ing emblems. Now, such bruised reeds, it is here predicted, the Messiah will not break, but strengthen and restore; such smoking wicks he will not quench, but rekindle and revive. He came to bring glad tidings of divine compassion and restoring grace to tender and afflicted spirits, bruised by sorrows, and deeply wounded by sin. He despises not the day of small things, but delights to witness and to encourage the first appearances of hopeful piety, and to cherish the smallest spark of penitential desire toward God. Those who are yet a great way off, but, in some humble measure, and with a pace real though slow, drawing near to God, he sees with complacency, and kindly runs to meet, that he may prevent them with the blessings of his goodness. And even the humbled backslider, reduced to the lowest state of spiritual declension, in whom nothing but smoke, without light or heat, remains, (the sad relics of former religious fervors, and professional and useful activity,) is not despised or neglected by him. Even to such he waits to be gracious; and, if they seek him with their whole heart, he will speak peace unto the mourners, and bid them turn not again unto folly.

In all the particulars thus suggested by the text, as to the manner in which our great Master performs his work as the Father's servant, he is the proper object of admiration, and of humble imitation, to all subordinate agents in the Christian cause. Let Churches and ministers in general, and missionaries and the societies who employ them in particular, study with the closest attention this divine model. If they work the works of Christ, let them imbibe and exemplify the spirit of Christ. They should, like him, be meek, simple, and unostentatious in all their proceedings; never seeking, even by the most innocent methods, for its own sake, the honor or patronage that cometh from men; using it, if at any time without their courting it fall to their lot, not for personal interest or gratification, but as a providential talent, to be employed, with a reverential sense of their responsibility, in promoting their Lord's cause; and undismayed if it be altogether withheld, because well aware that "the kingdom of God cometh not ordinarily "with observation," and that the small and apVOL. I.-4

parently contemptible beginnings of a work of God in any place or country are no argument against its divinity, no ill omen of its ultimate success. Let them, like him, maintain a peaceable and inoffensive deportment toward such as are without. It is not the will of Christ that any weapons of carnal warfare should be used in order to multiply by force the number of his professed friends, or to intimidate his enemies into a feigned submission by the terrors of fire and sword. His kingdom is not of this world: and he does not allow us to aim at its extension by entering into schemes of worldly policy; by employing, had we the means, the armies of monarchs to enforce what we think to be right and useful; or countenancing the revolutionary movements of nations against established governments, for the purpose of removing what we deem injurious and wrong; by attempting, in a word, the erection of spiritual thrones, and principalities, and powers; or by encouraging, under any pretense of religious utility, the destruction of those which are secular. It is a great mistake to suppose that the world can be converted by mere external changes of any kind; and, if it could, it is no part of the province of missionary bodies or individuals to concern themselves in such matters. The same peaceable disposition which should be cultivated in reference to existing civil authorities, should be cherished toward the world in general. A missionary of Christ should be rather punctiliously mindful of his duties, than a tenacious stickler for his rights. He must often stoop, and sacrifice what is unessential, in order to conquer; and avoid the appearance of a litigious temper, even when he may have just cause of complaint, rather than harden others by opposition, and diminish the chance of doing them spiritual good. "The servant of the Lord must not strive" about trifles, nor in defense merely of his personal feelings or reputation; "but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves, if peradventure God will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth." Finally, let Missionary Societies and laborers habitually coudescend, like their Lord, to men of low estate, and imitate his compassionate and benignant spirit toward

those individuals and nations whose case may appear most discouraging and desperate. Let them not indulge unwarrantable expectations of the full and immediate success of their projects among pagan tribes, where much preparatory work is to be done before the seed can be extensively sown, and then become sullen and impatient because there is not a premature harvest. Let them bear long with the weakness and instability of new converts from heathenism, though they be feeble as a bruised reed; let them supply, with persevering kindness, new oil to those who live in lands where the lamp which once yielded more or less of saving light is now gone out; and let them labor to restore, by unwearied assiduity, to the smoking wick in the candlestick of fallen Churches even more than its ancient splendor and utility.

