thou hadst prepared for him, he has yet left us a memorial of his dying love in these symbols which are now before us;—and that as often, therefore, as we surround this table," and eat of this bread, and drink of this cup, we show the Lord's death till he come again."

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"Our souls do magnify the Lord, and our spirits rejoice in God our Saviour,-for he that is mighty hath done great things for us,—and holy is his name." What shall we render unto the Lord for all his benefits? We will take the cup of salvation, and will pay our vows unto the Lord, now, in the presence of all his people. We will offer unto thee the sacrifice of thanksgiving, and will call upon the name of the Lord. We will pay our vows unto the Lord, now, in the presence of all his people,—in the courts of the Lord's house,"—at the table consecrated by him who gave his life for the salvation of men.

But how, O God, shall we, who are covered with iniquity, presume to take into our hands the symbols of the body and blood of him who did no sin, but "who was holy, harmless, and undefiled?" or how shall we, who have so often erred, ven

ture to take that great vow which binds us to a zealous and steadfast obedience to all thy commandments?

Yet, blessed be thy name, that these also are the symbols of peace and forgiveness to man,and that as often, therefore, as we surround the table on which these consecrated elements are placed, we are invited to call to mind, that he who gave his life for men is now also exalted at the right hand of God, "a Prince and a Saviour, to give repentance to Israel, and remission of sins.”

Animated and cheered by these consolatory thoughts, "we will take the cup of salvation," which our Redeemer blessed, "and will pay our vows before all thy people ;"-we will prostrate ourselves before the cross of our Lord, " crying out, Unclean, unclean !"-and by thy grace we will rest in the assurance, that the blood which was poured out upon that cross 66 was shed for the re

mission of the sins of many."

Lord, send down thy good and sanctifying spirit to prepare us for this solemn duty. Grant us devout recollection of all that our Saviour did and suffered for men,-warm our hearts with true love and reverence for "him who loved us, and gave

himself for us,"—fill our hearts also with charity to every member of that family which he died to redeem;-oh! grant us deep hatred of all sin, and strong resolutions of being henceforth devoted to all duty, and may our service this day be acceptable in thy sight, being offered by truly-contrite hearts, and from such desires after holiness as thy good Spirit only can inspire. And, oh! grant that, when we have vowed, we may be enabled to perform our vow,—may we ever "bear about with us the dying of the Lord Jesus,”—and, considering ourselves as " redeemed not with corruptible things, such as silver and gold, but with the precious blood of the Son of God, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot," may we make it our daily study" to adorn the doctrine of our Lord, by lives and conversations becoming the Gospel."

Thou only, O God, canst give the preparation of the heart,-thou hearest the desire of the humble,-thou wilt grant their request. "Be merciful to us, and bless us, and cause the light of thy countenance to shine on us," in this our breaking of bread, for our Redeemer's sake. Amen.

FIRST SERVICE.

ADDRESS TO THE COMMUNICANTS BEFORE DISTRIBUTING THE SACRAMENTAL ELEMENTS.

LUKE Xxii. 19. This do ye.

COMMUNICANTS,

"BLESSED," surely, "were they who saw the face of the Son of Man, and who heard the gracious words that proceeded from his mouth.”

Blessed, more especially, were the chosen few who attended him through all the events of his life, who not only saw his face and heard his words, but who sat at meat with him,-and who, when his years of humiliation and of labour were concluding, partook along with him, "in an upper hall in Jerusalem," of that last supper which he had ordered to be made ready, that he might

have a parting interview of love and kindness with his familiar friends, on the evening of the day before he should suffer without the gates of the city.

Blessed above all was " that disciple whom Jesus loved," "who leaned on his bosom as he sat at meat,”—and from whose friendship and affectionate regard he sought for consolation, even in that awful hour when every thing in heaven and on earth seemed darkening to oppress him.

Ah! my beloved brethren, which of us does not wish that we too had been of that party?—and which of all the meetings that have ever been held by men seems so worthy of being desired that we should have been present at, as that at which Jesus himself presided,-that " last supper" which he had with his friends before he suffered death, —and at which, "all things that had been foretold of him being now accomplished," he not only ate bread and drank wine with them, " giving thanks" unto God,-but at which also, when this ceremony was ended, "having taken a towel and girded himself, and poured water into a basin, he began to wash the disciples' feet, and to say unto them, Know ye what I have done unto you? If

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