nor his example of doing good their business, the evening of life may be what the gate of the needle's eye was to a camel to get through it. But to the sincere Christian, neither old age nor death has horrors, for he can look back on his past career with unsullied happiness; on this he does not live alone as "stronger food awaits him than milk which is but for babes," for he feels that death is but the gate which separates him, not from a terrestrial Jerusalem, but an heavenly; and that his more enduring felicity aspires to be enjoyed, when they "who have turned many to righteousness shall shine as the stars in the kingdom of their Father." Now it behoves us to discharge our duty in this sum: let us "take the whole armour of God;" let us "work while it is called to day, for the night cometh when no man can work;" let us "let our light so shine before men, that they may see our good works, and glorify our Father which is in heaven;" let us "be merciful after our power;" and, let us in every thought, word, and action, "press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ ELEANOR STRAUGHAN, AGED 21,

Jesus."

Daughter of Robert Straughan, Butcher.

Green Batt, Alnwick.

ESSAY IV.

INTRODUCTION.

NEXT in importance to the duties we owe the Divine Author of our being, is that duty of love and subordination to each other. All mankind, in whatever station of life he is placed, shares in some way the effects of this study. From the pomp and magnificence of queenly dignity, to the lowest grade of the wretched mendicant, its benign influence is extended in such measure that though he be sordid and mean in his worldly possessions, yet he has a heart that is ever open to the weals and woes of his fellowcreature; and, by his varied exertions of sympathy towards him, encircles a brighter, and sublimer throne within his own bosom, than kingdoms or empires of earthly glory could ever produce. One may ask, who is our neighbour? Is it alone the tender and affectionate parent, whose love and care has launched our little bark the cradle, off the silver lake of infancy, a mighty vessel to spread her sails o'er the widely

expanded ocean of succeeding years? Is it the loving brother or sister of our childhood, with whom, in the resplendent sunshine of youthful innocence, we've frolicked and gamboled together on yonder flowery meadow, or met at the fireside, the shrine of domestic happiness, where all is smiles, and rosy faces sunlit with the joy of peace and harmony? Is it the fair form of beauty blooming into manhood, who seeks to win the maiden's heart, to turn the thraldom of earth's slavery to love serene, to second paradise? Or is it the friend in need, who ever ready seeks to soothe the aching breast, or breathe a hopeful prayer on dying ears. From the third heaven a still small voice (though terrible) re-echoes, no, 'tis not alone the parent, brother, friend, with whom thou art to mingle in the bliss of love. Go trace the earth, and see if there thou can'st not find some one benighted traveller, for whom to act the duties of a good Samaritan; go feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the widows and the fatherless in their affliction: then shall thy light shine forth throughout the sons of Adam's race. Then the inhabitants of the universethe children of one common Father, the imagery of one Triune God, linked heart and hand with the spell bound chain of philanthrophic zeal,

shall a life of love, preferring one another. Rom. xii. 10.

1st. We must love our neighbour, which is the whole source of our duty to him.

2nd. This love partakes of two natures; it is a love of complacency, and a love of interest.

3rd. This love must be manifested in all our actions.

4th. The negative duties by which we abstain from injuring any one, under seven heads, viz. -In his person, property, character, knowledge, or belief, in the affections of others, in his virtue, and lastly in his tranquillity.

5th. The positive or benevolent duty which comprehends love for both the temporal and spiritual interests of our neighbour.

6th. The obligations to the duty which are commanded example and conscience.

7th. The advantages which flow from the performance of this duty, viz:-Favour with God, happiness to ourselves, and all mankind.

Conclusion. The benefits we shall receive both in this life, and that which is to come by the strict observance of this duty.

1. Having briefly delineated in the introductory passages the moral obligations we owe

to our neighbour, we shall now consider the real nature and essence of this duty, which is love. In speaking of a duty it is generally understood to be a bond or debt we owe to some one in particular. Thus, our duty to our neighbour vividly implies that each one of our fellow-creatures individually retain some strong claim upon us, of which we cannot rid ourselves except by the performance of a duty. The original and very essence of this duty to our brother is love of a pure and undefiled character; not to cherish a mind full of the dross impurities of hatred and malice, but to honour all men, ever bearing in mind that they, like ourselves, are made and protected by the same all-wise Providence; that they too are sharing alike with us the joys and sorrows of a transitory existence; that they too, like us, with the gilded plumage of hope are soaring to the brighter regions of a glorious and blissful immortality. When we think that the green carpet on which we tread; the starry canopy on which we gaze; and the spacious universe in which we live, are all provided by the bounteous hand of Him who makes "His sun to shine on the evil as well as the good, and who sends His rain down alike upon the just and upon the unjust " (Matt. v. 45). How then can we deny