speak your attention. Scriptural views of his person and office, reliance upon his merits, and a conformity to his will, are of the last importance,-the very turning point of salvation. You have seen, in the case of my dear daughter, that nothing could calm her agitated mind, but considerations drawn from the cross of Christ. This was her sheet-anchor; and when she was enabled to avail herself of this, her fear subsided-the bitterness of death passed away -and she contemplated the awful prospect which opened before her, with composure. You will also doubtless have observed, that Jesus Christ is the sum and substance of the Holy Scriptures. He was the subject of the first promise, and the only stay and comfort of our desponding parents when driven out of paradise. The patriarchs foresaw his day, and were glad; and considered him as "the seed in whom all nations should be blessed." He was typified by sacrifices-foretold by prophets-and sung by poets. He is the grand subject which the sacred historians had ever upper

most in their minds, when narrating the events which had taken place since the creation of the world, down to his birth. There were, at different periods, great kingdoms; mighty conquerors; and important revolutions; but they were of no other importance, in the estimate of writers under the influence of divine inspiration, than as they had a reference to the kingdom of Christ and they are taken up, in the course of the narrative, and laid aside, just as they happen to bear on the one great object of divine revelation.

In the New Testament, every thing bears testimony to the fact of " the decree having gone forth, that at the name of Jesus every knee shall bow, and every tongue confess that he is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." His stupendous condescension, in taking upon him human nature, was announced by angels; his mission was established by proof of his omnipotence in suspending and changing the laws of nature. He gave eyes to the blind; feet to the lame; ears to the deaf; and life to the

dead. He stilled the raging of the sea, and triumphed over the powers of darkness. Creation sympathized in his sufferings and death; for the sun was darkened, and the earth shook, and the dead were raised. His ascension to the right hand of the Majesty on high was witnessed by men and angels; and now he has taken possession of the throne of his glory, he presides over the affairs both of earth and heaven; and, sitting as "the Lamb in the midst of the throne," he receives the homage of the vast multitude, who "have washed their robes, and made them white in his blood." In the acts and letters of the apostles, every thing is calculated to raise our admiration of his character, and to show us the unspeakable importance of embracing his gospel. In his person, he is said to be precious; in his grace, his riches are unsearchable. To the Christian, he is "All, and in all;" he is "made of God to him wisdom, righteousness, sanctification, and redemption." In having Christ, he possesses the riches of both worlds, for "all

things," says the apostle, "are yours; for ye are Christ's, and Christ is God's." He is their guide and comforter; their sun and shield; their friend and advocate. He supports them under their earthly conflicts; gives them the victory over death; and "administers unto them abundantly an entrance into his everlasting kingdom." He will finally "judge the world in righteousness," and fix the eternal destinies of the assembled millions, who have appeared on the earth from the creation of Adam to the last of his descendants. In short, he is the Alpha and Omega:" he has “ the keys of death and of hell :" he carries on

his vesture and his thigh his name written, King of kings, and Lord of lords;" and the whole world must either touch his sceptre and live, or be broken to pieces by the rod of his vengeance.

Now, my young friend, why have I given this outline of the character and glory of the blessed Redeemer? With a view to show you that he is no secondary object; and cannot be served with a subordinate homage.

He has the first place in heaven and earth; and he must have the predominance in your heart and affections. He is the fountain of life, and you must derive your spiritual existence from him. He has purchased pardon for sin, by his death upon the cross, and you can obtain reconciliation only through his blood. He dispenses grace and salvation to the humble and penitent; and you can neither be holy nor happy, but by an union with him. If you make a mistake here, the error will be fatal; "for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved." Bear in mind then, that coming to Christ, is the first step to Christianity; abiding in him, is its highest perfection; and dwelling in his presence for ever is the consummation of all our hopes, and the fruition of all possible blessedness. Is this exhibition of the Saviour consistent with scriptural documents? You must acknowledge it is. Does it correspond with what you observe in the majority of those who profess his religion? or with what you hear