over the mind, to arrest the thoughtless, guide the wandering, or cheer the disconsolate.

But the blessing of a dying parent is virtually equivalent to the blessing of Heaven. It was in the case of Jacob, and there is no Scriptural reason it should not be so now. Prayer is the medium of blessings, whether to us or ours; and if ever the Christian be in a suitable frame to pray aright, it is when he draws nigh to the gates of death. There is a serenity, too, in the closing scene of a good man's life, which tells us that with him all is peace, and we would imbibe his spirit; a something so allied to God and heaven, that the dying blessing has always been highly valued. On the other hand, the curse of

a dying man has, in every age, been regarded with peculiar horror; the common impression having been that it could not be without a supernatural influence in shaping one's future destiny. Unenlightened people have shrunk back aghast from the curse of a dying man, as from the malediction of the Great Spirit himself? But though there may be no foundation in nature for this impression, yet we cannot doubt that the blessing of a righteous man is instigated by the Father of mercies, and that it will be secured by his covenant faithfulness. The blessing of Jacob was in effect the blessing of the God of Jacob; and the prayers of Christian parents have often been answered in the conversion of their children; and their parting blessings on their children been realized by them in the enjoyment of God's unerring guidance and eternal favour!

Parents, then, should so live that they may die as Jacob died. Next to the concern of a parent for the salvation of a dying child, must be that of a religious son or daughter for the salvation of a dying parent. To see a father or a mother living without the cordial recognition of God's authority, still bent on the world's vanities, and thoughtless of eternity, is painful enough, even to children who are not themselves decidedly serious; but to see a parent dying in his sins, must be anguish in the extreme, to a pious child. How shall I endure the destruction of my kindred? How bear the thought, that the ties which bound me to my parent are sundered for ever? that, though we shall meet in the other world, we may then meet to part for ever!

But when a parent dies in the faith, how different are our

emotions! How did he soothe our sorrow and allay our fears! How is the pang of separation alleviated by the thought that we shall yet meet around our Father's throne in heaven! Though our parents may have been long dead, how often does their dying hour steal over our remembrance, and speak to us of their heavenly home!

Perhaps our hearts are never so full of soothing hope, so fraught with a tender and pensive satisfaction, as when we stand by the grave of a parent who, while dying, commended us to God in prayer! The world may have frowned upon us; our mind may be heated by the toils and conflicts of life: but here, a holy calm comes over our hearts; here repose the ashes of my Mother, and her sainted spirit is looking down upon me from the heights of glory!

6

But if parents would die in peace, they must put their trust in the God of Jacob. 'How can I leave my children?' is the natural expression of a dying parent's affections. Who will care for them as I do? guide them into the way they should go? point out to them the dangers of their path, provide for their wants, and sympathize with their sorrows? They are young and inexperienced; what will be their character? what their condition? And how have they entwined themselves around my heart! I can give up any thing else, but I cannot bear to part with my children.' No; you cannot part with them without anguish of spirit, unless you have given your supreme affections to God, unless you are his, and he is yours, by virtue of his gracious covenant; and you can draw nigh unto Him who "never said to the seed of Jacob, Seek ye my face in vain," but promises to be the "Father of the fatherless." Hence, the dying Christian is enabled to commit his children into the hands of his covenant-keeping God. Dear as they are to him, Jesus is dearer still; faithful as he may have been to his charge, God will be more faithful to his promise. Yes; he can bear to part with his loved ones; he can humbly give them up, and all that appertains to the world; for he believes in God, and knows that God" will never leave them nor forsake them;" that there is no love so pure and strong as his, no care so watchful as his, no security for their true interests so great as his covenant faithfulness. "The God which fed me all my life long unto this

day, the Angel which redeemed me from all evil, bless the lads."

I am aware that such views are apt to provoke the scepticism of men intent on the world. Even Christian professors may be sometimes detected in making "provision for the flesh," securing worldly friends, and hoarding their treasures for their children. But I would not, for all that the world can promise, or mammon bequeath, be in the condition of that parent who, as he thinks of the time when his children are to be left by him in such a world as this, has no GOD to whom he can go and refer their interests; who, amid the dark perplexity of his thought, can find no relief, save in the atheistic sentiment: Well, they must take their chance!' Such a one is to be pitied; but still more those children who, in consequence of their parents' godless example, are one day to go forth amid the temptations and trials of the world, with no guide but passion, no guard but self!

