a reputation unblemished, and a character without spot; and now that cross is the theme of his exultations and the burden of his songs in heaven!

Το

And now, my beloved and honored and generous friend-farewell. Be it my aim to follow in thy career of usefulness. My days like thine may be short; but if it may be mine to meet thee in the realms of glory, very plenty have they been to me. Those that were dear to thee shall be dear to me. Thy afflicted widow and orphan boy shall be dear to me, as they were to thec. them I tender all those feelings of sympathy and regard for their happiness, which my heart would dictate, but my faltering tongue may not express. Farewell! I feel an oppressive sense of loneliness. But there is One who watches over and will support us, and who has said, "Lo! I am with you always; be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”

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HOLY ARDOR AFTER A HEAVENLY STATE.

REV. CHARLES HYATT.

AT THE TABERNACLE, CITY ROAD, LONDON.

I pray thee, let me go over and see the good land that is beyond Jordan, that goodly mountain, and Lebanon.”—DEUT. iii: 25.

WHAT

HAT an interesting sight to behold an old man, whose grey heirs and tottering limbs tell you that he once "bore the burden and heat of the day," but that he is now past labor, and is hastening to "the house appointed for all living."

When we contemplate such an aged man, under the idea of "an old disciple," one who can say with Obadiah, "I, thy servant, fear the Lord from my youth;" then we look upon him with pleasure; then we unite to

say with Solomon, "the hoary head is a crown of glory," seeing it is "found in the way of righteousness." Then we reflect on the glorious orb of day, and remark, "the path of the just is as the shining light, shining more and more unto the pertect day." Then, we turn our attention to the harvest field, and think on the good old man "coming to his grave in a full age, like as a shock of corn cometh in his season." Then we mark the stately vessel entering into port with its rich lading all safe and its colors flying, after a long and tempestuous voyage, and we hear the apostle saying,"so an entrance shall be ministered to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ."

Well, such an old man is now set before you in the character of Moses. Picture to yourselves this man of God. He was "a hundred and twenty years old; his eye was not dim, nor his natural force abated." See him on this side Jordan, reminding the people in the camp. that they were about to go over to take possession of the promised land, and encouraging Joshua to lead them! See him, full of days, full of zeal, full of grace, and praying as in the text, "Let me go over and see the good land that is beyond Jordan, that goodly mountain, and Lebanon."

This prayer of Moses regarded the land of Canaan, which Jehovah had promised to Abraham and his descendants the Israelites. But that "goodly land" was a type of heaven; and viewing it as such, we can easily conceive of an aged saint, as he stands on the verge of another world, contemplating heaven as "the promised inheritance," where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest ;" and praying with Moses, "I pray thee, let me go over, and see the good land that is beyond Jordan, that goodly land, and Lebanon." View

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ing it in this light, we may consider the passage used under the New Testament dispensation, as expressive of holy ardor after a heavenly state. And we will inquire,

I. From what principle does this desire after a heavenly state arise?

I. The love of life is natural to man. It is a principle which the God of nature has implanted in the breast of all living beings, rational and irrational. The Christian religion cherishes this natural love of life, and says to every man, "Do thyself no harm!" At the same time it unfolds to our view imortality and everlasting life; removes from its genuine partakers the fear of death; and inspires the soul with a holy "desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better." Thus while nature cherishes the love of life, Christianity enables us to rise above it.

This desire after heaven arises:

9. From having formed a right estimate of the present world. He has passed through the world, and that not as a cynic; he has mixed in the world's society, he has tasted some of its pleasures, he has acquired some of its riches, he has enjoyed some of its esteem; in all these things "the lines may have fallen to him in pleasant places." Yet, by the grace of God, he has been taught to see that "vanity of vanities" is inscribed "on all the world calls good or great." He leaves it to the worldly-minded, the merely natural man, to say of this world, "thou art all my desire, thou art my God!" His soul, born from above, seeks heaven as its natural element, and heavenly things as its only portion; and he still prays with Moses, "I beseech thee, let me go over and see the good land that is beyond Jordan, that goodly mountain, and Lebanon." This desire arises,

2. From haring realized the blessing of irue religion.

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There is such a thing as true enjoyment in religion. "O taste and see that the Lord is good," is an Old Testament expression; and the New Testament expression is equivalent to it, as new-born babes desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby; if so be ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious." This is what we call real religion, and it is this which excites such ardent desires after heaven.

What is heaven? What is the spiritual idea of heaven? It is the full enjoyment of our heavenly Father's face. We shall see Him as he is, through the medium of his Son Jesus Christ, the Lamb that was slain.

What is heaven? It is a tranquillized mind: an eternal and undisturbed peace with God, arising from the assurance that sin is pardoned, and that God is reconciled. This is the result of justification.

What is heaven?-It is joy arising from a happy union to the "spirits of the just made perfect." You have, doubtless, had a foretaste of this heavenly enjoyment when united in church fellowship: when around. the Lord's table, you have felt that you were all one in Christ, and united in spirit to all "the excellent of the earth." These, and many other enjoyments of true believers, have a strong resemblance to the enjoyments of the heavenly state. And having had these foretastes, the soul is on the wing for full possession. "Give me this water, that I thirst not!" All who have tasted the enjoyments of real religion upon earth will say, "I pray thee let me go over, and see the good land that is beyond Jordan, that goodly mountain and Lebanon." This desire arises,

3. From strong faith in the unspotted honor and integrity of Him who has promised this good land to us. The Christian believes that God has graciously revealed of this heavenly state. It was faith in God's promise

which inspired the Israelites to proceed on their march through the wilderness. The same principle had before actuated their great progenitor Abraham: he firmly believed what God had told him; and hence, "he went out, not knowing whither he went." When the Israelites went out, they knew not the road; but Jehovah had promised to guide them, and the cloud and pillar were with them through all their journey.

Well, Christian, aged Christian, you are going to heaven, to the land of which the Lord hath said, “I will give it to you." Of you it shall be said, as it was of the patriarchs, "They went forth to go into the land of Canaan; and into the land of Canaan they came.”

Thus, you see the man, you see his hold of heaven. You hear him expressing his desire, and you find from what it arises. Is the character, is the desire yours? Are you thus "bringing forth fruit in old age?" Do you thus long to depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better? If so, there will be proofs and evidences, which I proceed to point out,

II. What are the evidences of your truly desiring a heavenly state?

1. Earth loses its attraction.-Brethren, I fear many of you must say with the poet,

"This world has many charms for me!"

Yes, it has many charms: its influence is wonderfully attractive it draws, and many of you run after, But not so the old saint; not so the aged Christian ripe for glory. He resists the influence: he says to the world, "Farewell! let me go; I seek a better, that is, a heavenly country."

This is not the language of the busy tradesman, of the man who has determined to be rich, whose plans are laid, but not as yet accomplished.