disciples, "but friends; for the servant knoweth not what the master doeth." The servant is not admitted to intimacy and to counsel; but you, if you are Christ's and are lifted above the lower environments of this world into the realm of love and purity and holiness, become judges, severally, of what is right and wrong in your sphere. I long to see men brought into the church more noble, more manly, larger, carrying themselves in trouble and in trials with a heroism and courage which shall give others to know that they are converted. I long to see men come into the church in order that they may blossom outside of the church. I would have men

come into the church that they may become more fragrant, freer and more joyful. In Christian life, under such circumstances, there is increase of joy. Joy that becomes peace is the highest joy in the world. Turbulent joys are the

lowest forms of joy, always. Ecstacy is not as good as peacefulness. As men grow riper and richer in their spiritual nature they tend more and more to come into "that peace which passeth all understanding "—the peace of God which is an equalization of joy.

If you lift up a peak on a plain, it stands noticeable in. its solitariness; but if you lift up another by the side of it, and another by the side of that, and a third, and a fourth, and a fifth, then the surface of these various peaks itself becomes a plain. A dozen hills put together make a level surface. And one joy, when it lifts itself up alone, stands solitary; but if you put a second, a third, a fourth, and a fifth along with it, by-and-by you have a level plain of peace. Men say that it lacks excitement; but I say that it is the highest form of excitement. Enjoyment in its most blessed form is that perfect tranquility which is deep as the ocean, peaceful as the ocean in a calm, and grand as the ocean in a storm. Christian life should be sweet and peaceful, founded in love and in righteousness, and flying by hope and faith all around in the atmosphere of joy.

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Rejoice in the Lord alway, and again I say, Rejoice."

After the blessing is pronounced we shall sit together and partake of the emblems of the broken body of Christ,

and of his blood shed. To me this is a very joyful service; because, although here is defeat, we also have the rebound of victory. I invite every one in this congregation who has spiritual fitness to join with us. I do not limit the invitation of the Lord's table by any ecclesiastical or theological lines. I put it on the ground of human need. Whoever needs the Lord Jesus Christ to comfort him, to inspire him, and is willing to accept him in his inward thought, and feeling— him I invite to participate in these emblems of Christ's sacrifice for us.

PRAYER BEFORE THE SERMON.*

OUR heavenly Father, we thank thee that thou hast permitted us to live and behold these blessed scenes; that thou hast created such joy within the sanctuary; making so many hearts glad. We thank thee that thou hast set the day in so much brightness without; that thou hast commanded the suu and the season, and that all things are springing up and breaking forth into life, and beginning to grow. Now, O Lord, thou hast brought spring hither also; and in thy garden thou art causing many and many a one to begin to show forth the power of the new life. We pray that thou wilt accept the wishes and purposes of thy dear children who have this morning been united to us; and grant that yet more significantly they may be united to thee; that the channel of intercourse between their souls and thy soul may be open and large; that continually thy Spirit may descend upon them, and inspire in them the noblest thoughts and motives; and that they may be cleansed from the imperfections of the world and the flesh, and be imbued with everything which partakes of the divine influence. We pray that thou wilt fill them with all joy, not only in believing, but in living. May they become the children of light and of joy; and may they be known everywhere by their righteousness. If troubles shall come upon them, may they have that spirit of illumination from above which shall enable them to pierce through trouble with the bright light of faith and hope. If thou shalt bring bereavements upon them, may thy grace be sufficient for them. Thou that hast in every age upheld thy servants in the dungeon, in the flame, in the wilderness, living or dying-thou canst still animate thy servants, and give them strength for their day. Grant that these dear souls now gathered into communion with us, through us may be strengthened for the emergencies of their lives, that they may be happier in themselves, and that they may better bring the voice of gladness and of cheer into the dwellings where they are, and show forth in the gentleness, and meekness, and humility, and love which they shall bear to all who are around them, the true working of the divine Spirit in them. We beseech of thee that they may not count themselves unworthy of suffering, since thou wert crowned with thorns-thou that dost now wear the stars for thy diadem. May they not shrink from enduring pain in such measure as is needful either to cleanse them, or to enable them to bear witness and testimony for Christ. May they, from day to day, find their hearts more and more fed with hope and gladness. May thy Word, an ever open and exhaustless treasure, be their delight, wherein they may find the way of life pointed out. May they find in it those communications of God which are needed by their souls. And so may they be made rich. Grant, we pray thee, that thy servants who have looked upon this ingathering may rejoice and have faith for the future. Behold, this is the result of seed sown in tears. Behold, here is the fruit of years of watching and care. We rejoice that there are some who see their

