often must the plaintive voice have been heard! "Pity me, O ye my friends, for the hand of God has smitten me." The hand of God has smitten you, my friends; but it was in kindness, not in wrath. It was to remind you of the uncertainty of time, of the frailty of your earthly friends, and to admonish you to place your affections on him who can never die. These providences had a design to turn your thoughts to God. O, if you are still estranged from him, who can tell what woes may come upon you yet? Or if there be no more such pains for you to suffer, it may be because the last kind chastisement has been given, the last bereavement has been felt, the last monition has been offered; and the next stroke shall lay you in the dust. Mourners, look to him, who wounds that he may heal; look to him, who is calling you today, perhaps for the last time calling you to his embrace.

There is a kind of melancholy pleasure in lingering around the graves of our departed friends. But the duties that yet remain to us call us away. While we stay in such reflections as these, another year is moving on in its course. We turn for a moment to anticipate its scenes. What shall another year bring to us? What shall it bring to this community? Shall more be selected from your number, and sent to the tomb? Must these mourning scenes be acted over again? Must so many families be broken, so many tears be shed, so many hearts be grieved? And who of you shall the slain

be? We would not lift the veil that hides the future. It is enough for us to think of what may come. Parents, you may this year bury your young hopes in the dust. The little ones that now prattle on your knees may breathe their last sigh and expire. Husbands and wives, your bosoms may be left bleeding and torn; for the ties that have bound you closer and closer in affection as the years passed, may be broken for ever. Children, you may cast a last look on the venerated form of the parents that have fed and caressed you so kindly. Heirs of affliction, you may yourselves pine away in sickness or agonize in torturing pain. Or worse, far worse, erring men, open sins may disgrace you, and crimes mark you with guilt. Or some near relative may fill you with anguish by his way wardness and transgressions. Or brighter scenes may be before you, and unexpected prosperity give you joy. Perhaps that this year you may be born a child of God; and henceforth cry, Abba, Father.

But we may not dwell in doubtful anticipations. There is one certainty on which we may fix our thoughts. The years of us all will soon have rolled away. This whole congregation will be removed from the earth. The tongue that now speaks will be mute; the ear that now hears will perceive no sounds. This sun shall continue in its time to arise and shine, but our eyes will not see its light. The winds shall sweep over these hills, and along these. valleys, but we shall feel no breeze. The summer shall continue to return and bloom, but we shall not

heed its beauties, nor gather its fragrance. The same river shall roll on in its channel, but your feet will not stand upon its banks. The houses which you now call your own may here stand in thick neighborhood, but other steps than yours shall tread their halls, and other men occupy their rooms. little longer, and it will all be true. A little longer, and the places that now know you shall know you A little longer, and we shall all be numbered with the generations that are past. We all shall be dead.

no more.

A

We all shall be dead; yes, these bodies shall be lifeless; but the spirit that animates them, where shall it be? Where, then, shall be the immortal soul? Shining as an angel of light before the throne of God, or wailing in the blackness of despair! Where are now the despisers and the neglecters of Jehovah ! Up, then, and strive to enter in at the straight gate, and pursue the narrow way that leads to life. There is no time for self-indulgence and slothfulness now. We have a great work to do. Careless sinners, awake! You have yet a soul to save, an eternal heaven to secure. Sluggish Christians, can you slumber? Just on the verge of heaven, and yet slumber! Your Master will soon come, and call you to his home. "Watch, therefore, and pray, lest ye enter into temptation knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep, for now is your salvation nearer than when you believed."

Fellow-travellers to the tomb! we have thought

on the past; we have anticipated the future. A new year is now begun; its scenes are coming on; its duties demand our care. Let us begin it with new resolutions. Let us spend it in new obedience to God. And if we fall before its close, let us fall like men, fall like Christians, who hope to rise again; fall like faithful soldiers of Jesus Christ, faithful to the last. Be not dismayed. Tremble not as you go. Tread even the verge of Jordan with firm, unfaltering steps. Behold its dark waters with a calm and steady eye. There is a blissful ocean beyond. The angel of life shall guide you safe through. Your feet shall stand in the promised land. Another year these eyes may not behold. Another year, and our names may be read on the list of the departed. Be it so. Let God determine. "Thy will, O Lord, be done." The future is all thine own. Mourning friends, dry up your tears. Fearful hearts, lay hold on hope. Erring sinners, turn to God. Believing Christians, press onward to your home. Immortal souls, live for heaven. Then yield to death, in peace, at his coming. Let these bodies die. Give these limbs to the dust. Another life is before you. You may welcome it with joy. Welcome, not a new year, but a new, a happy, a glorious eternity!

SERMON XIV.*

1 SAMUEL VII. 12.

HITHERTO HATH THE LORD HELPED US.

THERE are times when it is peculiarly proper for us to pause a moment on the journey of life, and to look back upon the past, that we may derive instruction and encouragement from the scenes we have gone through, and to cast an eye around upon the present, and send a glance forward to the future, that we may discern more clearly the right direction of the course we are pursuing, and learn what duties yet remain to be fulfilled. There are periods in the history of states, as well as of individuals, which serve as a kind of waymarks in the progress of human affairs, and which invite the traveller, as he passes, to rest from his weariness, to look back, reflect, gather up new strength, and form new purposes. There are times when we seem rightly called to direct our attention more especially to the errors we have made, the mistakes which have impeded our advancement, the faults we have com

* A Thanksgiving Discourse, delivered, it is thought, in 1832.