THESE hints, with very few and obvious variations, may equally apply to the case of patients attending dispensaries; or sick persons of every description, especially such as are receiving any kind of charitable assistance.-The reader is desired to peruse carefully the several Scriptures recommended at the bottom of the pages, as peculiarly suited to explain and enforce the instructions which are given. 1 HINTS, &c. THE word of God requires us, "in the day of "adversity to consider.TM” This is with you, my friends, a day of adversity; and I shall be happy, if you will permit me to lead you to the due consideration of those subjects, which are more immediately seasonable, and profitable, in your present situation.-You cannot but observe the eagerness with which the diseased apply for relief from their bodily complaints! Though the condition of patients in hospitals, or indeed of the sick when under cure in other places, cannot be rendered agreeable; and though the means of recovery are often very irksome and painful; yet the dread of death, and the desire of health, render men in general earnest to put themselves under the care of physicians, or to procure letters of admission into hospitals; and willing to submit to those methods of cure which are deemed necessary. But after all, how uncertain and transient is the expected relief! How vain and troublesome the life thus prolonged! How soon must we all yield to the stroke of death!-The continuance, 'Eccles, yii. 14. See Job v. 6—8, of our lives is sure to be the lengthening of our temporal sufferings; and too often men so employ returning health, that by means of it they only "treasure up for themselves wrath against the day "of wrath." But an eternal state awaits us! A future judgment, and its dreadful or delightful consequences! And who is there that has not committed many sins, or does not feel a proneness to that which is evil, and a backwardness to what is good?-Yet with what indifference do men receive the instructions of heavenly wisdom! How little pains are they willing to bestow, in learning or walking in, the way which leads to everlasting life! Nay, how negligent to flee from the wrath to come, and to seek deliverance from endless misery! The aim and intention of physicians, surgeons, and other medical assistants are readily understood: and they who refuse to comply with their directions, however painful and self-denying, are deemed obstinate enemies to themselves: but the design of those who, by counsel or books, would promote the eternal good of the sufferers, is scarcely perceived; their labour of love is thought needless, if not impertinent! Too often men turn away with disgust or resentment; and seldom do they give themselves much trouble, or bestow a tolerable measure of pains, about those infinitely important concerns! "But beloved, I hope better. "things of you;" and must beg you to consider, |