to establish the kingdom of Satan in the world. On the other hand, as the Conference has observed, "blessed would be the result if along with every considerable place of worship was associated a well-conducted day-school, in which the elements of useful knowledge would be taught in union with the wisdom which cometh from above." But in those schools and "seminaries where there is no recognition of Providence, no faith reposed in the Redeemer, no stated worship offered to God, there can neither be blessing nor righteousness, but confusion and every evil work.” And in conjunction with dayschools, there should be, in proper localities, efficient academies, in which the higher branches of education could be taught by competent and pious teachers. Hence it is the duty of the members of the christian church to exert themselves in these important particulars. They should erect and render effective those sacred nurseries, in which not only the elements of useful and religious knowledge may be communicated, but in which may be taught a classical education. And, perhaps, there never was a period in which the Methodists in these Provinces stood more in need of an institution of this nature than at present; therefore, they should by their zeal, and energy, and liberality, speedily render the Academy, which is now being erected at Sackville by the munificent liberality of a member of that community, an efficient medium through which knowledge may be imparted to the rising generation.

The teaching here referred to by the Apostle may likewise include those persons engaged in teaching the youth in a Sabbath school. It is a fact, demonstrated by past experience, that, apart from the ministry of the word and the ordinances of the gospel, no instrumentality now in operation has effected half the good that these schools have done. In them children have been taught the great truths relative to their immortal interests, and trained up in the fear of the Lord. Thus they have become the grand nurseries of religion; and blessed are those pious persons who dedicate a part of the Sabbath in instructing the youthful mind. How important and sacred to increase their knowledge of the word of God; to guide and gratify their thirst for general information; to attach them to an evangelical ministry, and spiritual worship; and ultimately to effect their consecration to God, and union with His Church.

But the Apostle adds to the gifts already mentioned that of exhortation: "he that exhorteth, on exhortation." The word parakalon, exhorteth, denotes a person who admonishes, intreats or besecches sinners to be reconciled to God, or endeavours to comfort penitents

and support those who are in heaviness through manifold temptations. This, then, appears to be another gift which existed in the primitive Church, and which was exercised for the spiritual edification of its members. Nor can this, or any of those gifts which God has imparted to those who love and fear him, be dispensed with without departing from the apostolic model. And those religious communities who set aside teachers and exhorters, and will not allow any to instruct others except they are regularly set apart for the exercise of sacred functions, have it would seem, departed from primitive simplicity and appointment. But pious members, who have the gift of exhortation for the spiritual improvement of society, or the promotion of religion, should faithfully use them, in subordination to the rules of that church to which they may belong. These gifts, when properly used, become powerful auxiliaries in the dissemination of divine truth, and if guided by a regular ministry will greatly contribute to the extension of religion, the salvation of sinners, and the prosperity of the pious.

There are other gifts absolutely requisite to be employed in the church, and without the improvement of which its members cannot be in a healthy and vigorous state, that we might refer to; but as they are not particularly specified in the text, we shall not advert to them at present.

2. The source from whence those gifts proceed.

Those gifts, whether extraordinary or ordinary, which have been or still are in the body of Christ, His Church, emanated from God, and if properly employed will redound to His glory. The Apostle states, "Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same spirit; and there are differences of administration, but the same Lord; and there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.” But the manifestation of the spirit is given to every man to profit withal. To one is given by the spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge, by the same spirit; to another faith, by the same spirit; to another the gifts of healing, by the same spirit, &c. And also the gifts of preaching, ministering, teaching, and exhortation, come from the same spirit. "But all these worketh that one and the self-same spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.". 1 Cor. xii. 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11.

Here then we perceive, from the express declarations of scripture, that those gifts, however diversified, come from God. This fact should exclude all boasting or self-sufficiency, and induce each to occupy his own proper gifts, in his own proper sphere, without ever attempting to aspire to that office which God never assigned unto him. And if

they are exercised as they should be, they will be for the edification of the Church of Christ.

3. Their diversity.

The divine Being, in infinite wisdom, appointed, under the christian dispensation, a diversity of both common and miraculous gifts in His Church. This is especially manifested by the language of St. Paul: he says, "God has set the members, every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased Him." 1 Cor. xii. 18. He also inform us, "He hath set some in the Church, first, apostles; secondly, prophets; thirdly, teachers; after that miracles; then gifts of healing, helps, governments, and diversities of tongues." 1 Cor. xii. 28. Again, he declares, and some, evange

"He gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; lists; and some, pastors; and some, teachers; for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ." Eph. iv. 11, 12. Dr. A. Clarke, on Eph. iv. 12, says, "All these various officers, and the gifts and graces conferred upon them, were judged necessary, by the Great Head of the Church, for its full instruction in the important doctrines of christianity. The same officers and gifts are still necessary, and God gives them; but they do not know their places. In most christian churches there appears to be but one office, that of preacher; and one gift, that by which he professes to preach. The apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers, are all comprehended in the class of preachers; and many, to whom God has given nothing but the gifts of exhortation," neglect their proper use.

