If the life that now is were the boundary of human existence there might be the shadow of an apology for all this. The voluptuary might riot. Ambition might snatch the laurel reeking with tears and blood. Wealth might build her Babylons, and swell with conscious pride. Men might seize the passing pleasure as they were crowding to the gulf of annihilation. The alternate laugh of joy and shriek of despair; the shout of drunken debauch and groans of dissolving nature; the song of merriment and the dirge of death might be heard at once, nor produce that shuddering horror which we feel when thinking of the Soul and of its destiny. But the same inspired author who has said, "the spirit shall return unto God who gave it," has declared also "that for all these things God will bring us into judgment."

The character and destiny of the soul in a future state is made to depend on its characteristics in this life. Its inhabitation of the body has much to do in fixing these character istics, and of course in shaping its eternal destiny. If the body is abused; or preferred to the soul, if its wants and pleasures are consulted more than the interests of the soul, it will inevitably augment the guilt and condemnation of the

sinner.

us.

And here we all stand acknowledged culprits even at the bar of conscience. Condemnation rests upon every soul of In this respect we have all abused our nature and broken the law of God. And were salvation to depend on our works, not one soul of us could be saved. But, blessed be God, we have a better ground of hope, laid in the merit and sufferings of the Son of God. Wherever and to whomsoever his name is made known a new feature is given to human probation. But if this last this only hope be rejected, the sinner dies without remedy. He dies for ever.

The term of this probation is, for wise reasons, made shorter in some cases than in others. Three score and ten is the scriptural limit. A few overleap this boundary whilst millions come short of it. Adrift on the current of life, men seldom think that every moment they are forming a character to which death will give immutability. Enters this thought into the bosom of the busy merchant building his only hopes on this sandy shore? Does the son of pleasure, pampering his idolized body, does he reflect that the deathangel is but awaiting the signal to send him horror struck bofore his God? Look at the careless rejecter of the gospel! He throws away his soul, when duty comes in conflict with desire, with a hardihood that challenges the Almighty, and sets at defiance eternal retribution. But is God indifferent to all this? It is true, he is long suffering. He lengthens out their probation. "The sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily.' But he has a limit set which they

cannot pass. When the sinners cup of iniquity is full, there is a movement among his ministers of wrath; and whilst one is weaving his shroud, and another measuring him for his coffin, the paleness of death gathers upon his face, and he lays himself down to die. This slight indisposition he imagines, will speedily pass away. So think the friends also. But the light talk of hope dies away into suppressed whispers of anxiety, and death, like a nightmare, is seen creeping upon his cold bosom. "The dust must now return to earth as it was, and the spirit must return to God who gave it." There is no discharge in this warfare. Go the Soul must, prepared or unprepared. Inexorable death! He hears no prayeradmits no parley-grants no reprieve. His approach appals the stoutest heart. But why are we afraid of death? Is it because of the pain that precedes the convulsive gasp? Is it the winding sheet-the coffin-the cold damp vault-the mouldering corpse, that so wither up the heart? These have their influence; but these are not all. It is conscious guilt-it is the thought of retribution that curtains the deathbed with its horrors. And what can break their force when eternity is lowering in awful grandeur on the dying eye? There is, thanks be to God, one thing which can break their force; but that, alas, in ten thousand instances, has been scorned or neglected. The sinner, rejecting Christ, has ventured to meet the storm alone. Horrible is the death of an unbeliever; for he dies "without God and without hope." Then goes the Spirit into the presence of Him who gave it. After death is the judgment. Quick as thought flies the soul to the tribunal of God.

Death, my hearers, is a common event. You can scarce look out of your windows, but a funeral train is passing by. The dust is returning to the dust. The soul is pressing on to its final account. To your door the summons will soon come, and the grand question is, are you ready? Is your house in order, your lamp trimmed and burning, your salvation sure?

"What are your hopes beyond the grave,
How stands that dread account?"

