by patience and comfort of thy holy word, we may embrace and ever hold fast the blessed hope of everlasting life, which thou hast given us in our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen." FROM all that dwell below the skies, Eternal are thy mercies, Lord; Thy praise shall sound from shore to shore, "Till suns shall rise to set no more. Praise God from whom all blessings flow: 1 Cor. v, 26. "Let all things be done unto edifying." 1 Cor. xiv, 40. "Let all things be done decently and in order." Phil. ii, 3." Let nothing be done through strife or vain glory." Ephes. iv, 3. “ Endeavouring to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace." 1 Cor. xvi, 14. "Let all your things be done with charity." 1 Cor. x, 31. "Whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.". A CHRISTIAN MINISTER'S SOLILOQUY IN HIS WAY TO THE SANCTUARY. "I am now going to the sanctuary-going to meet God-going to engage in his worship-going to preach his Word-that word by which both myself and all my hearers must be finally judged. I shall soon be surrounded by a number of beings, whose existence is never to terminate; but who, after millions and millions of ages, will be still immortal. Either the Bible is untrue, or every man, woman, and child among them will dwell in everlasting misery or joy. As soon as they have passed the bounds of this life, they must rise to the companionship of the highest orders of being, or sink to the doom of the lowest. Providence has appointed me to declare to them the misery of their condition as sinners, and to direct their attention to that blessed way, which infinite mercy has opened for their complete restoration and happiness. I am to represent to them the character of a Saviour, who is waiting to be gracious. I am to shew them the utter impossibility of their being saved by any other means. I am : to watch for their souls, to labour, that I may be instrumental in their everlasting welfare and when I have finished the short period allotted me on earth, I am to appear before the tribunal of my Creator, to give in my account-to say, how have I used, and how have I improved my talents—what exertions I have made in the office I sustain, and what effects have resulted from them. What responsibility attaches itself to my situation! If I am not faithful to the cause I have undertaken, how shall I appear at that solemn season? If I am ashamed of the faces of men, I am assured I shall be "confounded before them;" and, what is still more awful, shall be rewarded with the divine displeasure, and, perhaps, with misery in my own soul! The condition of my hearers may be various. Some will need comfort and encouragement: some may have backslidden, and will require admonition to return-some may be less attached than they should be, to the rules of moral obligation-some may be questioning the evidences of Christianity— some may be discouraged by a thousand doubts and fears-some may be very much exposed to the agency and artifice of the devil-and some may have their hearts and their affections in heaven, and be waiting for fresh discoveries of the love of Christ to their souls. To all these I must administer a portion of meat in due season. Some, perhaps, will be wishing for doctrinal discourses-some for the practical parts of religion-some for experience. If I am very practical, many may think I am legal; if I am pretty general in my invitations to sinners, some may be weak enough to imagine that I set aside the necessity of the influence of the Spirit in conversion: many may differ from me in the shades of their views of the Gospel. But if these things move me, or make any alteration in my public addresses, I am not a faithful servant of Christ; I shall then appear to be guided by the opinions of men. It will seem as if they weighed more with me than the Bible. I shall expose myself to the everlasting censure of my conscience, and, perhaps, to the curse of God. I will therefore endeavour to follow the directions of the highest authority. If I please, I shall share in that pleasure: if I do not, I shall yet have approved myself to my |