insignificance when compared with the moral dispensations of the great Creator. With what awe and veneration does that disclosure fill his heart, when he is instructed by holy writ to contemplate that most merciful dispensation of the Deity! When he is assured that, to effect the salvation of the fallen race of man the Son of God descended from heaven, and made atonement for their iniquities by his own blood, shed upon the cross! Compared with such transcendent blessings,-earthly things sink to nothing. Contrasted with this illumination, the earth appears a speck of dust,--the sun a spark of fire! And this revelation of spiritual blessings necessarily leads us to the inference that God will not forsake, but will finally bless the world, which has been redeemed by the precious blood of his only-begotten Son!

Who, then, can with reason doubt that the discoveries resulting from the contemplation of God's works, and of his holy word will, by degrees, improve the intellect, and amend the dispositions of all, who are within their influence. And, under the providential gui

dance of the Almighty, this knowledge,"like the day-spring from on high,”—is actually spreading all around us with an influence most benign. The education of the poor, in moral and religious studies, is now become an object of primary importance,not to the opulent alone,-but to many, who further so great a work. Seminaries are opened in almost every part of these realms for the gratuitous reception of the children, to whom they thus become guardians and protectors. Even the infant, whose little tongue is yet unable to lisp its Maker's praise, is removed from the abodes of vice and misery, and consigned to the care of one, who will be its nursing mother until its understanding shall be sufficiently matured to derive improvement from teachers of greater ability in various eleemosynary schools. And I trust the delightful expectation may be indulged that, at no distant period, there will not be one human being, even of tender age, who may not become the object of such blessed institutions! Whilst, at the same time, in every house, and by every hand, will be received that voluntary

gift, which (if applied to a proper use) will be of more value than all the treasures upon earth!--You anticipate my meaning-I speak of the Word of God! the New Testament,our Charter of Immortality!

But, not to our own land alone is this great benefit imparted. Pious christians of every denomination, with laudable emulation, strive who shall most extensively distribute the Holy Scriptures, when translated into the languages understood by those nations, whom they are designed to enlighten and instruct. Thus will idolatry, (day by day) diminish! The name of false deitiés, or demons shall no longer be repeated with adoration. The devil shall no more be worshipped, but resisted as the enemy of souls. From the celestial luminary devotion shall be transferred to Him alone, who said, "let there be light, and there was light." "Thus

the sound of the gospel is

gone out into all lands," and its words will extend "unto the

end of the world.” "Unto that do the heathens seek," for it is preeminently

to lighten the Gentiles."

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a light

The annual reports, indeed, from various religious societies, and especially that, which is formed under the establishment for the propagation of religious knowledge, afford most ample testimony to the spiritual advantages derived from such exertions in every portion of the globe. In their every page we read of multitudes converted to the faith in Christ. And who, that attentively marks the signs of the times, can fail to be impressed with the conviction that the spiritual regeneration of mankind is furthered by heavenly influence; and farther, that this nation is graciously selected, as the principal instrument for effecting these benignant purposes? To this cause may, probably be ascribed, the rapid progress of the unrivalled commerce of our Isle; for it becomes the powerful means of opening a communication with the inhabitants of every région in the world. Thence missionaries issue, with benevolence in their hearts, and the scriptures in their hands, willingly sacrificing the most precious hours of life,-nay health and life itself, that they may impart instruction to the ignorant, and draw the wandering hea

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then within the fold of Christ. Omitting, at present, allusion to the attempted conversion of the Jews, I must observe that already has the zeal of the friends of the souls of men been crowned with success. In the old world false religions are gradually giving way before it; and in the more recently discovered hemisphere (with the exception of a few savages not yet converted) "at the name of Christ every knee doth bow," and every inhabitant rejoices that he is individually a christian! To the dispassionate observer the time does not appear remote when the professors of Mahometanism shall be overpowered in every land, and the worshippers of the false prophet will become the faithful and accepted servants of Jesus Christ! May His kingdom be thus speedily established in the heathen world, and with rapidly increasing velocity may that light be extended, which is to lighten all the Gentiles!

Illumination from above is destined to diffuse its rays. They, who were once the favoured people of their God, and, in conse