It only remains to notice,

IV. The success which shall crown the Messiah's undertaking.

This is a topic on which, in explaining other passages of Scripture, we have often occasion to enlarge. I shall now advert to it in the briefest manner.

1. The work of Christ, whether carried on directly by himself, or under his authority and superintendence by subordinate agents, shall ultimately succeed. The text predicts that,

(1.) Judgment shall be set in the earth: that is, the truth of God shall be generally established, in place of those systems of error and idolatry by which it is now opposed; and, by the accompanying influence of the Holy Spirit, shall be rendered generally triumphant in the hearts and lives of men. And,

(2.) This happy effect shall be produced, not only in a few nations, but universally; for even the isles, the most distant Gentile nations, shall wait for Christ's law-shall become his willing disciples and subjects, receive his ordinances and institutions, and trust in him for salvation. Thus, according to another prophecy, "It shall come to pass in the last days, that the mountain of the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow unto it. And many people shall go and

say, Come ye, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob, and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths." (Isaiah ii, 2, 3.)

2. Before this work shall be finally accomplished, it will, nevertheless, encounter formidable obstructions. Satan will not quietly resign his usurped dominion, nor the world be won for Christ without an effort or a struggle. A great door and effectual shall be opened; but there will be many adversaries, whose subtlety or whose violence may be permitted for a season to interrupt or retard the progress of truth and grace. But they cannot finally hinder its triumph. He who is at the head of this enterprise shall not fail nor be discouraged till he have set judgment in the earth. Some of his subordinate agents may fail and be discouraged; may prove unfaithful to their trust, or yield to cowardice, or be worn out in the work. But the Messiah shall not fail for want of resources, nor be discouraged by temporary opposition. New laborers shall be raised up to testify the truth, and more copious influences of the Spirit poured out, first on the Church and then on the world,

"Till the earth is o'erflow'd,

And the universe filled with the glory of God."

3. The certainty of final success is stated, in some subsequent passages of the chapter, to rest on such grounds as

these:

(1.) The almighty power of God, who has called the Messiah to this work, and will therefore uphold him in the discharge of his office. "Thus saith God the Lord, he that created the heavens, and stretched them out; he that spread forth the earth, and that which cometh out of it; he that giveth breath unto the people upon it, and spirit to them that walk therein: I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee." (Isaiah xlii, 5, 6.) Under the auspices of Omnipotence, who can doubt of success?

(2.) The inviolable faithfulness of God. It is intimated in verse 6 that the Father sent the Son on this work in pursuance of a covenant. "I will give thee for a covenant of the people;" that is, to perform for the people the promises of my

covenant. The promise once made must be fulfilled. It is impossible for God to lie. The Seed of the woman must bruise the serpent's head. In him all nations of men must be blessed.

(3.) From God's regard to his own honor. He cannot deny himself, or forget what is due to his own divinity. Hence he declares, "I am THE LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another, neither my praise to graven images." (Isaiah xlii, 8.) Thus will he assert his exclusive right to worship and obedience, and crush forever all his usurping rivals. We are not to imagine that his jealousy of idols is extinguished because it appears for a while to sleep, and has winked at times of ignorance. It shall at length arouse itself, and its final operations shall be gloriously sudden and effectual. "The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man; he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies. I have long time holden my peace; I have been still, and refrained myself: now will I cry like a travailing woman; I will destroy and devour at once." (Isaiah xlii, 13, 14.)

Such are the grounds on which the prophet authorizes us to anticipate the success of Messiah's labors, and the certain triumph of his cause.

The subject teaches us, in application,

1. The great and beneficial results of our Saviour's advent, and of the dispensation of the Gospel. Millions of mankind will be saved, and the blessed God will be restored to his just and rightful dominion over the world he made. It was in prospect of such results that holy angels united in that song of praise, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good-will toward men." And the prophet calls on all nations of men, in this chapter, to join in similar songs: "Sing unto the Lord a new song, and his praise from the end of the earth, ye that go down to the sea, and all that is therein; the isles, and the inhabitants thereof. Let the wilderness and the cities thereof lift up their voice, the villages that Kedar doth inhabit: let the inhabitants of the rock sing, let them shout from the