If, then, such be some of the features in the character of the enlightened Christian; if liberality, and candour, and accurate investigation, mark the judgments he pronounces on the sentiments and the actions of men, and on the works and the ways of God; and if such views and feelings ought to be considered as more congenial to the noble and benevolent spirit of our religion, than the narrow and distorted notions of a contracted mind, it must be an object much to be desired, that the mass of the Christian world would be led into such trains of thought as might imbue their minds with a larger portion of this spirit. And if diversified and occasional discussions on the topicks to which we have adverted, would have a tendency to produce this desirable effect, it is obvious that such branches of knowledge as are calculated to enlarge the capacity of the mind, and to throw a light over the revelations and the works of God, should no longer be overlooked in the range of our religious contemplations.

With such striking remarks and noble sentiments of an eminent man and highly distinguished author, this discourse is concluded. Amen.

SERMON XXX.

MAN MUST RENDER HIS FINAL ACCOUNT TO GOD.

LUKE XVI. 2.

Give an account for thy stewardship.

MAN is an intelligent and accountable being. He is, in a subordinate degree, responsible to his fellowmen; but his supreme responsibility is to God. During his life, in various respects is he frequently called to answer for his conduct; and when the great drama of life shall be wound up, with its scenery closed by the curtain of death, he must render his final account.

The words of the text are included in one of the parables of the Saviour, spoken unto his disciples, but in the presence of the Pharisees. "There was a certain rich man which had a steward; and the same was accused unto him, that he had wasted his goods. And he called him, and said unto him, How is it, that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward. Then the steward said within himself, What shall I do? for my lord taketh away from me the stewardship: I cannot dig; to beg I am ashamed. I am resolved what to do, that, when I am put out of my stewardship, they may receive me into their houses. So he called every one of his lord's debtors unto him, and said unto the first, How much owest thou unto my lord? And he said, An hundred measures of oil. And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and sit down quickly, and write fifty. Then said he to another, And how much owest thou? And he said, An hundred measures of wheat.

And he said unto him, Take thy bill, and write fourscore. And the lord commended the unjust steward, because he had done wisely for the children of this world are in their generation wiser than the children of light."

A few remarks will suffice as an explication of this part of the parable. By the rich man, is represented the Lord himself, the original and sole proprietor of all things. The steward designates the man who is intrusted with worldly riches, and misemploys them, or with any thing of which a good or bad use may be made: as the faculties of our souls, the members and senses of the body, health, strength, genius, learning, eloquence, authority, and influence. The wasting of the goods may denote, that he either misemployed his master's property by his own indulgence, or by bad management.

The lord is next described as expostulating with the steward, who could neither deny the charge, nor excuse himself. Hence we are taught, that death will shortly put an end to every man's stewardship; and all who shall have misimproved their talents, will be rendered speechless. When the steward heard the decisive sentence, he devised a plan well suited to his purpose, and consistent with his character; determining to seduce the debtors for the sake of their own advantage, to concur in defrauding their lord. By this measure he would confer an obligation on them; and they, being accomplices in the fraud, would be restrained from informing against him. Notwithstanding, if they should refuse to give him assistance in his distress, he, as a desperate man who had nothing to lose, could inform against them to the great injury of their character and property. When this project came to light, his lord commended the unjust steward, not for his iniquity, but for his policy, in concerting a plan of providing against the time of approaching indigence. In view of his conduct it was granted, that worldly men are more prudent in

respect of their temporal interests, than the people of God are in reference to their eternal concerns.

The subject is now clearly presented in the following light. When death closes the probationary state of man, he must give an account of himself to God. Life, with all its manifold privileges and concerns, is intrusted to mortals as to stewards, whose indispensable duty is, to improve all for the promotion of the divine glory. The method proposed in the prosecution of this discourse, is, to bring to view some of the privileges, or talents, of which we must, at last, render a supreme and impartial account. And by a talent may be understood any opportunity, gift, or means which God grants to men to serve him in time, and thus prepare for a blessed existence in eternity.

1st. Time itself may be considered as a talent, put into our hands, which we may and ought to improve with a supreme regard to the glory of God.

Time may be defined a sacred trust committed to us, moral agents, as stewards for the great moral Governour, and Lord of the universe. And as we are accountable to him for all our thoughts, words, and actions, so we must account for all our conduct, during every day of our lives, from the time in which we are capable of improvement and usefulness. When death, with his irreversible mandate, shall summon us to give an account of our stewardship, days and weeks, months and years, with all the deeds done in the body, we shall find registered for our supreme trial, when the books shall be opened in the high court of heaven. And as these periods allotted us in our probationary state, are greatly varied, so the account which must be rendered by some, will be vastly more solemn than that

of others.

Let each one of us then make the important inquiry, how shall we, so highly and momentously responsible, husband our precious time to the best

possible advantage? Surely, in opposition to idleness and inactivity, industry and diligence should fill up our golden moments. As idleness is the parent of mischief, so the hand of the diligent maketh rich. An idle person is peculiarly exposed to fall into various sins, and to contract many pernicious habits, from which industry would prove a timely and wholesome antidote. How many are the evils which individuals undergo, and with which society is burdened in consequence of this one vice, this bane of mind and body, this contagious poison of the community! The situations of most men are such, that the duties which they owe to their families and fellow-men, call upon them to be industrious and prudent of their time. Nor can any spend their moments idly, without contracting guilt. An idle and slothful steward, even in temporal concerns, must be accounted a deficient, unprofitable servant; for one will not be slothful in business, who is fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.

The young should remember their Creator in the days of their youth, and consider early piety as their highest adorning. They should also diligently improve their opportunities for obtaining a good education, and knowledge in the useful arts and sciences, or some mechanical branch, that they may have the means of obtaining a competence in advancing life, and become useful members of society. To this end, let them consider, how many in middle and old age, with painful sensations of regret, reflect on their past, idle and neglected youth. Thus their mispent golden period, is shortly exchanged for bitter repentance. But would any excel in some useful trade or profession? or in any honourable pursuit? Then let them, in early life, shun idleness, and with diligence pursue some honest calling, so that they may render a good account to their final Judge for their precious and irrevocable time.