new direction, and superior energies. They are under the control of a Divine Agent, and are occupied in spiritual pursuits. They are susceptible of other impressions than those of sense, and are aiming at nobler objects than its gratification.

Hence the devotion of the talents of a servant of God to all prescribed duties. To him the closet is pleasant: there he holds communion with the Father of spirits; and there he gathers strength to combat the corruptions of his nature, and to resist the temptations of an evil world. His heart glows, as he comes from his secret retreat into his family and his business; and he resembles Moses, descending from that mount where he had conversed with God 'face to face, as a man speaketh with his friend." To him the family altar is dear, around which he sees the members of his house assembled, and divine protection embracing that circle in which his earthly happiness centres, as a wall of fire round about them.' To him the social meeting is grateful, as furnishing an interchange of religious and unaffected converse, and as conferring mutual benefits. To him the public ordinances of religion are delightful, as the means of grace and strength, as affording fresh instruction, and as giving a new impulse to all the powers of the mind. In the sanctuary, he reposes his anxieties, and finds a

short rest from the cares of the week; and thence he goes forth with recruited vigour and resolution, to meet and to discharge the arduous duties devolving upon him in the world. To him the table of the Lord is precious, as the altar on which he sees the Lamb of God sacrificed afresh, and at which he is permitted to renew his vows. There he pours forth his tears and unburthens his heart; and he returns to his home with renovated love to the Redeemer, augmented hatred to sin, and so replenished with the graces of the Spirit, that he goes on his way rejoicing. And while he thus receives from the fulness of Jesus Christ a successive supply of all needful purity and energy, he imparts sanctity to all around him. Far from breathing the contagion of the world, he walks surrounded by a moral atmosphere of his own, which sheds health, and peace, and life, upon all who come into contact with him.

But while the talents of the Christian are thus consecrated to Jehovah, they are actively employed in his service. He is not satisfied by being borne passively along the current of providential events, now so fast setting towards eternity: he is consciously and intentionally moving with it—not floating upon the surface, but cleaving the deepening river, which, rising in the sanctuary, now overflows the nations, and can neither be fathomed nor stayed in its course. He is not contented

merely to follow, but presses forward to take the lead; not from ostentation-for he is clothed with humility,' but impelled by irresistible gratitude and love to that Saviour, whose cause he labours to serve, and to whom he is so infinitely indebted. And all his talents are thus devoted: his time no longer wasted in indolence or indulgence, but employed for Him by whom it was bestowed; his property liberally expended in the promotion of his interests, who intrusted it to him for a season, and as a steward; his powers, natural, intellectual, and spiritual, cheerfully and ardently called into action, and dedicated to the Fountain of life; his influence over his family, and in society, mildly, but earnestly and constantly exerted, to engage them in the great cause of religion and humanity-the one only end for which life is worth possessing. His language is—

All that I have, and all I am,

Shall be for ever thine!'

Nor is the service of the Christian less marked by his patient suffering. He is not now required to evince his fidelity by the endurance of persecu tion, nor to pass from the martyr's stake to a throne of glory: but he must still through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.' To suffer the will of his Master is as acceptable to him as active obedience, and is the more difficult part

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of the service. In activity, there is enjoymentthe mind is stimulated by its occupation, and acquires strength in action: but suffering discourages, wastes the spirits, and preys upon the frame. Our active services are appreciated by those around us; they are observed and applauded, and bring a recompense in their success. We have also companions in them, who excite us to emulation, lighten the labour by participation, and shorten and beguile the way by cheerful converse. But he who languishes upon the bed of sickness, patiently waiting from day to day, and from one wearisome night to another, until pain shall abate, and health return-or until the conflict shall end, and death release the spirit from anguish-has the harder task to perform. Here are no spectators to applaud-no competitors to excite-no companions to sooth-no circumstances to alleviate. The man suffers alone, and in secret, worn down with watching and agony: and his affliction is increased by the suspension of that activity in the cause of religion, to which he is prompted by his mind. Yet this submissive subjection to the divine will is most acceptable in the sight of God. When Dr. Watts was wholly laid aside from exertion, and was about to finish his illustrious career, he said to a friend who approached his bed, which proved to be that of death, You see here a waiting servant of Je

sus Christ.' Let this consideration console those whose circumstances will not allow them to do much for the cause of religion, that if they suffer well, they are ranked by God among the most honoured of his servants. For unto you it is given,' as a high distinction, in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;' and this observation, which was originally intended for persecution, will, in some degree, apply to all affliction. Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompense of reward. For ye have need of patience; that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry.'

Secondly, The text describes one of the most affecting events in the world-the departure of such a character as we have delineated: Moses, my servant, is dead.

1. The servants of God must die. It is the common lot, from which there is no exemption. 'There is no man that hath power over the spirit, to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war.' The privileges of the righteous are of a different nature: they are not to be excused from the conflict, but they are to conquer the enemy. We

the