PRINCETON, N. J. 
 
 Di v i s i on _ -, ,', 
 
 No. Case,_ J A\ . __:_„ 
 No. Shelf] Secth^^ .., .'. 
 
 ^0. Book Mc,..^? ? 
 
 The John 31. Krebs Donation. 
 
 -T 
 
 
WORKS BV the same AUTHOR. 
 I. 
 
 In 1 Vol. hound in cloth, 600 Pages, price 5s. 6d. 
 
 FOURTH EDITION. 
 
 THE CHRISTIAN'S DAILY PORTION, Containing Three 
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 the Redeemer. 
 
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 From the Rev. Dr. Harris, Author of " Mammon," <fec. 
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 Published by Houlston and Stoneman, Paternoster Row. 
 
CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHY 
 
 MATERIALS FOR THOUGHT. 
 
 AUTHOR OF " SKETCHES AND SKELETONS OF SERMONS, 
 
 THE " christian's DAILY PORTION," " PULPIT CYCLOPEDIA," 
 "sermons for families and villages," "YOUTHFUL CHRISTIAN," 
 ETC. ETC. ETC. V 
 
 :. ETC. V r-) 
 
 " Read not to contradict and confute, nor to believe and take for granted, nor to 
 find talk or discourse, but to weigh and consider." — Lord Bacon. 
 
 LONDON : 
 
 HOULSTON AND STONEMAN, 
 
 65, PATERNOSTER ROW. 
 
 1845. 
 
LONDON : 
 J. HADDOV, PRINTER, CASTLE STREET, FINSBURY. 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 It has been the Author's aim, in the present 
 work, to present a variety of articles on interesting 
 and important subjects, expressed in a condensed 
 sententious style, so as to furnish useful and instruc- 
 tive materials for thought, on intellectual, moral, 
 and spiritual themes. 
 
 In carrying out this object, he has chosen such 
 topics as were rather practical than speculative ; for 
 utility, and not display, has been the principle, 
 under Avhich he has endeavoured to act, in preparing 
 them for the press. 
 
 Having a strong attachment to works of a pro- 
 verbial kind, and thinking many others might have a 
 similar predilection, he concluded that such a book 
 would tend both to interest and instruct a numerous 
 class of readers. 
 
 Doubtless many persons may differ with him on 
 some of the sentiments expressed, and may probably 
 dispute the conclusions to which the writer often 
 arrives. He can only say that he has laboured to 
 
VI PREFACE. 
 
 speak out the honest convictions of his mind. But 
 in doing so, would fain hope, that he has ever dis- 
 played a spirit of moderation and candour, towards 
 those who may entertain opinions different to his 
 own. 
 
 It has been his sincere aim to exhibit truth, and 
 truth only, and he has laboured to do this in as brief 
 and forcible a manner as possible. 
 
 He has been anxious that his book should be 
 rather a book of ideas, than one of wordy arguments 
 and illustrations ; and he sincerely desires that it may 
 be the humble instrument, under the divine blessing, 
 of extending a knowledge of many important truths 
 which are too liable to be forgotten. 
 
 He has endeavoured to arrange the subjects in 
 such order, that the reader will be led to perceive, 
 the obvious connexion which many of them have 
 with each other, so as to form a compendium of 
 practical Christian Philosophy, for the consideration 
 of inquiring and reflective minds. 
 
 London, 1845. 
 

 THIOLOQIGALJ 
 
 JJ 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Truth 9 
 
 Knowledge 12 
 
 Wisdom... 15 
 
 The Bible 18 
 
 Jehovah 21 
 
 Providence 23 
 
 Law 26 
 
 Obedience 29 
 
 The Law of Equity 31 
 
 The Spirit 34 
 
 The Tongue 37 
 
 On Thought 40 
 
 On War and Peace 43 
 
 On Love 45 
 
 On Freedom 49 
 
 On Superstition 51 
 
 On Light 53 
 
 Sectarianism 55 
 
 Liberality.. 58 
 
 Talents 62 
 
 Page. 
 
 On Usefulness 64 
 
 Man — as he was 66 
 
 Man — as he is 68 
 
 Man — as he may become 70 
 
 On Depravity 72 
 
 The Saviour 75 
 
 On Repentance 79 
 
 A Christian 81 
 
 Paradoxes of the Christian 
 
 Life 83 
 
 On Moral Symmetry 84 
 
 On Prayer 87 
 
 The Closet 90 
 
 The Sabbath 92 
 
 The Sanctuary 95 
 
 On Praise 98 
 
 Preachers and Preaching 101 
 
 Hearers and Hearing 104 
 
 The Cross of Christ 107 
 
 On Faith 110 
 
Vlll 
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 Page. 
 
 Missions and Missionaries 114 
 
 On Hope 118 
 
 On Religious Zeal 121 
 
 On Contentment 124 
 
 On Humility 127 
 
 On Patience 130 
 
 The Peacemaker 134 
 
 The Divine Promises 136 
 
 The Intercessor 139 
 
 On Forgiving Injuries 142 
 
 Friendship 144 
 
 On Marriage 148 
 
 Parents 152 
 
 To Children 156 
 
 On Teaching 161 
 
 On Imitation 165 
 
 On Music 168 
 
 Books 173 
 
 Reading 176 
 
 Moral Courage 179 
 
 On Punctuality 182 
 
 A Chapter on Anomalies 185 
 
 Page. 
 
 On Conscience.... 188 
 
 On Mysteries and Facts 191 
 
 On Prejudice 195 
 
 On Religious Persecution 199 
 
 On Custom 203 
 
 On Judging of Character 206 
 
 On Anger 209 
 
 On the Punishment of Death. 211 
 
 On Intemperance 216 
 
 On Money 219 
 
 The Rich and the Poor 222 
 
 On Youth 226 
 
 Old Age 230 
 
 Earthly Mutabilities 233 
 
 Health 236 
 
 Bereavements 239 
 
 Time 242 
 
 Death 244 
 
 The Judgment 246 
 
 Heaven 249 
 
 Eternity 251 
 
CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHY. 
 
 TRUTH. 
 
 Truth is to fact what the impress is to the seal, the 
 exact transcript. 
 
 Truth is of universal application ; it is the uniting 
 principle which holds together the moral elements of 
 the universe. 
 
 Truth is one of the bright characteristics of Deity, and 
 one of the main pillars by which his throne is supported. 
 His works are all exhibitions of truth ; his providence 
 its continuous exercise ; and his word the revelation of it 
 to mankind. 
 
 The gospel is both a system of grace and truth ; in- 
 flexibly true in its exactions on the surety, and gracious 
 in the bestowment of its blessings to the redeemed. 
 
 Acceptance of the truth bursts the bond-man's fetters, 
 and liberates the moral captive ; and a retention of the 
 truth is the condition of the charter on which all our 
 spiritual blessings are suspended. 
 
 B 
 
10 TRUTH. 
 
 The penitent is prostrate in the porch of the temple of 
 truth ; the believer walks in the light that encircles the 
 holy place ; and the beatified only can bear the full blaze 
 of the holiest of all. 
 
 Truth hearkens with candour, reflects with delibera- 
 tion, and utters with precision. In matters of conceived 
 trifling import, truth is as the private path which leads 
 to the king's royal highway. 
 
 Truth, however minute the particles, is too precious to 
 be lost ; and he only will be truly enriched with it who 
 imitates the goldsmith, who causeth even the smallest 
 grains of the precious metal to be carefully preserved. 
 
 Truth often prefers the cottage to the mansion, and is 
 frequently seen in company with plain attire. The poor 
 sometimes make her welcome to their mud-formed cabin, 
 while she is excluded from the palaces of kings. 
 
 Truth can live in all regions, flourish in all soils, and 
 become naturalized in all climes. 
 
 It was the spirit of truth which animated the first 
 martyr Abel, which shone in the pathway of the holy 
 Enoch, and which adorned the Hebrew captive in the 
 land of Egypt. It spake through Moses and Aaron to 
 Pharaoh, triumphed in the illustrious events of the Red 
 sea, and was the chorus to the song of Miriam. 
 
 Adherence to truth, the seven times heated furnace 
 could not consume, nor the hungry lions destroy. 
 
 John the Baptist heralded its prince, and called upon 
 men to give it a reverential reception. Thus uttered by 
 a man of plain exterior, and stern manner, and rigid self- 
 denial, yet it softened huiidreds of Jewish hearts, and the 
 waters of the Jordan testified to its virtue and influence. 
 
TRUTH. 11 
 
 Blessed are they whom the truth causeth to mourn, for 
 they shall verily be comforted, and all her disciples are 
 happy indeed. 
 
 In Jesus Christ truth was embodied ; it flowed like 
 silvery streams from his hallowed lips, and no man ever 
 spake like that man. Truth shone with lustre in the 
 actions of his life, and that life was sacrificed to establish 
 its empire in our world. It was his bosom companion 
 mid the agonies of Gethsemane ; he bore witness to it in 
 the presence of Pilate ; and it was transfixed with him on 
 the cross of Calvary. 
 
 The mantle of truth, with the spirit of love, he left 
 to his apostles and disciples, and by the maintenance of 
 both, they trod in the footsteps of their Lord and 
 Master. 
 
 Paul preached it in Corinth and in Imperial Rome, 
 and reasoned out its axioms to the men of Athens, on 
 Mars' Hill. 
 
 The precious seeds of truth were sown in almost every 
 known land, bedewed with the tears of the good, iden- 
 tified with the suffei'ings of saints, and baptized in the 
 blood of the successive martyrs of Christ. In chariots 
 of literal flame many of the Avisest and most holy of its 
 disciples were conveyed to the heavenly state. 
 
 Reader, reverence this queen of virtues ; honour her in 
 all thy transactions ; choose her for thy bosom com- 
 panion, thy closet counsellor, and thy family guest. 
 Let her be thy referee in secular concerns, and ever be 
 found a meek but faithful worshipper at her shrine. 
 Thus only canst thou be a faithful witness of her excel- 
 lency before God and man. 
 
12 KNOWLEDGE. 
 
 Buy it at any price ; its cost cannot excel its worth, or 
 surpass its intrinsic value. Whoever possesses truth, 
 holds an inestimable treasure, whose currency is admitted 
 in both worlds. For it is the moral conservator of earth, 
 and one of the prominent colours of the rainbow, which 
 encircles the throne of Jehovah in heaven. 
 
 KNOWLEDGE. 
 
 Knowledge differeth essentially from learning, for 
 there may be learned lumber, and unlettered stores of 
 knowledge. 
 
 Knowledge is usually without parade, for its richest 
 disciple is humbled by the conviction of the much land 
 which yet remains to be possessed. 
 
 Knowledge is not often wedded with dogmatism, for 
 the limited time of dying man's study is scarcely suffi- 
 cient to know even the germ of things. 
 
 Knowledge is only really valuable as it can be usefully 
 applied, and in this consisteth the essence of sound 
 wisdom. 
 
 Reading supplieth intellectual stores ; study arrangeth 
 and defineth their worth, and by practical experiments a 
 sphere is formed for their serviceable influence. 
 
 Knowledge resembleth the light, it illuminates, cheers, 
 and fertilizes ; it is the principle of mental day, and in- 
 dispensable to a healthy moral activity. 
 
KNOWLEDGE. 13 
 
 To know all things even imperfectly is impossible to 
 any one ; to know a few things fully is within the reach 
 of'all. 
 
 A knowledge of letters is good, of things is better, of 
 principles better still, of ourselves yet more desirable, of 
 God most of all essential ; for " this is life eternal to 
 know thee, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom 
 thou hast sent." 
 
 Divine knowledge necessarily excels human, as God is 
 infinitely holier and more benevolent than man. This 
 tendeth to present and everlasting life. It is the excel- 
 lency of knowledge, compared with which all other is 
 tin and dross. 
 
 Its text-book is the scriptures, — its teacher the Logos, 
 the eternal Word, — its especial themes, the divine opera- 
 tions, the divine government, the divine redemption, and 
 the divine glory which shall hereafter be more fully made 
 known. 
 
 The school of this knowledge is the church, the labo- 
 ratory the heart, the experiments the events of the Chris- 
 tian life, its present influence sanctified conformity to 
 God ; its consummation the refulgent noonday splendour 
 of eternity. What thou knowest not now, thou shalt 
 know hereafter ; yea, then shalt thou know even as thou 
 art known. 
 
 Knowledge varies in its appellations, as do the various 
 shores which are washed by the waves of the sea. It is 
 natural or moral, it is secular or religious, as the subject 
 may be, on which it treats. 
 
 Then as to the manner or degree ; it is simple or 
 philosophical, popular or profound. Its range is all 
 
14 KNOWLEDGE. 
 
 comprehensible subjects, whether in hearen above, upon 
 the earth below, or in the waters which are under the 
 earth. 
 
 Man even in his inglorious and fallen state is eminently 
 fitted for its attainment. There is the eye to perceive, 
 and the soul's understanding which answereth thereunto. 
 There is the ear to attend, and the judgment to ponder ; 
 there are the senses to supply material, and the memory 
 to store lip its treasures. 
 
 By deep causation man reasons on first principles, and 
 chief laws, and by analogy, compares and contrasts. 
 
 By numerical means he increaseth facts, and by an ar- 
 ranging process placeth them all in due order. 
 
 From the lower steps of the intellectual ladder, he 
 gradually ascends to the highest regions of elevated 
 thought and reflection. 
 
 The alphabet may be the child's first study, the heaven 
 of heavens the theme of his manly contemplations. As 
 a child, he may whip his top in the street, or roll his 
 hoop on the path ; as a man, he measureth the heavens, 
 and reckoneth with mathematical precision the revo- 
 lutions of the planetary worlds. From the hyssop he 
 goeth on to the cedar, from the wonders of nature to 
 those of providence, and from both by a spiritual flight 
 to the higher regions of grace. With elasticity of mind 
 in connexion with physical vigour and the cultivation of 
 the moral sense, none but God can tell where man's 
 soarings will end, or his discoveries terminate. 
 
 Reader ! drink deep at this fountain ; its waters refresh, 
 and tend upward even to eternal life. 
 
15 
 
 WISDOM. 
 
 Wisdom is that which applieth knowledge to its best 
 use, and fitteth means for the best end. 
 
 By wisdom, God made all things in their right order, 
 and fixed them in their most appropriate places. 
 
 Wisdom judgeth justly, reasoneth correctly, and con- 
 cludes discreetly. 
 
 Wisdom gives to each subject its due measure of regard, 
 and dignifies the highest themes with the greatest con- 
 sideration. 
 
 Wisdom cannot be absorbed with trifles, nor delight in 
 the bubbles that float upon the passing stream. It en- 
 quireth for good, and with vigour and perseverance seeks 
 its attainment. 
 
 Wisdom asks for the chief good, and to this its most 
 elevated thoughts, and warmest emotions are devoted. 
 
 It looketh for the future, and dreameth not of building 
 on the uncertain present. Its chief hopes are wedded to 
 immortality, and its most intense desires have to do with 
 eternal things. 
 
 Wisdom inquireth what is the end of my existence, 
 and how will the blank sheet of my probation be best 
 filled ? What is best to be pursued, and how shall I 
 most certainly attain it? What shall I despise, what 
 esteem, what admire, and in what delight ? 
 
 Wisdom concludes that God is the chief good ; the 
 soul the chief part of man j and religion the chief end 
 of the soul. 
 
16 WI&DOM. 
 
 Wisdom pronounces the narrow path though steep and 
 difficult of ascent, to be both the best and safest. 
 
 Wisdom builds her house upon the rock, and therefore 
 fears not the winds or the floods. She dwells in the pa- 
 vilion of the Most High, and therefore none can invade 
 or destroy. She associates with angelic hosts, and there- 
 fore, however formidable her adversaries, she beholdeth 
 the whole mountain to be filled with horses and chariots 
 of fire. 
 
 Wisdom has its decided preferences, and its fixed 
 antipathies. It avoideth precipitancy in matters of mo- 
 ment, and is ever ready to obey the advice of the town 
 clerk of Ephesus, to do nothing rashly. It trusteth not 
 to its own understanding, nor dependeth on its own 
 sagacity, but belie veth that in a multitude of counsellore 
 there is safety. It does not hastily give credence to 
 rumours, nor hearkeneth to the tale-bearer, nor en- 
 courageth the whisperer. It cherisheth openness of 
 demeanour, and candour of spirit, and integrity of 
 speech. It decideth not without ample evidence, and it 
 judgeth not without a cause. 
 
 It is the young man's wisest counsellor, the mature 
 man's safest companion, and the sage's daily visitor. 
 
 It sheddeth lustre on every station, and sanctifies 
 every condition. It is the brightness of the child's eye, 
 the nobleness of the yoiith's countenance, and the dignity 
 of the man of years. 
 
 It giveth capacity to the scholar, and ability to the 
 teacher. It openeth the way of rational subjection, and 
 shows princes how to govern. 
 
 It makes the hearer of the word attentive to know 
 
WISDOM. 17 
 
 the sense and design of what is spoken, and he preacheth 
 in vain, whose lips are not under its direction. The good 
 hearer is made wise unto salvation, and the useful minis- 
 ter who winneth souls is wise. 
 
 Wisdom is a qualification which may be needed in all 
 spheres, and on all occasions. 
 
 It is the wheel by which the domestic vessel is steered ; 
 it is the helm which regulateth the affairs of a nation. 
 Idiots only are incapable of it, fools only despise it, and 
 all truly reasonable beings prize it. 
 
 The sweetest flowers will decay, and the gayest wither, 
 but wisdom ever remaineth fragrant, beautiful, and 
 abiding. 
 
 The beauty of the countenance may be blasted by one 
 hour's disease, the physical energy reduced by one stroke, 
 but wisdom in its influence and results, defies the tooth 
 of time, or the winter of years, or even the arrows of 
 death. 
 
 The wise live in the region of light, and in the atmos- 
 phere of health, and dissolution is only a transition to a 
 better and wiser state. For the wise shall inherit glory. 
 Reader ! art thou wise — of enlightened understanding — 
 of sound judgment — and spiritual discernment? Are 
 the wise thy companions ? after wisdom dost thou 
 earnestly cry ? If so, she shall place upon thy brow the 
 diadem of blessedness and honour. 
 
18 
 
 THE BIBLE. 
 
 " Most wondrous book ! bright candle of the Lord I 
 
 Star of eternity ! the only star 
 
 By which the bark of man could navigate 
 
 The sea of life, and gain the coast of bliss 
 
 Securely ; only star which rose on Time 
 
 And on its dark and troubled billows threw a ray 
 
 Of Heaven's own light, and to the hills of God 
 
 Pointed the sinner's eye." Pollok's Course or Time. 
 
 The Bible is the Book by way of emphasis and pre- 
 eminence. The Book of Books for its superlative 
 imjDOrtance, intrinsic excellency, and Divine glory. 
 
 God its Author. Prophets and evangelists and apos- 
 tles its penmen. Truth its matter, and salvation its end. 
 
 How sublime its style. How transcendently glorious 
 its themes. How varied its subjects j yet, how per- 
 spicuous and simple its revelations. 
 
 Fraught with truths for all ages, and classes, and 
 conditions of mankind. With elementary principles of 
 religion for the child. With salutary counsels for the 
 young. With wise instructions for the mature ; and 
 with sound philosophy for the aged. 
 
 With homely communications for the illiterate. With 
 profound truths for the learned, and heavenly knowledge 
 for all. 
 
 Its discoveries, how wonderful, — its doctrines, how 
 heavenly, — its warnings, how awful, — its threatenings, 
 how terrible, — its promises, how precious, — its consola- 
 tions, how abundant. 
 
THE BIBLE. 19 
 
 It is the Christian's personal monitor ; his closet 
 counsellor, and family adviser. 
 
 It is the nation's directoiy, and the world's light, and 
 truth, and glory. 
 
 Here are stores of knowledge for the naturalist, the 
 philologist, the historian, the moralist, the poet, and the 
 divine. 
 
 The Bible is the Book of seeds, on subjects moral, in- 
 tellectual, and spiritual. 
 
 It is the Field containing the hidden treasures of wis- 
 dom ; the Casket in which are deposited the invaluable 
 jewels of grace, and the peerless pearl of untold price. 
 
 It is the Spiritual Bank of Faith ; the Granary of the 
 Bread of Life, and the Well of Salvation. 
 
 It is the Christian's citadel of strength and security, 
 and the holy warrior's sacred armoury. 
 
 It is the Eden of moral loveliness, and the paradise of 
 celestial delights. 
 
 Divine Providence hath marvellously preserved it ; 
 the wise and godly of all ages have delighted in it, and 
 the evil powers of earth and hell have laboured in vain 
 to destroy it. 
 
 It is the only infallible test of real orthodoxy, the only 
 unerring touchstone of truth, the only immaculate code 
 of laws, the only faultless system of morals, and tlie 
 only immutable ground of hope. 
 
 Some have attempted to falsify its statements, — others 
 to mystify its doctrines, — others to monopolize its bless- 
 ings, — and not a few to adulterate its truths. 
 
 All really godly persons read it with reverence and 
 
20 
 
 THE BIBLE. 
 
 attention, meditate on it with spiritual delight, and appro- 
 priate its consolations with unutterable joy. 
 
 They believe its averments, — hearken to its counsels, — 
 imbibe its spirit, and delight in its commandments. 
 
 To translate it into all languages and tongues, and to 
 diffuse it to every tribe abroad, and circulate it to every 
 family at home, is a work of soundest philosophy, 
 noblest patriotism, and purest benevolence. 
 
 Abuse it not, by coercing it to speak the dogmas of 
 thy creed, or to support thy sectarian views, or to establish 
 thy peculiar rites ; but elevate it, by making it the one 
 test of sound Christian" principle, spiritual worship, and 
 daily practice. 
 
 Hide its treasures in thine heart, enjoy its consola- 
 tions in thy experience, and embody its holy precepts in 
 thy life, and forget not to teach it diligently to thy chil- 
 dren, and talk of its hallowed contents "when thou 
 sittest in thine house, and when thou walkest by the way, 
 and when thou liest down, and when thou risest up.'' 
 
21 
 
 JEHOVAH. 
 
 Jehovah, self-existent, underived, and incommuni- 
 cable. 
 
 Before all, above all, in all, and through all. The 
 source of all, the ruler of all, the end of all. 
 
 Sun of all light, fountain of all enjoyment, object of 
 all bliss. 
 
 Creator of all things, governor of all worlds, and 
 judge of all beings. Forming by his power, arranging 
 by his wisdom, blessing by his goodness. 
 
 The intellectual eye discerning all creatures, the spirit 
 of ubiquity pervading all places, omnific energy up- 
 holding; all things. 
 
 The majestic brightness of heaven's glory, unmixed 
 benignity crowning the earth with goodness, inflexi- 
 ble justice enkindling the flames of hell. 
 
 The thunder his voice, the clouds his chariot, the 
 universe his dwelling. 
 
 Angels his attendants, seraphim and cherubim and 
 beatified spirits his train, and dazzling light his throne. 
 
 Heaven his ^court, earth his footstool, and hell his 
 prison. 
 
 Faithful his engagements, truth his word, immuta- 
 ble his counsels. All-searching in spirit, all-knowing 
 in intelligence, almighty in power, and unchangeable in 
 essence. 
 
 Our lawgiver to legislate, our ruler to govern, our 
 judge to adjudicate. 
 
22 JEHOVAH, 
 
 Our Father to bless with his beneficence, and our 
 Redeemer to save by his mercy. 
 
 The terror of the wicked, the nothing of the infidel, 
 the portion of the Christian, and the joy of the beatified. 
 
 The temjjle's glory, the church's safety, the believer's 
 salvation. 
 
 Melting with compassion to the penitent, with love to 
 his children, and with pity to all. 
 
 The best friend, the most terrible foe, the highest 
 glory to the saved, and the source of direst wrath to 
 the accursed. 
 
 The Being, nature's voice proclaimeth, and nature's 
 works revealeth. 
 
 Vainly sought for, by pagan philosophers, ambigu- 
 ously referred to, in heathen oracles, but majestically 
 declared, in the Holy Scriptures. 
 
 A God above me, I adore ; a God around me, I vene- 
 rate and fear ; a God for me, my hope and trust ; a God 
 within me, my joy unspeakable and full of glory. 
 
 Near, yet impalpable ; felt, yet unseen ; known, yet 
 undiscerned. 
 
 I will venerate his name, contemplate his works, con- 
 sider his perfections, celebrate his praises. 
 
 As father, I will draw nigh to him ; , as lawgiver, I 
 will hearken to his voice ; as judge, I will stand in awe 
 of his decisions. 
 
 God enthroned, all idols perish ; God obeyed, all other 
 lords disowned. 
 
 In him I live, to him I will be devoted, as for him I 
 was created and redeemed. 
 
 Jehovah, splendour of all beauty, sweetness of all 
 
PROVIDENCE. 23 
 
 enjoyment, fragrance of all perfume, substance of all 
 desires, end of all being, and summum bonum of all in- 
 telligences. 
 
 Be thy name honoured by all nations, savingly known 
 by all tribes, and worshipped by all beings. 
 
 Thy royal mandate, be every whei*e proclaimed ; thy 
 right, every where confessed ; and thy will, every where 
 done on earth, even as it is in heaven. 
 
 Reader ! canst thou say with the holy psalmist, " this 
 God is my God for ever and ever, and my guide even 
 unto death ?" 
 
 PROVIDENCE. 
 
 Providence is the superintending care which God 
 exercises over all his creatures. 
 
 We may contemplate it either in its vast comprehen- 
 siveness, or in its more minute details. 
 
 We may view it in its relation to all creatures and 
 events, or judge of it in its more direct relation to men. 
 
 Providence is another term for the government of 
 God, by which all events are made to concur with his 
 wise and holy purposes and designs. Thus it includes 
 both the visible and invisible worlds — both angels and 
 devils — men and all the irrational creatures. 
 
 Divine providence recognizes the fixed laws, by which 
 all things are subservient to the divine will, and redound 
 to the divine glory. These fixed laws being based on the 
 
24 PROVIDENCE. 
 
 infallible judgment of God, disorder or confusion cannot 
 possibly ensne. 
 
 At the head of all the links of the mysterious chain is 
 the ever blessed Deity, by whom, and for whom, and to 
 whom, are all things. 
 
 In providence, as Ezekiel showeth, the celestial hosts 
 are prominent and active instruments, ever hearkening to 
 the divine voice, and flying with ardent delight to do his 
 bidding. 
 
 All men in their respective spheres are the agents of 
 the divine will, and the executors of his purposes ; even 
 wicked men and fallen spirits are made to accomplish 
 his pleasure and to do his will. 
 
 The envy of the brethren of Joseph, and the wrath of 
 Pharaoh, and the unbelief and cruelty of the Jews to the 
 Messiah, all instrumentally effected what God had pre- 
 ordained to be accomplished. 
 
 Divine providence restraineth the violence of the un- 
 godly, and maketh the wrath of men to praise God. 
 
 Divine providence employeth the holy and excellent of 
 the earth, to be the direct ministers of his benevolent de- 
 signs and pleasure. 
 
 It fixeth the boundaries of our habitations, it ordereth 
 our earthly lot, regulateth the events of our lives, en- 
 vironeth our dwellings and persons from perils, num- 
 bereth our hairs, guardeth our steps, and supplieth all 
 our wants. 
 
 It has to do with our health and sickness, with our 
 joys and sorrows, with our life and death. 
 
 Divine providence never slumbereth, and never with- 
 draweth its influences. 
 
PROVIDENCE. 25 
 
 It rises with us in the morning, and lieth down with us 
 at night. It is our companion in going out, and in 
 coming in. 
 
 It intermingleth with all our concerns, physical, 
 mental, moral, and spiritual — relative and social — for 
 time and for eternity. 
 
 Yet providence coerceth not, it interferes not with man's 
 free agency, nor mars his entire accountability. 
 
 To the righteous no subject can be so interesting, ex- 
 cept that of the redemption of our world by Christ 
 Jesus. 
 
 Who can be really against the Christian, if God be for 
 him ? what can harm him who is a follower of that Avhich 
 is good ? what can surprise him on whom the eyes of 
 omniscient love are fixed? or injure when the anus of 
 Almightiness surround him ? or beggar him that the in- 
 finite treasures of heaven supplieth ? or destroy him to 
 whom God is both a shield and reward ? 
 
 In the oracles of truth, providence is revealed ; and in 
 the experience of the Christian, providence is enjoyed. 
 
 To admire providence is the privilege of angels ; to 
 trust in it, the high vocation of saints. 
 
 A providence of knowledge, should be the light of our 
 minds ; a providence of power, the stay of our souls ; 
 a providence of goodness, the delight of our hearts. 
 
 Let reason adore — let faith trust — let hope rejoice — let 
 praise be offered — and prayer presented — and the 
 homage of cheerful obedience be constantly given. 
 
 Especially, let the providence which clothes the fields 
 with verdure, that restrains the foaming waves of the 
 sea, that beautifies the lily, that provideth for tlie young 
 
2G LAW. 
 
 lions, that feedeth the birds of the air, that observeth the 
 falling of the sparrow, have our daily, our unswerving 
 confidence, and our incessant ascriptions of thanksgiving 
 and delight. 
 
 LAW. 
 
 Law in its primary signification may be properly 
 applied to the fixed principles under which God has 
 placed the works of his hand. 
 
 God is the great lawgiver of the universe, and from 
 him all wise and good laws emanate. 
 
 Divine laws are the regulations of unerrino: wisdom, 
 and must be right ; of inflexible justice, and must be 
 equitable ; of boundless benevolence, and must be good. 
 
 Laws must not only honour the lawgiver, but be suited 
 to the agents for whom they are made. 
 
 For mere matter, the physical laws are sufficient, and 
 every grain of sand, and droji of water, and atom of air, 
 are under direct and controllable laws. 
 
 The laws of instinct rule the brute creation ; and from 
 the rhinoceros to the gnat, these laws prevail, and 
 answer the ends designed by the Creator of every living 
 thing. 
 
 The law of reason has relation to man ; and by this 
 the higher qualities of his nature are both elicited and 
 governed. 
 
LAW. 27 
 
 Moral laws regard man as responsible and accountable 
 to God, and oblige him to conform to that holy image 
 in which he was created. 
 
 The revealed laws of the scriptures are those of Sinai 
 and Zion, of Moses and Christ, of the legal and evan- 
 gelical dispensations. 
 
 The law of Sinai expresses God's righteous claims on 
 man, and from holy beings would have met with a hearty 
 and full resjoonse ; but when given to sinners, was de- 
 signed as a schoolmaster to lead men to Christ. 
 
 Christ did not come to abrogate, but to fulfil the law ; 
 and on the tablet of his spotless heart its enactments were 
 written. 
 
 He did come to redeem men from its curse, by being 
 made a curse for them. 
 
 The law of the gospel is the laAv of faith in God's Son, 
 which whoso obeyeth, is justified from all things, from 
 which he could not be justified by the law of Moses. 
 
 Whatever God commandeth is law, and he requireth 
 not only faith in his Son, but supreme love to himself, 
 and unfeigned charity to mankind. 
 
 The Christian then is under law to Christ ; and to free- 
 men of the cross, it is a perfect law of liberty. 
 
 Gospel enactments include the positive institutions of 
 religion, as well as the moral precepts of the Saviour. 
 
 The divine law is only obeyed on earth by the regene- 
 rate, by them only imperfectly, and that, by the strength 
 of the grace which is given to them. 
 
 Divine law in heaven is met by the perfect services of 
 loyal affections, and an ability commensurate with the 
 claims of the holy lawgiver. 
 
26 LAW. 
 
 The laws of God are hated by the wicked, blasphemed 
 by the sceptic, and are the horror of the superstitious. 
 
 An acknowledgment of their equity is the first step to 
 religion ; sorrow for their violation, the second ; and a 
 sincere desire to obey them, the third ; and " blessed are 
 they that hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they 
 shall be filled." 
 
 A sincere respect to one department of the divine law, 
 will ever be accompanied by a profound veneration for 
 the whole. 
 
 The laws of sovereigns and legislators on earth, which 
 are not in accordance with the laws of God, while they 
 are not binding for conscience, yet maiy be obeyed for 
 peace sake. 
 
 The law of righteousness, and holiness, and love, shall 
 bind all the families of men together, when the latter-day 
 glory dawns, and the reign of Jesus is universally esta- 
 blished on the earth. 
 
 Reader ! is the divine law written on thy heart ? and 
 dost thou run in the way of God's commandments ? To 
 obey is better than sacrifice, and cheerful obedience is the 
 only infallible evidence of loyalty to Christ. 
 
29 
 
 OBEDIENCE. 
 
 Obedience is either constrained or free, cheerful or 
 reluctant, partial or entire. 
 
 Obedience either springs from fear, or gratitude, or 
 love. 
 
 Christian obedience is influenced by them all. A filial 
 fear of the Divine Majesty, gratitude for God's bounties 
 and grace, and love to Him who so wondrously first 
 loved us. 
 
 The source of obedience, is the grace within us ; the 
 rule of obedience, the will of our heavenly Father ; and 
 the impetus to obedience, a sincere desire to please God. 
 
 Persevering obedience forms the habit of the soul ; 
 and to the habitually obedient, law is jjleasant, and sub- 
 jection thei'eunto a delight. 
 
 Obedience may be marred by tardiness of action, 
 slothfulness of spirit, or inequality of motive. 
 
 Obedience begets a servile spirit of legality, where 
 God is contemplated only as a lawgiver and judge, and 
 his paternal and gracious character forgotten. 
 
 The power to obey ever accompanies the desire, as the 
 withered hand was easily stretched out, when the man's 
 heart concurred with the bidding of the Saviour. 
 
 Imperfect obedience is the sorrow of the upright, and 
 the body of death from which he earnestly seeks deliver- 
 ance. 
 
 Partial obedience must not be the basis of hope, eithe. 
 alone or conjointly with the obedience of Christ ; " but 
 
30 OBEDIENCE. 
 
 if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father," 
 '' and the blood of God's Son cleanseth from all sin." 
 
 Reading the divine word, leads us to an acquaintance 
 with the will of God; meditation thereon makes that 
 acquaintance more intimate ; and obedience reduces it to 
 practice, and the practice is followed by the blessedness 
 of the man who delighteth in the law of the Lord. 
 
 Civil obedience is subjection to the powers that be, 
 to the sovereignty of the realm, and the magistrates ap- 
 pointed by authority. 
 
 Laws directly against God and religion, may be viola- 
 ted with impunity, for it is better to obey God rather than 
 man. But to suffer wrong, is often the Christian's 
 obvious course, and resistance to constituted authority 
 should be well pondered before it is put into execution. 
 
 Obedience to God, will best produce a disposition to 
 obey men in all things that are right. 
 
 Relative obedience is that which is binding on the 
 servant to his master, which must be cheerful, upright, 
 and constant ; or children to parents, which must be 
 prompt, affectionate, and hearty ; or of the wife to her 
 husband, which must be conscientious, uniform, and 
 faithful. 
 
 Ecclesiastical obedience is that which is obligatory on 
 the members of the Christian church, to those who have 
 the rule and authority over them. Such obedience must 
 not be blind, but intellectual j not after the order of 
 human canons, but divine precepts ; it pertaineth not to 
 things secular, but to things religious and divine. 
 
 Obedience to rightly constituted laws, is the principle 
 of cohesion to the materials of the universe ; it is the 
 
THE LAW OF EQUITY. 31 
 
 stability of nations, the bond of the social circle, the 
 beauty of the church, and the harmony of heaven. 
 
 Disobedience would separate the elements of which 
 our world is constituted, revolutionize and devastate 
 kingdoms, scatter fire-brands and misery in the family 
 circle, blight the church of the Messiah, and were it 
 admitted, produce a second apostacy and overthrow 
 among the spirits of the glorified. 
 
 Christian, it is thy prerogative to know, thy experience 
 to love, and thy duty to obey. 
 
 Reader ! dost thou love the law of the Lord ? is it the 
 rejoicing of thy heart, and are the words of the divine 
 mouth " better to thee than thousands of gold and 
 silver?" 
 
 THE LAW OF EQUITY. 
 
 To do unto others as you would they should do unto 
 you, is the law of equity, as presented in the inspired 
 oracles of eternal truth. 
 
 A law which commendeth itself at once to the con- 
 science of every reasonable being. 
 
 A law which is so clear and simple, that none who 
 labour to obey it can possibly fail in fulfilling it. 
 
 And yet it is a law which goeth against the grain of 
 fallen nature, and which does violence to all the deep- 
 rooted selfish passions which lodge within us. 
 
32 LAW OF EQUITY. 
 
 The proud man seeketh dominion over those around 
 him, but would feel grievously wronged to be thus op- 
 pressed by others. 
 
 The vain man seeks to live within the sphere of uni- 
 versal admii-ation, but if all had the same, then would 
 the praises he receives, be lost in the general regard 
 paid to others. 
 
 The avaricious seeketh by over-i'eaching, and scheming, 
 and cunning, to gain advantages from the inexperienced 
 around him ; but how" his soul feels with keenest suscep- 
 tibility, if others wrong him thus. He may spurn too 
 from his jiresence the needy starving suppliant, from the 
 influence of the sordid principle within him ; but if con- 
 ditions were exchanged, and he were brought to bear the 
 gnawing pain of hunger, how cruel would he feel it, to 
 be sent from over-laden tables to pine away and die. 
 
 This law is worthy of its great and holy author, whose 
 every way is righteousness and truth. 
 
 What harmony and joy would obedience to this law 
 produce on earth, and how soon the jubilee of man's 
 felicity would dawn upon our world. 
 
 No tyrant then would occupy a throne, or sway a 
 sceptre. 
 
 No man would then be found to steal, or buy, or sell, 
 or hold another man in slavery. 
 
 No ambitious wretch lusting in his power, would with 
 kindred spirits, combine to carry on the horrid trade of 
 war. 
 
 No selfish legislators would then be known, who, for 
 ends of base cupidity, would form enactments to make 
 the staff" of life dear to the sons of toil. 
 
LAW OF EQUITY. 33 
 
 No ecclesiastic would then make laws for conscience, 
 or infringe the rights of souls in matters pertaining to 
 religion and eternal life. 
 
 No petty despot within the social circle would claim 
 undue authority over the object of his choice, because in 
 matters muscular and corporeal, she was the weaker 
 vessel. 
 
 No pedagogue would be found to trample on the rights 
 of children, or exercise the rod to give escape to pas- 
 sion's fury. 
 
 No master would his servants overload with labour, or 
 pare down their just and righteous recompense to the 
 lowest pittance. 
 
 All men would see in others, beings equally the crea- 
 tures of Jehovah ; moulded and fashioned by his wise 
 and gracious hand, the subjects of his providence and 
 care, yea more, alike the piirchase of redeeming blood. 
 
 None would despise or underrate the veriest savage, 
 who still mid all his degradation, bore traces evident of 
 the human face divine. Man would be the friend of 
 man in every clime, of every grade and colour through 
 the world. 
 
 To teach the ignorant, to help the weak, to raise the 
 fallen, to guide the inexperienced, to soothe and sympa- 
 thize with sorrow, would be the cheerful willing task of 
 €very one. 
 
 How changed would be the aspect of our world. 
 What sin, and crime, and misery would be blotted out 
 from under heaven. How happy man would be, how 
 angels would sing with rapture, and how sullenly would 
 
 c 
 
34 THE SPIRIT. 
 
 the spirits fallen wlio tempt to crime, retire to their own 
 dark and hellish shades beneath. 
 
 To realize a scene so bright and glorious, is the end 
 pertaining to the gospel. 
 
 As sacred truth progresses and gains the ascendancy, 
 this law will rise to view, be embodied in the followers of 
 the meek and lowly Jesus, and by its holy energy and 
 might, put down the works of darkness, until the reign 
 of equity shall be acknowledged from east to west, from 
 north to south, and from the rising to the setting sun. 
 
 THE SPIRIT. 
 
 Is it not desirable to know what spirit we are of? 
 for the heart is easily deceived . To guard against error in 
 ourselves is both wise and important. The spirit of man 
 will be as is the state of his heart ; good or evil, profane 
 or holy, carnal or devout, pertaining to earth or to 
 heaven. 
 
 The spirit is the genius of the mind, and the mental 
 breath of the soul, and the index of the heart. If the 
 spirit be good, then has the soul been renewed, and if the 
 spirit be evil then is the heart unchanged. 
 
 A Christian spirit is pre-eminently excellent, and the 
 fruit of such a spirit, honours God, and is esteemed and 
 beloved of men. 
 
 A meek and quiet spirit is of great price ; but a 
 
THE SPIRIT. 35 
 
 boisterous spirit is the torment of its possessor, and the 
 disturber of others. 
 
 A gentle spirit is as the sweet and refreshing dew, but 
 the harsh spirit is as the chilling wind from the east. 
 
 A kind spirit is lovely as the dove, but the spirit of 
 hatred odious as the blood-stained vulture. 
 
 A candid spirit is bright and radiant as the sun- 
 beams ; an envious spirit dark and lowering as the electric 
 cloud. 
 
 A cheerful spirit is as the fruitful garden, but the 
 gloomy spirit is as the rugged rock or the sandy desert. 
 
 A proud spirit is as the fool dancing on the verge of 
 the precipice j a humble spirit dwells as in the valley of 
 security. 
 
 A boasting spirit indicates emptiness of mind, but a 
 modest spirit is of itself a treasure to those who possess it. 
 
 A reflective spirit becometh a probationer of earth ; 
 and the inconsiderate and reckless bear the marks of 
 folly in their foreheads. 
 
 A resigned spirit befitteth creatures of the dust ; a 
 murmuring spirit only addeth to its misery and disap- 
 pointment. 
 
 A prayerful spirit leaneth on the arm of Jehovah ; but 
 the prayerless rely on their own resources. 
 
 A believing spirit trusteth the divine truth and good- 
 ness, and realizeth present enjoyment ; but the doubtful 
 and unbelieving have recourse to empty cisterns that can 
 hold no water. 
 
 A loving spirit is God enshrined in the soul, and 
 heaven begun on earth ; a spirit of malevolence an 
 inward curse, and a corroding plague. 
 2 
 
36 THE SPIRIT. 
 
 A heavenly spirit enjoys celestial immunities ; holdetH 
 converse with the skies, and communion with the beati- 
 fied ; but an earthly spirit is that of the serpent that 
 crawleth in the dust. 
 
 A generous spirit, like a full blown rose, spreadeth its 
 fragrance afar ; an avaricious spirit is as the poisonous 
 hemlock, or deadly nightshade. 
 
 The liberal spirit is flourishing as the willow by the 
 water-side ; the covetous as the prickly briar in the 
 desert. 
 
 The spirit of the Christian is of God — from above, 
 and of holy likeness to that of Jesus. 
 
