All surrounded the tabernacle, as the first object of their unvaried solicitude ; and all looked forward to Canaan, as the crown and recompence of all their labours. So should it be with us. To advance the cause of God in this world, and to reach the promised land, should be the objects nearest to all our hearts. In this, then, let us all unite : " forgetting the things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, let us press forward for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Let us, I say, as many as be perfect, "be thus minded1."]
i Phil. iii. 14, 15.
Eph. iv. 7, 8. Unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men.
FROM the divisions which exist in the Christian Church, it has been said, by the enemies of Chris- tianity, " First agree amongst yourselves, before you attempt to proselyte others to your religion." That divisions do exist, is undeniable : and that they are a disgrace to our holy religion, must be confessed. But still, whilst we mourn over these differences, we believe that there is no society under heaven that is more agreed in all essential points than the Church of Christ. In the great essential points of repentance towards God and faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and the necessity of obedience to all the commands of God, there is no difference amongst any true Christians, whether they be found amongst the most enlightened philosophers or the most uncivilized barbarians. In our bodily frame there are many members, which, though widely different from each other in their use and structure, are in perfect harmony with each other, as being all actuated by the same spirit, har- moniously employed for the good of the whole. And this is precisely what exists in the Church of Christ : " There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit :