He

is so powerful as what may be derived from the principles of the Christian faith. who builds on any other foundation, will find, in the day of trial, that he had built his house on the sand. Man is formed by his nature to look up to a superior being, and to lean upon a strength that is greater than his own. All the considerations which we can offer, for confirming his mind, presuppose this resource, and derive from it their principal efficacy.

Never, then, let us lose sight of those great objects which religion brings under our view, if we hope to stand firm and erect amidst the dangers and distresses of our present state. Let us cultivate all that connection with the great Father of Spirits which our condition admits; by piety and prayer; by dependence on his aid, and trust in his promises; by a devout sense of his presence, and a "continual endeavour to acquire his grace and favour. Let us, with humble faith and reverence, commit ourselves to the blessed Redeemer of the world; encouraged by the discoveries which he has made to us of the divine mercy, and by the hopes which he has afforded us of being raised to a nobler and happier station in the kingdom of God. So shall virtue, grounded

upon piety, attain its full strength. In

spired with a religious spirit, and guided by rational principles, we shall be enabled to hold a steady course through this mixed region of pleasure and pain, of hopes and fears; until the period arrive when that cloud which the present vanity of the world throws over human affairs, shall entirely disappear, and eternal light be diffused over all the works and ways of God.

Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for thou_art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

THIS Psalm exhibits the pleasing picture of a pious man rejoicing in the goodness of Heaven. He looks around him on his state, and his heart overflows with gratitude. When he reviews the past part of his life, he contemplates God as his shepherd, who hath made him lie down in green pastures, and led him beside the still waters. When he considers the present, he beholds his divine benefactor preparing a table for him in the presence of his enemies, and

making his cup run over. When he looks forward to the future, he confides in the same goodness, as continuing to follow him all the days of his life, and bringing him to dwell in the house of the Lord for ever. Amidst these images of tranquillity and happiness, one object presents itself, which is sufficient to overcast the minds, and to damp the joy of the greatest part of men; that is, the approach of death. But on the Psalmist it produced no such effect. With perfect composure and serenity, he looks forward to the time when he is to pass through the valley of the shadow of death. The prospect, instead of dejecting him, appears to heighten his triumph, by that security which the presence of his almighty Guardian afforded him. I will fear no evil, for thou art with me; and pursuing the allusion with which he had begun, exults in the hope that the shepherd who had hitherto conducted him, would support him with his staff, while he passed through that dark and perilous region, and with his rod, or pastoral crook, would guard him from every danger,

Such is the happy distinction' which good men enjoy, in a situation the most formidable to human nature. That threatening spectre, which appals others, carries no terror to them, While worldly men are justly said, through

fear of death, to be all their lifetime subject to bondage, to the righteous only it belongs to look on death, and smile.

Since then it is in the power of religion to confer upon us so high a privilege, let us adventure to contemplate steadily this last foe whom we must all encounter. Let us consider what death is in itself, and by what means good men are enabled to meet it with fortitude. Though the subject may be reckoned gloomy, it must be admitted to be interesting. The close of life is a solemn and important event, to which every wise man will have regard in the general tenor of his conduct. No one can act his part with propriety, who considers not how it is to terminate; and to exclude from our thoughts what we cannot prevent from actually taking place, is the refuge of none but the timorous and weak. We are more encouraged to enter on this meditation, by reflecting on the superior advantages which, as Christians, we enjoy, for overcoming the fear of death, beyond that holy man whose sentiment is now before us. Those great objects, which he beheld through the medium of types and figures, are clearly revealed to us. That dispensation of grace, which in his days began to open, is now completed. That life and immortality, which then only dawned on the