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have been made of his love of money as have quite astonished his friends, and as must needs drive one into doubt regarding the sincerity of his religion altogether." My friend had loved him as a brother, and nothing could exceed the feeling of disappointment and surprise with which he spoke.

It is needless to give my readers the particulars of this unhappy case: suffice it to say, that here is a young man, pursuing to all appearance an unblemished and useful course through life; coming to a death-bed, as it seemed, in the full exercise of Christian graces, warming and cheering the heart of his minister and every Christian friend with his departing words; when, behold, discoveries are made that covetousness was eating as a canker at the root of his profession; and he dies leaving his future destiny in dreadful uncertainty! Nor were there in his case the peculiar temptations of old age to aid the mischief; for John died a young man.

Oh! reader, take heed and beware of covetousness. Depend upon it, you are laying up for yourself bitterness unspeakable, if you suffer any thing to share your affections with Christ. All, all must go, if you would be saved. The love of money will drive you to hell, as surely as drunkenness or adultery. It is idolatry. It is the preference of the creature to the Creator. It is having more gods than one. It is the unfaithful stewardship; the hiding of the talent in the napkin. There is nothing in the spirit of covetousness, which fits a man for the social and relative duties of this world; and there is nothing in it which comports with the spirit which prevails in heaven: for there Christ is all in all. There no rival to him

appears.

Your temptations may be strong, but only awake to your condition; only acknowledge your danger, and He who spake the word to the greedy publicans, and along with the word, vouchsafed the needed power to leave all and follow him, can do the same for you, and release you from the strongest fetters of covetousness.

W.

THE UNIVERSAL RECIPE FOR ALL MALADIES.

There is a universal remedy which a skilful Physician hath ordained for all thy grievances; and I from his hand recommend it to thee. "Is any among you afflicted? let him PRAY." Here is the great and sovereign balm for the distressed soul, which is able to give ease to all complaints.

Art-thou soul sick? Pray. So did holy David. "The sorrows of hell compassed me about; and the snares of death prevented me." "In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried unto my God."

Art thou infested with importunate temptation? Pray. So did Paul when the messenger of Satan was sent to buffet him. "Thrice I besought the Lord that it might depart from me." And the Lord answered and said, "my grace is sufficient for thee, my strength is made perfect in weakness."

Art thou grieved or affrighted with the calamities of war, famine, or pestilence? Pray. So good Jehosaphat pressed God with his gracious promise made to Solomon. "If when evil cometh upon us, as the sword, judgment, or pestilence, or famine, we stand before this house, and in thy presence, and cry unto thee in our affliction, then thou wilt hear and help;" he then concludes his zealous supplication with, "neither know we what to do, but our eyes are upon thee."

Art thou afflicted with the loss of friends? Pray, and have recourse to thy God, as Ezekiel, when Peletiah the son of Benaiah, died: "Then fell I down upon my face, and cried with a loud voice, and said, Ah, Lord God, wilt thou make a full end of the remnant of Israel."

Art thou imprisoned? Pray. So did Paul and Silas; when in prison they prayed and sang praises to God. Art thou distressed with poverty? Pray. So did the widow of Sarepta, and her cruise of oil did not fail.

Art thou cast down upon a sick-bed? "Call for the elders of the church, and let them pray." This was Hezekiah's recipe when he was sick unto death: "he turned his face to the wall and prayed."

Art thou bereaved of thy bodily senses? Make thy

address to him that said, "who hath made man's mouth, or who maketh the dumb and the deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? Have not I the Lord?" Cry aloud to him with Bartimeus, "Lord, that I may receive my sight." And if thou be hopeless of thy outward sight, yet pray with the Psalmist, "O Lord, open thou mine eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of thy law."

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Art thou troubled and weakened with want of rest? Pray. So did Asaph. "Thou holdest mine eyes waking; I am so troubled that I cannot speak.

God with my voice, and he gave ear unto me."

I cried to

Dost thou droop under the grievance of old age? Pray. So did David. "O cast me not off in the time of old age: forsake me not when my strength faileth. O God, thou hast taught me from my youth; now also when I am old and grey headed, O God, forsake me not."

Art thou troubled and dismayed with the fears of death? Pray. So did David. "The sorrows of death compassed me, and the pains of hell gat hold upon me; I found trouble and sorrow." Then called I upon the name of the Lord, O Lord, I beseech thee, deliver my soul."

