been adopted. I had no hesitation as to the discourse which should stand first. The one on the death of Mr. Roby was instantly fixed for that place, in what way soever the rest might be disposed of. There was a natural association between the affecting scenes of his own dissolution, with which the sketch of his life closes, and the expression of his views and feelings in reference to an event of the same character: -and moreover, from what I knew of the singularly affectionate veneration in which he held that excellent "man of God," I could not doubt that the place thus assigned to a tribute of reverence and love to his memory was precisely what the fulness of his heart would have dictated. The succession of the other discourses was fixed upon, the principle of gradual expansion in their respective subjects,-beginning with the family, and ending with the world. The order thus produced is as follows:-PARENTAL DUTIES:-OPENING OF CHAPELS: ORDINATIONS, comprehending Introductory Discourses, Charges to Pastors, and Charges to the People :MINISTERIAL ASSOCIATIONS:-HOME MISSIONS:-FOREIGN MISSIONS, embracing Charges to Missionaries, and Discourses at Missionary Society Anniversaries.

V. OBLIGATIONS TO CORRESPONDENTS.-On this point, I do not feel it necessary to say a word here; the names of those friends to whom I have been indebted for the greater part of my materials being mentioned in the "Sketch of the Life and Character" itself. To each of them I tender my heartiest thanks. Whether the selection of quotations, and the general use made of the materials furnished, have been judicious, it is not for me to decide. I can only say that I have done my best, and leave the result with them, with the other friends of the dead, and with the public.-I shall be deeply concerned, should I be found to have fallen into any material errors. For most of my statements, however, if not for all, I have given my authorities; and these impart to my own mind a comfortable confidence of accuracy.

The entire contents of the Volumes I commend to the blessing of Him whose glory they are designed to promote : -and especially the admirable productions of that pure and

lofty mind, whose extraordinary powers, though their exercise on earth has terminated, and the Church of God has felt and mourned the bereavement,-have not been lost, but have only been advanced to a more exalted sphere of service, and in purity, energy, and expansion, fitted for its sublime occupations.

"HE, BEING DEAD, YET SPEAKETH."

LINN HOUSE, NEAR GLASGOW,

November 14th, 1839.

R. W.

DISCOURSE I.

LUKE XII. 42-44.

"Who then is that faithful and wise steward, whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord, when he cometh, shall find so doing. Of a truth, I say unto you, that he will make him ruler over all that he hath."

AN attentive reader of this chapter will at once perceive, that the design of all the exhortations it contains is to enforce, primarily on the immediate disciples of Jesus, and then on all his followers, the necessity of watchfulness, in reference to the approach of eternity. Our Lord here exhibits that necessity by the most solemn and forcible illustrations, especially in the parable of the rich man, whose soul was required of him in the very night when he was vainly calculating on the security and extent of his possessions ;-and again, by reference to the vigilance with which the master of the house, when apprized of danger, would guard against the