SERMON XXI.

THE LOITERER AT THE VINEYARD.

Matt. xx. 6.

"Why stand ye here all the day idle?"

THE text is from the story of the vineyard, where labourers were hired at the different hours of the day, and where some were found idle even at the eleventh, and were set to work in the vineyard. Thus is illustrated the great work which we all have to do, and the importance that we be about it early. The object of introducing this parable was to induce men to think. When men will begin to think, a very important object is gained; this thought, however, must result in feeling, or nothing radically important is effected. And when men feel they must act, or nothing is done to any lasting or important purpose. And even then the grand design of the gospel is not answered unless men act from right motives. If men suppose that God thus pushes his demands too far, they have only to be told that every human parent demands all this of his child.

But many fatally mistake the grand design of the gospel and of life, and suppose that some external morality is all that God requires. What then is the chief end of man? This is not a mere child's question; but should be put to the youth, to the middle aged, and the man of gray hairs. We should put it to ourselves in the morning and in the evening, and seven times a day. It should be written over the posts of our doors, and worn as a signet upon the breast. It is a question of

the mightiest import We learned the answer when children, have we to this day understood is import? In the sacred volume the question is ably and eloquently answered. "God has made all things for himself." He is an infinite ocean of excellence, of wisdom, holiness, justice, and goodness, and truth. He was eternally inclined to communicate his happiness to creatures. If, therefore, he act according to his nature, he will make creatures happy. Intending thus to act, he created angels with great capacities to contain the overflowings of his goodness. He made man, also, to share in the same bliss, and join the angels in a general song of praise. Having made these immortal, beings, he began to make himself known to them, that they might begin their joy. He opened before them the treasures of his grace, and invited them to partake and be happy. To us, he has revealed himself in the volume of nature. The whole creation glows with the beams of his love. In the still richer volume of his hand, we have his character in fairer lines. There are delineated the features of immaculate beauty.

This, then, is the great business of life, to know and love our Creator, and Benefactor, and Preserver. If we already know something of his excellent glory, and in some measure love him, our present business is to know him better and love him more.

Another part of our work is to promote the knowledge and love of him in others. Is any immortal mind benighted, it is our work to find access to it, and through some opening, introduce the light of heavenly truth. Is any heart hardened by sin, it is our work to place it beneath the droppings of the cross, and let it there dissolve. It is our work to spread out before it the character of God, and give it opportunity, by our trans

forming view, to be changed to love. Believing God to be an infinite fountain of good, which constantly overflows, our business is to open channels of communication, that it may flow out and bless the world. In one word, this is our business, we are to use our time, our influence, our wealth, our every talent in the grand business of causing God to be known and loved. This is the chief end of man.

This is the work which every man must do, or God will accuse him of standing idle. It is not the business of ministers only. None in heaven, earth, or hell, are exempt. God has not made one creature, that can be spared from his work. Could he have spared the instrumentality of a single creature which he has made, that creature would not have been made. He would not have moulded that body, he would not have infused that immortal spirit to be a mere cumbrance to creation.

No one can be excused. Not an angel can be spared, not a man must be unemployed, not a devil but must advance his praise. God must be known and loved. Are there not some of my dear readers who have not yet began this work? It is to no purpose, that you have been industrious, it is to no purpose that you have spent anxious days and restless nights, it is to no purpose that you have heard many sermons, and attempted many prayers; it is to no purpose that you have fed the poor, and clothed the naked, and led moral lives; if you have neglected the divine glory, you have done nothing in the account of God.-Will conscience now do its office, do any of you feel willing to acknowledge, that as yet you have done nothing?-To you, then, I propose one short question," Why stand ye here all the day idle?”

I. Is it because you know not what you have to do! Not one of you can make this plea, you have had the

Bible in your hands from your infancy. If you have neglected to read it, or if you have willingly misunderstood its meaning, it is nevertheless true, that God has given you a revelation of his will, in his word. The parts of that sacred book which your memory retains, bears daily testimony against you.

You have listened to a preached Gospel. The ambassadors of Christ have often pressed upon you, your duty. They have searched the Scriptures, and told you the will of God. One after another has been sent, till by their united efforts, unless you have absented yourself from the house of God, they have explained your whole duty. From Sabbath to Sabbath, they have taken their stand in the sacred desk, and have published in your ears their heavenly message. Not only on the Sabbath, but on. other days have you been invited. Scarcely, since you left your cradle, has the Gospel trump ceased to vibrate upon your ear, and God will have kept the whole account.

Many of you have enjoyed the instructions of pious parents; parents who have laboured from year to year, with many discouragements, and many tears, to impress your minds with a conviction of truth and duty. They have spoken of these things to you, "when they sat in the house, and when they walked by the way, when they lay down, and when they rose up," with all the tenderness of anxious love, have they pressed upon you, your obligations to your God, and your dying Saviour.

Some of you have had other friends, who have been faithful to your souls. Perhaps the wife of your bosom has awakened you in the midnight hour, to tell you, that you was sleeping on the margin of the pit. Perhaps a brother or a sister has wept over you, and plead wth you to be reconciled to God.

Had you enjoyed none of these means, you still might have known your duty. You might have learned much of God from the works of nature! For the invisible things of him, from the creation of the world, are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead. The very heathen are without excuse. Even the knowledge of God which they may acquire, would render them capable of serving him. What excuse, then, will there be for you! Indeed, the African and Hindoo can tell you, that your ignorance will furnish you no excuse.

You know that there is one only living and true God, who is your Creator, and whom you ought to love and serve; assured that you are giving up your plea of ignorance as untenable, I again ask, "Why stand ye here all the day idle?"

II. Is it because it is not an important work, to which you are called! You suppose it, then, of small importance whether God be honoured, or whether you or your fellow-creatures be happy. So it seems, then, of no importance, that, what was God's object in creating you, should be accomplished! Should he think it of sufficient importance to induce him to create you, and will you think it too trifling an object to engage your attention! Can you possibly think it of no importance, that God be known and loved by his creatures? God himself is happy in being known and loved. Herein he acts out his nature, and continues his own immortal blessedness. Where, then, can be an object half so grand!

The creatures of God can never be happy, except by knowing and loving him. In no other way, did ever men or angels enjoy true bliss. And it seems you are regardless, whether they are happy or not. Are you,