Dost thou tremble at the thought of judgment? So did the man after God's own heart. "My flesh trembleth for fear of thee; and I am afraid of thy judgments." Look up with Jeremiah, and say to thy Saviour, "O Lord, thou hast pleaded the cause of my soul, thou hast redeemed my life. O Lord, judge thou my cause."

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Whatever evil it be that presseth thy soul, have speedy recourse to the throne of grace. Pour out thy heart into the ears of the Father of all mercies, and the God of all comfort; and be sure, if not of redress, yet of ease. have his word for it, that cannot fail; "call upon me in the day of trouble, and I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me." Psalm 1. 15.

Formal suppliants may talk to God; but be confident, he that can truly pray, can never be truly miserable. Of ourselves, we lie open to all evils; our rescue is from above; and what intercourse have we with heaven, but by prayer? Our prayers are they that can deliver us from

dangers, avert judgments, prevent mischiefs, procure blessings; that can obtain pardon for our sins, furnish us with strength against temptations, mitigate the extremity of our sufferings, sustain our infirmities, raise up our dejectedness, increase our graces, abate our corruptions, sanctify all good things to us, sweeten the bitterness of our afflictions, open the windows of heaven, shut up the bars of death, vanquish the power of hell. PRAY and be both safe and happy.-Bishop Hall.

Give ear unto my words, O Lord,
My meditation weigh;

Hear my loud cry, my King, my God,
For I to thee will pray.

Lord, thou shalt early hear my voice,
I early will direct

My prayer to thee, and looking up,
An answer will expect.

O thou that art the Lord of Hosts,
That man is truly blest,
Who, by assured confidence,
On thee alone doth rest.

CHRISTIANITY RECOMMENDED BY AN INFIDEL.

Dr. Elliott was well acquainted with Colonel Allen, a celebrated infidel in America, and made him a visit at a time when his daughter was sick and near dying. He was introduced to the colonel in his library, where he read to the Doctor some passages of his writings with much evident self-complacency, and asked, "is not that well done?" While they were thus engaged, a messenger entered, informing Colonel Allen that his daughter was dying, and desired to speak with him. Immediately he hastened to her chamber, accompanied by Dr. Elliott, who was desirous of witnessing the affecting interview. The wife of Colonel Allen was a pious woman, who had carefully instructed her daughter in the principles of Christianity. As soon as her father appeared at her bed-side, she said to him, "I am about to die: shall I believe in the principles you have taught me, or shall I believe in what my mother has taught me?" The infidel colonel became extremely agitated: his chin quivered, his whole frame shook; and after waiting a few moments, he replied, "Believe what your mother has taught

you."

SELECT PASSAGES.

I have seen in one of the Infant's Schools in Bath, a helpless cripple, filling the post of monitor, while propped up in a high chair for the purpose; and I understood, that this poor little boy, who was under the influence of religious principle, had been the means of bringing salvation home to his house, in the conversion of his father and mother, from an ungodly and profligate life, to one of moral correctness and true piety.

The Village, by Rev. J. East.

A little girl, who was never absent from my youthful congregation on Sabbath evenings, was one of the earliest whom death called away from the lamb fold, and she appears to have been its fruits of glory to the good Shepherd. Her death-bed was peace. It was more. It was a school of instruction to her mother; who having refused to read to her child at her request, received this mild but rebuking answer: "Then, mother, I will read to you as long as I have strength." She accordingly would take up her Testament as often as her mother entered the room, and read to her a few verses, as the time and her own weakness would allow.

Ibid.

I was once, in Bristol called upon to visit a dying man, under the following circumstances. He had not entered the church for many years. At last he made up his mind to go, and on the morning of the Sabbath he and his wife went. But the door was closed, the church being under repair. They returned home disappointed. In the evening they went to another church. It was so crowded that they could get no further than the door-way, and were unable to hear a word. On the following Sunday he resolved to make another effort; but while he was dressing, he fell in an apoplectic fit, and never spoke again! He knew me when I entered his chamber. I preached the Gospel in his dying ear, but he was speechless, and I could not learn the state of his mind. This case illustrates some parts of the opening chapter of Prov. "Then shall they call upon me, but I will not answer; they shall seek me early, but they shall not find me." The procrastinating sinner may say, “I will serve God bye and bye. He shall have the services of my age:" and God may say: "No; thou shalt not have old age to offer me." Ibid.

AUGUST.-1 3

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