set their heart on that which is not? Who would load with treasure, a vessel, rotten or full of holes? All the admired distinctions and possessions of the world are very uncertain in themselves, and often leave us-But if they continue with us, we cannot continue with them. We brought nothing with us into the world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out-Yet, stripped and naked as we shall go-go we must-and the time of our departure is at hand. Oh! what shall we think a few "days" hence, of those pursuits which now so much engross us! "To-mor row we die;" and what will it signify, whether we are carried to the grave from a cottage, or a mansion; or leave behind us much or little? Endeavour to think always, as you will feel soon. "Brethren, the time is short it remaineth, that both they that have wives be as though they had none; and they that weep, as though they wept not; and they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and they that buy, as though they possessed not; and they that use this world, as not abusing it: for the fashion of this world passeth way." Are not my days few? Then let us well employ and improve them. This is what Moses prayed for: "So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom." And what is wisdom? This must be determined by circumstances. What is wise conduct in one man, may be folly in another, because of their different relations and circumstances. But it is easy to determine what is wisdom in a man who numbers his days, and finds them to be few: and who has, during their continuance, an all-important interest to secure: and has no other opportunity. If he is guilty, it must be wise in him to seek forgiveness. If he is lost, it must be wise in him to seek salvation; and if he be unable to save himself, it must be wise in him to apply to another, who is appointed for the very purpose. And in our case, such an one there is. His Name is Jesus. He is mighty to save. He is willing to save. Instead of complaining of your application, he only complains of your neglect-Ye will not come to me that ye might have life. Many have tried his power and his love; and recommended him from their own happy experience. He is now on the Throne of Grace. But he will not be always there. He will soon ascend the tribunal of justice. Oh! seek him while he may be found, and call upon him while he is near. Behold, now is the accepted time. Behold, now is the day of salvation. This part of our subject branches itself into another line of duty. As you are to gain good, so you are to do good-And this, too, is equally enforced by the fewness of your days. Life is yours; and it affords you one privilege above the saints in light. It is the opportunity of beneficence of relieving the poor, of instructing the ignorant, of converting the sinner. But remember two things. Their days are few; and therefore they will soon be gone beyond the possibility of receiving relief. And your days are few; and you will soon be placed beyond the possibility of affording it. Wing your zeal, therefore, with the thought-"The night cometh wherein no man can work." -There is a way of lengthening life. It isnot by duration, but by diligence. It is by "filling our days." It is by doing much business in a little time. Some live longer in a week, than others do in a year. DEC. 31.-" He thanked God, and took courage." Acts xxviii. 15. individually excellent; They adorn, and reThere is no one GRATITUDE and confidence are but their union is admirable. commend, and aid, each other. they so well become as the Christian. And when is he without cause for both? When has he not, if truth examines his condition, a thousand excitements to praise, and encouragements to hope? It can never be more proper to exercise these, than at the interesting period of the last day of the year; when we are so naturally and unavoidably led to think of the past and the future. Let us therefore follow the example of Paul, when he met the brethren at Appii Forum-Let us thank God, and take courage. What can be more reasonable than to thank God when we review the past? While many have been cut off and not a few in their sins-we have been carried through another year in safety. We have been exposed to accidents and diseases, as well as they who are now in the dust; and our frame has been as delicate, as frail as theirs. But we are the living, the living, to praise Him, as it is this day; and all our bones can say, Who is a God like unto Thee?-While he has holden our souls in life, he has also continued our mercies-and these mercies have been new every morning. Of the least of all these, we have been unworthy. And had we been dealt with according to our desert, we should have been the most wretched beings on earth. But we have been fed at his table: we have been clothed from his wardrobe. We have had, not only the necessaries, but the comforts and the indulgences of life-He has given us richly all things to enjoy. He has made the outgoings of our mornings and evenings to rejoice. He has given us the succession of the seasons. He has blessed the springing of the earth. He has charmed us in the field, and in the garden, with melody, and fragrance, and colours, and tastes. What relative attachments! What endearments of friendship What pleasing interchanges of solitude and society of labour, and of rest!We have not only to acknowledge private, but public mercies. How has he preserved and blessed our country, notwithstanding all our national provocations! He has not only blessed us personally, but relatively-He has been the benefactor of our families, and our friends. Yea, he has blessed us, not only in the kindnesses of his providence, but in the means of graceWe have had our Sabbaths. Our eyes have seen our teachers. We have been made joyful in his house of prayer. He has fed us with the finest of the wheat, and with oil out of the rock has he satisfied us. Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits! We have had trials-but even these, instead of checking gratitude, if properly reviewed, will increase it. They have been few, compared with our comforts. They have been light, compared with the sufferings of others. They have been variously alleviated-In measure, when they shot forth, he debated with them: he stayed his rough wind in the day of the east wind. They have all been founded in a regard to our welfare. They have embittered sin; and endeared the Scriptures, and the Throne of Grace, and the sympathy of Him who is touched with the feeling of our infirmities. They have weaned us from the world-They have told us that this is not our rest-They have also told us that he knows how to support and to deliver. Aaron's rod blossomed-so shall ours; and yield the peaceable fruit of righteousness. There was honey at the end of Jonathan's rod-and there is sweetness at the end of ours-Yea, already we can say, It is good for me that I have been afflicted. Surely a gratitude is required, on this occasion, that will not expire in mere acknowledgments; but induce me to dedicate myself to his service, and walk before him in newness of life. And what can be more reasonable than to take courage when we look forward? We enter, indeed, on the year commencing, not knowing what a day may bring forth and darkness is apt to gender dread. Duties will arise; and we must meet their claims. Afflictions may arise-indeed they are almost unavoidable. Does not every path of life lead through a vale of tears? Is not every thing here uncertain ? My health may be assailed-My friends may be removed-This year I may die. --- But I will pore on this no longer-I will not sour my present mercies, by suspicion, or fear, or anxiety. It is my duty, it is my privilege, to be careful for nothing; but to cast all my care on Him who careth for me.-I take courage, from his former dispensations. Has he ever forsaken or forgotten me? Because he has been my help, therefore under the shadow of his wings will I rejoice.-I take courage, from his providence. I am not in "a fatherless world." Nothing is left to chance. My ways are continually before Him; and the very hairs of my head are all numbered.-I take courage, from his power. Nothing is too hard for Him. He can make even mine enemies to be at peace with me. He can render every loss a gain. He can make all things work together for my good-I take courage, from his promises. They are all faithfulness and truth. And what case do they leave unnoticed, unprovided for, from which despondency can spring? I will therefore trust, and not be afraid-but go forward, cheerfully-with Him who has said-I will never leave thee nor forsake thee. "Beneath his smiles my heart has liv'd, "I praise his Name for grace receiv'd, FINIS. GEORGE WOOD, Printer, Union Street, Bath. |