God we are, therefore, to understand, both his way and his word; the perfections of his nature, and the purposes

II. OBSERVE THE REQUEST WE ARE TO OFFER"HALLOWED BE THY NAME."

There are two senses in which the word " hallow," to make holy, or sanctify, is used in scripture. Sometimes it is applied to the designation of any thing common in itself, to holy purposes. Thus, the vessels in the temple were holy, because they were appropriated to the service of the Lord. And thus are "the saints" "an holy generation," because they are "renewed in the spirit of their mind," "born again of the Spirit of God," and purified from the love, dominion, and defilement of sin. So, likewise, the Sabbath is said to have been "blessed and hallowed" by the Great Maker of the Universe; the meaning of which is, that he made a difference between that and other days, by claiming it for himself; and that He appointed it as a day of cessation from all manual labour, in which rest the beasts of the field were to participate; and that men should devote this seventh portion of time to sacred, religious, and benevolent engagements.

The other sense in which the word is used, is the declaration of any thing to be holy; and the reverence of it as such. In this application we are doubtless to understand the expression before us. God is " holy in all his ways," and he is to be adored and feared accordingly. Thus we have the prediction: "They shall sanctify my name, and shall sanctify the Holy One of Israel, and shall fear the In the same way we are to understand the prayer of our Lord, when he said, "Father, glorify thy name," We can add nothing indeed to the glory of

God of Israel.”*

* Isaiah xxix. 23.

his perfections, or the brightness of his crown; yet we are said to hallow his "name," and display his moral excellence, when we are filled with his Spirit, impressed with the sense of his holiness, offer Him praise, and adopt every scriptural endeavour for the diffusion of his will among the children of men, that they may admire and imitate his perfections also. The prayer, therefore, must be regarded as the language of strong desire, that "our Father which is in heaven" may be universally acknowledged-everywhere adored-and by every one beloved.

We

First. When we pray "hallowed be thy name,' we desire that it might be universally acknowledged. have already said, that it cannot suppose the addition of any holiness to the eternal Jehovah, but it means the entertainment of sentiments and affections suitable to his purity. This is the practical acknowledgment of which we speak, and to the production of which every scriptural effort in the missionary world is directed. Ah! how far is this from being the case at present among the habitations of men. How little is his character understood and venerated by the world at large! Think on the gross similitudes— the vile representations of his attributes and perfections which prevail in the heathen world, in the region of "darkness and the shadow of death." Let every sympathy of the soul awake to dispel the gloom, and diffuse "the light of the knowledge of God in the face of Jesus Christ," through these dismal abodes! But unhappily for our country, christianized as it professes to be, it often exhibits features of ignorance and superstition equally gross and revolting with many parts of the pagan world. Into what city, town, or village can you enter, where no scene of Sabbath-breaking and dissipation meets the eye? Much has, indeed, been done by the friends of religion, to "stay the moral plague;" but nothing yet compared with what remains to be effected. To a mind sensible of dis

honour offered to God, it is deeply distressing to witness so much public parade-so much pleasure-taking and conviviality,—so much trafficking, both in the counting-house and the street, on the day which celebrates the triumph of our Lord over the tomb,-and the revelation of immortality to a dying world. And it is not the least painful reflection, that this is done by a class of men whose example has the most potent influence on the morals of society in general! Ah! where are our statesmen, philanthropists, and wealthy Christians, that they do not endeavour to check this unblushing profligacy on the sacred day? Brethren, we may not be able to do much, but something we all can do. Then let us arouse every energy we possess, and by fervent prayer, accompanied with large and self-denying exertions, endeavour to "shine as lights" in our own spheres, "that at the name of Jesus every knee may bow, and every tongue confess that he is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." The promise is, "From the rising of the sun, to the going down of the same, his 'name' shall be great among the Gentiles."*

Secondly. This prayer includes the scriptural adoration and worship of God. It is much to turn men "from dumb idols"—from the gross and polluting scenes of vice and shame, which so frequently strike the eye-from the open and avowed "enmity of the carnal mind,”—to a course of sobriety and moral rectitude; but this may be accomplished while the heart still remains entirely irreligious and unsanctified. Such persons thus impressed may become virtuous in the general acceptation of the term, and yet be wholly destitute of that inward principle of truth and holiness essential to the proper glorification of the divine name. There must be a just apprehension of his character, and a powerful sense of his purity and love, or

Mal. i. 11.

eise it will be only "lip service," the reverence of the tongue and nothing more. Ah! how painful the fact— that amongst thousands who acknowledge Him as “the Lord God Almighty," there is nothing but a cold external homage paid; and, in a lamentable proportion of instances, not even this. The very form of religion is abandoned by multitudes, even on the Sabbath; and an occasional and ceremonial visit to some place of public worship, seems to satisfy the conscience both for previous and subsequent omissions. But when the Divine Name is “hallowed,” according to the prayer before us, there will be a most happy change in these respects. "It shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of Lord from Jerusalem."*

Thirdly. Personally and cordially beloved. This is included in the request with which we are to advance to the throne of our Common Parent. This view of the passage regards the sanctification of Jehovah, not only by the universal acknowledgment of his perfections, and the sincere adoration of his greatness and grace, but the undivided and supreme devotedness of the soul, with all its powers and affections, to his praise. This is called by an apostle the "sanctification of the Lord God in our hearts.Ӡ And it includes all that passes within us, and all that is wrought by us. It is to revere Him by our thoughts; confide in Him by our judgment; rest on Him in hope;

and serve Him by an active and cheerful obedience. This is explained in the third petition of the prayer, as “doing his will on earth as it is done in heaven." It is to make religion an habit, not an act, our very constitution and nature, and not something to which we now and then address ourselves. And is not this important? Is it not necessary? The word of inspired truth knows of no other way in which the "name" of God is hallowed than this. Thus testifieth the Saviour on the subject, "Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit: so shall ye be my disciples."* O that in every place He may be thus devoutly regarded, and scripturally sanctified, by the sons of men.

Such are the sentiments contained in the request"Hallowed by thy name." I shall, therefore, proceed to consider,

III. A FEW OF THOSE DUTIES WHICH IT IMPOSES UPON THE PETITIONER.

It is, my brethren, to be most seriously apprehended, that many who use these words in their public and private devotions, have no idea of their importance, or of the solemn responsibility they incur on themselves. This fact, indeed, is true of all men, the most eminent Christians not excepted, to a very painful extent; but it is an evil which they bitterly deplore. With respect, however, to numbers, it is not lamented at all. They ask, as far as language is concerned, for a blessing they never desired, and for grace, of which they never felt the need. And it is too evident, that not a few of such as know the meaning of this request the Lord directs them to offer, and who actually do it in public and private, do not show much concern for the honour of God in their discourse or

John xv. 8.