fect freedom from sin which will distinguish all the redeemed in common with their spotless Saviour. Sin has been the burden of the Christian through the whole of his earthly pilgrimage; but resting on the promise of his faithful Saviour, he knows he will be ultimately rescued from its power. Christ loved the church, and gave himself for it, that he might sanctify, and cleanse it, and present it to himself, a glorious church, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing. Now the object of his death will be accomplished in the perfect holiness of his people. No sinful act will ever mar their lovely characters, no impure thought or af fection disturb the serenity of their breasts. As Jesus is holy, so will they reflect the bright lustre of his face.

Christians will also resemble Christ in the fervent and unceasing affection of their hearts. The inhabitants of that blessed world will vie with each other in love toward the great Supreme, and one unbroken cord of attachment will bind together the vast fraternity of the redeemed, who will know no other feeling than that of pure and ardent affection.

They will also resemble their Divine Lord in happiness, glory, and immortality. No disappointment, sorrow or pain will cast a moment's shade upon the mind. With capacities enlarged for their exalted state, they will drink in satisfying streams from the exhaustless fountain of life and joy. Honor will be put upon them as the sons of God. With crowns of glory on their heads. palms of victory in their hands, and hallelujahs upon their lips, they will follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. His glory they will behold,—his praises celebrate day and night forever.

The ground of this assimilation. "We shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.” Our likeness to Christ will result from our sight of him. Intercourse produces resemblance. We often see this illustrated in the intercourse of friends. Persons enjoying frequent intercourse and mutually attached will gradually acquire a conformity in sentiments, feelings, and habits. Their souls will come to possess oneness of feeling and character. Thus, too, the communion of Christians with their blessed Redeemer produces a correspondence in the principles, feelings, and thoughts of the soul. Even in this world this effect is partially apparent. The believer, by living near to Christ, beholding by faith his adorable charms, praying to him in secret, reading his word, and meditating upon his endearing worth,-rises by degrees towards the same excellence. Beholding as in a glass the glory of God, they are changed into the same image, from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord." But when the saints shall be exalted to the immediate presence of God; when at the revelation of Jesus Christ, they shall see him, not through a glass darkly but face to face, and maintain intimate and uninterrupted communion

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with him, they will be fully like him, as far as the creature can resemble the infinitely glorious Creator.

What the precise nature of that sight is which the saints shall have of God, in heaven, we know not. We have reason to believe, however, that they will see the glorified body of their Saviour; and, as on earth the Lord Jesus is the medium of God's manifestations and blessings to his people, it is not improbable, that the peculiar discoveries of his glory in heaven will be made through the person of his Son, whom we shall see for ourselves, through the organs of our refined and glorified bodies. But beside this view of God through the bodily organs, there will be discoveries of the Divine perfections to the mind, which will elevate and transport it with sentiments of sublime and holy adoration.

And this sight will be transforming. If the face of Moses shone with a brightness that could not be looked upon, when he came down from the presence of God on Mount Sinai, how will the souls of the redeemed reflect the beams of that face which they shall behold when standing before the throne of glory! The infinite purity of God will beget a correspondent purity in them. The effulgent beams of Divine Love will fill them with unquenchable and perfect affection. The vision of God's smiling face will dry up every tear of sorrow, and conform the soul to him in happiness as well as holiness; while the presence of the ever-living Redeemer, who is the tree of life, in the midst of the garden, will give immortality to every joy, and secure to each of heaven's inhabitants the priceless boon of Everlasting Life.

IMPROVEMENT.

1. Let Christians admire the grace of God in elevating them to this dignity, and these precious hopes. The sons of God! distinguishing title. This is the new name, written upon the white stone given to him that overcometh, which no man knoweth saving him that receiveth it. Happy they, who in tracing the features of their character can discern the evidences of their sonship. Let them look at the relationship in all the enjoyments it insures, the hopes it awakens, the honors to which it exalts, and then with admiring gratitude exclaim with the apostle, "Behold what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God." What manner of love! How free, how unmerited, how expensive! Upon us who were violating his laws, despising his mercy, and rejecting his Son, that we should be called the sons of God. It would be surprising condescension in an earthly Prince, to take a child of obscure and poor parentage and call it his own; but that the Almighty Sovereign of the Universe should take his enemies and make them his

children; that he should rescue them from the devouring gulf of ruin and make them the heirs of life, is compassion and grace worthy of Him who is love itself. When we consider that in doing this he must part with his only begotten and dearly beloved Son; that he must leave heaven to make room for us; that he must be sacrificed that we might be saved; that he must become a servant and a curse that we might be the children of the King, we are lost in wonder, love, and praise.

