Page images
PDF
EPUB

66

to whom we must pray for His blessed Spirit to help us, seeing that our state is by nature sinful. Except ye be born again" of Christ's Holy Spirit, " ye cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven !"

Let this shock make you fly to Christ; if so, I willingly die; for I shall soon see you, if you go to Him, in another and a better world. I die trusting. I commend you all again into His hands, who can bless until I see you in heaven. We shall meet again, perhaps very soon.

you

The view of a fellow-creature in the immediate anticipation of a change of worlds, ought to produce seriousness. It is solemn to gaze on the countenance which thoughts of eternity have marked with awe, and over which death is drawing its paleness. It is equally interesting to watch the mind, and see how the moral features are affected by the contemplation of immortality; how they change at the sight of a world of happiness or a world of misery, and at the approach of the messenger who will inevitably introduce the departing spirit to one or other of these states to dwell for ever there.

In reference to the subject of this brief narrative, it need not be inquired whence this calm, this happy state of mind, this bright prospect of eternity;-nothing said about the fears of danger, the pain of death; no want of courage to face suffering, but all pleasure in the soul. All is the legitimate result of a well-grounded reliance on the Lord Jesus Christ. We need not ask why this eager solicitude for the welfare of others-this strong anxiety that they might know and love the truths of the gospel. They had been precious to him, and he wished his friends to know their value. Christ was the foundation of his own hopes; and he knew that there was 66 none other name given under heaven among men whereby they must be saved.'

[ocr errors]

The sequel of his history may be told in few words. He had but just concluded the letter to his mother, sealed it, and placed it in his desk, when active preparations for the coming conflict commenced. His presentiments were verified. During the action his head was struck by a ball from the batteries of the Algerines, and he was laid low in an instant. He was carried below: the surgeons examined him, but the vital spark was extinct. He had exchanged the

roar of battle for the songs of heaven: he had forgotten the tumult of warfare in those peaceful regions where they learn the art of war no more.

Learn then, dear reader, that eternity has no terrors for the soul that is in Christ. Consider how great and innumerable are the blessings connected with real religion; how it fills the soul with satisfaction and joy, to feel that sin is pardoned, and that all is safe for another world; and how it cheers life when, on good grounds, a man can apply to himself the blessings to which the Scripture invites, and say, 'My Maker is my friend; he will never leave me, nor forsake me he has promised to bless me here, and will at last receive me to himself."

66

In the invitations of the gospel to these unspeakable blessings there is no exclusiveness: "Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners." He descended from heaven, and took upon himself the nature of man. He suffered and died, he ascended to heaven, and lives to plead for all who seek an interest in his atoning work. The Scripture declares, "He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life.” Christ has said, "Him that cometh unto me, I will in no wise cast out." Come then to Jesus, as being guilty and condemned; trust alone in his merits; pray for an interest in his love, for grace to rely on him, to look to him as the only ground of your hope for pardon and acceptance; and be assured that if you come thus, he will not reject you. Make his love your plea, and it shall prevail; then, on that love shall be founded your real joy it shall be the source of your blessings in time, and the object of your admiration and the theme of your song through the ages of a blissful eternity.

THE ENGLISH MONTHLY TRACT SOCIETY,
27, RED LION SQUARE;

AND

J. F. SHAW, bookseller, SOUTHAMPTON ROW, LONDON.

J. & W. Rider, Printers, Bartholomew Close, London.

SERIOUS CONSIDERATIONS.

SERIOUS CONSIDERATIONS.

Do not say,

READER !-Allow me to address you as a friend, for I have no other interest to plead than your own. that you are too busy to attend to the subject of this little tract. Whatever may be the importance of your present business, it addresses you on an affair of much greater importance. On the other hand, do not cast it aside, from a conviction that, by its very title, it cannot apply to you. You may be the subject of much thought, and of many anxious cares, and yet you may not have seriously considered what I would now submit to your attention. Let me, then, press it on you. Be not offended with my earnestness, but accept it as the pledge of affection. If your life were really in danger, he would be your best friend who should most urge you to seek its protection. You will be persuaded. You will pause with me, and seriously weigh the following CONSIDERATIONS.

1. CONSIDER THAT THE LIFE YOU NOW LIVE WILL SOON COME TO AN END. This is a point which you have never disputed; but it is also a point which you have never duly regarded. You hastily admit that you must die; but the very haste you indulge, shows the desire you have to expel the event of death from your thoughts. If it were. allowed to rest on your mind, would you live as you do? Would you be so oppressed by the cares of this life, or so eager in its pursuits, or so ensnared by its pleasures, if you habitually and deeply felt that the things of this world are, like the scenes of a theatre, passing away; themselves perishing from your touch, and you perishing while you use them?

« PreviousContinue »