"He that believeth on me, the works that I do also." He, alone, is the pillar of the good m He hears every prayer-he counts every reper and all who call upon his name, and rely faithful power to save, will be rewarded with eternal lif

ION.

s that I do shall he he good man's hopes every repentant tear

ely faithfully upon hi eternal life.

LOVE AND FEAR OF GOD.

First Reflection.

When I look upon the past, when the earth was without form, and the sun gave no light, my soul is wraped in a mysterious awe. The centuries that have elapsed since the creation, have all been marked by some particular event. Nations and empires have been broken up-but the earth remains as an immsense tomb of all who appeared upon its surface. The dust which I move by my footsteps, is the decay of a former age. But I leave these things, and return to a contemplation of myself. Out of nothing was I created; the body, which, to day, I am so careful to protect, may to-morrow be reposing in the grave. Friends will assemble and weep over me, as I have wept over those who have gone before me; and while this frail tenement-the body-returns to primeval dust, the spirit which it enshrines, will survive its wreck, and under the guidance of an omnipotent power, will be ushered into a new kingdom. Who, by such reflections, is not filled with fear and astonishment? Who can thoroughly comprehend himself, or the world, or futurity? Still we must not give ourselves up to doubt, or skepticism. Let our spirits take a hue of gladness from

If we look

to eternity, we shall behold, instead of endless ni

bright and radiating throne of the Eternal.

He is t

Holy, holy is the Lord God of Israel! and perfection of our nature-the beginning and the world. I continually enjoy his blessings, unwo I must appear in his sight. He is a merciful jud I will pour out my prayers for his acceptance. I will my heart of wickedness, and lessen the multitude sins. The love of the Saviour will never die, and the tears of my repentance continue to flow, I have surance of happiness beyond the grave.

Such are the feelings, which we naturally expe when we contemplate the character of God. It is a reverence, amounting almost to awe, arising from ac ousness of his greatness and glory; but mingled, at the time with the recollection that he is our kind and 1 cent Father. The fear of God, therefore, which is S] of in the sacred writings, is not accompanied by de It is only the respect and humility that the creature s manifest in the presence of his Creator. "For as ma are led by the spirit of God, they are the sons of For ye have not received the spirit of bondage aga fear; but ye have received the spirit of adoption, whe ye cry, Abba, Father."

He, who would cherish other feelings than these, is imbued with a christian spirit. He, who would sul himself to the operation of the same fear, in relation to Maker, that controls him in the presence of an aveng

at reins, will turn

we look forward

Endless night, the

al.

He is the light nning and end of ngs, unworthy as erciful judge, and ce. I will cleanse multitude of my r die, and while w, I have an as

ally experience, It is a secret from a consci led, at the same kind and benefi

which is spoken ed by despair. creature should

For as many as sons of God. lage again to tion, whereby

these, is not would subject relation to his

enemy, is far from fulfilling the precepts of Christ: for, says the apostle, "God is love," and "in love there is no fear; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment."

It is with regret that I behold such an infinite number of professing christians, who from some cause or other, have imbibed a wrong notion of the Deity, and altogether mistaken the nature of his attributes. Every attempt to worship him, is not from choice, but rather a misgiving of his wrath. They are less thankful for his mercies, than they are affrighted by the expectation of his punishment. They resemble the heathens who offer sacrifices to their Gods-not from a feeling of love; but with the hope of appeasing their anger. Let us, therefore, cease to encourage those superstitious fears, which, even at the present day, are attempted to be instilled into the mind by those who represent God as a cruel, merciless and implacable being. It cannot be denied that they do exist in an eminent degree. Observe those, for instance, who worship God as though it were a painful duty. We may hear them uttering prayers, without giving any other proof of their holiness. They live only for the pleasures of the world; they enjoy the blessings of their heavenly Father, but do not return him their thanks. And they are the first to tremble, if, as they fancy, his wrath is about to come upon them. If the elements are threatening them with destruction —if a storm is raging in the heavens, and the lightnings are darting from the gored bosom of the clouds-then, indeed, they betake themselves to prayer-then they fall down in

penitence before the living God and carnestly entreat his

pardon and forgiveness. But the tempest passo and with it their anguish, their contrition, their p All is forgotten; and their wickedness resumes i They even laugh at the recollection of their fear they were thus menaced.

If such miserable creatures find themselves in s expected embarrassment or extremity;-if the life dearly cherished friend is threatened with disease-favourite project is likely to prove abortive-if, per they are cast upon a bed of sickness, and despair of r -then, like the heathens, they offer up prayers and as if they supposed nothing further was requisite. I is the timidity of a mean and govelling spirit, and true, rational and christian like fear of God.

The more we grow in the grace and knowledge Lord, the more clearly we comprehend the extent wisdom and goodness. Without a proper understan his perfections, we would be lost to that degree of lo reverence which he would otherwise inspire. Bu this knowledge, our righteousness increases, and ou is established on a sure foundation.

The fear of God, is the beginning of wisdom. W this, there can be no piety, and without piety there no solid peace or happiness.

It would seem as though mankind had but little for each other. We see, almost every day, some f lent transaction carried on before our eyes. One ma deceive or impose upon his neighbour-and each wi ternately flatter or deprecate as may best suit his in