and repeat my prayers every morning and

evening.

Am I faithful, just, and honest, in all my dealings?

Have I grown better by afflictions?

Am I thankful to God for the many blessings I enjoy.

Do I relieve the necessities of my poor brethren, if occasions present themselves, to the best of my ability?

Am I constant in my attendance on public worship?

* In all the offices of Christian duty and good-will to man, we find a present reward, having in our own breasts the approbation of HIM, "who went about doing good." To Job, in the extremity of his affliction, it was peculiarly consoling to think, that he had been eyes to the blind, feet to the lame, a husband to the widow, and a father to the orphan. "Blessed is the man that considereth the poor: the Lord will deliver him in time of trouble." Ps. xli. 1.

SELF-EXAMINATORY QUESTIONS. 177

Have I any pride, covetousness, or envy, lurking in my heart?

Have I knowingly caused uneasiness in the mind of any one?

Do I endeavour to manage my affairs with prudence, economy, and propriety?

Have I been kind and obedient to my parents, affectionate to my brothers and sisters, and respectful to all my relations and friends?

Is my disposition mild, forgiving, virtuous, complacent, and exemplary?

Do I read good books, and avoid the perusal of bad ones?

Do I hate sin with the most perfect hatred ?

Am I so extravagant as to exceed the bounds of my income, and thereby involve myself in pecuniary difficulties.

Do 1 ever speak on sacred subjects with levity, or want of due reverence?

Do I ever tell a lie, or act deceitfully

Are my companions persons of virtuous feelings, honourable sentiments, and exemplary lives?

Have I a proper feeling for the misfortunes and afflictions of others?

Do I endeavour to improve my mind, correct the deformities of my temper, and amend my heart?

Do I meditate on death and eternity; and have I prepared myself for those awful solemnities?

Am 1 conscientious and perfectly honest in my dealings, and do I pay my debts the moment I have it in my power?

Do I prepare for, and religiously partake

SELF-EXAMINATORY QUESTIONS. 179

of, the Holy Sacrament of the Lord's Supper; or do I refuse it because I imagine that I am unfit to receive it, or because I see other persons live in the total and ungrateful neglect of it?

In a word, am I a sincere worshiper of God my Saviour, a believer in the truth of the Gospel of Christ, a zealous supporter of rational and revealed religion; a lover of good men; a friend to merit; an industrious and honest character; and, as far as the infirmity of human nature will admit, a sincere and unaffected Christian?

180

POETRY.

Sunday Hymn.

THIS is the day the Lord of Life
Ascended to the skies;

My thoughts, pursue the lofty theme,
And to the heavens arise.

Let no vain cares divert my mind
From this celestial road;

Nor all the honours of the earth
Detain my soul from God.

Think of the splendors of that place,
The joys that are on high;
Nor meanly rest contented here,

With what's beneath the sky.

Heav'n is the birth-place of the saints,
To heav'n their souls ascend;
Th' Almighty owns his favourite race,
As father and as friend.

Oh! may these lovely titles prove

My comfort and defence;

When the sick couch shall be my lot,

And death shall call me hence.

COTTON.