,transcribed from the #ahfa ,b4 ,seeley edition by ,david ,price4 ,many thanks to the ,british ,library for making their edition available4 8,,the ,,numbering ,,of ,,the ,,people40 ,a ,sermon ,,in ,,connection ,,with ,,the ,,census ,,of #ahfa1 ,,preached ,,in ,,st4 ,,thomas' ,,church1 ,,islington1 ,,on ,,sunday ,,evening1 ,,april #g1 ,,by ,,the ,,rev4 ,,george ,,allen1 ,theological ,associate1 ,king's ,college1 ,london1 ,,incumbent4 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,,published ,,by ,,request4 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,b4 ,,seeley1 ,,islington ,,green2 ,,seeley1 ,,jackson1 ,,halliday1 ,,fleet ,,street4 99 99 99 99 99 ,the profits of publication will be devoted to the purchase of the new ,organ recently erected in the ,church4 ,,to ,,the ,,members ,,of ,,the ,,congregation ,,of ,,st4 ,,thomas'1 ,,islington4 ,,my ,,dear ,,friends1 ,,this ,sermon was not written with a view to publication4 ,i have consented to its being printed at the earnest request of several of the most experienced members of the congregation1 to whose judgment1 ,i felt it would be but false modesty not to defer1 when they assured me that they considered it might1 under ,god1 be the means of doing good1 and that its publication would be a source of pleasure to you generally4 ,the ,sermon--prepared amidst the pressure of parochial duties--is printed by desire exactly as it was delivered from the pulpit4 ,i must therefore crave your indulgence for whatever imperfections may be found in it4 ,with all its faults1 however1 ,i dedicate it to you as an expression of warm affection and gratitude for the many kindnesses ,i have received at your hands2 and earnestly praying that the ,almighty will graciously vouchsafe ,his blessing to this feeble1 but ,i trust sincere1 endeavour to promote ,his glory and your spiritual good1 ,i have the happiness to subscribe myself1 ,your faithful ,friend and ,minister1 ,,george ,,allen4 99 99 99 99 99 ,upper ,barnsbury ,street1 ,islington1 #hth ,april1 #ahfa4 ,a ,,sermon4 ,,numbers i4 #a1 #b1 #ai4 8,and the ,,lord spake unto ,moses in the wilderness of ,sinai1 in the tabernacle of the congregation1 on the first day of the second month1 in the second year after they were come out of the land of ,egypt1 saying1 take ye the sum of all the congregation of the children of ,israel 4 4 4 ,as the ,,lord commanded ,moses1 so he numbered them in the wilderness of ,sinai40 ,,the reading the words of the text1 dear brethren1 will make it obvious1 that ,i desire this evening1 to direct your attention to thoughts connected with the great national act now taking place1 the numbering the people1 the census4 ,whilst the preacher of the ,gospel should be exceedingly careful1 not to allow the things of time and sense to form the burden of his ministry1 yet there is much wisdom and profit1 in making use of those temporal matters which are engaging men's thoughts1 as vehicles for reminding them of spiritual and eternal verities4 ,by such a course a fitting direction is given to the minds of believers2 their contact with worldly duties is made a means of promoting their spiritual life4 ,by such a course also the attention of the still unconverted is arrested1 and those startling truths which tend to the awakening of the soul1 find sometimes1 by ,god's blessing1 a lodgment in the memory1 because of their association with topics of worldly interest4 ,i pray that my endeavour this evening to improve the occasion of this important national act--the taking of the census--by suggesting a few thoughts in connection with it1 may be blessed of the ,holy ,spirit to the honour of our ,god1 and the good of our souls4 ,i would classify my remarks1 because ,i wish them to form the material of much afterthought on your parts1 under these divisions3-- #ast4 ,the propriety and uses of a national census1 and our duty with regard to it4 #bnd4 ,the thoughts which arise from the questions of the census paper4 #crd4 ,an omission in the census paper suggesting an important line of thought4 #dth4 ,the final census4 99 99 99 99 99 7,i47 ,the propriety and uses of a national census1 and our duty with regard to it4 ,enumerations of the people1 more or less complete1 have found place in almost all nations4 ,they seem an obvious necessity in all collections