It gives me Pleasure to observe that this anniversary, like the preceding, brings with it Tidings which give us occasion for mutual Gratulations, and for united Thanksgivings to Him whose Blessings continue to prosper our Proceedings—

These annual meetings naturally remind us of the Purposes for which we have associated; and lead us to Reflections highly interesting to those who consider what and where we are; and what and where we are to be—

That all Men throughout all ages, have violated their allegiance to their great Sovereign, is a Fact to which Experience and Revelation bear ample and concurrent Testimony. The divine Attributes forbid us to suppose that the Almighty Sovereign of the Universe will permit any Province of his Empire to remain forever in a State of Revolt. On the contrary, the sacred Scriptures assure us, that it shall not only be reduced to Obedience, but also be so purified and improved, as that Righteousness and Felicity shall dwell and abide in it.—

Had it not been the Purpose of God that his Will should be done on Earth as it is done in Heaven, He would not have commanded us to pray for it. That command implies a Prediction and a Promise that in due Season it shall be accomplished.— If therefore the Will of God is to be done on Earth as it is done in Heaven,1 it must undoubtedly be known throughout the Earth, before it can be done throughout the Earth; and consequently that He who has decreed that it shall be so done, will provide that it shall be so known.—

our Redeemer having directed that the Gospel should be preached throughout the world, it was preached accordingly; and being witnessed from on High “with Signs and wonders, and with divers Miracles and Gifts of the Holy Ghost”2 it became preponderant, and triumphant and effulgent. But this State of Exaltation, for Reasons unknown to us, was suffered to undergo a temporary Depression. A subsequent Period arrived, when the pure Doctrines of the Gospel were so alloyed by admixtures and obscured by appendages, that its Lustre gradually diminished, and like the fine Gold mentioned by the Prophet, it became Dim.—

Since the Reformation artifice and Error have been losing their Influence on Ignorance and Credulity, and the Gospel has been resuming its Purity— We now see Christians in different Countries, and of different Denominations, spontaneously and cordially engaged in conveying the Scriptures and the Knowledge of Salvation to the heathen Inhabitants of distant Regions. So singular impressive and efficient is the Impulse which actuates them, that without the least Prospect of earthly Retribution, they cheerfully submit to such pecuniary Contributions, such appropriations of Time and Industry, and in many Instances, to such Hazards and Privations—and such Derelictions of personal Comfort and Convenience as are in direct opposition to the Propensities of human Nature.—

Can such extraordinary and unexampled undertakings possibly belong to that Class of Enterprizes which we are at Liberty to adopt or decline as we please— Enterprizes which no Duty either commands or forbids? This is more than a mere speculative Question; and therefore the Evidence respecting the Character and origin of these undertakings, cannot be too carefully examined and maturely weighed— especially as this Evidence is accumulating and thereby acquiring additional Claims to serious Attention.—

We observe a strange and general alteration in the Feelings of Christians towards the Heathen; and one still more strange and unprecedented has taken place in their Feelings towards the Jews.— Feelings very different from those which for so many Centuries have universally prevailed— Altho’ as it were sifted over all Nations yet, unlike the Drops of Rain which blend with the Waters on which they fall, these scattered Exiles have constantly remained in a State of Separation from the People among whom they were dispersed— Obstinately adhering to their Peculiarities, and refusing to coalesce with them— By thus fulfilling the Prophecies, every Jew is a living Witness to their Truth.—

The same Prophecies declare that a Time will come when all the twelve Tribes shall be restored to their Country, and be a Praise in the Earth; but the precise Time is not specified. By declaring that “Blindness in part hath happened unto Israel until the Fulness of the Gentiles be come in[”]3 and that “Jerusalem shall be trodden down of the Gentiles until the Times of the Gentiles be fulfilled,”4 they lead us to conclude ^that their Blindness will not be sooner, removed, and therefore^ that their Conversion is not to be sooner expected. Individual Jews have from time to time been relieved from their Blindness, and become Christians; and there are Expressions in the Scriptures which favor the prevailing Opinion, that the conversion of a large Portion, and perhaps of the whole Tribe of Judah, may precede that of the other Tribes. They are now experiencing less Oppression, less Contempt and more Compassion than formerly.— Their Obduracy is softening, and their Prejudices abating— these Changes have the appearance of incipient Preparatives for their Conversion.—

Besides these recent Changes in favor of the Heathen and the Jews, another has taken place in the Disposition and Feelings of our People towards the many Savage nations who still remain within our Limits. The Policy formerly observed towards them, together with our rapid Population, increased their Necessities; but not our Endeavours to alleviate them. This Indifference has latterly been yielding to a general Sympathy for their wretchedness, and to a Desire to meliorate their Condition. For this laudable Purpose our Government has wisely and virtuously adopted measures for their Welfare; and benevolent Societies and pious Individuals are using Means to introduce among them the Benefits of Civilization and Christianity—

Nor are these the only Events and Changes which are facilitating the Distribution, and extending the Knowledge of the Scriptures. For a long Course of years many European Nations were induced to regard Toleration as pernicious, and to believe that the People had no Right to think and judge for themselves respecting religious Tenets and Modes of Worship. Hence it was deemed adviseable to prohibit their reading the Bible, and to grant that Priviledge only to Persons of a certain Description. Intolerance is passing away— and in France, where it formerly prevailed, Bible Societies have been established ^by Permission of the Government^ and are proceeding prosperously, under the auspices of Men high in Rank, in Character, and in Station—

From the nature, the Tendency, and the Results of these recent and singular changes Events and Institutions— from their Coincidence, and admirable adjustment as Means for making known the Holy Scriptures, and inculcating the Will of their divine and merciful Author, throughout the world— and from the Devotedness with which they are carrying into operation— there is Reason to conclude, that they have been produced by Him, in whose Hands are the Hearts of all Men.—

If so, we are engaged in His Service; and that Consideration forbids us to permit our Ardor or Exertions to be relaxed or discouraged by Attempts to depreciate our Motives, to impede or discredit our Proceedings, or to diminish our temporal Resources. The Scriptures represent Christians as being engaged in a spiritual Warfare, and therefore, both in their associated and individual Capacities, are to expect and prepare for opposition. On the various Inducements which prompt this opposition, much might be said; tho’ very little, if any thing, that would be new. The present occasion admits only of general and brief Remarks, and not of particular and protracted Disquisitions—

Whatever may be the characters, the Prejudices, the Views, or the arts of our opponents, we have only to be faithful to our Great Leader. They who march under the Banners of Emanuel,5 have God with them; and consequently have nothing to fear.—