 The spirit of the sinner is of self, from beneath, and 
 resembleth the image of the evil one. 
 
 Yet among the unregenerate, there are many things 
 attractive and lovely ; so among the renewed, there are 
 many things not lovely or of good report. 
 
 Therefore reader ! try thy spirit, and seek for the in- 
 fluences of holiness, which will beautify, exalt, and 
 enrapture. 
 
 See that thy spirit is noble as the children of the 
 heavenly king : not petty, puerile, bigoted, or stimted by 
 the chilling influences of earth ; but rise in holy likeness 
 to thy God — in pure enjoyment of hallowed converse 
 with him, so that at last thine enraptured spirit shall 
 know and feel the joy and glory of the seraphim around 
 his throne. 
 
37 
 
 THE TONGUE. 
 
 Of the various distinctions which elevate man above 
 the irrational creatures, none is more important and 
 striking than the gift of speech. 
 
 Doubtless other creatures have signs of recognition, 
 and may express sounds indicative of their desires ; but 
 it is reserved for man alone to be adorned and blest with 
 the faculty of speech. And to mental dignity, and social 
 enjoyment, and moral influence, how much is dependent 
 on the tongue. It becomes the conveyancer of thought, 
 the distributer of ideas, and the telegraph of emotions. 
 
 By this, intellectual communion becomes palpable, and 
 kindredness of heart embodied. 
 
 It is alike the servant of joy or sorrow, delight or 
 hatred, of blessing or cursing. 
 
 It is often as the helm to the vessel, and requires equal 
 skill and self-possession for its wise and proper govern- 
 ment. 
 
 In the tongue is the power of life and death ; to rule it 
 is the perfection of moral science, and to aim at this 
 should be the great concern of all who would fear God, 
 or be useful to their fellow men. 
 
 The tongue often offends against reason and wisdom, 
 by frivolity and foolishness ; against propriety and self- 
 respect, by the uttering of silliness and jesting ; against 
 the conscience, by insincerity ; against men by falsehood ; 
 and against God by irreverence and profanity. 
 
38 THE TONGUE. 
 
 The soft tongue flatters, the obscene tongue poisons, 
 the bitter tongue curses, but the pious tongue blesses. 
 
 The tongue should be under the law of prudence, and 
 under the influence of goodness. 
 
 The tongue should bless God the Father of mercies, 
 address him in the strains of devotion, and be sanctified 
 to men by the seasoning of grace, that edification may be 
 ministered to him that heareth. 
 
 The tongue often errs by the thoughtlessness of its 
 motions, the volubility of its exercise, and the want of 
 discretion in its themes. 
 
 By the tongue, knowledge and instruction are imparted 
 to the ignorant, counsel to the perplexed, reproof to the 
 hardened, warning to the reckless, comfort to the 
 mourner, and solace to the distressed. ■■ 
 
 The tongue as well as the heart and life is accountable 
 to God ; and every foolish and wicked word will be 
 brought into remembrance at the last day. 
 
 A silent tongue is often a twofold blessing ; to him 
 who hath it, and to those who move in the sphere of its 
 influence. 
 
 The tongue must be placed under salutary discipline, 
 and under holy restraint, and then to him who hath it, it 
 will be a tree of life. 
 
 But let not thy tongue be silent when conscience and 
 religion demand its service; let it not be mufiled by 
 sullenness, or bridled by arrogance, or rendered indif- 
 ferent or apathetic by indolence. 
 
 Employ it in the cause of reason, humanity, liberty, 
 charity, or religion. Let it not be paralyzed by the fear 
 of man, or bribed by an earthly reward. When God de- 
 
THE TONGUE. 39 
 
 mands it, speak to his praise ; when religion needs it, 
 employ it for its honour ; when conscience appeals to it, 
 speak for its quiet and consolation. 
 
 Speak to thyself in self-communion, to thy fellow 
 creatures in goodness and wisdom, and to thy God in 
 adoring wonder, gratitude, and praise. 
 
 So shall thy tongue be consecrated by holy oil ; thy 
 character exalted by its employment : a memorial of wis- 
 dom shalt thou leave behind when its utterances shall be 
 stilled by death, and circumscribed by the undisturbed 
 silence of the tomb. 
 
 To those who are indifferent to this theme let the 
 admonitions of the inspired apostle be remembered, " If 
 any among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his 
 tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is 
 vain." " Who is a wise man, and endued with know- 
 ledge, among you ? let him show out of a good conver- 
 sation his works with meekness of wisdom." For, " if 
 any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, 
 and able also to bridle the whole body." 
 
40 
 
 ON THOUGHTS. 
 
 Thoughts are the moving ideas of the mind ; the 
 actions of the fancy and imagination. 
 
 Thoughts are the seeds of words, and the germ of 
 actions. 
 
 If the mind be in a state of incessant exercise, then 
 how numberless must be the thoughts arising therefrom. 
 
 Many thoughts are vain and foolish, and therefore of 
 necessity useless. 
 
 Many thoughts are ungodly and wicked ; and there- 
 fore injurious to the soul and hateful to God. 
 
 A watch over such thoughts is necessary to prevent 
 their intrusion ; and holy ejaculations are essential to 
 their expulsion. 
 
 If vain and evil thoughts lodge within us, they will 
 produce a direful progeny of practical transgressions. 
 For all evil begins with the volitions of the mind, and 
 then becomes palpable in the actions of the life. 
 
 Impetuous thoughts often take the mind by surprise, 
 and only instant moral action will exclude them from 
 possession. 
 
 How often vague and desultory thoughts, like dark 
 and lowering clouds, perplex and confuse. 
 
 How many aerial thoughts without substance and 
 utility, like birds of passage, cross the horizon of the 
 soul. How fearful when blasphemies lodge in the secret 
 recesses of the mind, or thoughts of hate, envy, and 
 wrath^ poison the spirit. Guard against thoughts of 
 
THOUGHTS. 41 
 
 pride and haughtiness, as ill becoming children of the 
 dust. 
 
 Well-ordered thoughts are needful, where the discourse 
 is to be fraught with wisdom, or where arranged consis- 
 tency shall ornament the life. Calm meditation and 
 frequent self-communion, will do much to keep thy 
 thoughts well regulated. But chiefly, let thy thoughts be 
 well directed, and usefully employed, and leave but little 
 room or time for vain imaginings. 
 
 How many subjects well deserve our thoughts' most 
 serious cogitations. Our personal responsibility, the 
 sphere in which we move, the talents God has lent, the 
 uncertain tenure on which probation hangs, the vanity of 
 life, the highly possible near approach of death, eternity 
 with all its weighty themes of judgment, heaven, and 
 hell. 
 
 Then again, thoughts of adoring wonder in connexion 
 with the daily bounties of our God, the mercies that pur- 
 sue our steps and have done so, since first we breathed 
 the air of life. 
 
 And above all, the theme of our redemption, the 
 boundless grace, the immeasurable love, the plenitude of 
 God's compassion to our guilty race. 
 
 The Saviour's person, work, and glory. The gospel's 
 blessed tidings, the rich provisions of our Father's house, 
 the precious promises, and the unending glories of the 
 better land. Now on these subjects think, and think 
 deeply, often ponder, weigh, deliberate. Thoughts thus 
 employed, shall gather honey for the soul. 
 
 Such thoughts shall hallow all the mental poWers, and 
 bring refreshment to the wearied mind, 
 c 5 
 
42 THOUGHTS. 
 
 Such thoughts will not lay up the seeds of guilt, or 
 cause us anguish on the bed of death. 
 
 Thoughts too, of goodness towards our fellow men — of 
 sweet complacency in men of upright mind and Christian 
 spirit, — ^kind benignity towards all around us, and of 
 sympathy and pity to those who suffer, and whose tears 
 of sorrow we may dry up. 
 
 Thoughts too of useful enterprise, schemes for doing 
 good, lessening the sum of sin and misery around us, and 
 thus resembling in our narrow sphere, the Fountain of all 
 good, our heavenly Father. 
 
 Reader, art thou the prey of evil thoughts ? do they 
 bind and lead thee captive at their pleasure ? or hast thou 
 by the strength of grace divine obtained the mastery ? 
 are all thy thoughts subjected to the will of him who 
 lives and reigns in every Christian's heart ? 
 
 Say not that thoughts are undeserving of thy constant 
 care, or are beneath thy serious vigilance ; for let it be 
 remembered, that by thoughts, not actions, evil entered 
 heaven, dethroned the ambitious host, and cast them with 
 their leader down to the regions of fell despair and 
 horror. 
 
43 
 
 ON WAR AND PEACE. 
 
 War has dinned the world, and crimsoned the earth, 
 and cursed our species for ages upon ages. 
 
 Whence originate wars, but from base passions, am- 
 bitious projects, and despotic influences ? 
 
 War is often the production of maddened rashness, 
 offended pride, or avaricious lust. Men have fought to 
 gain a name, to display their heroism, or to grasp the 
 possessions of others. 
 
 The martial calling has been misnamed brave, the 
 battle-field misnamed glorious, and warriors misplaced 
 among the worthies of mankind. 
 
 What has war effected, and what are the results which 
 follow in its train ? Agricultural sterility, commercial 
 depression, national inthralment, social woe, physical 
 suffering, and the unalleviated agonizing pangs of 
 myriads. 
 
 See the battle-field strewed with the wounded, the 
 dying, and the dead. What indignity is offered to the 
 remains of immortals, what anguish to survivors, what a 
 carnival for hell. 
 
 Desolated countries, sacked cities, burning dwellings, 
 violated women, and despairing widows and orphans. 
 
 How the vulture scents out the putrescence ; how the 
 wild beast tracks the imprints of blood ; and how tlie 
 birds of the air and the beasts of the field are gloated 
 with the carcases of human victims. 
 
 The sound of trumpets, the clash of arms, and tlie 
 roaring of the cannon, may excite for a season ; but re- 
 
44 WAR AND PEACS:. 
 
 flection must follow, both to surviving conquerors and 
 the conquered. Tlie avenues of death choked with sub- 
 jects, and myriads of dark and guilty spirits, crowding in 
 fearful horror into the region of hades. 
 
 Oh war ! thou curse of the world — thou bane of man 
 — thou insult to reason — thou rebel against heaven ! thy 
 destiny is predicted, thy doom marked out ; for thou 
 shalt yet be hated, reprobated, abhorred, and only re- 
 membered as a woe and as a blight that has passed away 
 for ever. For the nations shall not learn war any more. 
 
 Peace, we bid thee welcome ! seated in the car of 
 mercy, wearing thy chaplet of flowers, and waving thine 
 olive branch of amity and love. 
 
 How heavenly thy countenance, how sweet thy songs, 
 how blissful thy triumphs. 
 
 How j^ride withers at thy approach, and selfishness 
 before the lustre of thine eyes. How turbulence and 
 passion subside at thy bidding. 
 
 How envy and malevolence flee before thee. 
 
 How desolated places are built up in thy dominions ; 
 how the wilderness blossoms as the rose ; how trade 
 prospers, and the arts flourish; how civilization advances, 
 and knowledge is diffused, and pure religion promulged. 
 
 How women bless thee, and children play within the 
 circle of thy brightness. 
 
 The lamb and the dove are thy symbols, and joy and 
 blessedness thy attendants. 
 
 Thy prince is king Messiah ; thy philosophy, the prin- 
 ciples of the gospel ; thy reign, the administration of 
 goodness ; thy spirit, the spirit of the Holy one ; thy 
 friends, the disciples of the cross. 
 
LOVE. 45 
 
 To man's heart thou art a welcome resident ; to the 
 social circle, the patron saint ; to the sanctuary, the 
 pledge of prosperity ; to the nation, its mightiest bul- 
 wark ; and to the world, its jubilee of rest and rejoicing. 
 
 May the civilized bow to thy authority ; may the 
 savage learn thy value ! and may all men praise thy 
 worth ! May thy reign be universal and everlasting ! 
 
 ON LOVE. 
 
 Charity or love holds a pre-eminent distinction in the 
 Christian system, and in the oracles of truth. All the 
 commandments of the moral code are fulfilled, in love to 
 God and love to man. 
 
 The supreme love of Deity involves the sublime 
 thought of entire consecration to him, delight in him, 
 and reverence for him. 
 
 Love to God, fears with holy filial fear his majesty 
 and glory. It hears with holy awe his sovereign will 
 and pleasure. It loves his statutes ; and his ordinances 
 and laws, obeys with cheerful joy. 
 
 Love seeks to please him always ; and counts his smile 
 a present heaven, and his loving-kindness better far than 
 life. 
 
 Love walks before him in sincerity of heart, and holi- 
 ness of life. Love holds sweet communion with him, 
 and ever seeks a perfect likeness to him. 
 
46 LOVE. 
 
 Such love hastens to acts of self-denial, and counts all 
 things but loss, contrasted with his peace bestowed, that 
 far surpasseth all our knowledge. 
 
 Love extols his name and attributes, and spends a 
 blissful life of cheerful praise. 
 
 Love thirsts and longs to see him in the glorified 
 humanity of his Son. This love to God in saints, is 
 kindred with the flaming hallowed emotions of seraphim 
 and cherubim ; except this difference, that its highest 
 notes of wondering praise refer to Calvary. 
 
 Where love to God exists in purity and truth, there 
 will be love to man. For who can love his God — in- 
 visible, and not love him, the creature of his hand, our 
 fellow-brother who stands before our gaze. 
 
 Love pure and celestial, flows in gushing streams, to 
 its own native ocean ; but on its course it fills the earthly 
 channel with its waters, and fertilizes all on eveiy side. 
 
 Love in its upward, pure reflection, is grand and won- 
 derously sublime : and how sweet and radiant in its 
 beams of goodness, as they beautify and bless the human 
 sphere. 
 
 Love to our fellow-men, is gentleness embodied, and is 
 full of pity, kindness, and benignity. 
 
 It ever feels for human suffering, and ne'er forgets to 
 sympathize with tears and sorrow. Its boAvels yearn 
 o'er human misery, and it joys to ease one sigh of 
 anguish, or remove one want of keen adversity. 
 
 It feels with powerful emotion, it speaks with earnest 
 goodness, and relieves with prompt and holy pleasure 
 and delight. 
 
 This love is full of candid confidence — thinketh no 
 
LOVE. 47 
 
 evil except where it is manifest. It rejoiceth not in 
 human frailty, but construes kindly all it knows and hears. 
 
 It is not a spasmodic effort, produced by witnessing 
 some dire calamity, but the abiding inward light and 
 warmth of heaven ! 
 
 Contrast it with cold selfishness, that northern frigid 
 zone, that sea of icebergs. This, the genial clime of 
 fertile beauty. That, contracts the bosom, chills the 
 heart, and paralyzes all the powers of action. This, 
 expands, softens, cheers, blesses, and gives feet of 
 swiftness, and soaringwings that leave a cold and cal- 
 culating world far, farbeneath. 
 
 Love as it emanates from Deity, conforms the pos- 
 sessor to his benignant likeness. It blesseth him who 
 hath it, with a constant spring of pure enjoyment, and 
 gives to every deed of goodness, the fragrant odour of 
 true piety. 
 
 Heaven is the realm of love ; and this blends all its 
 blest society in bonds of amity divine. 
 
 This love once lived on earth, and taught its glorious 
 truths and benign principles to men. And having lived 
 mid miracles of gracious splendour ; suspended on the 
 cross, it died to bless and save a guilty world. 
 
 The spirit of love Jesus sent down on all his holy 
 followers to rest. This, is the evidence of saintship, the 
 badge of all Emanuel's true disciples. This, the summit of 
 New Testament perfection, the end of law and gospel, the 
 fruit alike of holy grace and precious blood. The atmo- 
 sphere alone where piety can breathe, or grow, or live. 
 Let the proud sectary boast of his faultless creed, 
 the strict adherence to the rites of holy writ, of apostolical 
 succession, or a practice pure and blameless as those first 
 
48 L O V E. 
 
 of gospel preachers to mankind ; yet if love be wanting, 
 all is valueless and vain. 
 
 Let men who seek the praise of fellow-mortals, give 
 their alms in rich profusion, or pant to tread the martyr's 
 blood imprinted steps. Yet without love, the whole is 
 worthless pageantry, and shall perish in the fires of its 
 own kindling. 
 
 Let rigid acts of personal severity be performed, an 
 ascetic life pursued, and let the fame of high and deep 
 and comprehensive sanctity be trumpeted abroad ; yet 
 this is but a cold putrescent corpse, if love be wanting 
 there. 
 
 Christian ! thy God is love. Christ, that love en- 
 shrined in thine own nature : religion, the spirit of the 
 Saviour's love within thee : and for this, no substitute in 
 earth or heaven is found. 
 
 See to it, thy love is pure and heavenly, in its nature 
 sincere and guileless, the principle of all thy piety to- 
 wards God, and kindness to thy fellow men. 
 
 This exotic of celestial growth, cherish with tender- 
 ness and care, fan its desires, and keep it burning on the 
 altar of thy soul. With shining gifts or splendid talents 
 thou mayest dispense, and many graces too are only 
 needful in a world of sin and imperfection. Faith will 
 expire amidst the splendours of the burning throne ; and 
 hope be lost in the ocean of fruition's joys ; and patience 
 ne'er be known where all is rapture ; but love with in- 
 creased radiant beauty, will adorn the family of God in 
 heaven for evermore. 
 
 Extinguish this, and all the rapturous songs of the 
 beatified would cease ! extinguish this, and heaven itself 
 would be no more ! 
 
49 
 
 ON FREEDOM. 
 
 Freedom not lawlessness, — freedom not equality. 
 
 Freedom of limb, — freedom of thought, — freedom of 
 speech. 
 
 Freedom to every tribe — and every colour — and every 
 class. 
 
 Freedom from despotical rule, — freedom from demo- 
 cratical tyranny, — freedom from the terrors of the mob- 
 ocracy. 
 
 Freedom to breath the air of liberty, freedom to dispose 
 of my toils, freedom to improve my intellect, freedom to 
 exercise my political rights, freedom to live, and labour, 
 and think, and act as a man, all the world over. 
 
 Freedom in the state, from partial laws, and restricted 
 enactments, and inquisitorial annoyances, and franchised 
 disabilities. 
 
 Freedom ecclesiastical, to read the eternal oracles, to 
 labour to comprehend their meaning, to judge of their 
 truths, and to worship as the dictates of an enlightened 
 conscience would suggest. 
 
 Freedom to praise and pray, to speak or hear in things 
 divine, not as a matter of toleration, but inherent right, 
 one of the richest boons of heaven to man. 
 
 Freedom to support that form of religion that harmo- 
 nizes most with my mind, enlarges most my heart, and 
 betters most my life. 
 
 Freedom from the fangs of state persecution, ecclesias- 
 tical jurisdiction, and star-chamber oppression. Freedom 
 
50 FREEDOM. 
 
 from tithe, and tax, and rate, as by human law enacted 
 on the whole, for the benefit of the few. 
 
 Freedom for every one around the domestic hearth, 
 from petty tyranny, and domestic intolerance. 
 
 Freedom in the work-shop, for the sons of toil, from 
 coercive customs, iniquitous fines, and intemperate asso- 
 ciations. 
 
 Freedom of soul from the domination of ignorance, 
 the fetters of vice, the influence of the world, and the 
 vassalage of Satan. 
 
 Freedom from the spirit of discontent, from the re- 
 mains of the carnal mind, from the body of sin and 
 death. 
 
 Freedom — perfect freedom ! Freedom everlasting ! 
 Whom the Son makes free, they are free indeed. 
 
 The man who is not free, exists, but does not live. 
 
 The assailer of freedom insults his own nature, de- 
 grades his species, mocks his Saviour, disgraces religion, 
 and attacks the government of God. Down, down with 
 slavery of every kind — the slavery of colour, the slavery 
 of class, the slavery of ignorance, the slavery of intole- 
 rance. 
 
 Her dominion is built on proud assumption, sustained 
 by fiendish cruelty, and perpetuated by the idolatry of 
 self. 
 
 Freedom, freedom ! to Columbia's sons. Freedom to 
 Afric's tribes. Freedom to the Russian serf. Freedom 
 to Poland's exiles, and freedom to Erin's millions. 
 Freedom, freedom ! Waft, waft ye winds the strains of 
 liberty to every continent and island of our globe, to 
 every home and hearth, to every child of man. 
 
61 
 
 ON SUPERSTITION. 
 
 Superstition, the offspring of ignorance, the slave of 
 credulitj^, and alike the cause and the victim of fear : 
 Darkness its region, mystery its costume, idolatry its pa- 
 tron, and degradation its result. 
 
 The instrument of Satan, the caterer of priestcraft, and 
 the curse of its votaries. 
 
 It is alike the agent of the magician, the wand of the 
 wizard, the ally of the rain-maker, the hope of the en- 
 chanter, and the patron of the juggler. 
 
 It darkens the understanding, perverts the judgment, 
 bribes the conscience, agitates the passions, and hardens 
 the heart. 
 
 It prostrates the intellect, enervates the faculties, and is 
 the blight of the soul. 
 
 It revels in fancies, is the patron of dreams, and tra- 
 deth in omens. 
 
 It beholdeth spectres, it heareth fearful monitions, and 
 anticipateth horrors. 
 
 It is conversant with the stars, observeth the winds, 
 and prognosticateth the seasons. 
 
 It exileth pleasure, extinguisheth hope, and paralyzeth 
 exertion. 
 
 It is the chief ally of the wicked one, the bane of the 
 heathen, and the main pillar of papistiy. 
 
 It decrieth reading, forbids private judgment, and 
 hateth improvements. 
 
52 SUPERS'riTION. 
 
 Its fetters are strong, its citadels numberless, and its 
 influence almost universal. 
 
 Its ascendency is awful, its customs hideous, its rites 
 sanguinary, its attendant and its consummation, everlast- 
 ing burnings. 
 
 Light, its antidote — ^knowledge, its antagonist — truth, 
 its destroyer. 
 
 The Bible has held it up to abhorrence, and revealed 
 religion shall annihilate it. 
 
 Its days are numbered, its doom pronounced, its over- 
 throw certain. 
 
 Reader ! art thou free from it ? is the spell entirely 
 broken, the charm radically dissolved, the poison tho- 
 roughly exterminated ? 
 
 Forget not that it libels thy God, therefore, abhor it. 
 It is of the serpent of hell, therefore, repel it. It is the 
 incubus of the church, therefore, with holy heroism assail 
 it ; it is the ignoble brand of thy species, therefore, spare 
 it not, but seek its utter and eternal destruction. 
 
63 
 
 ON LIGHT. 
 
 Light, the first-born of material creatures, which 
 shone forth at the omnific bidding of Jehovah. " For 
 God said, Let there be light, and there was light." 
 
 How subtle its nature, how radiant with beauty, how 
 pure its essence, and how rapid its velocity. 
 
 Its properties and uses have not yet been fully dis- 
 covered ; but it is evidently the medium of vision, a 
 cause of vegetation, and source of health and activity to 
 our world. 
 
 It is the painter of colours, and the adorner of nature, 
 and the element of day. 
 
 Without it, the earth would be one dreary cavern, and 
 the globe one gloomy prison. 
 
 How gentle its rays, how benignant its beams, how 
 cheering its influence ! 
 
 It is the soul of the material universe, the rejoicing of 
 man, and the welcome visiter to most of the inferior 
 creatures. 
 
 The birds sing its welcome dawning, the flower openeth 
 to inhale its sweetness, and the cattle of the field express 
 their gladness at its approach. 
 
 How joyously it is hailed by the tempest-tossed mari- 
 ner, by the wakeful invalid, and the early traveller ! 
 
 In itself, one of the best gifts of heaven, and one of 
 the brightest resemblances of its Creator. 
 
 Symbol of the divine knowledge, the divine purity, 
 and the divine benevolence. For he is the Father of 
 liffhts. 
 
54 LIGHT. 
 
 Symbol of the heavenly Teacher, and the world's Re- 
 deemer ; for he is the Light of the world. 
 
 Symbol of the saints of the Most High ; for they are 
 the children of the light and of the day. 
 
 Symbol of intelligence, truth, and piety ; for the path 
 of the just is as the shining light. 
 
 Symbol of joy and felicity ; for light is sown for the 
 righteous, and joy for the upright in heart. 
 
 Symbol of God's favour and salvation ; " cause thy 
 face to shine upon us, and so we shall be saved." 
 
 Symbol of the earth's millennial glory ; for the light of 
 the moon shall be as the light of the sun, and the light of 
 the sun as the light of seven days. 
 
 Symbol of the blissful enjoyments of heaven, " For 
 the Lord is its everlasting light and glory ;" and ** there 
 is no night there." 
 
 It is the mandate of heaven, " let light be," and all 
 holy intelligences favour its diffusion. 
 
 Let the light of science, and philosophy, and letters, 
 exalt to intellectuality every nation of the earth. 
 
 Let the light of truth disperse the errors of superstition 
 and ignorance from our world. 
 
 Let the light of revelation illumine with saving rays, 
 every nation, and kindred, and people, and tongue. 
 
 Let the light of celestial favour form the day of hope 
 and rejoicing in every heart of man. 
 
 Let light be diffused from the printing press — from the 
 village school — from the college — from the institutions 
 of science, and from the sanctuary of religion. 
 
 Let the monarch and the subject, the legislator and the 
 governed, the rich and the poor, all unite for its diffusion. 
 
SECTARIANISM. 55 
 
 Let the parent at home, the teacher in the school, the 
 preacher in the pulpit, all labour for its promulgation. 
 
 Light of every kind, in eveiy form, on every subject, 
 and for every man. Satan and his compeers only hate it, 
 despots only dread it, and the savage and the vicious 
 only despise it. 
 
 Let it prevail, and ignorance will be annihilated, and 
 crime decreased, toil lightened, and suffering alleviated. 
 
 Let it be the resident of the mind — the favourite guest 
 of the family — the angel of the church — as it will be the 
 joy of the earth, and the glory of heaven. 
 
 SECTARIANISM. 
 
 Sectarianism is that spirit which actuates the re- 
 ligious partizan, to elevate the peculiar distinctions of his 
 own creed to the deterioration of Christians of all other 
 persuasions. 
 
 A sectarian instead of giving importance to all princi- 
 ples, according to their real value and position in the 
 Christian system, generally reverses this order which 
 reason and philosophy would recommend ; and cries up 
 only the really imimportant littlenesses of his own party. 
 
 A sectarian is of necessity a little thing, having to do 
 with little things, but exhibiting a great deal of pomp in 
 their arrangement and defence. 
 
56 SECTARIANISM. 
 
 Sectarianism does not so much seek the glory of the 
 founder of Christianity, but the honour and emblazon- 
 ment of the author of its peculiarities ; as it lauds Paul 
 or Apollos, or Cephas, or Luther, or Calvin, or Wesley. 
 
 Sectarianism has its own Shibboleth, and sometimes its 
 own costume, and always the peculiar phraseology of its 
 own isolated religious province. 
 
 . Sectarianism too, has its anathemas ; and the most 
 severe are generally directed against those, who in the 
 main agree with it, but who do not happen to accord 
 with all its minor views or technicalities of expression. 
 
 Sectarianism appeals extensively to human authority ; 
 as for instance, to the fathers or councils, or men of their 
 own party, famous for theological acumen or polemical 
 skill. 
 
 Sectarianism began at Corinth during the age of the 
 apostles, and has run parallel with the church of Christ 
 to the present day. 
 
 Its name is legion, and like the fabled chamelion, it is 
 ever changing its colours. 
 
 It is doubtful if any of the various forms of Chris- 
 tianity are free from it ; for its spirit pervades all religious 
 assemblies, and its advocates are to be found in all eccle- 
 siastical communities. 
 
 Sectarianism is often traceable to imperiousness of 
 spirit, assuming to itself a right of judgment, which 
 equally belongs to all rational beings. 
 
 With the thorough sectarian, charity is at discount ; 
 forbearance repudiated as sickly sentimentality ; and 
 truth all and in all, — that is, in reality the truth of their 
 own dogmas. 
 
SECTARIANISM. 57 
 
 The sectaiy narrows the divinely narrow path of sal- 
 vation, and makes the strait gate only just wide enough 
 for the disciples of his own school. 
 
 The sectarian may be learned, but it is not the intelli- 
 gence of revelation ; he may be logical, but it is that of 
 the schools, and inharmonious with the simple spirit of 
 the gospel, or the teachings of the Saviour. 
 
 The sectarian is often zealous and vehement like the 
 pharisees of old, ready to compass sea and land to make 
 one j^roselyte. 
 
 The antidote to sectarianism is a thorough knowledge 
 of the great principles of the gospel, candour to see the 
 influence of these on others, and ingenuousness to con- 
 fess it, and charity to rejoice in it. 
 
 It may be assumed that there is no form of Christianity 
 so polluted, but it retains some purity ; or so corrupt, but 
 it may embody much that is genuine and excellent ; or 
 so apostate from the line of the apostles, but may have 
 many heaven-accepted disciples in it. 
 
 Sectarianism has been the bane of all ages, the distrac- 
 tion of all countries, and plague spot of all denominations- 
 
 To remedy it, men have recommended a uniformity ; 
 the veiy thing that nature abhorreth, and reason avers to 
 be among the impossibles. Others have propounded a 
 scheme of comprehensive liberality, which should admit 
 all men to be Christians who profess it, and no truth to 
 be essential which is cavilled at. Such a remedy would 
 certainly destroy sectarianism, but Christianity would as 
 inevitably be consumed in its ashes. 
 
 Revelation proposes a remedy, simple, appropriate, 
 
 D 
 
58 LIBERALITY. 
 
 and effective, it is "unity of spirit," or catholicity of feel- 
 ing, maintained inviolably in " the bonds of peace." 
 
 When all men cherish unfeigned love in their hearts, 
 which is the very heart of Christianity — towards all the 
 disciples of Jesus ; then will men be attracted by the de- 
 lightful scene, and the world will be constrained to 
 believe that the author of such a religion was the Sent of 
 the Father of mercies, that he might bless and save the 
 world. Let the scriptures assume their intended high 
 pre-eminence, and Jesus be the one rabbi ; and love, the 
 one atmosphere ; and sectarianism would be doomed to 
 instant and complete annihilation. 
 
 LIBERALITY. 
 
 Our theme is liberality. — Not the beneficence of self- 
 inflated righteousness. 
 
 Not the giving forth of alms with heralds trumpeting 
 the deed. 
 
 Not that which courteth observation, or only finds an 
 element congenial in the applause of men : nor is it that 
 which trampleth on justice in its boasted course of doing 
 good. 
 
 Christian liberality is that of principle, the spirit of a 
 soul in harmony with Heaven's own influences and laws. 
 
 It takes its rise in holy gratefulness to God, and flows 
 in streams of cheerful benefits to man. 
 
LIBERALITY. 59 
 
 Though a principle of such exalted rank and high 
 descent, yet it is humble, meek, and courteous. Its pur- 
 poses are formed in private, its deeds with quietness per- 
 formed, the left hand knowing not the gifts the right 
 dispenseth. 
 
 The liberal spirit feeds in pastures of perpetual green- 
 ness, and basks in Heaven's own sunshine, and bathes in 
 crystal streams of pleasure. 
 
 No marvel that a soul thus favoured should be fair and 
 vigorous ; should be hale and strong ; and thrive and 
 prosper, as the willow by the water-brooks. 
 
 What should be the model of the Christian's liberality ? 
 Even the rich perpetual beneficence of God. The grace 
 that so abounded towards us, in the condescension, the 
 poverty, and the sufferings of His o^vn Son, our ever 
 blessed Lord. 
 
 His soul so full of love, he consecrated in the garden, 
 and on the cross, to save our world. He gave Himself. 
 How wondrous and unspeakable the gift ! 
 
 How many telling emblems of this spirit nature fur- 
 nisheth. 
 
 How freely does the ocean yield its waters to the empty 
 clouds; and they again, how richly do they pour their 
 fertilizing drops to cheer and bless the thirsty earth ! 
 
 The sun, the centre and the glory of the solar system, 
 the material spirit of its light and joy, how plente- 
 ously his golden beams are scattered througli our world ! 
 
 The earth though cursed by man's transgression, yet 
 yieldeth to the sower oftentimes a hundredfold. 
 
 The air, the element of life, pervadeth every place, that 
 men may breathe it. 
 
 D 2 
 
60 LIBERALITY. 
 
 The orchard, with its laden boughs of cooling fruits, 
 presents with yearly constancy, its gifts to men. 
 
 The avaricious wretch, and sordid selfling, may blush 
 indeed to contemplate these emblems of beneficence. 
 
 But, peradventure, nature may have appropriate sym- 
 bols for his case ; the sterile rock — the arid plain — the 
 sandy desert — the iceberg rolling in the northern sea — 
 the barren fig tree — the withered leaf — the blighted 
 fruit — all — all set forth the selfish character. 
 
 But more, this spirit has within it, its own inherent 
 curse ; this grasping principle, oft tends to certain 
 poverty. It isolates its miserable victim from the joys of 
 social blessedness ; it petrifies all within, and withers all 
 without. It ossifies the heart, steels the affections, dries 
 up the channels of true pleasure, and makes the man a 
 wreck, and then encircles him within the fearful mael- 
 stroom of utter ruin. 
 
 The stranger to this spirit of liberality, is faithless to 
 his God, a living misery, and a nuisance in the world. 
 
 The liberal are truly blest and dignified ; their path 
 like that of opening day, shines brighter onwards to me- 
 ridian noon. 
 
 And what a world is this for liberality to bless ! what 
 poverty to help, what sorrow to relieve, what sympathy 
 to give, what misery to assuage, what suffering to anni- 
 hilate ! 
 
 And he who lighteneth but one cheerless room, 
 removes one source of sorrow, and makes one mournins: 
 spirit happy, hath not lived in vain. 
 
 But in this course of duty oft to walk, and in these 
 acts of goodness to abound, is the true end of life : and 
 
LIBERALITY- 61 
 
 life thus spent shall please our Heavenly Father, and 
 bring unnumbered blessings on our souls. 
 
 Be liberal then in heart, in practice of well doing, and 
 also let thy spirit feel no galling chains of bigotry or base 
 intolerance. 
 
 Think for thyself and let thy fellows all around thee, 
 enjoy with thee the common birth-right of our race. 
 
 Judge not another; assume no lordly airs of super- 
 cilious consequence. Where thou canst not praise, be 
 slow to blame ; where much may cause to fear, still kind- 
 ly hope J and where no hope with safety can be cherished, 
 pass not thou sentence ; but leave the sequel to the Judge 
 of all, who doeth right to all his creatures. 
 
 Besides the excellency of this spirit, it will be to thee 
 a source of secret happiness, of which narrow, envious 
 souls know nothing. 
 
62 
 
 TALENTS. 
 
 Man ! thou art a steward on probation ; life thy time of 
 action, death thy day of reckoning, endless weal or woe 
 thy reward. 
 
 What has thy God committed to thy care and trust ? 
 Health to be enjoyed and given to him in vigorous 
 service. 
 
 Riches to feed his poor, relieve his friends, support his 
 cause, and bless mankind around thee. 
 
 Intellect of highest order, to show forth the grandeur of 
 his works, the glory of his government, or sublimity of 
 sovereign love. 
 
 The understanding clear, the judgment vigorous and 
 acute ; to elevate pure truth, and expose error, and spread 
 abroad the germs of soundest knowledge. 
 
 Or, is thy tongue fraught with flowing eloquence, to 
 teach and show mankind their greatest good, the only 
 way to perfect blessedness. 
 
 Or, with weighty influence art thou favoured, to excite 
 the mass, to move the powerful, and to draw the latent 
 talent from its hiding, and the hoarded wealth to useful 
 purposes. 
 
 Man, whate'er thy talents are, from God they came, 
 and unto him the final reckoning must be paid. 
 
 Wrap not heaven's gifts in the handkerchief of sloth, 
 nor hide them in the earth of indolence. 
 
 Apply not gifts for others to thyself. Hoard not up 
 that, sent to be scattered far and wide. 
 
TALENTS. 63 
 
 Pervert not by thy vain and crooked mind, blessings 
 from their true end, or streams from their appropriate 
 channels. 
 
 Perverted talents will disturb thy rest, and break thy 
 midnight slumbers. 
 
 Perverted talents will make thy last sick room dark 
 with the shadows of the future, and plant with many 
 thorns thy dying pillow. 
 
 What, if on thine ear, just as the step into eternity is 
 taken, the sound should fall, " unprofitable servant, slave 
 of self, execrated wretch ! " What, if when thou standest 
 at the final bar, and God thy judge, that time, and health, 
 and riches, and talents, and influence, should all appear 
 as hideous spectres to affright thy soul with horrors in 
 that day I 
 
 Man ! thou art a steward, and grace and wisdom both 
 are needful to discharge with faithfulness thy trust. 
 
 Seek counsel from on high ; commit thy way to God ; 
 in all thy ways acknowledge him. 
 
 Be jealous of thyself, and daily seek the hand of God 
 to guide and keep thee safe ; let conscience ever reign 
 unbiassed in thee ; set God before thee ; let his glory be 
 thy one chief end — his approbation thy most earnest aim. 
 
 Pursue not any course on which thou canst not seek 
 by prayer, his blessing. 
 
 Oft judge and try thyself, and bring eternal things 
 before thy mind ; that thus when God shall call thee to 
 account, thou mayest with joy exclaim, " Here, Lord, 
 I am, and the talents doubled which thou gavest me !" 
 
 So shall thy end be peace, thy memorial remain among 
 the good on eartli, and thy inheritance of bliss be vast 
 and everlasting in the skies. 
 
64 
 
 ON USEFULNESS. 
 
 Three ends of thy being God hath placed before thee ; 
 to unprove thyself, to glorify him, and to be useful to thy 
 fellow-men. 
 
 Neglecting the first, thou art a barren cumbei*er of the 
 ground ; the second, a faithless servant ; and the third, 
 a misanthrope to thy species. 
 
 Our theme is usefulness, and what is thy response ? Is 
 the end of thy existence in reference to others answered ? 
 
 Art thou a sound connecting link in the chain of our 
 humanity ? A working bee in the hive of real industry ? 
 Dost thou add to the number and amount of the en- 
 joyments of those around thee ? 
 
 Take a wide or a minute survey of creation, and thoii 
 shalt find in the material universe, no useless thing, nor 
 redundant atom — no, not one unnecessary grain of sand. 
 
 All trees, and herbs, and plants, and floAvers, have 
 their varied spheres and degrees of utility. 
 
 Every drop that mingleth in the waters of the vasty 
 deep, and every ray that proceedeth from the sun, have 
 their appropriate and destined end to fill — and answer 
 well the purposes of Him who formed them. 
 
 All living things that move in seas, or air, or earth, 
 fill their own spheres of life and action usefully. But 
 man, the child of reason and intelligence, perverted by 
 the fall, runs into devious ways of sin and inutility. 
 
 How many are the living curses of their dwellings ! 
 How many plague spots on the body politic ! How 
 
ON USEFULNESS. 65 
 
 many, as the dire miasma spreading fumes of pestilential 
 misery round ! How many, sink below the brute, and 
 close allied to demons ! How many are as noxious 
 weeds, and wandering stars, and empty clouds ! 
 
 How many, who run greedily to do the tempter's bid- 
 ding! How many fell devourers of the good of others, 
 and who madly quench their own bright hopes of future 
 good! 
 
 How many, the progeny of indolence, and satiated 
 vice, and fleshly pampering ! How many only gorging 
 in their iniquities, and fattening as the ox for final 
 slaughter ! 
 
 Oh man be useful ! diffuse some rays of knowledge, 
 blot out some ignorance, efface some crime, dispel some 
 wretchedness. Let others be the better for thy being, 
 scatter abroad the seeds of truth and goodness, increase 
 the sum of human joy and bliss. 
 
 The young are rising round thee ; oh ! be their faithful 
 monitor and friend, and train them up as blessings to the 
 world, and pillars in the Saviour's rising church. 
 
 The poor live near thee ; devise some liberal things for 
 them, befriend in time of need ; a portion of thy plenty 
 give, and with it words of sympathy and consolation. 
 
 The sick are moaning on their beds of pain and 
 anguish ; go, solace them, weep in their tears, and rear 
 the cross of Christ, and gently lead them to its saving 
 shelter. 
 
 The oppressed groan, and men in bondage and debase- 
 ment wear their chains. Plead for the captive, assert 
 humanity's own birthright, and cease not till the slave 
 bursts forth a freeman in thy presence. 
 J) 5 
 
MAN AS HE WAS. 
 
 The inferior animals, so called, are galled and goaded 
 by man's cruelty ; the noble horse, the toiling ass, the 
 faithful dog, appeal to thee for mercy ; open thy mouth 
 for the dumb, and plead with earnestness their cause. 
 
 Be useful, and thus be blest and happy. Be useful, 
 and honour thine own nature. Be useful, and shine as 
 an example to thy fellows. Be useful, and serve thy 
 generation. Be useful, and know the luxury of pleasing 
 God and doing good. 
 
 MAN— AS HE WAS. 
 
 Man the last made of earth-formed beings. The 
 finishing stroke of the divine operations ; the connexion 
 of earth with heaven — mind with matter, and angels 
 with the inferior creatures. 
 
 In his body, modified dust ; in his soul, ethereal spirit. 
 The perfection of earthly beauty, and a ray of heavenly 
 splendour. 
 
 The relation and Lord of the irrational brute, the com- 
 panion and kinsman of angels, the immediate production 
 and resemblance of divinity. 
 
 The world in miniature — the germ of the universe — an 
 existence for immortality. 
 
 Illumined with intellectual light, beautified with celes- 
 tial truth, inflamed with seraphic passions, armed with 
 divine authority, and crowned with glory and honour. 
 
 His Father, God ; his mother, the earth ; his estate, 
 
MAN AS HE WAS. 67 
 
 the world ; his palace, Eden ; his inheritance, all enjoy- 
 able good. 
 
 What fire was in his eye, what brightness in his brow, 
 what grace in his countenance, what majesty in his mien. 
 He walks erect with his face towards heaven. He 
 touches the earth only with the soles of his feet. 
 
 His eye is blessed with radiant scenes, his ear with 
 melodious sounds, his taste with delicious gratification. 
 His head, how fitted to design, and his hands to execute. 
 Innocency dwells in his heart, nobility in his soul, and 
 composure in his spirit. 
 
 No doubt perplexes him — no anxiety annoys him — no 
 fear alarms him — no shame confuses him, — for as yet no 
 sin has defiled him. The glory of God, he receives an 
 help meet to be the glory of himself. The monarch of 
 earth is wedded to the queen of beauty ; and manly 
 dignity is united in affectionate bonds, with womanly 
 loveliness. 
 
 His inferior only in strength and in age ; his equal in 
 nature and attributes, and his superior in winning sweet- 
 ness and tender attraction. Not so robust, but more soft 
 and gentle ; not so firm, but equally elastic ; not so com- 
 manding, but fascination embodied, and loveliness in the 
 concrete. 
 
