25th. In proportion to the reality of our faith in Jesus Christ, will it be surely evident, that our main strength resides in the undisputed verities of the everlasting gospel. It is these plain and saving truths that are essential to the peace and happiness of the people of God.-Original Memorials of Dr.

Johnson.

26th. The chief desire of a good man is to have intercourse with God. It is on this account principally, that he anticipates a future world, where all will suit the dignity and purity of his renewed nature. Whom have I in heaven but thee, for in thee is comprised every source of bliss.

CONSOLATION.

THINK, O ye, who fondly languish
O'er the grave of those you love,
While your bosoms throb with anguish,
They are warbling hymns above.
While your silent steps are straying
Lonely through life's deep'ning shade,
Glory's brightest beams are playing
Round the happy Christian's head.

There the sun's inferior lustre
Never sheds a feeble ray;
There no envious shadows cluster,
Shutting out the cheerful day.
Night, the face of nature veiling,
Rears her sable throne no more,
Midst those spirits pure inhaling
Life from Him whom they adore.

Light and peace at once deriving,
From the throne of God most high,
In his glorious presence living,
They shall never, never die.

Endless pleasures, pain excluding;
Sickness there no more can come ;
There no fear of woe intruding,

Sheds o'er heaven a moment's gloom.

From their eyes celestial, swelling,
Drops of sorrow ne'er shall roll;
God himself has fixed his dwelling
In the temple of the soul.

Cease then, mourner, cease to languish
O'er the grave of those you love;
Pain and death, and grief and anguish,
Enter not the world above.

THE

HAPPINESS OF FAVOUR WITH OUR

CREATOR.

"Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on thee."

"Whom the Lord loveth, he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom He receiveth."

"Every branch that bringeth forth fruit, He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit."

EXPRESSIONS of mutual good-will and good wishes amongst men, as they denote a reciprocal desire for each other's welfare, and complacency in it, cannot but be pleasing. How infinitely, therefore, must we prize the favour of our Creator, the fountain of love, and the supreme giver of friendship and endearment.

His favour comprises every thing that is

truly valuable, and that can contribute to our present happiness, and future eternal glory. Weak, and ever exposed to danger, how cheering the thought, that our God is as willing as able to uphold, strengthen, and preserve us! Exposed to mental darkness and various external and internal distresses, we remember that our God can disperse every cloud, diffuse light into the gloom of the soul, and restore tranquillity to our agitated spirit. The peace of our minds is liable to continual fluctuation; yet, as that peace is originally derived from our God, and is ever dependent on Him, so he can augment or impart it at His good pleasure. For all these transcendent blessings we are indebted to our high and compassionate Redeemer! O, let us then, in faith, continually regard the one great oblation once made for our sin, and rely on the prevalency of that intercession which he is evermore making for us at God's right-hand. It is Christ, from whom we derive all our comfort. In him is found that which will quench the thirst of the weary soul: how consolatory and encouraging it is to consider Him as a rock,