while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them." By this means, you will secure yourselves against all evil-you will save yourselves from many bitter and unavailing regrets, and you will attain greater purity of Christian feeling, and more elevation of Christian character. Shall not the representations which have been made produce some effect upon you? Are not your judgments convinced, and should not your hearts be impressed? Hold fast this conviction and cherish this impression, and make an immediate determination to perform your duties to God. If you act otherwise, what will be the consequence? You may direct all the faculties of the soul to the acquisition of an ample portion in this life, while God is not at all remembered-you may spend the prime of your days in worldly pleasure-you may run to every excess of riot, and desire encouragement to perseverance in this course of conduct, from the impunity which the Almighty seems to allow you. Yet forget not-for all these things you shall be brought into judgment. Youth shall pass away, and mature, soon issue in advanced and declining age. Then your joys will be diminished, and a deficiency of present happiness will not be supplied by the hope of any future blessedness on earth. You will at such a season require some consolation, and where is it to be found but in the feelings and

expectations produced by religion? If, however, you are willing to meet a cheerless old age, enlivened by no hopes, and embittered by much remorse, still are you prepared to encounter the scenes. in which it will issue? For when our clay tabernacle has tumbled into ruin, then shall the dust return to dust, and the spirit return to God, to receive a merited recompense. By the terrors of that day and hour, I adjure you to remember your Creator, and seek his favor. Is it because you are young that you will not regard this injunction? To you, an interest in Jesus Christ and the approbation of your God are as necessary as they will be at any future period. And is not religion as lovely and consolatory in youth as in old age? Are you afraid of the reproach or ridicule of the thoughtless or profane? But why should not the young be wise and considerate? Why should not they be pure in heart, blameless in conduct, and influenced by the noblest principles of which man is susceptible? It is a crime of awful magnitude to make such persons the objects of foolish jest, or contemptuous sarcasm; and they whose greatest happiness it is thus attempted to destroy, should rise superior to such base and malignant attacks. However others may choose to rush headlong to destruction, do not you, my young friends, suffer them to drag you downward with them.

I would now conclude by stating that on the

ensuing Sabbath, the sacrament of the Lord's supper will be dispensed. It is the rite by means of which a profession is made of faith and hope in Jesus Christ. Those of you my brethren who have often engaged in similar celebrations, know what gratification and improvement is to be expected, and what preparation is requisite. It is not known whether there be any who design for the first time to profess subjection to the laws of the Redeemer ; it is hoped that there may be such. If any of you are so convinced of your sins that you feel the necessity of seeking salvation; if you wish to live in the service of God and prepare for his kingdom, do not allow the approaching season to pass without improvement. Honor the Saviour by professing his name; seek strength and consolation through that medium by which they are often communicated. Turn not aside from the gracious invitation which is given to you. Endeavor with right dispositions to meet Jesus Christ at his table on earth, and you may hope to enjoy his communion in heaven.

May God grant to us all this felicity, and to his name be the glory.

262

SERMON XXIII.

CHRIST OUR PASSOVER.

Preached at the meeting of Presbytery, at Black River, April, 1833.

1 CORINTHIANS V. 7.

For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us.

IT has been common in all ages and countries, to institute rites, commemorative of remarkable transactions. This usage has existed in regard to things sacred as well as civil. It has been common to all religions whether true or false. It serves to call to the remembrance of men, events which are calculated powerfully to interest the feelings, or which have exerted a striking influence upon their happiness.

Among the various observances which distinguished the ancient church of God, none was more remarkable in itself, attended with more grateful recollections, or adapted to produce a deeper im

pression upon the heart, than was the passover. According to the original institution of this rite, every family of Israel were required on the tenth day of the first month of their sacred year, which corresponds to part of our months of March and April, to select a kid or lamb in its first year, entirely without blemish. This was to be slain on the evening of the fourteenth day of the month-its blood was to be sprinkled on the posts of their doors-its body roasted whole, eaten with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. Each family was to partake of this repast as in haste, with their loins girded to confine the loose flowing garments which they wore, and with their staves in their hand as prepared for a journey. A child was directed to inquire of the head of the family, "what mean ye by this service?" The answer to be given was, "It is the sacrifice of the Lord's passover, who passed over the houses of the children of Israel, in Egypt, when he smote the Egyptians and delivered our houses."

There is no one at all conversant with the Old Testament history, who does not remember the severe bondage of the Hebrews in a foreign land, and their singular deliverance from it. Induced by a remarkable providence to abandon their original habitation, the family of Jacob had in a series of years, increased in Egypt to a powerful nation. They had prospered under the fostering care of a