But is this wisdom ours? Do we realize thos days? Do we frequently call off our thoughts from the objects which surround us, and summon then to these solemn recollections? A new year remind us of the quick passage of life. It is now truly seasonable to consider our latter end. We have all been recently reminded in the most affecting manner, how soon "the flower may fade." Every youth in Britain has been solemnly, and, as it were personally addressed by the awful voice of this pro vidence. What young heart had not sympathized with England's fair Princess, in her distinguished lot and splendid prospects? How many of our readers have formerly amused themselves with imagining, if they were in her place, what they should feel, and what they would do?—And now, it appears, that if they had been, the wisest and best thing that they could have thought or done, would have been to "remember the days of darkness !" Let those whose imaginations have often visited her in her spacious palace, now pursue her to the dark and lonesome sepulchre; not one ray of "sweet light," nor of that "pleasant sun," which still shines on her deserted mansion, can penetrate to those gloomy vaults. The " days of darkness" are come upon

her.

But to what purpose should we indulge these contemplations? not as an idle speculation; not for the sake of melancholy brooding; not to compare our own situation with her's, and to congratulate ourselves that we are not now as she is: but on the contrary, to recollect our own mortality, and to

reflect that, although we could not partake the honours of her former station, we shall assuredly share the darkness of her present abode; not indeed in a spacious mausoleum, but in some humble grave.

ful

"Well, if our days must fly,

We'll keep their end in sight,

We'll spend them all in wisdom's way,
And let them speed their flight."

This is the moral of the whole : and how cheering is the thought to which it leads! If we are Christians, light dawns upon the darkness of death itself, and penetrates even to the tomb. Then we may say, "0 grave, where is thy victory!" and, in this cheersong the prince and the peasant may unite. While we remember, then, the days of darkness, let it be in order to lead our thoughts, our desires, our endeavours, our ambition, towards a land of light and glory. "The night cometh, but also the morning." The night of death is dark, but the morning of the resurrection will break with inconceivable brightness, and how pleasant will it be to our eyes to behold that light! The days of darkness will be past for ever when "the new heavens and the new earth "There will be no night there;" and "there will be no need of the sun, neither of the moon, for the glory of God and of the Lamb will be the light thereof.”

appear.

XII.

PSALM XXVII. 4.

ONE THING HAVE I DESIRED OF THE LORD, THAT WILL I SEE

THIS language might be adopted in part, with great sincerity by persons of every age, station and character. It is by no means peculiar to the devou writer, nor to pious men, to desire one thing abov all others, and to seek after it with energy and diligence. Even the endless variety of trifling pursuits and vain desires which occupy the youthfu mind may generally be comprehended under som one object, towards the attainment of which they ar all directed.

The " one thing" desired by some, and which in a thousand different ways they determine to seel after, is admiration. It is in pursuit of this objec that many devote their hours and their energies to dress. Others, for the same purpose, to the ac quirement of various accomplishments: and some with no higher aim, will even be at the pains of storing their minds with useful knowledge. Others again, will engage in the active offices of charity and benevolence; and (worst of all) are there no some who will even make a fair show of religion itself, with no better object in view, than this " thing," to obtain the applause and admiration of their fellow-creatures?

one

There are many of a different temper of mind, who, amid a thousand changing pursuits and varying wishes, yet may be said to desire that "one thing," pleasure: and this according to their ages, tastes and opportunities, they eagerly seek after; in toys, in sports, in idleness, in feasting, in company: whatever be the particular means, still the grand aim, the "one thing" desired, is to please and to enjoy themselves; "that will they seek after."

There is a very large proportion of mankind with whom the "one thing" desired is riches. For this they rise early, and sit up late; and there are none who can more emphatically employ the language of our text; none who more industriously and ardently seek after their object.

But there are some among the young as well as those of maturer age whose "one thing" is of a higher order than any of these ;-some in whom natural taste, united with the advantages of education, has inspired a true love of knowledge; who thirst for mental improvement: their state of feeling is expressibly described by Solomon, who had Limself fully experienced it—“Through desire, a man having separated himself, seeketh and interaeddleth with all wisdom." How feelingly and ardently do such exclaim, "One thing have I desired, that will I seek after !"

Under these general heads it would be easy to enter into particulars; but this may be more protably referred to the experience of the reader. Let each one inquire, what is the one important thing to which, at the present moment, all his

G

6

thoughts and activity are directed. If it shoul happen to be something so trifling, so useless, s unworthy, or so silly, that they would be ashame to specify it, yet let them not hesitate to detect and confess it to themselves; it might be useful to paus for an instant, and say, "So then among all th important objects of pursuit which may engage th attention of an intelligent being, this is the on thing' which I have desired, and after which I am resolved, above all others, to seek." Every on indeed, who has observed, with any accuracy, the workings of his own mind, must be aware what in tenseness of desire, what eagerness of pursuit ar frequently devoted to things so essentially trifling that they weary or disgust as soon as they are pos sessed.

But now, with regard to all the desirers and seekers that have been alluded to, whether their attention be directed to vain and trifling, or to lawful and rational objects of pursuit, yet if their aims rise no higher, how suitable is that remark once made to as amiable and hopeful a young person as any who will peruse this page; "One thing thou lackest."

Let us, then, first inquire what is that "one thing' which David in the text desires of the Lord; and, secondly, consider the means he employed for the fulfilment of this desire. Now, the remainder of the verse fully explains that the grand object of the holy Psalmist's ambition was no other than the "one thing needful."-"One thing have I desired of the Lord," he says, "that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my