2. The subject furnishes rich consolation in trial. A child of God-an heir of glory! What peace and comfort belong to such an one. His is the privilege of crying, Abba Father! and regarding each affliction as the expression of covenant love,-for whom the Lord loves he rebukes and chastens. Afflictions are the tokens of his sonship, and designed to promote his sanctification. Ere long the end of his trials will be accomplished. The gold will be so far purified from the dross of corruption, so burnished and lustred by the hand of the Divine Refiner, that it will reflect, as a mirror, the image of the Saviour. Having completed the work of grace, he will remove its subject from earth to heaven, and place it among the vessels of glory in the upper sanctuary. In that glorious residence of the King, perfect purity and blessedness forever reign. There the saints shall enjoy the beatific vision of the Lamb. "God himself shall be with them, and be their God; and God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes."

3. Having this hope, let the children of God purify themselves even as he is pure. Ever bear in mind, brethren, your Divine relationship, and walk worthy of your holy calling. In all the intercourse of life, carry in your hearts warm affections, a lively image of the blessed God: dwell upon his glory, his kindness, his love-and then carefully refrain from doing anything unworthy of such a Father. "Be blameless, and harmless, the sons of God without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world."

NATIONAL PREACHER.

No. 10. Vol. XXII.

OCTOBER, 1848.

SERMON CCCCLXXXIV.

Whole No. 262.

DELIVERED BEFORE THE AMERICAN BOARD OF COMMISSIONS FOR FOREIGN MISSIONS, AT BOSTON, SEPTEMBER, 1848.

Venerable Fathers and Beloved Brethren

in our Lord Jesus Christ:

I CONFESS to you, that in view of my appearance before you to conduct your meditations, by your own appointment, I have felt myself much at a loss in the selection of a suitable theme.

So many years have transpired since this annual service was begun, and so many and such able pens have been employed, that it seemed to me that every aspect in which our great work could be, has been presented, and that I could hope to say nothing which would attract by its novelty or its peculiarity. But I have been rebuked by the reflection that this most blessed work never loses its freshness; that what has interested will still interest; what has commanded the heart will still command it, though often called up. This is the peculiarity of God's plans and works; while man's inventions become monotonous and fail in their hold on the mind.

In my dilemma I have taken counsel of the occasion, and asked myself why this solemn convocation, why this gathering of Christian brethren from every part of this land? Is it to learn "some new thing" like the ancient Athenians? Is it not to have our minds and hearts refreshed by mingling in meditation on the characteristics of our work? Is it not to contemplate the progress of that work, and thank God and set out with new courage? If this be so, I feel that one great point will be gained, if we may take our places at our Master's feet and learn of Him; and this I would seek in this exercise.

Let us transfer ourselves mentally to the scene depicted in the fifth of Matthew. We behold there our dear Lord in the midst

of an intensely interesting throng, removed from all the exciting circumstances of the world. It was a mountain sanctuary, the broad expanse of heaven the canopy. He developes clearly and beautifully the spirit which he would have his disciples cultivate; he clears away the false interpretations of the divine law which had debased the people; he leads them into just views of the practical course his system required; he teaches them duty and devotion; what a scene! The master inducting his chosen ones into the mode in which they should approach the throne of the heavenly grace, and what subjects should occupy the mind and the heart! It is there, our object as men laboring that truth and righteousness may fill the earth, has a special and prominent place. Thus shalt thou pray, "Thy kingdom come." Oh, I would that we could here for a moment lose all thought of official relations, and realize the simplicity and sublimity of that scene, and, taking part with that assembly as learners, bring every circumstance strongly home to our own hearts. This is the theme which our Great Teacher gives for our meditations

THY KINGDOM COME-MATT. 6: 10.

And may His Holy Spirit aid us, while we bring ourselves to the contemplation of what is here involved.

My Brethren, you will observe,

I. That our object as a missionary association, seeking to establish the kingdom of righteousness, is commended by the highest authority in the church of God. He who speaks is the Head over all things to the church, who has all power given unto him in heaven and upon earth.

To the inquiry what kingdom is intended by this petition, we can be at no loss for an answer. Two kingdoms in general are spoken of in the word of God, viz: his providential kingdom or his sovereignty, and his kingdom of grace. Of the former it is to be remarked it is universal. Ever since there has been a world or a created being, this kingdom was "come." Universal, unlimited dominion, supreme sovereignty, belong necessarily to God. And though many of his intelligent creatures neither acknowledge nor know him as their God, over all, his might and his goodness are constantly exercised. Of this it is said, "His kingdom ruleth over all." He is Lord of lords, and King of kings--the King of the nations of the earth. All wait upon him and receive the daily supply for their wants. "In him we live, move, and have our being."

There is another kingdom spoken of in the sacred word-one not yet fully come, and that is the gospel kingdom, or the kingdom of grace. Of this it was prophesied by Daniel, five centuries before Christ, "And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed, and the king