 Both were invigorated with health, overflowing with 
 life, and enraptured with enjoyment. 
 
 God beheld them with approbation, angels with delight, 
 all irrational creatures Avith awe, and devils with envy. 
 
 Their inheritance was a life one — even an undying life ; 
 its term was easy, lasting obedience ; its reward, continued 
 uninterrupted bliss. 
 
0» MAN AS HE IS, 
 
 We would linger around this scene, and do JTistice to 
 the picture of our great sire, but how can a degenerate 
 child of dust, draw with unerring precision and fulness 
 of description, man when holy, majestic, and allied with 
 the divine ? 
 
 MAN— AS HE IS. 
 
 Fallen, fallen, fallen ! the crown of glory has fallen 
 from his head, the sceptre of aiithority from his grasp^ 
 the robe of innocency from his person, and the domain of 
 paradise from his possession. 
 
 Fallen, fallen, fallen ! by guilt — that guilt his OAvn, the 
 voluntary transgression of his own mind. The eye saw, 
 the tempter allured, the heart desired, and disobedience 
 broke through the boundary of divine authority and love. 
 
 Aspiring, he fell, disbelieving, he threw off his allegi- 
 ance to heaven, credulous, he became the victim of the 
 evil one. 
 
 His richest gift became his tempter, and the super- 
 abounding goodness of God in the gift of Eve, the occa- 
 sion — not the cause, of his ruin. How changed the gold ! 
 how marred the fine gold ! 
 
 The panorama of Eden is changed ; the clouds 
 lower — the tempest threatens — nature trembles, and man 
 flies. Angels marvel and suspend their songs ; devils 
 riot in malevolent rejoicings. 
 
 The covenant of paternal kindness is broken, the 
 
MAN AS HE IS. 
 
 69 
 
 compact dissolved. Angels return from their em- 
 bassy, and man attempts to hide in secresy from his 
 God. Deity pursues, the criminals are placed under 
 arrest, examination follows, conviction ensues, sentence 
 is pronounced, but judgment is suspended. 
 
 Eden is lost. The lord becomes a vassal ; and the 
 great vicegerent of heaven becomes a son of toil, and turns 
 to the earth with burdened soul, and brow of sweat, 
 to earn his daily pittance. 
 
 Degradation, disease, and sorrow ; suffering, pain, and 
 death ; are all included items in the curse. The brilliant 
 lamp of the mind darkened, the correct judgment warped 
 
 by error, the noble affections grovelling in the dust, the 
 
 majestic will under Satanic control, and the conscience, 
 
 God's vicegerent, bribed and corrupted at its post. 
 
 Within, degradation ; without, a wreck, and all, in ruins. 
 
 Carnal in his mind, earthly in his affections, and devilish 
 
 in his imaginations. 
 
 A rebel to the divine government, a traitor to his God, 
 
 and a murderer of his posterity. Had he been utterly 
 
 abandoned by God his fall would have been lower and 
 
 yet lower, imtil hell had engulphed the original sinner 
 
 with all his guilty progeny. 
 
 Desire for holiness and good he had none, dread of 
 
 impending torment much, but of ability to avert it, even 
 
 not the semblance remained behind. 
 
 Thus the tree of human nature became corrupted at 
 
 the root, and the stream polluted at the fountain. By 
 
 one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin ; 
 
 God created man upright, but behold he sought out many 
 
 inventions. 
 
70 
 
 MAN AS HE MAY BECOME. 
 
 Dark is the survey, and darker still the ominous future ; 
 but mercy triumphed in the hour of man's extremity, and 
 in the midst of wrath, the God who made him upright, 
 and whose laws he had infringed, becomes his help, his 
 hope, his Redeemer. 
 
 Over the scene of man's first trial is heard in accents 
 of compassion, "Thou hast destroyed thyself, but in me 
 is thy help found." 
 
 MAN— AS HE MAY BECOME. 
 
 We have seen man in his pristine glory, and have be- 
 held him in his ruined estate, we inquire now what is the 
 destiny before him, and what by the superaboxindings of 
 grace he may become ? 
 
 Dark, he may be enlightened j for the true light shineth, 
 and in its restoring beams it is his privilege to walk. 
 The Father of lights hath visited him. The light of the 
 world redeemed him. The light of the gospel sur- 
 rounds him, and the light of the Spirit watcheth to have 
 entrance to his mind, that he may become a child of the 
 light and of the morning. 
 
 Guilty — he may be forgiven. God can be just, and yet 
 justify the ungodly who believe in his Son. Pardon 
 from the lips of Jesus is proclaimed ; it flows through his 
 blood, and is the grand peciiliarity of his gospel. Par- 
 
MAN AS HE MAY BECOME. 71 
 
 don, free, full, entire, everlasting. Pardon for all sin, 
 and for all sinners. 
 
 Unholy — he may be sanctified. The blood that speaks 
 the pardon washes out the stain ; the grace that justifies, 
 regenerates ; that engrafts into Christ, conforms also to 
 his image ; and the spirit of light to the mind, is the 
 spirit of purity to the heart. 
 
 Sin spoiled the original workmanship, grace restores it 
 to the divine likeness, and rears it up as a monument to 
 the divine glory. 
 
 Alienated — he may be adopted. Christ brought the 
 divinity to earth, to raise the humanity to the skies. 
 Christ is the meeting place of the rebel and the judge. 
 Here the rebel relents and confesses, and here the 
 Judge is gracious to forgive, and receives with joy the 
 contrite prodigal to his home, long forfeited by his 
 crimes. 
 
 Adopted, the name of God he bears, the Spirit of 
 God receives, and communion with God enjoys. 
 Adopted, he is clothed from the wardrobe of mercy, 
 supplied with the provisions of grace, and enriched with 
 the promises of glory. Adopted, he is higher than the 
 angels, the brother of the Mediator, and the delight of 
 Jehovah. 
 
 What may man become, irradiated with bright intel- 
 lectuality, adorned with the beauties of holiness, and 
 glorious in the anticipations of immortality ? 
 
 The celestial ladder he scales, is visited by angels, and 
 it connects him with Deity. From glory to glory he is 
 changed by spiritual transformations, until pure in heart 
 he sees God. Sanctified in body, soul, and spirit, and 
 
72 DEPRAVITY. 
 
 then by one momentary transition placed in the heavenly 
 state, and before the burning effulgent throne. 
 
 Dignity, peace, bliss, immortality, are all within his 
 grasp. The crown of glory glitters through the skies, 
 and an innumerable company of angels Avait to welcome 
 him to the mansions of the just. 
 
 Oh man ! stand on the rock, higher than thyself, rise 
 on the wings of a holy devotion, pierce the future with 
 thine eagle eye of faith ; for now, thou art a son of God, 
 but it doth not yet appear what thou shalt be ; but when 
 Christ shall appear, thou shalt be like him, for thou shalt 
 see him as he is. 
 
 ON DEPRAVITY. 
 
 The doctrine of human depravity is most distinctly re- 
 vealed in the holy scriptures. It traces it up to the fall 
 of our first parents, and describes it as affecting all their 
 progeny. 
 
 It insisteth not, that man is a partaker of the guilt of 
 the first sin in paradise, but that the influence of that sin 
 impaired the moral powers of the first transgressors, and 
 that the baneful effects arising therefrom, have been 
 transmitted to every human being. 
 
 It followeth then, that in our race there is naturally 
 wanting that divine and original purity with which Adam 
 
DEPRAVITY. 73 
 
 and Eve were invested, and that the tendency of the 
 mind is to evil and not to good. 
 
 It also followeth from this, that the actions of all 
 persons, who become responsible agents, so soon as reason 
 dawneth, are wanting in that purity of principle and 
 righteousness of action which God justly requireth ; and 
 therefore in the eyes of omniscient purity are sinful. No 
 wonder then that in connexion with this, positive com- 
 mands should be violated, and personal transgression and 
 guilt follow. 
 
 To extricate men from this dilemma of depravity, a 
 variety of expedients have been adopted, both in ancient 
 and modern times ; education and philosophy have been 
 extolled as specifics ; but we find the same traits of evil 
 evinced among the most learned as among the most 
 illiterate. 
 
 Human laws tend to check and restrain vicious acts 
 against the property and lives of men ; but they do 
 nothing to restore man to a right and holy state of mind 
 towards God. 
 
 The evidences of the carnal mind have been manifested 
 in all ages, among all ranks and conditions of men, and 
 in all states and circumstances of society. 
 
 They are seen in young children, and in the grey- 
 headed sire 5 and they are common to all countries, and 
 climes, and colours, and tongues. 
 
 Not one pure paradisiacal tribe of men have been found 
 on the face of the earth. 
 
 However dissimilar men may be in other respects, they 
 are all guilty in the sight of God, and " there is none 
 righteous, no not one." 
 
74 DEPRAVITY. 
 
 If human inventions have failed to rectify the heart, 
 and thoroughly to amend the life, are we, therefore, to 
 conclude the case one of hopelessness ? 
 
 By no means ; divine mercy has devised a specific, an 
 infallible remedy. 
 
 Infinite love provided that remedy, by the sacrifice of 
 the Son of God ; and faith in the virtues of his blood, 
 brings moral purity and health into the soul. 
 
 By the influence of his grace and Spirit, the carnal 
 mind is destroyed, and a new and heavenly nature im- 
 parted ; so that thus born from above, the delight of the 
 soul is, to glorify God, and walk in his ordinances and 
 commandments blameless. 
 
 Christ Jesus is the great physician of the heart, and all 
 others are physicians of no value. 
 
 He obliterates guilt, and cleanseth away its pollutions, 
 and introduces the reign of righteousness and peace into 
 the soul. 
 
 He restores man back to his more than pristine purity ; 
 and makes him meet for communion with God on earth, 
 and everlasting bliss beyond the skies. 
 
 Depravity of heart is the fountain of all practical 
 evil, therefore, seek after a new heart and a right spirit. 
 
 Seek it where it may be obtained, and seek it while the 
 remedy is proclaimed, and seek it while it may be 
 available to thy case. 
 
 Say not, I am depraved and cannot help it ; but rather 
 say, I am depraved, and I lament it ; and will not in- 
 crease my sin and sorrow by rejecting the remedy infinite 
 mercy and compassion has provided. 
 
 Then know thy disease, and how it has extended its 
 
THE SAVIOUR. 75 
 
 virulent poison throiigh all thy powers ; and how practi- 
 cal disobedience has been daily adding to its amount of 
 evil ; and rejoice, that though man has destroyed himself, 
 yet in God's immeasurable grace is his help found. 
 
 THE SAVIOUR. 
 
 The Saviour is the most excellent of all themes, the 
 sweetest of all subjects, the sublimest of all contem- 
 plations. 
 
 His titles, how resplendent, dignified, and glorious ! 
 His divinity, of one essence with the Godhead. Je- 
 hovah's fellow — " for he thought it not robbery to be 
 equal with God ;" by whom all things were created, and 
 for whom they are perpetuated, and to whom all their 
 glory belongeth. As the Word, speaking worlds into 
 being, and by his fiat, establishing all things according to 
 his will. 
 
 To whose hands the reins of the universe are com- 
 mitted ; to whose authority all creatures are subjected ; 
 and whose lips shall pronounce the destiny of all. 
 
 His throne higher — infinitely higher, than that of sera- 
 phim and cherubim ; flaming hosts his servants ; and the 
 myriads of the redeemed, offering incessantly, the in- 
 cense of their praise. Very God by nature, and indis- 
 putable right, yet very man by the voluntary assumption 
 of our flesh. In Him united, the Ancient of Days, and 
 
76 
 
 THE SAVIOUR. 
 
 the Babe of Bethlehem — the Almightiness of Deity and 
 infantile weakness — infinite intelligence, and the dawning 
 mind of the child — the majesty of the Godhead, and the 
 fragility of the woman's seed. 
 
 Yet thus, not by admixture, but by unison ; not by 
 confusion of natures, but by identity of person. The 
 God of the universe, and the suckling at the breast of 
 the virgin. 
 
 Immanuel, God with us, by his real presence ; for us, in 
 our very nature; and to us, the unspeakable gift of God. 
 Presented in the temple, circumcised according to the 
 Jewish ritual, and growing in stature, and in wisdom, 
 and in favour, with God and man. Baptized in the 
 Jordan, tempted in the desert, and succoured by angels. 
 Teaching as the great prophet, interceding as the world's 
 high priest, and assuming all rule and power by the 
 mandate of the Father. Living to express the divine 
 character, and exhibit the divine perfections ; that whoso 
 saw him, beheld the Father. 
 
 Submissive to divine rites, obedient to divine laws, and 
 the ministering servant to the children of men. 
 
 Beautified with all graces ; fragrant with all virtues ; 
 and in all things, holy, harmless, and separate from 
 sinners. Honouring the law, opening the mysteries of 
 heaven, and glorifying his Father. 
 
 Assailing hypocrisy, banishing error, awing the arro- 
 gant, cheering the disconsolate, and making the wretched 
 happy. 
 
 Healing the foulest diseases, rescuing from the most 
 frightful maladies, and delivering from the most imminent 
 perils. 
 
THE SAVIOUn. 77 
 
 Illumining the sightless eye-balls, opening the mysteri- 
 ous passage of the ear to the deaf, loosening the tongue 
 of the dumb, cleansing the impure, and even raising the 
 dead. 
 
 Quelling the tumults of the winds, assuaging the roar- 
 ing of the seas, and quieting the waves by the power of 
 his bidding ; conversing with angels, forgiving sinners, 
 and overwhelming with horror the legion of the demons. 
 The reprover of the oppressor, the victim of prejudice, 
 the object of scorn, and the derision of the vile. 
 
 Prostrate in the garden, seized by the soldiery, ar- 
 raigned in the hall of the high priest, mocked in the 
 palace of Herod, and condemned at the tribunal of 
 Pilate. 
 
 Scourged, hated, maltreated, crucified ! 
 
 Suspended on the cross as a malefactor, dying as a 
 man, and affecting the elements of nature as a God. 
 
 Rocks rended, upbraiding the callous spectators ; the 
 retiring sun refusing to witness human atrocity ; and the 
 rent veil attesting in the temple, this unparalleled deed 
 of malignity and evil. 
 
 The soldier's wanton thrust, terminates this direful 
 tragedy. 
 
 Joseph's request is met with courteous acquiescence ; 
 and the tomb of the rich becomes his dwelling among the 
 dead. He lies down in weakness, he slumbers in 
 majesty, and rises in the splendour of his Godbead ! 
 
 Death is overcome, the grave vanquished, the seal 
 broken, the stone rolled away, the guards smitten with 
 overwhelming effulgence ; and the slain one comes forth 
 as the resurrection and the life. 
 
78 THE SAVIOUR. 
 
 He gives solace to the Marys, sends the glad tidings to 
 his disciples, re-instates Peter in his office, and breathes 
 peace upon all. 
 
 He issues the commission of mercy to the world, and 
 commands the utterance of heaven's amnesty, through 
 his death, to every creature. 
 
 His warfare is accomplished, his work finished, his 
 imdertaking consummated, and from Olivet's summit, 
 amid admiring disciples and ranks of angels, he ascendeth 
 to glory. Myriads hail him welcome ! The gates of 
 the celestial world are flung wide open, and the God-man, 
 the Divine Son, entereth and sitteth down on the right 
 hand of the majesty on high. 
 
 Hosannah to God's anointed ! Hosannah in the highest 
 heaven, " and they sung a new song, saying. Thou art 
 worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof; 
 for thou wast slain and hast redeemed us to God by thy 
 blood, out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and 
 nation." 
 
79 
 
 ON REPENTANCE. 
 
 Repentance is change of mind ; and the repentance 
 which Christianity requireth is a sincere aheration of our 
 views, and emotions, and actions with respect to God. 
 
 Sorrow and confession, are concomitants of genuine 
 repentance, but a change of mind is the radical and 
 essential principle. 
 
 Hence the entrance of light and truth into the soul are 
 essential to its commencement : for so long as we see as 
 formerly, why should we, indeed how can we, repent ? 
 
 If sin is seen as trifling and imimportant, or of no 
 consequence at all, how shall we be brought to hate and 
 forsake it ? 
 
 And if God be the secondary object of our soul's con- 
 templation, or if we live without him in the world, how 
 shall we seek with holy fervency his favour ? 
 
 The eyes must be opened, and the unwilling ears un- 
 stopped, before we can repent in earnestness and truth. 
 
 And when the enormity of evil breaks in upon our eyes, 
 when we behold the fearfulness of sinning against God, 
 then the emotions of gi'ief, and sorrow, and self-loathing 
 will result. 
 
 Anger with ourselves, loathing of former practices, an 
 overwhelming sense of sin's desert, and of the vile in- 
 gratitude essential to it, will produce holy shame, and 
 bitter anguish, working true repentance unto life. 
 
 And then from these, the holy, firm resolve will rise, to 
 turn our back on paths so vile and perilous. 
 
80 ON REPENTANCE. 
 
 Then like tlie humbled prodigal we shall return, and 
 seek by earnest cries and supplications the pardoning 
 mercy of our Heavenly Father. 
 
 Repentance then leads from sin and thoughtlessness, to 
 God, and paths of righteousness. 
 
 And this repentance God enjoins on all, for destitute of 
 this, no longings would be found for holiness ; and with- 
 out holiness no man shall see the Lord. 
 
 Before the falloAv ground receives the golden grain it 
 must be broken up, the plough must make long furrows 
 in it ; and so before the treasure of celestial peace be 
 given to man, his heart must be dissolved in true con- 
 trition, and those who thus do sow in tears shall reap in 
 
 joy. 
 
 Repentance must be deep and earnest, entire and uni- 
 versal, it must not merely flow from fear of wrath and 
 hell, but from compunction and a sense of sin's own vile- 
 ness. 
 
 Repentance when effectual is allied with faith in all its 
 workings, and ends in thorough, full reliance on God's 
 own promises, not to cast away the soul that comes to 
 him through Christ his Son. 
 
 The anxieties and bitterness of deep repentance, who 
 can tell but he who by experience knows its painful 
 history ? 
 
 But then it terminates in peace that passeth compre- 
 hension, in solid comfort no heart can know but that 
 which feels it, in radiant hope of future blessedness, and 
 in heirship with the Saviour of the world to all the joys 
 and blessedness of heaven and endless life. 
 
81 
 
 A CHRISTIAN. 
 
 A Christian is bom of God, engrafted into Christ, and 
 an habitation for the Holy Spirit. His nature is renewed, 
 his mind ilhimined, his spirit changed. 
 
 He is^not what he was, for grace hath made a differ- 
 ence; he is not what he desires to be, for grace is not yet 
 perfected ; he is not what he shall be, for grace shall be 
 consummated in glory. 
 
 The knowledge of Christ is his treasure ; the mind of 
 Christ his evidence : the love of Christ his sons: ; con- 
 formity to Christ his life ; to be with Christ his pre- 
 eminent desire. 
 
 By faith he rests on Christ, receives Christ, and looks 
 to Christ. 
 
 He heareth Christ's words, treadeth in Christ's steps, 
 and seeketh Christ's approbation. 
 
 He speaks the language of the Saviour's kingdom, 
 reveres the Saviour's statutes and laws, obeys his ordi- 
 nances, wears his costume, and lives to his glory. 
 
 The life of Christ within him, is the principle of his 
 being, and because Christ ever lives he shall live also. 
 In the Christian, Christ lives, and speaks, and acts. 
 
 He is Christ's representative on earth, his witness be- 
 fore men, and his follower before God. The Christian 
 hearkens to Christ's teachings, rests on Christ's sacrifice, 
 avails himself of Christ's mediation, and cheerfully obeys 
 Christ's royal laws. He inquires what would Christ 
 have me know, what do, and what enjoy. 
 
 E 
 
82 A CHRISTIAN. 
 
 To know Christ, is Christianity intellectual ; to obey 
 Christ, Christianity practical ; to enjoy Christ, Chris- 
 tianity experimental ; and to be like Christ, Christianity 
 perfected. 
 
 As bread to the hungry, as water to the thirsty, as the 
 rock in the sultry day, is Christ to the Christian. 
 
 The Christian is in the world, but not of it ; among 
 the world, but yet separate from it ; passing through the 
 world, without attachment to it. 
 
 The idolater boasts in his idols, the Mahommedan in 
 the false prophet, and the Romanist in the virgin, but 
 the Christian glories only in the cross of the Lord 
 Jesus Christ. 
 
 The Christian is a man and may err, an imperfect 
 man, and may sin ; but a renewed man, and shall have 
 his fruits unto holiness and the end everlasting life. 
 
 The Christian is a warrior, and must fight ; but he is a 
 conqueror, and must prevail. 
 
 The Christian sojourns on earth, but dwells in heaven ; 
 a pilgrim in the desert, but an enrolled denizen of the 
 skies. 
 
 The Christian is the impress of Christ, the reflection of 
 the Father, and the temple of the Holy Ghost. 
 
 Contrast him with the infidel, in his faith ; with the 
 profligate, in his life; with the merely moral, in his 
 heart ; and with the pharisee, in his spirit. His pedi- 
 gree, from Jehovah ; his nature, from heaven ; and his 
 name, from Antioch. Oh Christian ! great is thy dig- 
 nity, refulgent thy glory, interminable thy blessed hope. 
 All things are thine, thou art Christ's and Christ is 
 God's. 
 
83 
 
 PARADOXES OF THE CHRISTIAN LIFE. 
 
 In himself, a worm, a sinner, yet equal with angels, 
 a partaker of the divine nature. 
 
 Ignorant, yet knowing all things ; poor, yet immeasu- 
 rably rich ; a beggar, yet an heir of glory. 
 
 Concealed, yet known of myriads ; despised, yet 
 illustriously honoured ; dead, yet really alive ; sorrowful, 
 yet always rejoicing. 
 
 Impotent, yet can do all things ; bruised, yet can bear 
 all things ; helpless, yet can suffer all things. 
 
 Dissatisfied, yet ever content ; depressed, yet ever ex- 
 ulting; ashamed, yet always glorying. 
 
 His life a mystery, and his steps a maze, yet his path 
 as the morning light, shining more and more unto the 
 perfect day. 
 
 When weakest, most strong ; when humbled, most 
 exalted ; when poorest, most enriched. 
 
 His life is from heaven, and only by dying he reaches 
 it. He lies down with worms, to rank with seraphs ; he 
 mingles with dust, to blaze with glory. Putrescent in 
 the grave, to be decked with immortal purity. 
 
 Mortal, yet indestructible ; perishing, yet eternal ; 
 dying, yet clad with the garb of immortality. 
 
 Knowest thou these enigmas, these hidden mysteries ? 
 O Christian! wondrous is thy life, marvellous thy 
 character, illustrious thy renown, everlasting thy glory. 
 " Thy life is hid with Christ in God." 
 B 2 
 
84 
 
 ON MORAL SYMMETRY. 
 
 Symmetry is the appropriate adaptation of the parts ; 
 and moral symmetry is the harmonious combination of 
 the various graces and virtues to each other. 
 
 In the human body, if any of the members are unduly 
 large, the proportion and symmetry are destroyed ; and 
 however important that member may be, its want of con- 
 formity to the other members, makes it a blemish to the 
 whole. 
 
 Now the various principles of divine truth, should 
 have their due and proper influence on the mind, pro- 
 ducing moral symmetry in the new man. 
 
 Hence a Christian is not to be all head or knowledge ; 
 or all mouth or utterance ; or all heart or emotion ; or 
 all bowels or sympathy ; or all feet or activity ; or all 
 shoulders, or endurance ; but all these must be exhibited 
 in their due and appropriate proportions and beautiful 
 symmetry. 
 
 How numerous are the instances of moral deformity, 
 which are constantly passing before us ! 
 
 The religion of one, is precision in the reception and 
 retention of truth. Of another, rigid and scrupulous 
 exactness of conduct. Of a third, an ardent and bold 
 profession. Of a fourth, an unvarying reference to joys 
 and comforts experienced. Of a fifth, a glowing bene- 
 volent activity. Of a sixth, a fervent devotion. And of 
 a seventh, a constant glorying in the cross of the Lord 
 Jesus. 
 
ON MORAL SYMMETRY. 85 
 
 The religion of the New Testament, is the whole of 
 these ; displayed in theii- mutual connexions, and har- 
 mony with each other. 
 
 Knowledge, however accurate or profound, cannot 
 dispense with faith ; or faith, however vigorous, with 
 love ; or love, however ardent, with obedience ; or obedi- 
 ence, however cheerful, with patience ; or patience, 
 however elastic, with prayer ; or prayer, however in- 
 stant, with praise ; or praise, however exalted, with 
 humility ; or the whole, with an entire recumbency of 
 the soul on the Lord Jesus Christ, as " the way, the 
 truth, and the life." 
 
 Moral symmetry demandeth a devotional spirit towards 
 God, a benevolent spirit towards mankind, and a self- 
 denying spirit towards ourselves. 
 
 It claimeth the exercise of justice, humility, and 
 mercy ; righteousness of life, holiness of heart, and self- 
 abasement of spirit. 
 
 The moral eye must receive the light ; the moral ear, 
 know the joyful sound ; the moral tongue, confess the 
 Lord Jesus. 
 
 The heart must be renewed, the spirit sanctified, and 
 the life upright before God. Of what avails knowledge 
 without faith, or faith without works, or both without 
 love ? 
 
 The understanding must be illumined, the judgment 
 sound, the affections spiritualized, the will obedient, and 
 the conscience pacified. 
 
 Let not thy religion be all intellectuality, or all 
 emotion, or all profession, or all labour. But let thy 
 heart rejoice in the light, and thy feet walk in it, and thy 
 
86 ox MORAL SYMMETRY. 
 
 lips praise it ; and ever as thy divine Lord, work while 
 it is called day, for the night cometh, when no man can 
 work. 
 
 The lively oracles ever call us to the exhibition of 
 moral symmetry ; it was most perfectly exhibited in our 
 great Exemplar ; and it is the work of the Holy Spirit to 
 infuse the elements of it into the heart, and to produce 
 the fruit of it in the life. 
 
 While one cries, " I am for a sound creed ;" and 
 another, " I am for a consistent life;" and another, " I 
 am for a rich experience ;" let it be thine to say, " I am 
 for the mind which was in Christ Jesus, and for the imi- 
 tation of him, who in all things, hath left us an example 
 that we should tread in his steps." 
 
 True religion, like all the productions of the wise and 
 good Spirit of God ; is complete in all its parts, uniform 
 in all its influences, and of beautiful symmetry' in all its 
 proportions. 
 
 Yet this symmetry does not preclude personal pre-emi- 
 nence in some graces or virtues ; as peculiar fidelity in 
 the Baptist, and coui-age in Peter, and affection in John ; 
 but these, like the varying features of the countenance, 
 give special identity without marring the personal beauty. 
 
 Finally, "whatsoever things are true, whatsoever 
 things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever 
 things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever 
 things are of good report ; if there be any virtue, and if 
 there be any praise, think on these things." 
 
87 
 
 ON PRAYER. 
 
 Prayer is the presentation of our need to God. It 
 may be the sighing of the soul, the contrite moaning of 
 the heart, the thirstings of the spirit, or the utterance of 
 the lip. 
 
 It may be compressed into one desire, or extended into 
 many petitions. 
 
 It may be offered on the bended knee, or with the 
 body prostrate, or standing before the Lord. 
 
 It may issue from the secret closet, the social altar, or 
 the sanctuary of the Most High. 
 
 It may be the extempore effusion of the soul, or em- 
 bodied in the pious form of words. 
 
 It may be circumscribed to our need, or it may 
 include the wants of the world. But genuine prayer 
 must be the ardent desire of the soul ; it must be ad- 
 dressed to Deity alone ; it must be presented in the name 
 of the Lord Jesus Christ ; it must be offered up in tlie 
 exercise of faith, nothing doubting ; it must pertain to 
 things agreeable to the will of God ; it must be lowly, 
 humble, spiritual, and sincere. 
 
 Prayer should first of all include ourselves ; then re- 
 lations and friends ; then the church of the Most High ; 
 then those who are burdened with toil and suffering ; 
 then all the children of humanity, and ^^not forgetting 
 even our bitterest enemies — ** Let supplication, prayers, 
 thanksgiving, and intercession be made for all men." 
 
ON PRAYER. 
 
 Especially forget not the widow and the orphan, and 
 the fatherless. Forget not the traveller surrounded with 
 danger ; nor the imperiled mariner, who ploughs the 
 waters of the foaming treacherous deep. 
 
 Think too, of those who in bereavement's gloomy 
 dwellings, sorrow. Think of the prisoner in his dungeon, 
 the banished in their exile, and the bondsman in his 
 slavery. Think of the rich, who are exalted on slippery 
 eminences ; of those who rule and bear the sword of civil 
 justice ; of all who preach the hallowed doctrines of the 
 cross. 
 
 Especially think of those who have left their father- 
 land ; and now mid savage tribes, or pagan lands, midst 
 deadly climes, and daily martyrdom, proclaim the 
 Saviour to their fellow-men. 
 
 Sinner, heaven "^s gracious amnesty allows thy prayer ! 
 O pray, and be forgiven ! Repentant soul, press earnest- 
 ly thy suit of anguish ; a broken heart thy God will not 
 despise. 
 
 Christian ! it is thy high behest to pray always , and 
 never, never faint. Pray with all prayer. Pray for all 
 thou needest; for thus the promise runs, whatever is 
 asked in faith, God will bestow. Ask largely then, so 
 shall tliy joy be full. 
 
 If in the exercise of prayer, thou wouldest be mighty : 
 like Jacob, wrestle ; like Moses, plead ; as Elijah, trust 
 thy God. With pure devotion, imitate the man, who 
 most of all, was after God's own heart. 
 
 Tread in the steps of Daniel's constancy, whom hungry 
 lions deterred not from his daily thrice repeated duty. 
 Especially pray for the Spirit of thy Lord and Master ; 
 
ON PRAYER. 89 
 
 and be taught of him, to pray the effectual fervent prayer 
 that must prevail. 
 
 The benefits of prayer, how great and numberless ! It 
 sweeteneth toil, and blesseth labour ; it calms the mind, 
 and sanctifies the breathings of the soul ; it controls the 
 spirit, and beautifies the countenance, for oft, devotion's 
 glory lingereth round it ; it lighteneth grief, assuageth 
 sorrow, and mitigate th suffering ; it brings down pardon, 
 peace, and joy, into the soul ; it takes possession of the 
 hidden treasures of covenanted mercies, and makes all 
 needful good its own ; it brings almighty power to help 
 its impotence ; unbounded goodness, to supply its wants ; 
 and influenceth grace immeasurable, to accept its 
 offerings. 
 
 Let, then, devotion's spirit ever accompany thee, when 
 thou liest down or risest up, when at home or journey- 
 ing to a distance. In road or market ; in solitude or 
 in the crowd ; amid daily toil or sabbath exercises ; 
 where'er thou art, what'er thou doest, it is thy high pre- 
 rogative, thy bliss to pray. And when life's sojourning 
 shall end, and the dark dreaded river intervenes between 
 thee and thy final home, plunge in by prayer, and angel 
 hosts will safe convey thee through it, and into heaven, 
 by prayer, with holy triumph shalt thou enter. 
 
 E 5 
 
90 
 
 THE CLOSET. 
 
 " Enter into thy closet," said the great Teacher to his 
 disciples. 
 
 " Enter into thy closet," says the Spirit which dwells 
 within the Christian. 
 
 " Enter into thy closet," reiterates the experience of 
 the way-worn traveller of earth. In the world thou 
 shalt have tribulation ; in the church, often the heaving 
 of the waters ; in the family, domestic trouble ; enter 
 then into thy closet. 
 
 Here, the world excluded, meditate ; here, in nearness 
 to God, commune ; here, far from human ken and obser- 
 vation, confess thy sins ; here, at the very footstool of 
 mercy, pray ; here, on the very verge of heaven, adore 
 and praise. 
 
 Enter into thy closet with sincerity of heart, and let 
 not forms and customs deceive thee ; with purity of 
 motive, and let not self-complacency accompany thee ; 
 with the spirit of ardent longings for thy God, and he 
 shall meet with thee and bless thee. 
 
 Momentous engagements are before thee ; enter into 
 thy closet, and ponder and consider. 
 
 Difficulties surround thee ; enter into thy closet, that 
 thy path may be clear. 
 
 Temptations assail thee ; enter into thy closet, and on 
 siich sacred ground grapple with thine enemy, and thou 
 shalt subdue him. 
 
 Affliction's billows go over thee ; enter into thy closet 
 and be upborne above the waves that threaten thee. 
 
THE CLOSET. 
 
 91 
 
 Evil suddenly may have defiled thee ; enter into thy 
 closet and wrestle till the leprous spot is removed at the 
 bidding of thy Saviour. 
 
 In prosperity, enter into thy closet, and let the spirit of 
 devotion preserve thee. 
 
 In adversity, enter into thy closet, and be enriched 
 with celestial treasures. 
 
 Heavily burdened, enter into thy closet, and cast it all 
 upon thy God, for he careth for thee. 
 
 In thy closet bend thy knee, and prostrate thy soul, 
 and humble thy spirit. 
 
 In thy closet, utter all thy heart, express all thy wants, 
 and urge all thy pleas. 
 
 In thy closet, open thy hand of need, expand thy power 
 of faith, and stretch out the wings of thy desires. 
 
 In the closet, shut out the world, and thy soul and thy 
 God be all in all. 
 
 In the closet, let the cross be before thine eyes, and 
 let Calvary be the rock of thy soul's confidence, and 
 there bow before thy great sacerdotal Advocate and 
 Friend, and on his mediation only trust. 
 
 In the closet, suppress not thy groanings, stay not the 
 travail of thy spirit, cease not thy sighs, give not up thy 
 suit till God shall bless thee. •.. 
 
92 
 
 THE SABBATH. 
 
 Hail day of the Lord ! hallowed from the foundation 
 of the world. Thy history began when God surveyed 
 the new formed world and pronounced it good. 
 
 Then did the seventh day dawn as his chosen rest, and 
 as a gift of kindness, he bestowed it as a boon to man. 
 
 Doubtless during the antediluvian ages, did the godly 
 revere its hours, and consecrate it to diviner things. At 
 length we behold it interwoven with the moral deca- 
 logue, and clothed with the direct authority of heaven. 
 
 To holy, reverenced sabbaths were given great and 
 especial promises ; and threatenings of divine displeasure 
 were pronounced on those who desecrated God's most 
 hallowed day. 
 
 For man, did Jesus say, were sabbaths made and 
 given. To break in upon continuous toil, and lighten 
 the load of incessant labour. To give him seasons of 
 refreshing rest, and healthful relaxation, and greater 
 space for mental cvdture, and moral elevation. 
 
 To bring together the separated families of men, and 
 bind them round the sacred altar in holy bonds of amity 
 and love. 
 
 To lead the mind from fading, earthly things, to those 
 divine realities above the skies. To raise the nobler 
 faculties to services celestial, and to give on earth, the 
 happy earnest of that endless rest laid up in heaven. 
 
 What pious mind doth not exult and bid joyful wel- 
 come to this day ! Its early dawn is piously anticipated 
 
THE SABBATH. 93 
 
 by many a heart-felt prayer, and song of pure delight. 
 How beautiful is the social circle, they surround the 
 family altar, where sacred truth is read, thanksgivings 
 offered, and prayers presented to our Father's throne. 
 
 How charming is the place of holy concoii^'se ! where 
 kindred souls unite in all the exercises of public worship. 
 A day thus spent in God's own courts, is better than a 
 thousand. 
 
 How many minds become illumined with the rays of 
 gospel gloiy. How many souls receive the precious 
 seed of life eternal. How many heavy hearts are 
 lightened of their grievous burdens. How many eat of 
 heavenly manna, and drink of waters from the anointed 
 rock. How many holy feelings and desii'es are elicited, 
 and resolutions formed of greater loyalty to Jesus, and 
 of more hearty cheerful service in his cause. 
 
 How many blessings from on high, descend until the 
 earthly courts of God are filled with radiant beams of 
 heavenly glory. Blessed are they who thus exalted, sit 
 in heavenly places with their Lord and Saviour. 
 
 On this high day, what kind emotions of mercy and 
 compassion to our fellow men are elicited and put forth 
 in deeds of pure beneficence. 
 
 How many labour with the youthful band in sabbath 
 schools, and prayerfully attempt to lead the children of 
 the poor to know the precious worth of gospel truths. 
 How many wend their feet towards scenes of poverty and 
 deep affliction, and with the twofold good of earthly aid 
 and heavenly consolation, make the wretched and the 
 dying happy. 
 
 How many take the simple pious tract from door to 
 
94 THE SABBATH, 
 
 door, and ask the thoughtless starving sinner to come to 
 mercy's banquet, and be blest indeed. 
 
 How many sacred truths are uttered by the pious 
 mother, who on this day labours with greater earnestness 
 to train her infant charge to know and fear the Lord, 
 How many end this day with sweet composure, and retire 
 to meditate and ponder over the great and weighty truths 
 which they have heard, and which pertain to everlasting 
 things. 
 
 How many by the strength received on this holy day, 
 go forth and run the Christian race with fleeter steps, and 
 weary not, nor faint. How many by the especial bless- 
 ings of this queen of days, are led more ardently to seek 
 that temple bright, where congregations never separate, 
 nor sabbaths end. 
 
 Then Christian, prize, oh, prize this day of God ! 
 Hallow it by thoughts, and words, and deeds of heavenly 
 nature, and seek not to please thyself within its precious 
 hours, but how thou mayest please God and grow in 
 likeness to him. • 
 
 Let not the sluggard's course be thine, who circum- 
 scribeth by prolonged sleep and cherished indolence the 
 day of God. 
 
 Let it not be to thee a day of levity, of diversion, idle 
 gossiping, or worldly converse ; but this day ply thy 
 heavenly calling with earnest diligence. 
 
 Let not thy reading tinge thy spirit with the earthly 
 stain, but in this day dig deep into the mine of pure and 
 everlasting treasures. 
 
 There are not many sabbaths within the short and 
 flitting time of man's probation. None to be wasted, 
 
THE SANCTUARY. 95 
 
 trifled with, or spent in sin and folly. And yet we plead 
 not for an austere observance, where cheerfulness and joy 
 possess no place ; but let the cheerfulness be that which 
 wisdom doth confer, and the joy be that of those who 
 know their God, and are with hopeful expectation looking 
 for, and hastening to, the final day of Christ. 
 
 Reader ! seek ever on this day the spirit of thy Lord, 
 and then its privileges and blessings will make thee 
 raeeter for an endless sabbath in the world to come. 
 
 THE SANCTUARY. 
 
 "How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts ! 
 A day in thy courts is better than a thousand. Blessed 
 are they that dwell in thy house, for they will be still 
 praising thee." So sang the royal prophet, the sweet 
 singer in Israel ; and so responds every loyal subject of 
 Christ, every sincere follower of the Lamb. 
 
 The sanctuaiy, — how associated with recollections of 
 ancient glory ! Behold the patriarch with his rural altar 
 of stone, and his simple oblation ; his surrounding family 
 all waiting for the token of heaven's favour, the celestial 
 fire. 
 
 Behold Jacob with his stone pillow — his earthen bed 
 — his cloud-formed drapery — his bespangled roof of 
 glittering stars, and withal, the mystic ladder — the tra- 
 versing angels — and the likeness of Jehovah ! It was 
 
96 THE SANCTUARY. 
 
 none other than the house of God, and the gate of 
 heaven. 
 
 The costly tabernacle, reared with the voluntary offer- 
 ings of pious Israelites in the desert ; the magnificent 
 temple erected with the munificent gifts of the Jewish 
 nation, with God for its architect and artificer; each 
 was God's house, his sanctuary, his hallowed gracious 
 dwelling. 
 
 And now, the sanctuary of worship no longer circum- 
 scribed by the boundaries of Palestine, or the locality of 
 Zion, is every where, where God is recognized, adored, 
 and worshipped ; with the exiled band of the persecuted 
 in the mountain fastness, it is there ; with the covenanted 
 host on the moorland, in the secluded ravine, or sheltered 
 dell, or remoter glen, it is there. 
 
 With the little company who meet around the cabin 
 board, or on the deck of the vessel, floating on the mighty 
 waters, it is there. 
 
 With the rustic company of the village in the clean 
 swept barn, it is there. 
 
 Or in the room of the pious, where friends and neigh- 
 bours meet to praise and pray, it is there. 
 
 Or in the ancient and magnificent cathedral, where the 
 forms of worship and the feelings of the soul in concord 
 act, it is there. 
 
 Or in the meeting-house of extemporaneous services, 
 when heart and flesh do thirst after God, it is there. 
 
 Or in the silence of deep waiting and inward commu- 
 nion in the Friends' assembly, it is there. Wherever 
 God's name is recorded, wherever God's glory is de- 
 signed, wherever God's ordinances are celebrated, it is 
 here. 
 
THE SANCTUARY. 97 
 
 It is here God receives the tribute of praise, records 
 the vow of piety, and answers the fervent prayer. 
 
 It is here the ignorant are enlightened, the simple 
 made wise, the callous softened, and the contrite healed 
 and blessed. 
 
 It is here the perplexed are directed, the doubting re- 
 solved, the bereaved resigned, and the sorrowing com- 
 forted. 
 
 It is here the hungry are fed, the naked clothed, and 
 the sin-sick healed. 
 
 It is here Ave read of God and know his will, hear of 
 heaven and learn the way. 
 
 It is here that men are raised midway to heaven, and 
 heavenly things brought down midway to earth. 
 
 It is here men of spiritual nature and kindred frame 
 
 commune, and God from between the chei'ubim doth shine. 
 
 It is here that principles are learned, habits formed, 
 
 hopes imparted, desires elicited, the heart enriched, and 
 
 God glorified. 
 
 I will hasten to its services with eagerness, and enter 
 on them with delight, and reflect with joy and hope. 
 
 The meanest seat is higher than an earthly throne, and 
 the lowest seat only less dignified than the stations of the 
 beatified in heaven. 
 
 How precious are thy stones, how dear even thy 
 dust, how beloved thy worshippers, how ennobled thy 
 attendants ! 
 
 If my soul forget thee, then let my right hand forget 
 its cunning. " Peace be within thy walls, and prosperity 
 within thy palaces ; for my brethren and companions' 
 sake, I will now say, peace be within thee." 
 
98 
 
 ON PRAISE. 
 
 Praise is the grateful homage of the soul to God. 
 The rich o'erflowings of the thankful heart, the joyful 
 soul, and the adoring spirit. 
 
 An exercis^ the highest which the loftiest intelligences 
 are fitted to present. In this the seraphim and cherubim 
 with all the blest beatified engage. 
 
