strument, appointed to execute the supreme decree.— When the king of Israel was mortally wounded, it seemed to be a casual shot. A certain man drew a bow at a venture.*. -At a venture, as he thought. But his hand was strengthened by an omnipotent aid, and the shaft levelled by an unerring eye. So that what we term casualty, is really providence-accomplishing deliberate designs, but concealing its own interposition.-How Comforting this reflection! admirably adapted to soothe the throbbing anguish of the mourners, and compose these spirits into a quiet submission! Excellently suited, to dissipate the fears of godly survivors, and create a calm intrepidity even amidst innumerable perils !

How thin is the partition between this world and another! How short the transition from time to eternity! The partition, nothing more than the breath in our nostrils; and the transition may be made in the twinkling of an eye.-Poor Chremilus, I remember, arose from the diversion of a card table, and dropt into the dwellings of darkness.- -One night, Corinna was all gaiety in her spirits, all finery in her apparel, at a magnificent ball. The next night, she lay pale and stiff, an extended corpse, and ready to be mingled with the mouldering dead.-Young Atticus lived to see his ample and commodious seat completed; but not to spend one joyous hour under the stately roof. The sashes were hung to admit the day; but the master's eyes were closed in endless night. The apartments were furnished to invite society, or administer repose; but their lord rests in the lower parts of the earth, in the solitary, silent chambers of the tomb. The gardens were planned, and a thousand elegant decorations designed; but alas! their intended possessor is gone down to "the place of skulls ;" is gone down to the valley of the shadow of death.

While I am recollecting, many, I question not, are experiencing the same tragical vicissitude. The eyes of that sublime Being-who sits upon the circle of the earth, and views all its inhabitants with one comprehen sive glance-even now, beholds many tents in affliction.

* Kings xxii. 34.

Such afflictions as overwhelmed the Egyptians in that fatal night, when the destroying angel sheathed his arrows in all the pride of their strength.-Some, sinking to the floor from their easy chair; and deaf even amidst the piercing shrieks of their distracted relations.Some giving up the ghost as they sit retired, or lie reclined, under the shady arbour, to taste the sweets of the flowery scene- -Some as they sail associated with parties of pleasure, along the dancing stream, and through the laughing meads. Nor is the grim intruder mollified, though wine and music flow around.- --Some intercepted, as they are returning home; and some interrupted, as they enter upon an important negociation.Some arrested, with the gain of injustice in their hands and some surprised, in the very act of lewdness, or the attempt of cruelty.

Legions, legions of disasters, such as no prudence can foresee, and no care prevent, lie in wait to accomplish our doom. A starting horse may throw his rider; may at once daslı his body against the stones, and fling his soul into the invisible world. A stack of chimnies may tumble into the streets, and crush the unwary passenger under the ruins. Even a single tile dropping from the roof, may be as fatal as the fall of the whole structure.

-So frail, so very attenuated is the thread of life, that it not only bursts before the storm, but breaks even at a breeze. The most common occurrences, those from which we suspect not the least harm, may prove the weapons of our destruction. A grape-stone, a despicacable fly, may be more mortal than Goliath with all his formidable armour. -Nay, if God give command, our very comforts become killing. The air we breathe, is our bane; and the food we eat, the vehicle of death.That last enemy has unnumbered avenues for his approach; yea, lies entrenched in our very bosoms, and holds his fortress in the seat of our life. The crimson fluid, which distributes health, is impregnated with the seeds of death. Heat may inflame it, or toil oppress it, and make it destroy the parts it was designed to cherish. Some unseen impediment may obstruct its passage, or some unknown violence may divert its course; in either

in irreconcileable variance, here fall into mutual embraces, and even incorporate with each other in the grave. O that we might learn from these friendly ashes, not to perpetuate the memory of injuries; nor to foment the fever of resentment, nor cherish the turbulence of passion: that there may be as little animosity and disagreement in the land of the living as there is in the congregation of the dead!—But I suspend for a while such general observations, and address myself to a more particular inquiry.

Yonder white stone, emblem of the innocence it covers, informs the beholder of one, who breathed out its tender soul, almost in the instant of receiving it.-There, the peaceful infant, without so much as knowing what labor and vexation mean, "lies still and is quiet, it sleeps and is at rest."* Staying only to wash away its native impurity in the laver of regeneration, it bid a speedy adieu to time, and terrestrial things.-What did the little hasty sojourner find so forbidding and disgusting in our upper world to occasion its precipitate exit ? It is written, indeed, of its suffering Saviour, that when he had tasted the vinegar mingled with gall, he would not drink. And did our new-come stranger begin to sip the cup of life; but perceiving the bitterness, turn away his head, and refuse the draught? Was this the cause why the weary babe only opened its eyes, just looked on the light, and then withdrew into the more inviting regions of undisturbed repose?