of men pretending to a national existence4 ,without them all legislation for the internal welfare of a country and for its external defence must be mere hap-hazard work4 ,those to whom is committed the heavy burden of ruling a great people such as this1 have ,i think1 a positive right to all that information from the governed which may help them in the discharge of their onerous and responsible duties4 ,it is not patriotic1 to use no loftier term1 to look upon our government with the jaundiced eye of suspicion1 more especially when it exercises no undue inquisitiveness1 and pledges itself1 as the government of our day does by the terms of the census forms1 that 8,the facts will be published in general abstracts only1 and strict care will be taken that the returns are not used for the gratification of curiosity40 ,of course1 dear friends1 ,i am not qualified to speak fully of the uses of a national census--a statesman only could do this1 yet it is self-evident that everything which tends to the amelioration of public evils and the furtherance of the public good1 must be subserved by the statistics so gained4 ,not only distinctive legislation1 but also all our schemes for the extension of education and the promotion of the work of ,christ's ,church can only find arguments1 exactitude1 and adaptation from the knowledge to be gained by a national census4 ,i could enter into some details1 were it necessary or desirable in this place1 to illustrate and prove these points3 but ,i think you will all be prepared to admit at once that it is self-evident1 that the plans of our rulers1 and the efforts of the philanthropical among us to do good in their day and generation1 must be very greatly facilitated by the information the census papers1 if faithfully filled up1 will afford4 ,it seems strange that a measure so obviously proper and useful should have had so many difficulties to contend with1 and that these difficulties should not have wholly disappeared before the boasted enlightenment of the nineteenth century4 ,prejudice must have been intensely strong in days gone by2 for it would seem to have to bear1 deservedly1 the chief blame for past neglect in seeking the important information which can alone be obtained through this channel4 ,it was not till #ahja1 ,i believe1 that the first actual enumeration of the people of ,england and ,scotland took place1 although an imperfect attempt to ascertain the number of the population had been made in the previous century4 ,since #ahja the census taking has become more general in the ,united ,kingdom4 ,england and ,scotland were again enumerated in #ahaa1 and since then at the decennial periods of #ahba1 '#ca '#da '#ea2 ,ireland has also been included in these latter census takings1 and we may hope that as the people become more accustomed to the matter1 and more thoughtful as to its uses1 all remnants of the antiquated prejudice which hindered it so long1 will die out4 ,i would help towards this desirable end by noticing for a passing moment the most prevalent objection urged against the census4 ,it is not in a few quarters that you hear1 and probably in still more quarters the notion is held1 that the census is unscriptural1 and therefore will bring down upon the nation a curse and not a blessing4 ,whence does this notion arise8 ,from a mistaken interpretation of ,scripture4 ,do you not remember1 says the objector1 in a tone which implies that he thinks he is about to demolish your case at once1 ,do you not remember that ,david sinned in numbering the people1 and that in consequence a pestilence slew thousands of his subjects8 ,yes1 ,i remember well the ,scripture fact4 ,david sinned in numbering the people1 but that does not therefore prove that numbering the people is an act in itself wrong4 ,david sinned because he did a right thing from a wrong motive4 ,shall we say that almsgiving is sinful because some give from ostentation and pride8 ,surely not4 ,david numbered his people to gratify his pride1 to see his way to the carrying out designs of ambitious conquest1 concerning which1 because he knew he was doing wrong1 he took not counsel of ,god4 ,and if we now number the people in this vain-glorious1 ,god-neglecting1 proud1 self-reliant spirit1 then we too sin4 ,but surely to number them with the