as one day; but my life flies away like a shadow, and I, like all other things in nature, am subject to change and to corruption.

Thou workest in thy creation according to the immeasurable riches of thy wisdom, according to thy laws of order; and every thing, from the smallest worm up throughout the universe, is made to unfold itself, and rise up to fuller perfection. Shall I alone then be an exception to this rule? Was the end and aim of my being to extend no further than that I should, upon this earth, a few fleeting years, labour and repose, sleep and awake, eat and drink, and then fall back into annihilation?

No;

nothing in this world fully satisfies the desire and expectations of my mind: and this is a proof to me of the immortality of my soul. Assuredly there is a constant circle of power ever working and renewing, creating and destroying, bringing to death and

reviving again; and who knows how soon the fragile dwelling in which my soul lives. and feels may be turned again to dust! but I myself shall not be destroyed-annihilated. This I am told by my observations on my own nature, and of this I am assured by a higher revelation. Therefore will I not tremble at death. Thou who gavest my spirit, canst cause it to exist through death to all eternity, and in the like manner canst revive, re-animate the dust, and from the wreck of the old body re-produce a new, more beautiful, more glorious body. I can leave it, without fear, to Thee to order what shall be my eternal state; I can, full of confidence, sink to the grave on the arm of thy love and mercy. But it must be my first care while on earth, by wisdom, holiness, and vigilance, to prepare for that higher station. No day must pass away without something having been done for this great end. As the unfathom

E

able waters pour forth their stream, one wave chasing another, so will my days pass on till they reach eternity. This day has so passed away; the remainder will in the same manner quickly succeed each other. Let my Father bring my life to a happy close; let a joyful eternity follow, and all will be well.

Thinking on

O thou great God! thee, I lay me down to sleep; when I awake, may my first thoughts be raised up to thee. Thou art the refuge of my soul; I will trust in Thee while I have breath and life within me; for in Thee I find light and power-trust, joy, salvation, all, all-and to all eternity.

THURSDAY MORNING.

"The sun rises, then man goes forth to his work and to his labour till the evening "-PSALM CİV.

It is a beautiful sight, to see the rising of the sun, in which the majesty of the great Creator is so gloriously displayed.

What floods of light and fire to warm and vivify our earth, and yet more distant planets! How great must He be that has created these things! But the delight to be found in the contemplation of the works of the great Creator, is lost to such of mankind as give themselves up to sensualmindedness, who change the order of nature, and turn day into night, and night into day; allowing themselves to be over

come by idleness, or sin with all its disorder, they sleep through the most lovely hours of morning. I will accustom myself to arise betimes, and thus gain health for the body, and likewise procure to myself much calm enjoyment. I will not allow myself to be shamed by the husbandman, who goes forth early to his labour. I will not indulge in hours of indolence, when so many are awake, so many are at work. Labour is of the greatest benefit to man: while the sluggard suffers from listlessness, from ill-humours, or falls to want; the laborious man enjoys the fruit of his labour in cheerful activity, employs and strengthens his powers, is preserved from many evils, and enjoys the portion of a happy, peaceful existence. He who will not work, the Scripture says, neither shall he eat; every man is placed in a certain station, with power to make himself useful to the world. To me also a certain course