having followed our Saviour through evil as well as through good report; in adversity as well as in prosperity; in sorrow as well as in joy; all shall ultimately terminate well—all shall work together for good. Where, then, is there any hope like that of the Christian? Or where is there a Christian who cannot confide in God? Does he proclaim throughout all the works of creation, his power, his wisdom, and his goodness, and shall we not reverence his great and holy name? Does he bow the heavens and visit sinful man, in order to rescue him from destructiou, and to secure unto him eternal salvation; and shall we not place implicit confidence in his gracious providence? Does he comfort us in affliction, does he strengthen our weakness, does he enlighten our darkness; and shall we not place our trust in Him, as in our best friend, our kind benefactor, our Father in Heaven?

II. Another source, whence reflections may be drawn, calculated to strengthen our confidence in Providence, is one to which our text immediately refers. "Because thou hast been my help, therefore, in the shadow of thy wings will I rejoice." Here is a direct appeal to the past, and a conclusion drawn in favor of future confidence.

from experience Suffer

Suffer me, then,

my brethren, in the second and last place, exhort you seriously to meditate on the day that are gone. The most of us, if not all have lived long enough in the world, to learn wisdom from our own experience, and to be hold the hand of Providence conducting us through the scenes which are no more to return. And in order to aid you in this useful meditation, I would, were I able, and time would permit, summon before you the circumstances that are past, and re-conduct you through the scenes in which you have acted your parts. I would remind you of the storms that have passed over your heads, and of the snares and pit-falls of destruction by which you have been safely conducted. I would lead into the chambers of sickness and of death, and recal to your memory the tears which you have shed over suffering humanity and departed worth. I would invite I would invite you to the silent repository of those who are sleeping for eternity, and point out to you the mouldering remains of such as were dear to your hearts. And I would then ask you, why it was that the storms which past over your heads left you unhurt? What unseen power preserved you in the midst of dangers concealed, and secret destruction? How you continued to

you

ajoy health, while others languished on beds f pain? And how it is, that the cold bosom f the earth has not yet received you? I Would ask you this, my brethren, and were here no one else to proclaim the truth, the silent tombs would burst forth in eloquence, and all nature would conspire to swell the strain, that the hand of Providence has been with you, and God himself has watched over you.

woe.

.

Turn for a moment, my brethren, to the late disastrous visitation, under which our own, and other cities have suffered; and let us learn wisdom, let us learn confidence in God, even in the midst of devastation and How many strangers have found their long home amongst us! How many infants have early gone to rest! Widows and orphans far hence, weep that they were denied the sad satisfaction of closing the eyes of those who were dearer to them than even life itself; while the arms of many a parent amongst us, which lately folded to their bosoms, with raptures of joy, the tender pledges of love, now hang empty and motionless with grief. How many an useful, how many a promising character, has been called away! The storm has swept away many a beautiful

fabric, which anxious hope, in warm anticipa tion, had too hastily constructed and the floods have demolished, even to the foundation, many an edifice of comfort, which human calculation had vainly devised! But in all these, what do we behold? From all this what do we learn? Do we see in this an angry God, who delights in inflicting pain? No, my brethren, it is the part of wisdom, it is the part of piety, rather to read in this, however painful the lesson, his tender mercy and his loving kindness. With respect to the departed, we can at least say, that the young are taken from evil to come, and that the more advanced are removed out of the reach of temptation, and from many a pang which a further intercourse with the world might have inflicted. With regard to the living, the treasures of Grace and the munificence of Providence are full of comfort. Have you lost, some near and dear relative, in whom your soul delighted? And would you wish such an one to be again exposed to the troubles of a life, in which nothing is certain but its termination? If such an one be happy, would you have him exposed to misery? If at rest, would If at rest, would you have him again to encounter the cares and perplexities of an agitated world? Or if your grief be of

a more selfish nature, regarding in a greater degree your own happiness than that of him whose death you mourn, reflect, I pray you, that in taking one object of enjoyment from you, God has not in his Providence deprived you of all. Many more comforts remain, which, instead of awakening a murmuring spirit, should call forth daily acts of gratitude and devotion. Besides, in removing our friends from us, God takes no more than what was previously his own. We are his; our friends are his; he has placed us here for awhile, with the express object in view of calling us hence at such time, and in such manner, as he himself may see fit. What, then, let me again enquire, what do we learn, what do we behold in this dark and distressing visitation, but the tender mercy and loving kindness of our Father in Heaven? Surely his power, his wisdom, his goodness and his grace, are all engaged! Shall we not, then, confide in the beneficence of his Providence? Shall we not place our trust supremely in Him, who commands, and who permits whatever transpires? Has he not the good of his creatures in view ; and will he not promote his own glory by advancing this? Could our happiness be more secure than in his hands? O! if we were