breathe impregnated with death-fading as a leaf, and passing as the shadow that fleeth away-let us force them from the frightful precipice on which they are standing, and, by the power of friendship and love, compel them to fly from their impending danger, ere it be too late for ever.

7. Brother! let the character and conduct of the Patriarchs of old, as exhibited in the Bible, be thy study, and, in all their good deeds, be thou their imitator. They were, amid the idolatry and temptation which surrounded them, sincere worshippers of the God whom thou shouldst also adore. Amid the base corruptions of the world, that beset them on every hand, they were ever true and faithful to him: so shouldst thou be. They were devoted to all that was worthy of frail man's consideration: so oughtest thou to be. They lived not alone for themselves, but for their age and for their race in all future time: so shouldst thou live. The possession of virtue such as theirs is far preferable to all the power or glory that this world might bestow. It will afford thee higher and truer pleasure than could be derived from the possession of the wealth and the honor that all the money or earthly fame of a thousand worlds like this could heap upon thee. Follow, then, their example, and, like them, be wise, and good, and happy.

8. Trust God with the most unfaltering confidence. Thou mayst do so unhesitatingly: the patriarchs trusted him, and were never once deceived. Brother, let thy Faith be firm and steadfast, and no good thing will thy Father withhold from thee. Thou shalt not ask in vain: He will hear and answer thee when thou entreatest his aid and presence. Do thou sacrifice thine own will on the altar of truth and confi

dence, and in the spirit of faith approach thy Maker. and thy days shall be sweet and precious; thy peace shall flow like a river; thou shalt be blessed in thy downsitting and thine uprising, at thy labor and at thy home, and no ill of life, however afflicting, shall disturb thy mind's repose.

9. "Faith," says St. Paul, is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear. By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and by it he being dead yet speaketh. By faith Enoch was translated, that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him; for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But without faith it is impossible to please him. By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out not knowing whither he went. By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; for he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God. By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come By faith Jacob

when he was a-dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff. By faith Joseph, when he died, made mention of the departing of the children of Israel, and gave commandment concerning his bones. By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season: by faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. By faith the Israelites passed through the Red Sea, as by dry land, which the Egyptians essaying to do were drowned. By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. And what shall I say more? for the time would fail me to tell of Gideon, and of Barak, and of Samson, and of Jephthah, and of David also, and of Samuel, and of the prophets; who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, waxed valiant in fight, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Women received their dead raised to life again: and others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others had trial of cruel mockings and scourgings, yea, moreover, of bonds and imprisonment: they were stoned, they were sawn asunder, were tempted, were slain with the sword; they wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins; being destitute, afflicted, tormented; (of whom the world was not worthy :) they wandered in deserts and in mountains, and in dens and caves of the earth."