stand among them, 'which came out of great tribulation, and washed their robes in the blood of the Lamb!" " God grant that you and I may set our seals to this testimony! and, if we have been mingling with the world in search of our satisfactions, that we may now arise, and trim our lamps, and stand ready to meet the bridegroom! Amen! MISCELLANIES. A FRIENDLY VISIT TO THE HOUSE OF MOURNING. IN THE DAY OF ADVERSITY CONSIDER....Eccl. vii, 14. Many are the sayings of the Wise, In ancient and in modern books enroll'd, Extolling Patience But to th' afflicted in his pangs their sound Harsh, and of dissonant mood from his complaint. Unless he feels within Some source of consolation from above; Secret refreshings that repair his strength, VOL. II. 29 FRIENDLY VISIT. &c. YOUR present affliction, my dear friend, demands something more than the usual forms of condolence. Sorrow, which, like yours, cannot be prevented, may yet be alleviated and improved. This is my design in addressing you; and, if I seem to intrude upon your retirement, let my motive be my apology. Having felt how much better it is to go to the house of mourning than to the house of feasting,' (Eccl. vii, 2); having received my best Lessons, Companions, and even Comforts, in it; I would administer from my little stock of experience: and, while I thus endeavour to assist your meditations, shall rejoice if I may contribute, though but a mite, to your comfort. Were I, indeed, acquainted with the peculiar circumstances of your loss, I should employ particular considerations. But my present address can have only a general aim: which is to acquaint the heart, at a favourable moment, with its grand concerns; to give it a serious impression, when softened, and a heavenly direction, when moved. Let us, therefore, sit down humbly together in this House of Mourning. If the heart of the wise be found' here, (Eccl. vii, 4) your experience, I hope, will prove that here also it is formed:-and let us calmly contemplate some momentous Objects intimately connected with it, and viewed with peculiar advantage from it. OUR GOD is the first of these objects: with Him we seldom form any close acquaintance till we meet him in trouble. He commands silence now, that He may be heard; and removes intervening objects, that He may be seen. A SOVEREIGN DISPOSER appears, who, as Lord of all,' hath only resumed what he lent; whose will is the law of his creatures, and who expressly declares his will in the present affliction. We should seriously consider that all allowed repugnance to the determinations of his government, however made known to us, is SIN; and that every wish to alter the appointments of his wisdom, is FOLLY :— 'we know not what we ask.' When God discovers himself in any matter, they, who know him,' will keep silence before him:' Hab. ii, 20. 'Shall he that contendeth with the Almighty instruct him?' How just was the reply! 'Behold I am vile! what shall I answer thee? I will lay my hand upon my mouth' Job xl, 2, 4. This silent submission under trying dispensations, is variously exemplified, as well as inculcated in the Scriptures. An awful instance of sin and sorrow occurs in the family of Aaron: his sons disregarded a divine appointment, and 'there went out fire from the Lord and devoured them; but Aaron held his peace :' Lev. x, 2, 3.-Eli, in similar circumstances, silenced his heart with this single but sufficient consideration, It is the Lord:' 1 Sam. iii, 18.-David, under a stroke which he declares consumed him, observes, 'I was dumb, I opened not my mouth, because THOU didst it: Ps. xxxix, 9.-And Job, when stript of every comfort, blessed the name of him who took away, as well as gave: Job, i, 21.-Whatever be the nature of your calamity, may it be attended with such an humble and child-like spirit as these holy men possessed! But the Sovereign Disposer is also the COMPASSIONATE FATHER. Among other instances of his tender |