June 30

PART II. — Hagg. ii. 7.

CHRIST ought truly to be the desire of all nations, because he has to communicate what all nations require. He has knowledge to diffuse; and all nations require this: he alone can give that true light to man, by which his spirit can be emancipated from the thraldrom of ignorance and error: he makes them acquainted with themselves — their misery, their peril, and their only remedy, too: he enlightens man, as to his present state, as to his real capabilities, and as to the eternity which is before him. He brought life and immortality to light. Christ has pardons to dispense; and all nations require these: all nations are guilty—none righteous, no, not one; all men are guilty before God—this guilt involves tremendous consequences—it exposes to eternal death; and Jesus came to pardon the guilty, and he died, and arose from the dead, that remission of sins might be preached to all nations. He has holiness to impart; and all men need this: human nature is not only guilty, but defiled also—universally corrupted and unclean: now Jesus came to save men from their sins, and to cleanse from all unrighteousness, and thus restore mankind to the favour and image of God. Then he has solid happiness to give; and all men desire this: man in every region of the earth desires to be happy; and Jesus came to bestow universal peace and joy to a miserable world. And his kingdom, when implanted in the heart, is “righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.” Finally, all men have an impression of an immortality: he came to bring it to light, and to offer eternal life. Yes, he hath clearly revealed to us another and a better world. He hath made known the certainty of the spirit’s existence after death, and hath assured us of the resurrection of the body at the last day. And he came to redeem both body and soul, and to confer upon them unending blessedness and eternal life. Ought not Jesus, then, to be the desire of all nations? As his first advent was universally expected, there is a period predicted when all nations shall be blessed in him and shall call him blessed. Yes, his name shall be great, from the rising unto the setting of the sun, and the whole earth shall be filled with his glory. The Lord hasten it, in his time. Amen.

"For him shall endless prayer be made, And princes throng to crown his head, His name, like sweet perfume shall rise With every morning sacrifice.

People and realms of every tongue, Dwell on his love with sweetest song, And infant voices shall proclaim Their early blessings on his name.

Blessings abound where'er he reigns, The pris'ner leaps to lose his chains, The weary find eternal rest, And all the sons of want are blest.

Let every creature rise and bring, Peculiar honours to our King, Angels descend with songs again, And earth repeat the loud Amen."