sin, that act would fall infinitely short of satisfying God's outraged justice. Hence it was that to atone for man's sins the Word of God Himself was, if I may say so, obliged to come down from heaven and become man and suffer and die — as man, because man had sinned, and as God, because God only could cancel an infinite offence. Every drop of His bloody sweat in Gethsemani declares the malice of mortal sin — every stroke of the scourge, every thorn of His crown, every fall on Calvary's slope, the five nails that held Him on the cross. The frantic grief of Magdalen, Mary's heartbroken sobs and the moans of the dying Saviour, all proclaim the malice of mortal sin. Sin, and sin alone, reduced an ineffable God to the condition of the Man of sorrows, for His blood was poured out for many unto the remission of their sins.
Brethren, in your upturned faces to-night, I discern three classes — those who have never sinned mortally, those who have so sinned and repented, and those on whose souls grievous sin yet remains. Thank God there are some who, standing on their life's record, can demand defiantly of the world: "Which of you shall convince me of mortal sin? " Blessed be God that so many, though having wandered afar and miserably fallen, have yet been enabled by His grace to arise and return to their Father. Would to God that the conversion of even one sin-laden soul here to-night might gladden the Father's heart, and give joy to the angels of heaven. O sinful soul, however deplorable thy con-
