fidence in God; much less should a nation that has such a history as ours. Lift up your eyes to the hills from whence cometh your help." The eternal throne is not shaken, and he who sitteth thereon is as serene as he has ever been, while he urges on his grand designs. "Trust ye in the Lord forever, for in the Lord Jehovah is consolation and strength."

No considerations like these, however, should lead us to put aside from us the most impressive truth which has in this event so solemn an illustration, that our life on earth is hedged about by no circumstances that can guarantee its continuance.

No qualities of nature which render us delightful to those around us-no pressure of necessity arising from our connection with momentous interests-no scenes of opening hope and prosperity, just coming within our vision after a dark and stormy night of years-can keep back the ruthless messenger of death when his errand is given him. If any one could have been spared would it not have been the man to whom more hearts were tenderly attached than any other in the nation? Oh! how we recall the many incidents that show how worthy he was of this love. One was related only yesterday, by a gentleman who was with him in a hospital at City Point: The President, though by no means well, resolved to visit and speak to every sick and wounded man in the hospital, of whom there were more than 6,000. While going from cot to cot, the agent of the Christian Commission came and begged of him that he would go, if but for a moment, to the tent of the Commission and see something of their work, but he replied: "No, sir; I have great interest in the Christian Commission, but I have resolved that I owe most to these suffering heroes, and have only time to say a word to each before I must leave"-then

passed on, and the poor men would try to raise themselves in their couches as the President of the nation bent towards them and laid his hand upon their foreheads, or gently parted their hair, with some pleasant word of sympathy and cheer, till all were visited.

And do you not remember that exquisite letter to the poor widow in New England, whose sons had all been killed in the war? and that wonderful speech on the day after his election, when in the flush of a most remarkable victory, he said he took no pleasure in the defeat of any man, since it is principles, not men, whose success should be hailed with joy?

If the most kindly regard for others would ward off death, would not such a man have been spared? Yet he has fallen and gone from earth.

If the demands of teeming events could interpose, would not our nation's head, just now, be kept in his place? No, my friends, there is no exception-there is no escape. The warning sounds from our capital over the land, and it should be heeded by every one of us; we must all die-we may die in a moment, and when we think ourselves in the least danger.

And how blessed, in connection with this truth, so sadly illustrated, is that other truth, of which we are reminded on this Easter Sunday, that upon the night which is thus gathered about us, Christ has brought the morning of hope and immortality to those who believe on him. We see the angels who have rolled away the stone from the door of the sepulchre. We look upon the vacant space where the body of Jesus had lain, and are assured that beyond, where he has gone, there is a higher and nobler life. This assurance becomes our comfort and support. It lights up our own descent to the tomb. It makes the tombs of all believers only resting places where they sleep in Je

ans, and their spirits seem to greet us as we weep because they are gone, with those words of hope: "Those who sleep in Jesus will God bring with him." In view of such a revelation in the midst of our national grief, the question has intense interest, which was asked me many times yesterday: "Is there evidence that our honored President was a Christian ?" That he was killed in a theatre is no proof that he was not, for in Washington, as in European courts, the officials are expected to attend these places of public resort, occasionally, merely to satisfy the desire of the people to see them, and Mr. Lincoln often expressed a preference to remain at home. On that fatal night it was only his unwillingness that the people should be disappointed which induced him to go; yet all of us regret that his death occurred in such a place, whatever may have been the motive that took him there. Of his religious views, however, indeed, of his religious convictions and experience, there is pleasing evidence. A prominent New York clergy men, who found it necessary to call upon him very early in the morning, learned that he was engaged in his private devotions, in which nothing was permitted to disturb him. A well known Christian lady was asked by him, about a year ago, what were the simplest proofs of change of heart, and as she spoke particularly of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, and renunciation of self, and comfort in prayer, he delighted her with the reply: "Then I may believe that I am really a Christian."

And you, no doubt, call to mind his answer to the man who closed a business interview with the direct question, "Mr. President, before we part, will you permit me to ask you, do you love Jesus?" Mr. Lincoln rested his head on his hand a moment, then said, "When I left my home for Washington, I was not a Christian, though I

desired the prayers of God's people; when my little son died the heaviest affliction of my life-I was not a Christian, though I deeply felt the need of grace and comfort. But when I walked among the graves of those thousands, who at Gettysburg had been swept into eternity, I resolved to give my heart to God; and since then I do love Jesus!" Oh! there is balm for the troubled hearts which bleed to-day, in such testimony as this, even though we know not the details of his experience. The nation mourns, yet rejoices. Over our whole domain is heard the dirge; yet following close upon its strains, rises the Easter anthem, as we bid farewell for earth to one who will take his place among the most distinguished in the annals of the world!

My countrymen, let us rise to-day to a more distinct conviction that this nation is under the direction of God. Thousands of martyrs have been sacrificed at its altar; and at last, when we thonght no more would be demanded, we have been obliged to yield the most illustrious of them all. In this fresh baptism of blood, let us consecrate it to Jehovah, and hold ourselves in readiness for any demands such consecration may make of us. Let us feel that for this brief life we can make no worthier or more valuable contribution to our race, than our resolute, sincere devotion to the interests of right, liberty, and religion. Nay! there can be no more worthy or valuable treasure laid up for the life eternal! The life eternal! how near to its confines do we every moment stand! God grant that all of us may be prepared, through his grace, when the summons shall come to us, to leave forever our stations and our work on earth, for the service and the bliss of heaven!

SERMON XII.

REV. ELBERT S. PORTER, D. D.

"What aileth the people that they weep?"-1. Samuel xi. 5.

A GREAT indignity had been offered Israel by Nahash, the cruel Ammonite. When the people heard of it they wept, and Saul, beholding the public sorrow, exclaimed: "What aileth the people that they weep?" When told the cause thereof the Spirit of God came upon Saul, and his anger was kindled greatly.

High crimes always awaken corresponding indignation. For there is that in human nature which arises into flame when touched by the presence of a flagrant wrong. The instinct of justice which has been implanted in the human soul by the Author of all justice, is quick in its spontaneous protest against every form of palpable outrage. A woe is denounced against them that call good evil, or evil good, for when men lose ability or willingness to distinguish between right and wrong, to approve the one and condemn the other, then society is fatally wounded and vice becomes the equal of virtue; and it is the Spirit of a just God which kindles a holy indignation in the human mind against crimes, whether committed against nations, communities, classes, or individuals. It may be