4. The design of these different gifts.

The Great Head of the Church has bestowed these different gifts for important purposes. The inspired St. Paul assures us that they were given that there might be no schism in the body, the Church. This he illustrates, and powerfully applies, by referring to the human body. Although it has many members, which have different offices, yet they constitute but one body. Nor can one member exalt itself over another, or any of them say they are not of the body; and all of them being members make only one body; and if any of them suffer all the members suffer with it, or one be honoured all the rest rejoice with it. So it is with the Church of Christ. All the members of that church, however diversified their offices and gifts, constitute merely one body. Neither can the head, or principal, say to the foot, or most inferior member, you are not of the body, because the one is as essentially requisite for a perfect body as the other. Thus, "God has so tempered the body together that there should be no schism" therein,

(1 Cor. xii. 12. 27.) but unity, peace, love, and spiritual happiness. These gifts are imparted "for the work of the ministry;" or that the mighty gospel machine should be perfectly calculated to establish and perpetuate religion in all countries, under all circumstances, and among all men. All these gifts, graces, and offices, were judged necessary by Christ for the full operation of christianity; and it is only by the proper exercise of each of them, and all of them together, that we can expect the religion of Jesus to prosper and extend its influence in the world.

These gifts, although various, are bestowed that the Church should be ministered in the perfect doctrines of the gospel, and that its members might be "perfect and upright, wanting nothing."

Let us observe, then

II. THE NECESSITY OF USING THESE GIFTS, AND THE MANNER IN WHICH THEY ARE TO BE EXERCISED.

As these gifts have been bestowed upon the Church by Christ himself, for such important purposes, it is natural to conclude that a great deal depends upon the use of them being considered still obligatory on its members, as well as the manner in which they are exercised.

1. It is absolutely necessary that those who have received gifts from God, for the edification of His church, should use them.

They should be used in order to fulfil the righteous requirements of heaven. The divine being has actually designed and appointed different persons to exercise these different gifts; and they are equally binding, in proportion to their magnitude, upon those who are called to use them. The Almighty never bestowed gifts upon His creatures without design; and they who possess one talent for improvement must render as strict an account to God, for its use or abuse, as the man who is entrusted with five. And both the superior and inferior must be punished or rewarded for their improvement or non-improvement of the gifts which God has imparted unto them.

To neglect these gifts would be to endanger their own soul's salvation; for the Lord will not hold those guiltless who disregard the duties He has enjoined upon them. All are equally concerned, because “he that offendeth in that which is least, offendeth also in that which is most." It is not likely that he, who does not faithfully improve his one talent, would do any better if he were entrusted with more. It is, then, the imperative duty of all, no matter what their gifts may be, to take up their cross daily, and follow their divine Master through evil report as well as good; and it is only by so doing that they can enjoy religion, here, or find their way to heaven.

The salvation of sinners and the evangelization of the world are intimately connected with the proper exercise of these various gifts. Sinners, while in a state of nature, are insensible of their deplorable condition: Being dead in trespasses and sins, they seem indifferent to the interests of their never-dying spirits, and are thus sinking by thousands and tens of thousands, notwithstanding all the efforts which are now being made, to the regions of inevitable and eternal woe! Is it not therefore necessary, that all the energy, that all the gifts, whether great or small, should be exercised, in every possible way, to pluck sinners, guilty, perishing sinners, as brands from everlasting burnings? No offering can be considered too small in this sacred, this all-important work! Every heart should be engaged in either prayer or exertion for the salvation of those lying in the arms of the wicked one; and it is only by attending to those duties that we have reason to expect the moral wilderness to blossom as the rose. But let this amount of talent, however diversified, be faithfully employed to extend the Redeemer's kingdom in the world, in humble dependence upon divine influence, and we may rest assured that God will make His servants the honoured instruments of the conversion of sinners and the salvation of the world.

It is requisite that these various gifts should be employed for the perfection and edification of the Church of Christ. That the human body may be in a healthy and vigorous state, every member and every part of this wonderful machine must do their proper office. If either any of the internal or external parts refuse to do their respective functions, the system will speedily be deranged, if not destroyed. So with the body of Christ. If all its members do not perform their duties, in their proper places, and in their proper seasons, the church will not present the foliage of spiritual health, vigour, and enjoyment. But if all come forth, as God has designed, and use the gifts which he has imparted unto them, she will appear in all her glory and splendour : she will go forth as a lamp that burneth, spreading her light and influence in the dark corners of the earth, and among the habitations of cruelty: her members will be built up in the pure doctrines of the gospel, be filled with the love of God shed abroad in the heart by the spirit communicated unto them; and will press forward, from one degree of grace to another, "until they come to perfect men, to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ," or until they are found as a ripe harvest ready to be admitted into the granary: she will then be all glorious, having neither spot nor blemish found upon her: sho will then be, indeed, "the holy city, the new Jerusalem, coming down