Listen to the strong language of Bourdaloue on this subject: "We should endeavour to have a sincere and true friend," says this writer before quoted, "a friend who, without sparing us, without listening to the sentiments of a weak and interested friendship, will come to us when we are in danger, and say to us with the same zeal and energy which the prophet manifested, -Prepare to die, and that immediately, for death is not far distant. Let us require of him, as the kindest office which he can do to us, that he will not delay to explain himself, and that in explaining himself he will not be afraid of grieving us. Let us assure him, that by that we shall judge whether he is sincerely attached to us; that by that we shall distinguish him from false friends, and shall consider ourselves as under obligations to him for one of the most precious favours, which is at persuasion of the certainty of death, when we are drawing near to that period. This K is what we ought to wish from a friend. All other services without this, or which do not go thus far, are vain. But to attend to the salvation of a dying friend, to be anxious for his soul, and for his eternal state, to endeavour to prepare him, by wise counsel, to finish like a Christian, a life which will be followed by supreme happiness or supreme misery, this is to be a friend till death. Let us seek such a faithful friend. But where shall we find him? Not among men of the world. If they are at all friendly to each other, (and how very few are so?) it is according to the false spirit of the world; it is with regard to the frivolous interests of the world; it is to establish or advance a friend in the world. But we shall find him among the small number of virtuous and faithful servants of the Lord, whom he has reserved to himself, in the midst of a perverse world, and who are conspicuous for piety. Such friends are the more valuable, as after having assisted us to live well, they then help us to die well." It is the part of such a friend, dear, dying reader, that I have endeavoured now to act towards you. "My heart's desire, and prayer to God" for you, is that your soul may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Receive in kindness the reproof that has been administered, and the counsel that has been afforded. He, whose message it is you have now heard, has marked the spirit with which it has been received. I now leave you; but not alone. I leave you in the hands of God, and commend you to his grace. What has been said amiss, may He, in mercy forgive! And all that accords with his mind and will, may He own and bless. And to the Father, Son and Holy Ghost, shall be praise and glory forever and ever. Amen. A SELECTION OF APPROPRIATE POETRY. TIME. TIME speeds away-away-away: Drop from us like the leaflets sear; Time speeds away-away-away: 1 He undermines the stately tower, And sweeps from our distracted breast The friends that loved-the friends that blessed : And leaves us weeping on the shore, To which they can return no more. |