sumes, must be almost completely extirpated, and new principles acted upon, in relation to the appropriation of riches, before we can expect to behold those arrangements going forward, which are requisite to bring about this "consummation so devoutly to be wished." Christians may wish, and hope, and pray with apparent fervor, for the coming of the kingdom of Christ, and the glory of the latter days-they may profess to celebrate his death, to celebrate his praise, and may make a great stir and bustle about adhering to his cause and testimony; but unless they put their hands in their pockets to supply the means requisite for accomplishing the benevolent purposes of God, our expectations of the near arrival of the millennium will be frustrated; and their conduct can be considered as only a mockery of God, while under profession of serving him, “their hearts are still going after their covetousness."

The arrangements requisite for preparing the way for the approach of the millennium, have already been stated in the preceding sections.

Abundant provision requires to be made to promote the external comfort of the poor, and other ranks of society; many physical evils require to be remedied ; improvements of every description carried forward; the wastes and deserts of the earth, cultivated and adorned; old cities and towns cleared of every nuisance; and new towns and villages erected on spacious and improved plans, adapted to health, cheerfulness, and comfort. Seminaries require to be established for the instruction of all ranks, in every department of knowledge, connected with the life that now is, and the life to come, without which the foundations of the millennial state cannot be laid. All the useful arts and sciences must be promoted and carried towards perfection, as auxiliaries to the extension of the gospel and the renovation of the world. Missionary enterprizes must be carried on with more vigor, and on a scale far more extensive than they have ever yet been, before we can expect to behold the dawnings of the millennial glory.

In order to accomplish such objects, it is evident, that vast resources of wealth are absolutely requisite ; resources a hundred times greater than have hitherto been consecrated to the service of God, and the benefit of man. But, I have already shown, that we have wealth adequate to every purpose now suggested, if we choose to employ it in such achievements. Instead of a quarter of a million, we might raise fifty, or even a hundred millions of pounds annually, to promote the extension of Messiah's kingdom, the improvement of society, and the regeneration of the world. And, while such sums are raised, and employed in such operations, no want of real comfort would be felt, but on the contrary, a degree of rational and sensitive enjoyment, far superior to what has ever been experienced in the world.

It was lately stated, in some of our periodicals, that there are in and about London, about two or three hundred individuals, whose fortunes combined, would be nearly sufficient to pay off the whole of our National debt, now amounting to above 800,000,000. What would the half, or even the tenth part of such wealth not accomplish, were it applied in consistency with the dictates of reason and religion? But where do we ever find such an appropriation of such abundant riches? Is it not a proof, or something approximating to it, that we might be characterized rather as a nation of atheists and infidels, than as a nation of Christians, when so little of our national wealth flows into Christian and philanthropic channels? Let us no longer boast of Britain being by way of eminence a Christian land, till we display more Christian principle in our actions, and a more noble spirit of Christian liberality than we have done for ages past. If we wish to lay claim to this sacred name, let us show by our Christian virtues, our Christian generosity, and our heavenly aims, that we are entitled to this distinguishing appellation.

For raising such contributions as those to which I allude-I, in the mean time, look to Christians alone, and not to nations or communities, that have assumed that name. As for those who are governed by carnal

maxims, and the fashion of the world, we might as soon attempt to control the laws of nature, or to reason with the tornado, or the whirlwind, as to expect that any arguments, however powerful, will make the least impression on their hearts, or induce them to alter the conduct they have hitherto pursued..

But, I trust, that amidst all the apathy that prevails in regard to this subject, there are still many thousands in our land, who only require to have their duty clearly set before them, in order to excite them to the noblest displays of Christian beneficence. And, if they were once aroused to devote their wealth to the cause of the Redeemer, and to come boldly forward as Christian heroes, in the face of the world, "counting all things but loss," in comparison of the prosperity and extension of Messiah's kingdom-their example, I doubt not, would prove a powerful stimulus to thousands of Christians in other parts of the world, to embark in the same glorious undertaking.

