husbandman, for a distant harvest. Trials we shall have, of many kinds; and many, arising solely from our fidelity to God: but we shall bear up under them, going " through evil report and good report," till we have fought our fight, and finished our course : and then at last we shall be welcomed as faithful servants into the joyous presence of our Lord. Who would not wish for such happiness as this? Only then let our hearts experience what our lips have uttered, and that happiness is ours: only let our professions be verified, our promises fulfilled, and our prayers realized, and all will be well: God will see in us the heart which he approves, and will honour us with testimonies of his approbation to all eternity.
My second observation is, If there were in us such an heart, what blessings would result to all around us! The careless minister may spend many years in a populous parish, and yet never see one sinner con- verted from the error of his ways, or turned unto God in newness of life. But the faithful servant of Jehovah will have some fruit of his ministry. God will answer to him that prayer at the close of the ordination service, " Grant that Thy word, spoken by their mouths, may have such success, that it may never be spoken in vain!" God indeed does not make all equally useful; but he will leave none with- out witness, that the word which they preach is His Word, and that it is " the power of God unto the salvation of men." Behold, wherever such a minister is fixed, what a change takes place in reference to religion ! The obstinately wicked, who either hear him with prejudice or turn their backs on his mi- nistry, may possibly be only more hardened by the means he uses for their conversion ; and circum- stances may arise, where those who would once have plucked out their own eyes for him, may become for a while his enemies : but still there are many that will arise and call him blessed; many will acknowledge him as their spiritual father ; many will bless God for him, and shew in their respective circles the happy
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