Happy voyager! no sooner launched than arrived at the haven !‡ But more eminently happy they, who have passed the waves, and weathered all the storms, of a troublesome and dangerous world who," through many tribulations have entered into the kingdom of heaven;" and thereby brought honor to their divine convoy, administered comfort to the companions of their * Job iü. 13.

+ Matth. xxvii. 84.

Happy the babe, who privilege'd by fate

To shorter labor, and a lighter weight,

Receiv'd but yesterday the gift of breath,

Order'd to-morrow to return to death.-Prior's Sol,

toil, and left an instructive example to succeeding pil grims.

Highly favored probationer! accepted without being exercised! It was thy peculiar privilege, not to feel the slightest of those evils which oppress thy surviving kindred ; which frequently fetch groans, from the most manly fortitude, or most elevated faith. The arrows of calamity, barbed with anguish, are often fixed deep in our choicest comforts. The fiery darts of temptation, shot from the hand of hell, are always flying in showers around our integrity. To thee, sweet babe, both these distresses and dangers were alike unknown.

Consider this, ye mourning parents, and dry up your tears. Why should you lament that your little ones are crowned with victory, before the sword was drawn, or the conflict begun!-Perhaps the supreme disposer of events foresaw some inevitable suare of temptation forming, or some dreadful storm of adversity impending. And why should you be so dissatisfied with that kind precaution, which housed your pleasant plant, and removed into shelter a tender flower, before the thunders roared before the lightnings flew; before the tempest poured its rage!- O remember! they are not lost, but taken away from the evil to come.*

*

At the same time, let survivors, doomed to bear the heat and burthen of the day, for their encouragement reflect-That it is more honorable to have entered the lists, and to have fought the good fight, before they come off conquerors. They who have bore the cross, and submitted to afflictive providences, with a cheerful re signation, have girded up the loins of their mind, and performed their master's will with an honest and persevering fidelity:-These having glorified their Redeemer on earth, will probably, be as stars of the first magnitude in heaven. They will shine with brighter beams, be replenished with stronger joys, in their LORD's everlasting kingdom.

Here lies the grief of a fond mother, and the blasted expectation of an indulgent father. The youth grew up, like a well watered plant; he shot deep, rose high,

* Isaiah lxvii. 1.

of such cases, it acts the part of a poisonous draught, or a deadly stab.

Ah! In what perils is vain life engaged?

What slight neglects, what trivial faults destroy

The hardiest frame! Of indolence, of toil

We die; of want, of superfluity.

The all-surrounding heav'n, the vital air,
Is big with death.

Since then we are so liable to be dispossessed of this earthly tabernacle, let us look only upon ourselves as tenants at will, and hold ourselves in perpetual readiness, to depart at a moment's warning. Without such an habitual readiness, we are like wretches that sleep on the top of a mast, while a horrid gulph yawns, or furious waves rage, below. And where can be the peace, what the satisfaction, of such a state ?-Whereas, a prepared condition will inspire a cheerfulness of temper, not to be dismayed by any alarming accident; and create a firmness of mind, not to be overthrown by the most threatening dangers. When the city is fortified with walls, furnished with provision, guarded by able and resolute troops; what have the inhabitants to fear? what may they not enjoy? So, just so, or rather by a much surer band, are connected the real taste of life, and the constant thought of death.

I said, our very comforts may become killing. And see the truth inscribed by the hand, sealed with the signet of fate. The marble, which graces yonder pillar, informs me, that near it, are deposited the remains of Sophronia; the much lamented Sophronia, who died in child-bed. How often does this calamity happen! The branch shoots; but the stem withers. The babe springs to light; but she that bare him, breathes her last. She gives life, but gives it (O pitiable consideration !) at the expence of her own; and becomes at once a mother and a corpse. Or else, perhaps, she expires in severe pangs, and is herself a tomb for her infant; while the melancholy complaint of a monarch's woe, is the epitaph for them both The children are come to the birth, and there is not strength to bring forth.*Less to be la * Isaiah xxxvii. 9.