has tended to their perdition. Oh, let us "have peace one with another," if we would foster the highest influences in winning sinners from the error of their ways.

(5.) The Heavenly state shows the obligations to a life of peace. No angel in glory disturbs the harmony of the heavenly abode; no saint in light provokes discord among the perfect ones in Christ Jesus. The spirit and the conduct of all the holy in glory persuade to peace the children of our erring race.

In view of such and so many obligations, let us endeavour, brethren, to "follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord.”

3. The manifestations of peace in our lives, may be briefly illustrated in reference to our own Church, and in its relation to other churches. In our own Church, the manifestations of peace consist, in part, in a kind and conciliatory treatment of all sectional questions. Few strifes are more violent than those of this character; nor is the Church free from them. The mighty torrent of political agitation, which has its periodical seasons of high overflow, sometimes crevasses inundation into the rich and cultivated possessions of the Church. But, instead of contention, such a crisis. demands harmony. All Christians must learn to bear and forbear with one another. Fortunately for the Presbyterian Church, the world has not only witnessed a mutual forbearance in different sections of our country, on one of the most divisive of all sectional questions, but also a substantial agreement in the principles, which underlie the whole subject. Whilst other parts of the Christian Church have dissevered connection with each other, in fearful scenes of hostile discussions and of harsh acts, the Presbyterian Church has been enabled, by the grace of God, to preserve peace in her General Assemblies by a series of deliverances, which, taken as a whole, will command eventually the admiration of the Christian world. The meeting of our body in this great city of the Southwest, the capital of the first slave territory acquired by the United States, is, itself, a telegraph to the whole country of the peace which prevails among Old School Presbyterians. At a period of intense general excitement throughout the land, it may be affirmed in advance, that, on whatever other questions divisions of sentiment may arise in this body, its peace cannot be interrupted by discussions on this one. And the reason is, not that the General Assembly ever has, or ever will, compromise principle, before God or man, but because its deliverances have been made in the light of Scriptural truth; received, perhaps, with some shades of difference, but acquiesced in and acted upon in the spirit of Christian moderation. May God enable our beloved Church ever to hold forth and maintain the principles of Christ in regard to all moral and religious questions; and exhibit the graces and glory of a life of peace, by preaching the Gospel to all classes in the community, white or black, high or low, bond or free,-Anglo-Saxon, French, German, Irish, or African!

Another mode in which peace may be exhibited, consists in avoiding the dangers arising from parties, formed in admiration of men. Although the idea of leadership is foreign to the principles of a Church, which recognizes in her public bodies, an entire parity among both ministers and elders, yet intellect will always receive homage. There is, perhaps, a tendency to honour genius above its real aims or claims; and one of the dangers of the Church has always consisted in divisions, growing out of the transcendent influence of the intellectually gifted. The general sentiment of the Presbyterian Church is so thoroughly and eminently conservative, that no serious troubles are now apprehended from this quarter. Our most influential men fortunately possess, at the present time, the confidence of the whole Church; but, if we would avoid trouble and live in peace, it is wise not to enlist under the banner of men. Whilst "one says, 'I am of Paul, another of Apollos, and another of Cephas,' is not Christ divided?"

A life of peace may be further manifested in the Church, in our personal intercourse with our brethren. Happy is he who lives with prayer on his lips and with love in his heart! Oh, how lovely is a loving man! Human infirmity often sins against fraternal intercourse; sometimes by omission, sometimes by commission, sometimes without premeditation, sometimes by a form of language which gives rise to an unintended interpretation, and sometimes, alas, by a wilful outbreak of anger, followed by a sad experience of penitence and mourning.

Fathers and brethren! May the manifestations of peace in these and in all other respects, show our prevalent desire to serve God in all sincerity, wisdom, and meekness; and may the world say of us, with an admiration compelled by our peaceful lives, "Behold, how these Christians love one another."

The manifestations of peace in our relations to other Churches may be shown in two particulars: by avoiding a too ambitious or prominent display of our own denominational peculiarities, and by avoiding unnecessary controversy about the peculiarities of other denominations.

Presbyterians, so far as I am aware-although being one of them, not, therefore, an impartial witness-but so far as I am aware, Presbyterians are not specially obnoxious in the community, for the exclusiveness of their religious claims. They, indeed, love their own Church, as a dutiful child loves a precious mother, who has nursed with tenderness, consecrated to God with faith, and trained up for heaven with zeal. But Presbyterians love all other evangelical Churches,-all" mothers in Israel," to whatever tribe in the true commonwealth they belong. It is sufficient, and I hope not too much, to say, that Presbyterians do not unchurch other denominations; that they always recognize as brethren, the ministers of other Christian Churches; and that they have never exalted either the Lord's Supper or Baptism into the necessary

means of true access to God on the part of the penitent believer. At the same time, it cannot be affirmed that Presbyterians are never guilty of pressing some of their denominational peculiarities too far. Perhaps, at times, we may all have transgressed in this particular. At least there is danger of it. Let us be on our guard, and not give unnecessary offence to other Churches, but endeavour to "live in peace" with all our brethren.

