and things to come, something enjoyed, and much more expected; the mercies of eternity, added to the blessings of time,—the riches of both worlds, all assured to him by the covenant of grace, in the way of the Lord's testimonies. And is it not then most strange, that with such treasure in possession and in prospect, the child of God should be so unmindful of it, so careless in increasing his store, and in confirming his own interest in it? But the riches of God's testimonies have this peculiar property, that they cease to rejoice the heart, when they are not uppermost there. Alas! do we not know something of this? Have there not been times when they have appeared little desirable in our eyes, and we have actually rejoiced in the accession of some worldly good, or the accomplishment of some worldly desire, more than in this heavenly treasure? THE ANGEL OF INTELLIGENCE. THE sun had passed his meridian splendour, and descending behind the summit of the western hills, had tinged the evening clouds with his radiance, and the mild lustre of his retiring beams danced upon the horizon, when Zadib, wearied with the burden of affliction, retired to the groves of Madian, to seek that consolation which had long been a stranger to his breast. In the groves of Madian, might be enjoyed the pleasures of solitude, and in their deepest recesses communion was sometimes held with superior beings. Not all the gold of Ophir, the riches of Arabia, or the unrivalled splendour of eastern magnificence, could procure the smile of complacency upon the face of Zadib; on his brow were imprinted the furrows of care, and the sighs of anxious solicitude proceeded from his bosom. To what purpose are the gifts of nature, and the objects of ambition distributed to me? Are not the arrows of death perpetually hovering around me, and shall I not be shortly numbered with the forgotten multitudes that are mouldering in the dust? My life has been a scene of disappointed hopes; the schemes of happiness which I had formed, and fondly thought the approbation of the wise was obtained upon them, even these have vanished as a meteor, which dazzles for a moment, disappears, and leaves no trace of its existence. I have sought in my possessions a relief I cannot find, and a consolation which it is not in their power to bestow; instead of that happiness which I vainly believed to be the inheritance of man, deep indeed hath been the cup of sorrow that hath been allotted me. He had scarcely finished his soliloquy, when the angel of Divine intelligence appeared before him. His appearance was beautiful as the rainbow that proclaims an end to the tremendous storm which shakes the arch of heaven with its tumult, and spreads dismay upon the hearts of men: at his approach Zadib fell prostrate, and sought to veil his face in the folds of his robe, whilst the language of adoration remained suspended upon his lips. 66 Arise, Zadib," said the angel, with a serenity beaming on his countenance, that pronounced him a messenger of peace, "Arise, thy adorations are only due to him from whose hand was thy existence, and on whom its duration depends,—who formed the basis of the everlasting hills, and before whose throne the mighty archangels worship with reverential fear. The secret recesses of thy heart have been penetrated,thy lamentations have been heard, and I am sent the minister of consolation, to heal thy wounded bosom; thou hast indeed, in vain, sought for happiness in those terrestrial objects from whence it can never be obtained, the meditations of thine heart have not been directed aright; accustomed to earthly views, thy expectations were bounded in thy present state of existence, and the possessions of futurity were not the objects of thy hopes. Virtue alone can insure thee these possessions: her glorious influence will irradiate thy mind; and as her pursuits are immortal, they are the only ones worthy to engage the attention of immortal beings. Virtue will survive the transient existence of time, when the laurels of ambition shall fade, and the wreaths of adulation bestowed on the unworthy shall wither on their brow, when the empty honours of a name shall cease, and the votaries of vice and folly be mingled with their dusty original, her existence shall be still permanent, she will be still rising on the wings of endless duration. Virtue will teach thee to consider the present only as a state of trial, and thyself a traveller, hastening towards a better country,-she will be unto thee a never-failing friend, conducting thee to the celestial regions, where uninterrupted felicity will be thy inheritance. But remember, Zadib, the means, and know that it is principally by affliction that thou wilt be fitted for these enjoyments, repine no longer at the cup allotted thee, for although its draught may be sometimes bitter, there is inscribed on it everlasting health. He who appointed adversity to administer instruction, hath commanded cheerfulness to possess thy bosom; be it thine to communicate the instruction thou hast received to the best of thy abilities, alleviate the misery of others, and never suffer the tear upon that eye, nor the sigh of affliction to heave that breast from whence it is in thy power to remove them. And know, O Zadib, if thou wouldst obtain the end of thy pursuits,-if happiness be the wish of thy soul, and the object of thy perseverance, if virtue has any charms for thee,-if benevolence, (the brightest ornament of thy race,) any attractions to allure, then listen to my admonitions, and let them be engraven on the tablets of thine heart, lasting as the monuments of antiquity in the rocks of adamant. Then shalt thou wait with unfailing patience for the arrival of that friendly hand which will draw aside the curtains of futurity, and discover to thee the realms of an immortal paradise." The counsels of the angel sunk deep into the breast of Zadib; the clouds of his soul were dissipated like morning mists before the rising sun, he returned to diffuse around him the smiles of benevolence, and the beams of celestial hope were spread over the remaining days of Zadib. The counsels of the messenger of intelligence are not recorded, because they cannot be obtained, but they may be still heard. The groves of Madian are open, not only to Zadib, but to every son and daughter of humanity; for know, the groves of Madian are the deep recesses of the human heart. ALLOW me, my dear friend and reader of every description, to express an earnest and affectionate desire that such may be thy happy experience. If the afflicting hand of divine chastisement has convinced thee of the utter instability of every earthly joy,—if thou art made sensible, that in the fleeting scenes of this present state of existence, there is nothing which can satisfy the aspirations of an immortal spirit,—if thou art prepared to acknowledge thyself to be unworthy of the love of God, "wretched, and miserable, and blind, and poor, and naked," mayest thou find a sure refuge for a wounded and weary spirit, in the bosom of the holy Jesus, may he be made unto thee of the Father, "wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption." Then whatsoever tribulations may be permitted to attend thy path during the remaining stages of thy mortal pilgrimage, all will be well; thy portion will be a true peace with God even here, and in the world to come, life everlasting. J. J. Gurney's Letter. O vice, that with a down-cast brow, doth pine |