pare their past with their present state; and at the contrast their hearts bound with unspeakable delight.

Thus the happiness of heaven, though calm and undisturbed by any spoilers, includes in it activity. Every faculty of the inhabitants of this blessed place is exerted, every power strained, to fulfil the will of God. Their desires being all holy, are all gratified. Continued experience causes them cheerfully to submit to Jehovah's vernment. Their trust in him is without alloy and imperfection. In body and soul they are engaged and happy. As activity promotes happiness here, so there the employments being all holy, will continually increase their happiness.

go

3. The triumphant believer is recognized as one of the redeemed of the Lord. "I will "write upon upon him

my new name."

This new name is that of Christian-a nobler title than any on earth. To be thus acknowledged, will constitute a distinct source of happiness to the believer. It is the most endearing blessing which he enjoys in heaven. He fought under the banners of

Christ, in the Church militant. In the Church triumphant he is welcomed by the Captain of his salvation as a faithful soldier. He suffered below in the cause of his Master; above he is rewarded by his Master. He recollects his conduct in life; his relapses into sin; his frequent murmurings; his deficiences in the performance of duty; his cowardice so often displayed in his conflict with the enemies of his Lord. When therefore, unworthy as he is in himself, and conscious that at the best he was but an unprofitable servant, he finds himself received in a distinguished manner by his Captain, his Prince, and that before the inhabitants of heaven, in the most open and public manner-all his imperfections overlooked--all his sins forgotten; his sensibility is excited beyond measure-his feelings of rapturous delight are inconceivable.

A redeemed of the Lord Christ is a character that will be glorious throughout eternity. Angels will view him with admiration. In him God is well pleased; because for him the Son of God became an infant of days, and a sufferer. What an idea! how

vast! how immense! too boundless for the

finite mind to grasp.

Thus then, though once a rebel, he will be acknowledged by God as his son; though once a lover of sin and the world, he will be received as a citizen of heaven; though once a poor helpless creature, he will be applauded by his Saviour.

In this happy state he will continue for ever. As a pillar," he shall go no more out.' "he He never shall be removed out of the Church in glory. He will be established in knowledge, in love, in zeal, in activity; nay, in all these he will ever be increasing. His susceptibility for happiness will receive no shock. On earth, all is change, bustle, and noise. One generation goeth, another cometh. Friends and relatives, brethren in Jesus, oft-times separate through necessity; oft-times through death. No situation is permanent; no enjoyment durable. The sunshine of summer is followed by the cold and frost of winter. Gladness may prevail for a season, but sorrow succeeds. Far different from this is the state of the believer in heaven. There no change, no separa

tion, nor succession of trouble to ease, will ever take place. In the temple above he shall remain a triumphant monument of grace, among the assembly of the just, emitting the lustre of his bliss all around. He will suffer no satiety, no disgust, but will increase in happiness, in joy, in glory, through the countless ages of eternity.

Such is the Christian's state in heaven. Who does not, at the contemplation of such a state, exclaim with Balaam, "let me "die the death of the righteous, and let "last end be like his"!" "Mark the perfect

my

man, and behold the upright: for the end "of that man is peace." His hope, like an anchor, is cast within the vail both sure and steadfast. Death to him, is merely the end of time-the commencement of eternity.

Notwithstanding this comfortable truth, how strongly are we disposed to murmur, when Jehovah calls off any of his chosen ones. The feelings of nature are oft-times stubborn and hostile to grace. It is just that we should mourn, but it is unjust that we should repine. Even in our genuine sorrow, there is perhaps more sel

h Num. xxiii. 10.

i Ps. xxxvii. 37.

fishness than affection. We regret the loss of a friend, probably more than the death of a fellow mortal.

Such have been my reflections; such the exercises of my mind, on a recent loss which the Church of Christ has sustained. Death has lately called off from this stage of existence, the Rev. Mr. Johnson, a minister belonging to our connexion. Though few of you personally knew him, yet his

k The following notice was taken of his death, in one of the public papers, 1803.

"Died, at Newtown, (L. I.) on the 29th ult. in the 33d year of his age, Mr. John B. Johnson, formerly one of the ministers of the Reformed Dutch Church in Albany, and last at Brooklyn. In consequence of his impaired health, he had withdrawn himself from the cares of a large congregation, and accepted a call where less exertions were required; but his disease was too deeply rooted, and the change proved ineffectual to his relief. After the death of Mrs. Johnson, who left him with three infant children, in April last, he rapidly declined, and his complaint terminated in a consumption. Mr. Johnson was distinguished by abilities which marked him for extensive usefulness. His mind was improved by a liberal education, and indefatigable study. In the last days of his ministry, he became peculiarly instructive and acceptable, to discerning and experienced believers. The meekness of his temper, and a cheerful, unassuming deportment, gained him universal esteem. The pious loved him; he had no enemies but the enemies of religion. His character was without stain.

He died in the faith of those doctrines which