"Jesus can make a dying bed

Feel soft as downy pillows are;

While on His breast I lean my head,

And breathe my life out sweetly there."

WATTS.

It might be said, almost literally, that the four last months had been spent by the AGED SHEPHERD in prayer, and in reading the Word God. The Testament so read and so blest, is now in our possession. The last portion which engaged his attention was 1 Peter i.; and blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, kept by the power of God, through faith unto salvation, he now realizes the "inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away." (ver. 4, 5.)

Is not this a "brand plucked out of the burning ?" (Zech. iii. 2.) May the Spirit of Grace so accompany this affecting instance of the love, and grace, and power of Christ Jesus, as to encourage every despairing sinner, by assuring them, that however great their sins may have been, yet is there room in a Father's heart, in his love, and in his house; "for Christ is able to save to the uttermost all who come unto God by him; seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for us." (Heb. vii. 25.) And he will, in

answer to prayer, communicate the riches of his grace to pardon, justify, and sanctify. (John xiv. 13, 14.) Let the testimony of the dying Shepherd be ever present: "It gives Jesus joy when we come to him, for he casts out none that come." (John vi. 35.) O, make but trial of his love! and "seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near;" (Isa. xv. 6;) for, on the other hand, let not the aged nor youthful reader presume on lengthened days. To both we would say, “This is the day of salvation!" We never read of to-morrow in the Bible! Hear what he saith, in whose hand our times are; (Ps. xxxi. 15 ;) "Therefore be ye also ready; for at such an hour as ye think not, the Son of Man cometh." (Matt. xxiv. 44.)

"Behold, a Stranger at the door,

He gently knocks, has knock'd before ;
Has waited long, is waiting still,
You treat no earthly friend so ill! *

"Thou'rt blind; he'll take the scales away,

And let in everlasting day :

Naked thou art, but he will dress

Thy trembling soul in righteousness! *

"Admit him ere his anger burn,
His feet departed, ne'er return;
Admit him, or the hour's at hand,
When at his door denied you'll stand ! †

"But know, nor of the terms complain,
When Jesus comes, he comes to reign;
To reign, and with no partial sway,
Thoughts must be slain that disobey,‡

Sovereign of souls! Thou Prince of Peace!
O may thy gracious reign increase!
Throw wide the door, each willing mind,
And be thine empire, all mankind!" ||

* Rev. iii. 17; Jer. xxiii. 6. Psalm ii. 6; Prov. xxiv. 9.

+ Matt. xxv. 10, 12.

Psalm 1xxii. 19.

THE AGED WIDOW.

"She never heard of half a mile from home; Just knew, and knew no more, her BIBLE true:

And in that charter read, with sparkling eyes, Her title to a mansion in the skies!"