all ungodliness. But, above all, let us be earnest in prayer, that we may be delivered from every false principle, and be kept from every unholy desire; that, in the noble spirit of the Apostle, we may be constrained to say, "What then? Notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice." J. R.

VISITS TO THE POOR.

How cheering to the Christian's heart is the assurance that the blessed Jesus is ever near to those who seek him in sincerity and truth! I have the pleasure of knowing a poor woman to whose soul, in his condescending love, the precious Saviour conveyed the peace which passeth all understanding, (as to Mary of old,) in these touching words, "Why weepest thou?" John xv. 20. Like Mary she found him near, she embraced him in the arms of faith, she felt his Spirit breathing comfort to her troubled soul. Happy Mary! she had found him whom she had sought with tears and anxious love. And has she ceased to weep? Yes, Mary has; she dwells safely in the bosom of that Saviour who has promised to wipe away all tears from the eyes of those who sincerely love him. How changed is the source of the poor believer's tears! They now are as the refreshing dew on the green herbage, they revive her drooping soul, and bring her closer to her Saviour and her God. And does she seek him still? Oh yes, with redoubled

ardor! Not with anxious doubts, and fears, but with the sweet assurance that he is ever near, in the grateful recollection of his constant love. May we realize such peace on earth! happiness is reserved for that blissful period, when we shall wake in his likeness! And how wisely and mercifully ordered! Were happiness attainable on earth we should take up our rest here; and, ceasing to value Christ and anticipate the glorious joys of heaven, prepare for ourselves an abode of endless misery. Oh you who know not the peace of God, who have not poured out your hearts at the throne of grace, and found Christ in prayer, let me beseech you, before the day of grace is passed, to seek him who left his throne of glory and endured agonies for man's sake which man can never understand, so intense and complicated were they, convincing those who follow him of the hateful nature of sin in the sight of God! Perhaps you will say, or feel, if you do not with words,-'I cannot seek Christ. I see no beauty in him.' Alas, poor soul, if you desire him not in time you will experience the just reward of your cold ingratitude, for all his love and cruel sufferings, in an eternity of woe!

God grant that we may all be led to seek him early, for Christ's sake. Amen. ELIZA,

SCRIPTURE REFLECTION.

"A man's heart deviseth his way; but the Lord directeth his steps," Prov. xvi. 9.

"The lot is cast into the lap; but the whole disposing thereof is of the Lord," Prov. xv. 33.

WITH the preceding texts before our eyes it may well be questioned, whether the free will of man (I do not mean to touch the subject of man's freedom of will as a moral and accountable agent) can be justly deemed, on any occasion, or under any circumstances, to have causal operation on human events; but we can have no difficulty whatever in pronouncing that a large proportion of professing Christians, in worldly affairs at least, practically attribute a much greater effect to the will or free-agency of man, not only than divine revelation warrants, but also, than they themselves allow to be properly assignable to it. All avow a belief in a particular Providence: they cannot consistently withhold their assent to the doctrine without rejecting the authority of Scripture. Many will even quote our Lord's declaration, that "Not a sparrow is forgotten before God," or tell us that it is a maxim with them to do their duty and leave the event to God;' or that we have nothing to do with events, but to submit to them,' &c. But mark their ordinary walk and conversation, and you will quickly discover that their professed trust in Providence is a mere phantom of the imagination. They hear read in one of the lessons of our Church the reply of the Almighty to the haughty and blasphemous king of Assyria; in which God says to him, Hast thou not heard long ago how I have done it, and of ancient times that I have formed it? Now have I brought it to pass, that thou shouldest be to lay waste fenced cities into ruinous heaps. Therefore their inhabitants were of small power, they were dismayed and confounded;" and they join in that which confesses to God that

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prayer in our Liturgy the hearts of kings are

in his rule and governance, and that he disposes and turns them as seemeth best to his godly wisdom.' How is it then that when they return to their worldly business or domestic engagements so little practical effect, or evidence of experimental feeling, of these revealed truths is witnessed? How is it that they appear ready to attribute events to any creature instrumental in their production, or even to the nonentity chance, rather than to the Creator and ruler of the world? The answer is, Their faith in the declarations of God concerning his particular Providence is in great measure, if not entirely, notional. And where this is the case as respects the government of the natural world, how much cause is there to fear that the "testimony of God" concerning the operation of his Spirit in the dispensation of grace, is not truly and heartily received!

AN ADDRESS AT A FUNERAL IN L. S. CHURCH.

IMPORTANT QUESTIONS.

What am I?-A mortal, an immortal being; part of two worlds; fallen from God; chained to flesh ; full of sin!

Where am I?-On the brink of vast eternity, soon to be swept into its shoreless ocean, to be happy or miserable for ever!

What shall I shortly be?-Either a glorified spirit in heaven, or a lost soul in hell; either filled with all the fulness of joy above, or filled with the wrath which will be ever" wrath to come " below!

SUITABLE ADVICE.

Turn to God with full purpose of heart; immediately; unreservedly; with deep humility; holy confidence; preserving constancy; overflowing gratitude.

ENCOURAGING CONSIDERATIONS.

The blood of Jesus cleanseth from all sin. The righteousness of Jesus justifieth from all things. The Spirit of Jesus sanctifieth from all pollution. The fulness of Jesus supplies all needs. The love of Jesus sweetens all crosses. He has power to save; he is willing to save; he came into the world to save sinners; he stands engaged by all his perfections and promises to save.

CONSOLATIONS AND DIRECTION TO THE MOURNERS. You have lost your friend. If she fell asleep in Jesus, she is now with him for ever.

"Be you ready, for you know not the day, nor the hour, when the Son of man cometh."

K. L.

"One is your Master, even Christ," Matt. xxiii. 8.