view1 under ,god1 of furthering the internal welfare of the kingdom and securing the defence of the precious privileges ,god has given us to guard1 is not to act in ,david's sinful spirit4 ,let us pray for ourselves and rulers1 my friends1 that ,god may be recognised in this census taking1 that thanks may be given to ,him for any increase and progress in our nation this census may discover1 and that as ,he has cared for us in the past1 we may make all our plans for the future under the direction of ,his teaching and in dependence upon ,his blessing4 ,but in truth1 dear friends1 this objection from ,scripture is fully met and controverted in ,scripture itself4 ,god can never be the author of evil1 yet you will notice in our text1 and you will find the same thing in the #bfth chapter of this book of ,numbers1 that ,god himself1 at the commencement and close of ,israel's journey in the wilderness1 commanded the numbering of the people above a certain age4 ,what ,god has once commanded cannot in itself be wrong1 else were ,god the author of evil4 ,the right thing becomes a wrong thing in us1 when we do it in a wrong and sinful spirit4 ,and now1 dear friends1 if you are satisfied that the taking the census is not only not contrary to1 but sanctioned by ,scripture1 and that its uses are most important to the welfare of the state1 bear with me if ,i urge upon you your duty with regard to the paper you will deliver into the hand of the appointed enumerator to-morrow4 ,you are bound to fill up that paper carefully and faithfully4 ,i might urge a selfish motive to induce you to do so2 the future welfare of the state1--politically1 socially1 religiously1--depends in a measure upon the exactitude of the returns--the interest of each is bound up in the interest of all--what furthers the public weal will enhance your private benefit4 ,i urge again this duty upon the ground of your obligations to your neighbour4 ,to the discharge of this care for his good1 religion binds you2 and so also your position as a citizen of this country4 ,you have no right to say you will do1 and have a right to do1 as you please in this matter4 ,you receive great and unspeakable benefits from being a member of an organised and governed society1 where might is not right1 but all are under the protection of the law2 and for these benefits you give up1--are bound to give up1 a portion of your individual liberty1 else were all government at an end1 and submit yourself to such ordinances as those who have public authority given to them in this realm consider to be for the common good4 ,and further1 ,i urge a yet higher motive4 ,you are bound to see to the filling up of this census paper carefully and faithfully1 without any wilful deceit1 as a duty to ,god4 8,the powers that be are ordained of ,god2 he therefore that resisteth the power resisteth the ordinance of ,god40 ,that is a false1 dishonest1 ungodly axiom which finds place in the world1 that men may act1 nay are rather to be applauded for acting towards government1 in a manner in which they would be ashamed to act towards their fellow men4 ,to rob and deceive government is no less robbery and deception1 in the sight of ,god1 than robbery and deception practised towards private persons4 ,public conscience1 methinks1 needs this lesson in many a particular--in none more than in the matter of withholding legal dues1 and thus defrauding not only the public purse1 but also our fellow countrymen1 our friends and neighbours4 ,this duty then is before us4 ,the census paper should be filled up carefully and faithfully1 because it is a duty to self1 a duty to our neighbours1 a duty to our ,god1 so to discharge a work which has ,scripture warrant1 and on which the material1 political1 social1 religious welfare of our country so much depends4 ,i do not think1 dear friends1 that ,i am acting contrary to my ministerial office in thus speaking1 for ,i remember ,i am the teacher of the religion which says1 8,submit yourself to every ordinance of man for the ,lord's sake1 whether it be to the king as supreme1 or unto governors as unto them that are sent by ,him for the punishment of evil doers1 and for the praise of them that do well20 the religion which says 8,honour all men4 ,love the brotherhood4 ,fear ,god4 ,honour the king40 99 99 99 99 99 