them excite a temporary sorrow and regret. If these things can affect us with uneasiness, how great must be the affliction when stretched on that bed from which we shall rise no more, and looking about, for the last time, on the sad circle of our weeping friends;-how great must be the affliction to dissolve at once all the attachments of life; to bid an eternal adieu to the friends whom we long have loved, and to part for ever with all that is dear below the sun! But let not the Christian be disconsolate. He parts with the objects of his affection, to meet them again; to meet them in a better world, where change never enters, and from whose blissful mansion sorrow flies away. At the resurrection of the just in the great assembly of the sons of God, when all the family of heaven are gathered together, not one person shall be missing that was worthy of thy affection or esteem. And if among imperfect creatures, and in a troubled world, the kind, the tender, and the generous affections have such power to charm the heart, that even the tears which they occasion delight us, what joy unspeakable and glorious will they produce when they exist in perfect minds, and are improved by the purity of the heavens! LOGAN. "I WOULD NOT LIVE ALWAY." EARTH is the spirit's rayless cell; But then, as a bird soars home to the shade Of the beautiful wood, where its nest was made, In bonds no more to dwell; So will its weary wing Be spread for the skies, when its toil is done, O, not more sweet the tears Nor dearer, 'mid the foam Wings, like a dove, to fly !— The spirit is faint with its feverish strife;— When, when will Death draw nigh! B. B. THATCHER. DETACHED THOUGHTS. WE are forbidden to murmur, but we are not forbidden to regret; and whom we loved tenderly while living, we may still pursue with an affectionate remembrance, without having any occasion to charge ourselves with rebellion against the sovereignty that appointed a separation. COWPER. How naturally does affliction make us Christians! and how impossible is it when all human help is vain; and the whole earth too poor and trifling to furnish us with one moment's peace,-how impossible is it then to avoid looking at the Gospel. Ibid. WE would always withhold from the skies those who alone can reach them; at least till we are ready to bear them company. THE TEARS OF THE AGED. Ibid. "WHY should a tear be in an Old Man's eye? From natural wisdom turn our hearts away, The calm of nature with our restless thoughts?" MOURNFUL THOUGHTS FRIENDLY TO VIRTUE. WORDSWORTH. GRIEVE NO MORE. My Friend! enough to sorrow you have given, WORDSWORTH. SERENITY IN SORROW. He that suffers most, he outwardly, And inwardly perhaps, the most serene, with most undaunted eye! Oh! blest are they who live and die like these, Loved with such love, and with such sorrow mourned ! WORDSWORTH. HOPE IN SORROW. Nor without hope we suffer and we mourn. WORDSWORTH. SOURCES OF COMFORT. WHAT though the radiance which was once so bright Be now for ever taken from my sight; Though nothing can bring back the hour Of splendour in the grass, of glory in the flower; Strength in what remains behind, Which, having been, must ever be, In the faith that looks through death, WORDSWORTH. SECURE IN HOPE. SURE, when the separation has been tried, WORDSWORTH. THE TRUE CONSOLER. OH! there is never sorrow of heart If but to God we turn and ask Of Him to be our friend! WORDSWORTH. OBEDIENCE CONDUCTS TO PEACE OF MIND. TIME flies; it is his melancholy task HOPE. THE food of hope Is meditated action; robbed of this |