Our interest in this subject has brought us together, and the topic to which I would particularly invite your attention is, THE DIFFUSIVE NATURE OF CHRIST

IANITY.

This may be considered the grand characteristic of the religion of Jesus, -its essence, its life. From this the Sunday School had its origin, and to this it must owe all its future power. The spirit of the gospel leads us to go beyond ourselves, to care for others; - its most essential element is Love.

All nature is a mute prophecy of this principle. Every thing in nature goes out of itself. The sun sends forth light, the clouds rain, the earth verdure, flowers fragrance. All the elements form one brotherhood. They go hand in hand. All the systems of the universe, by indissoluble ties, are woven together. Each is a part of all, all has an influence on each. The humblest violet is watched over, and nourished by, vast and mysterious powers. The earth carries it on her bosom, the clouds refresh it with moisture, and the great sun, looking down from a distance of over ninety millions of miles, feeds it with light, and clothes it with beauty. The seasons, varied as they may appear, are all help-mates to each other, and move around our planet, for one harmonious purpose. In the whole circle of creation, there is probably no single atom which lies wholly locked up in itself; that power at least, which science calls gravitation goes forth from it, and serves to keep the globe, and the extended universe together.

And as with nature, so, with the God of nature. God is love. Before the material universe came forth in beauty, God existed in his own essence. Before finite beings lived, the Infinite Spirit reigned alone, in undisputed sovereignty; all power, and wisdom, and goodness, centered in Himself. But, in the infinity of his love, He created other beings to be the recipients of His bounty. He made all the works that fill the wide kingdoms of nature, and, above all, He created man, giving him the sublime privilege of holding immediate communion with Himself. Thus is God the fountain of infinite fulness, from which finite souls derive wisdom and life. Thus is He ever manifesting himself to the pure in heart, imparting to them perpetual blessings, scattering before them the tokens of his love, and breathing his own spiritual essence into their souls.

As with God, so with Jesus. Jesus derived his immeasurable wisdom, and love, and goodness from the Father, and as he derived, so he imparted. There was in his soul a perpetual influx of celestial light streaming from the Infinite, and there was also a perpetual efflux, beaming, from the depths of his own being, out upon mankind. Thus was he a sun of righteousness to those who sat in the region of the shadow of death. The great characteristic of the Saviour was his desire to diffuse his own spirit. His whole nature was love. He embraced in his affections, all countries, and all time. He was benevolent and self-sacrificing, the true shepherd, who was willing to lay down his life for his sheep. He lived, and prayed, and toiled for others. He was

3

crucified that they through his sufferings might rejoice, and through his death might live.

As with Christ, so with the apostles. They caught his spirit. They followed his example. They also went about doing good. "Go into all the world," said Jesus, "and preach the gospel to every creature." And they went. "Ye shall receive power from on high, and ye shall be witnesses unto me, both in Jerusalem and in all Judea and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth.” Ye have heard me reveal the eternal principles of right. Ye have imbibed spiritual life. Now proclaim these principles, and diffuse this life. In proportion as holiness is in you, let it shine out. Let it shine among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem, go and fear nothing, for I will be with you unto the end of the world." And with the spirit of Jesus burning in their souls they went abroad, proclaiming, amid the storms of persecution, their glad tidings from heaven. They went in simplicity and godly sincerity. They heard the words of the Master, "As the Father hath sent me, even so send I you." And with these words kindling within them, they, through faith, subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, quenched the violence of fire, and out of weakness were made strong. They triumphantly met mockings, and scourgings, and bonds and imprisonment. They were willing to be stoned, and sawn asunder, and tempted, and slain of the sword, that they might contribute to "the furtherance of the gospel." They warned every man and taught every man in all wisdom,

to unending progress. Thus they come, "not to be ministered unto, but to minister." To transfuse the principles of virtue and holiness, and make those among whom they labor, "a peculiar people zealous of good works."

And in proportion as ministers of the gospel are true to their office, and live in accordance with these noble principles, they will awaken in all around a kindred spirit, for when the people have imbibed, they also will wish to impart. Having the inward life they cannot conceal it. Having divine treasures they will not hoard them. Having a mission to perform, "how will they be straitened, till it be accomplished!" Here then is the glory of the Sabbath School. As the planets drink light from the sun, so do the teachers drink light from the pastor and the word of God, and as the stars reflect their beams to enlighten the earth, so do these living constellations reflect the light of truth upon the opening minds that gather around them. The reasons which make it important for a minister of the gospel to love holiness, make it important that his hearers should love it, and the reasons which make it important that the minister should strive to awaken others to a love of holiness, make it important that his hearers should do so likewise. Every hearer of the word, should, in some degree, be a minister of the gospel. Every citizen in the republic, a missionary of the cross. All may manifest their faith by their practice, and awaken many to a love of virtue, by the silent eloquence of their lives. And though they stand not up in the great congrega3*

tion, or utter themselves in chapel or cathedral, high
thoughts may drop sweetly from their lips, and in a
thousand ways they may impart to other minds the
In proportion as a soul
truths that inspire their own.
has true spiritual life, by every law of Nature, and Reve-
lation, and God, (all of which are in perfect harmony,)
it will seek its diffusion.

It is this indwelling life which has been the seminal principle in all the great eras of the church. It is this which must give life to the Sunday School. Without it the Sunday School is but a mechanical movement, a spasmodic manifestation; with it, it is the beautiful outworking of divine truth, which liveth and abideth forever.

Too often has it been thought that the minister was to bring forward arguments, and enlighten his hearers upon controversial subjects, and when he had gained assent, and satisfied the understanding, here rest satisfied. But this is not the great work; the great work is to impart spiritual life, to kindle holy aspirations, longings for the absolute good, and thus lead to a fellowship with Christ and God. In proportion as this is the object of the pastor's labors, he will awaken the missionary spirit, the diffusive spirit, the desire to do good. The true lovers of the word will rejoice to hold sweet counsel together. They will know they have passed from death unto life, because they love the brethren. They will thus joyfully strengthen each others' hands, and encourage each others' hearts in spiritual things. Cherishing the truth with an earnest and heavenly devotion,