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I. OF THE ADVANTAGES OF COMMERCE.

1. How vast it is. Its standard is planted upon the Andes and the Himalayas. The great Pacific and Atlantic seas are beaten white by our ships. From the ghauts of Malabar to the sands of Coromandel, from the steppes of the Cossack to the wilds of the Arab, from the Thames and the Mersey to the Mississippi and the Missouri, the commerce of Britain has extended its influence.

2. This great commercial power has done some good. It has opened up new channels of intercourse with mankind. It has created links of sympathy and bonds of union where all was severance and estrangement before.

3. It has gathered round it great homage and eclat.

4. It is very successful.

5. Of great importance to the State.

6. Must ever be associated with agricultural power.

7. Is one of the greatest securities against war.

II. ITS PERILS.

1. Avarice.

2. Considering everything from the trade point of view.

3. Absorbing care.

4. Reckless speculation.

5. Pride.

6. Forgetfulness of God.

III. ITS RESPONSIBILITIES.

1. Merchants should acknowledge God.

2. Seek to extend His kingdom.

3. Remember they are but stewards of their wealth.

4. Pity the poor.

5. Spread the Gospel.

(J. Cumming, D. D.)

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KJV: {A Psalm of David.} The earth is the LORD'S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein.

WEB: The earth is Yahweh's, with its fullness; the world, and those who dwell therein.