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I. THE CASE PROPOSED — "Can the blind lead the blind?" Upon this we found the following remarks:

1. All men by nature are in a state of spiritual blindness. The proofs of this moral and spiritual blindness press upon our attention on every hand.

(1) Consider, in the first place, the erroneous and mistaken apprehensions which men generally entertain of the character of God.

(2) The unconsciousness of men to the moral and spiritual dangers by which they are threatened is another proof that darkness hath covered the human mind.

(3) The intense love and ardent pursuit of the things of the present world form another striking manifestation of the blindness of the human heart with regard to spiritual things.

2. I remark that to the blind some sort of guidance is absolutely necessary. We all feel this with respect to the calamity of natural blindness.

3. It is obvious to remark that those who proffer themselves to be the guides of the blind should themselves possess the visual faculty. What supplemental aid can the blind derive from those who are themselves in the same unhappy condition?

II. THE CATASTROPHE PREDICTED. "If the blind lead the blind, shall they not both fall into the ditch?" Upon this I would remark:

1. That ignorant and unfaithful teachers are to be considered as the heaviest imaginable curse wherever they exist.

2. The text reminds us that the consequence of this state o! things is that both shall fall into the ditch. The blind who are led, and the blind leaders by whom they are led, it is much to be feared will share one common doom. They will fall into sentimental errors — they will fall into practical immoralities-they will fall into final perdition — unless the grace and mercy of the Most High prevent.

(1) The ruin into which they lead others, and which they prepare for themselves, is, first, inexcusable.

(2) As this ruin will be found to be inexcusable, so will it be found to be inevitable. There is nothing that can hinder; but from the erroneous system which I have described as certain, inevitable ruin must follow.

(3) And the ruin will be found to be irretrievable.

(4) This ruin which is inexcusable, inevitable, and irretrievable, will be found to be eternal.

III. Let me apply the principles which have been thus briefly developed in favour of the institution for which I am about to plead. You are aware I am to ask your benevolent aid on behalf of the Home Missionary Society.

1. Let me remind you of the necessity which there exists for the interposition of such efforts as those which this society exerts.

2. Consider the erroneous guidance under which a vast proportion of this population is actually placed.

(G. Clayton, M. A.)

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KJV: And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? shall they not both fall into the ditch?

WEB: He spoke a parable to them. "Can the blind guide the blind? Won't they both fall into a pit?