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covered from a severe attack of illness. Laying aside our weakness and ailments, we are new beings; going forth from our dreary chamber, we seem to be entering a world grown brighter and happier since we last left it; a keener relish attends our appetite than we had ever before experienced; our hushed and tranquil slumbers form a most delightful contrast to our tedious, wakeful nights; and then, more than all, the first day of our entering among the beauties of nature! never shall we forget the thrill and the glow that have penetrated our whole frame at such a time; the bright and warm sun shining, how cheering and animating is its light! every breath of air (and we seemed to taste it) laden with energy; unnumbered cheerful voices, as it were, welcoming us from hill, and dale, and wood; the pleasant sound of business and of labor greeting us on every side; in a word, every thing touching a cord of sympathy that vibrates through our system, we cannot think that we express ourselves too strongly, when we affirm that it is on such occasions

that we learn what health is. Many an one in the fullness of his enjoyment has made the confession, and has declared himself to be amply repaid for all that he has endured. What we lay far more stress on, however, is, that as we exclaim, What a glorious world is earth! how genial and invigorating the air! how delicious the products of the soil! how magnificent the clear blue firmament! a thought of our Creator mingles with and hallows our admiration, a fire of devotion is kindled within our bosoms, and the incense of gratitude rises up to Heaven!

From the world without, we now hasten to that world within, where we doubt not we shall be able to point out still deeper and more spiritual manifestations. How are our hearts, minds and consciences affected by sickness? for that, after all, is the main thing.

Our burden of pain and anguish appears too great for us to bear, our hearts sink, we need succor; to whom shall we Christians go but to Jesus, who hath said, "Come unto me all ye that labor and are heavy

laden, and I will give you rest;" and to whom will he lead us but unto the Father? Thus one unspeakable advantage is that of being drawn near to God. If the blessing of health after recovery raise man's soul towards God, there is something that incites us to far more frequent, and earnest and holy communion we mean want or suffering. It ought not so to be, but so it is,

- when most is withheld from us, and not when we are most bountifully supplied, are we most given to thanksgiving. Accordingly, were we asked to point out one in whom the fire of devotion burns most brightly, we should answer, There, in the bosom of that invalid, who praises God more for the fraction of health he is permitted to retain, than yonder robust man, who cannot tell you what indisposition is. If, then, the pale thin face be most frequently turned to. wards the skies; if the trembling hands be most fervently lifted up; if the weak voice be most tuned to prayer,

are the visita

tions of disease so unnecessary as we are sometimes wont to imagine?

Not only, however, is there the weight of what we endure, there is also a consequent operation of our minds, the apprehension of death, which is likewise very salutary. "It is appointed unto men once to die," is a sentence with which we have been acquainted from our childhood; but to die, to lie down in the quiet grave, are words which we do not realize, till the silver thread of our own lives becomes loosened. What a mighty change is then brought about, as regards our estimation of temporal and eternal interests! Houses, lands, titles, rank, wealth, on which we lay so much stress, all seem bubbles, that may at any moment burst, and for ever; life itself, which appeared all in all, assumes the aspect of a thin vapor, which a ray of the sun, or a breath of wind, may disperse; earth, in which were centered all our plans and operations, is regarded as a simple place of sojourn, a mere land of pilgrimage; and now, upon the ruins of all that we had before deemed great, and solid, and valuable, rise before us in their true loveliness and gran

deur,

not vague theories, not sunny visions, - but the realities of heaven and eternity. "My mind, (said one, whose earthly existence was fast drawing to a close,) my mind is crowded with thoughts, — precious thoughts of death and immortality." Is not then sickness indeed a benefit to us, if it thus draw away our thoughts and affections from the fading and transitory of earth, and lift them up to things above? Truly, as well as poetically, has it been written :

"Thou art like night, O sickness! deeply stilling
Within my heart the world's disturbing sound,
And the dim quiet of my chamber filling,

With low, sweet voices, by life's tumult drown'd.
Thou art like awful night! - thou gatherest round
The things that are unseen, tho' close they lie -
And with a truth, clear, startling and profound,
Giv'st their dread presence to our mental eye.

"Thou art like starry, spiritual night!

High and immortal thoughts attend thy way,
And revelations, which the common light

Brings not, though wakening with its rosy ray
All outward life. Be welcome, then, thy rod,
Before whose touch my soul unfolds itself to God!"*

*Mrs. Hemans.

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