nevolence, to obtain the approbation of the author and finisher of his faith.

The necessity of engaging in this important task, will readily appear to the considerate. man. If he looks abroad, he will perceive perhaps, those who have presumptuously despised the proffered mercy of their Redeemer, suddenly cut off in the midst of their career, and sent, with all their imperfections on their heads, into the presence of their offended Creator:-he will perceive the man, who, regardless of Jesus, placed his chief concern in the attainment of earthly possesions, unexpectedly blasted by the hand of sickness; then will conscience rise up as the accuser of this wretched being, and fill his soul with sorrow, fear, and distress, until at last the great conqueror, death, asserts his right, and in unspeakable horror he closes his earthly course.

But let us quit this dismal prospect, and direct our steps to the chamber of the dying christian. Oh! how different the scene! In his journey through life, he has been unwearied in the practice of virtue; he has permitted neither pleasure, curiosity, society, nor business, to engross too much of his time, but, aware of the snares and temptations of the world, he has passed his time in pursuit of the "one thing needful," and beholds

his labors, at the awful period of expiring nature, crowned with patience and composure, under the cheering assurance of "present support, and final victory."

From the slight view we have taken, we may perceive that it is our truest interest to live according to the precepts of the gospel, patiently to endure afflictions, and instead of repining at the Jittle inconveniences of life, to think of him who, though the Lord of all things, had not where to lay his head. Let us reflect upon this, and then ask, whether" the disciple of a crucified Saviour shall shrink appalled from the conflict? When the Redeemer of mankind, with perfect resignation to his Father's will, drank off the bitter cup of sorrow which was mixed for him, even to the dregs; shall a humble follower hesitate to trace the valley of affliction, and share the warfare of the intrepid captain of his salvation?" Surely we cannot hesitate one moment in our reply, convinced that all things shall work together for good to them who do their Father's will; "and therefore, if it be so ordained, welcome disappointment and poverty, welcome sickness and pain, welcome shame, contempt, and calumny. If this be a rough and thorny path, it is one in which Jesus has gone before us, and where we see his footsteps we cannot repine." If, then, we look for happiness in another world, we

must make the attainment of heavenly approbation the highest object of our regard, and, in every trial and distress rely implicitly upon him, who looks on the weary and heavy laden with pity and compassion: we must work out our salvation with fear and trembling; not fixing our attention on the vain and glittering baubles which this world can present to us, but pursuing the paths of true religion: we must consider the shortness and uncertainty of life; and this awful consideration will make us diligent and unwearied in preparing for the journey we must shortly take to the mansions of eternity: we must make the Scriptures the rule whereby to direct our steps; and thus shall we most assuredly in this world, "rise superior to its smiles or frowns, and possess that dignified composure of soul, which no earthly incidents can ruffle or destroy ;" and in the land of glory, which our Redeemer hath promised us where there shall be neither crying nor sorrow, but where all tears shall be wiped from all eyes, obtain an inheritance of everlasting bliss, a crown of glory which fadeth not away.

The Pearl of Great Price.

Leighton

FROM morning to night keep Jesus in thy Heart, long for nothing, desire nothing, hope for nothing, but to have all that is within thee changed into the spirit and temper of the Holy Jesus. Let this be thy Christianity, thy Church, and thy Religion. For this new birth in Christ, thus firmly believed and continually desired, will do every thing that thou wantest to have done in thee; it will dry up all the springs of vice, stop all the workings of evil in thy nature, it will bring all that is good into thee, it will open all the Gospel within thee, and thou wilt know what it is to be taught of God. This longing desire of thy heart to be one with Christ, will soon put a stop to all the vanity of thy life, and nothing will be permitted to enter into thy heart, or proceed from it, but what comes from God, and returns to God: thou wilt soon be, as it were, tied and bound in the chains of all holy affections and desires, thy mouth will have a watch set upon it, thy ears would willingly hear nothing that does not tend to God, nor thy eyes be open, but to see and find occasions of doing good. In a word, when this Faith has got

ten both the Head and the Heart, it will then be with thee, as it was with the Merchant who found will make thee to sell all

For all that had seized

a Pearl of great price, it that thou hast and buy it. and possesed the heart of any man, whatever the merchant of the world had gotten together, whether of riches, power, honor, learning, or reputation, loses all its value, is counted but as dung, and willingly parted with as soon as this glorious pearl, the new birth in Christ Jesus, is discovered and found by him. This therefore may serve as a touchstone whereby every one may try the truth of his state; if the old man is still a merchant within thee, trading in all sorts of worldly honor, power, or learning, if the wisdom of this world is not foolishness to thee, if earthly interests and sensual pleasures are still the desire of thy heart, and only covered under a form of godliness, a cloak of creeds, observances and institutions of religion, thou mayest be assured, that the Pearl of great price is not yet found by thee. For where Christ is born, or his spirit rises up in the soul, there all self is denied and obliged to turn out. There all carnal wisdom, arts of advancement, with every pride and glory of this life, are as so many heathen idols all willingly renounced, and the man is not only content, but rejoices to say, that his kingdom is not of this world.