and to ascertain to us the cheering and important fact, that our individual interests are all contemplated in the vast and inscrutable plans of the divine administration. It is a pagan idea of God, which enthrones him in heaven, and confines his care and his agency to the general system, whilst the living beings that inhabit it, particularly his rational offspring, are left to be the sport of blind and fortuitous .powers. How consolitary and how rational the language of inspiration:-"We know that all things work together for good, to them that love God." All things are so framed and regulated by him, as to become active causes of happiness to his servants. There is a certain operation and process always going on, by which, though we are insensible of it, things are constantly advancing to a happy issue, conformably to the order which His grace has established for bringing his children to glory. "For whom he did foreknow he also did predestinate, to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the first-born among many brethren. Moreover, whom he did predestinate, them he also called, and whom he . called, them he also justified, and whom he justified, them he also glorified." As the seed

which is sown in the ground is every moment unfolding itself, and though no eye can trace the steps of its progress, yet with a silent growth, it is ripening and shooting its stalks: so in the moral world, and throughout all the dispensations of Providence, there is a similar latent, but certain progress in the seeds of holiness towards a glorious harvest of eternal life. Light is sown for the righteous," as the Psalmist beautifully employs the metaphor, "and gladness for the upright in heart."

It is no valid objection to such a doctrine that we cannot fully comprehend it, and that appearances militate against it. A child sees not how the complicated movements of a watch's mechanism combine in one result-to mark the flight of time upon the dial: and what are men but children in relation to God and angelic beings? "Then I beheld," said the wisest of men, "all the works of God that a man cannot find out, the work that is done under the sun, because, though a man labor to seek it out yet he shall not find it, yea farther, though a wise man think to know it, yet he shall not be able to find it." This truth we see illustrated if we look into the kingdom of nature, where, from harsh and unpromising beginnings,

things are brought to a felicitous conclusion. Take, for instance, the progress of the seasons: who, that for the first time, beheld the earth in the midst of winter, would have imagined that nature in this dreary and torpid state, was working her own renovation in the spring? Yet, we by experience know, that those vicissitudes of winter are necessary for fertilizing the earth, and that under wintry rains and snows lie concealed the seeds of those roses that are to blossom in the spring; of those fruits that are to ripen in summer; and of the corn and wine which are, in harvest, to make glad the heart of man. We perhaps relish not such disagreeable beginnings. It would be more pleasant to us to be always regaled with fragrant winds, with cloudless skies, and perpetual sunshine; while yet, in such climates as we have most knowledge of, the earth, if it always remained in such a state, would refuse to yield her fruits, and consequently, in the midst of our imaginary scenes of paradise, her inhabitants would perish for want of food. Thus we see, that faith in the wisdom and goodness of the Supreme, is the only rational and safe guide of human life. As we cannot walk by sight, we should walk by faith, saying, as the Psalmist

did: So foolish am I and ignorant, I am as a beast before thee; nevertheless I am continually with thee, thou hast holden me by my right hand; thou shalt guide me by thy counsel, and and afterwards receive me to glory."

SECTION III.

Her sister seriously impressed-We are not always in a right frame for hearing-Unity amongst Christians —Redeeming love-Observations on Mr. BellamyGod's family-Mr. Ee, observations onMourners comforted.

"OCT. 24." preached by Mr. W21, and the other from Zechariah, ix. 12, I derived great benefit; and bless the Lord, I have this to add, that my sister shared the same blessing; and we both felt the efficacy of the Word when accompanied by the Spirit. My sister, has of late, seemed to fear sin because of its being injurious, and to draw her comforts from her duties, rather than to apply herself to duty from a principle of faith and love. The Lord, I trust, is opening her heart;

She says: "From two sermons -e; one from Job, xxii.