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HAVE YOU AN INTEREST IN
CHRIST?

THIS is a solemn question, for without an interest in Christ, there is no salvation. Besides this, it is to be feared, that many take it for granted that they have, when they have not. Let us then look at the subject seriously, just for two minutes. If you have an interest in Christ, you were once convinced that you had not. You saw the vast importance of it. You were stirred up heartily to desire it. Then you earnestly sought it. You perhaps doubted, and feared that you should never obtain it. You were, perhaps, kept waiting, watching, and praying for it. This deepened and strengthened your desire. At length Jesus was revealed as exactly suited to you, as willing to receive and save you. Hope sprung up in your soul. You fell at his feet overwhelmed with a sense of your unworthiness. You were raised up and enabled to exercise coufidence in him. Your

380 HAVE YOU AN INTEREST IN CHRIST?

heart embraced him, Doubt, fear, and unbelief fled; joy, peace, and gratitude filled your bosom. You felt Jesus to be precious, unspeakably precious to you. You could trust yourself, and your soul's salvation in his haud. You found rest. You enjoyed repose. You solemnly en gaged to be his." copy his example.

То

You were con

Jesus was now

To do his will. To wear his righte ousness. To wash your robes and make them white in his blood. secrated to his service. yours, and you were his. you could withhold nothing from him, that you could do any thing for him. You felt that you had an interest in Christ. His blood was your peace.

rule.

You felt that

His obedi

His cross

ence was your justification. was your glory. His word was your His honour was your end. Have you felt anything like this? Is the above your experience? If so, there is no doubt of your interest, and your life should be spent in his service, to his praise. If you are a stranger to the above, beware, lest what you call faith should prove presumption, and Jesus at last re fuse to own you as his.

Reader, we must part. My work is

HAVE YOU AN INTEREST IN CHRIST? 381

done. Is your soul safe? Are you in Christ? We shall meet before the great white throne by-and-bye-in what character shall we meet? As believers, or unbelievers? As saved in the Lord with an everlasting salvation, or as lost, and lost for ever? This is a solemn inquiry. Do not, I beseech you, pass it by. You are interested in Christ, or you are not, which is it? You have received the gospel, or rejected it; you have embraced Christ, or refused him; which is it? You will perhaps bless God that you ever read this little book, or, you may curse the day you ever saw it; for it may be the means of your conversion, or it may increase your condemnation. May God in his infinite mercy, accompany the reading of it with the power and demonstration of his Holy Spirit, that it may be a savour of life unto life in your experience.

LINES PRESENTED TO A YOUNG FRIEND ON THE MORNING OF HER MARRIAGE.

MAY heaven its choicest blessings now bestow,
Like gentle dew, on Charlotte's head and heart;
In copious streams from Jesus may they flow,
And peace, and joy, and holiness impart.

O may she live beneath the smile of God,
And walk in holy fellowship and love:
Beneath the sprinkling of her Saviour's blood,
The comforts of the marriage union prove,

United to the object of her heart,
May she a prudent, happy wife become;
In every station wisely act her part,
An honour to her husband and her home.

Meek and submissive as her God commands,
May she consult his will, his comfort seek,
With cheerful countenance and active hands,
Which inward peace and holiness bespeak.

And may her husband, happy in his choice,
Love her as Jesus loves his Church, his bride;
Honour, support, and in her love rejoice,
And cheerfully for all her wants provide.

Charlotte, to all around a pattern give:
Be thoughtful, modest, careful, clean, and neat;
To make your husband happy, daily strive;
Seek grace to do so at the mercy-scat.

LINES TO A YOUNG FRIEND, ETC.

Remember much will now on you depend:
Begin aright, go on in promised strength;
The Lord will certainly his blessing send,
And you will be a happy wife at length.

The tongue and temper hold in firm controul,
All jealous thoughts and bickerings detest;
Display true fortitude, a strength of soul,
With dignity and cheerful love be blest.

Much of your happiness will now arise,
From mutual efforts for each other's good,
The peace, the honour of each other prize,
And live on Jesus as your daily food.

Bear and forbear, and every fault forgive,
Or you will never know domestic joy;
As saints, as one in Jesus, aim to live,
For hin your time and talents still employ.

Conceal your husband's faults from all rouud,
Nor dare to whisper any one defect;
Let kind attention to his wants abound,
Nor ever treat his wishes with neglect.

Prefer his company to all beside,
Study his temper, always try to please;
Let nothing for an hour your heart divide,
Neglect will soon the warm affections freeze.

Put not each other in the Saviour's place,
For he is jealous of his people's love;
And if he frown, or but conceal his face,
The painful consequences you will prove.

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