young corn springs from the earth, and we hope with pleasing confidence, that it will not perish in the winter's frost, that it will one day fully bloom, ripen, and reward human industry. The sleeping earth collects fresh strength, in order to be renovated in youthful fulness, when the Lord of life shall summon her to rise again. Nature, after she has finished her work, advances in invariable order through the grave of winter to the flourishing spring. And shall we look forward to the autumn of our life with anxiety? Could we doubtingly ask if a delightful spring shall follow our winter? Shall not the great and sacred system and coherence, which prevails in the earthly creation of God, attach a future to this present, a resurrection to our death? No! even at the departure of autumn your souls tremble not, ye grey heads, ye who with devout seriousness, give ear to the voice of nature, to the revelation of God in the heart, to the Gospel of peace. Ye complain and mourn not, that here below there is no everlasting spring, no undecaying summer. Ye rejoice in the Lord, for that in many a severe conflict with yourselves and with the world ye have acquired a perseverance in good, a humility of heart, a firmness of faith, which fit you for a better world. It is the true and imperishable life, the life of God, the holy germ of which is contained within the mortal covering, which overcomes autumn and winter, death and the grave, and all their terrors. No! pious Christian, thou canst not tremble at the reflection: " the approaching winter will perhaps also be the winter of my life; the flowers of the coming spring will perhaps blow upon my grave.' In the kingdom of immortal spirits there is a life which never grows old, a spring which never fades, a sun which never sets. To pass through corruption to this incorruptible existence, to enjoy the delights of this ever-flourishing spring, to behold this everlasting sun in its glory, do thou render us worthy, O divine Redeemer! Sanctify us, illumine the dark path of our life, arm us thyself with the power of thy Spirit, that we may dedicate our spring, our summer, and our autumn to thee and the Father; and be with us-be with me, when the day declines, and the evening of my life is come. Amen. |