 Their holy songs reverberate through all the courts of 
 heaven; sublimely grand, they sound as the voice of 
 many waters. 
 
 Not a spirit there, but whose emotions are kindled up 
 with ecstacy and rapture. Not a silent tongue ; but all 
 in sweetest melody, in loudest strains, and with har- 
 monious songs, extol the God of heaven and earth. 
 
 Praise adores, exults, and lauds, and blesses. How 
 infinite the object of all praise — Jehovah. His essence, 
 attributes, and works. His holy government, his rich 
 bounty, his redeeming mercy, his saving grace, his glori- 
 fying love. 
 
 What mind can comprehend his worth, set forth his 
 glories, or his coimtless benefits declare. 
 
 Praise is the homage which even nature doth present 
 through all her works to Him her wise and great 
 Artificer. 
 
 The mountain top, the verdant valley, the fertile prairie, 
 the flowing stream, the roaring cataract, and the foaming 
 billows of the mighty deep, the trees of Lebanon, the 
 
ON pnAisE. 99 
 
 lowly hyssop, the tender herb, the yellow com, and the 
 fruitful vine. 
 
 The dancing sunbeam, the light of noon, and night's 
 sable darkness. The glorious sun, the silvery moon, the 
 glittering stars, and the wide-stretched firmament. 
 
 All creatures animate, though void of reason and 
 intelligence, express their joys and pleasures to him who 
 made them. 
 
 The birds and fowl of heaven, the fish that cleave the 
 waters, the warlike horse, the clean and wholesome kine, 
 the gentle sheep, with all the insects of the air, and 
 worms, and creeping things, and beasts that roam the 
 forest — all, all their tribute pay, instinctive praise. 
 
 A thankless man is isolated from all in heaven, and all 
 that's good on earth. 
 
 A thankless man communeth only with the vile around 
 him, and the lost in hell. 
 
 A thankless man, the callous rugged rock reproaches ; 
 and all nature, with one harmonious verdict doth con- 
 demn. 
 
 But praise to be accepted from reason-lit intelligences, 
 must be the ray of mental elevation, the warm emotion, 
 the free-will offering of the grateful soul. Ethereal, 
 spiritual, divine, spontaneous, rich, and ever flowing 
 on towards the objects of its blest ascriptions. 
 
 Accepted praise must have the attributes of purity, 
 obedience, love. In man, it must be kindled by a 
 heavenly ray of holy light, and dying love, and sanctify- 
 ing grace. A flame from him, the centre and the source 
 of all celestial good. 
 
 Praise then thy God ! and rise in bright conformity 
 
100 ON PRAISE. 
 
 and likeness to him. Praise then thy God ! and share 
 with heaven's bright hosts the enrapturing luxury. 
 
 Praise then thy God ! and know the blessedness ol" 
 heaven formed joy. 
 
 Praise Him by morning light and evening shades. 
 Praise Him in bright meridian day and darkest night. 
 Praise Him in thy closet, around the family altar, and in 
 the sanctuary. 
 
 Praise Him with all thy ransomed powers. Praise 
 him in loudest strains and sweetest melody. 
 
 Praise Him for life and being, for health and intellect, 
 for food and raiment, for social mercies and privileges 
 divine. 
 
 Extol his name for pitying man's self-ruined state, 
 especially for sending forth his Son to suffer and redeem 
 our worthless guilty race. 
 
 Praise him for his gospel, his ordinances, his sabbaths, 
 and the holy gift of his blessed Spirit. 
 
 Praise him for his promises, his daily grace, his special 
 covenanted gifts. 
 
 Praise him for the hope of heaven, and radiant gleams 
 of an immortality of perfect joy. 
 
 Praise him child of sorrow, sufferer on the bed of 
 pain ; dying Christian, thy transit take mid songs of holy 
 praise. 
 
 Praise him for evermore, for thy God ever reigneth. 
 
101 
 
 PREACHERS AND PREACHING. 
 
 The preacher is the steward of God, the messenger of 
 mercy, and the servant of the church. 
 
 His commission is from heaven, his calling from on 
 high, his qualifications divine. 
 
 The scriptures, his armoury ; righteousness, his 
 vesture ; truth, his girdle ; salvation, his helmet ; and 
 faith, his shield. 
 
 His message, mercy ; his theme, Jesus ; his glorying, 
 the cross ; his aim, human salvation. 
 
 With a heart of benevolence, bowels of compassion, 
 and a conscience of fidelity. 
 
 With a clear perception, a discerning judgment, a 
 magnanimous spirit, and an enduring perseverance. 
 
 Favoured with the eagle's eye, the lion's courage, and 
 the oxen's strength, humanity's tenderness, and a seraph's 
 love. 
 
 Faithful to his soul, zealous for God, and compas- 
 sionate to men. 
 
 Heavenly in his aspirations, disinterested in his 
 motives, generous in his emotions, and devotional in his 
 spirit. 
 
 A lover of good men, a hater of iniquity. 
 
 Not greedy of lucre, not thirsting for power, not eager 
 for fame, not given to wine. 
 
 Self-denying in life, unwearied in toil, uncompromising 
 in principle, and instant in season and out. 
 
 The guardian of youth, the counsellor of the perplexed, 
 
102 PREACHERS AND PREACHING. 
 
 the consoler of sorrow, the visitor of the afflicted, the 
 advocate of the widow, the friend of all, the enemy of 
 none. 
 
 Holding forth the word of light, breaking the bread of 
 life, dispensing the healing virtues of the cross, and pro- 
 claiming to the wretched, the acceptable year of the 
 Lord. 
 
 His subjects from heaven, in their source ; of heaven, 
 in their revelations ; and to heaven, in their tendency. 
 
 His style clear, his thoughts well ordered, his enun- 
 ciation distinct, his manner earnest, and his language 
 plain. 
 
 Not inflated, pompous, pedantic ; not a jester, a mimic, 
 a buffoon. 
 
 Not exhibiting self, but Christ; Christ always, and 
 Christ all in all. 
 
 Not the minister of mystery, but revelation; not a 
 perp lexer, but solver of doubts ; not a herald of despair, 
 but of hope ; not clad in the habiliments of sorrow, but 
 
 of joy- 
 Enlightening the ignorant, cheering the penitential, 
 comforting the distressed, reproving the wayward, admo- 
 nishing the thoughtless, warning the reckless, and 
 threatening the obdurate. 
 
 Preaching repentance, faith, and salvation. Preach- 
 ing mercy, truth, and holiness. 
 
 Preaching justice, benevolence, and pity. 
 Preaching death, resurrection, judgment, and eternity. 
 Preaching supreme homage and love to God, self- 
 government and self-denial, worldly non-conformity, and 
 kindness and good will to men. 
 
PREACHERS AND PREACHING. 103 
 
 Preaching the law and the gospel, grace and truth, 
 the prophets and the evangelists ; but preaching Christ 
 as the end of all, the sum of all, and the glory of all. 
 
 Preaching down sin, and preaching up purity. 
 
 Preaching down self, and preaching up grace. 
 
 Preaching down error, and preaching up truth. 
 
 Preaching hope to the self- condemned, abasement 
 to the proud, spirituality to the formal, and a heaven 
 of rest and blessedness to the renewed pilgrims and 
 sojourners of earth. 
 
 Preacher of righteousness ! how high thine office, 
 how sublime thy calling, how arduous thy work, how- 
 onerous thy charge ; but if faithful, how transcendently 
 glorious thy reward ! For as heaven's resplendent orbs, 
 or the brightness of the milky way, shalt thou shine for 
 ever and ever. 
 
104 
 
 HEARERS AND HEARING. 
 
 Hearer of the gospel, how great thy privilege ; 
 '* blessed are thine eyes that they see, and thine ears that 
 they hear." 
 
 By hearing, thou mayest be wise, even unto salvation. 
 By hearing, thou mayest be enriched, even with the un- 
 searchable riches of grace. By hearing, thou mayest 
 be exalted, even to sit in heavenly places with Christ 
 Jesus. 
 
 But forget not, by hearing thou mayest be accursed ; 
 for to the unbelieving, a preached gospel is the savour of 
 death unto death. 
 
 Then if thou wouldest be blessed by hearing, prepare 
 for it by silent meditation, self-examination, and fervent 
 prayer. 
 
 Seek the opening of thine ear, that thou mayest in 
 truth hearken ; the enlightening of thine understanding 
 that thou mayest comprehend ; and the disposing of thy 
 affections, that the word spoken, may be welcomed with 
 
 joy- 
 
 If thou wouldest be blest by hearing, contemplate the 
 importance of what thou hearest, whose message it is, 
 and what its import and design. 
 
 Remember too its personal application to thyself, and 
 hearken not for others. Stir up thy soul to be active and 
 attentive. Put from thee mental sloth, and stupid 
 lethargy. Put from thee worldly objects, and earthly 
 cares, and dissipated, and distracting thoughts. Put from 
 
HEARERS AND HEARING. 105 
 
 vain conceits, and self-complacency. Put from thee, 
 high imaginings, and proud assumptions. 
 
 Forget not, humility of mind, meekness of soul, and 
 simplicity of spirit, are indispensable to him who would 
 be blest by hearing. 
 
 Hearken with reverence, for God addresses thee. 
 Hearken with solemnity, for the subject pertaineth to the 
 weightiest concerns of death, and judgment, and eternity. 
 Hearken with hope, for the message is fmught with 
 mercy. Hearken with affianced confidence, for every 
 word of God is true and pure. Yet hear not with weak 
 credulity, for the stream flows to thee through a frail and 
 earthly medium. Thy teacher is a legate of the skies ; 
 his mission reverence, and with awe attend : but he is 
 also thy brother, a man of like passions with thyself; 
 therefore with candour weigh : a welcome biddincj g-ive 
 to truth, but error refuse even from an angel's lips. 
 
 While hearing, let thine ejaculatory wishes up to heaven 
 ascend, that God may seal instruction on thine heart. 
 
 Is hearing over, return with quiet footsteps, with 
 seriousness of soul, and watch the seed, lest Satan's 
 emissaries should rob thee of thy treasure. Well stored 
 within thee, may it vegetate, bud, and bring forth to 
 thine own benefit and God's glory, thirty, or sixty, or a 
 hundred fold. 
 
 Hearing is feeding on the heaven-sent manna, but medi- 
 tation doth digest it, and faith extracteth its nutrition, 
 and thus its strength and blessedness are all thine own. 
 
 How many hear, and lose the end of hearing. The 
 giddy, frivolous, and unreflecting— the captious trifler 
 — the fastidious hyper-critic — the man who hears to try 
 
 F 
 
106 HEARERS AND HEARING. 
 
 his skill at finding fault — the man who hears for all ex- 
 cept himself. The man who hears with enmity, and 
 sceptically throws back the truth. The man who hears 
 and soon forgets, or whose worldly mind is full of thorns 
 and weeds, and thus the seed is choked. The man who 
 lacks the power of constancy, and soon has lost the in- 
 fluence the truth exerted on him. The man who hears, 
 but doeth not the things commanded. 
 
 Against all such hearing, set a double watch j for 
 hearing is a thing to be accounted for; a privilege of 
 highest value ; and if abused, perverted, better had it 
 been, that on some pagan strand thou first hadst drawn 
 thy breath; or that a mill-stone fastened round thy 
 infant neck, into the ocean's depth thou hadst been flung. 
 
 Then Christian worshipper, thou who treadest in the 
 courts of Zion ; hear, and believe ; hear, and obey ; hear, 
 and thy soul shall ever live. 
 
107 
 
 THE CROSS OF CHRIST. 
 
 I MEAN not the transverse pieces of wood on which the 
 Saviour hung, much less the crucifix of stone, or brass, 
 or gold, or silver, that the superstitious use as the quick- 
 ener of their devotion. 
 
 I mean the sacrifice of Calvaiy, that which formed the 
 efficacious offering for man's redemption. I mean that 
 which is the essence of dying love and atoning virtue. I 
 mean that great mysterious oblation, the price of our sal- 
 vation ; that which is the grand theme of gospel annimci- 
 ation, the object of the apostles' glorying, and the only 
 hope of our fallen world. 
 
 Mysterious theme ! Too deep for the fathoming of 
 angelic minds. 
 
 The one main subject of revelation ; for to this did 
 Abel's offering, the paschal lamb, and the multifarious 
 rites and sacrifices of ancient dispensations, point. 
 
 The one great topic of ancient seers, for to this all 
 prophets witnessed, — the Saviour's sufferings, and the 
 resplendent glory that should follow. 
 
 All the mystical events pertaining to the Saviour's life 
 referred to this. For this he clothed himself with our 
 humanity. For this he lived a life of sorrow in our world. 
 To this he hastened, impelled by strong desire, to briiise 
 the head of Satan and free mankind from his accursed 
 dominion. 
 
 His ears the sentence heard without alarm, his eyes be- 
 F 2 
 
108 THE CROSS. 
 
 held the wood, and freely did he bear it towards Cal- 
 vary's summit. 
 
 He allowed his hands of true beneficence, his feet of 
 journeying mercy, to be transfixed. He lingered on it 
 mid shame, and ignominy, and anguish, past all utter- 
 ance. At length he bowed his sacred head, and mid the 
 startling phenomena of rended rocks, and sable noon, he 
 yielded up the ghost. 
 
 How marvellous that innocence unsullied, and spotless 
 purity, and the mortal part of enshrined Deity should 
 thus expire ! 
 
 But hearken, and the prophets will the apparent 
 enigma resolve. All we like wandering sheep had gone 
 astray, each had forsaken truth, and holiness, and God ; 
 each had become exposed to righteous judgment and 
 eternal death. 
 
 But Jesus undertook our rescue ; he gave himself to 
 suffer in our stead, and by his dying blood, to bring us 
 back to happiness and God. 
 
 Our chastisement he bore ; our ponderous weight of 
 guilt was laid on him, and he did bear it, as our surety on 
 the cross. 
 
 Thus from his humiliation, honours take their rise. 
 His wounds yield balmy virtues. His groans bring 
 songs of melody and joy to men. His ignominy and 
 agony, heavenly immunities and bliss. His death throws 
 open wide, the gates of immortality and endless life. 
 
 Well — well may mortals glory in the cross ! without it 
 we had sunk beneath the accumulated weight of guilt 
 and wrath, lower and lower in the lake that burns with 
 fire for ever. 
 
THE CROSS. 109 
 
 Besides the cross, the triumph gained over hellish 
 powers. It threw the rays of hope around our world, 
 and shot its morning beams of glory through the sombre 
 tomb. 
 
 The influence of the ci'oss, who shall declare it ! How 
 marvellously it told on Jewish hearts, within Jerusalem's 
 gates. There, with the memory of Calvary's tragic 
 scenes still fresh and vivid, did it bow, to penitential 
 sorrow, five thousand spirits. 
 
 And from Jerusalem, it spread its saving virtues far 
 and wide. 
 
 Its theme amazed the wise philosophers, the ancient 
 poets and legislators. 
 
 Its trophies numerous and mighty, were gathered 
 from all climes, and lands, and tongues. 
 
 Barbarians it made tender, wise, and holy. The 
 sensual, chaste ; the ambitious, humble ; the avaricious, 
 generous ; the polluted, clean. 
 
 Established rites of mad idolatry, and schemes of vain 
 philosophy, it rooted up ; and scattered far and wide, 
 the gracious principles of love and mercy. 
 
 As a tree of- life, its leaves gave forth healing to all 
 nations. ^v 
 
 As a stream of pure benignity and grace, it flowed 
 through desert lands, and made the wilderness to blossom 
 as the rose. 
 
 As the standard of the host of God's elect, it spread 
 its victories throughout the world. As the basis of the 
 hope of man, it became the rock of joy and exaltation 
 to untold myriads. And as the moral magnet of 
 heavenly dignity, it shall attract and gather into one, all 
 
110 ON FAITH. 
 
 tribes of human beings, and raise them to the bliss and 
 glory of the heavenly state. 
 
 O mighty cross ! thy power shall bow the universe to 
 God's authority and will. 
 
 O gracious cross ! thy sweet and saving influence shall 
 mould again the hearts of hosts imnumbered, into purity 
 and love. 
 
 O victorious cross ! through every clime and every 
 land with conquering majesty, shalt thou go forth ; and 
 thy triumph so bloodless, pure, and blessed, shall be sung 
 in rapturous strains by all the ransomed hosts that crowd 
 the upper temple of the skies. 
 
 ON FAITH. 
 
 Faith is the credence of testimony, and the faith of 
 the gospel is the belief of the revelation, which God has 
 o-iven of his love to man in the gift of the Lord Jesus 
 Christ. , 
 
 Hence all the writings of the holy scriptures are pro- 
 perly the subject-matter of faith, for they are all con- 
 nected with the divine dispensation of mercy to our 
 world. 
 
 Faith then involves the admission of the authenticity 
 and divinity of the bible, and is thus directly opposed to 
 disbelief, which sceptically rejects it as a himian inven- 
 tion, or cunningly devised fable. 
 
ON FAITH. 
 
 Ill 
 
 Faith too, is thus strikingly contrasted with unbelief, 
 which rejects on the ground of insufficient evidence or 
 carnal antipathy, the message and overture of salvation. 
 
 Faith then is based on knowledge, and rests on well 
 sustained testimony. Faith involves the exercise of the 
 contemplative and reflective powers. It has to do with 
 the judgment, will, and affections. For we first hear or 
 read, then judge and weigh, then assent and will it so, 
 and afterwards, love and delight in truth accepted. God 
 demands the faith of men in his own word, and surely " if 
 we receive the witness of men, the witness of God is 
 greater." 
 
 Faith thus brings us near to God, into acquiescence 
 with his will, and confidence in his word. Faith trusts 
 God, honours God, and rejoices in God. 
 
 Faith is styled precious, it is the holiest and highest 
 exercise of the human powers. 
 
 It accepts the most precious of all tidings, God's 
 mercy to our species ; it hails with grateful joy the Son 
 of God, the prince of life, and Saviour of our world. 
 
 It builds on him as the rock of hope, and looks to him 
 for everlasting life. It makes the precious promises of 
 heaven its own. By precious blood divine, it gains a 
 title and a meetness for all the precious and unending 
 glories of the skies. 
 
 Faith is the Christian's shield, and saves from the darts 
 and arrows of the enemy. Faith is the Christian's tele- 
 scope, and brings near the things of light and immortality. 
 
 Faith is the pilgrim's staff", and thus reclining, he 
 travels on from strength to strength, until he reaches Zion. 
 
 Faith gives potency to prayer, and strength for labour ; 
 
112 orr FAITH. 
 
 endurance for suffering, and courage for the conflict. 
 Faith renders praise acceptable through the Saviour's 
 merits. 
 
 Faith sanctifies the baptismal waters, extracts nutrition 
 from the preached word, and feeds at Christ's own table, 
 on the living bread from heaven. 
 
 Faith dareth foes, despiseth perils, laughs at apparent 
 impossibilities, and rejoiceth, that with God all things 
 that ought to be, are possible. 
 
 Faith rode in triumph on the flood of waters. 
 
 Faith caused the holy Abraham, far from his fathers' 
 home, to travel and sojourn. 
 
 Faith it was that nerved him for the mysterious sacri- 
 fice and immolation of his Son and heir. 
 
 The patriarchs by faith, on earthly good looked down 
 with stern contempt, and fixed their hopes on better 
 things in heavenly lands. 
 
 Faith preserved the Hebrew infant from destruction, 
 and left him floating in the bulrush ark upon the waters. 
 
 Faith triumphed in the overthrow of Pharaoh, and 
 in Israel's emancipation. By faith, the ocean's channel 
 was left dry, and the flinty rocks the rich supply of crystal 
 water yielded. Faith put to flight the armies of the 
 aliens ; and razed to their base the walls of Jericho. 
 
 Faith shone with lustre in the lives of priests and 
 judges, prophets and holy men of old. It dared the 
 proud and God-defying giant of the Philistines host. 
 
 It passed unsinged, through furnaces of sevenfold 
 heated flame. It closed the hungry jaws of lions. 
 Routed conspiring armies, and filled the ancient world 
 with glorious marvels. 
 
ON FAITH. 113 
 
 And who shall scan its history through gospel times ? 
 
 It stayed the Saviour in his course of mercy, extracted 
 virtue from his garments, brought healing to the sick, 
 and cleanness to the leper. It cast out devils, controlled 
 the elements, and raised the dead. 
 
 How illustriously it triumphed in the early ages. 
 Transformed myriads into martyrs, and from martyrs 
 into angels. Despite the rack, the faggot, the block, and 
 the cruel lingering cross ; it multiplied the Saviour's 
 friends in every land and clime. Our sainted fathers felt 
 its power, and triumphed over error by its heaven-born 
 influence. 
 
 But reader, dost thou believe on the Son of God ? 
 
 Has it raised thee from the mire and clay, rescued thee 
 as the brand from burning flame, given thee the name 
 and nature of the children of heaven ? 
 
 Is thy life a life of faith, thy obedience the work of 
 faith, thy delight the joy of faith ? 
 
 Examine well thyself, and see thy faith is genuine, 
 pure, and sanctifying. And cherish well this grace with 
 holy air, and soimd discipline, and mercy's labour, and 
 with the food which none but God bestows, or saints 
 enjoy. 
 
 Believing live, and glorify thy Saviour ; believing die, 
 and see his face, and sing his praises through eternity. 
 
 F o 
 
114 
 
 MISSIONS AND MISSIONARIES. 
 
 Jesus the Son of the Most High was the founder of 
 Christian missions, and the first and the leader of the 
 missionary band. 
 
 He came from heaven to earth to execute it, and to re- 
 veal to dark and ruined man the way of immortality and 
 life. 
 
 He traversed the cities and villages of Judea, as the 
 missionary bearing on his lips the tidings of salvation. 
 
 And how devoted, earnest, self-denying, zealous, and 
 assiduous was he in his missionary toils. 
 
 How faithful to his God, how tender and com- 
 passionate to souls, and how, in his spotless life did all 
 his principles and doctrines shine forth with radiant 
 loveliness. 
 
 Thus he instituted too the missionary cause, gave the 
 great commission to evangelize by gospel preaching all 
 the world, and speak his saving grace to every creature. 
 
 And with the mandate given, he clad his followers 
 with the holy vestments of peace and love, bestowed his 
 blessed Spirit in all his gifts and power, and prepared by 
 his providence the effectual open door for publishing to 
 man eternal life. 
 
 And with what ardent love, and holy zeal, and true 
 simplicity, did the early host of apostles, disciples, and 
 evangelists, go forth preaching the saving doctrines of 
 the cross. 
 
MISSIONS AND MISSIONARIES. 115 
 
 Through Judah's land, among Samaritans, and to 
 Gentile cities, did they gladly bear the happy sound of 
 I'econciling mercy. 
 
 How piously they lived, and toiled, and trials bore ; 
 how they were scorned, and hated, and reviled, and 
 c ourged. 
 
 How everywhere awaited them, imprisonments and 
 bonds, so that daily were their lives exposed for Jesu's 
 sake. 
 
 And how with wondrous power and swiftness did the 
 truth go forth from land to land, from tongue to tongue, 
 until these islands of the Northern Seas, accounted then 
 in truth a barbarous land, received the, fertilizing streams 
 of hope and joy. 
 
 But modern missionaries have to go forth as those of 
 ancient times. 
 
 Their call of God, and from him too their every 
 qualification for the work. 
 
 With the same gospel Paul preached at' Athens, 
 Corinth, Antioch. 
 
 With the same imchanging promises to cheer, and 
 grace to aid, and Spirit to succeed the toil, and bless the 
 word proclaimed. 
 
 They too have all the toils and perils of the early 
 preachers of the cross to bear. 
 
 Far from their native dwellings, mid people of strange 
 tongues, and stranger rites of cruel paganism, have they 
 to bear the glorious gospel of the blessed God. 
 
 In climes of dire contagion, of fell diseases, and of 
 early tombs, do they expose their lives from love to God, 
 and truth, and men. 
 
116 MISSIONS AND MISSIONARIES. 
 
 How noble and illustrious is the liallowed band, the 
 sacred host of holy men who thus have laboured in this 
 work of charity and faith. 
 
 Among the rude, uncivilized American Indian tribes, 
 behold the simple-hearted Eliot, and holy, fervent 
 Brainerd ; see too the self-denying Egede, introducing 
 Christianity among Greenland's snowy iitountains. 
 
 Among the enslaved and tortured sons of Africa in the 
 West Indian Isles, behold the indefatigable Coke fol- 
 lowed by Smith and Knibb, and a numerous train of 
 faithful servants of the Saviour. 
 
 Amonsf the islands of the Southern Seas, the first la- 
 bourers of the London Missionary cause, mid scenes of 
 almost hopelessness, prayed and laboured, until at length 
 the copious showers of mercy fell, and turned that san- 
 guinary region into a scene of peace and joy. 
 
 And there the sainted martyr Williams died, while 
 plying earnestly his work of love. 
 
 On India's wide extended and densely populated con- 
 tinent, how many faithful men have lifted up the saving 
 ensign of the cross. 
 
 Thomas, Ward, Carey, Heber, Bampton, with many 
 more, have in India's soil a sepulchre, lit up with hope 
 of standing with a numerous spiritual progeny before the 
 final bar of God with joy. 
 
 In Afric's dreaiy desert, and regions fraught with 
 death, have Schmidt, Vanderkemp, Kaye, and Moffat, 
 and Shaw, and Phillip, late and early, sown the seed of 
 gospel truth. 
 
 And then in China, Morrison, and Milne ; in Burmah, 
 Judson ; in Persia, Martyn ; and in looking over the 
 
MISSIONS AND MISSIONARIES. 117 
 
 missionary sphere, a glorious galaxy of honoured names, 
 and great illustrious men, whose record is on high, and 
 whose reward shall be eternal bliss beyond the skies. 
 
 The missionaiy cause has loud and solemn claims on 
 British hearts, and Christian sympathy. 
 
 For has not British influence been the bane of every 
 port her ships have entered ? 
 
 Have not disease, and crime, and war been introduced, 
 until whole tribes of men have lingered out of being ? 
 
 Did not British wealth and power for many gloomy 
 years, support with enterprise and zeal, worthy of a better 
 cause, the infernal traffic in our fellow men ? 
 
 Then now, when moved to holy action, let deeds of 
 horror past and gone, our zeal and liberality excite, and 
 may it be our earnest aim to bear to every land, and 
 tribe, and tongue, the welcome news of grace and end- 
 less life. 
 
 The spirit of the Christian should be eminently mis- 
 sionary, for Jesus' love constrains the heart to feel for all 
 our helpless race, and by all the means that God hath 
 given, to hasten on the day when Christ shall reign as 
 universal Prince of Peace, and all the world be blessed 
 in him. 
 
 Then let the missionaiy fire burn with incessant 
 ardour on the altar of thy soul, and rear thy offspring in 
 the spirit of earnest sympathy with those who preach the 
 word of life in distant climes, and train them in the art of 
 giving of their substance however small, and pleading 
 with their youthful zeal, and praying in their hearts that 
 God would bless and raise our world from pagan woes, 
 and from horrid rites of dark idolatrv. 
 
118 
 
 ON HOPE. 
 
 Father of mercies, hallowed be thy name by all the in- 
 tellectual workmanship of thine own hand ! 
 
 May thy kingdom come, and thy will on earth be done, 
 by all the human race, as it is done by angel hosts, and 
 spirits perfected, who ever stand before thy throne in 
 heaven. 
 
 ON HOPE. 
 
 Hope is the expectation of future attainable good. 
 
 Like faith it has to do with certainty, but more espe- 
 cially it is exercised on the excellency of what it desires 
 and seeks. 
 
 Desires may go forth in reference to things or enjoy- 
 ments which are beyond the bounds of the possible, but 
 hope must have firm footing whereon to stand — a solid 
 rock to rest upon. 
 
 Hope ever doth regard the future ; there may be the 
 joyous retrospect of what is gone, and much delight in 
 present good, but hope looks onward for bliss in prospect. 
 Hope is the buoyant principle of life, the spring of 
 action, the mind's resource in disappointment. 
 
 Despondency suspends our energies, paralyzes mind 
 and limb, magnifies the mole-hill to a mountain. 
 
 Hope inspires the toiling student as he climbs the steep 
 ascent of learning. 
 
 Hope spurs the man of science in his mental ranges of 
 discovery. 
 
ON HOPE. 119 
 
 Hope gives elastic patient power to the casuist, who 
 traces subtle reasonings to their source, and effects to 
 their originating causes. 
 
 Hope travels with the soldier to the battle field, and 
 fills his brain with thoughts of safety and of triumph. 
 
 Hope is the true companion of the seaman, who dares 
 to encounter tempests and hurricanes, and all the fearful 
 perils of the deep. 
 
 Hope is the presiding spirit of the merchant, who ven- 
 tures wealth mid all the contingencies of speculation. 
 
 Hope takes the golden grain and scatters it as seed of 
 future harvests. 
 
 Hope cheers the captive in his exile, the prisoner in 
 his gloomy cell, and bears the sufferer up midst seasons 
 of sickness and on beds of pain. 
 
 Hope is the Christian's staff on which he leans and 
 rests with holy confidence. 
 
 Hope is his anchor by which his bark in safety rides 
 midst heaving seas and threatening storms. 
 
 Hope is the good man's solace mid adversity, his 
 cordial in the hour of need and trial. 
 
 Hope is tlie privilege of saints, 'tis theirs to hope in 
 life, to hope in death, and to enjoy for ever. 
 
 Hope is a grace of highest worth ; for heavy would 
 become the lightest heart, and gloomy the most joyous 
 mind, and dreary the most happy spirit, were this celes- 
 tial flower to wither and decay. 
 
 Hope is a gift and blessing which the world's muta- 
 tions cannot shake or e'er destroy. 
 
 An evergreen of beauty. A constant flowing stream 
 of consolation. An ever shining sun. A living, o-Iow- 
 
120 ON HOPE. 
 
 ing principle within. The atmosphere of holy being, and 
 peace and blessedness. 
 
 A treasure thieves can't steal, or moth or rust 
 destroy. 
 
 Hope hath power to pierce the distant future, to 
 banish clouds, to grapple with man's mortal enemy, to 
 fling wide open the graves' black doors, to hear by sweet 
 anticipation the last trumpet's blast, to see the rising 
 dead, the Judge descend, to hear the records of the 
 world proclaimed, to mingle with the happy and the 
 blest, to share the joys and glories of the New Jerusa- 
 lem, and thus anticipateth a blest eternity with all the 
 ransomed followers of the Lamb. 
 
 Christian, with this hope thy state may well excite the 
 envy of the world around thee. 
 
 With this hope the fallen legions fraught with rage and 
 malice will siege in vain thy citadel of joy. 
 
 With this hope, well may holy angels wonder where 
 the goodness of thy God will end, and what shall bound 
 thy dignity and rapture beyond the skies. 
 
121 
 
 ON RELIGIOUS ZEAL. 
 
 Christian zeal is an impassioned ardour in the service 
 of God, and in the cause of religion. It is the opposite 
 of apathy, listlessness, sloth, and indifference. 
 
 Zeal will in some measure depend on the natural state 
 of the faculties and passions of the mind ; some are con- 
 stitutionally cold and lymphatic, while others are equally 
 fervid and impetuous. 
 
 Religion of all things is most worthy of a high and 
 ardent devotedness. 
 
 It involves all that is great, sublime, and glorious — all 
 that is excellent, lovely, and felicitous — all that is purify- 
 ing, exalted, and blessed. 
 
 It has reference to the soul, God, and eternity ; its 
 concerns therefore are paramount to all others, and are 
 worthy of the most intense affection and earnest pursuit. 
 Coldness here is a reproach, a libel on divine things, 
 and a blight to the graces and virtues of the soul. 
 
 Men are lauded, if zealous, in trade and commerce, in 
 the acquisition of knowledge, especially in the exhibition 
 of enlightened and patriotic principles and practice ; 
 how much more then is it our true excellency to be 
 zealous in the cause of righteousness and religion. 
 
 But Christian zeal is very different to that of the 
 fanatic, which is all noise and excitement ; or of the 
 superstitious, who are mainly impelled by fear ; it is an 
 intellectual principle, the residt of divine knowledge, and 
 the immediate production of the love of God in the soul. 
 
122 ON RELIGIOUS ZEAL. 
 
 It is not like that of the ancient pharisees, which seeks 
 emblazonment and courts popularity, but it is more 
 humble and unassuming, and like charity, never behaveth 
 itself unseemly. 
 
 Neither is Christian zeal merely the heat of occasional 
 excitement, or the feverishness of disease ; but like the 
 genial heat of the sun, it is regular and constant ; or like 
 the natural heat of the body, the indication of spiritual 
 life and health in the soul. 
 
 Moreover, Christian zeal is generous in its spirit, and 
 candid in its conclusions. It is not the fire of anger 
 towards those who differ from us in sentiment, and which 
 venteth itself in anathemas of wrath ; but it is the fire of 
 love, which heaped on the heads of its enemies, melts 
 down the enmity opposed to it. 
 
 It proclaimeth peace and good- will to man : rejoiceth 
 not in iniquity but in the truth, pities where it might 
 blame, and compassionates where it cannot relieve. 
 
 Devils burn with the zeal of sin, and infidels with the 
 zeal of unbelief, and despots with the zeal of tyranny, 
 and bigots with the zeal of exclusiveness, and fanatics 
 with the zeal of ignorance, and the superstitious with the 
 zeal which terror inspireth, but the Christian burns with 
 the zeal of love, and purity, and truth. 
 
 Zeal is much more than a sentiment ; it is an embody- 
 ment of principle in action, the fire of goodness at 
 work. 
 
 Zeal is easily professed, but the reality of its existence 
 must be proven by the fruits it pro 'uceth. 
 
 Christian zeal will devise and execute, purpose and 
 perform, voav and pay its vows. 
 
ON RELIGIOUS ZEAL. 123 
 
 It ariseth early, labours earnestly, and prosecutes with 
 perseverance. 
 
 It is indispensable in difficulties and dangers, and is 
 commendable in every really good pursuit. 
 
 Yet it should be especially devoted to the higher ranges 
 of Christian practice, in glorifying God, pressing after 
 holiness, and labouring to benefit the souls of our fellow 
 men. 
 
 A minister without it, is an anomaly in the church, 
 and can be of little use to the world. 
 
 It is the distinguishing feature of angels, who are 
 flames of fire. It was the flame which burned in the 
 heart of Jesus, that consumed him on the altar of sacri- 
 fice : and it is one of the hioh characteristics of Jehovah. 
 
 It should therefore dwell in every Christian bosom, 
 and animate the whole church of the Redeemer. 
 
 Without it duty will be burdensome, trials overwhelm- 
 ing, difficulties insurmountable, and devotion a task ; 
 with it, labour will be sweet, afflictions light, and re- 
 ligious services the joy and delight of the mind. 
 
 When we contemplate the shortness of life, the uncer- 
 tainty of earthly things, the immense work which Chris- 
 tianity has still to effect, and the tremendous mountains 
 of difficulty and opposition to be removed ; the convic- 
 tion must then be inevitable, that zeal is necessary to the 
 diffusion of divine knowledge, and the hastening of the 
 Redeemer's kingdom and glory. 
 
 A benighted church cannot illume a world in dark- 
 ness ; nor an apathetic church rouse a slumbering world 
 to due attention to the supreme importance and eternal 
 value of the blessings of the gospel. 
 
124 
 
 ON CONTENTMENT. 
 
 Contentment is satisfaction of mind arising from 
 acquiescence in the providential arrangements of God. 
 It is not Stoicism, or a professed indifference to enjoyment 
 or pain, bliss or sorrow, adversity or prosperity. 
 
 It is not want of capacity for relishing the luxuries of 
 life, but a satisfaction with our portion or lot, as chosen 
 by God. Therefore Christian contentment is preceded 
 by a scriptural knowledge of God, in his wise and bene- 
 volent character as the moral governor of the universe, 
 and is identified with delight in his administrations. 
 
 Many weighty reasons should lead to contentment, 
 under the adversities of life : there are reasons connected 
 with ourselves ; that man has little indeed, who has not 
 more than he deserves. A man whose life is continued 
 as an act of grace, should not cavil at the fare which is 
 provided for him. The desert of sin is death, even death 
 everlasting ; and it is entirely of the Lord's mercies that 
 we are not consumed. 
 
 Besides, have we not had numberless benefits, rich 
 and varied enjoyments ? our sorrows and troubles have 
 been the exception and not the rule. More, have we 
 been grateful for the blessings bestowed, or have they not 
 often been perverted and abused ? if so, of all things, 
 discontent is highly improper and sinful. 
 
 There are reasons also connected with our fellow-men. 
 How many around us, more worthy, are in circum- 
 stances of greater adversity and sorrow ? Visit the house 
 
ON CONTENTMENT. 125 
 
 of bereavement, the chamber of suffering, the bed of 
 anguish. See how many appear to have been born for 
 trouble, and been nurtured for sorrow, and are emphati- 
 cally the victims of suffering. 
 
 Then with our homely cot, and our plain attire, and 
 our daily bread, let us learn therewith to be content. 
 
 But there are reasons connected with God ; he is all- 
 wise, and therefore cannot err ; he is almighty, and 
 therefore can do all that pleases him ; he is all goodness, 
 therefore he cannot be unkind. He is true and faithful, 
 and will not cause the sons of men to trust in him in 
 vain, 
 
 " Then who so wise to choose our lot, 
 Or regulate our ways !" 
 
 Then forget not, child of probation, lie contemplates 
 our real good, and our eternal interests. He consults our 
 permanent profit, our moral improvement, and our ever- 
 lasting felicity. By the exercise of his will, he could 
 raise us in society, make us affluent, and exempt us from 
 troubles ; and the fact that he does not so, arises from the 
 intensity of his love to us, and from his infallible 
 arrangements for our final blessedness. 
 
 But there are reasons connected with the Saviour. Of 
 what are Ave tempted to complain ? Poverty ? He had 
 not where to Iny his head. Of suffering? He was 
 made perfect through suffering. Of persecutions ? He 
 was hated even unto death. 
 
 There was no adversity or sorrow like unto his sorrow. 
 And if the captain was tlius treated, shall the soldier 
 murmur ? If the king thus endured, shall the subject be 
 
126 ON CONTENTMENT. 
 
 discontented ? If the enshrined Creator thus drank the 
 cup of deepest anguish, shall the worm of the earth 
 refuse submission ? 
 
 But there are reasons connected with time. Be con- 
 tent, for thy troubles are raj)idly passing away. Be con- 
 tent as a sojourner, that continuest not for a day precisely 
 in thy former condition. Be content, for this is the time 
 of thy trial, the night of thy trouble ; but the night is 
 expiring, and the day cometh. The clouds that harassed 
 thee are breaking, and the darkness is passing away. 
 Be content, for all thy trials are but for a moment ; and 
 those that have so keenly distressed thee, thou shalt see no 
 more for ever. Be content, for thy Lord cometh, to re- 
 ward every man as his works shall be. Be content, for 
 the heavens are radiant with light, and hope of future 
 blessedness. If thou sufFerest with Christ, thou shalt 
 also reign with him. Be content, for one moment in 
 bliss will more than satisfy for all thy tears ; then what 
 joy will an eternal weight of glory confer on thee. 
 
 Besides, discontented, canst thou alter the plans of Je- 
 hovah, the arrangements of heaven ? Wilt thou add the 
 gall and wormwood of disquietude to thy sorrow, and 
 the gnawing worm of guilt to thy restlessness, and the 
 displeasure of thy God to the inventory of thy distresses ? 
 Man, adore thy God ; pry not into the mysteries of his 
 unrevealed purposes ; dispute not his infallibility ; and 
 rely on it, that the light of eternity will show thee, that 
 thy lot has been one of unmixed kindness and tender 
 mercies ; and that God has done infinitely better for thee 
 than leaving the affairs of thy probation in thine own 
 hands. 
 
127 
 
 ON HUMILITY. 
 
 Humility is the opposite state of mind to pride and 
 arrogance, and consisteth especially in entertaining mo- 
 dest views of our state and character. 
 
 It is one of the characteristics of godliness, very largely 
 insisted upon in the word of God, and one of the essen- 
 tials of acceptable piety. 
 
 It is probable that sin took its rise in proud aspira- 
 tions and imaginings, and it is manifest that pride was 
 one of the main elements in the transgression of the first 
 human pair. 
 
 Genuine humility will be evinced both towards God 
 and men ; for it cannot be that one of real lowly spirit 
 towards the Most High, will be proud or arrogant 
 towards his fellow-man. 
 
 An overweening estimate of ourselves must arise 
 from a darkened understanding or perverted judgment ; 
 for the evidences of our worthlessness are so numerous, 
 that a very slight acquaintance with our own character 
 would lead to an abhorrence of self-estimation in all its 
 forms and features. 
 
 Shouldst thou not be humble whose corporeal origin 
 is the dust, and whose destiny is a companionship with 
 worms and ashes ? 
 
 Shouldst thou not be humble who art dependent on 
 God for every blessing, and who hast not within thine 
 own resources the means of one moment's comfort or 
 existence ? 
 
128 ON HUMILITY. 
 
 Shouldst thou not be humble whose nature is fallen 
 and polluted, and whose tenure of probation is suspended 
 on the exercise of mercy and forbearance ? 
 
 Shouldst thou not be humble whose deserts would 
 overwhelm thee with dismay, and misery, and despair ? 
 
 Surely a child of vanity and an heir of wrath should 
 be clad in the vestments of self-loathing and abasement. 
 The imperfections of the most elevated Christian ought 
 ever to be as the ballast of humility to his soul ; for in 
 many things we all offend. 
 
 Humility is indispensable to the right discharge of the 
 duties and services of the Christian life. 
 
 Reading the scriptures, or hearing the word preached, 
 cannot profit unless the exercises be connected with a 
 meek and humble spirit. 
 
 The presentation of praise or the offering of prayer, 
 will only be accepted as they are characterized by 
 humility. 
 
 The communication of our gifts to the poor, or the 
 cause of Christ, or the employment of our talents, God 
 will deign only to approve of, as identified with a humble 
 and lowly mind. 
 
 To walk humbly with our God is as essential to what 
 the Lord requireth, as doing justly, or loving the exercise 
 of mercy. 
 
 Humility is the highway to real honour and true 
 exaltation. 
 
 Humility is the garb in which seraphim and cherubim 
 are clad, how much more suitable then to sinful and 
 dying worms of the earth. 
 
 God engageth to draw nigh to the humble and to 
 
ON HUMILITY. 129 
 
 dwell with the contrite, but he abhorreth the proud, and 
 beholdeth them afar off. 
 
 Humility leadeth the soul into the valley of fertility, 
 while the proud seek for sustenance in vain, on the sum- 
 mit of the barren mountain. 
 
