plation, and every idea is swallowed up in the immensity of the plan. Many, whom I am addressing, are well acquainted with the striking thought of a late excellent writer in this country upon this subject. Suppose," says he, "this earth to be entirely composed of the finest particles of sand, and that an angel, once in a thousand years, was commissioned to remove one of these particles, and that a man was to exist till the whole globe was destroyed; thousands and thousands of years would roll on, ere the smallest diminution would be perceptible; the angel might remove the particle, but even an angel's eye could not discern the loss; but at length, when ages after ages had revolved, a small difference is perceptible; but think, if the powers of imagination do not fail in the inquiry, of the millions of ages which must elapse, ere the quarter, the half, the whole, is annihilated! Yet, even then, eternity is but commencing. Good God! Is this thy gift to man?-ETERNAL LIFE! Having thus very briefly sketched a few of the glories which we have reason to expect in the heavenly state, it becomes us Mr. Grove. seriously to inquire, what improvement we should derive from the contemplation. It may, I think, be divided into a general and a particular improvement. 1. As a general improvement, I would observe, in the first place, How strongly does the consideration of this subject excite our gratitude to God! Eternal life is the free unmerited gift of God through Jesus Christ. Supposing the life of man to be, generally speaking, eighty years, had an equal length of time been allotted him after death, in a state of perfect happiness, would not this have been worth living for? But, when we contemplate the happiness of another world, as not only perfect in its nature, but lasting in its duration, how should our hearts glow with gratitude, and our noblest powers be consecrated to his praise! 2. This subject strikingly exhibits the superiority of the christian dispensation. Though we have proved that the ancient world had undoubtedly some knowledge of a future state, yet how faint and dull were all the discoveries afforded them, when compared with the pure light thrown upon it by the gospel of Christ! They had only the twilight, or, at most, the dawn, while we are walking in the bright sunshine of the meridian day! Beautifully has our own poet expressed this by the metaphor of a candle sinking and expiring under the rays of the mid-day sun : "As a dim candle dies at noon." Oh, may we consider our advantages, and endeavour to improve such superior and invaluable privileges! 3. Let our thoughts frequently dwell on that heavenly world to which we are hastening. Let us meditate on the delightful picture drawn of it by the Apostle in the Isle of Patmos, and endeavour to realize to our minds the glories he describes. Let us especially view it as it respects the fulness and harmony of the saints; there we shall no longer meet together in small communities, to celebrate the mercies of our God, or to commemorate the grace of our Redeemer ; no little narrow pale will be drawn around us, and all beyond it excluded; but an innumerable multitude will unite in one grand harmonious anthem of thanksgiving and of praise! The late Dr. Hunter, more than twenty years ago, preached a sermon in this pulpit, which deserved perpetual remembrance, from the words, "And I saw no temple there." In heaven there shall be no local worship, no modes and forms, no stated periods for devotion; but all shall be worship; all shall be harmony; all shall be praise! 4. Let it be our earnest care to secure an entrance into this blessed state, since we are every where assured, that none can enter therein, but such as are in some degree prepared by their habits and conduct upon earth. May it be our constant endeavour to purify our hearts and minds, and, through the assistance of God's Holy Spirit, (which is promised to them that ask for it,) to render them fit for the enjoyment of that glorious association of the wise and the good, to which we are tending. Once more: 5. The consideration of this subject should afford comfort to those of us who have lost valuable friends. Yet, a little while, a few more revolutions of years, and we shall be with them. They have been in mercy taken away from the evil to come; their trials and their sorrows are past, and they are now anticipating their glorious reward. Oh, may we "follow them, who, through faith and patience, inherit the promises;"-and our prayer shall only be, that " they, without us, shall not be made perfect!" Would time permit, I should enter upon a more particular improvement, and I would first address the different stages of human life. I would address the young in the words of Solomon, (and I would, if possible, commence with his irony, and close it with his seriousness,)" Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth, and let thy heart cheer thee, in the day of thy youth; and walk in the ways of thy heart, and in the sight of thine eyes; but know thou, that, for all these things, God will bring thee to judgment." I would say to those in middle life, immersed in the cares of the world, "Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth to everlasting life." I would say to the aged, “What! can ye not watch one hour?" Your day of trial is nearly over; a few more days of suffering, a little longer exercise of patience and submission, and you shall be free, you shall cast anchor in the heavenly port. I would speak to the conditions of life. I would say to the prosperous, beware, lest your hearts should be lifted up: enjoy the bounties of Heaven with moderation and gratitude, and exercise benevolence towards |