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and educate the soul. But while negatives have not power to sanctify, their influence must be well nigh equal to any system which is wanting in completeness. We need the whole truth, not a part of it; and when the whole is not preached, the mind will be left in a state of indecision, and no entire control can be gained over it. For instance: It must be true, that some will be endlessly punished, or that some will be annihilated, or that all will be saved. Now, if we say the first position is true, we can appeal to the fear of endless wo; if we say the second is true, we can appeal to the dread of annihilation; and if we say the third is true, we can urge the righteous retribution of God, and his infinite goodness. In each system, there is a completeness which gives it character, and brings the mind to a decision. Each system gives a basis on which to stand, and reveals the worst and the best in human fate, and thus makes itself bear with all its powers upon human motives. An awful uncertainty cannot answer the end of a perfect system; for it does not, and cannot, fix positively the character of God or his government, and thus can neither have the power of fear, nor of love. Thus, that preaching which does not indoctrinate in some form of faith, can never produce any marked effect. He that would build his people up in the truth, must preach the truth.

In closing, we will say, that in presenting a likeness of each preacher, we think that we have given a great attraction to the volume. The engravings are well executed, and the likenesses are pronounced good by the best judges.

SERMON I.

OUR PURPOSE.

BY REV. T. P. ABELL.

go

forth as

"For Zion's sake I will not hold my peace, and for Jerusalem's sake I will not rest, until the righteousness thereof brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth.”— ISAIAH lxii. 1.

WHATEVER room there may be for the exercise of critical skill in determining the authorship of the text, it will be regarded as sufficient for the present to say, that the language is clearly expressive of the feelings and desires of the one who employed it. It announces the settled resolution to labor for the enlargement and the prosperity of Zion—to pursue this great object without rest or cessation, "until the righteousness thereof shall go forth as brightness, and the salvation thereof as a lamp that burneth."

We believe, my brethren, that we may say with safety, that our desires and aims are not wholly dissimilar to those indicated in the text. We

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