 Humility, like the gentle willow, bendeth beneath the 
 force of the storm and riseth again ; while the proud, like 
 the unyielding oak, are torn up and levelled with the dust. 
 
 Humility tendeth to internal peace, and the quietness 
 of a serene and happy spirit. 
 
 The Holy Spirit cannot dwell with the high and lofty, 
 but delighteth to abide in the meek and lowly mind. 
 
 If thou seekest to grow in humility, study the charac- 
 ters eminent for holiness exhibited in the sacred scrip- 
 tures : as Abraham, the friend of God, yet averring 
 himself to be sinful dust and ashes ; as Job, who was a 
 perfect man compared with his compeers, but confessed 
 " Behold, I am vile !" as Isaiah, the seraphic prophet, 
 who overwhelmed with visions of the celestial temple, 
 exclaimed, ** Woe is me, for I am undone ; because I am 
 a man of unclean lips." 
 
 Especially study the life and spirit of thy Lord and 
 Saviour, " Who being in the form of God, thought it not 
 robbery to be equal with God : but made himself of no 
 reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and 
 was made in the likeness of man ; and being found in 
 fashion as a man, he humbled himself and became obedi- 
 ent unto death, even the death of the cross." 
 
 And then retire into thy closet, seek those divine and 
 heavenly blessings, which, while they exalt the mind to 
 
 G 
 
130 ON PATIENCE. 
 
 purity and bliss, clothe the character with the beautiful 
 vestments of humility and praise. 
 
 Thus serving the Lord with humility of mind, thy soul 
 shall wax strong, and grow in holy conformity to the 
 image of thy Saviour, and thus shalt thou obtain the 
 meetness which is indispensable to the enjoyment of the 
 inheritance of the sanctified in heaven. 
 
 ON PATIENCE. 
 
 Patience is a grace which we need to lave while 
 passing though this world of pain and sorrow. 
 
 Trouble and suffering are the lot of all men, and 
 neither station, nor learning, nor wisdom, nor even piety, 
 can secure exemption. Some are sullen in their trials, 
 and cherish secretly a spirit of deep resentment to the 
 instruments of their troubles. Some are fretful, discon- 
 tented, and fill the air with bitter murmurings and loud 
 repinings. Some sink into despondency, and over- 
 whelmed by fearful bodings of darker days and deeper 
 trials, rush out of life, and quench the only hope of bliss 
 to come. 
 
 The Christian exercises patience, endures with equa- 
 nimity of spirit, nor dares to charge with want of wis- 
 dom, love, or faithfulness, the providence of God. 
 
 And patience is the sweetener of our ills, the lightener 
 of our burdens, and the assuager of our griefs. For 
 fretfulness defeats itself, and our repining for some absent 
 good only increases present pain and evil. 
 
ON PATIENCE. 131 
 
 Patience looks with eye serene, through second causes 
 up to God. 
 
 It clearly recognizes the government of heaven as 
 superintending all, directing and controlling things most 
 intricate, and out of seeming evil deducing real good. 
 It knows that in his hands, whom seraphim and cheru- 
 bim adore, all must be righteous, pure, and good. 
 
 Patience listeneth to the promises and gracious decla- 
 rations of the oracles of truth. And can one Avord of 
 promise fail ? Will God forget ? or lose his power, or 
 willingness to save those who have trusted in his love ? 
 Rather will heaven itself for ever pass away, than one 
 engagement of his mouth shall not be to the very utmost 
 verified. 
 
 Patience reads the records of the good and pious, and 
 seeketh in their heaven-bound steps to walk. 
 
 She witnesseth the son of Jacob's fondest wishes, his 
 cherished, and perhaps unwisely distinguished Joseph, 
 falsely accused, and to a dungeon doomed ; yet waiting 
 patiently till God should bring him forth reproachless, 
 and open for him paths of honour and utility. 
 
 Moses with wondrous meekness, and with elastic 
 patience, suffered long from those whom he had led from 
 Egypt's slavery ; and when the wrath of heaven darkened 
 the horizon above them, pleaded, if no other terms would 
 suspend the threatened storm, that his own name might 
 be blotted from the book of life. 
 
 But Job stands forth in holy writ, as the striking per- 
 sonification of this grace. 
 
 How sore his trials, how complicated, how like evil 
 messengers treading on each other's heels. How over- 
 G 2 
 
132 
 
 ON PATIENCE. 
 
 whelming, wave followed wave in quick succession, until 
 at length his cattle, corn, his buildings, children, all 
 were swept away before his gaze. 
 
 Then to the list of sorrows, his own body filled with 
 painful loathsome maladies. And added to the whole, 
 the deep suspicion and cruel inuendoes of his friends. 
 How was his day of brightness into night and darkness 
 turned ! 
 
 How deep, and comprehensive, and acute his sufferings 
 were. And yet a pupil in the school of patience he was 
 heard to say. Shall good be only given at our Father's 
 hands, and not evil ! The Lord doth give, and also takes 
 away, for ever blessed be his sacred name. 
 
 And patience in his sad experience had its perfect 
 work, and how it shone when every cloud had fled, and 
 how it triumphed over dark surmisings, and how it rolled 
 back the waters of the sea of trouble, and how it 
 brightened forth like gold refined, and how it justified 
 the ways of God to man, and how it gave the illustrious 
 sufferer blessings in rich abundance over all he formerly 
 enjoyed. 
 
 And shall Ave silent be, concerning him, who shone 
 with every grace, and in whom piety was perfected, 
 yet malignant hatred, and griefs unparalleled, like stormy 
 billows, overwhelmed his soul, and yet who like the 
 gentle lamb was to the slaughter led, or like the sheep 
 before her shearers dumb, he opened not his mouth. 
 
 And how the history of the apostles and early followers 
 of Jesus, is full of testimonies to the patient spirit which 
 bore them up, amid all kinds of torture, that devils could 
 invent, or men apply. 
 
ON PATIENCE. 133 
 
 Of such indeed unworthy was the world ; and the 
 patience of the saints inid scenes of blood and suffering, 
 is recounted by the sainted spirits round the throne in 
 heaven. 
 
 Then Christian, cultivate this queen of graces, let her 
 preside and rule, and peace and equanimity will reign 
 within thy soul. 
 
 She will give the indomitable spirit of noble perse- 
 verance in the right, despite the foes or dangers that sur- 
 round thee. 
 
 She will toil mid difficulties that appear to human 
 reason insurmountable. 
 
 She will, in the hour of fearful terror and disquietude, 
 be still and hear what God shall speak. 
 
 She will wait his time and way, nor dare to meddle 
 with the things which God doth order. 
 
 She, believing, never will repair to sinful schemes, and 
 making haste, defeat the purposes of heaven. But mid 
 the flood of deep and many waters, will like Noah's 
 dove, the olive branch of peace present, and say, — Wait 
 with submission, for the time of thy deliverance draweth 
 near. 
 
 And Christian, say, when looking through the vista of 
 the future, and viewing all the radiant glories of the skies, 
 the weight of bliss which as a crown will grace and bless 
 thy head through unmeasured ages ; is it too much to 
 bear with patience, the shadowy soitows, and the pass- 
 ing sufferings of thy momentary being here below ? 
 
134 
 
 THE PEACEMAKER. 
 
 How sweetly doth the sound of peace vibrate on the 
 ear. How horrid is the cruel din and clash of war. 
 How painful too the strife of tongues. How mournful 
 is the scene where men give way to bickering, conten- 
 tions, envy, hatred, and devilish animosities, where man 
 appears the inveterate enemy of man. How oft too is 
 this spirit fanned to flame, by men possessed of passions 
 of like tendency. 
 
 How beautiful in contrast stands forth the peacemaker ! 
 whose halloAved influence is piously exerted to allay and 
 soothe, and concord to promote. Who, like the dove, 
 hovers around, bearing the symbol of harmony and love. 
 
 Whose countenance is lit with rays of true benignity j 
 who is full of holy tenderness, and whose charities 
 encircle all mankind. Clad in the vestments of his 
 sacred Lord, anointed with the Spirit from above, armed 
 with the bloodless weapons of the truth, influenced by 
 love to God and love to man, he wends his way to exe- 
 cute his mission far and near. Finds he men striving ; 
 he will say, strive not, for you are brethren. Perceives 
 lie that the apple of discord has been thrown into the 
 social circle ; he says, as bound in kindred bonds, fail 
 not out by the way. If nations threaten nations with 
 the attack of arms and invading armies, he urges arbi- 
 tration, and recommends that wisdom, calm, deliberate, 
 and not brutal force should settle all their differences. 
 
 Where'er he goes, his spirit doth proclaim, I am for 
 
THE PEACEMAKER. 135 
 
 peace ; and those who watch his steps cry out with ad- 
 miration, Blessed are the men of peace, for they God's 
 children are, in verity and truth ! 
 
 Then reader seek, that in thy bosom the spirit of amity 
 and peace may dwell. Seek that the lovely and gentle 
 mind of Christ may dwell in thee. Seek too, that thou 
 mayest ever live in peace with God, and be environed 
 by that peace that passeth understanding. And seek in 
 all thy intercourse with man, by word and deed, to show 
 the blest propriety and excellency of peace. Nor let 
 thy spirit towards those who do not see with thee on 
 subjects of religion or benevolence, be disturbed. 
 
 Even on the subject of peace itself, men — for want of 
 thought, or through an education unpropitious, or 
 through the influence of calling, or that perpetual moving 
 thing, self-love — may not in clearness understand the 
 vast importance of the theme. Well, bear and forbear ; 
 let light in sweet and gentle rays descend, and raise them 
 to an altitude where truth and peace will be perceived 
 in all their real excellencies. 
 
 A peacemaker must not become a dogmatist, but 
 gently use persuasive arts. Yet peace so heavenly and 
 good, and precious, must not be gained by compromise of 
 holy principle. There is a peace unhallowed, where 
 truth and righteousness are sacrificed to obtain it. From 
 such a peace turn with abhorrence. It descendeth not 
 from him who sendeth every good and perfect gift ; but 
 it is the spawn of hell, the base resemblance only of the 
 real, the money counterfeit, which is not current with the 
 irood on earth, or with the blest in heaven. 
 
 Peace must not be severed from the truth, but hand 
 
136 THE DIVINE PROMISES. 
 
 in hand must travel, bearing down error and iniquity, 
 and thus erecting on the stable basis of righteousness, a 
 kingdom pure and lovely, resembling that exalted realm, 
 where justice and righteousness uphold the throne, 
 around which the bow of peace in loveliest hues appears. 
 The peacemaker is blest with rich enjoyments while 
 he lives, with calm serenity he shall present his charge 
 to God, and mingle with the kindred peaceful hosts of 
 heavenly joy for evermore. 
 
 THE DIVINE PROMISES. 
 
 The divine promises form a very extensive part of the 
 sacred volume, and in these, in a most especial manner, 
 are the riches of the goodness and grace of God dis- 
 played. 
 
 It is the privilege of man to peruse this heavenly in- 
 ventory of blessings, and to appropriate them in all their 
 fulness to his personal exigencies. 
 
 Yet how essential is it that the promises be distinctly 
 understood, and duly contemplated in their express and 
 limited application to certain conditions and characters 
 specifically described. 
 
 Neglecting this, the enthusiast may reckon on gifts 
 and communications which were specially bestowed and 
 only designed for special offices and peculiar seasons. 
 
 The profane erreth, if he expecteth the good Avhich is 
 promised to the devout; or the unbeliever, if he reck- 
 
THE DIVINE PROMISES. 137 
 
 oneth on mercies vouchsafed to faith ; or the carnal, if he. 
 looketh for blessings which are promised to the earnest 
 and spiritually-minded ; or the obdurate, if he supposeth 
 he shall enjoy the solace of the penitent ; or the negli- 
 gent, if he anticipateth the fruitfulness only warranted to 
 the diligent and faithful servant. 
 
 'Tis true some promises are general, and belong to the 
 Avhole species. Of such may be reckoned the engage- 
 ment of infinite compassion, to send the woman's seed to 
 bruise the serpent's head. 
 
 Of such too, that the care and goodness of the provi- 
 dence of heaven shall give the revolving seasons and 
 the gathering harvest to the family of man. 
 
 Of such also, that the word of truth and light shall 
 visit every land, and clime, and tongue, and that the 
 gospel shall be preached to every creature. 
 
 But promises of heaven's perpetual guardian care, be- 
 long to those who fear the Lord. 
 
 Angelic ministration is engaged for such as are salva- 
 tion's heirs ; and all the holy gifts of spiritual influences 
 and heavenly glories, are given only unto those who by 
 faith are children of the living God. 
 
 And therefore carefully examine the tenure on which 
 the blessings are suspended, and always bear in mind, 
 that character and promise are inviolably linked 
 together. 
 
 And often too the promise is allied to the discharge of 
 duty to which God calls his people, — not connected by 
 the warranty of merit, for sinners saved by grace can 
 have no merit, but rather by a holy fitness in the re- 
 cipient for the boon bestowed. 
 G 5 
 
138 THE DIVINE PROMISES. 
 
 To faithful, instant, persevering prayer the key o 
 lieaven's treasure is presented, and the holy fervent 
 suppliant is permitted to enter and enrich himself with all 
 liis ardent soul desires. 
 
 To deep humility, celestial dignity and exaltation are 
 insured. 
 
 To him who loveth mercy, mercy shall surely be im- 
 parted. 
 
 To those who ply with diligence their religious holy 
 calling, abundant riches shall be given. 
 
 To those of liberal soul, whose generosity dispenseth 
 far and near, a hale and vigorous state of mind, and 
 invincible establishment in grace. 
 
 To those whose lot it is to be maligned for the gospel's 
 sake, or loss to suffer, a present inward recompense of 
 purest joy, and in the world to come, an exceeding great 
 reward. 
 
 To all those who by patient perseverance in paths of 
 well-doing, glory, immortality, and eternal life. 
 
 Now these are but a sample from the boundless store 
 of love divine ; but how they clearly show, that character 
 and promise go together. 
 
 Hence promises are given to those assailed by the fiery 
 darts of hell. 
 
 To those who heavy-laden are with many griefs and 
 sorrows. 
 
 To those who, in God's providence, are called to pass 
 through troublous waters, or afflictive fires. 
 
 To those bereaved of kindred and dear friends. 
 
 To the pious poor, the orphan, the widow, and the 
 fatherless. 
 
THE INTERCESSOR. 139 
 
 To those sxirrounded with tlie infirmities of age, 
 and who tottering walk along the margin of the tomb. 
 
 To those whose heart and flesh do fail, and who per- 
 form the solemn journey through death's dark and awful 
 valley. 
 
 O Christian, how exalted art thou in the rich and pre- 
 cious promises of heaven ! 
 
 How they glitter over thine adoring head in the celes- 
 tial firmament ! How varied, how full, how free, how 
 sure, how everlasting ! 
 
 Make them all thine own by prayer and faith's appro- 
 priation. 
 
 Enjoy them here as thy spiritual birthright ; anticipate 
 by lively hope those which refer to the eternal glories of 
 the future world, and celebrate by loudest praise the 
 grace and love from which they emanate. 
 
 THE INTERCESSOR. 
 
 In ancient times the visitor to the tabernacle erected 
 in the wilderness, or the temple of Solomon, would have 
 beheld in splendid vestments the priest of God interceding 
 foP the people. That economy, with its sacrifices, and 
 rites, and priesthood, has passed away. The priesthood 
 of Aaron has been succeeded by that of him who is a 
 priest for ever after the order of Melchizedec. Now, 
 the priesthood is concentrated in the person of one, even 
 Jesus the Son of the Most High God. 
 
140 THE INTERCESSOR. 
 
 This office was conferred on him by the Father ; he 
 was anointed to it by the plenitude of the Holy Spirit, at 
 his baptism ; and he presented the needful sacrifice of hi.s 
 own self, on the altar of the cross of Calvary. 
 
 Having offered the mystical and infinitely efficacious 
 oblation, he entered into the holiest place of all, even the 
 heaven of heavens ; and there he appears in the presence 
 of God for his people. 
 
 He is there to dispense the blessings of his grace to 
 mankind ; but he is there also, to make intercession for 
 the saints according to the will of God. 
 
 We dare not say that his intercession does not benefit 
 the world — prolong the probationary state of the sinner — 
 and keep suspended the sword of wrath over the head of 
 the obdurate. 
 
 But the Intercessor is chiefly engaged in advocating 
 the interests of those who come unto God by him. 
 
 How striking and delightful is the character of the 
 Saviour in the exercise of this gracious office ! 
 
 How unsullied his nature ! How dignified his station ! 
 How intensely affectionate his sympathies ! 
 
 He appeals to the immaculateness of his person, to the 
 perfection of his obedience, to the complete execution of 
 the work the Father gave him to do. 
 
 He appeals to his agony, his bloody sweat, his passion, 
 and his ignominious death upon the tree. 
 
 He appeals to the sovereign virtue of his atoning 
 blood, to his resurrection, the acceptation of his sacrifice, 
 and his regal authority and glory in the heavenly state. 
 
 What an Intercessor ! What majesty, and goodness, 
 and graciousness centre in him ! 
 
THE INTERCESSOR. 141 
 
 To him our persons must be brought, for all the saved 
 are saved in him. 
 
 In him our faith and trust must alone be placed, for lie 
 is the only basis of the sinner's hope. 
 
 Through him all our prayers and praises, our worship, 
 our penitence, our gratitude, our deeds of charity and 
 mercy must pass, to receive the smile and favour of our 
 God. 
 
 To him all our concerns must be committed, and into 
 his hand must be believingly surrendered all our high 
 and momentous interests, pertaining to eternity. 
 
 And at last when life shall end, resting; on his medi- 
 ation, and yielding our spirit into his care, we must pass 
 with holy rapture from this world of sorrow to the 
 realms of endless day and blessedness. 
 
 Forget not his intercession is that of purest infinite 
 compassion ; that it is instant, imceasing, and ever, ever 
 must prevail. 
 
 Then love him, and adore ; trust him with all thou 
 hast ; and expect, through his merits, glory, immortality, 
 and endless life. 
 
142 
 
 ON FORGIVING INJURIES. 
 
 The forgiveness of others is one of the essential pre- 
 requisites to the attainment of divine forgiveness. He 
 who forgiveth not the trespasses of men against himself 
 shall never be forgiven. 
 
 And yet how difficult to yield this law ready, cheerful, 
 and hearty obedience. 
 
 How human nature would prefer to cherish keen 
 resentments, and what is called, the sweetness of revenge. 
 
 Sweet it may be, to men of fiery passions, to men 
 whose hearts have never felt the influence of heavenly 
 love, whose carnal nature is bowed doAvn by the dire 
 manacles of hellish domination. 
 
 Sweet it may be, also to little puerile minds, whose 
 souls are destitute of true nobility, and who are strangers 
 to the warm emotions of love and generosity. 
 
 Sweet it may be, to men whose pride and haughtiness 
 inflate with arrogant assumptions, and who rage with 
 fury if subjected to injury from others. 
 
 Sweet, did I say? But is it not the sweetness of 
 sugared poison which will spread a moral death through- 
 out the soul ? 
 
 Sweet to the depraved excited taste it may be, but 
 in its influence, no gall or wormwood can more bitter be. 
 
 The man who forswears forgiveness to his fellows 
 should be perfect, and have no spot upon his own fair 
 character, or unto him some exercise of clemency hath 
 been extended. 
 
 And where 's the perfect man who never did offend his 
 
ON FORGIVING INJURIES. 143 
 
 brother man, and did not afterwards rejoice in the for- 
 giveness that swept away the remembrance of his faults ? 
 
 Tlien surely such, should ne'er allow the bitterness of 
 unrelenting malevolence to prey upon his mind. 
 
 If thou wouldest know in truth and verity the sweetest 
 luxury that can arise from thine own actions, let clemency, 
 compassion, and true pity, richly supply thee with their 
 streams of kind forgiveness. 
 
 To forgive with heartiness, and banish every lingering 
 cloud of dark resentment from the mind, is the highest 
 effort and noblest exercise to which thou canst be called. 
 
 In this, thou imitatest him whose goodness fills the 
 earth, and whose tender mercies are richly spread through 
 all his works. 
 
 In this, thou hast communion with the Prince of Peace 
 whose dying breath implored forgiveness for his cruel 
 murderers. 
 
 In this, thou dost exemplify the spirit of the gospel, 
 and provest that forgiving grace has not been given to 
 thee in vain. 
 
 In this, thou disappointest Satan of his prey ; and his 
 power dissolves, for he hates the genial clime of mercy 
 and benignity as he hates God and holy things. 
 
 In this, thou mayest, with bended knee, and suppliant 
 voice, and holy fervour, pray, — Lord, as I mine enemies 
 forgive, forgive thou me, — and rest assured, that mercy 
 shown to others shall return again to thee with numerous 
 blessings in its train. 
 
 And though the offender may have multiplied his sins 
 against thee, yet let thy graciousness of soul, like the 
 overflowing tide, into oblivion's depths, bear all away. 
 
144 
 
 FRIENDSHIP. 
 
 Friendship is the affectionate union of minds in the 
 bonds of kindliness and benevolence. 
 
 That, only deserves the name of friendship which is 
 based on moral principle, and is sustained by sincerity 
 and goodness. 
 
 It would seem, that in order to real friendship, there 
 should be close intimacy, congeniality of spirit, and kin- 
 dredness of affection. 
 
 There are minds greatly deficient in the true elements of 
 cohesion, and there are others where selfishness so pre- 
 dominates, as to form an insuperable barrier to genuine 
 friendship. 
 
 There is much more of the profession of friendship in 
 the world than of the reality, and many who bear the 
 name, migrate as the seasons alter, to warmer and more 
 sunny climes. 
 
 Man is eminently formed and evidently designed for 
 I'eceiving and reciprocating a friendly spirit; and it is 
 evident that much of our happiness in this life is inter- 
 woven with it. 
 
 Ingenuousness, courtesy, goodness, and sympathy, are 
 its essential elements, and constancy one of its most 
 lovely attributes : for " a friend loveth at all times." 
 
 Fidelity and candour are indispensable to its health 
 and vigour ; and flattery and dissimulation its bane and 
 ruin. 
 
 Friendship is often most strikingly exhibited in little 
 things, and those who are indifferent to these, seldom are 
 
FRIENDSHIP. 145 
 
 blest with friendship wortli having, or retain that which 
 is worth enjoying. 
 
 Forget not those who have been the steady friends of 
 thy predecessors, " thine own and thy father's friend for- 
 sake not." 
 
 The rich often appear to have many friends, but those 
 that Mammon gathereth, one stroke of adversity will 
 scatter; hence the patriarch Job exclaimed, "All my 
 friends abhorred me, and they whom I loved are turned 
 against me." 
 
 If thou hast been so favoured as to have one real 
 friend, be thankful ; esteem and reciprocate his affection. 
 " For a man that hath friends must show himself 
 friendly." 
 
 Envy hath often corroded it, suspicion blighted it, and 
 anger consumed it. 
 
 Kindness is the atmosphere where this plant of loveli- 
 ness can vegetate and bloom, and the frosts of unchari- 
 tableness inevitably destroy it. 
 
 The scriptures present many delightful instances of 
 friendship in its highest and most dignified exhibitions : 
 how beautifully was it evinced in the history of Ruth 
 and Naomi ; as the Moabitish widow exclaimed, " En- 
 ti'cat me not to leave thee, or to return from followino- 
 after thee : for whither thou goest I Avill go, and where 
 thou lodgest I will lodge ; thy people shall be my people, 
 and thy God my God. Where thou diest will I die, and 
 there will I be buried. The Lord do so to me, and more 
 also, if aught but death part thee and me." 
 
 How nobly it existed between David and Jonathan ; 
 observe the sympathetical dirge of the sweet singer of 
 
146 FRIENDSHIP. 
 
 Israel, *' How are the mighty fallen in the midst of the 
 battle ! O Jonathan ! thou wast slain in thine high 
 places ; I am distressed for thee my brother Jonathan ; 
 very pleasant hast thou been unto me, thy love to me was 
 wonderful, passing the love of women. How are the 
 mighty fallen, and the weapons of war perished." 
 
 How kind and courageous the friendship of Onesi- 
 phorus for the inspireS^ apostle of the Gentiles, and which 
 he has thus engraven on the page of revelation, *' Th^ 
 Lord give mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus, for he 
 oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain. 
 But when he was in Rome, he sought me out very dili- 
 gently and found me . . . And in how many things 
 he ministered unto me at Ephesus thou knowest very 
 well." 
 
 But friendship in its grandest and most sublime mani- 
 festation was presented in the life and mission of him, 
 who though " he was rich yet for our sakes became poor, 
 that we through his poverty might be made rich." 
 
 Whether we contemplate the character and station of 
 the Redeemer, or the unworthiness of the objects of his 
 regard, or the price he paid to effect their well being, this 
 is the climax of all that is great, and generous, and glow- 
 ing in friendship ; and throughout time and eternity will 
 have no parallel nor fit resemblance. 
 
 A feeble imitation of it is seen in the good will of his 
 people towards one another, and in their love and mercy 
 toward their perishing fellow-men. 
 
 Friendship, counsels with wisdom and kindness, sym- 
 pathizes with tenderness, and assists with cheerfulness. 
 
 Friendship, abideth mid misfortunes, endureth the 
 
FRIENDSHIP. 147 
 
 assaults of malevolence, gives countenance amidst re- 
 proaches, consoles in adversity, visits in affliction, lives 
 beyond death, and flourishes in eternity. 
 
 Hence it pines not witli the wastings of disease, expires 
 not with the stroke of mortality, and decays not in the 
 grave of putrescence. 
 
 Friendships formed on godly principles on earth, 
 become evergreens, and thrive with celestial bloom in tlie 
 goodly land that is afar off. 
 
 Be not hasty in admitting assuming friends into the 
 chambers of thine heart, or making them the objects of 
 thy trust ; but whilst candidly and charitably hoping the 
 best, yet forget not that thy fellow-man is often a broken 
 reed ; and the wise man saith, that " confidence in an 
 unfaithful man in time of trouble, is like a broken tooth, 
 and afoot out of joint." Conduct thyself towards thy 
 friends that they cannot hate thee, nor yet despise thee, 
 and if possible that they must honour and love thee. 
 
 Be not easily offended, and guard against giving just 
 ground of complaint, and frankly admit when wrong 
 liath overtaken thee. Sanctify thy friendship by fervent 
 prayer, and seek its consummation in the regions of 
 immortality. 
 
 Let no bribe tempt thee to forsake thy friend, nor by 
 any act compel him to abandon thee. 
 
 Suspect not in thine heart, nor whisper evil even in 
 secret, but let openness and sincerity adorn thee. 
 
 Especially seek the friendship of Jehovah, and the 
 consolations of religion ; for whatever earthly friendships 
 are incompatible with these, are not worth thy having, 
 and their influence must be for evil and not for good. 
 
148 ON MARRIAGE. 
 
 If friends should fail, and thy spirit should grieve 
 within thee, forget not that David's friends conspired 
 against him ; that Job's friends forsook him in the hour 
 of need ; and that the professed friend of the world's 
 Redeemer sold him for thirty pieces of silver. 
 
 ON MARRIAGE. 
 
 God having planted the social principle in the nature of 
 the first man, provided him with an help meet for him ; 
 one who should be his companion, his solace, and closest 
 friend. One emphatically a part of himself, and en- 
 dowed with all the tenderest sympathies of his own 
 nature, even in a pre-eminent degree. 
 
 The marriage relationship therefore, is the most inti- 
 mate that can be formed, and when based on appropriate- 
 ness of mental and moral choice, and hallowed by 
 fervent affection, is of all others the most conducive to 
 human comfort and enjoyment. 
 
 It is a union however that requires wisdom and 
 prudence rightly to form ; and much kind care and dis- 
 cretion to maintain, in all its close and sacred associa- 
 tions unimpaired. 
 
 How few seem to be acquainted with its true merits, 
 and importance. One is enamoured with a beautiful face 
 or handsome form, and is utterly indifterent as to the 
 mental or moral qiialifications possessed. 
 
ON MARUIAGE. 149 
 
 Some merely seek a dowry, and are much more in 
 heart wedded to the purse than the person. 
 
 And some enter upon it h'ghtly and unadvisedly, as if 
 it were a contract that could be dissolved at will, or 
 broken at pleasure. 
 
 A wise man will pay some attention to the stock and 
 parentage, both on physiological and moral grounds. 
 He will not be indifferent to the mental training, and 
 the social atmosphere in which the object of his choice 
 has been educated. 
 
 Not indifferent to personal attractions, he will have 
 especial respect to the characteristics of the mind, and 
 to the qualities of the heart. 
 
 If peace and joy are to result from the marriage com- 
 pact, there must be mutual agreeableness of person, 
 genial harmony of sentiment, and oneness of pursuit. 
 
 Two cannot walk together except they be agreed, and 
 therefore a close and happy union can only be expected 
 to arise from a physical, intellectual, and moral harmony. 
 
 There are some things which phrenology describes as 
 most desirable. The ])rinciple of adhesiveness which is 
 the cement of the bond, a goodly measure of concen- 
 trated affection, an evident manifestation of benevolence, 
 which is the crowning glory of mankind. 
 
 It is not safe to be allied with tliose of waverinsf, un- 
 settled minds, with those of suspicious tendency, or with 
 close reserve and cherished secretiveness, or with a dis- 
 position to irritation and anger, and much less to envy, 
 jealousy, and wrath. 
 
 Yet imagine not that any earthly being should possess 
 in full perfection, all thou wouldest desire ; and for- 
 
150 ON MARRIAGE. 
 
 get not, that with thy own frailties some kind forbearance 
 must be exercised. 
 
 How truly grievous is it, that in a matter of so much 
 importance to human weal and happiness, that through 
 thoughtlessness and ill-matched alliances, many should 
 be wedded only to strife and bickerings ; and that the 
 stream of human trouble which is the lot of all, should 
 be made more dark and turbid by the bitter ingredients 
 of ill-assorted marriages. 
 
 This never can be a concern of small import, or of 
 minor moment ; it is a life-lease of increased good, that 
 nothing else can give ; or of protracted grief and sorrow, 
 that the opening grave alone absorbs. 
 
 Be wise then in this high concern ; enter on its path 
 with care and prudence, and seek that heavenly wisdom 
 may direct thy steps, and give to thee the richest earthly 
 treasure, a wise, affectionate, and virtuous wife. 
 
 And woman, let not thy kind and imsuspecting nature 
 supplant that wise and prudent forethought which thou 
 shouldest with circumspection exercise most rigidly, 
 when thou art moved to enter the marriage circle. 
 
 To thee this step, next to the favour of thy God, is 
 all in all. 
 
 From henceforth, not thine own, but his, whose domi- 
 nion will be kind and congenial to thy gentle nature, or 
 rude, and violent, and destructive of all thy peace and 
 
 joy- 
 Let no foolish thoughts invade thy mind, that 'tis not 
 
 honourable to live and die unwedded, and make thee 
 
 anxious the first presented bait to seize. It were better 
 
 beyond all compare, if thou hadst many generations here 
 
ON MARRIAGE. 151 
 
 on earth to live, to be consigned to deepest solitude, than 
 dwell with one unfitted for the close endearing kindness 
 that happy marriages involve. 
 
 The wisest, noblest, best, and happiest of thy sex, have 
 been those women who would not throw their peace and 
 hopes away, where confidence could not be fully placed, 
 or warm affection yielded, with the certainty of a full re- 
 ciprocated return. 
 
 Seek counsel then before this step for life is taken, and 
 let not prudence throw the reins aside, lest fancy, passion, 
 or misplaced affection should consign thee to a maze of 
 doubt, and wretchedness, and sorrow. 
 
 If providence doth open clear before thee the path of 
 matrimony, and sends thee one in whom Christian princi- 
 ples, and manly generosity, with sterling sense and 
 unquestionable affection dwell, who seeks thy hand, then 
 yield it, and pray God's blessing on it, and prove thyself 
 a wife indeed deserving of his fullest confidence and love, 
 and peace be ever with thee ! 
 
152 
 
 PARENTS. 
 
 The parental relationship is one of close endearment, 
 and of momentous responsibility. 
 
 The emotions with which it is identified, are the most 
 tender and lively of which the human bosom is suscep- 
 tible. 
 
 The love of offspring, and paternal delight in them, are 
 among the deepest and most intense of all the affections. 
 
 The wild untutored savage needs no one to insist that 
 he should love his child. With unsubdued ferocity, and 
 treachery and murder in his soul towards his enemies, yet 
 w^ith gentleness and overweening fondness does he pro- 
 tect and give his offspring needful good. 
 
 And yet, with all this kindness, is it not a fearful truth 
 that few, even of Christian name, discharge parental 
 duties with the wisdom and the kind of love which true 
 religion claimeth. 
 
 To seek them needful food and raiment, to shelter them 
 from storm, to protect from ills and perils by which they 
 are environed ; all this is well, but only natural ; this but 
 feebly imitateth some of those creatures deemed inferior 
 to our race. 
 
 What strong attachment doth the harpooned whale dis- 
 play towards her young, or the hunted furious bear ; and 
 with what interest does the sheep behold her bleating 
 lamb. 
 
 But human offspring have a high and intellectual 
 nature ; mind designed for mental action, and for con- 
 tinuous improvement. 
 
PARENTS. 153 
 
 They have the powers of reasoning — perception, and 
 reflection. They have passions of a noble order, and 
 they too, with ourselves, possess a conscience which 
 speaks within of their accountability to God and man. 
 
 To feed the body and neglect the mind, is only kind- 
 ness such as brutes display, and evinceth that such 
 parents have no minds to know, or hearts to ap- 
 preciate, the precious and ethereal parts of human 
 nature. 
 
 The mind must have its daily meal of mental food. 
 
 Its nourishment and culture should occupy all the soli- 
 citude that parents' hearts can feel. 
 
 Neglect the mind, and thy child will grow in strength 
 corporeal, but his soul will remain stunted, puerile, or ex- 
 tremely vicious, by drinking in, the poisonous streams 
 around it. 
 
 Neglect the mind, and you inflict a fearful curse by 
 letting that lie dormant which would have been the glory 
 of thy child. 
 
 Such children, imless fostered by some other genial 
 care, will be burdens on the state — ^moral lepers in the 
 spheres in which they move — the subjects of enjoyments 
 merely brutal — and, in many cases, the shame and 
 scourge of those who gave them being. 
 
 Proud and perverse, impelled by passions of their 
 lowest nature, to tender feelings strangers, without a 
 noble aim or end in life, will it be marvellous if they 
 should mingle with the vicious — become the inmates of 
 the prison — exiled to penal settlements — or end, in direst 
 ignominy, their lives upon the gallows ? 
 
 Parents, your station is one most onerous. Begin be- 
 u 
 
154 PARENTS. 
 
 times to form, and lead, and mould the mind. When 
 young the powers and faculties are plastic and easily re- 
 ceive the impress you intend. The tender osier may be 
 bent or reared as the owner listeth. 
 
 Infuse into their minds sound knowledge, and train 
 them up in close acquaintance with the principles of 
 truest excellency. 
 
 The bible be your book of training — your daily moni- 
 tor, and teach its truths with diligence by morning light, 
 and evening shades, when thou dost walk with them 
 abroad, or when thou dost retire. 
 
 Early impress their own responsibility, instil into them 
 the principles of due respect to men, reverence and love 
 for God, and holy emulation of the good they see in 
 others. 
 
 Warn against evil, hold up the vicious, as beacons, that 
 they may avoid the hidden rocks and shoals of sin around 
 them. 
 
 Let thy parental counsels have their due authority ; 
 clothe with the words of power imperative ; yet mingle 
 with the whole the vein of love, that even perverse 
 spirits cannot quite reject, without a feeling sense of guilt 
 and shame. 
 
 Foster not sullenness of spirit before them ; be 
 not soon angry, nor let the sun go down upon thy 
 wrath. 
 
 Let discipline be sound and firm, but let not punish- 
 ment ever be severe or beyond measure. 
 
 Let them know the value of the character thou 
 labourest to produce. Speak of the approbation of the 
 good and wise ; address their self-respect ; allude especi- 
 
PARENTS. 155 
 
 ally to His celestial favour which far outweighs both life, 
 and all terrestrial things. 
 
 Set cheerful piety before them day by day. Libel not 
 by gloominess and melancholy — falsely called religious — 
 the sweet and radiant paths of saving wisdom. 
 
 Commit them earnestly, in all thy prayer, to him 
 whose power alone can change the human heart, and 
 whose blessing is essential to success. 
 
 Reckon that thy children must be accounted for ; 
 think of their standing with thee in the presence of thy 
 Judge. 
 
 Think of their endless destiny. Think of unend- 
 ing joys in heaven, or remediless despair and an- 
 guish in hell beneath ; and oh ! be anxious that through 
 all eternity thy children may partake with thee of 
 all the glories, bliss, and ecstacy, included in eternal 
 life. 
 
156 
 
 TO CHILDREN. 
 
 It seems scarcely possible that this book can be intro- 
 duced into many families, without some children, those 
 living household treasures, occasionally looking into it. 
 
 For their sole use and benefit this chapter is penned, 
 and I trust it may be found applicable to many a case 
 between the ages of six and fourteen. 
 
 And now, my dear youthful reader, the writer of this 
 book remembers well his years of childhood. 
 
 He remembers the affectionate attentions and unceasing 
 care of parents, relatives and friends. 
 
 He remembers his first school-mistress, and how she 
 stooped to his childish capacity to make him acquainted 
 with the first lessons of his education. 
 
 He remembers the loss of his best and nearest friend, a 
 pious, affectionate mother. 
 
 He remembers how many scenes of pain and sorrow 
 followed that, to him, a loss no earthly power could 
 supply. 
 
 He remembers being sent from home to a distant 
 school, and many of the foolish and naughty things he 
 did at that early period of his life. 
 
 He remembers too when his days of schooling ended 
 with what fond hopes and bright expectations he entered 
 on active life ; in youth imited with God's people — be- 
 came a man — and then a minister — and afterwards a 
 writer of many books — and many of them for the instruc- 
 tion and entertainment, and improvement of the young. 
 
TO CHILDREN. 157 
 
 Having such distinct recollections of the past history 
 of himself, he thinks he can offer some remarks that 
 may benefit his youthful readers, perhaps through life. 
 
 And first, he would remind them that life must have 
 some end to answer, and that both God and men have a 
 right to expect certain things to be accomplished by the 
 rising generation. 
 
 To know yourselves is of very great importance. 
 
 To remember your ignorance in respect to most things 
 around you. 
 
 That people who are older must have seen a great deal 
 more, and understand therefore vastly better than it 
 would be reasonable to expect from you. 
 
 Then do not think too highly of yourselves, but culti- 
 vate modesty and lowliness of mind. 
 
 And remember that you must be very attentive to what 
 you see and hear, so that you may grow daily in wisdom, 
 that is, in the right using of what you know. 
 
 Keep your eyes and ears open, and knowledge will and 
 must get into your minds ; and do not care so much 
 about the use of your tongue, until you can say what is 
 worth hearing, and what those around must approve. 
 
 It is very degrading to be often told to be silent, and 
 the right management of your tongue will be of the great- 
 est service to you. 
 
 I do not wish you to be sullen, but converse freely and 
 cheerfully, but let it be at the right time, and in proper 
 measure. 
 
 What you desire to know that your books do not in- 
 struct you in, ask of your parents, or your elder brothers 
 and sisters, or of your teacher, or some kind friend. 
 
158 TO CHILDREN. 
 
 Give due respect and reverence to your parents, do not 
 take advantage because they love you, but value their 
 love, and see to it, that your conduct will cause it to 
 increase. 
 
 Obey promptly their commands ; do not question what 
 they wish, but do it, and always with a smiling face, and 
 cheerful heart. 
 
 Never speak or act when they are absent contrary to 
 their wishes, for if you enter on the path of deceit, it 
 will lead you into grievous sins, and many sorrows. 
 
 If you should do wrong, confess it, and seek their for- 
 giveness, and watch more earnestly in future. 
 
 Be ingenuous in all you say and do. Especially re- 
 gard the truth, and never, no never utter what is false. 
 
 A lying tongue is the hatred of God, and the utter ab- 
 horrence of all good men. 
 
 Waste not your time. I would not hinder daily play 
 or recreation, but try every day to learn what was un- 
 known to you before, and labour eveiy day to do some- 
 thing that is worth doing, and will bear remembrance. 
 
 Be kind and gentle to your brothers, and more especi- 
 ally to sisters ; their confidence and love is well worth 
 having. 
 
 Let not pride nor envy make you indifferent to them, 
 or be grieved because they have, what you have not. 
 
 With goodness and generosity treat all your youthful 
 companions and friends. 
 
 Be liberal in giving what you may possess, and remem- 
 ber what there is left behind will thus be sweeter. 
 
 Forgive those who may ofiend you, and let not anger 
 i-cst and lodge within you. 
 
TO CHILDREN. 
 
 159 
 
 Be considerate and compassionate to the poor, never 
 mock the lame, or insult old age, but cherish pity towards 
 all who are unfortunate and less happy than yourselves. 
 
 Avoid bad company ; be not enticed to acts of mis- 
 chief. 
 
 Rude and profane society flee from, as you would a 
 house infected with the plague. 
 
 Do not gamble even for smallest sums, and let 
 your acts of play be free from malice or ill temper. 
 
 And above all, often think that God beholds you — that 
 his eyes are ever over and around you. 
 
 Fear God, and remember sin against him must be 
 earnestly repented of and forsaken, or it will lead you 
 down to darkest regions of everlasting death and sorrow. 
 
 Pray to God that he may be your guide, and save you 
 from the numerous snares of youthful life. 
 
 Seek the Lord that he may bless you with his favour, 
 and give you a heart to know and serve him constantly. 
 
 Rejoice that Jesus came to seek and save poor ruined 
 sinners, and that he stretches out his arms to gather you 
 as a good Shepherd, into his bosom, and if you come to 
 him, and trust to his redeeming grace, he will to your 
 souls be more precious than all the world could give. 
 
 Forget not constantly to seek from God the blessings 
 that you need, and praise him daily for all the bounties 
 he has given you. 
 
 Neglect not public worship, but go and learn true wis- 
 dom from the lips of the messengers of salvation, and 
 daily read some portion of God's holy word. And dear 
 children, early dedicate yourselves to God. 
 
 Choose the godly for your chiefest friends, and resolve 
 
160 TO CHILBREN. 
 
 with all your hearts and souls to seek the way that leads 
 to everlasting life. 
 
 Seek God's blessing on all you do, and pray that he 
 may make you good, and wise, and happy ; that he may 
 make you the joy of your parents and friends — holy 
 members of his church on earth, and blessings to the 
 world in which you live. 
 
 And forget not, you may die before the days of child- 
 hood are flown over. How many graves just large 
 enough for you are found in every burial-ground. 
 
