refusing to do so we act wisely as well as religiously; for by gaining an argumentative victory, we should not convince the hearts of those who, because they love darkness rather than light, will not listen to the voice of duty, except she condescend to urge the arguments of expediency: while by addressing ourselves to unworthy motives and principles, we should compromise our cause, and lose much of that moral power which secures our victory with every good man, when we challenge his co-operation, as the children and servants of Jehovah, resolutely purposed, that come what may, we will bear witness to the truth, will speak for Him without shame, without fear, without compromise, and by His grace will never rest, until not we alone and our house, but our country and its rulers, shall serve the Lord.
And if there ever was a nation bound by every tie of duty and gratitude to serve Him faithfully, it is the people of this land. For what is that nation or people in all the world whom God has honoured and blessed like us? He has given to us the knowledge of His glorious Gospel, and committed unto us His Holy Word. He has laden us with temporal blessings in such abundance, as to go beyond and prevent our desires. He has borne patiently with many provocations: and last of all, since the commencement of the present century. He has brought us, in safety and with victory, through a war more tremen-
