of them are expressive of something peculiar in his character or office. He is called Messiah and Christ, both of which names signify "anointed," because he was especially consecrated by the anointing of the Holy Spirit to the offices of King, Priest, and Prophet; Shiloh, (which means "sent,") because he was sent into the world by God on a most important mission; Emmanuel, (which being interpreted is, "God with us,") because in him that "great mystery of godliness" was exhibited, "God manifest in the flesh" and dwelling among men as a partaker of their nature. But God hath also given him another name, one of the highest dignity, as it relates to himself," a name which is above every name," at which "every knee shall bow, of things in heaven and things in earth, and things under the earth," and of the most important meaning in regard to us, for it is one, besides which "there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." This was a name, not attributed to him by man, but determined on in the eternal counsels of God, as the most suited to express the gracious purposes for which his beloved son visited the earth. It was revealed through an angel sent from heaven, and the explanation of it was at the same time communicated, that none might be ignorant of the

meaning of a title which expressed the design of bestowing so great a mercy on mankind;-" thou shalt call his name JESUS, for he shall save his people from their sins."

This name being in an unknown tongue, we too often use it as a mere appellation, without considering the interesting signification which it bears; we use it as we do that of Adam, or Noah, or Abraham, or Moses, or Elijah, or any other, simply for the purpose of identifying and distinguishing the individual of whom we speak. We do not, as we pronounce it, recollect that it expresses a most essential circumstance in the character of him, to whom it belongs; but this is a fact which ought always to be borne in mind, for the name was not lightly or indifferently selected among the multitudes which might have been given with a purpose worthy of the wisdom and goodness of God. In a matter of apparently small moment, was there not wisdom in providing that the very name of the author of our religion should make us acquainted with the most striking features in his character? And was there not goodness, in furnishing us by the same easy and simple method with a perpetual memorial and assurance of the mercy designed for us?

The Son of God may be regarded by us in many different capacities, as a King, a Priest, a

Prophet, a Law-giver, an Ambassador from Heaven, a Teacher of Divine Truths, a Preacher of Righteousness, a Pattern of holy living. Why was he not called by a name, which should signify one of these offices? Why was the name of "JESUS" chosen as preferable to any other, which might have equally well described one of the purposes for which he was born? Do you think there was no particular motive for this selection? Do you not rather suppose that this title was adopted because SALVATION was the principal object of his errand? That this was his chief design is abundantly testified in the holy scriptures. It was this thought which animated the holy mother of the sacred child, when, just after his annunciation, she broke out in that beautiful hymn, "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my SAVIOUR."

The same were the sentiments of Zacharias, the memorable father of the Baptist, when being filled with the Holy Ghost, he prophesied, and said, Blessed be the Lord God of Israel, for he hath visited and redeemed his people, and hath raised up an horn of SALVATION for us." The same fact was declared by the angel, who informed the shepherds of Bethlehem that the long expected child was born; "Behold I bring unto you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to

all people, for unto you is born this day, in the City of David, a SAVIOUR." Did not John the Baptist affirm the same thing, when seeing Jesus in the crowd, he exclaimed," Behold the Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world?" Did not this divine personage himself bear witness to the same truth, when he said, "I am come to seek and to save that which was lost?" Were not the people of Sychar well aware that this was the prominent character of the Messiah, when they thus professed their faith, "we know that this is indeed the Christ, the SAVIOUR of the world?" Had St. Peter any other opinion, when he said, "Him, (i. e. Jesus,) hath God exalted to be a prince and a SAVIOUR, for to give repentance unto Israel, and forgiveness of sins?" Or St. Paul, when he said, "Of this man's (David's) seed, hath God according to his promise, raised unto Israel a SAVIOUR, Jesus?" And "This is a true saying, and worthy of all men to be received, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners?" Or, finally, St. John when he thus emphatically expressed himself on the subject; "We have seen and do testify, that the Father sent the Son to be the SAVIOUR of the world?"

ren,

This is not an insignificant matter, my brethbut a circumstance well worthy of your se

rious consideration. It was God's express will and appointment that his son should be called by a name, which in our language means SAVIOUR. For what reason could this be, but because he designed that no christian should utter the name of the author of his faith, without expressing at the same time, his belief that he owes his salvation to him? Nor can any man consistently use the name JESUS, or the equivalent term, "our SAVIOUR," unless he acknowledges the Messiah in the character, which by that very term with his own lips he ascribes to him; for he cannot with any propriety be named the "Saviour," if he be regarded as a mere teacher of religion. We should not overlook or forget the peculiarity of this expression, never applied, and by no means applicable to any one in a religious and spiritual sense, but to Christ alone. Saviours, in respect to temporal affairs, have indeed often been spoken of. The Judges, whom God from time to time raised up to deliver his people Israel from their enemies, were in this sense saviours. Joshua, (which is the Hebrew original of Jesus) was in this respect pre-eminently a saviour; his name was no doubt providentially designed to express as much, and it was very appropriate to his character as a type of our blessed Lord-the one being a temporal, the other a spiritual deliverer. But never did