7,,ii47 ,and now1 dear friends1 let me invite you to ponder over a few thoughts which arise from the questions of the census4 ,the census paper lies before us1 and as we glance at its headings1 we cannot help feeling that it makes a certain stand-point not only in the national1 but also in our personal history4 ,it bids us cast our eyes back upon the past4 ,it cries to us1 in no hesitating tones1 as to the present1 8,man1 know thyself40 ,it compels us to look forward into the all-undefined future1 and wonder what shall be4 ,as the questions bid you write concerning yourself and others1 surely they bid you ponder over personal and relative duties4 ,have they been fulfilled in the past8 ,are they being fulfilled at the present8 ,how will they be fulfilled in the future8 ,you write in your own name1--your ,christian name4 ,is it a cheat1 or a true outspeaking of your character8 ,you write your age4 ,how long have ,i lived8--ten1 twenty1 thirty1 forty1 fifty1 sixty1 seventy years4 ,the past1 the past6 the things of which ,god requires1 how spent8 ,how long have ,i to live8 ,when the next census comes1 will my name be enrolled in it8 ,there must come a time when it will cease to be entered in human records4 ,how soon8 ,some died the very day of the last census2 some the day1 the week1 the year after4 ,it may be thus with me this time4 ,am ,i ready to die8 ,how long have ,i to live8 ,you write the name of your wife4 ,she sees you write it4 ,are not both reminded of solemn vows plighted in the presence of1 and in dependence upon the strength and blessing of ,god8 ,have those vows been fulfilled or broken8 ,are they being now fulfilled8 ,are ye helpers or hinderers of one another's salvation8 ,you write the names of your children1 #8the heritage and gift which has come to you from the ,lord4' ,a fearfully responsible stewardship6 ,by lip1 and life1 how have you trained them8 ,how are you training them8 ,how will you train them8 ,is it in the nurture and admonition of the ,lord8 ,is it for time or eternity1--for mammon or for ,god1--for hell or for heaven8 ,no man liveth to himself4 ,you must influence their present and eternal state4 ,how8 ,and1 young people1 ,i have a word for you4 ,your father and mother call you1 and you stand by their side as they enter your names and ages in the census paper1 and so record you as their sons and daughters4 ,is it not well for you at such a time to pause1 and think1 and ask1 ,have ,i loved and obeyed the parents ,god in mercy has given me1 as ,i ought to have done8 ,have ,i honored my father and my mother according to the first commandment with promise8 ,have ,i copied ,his example1 of whom1 though ,he was ,lord of ,all1 it is written concerning ,his conduct as the ,son of ,man towards ,his parents1 8,he was subject unto them08 ,the next heaviest curse to the curse of those despising the ,saviour1 is the curse awaiting those who set light by father or mother4 ,see to it1 my young friends1 that that curse light not on you4 ,you write in the names of your dependents4 ,think1 do you obey the ,scripture injunction1 8,masters1 give unto your servants that which is just and equal1 knowing that ye also have a ,master in heaven08 ,think1 will any of them be able to present against you the condemning accusation1 8,no man cared for my soul08 ,your names are being written in1 ye servants4 ,should not the question arise in your minds1 ,am ,i a servant such as ,god would approve1 #8obeying in all things my masters according to the flesh2 not with eye service1 as men pleasers1 but in singleness of heart1 fearing ,god3 whatsoever ,i do1 doing it heartily as to the ,lord1 and not unto men2 knowing that of the ,lord ,i shall receive the reward of the inheritance2 for ,i serve the ,lord ,christ'8 ,you write your occupation4 ,is it a calling you are ashamed to write8 ,we will suppose it is a lawful one4 ,arises not the question1 ,how fulfilled8 ,with industry1--with honesty8 ,am ,i free from the deceits and trickeries so common in profession and trade1 labouring to have a conscience void of offence towards ,god and towards man8 ,do ,i remember1 ,god would have me 8diligent in business1 fervent in spirit1 serving the ,lord08 ,have ,i ceased to have anything to do with the busy avocations of men8 ,is it that sickness has removed me