hearts,

Your home This is not

they suffered in his righteous cause, they have leftyou an example that you should follow in his steps. "Be ye also followers of them who, through faith and patience, now inherit the promises." If you would arrive safely where they are now, if you would leave behind you a good name, as they have done,—if you would not have their example lost upon you, then "Go FORWARD." and reward are before you. your rest: it is not your father's home. Your brethren are hastening through this desert, they are fast arriving at the better country, they are passing into the city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. And, if you would not be left in this howling wilderness,-if you would not be overtaken by the "floods of great waters,"-if you would not be the laughing-stock of your enemies, if you would not belie your profession, "Go For

WARD!"

2. You are under solemn obligations to "go forward." Your God bids you; and his command is law. But not only is there authority; there is love. He is not only your Sovereign, but your Father. And as he bids you "go forward," he will go with

salvation, and he now says to every soldier in his army, "Follow me: do as I have done." Would you not be like him? Would you not win his approbation? Would you not see him as he is? Would you not hear him say, "Well done?" Then "GO FORWARD!" Your work is before you. The foe is to be conquered. The land is to be possessed. The witness is to be borne. The enemies are to be reconciled. The truth is to be circulated. The command is to be obeyed. The predictions. are to be fulfilled. And to you the voice cries, as to Lot when he came out of Sodam, "Look not behind thee; tarry not in all the plain." Before you are your brethren at labour; before you is the spot you are to cultivate; before you are the souls you are to win; therefore if you love your work, if you would please your Master, if you would serve your generation, "Go FORWARD!" Your examples are before you. In the distance you may see patriarchs and prophets, apostles and martyrs, reformers, and the great cloud of witnesses. They have borne their testimony, they have spread God's truth, they conquered the combined host of enemies,they performed the will of God from their

hearts, they suffered in his righteous cause, they have leftyou an example that you should follow in his steps. Be ye

also followers of them who, through faith and patience, now inherit the promises.' If you would arrive safely where they are now, if you would leave behind you a good name, as they have done,-if you would not have their example lost upon you, then "Go Forward.' Your home and reward are before you. This is not your rest it is not your father's home. Your brethren are hastening through this desert, they are fast arriving at the better country, they are passing into the city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. And, if you would not be left in this howling wilderness, if you would not be overtaken by the "floods of great waters,"-if you would not be the laughing-stock of your enemies,—if you would not belie your profession, "Go FORWARD!"

2. You are under solemn obligations to "go forward." Your God bids you; and his command is law. But not only is there authority; there is love. He is not only your Sovereign, but your Father. And as he bids you "go forward," he will go with

says,

you. He does not send you alone, or under the convoy of angels, but he says, "I will go with thee." He is just before you, and he says, "Follow me." He sees some professors loiter and linger, and he "Whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple" (Luke xiv. 27). The times demand it. Everything around you is in motion-all is going forward. Commerce, politics, useful inventions, the arts and sciencesall things are moving onward. And shall the Christian, or the Christian church, alone stand still or go backward? The Lord forbid it. Forward, beloved friends, heels will be trodden upon by those behind you, and those will pass you who

or your

have not half so much to animate them and stimulate them as you have. The times in which we live are peculiar; they are stirring times; everything is awake, and most things appear to be more wide awake than the church of Christ. Brethren, let us not sleep as do others; but let us wake up, watch, work, and "go forward" with courage and determination. The state of the world requires it. Popery is going forward. Other erroneous systems are going forward. Infidelity marches on.

The world is still in darkness,-error reigns in it,-Satan possesses it, and the dark places of it are still the habitations of cruelty. Hundreds of millions have never heard the gospel. Millions who have heard it, have not believed it. Thousands are falling into hell every day, and thousands are coming into life to take their places, imitate their folly, and meet their doom. By the ignorance that prevails,-by the cruelties that are practised,—by the crimes that are committed,-by the millions that are perishing,-by the myriads that fall into hell, we beseech you, "Go FORWARD!" The condition of the church calls for it. What shall we say of the church's condition? She is weak and feeble. She is carnal and selfish. She is poor and miserable. Her converts are few. Her soldiers are cowards. Her divisions are many. Her Lord is dishonoured. Her enemies triumph. Her rival makes head against her. If you would see the church arise and put on her beautiful garments; if you would see her united and happy; if you would see her troops disciplined, her officers at their posts, her banners floating in the four winds of heaven, her enemies retreating, her triumphs increasing, her