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CONCLUSION.

NOTWITHSTANDING this work has extended to a greater length than was expected at its commencement, I cannot bring it to a close without making some improvement of what has been said already.

First it may be observed, that those whose souls prosper the most, are the best companions in general, and especially in conjugal and domestic life.

The young should be very careful in forming their connections. If they have been brought up in the fear of God, and their souls be in a good state, they must sustain immense loss and injury by connecting themselves with persons destitute of religion. The apostle's rule is very plain, and one would think could never be misunderstood, by those who consult the Scriptures as the rule of their faith and conduct. None of Christ's disciples are at liberty to be married except "in the Lord;" that is, to such persons as give evidence that they are true believers, and consequently, united to Christ, or ingrafted in him by faith. Hence Paul says again," Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers." How positive and direct is this advice, and yet how often is it totally slighted and neglected! It is to no purpose to say that God may overrule it for good afterwards. He may, but the experiment is dangerous; and by running the risk, many have had occasion to reproach themselves all the days of their lives; though, in some instances, the result has been better than there could be any reason to expect. We are to follow the direction of God's word; nor, in going contrary

to it, can we expect to prosper. If a man or a woman be reconciled to God by the death of his Son, can they expect to please him, or to advantage themselves, in a spiritual point of view, at least, by taking into the closest earthly relation such as are still at enmity with him? Let the young christian reader ever listen to the voice of conscience, and to the unerring direction of the word of God.

Zacharias and Elisabeth "were both righteous before God," and they "walked in all the ordinances and commandments of the Lord blameless." High encomium! Excellent example! From such an union, what domestic happiness may be expected! Such a pair must be reciprocal help-mates to each other, must be able to bear each other's burdens; and if parents, how admirably adapted are they to unite in bringing up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord! Their religion, exemplified in all the relations of life, must have a great influence on their general happiness. "The voice of rejoicing is in the tabernacles of the righteous." (Ps. cxviii. 15.) Such a scene is truly delightful, and evinces no small degree of soul prosperity. Abroad a man is often cautious; at home he shows himself as he is. What a man is in his family, that he is in reality, whether overbearing or mild, miserable or happy. Nothing on earth can be more agreeable and pleasant, than a peaceful and happy family, where general tenderness and sympathy reign, where "all the air is love," where the Bible is read, the domestic altar is reared, Christ is honoured, and genuine religion is reduced to constant practice.

"Behold how good and pleasant a thing it is for

brethren to dwell together in unity." Things may be good, that are not altogether pleasant; but all that is good and pleasant may be found in a family of prosperous souls, who are striving together to render each other, and their neighbours, happy. If, under all the cares and sorrows of life, they still aim at this object, and bear each other's burdens, the scene is most gratifying, and great honour is reflected on religion itself. Such holy principles will carry happiness in the circles of life. They will sanctify the affluence of the rich, and sweeten the poverty of the poor. What can be more pleasing than to behold, after the trials of the day, the poor christian in the bosom of his family! As he approaches his humble dwelling, he indulges in such reflections as these: "Under that thatched roof, I hope still to find one of the best of wives, and a family of dutiful children. This day while I have toiled in the field, she has often lifted her soul to heaven, imploring a blessing on me, as I trust I have also upon her, and our dear little family. I long to reach my home, and to bow with them before the throne of grace, that "in all our ways we may acknowledge our God, that he may direct our paths."

With thoughts like these he approaches his humble cot with quickened step, his brow brightens into cheerfulness, and his cares and sorrows are forgotten. At home, all is order and peace; he eats and is satisfied; he reads the Bible and prays, and raises an evening song in praise and honour of his Redeemer. The family retire to rest, angels guard their tent, and encamp about them and; they repose

on his providential care, satisfied that "the Lord is their keeper, and their shade on their right hand." He watches them by night and by day, and "will suffer no evil to come nigh their dwelling."

It is through much tribulation that we must enter the kingdom of God; but when affliction enters the families of the righteous, religion fills up what one calls "sighing vacancies;" it smooths the rugged path, it stills the passions when ruffled and peevish, and kindles a little heaven in the mind. Religion increases mutual tenderness in times of sickness and old age; and if the world becomes abusive, and even providence should seem to frown, soul prosperity induces a feeling which sweetens all.

True happiness depends not on any temporal circumstances, but on the blessing of God; it is that "which maketh rich, and addeth no sorrow." True happiness and soul prosperity are essentially the same; and they are not confined to any rank or class of men. Religion cheers the cottage as well as the palace. Where Christ reigns, and where his gospel is received by faith, there is happiness, peace, and joy, even "joy unspeakable and full of glory."

Soul prosperity will ensure domestic order, without which there cannot be much real happiness. The works of God harmonize, and so should his people, and especially should husbands and wives love one another, and "live in peace," if they would have "the God of peace to be with them." One holy feeling should reign in both hearts; and there should be one general and combined effort to time every thing relative to domestic comfort. Duties then will fall into their proper places, and not in

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Every thing which sweetens home to a good man, must be valuable. If a man be not happy at home, where can he be happy? But his domestic comfort under God, depends very much on the character and dispositions of his domestics. If these be sweet and pious, a church is, in a manner, formed in the house, and religious instructions will be regularly afforded to such as need it. Such families are young plantations to the church of God; and when scattered over a country, they are blessings indeed to all around them.

If any should object that many families are happy without so much religion, it may be answered, That appearances are often fallacious. There cannot, in fact, be real happiness where there is not some degree of soul prosperity. God has said, “The way of transgressors is hard." "There is no peace to the wicked." We are quite certain that nothing but religion can secure a constant attention to those duties which so much contribute to domestic comfort. the spirit of true christianity regulated all the parts of a family, none would have any cause to complain. Our happiness will increase, or diminish, in propor tion as we live near to, or recede from our covenant God and Father, who is the great centre of felicity. "The curse of the Lord is in the house of the wicked, but he blesseth the habitation of the just."

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Moreover, soul prosperity in our families, prepares us for all the events of life. Whether our worldly affairs prosper or not, it is well, if our souls prosper Such a state of soul will support

and be in health.

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