What is that good which you are to encourage, or what is the work denoted by building and planting? This is a much more agreeable part of the subject than the other, though not more

A thriving soul! This is a matter of serious import, my brethren. A plant is said to thrive and prosper when it brings forth fruit—a field when it abounds with grain—a human body when it

“And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness; for a man’s life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”—Luke 12:15. When our Lord was preaching on subjects of

I. The subject-matter of the Christian ministry.—It is that which we have believed. It is of the first importance to a messenger to know his errand. Without this, whatever be our talents, natural or acquired,

You are assembled together, my dear hearers, that you may learn something concerning your everlasting welfare. I am glad to meet you; and shall be happy to communicate any thing that I understand on this

“A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if

“Praying for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ,—that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.”—Col. 4:3, 4. My dear brother, I

You may consider yourselves, therefore, brethren, as instruments in holding forth the light of the gospel to a benighted world. This is the thought I propose to dwell upon, and this only. The end of

Originally addressed to two missionaries and their wives. But while yours is unquestionably a great work, it is also a work in which there are great encouragements.—Under this head we may remark,— 1. It is

“I am fearfully and wonderfully made.”—Psal. 139:14. The term “fearful” is sometimes to be taken subjectively, for our being possessed of fear. In this sense it signifies the same as timid. Thus the prophet was