*Immediately following the reception of members into the church.

children, that there are some who see those long dearer to them than their own selves, now recalled from wandering ways to the Shepherd and Bishop of their souls.

We rejoice, O Lord, that there are many who look down from the heavenly sphere, and whose hearts are made glad by sights like these on earth. We rejoice in the sense that those who have gone out from among us into glory are yet with us in sympathy. We congratulate those who have lived and labored for the elevation of this people—those who have-beheld in the consecration of these souls the fruit of their prayers, and watching, and fidelity. And we beseech of thee that none may be discouraged. In these bright testimonies of the power of truth and God's faithfulness, may those who are discouraged be reassured. May those who have backslidden and are wandering, return to the fold of Christ. And may this house be filled with gladness to-day.

We cannot, O Lord, thank thee enough for thine illumining Spirit and grace by which thou hast comforted the hearts of thy people. How much occasion have we all to bear witness to the goodness of God and the sustaining grace of God; and together, as a church and congregation, we make mention of thy goodness, and rejoice in thee, and praise thy holy name.

And now, we pray that thou wilt make this a day of delight to every one of us. We rejoice in our liberty. We rejoice in the liberty of the spirit which makes us free, and which gives us all things. The range of the universe is ours. Thou wilt yet give us power by which to rise and fly. We shall cast off these bodies, this weight, the infirmities of the flesh, and shall go home to the general assembly of the first born in heaven, and to the spirits of just men mad perfect. May we take hold, to-day, somewhat of the largeness of the life which is coming to us, and learn less and less to look with care and anxiety upon the fleeting things of the present life.

Grant, we pray thee, that in our homes, in our avocations, in our walking by the way, wherever we may be, we may evermore rejoice in the Lord, so that men beholding our brightness and gladness shall seek to come into the same blessed experience.

And now, we pray that thou wilt grant to all those who love the Lord Jesus Christ in sincerity and in truth, grace, mercy and peace. Grant to all thy churches plenitude of power and wisdom by which thy servants may speak the truth efficaciously. May they rejoice in their labor; and though they may sow their seed in tears, may they speedily come again, their bosoms filled with sheaves.

We pray for the spread of knowledge throughout our land, and for the establishment of this great people, not in outward strength, but in the strength of God. And may all thy promises which respect the islands of the sea and the dark continents of the earth, and the whole realm of the world, be speedily fulfilled, and the glory of the Lord rest upon all mankind.

And to the Father, the Son, and the Spirit shall be praises everlasting. Amen.

LIBERTY IN THE CHURCHES.

"But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way."-1 COR. xii. 31.

What were the gifts which they were to covet? What was that which was better than even those gifts? We are left in no doubt whatsoever. By turning back to the fore part of this chapter, it will be found that what may be called the whole ecclesiastical framework of the Christian churchits ordinances, its creeds, its officers, its polity, its methodswere undoubtedly included under this general term, gifts; and not only are they spoken of with respect, but there is the implication of a relative and graded excellence in them; and men are commanded to desire the best of them; yet there is something that is better than all of them. What is that? It is the contents of the 13th of First Corinthians which I read and comment on so often in this church that I am afraid you will think I do not read any other part of the Bible much.

"Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not love, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal."

I shall not read it. I merely announce what it is. It is the living force of Christianity.

Paul says, "Covet earnestly the best gifts;" but there is something better than they are, and that is the living power of God in the human soul. That, I take it, would be Paul's interpretation of this passage, if he were here, and should interpret it in the light of the present state of facts and of feeling in the Christian church.

SUNDAY MORNING, May 10, 1874. LESSON: Rom. xiv. 1-19; HYMNS (Plymouth Collection): Nos. 119, 970, 949.