that fastened down your hearts to earthly scenes and objects must be sundered, and for ever. Will God our Maker, the same God who takes away our breath, will he give songs in the night season of death? Yes, for he has promised, "Behold at even time it shall be light," and that "the redeemed of the Lord shall return and come to him with songs and everlasting joy upon their heads." Death is to be dreaded only by those who have not made their peace with God; by those who do not receive and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as the Prophet, Priest, and King of their souls. To those who have truly repented of their sins past, who have made an unreserved surrender of their souls to Jesus Christ, and who are leading "a new life, following the commandments of God and walking daily in his holy ways," death has no terrors. They feel that they deserve eternal punishment, but they know that Christ has borne the curse for them, and that therefore it will not fall upon their heads. They feel that they are utterly unworthy of salvation, and that it is not of themselves, but the free and sovereign gift of God, yet they know also that Christ has wrought it out for them, and will freely bestow it upon their souls. They know that they do not deserve heaven, that after doing all that they have done for Christ, they are but unprofitable servants, yet they know that they shall be received up into glory for Jesus' sake-through Jesus' merits-by virtue of Jesus' intercession. "Father I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with me where I am that they may behold," aye! and that they may share

too, my glory." Hence having loved the Saviour, having lived for the Saviour, having committed the soul into his eternal keeping, the Christian is not afraid of death. His sun as it goes down sinks not to its rest in sorrow. His night of death as it draws on, sends no foreshadowing gloom into the soul. On the contrary, full of the peace of God, rejoicing in hope, strengthened by faith in Christ, he finds himself joyful while all around are sad and weeping; and as the shadows deepen over his mortal life, there rises from his lips the hymn of praise to the abounding grace of God, and there is put into his mouth the song of triumph, "Oh death where is thy sting, oh grave where is thy victory; the sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law, but thanks be unto God who giveth us the victory through Jesus Christ our Lord."

These are some of the "songs in the night" given us by God our Maker." Who does not desire to learn these songs?-who does not wish to sing them? They can be learned only as we sit at the feet of Jesus and learn of him; they can be sung only as our souls are filled by the Holy Ghost, but all are invited to come to Jesus and learn them; for his language is, "Come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden and I will give you rest;" and all are promised the renewing of the Holy Spirit if they will but seek in faith the blessed Saviour, through whom alone they can have peace and acceptance with "God our Maker, who giveth songs in the night."

STEVENS.

SCRIPTURAL SELECTIONS.

I WILL not leave you comfortless: I will come to you.

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.-John, xiv. 18, 27.

These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer: I have overcome the world.-John, xvi. 33.

They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.— Ps. cxxvi. 5, 6.

He shall not cry, nor lift up, nor cause his voice to be heard in the street.-Is. xlii. 2.

Who raised up the righteous man from the East, called him to his foot, gave the nations before him, and made him rule over kings? he gave them as the dust to his sword, and as driven stubble to his bow.

He pursued them and passed safely; even by the way that he had not gone with his feet.-Is. xli. 2, 3.

III.

THE WELL SPRING IN THE DESERT.

"This is my comfort in mine affliction."-Ps. cxIx. 50.

"Is any among you afflicted? let him pray."-JAMES, V. 13.

HE Bible opens a spring of comfort for the afflicted,

THE

by giving them free access to the throne of grace, and inviting them to enjoy the privilege of prayer.

This is, indeed, the Christian's privilege at all seasons; and never will he feel himself to be in a right or comfortable state, whatever may be his outward prosperity, if he allow himself to neglect that blessed ordinance, by which intercourse is maintained betwixt heaven and earth, and fellowship enjoyed by the creature with the Creator. And he who, whether in prosperity or adversity, makes it his daily practice to go to the throne of grace, and in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, makes his request known unto God, will, from his own experience, bear testimony to the truth of the promise, that "the peace of God which passeth all understanding, shall keep his heart and mind through Christ Jesus."

But while prayer is a duty incumbent at all seasons, and a privilege which the highest prosperity affords no reason for neglecting, it is, in many respects, peculiarly seasonable in the time of affliction.