souls flock to Jesus; so is the kingdom of Christ enlarged. But accessions to the church are made only where the gospel is preached, or enjoyed. Hence arises the importance of maintaining the gospel ministry where it is enjoyed, and of establishing it among the destitute. If dry bones are to revive and be converted into living armies for God, prophets must be raised up and sent forth to prophesy, "Come from the four winds, O breath, and breathe upon these slain that they may live." If Christ is to have the heathen for his inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for his possession, the gospel must be preached to every creature under heaven. God indeed will not be robbed of his glory. The wrath of man shall praise him, and the remainder he will restrain. Even the infliction of punishment upon the finally impenitent will glorify the justice of God. But it is different with the righteous. In their salvation the mercy of God is displayed. This they acknowledge. The song of the redeemed while here, is grace, grace; and it will be. grace, grace to eternity. They actively glorify God by giving him the glory due unto his name; and by exerting themselves to make the character of Jehovah appear illustrious before the intelligent universe. They desire to have God exhibited in full light, in all his adorable attributes and perfections. This they manifest by their holy lives, conversations, and charities. Says the Psalmist, "when the Lord shall build up Zion, he shall appear in his glory." Thus, as the kingdom of Christ is advanced, God is actively glorified, and in this way of being glorified, he is most pleased in itself considered. And as so great an amount of good results from the enlargement of Christ's kingdom, and the advancement of the glory of God, and as these are promoted by building the waste places of Zion, how highly important

that they should be built,-that these moral desolations should be repaired.

But every benevolent heart will naturally inquire, How can these desolations be repaired? In answer to this inquiry it is proposed,

III. To point out the method in which the waste places of Zion in this land may be built, I observe, every practicable way should be attempted. The welfare of precious immortals demands it; the prosperity of our rising republic demands it; the enlargement of Immanuel's kingdom demands it; and the glory of God demands it. Four methods especially ought to be adopted, for repairing the desolations of our Zion.

1. Feeble churches and societies and new settlements must, themselves, make all possible exertion to support the ordinances, and institutions of religion. They are bound, as well as others, to do all in their power to accomplish this desirable object. It is a dictate of reason, and a sentiment of the Bible that we should first help ourselves, and, then, if need be, solicit assistance from others. Feeble churches and societies should call into requisition all their energies and resources, and grapple with opposing difficulties. A light tax imposed upon pride, appetite, and time, will go far towards supporting the Christian ministry. It is a great mistake to suppose that a small congregation is unable to maintain the gospel. It is rather a fact, that no congregation however large, is able to live without it. The expense of moral desolation in society is far greater than that for the maintenance of religion. The cost of prodigality, tavern haunting, midnight revels, intemperance, and vicious practices generally, together with consequent law-suits, are too great for any people to sustain. This consideration alone, is a great motive for feeble societies to make strenuous exertions

in supporting religious institutions. Where it can be done with convenience, it may be desirable for two feeble societies, adjacent to each other, to unite in maintaining a minister of the gospel. This in some instances has been done to great advantage.

2. Ministers of the gospel and pious people generally, in the vicinity of the desolations of Zion, must do what they can to repair them.

In the rebuilding of Jerusalem, it is said that the priests and others, repaired every one over against his own house. This was more convenient for them, and would stimulate to greater exertion; for public and private interest were connected. While they labored for the common good of the city, they would provide for their own personal safety. And it is not contrary to the great law of love, but is embraced within its requirements, that we have a special regard to those of our own household, and those of our own immediate neighborhood. This is also a dictate of nature. It is, therefore, highly proper, that ministers and pious people generally, residing in the vicinity of the desolations of Zion, should make special efforts to repair them. Ministers may exert a great influence by frequently visiting them, preaching lectures, imparting to them religious advice, and conversing with them from time to time, on those subjects which intimately concern their eternal wellbeing. All pious people, by their prayers, sympathies, conversation and counsels, may assist much in building these spiritual desolations.

3. Another method of building the waste places of Zion is, by gratuitous aid from the opulent, or from those who have ability to afford assistance in the maintenance of religious guides and instructers among the destitute. After feeble churches and societies and new settlements have exerted themselves to the utmost, for the support of gospel institutions, the deficiency should be supplied by

those who are favored with them, and are in possession of this world's goods. Giving in charity is no less a duty than prayer. Prayers should be accompanied with alms, that they may together ascend as an acceptable memorial before God. Let every wealthy Christian be his own executor, and not wait for years to elapse, and death to overtake him, before his property shall be scattered to enrich Zion. The strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak. This was agreeable to the practice of the primitive churches. This too was agreeable to the practice of the New England churches in better days. It is not optional with affluent churches to assist their feeble sister churches. They are bound to do it; and they cannot shrink from this duty, without disloyalty to the King of heaven, and betraying an avaricious spirit, which dishonors the Christian's name. They are, therefore, to contribute as God has given them ability; nor will they lose their. reward. It is the language of the great Benefactor of man; "Honor the Lord with thy substance, and with the first fruits of all thine increase, so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine." And let it ever be remembered, that feeble Societies and new settlements, encouraged by the charities of Christians, will be inspired with new life, and induced to make double efforts themselves.

The plan of sending missionaries to feeble societies and new settlements, is wisely adapted to accomplish the end in view. In doing this we follow the instructions and example of the great Head of the church. His commission to the apostles, and to their successors in the sacred ministry, is, "Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature ;" do this so far as you have ability and opportunity. It cannot be expected, that in those places in which moral desolations exist to any great degree, ministers will be raised up to preach the word of salva

tion. According to the order of Christ's kingdom, there are no converts to the gospel where its light is not enjoyed. The preaching of the gospel is the instrument used by the divine Spirit, in the conviction and conversion of men. In this way revivals of religion are effected, and in these God prepares hundreds of young men for the holy employment of preaching Christ, and Him crucified. Neither is it to be expected that such waste places will support the ministrations of the gospel, till they have tasted and seen that the Lord is good and gracious, or become convinced that religion is beneficial in a temporal and spiritual view. Of this, they never will be convinced until they have been favored with the dispensations of divine truth. Hence the importance of furnishing a missionary for every morally desolate place. A minister must be sent to every feeble society in this state,-in New England,in this whole country. In them the standard of the cross must be erected, and the banner of gospel love and peace must wave.. And the gospel must be preached in these places not merely occasionally, but constantly and permanently, or it will in a great measure lose its beneficial effects. The ministers and churches must ponder these things well, and come up to this holy and mighty work.

Here permit me to remark, that all who minister in holy things in the waste places of Zion, should be most eminently men of God, prudent, zealous, faithful preachers, who will do the work of an evangelist, labor in season, out of season, and be abundant in labors-ministers who will make parishes for themselves, and having done this, will assist in making parishes for others. For such places, no cold, formal, inactive, indifferent men are needed, but the very best men that can be found. It requires greater wisdom, power, and exertion, to wrest a