Gentlemen of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company,

It is with peculiar satisfaction, that we meet you in the sanctuary of God. Few scenes are more interesting than that which we now behold. The sword rests in its scabbard-the thunder of the cannon has ceased-the military standard is furled the nodding plume is laid aside-and the soldier is lost in the humble sinner, kneeling before the throne of God, and acknowledging his dependence upon the arm of the Most High.

We cannot too highly commend the practice, so long continued, of mingling with the martial and brilliant exercises of this day, the solemn duties of religion. Your grateful acknowledgments are due to that kind Providence, by whose care you behold another anniversary.-One of your associates and compatriots, the venerable WINSLOW has, during the past year, finished his mortal course. By his departure, you are reminded of your own frailty.-These splendid habiliments must soon be laid aside for the shroud, and the spirits which now animate these tabernacles of clay, must ascend to the tribunal of God. Happy is that soldier, who, at the approach of dissolution, can exclaim, I have fought a good

fight. For him a crown of righteousness is reserved, that fadeth not away.

In view of the solemn realities of futurity, how fading and transitory does the glory of the world appear, and how interesting and important do those subjects become, which have this morning engaged your attention! As Christians, you cannot pant for war, and as Christians, we cannot desire that you may ever again have the opportunity of signalizing your courage and trying your arms in the field of battle. But clouds and darkness rest upon the future. Our most sanguine expectations may all be disappointed. Unforeseen events may again call us to engage in war, and imperious circumstances may justify the measure in the sight of God and man. In which case, citizen soldiers, we have the most perfect confidence in your courage and patriotism. We have no doubt that the spirit which once actuated our fathers, when they fought and bled for all that was dear to them, will rest upon their sons; and if, like them, you should ever be called to struggle for your liberties and rights, like them you will conquer, and like them receive the warm approbation of a grateful country. But we hope that brighter days and more peaceful

scenes await you. We trust your country will not need the interposition of your swords; but, free from foreign commotion and internal disquiet, will continue to hold a distinguished rank among the nations of the earth.

Gentlemen, our best wishes follow you into the tranquil and useful walks of life. May you long enjoy, with gratitude, the bounties of Heaven and the blessings of Christianity in the happiest land beneath the sun,-and when your great Commander, the captain of our salvation, shall give you your discharge, may you hang up your arms in the mansions above, and be numbered among those happy spirits, who have fought their way to glory, and washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb.

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SERMON VII.

THE GOSPEL PREACHED TO THE POOR,

LUKE Vii. 22.

To the poor the Gospel is preached.

Of the numerous evidences in favor of the truth of Christianity, that derived from miracles has always been considered of primary importance. Although it has been assailed by the most ingenious sophistry of modern deists, it has triumphed over all opposition, and will ever remain one of the great bulwarks of the Christian faith. This kind of evidence, indeed, is essential to a revelation, purporting to come from God, for in no other way are we able to conceive how a revelation can be made. Should we be thought to attach too great importance to this

kind of evidence, we have only to plead the authority of our divine Master. In the early part of his ministry, the fame of his benevolent labors, as it spread throughout Judea, reached the damp and gloomy walls where the bold and intrepid Baptist lay a prisoner for his fidelity to an incestuous tyrant. When he heard of the wonderful works which Jesus performed, he called two of his disciples and sent them to him saying,-Art thou he that should come, or look we for another?

We cannot suppose that John himself had any doubts of the claims of Jesus to be the Messiah, as he had some time before pointed him out to the multitude on the banks of Jordan as the Lamb of God who taketh away the sin of the world;—and had beheld the descent of the Holy Ghost like a dove on his sacred head, when he condescended to submit to receive baptism at his hands. His embassy to Jesus was more probably intended to satisfy the minds of his disciples, than his own; and to introduce them to the notice and regards of the Saviour, before he should be removed from them by the bloody act of his relentless persecutor.

When the messengers of John delivered their errand, they found the Saviour engaged in his