tions? Surely, again, this dreadful calamity, which is beginning to carry poignant sorrow into the hearts of so many around us, is another urgent demand to flee to Him who alone can comfort the bereaved mourner,—bind up the broken hearted,— defend our country, and protect every one who trusts to Him in the coming hour of trial.

On the other hand, we have been signally favoured with the most abundant harvest in the memory of any one. God has literally crowned the year with his goodness. Such a rich blessing at such a time, accompanying or immediately following calamitous visitations, appears as if intended to show to all that the grand design of these deserved judgments is not destruction, but salvation; even that men may be awakened from their sleep of death to flee to the Redeemer as a covert from the storm, as the hiding place from impending judgment. Thus, in justly merited wrath for our provocations, God remembers mercy. He desireth not the death of the sinner, but that he turn and live. He knows that nothing is so adapted to touch the springs of the human heart as loving-kindness, as gracious providential interpositions. Hence the over-abundant harvest to a guilty people. Hence all our blessings, both spiritual and temporal,-that his goodness, long suffering, and forbearance may lead men to true repentance, exclaiming, "We will arise and go to our Father."

And what has been the result? With multitudes there is every reason to fear, that all the effect produced on the one hand by the mournful trials, sorrows, and bereavements, of many around them, or on the other by the abundance of providential blessings, has been a passing emotion of wonder, pleasure, or alarm, with barren speculation on their probable temporal results; while the great design of God in thus dealing with man has been entirely overlooked;-one going to his farm, another to his merchandise! So absorbed, indeed, do some appear with earthly, momentary things,-so sunk in the gulf of sin, folly, or business, that nothing, it is apprehended, will arrest them to the deep conviction that God reigns and speaks to them,-till they be personally summoned into the world of spirits. And there,

THE ENGLISH MONTHLY TRACT SOCIETY, 27, RED LION SQUARE, LONDON.

before the throne of judgment, they shall hear the dread words, when they cannot possibly turn away, or misunderstand the fearful charge, "I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out my hand, and no man regarded: I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh; When your fear cometh as desolation, and your destruction cometh as a whirlwind; when distress and anguish cometh upon you. Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me.”

But let it be hoped, and there is good reason to hope,—that a far different effect has been produced on the minds of not a few others;-that the voice of God's love has been again and again heard in the storm;-that his goodness has been perceived in the abundant providential kindness; and that many are now listening with deeper interest to the glad news, "God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life," and already tasting the blessings of everlasting life.

There is nothing to which we naturally attach more importance than the friendship or favour of man. All history is crowded with illustrations of the vast power of this principle. What labours, what enterprises, what hazards have been undertaken to secure it! Men have braved suffering and death in the most appalling forms to obtain the breath of praise! And even to a well-regulated mind, conscious of integrity, it is no small trial to meet the frown or condemnation of others. But at the moment of death, what is the honour of all men ?-or what their frown? Is it worth anything in the light of eternity?

Not long ago, the late Commander-in-Chief of the British forces was buried under a weight of worldly glory perhaps never before exceeded. And now, And now, the distinguished leader of the armies of a neighbouring kingdom has been summoned into the presence of God at the very hour of victory, and amid the plaudits of great nations. But the very moment after death, of what avail to these illustrious conquerors were all their by-gone

military achievements and victories? Their earthly glory followed their remains indeed to the gorgeous mausoleum; tens of thousands assembled, with princes and captains to honour their memories; but not one ray of all the mournful splendour could penetrate the world of spirits, or cheer their departed souls.

If they now rejoice and triumph in eternity, it is not in remembrance of their splendid military career, but in the victory gained by the Lord of glory while pouring forth his life on Calvary for their eternal redemption. And if they are now singing in higher realms with the heavenly host, the burden of their song is praise,-not of themselves or their victories,-but of the Captain of their salvation; it is, "Unto him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood, and hath made us kings and priests unto God, and his Father; to him be glory and dominion for ever and ever."

