gious feeling,—and of the duty required by the institution of holy days.

It is of importance also to press on the consideration of such persons,—that no piety can be genuine in its kind, or acceptable to God, which is not cheerful and improving to all the kindly feelings of our nature, that God "delights in mercy rather than sacrifice,”—and that nothing is more explicit in the discourses of the Founder of Christianity, than his declarations, that "the Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath,"—and that in everything" it is lawful to do good on the Sabbath-day."

It ought farther to be stated to such persons, that there are many exercises which, though not strictly devotional, are yet in most beautiful harmony with that state of mind which enlightened devotion inspires, and by which exercises the hours of the Sabbath may be employed, not only so as to maintain all its sanctity, but to render it an occasion of the most delightful and improving satisfactions. Everything that binds us more strongly to our fellow-creatures, that strengthens our natural love of our relations, that enables us to do good to the distressed, the ignorant,-or the young,-or generally to promote the growth of "good-will to men,"-is

of the kind here alluded to;-and, to a mind that relishes such delights, the hours of the Sabbath will not be too long for a full participation of them.

In the last place, it may be stated generally, that he best fulfils the purpose of the Sabbath, who, while he devotes a suitable portion of that day to the public and private services of devotion, can yet so employ the remaining portion of his time, as to intermingle with these devotional duties such relaxations as, without partaking of the nature of ordinary business, have the best tendency to awaken in the mind all those soft and grateful emotions which bind man more strongly and willingly, both to the Giver of all good,—and to the interests of those with whom he is connected in life.

These are exercises which will render the Sabbath a day not of gloom, but of pure enjoyment;—and the best mode of giving it this character may be left to the good sense and enlightened feelings of each individual. It is sufficient for us to have described

the manner in which the " day of rest" may be spent not only devoutly, but with true and animated cheerfulness.

SEASONS OF MORE THAN ORDINARY SOLEMNITY, THAT IS, SEASONS DEVOTED TO THE REMEMBRANCE OF THE LEADING FACTS OF CHRISTIANITY.

It is justly insisted on by pious men, that the peculiarities of the Christian doctrine ought to form the principal subjects of meditation with men at all times, or ought to be incorporated with all their habits of thinking and of feeling.

And it is interesting to remark, that these peculiarities, as they are presented by Christianity in its original form, are set before us in a shape which of all others best adapts them to become subjects of our daily contemplation.

For, in the first place, it is simply as facts that they are there presented to us,-not as doctrines which derive their complexion from the varying tastes and understandings of men,-and which can never,

even when best founded, have the same direct application to life and conduct which is possessed by facts.

It is farther to be remarked, that these facts formed the leading features of a life, not different from that of mankind in general, but rather bearing the most interesting features of our common life more deeply and instructively stamped on it;—it was a life spent amidst humble circumstances,-in labour, and privation, amidst opposition from man,and during long years of protracted expectation, only deepening in its horrors, as years rolled over it,-terminated apparently amidst great disaster, procured by adherence even to a righteous cause,yet finally raised from this apparent ruin,—and advanced to unparalleled "glory and honour" in the kingdom of God.

These facts are thus connected with the most touching recollections and hopes that can occupy the heart and imagination of man ;-they awaken thoughts of the wonderful circumstances amidst which the struggle of life is ordered for all the children of men,—of that Divine pity which has looked in mercy on the sinful and suffering condition in which human nature is placed,-of the duty of steadfast adherence to conscience even though death

itself should seem to be the inevitable consequence of our steadfastness,-and of the wonderful things which are in store for those who fail not in their obedience.

Now, all of these considerations show us how finely the peculiarities of the Christian faith are fitted to be the daily subjects of our meditations,—and with what a direct power they apply themselves to all the most interesting thoughts that can be awakened in the heart and imagination of man during his progress through this "vale of tears.”

These peculiarities, also, which are thus adapted to be the subjects of our daily meditation, ought, consequently, to be so employed, in all public ministrations, even on ordinary Sabbaths,-as to colour and give interest to all the other views of duty which it may be the business of the preacher to present ;and it is not without reason that there is a prejudice in the minds of the generality of Christians against any exhibitions of duty which leave topics of such interest altogether untouched.

Indeed, from the earliest ages of the existence of Christianity, these grand facts of the history of its Founder were incorporated with the usual services of all the churches, and the ritual of all countries