the darkest night and in the deepest dungeon. You have known a little of my trials and conflicts, and know that they have been neither few nor small; and I hope this glorious termination of them will serve to strengthen your faith, and elevate your hope.

And now, my dear sister, farewell. Hold on your Christian course but a few days longer, and you will meet in heaven

Your happy and affectionate brother,

EDWARD PAYSON.

WHAT must it be to dwell above,

At God's right hand, where Jesus reigns;
Since the sweet earnest of his love
O'erwhelms us on these dreary plains!

No heart can think, no tongue explain,
What bliss it is with Christ to reign.

When sin no more obstructs our sight,
When sorrow pains our heart no more;
How shall we view the Prince of Light,
And all his works of grace explore!

What heights and depths of love divine,
Will there through endless ages shine!

Well, he has fixed the happy day

When the last tears will wet our eyes;
And God shall wipe those tears away,
And fill us with divine surprise,

To hear his voice, and see his face,
And feel his infinite embrace!

This the heaven I long to know;

For, this with patience I would wait;
Till, weaned from earth, and all below,
I mount to my celestial seat,

And wave my palm, and wear my crown,
And with the elders, cast them down.

O MERCIFUL GOD, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the resurrection and the life; in whom whosoever believeth shall live, through he die; and whosoever liveth and believeth in him shall not die eternally. We meekly beseech thee to raise us from the death of sin unto the life of righteousness; and that at the general resurrection of the last day, we may be found acceptable in thy sight; and receive that blessing which thy well-beloved Son shall then pronounce to all that love and fear thee: saying, Come, ye blessed children of my Father, receive the kingdom prepared for you from the beginning of the world. Grant this, we beseech thee, O merciful Father, through Jesus Christ, our Mediator and Redeemer. Amen.

23.

SUPERIORITY OF HEAVENLY WORSHIP.

FLAVEL.

HERE on earth, the graces of the saints are never, or very rarely, acted or exhibited in their highest and most intense degree. When they love God most fervently there is some coldness in their love. Who comes up to the height of that rule, "Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy might, and with all thy strength"? When we meditate on God, it is not in the depths of our thoughts-without some wanderings and extravagancies; 'tis very hard, if not impossible, for the soul to stand long in its full bent to God.

But in heaven it doth so, and will do so for ever, without any relaxation or remission of its fervour. Christ among the saints and angels in heaven, is as a mighty loadstone cast in amongst many needles, which leap to him, and fix themselves inseparably upon him. They all act in glory as fire doth here, to the utmost of their power and ability. There is no note lower than Glory to God in the highest."

THERE is a world above,
Where parting is unknown;

A whole eternity of love,

Formed for the saints alone;

And faith beholds the dying here,
Translated to a happier sphere.

Thus star by star declines,

Till all are passed away,

As morning high and higher shines

To pure and perfect day.

Nor sinks those stars in empty night,

They hide themselves in Heaven's own light.

GOD teaches some of his best lessons in the school of affliction. It is said that Paul's Epistle to the Ephesians has quite the spirit and air of a prison. That school must be truly excellent that produces such experience and wisdom.-CECIL.

Acquaint thee, O mortal, acquaint thee with God!
And joy, like the sunshine, shall beam on thy road;
And peace, like the dew-drop, shall shine on thy head,
And sleep, like an angel, shall visit thy bed.

Acquaint thee, O mortal, acquaint thee with God!
And He shall attend thee when fears are abroad;
Thy safeguard in danger, in times of distress,
Thy joy in the valley and shadow of death.

A CHRISTIAN must stand in a posture to receive every message which God shall send. He should be so prepared, as to be like one who is called to set off on a sudden journey, and has nothing to do but to set out at a moment's notice; or like a merchant who has goods to send abroad, and has them all packed up and in readiness for the first sail.—CECIL.

O happy servant he,

In such a posture found!

He shall his Lord with rapture see,
And be with honour crowned.

STUPIDITY under chastisement, proves a man to be under (religious) declension. He is not disposed to ask, "Wherefore dost thou contend with me?" He is kicking against the pricks. He is stricken, but not grieved. He is chastened as a bullock unaccustomed to the yoke.-CECIL.

Exert thy mighty influence, Lord,

And melt the stony breast;
Then shall thy justice be adored,
Thy mercy stand confess'd.

ALMIGHTY and everlasting God, who hatest nothing that thou hast made, and dost forgive the sins of all men that are penitent; create and make in us new and contrite hearts, that we, worthily lamenting our sins, and acknowledging our wretchedness, may obtain of thee, the God of all mercy, perfect remission and forgiveness, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.