 I would not make you gloomy, but do remember that 
 you must surely die — enter eternity — and appear before 
 the Judge of all mankind. 
 
 Only the pure in heart will then be happy, or have a 
 joyful entrance into heaven. 
 
 The blood of Jesus makes all pure and holy who do 
 believe in it, and follow in his sacred heavenly footsteps. 
 
 And if you should not die in youth, but live till four- 
 score years, religion will adorn and bless you, and also 
 make you a real good to all around you. 
 
 Then, like John who leaned on the bosom of the 
 Saviour, be young disciples of the blessed Jesus, and 
 love, and serve, and praise him all your days. 
 
161 
 
 ON TEACHING. 
 
 Teaching pertaineth to a high and noble office, and 
 yet numerous are the persons and various the grades of 
 those who are called to engage in it. 
 
 The highest is that of the messenger of heaven, who 
 beareth with him the tidings of the celestial amnesty, and 
 whose labour of mercy and compassion, is to persuade the 
 thoughtless sons of men at enmity with God, to receive 
 his favour in the spirit of reconciliation. 
 
 Next to him is that of the pedagogue, whose office it is 
 to instruct a nation's youth, and train a race for works of 
 usefulness and dignity for the ensuing generation. 
 
 No easy task devolves on such an one, and great is the 
 responsibility inseparably identified with such an under- 
 taking. 
 
 His materials, how varied and dissimilar ! The pam- 
 pered child of luxury — the mother's enervated darling — 
 the wayward, ill-behaved — the mischief-maker — the hero 
 of riot and confusion — the lazy dolt who dreads his book 
 as if its pages were o'er-run with spectres — the naturally 
 dull and heavy of understanding, who never seemingly 
 was designed for ought but toil, the window of whose 
 mind, almost opaque, refuses light admission. 
 
 To know each disposition, to be well acquainted with 
 the evidences of genius, and peculiar fitness for some path 
 adapted to their mental calibre ; to study, too, the means 
 by which their future lot in life is to be decided, is the 
 vast and comprehensive office of the teacher. 
 
 Then, to suit the mode of teaching to the scholar's own 
 H 5 
 
162 ON TEACHING. 
 
 capacity and aptitude, and the wondroiis charm of making 
 lessons easy, and throwing o'er them the spell of fascina- 
 tion : — 
 
 To elevate the mental character, and with that pro- 
 cess, gently the manners to correct, and mould by sweet 
 instruction and good example, the moral powers of the 
 soul : — 
 
 To store the mind with light and truth, and train it up 
 in intellectual paths to roam, and then to give the whole 
 a sound and moral action. 
 
 Not to teach names alone, but things — not merely 
 Avords, but trains of thought — not merely lessons philolo- 
 gical, but philosophical — causes and effects — and withal, 
 the principles of sciences and arts. 
 
 Not to store the memory so much with ancient lores of 
 tongues now obsolete, as with the signs, distinctions, illus- 
 trations, and uses, of soundest knowledge and wisdom 
 practical. 
 
 Who knows but he who has the process tried, how 
 difficult it is to reach a consummation so important and 
 desirable ? 
 
 What skill — what tact — what precision — what dili- 
 gence — what knowledge of our nature — what right di- 
 rected influence — what patience — and what an exemplifi- 
 cation of what is taught, should the teacher's life exhibit ! 
 
 The power of example added to wisely given in- 
 struction, seldom fails to gain the end desired. 
 
 And if a teacher should in his own person and in his 
 art combine so many excellencies, then how necessary 
 that parents and guardians of youth should know and 
 well approve the character and fitness of those, to whom 
 they give the arduous task of teaching. 
 
ox TEACHING. 163 
 
 How possible that mind may be marred for Avant of 
 skill in moulding it; that genius may be blighted for 
 want of wisdom to elicit it, and when elicited, to wisely 
 foster and improve its growth. 
 
 Besides, how principles and rules of action may be 
 formed, and habits dire and awful in their influence, if 
 moral principle be wanting in the teacher ! 
 
 There is another class of teachers, humble in the esti- 
 mation of men who only value mental training ; I mean 
 the sabbath-school instructor, — 
 
 Whose office is an honorary one ; whose only motive is 
 the good of poor neglected children ; whose most essen- 
 tial qualification is Christian principle in lively exercise, 
 with a moderate share of knowledge, and sterling com- 
 mon sense. 
 
 Who has to stoop to ignorance in its lowest forms, and 
 dig the ore from minds neglected by the world around. 
 
 His early morning meal, hastily despatched, he quickly 
 moves with cheerful steps to the associated school-room 
 of the poor. 
 
 With prayer for heaven's sweet smile, and rich essen- 
 tial blessing; with care, and patience, and affection, he 
 leads his scholars through instruction's path of difficult 
 ascent. 
 
 But his, is chiefly to nurture and with the scrap of know- 
 ledge furnished, to dilate on truths which revelation doth 
 exhibit : — to speak of God and things divine — of man — 
 his nature — fall — his ruin — helplessness and m.isery — of 
 Jesus Christ, the way of life eternal — of gospel duties, 
 privileges, and blessings — to inculcate obedience to 
 parents and teachers, love to all and holy fear of God. 
 
164 
 
 ON TEACHING. 
 
 By pleasing stories and simple illustrations to bring 
 down things of sublimest kind to suit their narrowed weak 
 capacities — to do this lovingly, so that the teacher is lost 
 in the friend and benefactor ; and that the child hastens 
 with delight to join his class, and listen to the words of 
 gentle wisdom. 
 
 How many thousands of the rising generation of the 
 poor will have to bless the day that sabbath schools were 
 formed in our land ! 
 
 How many families have received back a docile child, 
 well behaved and mentally and morally improved, who left 
 their dwelling at the first, rude, ignorant, and disobedient ! 
 
 How many churches have, from these instructive nur- 
 series, increased the number of their active members, who 
 in return have laboured much to bless the sphere in 
 which they move ! 
 
 Of ministers and missionaries, not a few have first re- 
 ceived the seeds of learning, and the better seeds of holy 
 knowledge in the sabbath school. 
 
 To teachers in these seminaries of Christian truth and 
 j>r inciple we say, — seek heavenly knowledge for your- 
 selves — be prompt — be diligent — be punctual — be serious, 
 yet with cheerful gravity — be kind, and exercise long- 
 suffering to your charge — be prayerful, that those com- 
 mitted to your care may grow in knowledge and in favour 
 both with God and man. 
 
 Be exact, and let no word escape or action be observed 
 which can impair your influence. 
 
 Be faithful to the end, and then hopefully anticipate 
 the day when you and all your children may appear with 
 joy before God's face in heaven. 
 
165 
 
 ON IMITATION. 
 
 Phrenologists have allotted certain portions of the 
 head as the sites of the organs of imitation. 
 
 Not entering into the philosophy of that science, we 
 wish to treat the matter as one of the manifest exhi- 
 bitions of mankind, under all the possible varieties and 
 conditions in which men are placed. 
 
 All children so soon as they begin to act exhibit it, but 
 some in a much greater degree than others. It is the 
 leading trait in the manners and actions of some persons, 
 and to such it becomes a matter of considerable moment, 
 in the influence it will exert on the faculties of the mind 
 or the destinies of the life. 
 
 Imitation of itself is a good, a power invested in us 
 for useful ends, for by it all kinds of learning must be 
 greatly facilitated. But is it not manifest that it is a 
 power capable of fearful abuse, not only in influencing 
 men to copy that which is evil, but where it may become 
 an incubus on the free cultivation of the mind. 
 
 It is also painfully borne out by numerous examples, 
 that the foolish and eccentric, and often the evil are 
 imitated, rather than the wise, the sober, and the good. 
 
 How many who might have been respectable originals, 
 have been very poor and inefficient imitators of others. 
 
 Imitation then is a real good when wisely directed, and 
 duly restrained, and when it invariably followeth after 
 that which is good. 
 
166 
 
 JN IMITATION. 
 
 It is also well for men to place before them objects 
 worthy of their emulation, especially in matters where 
 they are personally deficient. 
 
 Let the careless imitate the orderly ; the imdecided, 
 men of promptitude ; the indolent, men of activity and 
 diligence ; the slow, men of quickness and despatch ; 
 and all, the real good they behold in those around them. 
 
 Be ye followers of that which is good, the infallible 
 word of truth inculcates, and it also presents a variety of 
 characters worthy of our devout and earnest imitation. 
 
 Imitate the piety and sincerity of Abel, the first mar- 
 tyr ; the uniform devotion and holiness of Enoch ; the 
 believing and practical obedience of Noah ; the 
 mighty unwavering faith of Abraham ; the unwearying 
 earnestness, and prevailing importunity of Jacob ; the 
 conscientiousness of Joseph ; the heroic magnanimity 
 and heavenly meekness of Moses ; the persevering 
 courage and fidelity of Joshua ; the calm and dignified 
 patience and integrity of Job ; the spirit of divine com- 
 munion displayed by David ; the consistency and faith- 
 fulness of Daniel. 
 
 The stern and holy self-denial of the Baptist ; the zeal 
 and energy of Peter ; the holy love and fervour of 
 John ; the wisdom and imwearied assiduity of Paul ; in 
 one word, the pious simplicity, and one-hearted liberality 
 of the first disciples of the cross. 
 
 But more especially, all the divine and heavenly 
 graces, and perfect virtues, as presented in the life of him 
 who hath " left us an example that we should tread in his 
 steps." 
 
 In him all excellences are found concentrated. In 
 
ON IMITATION. 167 
 
 him all lines of truth and purity meet. In him all ful- 
 ness of holiness doth dwell. 
 
 Then imitator, as a docile pupil be ever found sitting 
 at his feet, hearing his words, imbibing his spirit ; and as 
 the sheep doth gladly follow her own shepherd, so follow 
 him in all the imitable paths of goodness. 
 
 Imitate his love to God ; his deep continuous devo- 
 tion ; his zeal to glorify his name. 
 
 His constant perseverance till all his Father's will he 
 had accomplished. 
 
 Imitate his lowliness, his self-denial, his spirit of 
 meekness, gentleness, and infinite compassion to our race. 
 
 Imitate his tenderness, his sympathy, his never- 
 ceasing goodness, his ever-flowing bounty, his patience, 
 resignation, and mercy to his vilest enemies. 
 
 And if thou wouldest successfully the Saviour copy, 
 then seek his Spirit and the rich supply of grace, that 
 the ability may be given, to do all things he requireth, so 
 that thou mayest be gathered among those, who do follow 
 the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. 
 
168 
 
 ON MUSIC. 
 
 Music is the harmony of sounds, the sweet vibrations 
 of melody. It seems to be the joyous buoyancy of 
 nature, and the symphonious utterance of all the works 
 of the eternal. 
 
 When God had laid the foundations of our world, and 
 was rearing the stupendous fabric j then the morning 
 stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted 
 aloud for joy. 
 
 Milton represents our first parents while clad in the 
 vestments of their original purity, rejoicing in the works 
 of the divine artificer. 
 
 ," These are thy glorious works, Parent of good, 
 Aknighty ! thine this universal frame. 
 Thus wondrous fair : thyself how wondrous then, 
 Unspeakahle ! who sits above these heavens 
 To us invisible, or dimly seen 
 In these thy lowest works, yet these declare 
 Thy goodness beyond thought, and power divine. 
 Speak, ye who best can tell, ye sons of light. 
 Angels ; for ye behold him, and with songs 
 And choral symphonies, day without night, 
 Circle his throne rejoicing ; ye in heaven. 
 On earth join all ye creatures to extol 
 Him first, him last, him midst, and without end." 
 
 The antediluvians combined with the expressions of 
 their vocal praise, instruments, such as the organ and the 
 harp, which were devised and executed by the skilful 
 hand of Jubal and his sons. 
 
MUSIC. 169 
 
 One of the earliest effusions of sanctified music was 
 the song of Moses and Miriam, when Pharaoh and 
 his horsemen and chariots " sank like lead in the mighty 
 waters." 
 
 Thus too, Deborah the prophetess of the Lord, cele- 
 brated in inspired strains, the overthrow of Jabin and 
 Sisera. 
 
 David the ruddy son of Jesse, intermingled the varied 
 strains of music with his eventful history. As when the 
 wild and simple pipe expressed his joyous feelings as he 
 followed his flock on the plains of Bethlehem ; or when 
 with artistic skill, his harp soothed the angry spirit of 
 Saul. But especially did he excel, when the spirit of 
 inspiration rested on him, and he sang the praises of God 
 in Zion. 
 
 How ecstatic his emotions, as he exclaimed, " Awake 
 up, my glory ; awake, psaltery and harp ; I myself will 
 awake early. I will praise thee, O Lord, among the peo- 
 ple. I will sing unto thee among the nations. For thy 
 mercy is great unto the heavens, and thy truth unto the 
 clouds. Be thou exalted, O God, above the heavens : 
 let thy glory be above all the earth." 
 
 How exalted was his mind, and seraphic his feelings, 
 when his theme was king Messiah. Hence in his song 
 of loves he breaks forth. 
 
 " My heart is inditing a good matter ; I speak of the 
 things which I have made, touching the king ; my 
 tongue is the pen of a ready writer." 
 
 The wise preacher with the fire of inspired and lofty 
 devotion burning on the altar of his heart, composed the 
 song of songs. 
 
170 
 
 MUSIC. 
 
 Many of the predictions of the ancient seers were 
 given to the church in all the beauty of glowing imagi- 
 nation, and with all the rapture of sanctified song. 
 
 The angelic choir hailed in celestial strains the advent 
 of the Messiah ; while the plains of Bethlehem resounded 
 with the gracious melody of " Glory to God in the 
 highest, and peace on earth, and good will towards men." 
 
 And even the solemnities of the Saviour's eucharistic 
 meal, were followed by the pathetic strains of mournful 
 praise. 
 
 In psalms, and hymns, and spiritual songs, the mem- 
 bers of the church at Corinth, with understanding and 
 joyfulness of heart, did edify each other. 
 
 And in the gloomy prison at Philippi, the scourged 
 and suffering preachers of the cross sang songs to God 
 amid the midnight hours. 
 
 Thus too, the historian noteth of the primitive disciples 
 of the Lord, that early on the first day of the week, they 
 met to speak of him who loved them to the death ; to 
 celebrate the mystic meal, and then with songs of joyful- 
 ness, to proclaim his praise. 
 
 And how has music in her purest strains, been the 
 hallowed handmaid of religion ! How, in the rural 
 worship of the patriarch, and the solemn services in the 
 tabernacle of old, and in the temple, 'mid the overwhelm- 
 ing sublime grandeurs, has music given her rich inspiring 
 aid to cheer the worshippers ! 
 
 And how, in thousands of assemblies, every Christian 
 sabbath, do untold numbers lift their heart and voice in 
 highest strains of pure exalted praise, to celebrate the 
 s-lories of their God ! 
 
MUSIC. 171 
 
 And hallowed spiritual songs are heard where'er the 
 Christian missionary unfurls the banner of the cross ; 
 and when the knowledge of the Lord shall spread o'er 
 all the earth, then from the rising to the setting sun shall 
 Jesus' name be lifted high in rapturous strains of holy 
 joy and praise. 
 
 There is a world where sacred music spreads its 
 chaims and pleasures, 'mid countless hosts of seraphim 
 and cherubim, of angels, dominions, thrones, and powers. 
 And apostles, martyrs, and confessors, 'mid myriads of 
 the saints beatified, and where in richest euphony, and 
 with majestic grandeur, even as the sound of many 
 waters, the walls of heaven resound with the burden of 
 that song, " Worthy is the Lamb that was slain, to re- 
 ceive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and 
 honour, and glory, and blessing ;" and when the lofty 
 chorus repeats, " blessing, and honour, and glory, and 
 power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto 
 the lamb for ever and ever." 
 
 How often have the influences of music been per- 
 verted ! In pandering to the wicked rites of idol wor- 
 ship ; in leading on the cruel hosts of earthly warriors ; 
 and in cheering for the slaughtering deed, the battle host. 
 
 How often has it been enlisted in the cause of silly 
 mirth, and vapid folly, and bacchanalian riot. 
 
 How often too, have sensual themes been wafted on its 
 balmy wings ! 
 
 But let not its perversions make thee out of love with 
 it, for music is the accompaniment of all Jehovah's 
 works and wonders on the earth below, and in the highest 
 heavens. 
 
172 
 
 And if thou dost dislike it, then never lift thine eyes 
 on high, or hearken to the music of the spheres ; medi- 
 tate not on all the starry host, which in splendorous 
 trains bespangle the high vault of heaven, 
 
 " Ever singing, as they shine, 
 The hand that made us is Divine. " 
 
 Then listen not to the sublime roaring of the foamy 
 cataract, or the noisy billows of the sea ; for here with true 
 sublimity and with awful sounds doth music lift her voice. 
 
 Nor ever hearken to the balmy zephyrs, or to the 
 sweet and meandering streams, as with purling accents, 
 they fall below thy feet. 
 
 And take no heed to the feathered choristers of hill 
 and dale, of field and grove, which make the very air 
 a world of gay harmonious joy. 
 
 The pleasure music gives, is surely worth thy having, 
 whose tenure here is held on sorrow's lease, and whose 
 accompaniment to the grave is toil and trouble. 
 
 Oh yes ! it is thy privilege, to have the soid of music 
 in thy spirit, imparted with the gladness of Jehovah's 
 joy and favour, to the child of heaven. 
 
 And as thou journeyest onwards towards the better 
 land, beguile the way, improve thy mercies, lighten thy 
 heavy heart by adoring hymns of grateful praise ; and 
 thus return to Zion with sacred songs and everlasting joy 
 upon thine head. 
 
 And often realize by faith's mysterious power, the joy- 
 ful day when thou shalt stand before the radiant throne 
 of Christ on high, and celebrate through endless ages, 
 the wonders of his dying love and boundless grace. 
 
173 
 
 BOOKS. 
 
 Nearly three thousand years ago, Solomon affirmed, 
 that of making many books there is no end. 
 
 If this was a truth when books could only be multi- 
 plied by the hand of the scribe, how, if it were not a 
 contradiction, has the endlessness increased by the aid 
 which the printing press supplieth and machinery fur- 
 nisheth. 
 
 We reckon books among the sweetest luxuries of our 
 world, and we would dispense with some of its supposed 
 necessaries, rather than be deprived of them. But books 
 are of many kinds and divers uses. Many have been 
 the media of conveying evil from mind to mind, and 
 thus have been the common sewers of filth and pollution. 
 Many have had their origin in foolishness, and have 
 depended on the children of folly for patronage. Some 
 tend only to frivolity ; some to excite and gratify the 
 imagination; some to act as opiates on the conscience; 
 and many as instruments to enable the progeny of in- 
 dolence to murder time. Some books have the 
 anomalous power of issuing good and evil ; fresh water 
 and salt. Some books seem to be of doubtful tendency, 
 and others to have no tendency at all. 
 
 Many books have originated in the necessities of the 
 writer — others in the whim of the publisher — and a great 
 number have sprung up to suit the signs of the times. 
 
 No man living, could be accurately acquainted with 
 the titles of all the books which are presented to the 
 
174 BOOKS. 
 
 public J much less with their tendency and contents ; and 
 less still, with their style and value. 
 
 To be benefited by books, therefore, there must be a 
 wise selection, adapted to our mental exigencies, and 
 suited to our peculiar condition. 
 
 Miscellaneous reading may fill the mind with lumber, 
 but will rarely supply the material of mental growth, or 
 intellectual vigour. 
 
 In the choice of books, select those most suited to in- 
 struct, to edify, and improve. Good books will invaria- 
 bly leave their influence in an improved understanding, a 
 sounder judgment, a better conscience, and a happier 
 heart. 
 
 When in a world of books, there is so much really 
 useful, and very much really exalting, and not a little 
 holy and sanctifying ; is it not evident indiscretion to 
 spend the talent of money, and greater talent of time, 
 and still weightier talent of reason, in perusing those 
 which have none of these attributes to recommend 
 them. 
 
 While philosophy reasons, and science explains, and 
 history relates events, and biography introduces us to the 
 illustrious and great of every age and nation ; is it not 
 seeming folly to be thirsting for fiction, revelling in the 
 marvellous, or being overwhelmed with the horrible ? 
 
 With sacred poetry to elevate, and ethics to improve, 
 and Christian truth to spiritualize ; who would do homage 
 to the novelist, and thus forsake the manna of heaven for 
 the apples of Sodom. 
 
 Good books are closet counsellors, family friends, and 
 way-side companions. In these we may have the most 
 
BOOKS. 175 
 
 dignified guests, the noblest society, the safest guardians, 
 and the Avisest friends. 
 
 By books we have intercourse with the dead, and fel- 
 lowship with the living, and assistance and consolation 
 from both. 
 
 Be more anxious for truth than style, for matter than 
 the order, for edification than pleasure ; but the books 
 that excel in all, may well have thy first preference and 
 attention. 
 
 Judge not of a book by its size, for some pocket 
 volumes contain really and intrinsically more than folios ; 
 the question should be the amount and kind of ore, and 
 not the extent of the field that contains it. 
 
 Some books should be read with care and many 
 jjauses, while others may be traversed with all the speed 
 thy mental powers will bear. 
 
 It might be well to ascertain the profit that the book 
 just read has yielded ; if much, a re-perusal may be truly 
 wise ; if little or peradventure none at all, why then to 
 better cisterns, have recourse. 
 
 Good books make known to thine acquaintance, that 
 they may taste the streams which thou hast drank. 
 Beneficence may oft convey her kindly gifts effectually 
 in books. For who can tell the influence a godly volume 
 may exert on many a reader. 
 
 But books and reading are themes so full, that he who 
 would treat the subject at length must write a book to 
 teach the way of rightly using other books. 
 
 Then just a word or two, if books are worth the read- 
 ing, they should convey light to the mind, deepen the 
 stores of wisdom in the soul, exert a cheering influence 
 
176 READING. 
 
 on the spirit, improve the character, make life more holy, 
 more useful, and more happy, and raise the soul more 
 ardently to seek and long for true enduring knowledge, 
 and higher intellectual treasures in the world above. 
 
 READING. 
 
 Reading is a power which modern education has con- 
 ferred on millions ; a power fraught with the elements of 
 mental elevation and enjoyment ; yet like all other 
 talents, it may be neglected, abused, or wisely employed. 
 
 The dissipated, the frequenters of the tavern, and the 
 race course, rarely read, except the sporting intelligence 
 of the day. 
 
 Others only read that which patronises evil, and 
 disseminates scepticism, profanity, and folly. 
 
 How many read to excel in vice, and to be ring-leaders 
 of the more youthful, or less experienced, votaries of sin. 
 
 The wise employment of this power is that for which 
 all the friends of morality, truth, and religion should be 
 concerned. 
 
 Let thy reading be adapted to thy station in society, 
 the calling in which providence hath placed thee, or the 
 sphere in which thy talents may be most efficiently 
 employed. 
 
 Appropriate books, and a course of reading directly 
 adapted to thy mind and situation, are of highest 
 moment. 
 
READING. 177 
 
 Unless most of thy time may be directed to this object, 
 select the more leisure seasons, when the mind is free 
 from embarrassing thought, and distracting cares ; for 
 these will be invaders that will mar thy pleasures, and 
 rob thee of its best rewards. 
 
 If thou canst, let thy reading hours be regular, and 
 guard against intrusions. 
 
 If ignorant on the subject which thou resolvest to in- 
 vestigate, then read the simplest elementary books within 
 thy reach. 
 
 The first branches are most difiicult, and the easier 
 the steps are the better. 
 
 If the subject is worthy of the time and labour, then 
 afterwards read the best and most elaborate treatises 
 thereon, and know the whole thou art capable of know- 
 ing. 
 
 There are books which may safely intervene between 
 more grave and weighty subjects. These, are as a dessert, 
 or as condiments, to more substantial things. But beware 
 that they only rightly season, and fill not up the place of 
 better things. 
 
 Read with candour ; but let not blind credulity bind 
 thee as a captive to the chariot wheels of any writer. 
 
 Enter if thou canst into the end and spirit of the 
 writer, thus thy communion with him will be intimate 
 and joyous. 
 
 Read not to carp and show thy quick capacity at find- 
 ing fault. 
 
 Read not to bolster up a character for bearing with 
 thee stores of learned lore ; but rather read in quiet 
 modesty, to hive the more than golden treasures. 
 
 I 
 
178 READING. 
 
 Read not so much or long, or at distressing seasons, as 
 to injure health, or weaken sight ; for that reading must 
 confer a treasure rare, and vast, and biding, that can 
 provide a substitute for these. 
 
 Read not so much in other books as to neglect the 
 only one that heaven hath sent, or God hath given, or 
 man received, to show the path of immortality and life. 
 
 And next to this, the lives of men of true renown, 
 of holy eminence, and real celebrity. 
 
 Of men of intellectual greatness, of sound morality, 
 adorned by Christian virtues, of simple yet sincere devo- 
 tion — self-denial . 
 
 Men of rich benevolence, and active goodness. O yes ! 
 read of these until sacred emulation fill thy soul. 
 
 Read books pei-taining to the works of nature, and 
 government of God. 
 
 Read often what will lead thy soul to greater diligence 
 in heavenly things, more fit for blessedness in life, and 
 greater blessedness beyond the grave. 
 
179 
 
 MORAL COURAGE. 
 
 Moral courage is the fortitude which enables its pos- 
 sessor to do right in the face of ridicule, and scorn, and 
 opposition. 
 
 Many a man has stood unmoved in the midst of fear- 
 ful physical peril, who has shrunk from the world's laugh 
 with confusion and dismay. 
 
 How often have the pointed witticism, the sarcastic 
 sneer, like barbed arrows, poisoned the mind, destroyed 
 its peace, and produced moral agony and wretchedness. 
 
 And wherefore arises all this pain and torture, but 
 from an undue and morbid estimation of the opinion of 
 mortals like ourselves. 
 
 It were not well totally to despise the estimate Avhich 
 others entertain of us — nay a good name is intrinsically 
 precious ; but enslaved indeed is he who suspends his 
 peace and comfort on the breeze of popular opinion. 
 
 A reference to God should be the leading principle of 
 the soul : what he may think of us, how we can obtain 
 his pleasure, and secure his favour, and this in purity 
 maintained will lead us to think of human estimate as 
 but, at best, a secondary thing. 
 
 For is it not a truth, that his behests are often counter 
 to the course the world approves ? Hence no man can his 
 faithful servant be, and crouch and tremble before the 
 opinions and views of men. 
 
 The fear of man ensnares and subjects to a tyranny 
 most vile, and odious, and oppressive. 
 
 I 2 
 
180 MORAL COURAGE. 
 
 Now moral courage resting on a sure and holy basis, 
 treats with indifference the noisy censure or disesteem of 
 ungodly men. It dares to act alone, and holds its head 
 erect, and soul in high and noble dignity ; as Paul, who 
 stood calmly the apostle of his Lord and Saviour in the 
 Areopagus of Athens, surrounded by an audience of 
 learned idolaters. 
 
 Moral courage before the judges, in whose hands are 
 placed the destinies of human life, dared to protest 
 against obedience to those laws which contravened the 
 laws of God, and nobly cried, it is better to obey the 
 Lord than men. 
 
 It was moral courage that supported Christian martyrs 
 who with placid countenance and soul serene, could 
 calmly see the fiery pile enkindled, which one unholy 
 word of sinful compromise would have quenched. 
 
 And this courage is often tested in the young disciple 
 of the cross, who feels that piety will not accord with 
 worldly associates, or wicked company, and who breaks 
 his fellowship with evil doers, and goes to join the 
 scorned and hated servants of the cross. 
 
 The main supports of moral courage, are holy fear of 
 God, and faith that receiveth all his word as truth, and 
 rests upon it with unwavering constancy. 
 
 A firm persuasion that obedience to his will is right 
 and best in every state and trial ; and that good must 
 ever result from constant trusting on him. 
 
 That things of sense and time, though near and often 
 terrible in aspect, are but flitting shadows ; and that the 
 real and permanent, relate to future and eternal things. 
 
 What matters it, if men the scornful finger point, if 
 
MORAL COURAGE. 181 
 
 God approves and blesses ? or if wicked tongues malign, 
 if God his heavenly favour gives, and will confess and 
 own us his, before assembled worlds ? 
 
 What matters it, if the person be imprisoned, if the 
 mind be free, and breathes the air of holy liberty ? or if 
 the limbs be manacled, if the soul walk at large in sunny 
 paths of heavenly delights ? 
 
 What matters it, if we stand alone the butt of folly's 
 ridicule, and all around contemptuously despise us ? The 
 path of wisdom and of holy joy is not affected by the 
 paucity of those who travel in it. 
 
 The good in every age have been a small minority, 
 compared with those who travel with the crowd in paths 
 of sin and folly. 
 
 Then this be thy concern, to know the truth, to estimate 
 it above all earthly treasure, and however high the price 
 to make the purchase, and hold it fast ; approving it by 
 purity of conscience before the Lord, and confessing it 
 with moral heroism before a world that hated unto death 
 the Prince of Truth, and nailed him as a martyr to it, on 
 the ignominious cross. 
 
 Be not ashamed then of thy Lord, or of his testimony, 
 or of his people, or of his cause ; but hold a good and 
 bold profession fast, until that day when Christ will own 
 and glorify his people before his angels, and the as- 
 sembled race of man. 
 
182 
 
 ON PUNCTUALITY. 
 
 Punctuality or exactness is worthy of the partieular 
 regard of all persons, for it concemeth all ranks, classes, 
 and conditions of men. 
 
 Punctuality is akin to order ; and order has been said 
 to be heaven's first law, at any rate it is distinctly per- 
 ceptible in all the divine works with which we are con- 
 versant. 
 
 Want of exactness in the heavenly bodies in accom- 
 plishing their evolutions, would distract, if not destroy 
 the harmony and uses of the worlds which are connected 
 with the solar system. 
 
 The exactness of the tide is one of the most important 
 principles connected with all that concerns the navigation 
 of the seas. 
 
 The exactness of the rising of the sun, influenceth the 
 correctness of time, and preserves an accurate measure 
 of duration. ' 
 
 In all the physical laws with which we are acquainted, 
 exactness or punctuality is one of their leading and essen- 
 tial attributes. 
 
 And who can estimate the confusion, disorder, and 
 misery, which arises from want of punctuality among 
 intelligent beings. 
 
 Property is often destroyed, enjoyment perverted, and 
 life in innumerable instances sacrificed, for want of 
 punctuality. 
 
 Such also give themselves a thousand extra duties. 
 
ON PUNCTUALITY. 183 
 
 besides incalculable annoyance, who disregard the law 
 of punctuality. 
 
 A letter one instant only too late for the post ; or a 
 traveller one minute only behind the setting out of the 
 train, or sailing of the ship, may produce an amount of 
 vexation and disappointment, the which, days of attention 
 cannot remove. 
 
 Some are punctual in what they deem great matters, 
 othei's punctual in nothing, and the few punctual in eveiy 
 thing. 
 
 To be punctual only in great things, is to forget that 
 often the weightiest affairs turn upon apparently the 
 smallest causes, and that the lesser wheels in the watch 
 are as necessary to a correct movement as the largest. 
 
 Those who are punctual in nothing, should dwell only 
 with each other, and ought not to be allowed to distract 
 the harmony and good feeling of the world by their 
 disregard of regularity. 
 
 The punctual not only have a personal advantage in 
 their varied pursuits, but they generally command the 
 admiration of others; for however men may neglect 
 punctuality themselves, they esteem and commend it in 
 others. 
 
 No marvel that so many should fail in business, that 
 so many students should but partially succeed in mental 
 culture, that so many worshippers should derive little 
 profit from their church-going, that so many families 
 should always be in confusion, and that so many persons 
 should be reaping only mortification and disappointment 
 from unsuccessful pursuits ; one brief sentence would 
 often explain the enigma — want of punctuality. 
 
184 ON PUNCTUALITY. 
 
 The punctual in general, will do more than others ; 
 and it will in most cases be done better. 
 
 The dilatory schoolboy, the indolent servant, the loiter- 
 ing wife, the negligent husband, and the forgetful master, 
 ought all to become diligent students in the school of 
 punctuality. 
 
 In business transactions, in pecuniary engagements, in 
 social visits, and in all matters sanctified by promise, we 
 should earnestly and constantly aim at punctuality. 
 
 There is often a tide in the affairs of men, but the dis- 
 regarders of punctuality are frequently only witnesses of 
 its ebbing. 
 
 Many are the causes which lead to a deficiency in 
 punctuality. 
 
 A disorderly conducting of affairs may be considered 
 the first ; for want of method renders the simplest things 
 intricate, and difficult of execution. 
 
 Attempting too much at once, instead of aiding, re- 
 tards real progression ; for there are few so gifted with 
 tact, to do more than one thing really well, at once. 
 
 Precipitancy in making engagements, without having 
 duly weighed the various contingencies therewith con- 
 nected. 
 
 But the chiefest of the causes, is the want of a deep 
 impression of its value and importance ; let this be en- 
 graven on the mind, and every cause will then speedily 
 give way. 
 
 Then if thou wouldst not disturb society by thy 
 thoughtless eccentricities ; if thou wouldst not be rebuked 
 by the material laws around thee ; if thou wouldst not 
 lose thy due weight of influence in society ; nor impair 
 
A CHAPTER ON ANOMALIES. 185 
 
 thy true mental and moral currency, set thy mind in 
 order, and be exact in all thy plans, and carry out with 
 imvarying precision thy yarious schemes, and then 
 having earned — wear the honours of a punctual man. 
 
 A CHAPTER ON ANOMALIES. 
 
 The best of men are but men at best, and perfection 
 pertaineth not to frail and sinful beings. 
 
 In the character and lives of unrenewed men, we look 
 not for conformity to the divine law, or resemblance to 
 the divine image, or the exhibition of a holy spirit. 
 
 But if we say that we have received Christ, " then," 
 says the apostle, " we should walk as he also walked." 
 
 Alas! how striking are the blemishes of the truly excel- 
 lent of the earth, and how numerous the anomalies which 
 are daily exhibited. 
 
 These inconsistencies and incongruities are often traits 
 in the character of the more superior, among the visible 
 disciples of the Saviour, 
 
 Look at it in reference to men's sympathies and 
 emotions. 
 
 One man weeps over the sufferings of the enslaved 
 negro abroad ; but he is insensible to the appeals of the 
 oppressed and famishing at home. 
 
 Another man gives his gold freely to send the mission- 
 aries of mercy to the utmost regions of the earth ; but he 
 I 3 
 
186 A CHAPTER ON ANOMALIES. 
 
 labours not for the instruction or conversion of the 
 pagans around his own doors. 
 
 One class of men sympathise and aid physical suffering- 
 only ; a second are only interested in the mental cultiva- 
 tion of the ignorant ; and a third, feel only for the moral 
 improvement of the vicious. 
 
 One man advocates cheap bread ; another, wash- 
 houses and cleanliness ; and others, the spiritual instruc- 
 tion of the irreligious. 
 
 Some men srive their gold freelv to alleviate wretched- 
 ness, but by their calling or traffic, are daily adding to 
 the scene of human degradation and misery. 
 
 Some men are for alleviating the punishment of the 
 prisoner, but consider his moral improvement as only of 
 secondary importance. 
 
 Many subscribe to the hospital, the penitentiary, and 
 the asylum; but never contemplate or support any 
 scheme for the prevention of causes, by which such 
 institutions are rendered so necessary. 
 
 Some men have heads to devise benevolent schemes, 
 but have not hearts liberally to support them. 
 
 Many there are who clamor for the extension of human 
 rights, who are despots at home, and exercise their 
 tyranny, wherever they can do so with impunity. 
 
 Many have got rich by unrighteous means, and then 
 to make amends, when they die, they build a school, or 
 endow some other benevolent institution. 
 
 Some are kind at heart, whose manner is repulsive ; 
 while others seem to expect courtesy to be a substitute for 
 [)rinciple, goodness, or charity. 
 
 How many profess the generous and peaceful religion 
 of Jesus, and yet at best are bigoted sectarians ; who 
 
A CHAPTER ON ANOMALIES. 187 
 
 have denunciations for all men who refuse to pronounce 
 the shibboleth of their own party. 
 
 From whence arise these anomalies of character ? 
 Is it from the undue elevation of some particular 
 principle, or doctrine, or virtue ? Or, is it the result of a 
 circumscribed view of the comprehensive claims of the 
 law of God, and of true religion ? Or, is it the result of 
 limited attainments in divine things ? Or the want of a 
 more entire and spiritual consecratedness to holiness and 
 God? 
 
 These anomalies do not exist in the system of Chris- 
 tianity ; for that is one jierfect, beautiful, and harmoni- 
 ous whole. 
 
 Nor in the precepts of the Saviour ; for these include 
 all that is pure, and elevated, and benevolent in morals. 
 
 Nor in the nature of the gracious covenant ; for here 
 
 the means of Christian holiness are plenteously provided. 
 
 Nor is it want of efficiency in the Holy Spirit, whose 
 
 influences are effectual to the meetening of the saints for 
 
 the inheritance of light. 
 
 No ! it arises from contracted views of Avliat religion 
 involves ; from a low state of religious feeling ; and the 
 apathetical pursuit of the things which pertain to our 
 everlasting jieace. 
 
 Doubtless there have been characters, in whom anoma- 
 lies wei'e only visible to the omniscient eye of Deity ; 
 and to imitate these in uniform excellency and spiritual 
 devotedness, is our duty and privilege, as it will also be 
 our dignity, joy, and salvation. 
 
 Now the God of peace " make you perfect in every 
 good work to do his will, working in you that which is 
 well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ." 
 
188 
 
 ON CONSCIENCE. 
 
 Conscience is that power or faculty by which we 
 judge of our own moral acts, and pass sentence thereon. 
 
 So that every moral action is either approved or con- 
 demned by conscience. 
 
 It is conscience that gives distinctness and weight to 
 human responsibility ; for it exercises its control over 
 every human being. 
 
 Yet we are not to conclude that this inward moral 
 sense has passed unscathed by the influence of the fall, 
 and the introduction of sin into our world. 
 
 For just as the understanding and judgment and affec- 
 tions have been impaired or polluted, so the conscience 
 has not all its primeval purity or pristine excellency. 
 
 Yet as the other powers still answer to some extent the 
 end of man's being, so the conscience is still adapted 
 to promote his real well-being. 
 
 Men of all grades of knowledge, from the philosopher 
 to the savage, and of all countries, give evidence of the 
 working of conscience within them. 
 
 Yet we see the power of conscience is very varied in 
 different men, in some being more vivid, acute, and influ- 
 ential than in others. 
 
 The conscience of every man is either in a state of 
 progressive improvement or deterioration ; and to cherish 
 tenderness of conscience is alike the duty and interest of 
 all men. 
 
ON CONSCIENCE. 189 
 
 The scriptures speak of an evil conscience, that is, of a 
 conscience unrenewed, and under the influence of guilt 
 and pollution. 
 
 They also reveal to us a conscience that is seared, so as 
 to be past impression, and no longer susceptible of 
 healthy emotion. 
 
 It is evident that conscience is inadequate to its task 
 when ignorant of the right rule of action, or when 
 dwelling in the atmosphere of superstition. 
 
 The heathen are thus circumstanced, and hence the 
 responses of their consciences are erroneous and delusive. 
 
 A good conscience is one of man's most precious 
 blessings ; for with it there is a continual feast of enjoy- 
 ment, and a certain ensurance of real bliss. 
 
 But a good conscience has been renewed and sanctified 
 by the blood of the cross, and illumined by the light of 
 the gospel, and made healthy by the influence of the 
 truth. 
 
 A good conscience is tender as the apple of the eye ; it 
 is ever watchful and vigilant, and ever speaks with the 
 authority of him whose vicegerent it is in the soul. 
 
 A good conscience will have respect to the divine cha- 
 racter, the divine law, and the divine approbation. 
 
 It estimates the divine favour as better than life, and 
 rejoices in the light of his reconciled countenance. 
 
 A good conscience will also respect our fellow men, 
 and have regard to the rights of others. 
 
 It will be eqiiitable, exact, and benevolent : it will de- 
 light in the exercise of kindness, mercy, and compassion. 
 
 Christian perfection is the having a conscience void of 
 
190 ON CONSCIENCE. 
 
 offence both towards God and men ; and to exercise our- 
 selves to this end is the great work of practical and 
 acceptable piety. 
 
 A bad conscience is the plague spot of the system, and 
 the viper in the bosom : it is the victim's present tor- 
 ment, and the misery which is ominous of the pains of 
 the gnawing worm for ever. 
 
 How often hath conscience spoken out in accents of 
 terror to the guilty, and rendered life a load of misery 
 too intolerable to be borne. 
 
 It was this that invested with ten-fold horror the 
 writing on the wall of Belshazzar's palace, that caused 
 Felix to tremble on. the judgment seat, and drove the be- 
 trayer of the Redeemer to self-destruction, and to his 
 own place. 
 
 It hath filled many a dying pillow with thorns, and 
 encompassed the entire of the dark valley of death with 
 hideous spectres. 
 
 It will be the main tormentor of the finally lost, and is 
 the true worm that expireth not in eternity. 
 
 Let thy conscience be conversant with the light and 
 truth of revelation. Let it hearken to the mandate of 
 thy God, and ever be a listener and learner at the feet of 
 Christ. 
 
 Let conscience be encouraged in the exercise of its 
 liigh vocation, and be its admonitions ever received with 
 meekness and respect. 
 
 Obey it, and heaven will smile upon thee, and its 
 sunny beams will promote the fruitfulness of thy soul, 
 and the true felicity of thy spirit. 
 
ON MYSTERIES AND FACTS. 191 
 
 It can make eartli even as heaven, and give thee 
 heaven's first fruits, whilst thon art travelling in the 
 dreary deserts of time. 
 
 It can make thee so happy that none can make thee 
 miserable, or so wretched that none can make thee 
 joyous. 
 
 It can irradiate or darken the horizon of thy soul. It 
 can bless or curse thee. 
 
 It can be thy ministei"ing angel, and celestial attendant ; 
 or thy haunting demon and hideous spectre, constant- 
 ly affrighting thy distracted soul. 
 
 ON MYSTERIES AND FACTS. 
 
 Many persons have rejected the Christian religion on 
 the alleged ground of the mysteries it contains, and have 
 thought themselves rationally justified in so doing. 
 
 Such a conclusion however must be the result of a 
 prejudiced spirit, an only partially enlightened mind, a 
 perverted judgment, or a depraved heart. 
 
 It is frankly admitted that the Christian religion is one 
 inseparably allied to deep and profound, yea, inexplicable 
 mysteries. 
 
 But has the rejector of revelation ever reflected that 
 deists in believing the existence of one infinite and 
 supreme God, admit one of the most incomprehensible of 
 all mysteries into their creed. 
 
