creatures, of which we know so very little, let us turn to him who wrought by these instruments, and merely effected his own determinations by them. "Cease from man, for wherein is he to be accounted of?" Let not the creature hide the Creator, nor present things remain the fatal screen of the future; but in every occurrence mark the great Cause, "of whom, and through whom, and to whom, are all things," who numbereth the very hairs of our head, and without whom even a sparrow falls not to the ground.

While others, therefore, are wandering without an object, and bereaved without a comforter, yea, are going to their worst enemy for relief, let us endeavour to say, with Peter," Lord, to whom shall we go, but to thee?" Consider the great physician as now proposing a most serious question to your conscience," Wilt thou be inade whole?" May the language of your heart be that of the Apostle's; " If by any means." Then, though seemingly swallowed up of this grief, like Jonah, you shall find a resource in it, and finally be preserved by it. This dart, like that which once pierced an imposthume in battle, shall bring health with its wound, and you shall be enabled, with many that

are gone before you, to say, "The Lord hath chastened me sore; but he hath not given me over unto death."

Duty also directs you to moderate your grief. Our heavenly Father, who "knows our frame, and remembers we are but dust," allows us to mourn when he afflicts us. He often, in his providence, calls us to it, and charges us to " weep with them that weep." But he admonishes us also of a danger on each hand-" My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him." If we seriously profess Christianity, our very profession implies not only a subjection to our Lord's will, but that we have special resources in our affliction; several of which have been already named. That, among others of our privileges, there is, a peace from God, which passeth all understanding, to keep our hearts and minds" through life and death; and that we have many reasons for "not sorrowing, as others who have no hope." Besides which, Christians have a post of honour to maintain a high calling to demonstrate and commend. We shall, like the pilot in a storm, be brought to our principles; and,

as sor

rowful, yet always rejoicing," should prove that we have them now to learn.

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On the contrary, there is such a thing as nursing and cherishing our grief; employing a busy, meddling memory to muster up past endearments," and personate a vast variety of tender and heartrending circumstances. There is a tearing open the wound afresh by images and remembrances, and thereby multiplying those pangs which constitute the very bitterness of death itself. Our melancholy exceedingly affects this voluntary torture; it seeks expedients, and will listen to the most unjust and aggravated accusations which can approach a tender conscience respecting the deceased. But conscience should rather be concerned to repress such a disposition. It is a temptation. It desperately strives to retain what God has determined to remove; in some cases, it seeks to penetrate an abyss he forbids even conjecture to explore; and while it unfits the mourner for the pressing duties of his station, it leads to that "sorrow of the world which worketh death" to his body, soul, and Christian character. How different and superior the sentiments of David!" His servants said unto him, What thing is

this that thou hast done? Thou didst fast and weep for the child, while it was alive; but when the child was dead, thou didst rise and eat bread. And he said, While the child was yet alive, I fasted and wept; for I said, who can tell whether God will be gracious to me, that the child may live; but now he is dead, wherefore should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him; but he shall not return to me."

Present circumstances also admonish you to KNOW YOUR OPPORTUNITY, and to improve this season as peculiarly favourable for spiritual advancement. There is a tide in the concerns of religion; the Scripture calls it the " day of visitation," and sends us to the stork and to the swallow for instruction respecting it. Your heart is now soft, its fascination withdrawn, and the call loud and affecting; endeavour, therefore, to take the benefit of a remedy you feel so expensive

If, in a sense, "smitten friends are angels sent on errands full of love," instead of weeping over their tombs, let us listen to the voice which properly arises from them; especially if it be our privilege to bury one, who, like Abel, "being

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dead, yet speaketh," and who would be ready to say to his mourners, Weep not for me, but for yourselves, and for your children." "I have fought the good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith," and received my crown. I cannot now come to weep with you; but you may ascend and rejoice with me, where there is "no more death, neither sorrow nor crying; for the former things are passed away." "If you truly love me, prepare to follow me. If you earnestly wish to see me again, seek not the living among the dead; but arise and become a "follower of them, who through faith and patience inherit the promises." Take that heavenly lamp, which "shineth as a light in a dark place; walk humbly by it, till the day dawn, and the day-star arise in your heart." Haste, my beloved, towards the things which " eye hath not seen;" and ere the eternal day break, and the present shadows flee away,

run

with patience the race set before you, looking unto Jesus." How will my cup overflow to meet you among those who daily come hither out of great tribulation; and, having washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb, serve him day and night in his temple!"