this tabernacle shall be dissolved." In youth it is otherwise. This is the season of health and vigour, when the spirits are buoyant with hope, and the heart is elate with fond anticipations of the future. Whatever be the condition of the young, their spirits are usually lively and cheerful, and throw an attractive but delusive colouring over surrounding objects. Impelled by desire, they rush forward with inconsiderate ardour. Prompt to decide,-averse to hesitate, or to enquire, and credulous, because untaught by experience how precarious are all earthly things, they rely upon them with a confidence which precludes all suspicion that they will ever give way; hence, when overtaken by sickness and infirmity, and a blight spreads itself over the field of their hope, withering the blossoms which had excited so many pleasing expectations, a disappointment is experienced, by which the young are often tempted to complain, and to regard their lot as one of peculiar hardship. The case is rendered still more alarming when sickness threatens to terminate in death; when the king of terrors suddenly presents himself before one who has spent the giddy hours of childhood and youth without reflection and the fear of God. Is it any wonder that he should find himself alarmed by conscience, agonized by disappointment, surrounded by difficulties, and overwhelmed by the prospect of eternal misery? Suffer me, my young friend, whose circumstances are in any respects similar to those I have just supposed,-suffer me to attempt to reconcile your mind to your circumstances, and to offer the counsels suited to your condition.

It is no less the interest than the duty of every one to endeavour to reconcile his mind to the appointments of a wise and gracious providence. The cup of affliction is, indeed, in all circumstances, unpalatable to human nature, nor is it to be denied that your circumstances are peculiarly afflictive. To be suddenly arrested by calamity in the very sun-shine of

your existence,—to be deprived of enjoyment,―to be subjected to severe pains,-and to be compelled to look forward to a premature death, may well excite perturbation of spirit; but take care that it does not break forth in murmuring and rebellion against God, or induce you to turn away from the means which can alone afford you relief. Let the following remarks be deliberately considered.

Your present circumstances are not singular. This consideration is frequently overlooked. We think of relatives and acquaintances who are strong and healthy, and whose youth is characterised by ease and enjoyment; but we do not reflect how many young people are afflicted as much, or perhaps more than we. Look round: how many may you discover, whose circumstances are equally distressing with your own; and think how many more there are with whose cases you are totally unacquainted. In every condition, and in every period, man has been subject to these calamities. This is a weeping world. Sin has filled it with thorns and briers, with crosses and afflictions; and can you expect to travel through it without being torn and wounded, or exempt from disquietude and pain? Shall providence for your sake reverse its established order? Reflect, too, on the mortality of man. It is computed that nearly thirty millions die every year; what an awful reflection! how great is the multitude that is daily dropping into eternity. According to this computation, each minute is marked by the death of fifty-six human beings. How numerous, therefore, must be the paths that lead down to the grave. "All flesh is grass." The grass springeth up; it is beautiful and pleasant to the view; but however luxuriant, flourishing, and verdant for a while, the wind passeth over it, and it is gone. The worm destroys its root; it is scorched by the sun, or nipt by the frost; it falls before the mower 's scythe, or yields to natural decay. How expressive of the vanity of man in his best estate! He cometh forth like a

flower, and is cut down. In ten thousand nameless ways may his term of life be abridged. Disease, and accident, and injury, beset his path. The fluid that circulates through his heart is impregnated with the seeds of death. He drops into the grave in every stage of his progress through his earthly pilgrimage. He knows not what a day, or an hour may bring forth. Your case then, presents nothing contrary to the ordinary experience of mankind. Perhaps the circumstance of your youth may to you furnish an exception to the general rule; but when death approaches he asks not "how old art thou?" He extends his power over the young as well as the aged. Millions of the young die yearly. What burial-ground can you visit without meeting with the most affecting memorials of the vanity of youth, and the uncertainty of life? There lie many who once trusted in youth, and looked on future years as their own. A little time back, and they were eager in the pursuit of imaginary happiness; the world was spread before them, decked with gay and fascinating colours; their hearts were big with life's futurities;-but they are gone ;-they are mouldered back to dust;-their very coffins are decayed; -their gaiety is over;—their joys are past;-they have passed into the world of spirits. Prepared, or unprepared, they have met their God; and what is the world to them now? How solemn a consideration is this to all, and how necessary to be well weighed by the young. Guard then against the folly which primarily was only satirically applied to our species, yet is fairly imputable to general conduct-the folly of thinking all men mortal but ourselves.

Your present circumstances are not hard. Guard particularly against the thought that God deals severely with you. When our comforts are removed, our hopes disappointed, our spirits depressed, and our pains severe, nature is ever ready to prompt such a conclusion. You should remember the prejudices to which you are subject. You can see that in

your own circumstances which no other person can see, and which you cannot discover in the circumstances of others. Do you think it hard to be deprived of pleasures, and subjected to suffering in early life? Remember, that these pleasures, however much they may excite the desires and engage the attention of men, are not worth a thought. The pleasures of the world wear, it is true, a very alluring form to the eye of youth, but if you will believe the testimony of those who have enjoyed them, they are deceitful and vain. This testimony is borne, not only by those whose minds have been enlightened and purified by religion, but by those who still wish to find happiness in earthly things. They are more in expectation than in enjoyment. They have never satisfied any, and they could never have satisfied you. Even though we were to admit, that these pleasures are all that the gay heart of youth imagines, they cannot for one moment be compared to those which result from the favour and blessing of God; and these may all be your's. Religion is so truly the one important blessing, that it can supply the lack of every earthly enjoyment, while all earthly blessings united can never supply its want. Were the whole world your own, it could neither give real peace in life, nor support you on the bed of death, nor obtain for you a place in heaven. But all this you may find in religion. Seek after this. Let this become the subject of your supreme concern, of your earnest prayer, and of your diligent pursuit; and instead of being deprived of enjoyment, fountains of living water will open to your view, the streams of which will refresh, invigorate, and comfort you through every vicissitude of life, till you shall be introduced into the divine presence, where there are fulness of joy and pleasures for evermore.

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But perhaps you are apprehensive of death, and you it hard to die so soon. But why would you live here longer? He who has obtained a preparation for death has accomplished

the great purpose of living. Why would you live here any longer? The highest enjoyments of this world are not to be compared with the humblest glories of paradise. In that world to which an early death conducts the pious, there are pleasures which never cloy, treasures which fail not, and honours which never fade away. There no discontent murmurs, and no sorrows ever weep. There no disappointment is ever felt, and no fears arise. Listen to faith, opposing its conclusions to all the boasts of the carnal mind: I reckon that neither the pleasures nor sufferings of the present time, are worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed. Why would you live here any longer? Those who die in middle life are often harassed in their last hours by the most painful anxieties about the state of their worldly affairs, and the future condition of their dependent friends; but you have no partner whose heart will be torn with anguish by your death, nor children for whose sake you should wish to live. Why would you live here any longer? It may grieve you to part with your friends; but were you spared, from their more advanced life they would shortly have to leave you; yet a little while, and they will rest from their griefs by your side. Why would you live here any longer? Is it that you may glorify God? In heaven you shall serve him day and night in his temple, without one languid moment, or one vain thought, and in the midst of worshippers whose hearts are burning with fervour equal to your own. Or is it that you may advance the interests of religion? but your removal shews that providence has other instruments than you to employ in those labours of love. Still your early death, adorned by the graces of the Spirit, may have more influence in alluring others to goodness than your after exertions could have had; and if the wish and purpose of your heart to do good be sinGod will accept of them as if carried into effect. But you are afraid of death. You are unfit to die. It is on this

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