with each other. We may all examine how we have used Divine property.

LEV. xx., 5.—" Then will I set my face against that man, and against his family," &c.

There is a sort of impropriety for people to complain of God for not saving their children, while they use no means for their salvation, but to the contrary.

By our opposing God's taking away our children by death, we may actually oppose their eternal salvation, and encourage their going to hell.

2 Cor. xii., 15.-... "Though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved."

The more Christians express their love to sinners, it is commonly the case, the more they are hated by them.

1 SAM. viii., 19.-... "And they said, Nay; but we will have a king over us."

Let God do or say what he will, by moral suasion, to deter men from sinful ways, yet they will go on to destruction.

MATT. xxvi., 15.-" And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver" [$14 79].

Why does Christ go so cheap? Men have a great love to worldly objects-esteem them high, like Judas. They have no relish for the good Christ promisesfrom the characters men sustain-blind-mad-beside themselves easily cheated.

Roм. xiv., 66 8.- "For whether we live, we live unto

the Lord," &c.

Life, in the present state, is one of the most important things of which we can conceive. Should we

compare living on earth with existing in eternity, how much does it exceed it? One hour of our present life is of more consequence to fit for future scenes than all eternity.

PROV. ix., 18.-" But he knoweth not that the dead are there-and that her guests are in the depths of hell."

The wicked on earth make up a part of the family in hell.

MATT. xxvii., 61.-" And there was Mary Magdalene, and the other Mary, sitting over against the sepulchre."

Whence is it that Jesus Christ had so few to attend his funeral?

JOB XX., -it is the gall of asps within him."

14.-" "Yet his meat in his bowels is turned

Though sinners delight in sin, it will prove death in the end, and that very soon. "The bite of an asp," says Burder, "kills in four hours."

ROM. xvi., 3.-"Greet Priscilla and Aquila," &c. Priscilla is first named, because she was more active than her husband in the cause of religion.

JOHN xviii., 38.-" Pilate saith unto him, What is truth ?"

Some people inquire for the truth when they do not wish or wait for an answer. Like Pilate,

"They go out,

Dissolve the court, and mingle with the crowd."

EXOD. X., 9." And Moses said, We will go with our young and with our old," &c.

It is going to heaven will bring us there. Observe this. We may use great boldness in the cause of God: like Moses, We will go.

JOHN XX., 13.-"Woman, why weepest thou?" If saints on earth were wise as saints in heaven, they would not weep as Mary did.

COL. iii., 1.-" Seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God."

The thought of Christ's being in heaven should raise our affections there.

JER. ix., 5.-" And weary themselves to commit iniquity."

Sinners weary and tire out themselves in the service of Satan.

1 SAM. xiv., 6.-"There is no restraint to the Lord to save by many or by few."

God can save by small means.

GEN. XIX., 22.-"Haste thee-escape thither-for I cannot do any thing till thou be come thither."

Sometimes calls away the righteous to bring destruction on the wicked.

GEN. iii., 18.-" Thorns also and thistles shall it bring forth to thee."

We see the pernicious nature of sin-one sin spoiled six days labour of God.

M

CHAPTER X.

AFFLICTIVE SCENES.

"THE heart of the wise is in the house of mourning." In a remarkable degree this characteristic of wisdom was found in Mr. Haynes. Few of Christ's ministers have been called more frequently on funeral occasions to administer instruction and consolation; and few possessed a happier gift "to speak a word in season to him that is weary." His tender sensibility, his affectionate manner of address, his ardent and exalted piety, together with his severe training in the school of affliction, rendered him one of the best of comforters. In this connexion the following letters will be read with deep interest.

TO DEACON ATKINS.

Rutland, Oct. 10, 1814.

VERY DEAR SIR, Yours of the 15th Sept. was received two days ago. It informed us of three deaths in rapid succession, among whom was the dear wife of your youth. You know that I esteemed her one of the best of friends. The long acquaintance, the innumerable favours I have received from her, can never be repeated, and, I trust, by_me will never be forgotten. I can say with one, The thing I greatly feared is come upon me." I was mentioning to one the day before I received the melancholy tidings, that I feared Mrs. A. would never recover. Mrs. Haynes was much agitated, in a dream, we think the night that she expired. She thought she saw great trouble in your house. But I pay but little attention

to dreams. Sir, I hope you do not imbitter the affliction by murmuring or repining against God. You may think on the goodness of the Almighty in blessing you with such a companion-in preserving her so long,

and for the hope that she is among the blessed-and that you may hope shortly to meet her there. Above all, that the will of God is done. I trust I do not forget you at the throne of grace. You are much in my thoughts. I hope the Lord will be your support in a day of trouble. Read Prov. xxiv., 10; "If thou faint in the day of adversity, thy strength is small." Whether I shall ever see you on this side of the grave is uncertain. Should it ever be my lot and portion, it seems that your house would, in some degree, be a gloomy mansion. But I would not add to the tide of grief that flows from your bleeding heart. Yet we may mourn with those that mourn. The week I received your letter, we were called to bury two of the sisters of our church, the one an adult, the other a youth. A brother of my wife died four weeks ago very suddenly. Thus we are all going. I thank you for the seasonable information you gave us of the mournful event. Make our respects acceptable to Rev. Mr. B. and family. We greatly respect them, and shall never forget their hospitality. I trust I bless God that you have such a precious man among you. May he be continued. May the Lord sanctify his hand to all the bereaved. Your sincere friend in your trouble, LEMUEL HAYNES.

TO THE PASTOR OF THE FIRST CHURCH IN GRANVILLE. Rutland, January 13, 1806.

REV. AND DEAR SIR,

*** * It has been a remarkable time of health among us the year past. But four deaths in this society. The last was Charity Rowley, daughter of Mr R. R., about thirteen years of age. She died Dec. 6th. Her disorder was in her head, which rendered her sickness very distressing, and for a great part of the time she was deprived of reason. I scarcely ever