did the prophet in his day see it realized before his eyes, and shall not we, now that the time is so nearly come ? Dear Bre- thren, you may already see " a stir among the dry bones, through the whole valley of vision : and it is yet but a very little time, and the Spirit of God shall breathe upon them, and they shall live, a whole army"." Yes, I can confidently say, " It is now but a very little while, and Lebanon shall be turned into a fruit- ful field, and the fruitful field shall be esteemed as a forest"."]
3. To quicken our exertions —
[In every age has God carried on his work, through the instrumentality of men. What were the Prophets or the Apostles, but Ministers, by whom he accomplished the pur- poses of his grace ? And so, at this time, he appeals to us respecting the ignorant and ungodly world, " How shall they hear without a preacher^?" You will say, perhaps, " We can- not all be preachers." True ; but there is much which may be done by every one amongst us. We may all comply with that direction of the prophet, " Lift up thy prayer for the remnant that is left." Yes, we may all "pray for the peace and welfare of Jerusalem." In fact, we are commanded, not only to pray, but to give God no rest, till he establish and make Jerusalem a praise in the earth i." We may also contribute, each accord- ing to his ability, to further those means which are employed, of circulating through the world the Scriptures of truth, and of sending Missionaries also to instruct mankind. The com- mand given by our Lord was, " to go forth into all the world, and to preach the Gospel to every creature." But how can persons go at their own cost? If a warfare against a hostile nation be determined, we never think of men going to maintain it at their own cost. Nor is it to be supposed that now per- sons should wage war against all the powers of darkness, and go forth to rescue the millions whom they hold in bondage, if they be not aided in their efforts by the contributions of their brethren. In this way, then, all may exert themselves in the common cause : and if our blessed Lord gave up himself to the most cruel death for the salvation of the world, methinks we, who have been partakers of his mercy, should use our efforts, in every possible way, to extend the knowledge of Him through the world ; and never to rest, till " all shall know Him, from the least to the greatest," and " all flesh shall see the salvation of God."]
" Ezek. XXX vii. 7 — 10. ° Isai. xxix. 17.
P Rom. X. 14. 1 Isai. Ixii. 6, 7.