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FRIEND.

My Saviour is my FRIEND. It was in proud contempt that Jesus was called “a friend of publicans and sinners,” * by men who had chosen the friendship of the world as their portion. Most gladly will I class myself with the outcasts of mankind, if I may but acquire an interest in the friendship of the Lord Jesus Christ. The mutual attachment of David and Jonathan was a beautiful example of human friendship. But it was a faint, and feeble, and cold affection, compared with that subsisting between Christ and the soul he loves. O that mine for him was more nearly proportioned to his for me!

When through sin I stood friendless in the world, Jesus undertook the fearful office of “Surety,” under circumstances so difficult, that, had all the created intelligent beings in the universe stood forward,

* Matt. xi. 19.

their single or united bond could not have been accepted for me. While I have had to lament the humors and fickleness of human friendships, he has proved himself to be the "Friend that loveth at all times."* My heart has often been cold, and my regard wavering. He has never changed, When even near kinsmen have treated me with neglect and indifference, he has shown himself "a friend that sticketh closer than a brother." + The cross, on which he died for me, and by which I am crucified unto the world for him, is the bond of our union, and allows of no separation. The impaling nails fastened him to my soul, and fasten me to him in an indissoluble attachment.

Times occur when this best of friends proves his love by giving me pain. "But faithful are the wounds" of such "a friend," for they are inflicted to save me from the deceitful kisses of an enemy.

What intercourse of friendship so effectually "sharpeneth the countenance," § as Christ's? Jesus I can and do esteem above all others; and he merits supreme regard. He has (Lord! enable me to say it with sincerity) no

* Prov. xvii. 17.

+ Prov. xviii. 24.

Prov. xxvii. 6.
Prov. xxvii. 17.

friend,

rival in my heart. Many share his love with me, but this lessens not my portion. In all my perplexities, I can open my mind to him, and repose on his wisdom. In all my difficulties, I can have recourse to his power, and in all my wants, to his rich bounty.

He not only permits me to call him ту - a liberty often given by a superior to an inferior, — but he also addresses me by the same endearing title. Thus he spoke of “ Abraham," * “ Thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham, my friend; and the Lord said to his disciples, “ I have called you friends.” + I have tasted the sweetness of this friendship in life. It will allay the bitterness of death. It will diffuse its fragrance over my eternity. “This is my FRIEND, O daughters of Jerusalem.” I

In those lone hours, when musing grief

Refuses sympathy from man,

And shrinks from every proffered plan
Of soothing comfort, or relief, –

* Isa. xli. 8.

+ John xv. 15.

# Cant. v. 16.

How sweet the hopes which then descend

Upon the lorn and blighted breast!

As dews which on the mountains rest, That heaven contains a Saviour FRIEND.

Upon the friendless soul he smiles,

When upward turns the tearful eye,

And, from his fire-cloud in the sky,
The pilgrim's lonely path beguiles;
And when, with weary steps and slow,

He paces o'er the parched plain,

To quench his thirst and ease his pain, The stricken rocks with fountains flow.

O, place me, then, where spreading trees

Ne'er throw their shadow o'er the soil,

Where rock or sand mocks human toil,
Nor ever sighs the cooling breeze;
One form with all the scene shall blend

A softening shade – a balmy peace,

And all my thoughts from care release, The faith-seen presence of my SaviouR FRIEND.

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GIFT OF GOD.

MY SAVIOUR IS THE GIFT OF GOD.* He revealed himself as such to the woman of Samaria, when she hesitated to bestow a draught of water on a Jewish stranger-"I that speak unto thee am he." ." +

"A man can receive nothing, except it be given him from heaven." "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights."§ It is a great mercy to know this. It is the source of innumerable joys to my heart, that, surrounded and laden as I am with gifts, which make up for me a large amount of happiness, I have not to put the question, "Who gave me all these things?" and then to hear only the echo of my inquiry, "Who?" They all come from him whom I

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