whenever the service and worship of God were performed, morning, noon, or evening. What an honourable encomium is this upon pious though decrepit old age! The dimness of sight, the defect in hearing, or the tremour of limbs, could not detain her from the place where God's honour dwelleth, for there was her heart. The particular parts of Anna's devotion are also named. She served God with fastings and prayers. By the one she expressed her sense of unworthiness, and by the other her constant dependence upon the God of her mercy. In these duties she did not act the part of a Pharisee, which was to be seen of men; but in them she served God; her heart was engaged, her faith was sincere, and her love was animated; all which puts a lustre upon her character, and a solemnity to her devotions. Nor must it be omitted, that old Simeon, and many others in Jerusalem, were waiting at the same time for the consolation of Israel, the promised Messiah, the Child that was to be born, and the Son that was to be given, and who should suddenly come to the temple; and therefore this aged Israelite was now directing her prayers for the fulfilment of this promise before she closed her eyes in death. It is further said, that Anna was a prophetess. We know that prophecies had ceased among the Jews four hundred years before the coming of Christ, and whether it was the same with this pious woman as it was with Simeon, to whom it was revealed that he should not die until he had seen the Lord Christ, it is to us immaterial. A prophet in the New Testament

generally signifies no more than an instructor, and we may therefore conclude that Anna, from reading the Old Testament, and her attendance at the temple, might have received a strong impression that the coming of the Messiah was at hand, and therefore she communicated her knowledge for the benefit of others. In this great event her expectations were realized; for

IV. She came into the temple at the instant Joseph and Mary, according to the law of Moses, presented the infant Jesus before the Lord, and she saw Simeon take him in his arms. With profound joy she heard that venerable man exclaim, Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word: for mine eyes have seen thy salvation, which thou hast prepared before the face of all people; a light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel. Scarcely had he finished this pious ejaculation, when Anna, participating in the joyful scene, immediately lifted up her heart and praised God for a Saviour born! Who can describe the emotion of his soul on so interesting an occasion? Well might she give thanks to the Lord for fulfilling his promises so often repeated, and which she had so often read with believing anticipation; and well indeed might she express the gratitude of her soul for being preserved such a number of years, and that her journey's end should be crowned with a sight of the salvation of God. This, however, was not a momentary joy, for we are next informed,

V. That she spake of him to all them that looked for redemption in Jerusalem. The character of his person, the Son of God, an Infant of days, born to save his people from their sins, bring in an everlasting righteousness, glory to God in the highest, and good will towards men; all these formed the delightful subject of her communication. Thus was she happily employed, possibly from house to house, conveying the glorious tidings of what she had seen and heard to the believing Jews, who knew that Daniel's weeks were expired, and were now waiting for redemption in Israel. How long this aged widow lived, or where she was buried, we are not informed. The only reflection with which we can conclude this paper is, that from the short history of her long life, we should make a pious effort for the improvement of our own.

Is my reader a widow in mourning, weeping at the loss of him in whom was placed all her earthly felicity? Then seek the Saviour's love, for he is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother, and whose love can fill the aching void which death has made within your breast. Art thou left with orphan children clinging to thy feeble arms? Perhaps you say, For these things I weep; mine eye runneth down with water, because the comforter that should relieve my soul is far from me: my children are desolate, because the enemy death prevailed. Lamentations i. 16. Under these painful circumstances listen to what the Lord has said, I am a husband to the widow, and father to the fatherless. And in what

numberless instances has it been proved, through successive ages, that in him the fatherless findeth mercy. Or art thou like Aħna, advanced in years, having lost thy bosom companion in early wedlock, travelling from year to year alone, and thy widow's weeds, like thyself, old and tattered by the afflictions of thy journey, and ready to sink beneath the stroke of death? Then, like Anna, lay up all good in God; place all your confidence in a Saviour born, and in him, now glorified in heaven, you will assuredly find the widow's only consolation.

your

Let me recommend the example of Anna to my aged readers. She set her affections upon the house of her God; there she gave her constant attendance, and there she found her Saviour born for the confirmation of her faith, and the joy of her heart, and so shall it be with you. From her great age we may easily suppose this pious widow must have been extremely infirm, yet to the temple of the Lord she would go as her best home upon earth, in anticipation of her eternal home in heaven. I know that the decrepitude of age, the defect of sight, and depression of hearing, may frequently be urged as an apology for abiding at home; but your Lord hath said, Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also; and if your heart, like Anna's, be in the place where God's honour dwelleth, you will exert every effort to give your attendance. You have often been refreshed in the sanctuary of the Lord; there you were instructed in the riches of the Gospel; there you offered your prayers in

affliction, and sung his praises for the inestimable mercies you received; and as your animal nature now declines apace, one would think your chief delight would be found in the ways of the Lord. Should your hearing be defective, that you cannot hear a whole sermon, you may catch a sentence, or a word, which may prove to you like a morsel of the bread, or a drop of the water of life, affording you spiritual refreshment. Indeed you are exhorted by the mercies of God, to present your body a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. Romans xii. 1. Your poor old body has been preserved for very many years, and when death comes, you will cheerfully resign it to the hand of your Creator, in hope of a glorious resurrection; and these form strong arguments to make every public surrender of your person in the house of God, as though it should be your last. Besides, there is something so lovely and encouraging to young persons to behold the aged in the house of God, that it cannot fail to enforce the duty upon them. It teacheth them that God has blessings to bestow both upon the aged and the young, that although nature wears out, grace grows stronger, and bears the richest fruit; and the Saviour Jesus is so good a Master, that old disciples can wish for no better, and still delight in his service. What a lustre does this cast upon the reality and the virtues of religion? Who but must perceive how admirably the expressions of gratitude to God, and good will to man, are combined in the pious conduct of this venerable female; she seems to have caught the accents of