which, as an aspirant after immortality, and a fellow-heir with Christ of the felicities of his exaltation, I ought at all times to be actuated!

I cannot, indeed, expect to be at all moments alive to the full grandeur of those prospects, or to all the warmth of those feelings which possessed my mind, when, in the solemn act of devoting myself to God and to my Saviour, all the sublimest and purest emotions of my heart were called into fervent exercise. Nor is it my duty to neglect even the most humble and most ordinary of those toils or cares, amidst a constant succession of which, the path of duty must be pursued by man while he is stationed upon this earth. But surely I am able, and it is my duty, to perform all the parts of my assigned task in life, with reference to the will of God, and with a view to that greater trust which, as his obedient servant, I have been invited to anticipate in some greater and more enduring world-surely, I may abstain from all sinful indulgences, and firmly resist all malignant opposition, surely I may so execute the part assigned me in life, as not to incur the reproach of having wilfully neglected any part of my duty,and when sorrow and disease fall on me, surely I

may bear them, as thousands who now are happy before God have borne them, with a patient hope of a blessed release from my troubles?

And thus, considering myself as "compassed about by a great cloud of witnesses, I may lay aside every weight, and the sin that most easily besets me, and may run with patience the race that is set before me, looking unto Jesus, the Author and Finisher of our faith,-who, for the joy that was set before him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

And blessed be God, that, difficult as this labour and this endurance are, I am not left without aid, if I sincerely set myself to fulfil my task;-for life, amidst all its cares, and toils, and seductions, and sorrows, has still many hours of calm reflection, when I can review my course, and order aright my life before God;-the throne of grace is ever open, and man is at all moments invited to cast himself humbly at the footstool of that throne, that he may "find mercy to pardon, and grace to help him, in his time of need;"-the blessed influences of the Divine Spirit have also been promised to "guide our feet into the way of

peace,”—and the glorious assurance has been given by divine mercy to men, that no sincere and humble petition for assistance shall be met by a refusal on the part of " our Father who is in heaven."

Blessed be God for this gracious assurance!— and now will I avail myself of this high privilege and blessed promise, by humbly prostrating myself at the footstool of " the throne of grace," that, for Christ's sake, I may beg those aids which may enable me to do honour to my Christian profession in time, to overcome the temptations that might lead me astray,—and finally, having been "faithful unto death," to enter with Christ " into the kingdom prepared for his redeemed, from the foundation of the world."

CONCLUDING PRAYER.

PSALM 1xxiii. 24. Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.

HEAVENLY FATHER,

Enable me at this time, with true purpose of heart, to pour out my requests at thy throne of grace, to ask of thee that direction and aid which are necessary for enabling me to walk worthy of my Christian vocation,-and to renew my solemn vow, by calling up to my recollection the great duties and the high hopes which, as a disciple of Christ, have been set before me.

Lord, I have professed myself to be a follower of him who" in all things did that which was well pleasing in thy sight,”—of him who wished that all men should come to thee by repentance, who is now at thy right hand as the Mediator between

God and man, and to whom all judgment has been committed, that he may " at last render unto every man according to his works.”

But, alas! O God, I am apt to forget my Christian vow, and to walk as they walk ❝ who have not God in all their thoughts." The vain cares, the sinful pleasures, the envious contentions of this passing life, are constantly exerting their evil influence over me,—and every returning season of solemn communion finds me with much to lament which I might have corrected, and with many high excellencies, which it was in my power to have realized, still to be desired.

Lord, forgive me this carelessness and this sin, -awaken in me the ambition of being in all things a follower of him "who did no sin, but who was holy, harmless, and undefiled,”—like him, may I "run with patience the race set before me,”—and, like him, may I at last receive thy approbation.

Dispose me to be meek and patient towards all men,-cherishing a spirit of love and good-will to the whole family of mankind,―affectionate and dutiful to those with whom I am more nearly connected by the relations of life, and ready to