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had in his mind, when, "at his last interview with a brother minister, having expatiated for some time on the importance of practical religion, he begged his friend to enforce it upon his hearers, as the highest of all human concerns; and tell them," added he, speaking with the authority of a dying man, 'tell them, I say so!'"* Determine upon leading a life as much as possible like what you imagine would exist among the angels of light. Nor must you resolve merely that you will begin when you get well; the commencement must be made now. Though you are withheld from society, you have yet means and opportunities of goodness. Can you not be cheerfully submissive to God's

* "I know of but one remedy against the fear of death that is effectual, and that will stand the test either of a sick bed, or of a sound mind;—and that is, a good life, a clear conscience, an honest heart, and a well-ordered conversation; to carry the thoughts of dying men about us, and so to live before we die, as we shall wish we had, when we come to it."-Norris.

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all-wise appointments? Can you not endeavour to give as little trouble as possible to those around you? Can you not show your gratitude to them for their kindness, in a thousand little ways? Can you not do much towards laying the foundation of a very great improvement in your characters? How much may you do! In your silent retreat, you may become great, yea godlike; we maintain there is no act of nobler virtue, than to be calm, self-sustained and devout amidst tribulation and anguish. You may rise above the hero or the philosopher; in your chamber you may accomplish within yourselves a work which will outlive oceans and stars.*

In now bidding our friend farewell, we will only add that this our pastoral visit will

* "If we cannot pursue a trade or a science, or keep house, or help the state, or write books, or earn our own bread or that of others, we can do the work to which all this is only subsidiary, we can cherish a sweet and holy temper,-we can vindicate the supremacy of mind over body, we can, in defiance of our liabilities, minister pleasure and

have been to us as well as to you a profitable one indeed, if we have undertaken the office of Comforter to some purpose. We have spoken to you from our hearts; and we trust what we have said will find a ready access to your hearts. We have declared, as well as we could in so short a space, what we deemed the whole counsel of God respecting sickness. And now we commend you to Him, even our Father, who hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through Jesus Christ; may He comfort you, and stablish you in every good word and work.

hope to the gayest who come prepared to receive pain from the spectacle of our pain; we can, here as well as in heaven's courts hereafter, reveal the angel growing into its immortal aspect, which is the highest achievement we could propose to ourselves, or that grace from above could propose to us, if we had a free choice of all possible conditions of human life."-Life in the Sick Room, p. 162.

ADDRESS FROM THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER.

DEARLY beloved, know this, that Almighty God is the Lord of life and death, and of all things to them pertaining, as youth, strength, health, age, weakness, and sickness. Wherefore, whatsoever your sickness is, know you certainly that it is God's visitation. And for what cause soever this sickness is sent unto you; whether it be to try your patience for the example of others, and that your faith may be found in the day of the Lord, laudable, glorious, and honourable, to the increase of glory and endless felicity; or whether it be sent unto you to correct and amend in you whatsoever doth offend the eyes of your heavenly Father; know you certainly, that if you truly repent of your sins, and bear your sickness patiently, trusting in God's mercy, manifested by His dear Son Jesus Christ, and render unto Him humble

thanks for His fatherly visitation, submitting yourself wholly unto His will, it shall turn to your profit, and help you forward in the right way that leadeth unto everlasting life.

Take therefore in good part the chastisement of the Lord; for as St. Paul saith, whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? Furthermore, we have had fathers of our flesh, who corrected us, and we gave them reverence; shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but He for our profit, that we might be partakers of His holiness. These words, good brother, are written in holy Scripture for our comfort and instruction; that we should patiently, and with thanksgiving, bear our heavenly Father's correction,

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