dition of those to whom his gospel was preached. Had the Saviour descended from heaven to earth in a chariot of fire, attended with legions of angels, his condescension would have been great. But how much greater does it appear, when we reflect on the circumstances of his advent! Born in a stable, cradled in a manger, the reputed son of a carpenter, an associate of publicans and sinners! How exquisitely tender and pathetic is the description which the Saviour gives of his own poverty. The foxes have holes, and the birds of the air have nests, but the Son of man has not where to lay his head.

But his condescension appears in the most engaging point of light, when we reflect on the condition and character of those to whom he addressed the offers of mercy. He came to seek and to save that which was lost. He came not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance. He was not to be found in the halls of the noble, nor at the tables of the great; but he sought out objects of suffering humanity among the lowest classes of society. He travelled on foot through the cities and villages of Judea, on errands of mercy, healing the sick, and casting out unclean spirits, and sometimes raising the dead. None were so obscure as to be beneath his notice.

Even that wretched class of society, who were excluded by general assent from circles of reputation, were not forsaken by the pitying Son of God; but when penitent and believing, found a ready and almighty friend in Him, who never broke the bruised reed, nor quenched the smoking flax. The dying thief turned not, in vain, an imploring eye to Jesus. Such was the condescension of Him, who, though he was rich, for our sakes became poor, that through his poverty we may be rich.

While we adore his matchless condescension, let us learn, in the second place, to imitate his example.

The example of Jesus is, in all respects, worthy of our imitation. He went about doing good, and he hath set us an example that we should follow his steps. It is, more particularly, his example as a preacher of the glad tidings of salvation to the poor, to the meanest class of people, to the outcasts of society, that we desire this evening to hold up for your imitation.

Let the ministers of Jesus, in the first place, be reminded of the Saviour's example. How does it reprove those who seek to please the rich and the noble and the learned, and neglect the humble poor-whose ambition is gratified if they

are admired and caressed by the higher classes of society, the fashionable, and the gay, while the poor remain unnoticed and unknown. It is one evidence of fidelity in a minister of the gospel, and denotes one point of resemblance to his divine Master, when the common people hear him gladly. What if he is deserted by the great, and wise, and rich men of this world-happy is he, if he can collect around him a congregation of humble poor. He never need be ashamed of a congregation like that to which his Saviour ministered. Let ministers of Jesus then be exhorted from our subject, to be more faithful, diligent and persevering in preaching the gospel to the poor.

But, is the whole of this interesting and important duty confined to them? Who are to furnish the facilities for carrying into effect this benevolent object? The poor it is obvious cannot, the ministers of Jesus cannot, for they most frequently resemble their divine Master in his poverty, and they cannot, like him, render the fish and the sea tributary to the supply of their wants. They who preach the gospel, now that miracles have ceased, must live by the gospel; and, if they would preach the gospel to the poor, as their Saviour did, they must be assisted in their labors of love by those upon

whom the Lord has more liberally bestowed the means. Hence we perceive the duty of Christians in general to use all the means in their power that the gospel may be preached to the poor. The poor, said Jesus, ye have always with you, and whenever you will you can do them good. We need not go far to find suitable objects for this important charity. The poor are to be found in our smallest villages—but in cities and large towns they form no inconsiderable part of the community.

Impressed with the necessity of adopting efficient measures for extending to the numerous poor of this metropolis the advantages of moral and religious instruction, the society was instituted, whose anniversary we this evening celebrate, and in whose behalf I now address you. In pleading their cause, I have the satisfaction of addressing an audience distinguished for their liberality to benevolent institutions. To you, the numerous societies, which have for their object the relief of the temporal and bodily necessities

of your fellow creatures, have never appealed in vain; and shall a society, whose object is to save the souls of men from death-to extend to the suffering poor the inestimable blessings of the gospel-to bring contentment to the poor man's

home-to administer consolation to the afflicted, comfort to the sick, and hope to the dying—shall such a society in vain solicit the benevolent aid of the Christian public? No-it cannot be. It has only to make its necessities known, and the hand of charity immediately will be extended to its relief.

But why should I detain you any longer from

carrying your benevolent purposes into operation?

I will only say, that there is a circumstance in the history of this society which, while it awakens both pleasing and painful emotions in my own bosom, cannot but be deeply interesting to those who usually worship in this consecrated temple. -It is the memory of its early and constant friend and president, the ever lamented, ever beloved HUNTINGTON. If his pure spirit is permitted to concern itself in the affairs of mortals, may we not indulge the pleasing thought, that it is hovering over this assembly, and regarding with peculiar complacency, the society which, when living, was so near his heart.-And how can you, my Christian friends, better express your regard for his memory, than by contributing this evening, as God has blessed you, to aid the funds of the Boston Society for the Moral and Religious Instruction of the Poor.'