diffusive joy, which delights in participation, and desires that all around might be sharers in its high and holy feelings of gratitude and gladness! Unlike the selfish joy of the children of the world, where one man's happiness is so often another's sorrow, a Christian's joy this morning is increased by being diffused, and catches a brighter glow from every countenance that sparkles with a kindred joy! In the earthly race of competition, many run, but one only obtains the prize; and the triumphant competitor is viewed by his defeated rivals with envious eyes. In the heavenly race all may run, and all obtain the prize; and the joy of each successful candidate is increased by the joy of all the rest; and the shout of every victorious conqueror' swells the triumphal chorus of rejoicing from them all. Oh, yes! there is not an individual on the face of the earth the believer would not this morning rejoice to make a partaker in his joy. He first looks round him at home-if all there rejoice with him in the Redeemer's birth, it makes this day to his soul as one of the days of heaven! for he remembers that thus they shall rejoice together in that Redeemer's presence throughout eternity.

He then extends his view to his friends, his acquaintances, his native land, and thus, in his heart, stirred by the awakening influence of divine love,

"The centre moved, a circle straight succeeds,
"Another still-and still another spreads,"

till the comprehensive circle of his Christian philanthropy has embraced the whole family of man! and Oh! how he rejoices to think that a day is coming when the whole family of man will form part of the holy and happy family of God; when all the inhabitants of our world shall rejoice in the Redeemer's birth; and He shall reign enthroned in every heart.

But the believer does not allow his feelings, in this glorious and gladdening contemplation, to evaporate in empty sentimentality; but contributes to the uttermost extent in his power, by his prayers, his influence, and his wealth, to support those societies, whose object it is to send heralds of salvation to every clime, proclaiming, wherever they come in their career of mercy, "behold we bring you good tidings of great joy-for unto you is born a Saviour!" and thus does he seek to be instrumental in bringing about that glorious æra, of which the harp of prophecy has sung so sweetly, and whose dawn seems breaking upon us like the morning spread upon the mountains; that day of promised glory to the church, when "the kingdoms of this world shall become the kingdoms of God and of his Christ!" and He in whose birth we are now called on to rejoice, shall reign Lord of Lords, and King of Kings! swaying his sceptre of righteousness and love over a ransomed and regenerated world!

And now allow me, in the sincerity and faithfulness of Christian love, to inquire-do you all thus rejoice in the Redeemer's birth, with such a grateful, serious, benevolent, diffusive, joy-a joy that glorifies and praises God? Oh! that I could indulge the delightful hope-for then would I rejoice this day, as with the joy of angels; but I dare not. What, it may be said, is not this a period of general rejoicing? Is there not a spirit of gladdening exhilaration abroad? and are not words of joyful congratulation echoing on every side? Yes, my friends, it is a period of general rejoicing, if by this be meant a more than ordinary violation of all that by our baptismal vows we are bound to cherish, and a more than ordinary indulgence in all that at the sacramental table we have sworn to renounce. If by this be meant a frightful increase of feasting and frivolity, of intemperance and intoxication; an eager crowding to those assemblies of fashion where an allusion to the Redeemer's birth would be deemed unseasonable, and the very mention of His name be indeed a profanation; or plunging into the fatal fascinations of the theatre, that hotbed of licentiousness, where the God of this world reigns and revels-where the atmosphere is so impregnated with voluptuousness and impurity, that they must fear to breathe it who believe, that "Blessed are the pure in heart, and they alone, for they shall see God!"-if such exhibitions of joy may

be received as proofs, then this is indeed a season of general rejoicing in the Saviour's birth. What is thought of such rejoicing on earth, I am fully aware; but would it not be well to consider, what is thought of it in heaven? That it may please man, I do not doubt; but do you really think that it can please the Son of God, to see the day that commemorates His birth, made by His professing followers an occasion of systematically counteracting every purpose for which He was born, and suffered, and died on earth; an occasion of insulting His Father and Himself by such rites and orgies as would be far more suitable to commemorate the birth of one of the infamous heathen deities—the patron god of wine, licentiousness, or lust-than the birth of the holy, the pure, the undefiled Son of God?

Have any of you whom I address, hitherto in such a manner testified your joy in the Redeemer's birth? To yourselves would I appeal.

Daughters of gaiety! tell me, while mingling in the scenes of fashionable amusement, whirling in the mazes of the giddy dance, are you thinking of Christ? Does gratitude for His love in coming into our world to save you by His death from everlasting death, gladden your heart, and consecrate your mirth? No! no! there you forget him altogether. And is it by forgetfulness you shew forth your gratitude, and testify your joy, in a Saviour's birth?

you

Sons of dissipation! will drain the maddening wine-cup, and sport the wanton jest, and sing the licentious song, in honor of His birth-who has commanded His followers to be holy, even as God is holy? I conjure you, if you are determined to reject Him, and His salvation, to trample on His holy laws, and dishonour His holy name, do not, at least, add mockery to guilt, and insult to rebellion do not break His commandments, under pretence of rejoicing in His birth. But why should you rejoice in His birth, if you are determined thus to treat Him, when you consider how quickly the day is coming when, if you persevere and perish in your present state, you will wish, in the phrenzied agony of despair, you had been born in some heathen land, where you had never heard of a Saviour's name, and, therefore, could not be stained with the guilt of trampling on a Saviour's blood; for that guilt will make the heathen's hell a very heaven to yours. Remember, if Jesus be not to you a beloved Saviour, he must be to you an avenging Judge ;-and why should you rejoice in the birth day of your Judge? Suppose you were to visit a prison, and while exploring its dark and dismal cells, were to hear echoing round you, on every side, shouts of laughter, and songs of merriment, and on asking the cause of this unusual and general rejoicing, were to be told that the prisoners were thus commemorating the birth day of the