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SERMON LXXVI.

GREAT RESULTS FROM SMALL BEGINNINGS.

Zechariah, iv., 10.-Who hath despised the day of small things?

Desponding paralyzes-hope animates-every great undertaking requires more than lukewarmness-despondency is greatest at the commencement. So with the Jews on their return from Babylon, when they commenced rebuilding the Temple.-(Expatiate.) They wept at the comparison of the two; but their tears were as dew!-The Samaritans derided them, and the Jews who were left in Chaldea would not return and assist.-Then the prophet commanded them to dissipate their fears: "Who hath despised the day of small things?"

This has ever since been a watchword among Christians: small beginnings are not to be despised; we shall apply it,

I. To the institutions for religion. II. To personal and private religion.

I. To the institutions for religion.

This age is famous for struggles for Christ-ingenuity added to mercy to invent means-the Gospel to the heathen-Sabbath-schools-and here erected a house for God. In many cases appearances may be discouraging; many may draw back, and even some friends; but the text rouses them they rally and take courage.

Four reasons why we should not despise the day of small things.

1. Because often the mightiest effects are produced from them. The world of nature: The oak under which cattle ruminate, was an acorn which a child or a sparrow could grasp the river, once a rivulet which the ox might drink World of literature: Johnson once learning his alphabet-Newton arithmetic-Milton poetry on his mother's

up.

knee. Political world: many nations arise from the will of one man the midday vision of a midnight dream.-So in grace; you know what it is, and what it will be — and what is its origin? See what the Jews expected-seven thunders would sound-lightnings dart-mountains rise up to receive the Messiah's feet.-But a Jewish couple travelling-put up at a stable-at midnight her pangs came onlaid the babe in a manger-yet this religion is to vanquish every other.

Trace the cause of Protestantism-see it all over Europe; all once bowed to the beast-now* fifty millions free who three centuries ago walked in slavery.-See its rise-not by kings, but by a Dominican friar-nor did Luther know where it would end. See Methodism-half a million members-one thousand preachers, some of scholastic eloquence. Trace it seventy years-then two preachers, and thirty or forty members, &c.

See the London Missionary Society, expending thirty thousand pounds a year-one hundred missionaries-abolished idolatry in the South Seas-twenty-six years ago confined to the consultations of nine ministers in London.

See the Baptist missionaries-rendered the gift of tongues useless—from the Ganges to the Indus-twenty-eight years ago confined to a few ministers who met at Kettering.

See the Bible Society, the noblest luminary-that great light to rule the day, surrounded by thousands of satellites. Its praises in all worlds-seventeen years ago it was the purpose of the Tract Society, by one who wished, to provide Bibles for the Welsh. Look at these monuments, and take courage.

2. Because God's power can make the feeblest mighty for the accomplishment of his work.-Omnipotence !-the terror of the wicked, &c.—can do all things-difficulty is a word without meaning." He spake, and it was done :" he said, "Let there be light"-can work against means.—But see -rod of Moses-ram's horns-few fishermen to convert the world-the inference is, "Power belongs to God."

3. We never know what God intends to do, by our understanding.-Prescience is not ours-we should not be

* Year 1819.

happy if we had it.-Not having this, we cannot see what God will do. Robert Raikes of Gloucester, and a few ragged children-he little knew the scheme he sketchednor Wesley, when putting thirty or forty in classes, a scheme known in all lands.-When a minister has converted a soul, it is not a single act-spread it—a seed growing from it, is seen at the archangel's trump. The Christian is rewarded according to the fruit of his doings.-The man who brought the first grain of wheat here-so God rewards for the fruit.

4. In matters of religion, what is comparatively little is abstractedly great-men look for numbers-who would build an hospital for one? If this were done, all men would say your labour is lost; and, indeed, it would be so; there must be an aggregate to make an object to justify these acts. Not so in religion: the soul, in point of immortality, derives such incalculable worth, that it would repay all our labours from its own species, not numbers." What shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world and lose his own soul?" What funeral obsequies for a lost soul? The sun to veil the heavens in sackcloth-all nature vocal could not give a shriek too deep! No; nor is any labour, then, too much to save one.-How is it that we are so little affected when only one child in a Sabbath-school is converted-or only one hearer of the word; and yet we despond-or if we hear of fifty negroes saved by the Lord ?-It is small, viewed relatively; but see it abstractedly!—Why, then, do we think so little of one? Because so many in the gall of bitterness-hundreds of millions-and the excess so great that the mind is blunted when hundreds die the second death-as in a churchyard, death's horrible numbers slain takes away his hideous likeness, and hence we neglect one dying person.-(Abel.)

