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The Supreme Ruler of the world is righteous and beneficent. What, then, is the cause of national calamities? It is sin.

I. SOME OF THE PREVAILING SINS WHICH HAVE BROUGHT US INTO OUR PRESENT SITUATION. The vices which, on account of their enormity and uncommon spread, may be considered as, in a certain degree, peculiar to the present age.

1. Ingratitude. No nation ever experienced more of the kindness of heaven. Our climate is desirable; our minerals are varied and abundant; our situation favours our independence; our form of government is just and efficient. Internal peace is a blessing we have long enjoyed, Has our gratitude increased in proportion as our blessings have been multiplied? Consider, too, our religious privileges. What returns have we made to God for these mercies?

2. Pride. This has been called the universal passion. It is by no means peculiar to our country and times. Yet it may be called one of the peculiar sins of our age. Would to God that pride were confined to the State! Alas! its ravages have extended to the Church.

3. Infidelity has of late been greatly increasing. There is public avowed scepticism, by which revelation in general is censured and rejected.

4. Luxury and licentiousness of manners prevail to a most alarming degree. Was there ever a period, not excepting the age of the second Charles, when profanity, intemperance, seduction, and other vices were so common? Lewdness and intemperance are not confined to the more wealthy. Our prosperity, it may be said, is the cause of all these disorders. But shall we dare to palliate our vices by that which aggravates them in an inconceivable degree?

5. The prevailing influence of a worldly spirit.

6. The spirit of irreligion. As seen in the practice of profane swearing, in the omission of family duties, and in the neglect of Divinely instituted ordinances.

II. THE MEANS OF DELIVERANCE. Consider those important duties without which there is neither safety nor hope.

1. We must return to God in the exercise of faith.

2. The review of our sins ought to fill us with grief.

3. Our faith and contrition must be accompanied with a universal reformation of our hearts and conduct. Exercise faith in God. Present to Him the sacrifices of a broken spirit. Be concerned to mortify the whole body of sin. These are duties beyond the strength of fallen humanity. The Spirit alone can enable us to perform them. To Unwearied diligence let us add fervent supplication to the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, that He would have mercy upon us, and cause His Spirit to descend as a spirit of faith, of contrition, and of holiness.

(Alex. Black.)

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KJV: Is not the meat cut off before our eyes, yea, joy and gladness from the house of our God?

WEB: Isn't the food cut off before our eyes; joy and gladness from the house of our God?