floods clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together before the Lord."

It is true, a plaintive and sometimes even a deeply desponding tone is exhibited in the Psalms; but the general tenor is that of confidence and of joy. Even where, in some instances, the writer commences in a mournful strain, ere his song is ended the sentiment changes to one of heavenly rapture.

With respect to David it may then be said, he lived, for the most part, in a happy frame; and that his joy was derived from, and was connected with the love and service of God.

Other instances of a uniformly joyful frame, might be gathered from Scripture, and also from among Christians in modern times; but I would ask the reader to look at a few passages of the Bible setting forth the duty of manifesting a cheerful, happy temper, as the legitimate effect of true piety.

The Scriptures are so full of exhortations of this nature that I scarcely know where to select. In the Book of Chronicles, Israel is

commanded to "glory in God's holy name," and it is added, "let the heart of them rejoice that seek the Lord." In Deuteronomy it is said, "Ye shall rejoice before the Lord your God." Says the prophet Joel, "Ye children of Zion rejoice in the Lord." Paul has numerous exhortations to rejoice. In closing his epistle to the Philippians he says, "Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord." Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice."

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These examples and quotations make it plain that the truly pious are not only authorized to put on the air of gladness, but are required as the redeemed of the Lord to manifest this spirit before the world. Every thing in the visible universe calls the Christian to this duty. Nature, by audible and inaudible strains, should provoke us to the manifestation of our joy. The flower that has slept beneath the dews of the night, lifts up its head and seems to smile as the sun-beam of morning falls upon it. The sky is bright and joyous after the dark cloud has rolled away, and countless voices come to

us from earth and air, whose cheerful accents tell us, that if their joy be transient, it is nevertheless sincere. Now shall the Christian, whose soul has wept sweeter tears than the dews of the night, and has been enlivened by a brighter beam than the morning ray, shall he refuse to look glad? Shall he, from whose prospects the dark cloud of God's anger has passed away for ever, give no sign of joyfulness; nor, whilst listening with the ear of faith to the melodies of Heaven, in which he hopes soon to unite, begin the hallelujahs on this side of his eternal rest? Shall the power of God awaken in the natural world such strains of joy; and shall this great mercy be less influential in filling the soul, which it has blessed, with the praises of its God?

CHAPTER VI.

THE FOUNDATION OF PIOUS JOY.

Every effect has its cause; and this principle is as applicable to the emotions of the soul as to the phenomena of the material world. If there be exercised a pious joy, it must have some source or origin. The apostle Paul has referred it to the true and legitimate cause. He says, "rejoice in the LORD." The foundation then of pious joy is GoD, the infinite source of all true felicity. The numerous passages of Scripture already cited-especially those from the Psalmist—evince the same truth. "Rejoice in the LORD, ye righteous; and give thanks at the remembrance of his holiness."

Pious joy is not confined to the redeemed children of Adam; but is felt and manifested by all the holy. The good angels are no less exultant than the ransomed, who are associated

with them in singing the hallelujahs of Heaven. But the source of this gladness both among angels and men is the same. It is the great and glorious God.

When Adam was created, and placed a pure being in the garden of Eden, we may suppose, that, as one of his first acts would be praise, so one of his first emotions would be pious joy. But if we imagine that his joy came simply, or principally, from the fragrant beauties which surrounded him, we are greatly mistaken. Such a conception would not be in harmony with the character of God his Creator, nor with the exalted and unsullied character of Adam. His outward circumstances enhanced, doubtless, his happiness; but this effect they had as media, through which to trace the wisdom and goodness of God. We should infer from the Scripture account of our first parents, that, whilst their occupation was to dress and to keep this earthly paradise, their purest and noblest satisfaction consisted in intimate communion with God. Earth was then but one form of Heaven; adapt