How much is true Religion calculated to promote the happiness of the human race. Compare the condition of these neighbours when they were indulging the native malignity of the human heart, with their state after they were brought under the influence of divine grace. Then there was war; now there is peace. Then they cherished no feelings towards each other but hatred and malice; now their thoughts are full of kindness and love. Formerly they returned injury for injury, and railing for railing; now they mutually forgive and seek forgiveness. Once they were like angry tigers growling defiance at each other, now they are like peaceful lambs that dwell in sweet affection in the same fold. In their former state their words were full of bitterness, and the name of God was never used but with blasphemy, imprecating curses on each other; but in their renewed condition, the law of kindness is in their lips; and in sweet holy harmony they together sing the praises of Him who has called them out of darkness into his marvellous light. How miserable their former, how happy their present life!

The same happy effects will follow the enjoyment of true religion in every place. What a change there will be effected in the condition of the world when the gospel is universally known, and the sceptre of Immanuel is swayed over every heart. They shall learn war no more. They shall break their swords into ploughshares,

and their spears into pruning hooks. They sha not hurt nor destroy. The work of righteousnes shall be peace, and the effect of righteousnes quietness and assurance for ever. The Lor

hasten it in his time!

Reader, have you felt the depravity of you own heart; and do you know the power o divine grace? Seek the Lord and ye shall live.

THE DYING MINISTER.

ON the Friday before his death, what Mr. L——— had been for some time considering as very probable, came on him with a full force of conviction that" the days were at hand when he must die.” But it did not come on him unprepared. It excited no tumultuous alarm; he bowed quietly and cheerfully to the will of his God, and the language of all his conduct was, "Even so, Father, for so it seemeth good in thy sight." In the prospect of leaving the world, he expressed a complete dependance on Christ Jesus for the saving of his own soul, and a complete dependance on the promise and providence of God for the comfortable support of his wife and numerous family. He experienced little acute pain, for which he expressed much gratitude; and though much afflicted with constant uneasiness and restless agitation, he never complained.

On the Sabbath morning previous to his dissolution, when Mrs. L- who had been

watching by his bed, unclosed the shutters to let in the morning light, he looked up and said, "long ere this the Marys were at the tomb of our great Shepherd." Being asked in the course of that day to wet his parched mouth with a little wine, he replied, "I expect no more refreshment for my body here, but my soul shall soon be refreshed as with new wine." After lying silent for some time, he repeated the following passage of Scripture, on which he had been meditating, "These are they which have come out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb: therefore, (and he repeated the word 'therefore' with emphasis, adding, this is a grand Scripture,') therefore are they before the throne of God."

His highly valued friend, Mr. C of P. who was officiating for him that day, having said to him that he hoped he now enjoyed those consolations which he had so often administered to persons in his own situation, and that the truths of the gospel which he had preached were now the support of his heart, he replied, "O yes! I never wished to preach a sermon, without holding up Jesus Christ and him crucified before guilty men. It was my endeavour to bring Christ's salvation and the sinners' conscience together, to bring the sinner to the foot of the I glory in the cross, and I hope to obtain

cross.

the crown."

On Monday he called his family severally into his room, administered to them exhortations. varied according to their circumstances, and solemnly, but cheerfully, bade them farewell. We regret that we have it not in our power to give a more particular account of this interesting scene. Mr. S. his companion in the ministry, for whom he cherished a most brotherly regard, and it was mutual, having witnessed a part of it, asked Mr. L-if he had nothing to say to him. He paused for a moment, and then uttered these most appropriate words, "Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life." On Tuesday, after recovering from a severe fit of coughing, he said, "My bones are sore vexed, yet my flesh rests in hope, that when I awake I shall be satisfied with his likeness. I have set the Lord before me, and I have found him a present help in time of trouble." After having taken a little wine, he whispered to his eldest son, so that Mrs. L- might not hear him speak, lest it should agitate her, "I think I shall drink no more of the fruit of the vine, till I drink it new in my Father's kingdom.”

On the Tuesday evening he took an affectionate farewell of his father-in-law and sisters-inlaw, to whom he was really a friend, a kind and a warm friend; and gave them his last advice and blessing. Mrs. L-, overcome with the affecting parting, said, "But what shall I do without you?" His eldest son gently requested

his mother not to agitate his father, who could not help her. Turning about, with his characteristic promptness, he replied, “But I can. There is plenty for her. Is not God the widow's Judge in his holy habitation? My grace is sufficient for thee;' that is enough for her-I am sure- ―plenty-plenty !"

On the Wednesday the writer of this memoir visited him. Upon entering his chamber I was struck with the alteration in his appearance since I had last seen him, which was about the middle of August, and could not help thinking of the peculiar aptitude of the scriptural description "He changeth his countenance, and sendeth him away." Taking him by the hand, which feebly but kindly returned the pressure, I asked him how he felt himself? He answered in a low, hollow, but distinct tone of voice, "Comfortable, very comfortable, with so many kind friends around me, and in the hope of soon being for ever with the Lord." I expressed my satisfaction at finding him in so happy a state of mind, and added, "You are now doing, I trust, what many have done before you, setting to your seal that God is true." He lifted up his eyelids, which were indeed heavy with the shadow of death, and while a smile diffused itself over his pale and emaciated countenance, he said with emphasis, "O yes; the word of the Lord is tried. I have often tried it, and it never failed me." I asked him, "What he now thought of his attainments