Oh, do not fail to exercise it, for he hath not appointed you to wrath, but to obtain salvation. This is " hope." And, has the Spirit bestowed

upon you those

precious gifts of faith and hope? They are, indeed, bright and holy evidences of your calling and election, but there is still a kindred grace. It is "love." "Now abideth these three, faith, hope, love, but the greatest of these is love," and if you seek to be found unblameable in

holiness, and to be counted meet to stand before the Saviour at his coming "follow after love," and may "the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another and toward all men;" for

"Faith shall to full fruition rise,

Hope shall be sight above,

These are the means, but this the end,

For saints for ever love."

LECTURE IV.

THE ESTABLISHED HOLINESS OF THE CHURCH AT THE LORD'S ADVENT.

BY THE REV. C. J. GOODHART, A.M.,

MINISTER OF ST. MARY'S EPISCOPAL CHAPEL, READING.

1 THESSALONIANS III. 13.

"To the end He may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all His saints."

THE subject before us to-night is perhaps as difficult to handle as any that is connected with the solemn event of our Lord's Advent. If my view of it is correct, the scriptural testimony concerning it has been very much overlooked, and it has in consequence not received that attention, or had the benefit of that discussion, at least within my own knowledge, which have so materially helped

to open other abstruse portions of the Word of God. Let me, then, ask for your prayers, that the Lord may graciously vouchsafe His teaching; and for your indulgence, if I come short of your expectation and satisfaction in the explaining of difficulties, as I know I shall do of my desires.

I. Let me make a few preliminary observations. 1. The coming of the Lord, as introduced in the text, occupies a most important and interesting place. We see in it that event towards which all converges from one eternity that it may diverge for another; or, to restrict our view a little, that event to which all the events and circumstances of our life here converge, that they may diverge again for the life to come. At this point results will be ascertained, and from this point be developed.

2. It is then, as the text evidently teaches us, that we shall come into a more distinct consciousness of the presence of God (" before God, even our Father,") and that for the special purpose of close and rigid scrutiny. Nor will this be in the spirit only, but we shall be clothed with the body, and be standing in the body, in that locality where the transcendent glory of God will be visibly manifest in its searching and revealing power. The object of this scrutiny will not, however, be, as it would seem, the judgment of the children of God as to condemnation or acquittal; for the