more in one hour here, than in all the many years I lived on earth. Let me then entreat you, by that intimate relation and mutual affection which once subsisted between us-let me earnestly recommend you to mind the "one thing needful;" and to choose" that better part, which shall never be taken away from you." Regard not the ridicule, nor the reproaches, nor the example, of the multitude; but resolutely" turn away your eyes from beholding vanity," and look more to the substantial and satisfying realities of religion. "Seek the things that are above"-O how should I rejoice at any time to meet your eyes and hearts directed hither!" for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal."'

How are we almost ready to thank her for so important and seasonable an instruction! Our easy and unguarded hearts were in the greatest danger of being stolen by the world, and either intoxicated with the pleasures, or oppressed with the burthens or calamities, of life. Our minds were so captivated with its deceitful charms, that we were almost ready to say, it is good to be here; here let us pitch our tabernacles; when we heard, as it were, a voice from heaven, saying unto us, "Seek first the kingdom of God."Say then, O my soul, unto God, "Thou art my portion." "There be many that say, Who will show us any good;" "but as for me, and my house, we will serve the Lord." The God of this world had blinded my eyes; but I now clearly see the beauty, the necessity of holiness; and from this day devote and consecrate myself and mine to thee, O God, as those that are alive from the dead: I cast myself at thy feet; I give myself up to thy govern

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ment and disposal; I humbly challenge thy mercy and favour; and leave it to thine infinite wisdom, faithfulness and grace, to add what other things thereto thou pleasest.

Let this be the language of, not one or two only, but of every soul in, this assembly; for here we are all concerned we are all probationers for eternity; we are all candidates for heaven; we have all bodies, souls, and talents of various kinds, committed to our trust, for the cultivation and improvement of which we are to be finally accountable. We are all by profession strangers and sojourners here; but which of us is so in reality? How we live in ease, and indolence, and security, as if we had nothing to do, nothing to fear, or nothing to hope for! What a strange ascendancy has the world got in our hearts and affections; and how shamefully are we conformed to it in its follies and vices, as if we were ashamed, or afraid, to be singular in the cause of Christ! How thoughtful are we, and anxious, about our own private interest; how eager and indefatigable for its security and advancement: but where is our public spirit, where is our zeal for God and the Redeemer, where is our regard for the kingdom of God and his righteousness! If the inhabitants of heaven are witnesses to our temper and conduct (as very probably they are), we shall not wonder that the deceased, when speaking to us from thence, should so strongly recommend this to our serious consideration and practical regard. Equally important are her next words:

2. "" Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might."

The business you have to do is of unspeakable

and everlasting importance. Happiness or misery, and both eternal, is the consequence of your dili gence or sloth. Oh, if I could but introduce you to a sight of those incommunicable glories that are "within the vail," you would be no longer "slothful in business, but fervent in spirit, serving the Lord." The sands of life are golden sands, every one of which is worth a world. The whole of life is little enough for business of such vast variety, difficulty, and importance. "And what is your life? is it not a vapour, that appeareth for a little while, and then vanisheth away?" It may end on a sudden: your months may be cut off in the midst think of me, and say whether they may not-and then, there is no more space for repentance. If I had been unprepared then, I should have been so for ever; for "there is no more work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom in the grave." You remember with what earnestness and fervour, but a little while before I left your world (and in what I thought my dying pangs), I blessed God that the great work was not to do then. The supports I then felt from that delightful consideration, and the joyous consequences of it which I have since experienced, make me more earnest with you, that whatever your hands find to do, you would do it with all your might,'

A very necessary caution to us all! We all, in this respect, need to be minded of our duty; to be spurred up to activity and diligence, in the right improvement of that time which is allotted to us, in order to the "finishing our course with joy." We have been too careless; have neglected our main concern; and have been overrun with spiritual sloth and

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indolence, if not with sin and folly; while Satan has

and the world has been Thus it has been with

gotten the advantage over us, ready to claim us as its own. us; but, with such warnings, shall it be thus any longer? Shall we continue to put the evil day (a day which we ourselves make evil)-shall we go on to put it far from us; and exclude death and dying from any share in our thoughts? Hath not Providence taught us, that it ought never to be out of our thoughts; that we are most in danger when we think ourselves most secure; that we may not have a night to live, when we are reckoning on many future years; that the king of terrors may be aiming at our own hearts, when we foolishly think him levelling at our neighbours? And when once the fatal blow is given, and the angel that standeth upon the earth and sea hath lifted up his hand, and sworn, by Him that liveth for ever and ever, that Time shall be no longer, the most importunate entreaties will not procure us a single moment. Let us then lose no time, let us spare no pains, to "work out our salvation," and "make our calling and election sure." Let us be in earnest in religion, and finish the work that is given us to do: and then we may cheerfully spend the remainder of life in waiting till our change come. Death then, come when it will, will be our gain: and, though it seemingly deprive us of all our pleasures, it will in fact enlarge and refine them; though it push us out of life, it will introduce us into a happy and glorious immortality.-Now, to be able, upon serious reflection and solid grounds, to say, that the great work is done, will yield a support that nothing else can; and will enable us to meet death at any time, and in any form, with cheerful

..

ness and confidence. death do not concern us, that the dreadful consequences of it do not belong to us, will spread joy and transport over our dying countenances. But, if we would go out of the world with such reflections and such prospects, let these important words never go out of our ears: whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with all thy might."

To know that the terrors of

Once more she speaks !--

4. ""I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among them which are sanctified.

'I was called away from you so unexpectedly, so abruptly, that I had not time for a parting blessing I now take this opportunity to commend you to God; to the care and protection of his providence, and to the influences and riches of his grace. In all your straits and difficulties, let your eye be ever towards the Lord: cast all your care upon him, and he will care for you.---You, the dear companion of my life, I commend you to God; the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob; the God of my fathers; the God of the spirits of all flesh; the God of all grace and consolation. The Lord bless you, and keep you: the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and give you peace!-And you, my dear children, take this for an absent mother's blessing. I can do nothing more or better for you, than commend you to God; to that God who, when my mother forsook me, kindly took me up, and carried me in his arms, and led and fed and kept me all my life long. The Lord bless you! too, and keep you, and show your feet the path of