unto Jacob, his statutes and his judgments unto Israel. He hath not dealt so with any nation." (Psal. cxlvii. 19, 20.) We cannot be enough thankful for our privileges, and instead of pouring contempt on praising God in the words of David, let our hearts exult for joy, that ever they, with other parts of scripture, were made known to us. It is owing to the distinguishing goodness of God, that we are not covered with Pagan darkness, Popish superstition, or Mahometan delusion. O how little do we prize our privileges! Without the light of the sun, we could not discern the beauty of the creation; so without the light of divine revelation, we would not have seen the chief of the ways of God, even the glorious work of man's redemption by Jesus Christ. "Through the tender mercy of our God, whereby the day-spring from on high hath visited us, to give light to them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace." (Luke i. 78, 79.)

Secondly, Let us be exhorted to hold fast every part of these ordinances. This is a day of great darkness in the church of Christ, and therefore the danger of their being corrupted is the greater: for when people lose views of the spirituality of God's institutions, they are apt to begin to please their fancies. To hold fast the institutions of Christ, and transmit them in purity to posterity, are duties incumbent on every generation of religious professors; and to hold fast the scripture psalms, and hand these down to the rising generation, are herein included. "We will not hide them from their children, shewing to the generation to come, the praises of the Lord, and his strength, and his wonderful works that he hath done. For he established a testimony in Jacob, and appointed a law in Israel, which he commanded our fathers, that they should make them known to their children." (Psal. lxxviii. 4, 5.) The vigorous struggles of our religious ancestors to maintain the whole system of divine truth in purity, will greatly aggravate our sin in letting any of Christ's truths slip. "Ye therefore, beloved, seeing ye know these things before, beware lest ye also being led way with the error of the wicked, fall from your own steadfastness.' (2 Pet. iii. 17.)

Thirdly, Let us be exhorted to beware of counting any of Christ's ordinances as little matters. God will honor them who make a bold stand for what is counted little. "And he said unto him, Well done thou good and faithful servant; because thou hast been faithful in a very little, have thou authority over ten cities." (Luke xix. 17.) Every step of degene

racy in a church appears at first as a little matter.* A grave divine compares these evils in their first beginnings to the point of a needle, which however small, has a long thread after it; so these draw a train of dismal consequences after them. Innovations in the church at first, wear something of an innocent and attractive aspect, and the direful cosequences are seldom adverted to, but by a few. What some observe of horse hairs lying nine days under water, that they then quicken and turn living creatures, may exemplify the consequences of lesser matters being allowed in religion, without a divine warrant. Indeed it seems to be a new religion which some are taking up with ;-a religion which causeth people to treat the principles solemnly espoused by the reformation, as matters of indifference, or rather filleth them with enmity against them altogether. A new religion must have new modes of worship, and hence it is that the psalms of David, which have been sung in the churches of Christ with so much heavenly delight, are now reckoned by many as quite improper for gospel worship. When a people depart from God, and despise the methods he takes to reclaim them, he is provoked to "choose their delusions." (Isa. lxvi. 4.)

Fourthly, Let us who are ministers of the word of Christ, be exhorted to make a bold stand for every part of divine truth. Our ordination vows bind us in the exercise of our ministry, to be valiant for the truth on the earth. Let us hear with solemn attention the charge given to Timothy, "I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Jesus Christ, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession; That thou keep this commandment, without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of the Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Tim. vi. 13, 14.) Let us show our love to our glorious master, by endeavoring to keep up the credit of all the parts of his word, in regard there are so many subtle schemes now on foot, to weaken its divine authority. In a /particular manner, let us be careful to explain the meaning, and show the propriety of the psalms of David; and thus endeavor to prevent their falling into disrepute among the people committed to our charge. "So they read in the book in the law of the Lord God distinctly, and gave the sense, and

"Well, if they be none of Christ's small things let them go, but if they be one of his truths, will ye call that a small thing? His small things are great things. It might be proven to you, that there never was a controversy since the beginning of the world, even touching the most momentous truths, that was not accounted a small thing while it was occasion of trial."

Livingston's Sermon in the Appendix to his Life.

caused them to understand the reading." (Neh. viii. 8.) Whatever trials we meet with in the exercise of our ministry, whether from open foes or professed friends, let us never think to forsake the banner of the Captain of our salvation, but rather resolve to "endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ." (2 Tim. ii. 3.) Satan is unwearied in his attempts to bring the ministers of the gospel into contempt, because they are great enemies to the interests of his kingdom: He thus acts the part of the thief, who aims at killing the watchman, that with greater ease and safety he may get into the house. To asperse the character of ministers, and represent them as men who want by their sacred function only to exalt themselves above others, he ordinarily stirs up persons who have some reputation for holiness that by their influence they may raise a faction. These act as a live bird to bring others into the net. Korah, Dathan, and Abiram had in their company "two hundred and fifty princes of the assembly, famous in the congregation, men of renown. And they gathered themselves together against Moses and against Aaron, and said unto them ye take too mnch upon you, seeing all the congregation are holy every one of them, and the Lord is among them; wherefore then lift you up yourselves above the congregation of the Lord." (Numb. xvi. 1, 4.)

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Finally, my brethren be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." (Eph. vi. 10.) To prevent our making shipwreck of the faith, and a good conscience, let us daily implore the communications of divine grace. "Now, unto him that is able to keep us from falling, and to present us faultless before the presence of his glory, with exceeding joy-To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory, and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen." (Jude ver. 24, 25.)

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH

OF THE REV. JAMES CLARKSON.

THE REV. JAMES CLARKSON, like all the first ministers of the Associate Church in this country, was a native of Scotland.

His father, and one of his brothers, were ministers of high standing for piety and talents, in the Secession Church in Scotland. His brother, the Rev. Andrew Clarkson, who was a person of refined manners, and very dignified personal appearance, also possessed principles of unbending integrity, and was noted for his consistent and fervent piety. The fol lowing incident in his life is related, as illustrating his cha

racter.

Some young men of infidel sentiments, who were the managers of a ball, sent him a ticket inviting his attendance, expecting that he would either treat it as an affront to his religious standing, or pass it unnoticed. But contrary to their expectations, Mr. Clarkson received the invitation with his usual courtesy, and to the surprise of his friends, dressed himself in a manner at once becoming the dignity of his character and not unsuitable to a ball-room, and repaired to the assembly. He conducted himself with much affability and politeness towards all the party, to their no small embarrassment. When it was about the time the dance was to commence, Mr. Clarkson addressed the managers in the hearing of the company to the following effect. That having received an unexpected invitation to their entertainment of that evening, he was happy in meeting so large an assembly; and as it had been an uniform practice with him to engage in nothing on which he could not seek the Divine blessing, he hoped, that, as they had already shown him so much politeness, they would extend their indulgence to him in this respect also! He then invited them to unite with him in