As to the last result of legislative labour on our behalf, “the safety, honour, and welfare of our Sovereign and her dominions,” which we prayed might follow our rulers’ consultations, it is needless to say anything. Each of us can see the finger of God at work in, and trace its divine impress upon, the facts of to-day, which call us together to thank and praise the Lord. Each has faith and wit enough of soul, let us believe, to read, in the spirit of the words of the text, the manner in which God has been with our Sovereign, our national interests, yea! ourselves—“_And the Lord preserved David whithersoever he went_.” And now, my brethren, what is the most appropriate thank-offering that we, Sovereign and people, can make to Almighty God for his mercies vouchsafed to us? Undoubtedly that which follows up our advantages and shows that we are worthy, or labouring to be thought worthy, of the great position with which God has entrusted us, even the thank-offering which David made after his preservation, and which is unpretendingly recorded in the words, “And David executed judgment and justice to all his people.” This it is ours to see carried out, so far as in us lies, and this we trust is being carried out fully and conscientiously by our representatives. But something more have we to offer up to God than judgment and justice toward the people subject to our rule, though this offering be great and to be had in highest esteem. We have heard and seen what kings and prophets desired of old to hear and see. Our knowledge is increased, and so is our responsibility. All type, all figure, all mystery, are removed from us, and “God, who at sundry times, and in divers manners, spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son”—spoken a word of salvation in the Gospel which exceeds, in point of moral beauty and spiritual comfort, all that we can imagine or desire. This word we dare not enjoy to ourselves. On we must pass it, together with judgment and justice, to our people. It has made us great, and caused us to “shine like lights in the world.” Why should it not make them so, and cause them so to shine? On we must pass it, not only as a matter of ordinary and evident duty, but as a matter of feeling. Each true believer is, by his very impulse of faith, a soul-seeking power amongst men. In his heart is deeply sown the missionary germ—only requiring the light and heat of a living faith to raise and mature it to its appointed height and grandeur—when its branches are sure to spread themselves forth in sheltering love over all living within their reach.