place during the coming day. We know nothing beforehand; all future events are shrouded in darkness, that we may live every instant solemnly dependent upon God.

The church of Christ in time is the school for heaven, and if we are not tutored in it now, we shall not be fit for future happiness in another world.

I this moment live-may my life this moment be dedicated to my God.

It seemed to me before I was born again, that my time was my own, and that I might fill it up as I chose; but directly the divine change took place in me, I saw that time was given for eternity, and that it was my duty to spend it for my everlasting profit.

It requires no slight degree of wisdom and grace, to know how much we should admire and enjoy of the things of time.

To look up to God-to mark the providence of God-to meditate on the word of God, are my three chief duties in time.

It is a good rule never to occupy ourselves in any thing in time, which necessarily excludes serious thoughts of eternity.

The little new-born infant just ushered into existence, will soon be hurried through time, and launched into eternity. "Our fathers, where are they?" I know that "it is appointed unto all men once to die, and after death the judgment." Would to God every day of my life were as wisely spent, as I should wish my last day to be spent. O what awful procrastination does the arch-enemy preach to the souls of men-" you may leave serious matters a little longer, and indulge your own lusts for a while!" What! can we persuade God to let us live one moment beyond our appointed time? The language of the awful procrastination of thousands, is nothing less than this-" We will serve Satan as long as we can, and give the Lord as little as possible of our remaining strength."

When I consider the long life I have already spent upon earth, I think what a little time must be remaining to me; and I grieve that I have not done more good. It should be our business to improve every minute as it flies. What

a good command (I am struck with its wisdom) to "redeem the time because the days are evil." The only way to avoid evil, is to fill up every passing hour to the glory of God.

How impressive is the solemn progress of time! I am rapidly advancing through it, and its course must continue till the instant when I am hurled into eternity! O what a thought is this!-in a short period every hardened sinner must sink into the pit, whence he can escape no more!

I heard of a very old man like myself, who was asked what his age was; he answered, "the right side of eighty." "I thought you were more than eighty," said the inquirer. "Yes, I am beyond it," he replied, "and that is the right side, for I am the nearer to my eternal rest."

SECTION XIX.

Death.

EVERY time I breathe, I am brought nearer to that solemn period when I must breathe out my soul into the presence of my God. What a wise precaution, "prepare to meet thy God!"what words of excellent direction, "be ye also ready." Is the way difficult? Yes, but only because our corruptions make it so. In itself it is good and delightful; its "ways are ways of pleasantness," its "paths are peace;" but we are crippled by our own sinfulness, and, notwithstanding the excellence of the road, we walk ill in it. On the right hand and on the left are innumerable snares and dangers. O, what a miracle of mercy shall I be, if I "die in the Lord," saved by his grace. I love my God for his wise and loving admonitions-"fight the good fight of faith"-"give all diligence to make your calling and election sure"-" strive to enter in at the strait gate"- so run that ye

may obtain." All these counsels demand our incessant attention, and prove that we need more than mortal strength to pass through a world of perils, with a prospect of realizing in death "the end of our faith, even the salvation of our souls."

Little sparks of existence as we are before God, what a mercy to have our existence in God. I want to be surprised at the vast importance of my own existence, because I live for eternity. This soul of mine, though my body must die, will never have a moment's suspension of its being. Let me then "consider my latter end," and be wise for eternity.

I seldom come to the conclusion of a week, but my mind is struck with the rapidity with which it has flown. Quickly has it been told up, but it can never be told again. I am hastening towards eternity as fast as time can carry me. O how foolish to be engrossed by the world, when I have a precious soul so worthy of my deep regard. If the thought of dying were oftener before us, sinful things would lose their deceitful influence.