dence for the existence of a God-on this very ground, we infer with all the certainty of moral demonstration, that there is a Supreme Architect of nature, whose right hand hath spanned the heavens, and whose arm hath laid the foundations of the earth.

It may here perhaps be well to remark, that by those who deny the existence of a God much is said respecting the laws of nature. For instance, it is said the law of gravitation will account for the harmonious movements of the planets in their respective orbits, as they travel round the sun. But will the law of gravitation, or any other law of nature, account for the manner in which the planets are so arranged as to come under the beneficial action of this law? How came the earth to be placed exactly at the requisite distance from the sun, and the other heavenly bodies? How came it to be impressed with a rotary and progressive motion? How came its axis to be so inclined to the plane of its orbit, as to produce the grateful variety of the seasons? We may say what we please about the laws of nature, but they can never account for the manner in which the materials of the universe are so arranged, as to come under the beneficial action of these laws. There is no rational account of this beautiful arrangement, unless you admit the agency of an intelligent and designing mind: and when the Atheist denies that the material universe is the workmanship of an intelligent Architect, if he would follow out his principles to their legitimate conclusion, he must believe that effects have sprung into existence without any adequate cause. He thus lays himself open to the charge of an excessive credulity, and verifies the declaration of the Psalmist, "the fool hath said in his heart, there is no God."

Thus you see, it is impossible to avoid the conclusion, that there is a God. It is the hand of God, which has fitted up this beautiful world for the dwelling place of man-it is

the hand of God which has decorated the sky with the gold, and the azure, and the vermillion-it is the hand of God which has clothed the fields with luxuriant verdureit is the hand of God which has marshalled those glittering orbs on the brow of the firmament-it is the hand of God which "guides the roll of every planet"-and it is the hand of God which has implanted within you a conscience, whose still small voice is not always drowned amid the wild uproar and conflict of human passions.

Can you deny intelligence to this great First Cause? When you think of the might and the skill, which Deity has lavished on the works of creation, can you set limits to his power? Can you fix bounds to his knowledge? "He that planted the ear, shall HE not hear? He that formed. the shall HE not see? He that teacheth man knoweye, ledge, shall not HE know?" Do you doubt that his omniscient glance can pierce the thickest veil which shrouds your inmost thoughts? He who had the knowledge and the power to create a free agent,-could not нE tell how that free agent would act? There is not a thought which you ever had, or ever will have, that is not already known. to God. His eye is upon you, when you think that no one sees you. His glance reads all the purposes of iniquity which are cherished within the chambers of your own spirit, but which you would not for the world reveal to your bosom friends. And what is more, his power can defeat those purposes, frustrate those plans, and make them recoil on your own head. You have perhaps contrived a deep-laid scheme of vengeance against some child of God. Do you think that God does not know it? that God will not call you to account? that God will not hear the prayers of his children, when they implore him to throw around. them the ægis of his protection? Will you escape on the ground of your own ignorance? Your ignorance was voluntary, and therefore can afford no justification. Why

did the Almighty implant a conscience within your soul? Why did he place it there, as "the rightful" though not always"the reigning sovereign," if it were not to be a monitor to guide and direct you? Does it not advocate the cause of truth and virtue, and will it not condemn you for disregarding its suggestions? And what must be the character of him who has planted this monitor in the breast of man, and made virtuous and holy emotions, in themselves and in their own nature, a source of the highest happiness? Does it not shew, that he is a holy being? Does it not prove, that he desires his creatures to be holy, in order that they may be happy? And when you reflect, that he knows all your thoughts, words and actions, past, present and future, and then remember that he is a being of boundless power, as well as boundless knowledge, are you not afraid of having provoked his displeasure by crossing his will? Is not holiness the parent of happiness and sin the progenitor of misery? Is there not more real pleasure in the exercise of virtue than of vice? And will not a benevolent God, intent upon the happiness of his creatures, furnish the most powerful motives to allure us to the one, and dissuade us from the other? Will he not throw around his law the firmest and strongest barriers? Who therefore shall fix limits to the reward of the righteous, or set bounds to the punishment of the incorrigibly wicked? You know that you have all transgressed his law. You know, that that law condemns you. You know, that the power of God is fully adequate to execute the penalty of that law. When therefore you think of God, are you not afraid of him? Do you not wish there was no God? But such a wish will not banish him from his dominions-it will not displace him from his throne-it will not check the operations of his government-it will not put an end to his existence. Ah! my dear brethren, remember, it is "the

fool" who "hath said in his heart, there is no God." He hath said it" in his HEART." The secret source of Athevoluntary corruption and

ism and Infidelity lies in the depravity of the human heart. MEN ARE AFRAID to BELIEVE THERE IS A GOD, BECAUSE THEY ARE afraid of BEING PUNISHED FOR THEIR SINS. But we have shewn you by unquestionable proofs, that there is a God: and if there be a God, there are many who have reason to fear and tremble. You will perhaps then confess, that you are in an awful situation; but you inquire, what you must do to escape? My dear brethren, it is with thrilling and heartfelt pleasure, that we can here tell you of a better way and a surer road to happiness, than that of closing your eyes against the amazing proofs of the divine existence. There is a book which for many ages has been a lamp to the feet and a light to the path of those who have taken it for their guide. It has shown them the windings of their own hearts, with a knowledge and skill, which convince them beyond a rational doubt, that this blessed. book could have come only from him, who knew all that was in man. It has not merely detected a want, but it has furnished a supply. It has not merely discovered and probed a disease, but it has provided a complete and perfect remedy. It has not merely given a promise, but it has verified the promise in the experience of all who, in the patient and persevering use of the appointed means, have looked for its fulfilment. That book is the Bible. Apart from the overwhelming external proofs by which its divine authority is supported, on its own pages is written the evidence of its truth. You may sneer at this bookyou may despise its precepts-you may cavil at its doctrines-you may brave its threatenings; but there is no book in the world which has called forth such admiration from the profoundest scholars, there is none which

affords to the philosopher such lessons of practical wisdom; there is none which gives to those who trust in its promises and follow its admonitions, such consolation and support in the hour of trial. In this blessed book, you will find what you must do to be saved. You will there read, that he who knew the frailties and infirmities of man, did not leave him to his own unaided strength. "He so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." And what is more, he has sent down the influences of his Spirit to convince you of sin-to persuade you to forsake it and urge you by every motive from heaven, earth and hell, to accept the proffered boon. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved." If you neglect this great salvation—a salvation the most glorious that was ever whispered in the ears of mortals-a salvation which wakes the sweetest melody of the seraph's lyrea salvation which displays the face of Deity in its loveliest and most winning aspect, and unfolds his character with a brilliancy, and majesty, and attraction, which call forth the ceaseless admiration of angels-oh! if you neglect this great salvation—if you prefer the path of the scorner-if you idolize the pleasures, or the riches, or the honors of time and sense-if you love the friendship of the world, and trust in heartless and deceitful smiles-if you will lean on this broken staff, rather than place beneath you the everlasting arms, and seek the eternal God for your refuge; we can only weep over your folly, while we acknowledge the justice of your condemnation.

We have thus told you, my dear friends, the honest truth-we have proclaimed it fearlessly, but we trust with tenderness and affection, and in conclusion, we have only to commend you to the mercy of God, and pray for the influences of his Spirit, to guide and direct you in the pathway of life.