press declaration of the Lord God Almighty, • Thou shalt surely die.' Well, then, since sentence is passed, since I am a condemned man, and know not when the death warrant may ar rive; let me die to sin, and die to the world, before I die beneath the stroke of a righteous God. Let me employ the little uncertain interval of respite from execution, in preparing for a happier state and a better life; and when the fatal moment comes, and I am commanded to shut my eyes on all things below, I may open them again to see my Saviour in the mansions above. Since this body, which is so fearfully and wonderfully made, must fall to pieces in the grave; since I must soon resign all my bodily powers to darkness, inactivity, and corruption, let it be my constant care to use them well while I possess them! Let my hands be stretched forth to relieve the needy, and always be more 'ready to give than to receive.' Let my knees bend in deepest humiliation before the throne of grace, while my eyes are cast down to the earth in penitential confusion, or devoutly looking up to heaven for pardoning mercy! In every friendly interview, let the law of kindness dwell on my lips;' or rather, if the seriousness of my acquaintance permits, let the Gospel of peace flow from my tongue. O! that I might be enabled, in every public concourse, to lift up my voice like a trumpet, and pour abroad a more joyful sound than its most melodious ac. cents, in proclaiming the glad tidings of free salvation? Be shut, my ears, resolutely shut, against the malevolent whispers of slander, and the contagious breath of filthy talking. But be swift to hear the instructions of wisdom; be all attention when your Redeemer speaks; imbibe the precious truths, and convey them carefully to the heart. Carry me, my feet, to the temple of the Lord, to the beds of the sick, and houses of the poor. May all my members, de. voted entirely to my divine Master, be the will. ing instruments of promoting his glory!" GOOD AND BAD LUCK. every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give an account at the day of judgment." "I AM just going to take some nice cuttings, Miss," said the gardener, as Mary walked through her Papa's shrubbery. "Give me plenty of them, John," replied the young lady: "but stay, I will not set them today " "Why not, Miss? the sooner the better." "No, no; Friday is an unlucky day; tomorrow or Monday, they will have a better chance for growing: so, John, don't cut any now" and then, as if she had said a very wise thing, Miss Mary nodded her head and walked off. Now it happened that Mary's father was near her when this occurred; but some shrubs concealed him from his little girl. When she was |