If, then, we want to do much for God, do not generalize so much conceive, if only one soul had fallen, all angels would have thought it worth while to accomplish, &c.Look thus: do not be discouraged by seeing how many are unsaved, but look at the one saved.-Ministers, be strong! Do not despise it by inattention. Do not discard a scheme at once, but examine a new scheme, &c.-nor despise it by GGG

ridicule-nor neglect.—(Styles.)-If this rule were tried, many noble schemes would never have brought their glory forth. Take care of the infant-man can take care of himself. II. To personal and private religion.

Religion is often small in its commencement-sometimes rapid, sudden conviction—but ordinarily more slow-figures in Scripture-grain of mustard-seed-leaven-" first the blade, then the ear, after that the full corn in the ear."—A pious resolution in the mind of a child or Sabbath-school youth-the hint of a friend, as when the sailor wished the rope in hell-or seriousness under a sermon when brought by curiosity-a pointed remark; like the thistle down, it radiates where it drops: he goes home, is uneasy; not deep enough to leave off sin, but not happy; angry with all: the word is fascinating, and he goes again, &c.-begins to amend—now pleased with himself—roused again—is told that no works of righteousness can save-he is half inclined to go back to the world; but he comes again, and hears "the Lord our Righteousness"-he believes-he enters into rest; but for a while he is low, &c.-it is the day of small things.

It may be despised by scorn-" He will be cured of the fever."- Despised by opposition: where smiles succeed not, force is used.-Are any here?-Stop the wind-put out the sun-try and pull up the oak, the veteran of centuries-equally easy. - May be despised by neglect-inattention-religious impressions are not fostered enough. -How many cautious, timid, yet anxious steps; yet no congratulation—no assistance.-What! say, "If it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it."-Why, then, take away preaching. Philippian jailer.-First impressions are sacred: if you can find no better help for them, offer your own— adopt them; let them be your protegée. If they wander, follow them; if they do not improve, try on-if man would not sail the world to save a soul, he never felt its worth. * Some reasons why not despisable, &c.

It is not despised by those who best know its value. 1. The Father of Mercies.-See the prodigal-the parent rises to seek him-he ran, and he was the only one that ran -did he wait then to put him on his probation?-No; the

first return of a prodigal more musical than angel's notes. He would hush every harp if not able to hear both.

2. Did the Son despise the day of small things? See him among his weak disciples-see him in the Pharisee's house -how did he serve the woman?-Dying thief-his first prayer was heard!—

3. Do angels despise the day of small things? Do they wait to see the redeemed advance through the gates? It is at his repentance that all heaven resounds.

4. Does Satan despise the day of small things? The first tears of penitence excite his power to arrest it, &c.

Because it is the pledge of greater.-Traveller and the Sun-Farmer and April-Mother and Babe.- We should not, then, despise the day of small things. The apostles were once in the infancy of grace; and when God converts, no man knows how holy he may be, &c.-This grace is to operate forever!

Application.

1. To ministers.-To us is committed the care of souls. We labour for immortality.-Our success, if so, is greater than crowds and plaudits-it will appear in glory.-The conversion of the soul is our business. I do not mean first impressions: many think all is done here.-It is too often the preacher, and not the pastoral duties that are attended to. We shoot the arrow, but do not follow the deer.-We grasp at handfuls of success, but do not gather the handfuls. -Wesley followed up the blow!-If the iron cool, it is harder if fruit, the bud must not be neglected :-a preacher's eye is to be active as his heart; and when the sermon is over, he is to follow and retouch the impression,

2. Parents, next to ministers, souls as well as bodies are committed to you- explain, enforce, exemplify, pray, and look up for the success.-Encourage your children to be familiar with you; do not discourage; do not say, "It is but the morning cloud and early dew."-Eagle-Lark.

3. Sabbath-school teachers-the salvation of the soul is your object. Is there in your circle one anxious countenance, where solicitude struggles, but cannot give feeling in language, but in looks asks, "What shall I do to be saved?"