"Misery its attendant, suffering marks its

career.

"In short, Philander, it perverts every thing, disarranges every thing, blasts every thing.

"Hence it is, that nations suffer for, or, in consequence of the wickedness of their rulers.

"And hence, too, that they decline, and fall to ruin; are blotted from the face of the earth, as though they had never beeu. "If Christiana, therefore, should establish her councils on wickedness, she will fall: if on righteousness, she will be prosperous, and great, and happy, to the remotest period of time.

"May she be good, that she may be wise! may she be wise, that she may be happy!" With this, the Genius vanished, and Philander awoke; happy to find that all was a dream; happy for the credit of human nature; happy for the credit of his holy reJigion; that first best gift of God to man; that sovereign remedy for every moral and mental malady; that inspirer of the purest joys in the present state, that revealer of everlasting felicity in a future world.

He had not, however, dreamed in vain. From the excursions of fancy, in the mo ments of repose, he had learned several useful and important lessons.

FIRST; A single act of injustice, tyranny, and oppression, may do more injury to .the cause of Christianity, than whole years

of the strictest profession, may do good. Never was it more disgraced, than by the infamous proceedings against the unfortunate Matilda. Never were its interests more betrayed. Never were the hands of infidelity more strengthened; no, not even by its most zealous advocates.

"Walk worthy, therefore, of the vocation wherewith thou art called." Make it thy study to obey the precepts, and to copy the example of Jesus Christ. And "let thy light so shine before men, that they may see thy good works, and glorify thy Father who is in heaven."

SECONDLY; Think more favourably for the future, of the character of mankind.

There was much to abhor in the people of Christiana, but there was much more to venerate and love. There were some that persecuted Matilda with the most malignant and unrelenting hatred. But there were. many more that viewed such infamous persecutions, with the most perfect abhor rence. Ifthere were a few who trampled upon justice, there were many more that appealed to its authority, as of sacred obligation. If there were a few, who were tyrants and oppressors, there were vast numbers also of the friends of liberty. Be more candid, therefore, for the future, in thy judgments of men.

THIRDLY; Guard well thy heart against the allurements of pleasure.

It was hence that Julian fell; and hence

too, the cousequences of that unfortunate fall; his violating the marriage vow; his discarding his lawful wife; his persecuting her afterwards; the wounds which his example inflicted on the morals of the people; the dissentions of the kingdom; the dishonour done to religion; the unparal

led sufferings of Matilda through life; and, lastly, her lamentable and premature death. "Let him, therefore, that thinketh he standeth, take heed lest he fall." And if he would not fall, let him beware of the deceitful allurements, of the siren, pleasure. FOURTHLY; Be not too sanguine in thiné expectations of worldly hapiness.

How bright was the morn of Matilla! How dark and gloomy her day! With what pitiless fury did the tempest beat upon her head! How cheering and flattering were her opening prospects! How soon, how grievously were they blighted! What did they promise, but joy after joy, in endless succession! What did they realize, but the most poignant afflictions through life!

Be moderate, therefore, in thine expectations of the future.

“Beware what earth calls happiness; beware All joys, but joys that never can expire. Who builds on less than an immortal base, Fond as he seems, condemns his joys to death." FIFTHLY; Vi tue Vitue is the good to which

should aspire.

It was this that supported Matilda through

her arduous conflict. It was this that gave her comfort and consolation, in the midst of calumny and persecution. It was this that inspired her with courage, to brave her malignant enemies. It was this that won her the esteem and affection of the people of Christiana. It was this, in fine, that enabled her to look forward with hope and confidence, to the last great day; to that solemn and final tribunal, where the innocence of the innocent, will appear as the mid-day suu; and the guilt of the guilty, as the midnight darkness; and where all will receive, without respect of persons, according to their deeds.

"Follow thou, therefore, that which is good; and who is he that shall harm thee?" "Thou shalt not be afraid for the terror by night; nor for the arrow that flieth by day: nor for the pestilence that walketh in darkness; nor for the destruction that wasteth at noon-day." And "though thou walk through the valley of the shadow of death, thou shalt fear no evil: God shall be with thee; his rod, and his staff, they shall comfort thee." And "thy short afflictions, which are but for a moment, will work for thee a far more exceeding, and eternal weight of glory."

LASTLY; Though proper and virtuous, to abhor vice; it is a duty, generous and noble, to pity the vicious.

They are creatures of God. They are in search of happiness. They mistake the path

in which it is found. Could they be convinced, that virtue was indispensable to its existence, they would not any longer tread the paths of vice. They would quickly leave them, for those of virtue. For happiness is the wish of all that live; the first, the last, the most ardent wish of the human breast.

Pray, therefore, for their recovery; seek their recovery by every possible means. And remember, that "he who converteth a sinner from the error of his way, shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sius."

-Such were the lessons which Philander had learned from his eventful dream; and such were the lessons, that, with the blessing of God, he was resolved to practice to the end of his life....

Ihave only to add, Let us, my christian friends, go and do likewise. And may the blessing of God follow us through life, and be our everlasting portion in the realms of bliss! Amen.