his soul, "Soul, thou hast served Christ these seventy years, and art thou afraid of death? Go out, soul, go out.' O be not afraid, nor unwilling to quit so old a tenement, which has long been out of repair, and which, if the hand of sickness had not pulled out here a pin and there a stone, would have tumbled to ruins of itself. Comfort yourself with the thought, that the power of Jesus will rebuild it, and make it a glorious temple, fit for the residence of a glorified and perfected soul. You will in another world, be what, by God's grace, you are looking for, without age or decay of body, or the fading of the faculties of the mind. All will be young, blooming, and vigorous. The lapse of eternal ages, shall witness no approaching infirmity, no symptom of incapacity for the services of heaven. Think with gratitude, now you are departing from this earthly state, of the goodness and faithfulness of God. How many years he has led you in the wilderness. How many times he has forgiven your rebellion. How many times he has interposed in danger. How * Confidius, a senator of Rome, told Cæsar boldly, that the senators dared not come to council, for fear of his soldiers. He replied, "Why then, dost thou go to the Senate ?" "Because" he answered, " my age takes away my fear." So none more courageous in evil days, than aged Christians, who have long experienced the power of divine grace. many times he has honoured and blest you; and while you cannot but be humbled and contrite, at the thought of the numerous instances in which you have done what you ought not, and neglected what you ought to have done; rejoice that God will not remember against you, the sins of your youth, and maturer age, but blot them all out. Think how you might have been now an aged and hardened sinner, suffering without support, dying without hope. How much Christ has done for you. Think how long he has spared you, and spared you to bring forth fruit, even to old age, to show that the Lord is upright. And now you have nothing else to do, but repose in the arms of Jesus, to fall asleep in him. The world has long been dead to you, and you to the world, through the influence of the cross of Christ; and you will very shortly receive the end of your faith, even the eternal salvation of your soul. PRAYER. O Lord God, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Our fathers trusted in thee, and were helped. Thou hast been our dwellingplace in all generations. We come before thee at this time, humbly relying upon the merits of Jesus, who is the way, the truth, and the life. We commend to thy fatherly notice, thine aged servant before thee, whose life draweth near unto the grave. We thank thee that thou didst incline him to seek thee, before the evil days came upon him. For many years has he loved and served thee, and thou hast led him many years through the wilderness. His journey is now nearly closed. O still manifest thy lovingkindness to his soul. Cheer by thy love, the closing scene of his existence. May his soul rejoice in the near prospect of that glory, which thou hast promised to them that love thee. Amidst the infirmities and diseases of his body, may his inward man be vigorous, and by thy Spirit renewed day by day. At evening time may it be light. Be with him to the last, and forsake him not; and when fully ready, may he be gathered into thy garner, as a shock of corn in his season. Let no doubt distress, nor fear becloud his mind. Let not the enemy of souls take advantage of his weakness of body or mind to harass him, but may his evidence of interest in Christ, and his title to heaven, be clear and bright. May he rejoice in the prospect of soon ending his long pilgrimage on earth, and entering upon the promised rest above. With gratitude may he review thy dealings to him through so many years past, and take encouragement from such a review, to trust more fully in thee. May he bear testimony to the last, to thy faithfulness and love. Let the Spirit soon finish his blessed work, and do thou speedily administer unto him an abundant entrance into thine everlasting kingdom. X May we all, whether young or more advanced in years, be found in Christ, living and dying. Let none leave the important concerns of the soul, to a season of sickness he may or old age, but may they seek the Lord while be found, and call upon him while he is near. Forgive all our sins, justify and accept our persons, and hear our supplications, through the infinite merits of the Redeemer. Amen. My soul thy wonders, Lord, hath seen, Behold my days that yet remain, Cast me not off when strength declines, When hoary hairs arise, And round me let thy glories shine, Whene'er thy servant dies. By long experience have I known When I lie buried deep in dust, These with'ring limbs with thee I trust, CHAPTER XVIII. To a Child in Affliction. SCRIPTURE PORTION. HE (the Redeemer) shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arms and carry them in his bosom, Isa. xl. 11. Then there were brought unto him little children, that he should put his hands on them, and pray. And the disciples rebuked them. But Jesus said, suffer little children to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven. And he laid his hands on them, Matt. xix. 13, 14. And Jesus said unto the chief priest and scribes, have ye never read, Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings thou hast perfected praise, Matt. xxi. 16. When my father and mother forsake me, then the Lord will take me up, Psa. xxvii. 10. Take heed that ye despise not one of these little ones; for say unto you, that in heaven their angels do always behold the face of my Father which is in heaven, Matt. xviii. 10. (See also the Scripture portion for the young.) I ADDRESS. PART I. You are called, my dear child, very early in life, to feel the sad effects of sin; for remember that all the pains and sickness you endure are the consequence of your descending |