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are born to die, but that we die to live for ever. And how?-Exactly in that state for which our present life has prepared us; either in union with, or alienation from, that exhaustless source of grace, glory, and happiness-God. Were you to ask a number of persons what was the true end of life, each would give you a different reply: and, unless there was a Christian present, each reply would be wrong. Riches make themselves wings; the breath that gives fame, can destroy it; pleasure is the spark that mounts upwards and expires:-here is nothing enduring; nothing that prepares an immortal being for future immortality; nothing that arms the soul against the changes of time, the inroads of affliction; nothing that in the end satisfies the soul. God gave this world, with all its possessions, to minister to the comfort of his creature man, but he knew that not one of them could fill the void within; and therefore, as a wise and tender friend, he says to each of us, "Give me thy heart." And it is for the heart also, that the enemy of man contends. Though the knee be bent

in prayer, and the ear listen to religious instruction; the lips repeat scripture truth, the whole person seem occupied in religious duties he cares not; he knows that the heart can alone give value to the offering; and it is the heart he allures away. Our Saviour implied this when he gave us that infallible rule whereby to know our state: "Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also." At the great day of account, when the books shall be opened and the Judge set, the question will not be-Did you say your prayers? Did you follow gaiety? Did you spend your time in frivolous employments? A single reference to this one text, will suffice to cover with confusion, or fill with humble confidence; to open or shut the gates of heaven-" Lovest thou me?"

You may wonder why I pause so long on the religious value of life, but, in fact, it involves every other consideration. Once fully recognise this truth-time is the school for eternity-and our tastes, our pursuits, our employments, and our recreations, follow in well regulated order. So long as we fancy

ourselves the mere creatures of a day, at liberty to please ourselves, and do what we will with our own, we must necessarily be triflers. We may mix up much that is graceful and attractive, nay, much even that is valuable, with our trifling, but if we leave eternity out of our calculation, and provide only for time, we may have our reward in present pleasure, and present success; but when death comes, where will that reward be? If the things that are seen are our chief good, what is to be done when we can neither take them away with us, nor remain on earth to enjoy them? But I should deceive you, my dear

were I to represent this necessary surrender of the heart to God as easy, or in our own unassisted power; no, it is from God that we must seek and desire willingness to honour and obey him. It is He who must teach us to know, in order that we may love; to love, in order that we may serve him. When such willingness is induced in the soul, then, and then only, begins true, solid, lasting happiness. This is the "inheritance incorruptible, undefiled, and that fadeth not away:" the

hidden treasure which "neither moth nor rust can corrupt, nor thieves break through and steal," which time cannot impair, nor death itself destroy. It is offered freely to all; "Whosoever will, let him come and take of the water of life freely”—“ If ye, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him." These are the words of Him "who spake as never man spake;" and through the scripture, he speaks them to each of us. My dear, let them not be spoken in vain. “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and you shall find." I know well that the disinclined heart will suggest a thousand objections to these things, but I know also that they are false and frivolous. Perhaps you will tell me that you are happy already, and ask, why you may not remain as you are. You may, if your happiness is established on a rock; but if it be built upon the shifting sands, pause before you determine. Youth, gaiety, and good temper, may give a charm to your present existence; but

then the future-sickness, affliction, age, death-will they, of themselves, avail for those dark hours? Give this a serious thought: and may you be enabled to "remember your Creator in the days of your youth, while the evil days come not, and the years draw nigh when you shall say, I have no pleasure in them." May you be enabled from this time to say unto Him, "My Father, thou art the guide of my youth."

Believe me, my dear

Affectionately yours.

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