energies in defending our own rights and compelling others to discharge their duties.

To all this, we may subjoin the statement of the fact, that, till very recently, there seems to have prevailed, even in the minds of the best Christians among us, a strange infatuation, upon the subject of national wars, a strange belief, that they were a necessary evil, and therefore to be met with a sort of quiescent spirit, without any effort to prevent them. It is to be hoped, however, that this strange infatuation is fast passing away. A change of sentiment on the subject is evidently taking place, both in this country and in most of the Christian nations of Europe. It begins to be understood, that acquisition of territory by conquest, rarely gives security to government, and never promotes individual happiness; that true national glory can never be separated from national interest, nor national interest from the sum of individual happiness; that the prosperity of one nation is never promoted by the unjust depression, much less by the destruction of another; that nations, like individuals, are rendered happier by aiding each other in the pursuit of happiness, and by assisting one another, in all cases, where it can be done, with safety to both, and without injury to any of the human race. The prevalence of these enlightened principles of international law and policy, with the facts previously stated, in connection with a view of the rapid propagation of the gospel in heathen lands, encourages the expectation, that the time is rapidly approaching, when men will no more feel the need of learning the art of war, and making appeal to arms, to the hazards of chance and the violence of brute force, even for the purposes of self-defence; when, in the figurative, but intelligible and significant

language of prophecy, "men shall beat their swords into ploughshares and their spears into pruninghooks;" when every man shall sit quietly "under his own vine and fig-tree, and there shall be none to hurt or make afraid in all the holy mountain of the Lord," when a voice from heaven shall proclaim the final triumphs of the cross, saying, "The kingdoms of this world are become the kingdoms of our Lord and of his Christ, and he shall reign for ever and ever."

But at whatever period, or in whatever manner, this happy change in the state of the world, this complete triumph of truth and love, this blessed consummation of "the good will of God to man, and peace on earth," shall take place; it will surely be accomplished in due time; for the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it. In the meantime, we have reason to rejoice, that such progress has been made toward this glorious consummation, that Christianity has extended its influence so far, and done so much to diminish the horrors of war, and mitigate the sufferings of the captive. And, while we rejoice, it becomes us to use the appropriate means, and pray, that this work of spreading the gospel through the earth may be carried forward with increasing rapidity, and that the fulness of the blessing may be speedily and universally enjoyed. Thus are we brought to our last topic of discourse,

III. The propriety and duty of uniting in the angelic song, and ascribing glory to God in the highest, in view of the mystery of the incarnation of the Divine Word, with which all this favor of Heaven and happiness on earth are connected. What I have to say on this topic must, however, be comprised in a few words; and be said with a direct view to a practical application of the whole subject.

Did angels rejoice, my brethren, did angels rejoice at the Redeemer's birth, and shall we, for whose sake he came into the world, remain unmoved in view of this infinite condescension, this mysterious humiliation, this love without a parallel, beyond description, even passing knowledge? Did the heavenly host ascribe glory to God in the highest, while contemplating his good will toward men, displayed in the wonderful plan of redemption by Jesus Christ; and shall we, for whom this work of love was wrought, and to whom this provision of mercy is freely offered, feel no emotions of gratitude, and utter no expressions of praise? Did the inhabitants of heaven, at the birth of Christ, anticipate the blessed effects of Christianity among the inhabitants of this lower world, with benevolent joy and holy sympathy; and shall we, among whom these effects are displayed, and on whom these blessings are bestowed, refuse to participate in their joy, and join in their songs of praise? If we are, indeed the disciples of Christ; if, through faith in him, we have become reconciled to God; if we are not among those, who despise the riches of divine grace, reject the offers of mercy, and "tread under foot the blood of the everlasting covenant," we shall be constrained by the love of Christ; while meditating on the glorious scenes and bright visions opened to view, in connection with his advent, we shall feel our hearts glow with gratitude for redeeming love; we shall recollect the blessings, which Christianity has already conferred on our apostate race, with joy and thanksgiving; and anticipate those which are promised, and yet held in reserve for the world, with hope and strong desire; we shall rejoice with the multitude of the heavenly host, at the birth of the Redeemer,

and echo back the angelic song: "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace; good will toward men." ALLELUIAH; AMEN.

LECTURE XVI.

CHRISTIAN LIBERTY

CONTRASTED WITH

SPIRITUAL BONDAGE.

JOHN VIII. 34-36.

JESUS ANSWERED THEM, VERILY, VERILY, I SAY UNTO YOU, WHOSOEVER COMMITTETH SIN, IS THE SERVANT OF SIN. AND THE SERVANT ABIDETH NOT IN THE HOUSE FOR EVER; BUT THE SON ABIDETH EVER. IF THE SON, THEREFORE, SHALL MAKE YOU FREE, YE SHALL BE FREE INDEED.

THE love of liberty is an essential principle of the human constitution. It is developed with the first operations of the intellectual powers; and it begins to act with the earliest efforts of the will. It grows with the growth of mind; it expands with the expansion of the soul; and it can never be eradicated from the human breast, without tearing away with it, all that is sublime and beautiful in character; all that gives energy, and dignity and happiness to man. We are not surprised, therefore, that He, who "knew what is in man," and how to touch the secret springs of action, often appealed to this powerful instinct of human nature. Our text, with the connected narrative, furnishes a striking example of such an appeal.

We behold here, too, an instance of that happy mode of instruction, often employed by our Saviour, which applies subjects of temporal interest and objects of familiar observation to spiritual purposes and