It is strange, it is passing strange-it is wonderful, it is passing wonderful! that Christians should have been so long sunk into a state of apathy on such a subject, and that they should never yet have come forward with treasures corresponding to their high and heavenly character, and to the greatness of the work they are called upon to achieve. Had God commanded us to forsake houses and lands, and friends, and country-to sell all that we have, and devote it to his service, and to depend every day for our sustenance, on whatever his providence might supply, it would have been our duty cheerfully to have acquiesced in such an arrangement, in gratitude for the spiritual benefits he had conferred; "for the sufferings of the present time are not to be compared" with the glories of futurity. But when he requires from us only the superfluities of our wealth, which are not essential to our comfort, and which are generally devoted to "the lust of the eye, and the pride of life," why should we hesitate a moment to devote all we can spare from moderate personal enjoyment, to the service of the Most High? Is it consistent with a man's being a Christian, indeed,

and in truth, to hesitate for any length of time on this subject? Were Christ now to demand of wealthy Christians what he once demanded of the young man who came to inquire the way to eternal life, "Go sell all that thou hast and give to the poor, and come and take up thy cross and follow me," how would many of them reply to such an injunction? We are in the habit of condemning the choice of this rich man, in having his heart so much glued to the world, and in preferring temporal enjoyments to eternal realities. But let me ask, how many British professing Christians, were the same requisition addressed to them, would act in a different manner? And, if there be any who can lay their hands upon their hearts, and say, as in the presence of God, that they would be willing to forsake all" at his command, let them now come forth, in the face of the church and the world, and consecrate to the service of the Redeemer, all that they can possibly spare in consistency with rational enjoyment.

Let none imagine that the views now stated are utopian, or inconsistent with reason or revelation. To accomplish every object which has been adverted to, we require nothing more than the faculties, and the wealth which now exist in society. The only desideratum, lies in the human will. Will men come forward with all their energies and riches in this glorious cause? Secure the co-operations of the human will, and I should have no fear of the grand result, nor of any arguments that could be brought forward to show its impractica bility. I defy any believer in revelation to prove, that the grand objects alluded to are impracticable. Is it impracticable to cultivate barren wastes, and to turn the wilderness into fruitful fields? Have not Britain and the Eastern States of America been cleared of their ancient forests, and been transformed into gardens and cultivated plains? and where savages once roamed among caves and thickets, are there not splendid cities, palaces, temples, and seats of learning every where to be seen? Is it impracticable to arrange and establish a system of moral and intellectual instruction for all ranks of men? Are there not thousands of sem

inaries, both in Europe and America, and millions receiving instruction at them, where, a century ago, no such institution existed? Is it impracticable to convert savage nations to the Christian faith, and to bring them into a state of civilization and social comfort. Have not thousands and ten thousands of rude Hottentots, and the idolatrous savages of the Isles of the Pacific, been turned from heathen darkness, to the light of the gospel, and raised from a state of degradation to the enjoyment of the blessings of civilized life, within the course of the last thirty years? In such instances, we behold at least a partial accomplishment of the objects to which we allude; and on the principal that "whatever man has done, man may do," it requires nothing more than an indefinite increase of the same energies we have already put forth, and a greater proportion of wealth to assist in carrying forward such energies, in order to bring into effect every thing requisite for the regeneration of the world.

Above all, can we say, that it is impracticable to bring about what God has positively declared shall be realized in our world? He hath given forth his decree, and "sworn by his holiness," and "by the right hand of his strength," to secure its accomplishmentthat "the whole earth shall be filled with his glory, and all flesh see it together"-that "the heathen shall fear the name of the Lord, and all kings of the earth his glory"—that "there shall be nothing to hurt or destroy, in all his holy mountain," and "that righteousness and praise shall spring forth before all nations." And we know, that "his counsel shall stand, and he will do all his pleasure," for "the kingdom is the Lord's, and he is the Governor among the nations," and "all his saints are in his hand,” as instruments to execute his designs.

Shall it then be said, that the physical and moral renovation of the world is impracticable? or that it is impossible to raise a hundred millions of pounds, every year for such an object, when no less than fifty millions are annually expended in Great Britain and Ireland for ardent spirits alone. It is calculated, that there are in the British metropolis alone, upwards of