RELIGION.

EMBARKED on the stream of time, and carried rward with uniform and irresistible force, how many ousands do we see amusing themselves in the purit of shadows, or gliding along in stupid unconcern, >twithstanding their surrounding companions daily sappear, and are gone, they know not whither. e also, fellow-traveller, are making rapid progress our course, and it will surely be wise to devote a w moments to reflect upon the most important of all bjects which can possibly occupy our attention ;— e purpose of our existence, and the end of our oyage.

If we consider our animal frame, composed of parts ssential to the well-being of the whole, and put toether with inimitable skill, or survey the means that ave been appointed to sustain this fabric, during the mited period of its existence; if we look upon the nferior animals, or study the structure of the vegeable tribes; if, by means of the faculties we possess, we endeavour to understand a little of the laws which ppear to regulate the operations incessantly taking place in this lower world; or if we lift our eyes to hose luminous bodies scattered through the immenity of space, all proceeding harmoniously in the paths prescribed to them,-should not our souls be Filled with awe and reverence? Nothing short of nfinite wisdom could have effected this: nothing short of infinite power could sustain it for a moment.

This wisdom and this power, O fellow is God, even thy God

create thee what thou art.

He has conde

Kind and ber

unlimited in power, he has provided for th thy accommodation, thy pleasure, even he furnished thee with suitable food, has en fields with flowers, and instructed every the grove in his peculiar song. He ha thee with reason, whereby thou mayest u little portion of his wonders; and, to crow has given thee a capacity to acquaint him, the Author of them all. Every thin that the object of the Creator is the happ creatures; and if thou be not happy, th thyself. Do not suppose that thou art p transitory scene, merely to eat, to drink, and, after a few years, to vanish away or like a vision of the night. No:-thy g has called thee into existence, at that was consistent with his supreme will; an frame shall go to decay when it may p call for the spirit which animates it, yet that this spirit shall exist forever. Wher life ceases, thou must enter upon eternity be either miserable beyond description, ably happy. The few and uncertain mo present state, are all that are allowed th for it. Be roused then to a just conside condition; venture not to sleep on the

per

ter, is by earnestly endeavouring to know and orm the will of God. This we cannot do of ourselves; but he is graciously pleased to enable us, by giving to every one of his rational creatures, a portion of his good spirit,* which is secretly operating upon the soul. This it is that makes us uneasy when we do wrong, and which fills the mind with comfort and joy when we do right. Thus the Divine Being communicates with his creatures; thus he is constantly endeavouring to draw them to himself; and in proportion as they attend to these secret impulses, he manifests himself more and more clearly to them, and they become more closely united to him. In this way, the holy ment of old were inspired, and were employed as mediums to convey the most important truths to the rest of mankind. Their writings collected together are called the Holy Scriptures, and clearly point out that conduct which will be acceptable to God. But above all, they inform us, that in the fulness of time, our merciful Creators displayed his love to his rational creatures in a more conspicuous manner than he had done in preceding dispensations, by sending among them his beloved Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, as a pattern and example to the end of time, and as the Redeemer of men. In him was seen what the world never beheld before; a person with all the feelings of human nature, and yet, without sin; by him the means of reconciliation and union with God were most clearly and affectingly displayed, and through him, those who feel the weight of their transgressions must seek for reconciliation. He is the * Titus, ii. 11. 2 Peter, i. 21. ‡ 2 Tim. iii, 15. § Gal. iv. 4.

mediator between sinful man and the sourc ty; and though, having accomplished his the flesh, and offered up his life on the cross pitiation for the sins of mankind, he is no held with the outward eye; yet, he is pre hearts of all those who are striving to know form the Divine Will he is influencing the thoughts and good actions, enabling ther come their perverse natural inclinations, a due their wills; and thus he is purifying, a ing them acceptable through himself, to his Father. 'Behold I stand at the door an If any man hear my voice, and open the d come in to him, and sup with him, and he And again, 'If a man love me, he will keep and my Father will love him, and we will him, and make our abode with him.'t-In descension! Unutterable love! His kno monitions of his grace and good spirit in and to attend to these and follow them, is t him. This leads to our purification and fitness for a closer communion with him. venly visiter will now be no longer as a man who tarrieth only for a night,' but w our abode with him.' This is the essence ligion; and, let our denominations in th what they may, if this be our happy exp shall belong to the general assembly an

shall then be left to ourselves, and permitted to follow our own evil propensities; our souls will be in a state of defilement, and alienation from the source of true happiness,and if we die in this state, dreadful indeed will be our portion. That witness for God which we have refused to hear, will then speak out in a voice not to be silenced, and from which we shall be no longer able to escape.

Now is the acceptable time; now, while we have health and strength, let us use all diligence to acquaint ourselves with God, that we may be at peace, for though he desires the salvation* of all, he will be sought unto, and he has graciously promised to be found of those who seek him aright.

Our attempts will be much promoted by occasional and frequent retirement from the hurry and bustle of life, if it were only for one quarter of an hour at a time; that we may pour out our souls unto our Heavenly Father in prayer, beseeching that he would manifest unto us his will, help us to subdue our own, and bring it into conformity with his. A diligent perusal of the Holy Scriptures is also an excellent means of strengthening our good desires, and comforting us under trial, if we entreat the Divine blessing upon it; for this only can open our understandings to receive those eternal truths which are indeed hid from the wise and prudent of this world, but revealed to the babes in Christ.†

True prayer is by no means so difficult as some have imagined; every secret aspiration to God, even if no words be uttered, is prayer; and we may be in the exercise of it, even when our hands are engaged

* 1 Tim. ii. 4. + Matt. xi. 25.