192 ON MYSTERIES AND FACTS. 
 
 For what mind can grasp the immeasurable thought of 
 one eternal, almighty, and universal Spirit ! the creator, 
 and the preserver, and the governor of all things. 
 
 No mystery can be more sublime or immeasurable than 
 this : and this is but the first link in a chain that is pro- 
 foundly wonderful, and immeasurably incomprehensible 
 throughout. 
 
 The kind, the nature, and the medium of the divine 
 influences in creating and sustaining the universe. 
 
 The link which connects him with his creatures, and 
 the deep and indelible impressions he has stamped on the 
 consciences of intellectual and accountable beings. 
 
 The simplicity and grandeur of his laws in reference to 
 the physical parts of the world — where, where shall we 
 stop, 'tis mystery surpassing all the powers of the human 
 understanding. 
 
 But the sceptical mind often erreth in supposing that 
 Christianity requireth a belief of the nature of the mys- 
 teries revealed, instead of a belief simply as to their 
 reality. 
 
 The man who doubteth, 'let him first examine with 
 care and candour the evidence of the truth and authen- 
 ticity of the scriptures, and pronounce thereon proven or 
 not proven. 
 
 If his verdict be not proven, then our reasoning on 
 mysteries must be unavailing, but if his verdict be 
 proven and he agreeth in the divinity of the scriptures, 
 then our observation on mysteries may do some service 
 for him. 
 
 For what do the scriptures require of me in reference 
 to mysteries ? not that I comprehend what is incompre- 
 
ON MVSTERIES AND FACTS. 193 
 
 hensible, or grasp what is infinite, or understand what is 
 above my perceptions. 
 
 But they require me to admit the truth which the mys- 
 tery sets forth, not to elucidate it. 
 
 Hence the representation of the unity and trinity of 
 the Godhead are most distinctly revealed ; but this being 
 beyond the power of my understanding 1 am required to 
 believe on the testimony of God, and not to know the 
 how and the wherefore, by the finite powers of a man. 
 
 If it be said that to believe what we do not clearly 
 understand be puerile and fanatical, then do I appeal to 
 the thousand things by which I am surrounded as an 
 answer to the derogation. 
 
 I believe in the immateriality of my mind, but cannot 
 lucidly describe it. I believe in the influence of mind on 
 matter, and again of matter on mind, but know not how 
 it is. I believe in the connexion of mental emotions with 
 the senses, but cannot explain it. 
 
 Now if we have sufficient evidence of the truth and 
 inspiration of the scriptures^ then do we not decide as to 
 truth and error by bringing its themes to the ordeal of 
 our reason, but by ascertaining their clear and manifest 
 existence in the book thus received as the word of God. 
 
 But while Christianity requires of its disciples the re- 
 ception of mysteries, it is most pre-eminently a religion 
 of facts ; and these facts have essentially to do with the 
 most spiritual doctrines of the gospel. 
 
 There is the fact of Adam's fall and apostacy from 
 God, and there is the doctrine of man's depravity as the 
 necessary result of bearing the likeness of the mind of 
 our first sire. 
 
194 ON MYSTERIES AND FACTS. 
 
 There is the doctrine of man's utter helplessness to 
 restore himself to holiness ; and there is the fact that all 
 history supplieth in its confirmation. 
 
 There is the doctrine of the atonement, and the fact 
 of Christ's actual death as the substitute for sinners. 
 
 There is the doctrine of Christ's suretiship ; and 
 there is the fact of Christ's resurrection, as demonstrative 
 of his sacrifice being accepted of God. 
 
 Now these facts constitute the essence of the gospel ; 
 are to be preached by the messengers of mercy, and all 
 who believe them are justified freely by divine grace. 
 
 It is presumed, that the believer in these facts neces- 
 sarily feels the emotions of sorrow for sin, love to the 
 Saviour, hatred of evil, and obedience to the will of God. 
 
 Thus the gospel is the testimony of the facts con- 
 cerning Christ, and his death and resurrection j and faith 
 in these facts bringeth salvation to the soul. 
 
 Cavil not then at the mysteries thou canst not under- 
 stand, but receive them as they are revealed; even as 
 thou dost not cavil at the mysteries of nature, but 
 wonderest and ado rest. 
 
 Accept with implicit credence the facts that are certi- 
 fied ; and thus thou shalt enjoy the blessedness of the 
 man whose iniquities are pardoned, and whose mind, by 
 the power of truth, is savingly renewed. 
 
 When thou hast resolved all the mysteries within thee, 
 and all the mysteries which the visible universe fur- 
 nisheth, then mayest thou marvel that thou canst not 
 resolve all the mysteries of the scriptures. 
 
 But even then thou shouldst remember, that the world 
 of mind and thought, must ever be less clear and palpa- 
 
ON PREJUBICE. 
 
 195 
 
 ble to beings clad with earthly bodies, than the world of 
 matter of which their senses take cognizance. 
 
 " Secret things belong unto the Lord ; but the things 
 which are revealed, to us and to our children." 
 
 Much that is now difficult, thou Avilt more clearly 
 understand as thou advancest in thy celestial and up- 
 ward course ; but there are themes which clouds will 
 envelope, until thou shalt lay aside thy mortal coil, and 
 bask in the refulgent beams of eternal day. 
 
 Be satisfied, — what thou knowest not now, thou 
 shalt know hereafter. 
 
 ON PREJUDICE. 
 
 Prejudice is an unfavourable state of mind arising 
 from prepossessions which have been formed without due 
 care and examination. 
 
 Hence this feeling is often evinced towards persons and 
 things of which its votary is extensively ignorant. 
 
 Prejudice is evidently a thing of mist and twilight, and 
 not the creature of the light and day. 
 
 Its origin often is ignorance or misapprehension ; its 
 spirit, that of precipitancy or rashness; and its influ- 
 ences, therefore, tend to error and evil. 
 
 National prejudices, have often been so deep rooted, as 
 to have isolated their inhabitants from each other, or to 
 have kept them in a state of warlike combustion, ready 
 for conflict and revenge. 
 
196 ON PREJUDICE. 
 
 Ecclesiastical prejudices, have made enemies of the 
 disciples of the same Saviour, and have lit up in almost 
 every land the fires of persecution. 
 
 Prejudices of class, have not only separated the rich 
 from the poor, but often placed them in an attitude of 
 envy and unfriendliness towards each other. 
 
 Prejudices against creeds and systems, have frequently 
 grown into sectarian dislikes, bigotry, and personal defa- 
 mation. 
 
 Personal prejudice, has often been grounded on the 
 features of the countenance, on the sound of the voice, or 
 even on the gait of the individual. 
 
 Prejudice is awakened in some, by names and appella- 
 tions to which their own vague minds have attached igno- 
 rant or erroneous distinctions. 
 
 Often the conduct of one individual has excited preju- 
 dice against the party to which he was attached ; and 
 thus tories and whigs, churchmen and dissenters, have 
 been equally charged and condemned on the delinquency 
 of one of their order. 
 
 Prejudice is pestiferous to the powers of the mind, as 
 it warps the judgment, and deceives the mind. 
 
 It is a sin against society, and contains the elements of 
 injustice and malevolence. 
 
 It is a heinous transgression against God, whose laws 
 demand the exemplification of equity, goodness, and 
 charity. 
 
 Prejudice is often as foolish as it is evil, but its influ- 
 ences are blighting, anti-social, and irreligious. 
 
 The antidote to prejudice is candour, which never 
 dealeth in inuendoes, nor cherisheth suspicion, nor 
 
ON PREJUDICE. 
 
 197 
 
 thinketh evil without a cause, but rejoices in purity, 
 goodness, and truth. 
 
 Much of prejudice is traceable to the spirit of party, 
 which is conveyed to the mind by the teacher of youth, 
 and by the preacher of religion, as well as by the pen of 
 the historian. 
 
 The customs of society, and the conversations of the 
 social hearth, often tend to engraft it upon the youthful 
 mind. 
 
 How dire and awful have been the effects of prejudice! 
 
 It hath often crushed the rising genius — impeded the 
 path of the virtuous — blasted the reputation of the excel- 
 lent — and beclouded the prospects of the most deserving. 
 
 It hath influenced juries in their verdicts, and judges 
 in their decisions, and legislators in their enactments. 
 
 It hath often excited popular tumults, and hurried men 
 on to deeds of violence, fury, and bloodshed. 
 
 It was prejudice that prevented many of the Jews from 
 examining the credentials of the Messiah ; that blinded 
 those who heard his discourses and saw his miracles ; 
 and which led the sanhedrim to seek for his condemna- 
 tion and death. 
 
 It was this that excited the people to demand Barab- 
 bas in preference to Jesus ; and which filled the air of 
 Jerusalem with the malignant exclamations of, " Crucify 
 him ! crucify him ! " 
 
 How utterly inconsistent is it with reason, and how 
 totally repugnant to revelation. 
 
 How it should be loathed and abhorred ! How men 
 should seek its annihilation in themselves, and its over- 
 throw and extinction in the world ! 
 
198 
 
 ON PREJUDICE. 
 
 Then, the pagan would hearken with simplicity to the 
 missionary's theme of the cross ; and the Romanist read 
 and judge for himself out of the unadulterated volume 
 of truth. 
 
 Then, the coloured man would be hailed as an equal 
 and a brother, and slavery would retire to her native do- 
 mains of darkness and cruelty. 
 
 Then, every man would be the friend of his species, 
 and all distinctions would be swallowed up in generous, 
 overflowing, and universal charity. 
 
 Then, the second table of the law would be exemplified 
 in the experience of every human being — " Thou shalt 
 love thy neighbour as thyself." 
 
 In the scriptures, prejudice is reprobated ; in Christ's 
 holy and benevolent life it was practically condemned, 
 and it is utterly excluded from that world, where nothing 
 that defileth or injureth can enter. 
 
 Prejudice is a practical falsehood, and it must be finally 
 doomed to the dwelling where will be consigned " all that 
 loveth and maketh a lie." 
 
 Reader ! judge not merely by appearances ; nor judge 
 before the time; nor decide by prejudging; but ever in 
 this, as in all thy transactions with thy fellow men, carry 
 out the divine maxim, by " doing unto others as thou 
 wouldest they should do unto thee." 
 
199 
 
 ON RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION. 
 
 " Put up thy sword again into his place," was the per- 
 emptoiy command of Christ to Peter when he had drawn 
 it for the defence of liis Lord and Master. 
 
 Even the sacred person of the Savioiir was not to be 
 defended by the power of a carnal weapon. 
 
 How much it had been for the church's purity and 
 real prosperity, if this principle had ever been thoroughly 
 understood, and consistently maintained. 
 
 The early followers of Jesus had to encounter persecu- 
 tion from the Jewish authorities, from pagan rulers, and 
 from the rude and excited populace. 
 
 In these instances we see sin, and Satan, and his 
 votaries, openly allied, and conflicting with truth and 
 holiness. 
 
 Surely this might have sufiiced, and while the world 
 must ever be the foe of the spiritual church, the followers 
 of Jesus should have been the devoted and affectionate 
 friends of one another. 
 
 But alas ! regal patronage and state control have ever 
 given to the party in the ascendant the authority to 
 oppress, and often openly to persecute those who could 
 not conform in all things to the state religion. 
 
 This commingling of the earthy with the heavenly, the 
 precious with the vile, mammon and truth, has been one 
 of the foulest stains on the history of the visible church 
 of the Redeemer. 
 
 But however kings or magistrates, priests or councils, 
 
200 ON RELIGIOXTS PERSECUTION. 
 
 may have sanctioned their oppressive enactments, they 
 are utterly discountenanced by the Author, the letter, and 
 the spirit of Christianity. Jesus sanctioned no other 
 weapon for the defence or the diffusion of his gospel, 
 than the truth. 
 
 The letter of the divine statutes enjoins to all men, love, 
 goodness, and mercy : and the spirit and genius of the 
 Christian religion is glory to God in the highest, and 
 peace on earth, and good- will towards men. 
 
 The darkness of error must be chased away by the 
 celestial beams of truth ; and the rebellion of the heart 
 must be subdued by the constraining influence of the love 
 of Christ. 
 
 Men are to be enlightened, not coerced ; entreated, not 
 threatened with penal statutes ; and if obdurate in the 
 maintenance of error, yet they must be the objects of our 
 compassion, as to their "own master they must stand 
 or fall." 
 
 Ours, is to instruct, exhort, entreat, and warn: it 
 pertaineth to God alone to punish, for vengeance be- 
 longeth exclusively to him. 
 
 Error or sin in the church must be brought under the 
 discipline which Christ has appointed, which, imder no 
 aspect, invests with authority to punish beyond exclusion 
 from the privileges of fellowship with the disciples. 
 
 Persecution, therefore, is based on a wicked and arro- 
 gant assumption of the divine prerogative, as God hath 
 never given lordship of conscience to another. 
 
 The fire of persecution is the fire from beneath, and 
 agreeth with the spirit of the wicked one ; the fire from 
 above is that of love, which blesses and curses not. 
 
ON RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION. 201 
 
 Persecution must ever defeat itself, for mind can no 
 more be acted upon by brute force, than inanimate matter 
 by an intellectual harangue. 
 
 Persecution may multiply the number of hypocrites 
 and the superstitious, but moral suasion only, can bow 
 men to the authority and will of God. 
 
 Persecution ! whence thy authority ? from whom thy 
 commission ? what the character of thy credentials ? 
 
 A holy God never commanded thee to injure thy 
 fellows ; Christ's commissions refer only to works of 
 piety and mercy ; antl the credentials he furnishes are the 
 graces and fruits of his own Spirit, which prayed on Cal- 
 vary for his very murderers. 
 
 Persecution is of hell, and is enkindled by the spirit of 
 him who tempted Cain to slay his righteous brother. 
 
 The emblems of Christianity are the lamb, not the lion 
 — the dove, not the vulture. 
 
 Persecution is presumption against God — a crime 
 against humanity — and a libel on religion. 
 
 Persecution may appeal to antiquity for precedents — to 
 councils, for patronage — to state enactments, for authority 
 — to the sword, for its enforcements — but the Saviour, or 
 revelation, or Christian principle, can have no lot nor 
 part in the matter. 
 
 Would we that others should persecute us — manacle 
 our limbs — incarcerate our persons — or take away our 
 lives ? If not, then how can we consent for these things 
 to be done to others, whose rights, and freedom, and lives, 
 are equally sacred and precious with our own. 
 
 Persecute not with thy tongue, or it is evident if thou 
 
 K 
 
202 ON RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION. 
 
 hadst opportunity a more deadly weapon would be 
 employed. 
 
 Persecute not by thy spirit, by cherishing a bigoted 
 state of heart towards thy fellow Christians ; but let love 
 have the ascendency, and breathe peace and charity 
 towards all men. 
 
 Among the persecuted, what a glorious line of holy 
 men, from Abel to the prophets — from the prophets to the 
 Baptist — from Jesus to Stephen — and from Stephen to 
 to the last of the apostles — and from the apostles to 
 the time of Constantine — and from Constantine to 
 Luther — and from Luther to the puritans — and from the 
 puritans to the missionaries of the cross, in the islands of 
 Madagascar and of the Southern seas. 
 
 Heaven's most exalted ranks have been filled up with 
 those who have come out of great tribulation, and washed 
 their robes, and made them white in the blood of the 
 Lamb. 
 
 For the persecutor, without repentance unfeigned, there 
 can be no hope of divine mercy ; and for the persecuted, 
 there are reserved the joys and dignities of co-heirship 
 with Christ, in the glories which eternity shall reveal, 
 '* For if we suffer with him we shall also be glorified 
 together." 
 
203 
 
 ON CUSTOM. 
 
 Custom or habit is one of tlie despots who exercise a 
 universal influence ; and by whose ubiquity and power 
 people of all realms and nations are held in degrading 
 vassalage. 
 
 Few have the moral courage necessary to their eman- 
 cipation, and therefore the mass, hug thtir chains as 
 though they were the emblems of honour and hap- 
 piness. 
 
 Custom is presented to us in thousands of varied and 
 conflicting forms. 
 
 What is considered the perfection of beauty and pro- 
 priety in one country, is associated with the disgusting, 
 and even the loathsome in another. 
 
 Custom has sometimes ventured to sanctify physical 
 deformities, and in other countries to enjoin the means of 
 procuring them. 
 
 Custom has alike patronized cleanliness and filth ; that 
 which is natural, and that which is artificial ; that which 
 tends to health, and that which tends to disease ; that 
 which elevates, and that Avhich debases ; that which adds 
 to the sum of bliss, and that which adds to the increase 
 of misery. 
 
 The tattoed Indian, the coloured Hottentot, the totter- 
 ing lady of China, and the rouged belle of Europe, 
 are all so many varieties and specimens of custom's 
 votaries. 
 
 Custom brandishes the tomahawk of the savage, bears 
 about the stiletto of the Spaniard ; denominates the brute 
 K 2 
 
204 ON CUSTOM. 
 
 power of the Englishman, science ; and reckons the 
 deliberate aim of the duellist, as the acme of earthly 
 courage and hononr. 
 
 Custom has legalized fraud, even in the commerce 
 of human beings ; it has extolled the warrior as a 
 patriot, and denominated the field of gore and horror, 
 the bed of glory. 
 
 Custom has ever been reiterating the cry of revenge, 
 and notwithstanding the direct and merciful bearing of 
 the New Testament code, clamoureth loudly for blood, for 
 blood. 
 
 Custom has established her empire in the senate, on 
 the bench, and in the jury-box. 
 
 She has her advocates in the courts of law ; her in- 
 struments of service in the prison — in the penal settle- 
 ment — and on the gallows. 
 
 Custom influenceth the merchant on the 'change, the 
 tradesman in his shop, the mechanic in the factory, and 
 the labourer in the field. 
 
 Custom sets up her rule in the cathedral, and often 
 swayeth her sceptre in the chapel of the dissenter, and in 
 the meeting-house of the friend. 
 
 Custom controUeth the multifarious exercises of the 
 house-wife, and has her altar in the kitchen, the sitting- 
 room, and the sleeping apartment. 
 
 Custom has the patronage of the larder, of the wine- 
 cellar, and of the dining-room. 
 
 Custom has been the oracle of toasts, and the presiding 
 genius of the bacchanalian board. 
 
 Thus it has been the panderer of appetite, and the ally 
 of intemperance, riot, and profligacy. 
 
ON CUSTOM. 205 
 
 Many customs are gross and impure ; others, foolish 
 and extravagant ; others, expensive and ruinous ; and 
 not a few, debasing and destructive. 
 
 Some customs are superstitious ; others cruel, and de- 
 rogatory to the intellectual and moral character of man. 
 
 Man as an intellectual being, should be guided by 
 reason ; as a moral being, by principle ; and as an 
 accountable being, by revelation. 
 
 There may be customs of small moment, and others of 
 beneficial tendency ; but in all things, let wisdom direct 
 thy steps, and utility be the end of thy course. 
 
 Let not custom be the regulator of thy life, much less 
 the imposer of thy creed. 
 
 Men are accountable to society and to God for their 
 personal actions and influence ; therefore, let it be thy 
 aim to be found a good and faithful steward of Avhat 
 heaven has committed to thy trust. Especially, see to it, 
 that customs do not deteriorate thy physical, mental, or 
 moral cliaracter ; that they do not blind thy conscience, 
 and prevent thy improvement. 
 
 Let not thy habits be injurious to those around thee, 
 or pestiferous to the world in which thou livest. 
 
 Be it thy aim to add to the sum of the intelligence, 
 the morality, and the happiness of thy species. 
 
 Be it thy end to glorify God in all things, whose thou 
 art, and whom, by the most weighty obligations, thou art 
 bound to love and serve. 
 
 A scriptural faith, a sanctified heart, and a holy life, 
 constitute the elements of that character which God will 
 accept and bless. 
 
206 
 
 ON JUDGING OF CHARACTER. 
 
 We cannot live without coming in contact with a 
 variety of characters ; and therefore to have a true 
 method of estimating them is desirable and important. 
 
 Some persons estimate with their eyes, others with 
 their ears ; some with both, others with neither. 
 
 The eye often erreth, and the ear often deceiveth ; and 
 therefore an infallible judgment is not ensurable from 
 them. 
 
 We cannot live and board with all we know ; and if 
 we could, years would be requisite to ascertain principles, 
 and draw sure and correct inferences. 
 
 Some men, like the shallow brook, are easily 
 fathomed ; but others, like deep waters, are with diffi- 
 culty sounded ; and some set human investigation and 
 analysis at defiance. 
 
 In labouring to understand others, we should bring to 
 the ordeal discernment, experience, candour, and charity. 
 
 Much knowledge may be gained by a vigilant discern- 
 ing eye, and an attentive ear : but this should pass 
 through the fiery ordeal of past experience and general 
 observation, and then with a candid and charitable spirit, 
 the conclusion may be drawn. 
 
 Expect not too much from any man ; remembering 
 thine own frailty and imperfections. The sun has his 
 dark spots, and the moon her deep shadows, and few 
 days pass over without the fairest horizon, being dimmed 
 by the flitting cloud. So man at his best estate, pertain- 
 eth to sin and vanity. 
 
ON JUDGING OF CHARACTER. 207 
 
 Let charity ever aid thee in the judgment which thou 
 formest. Weigh well all circumstances, and let not 
 mere suspicions or surmisings turn the scale against 
 thee ; but rather where'er thou canst, extenuate and think 
 the best. 
 
 Consider no man vile because one frailty cleaveth to 
 him ; nor no man hopeless, morally, however fallen ; for 
 who is without fault? — And grace divine, can change 
 and elevate the most degraded. 
 
 Some men do trumpet forth their praises, and laixd 
 and recommend themselves : in many cases this should 
 lead to scrutinize the coin they wish to pass, for were it 
 manifestly good, their praises were unneeded. But often 
 this ariseth from a mental kind of weakness, or from a 
 tendency to vanity, and in all points else, they may be 
 sound and worthy of respect. 
 
 But ever guard against the flatterer, whose tongue is 
 dipped in oil, and whose smooth words are often to be 
 dreaded more than the loud and boisterous din of 
 anger. 
 
 And watch also with careful vigilance, those who seem 
 to have an overflowing stock of words, and deal them 
 out without discretion ; no one should have thy con- 
 fidence, whose tongue is unsubordinated to stern integrity 
 and truth. 
 
 It would be useless surely to speak of fleeing those 
 who deal in calumny ; and who can ply their half- 
 expressed and half-suppressed insinuations, or who 
 enviously detract from the well-earned fame of those 
 around them. 
 
 If truth or generosity be only questionable residents, 
 
208 ON JUDGING OF CHARACTER. 
 
 it would indeed be wise to seek for social converse, or 
 friendly intercourse elsewhere. 
 
 But if truth, and love of truth be deep implanted 
 principles, it would be strange indeed to find a rotten 
 structure resting thereupon. 
 
 Let not a homely garb, or tongue whose speech is 
 rude, or dialect provincial, lead thee to presume that 
 ignorance or want of worth is there. For there are 
 many peasants, children of nature's true nobility, men 
 of Stirling honesty and principle, who would accept no 
 bribe to do a mean degrading deed. 
 
 The eye of Deity often discerns among the poor, 
 whose education has been limited indeed, a sense of 
 sterling conscientiousness, a glowing heart of goodness, 
 and a hand of liberality, which ministereth most freely, 
 as it may possess ability. 
 
 And many are there who in costume, manners, and 
 estate, and we may add in learning and polite accom- 
 plishments, should be men of true intrinsic excellence, 
 whose want of principle, and inherent baseness, bring 
 them down as fit companions for the most degraded of 
 mankind. 
 
 Judge not then by appearance, but weigh the moral 
 elements of the character, as developed in the uniform 
 and well sustained actions of the life. 
 
 But where a doubt prevails, pause, or let charity 
 throw in her casting vote ; or wait until that day when 
 light eternal shall make every character and heart trans- 
 parent to God and angels, and the countless myriads 
 standins: round the final bar of doom. 
 
209 
 
 ON ANGER. 
 
 That uneasy excitement which is denominated anger, 
 is not always evil in itself; but the evil of anger ariseth 
 from a tendency of mind to it ; from being easily brought 
 under its dominion, and from allowing it to be a welcome 
 resident in our bosoms. 
 
 Be not soon angry, and be not angry without a cause ; 
 and remain not under its influence ; are maxims tirhich 
 come to us clothed with the authority of heaven. 
 
 A proud spirit, and a froward and unsubdued heart, 
 are the chief causes of precipitate anger and hasty 
 wrath. 
 
 The humble, meek, and lowly are not easily provoked, 
 and cherish not false estimates of their pre-eminent ex- 
 cellencies and importance. 
 
 A man incapable of anger is manifestly deficient in 
 some of the emotions which belong to our nature, and 
 friendship with such an one would be as undesirable as 
 with the man who is soon angry, or angry without a 
 cause. 
 
 An angry man carrieth about him the coals of strife, 
 and on any emergency, his own breath enkindlcth there- 
 with the fire of wrath. 
 
 Anger is the highway to many sins, and the downward 
 path to complicated sorrows. 
 
 If thou wouldest be dignified and happy, useful and 
 respected, an ornament to morality and a witness for 
 religion, then be not ** hasty in thy spirit to be angry." 
 K 5 
 
210 ON ANGER. 
 
 If thou wouldest be the joy of thy family, the beloved 
 of the social circle, and the useful disciple of Jesus, 
 avoid an angry spirit ; and tread in his steps who was 
 meek and lowly in heart, and therein thou shalt also find 
 rest to thy soul . 
 
 Yet there is an anger which thou mayest cherish ; an 
 anger against thyself for thy want of wise discernment, 
 for thy lack of prudence, for thy deficiency of duty, for 
 thy lingering progress in the way of truth, and for thy 
 unfruitfulness in the things pertaining to thy God. 
 
 Against thyself be angry, for the remembrance of 
 wasted time, perverted mercies, and abused immunities 
 and privileges which the goodness of thy God hath given 
 thee. 
 
 Be angry with thyself that thou so often hast been 
 angry without a cause, and that thine anger has so 
 often burned against others instead of thyself. 
 
 And anger may be manifested against the evil which 
 surrounds thee. Be angry with oppression, but oh, pity 
 in thy soul the ruthless spirit of the oppressor. 
 
 Be angry with sin, but let thy bowels of mercy yearn 
 over the sinner, and imitate him who when he had pro- 
 nounced the woes on the impenitent Jews, finished the 
 affecting scene by weeping over their devoted city. 
 
 Yet righteous anger must be vigilantly guarded or it 
 will degenerate into unholy wrath, and be the guilt and 
 misery of him who cherisheth it. 
 
 Remember that the righteous governor of the universe 
 will deal to all men according as their works shall be ; 
 and therefore be not hasty in thy spirit for vengeance to 
 come ujion thine adversary. 
 
ON THE PUNISHMENT OF DEATH. 211 
 
 Cherish a pacific and benignant spirit, and let patience 
 have its perfect work, so shalt thou enjoy sweet serenity- 
 arising from a heart environed by gentleness and love. 
 
 ON THE PUNISHMENT OF DEATH. 
 
 The punishment of criminals ought ever to comprise 
 three ends : — the vindication of the law's authority ; the 
 protection of the community ; and the reclamation of the 
 offender. 
 
 Mercy mingled with justice, will most effectually in- 
 sure these ends being accomplished. 
 
 Severity will render the laws abhorrent, and make men 
 loath to inflict their penalties ; will thus increase the risk 
 of society being injured by the lawless, and will exaspe- 
 rate the worst feelings of their hearts, against those who 
 make and enforce them. 
 
 Laws of benevolent aspect being easily enforced and 
 carried out, will prevent men calculating on successful 
 evasion, will be maintained by the suffrages of all classes 
 of society, and will exert a kindly influence on the hearts 
 of those who are to bear their penalties. 
 
 Men are not to be amended by coercion or physical 
 force ; and in the most vicious there are latent feelings, 
 which if elicited may tell on their improvement and 
 elevation. 
 
212 ON THE PUNISHMENT OF DEATH. 
 
 The highest penalty attachable to the violation of any 
 law, is the punishment of death. 
 
 It is quite clear that in the infliction of this punish- 
 ment the reclamation of the offender is relinquished ; so 
 that, if our three points with which we set out be all 
 essential elements in justly inflicted punishments, then, 
 the taking of human life is wrong to the individual, as it 
 renders his improvement impossible. 
 
 Besides, it equally violates our first principle, where 
 we hold, that mercy should always be connected with 
 judgment. And all experience proves that it does not 
 more effectually secure the protection of the community. 
 
 Appeals have been made in favour of capital pimish- 
 ments to the Levitical economy : but who that pleads 
 the punishments of that temporary dispensation, would 
 advocate the putting to death of all and sundry, who 
 should irreverently disobey their parents — blaspheme the 
 name of God — or violate the sanctity of the sabbath ? 
 
 I confess that to put to death the murderer, has been 
 the custom of most civilized nations, and that the feelings 
 probably of the mass, woidd favour the punishment. 
 
 It must be conceded too, that scripture phraseology 
 is very strong, on shedding the blood of the man who 
 hath shed the blood of another. 
 
 But is it evident that the spirit and genius of the gos- 
 pel, and New Testament dispensation, will warrant the 
 maintenance of that divine command, any more in the 
 case of the murderer, than in those other instances to 
 which capital punishments were originally attached ? 
 We think not. 
 
 The spirit of the gospel is that of pre-eminent good- 
 
ON THE PUNISHMENT OF DEATH. 213 
 
 ness. It enforces mercy, and not severity ; it iirgeth 
 kindness, not wrath ; it demandeth forgiveness, not 
 revenge. 
 
 But can it be said by any parity of reasoning, that 
 goodness, or kindness, or mercy is shown to the man 
 whose life is cut off, and who, by the hand of the execu- 
 tioner is hurried into eternity ? 
 
 However vile the criminal, or crimson-dyed his 
 crimes, yet he is an accountable creature ; his soul is 
 of boundless price ; his destiny must be one of eternal 
 weal or woe. 
 
 Christianity demandeth that every effort should be 
 made to save his soul from death, and hide the multitude 
 of his sins. 
 
 But amidst the anxieties and horrors of a public 
 execution, how hard the task to procure that calm and 
 tranquil state of mind essential to reflection, and to true 
 repentance unto life. 
 
 Besides, no chance is afforded for the jDroofs of real 
 reformation being given, or of restitution being made to 
 the laws so violated. 
 
 Our land indeed hatli cause to blush and weep o'er her 
 monstrous sanguinary code of laws ; — laws, which until 
 recently, handed to the public executioner, and strangled 
 on the gallows in the light of day, the man who pur- 
 loined a paltry sum of worthless dust, or stole a sheep, or 
 fixed his name unfaithfully to bill or bond. 
 
 And thousands who might have been restored to moral 
 health and soundness, have been hurried out of life, 
 without a thought or care as to their fitness for 
 futurity. 
 
214 ON THE PUNISHMENT OF DEATH. 
 
 Thus God's fair image, which sin hath marred, but 
 not effaced, hath been trampled on by laws that might 
 have had their origin in all the smoke, and fury, and re- 
 venge of hell beneath. 
 
 Happy are our eyes that have witnessed those statutes, 
 written as with blood, extensively obliterated, and the 
 escutcheon of our nation's glory, in some degree purged 
 from her crimson stains. 
 
 But yet we plead for the entire abolition of the delibe- 
 rate work of death. 
 
 Let no man be the hired servant of the state to strangle 
 one, for whom the Lord of glory died. 
 
 Even let the murderer live ; but so confined, that his 
 hand can ne'er again inflict a deed so horrible. 
 
 Enfettered as a heinous culprit, let him toil out a life 
 of guilty degradation, and wait the summons from the 
 Judge of all. 
 
 And let the moral teacher visit him, and ply his con- 
 science with eternal truth ; let mercy thus be mingled 
 with his punishment, and by the blessing of the Source 
 of every good, he may be won, and live to show his 
 soul's compunction and abhorrence of his crimes. 
 
 Facts have well proved that seeing men exjiire as 
 objects of vindictive punishment, has never softened those 
 who have commenced a course of lawlessness ; that men 
 have robbed each other with the suspended body of a 
 fellow criminal before their eyes ; for fear is but one 
 means of deterring men from crimes, and generally one 
 of the smallest efficacy. 
 
 If capital inflictions were abandoned, then worthless 
 men would not escape convictions from juries who had 
 
ON THE PUNISHMENT OF DEATH. 215 
 
 rather break an oath, than leave a man to die through 
 the verdict they would give. 
 
 Then too, our legislators would awaken to the great 
 importance of preventing crime, and raising men by edu- 
 cation and religious means, from a state of exposedness to 
 temptation's baits. 
 
 Instead of licensing some thousands to dole out the 
 liquid which inflames the brain, and excites to every 
 deed of sin, and thus to people jails and hulks, they 
 would abhor a revenue arising from a nation's profligacy, 
 and strive to stem the tide of inebriation, and raise to 
 dignified sobriety the myriads of the realm. 
 
 Let Ireland's moi-al reformation show to legislators, 
 moralists, and all who love their fellow men, how crime 
 may be prevented, and how the office of the executioner 
 may extensively become a sinecure. 
 
216 
 
 ON INTEMPERANCE. 
 
 Intemperance is defined, excess in meats, or drinks, 
 or passions. 
 
 A man may have an intemperate spirit, or give way 
 to intemperate practices. 
 
 Gluttony is intemperance in meats ; inebriety is the 
 consequence of intemperance in exciting drinks. 
 
 Moderation is the rational and scriptural rule in the use 
 of laAvful things — abstinence in reference to things of evil 
 or even of doubtful tendency. 
 
 An immoderate use of any created good is a perversion 
 of it, and thus the blessing is converted into a curse. 
 
 Abstemiousness in meats is conducive both to health of 
 body and vigour of mind. Repletion renders medicines 
 necessary. Rigid moderation may in the main dispense 
 with them ; but intemperance in drink not only produces 
 disease, but the train of its dire results is one of sorrow, 
 wretchedness, and woe. 
 
 It is the panderer to every vice — the patron of shame 
 — the herald of misery — the instigator of crime — and 
 the premonition of early decay, of premature death, and 
 everlasting destruction. 
 
 Intoxicating drinks insidiously undermine the powers 
 of the mind, and the strength of the body, and the com- 
 forts of life. 
 
 They first overcome the natural dislike — nature's anti- 
 pathy ; they then become agreeable ; afterwards, neces- 
 sary, and often ultimately ruinous. They flatter, fasci- 
 nate, and destroy. 
 
ON INTEMPERANCE. 217 
 
 The physical influence of these intoxicating drinks is 
 to increase the action of the heart — hurry impetuously 
 through the system, the fluid of life — quicken the pulse 
 -^excite the brain — redden the countenance — and if per- 
 sisted in, spread impotence or temporary paralysis over 
 the whole frame. 
 
 Yet how diverse in appearance the effects they produce. 
 Of one they make a companion for swine — of another, a 
 serpent — and of a third, a tiger; one is transformed into a 
 filthy nuisance — another, into a fool — and a third, into a 
 madman ; one grins with idiotcy — and another raves with 
 fury. 
 
 What misery intemperance produces in the social circle 
 — breaking the hearts of fathers, mothers, and wives ; 
 overwhelming with shame sisters, and children, and 
 friends ! 
 
 How it is the main auxiliary to insubordination, vio- 
 lent assaults, and blackest crimes ! How it tends to em- 
 bezzlement, theft, manslaughter, assassinations, murders, 
 and suicides. 
 
 It crowds the police offices with cases, the prisons with 
 inmates, the calendars with criminals, the hulks and 
 penal settlements with convicts, and the scaffold with its 
 sacrifices. 
 
 It filleth the poor-house with paupers, the penitentiary 
 with vagrants, the hospital Avith diseased, and asylums 
 with the insane. 
 
 It is directly hostile to education, industry, science, 
 learning, and religion. 
 
 It is unfavourable to useful trade, to social order, and 
 to a nation's prosperity. 
 
218 ON INTEMPERANCE. 
 
 Its trophies have been gathered from all generations ; 
 it has been the curse of most countries, and the immedi- 
 ate destroyer of unnumbered millions of beings. 
 
 It has corrupted the youth — degraded the father — and 
 polluted the mother and the wife. 
 
 It has entered into the sanctuary of God — increasing 
 apostates — impeding truth — preventing conversions — and, 
 in some cases, has degraded the deacon and elder from 
 his office, and blotted out the stars of the churches. 
 
 It had gone forth in its career of blackness, crime, and 
 woe, and cursing, without direct opposition, until men 
 conspired to assail it, and wisely became pledged to effect 
 its annihilation. 
 
 Thus its crowded ranks have become thinned, some of 
 its champions reclaimed, and the cause of sobriety' and 
 happiness extended. 
 
 Men may use stimulating drinks without excess, but 
 not without injury. 
 
 He who would be wise, safe, and happy, will avoid 
 them altogether. If by using them philosophers, states- 
 men, moralists, even divines have been overcome, who 
 will presume on his own strength ? or depend on his own 
 stedfastness ? Is it not vastly more desirable, to abstain 
 even from the appearance of evil ? 
 
 Let not appetite allure, nor customs enfetter thee ; but 
 be resolved, at any rate, to escape the path of the intem- 
 perate, the drunkard's death, and grave, and perdition. 
 
219 
 
 ON MONEY. 
 
 Money, says the preacher, " answereth all things ;" 
 that is, in relation to trade, and commerce, and the attain- 
 ment of most earthly enjoyments. Money is the sine 
 qua non — the thing of indispensable importance. 
 
 With money, under the ordinary events of life, may be 
 obtained the daily bread, the suitable raiment, the com- 
 fortable dwelling, the convenient furniture, and luxuries 
 adapted to soften down the ruggedness of life. 
 
 With money, mental lore may be obtained for the 
 mind ; stores of ancient or modern intellectual treasures 
 become our own. 
 
 With money, we may enjoy the varieties, and recrea- 
 tions, and instructions of travel ; visit the memorable 
 places of earth, and become acquainted with the inven- 
 tions of art, and the productions of nature, and the 
 wonders of science. 
 
 With the aid of money, we may become familiar with 
 all ranks, and be easily introduced into the highest orders 
 of society. 
 
 With money, we may purchase titles, obtain extraordi- 
 nary distinctions, and be ever followed by the breeze of 
 popular applause. 
 
 Money is so dazzling, and withal, so mysterious in its 
 influence, that it often stands instead of learaing, or gifts, 
 or principles, or worth. 
 
 But money is a talent committed to our trust, and of 
 which an exact account will hereafter be demanded. 
 
220 
 
 ON MONEY. 
 
 Perverted, abused, it will cover us with guilt and shame, 
 and sink us into everlasting shades of dire adversity. 
 
 If thou squanderest money, or divertest it from its law- 
 ful and proper course, an injury is committed, which God 
 will reckon robbery on the poor, the widow, and the 
 fatherless. 
 
 For money held as a deposit for the weal of others, 
 may be fraught with blessings to those around us. It 
 may lighten the load of anxious sorrow ; it may dispel 
 the chilling winds of keen adversity ; it may bless the 
 smitten child of poverty with gladness, and make the 
 widow's heart to dance for joy. 
 
 Money, with generous hand and prudent mind, ex- 
 pended, may save from the untimely grave, and stop the 
 desponding man who is hastening towards the steep of 
 self-destruction. 
 
 By means of money, interesting, useful, and sacred 
 books may be diffused among the abodes of illiteracy, 
 ignorance, and irreligion. Especially, that book of books 
 which makes its earnest reader, wise unto eternal life. 
 
 The money cursed and wasted in one flitting year, at 
 the gambling board, the race-course, and the houses 
 licensed to dispense the liquid fiery woes, would fill the 
 world with that blessed volume, and give to every man, 
 in his own tongue, the records of salvation. 
 
 By money too, the ship is freighted with the band 
 of holy men who cross the treacherous ocean — not to ex- 
 plore an unknown continent — not to engage in lawful 
 merchandize — much less in lawless war and rapine, but 
 to proclaim to dying savages, and idolatrous hordes of 
 men, the glorious gospel of the blessed God. 
 
ON MONEY. 221 
 
 By money, schools may be built in every crowded dis- 
 trict, to teach the rising youth the knowledge needful 
 both for this life, and that which is to come. 
 
 The world is rich enough for every work of kind hu- 
 manity, of true philanthropy, and piety divine. 
 
 But while children of this world supply with liberal 
 hand their own, how scantily the treasury of our God re- 
 ceives the tribute of his people. How many charities of 
 highest worth, but linger on, and only linger, because they 
 have not means of growth and vio-our given them. 
 
 Is it not strange that those who say they have found 
 the peerless peai-l of price, should show such strong 
 attachment to the glittering dust of earth ? that they 
 should follow fashion's costly eccentricities, in dress, in 
 furniture, and style of living, and should dole out with 
 niggard hand to meet the claims of heaven and earth, of 
 God and man. 
 
 Such love of Mammon was not known by the early 
 followers of the Lamb : they counted naught their own, 
 but all things Christ's, and with joy to poorest friends 
 they cheerfully dealt out as they had need. 
 
 O Christian ! let not the love of filthy lucre chain 
 down thy soul to earth, but if thou art indeed born from 
 above, prove thy high original, thy celestial descent, by 
 seeking treasures in the skies. 
 
 No man of sordid mind or covetous heart, belongs in- 
 deed to Jesus' family. 
 
 The influence of the cross melts down the iciness and 
 selfishness of human nature, and moulds it in the 
 Saviour's generous image. 
 
 The love of Christ constrains to deeds of goodness and 
 
222 THE RICH AND THE POOR. 
 
 compassion, and thus laid out, thy wealth is lent unto the 
 Lord, and he with ample interest will repay thee all 
 again. 
 
 But money idolized or wasted in the service of the 
 world and sin, will fill thy dying reminiscenses with pain 
 and horror, unless thou art become so callous by its 
 withering influence, to feel no agony until thou knowest 
 by sad experience, the gnawings of the deathless worm, 
 , and feel the kindlings of that flame that never shall 
 expire. 
 
 THE RICH AND THE POOR. 
 
 In all ages and countries, the two distinctions of rich 
 and poor have existed. It is equally clear that Divine 
 Providence has to do immediately with these distinc- 
 tions ; and that while God elevates one to the throne, he 
 fixes another in the path of poverty and toil. 
 
 Probably the amount of real enjoyment is not very 
 dissimilar between them, though the kind and quality 
 may widely differ. 
 
 Tlie poor have often health, vigoui-, and refreshing 
 repose, and true contentment, which all the riches of the 
 affluent cannot purchase, and which crowned heads may 
 well envy. 
 
 In the main, the less of the world, and the less anxiety 
 as to its disposal and retention, and the less fear as to 
 its dispossession. 
 
