affections on things above, not on things on the earth? In the effulgent light of God's purity, have they seen their own darkness and corruption? While they acknowledge sin to be an evil, have they felt that they are sinners? Do they comprehend, or in any measure enter into, the experience of Job, "I have heard of Thee by the hearing of the ear, but now mine eye seeth Thee; wherefore I abhor myself, and repent in dust and ashes." Have they been led to value as inestimably precious the blood of the incarnate Son? to welcome with joy and gladness His free and finished redemption? surely avowing that in Him, and in Him only, they have all righteousness and strength?

Is it the case, brethren, with the majority that they are deeply conscious of their need of the Holy Spirit? that they dread to grieve Him? that they mourn their many sinful neglects of His illuminating and sanctifying grace? Do they increas

ingly invoke His descent and presence in their hearts to disclose to them the glory of Christ; His unsearchable riches of strength and of salvation, to subdue all the evil propensities of their nature, and to enable them stedfastly to pursue the way of holiness-the strait and narrow way that leads to the paradise of God?

The sins specially appertaining to churches and professors of Christianity are intimated by our Lord in His messages to the seven churches in Asia, recorded in the second and third chapters of the Book of Revelation-deadness, formality, decays in grace, the absence of faith and love, pride, vain glory, conformity to the world. "I know," said He to the church at Sardis, "I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead!"

And, my brethren, God will visit with the tokens of His displeasure the nation and the church where the sins we have noticed are to be found; and He has

visited us! War, one of the three chief judgments, has broken out. What the issue may be it does not become us to speculate upon; but with so formidable an adversary as the one to whom we are opposed, with all the uncertainty as to the complications and difficulties that may arise in connexion with other kingdoms and states during the prosecution of the war, it is surely the greatest infatuation, even in a mere political or worldly point of view, to take it for granted that we must be successful because of our superior prowess. To that which is clearly our immediate and proper duty we have been solemnly called to-day. In one of the special prayers provided, we have used this language, "We confess, O Lord, that in many things we have deserved Thine anger; we have offended Thee by disobedience to Thy commands, and by neglect of Thy word and means of grace; and if Thou wast to deal with us according to

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our deserts, we might justly fear Thy chastenings. So teach and try us that we may learn from Thy godly chastisements to examine our ways, and to turn to Thee by a LIVELY REPENTANCE.'

Yes, my brethren, it is repentance that is demanded of us. The mere external observance of this day will be of no avail— a mockery in His sight who searches the heart and requires truth in the inward parts-if that genuine repentance be absent which is productive of reformation.

Well will it be if it should be impressed on the consciences of our rulers and legislators to bethink themselves of the serious evils that have arisen from the sad deficiency of religious Christian instruction; of the dishonour done to the name of Him whose servants we profess to be; of the moral desolation and appalling danger of multitudes. Well will it be if politicians lay aside their animosities and differences, and heartily unite to efface as far as

may be past neglects; to remember that "righteousness exalteth a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people ;" and that the truest dignity is to seek the glory of God by leaving no means untried, at whatever labour or cost, to implant and foster the principles and the practice of the word and commands of that righteous Lord who loveth righteousness.

And oh how important is it for the Church at large and for each one member to search into the state of his own heart and life,—what is our state and character in the sight of Him whose eyes are as a flame of fire, and who has declared, "All the churches shall know that I am He which searcheth the reins and the heart; and I will give unto every one of you according to his works." Let it be our deep concern, brethren, to know the truth as it is in Jesus; to experience it in all its nctifying power; to cherish that godly sorrow for past sin that worketh repent