We have adverted to the trial of parting with one's children; it is, in some instances, an equal if not a greater trial for the Christian to leave the vineyard in which he has been so long labouring for God. But this same faith in the Divine promises enables him, at last, calmly and cheerfully to refer the interests of Zion to God's covenant faithfulness. I have been but an humble instrument in his hand. He can raise up another such. Whatever especial need there may now seem to be for my labours, it matters not: though I die, yet God lives; and he can carry on his cause without me as well as with me.' "I am leaving the ship of the Church in a storm," said the dying Owen, "but while the Great Pilot is in it, the loss of a poor under-rower will be inconsiderable." What a satisfaction

it must have been to Jacob to reflect, that, though he was going from his children, God would be with them, and bring them into the land of their fathers, notwithstanding all the obstacles and enemies that might oppose their entrance! His was, indeed, a strong faith; but not stronger than the promises of God warranted, or than every Christian is now encouraged and authorized to cherish.

It is pleasing to note the evidences of piety in youth; to see them renouncing the vanities of earth, and consecrating themselves to God; wrestling for the mastery over the lusts of the

flesh, and aspiring after immortality. But to the thoughtful mind, aged piety presents a more satisfying spectacle. The youth who to-day seems so devoted, may relapse on the morrow; the early promise of usefulness be choked by the pleasures or the cares of the world, the dawning light set in darkness! There is much in his own heart, and every thing in the world around him, to shake the faith of the youthful Christian, and at last swerve him from the path of duty. But here is one who has adhered to his principles without compromising their strictness, and passed unscathed through the fires of earth's temptations; who, while others may have been deterred by dangers, discouraged by difficulties, or turned aside to lying vanities, has kept on his way; whose eye still looks, but with a steadier gaze, on things above; whose soul still pants, but with deeper longings, after union with God; and whose faith grasps, with a stronger hand, those " great and precious promises" which are "yea, and amen in Christ Jesus."

Religion, in such a case, is proved to be, not the impulse of youth, but the conviction of age; not the offspring of ignorance and fear; not the fantasy of an ardent temperament, nor the sentiment of a morbid imagination; but the firm belief of hoary wisdom. Hence, its greater influence, when seen to be associated with the sobriety and experience of years; and a lifetime's cares and trials, bear witness to its value and importance. Hence, our deep respect for the man whose long life has attested the rectitude of his motives, the consistency of his actions, and the integrity of his faith; hence it is, also, that we love to hang on the lips of an aged minister of the Gospel who has borne himself worthily during the burden and heat of his day. What encouragement for Joseph to persevere in the faith, must his father's death-bed have afforded! to hear the old man then witnessing for God, that he had found him gracious; and to see him still trusting in the God of Abraham and of Isaac! There can be no stronger recommendation of religion than the fact that God was the God of our fathers, and that they found both their duty and interest in walking before him."Speak reproachfully of Christ," said the enemies of Polycarp, as they led him to the stake, lease you." "Speak reproachfully of Christ! have I served him," replied that holy man of

"and we will reEighty-six years God, "during all

which time he never did me an injury: how, then, can I blaspheme him who is my King and my Saviour?" "

"Wherefore, seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us." They who have gone back to the world have but pierced themselves with many sorrows. Night after night do they reproach themselves for their backslidings, and often purpose to return; but ah! they may not, perhaps cannot! But every day's perseverance has given to the steadfast followers of Christ a renewed conviction of the truth and worth of the Gospel. Often have they additional reasons for blessing the God of their salvation; and as they glorify God through all the days of their life, so will they glorify him by a holy death.

Jacob, we are told, was trained up in the nurture and admonition of "the Fear of his father Isaac;" and now that he is old and gray-headed, his eye dim, and his strength gone; now that he is lingering on the borders of the eternal world, what would be his condition had he not been brought to an early acquaintance with the God of his fathers? It was the influence of early piety, deepening with his years, that shed such radiance over the evening of his life. It was the long and varied experience of God's faithfulness that rendered him so calm in view of his dissolution, and enabled him, with implicit confidence in God, to bless both Joseph and his

sons.

'Now cast your eye on the aged,' might a thoughtful observer of life say to his young friend; mark those hoary locks, those tottering limbs, that faltering speech. All those sources of pleasure that are open to you, are closed to him; those incitements to action that thrill your bosom, are powerless to him. He is dead to all the gratifications you seek, and all the objects you pursue. Can you realize, that, should life be spared, you will become as that old man?'

"Thou must outlive

Thy youth, thy strength, thy beauty, which will change

To withered, weak, and gray; thy senses then,

Obtuse, all taste of pleasure must forego

To what thou hast; and for the air of youth