ther; but it is an organized whole, with one life pervading, assimilating, and actuating all the several parts. And the constituent elements of this life must be community of purpose combination of effort and sympathy of spirit. The end desired must be the same in all the members of the society. The means of pursuing that end must be contributed by all, according to the various gifts and offices assigned by God to each. And the complete amalgamation of these several means must be effected by an all-pervading and all-uniting sympathy. The parts may be variously diversified, and by that very diversity be able to contribute different kinds of help towards the attainment of the common end. But then social love must supply that genial warmth which can unite distinct and various elements, and fuse them into one great whole. For love supplies the only effective principle of unity, — which is, similarity in the midst of difference;-similarity of feeling amidst difference of character and gifts. And, therefore, our connexion with the Church will not be merely that we happen to think doctrinally as she does, or that we approve, and benefit by, her worship; but that we make her principles a guide to our minds-her discipline a law to our conduct- -and her members (her true and spiritual members, for "they are not all Israel which are of Israel") our companions and our helpers in the path of life.

The Psalmist felt deeply the sociableness of the system for which he had so much zeal, and his love for Zion was warmed by human sympathies. And it is indeed "a joyful and pleasant thing for brethren to dwell together in unity"-to go "with the multitude to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that keep holiday" -to "exalt him in the congregation of the people, and praise him in the assembly of the elders."

ever the social feeling finds its due expansion, it is surely in the assembly of the upright; if ever we feel what it is to be linked together by secret sympathies, and carried beyond ourselves by the rush and pressure of kindred spirits, it is in social worship. The hearts of the people become as the heart of one man. We feel that "there is one body and one spirit, even as we are called in one hope of our calling—one Lord, one faith, one baptism -one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in us all,"-till at last the secret fire, gathering strength by being diffused, burst forth in those words that burn, wherein the Church of England consummates her communion with the whole family of God in heaven and earth,— "With angels and archangels, and with all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify thy glorious name; evermore praising thee, and saying, Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts, heaven and earth

are full of thy glory: Glory be to thee, O Lord most High!"

Brethren, I pause to ask if you know anything of this spirit?-the only true uniting spirit ;-without participation of which, creeds are empty words, and unity is but a name. The Church is constituted a Church, and possesses all vitality and vigour as a true and living member of the great head of all, just as far as she partakes of that Spirit of Christ by which alone the whole body is fitly joined together which alone supplieth every jointand which alone maketh increase of the body to the edifying of it in love. And he, therefore, who has not this Spirit, in its elevating and sanctifying influences on his heart and life, he is a withered limb-a palsied member a dead branch, fit only to be burned. The unity of which we speak, and which animates the Churchman with a holy zeal for his brethren and companions' sake, is essentially a unity of spirit. "Religious unity," says Bishop Middleton, "supposes that we are really religious." And, therefore, again I ask-not generally only, but individually-Are you really religious? My Christian Brother, are you really religious? Do you not only acknowledge, but act upon, the fundamental truth of your accountableness to God as your Maker, your Preserver, your Saviour, your Judge? Is your soul humbled before

him, in shame and penitence, for your many sins and imperfections? Are you seeking the Divine favour as your highest treasure? Are you submitting yourself to him who only can secure to you that favour, the Lord Jesus Christ? And are you by faith and prayer drawing down from him the Spirit of God, to animate and strengthen-to direct, govern, and sanctify your soul and body in the way of His law, and in the work of His commandments? Then I say, that if you have this spirit of true Religion individually, you will delight to come and exercise it socially with those who possess like precious faith; you will cultivate in, and with the Church, that which you have derived through the Church, to the glory of your God and Father by the Church.

Finally, then, Brethren, I invite you all to exercise this social sympathy towards our sacred band of candidates for full communion with this congregation! Remember how essential is God's blessing, upon this occasion, to the welfare of this little society, and of that greater body of which it forms a part. Consider that without this blessing our youthful members must be our sorrow, and not our joy; must hang upon the Church like withered branches, instead of adding to its beauty and its fruits; must be incumbrances, not ornaments our reproach, and not our boast. And then will you

172 CHRISTIAN'S SPIRIT TOWARDS THE CHURCH.

feel aroused within you all the social sympathies of the Psalmist, in our text, when he exclaims, "O for the peace of Jerusalem!" Then will you pray breathe forth the actual intercessions which he elsewhere puts up to God,-"The Lord send thee help from the sanctuary, and strengthen thee out of Zion. Remember all thy offerings, and accept thy burnt sacrifice. Grant thee according to thine own heart, and fulfil all thy counsel. We will rejoice in thy salvation, and in the name of our God will we set up our banners: the Lord fulfil all thy petitions!"