eu Him." He has, therefore, "brought life and immortality," or immortal life, "to light."

brought

III. The means, by which this blessing is to light," is "the Gospel." In one view of it, the Gospel is a kind of telescope, without which it is impossible to look so far into the distance, as to see immortal life. There it is in the distance, but our faculties are so weakened by sin, and the mists of ignorance have so gathered between us and it, that it is necessary there should be something to bring the mind's eye into contact with it. The Gospel is that something. It brings the subject near, just in the same way as a telescope seems to bring the distant object near; so that we can look at it, gaze upon it, examine it, admire it, and enjoy it. "The grace of God hath appeared." Bursting forth, like the sun from behind a cloud, it shone upon the subject of immortal life; and we can now perceive it, and perceive it to be attainable by us, so that we may press on towards it, and anticipate a complete enjoyment of it. He hath brought life and immortality to light, by the Gospel."

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The Gospel brings "life and immortality to light,” because it shows us how we may get rid of sin, the cause of death. He may get rid of the guilt of sin, by the precious, perfect, infinite atonement of Jesus Christ; he may get rid of the pollution of sin, by the application of the truth, and the indwelling and work of the Holy Spirit in the heart. It tells him how sin may be pardoned, how pardoned sin may be subdued, how subdued. sin may be eradicated, and how the person, over whom it once reigned, may be released from the dominion of it for ever.

The Gospel not only tells how we may get rid of sin, the cause of death, but how we may obtain justification, the title to life. It presents Jesus to Him, as the glori

fied Saviour, and says "Through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sin: and by Him, all that believe are justified from all things, from which they could not be justified by the law of Moses."

It informs us how we may surmount every obstacle that would keep us from the possession and enjoyment of it. It brings to our help the power of God, the wisdom of God, and the Spirit of God; in other words, it presents to us the Saviour, in all His fulness, and tells us how to every believer in Him He "is made wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption."

The Gospel informs us, that although at present death looks on us, and is all around us, yet we may be raised into another atmosphere, the very opposite to the present; and therefore it is said, in Romans v. 17—" For if by one man's offense death reigned by one; much more &c."-"Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life."

So it is to be immortal life, and everything immortal. around us. The crown we wear, the robes with which we are decked, the palms we wave, the tree on which we feed, and the river from which we drink, are all immortal. He hath brought life and immortality to light,” for he hath brought immortal life to light, "by the Gospel."

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We have thus very hastily run over our subject, having presented but a mere outline, for your meditation. There is in it a depth, a grandeur, a glory, which we confess we cannot reach, much less set before you in a brief discourse, like the present. Our young friend knows more of it than we do; for though her body slumbers in yonder grave-yard, where we recently placed it, her immortal spirit shines before the eternal throne, and knows something of what immortality pervading, clothing, and filling the immortal mind of man is.

I have a brief account of the departed to read to you upon the present occasion, communicated partly by herself, and partly by those who knew her best.

"Our young friend, whose death has brought us to gether was the only child of godly parents. She was from early childhood of a dutiful, and affectionate disposition."

"She was naturally very quiet and reserved in her manners. She was the subject of serious impressions, when quite young; but it was chiefly by the school at Amersham, through her teacher's affectionate addresses to her, and fervent prayers with her, that she was led to see her real condition, as a sinner, in the sight of God, and to flee to the Lord Jesus Christ for refuge. The things of God had engaged much of her attention, through the last few years, and as she fully expected to reside in London, she proposed herself to the church of Christ in this place, and was publicly united to Christ, in baptism, on the twenty-second of February last. Early in September, she was taken seriously ill, and felt persuaded that it would be unto death; but she felt no fear, she experienced no alarm, for she knew Him who is the resurrection and the life.' She had familiarized herself with death by meditation upon it, and by the frequent approach of it to her friends. While sensible she was exceedingly happy in her mind, rejoicing that she had fixed her hope on Jesus, and on Him alone. Spiritual hymns had for some time engaged her attention, in an unusual manner; and after returning from the means of grace the last time, she felt extraordinarily filled with joy and peace, which led her to talk very seriously to the servant, to read the Word of God to her, and then, (which she had never done before,) to pray with her. She had never been known to pray with any one, until that evening. In private she had constantly

poured out her soul to God, but her youth, and her diffidence had kept her back from praying with any one else before. To her mother she said-'I am not sorry that I made an open profession when I did, but I feel thankful that I showed to the world that I am on the Lord's side.""

My young friends, these things speak to you. It was said of our departed friend, of whom I have been speaking, that she ventured her soul on Christ; and if you do not, you are eternally undone. There is no one that can bear you up on a dying bed, when death has begun his work, but the Lord Jesus; for "there is salvation in none other;" "there is no other name under heaven, given among men, whereby you must be saved."

It was said again, that on her dying pillow, our departed friend said "I am glad I professed Christ when I did—that I told the world on whose side I was." Are there any of our young friends present, who are believers, but have never confessed it? Are there any, who do love Christ, but have never professed Him? We have known those, who have regretted that they have neglected it in health, when lying upon a bed of sickness. Our young friend did not neglect it. We say, therefore, to you, undecided ones, decide, and let your decision be now; and we say to you all-"Be ye also ready." Live for eternity, and not for time; "for in such an hour as ye think not, the Son of man cometh." Immortal life is "brought to light." But will you possess it? will you enter into it? are you seeking "glory, honor, immortality, and eternal life ?"

"I MAY sometimes tremble on the rock, but, blessed be the Lord, the rock never trembles under me."

THE CHRISTIAN'S DESIRE.

REV. FRANCIS ELLABY, B.A.

ON THE DEATH OF MISS

AGED 22 SEVEN DIALS, LONDON.

"Lord, make me to know mine end, and the measure of my days, what it is; that I may know how frail 1 am."-PSALM XXXix: 4.

THERE is an embarrassing uncertainty attending all

human affairs. It is as true in man's experience, as it is in the record of Scripture, "We know not what a day may bring forth." To-day all may be joy; tomorrow some sad event occurs, and overwhelms the whole with sorrow:-to-day all is gay and exhilarating as summer; to-morrow, all is dull and depressing as winter: a man may have much treasure laid up in a store; but by a sudden reverse, he may be deprived of the whole, and impoverished, and ruined: to-day, his children surround his board, and he is happy with the partner of his joys and sorrows, in the enjoyment of domestic bliss; to-morrow, sad truth! brings evil tidings, he is either childless or widowed. That which a man has least reason to expect, too often comes; or with Job, he may have to say, "The thing which I greatly feared is come upon me, and that which I was afraid of, is come unto me." Powerty in place of affluence-enmity for friendship-sorrow for gladness-pain for ease-sickness for health, or death for life! Transitions these to which all are liable; circumstances with which many are but too well acquainted, and one of which, at least, will, sooner or later, be the portion of all. It is appointed unto all men, once to die." "Is there not an appointed time to man upon earth are not his days also like the days of an hireling?

And if these things be true, shall we not do well if we adopt the words of the text, for personal and con