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every one was made sensible of the value of their immortal souls: they would then fully comprehend the weight of that expostulation, "For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? What are all the empty honours which this world confers to a soul thus impressed? It can feel no more satisfaction in these transitory enjoyments, because it looks forward into futurity, and clearly anticipates that awful period when every secret shall be made manifest, and all things appear in their true, genuine colours. And Oh! what encouragement offers to a character of this description; to a seeking, hungering soul! What a cloud of witnesses rise up in all ages which testify to the efficacy of this living virtue! How many of the righteous, whose race is run, can we contemplate, whose memories are as precious ointment,' and whose lights shine forth as the perfect day,' inspiring, in the soul, a sacred emulation to tread in their steps, and to follow them in the way which leads to permanent felicity! These bright evidences are united to that sweet consolation which renewedly flows from the immediate source and fountain of all good; producing that peace and serenity of mind, of which the world has no conception. Happy are they who are made acquainted with this blessed experience, who are willing to suffer an abnegation of all earthly good, if happily they might lay hold on those durable riches' which are eternal in the heavens. member an account of a French lady, (Guion) who was brought to see the vanity of all sublunary enjoyments, so that she mourned sorely, desiring after a knowledge of the truth above all things; and when, through infinite condescensionshe was enabled to find that which she had long

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earnestly sought, she passionately exclaims: 'O beauty, ancient and new!-O treasure of treásures! why did I not seek thee sooner?" Such was her language, and such is the language of every soul that experiences the same work, that is earnestly engaged in the same cause. And why should we feel solicitude on any other account, seeing that the dissolution of all things is at hand? A few more measured periods of time will terminate for ever all our anxious cares, will quiet every heaving breast. Even that awful day is hastening, when the righteous shall receive their full reward, and injured truth publicly triumph over her enemies: O happy, happy day! Then shall the righteous shine as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Then shall prayer be swallowed up in endless praise, and desire be lost in the full fruition of enjoyment. May we then cheerfully make such sacrifices as are required in the way of our duty. May we patiently abide under such trying dispensations, as are intended to refine and make us meet for this blessed society. And may we eye, with the most perfect apathy and indifference, the fluttering scenes of dissipation, which move around us.

"If the most careful and deliberate enquiry be made into the subject, I believe this will invariably be the result; that in no situation, in this probationary state, can we rationally look for unmixed happiness. Such as possess the apparent advantages of riches and affluence, as are the farthest exempt from life's inconveniences, and have nothing to dread from the chilling hand of penury, too fully prove that no human bliss is without alloy. Every one must pass through difficulties in their journeying through this vale of tears. Though the measure which

each has allotted him may greatly differ, yet a` certain portion seems inevitably to be our lot. On the one hand, we see science daily making such new discoveries into the almost impenetrable secrets of nature, as to approach the confines of supernatural intelligence. We see the arts in such a highly improved state, that they may be almost supposed to have arrived at the ultimate pitch of perfection. And useful information seems to be diffused through all ranks, perhaps in a superior degree to what any former age or nation' ever enjoyed. But on the other hand, let us examine, and we shall discover, that this amazing expansion of intellect contributes little or nothing to the advancement of the great cause of truth and righteousness. On the contrary, by infusing a spirit of self-importance, it often becomes subversive even of morality.

"But of all the complicated variety of evils under which Britain labours, there appears to be none of greater magnitude, than this long and sanguinary war. What tens of thousands of our fellow-mortals have been sacrificed at the shrine of ambition, within the last eighteen years! Oh! sensibility bleeds at the sad retrospect. How long will the hearts of our rulers remain unmoved at the cries of the widow and the orphan, who are destitute of comfort and support? and many who are not consigned to immediate death, are reduced to a state of misery by an almost entire deprivation of the common necessaries of life.

"Seeing then, on every hand, our critical situation, (both inward and outward,) how indispensably requisite it becomes to seek for some resource which may give us a competent degree

of fortitude; and such a resource can only be found in religion. This, when truly known, elevates the soul above all terrestrial disquiet; it purifies and exalts the affections; and it gives to its possessor, a resignedness of disposition which no words can describe. It may not deprive us of a due degree of concern for temporal things, but it will relieve us from all fruitless anxieties. If it does not exempt us from suffering, it will at least effectually alleviate our griefs. But these benefits, which accrue from religion, are incomparably exceeded by that invincible courage, that holy triumph, with which it inspires the soul in the hour of death. It is an undeniable proposition, that if ever consolation and support are requisite at any time, they are peculiarly so in that awful moment. Situated as the soul is, standing upon the brink of an unchangeable state, how exquisite must be its sensations! But the Christian preserves his serenity of mind even here. He looks behind, and sees a vain world which is grasping at perishable riches: he looks forward, and sees an inheritance incorruptible is reserved for him.-A crown which shall never fade.-A mansion where sorrow and sighing will be for ever excluded.

"I hope thou wilt be candid enough to consider these as the effusions of an honest heart; as the effects of desire for the universal welfare of all mankind. I have seen the transcendent beauty of walking in the path of truth and rectitude, though I have daily to lament, my own weakness and unworthiness. For, as I have before observed, the things which have a tendency to turn our affections from their right course, are very numerous. How often are we ardently in pursuit of such things as the judgment clearly

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discerns to be hurtful, or at least unprofitable! Every one does not inherit the same propensities, or seek pleasure in the same sensual gratifications. But however widely our pursuits may differ, if they tend to divert from the right object, they may be considered as equally obnoxious. An insatiable thirst after literary knowledge, I believe is not the least hinderance which prevents many from walking in that simplicity which truth requires. I have noticed a disposition of this sort to have a great ascendancy over the minds of some respectable friends; and from a conviction of its pernicious influence, when too much indulged, I have been deeply solicitous for their welfare.

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Science, abstracted from religion, can never be productive of true peace and tranquillity of mind. We may become conversant with the languages, manners, &c. of both ancient and modern times; nay, if it were possible to become perfect masters of every department of science, and every branch of erndition, there would still be something materially wanting; there would still be a vacuum in the soul, which nothing less than immensity can fill. I often

think it sheds additional lustre upon the brightness of the gospel dispensation, when we consider, that its first propagation was chiefly intrusted to a few poor illiterate characters, who possessed no outward abilities which might command popular notice. They did not go forth in the performance of their great charge, armed with all the soothing and persuasive arts of oratory: they were endued with that all-sufficient-and irresistible power, which needed not the aid of outward accomplishments to render it effectual; the power and demonstration of the Spirit. What

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