ment of disembodied spirits, until it bursts the womb of time, and is animated with the essence of immortality. That there is peace to believers the word of God declares,that they shall be employed in the service of the Almighty is evident; but how the spirit wings its way through space, knows its kindred spirits, is as dark to our present state of being as our life is to the new-born child; but in due time we shall know even as we are known; sufficient to us is the assurance that we shall enjoy a happy state of being, even so great that it is not possible to make it known to us in our present dark period of existence.

How pleasing, after a life of well-spent years, in the evening of life, when nature is fading fast away, to have the glorious hope of an eternal existence of unalloyed felicity! To have a bright assurance that our bodies will be raised up like unto Jesus' glorified body, which the heavens must contain until the restitution of all things. The transient visits of heavenly ecstasy we feel here give us a faint idea of that full bursting of glory on a disembodied spirit entering Canaan's rest; and it must be a joyful meeting when soul and body is again united in one immortal and happy state, where disease is never felt, and where tears are never shed, where soul meets soul in love.

Such a prospect should induce us to cultivate brotherly affection here, that we may have the larger

enjoyment of it hereafter; to take pleasure in the company of the saints on earth, that we realize in futurity the glorious union of souls by the sufferings and death of Christ; and no society can be more exhilarating to the blest than of Him who gave his life a ransom for them, and who hath prepared a place, that where he is there they may be also.

LETTER V.

"The bird let loose in Eastern skies,
When hastening fondly home,
Ne'er stoops to earth her wing, nor flies
Where idle warblers roam;

But high she shoots through air and light,
Above all low delay,

Where nothing earthly bounds her flight,
Nor shadow dims her way."

Edinburgh, 8th August, 1820. THE Christian's warfare ends not until time, with regard to him, is no more. Though he may have triumphed over great calamities and powerful temptations, still he must endure unto the end, that he may be saved; the victories he may have won are incomplete without the final triumph over sin and death. He must be made perfect in holiness before he receive the crown from his Lord.

That a Christian has triumphed over much is no security that he shall triumph over the succeeding temptation; watchfulness is absolutely necessary to prevent being deceived by the deceitfulness of sin. And should he be cast down, and swerve from the

paths of holiness by following after the desires of his heart, it will be a triumph to the wicked, because they delight in iniquity, not in the truth.But it is no security that their triumph will be complete, for the grace of God worketh wonders in the hearts of his children; and though, for a season, they may be left to follow their heart's desire, still there is a day of power when they shall be seen coming up out of the wilderness of sin leaning upon their beloved, and a day in which they shall abhor themselves in dust and in ashes, because of sin,— "For sin shall not have dominion over them."

"

Holiness is necessary to salvation; for, without it, none shall behold the face of the Eternal. To feel pleasure in a life of sin is incompatible with a life of grace; for the pleasures of sin are at enmity with God, and where his grace dwells it must create holiness; it is no dormant principle in the soul, but it, like its Master, must cleanse the temple wherein it dwells.

Whether we be living in the faith is a serious inquiry. Habit makes us forget that the aim of the Christian's life is perfection in holiness. If we are regular in our forms of devotion, sympathize with the unfortunate, and feel pleasure in the society of the friends of Jesus, we too often think our warfare accomplished, until some speaking providence opens our eyes to see our fatal security. It is then we see the necessity of continual perseve

rance in holiness, and undeviating adherence to the truth of the gospel.

To live a life of faith on the earth the man of the world terms enthusiasm. We see those men who are most assiduous in acquiring a thorough knowledge of their business, who improve every opportunity to advance their secular interests, praised by their neighbours as men of wisdom and talent. If making provision for this life be a proof of wisdom, surely making provision for eternal peace must be the acmé of wisdom. And if that peace cannot be obtained without denying the world, the lusts of the flesh, and the pride of life, it is a mark of a noble soul to scorn the opinion of the world in obeying the precepts of the gospel, and in living a life of faith on the earth.

Religion is not a speculative opinion that may be taken up and laid aside at pleasure; it is a living principle, which every act in life is either adding to or detracting from its glory. Actions that are done in the faith of the gospel, produce these glorious effects on the character which the promises of God declare; but actions done in unbelief cannot be pleasing to God, because the principle of action is to please ourselves, not recognising that God whom we ought to adore. At the final audit, a separation must take place between the righteous and the wicked. As few number themselves amongst the wicked, let us inquire who are they that shall