all these gather themselves together, and come to thee." Since the apostolic age, there has been no period like the present p; all nations making peace in the spirit of peace ; and societies of every kind combining, not in this land only, but in foreign lands also, to translate the Scriptures into all languages, and to impart them to every nation under heaven. Is not this the finger of God ? and is not God's display of his own almighty operation a motive and a call to us to work together with him? Doubtless, if ever there was a time that we were particularly encouraged to engage in missionary exertions, it is now: " The sound is already gone forth in the tops of the mulberry-trees;" and therefore this is the time for us to " bestir ourselves: God is already gone out before usq;" and he will be with us in all that we put our hands unto.]
We conclude with pointing out our duty in reference to this great event;
1 . Let our expectations of it be enlarged —
[St. Paul represents the whole creation as waiting and longing for this blessed period r: and shall not we, " we, who already have the first-fruits of the Spirit s;" shall not we be expecting this glorious harvest? Shall we not look forward with holy joy to that time when " all the kingdoms of the world shall become the kingdoms of the Lord and of his Christ1? " O glorious day ! The Lord hasten it in his time ! ]
2. Let our prayers for it be poured forth —
[We cannot contemplate the universal reign of peace, and love, and holiness, without feeling an ardent desire that it might immediately commence, or without crying unto God, " How long, O Lord, wilt thou not have mercy on the world, against which thou hast had indignation almost six thousand years11?" Indeed God has particularly commanded that we should pray to him on this subject, and not give him rest, till
he arise and answer our petitionsx We are not to
imagine, that because the period is fixed in the Divine counsels, it is therefore in vain for us to pray: for God has invariably connected the accomplishment of his promises with the prayers of his people; and however absolute his promises may be, "he will yet be inquired of, to do the things which he has promised y."J
3. Let our exertions be used —
P June 5, 1814, three days after the tidings of peace with France had arrived.
i 2 Sam. v. 24. r Rom. viii. 19—22. s Rom. viii. 23.
t Rev. xi. 15. " Zech. i. 12. and Rev. vi. 10.
x Isai. lxii. 1—7. * Ezek. xxxvi. 36, 37.