flame, shall be as the cheerful crackling of the domestic hearth, or the lambent ray of a passing meteor; while faith sweetly whispers, "the flame shall not kindle on thee." To such, the swellings of Jordan, though the proud waves overwhelm the restricting bank, and roar "desolation," shall be as the untroubled heavings of the favouring tide, or the balmy breath of a propitious gale, to waft the exulting mariner to the fair haven of bliss; where the "roaring lion, going about seeking whom he may devour," the gaping furnace of eternal despair, the sable wave of the unfathomed river of death, shall threaten no more for ever.

CAN sin be a trifle, when it requires the blood of

God to take out its stains? God is infinite, therefore every offence against him, whether attended with less, or greater aggravation, is an infinite evil, and nothing less than an infinite sacrifice can atone for it. Who dare face Omnipotence incensed? Rocks and mountains could not shield the culprit, nor the deepest re⚫ cess of hell hide him from the flaming vengeance.

THE

HE bitter waters of Marah.-A tree was cut down, and part of it cast into the waters, and they were made sweet-a sweet type. Thus doth the cross of Christ sweeten the bitter waters of affliction to his people, while passing through the parched wilderness of this world into their promised Canaan of rest.

"THE Christian's path is thorny." I do not believe

it; or if it is, the roses are so thickly blended, that the wounds of the first are healed with the unguent fragrance of the last. While my feet strayed in the broad, illusive and destructive way, how often was my soul pierced! how often did my heart bleed! My mirth was like a vapour, that momentarily gilded the gloom of the long night of spiritual darkness, ignorance and stupidity, which pervaded my soul, and only made the gloom more visible. But when my most merciful Lord was pleased to shine in upon me with his great and marvellous light, how did the vapours fly, the mists evaporate! The thick shades of night crowded away and fled the approach of the "Sun of Righteousness arising with healing under his wings." Truly, "the ways of wisdom are pleasant, and all her paths are peace."

FOLLOW Jesus Christ on earth, and thou shalt

follow the path he hath made for thee to heaven. Obey his precepts here, and he will send his ministering spirits to conduct thee to the portals of bliss, where obedience is turned into full fruition, and prayer into praise, a crown for a cross, the oil of joy for a spirit of heaviness, and spotless robes of his own righteousness for filthy rags of sin and pollution.

THE crucified Redeemer is just such an one as we want, every way fitted for our necessities. He hath fulfilled every jot and tittle of the law, therefore his righteousness is full. He hath suffered all its penalties, and made satisfaction for its violated honours, therefore the atonement is complete. He is omnipotent, none can prevail against him, therefore all who build upon this rock shall surely stand. Omniscient, therefore he knows every thing, and sees all our wants. Omnipresent, therefore is always near to supply. And O the sweetest of all attributes, he is all-merciful, his compassions fail not, and therefore is able and willing to help and to save to the uttermost, all who come to him. Who that knows his own corrupt nature, does not see the need of such a Saviour!

WHEN my thoughts are on God, and the desires

of my heart going out after him and things divine, all goes well; peace smiles around, and I can smile on all; but when again my affections vainly chace the ignus-fatuus of earthly joy, trifles light as air vex and perplex me, disappointments frown, or fruition fails to satisfy. Truly, "godliness hath the promise not only of this life, but of that which is to come, and is profitable unto all things."

"THE

HE dignity of human nature." Alas! who that is sensible of the strong bias to do evil, and the power. ful inborn corruptions that are continually exciting him to act in opposition to the will of his Creator, and thereby expose him to eternal ruin; the aversion he feels (while in a state of this dignified nature) to all that is truly good, must prove, that however dignified it might once have been, its traces are so defaced, that if discernible at all, it only proves a noble work totally in ruins.

WHATEVER evils may be said to exist in the

world, there is but one that the Christian apprehends with terror; the withholding of the Spirit of God, and the consequent withdrawing of the light of his countenance. When supported by these, it is not in the power of calamitous events entirely to break his peace, or destroy his hopes; he can say with Elisha to his servant, "Fear not, they that be with us are more than they that are against us." The illuminations within brighten the darkest prospects without. The loss of property, that "moth doth corrupt," cannot wholly discourage, while he thinks on those treasures laid up in heaven, which are incorruptible, and not exposed to casual accidents. Should friends prove unkind, and those of his own household turn aliens; if supported by the divine consolations within, he remembers with sweet complacency, that "there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother," and this friend he is privileged to claim by the endearing title of "Brother Ransomer." If sickness approach with her wan, melancholy visage, he sweetens her bitter cup with the antidote of patience; he knows his physician is always near, and if he sees in his hidden counsels it is not best to restore his body to health, yet he can administer cordials to the soul, and anoint it with the unction of peace," which passeth all understanding.” Should death approach, does he tremble? Death is the king of terrors! True, he is to all that are out of Christ-but the "sting of death is sin," and here that sting is extracted. "And the strength of sin is the violated law:" but Christ hath fulfilled all the law for