from the active labours of life1 or that prosperous circumstances enable me to live at ease1 apart from the vexations and cares of business8 ,how is the leisure1--how are the means spent8 ,both are talents for which account must be given4 ,what account shall ,i be able to render1 when the ,lord comes to reckon with ,his servants8 ,this census paper1--ten years have passed since the last came4 ,ten years6 ,how quickly flown3 and yet a seventh portion of that span of life1--the allotted term1 to the end of which so few1 few reach4 ,ten years6 how many sins have the moments which composed them witnessed6 ,multitudes forgotten by me2 not one unregistered in heaven4 ,will they appear against me8 ,have they been cancelled8 ,have ,i sought pardon1 where alone pardon can be found for them1 in the cleansing fountain of the ,saviour's blood8 ,ten years6 ,how many troubles have they witnessed6 ,troubles1--ah1 but how many mercies too6 ,think of ,,these4 ,troubles and mercies1--which were most in number in the ten years passed8 ,you can count your troubles1 can you count your blessings8 ,are you willing1 in the next ten years1 to make this exchange3 to let the troubles of the past ten years be the measure of your mercies in the next ten years2 and to let the mercies of the past ten years be the measure of your troubles in the coming ten8 8,bless the ,lord1 ,o my soul2 and all that is within me1 bless ,his ,holy ,name4 ,bless the ,lord1 ,o my soul1 and forget not all ,his benefits40 7,psa4 ciii47 ,yes1 the past of national mercies and personal mercies1 calls for hallelujahs of adoring thanksgiving4 ,and that past we ought gladly to hail1 as the pledge of continued blessing in the future4 ,let us enter on that future1--the way we have not passed by heretofore1--singing1 8,ebenezer1 hitherto the ,lord hath helped us40 8,the ,lord will provide40 ,but this thought of ,god's mercies leads me to notice a connected topic1 viz4 the propriety and expediency of making special offerings to ,god on this solemn epoch in our history4 ,it was suggested to me by a respected member of the congregation1 that we should have special collections to-day2 and the suggestion was urged by the most forcible of all arguments1 an appeal to ,scripture4 ,exodus xxx4 #aa-af was referred to4 ,it is written there1-- 8,and the ,lord spake unto ,moses1 saying1 ,when thou takest the sum of the children of ,israel after their number1 then shall they give every man a ransom for his soul unto the ,lord1 when thou numberest them2 that there be no plague among them1 when thou numberest them4 ,this they shall give1 every one that passeth among them that are numbered1 half a shekel after the shekel of the sanctuary3 7a shekel is twenty gerahs37 an half shekel shall be the offering of the ,lord4 ,every one that passeth among them that are numbered1 from twenty years old and above1 shall give an offering unto the ,lord4 ,the rich shall not give more1 and the poor shall not give less than half a shekel1 when they give an offering unto the ,lord1 to make an atonement for your souls4 ,and thou shalt take the atonement money of the children of ,israel1 and shalt appoint it for the service of the tabernacle of the congregation2 that it may be a memorial unto the children of ,israel before the ,lord1 to make an atonement for your souls40 ,in connexion with these verses1 ,i have read the following remarks in a letter in the public press3 8,there has never1 to my knowledge1 been in ,england10 says the writer in the religious periodical1 8such a national offering as is here indicated2 but there has been on three occasions a remarkable and progressive coincidence of calamity3 thus after #ahca1 cholera2 after #ahda1 blight1 influenza1 cholera2 and after #ahea1 cholera1 murrain1 war40 ,i deeply regret1 my friends1 that such words as these have ever appeared in print2 none could well be more mischievous1 because none could well be more likely to encourage the mistaken notion ,i met1 and ,i trust controverted1 at the beginning of my sermon4 ,the writer seems to imply1 that these calamities followed because an offering was not made4 ,it is ,god's1 not man's province to trace such connections4 ,i believe he has misconceived the teaching of ,exod4 xxx4 #aa-af1 and would make a temporary injunction of permanent force4 ,i state what ,i believe to be the true meaning of the passage1 in the words of a most able biblical scholar3 8,this tax is not in ,scripture mentioned in connection with any other census0 7save the one recorded in the first chapter of ,numbers71 8and we are of opinion that it was only a temporary measure to raise funds for the making of the tabernacle40 ,the suggestion therefore kindly made to me1 ,i have not adopted1 because ,i did not think the ,scripture proof adduced was sufficient to make it imperative1 and ,i was not willing to press upon your liberality by having a formal collection4 ,still ,i do feel the spirit of ,scripture would teach1 that this is a very fitting season for making thank-offerings to ,god1 for ,his love in the past1 and for the blessing of continued life4 ,you who so feel with me can act as your consciences dictate4 ,would you devote your offerings to the service of this tabernacle of ,god1 the boxes at the doors can receive them4 ,would you rather aid some special religious work1 missionary or otherwise1 ,i shall be happy to become the medium of conveying your gifts to the proper persons4 ,this census paper4 ,ten years have passed since the last census4 ,how many changes in the family have taken place since then8 ,some joyful1 some sorrowful4 ,some joyful surely3 names that were missing then1 are found now2 divided families have become united2 little ones1 blessed sunbeams from heaven1 have been sent to cheer and gladden the home2 and poor prodigals have come back again to the early loved threshold1 and found peace in a loving father's embrace1 happy1 if not only in an earthly father's1 but in a ,heavenly ,one's too4 ,but sorrowful changes also1 have those ten years seen2 and as surely will the next ten4 ,another name than that entered at the last census1 is now recorded under the division1 8,write the name of the head of the family40 8,the head of the family60 ,he sleeps in the silent tomb4 ,and where is now the wife's1 the mother's1 the child's1 the brother's1 or the sister's name8 ',twas written in the census paper in #ahea2 it must not be written in the census paper of #ahfa4 ,their names are written on the churchyard stone1 the clods of the valley are sweet to them4 ,ah1 did we love them as we ought to have done8 ,did we love them as we wish now we had done8 ,happy1 happy1 those families1 who1 united not only in the bonds of nature but of grace1 can look forward to the time when1 through faith in a living ,saviour1 they shall meet in that land where partings are unknown2 that land where there shall be no more death4 ,sorrowful changes have the past ten years seen4 ,some filled up the last census paper in a mansion who will fill up this one in a garret4 ,riches have taken to themselves wings1 and flown away4 ,ye who are prosperous now1 remember the fleeting character of earthly possessions4 ,some entered then the names of children who have since dashed their cup of hope to the ground1 and who will this time find entry1 not in a father's home1 but in a felon's prison house4 ,well1 in heaven you will bless the stroke which taught you this is not your rest1 and bid you seek that abiding rest which remaineth for the people of ,god4 ,aye1 and even here1 amid gloom and sadness1 light shall break in upon your darkness1 if ye rest1 believers1 upon the promise1 8,,all things work together for good to them that love ,god40 ,this census paper6 ,ten years have passed4 ,ten years of the time given to work out my salvation with fear and trembling4 ,have ,i gone forward1 or have ,i gone backward in religion8 ,am ,i nearer to1 or further from ,god8 ,answer1--am ,i more like1 or more unlike my ,saviour8 99 99 99 99 99 7,,iii47 ,these questions are not asked of me in the census paper4 ,no1 my friends2 and the omission of all reference to religion in that paper1 is just the very point which ,i think may suggest a most important line of thought4 ,mind1 my friends1 ,i find no fault with the census paper for this omission4 ,one perhaps could wish1 that statistics as to the numbers of the various religious bodies1 and the number of worshippers1 could have been obtained2 but ,i doubt not1 there were great difficulties in the way2 and temptations to unfair returns1 and indulgence of angry passions1 may thus perhaps have been avoided4 ,and1 after all1 though ,i will not yield to any man in regret at1 and condemnation of1 the sad schism and division which exist in ,christ's ,church1 yet ,i cannot help feeling1 that the absence of distinctive classification of religious bodies in the census1 is just what will find place at ,,last4 ,then the question will not be1 were you ,episcopalian or ,nonconformist8 but1 ,did you love the ,lord ,jesus ,christ in sincerity and truth8 ,and1 with the ,apostle1 ,i say1 may grace be with all those who do so4 ,but1 my friends1 although the census paper asks you not this year about your professed religion1 remember ,god is always taking ,his census1 as to the state of your ,,real religion4 ,in the never-failing memory of ,god1 your name1 age1 dwelling1 and true description1 are all noted down4 ,he is spying out all our ways4 ,we cannot keep any secret from ,him4 8,all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of ,him with whom we have to do40 ,in ,his census taking1 ,he makes two grand divisions1--foes1 friends2--not in ,his ,church1 in ,his ,church2--unbelievers1 believers2--lost1 saved4 ,now1 my friends1 if you could see under which division ,god has written your names1 think you1 would it be among the lost or saved8 ,nay1 you may know that now1 for a certainty4 ,listen to the ,word of ,god3 8,except ye repent1 ye shall all likewise perish40 ,have you repented8 ,do you repent8 8,he that believeth on the ,son hath everlasting life1 and he that believeth not the ,son shall not see life1 but the wrath of ,god abideth on him40 ,now have you believed in1 do you believe in ,jesus for salvation1 pardon1 acceptance1 peace1 glory8 8,without holiness no man shall see the ,lord40 ,are you fighting against sin1 are you striving to be holy8 ,oh my friends1 it is1 methinks1 a proud thing to have one's name enrolled1 by means of this census1 as a citizen of free happy ,england2 but 'tis a far prouder thing to have it enrolled as a citizen of ,heaven1 of the kingdom which shall know no decay4 ,oh see to it that you make sure work of your state before ,god4 ,it is a blessed thing to think1 that though ,god may have had your name for many1 many long years in ,his census book among the list of the lost1--,his foes2 ,he is yet willing1 nay is longing to transfer it1 upon your repentance1 faith1 obedience1 to the list of the saved1--,his friends4 ,see to it1 ,i say1 that the name you bear as your description1 a ,christian1 be a true name1 witnessed in your occupations of penitence for sin1 trust in ,jesus1 holy living to ,god2 for remember1 remember1 the ,,iv4 ,,final ,,census will ere long be taken1 which shall consign each one of us to irretrievable woe1 or usher us to inconceivable blessings4 ,yes1 presently1 angels will play the part of enumerators4 ,they will not indeed seek information of you1 for ,god knows them that are ,his1 and them that are not4 ,then before the great white throne you will stand1 and all your life will be told4 ,there an assembled world must meet1--not one missing2 and then the angels will play their part in the great1 the final census4 ,then will they discern between the righteous and the wicked2 then will they separate between the just and the unjust1 the believers in ,jesus1 and those who have not believed in ,him4 ,then will it be declared whether my name1 and thine1 my friend1 be written or not written in the ,lamb's book of life1 and on that issue will depend whether we be registered in the book of ,eternity as citizens of hell1 or as citizens of heaven4 ,brethren1 now is the time to decide which it will be4 ,the choice1 under ,god1 is in our hands to-day1 to-morrow may be too late4 8,there's no repentance in the grave1 ,nor hope of pardon there40 ,and there1 in the grave1 you may be1 ,i say not before another census taking comes1 but before another day dawns4 ,the names of some of those who are at this moment written in the census-paper as among the living1 will have to be withdrawn1 erased1 before that paper be handed to the enumerator to-morrow morning1 and entered in another register1 the register of the dead4 ,it may be so in the case of some here to-night4 ,with which one shall it be so8 ,with which one8 8,lord1 is it ,i80 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 99 ,,seeley1 ,,islington ,,green4