whether cannot say, I have a desire to you depart, and to be with Christ, which is far better? That yes, you would not exchange for ten thousand worlds. There is reason to think, that this room may prove the ante-chamber of heaven. What is death to the believer? It is the beginning of eternal life. It is only opening the door to let a prisoner of hope out into the pure air and sunlight of heaven. It is sending a weary pilgrim home to his everlasting rest. It is the coronation day of one, who shall reign with Christ for ever. O death! where is thy sting? O grave! where is thy victory?

Now the God of peace, that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant, make you perfect in every good work to do his will, working in you that which is well pleasing in his sight, through Jesus Christ; to whom be glory, for ever and ever. AMEN.

SONGS IN THE NIGHT.

PRAYER FOR THE SICK.

“Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him.". James v. 14.

O LORD, our strength and righteousness,
Our hope and refuge in distress,

Our Saviour and our God!

See here, a helpless sinner see;
Weak and in pain he looks to thee,
For healing in thy blood.

In sickness make thou all his bed,
Thy hand support his fainting head,
His feeble soul defend;

Teach him on thee to cast his care,
And all his grief and burden bear,
And love him to the end.

Thy love hath quicker wings than Death,
The fulness of thy Spirit breathe,
And bring thy nature in.

If in the vale of tears thy will
Appoints him to continue still,
O, sanctify his pain!

And let him patiently submit
To suffer as thy love sees fit,
And never once complain.

O, let him look to thee alone,

That all thy will on him be done!
His only pleasure be,

Alike resigned to live or die,
As most thy name may glorify,

To live or die to thee.

WESLEY.

SCHOOL OF SUFFERING.

"In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul."- Psalm cxxxviii. 3.

SAVIOUR! beneath thy yoke

My wayward heart doth pine;
All unaccustomed to the stroke

Of love divine:

Thy chastisements, my God, are hard to bear,

Thy cross is heavy for frail flesh to wear.

"Perishing child of clay!

Thy sighing I have heard;

Long have I marked thy evil way,
How thou hast erred:

Yet fear not, by my own most holy name

I will shed healing through thy sin-sick frame."

Praise to thee, gracious Lord!

I fain would be at rest;

O, now fulfil thy faithful word,
And make me blest!

My soul would lay her heavy burden down,
And take with joyfulness the promised crown.

"Stay, thou short-sighted child!
There is much first to do;

Thy heart, so long by sin defiled,

I must renew:

Thy will must here be taught to bend to mine,
Or the sweet peace of heaven can ne'er be thine."

Yea, Lord, but thou canst soon

Perfect thy work in me,

Till, like the pure, calm summer moon,

I shine by thee, —

A moment shine, that all thy power may trace,
Then pass in stillness to my heavenly place.

"Ah! coward soul, confess

Thou shrinkest from my cure,

Thou tremblest at the sharp distress
Thou must endure;

The foes on every hand, for war arrayed,
The thorny path in tribulation laid; -

"The process slow of years,
The discipline of life, -

Of outward woes and secret tears,
Sickness and strife,

The idols taken from thee one by one,

Till thou canst dare to live with me alone.

"Some gentle souls there are

Who yield unto my love,

Who, ripening fast beneath my care,

I soon remove :

But thou stiff-neckèd art, and hard to rule, Thou must stay longer in affliction's school."

My Maker and my King!

Is this thy love to me?

O that I had the lightning's wing,

From earth to flee!

How can I bear the heavy weight of woes, Thine indignation on thy creature throws ?

“Thou canst not, O my child!
So hear my voice again;
I will bear all thy anguish wild,
Thy grief, thy pain: