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Pharisees and Scribes murmured, saying, "This man receiveth sinners and eateth with them. And he spake this parable unto them, saying, What man of you having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it: and when he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulder, rejoicing: and when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbours, saying unto them, Rejoice with me, for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth. Either what woman having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it; and when she hath found it, she calleth her friends and neighbours together, saying, Rejoice with me, for I have found the piece which I had lost. Likewise I say unto you, There is joy in the presence of the angels of God, over one sinner that repenteth."

Our Lord thus endeavoured to show to his disciples, that the conduct of man whilst on earth was not only of interest to those around, but that the inhabitants of heaven were earnest spectators of his actions and partakers of his joy, and that as a man rejoices more in finding that which he may have lost, and values more that which has been difficult to obtain, so the angels of heaven rejoice more over the lost and perishing sinner who is brought back into the fold of Christ, and whose salvation could have never been procured had not the Son of God died for him, than they do over all those whose condemnation had never excited their fears, or of whose eternal happiness they had never any doubt. There is more joy-says our Lord, as if he had said that even the joys of heaven are increased. Thus we perceive that that which is the peculiar character of heaven, and without which we can form no idea of that happy place, admits of increase and the well being of the inhabitants of this world tends to the consummation of it.

The joy which often visits this lower world is but transient in its character, and when it appears it is too frequently the prelude to additional sorrow and woe. As we often see the glorious luminary which God has made to cheer and animate all nature rising in full splendour, and rejoicing as a giant to run its course, long ere it has arrived in the midst of his career, enveloped in clouds of blackest hue, which, if it for a moment penetrates it, is only to make the surrounding vapours still blacker by the contrast, though, if we watch it till it approach the close of its journey, we may find the clouds which gathered round all disappeared, or, if remaining, only serving to make the splendour of its departure still more glorious; SO we find that the feeling of joy, if it appears for a short time playing in the smiles of the infant, or seated on the countenance of youth, as man approaches the meridian of life, cares and anxieties becloud his brow, and joy seldom sits where once it loved to dwell; and even

should it for a moment come to cheer him in his path, it is but like the deceptive meteor which mocks him with its illusive glare, or like the lightning's flash, which is almost always followed by the thunder and the storm which it has itself produced. It is only as man approaches the period when his sun goes down, that, in prospect of a better and brighter world, his joys shine out with a purer and more serene lustre, which the storms and clouds that have passed serve only to brighten by the contrast; but still these transitory joys tell us of the happy abode where they shall be perpetual, as the unsatisfactory nature of all earthly good points out the place where our utmost desires shall be satisfied, and the peace which for a moment tenants the human bosom, speaks of the haven of eternal rest. But although our joys are so transitory and so often the prelude to sorrow, still life would be but a dreary scene without them. Every mother can tell the joy with which she beheld the first smile that played around the lips of

her infant child, and how it made her forget all her grief and all her trouble; and although she finds care and anxiety in providing for the wants of those she loves, still the enjoyments of her children are the sources of her purest happiness.

This joy we sometimes see experienced by a whole nation, when upon some great occasion all hearts beat in unison, and one feeling of satisfaction predominates in every breast. The news of a victory, the accession of a sovereign, the birth of a prince, are deemed worthy of national triumph; and when the overwhelming effects of music is brought with full chorus in the heartcheering words, God save the Queen! Let the Queen live for ever! a thrill of joy spreads through every bosom, and every other feeling is for the moment lost in that of loyalty and devotion; but could we bring to our aid all the power that music can produce-could we join in one feeling all the joy that a united nation can manifest-nay, more, could we summon in one. moment all the joy that the whole earth

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