creature, we shall rather cease to love the mortal friend who ceases to deserve that love, than grieve at the just decrees of that omniscient Judge, of Whose wisdom, and of whose loving kindness towards man, angels are the comprehending and adoring witnesses.

But that such ministry, if graciously permitted, can never be so visibly, may appear from the fact, that Lazarus was not sent to the brethren of Dives, and if for so seemingly important, tho' in fact vain an errand, to those who had rejected all previous testimony, one was not suffered to go from the dead, on no less occasion, we may feel convinced, would such warning or visible communication be allowed.*

"If they hear not Moses and the pro

* And this, to my apprehension, is conclusive as to the whole question of ghostly or supernatural appearances. Strong as would seem to be the leaning of mankind towards such belief, and many as are the tales afloat, more or less congenial to the capacities, or accidental prejudices of some, to this test must such records be brought. Can the spirits of the dead appear on earth without divine permission? We have here before us, a lesson clear in the instruction it conveys, that no such permission will be given, to which is added a reason why, that reason being, that we have already information adequate to the duties we have to perform. If then God be omnipotent, and as such, suffers not a departure from the usual course of His providence, even to warn an immortal soul of its danger, who can feel satisfied in imagining that, for objects so purposeless and

phets, neither will they be persuaded though one rose from the dead."

And whoever sees not the force of this answer, will do well to pause and consider, in what more fitting manner, the evidence of things unseen, conveyed in the holy scriptures, could be communicated to mankind. Would it be consistent with what we comprehend of creation, governed as it is by one general law, to expect individual interposition? Were miraculous manifestation granted to one man, because his understanding refused to be convinced by testimony satisfactory to others, the same must in justice be granted to all. And as men's minds are differently constituted, there must, in this case, be a daily occurrence of miracles suited to each man's caprice or degree of scep

trifling, or, at least, temporary, as those we hear of, the direct and especial interposition of supernatural and visible agency is probable or possible. That which is supernatural is in other words miraculous, and miracles which were considered fitting means of impressing on men's minds the power of God, and of attesting the presence on earth of His blessed Son, ceased with the mighty object that called them forth, and with the establishment of the gospel. Phantoms doubtless there are, but the tale they tell is of the deranged condition of our bodily functions; and the warning they give, is of the necessity of having prompt recourse to medical advice. Those who entertain any doubt upon this subject will do well to refer to Dr. Hibbert's able treatise on apparitions.

ticism.

This I need not say, involves at once a contradiction of terms, for miracles could no longer be called miracles which were of constant occurrence, and thus, ceasing to be unusual, they would cease to be impressive, and therefore fruitless.

The more we give this subject our calm consideration, the more shall we be convinced, that as there is one sun to shine upon the physical world, so is there one light most fittingly vouchsafed to the intellectual world, in that book of divine truth, which is open to all, and suited to every capacity.

To return to our subject. Are there those who would declare it vain to reason on matters too high for adequate preception, and on which no positive law has been laid down? To them I would say, that such enquiry, guarded from presumption, and keeping still the sacred page before us, has in it the elements of true wisdom rather than idle theory. Is it not to be reasonably hoped that the mind dwelling on the promises of God, and meditating on the conditions and attributes of beings in a more exalted state of existence, becomes more fitted itself, for such state, by the insensible operation of high and purifying thoughts habitually suggesting themselves? In proportion as we

seek to comprehend the happiness of futurity, shall we not be led to feelings of deeper, more conscious love to the giver of such happiness, happiness placed within the reach of all? Where love and gratitude are due, even on earth, do we not desire to please, and seek occasions for pleasing, and do we not fear to offend? And shall we not, therefore, be daily more careful that we “grieve not the holy spirit of God?* Will not vice become hateful to us? Shall we not "cease to do evil and learn to do good?" Are the temptations of the world so easy of resistance that we should neglect any safeguard? In what manner is the natural fear of death to be best overcome, and its near approach met with the steady eye and calm smile of faith? Death is the penalty of sin; but believe also there is wisdom in regarding it as the "gate of life," (Mors Janua Vitæ,) the portal of a new and glorious existence, the contemplation of which may well cheer the dark hour of sickness and sorrow in this, and mingle the unfading ray of certain hope, even with affliction which else would bow us to the dust-This is the joy that no man

* Ephes. iv. 30.

taketh from us. Be our burden what it may, our appointed rest is before us, for death is the Sabbath of Christian man !*

Can we forget, that although divine justice is so immutable, that mankind having sinned, their punishment was therefore inevitable, but for the voluntary sacrificet of our blessed Saviour, yet, that this great sacrifice, this inappreciable expiation and atonement for the sins of the whole world, of all who have died and all who have yet to be born, has been made ?

Can we fail to observe, that the whole tone and tenor of the sacred volume is one long and parental entreaty, that man will not throw from him the conditions of eternal happiness? "Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die, saith the Lord God."‡ "As I live, saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked: but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways, for why will ye

"For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works as God did from His."-Heb. iv. 10.

Then said I, Lo, I come, in the volume of the book it is written of me that I should fulfil thy will, O my God: I am content to do it.-Ps. xl. 9. See also Heb. x. 7.

Ezek. xviii. 23.