when we look upon ourselves in our true light, as immortal beings, placed for a season in a state of probation-that this state is bounded by our existence here, and that every thing that happens to us in this world has a reference solely to our trial-then it is that we see the infinite importance of things which are otherwise so worthless, and feel that life is indeed short, when interests so momentous are to be finally determined at its close! May we all learn thus to view our span of life, as a space allotted us in which to sow the seed of eternal life; as an hour, not of rest, but of labour. So that when he, who has given to each his talents, and has commanded us to occupy till he come, shall appear in his glorious majesty to take account of his servants, we may be found neither to have loved the world for its own sake, "to eat and drink, and to be drunken, ""-nor to have hid the talent assigned to us unprofitably in the earth,-but to have laboured and watched diligently, as servants who wait for the coming of their Lord,—and so to merit the gracious benediction of our Redeemer and Judge,-"Well done, thou good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord!" 1 Matt. xxv. 21. THE END. GILBERT & RIVINGTON, PRINTERS, St John's Square, London. |