Another temptation in our relation to other churches, is unnecessary ecclesiastical controversy with them. Let me not be misunderstood. There are times and seasons when it is the duty of Christians to follow controversy, to resist error, to "contend earnestly for the faith." Praise be to the God of Zion, for the champions whom he raised up in periods of danger, to protect our banner upon the ramparts! Yes, brethren, there is a time to fight; we have all seen that day, and may live to see it again. But there is too much controversy; there is a time for peace. Although we may not agree with the denominational peculiarities of other Churches, it becomes us to cultivate their fraternal intercourse. When controversy is forced upon us, it, of course, cannot be avoided; but we may so live as to disarm controversy of much of its offensive and aggressive power. Above all, our Church need not contend with other Churches in regard to externals, which do not necessarily involve error of doctrine. For example, an Episcopalian may hold to the Apostolic succession, as Cranmer did, in a sense that does not exclude the acknowledgment of the ministry of all evangelical Churches, or may defend the rite of Confirmation on grounds perfectly consistent with religious toleration. Other points might be specified. The principle of peace is, for all churches to endeavour to hold the peculiarities of their own inalienable liberty in a way that does not encroach upon the liberty of others. It is preposterous for Christians to be always contending with each other, even although they differ on important doctrines. Not unfrequently, the best policy is to let a controversialist alone. The best way to make him a peaceful man, is to let him weary himself with brandishing his weapons in the air. As a common thing, it is believed that a disposition to controversy is not favourable to the character of any Church. The Scriptural rule is, "Let your moderation be known unto all men." The nature, obligations, and manifestations of peace, enforce the wisdom of this Bible requirement.

May God give grace to his people to cultivate unanimity of Christian feeling. Let us all "pray for the peace of Jerusalem." "For my brethren and companion's sake, I will now say, 'Peace be with thee.""

"Be of one mind; live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you."

III. First Unity, then Peace, then Blessedness. "The God of love and peace shall be with you."

What a hopeful indication of the blessings that follow unity and

peace is found in the very names here claimed by God! He is the God "of love and peace. The Head of the Church appropriates to himself a character that insures the prosperity of all his creatures, who possess the same moral attributes.

God is the God of "love and peace." Love goes with "peace;" and he is called the God of peace, first, because he is the source of all peace. He is the only, the all-sufficient, and the inexhaustible source of peace to angels throughout the universe, to the saints made perfect in light, and to human beings upon the earth. Secondly, God is the God of peace, because he alone secures peace to any of his creatures. As he is its source, so he is the author of it in others, wherever it is found. He originates it in created mind and cultivates it, and preserves it as the "prince of peace." And thirdly, he is the God of peace, because he takes infinite delight in its exhibitions among all who serve him, on earth or in heaven. "And the God of love and peace shall BE WITH YOU."

1. He will bless his Church with the indwelling of his Holy Spirit. The Spirit delights to abide with them who love one another. "The fruit of righteousness is sown in peace, of them that make peace." The cultivation of the graces of religion is impeded by divisions, "for where envy and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work." The Spirit has often been grieved away by the absence of love among brethren. He has been quenched in the hearts of individual believers, in the circle of the household, and in the sanctuary of the Most High. Oh, how often have revivals of religion been hindered or arrested by some rising jealousy, or disaffection, or disagreement! How often have meetings of Presbyteries, and Synods, and General Assemblies, been deprived of the presence and grace of the Holy Spirit, by ill-tempered zeal, and unfraternal conduct! If we would enjoy the presence of the God of grace, we must "endeavour to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace." "Then shall thy light break forth as the morning, and thy health shall spring forth speedily." "Moreover, the light of the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of the sun shall be sevenfold, as the light of seven days, in the day that the Lord bindeth up the breach of his people, and healeth the stroke of their wound."

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2. Again, "the God of love and peace will be with you," to enlarge the prosperity of the Church in his providence. The Church makes the greatest progress in times of inward peace. When all her members love one another, see eye to eye, and work hand to hand; when prayer and supplication are united and fervent, when there is no division in doctrine or policy, and no alienation among her members, then her records show a power of advancement unknown to the evil times of discord. It is just twenty years since a number of our brethren organized a secession from the General Assembly, on principles deemed by them lawful. Since that period

the Presbyterian Church (Old School), has enjoyed unity and peace, and her prosperity has been wonderful. Her 1200 ministers have become 2500; her 110,000 communicants have become 250,000, and her 1600 churches have become 3300. The Gospel has been preached by her in almost every State in the Union. Her domestic missionary operations are on a magnificent scale, from north to south and from east to west. Her foreign missionary stations in India, China, Africa, and among the North American Indians, show a world-reaching influence of evangelistic operations. Her academies, colleges, and theological seminaries, everywhere testify to her enlightened zeal for education. Her Publication Board is scattering far and wide volumes of truth, for the healing of the nations. God is emphatically enlarging her borders and strengthening her stakes. With continued unity and peace in our councils, our Church, which is the largest national Church in the land, will go onward, with increasing prosperity, to win souls to Christ, and bring nations to the obedience of the faith. "Rejoice with Jerusalem, and be glad with her, all ye that love her;" for thus saith the Lord: Behold, I will extend peace to her like a river, and the glory of the Gentiles like a flowing stream." "Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity within thy palaces."

3. Once more, "the God of love and peace will be with his loving disciples, to crown them with salvation in his glory." "The meek will he beautify with salvation." The unity and peace of earth shall end in the large rewards of heaven. Our blessed Lord, in his last prayer, had in special view two things: the unity of his Church in its estate below, and its glory in the world above. "That they all may be one, as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they may also be one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. And the glory which thou gavest me, I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one. .. Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me." Thus it is, that unity and peace terminate with Christ's glory, in the bond of everlasting blessedness.

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Fathers and brethren of the General Assembly, I claim your indulgence before closing this discourse, whilst I appeal, in behalf of unity and peace, in the name of the faithful dead in Jesus Christ, who have gone to sleep since our meeting last year in Lexington. They have done with all the labours, strifes, temptations, and cares of earth. They have gone up to "the General Assembly and Church of the first born, whose names are written in heaven." The venerable form of Father MOODY, saint-like and lamb-like, will never more bless his brethren among the springs of Pennsyl vania. AULD, of Florida, gifted in mind and heart, and abundant in missionary labours, even to the overburdening of a frail frame; his body shall yet be full of vigour, and his crown wear the ever