If, then, this world is but at best a fleeting show; if human life is but a vapour, which appeareth for a little time and then passeth away; if the favour and riches of the world can give us no comfort in a dying hour; if our happiness for eternity depend on our being now pardoned,-justified through the blood of Christ, and delivered from the love and power of sin through the grace of the Holy Spirit; and if Jesus Christ be now ready to receive and welcome every returning sinner, however previously wicked and worthless;-then surely every thoughtful being must see that true wisdom consists in seeking the Lord now, while he is to be found,-and calling on him while he is near.

Surely on a death-bed,-on which the youngest or strongest of my readers may soon be laid, the only great questions which occupy a truly awakened mind are those on which our eternity is suspended. They will not be-What does man think of me?-but how does God-the God with whom I have to do-regard me? Am I reconciled to him through an absolute surrender to the sceptre of his beloved Son, who died to save me? Am I saved,-pardoned,-at peace with God, through his precious blood? Shall I meet him in eternity as my Friend-Father-Redeemer? Or, through neglecting

the great salvation, shall I be hurried into his presence as into that of a condemning Judge? Shall I be borne to heaven in the arms of angels, when I have drawn my last breath? Or (O dreadful alternative!) be cast down amongst the crowds of the finally lost?

If these, then, be the chief, the all-absorbing questions on a death-bed, when about to launch into eternity; and so also when we are eventually arraigned with countless hosts before the Great White Throne at the coming of our Lord; and if any or every moment, for aught we know to the contrary, may be our last in this world-Ought they not to be the chief questions now? Ought we to remain one hour without earnestly seeking to have the question thoroughly and favourably answered, Am I saved? Do I know on good grounds that my sins are really forgiven ?-that I am regenerated by the Spirit of God?-that heaven is mine? If not,

if only a very doubtful or wavering answer can be given to the awful, the momentous demands, then surely to allow any earthly considerations, whether personal, domestic, professional, or political, to cause us to postpone their awful solution to a future day, is the very height of folly,-the triumph of the powers of darkness.

For if we be not thus brought to let down the flag of rebellion, and cordially accept the overtures of mercy through the Redeemer, and receive the gift of the Holy Spirit to enlighten, to regenerate, and sanctify our souls; if we be not induced by the amazing love of God, in giving up his Son to die for our salvation, to forsake all, to take up our cross, and follow him through good report and evil report; then there remaineth nothing for us but a fearful looking-for of judgment and fiery condemnation, which shall devour the adversaries. For God shall at last be revealed from heaven in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel.

But what will lead a man to let go his hold of the world, so as no longer to seek his happiness in the things of time and

sense? It is in vain to argue that it is his duty to do it ;—that the

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world will not afford him complete happiness;-that there are many miseries in this life. For you may convince his judgment theoretically, but will never in this way gain the victory in the only citadel where the victory is decisive-the heart. It requires, to effect this, another kind of influence, even faith in the infinite love of God, manifested to the soul in the unspeakable gift of a Redeemer; and the bringing before the heart a better object than this world, with the absolute conviction that it can at once be received by letting go the latter. "This is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." It is accomplished through grace, quite in accordance with the constitution of the human mind. Hence when God and Christ, heaven and eternal blessings, are brought near to the soul, and their superiority are seen; and when it is firmly believed that no interval need elapse ere the enjoyment of these begin; then the soul lets go the world and self; while it hastens to receive the free and everlasting portion thus held out. Having discovered the pearl of great price, and perceived the certainty of obtaining it, the believer then for joy goes at once and sells all that he has to procure the treasure. O! the love of God labours, so to speak, to throw aside every suspicion of its freeness in the awakened sinner's heart;— presses on his mind a present salvation, without previous goodness—and reiterates the joyful anouncement, “Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."

And now, dear reader, you may recklessly throw aside this tract and forget these glorious tidings-but at the last day you will remember—it may be-too late that along with all the loud voices of Providence, you have had another call to PREPARE TO MEET THY GOD. E. C.

J. F. SHAW, BOOKSELLER, SOUTHAMPTON ROW, AND
PATERNOSTER ROW, LONDON;

AND W. INNES, BOOKSELLER, SOUTH HANOVER STREET, EDINBUrgh.

J. & W. Rider, Printers, 14, Bartholomew Close, London.