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No. VII.

THE RIVER STREAM.

"REDEEMING THE TIME."-Ephes. v. 16.

WHOEVER dwells near the banks of

any of our great rivers need not be told how continually the stream is passing by every rude and every lovely object, and carrying down all its floating contents from one station and turning to another, until, at last, it empties itself and all that it contains into the boundless ocean. Nature, with a thousand voices, seems to entreat the fugitive waters to stop, to overflow and enrich the different meadows; to supply the roots of innumerable flowers, and plants, and shrubs with its longer bounties; but the current, unmindful of all entreaties, passes on, imparting to each some refreshment by the way, but it rests not with any.

This is a striking emblem of time; which, in defiance of all opposition, and in disregard of all entreaty from the youthful and the rich, the aged and the poor, continues to sweep along by the palaces of kings and the huts of cottagers,

emptying every residence of its inhabitants, carrying them from one stage and turning of life to another, until it has conveyed their tenants, numerous and diversified as they are, into the boundless ocean of eternity itself. All worldly men seem desirous to bribe its flight; or rather, they try to forget it is on the wing. Time however flows on, alike indifferent to the madness and entreaties of the great, and to the murmurings and discontent of the poor. It indeed carries fruitfulness, and imparts blessings to all by the way; such blessings as would enable them to bring forth fruit to the glory of God, and thence to enjoy a happy eternity, would they but husband well what it bestows. But alas! while it is with them they neglect its advantages, and only when it is passing for ever away, do they begin to see its value, and then it is in vain to wish its return, or to entreat its stay. So true it is, that

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Time, like an ever-rolling stream,

Bears all its sons away;
They fly, forgotten, as a dream
Dies at the opening day."

Unhappy, beedless children of this world! when will ye become wise? When will ye understand these things, and consider what makes for your . everlasting peace? Do ye not know that all beneath the sun is hastening to an end? That, gay

as the world may now appear, and bright as some of its vanities may, for a moment, sparkle in the eye of the distant observer, yet the whole must soon perish! The poet stated a solemn truth when he said,

"The cloud-capt towers, the gorgeous palaces,
The solemn temples, the great globe itself,
Yea, all which it inherit, shall dissolve;
And like the baseless fabric of a vision,
Leave not a wreck behind!"

Nay, from the volume of inspiration, we know that the material heavens themselves shall hereafter, as, "in an instant, pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat." We are now, indeed, often lulled into a state of apathy and unconcern, merely because the exhibition of this tremendous scene has in mercy been so long delayed. With the sceptics of old many are now ready to ask "Where is the promise of his coming? forgetting, that one day with the Lord is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day." Should the reader be among these infatuated men, let me implore him to awake from his delusion, and to meditate for a few seconds on this momentous subject, and attend to St. Peter's application of it: "Seeing, then, that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought we to

be in all holy conversation and godliness?" (2 Peter, iii. 11.)

Reader! art thou thus improving the subject? Dost thou so reflect on the rapidity of time, and the final "wreck of matter and the crush of worlds," as, through grace, to seek and ensure a crown that fadeth not away? In the contemplation of the end of the world, and of thine own earlier exit, art thou able to say, “I, according to his promise, look for a new heaven and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness?" And thus looking for "another and a better world,” art thou using all diligence to be found of thy Lord and Saviour in peace, without spot, and blameless? If this be not, at present, thy case, may the Almighty stir up thine heart to work while it is called to-day;-to watch and pray, and improve this invaluable talent, and all the gracious seasons and means which it brings with it! May a long-forbearing and compassionate God, in future, preserve thee and myself from the destructive snare of deferring the work of to-day until the morrow arrives! May we be faithful to our convictions, and more attentive to the still small voice of the Holy Ghost within us; nor ever again say to this kind reprover,

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Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season I will call for thee."

O! the madness, the folly of those men who imagine that, while they can forget their approaching end, that end forbears its approach towards them! Let the mariner stand on the sea-beach, and call to the passing tide to stop, and reverse its course. Let the rich and the profligate on shore bid the sun stand still in the firmament, and command the moon not to go down. And when these obey their voice, then, and not before, may the wasters, the neglecters of time expect its disregarded and abused mercies to be returned and repeated to them. O Heavenly Father, for thy blessed son Jesus Christ's sake, and for the glory of thine own great name,

"Teach us that name to fear;

Spread an alarm abroad;
And cry in every careless ear
Prepare to meet thy God!”

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