Are you straining every energy up to the work of your salvation? Are you subordinating every earthly concern to that of the undying Soul? Are you throwing your affrighted spirits into mercy's arms? Are you smiting the heavens with your cries of anguish? Ah no; the lethargy that precedes death is upon many of you; from which I fear you awake not, until the terrors of a dying hour apprise you that it is too late for ever. Avert your eye from this dreadful

precipice you cannot. Step by step you are moving towards the brink. Your feet will soon press the crumbling margin. "O for some guardian angel high!" O for an arm then to cling to! The body sentenced and sealed, for death, cries to you; prepare. The soul reeking with guilt, shuddering at the thought of eternity-cries out, prepare. Conscience, filing already the vials of wrath, cries, prepare. Heaven with its glories, and Hell with all its horrors, cry out prepare; prepare to meet thy God!

There is some reason why every man who hears the 'gospel is not a Christian. To inquire and ascertain what is the true and exact reason is a matter of solemn importance to each individual. The time and the opportunity for doing this will soon have passed by for ever. "There are many persons who think that they wish to be Christians, and yet feel confident that they are not." Why are they not Christians? What is the obstacle which prevents so many from accepting those terms ef salvation, which God has offered.

1. Is it that God is unwilling to save them? No! No one dares say so, or even think so. God has removed all doubt upon that point, not only by his invitations and entreaties, but also by his unqualified declaration, "as my soul liveth, I have ho pleasure in the death of him that dieth, but that he turn from his way and live."

2. Is it that God has not made suitable provision for the return of all? The atonement, which the Saviour has offered is so ample, that he can say "whosoever cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." Provision is made for all. Salvation is offered to all. Whosoever will believe in the Saviour shall not perish, but have everlasting life.

3. Is it that there are no motives sufficiently powerful to influence to a Christian life? And what more powerful motives can be conceived of than those that are urged upon almost every page of the Bible. Eternal happiness is the reward of obedience-eternal wo, the consequence of continued sin.

4. Is it because the sinner is not elected, that he is not saved? The terms of salvation are offered equally to all. And whoever are willing to accept those terms, is elected to everlasting life. They who will not accept, and they only, will perish. Forgiveness is offered with the utmost sincerity to every one who will repent, and accept forgiveness for the Saviour's sake.

5. Is the sinner unable to repent? Who will venture to accuse God of requiring that of us, which we are unable to perforin! Every man's judgment rises up at once and con demns him, if for a moment he tries to palliate continuancein sin, by such a thought. Every one knows not only that he can, but also that he ought to renounce sin, and give his heart to his Maker.

6. Is the duty of repentance neglected because there are no convictions of sin?" Where is the heart which has not felt such convictions? Who has not at times felt the reproaches of conscience? Who in truth must not plead guilty to the charge of having often grieved the Spirit away. Oh how importunate has God been in his strivings with us by his Spirit. We have heard his warning voice in every fune ral bell which has tolled-in every dying scene we have witnessed, in every joy that has "crowned our days" and in every pain we have borne. But the voice of conscience we have stifled, and the warnings of the Spirit we have disregarded.

7. Is this world so full of happiness that we have no inducement to look to another world for joy? Every heart knoweth its own bitterness. It is not in poetry alone that this world is described as a "vale of tears." There is in every heart an aching void, which the joys of earth cannot fill. Oh, how constantly is our path through life strewed with disappointed hopes! How often is one almost persuaded to be a Christian.

Why then is it that so many continue unreconciled to God? What are the obstacles so powerful, that the entreaties of God, the sufferings of the Savior-the strivings of the Spirit do not remove them. What is it that can induce a man to neglect religion at the hazard of his soul? The things above enumerated, clearly do not stand in the way. Some of the prominent obstacles we will now mention.

1. An indistinct belief in universal salvation. Many indulge in a vague impression that all will be saved. This lulls them into security. They think of course that no especial effort is necessary for salvation. Some openly avow this belief. Others secretly cherish it. But whenever it has any hold upon the heart, it seems to deaden conscience, and to lead one to feel that a life of sin is not inconsistent with eternal happiness in heaven. How often does one ward off the arguments and appeals of the pulpit, by the soothing reply that, live as he may, he will eventually be drawn smoothly and pleasantly to blest abodes. While one cherishes this impression, be it ever so vague, ever so indistinct, it is the most effectual preventitive of contrition for sin and faith in Christ. With thousands it stands in the way of eternal re