ter rests. which involve no real humility of spirit; but there the matNot so with a tender conscience: it heals not its wounds so slightly: the children of God take shame to themselves for their asperities and negligences; they will trace them to a want of more sincere, humble, and active affection for their neighbour; they will contrast them with the example of their Redeemer; and while they pray to their Father for forgiveness, they will ask for all the mind which was in Christ Jesus, "that they may walk worthy of the Lord, unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God." 2. Courtesy to man is perfectly consistent with faithfulness to God. A good soldier of Jesus Christ must bear his testimony against sin; but our subject prescribes the manner only of so doing. 3. Man cannot practise Christian courtesy till he has renounced the world; for the world is not the school in which true politeness can be acquired. To be kind to the evil and to the unthankful is a lesson of heavenly wisdom. It, and it alone, can "behold the" persecuting "city and weep over it." In the world you may learn to love them that love you; but would you acquire the meekness of wisdom, which, unlike the politeness of the world, possesses the intrinsic property of the charity which never faileth, which enables us to be courteous not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward, you must enter the school of Christ: "Learn of me, for I am meek and lowly of heart, and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light." Then be no longer "conformed to this world, but transformed by the renewing of your minds, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect will of God." "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." SERMON XIV. WE ARE VERILY GUILTY CONCERNING OUR BROTHER. A MISSIONARY DISCOURSE. Genesis, xlii., 21.-We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us. THIS subject affords a fine opportunity to discourse on the nature and power of conscience-the candle of the Lord.It is not necessary to inquire whether it be ever altogether silenced. *** Sleep and death, however, are two things. See the frozen snake-bring it to the fire! "There is no peace to the wicked;" they are always subject to bondage through fear of death. Johnson said, infidels are of two classes, fools and wretches; if they refuse to think, it is madness; if they do think, it is misery! Why did Felix tremble? Why were "the joints of Belshazzar's loins loosed," and why "smote his knees one against the other?" Why not interpret the handwriting favourably-as the record of his greatness? * * * Herod, though a Sadducee, thought that John the Baptist was risen again; his conscience was too much for his creed. -The light will break in through some chink or other. M. de Staël said "it was in the power of adversity to make every man superstitious in spite of himself;" rather say, revive the conviction of a Deity. See the text-comment on it.-What similarity of circumstances was there in the situation of these men that brought Joseph to mind?-famine!-strange land!—governor treated them roughly!-put three days in hold!— they feel they need pity!-Conscience says, "You cannot look for it, for you showed none." "Blessed are the merciful."-We only knew the fact before, but now we hear of the entreaties which Joseph made-his tears!—his cry, O Judah, O Ruben, waxed fainter and fainter, till it died on the ear-and they sat down to eat and drink.-Wretches! * You, my friends, are now indulging vengeance on them: in their situation-but expend it not all on them! Some nearer you-I mean not your neighbours, but you. Have you never enjoyed yourselves when the cry of distress has been heard? ✶✶ Yet I mean something higher than this! -While you sit down to eat and drink in spiritual privileges, what millions are in more pitiable circumstances? "We are verily guilty concerning our brother;" and I hope to bring this matter home and convict every one of you! (Thank God, "The Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans," is not a text often preached on in modern times. Bunyan said, "Master Prejudice fell down and broke his leg;" I would, said he, that he had broken his neck too. ** Enlarge on the Wesleyan Missions.) Mr. Ward said, "I have attended many missionary meetings in England, yet in all you indulge too much in congratulation; if you had seen the wide-spread fields of heathenism as I have seen, &c. * nothing comparatively is done; not enough to wipe off the reproach for long neglect." "We are verily guilty concerning our brother." We proceed, then, to notice, I. The sources from whence these convictions are to be derived. II. What influence this ought to have on us. I. The sources from whence these convictions are to be derived. We cannot condemn a criminal till we convict him. I arraign this whole audience! I charge them with guilt. Consider, then, 1. The relation of the sufferers our brethren! This was the sting in the text-our brother: not a stranger, though then our conduct was merciless!-Nabal.-I hope there are none of his descendants here this morning; you cannot use his words in reference to any of the human race. God has made all of one blood; all are your brethren. See the Hindoo, African, Esquimaux: each says, "Am not I thy brother?" I catechise thee," Art not thou his brother by infirmities ?" *** His follies and his crimes have stamped him man! 2. The wretchedness of their state. Joseph's state was nothing compared with those who address us. You say, however, "Joseph besought them; but the heathen do not beseech us; they are satisfied with their condition." The more pitiable! See the maniac: in his wild ravings he fancies himself a king: is he therefore to be less compassionated? I have seen the infant play with the ensigns of its mother's death. "Precious babe!" said I, "ignorant of thy loss!" So here: their lack of knowledge prevents them from being sensible to their condition. But you say, "Joseph's brethren saw the anguish of his soul." True: and here I feel the disadvantage of my position. If you could but see what a missionary sees! Could I but lead you, not to their sensualities—to name which would be a shame-but to their cruelties! Could I show you the devotee lying on sharp spikes, or casting himself under the ponderous car of Juggernaut; could I fix your eyes on children leaving their aged parents to expire on the damp banks of their idol river, or parents casting their children to the crocodiles of the Ganges, or sons lighting the funeral pile of their mothers, you would not keep from me even a ring on your finger. Philosophers sneer when we talk of the dreadful state of the East; and many Christians concede too much to them. I do not say God cannot save a heathen; the influence of the fact of the Gospel extends farther than the Revelation. In reference to infants, this is certain, and Scripture itself assures us that "In every nation he that feareth God and worketh righteousness is accepted with him." Yet, after all, without a preparedness there can be no heaven, and Ward said he had not found anything resembling real holiness among all the heathen with whom he had been conversant. Idolatry is not merely a weakness, as some say; it is a regular system of sensuality and crime. It originates in the vices men love, and hates the virtues which God approves. Do the Scriptures talk lightly of it? It not only tolerates vices, but hallows them; cruelties and crimes are sanctified. It is iniquity personified; yea, the devil deified and hell incarnated! You inquire, "May there not be with God a secret method of saving the heathen?" I answer, if secret, we know nothing about it, and have nothing to do with it. If revealed, where? The Scriptures say, "There is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved, but the name of Jesus." The heathen feel their guilt; yet they know nothing of the fountain opened in the house of David for sin and uncleanness. But we shall discover still farther evidences of our guilt by considering, 3. Our orders to succour them. This succour is not optional with us. It is commanded in every injunction to benevolence and beneficence; and this must, of course, include the highest kinds of them. "Freely ye have received, freely give," is the Divine requisition. The goodness of the Master is often impugned because of the wickedness of those servants who neglect or violate the command. (The brute on the seventh day.) One is rich and the other poor. Does God love the rich more? No; but makes him his almoner: but if the rich hoard it up, shall the Master be condemned? Now our Saviour said, "Go ye into all the world and preach the Gospel to every creature." Had the command been acted on ever since it was given, the earth would now be full of the knowledge of the Lord, as the waters cover the sea. But" if the Gospel be so valuable," say some, "why has it spread so little?" I reply by another interrogatory, Has God no attribute but his power? We know that God will be able to justify himself, but we never shall be able to justify ourselves. "We are verily guilty concerning our brother." Another evidence of our guilt will appear when we consider, 4. The possibility of affording them succour. "Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thine hand to do it." Our duty to the heathen is |