The

pressed on the afflicted by the state to which they have been brought, is, of what use does it admit for the furtherance of their spiritual interests. I do not say, for what purpose has it been ordained to them; for this is a question which they cannot expect completely to resolve, though, if they use it well, one purpose for which it will then appear to have been sent is, to make them better_men. proper subject of concern in any posture of circumstances, is, not that it has occurred; that it has occurred is now a determined and unalterable thing;-but, how to make the best of those circumstanceswhat use to fix on, to be made of things as they stand. The afflicted are to consider, what temper of mind their condition demands of them to manifest; what virtues it gives them facilities for cultivating, and how its aid may be secured for that use; how they may so demean themselves in their trial as to please God, and to serve the cause of the religion of Jesus, as others in time past have done, of whose example

of patient endurance of calamity they are themselves now experiencing the benefit. Revolving such considerations, and carrying their lessons into practice, how many have afterwards found occasion to say, that affliction was a genuine and distinguished blessing to them. The best characters we have known are such as have been formed under its discipline. There are examples of an excellence, which, without training of this nature in some form, does not seem capable of being attained. An old philosopher said, of a voyage in which he suffered shipwreck, and lost his earthly all, that it was the most successful voyage he ever made, for it led him to renounce other pursuits for the pursuit of wisdom and virtue. How many Christians are there who trace acquisitions, which now incomparably above all others they prize, to considerations suggested, resolutions formed, feelings chastened, under circumstances which, at the time, they regarded only as the most distressingly disastrous.

Once more; "is any afflicted, let him pray." "He is a miserable man," says one, "who is afflicted and cannot or will not pray."

Let the afflicted pray, because he much needs what the world cannot give him, and what God, whom he addresses, is able and ready to give. Let him pray, because the very act of prayer will tranquillize his spirit, and raise it above passionate sorrow, and inspire it with new hope. Let the afflicted pray, because prayer is the natural language of confidence in the best of friends, and that confidence will grow and brighten while it is expressed. When we draw nigh to God to ask comfort of him, and strength to sustain the day of his visitation, it cannot be but that every feeling as if he had wronged us, as if he had dealt hardly with us, in the trial we endure, will be banished from our minds. Let the afflicted pray, because in that season when the mind in its desolation has recourse to the power which alone can give it support, and the

love that knows no limit, prayer has a peculiar fervor, is a peculiarly deep and earnest breathing of the affections; the worth of the privilege of prayer is more than ever revealed, and the pleasures of devotion are permanently endeared to the soul. Let the afflicted pray, because, as has been seen, their situation imposes on them duties; duties, through which they may advance their own spiritual interests, please God, profit others, and serve the cause of Christ; and to acquit themselves well of these, they need guidance and strength from above, whence prayer will bring strength and guidance down. Let the afflicted pray, finally, because the great example of sufferers, Jesus, prayed. And let them endeavor to pray with some portion of his spirit. Submission is the Christian's divine peace, which passeth understanding; and if the prayer which breathes it do not bring down, as it did to the Savior, a strengthening angel, it will itself do an angel's office to the stricken heart.

THE MOURNER BLESSED.

DEEM not that they are blessed alone,
Whose days a peaceful tenor keep;
The God who loves our race has shown
A blessing for the eyes that weep.

The light of smiles shall beam again
From lids that now o'erflow with tears,

And weary hours of woe and pain
Are earnests of serener years.

Oh there are days of hope and rest

For every dark and troubled night! And grief may bide, an evening guest, But joy shall come with early light.

And ye, who o'er a friend's low bier

Now shed the bitter drops like rain, Hope that a brighter, happier sphere Will give him to your arms again. Nor let the good man's trust depart, Though life its common gifts deny ; Nor hopeless sorrow break the heart,

That, spurned of men, fears not to die. For God hath marked each anguished day, And numbered every secret tear; And heaven's long age of bliss shall pay For all his children suffer here.