THE RICH AND THE POOR. 223 
 
 With food and raiment, and the addition of a good 
 conscience, real contentment may be possessed, and such 
 may have a perpetual feast. 
 
 It is a truth, that our real wants are few ; but when 
 we pass from these to our ideal ones, the list increases 
 as the sources of enjoyment are multiplied ; and as salt 
 water increaseth the thirst, so increased worldly good may 
 add to the intensity of the desires, but never satisfies them. 
 
 But neither a state of riches nor poverty can be allied 
 with true felicity, unless sanctified by the influences of 
 acceptable piety. 
 
 On the rich devolve many duties in connexion with 
 their possessions, — as a right apprehension of the tenure 
 on which they are lent — as to their right application, and 
 as to using them without loving or perverting them, and 
 as to faithful stewardship, which may be surrendered at 
 last with joy and not with grief. 
 
 Wealth is a talent, and on its wise and righteous appli- 
 cation, eternal consequences are suspended. 
 
 To be rich, and poor in spirit, and self-denying in life, 
 men have often found to involve great moral conflicts in 
 which the victory is with difficulty obtained. 
 
 The rich have and hold their riches as the stewards of 
 God, and the trustees of the poor, and indigent, and 
 afflicted. Therefore it behoveth them to give freely of 
 their abundance to him who needeth, and to do it 
 heartily, and with delight as unto the Lord. 
 
 The rich are often tempted to fancy that their wealth 
 renders them independent ; while the truth is, that de- 
 pendency necessarily increaseth as our worldly goods are 
 multiplied. 
 
224 THE RICH AND THE POOR. 
 
 Often the more riches, the more houses and lands, 
 and hence the more servants and the more cares. 
 
 Of what is the rich man independent ? obviously not 
 of the poor. To them he must look for all the necessa- 
 ries as "well as the comforts of life. 
 
 The monarch is served from the field, and the plough- 
 man ministereth to the daily bread of the noble. 
 
 From whence do we derive our food, and raiment, and 
 fire, and furniture ; let the peasant, and the weaver, and 
 the miner, and the mechanic, answer the interrogation. 
 
 Our tables are laden with luxuries, but the slave and 
 perilled mariner have provided and brought them for 
 our use. 
 
 The library at once contributes to our instruction and 
 amusement, but how many sons of toil must expend 
 their energies before we can possess a single pam- 
 phlet. 
 
 It is manifest then, that riches and dependence are in- 
 variably allied, if not in the abstract synonymous. 
 
 Then let these things be remembered by the rich ; and 
 they will feel that kindness to the poor is a debt they 
 owe, and not a favour they confer. 
 
 Then will their spirit be gentle, and courteous, and 
 benignant ; and their conduct bountiful and kind. 
 
 Thus the rich will ensure the esteem, and the grateful 
 love of the poor, and their influence for good be increased 
 manifold. Thus too, will they ensure the favour which 
 God has promised to those who consider the poor ; and 
 reflect the image of the beneficent Father of all our 
 mercies. 
 
 By the poor a recognition of the hand of Divine Pro- 
 
THE RICH AND THE POOR. 225 
 
 vidence in the arrangement of our concerns, is a subject 
 fraught with the most important instruction. 
 
 If God choose our lot, however comparatively small, 
 it must be wise, and righteous, and good. Contentment 
 with it, in a godly spirit, is great and indescribable 
 gain. 
 
 Sanctified poverty is direct conformity to the life and 
 station of the world's Redeemer ; and few like hiiu have 
 nowhere to lay their head. 
 
 Praise honours poverty, prayer sweetens it, and 
 patience meekly acquiesces in it. 
 
 Poverty can only be a degradation, when it is the 
 result of extravagance or indolence ; and it is only a 
 cui'se, when it lodgeth in an unsubdued heart, and pro- 
 duceth an impatient and rebellious spirit. 
 
 Let not the poor man envy the rich, for the prosperity 
 of the wicked, is often a preparative for the day of 
 slaughter. 
 
 Remember, this is but their transitory state of being, 
 and Lazarus the beggar was much more favoured in 
 having his evil things here, and his good hereafter, than 
 Dives who had his viands and purple for a day, and the 
 evil of the divine wrath for ever ! 
 
 Unite with poverty, prayer for all thy need, and be 
 anxious for nothing, " and the peace of God which 
 passeth all understanding, shall keep thy heart and mind 
 through Christ Jesus." 
 
 Poverty and affliction with the people of God, Moses 
 preferred to the crown of Pharaoh, and the riches of 
 Egypt, and the pleasures of sin ; for he had respect to the 
 recompense of reward. 
 
 L 
 
226 ON YOUTH. 
 
 Let the rich kindly and generously employ the poor ; 
 and let the poor fi'eely and cheerfully labour for the rich ; 
 and let mutual dependence promote mutual sympathy, 
 esteem, and affection. " For the rich and the poor meet 
 together, and the Lord is the maker of them all." 
 
 ON YOUTH. 
 
 It is scarcely possible to over-estimate the importance 
 of youth. 
 
 It is as the spring of the year ; and the summer's 
 abundance, and the autumnal gatherings, greatly depend 
 upon it. 
 
 It is as the morning of life, and the succeeding day of 
 our probation must be materially affected by it. 
 
 How important are its bearings on the individual, and 
 on the domestic and social circles of life. 
 
 Its influences for good or evil relate to all time, and 
 equally to all eternity. 
 
 It is generally the key-stone of the personal building, 
 and the foundation of weal or woe. 
 
 On the principles and actions of youth, depend greatly 
 the practices and experience of after-life. 
 
 There are many things in youth to be studiously 
 avoided, especially self-confidence, precipitate friendships, 
 evil books, and unprincipled society. 
 
 Self-confidence will lead to bitter dissatisfaction ; and 
 
ON YOUTH. 227 
 
 i*ash friendships, to keen disappointments ; evil books, 
 to moral contamination ; and bad company, to the adop- 
 tion and practice of iniquity. 
 
 Among the things to be avoided, we would also include 
 the race-course, that scene of dissipation ; the theatre, 
 with its deadly atmosphere ; the tavern, with its polluting 
 influences ; the cigar shop, with its dissolute society ; 
 and the gaming house, with its damning practices. 
 
 We would guard our youth too, against assumed pom- 
 pousness of manner, and pride of spirit, and vanity of 
 heart. 
 
 Against indolence that rust of the soul, and that 
 tempter of the evil one. 
 
 The morning hours of youth are too precious to be 
 wasted ; its powers, too sacred to be perverted ; and its 
 mental and moral concerns, too momentous to be 
 neglected. 
 
 How many in mature life have mourned over the in- 
 fatuations of their early days, and have been made to 
 bear the iniquities of their youth. 
 
 How many momentous things there are in youth to 
 be pursued ; the attainment of knowledge, and the acqui- 
 sition of wisdom ; the adoption of sovind principles, and 
 the cultivation of a right practice. 
 
 It is now habits should be formed, self-government 
 established, and pure personal religion chosen, which 
 will be the safety of the spirit and the ornament of the 
 life. 
 
 Most men of pious celebrity, have cried after celestial 
 ■wisdom in their youth. 
 
 We may presume thus of Abel, but it is evident in 
 L 2 
 
228 ON YOUTH. 
 
 Joseph, and Samuel, and David. We see it also in 
 Jabez and Josiah, in Daniel and the Hebrew worthies, 
 and in the disciple whom Jesus especially loved. 
 
 Youthful piety is peculiarly acceptable to God, and is 
 favoured with the energy and time, which the cause of 
 religion requires from its disciples. 
 
 The youthful Christian is generally active, zealous, 
 and devoted. 
 
 To youth we would say, diligently improve your ad- 
 vantages, occupy usefully your time, and guard with 
 jealous solicitude your reputation. 
 
 Be gentle towards your juniors, respectful to your 
 equals, deferential to your seniors, and courteous and 
 kind to all. 
 
 Reverence parental authority, and labour to increase 
 the amount of parental comfort and joy. 
 
 Act humanely as a man, rationally as an intelligent 
 being, devoutly as a Christian, and humbly as one whose 
 experience is at present necessarily defective. 
 
 Seek the really good, and not the uncertain great ; be 
 the disciple of utility, not of show ; of moderation, not 
 of ambition. 
 
 Be thy companion, the bible ; thy friends, the truly 
 religious ; thy Saviour Jesus ; that thy portion may be 
 God's favour in time, and his glory for ever. 
 
 Seek the divine blessing ; and thus if God be acknow- 
 ledged, he will direct thy steps. Commit thy way to 
 him, and he will bring it to pass. 
 
 Labour to estimate all things according to the real 
 value they bear ; and to know this, try them by the un- 
 errinsf rule of God's holv and infallible word. 
 
ON YOUTH. 229 
 
 Youth often errs by the cherishing of unreasonable 
 hopes, without a due admixture of prudence and caution. 
 
 Forget not that youth is mortal, as the sepulchres 
 of the juvenile dead abundantly testify. 
 
 Then let cheerfulness be united with seriousness, and 
 joy with gravity, and activity with a life of holy waiting 
 for the great momentous change, which awaits all the 
 human race. 
 
 Sound sense will carry thee through the secular scenes 
 of the world ; sound principles steer thee safely amidst 
 the sunken rocks and hidden shoals of thy earthly 
 voyage ; and a sound practice, the result of sound faith, 
 bring that voyage to a safe and joyous termination. 
 
 From our youth, our senates of legislation, our courts 
 of judicature, our halls of science, our academies of 
 learning, our sanctuaries of religion, must be supplied. 
 
 To them we look for the philosophers, patriots, philan- 
 thropists, and preachers of the coming generation. 
 
 Then may we labour to soimd the true key-note, and 
 make the right impression on our growing youth, and 
 pray that " our sons may be as plants grown up in their 
 youth ; that our daughters may be as corner stones 
 polished after the similitude of a palace." " Happy is 
 that people that is in such a case, yea, happy is that peo- 
 ple whose God is the Lord." 
 
230 
 
 OLD AGE. 
 
 Old age is venerable to the eye, and when united with 
 wisdom and religion commandeth the esteem of all. 
 
 But how sad and painful is it, to behold the hoary head 
 accompanied with ignorance, neglect of holy things, and 
 unpreparedness for the dread verities of a future state. 
 
 The very aged compared with the multitude who die 
 before they reach it, is truly rare, and remindeth us how 
 vain and short is human life. 
 
 No doubt that certain courses tend to premature old 
 age, and there are many wicked who do not live out half 
 their days. 
 
 A plain and simple style of living, with early rising 
 and abstinence from the inebriating cup : moderation too 
 in meats — a cultivation of a cheerful state of mind — all 
 tend to sweeten and prolong our stay on earth. 
 
 But all the care that mortals sometimes use is vain ; 
 and often the best and worthiest of our race become the 
 inmates of an early grave. 
 
 Long life was once the subject of God's promise, but 
 that belonged to a dispensation especially allied to earthly 
 promises. And while we can't dispute the tendency of 
 true religion to multiply e'en temporal good, yet the pro- 
 mises belonging to the gospel, rather tend to the un- 
 measured joys and glories of the life to come. 
 
 And it is certain too, that age, and sorrow, and pain, 
 have long been wedded in indissoluble bonds. 
 
 Man may outlive his dearest relatives and friends and 
 become a stranger in his native place. He may outlive 
 
OLD AGE. 231 
 
 enjojiTient of corporeal blessings; and weakness, infirmi- 
 ties, and pain, may be left his sole attendants. He may- 
 survive until he knows by evidences that cannot be dispu- 
 ted, that he is viewed by many as an intruder on another 
 generation. 
 
 Besides, is it to be desired to outlive the capacity of 
 receiving, or the power of doing, good. 
 
 An aged, withered, earthly frame, is but ill fitted as 
 the vehicle of the mental and the moral powers ; and if 
 it be God's will, surely it is to be desired that the ethereal 
 mind be clothed upon with that heavenly house, and to 
 dwell with Christ is infinitely best. 
 
 Sometimes old age is brought before us with such hues 
 of loveliness upon it, that it seems a thing to be devoutly 
 longed for. When the eye still shines with intellectual 
 lustre ; when the countenance is stamped with the impress 
 of true goodness ; when benignity still sheds its liallowed 
 lustre o'er the face ; and when the speech is full of kind- 
 ness, purity, and heaven. 
 
 When like a shock of com, the yellowness of full ma- 
 turity is manifest ; when the lingering days of a rich and 
 green old age are spent in acts of piety towards God, and 
 in deeds of mercy to mankind. 
 
 When the hoaiy pilgrim leaning on his staff proceedeth 
 on his heavenward course, and looks with holy scorn on 
 all the sublunary things of earth and time. 
 
 Dignified ! thrice happy is the man, who thus can tell 
 of threescore years acquaintance with celestial things : 
 who contemplates with joy the way that providence hath 
 led him, and who is waiting in hourly expectation of 
 the coming of his Lord. 
 
232 OLD AGE. 
 
 Who treads with faltering footstep on the margin of 
 the tomb, but ever lives by faith within the vestibule of 
 heaven. 
 
 How oft, alas ! is age presented to us laden only with 
 the vices of a mispent life, — where sin has left its traces 
 deep in every lineament of the face, — Avhere threescore 
 years and ten have been abused, perverted to purposes of 
 Avickedness and vile ingratitude, — where probation length- 
 ened has been despised, and God's long suffering treated 
 as divine indifference. 
 
 Where passion has the ascendancy, and often where 
 monstrous avarice holds in her iron grasp with increased 
 tenacity, and sordid idolatry, the earthly dust of riches. 
 
 Where conscience hath slumbered long, and all the 
 emotions of the soul are deadened, and no concern is 
 felt in reference to the everlasting destinies awaiting it in 
 future worlds. 
 
 Horrible, most horrible, is such a scene ! it resembleth 
 the tree robbed of its verdure and its foliage, and smitten 
 by the electric lightning, awaiting the woodman's stroke 
 as only fuel fit for burning. 
 
 For in that holy book where only truth is written, do 
 we read, " though the sinner should survive a hundred 
 years, yet shall he die accursed." 
 
 Then aged reader, see to it that the end of thy pro- 
 tracted life is answered ; that thou dost the fruit of 
 rio-hteousness bear unto old age ; that thou hast not lived 
 in vain ; that thy memory may be enshrined in the heai-ts 
 of the good and pious when thou shalt moulder with thy 
 mother earth ; that thou hast a gracious title, and a holy 
 meetness for a better world. 
 
EARTHLY MUTABILITIES. 233 
 
 Thus favoured wait until thy Lord shall come, and 
 then with joy take full possession of the rest thy God 
 hath in love prepared for all his saints. 
 
 EARTHLY MUTABILITIES. 
 
 How graphically does the inspired teacher remind us 
 " That the fashion of this world passeth away ! " and 
 does not all histoiy establish the truth of this declaration ! 
 On what can we fix the eye of contemplation, and say, 
 this is permanent, and will not be affected by change ? 
 
 Every where we see the fragments of former times, 
 and the lingering remains of bygone glories. 
 
 Ancient monarchies and empires that once stood forth 
 arrayed in earthly stateliness and magnificence, had their 
 rise and noon-day splendour, and then, some gradually, 
 and others rapidly, sunk into decay ; and many have be- 
 come obsolete, and are only imperfectly traceable by the 
 aid of what history furnisheth. 
 
 Those ancient cities of idolatry and learning in Egypt, 
 Babylon, Nineveh, the Jerusalem of former dispensations, 
 Herculaneum, Pompeii — who can linger around their 
 sites or ramble among their ruins, and not perceive the 
 fragility and uncertainty of earthly grandeur ? 
 
 And has it not been equally so with human greatness ? 
 How have princes and heroes been compelled to de- 
 scend to the lowest stations of life. 
 
 l5 
 
234 
 
 EARTHLY MUTABILITIES. 
 
 A monarch one day ; a beggar, a slave, the next. 
 A hero leading on the conquering host ; now a captive 
 in degradation and chains. 
 
 Rich, invested with splendour, and surrounded with 
 fawning admirers ; and now the victim of adversity, and 
 the subject of neglect or scorn. 
 
 The youthful Hebrew under Pharaoh guiding all the 
 affairs of mighty Egypt, the babe proscribed by mur- 
 derous enactments, nourished in the royal palace — the 
 shepherd boy of Jesse's family made monarch over 
 Israel ; and on the other side the cruel Adonibezek, a 
 mangled captive crawling 'neath his conqueror's table — 
 the envious Haman exalted to the gallows he had reared 
 for Mordecai — Job in solitary sorrow, with all his former 
 earthly good a wreck — Nebuchadnezzar herding with the 
 cattle of the field — ^the accusers of the holy Daniel given 
 as the hungry lions' prey — Herod descending from his 
 throne to be devoured alive by worms, are some of those 
 instructive instances the scriptures furnish. 
 
 And every history, sacred and profane, ancient or mo- 
 dern, could the list of striking mutabilities extend. 
 
 Happy in the enjoyment of the social blessings of 
 life, with many gladsome faces to make the domestic 
 circle joyous, now sorrowful and bereaved, and household 
 gladness exchanged for grief and anguish ; hale and 
 vigorous, buoyant with physical vivacity, now debilitated 
 and reclining on the couch of sickness, a prey to lan- 
 guishing and pain ; with many golden dreams of future 
 days and years of brightness, and now in the midst of the 
 illusive imaginings, smitten with the stroke of fell mor- 
 tality, and consigned to the gloomy, silent tomb. 
 
EARTHLY MUTABILITIES. 235 
 
 How vain then to reckon aught sure and stable tliat 
 pertains to earthly things. 
 
 The moon in all her waxings and her wanings — the 
 ever restless, flowing, ebbing tide — the querulous winds, 
 and atmospheric constant changes, are not less certain 
 than the varying scenes of earth and time. 
 
 Thou mayest know much of what is past, and some- 
 thing of the present, but presume not to reckon what to- 
 morrow will produce. 
 
 Prosperity or poverty, joy or sorrow, health or sick- 
 ness, life or death, is only known to him who is the great 
 and wise Disposer and Arbiter of all things. 
 
 To-morrow is pregnant with a thousand dire events, 
 which if but known to-day would take away all present 
 peace and joy, and overwhelm with horror and dismay. 
 
 How wisely is it ordered that the events of the present 
 only are allowed to press upon us, and these, by hopes of 
 better days, are often borne with holy patience and calm 
 submission to the will of heaven. 
 
 Then forget not, reader, that the mutable of earth 
 includeth all, — all that can be placed among our earthly 
 good. 
 
 I speak not now of honours, wealth, and things that 
 gratify the senses ; I speak of friends beloved — of kin- 
 dred dear — of bosom relatives ; I speak of health and 
 vigour — of mental soundness ; I speak of life itself. 
 
 Oh ! fancy not that aught of these is to be reckoned 
 on, but rather keep thy eye of faith on him who is the 
 changeless, satisfying portion of his saints, his name — 
 " I am," his great prerogative — " Who changeth not." 
 
236 
 
 HEALTH. 
 
 Who can tell the worth of health, or overvalue its 
 influence on the physical, intellectual, and moral enjoy- 
 ments of mankind ? 
 
 It is the invisible source of beauty, the secret channel 
 of vigour, the talisman of earthly bliss. 
 
 It sparkles in the eye, blooms in the cheek, vermilions 
 the lip, nerves the arm, and imparts elasticity and firm- 
 ness to the gait. 
 
 It gives buoyancy to the spirits, activity to the mind, 
 and energy to the thoughts. 
 
 It is the poor man's earthly portion, and the rich man's 
 greatest luxury. 
 
 It is welcome in every clime, and nourished on every 
 hearth. 
 
 Numerous are the blessings thatfolloAV in its train, and 
 legion is the title of the ills that approach at its retiring. 
 
 Few have it long, continuously, and in perfection ; 
 and none ever its rightful value know, until its absence 
 has taught the painful lesson. 
 
 Some have maintained it in regions of infected air, and 
 many have lost it in salubrious lands. 
 
 When impaired, it is often of difficult restoration, and 
 sometimes mines of gold, would have been given for 
 its establishment. 
 
 Many have trifled Avith it, and exposed it for exchange 
 in every mart of riot and folly. 
 
HEALTH. 237 
 
 Luxury is one of its direst foes, and sensual enjoyment 
 its greatest enemy. 
 
 Pamper thy flesh, and enervation and disease will soon 
 be thy companion. Many dishes and delicious viands 
 have often betrayed it with a Delilah's embrace, and a 
 Judas-like kiss. 
 
 Inappropriate costume has often exposed it, beds of 
 down wasted it, and ease and mid-day indolence poi- 
 soned it to its core. 
 
 Art thou anxious to retain this priceless guest, this 
 heaven-sent blessing ? — 
 
 Avoid the midnight air, the over-heated room, the 
 noxious atmosphere. 
 
 Avoid late carousings, the rich spread banquet, and all 
 excess. 
 
 Avoid protracted slumbers, and delicate attentions, and 
 tlie insidious cordial. 
 
 Avoid the baneful stimulant, the sparkling cup, and 
 the soothing opiate. 
 
 Avoid the frequent use of drugs, for they create a ne- 
 cessity for their continuance. 
 
 Avoid distracting cares, especially that porch of hell 
 — the gambling room. 
 
 Avoid excessive passions. 
 
 Avoid in meats and drinks, however tempting they 
 may be, that which excites, inflames, and spreads a mad- 
 dening influence, through all the channels of thy system. 
 
 Avoid, if possible, protracted toil, continued watchings, 
 and labours over much. 
 
 Avoid a fretful pining state of mind, and discontent, 
 that bane of eveiy good. 
 
238 HEALTH. 
 
 Avoid recurring scenes of guilt and flee from all that 
 would defile tliy conscience. 
 
 Avoid the way of the transgressor, for that is health's 
 antagonist, overcome by which men live not half their 
 days. 
 
 Avoid the idiotic thought that heaven will give this 
 boon to men who live in violation of its laws. 
 
 Seek it in the well-aired bedroom, and the hard mat- 
 tress, and in the ambrosial breath of morn. 
 
 Seek it in the homely meal, in useful labour, and in 
 physical activity. 
 
 Seek it in the chrystal stream, that living fluid sent by 
 the Father of our mercies to be the beverage of mankind. 
 
 Seek it in oft ablutions, and keep the pores, those 
 countless avenues of health, well cleansed and braced 
 in water from the spring. 
 
 Seek it in joyfulness of heart, in virtue's paths, and in 
 wisdom's ways. 
 
 Seek it walking in the sunshine of purest mercy and 
 true benevolence. 
 
 Seek it in earnest prayer from Him, who giveth all 
 things richly for our good. 
 
 And yet perchance with all thy skill and care it may 
 forsake thee. Then seek its only substitute — heaven's 
 genial sunshine, God's most gracious smile, and hope 
 well grounded of a blest and glorious immortality. 
 
 These will console thee when earthly vigour fails, and 
 these support when pains severe assail thee. Then, when 
 heart and flesh shall fail, God, in whom thou trustest will 
 sustain, and of thy heart the portion be, both now and 
 ever. 
 
239 
 
 BEREAVEMENTS. 
 
 This is emphatically a world of change. All sub- 
 lunary things like the panoramic scene pass away. 
 Kingdoms are dissolved, empires vanish, and nations are 
 no more. 
 
 The social circle, the family hearth, are invaded by 
 the king of terrors ; and friends and kindred are scattered 
 like the leaves before the autumnal blast. 
 
 The aged sire laden with threescore years and ten, or 
 even fourscore years, like the rugged oak, venerable 
 in his sphere, and reverenced by the generation growing 
 up around him, at length yields up the ghost, and is 
 buried with his fathers. 
 
 The matron with her silvered locks and benignant 
 countenance — the mother of a noble band, a household 
 relic now, and prized and blessed by all around her, like 
 the setting moon, sinks beneath the horizon and shines no 
 more on earth . Her dignity now transferred, is seen in 
 the step of many a noble-minded son, and in many 
 maternal hearts, her gentleness and love still glow, and 
 her mantle of domestic virtues now rests on those who 
 fill the sphere in which she lived and moved. 
 
 But what is this excites the wailings of a numerous 
 class, where the young and the aged mingle their sighs 
 together ? 
 
 One in the vigour of his manhood, whose bones were 
 full of marrow, and limbs apparently of iron or of mar- 
 
240 BEREAVEMENTS. 
 
 ble — the fell blast of fierce disease assailed liim, and there 
 prostrated he lies a monument of earthly impotence and 
 vanity. 
 
 See too how desolated that Eden of domestic bliss, that 
 garden where grow and thrive so many household flowers 
 of loveliness. There the mother and the wife, font of so 
 much joy, and centre of domestic hope and bliss to all 
 around; yet as the sun, mid noon-tide splendour and 
 meridian day, goes down at once. What blissful hopes, 
 what cherished sweet anticipations are there, enshrouded 
 in the veriest darkness. 
 
 Or shall we speak of infant loveliness exchanged for 
 sickly wanness in the very morning of its beauteous in- 
 nocence, or of dear fraternal bonds, dissolving like a 
 rope of sand, or of the elevated, kind, and genial friend- 
 ships, which had like kindred drops, adhered together ; 
 now scattered here and there like spray before the eastern 
 wind. 
 
 Bereavements ! who hath not had lessons taught him 
 in this school of bitterness? Who has not bowed his 
 soul, and in the depths of sorrowing anguish exclaimed, 
 " Alas ! my father, mother, brother, child, or friend." 
 
 How many portions of our family inheritance, now 
 moulder in the silent tomb, and that wide yawning grave 
 will never say " enough" till all are buried in its fathom- 
 less abyss. 
 
 Bereavements often shock, alarm, and overwhelm 
 with sorrow. But wherefore is it ? Becaiise on mortal 
 gifts we wrote with love's deceivings, — " immortality." 
 
 We whispered this thought, that in our nest of social 
 comforts, till distant advanced age, we, undisturbed 
 
BEREAVEMENTS. 241 
 
 should live, and calmly die. That the fair mountain of 
 our bright and sunny pleasures would ne'er remove. 
 That the inscriptions on our delights were written with 
 the diamond on the marble rock. But while we reckoned 
 and cherished all these hopes, our nest was torn and 
 scattered, our mountain shaken to its base, and deep sub- 
 merged in sorrow's watery foam. And the inscription 
 of happiness for years to come, on flitting sand was 
 written, and every letter was effaced by the rising tide of 
 social trouble. 
 
 Forget not the tenure of iincertainty on which thy 
 dearest good is held. Mutation is the creature's very 
 nature, and change its birthright, and decay its certain 
 destiny. 
 
 But friends removed and out of sight, and hearing, and 
 embrace, " still live, and move, and have their being." 
 
 Not lost in deep annihilation's gloomy shades. If but 
 in Christ and covenant with God, when they put forth 
 from the shores of earth and time, like the majestic vessel 
 in full sail, they entered that bright haven of immor- 
 tality and bliss, where neither sin, nor change, nor 
 sorrow, can invade. 
 
 Thither by spiritual communings, you may yet ap- 
 proach and visit them. And from thence by invisible 
 access, they may come near to us, and form a part of the 
 ministering host who sympathize with all salvation's 
 heirs. 
 
 And but a transient day at most, and the same winds 
 that severed them from us will bear us to them ; then 
 sorrow not as without hope. 
 
 Adore the Providence enwrapped in clouds and 
 
242 TIME. 
 
 mystery ; the sun will soon shine forth, and then thou 
 shalt both know, adore, and satisfied, exclaim : — " The 
 Lord ! he hath done all things well." 
 
 TIME. 
 
 Time is measured duration ; the material of our being, 
 and the index of our progression to eternity. 
 
 There was, before time begun its course ; there will be, 
 when time shall be no longer. 
 
 Time has been a favourite theme with philosophers, 
 moralists, and sages. Some have extolled it much, but 
 none ever knew its intrinsic woi*th. The light of eternity 
 must reveal it, the day of doom declare it, and all eter- 
 nity re-echo it. 
 
 Time past, how transient ; time present, how evan- 
 escent ; time to come, with any how uncertain. How 
 different in the lessons it teaches, and the impressions it 
 makes. 
 
 The child Avastes it in play, and knoweth not its worth ; 
 the anxious youth would hasten its course, and the aged 
 put a drag upon its wheels. 
 
 Deferred hope, and endured pain biddeth it fly ; en- 
 joyment would arrest its flight, and the condemned male- 
 factor is overwhelmed at its velocity. 
 
 So intrinsically excellent, it is dealt out in moments, and 
 two contemporary ones never existed at the same period. 
 
TIME. 243 
 
 Its travel is regular, silent but sure. It never wearies, 
 nor halts, nor turns aside ; on, on, is its motto, and on, 
 on, it has sped for nearly six thousand years. 
 
 A thousand years were given to the antediluvians ; one 
 hundred and twenty to the patriarchs ; but thirty are the 
 measure of the modern generations of mankind. 
 
 Time is the space of man's existence, the bounds of 
 his probation, and his seed time for eternity. 
 
 In possession, it may be improved and enjoyed ; gone, 
 it is irrecoverably lost. 
 
 Used, it blesses ; neglected, it condemns ; abused it 
 leaves its curse behind. 
 
 Time should be redeemed from vain conversation — 
 frivolous pursuits — foolishness of life. 
 
 Time should be anticipated by prudent forethought, 
 improved by holy diligence, and laid up for serious 
 reflection. 
 
 The records of time will furnish the subjects for judg- 
 ment, and influence the destinies of eternity. 
 
 Reader, what thinkest thou of time ? how hast thou 
 spent time past, how art thou using time present, and 
 how purposing for time to come ? 
 
 Know its intrinsic value, be taught its immense impor- 
 tance, and so number thy days as to apply thy heart unto 
 wisdom. 
 
•244 
 
 DEA.TH. 
 
 Death ! what art tliou ? In the language of poetical 
 imaginativeness, the fell destroyer — the insatiable monster 
 — the king of terrors ! 
 
 Personification of all terribleness, concentration of all 
 horror, and subject of all abhorrence. 
 
 Insidious in thy approach, fearful in thy gloomy page- 
 antry, and remorseless in thy attacks. 
 
 Successful archer ! with thy arrows of desolation, re- 
 lentless warrior ! with thy armour of destruction. 
 
 Nature's enemy with thy Avar-whoop of vengeance. 
 
 The dread of every living thing, the devastator of 
 earth, the blight of the world, the gorger of the grave, 
 the excluded of heaven, and the kidnapper of hell. 
 
 With hideous form, and sepulchral voice, and icy 
 hand, and ruthless arm, and heartless bosom ! 
 
 Hoary-headed despot ! thy reign of terror has been ex- 
 tended through thousands of years, o'er every land, in 
 every nation, and among every tongue. 
 
 Thou Ishmaelite to every class, and order, and degree, 
 and age of men ! 
 
 Thou destroyer of infants, thou assassin of the aged, 
 thou murderer of all ! 
 
 Thou invader of the domestic hearth, of the social 
 circle, and of the church of God ! 
 
 Thou devourer of talent, and genius, and influence, 
 and worth ! 
 
DEATH. 245 
 
 Thou executioner of the vile, thou dethroner of kings, 
 thou leveller of subjects, and thou equalizer of all ! 
 
 The fear of the wise, the horror of the foolish, the 
 compeer of the assassin, the gulph of the suicide, and 
 the gain of the saint. 
 
 All thy horrors are the fruit of sin ; all thy terrors the 
 denunciations of the law ; all thy power of evil unfor- 
 given guilt ; all thy darkness the want of hope. 
 
 Thus have poets sung thy dreaded fame, thy fearful 
 character, but what does tranquil reason, and sound phi- 
 losophy, and sacred truth aver ? 
 
 Reason says, thou art a mere negation — the want of 
 being ; philosophy, the terminus of life's short journey ; 
 and revelation, the rest of toil, and sleep of man's ex- 
 hausted wearied frame. 
 
 Death, thy days are numbered, thy overthrow pre- 
 dicted, thy ruin certain ! The man in whom tabernacled 
 the divinity, chased thee from thy strongholds. He 
 staid thee on thy march to the sepulchre, and bade the 
 widow's son of Nain arise. He dissolved thy fatal chain, 
 in raising to buoyant life, the ruler's little maid. He ex- 
 pelled thee from thy strong hold, when with the voice of 
 majesty and power almighty, he exclaimed, " Lazarus 
 come forth." 
 
 And more than all, Christ overcame thee, when he lay 
 in silent darkness in the new hewn tomb, and when thou 
 seemedst to have slain the prince of life ; and with victory 
 and triumph, he arose and grappling with thee in thine 
 own domains, he worsted thee ; snapped thy massive 
 chains ; broke to shivers thine ancient sceptre threw back 
 thy gloomy doors ; let in the light of resurrection's glory. 
 
246 THE JUDGMENT. 
 
 and came forth exclaiming, " Though dead, [I am alive 
 again, and have the keys of hell and death for ever- 
 more !" 
 
 Yes ! death now thou art tributary to the king of Zion, 
 the Lord of life and glory 5 with all the fruit of sin, 
 thou shalt at last be cast deep into the burning lake, and 
 life and immortality shall triumph evermore. 
 
 THE JUDGMENT. 
 
 Hark ! the distant thunders roll, the earth reels with 
 fright, the mighty blast is heard — No more be time ! 
 
 The firmament of heaven is darkened, the sun in sack- 
 cloth clad, the moon as blood ! 
 
 The crumbling elements dissolve and melt with fervent 
 heat ; and one fierce sheet of fiame enwraps the globe. 
 
 'Tis Dooms' day ! and now, the destiny of each and all, 
 hangs on the lips of him, before whose face the earth and 
 heavens now pass away. 
 
 'Mid air, the crowded masses of innumerable human 
 beings congregate together. 
 
 The great white throne of infinite and everlasting judi- 
 cature is now set up ; angelic legions, as the ofiicers of 
 justice, surround it. 
 
 The books are opened — the records of a world's trans- 
 actions ! 
 
THE JTTDGMENT. 247 
 
 Another book — the book of life, in which are regis- 
 tered in characters of light, the truly great, and just, and 
 good, of eveiy age, and clime, and colour. 
 
 The earth has fled far, far away. In cloud and smoke 
 the sea by evaporation has escaped. 
 
 No earth or ocean is found or seen ; mountains, and 
 hills, and rocks, and monuments have passed away for 
 ever, 
 
 " And, like the baseless fabric of a vision, 
 Left not a wreck behind." 
 
 But how diverse the character of those around the 
 throne ! how earthly form and etiquette are now forgotten ! 
 
 There, in close connexion, stand the monarch and the 
 beggar — the master and his slave — the philosopher and 
 the fool — the high and low — the great and small — the 
 rich and poor — the sons of rustic homeliness and the fair 
 daughters of high nobility and state — the judge and the 
 criminal — the sire and the son — the father and his chil- 
 dren — and the minister and his flock. 
 
 What dread, and horror, and dismay, o'erwhelm the 
 multitude ! 
 
 What shrieks of anguish, what rending pleas, what 
 torturing agony, what cries of deep despair ! 
 
 And yet amid the countless myriads behold a happy 
 class of sainted spirits without alarm. 
 
 This is the day for which they lived, and to which they 
 hastened. 
 
 For this, they earnestly believed, and hoped, and 
 prayed. 
 
 The Judge, their friend and brother ; in covenant with 
 God their expectations cannot perish. 
 
248 THE JUDGMENT. 
 
 The saints of Christ who suffered with and for him, 
 now must reign. 
 
 Despised, and hated, and maltreated — now co-heirs 
 with Christ they judge the world. 
 
 Beckoned to his side, they sit on thrones of honour ; 
 confessed by him, they now become the envy of the 
 world's infatuated millions. 
 
 Their names pronounced with joy, their brows with 
 shining crowns adorned, enrobed in vestments of purest 
 white, they enter in with Christ their Lord, and dwell for 
 ever in his kingdom. 
 
 But ah ! the sorrow, woe, and misery of those on 
 whom the fearful sentence is pronounced, " Depart from 
 me," from light, and joy, and hope, " ye cursed," who 
 refused the blood of saving mercy, " into everlasting 
 fire," the lake of hottest flame, enkindled by the wrath of 
 heaven, " prepared for the devil and his angels," the de- 
 signed abode of fallen spirits, but made your own by foul 
 conspiracy, and union with that hapless rank of dark 
 intelligences. 
 
 Then, as the angels execute the awful sentence, and 
 cast them down to regions black and terrible, how one 
 imited scream of horror, louder than ten thousand thun- 
 ders, terminates this overwhelming dark reality of judg- 
 ment, to which, reader, thou art hastening. 
 
 Be wise while wisdom will avail, and whate'er thou 
 gainest or losest in time, secure through faith in Jesus a 
 final lot of glory with the blest. 
 
249 
 
 HEAVEN. 
 
 Heaven ! a sacred word identified with our first infan- 
 tile prayers. The dwelling of " our Father," whose 
 name maternal piety taught us to lisp with reverence and 
 praise. 
 
 Heaven ! that exalted locality which is the residence of 
 angels, the home of the beatified, and the palace of 
 Jehovah. 
 
 Heaven ! the temple of the universe, the sanctum 
 sanctorum, — the holiest of all. 
 
 Heaven ! the Eden of delight, the paradise of consum- 
 mated bliss, the inheritance of the glorified. 
 
 Heaven I the region of cloudless radiant light, unvary- 
 ing noon, and resplendent endless day. 
 
 Heaven ! the goal of the spiritual racer, the rest of the 
 weary, the home of the pilgrim, and the eternal habita- 
 tion and dwelling of the family divine. 
 
 Heaven ! with its thrones, dominions, powers ; with its 
 services of joy, its worship of purity and perfection, and 
 its society of the dignified and happy. 
 
 Heaven ! with its river and tree of life, Avith its ver- 
 dant plains and flowery mounts. 
 
 Heaven ! with its gates of pearl, and streets of gold, 
 and walls of jasper. 
 
 Heaven ! the region of health, and beauty, and lioli- 
 ness, and rapture. 
 
 Heaven ! with its fellowship of perfect, kmdred, happy 
 minds ; with its magnificent revelations, its fulness of 
 joy, and its pleasures for evermore. 
 
 M 
 
250 HEAVEN. 
 
 Heaven ! the home without sin, or pain, or fear, or 
 sorrow ; without a tempter, or a snare ; without anguish, 
 or death, or sepulchres. 
 
 How transporting its scenes, how melodious its music, 
 how rapturous its songs, how blissful its society, how un- 
 interrupted its blessedness, how unending its glories, how 
 sublimely august, and holy, and infinite, its monarch — 
 Jehovah of Hosts ! 
 
 Heaven ! with its one door of entrance to the in- 
 habitants of earth — even Christ the Mediator ; with its 
 one theme of rejoicing — even the Lamb that was slain ; 
 with its one object of vision — God enshrined in glorified 
 humanity ; with its one class of inhabitants — even the 
 saints of the Most High, " who have washed their robes 
 and made them white in the blood of Lamb. 
 
 Heaven ! object of my highest ambition, my holiest 
 desires, and my most ardent prayers. I will seek it by 
 faith in him who is the only way to it. I will travel to it 
 on the royal highway of evangelical obedience. I will 
 anticipate it by cheering hope, wait for it by patient per- 
 severance in well doing ; and then with the really 
 dignified, and great, and holy, enjoy it through the ages 
 of eternity. 
 
 That this hope deceive me not, I will seek enrolment 
 in its book of life ; I will commit myself to him, who 
 will keep in inviolable security ; wait for the watchword of 
 death ; and borne on the wings of celestial attendants, 
 enter through the merits of the divine Mediator, into the 
 joy of my Lord. 
 
251 
 
 ETERNITY. 
 
 Duration without beginning, without measure, with- 
 out end. 
 
 Eternity is alone inhabited by Jehovah, for he was 
 before all things by his being, as he is above all things by 
 his majesty and glory. Eternity is beyond human com- 
 prehension, and too difficult for clear definition, and can 
 only be faintly shadowed forth by imaginative represen- 
 tation. It is a boundless horizon, an unfathomable deep, 
 an inexhaustible maze. 
 
 The ring, without beginning, or joining, or end has 
 been selected to describe it. Proper eternity, God only 
 knows and understands, prospective eternity, he has 
 connected with the nature of angels and men. 
 
 God ever was, and is, and will be for ever. 
 
 Angels and men were not till they were created ; but in- 
 vested with immortality they are, and will be evermore. 
 
 Time had its origin, and will have its tennination ; im- 
 mortality its origin only ; eternity neither. 
 
 Eternity is duration that defies comparison, exceeds 
 numeration, and baffles the understanding. Were 
 millions of ages numerous as the sands on Arabia's 
 deserts, or as the drops in the ocean, or as atoms in the 
 material universe, or as rays in the sun, or as thoughts in 
 all intelligences ; yet they would be as nothing to eternity. 
 
 Profound thought, overwhelming idea, inconceivable 
 theme ! Yet every child of man is sailing towards this 
 region, travelling towards this country, hastening towards 
 this goal. The frivolous and the serioiis, the jester and 
 the sage, the fool and the philosopher, the profane and 
 
252 ETERNITY. 
 
 the devout, the saint and the infidel, are all alike moving 
 onwards to eternity. 
 
 One man enters on it stupidly, another thoughtlessly, 
 many unexpectedly, hosts unpreparedly, the pious only 
 wisely. Eternity opens its massive dungeon door to the 
 impenitent ; and its gates of light to the humble believer. 
 
 Eternity is down, down, down, lower and lower, 
 blacker and blacker, to those who die in wickedness ; but 
 it riseth higher, and higher, and higher, in an atmosphere 
 of unmingled light and glory, to the children of God. 
 Beneath, are eternal cells of horror, eternal chains of 
 darkness, eternal flames of misery, eternal pangs of de- 
 spair, and eternal companions of woe. 
 
 Above, there are eternal mansions of light, eternal 
 robes of purity, eternal songs of joy, eternal streams of 
 delight, eternal co-heirs of bliss, and an eternal crown of 
 glory that fadeth not away. Rivers, with eternal springs 
 of rapture 5 trees, with eternal fruits of pleasure ; worship, 
 with eternal rounds of services, worlds, with eternal 
 themes for study, contemplation, and enjoyment. A God 
 for eternal adoration, delight, and praise ! Reader, what 
 thinkest thou of eternity? Art thou inconsiderate or 
 wise, reckless or prudent, prepared or negligent? Art 
 thou bringing it near by the telescope of faith, and enjoy- 
 ing it by the anticipations of hope, and enraptured with it 
 by the emotions of desire ? Or fearest thou it, and livest 
 in dread of its approach, and in terror of its arrival ? 
 
 Trust in the merits of thy Surety, which eternity cannot 
 impair ; in the mercy ' of thy God which eternity will 
 not exhaust ; and clothe thyself in the garments of holi- 
 ness, which in eternity will not wax old. 
 
 J. UADDON, FKINTER, CASTLE STKEET, FINSBURY.