'Who is
this that cometh up from the wilderness leaning on her beloved?' First
the wilderness of this world, next the church coming up, then the
attitude leaning, and on whom; I thought the simile well supported,
and practical, as he went on. His application was rich on the
Christian's support, where he brought into view many of the names
of Christ.

"After sermon we witnessed a most affecting scene; two female
members rebuked and restored to the communion of the church. Never,
never did our dear Mr. M---- shine so bright in my eyes; many tears
were shed. I knew nothing of it, and wondered to what he was leading,
when he addressed the congregation, after sermon, upon Christian walk,
watchfulness, and temptation, and the distress occasioned in Christian
society when any of the members were left to fall into open and
aggravated sin. Such was the case in our own congregation: two, naming
the offenders, had been so far left; but while deeply wounded by the
sin and scandal, he was consoled by their penitence: he assured the
congregation that they had given great evidence of deep contrition;
and were now come forward to acknowledge their crime before their
offended and grieved brethren, and to give all the satisfaction in
their power, by submitting to the censure of the church in this public
manner, which, although painful to him, he must pronounce according to
God's appointment. 'Them who sin before all, rebuke before all.' He
then asked them to rise; scarce an individual turned to look; many
were weeping while he laid before them their guilt in strong, yet
tender terms; and finished by expressing his approbation of their thus
submitting to the rod, and exhorting them to humility and redoubled
watchfulness. Then again he addressed the members, requesting them to
receive into their Christian love and affection their repenting,
returning sisters; that they would treat them with tenderness, and
restore them in the spirit of meekness, considering themselves as also
in the body and subject to temptation. 'Let no one put them in
remembrance of the sin which the Father of mercies has blotted out,
nor open those wounds which he has closed,' 'He doth not chide
continually, nor retain his anger for ever.'

"May the Lord bless the discipline of his church; may he meet us
to-morrow with multiplied pardons: may he melt our hearts to
contrition, heal our backslidings, and manifest himself as married
unto us; may he bring us i