heaven, that one of these little ones should perish." This is the language of the compassionate Saviour, emphatically referring us to the great and universal Parent, whose tender mercies are over all his works. Indeed, when Jesus sojourned on earth, his attention to this interesting class of human beings was very remarkable. He was much displeased with the austerity of his disciples, and said, "Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God. Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein. And he took them up in his arms, put his hands upon them, and blessed them." Oh! the matchless

condescension and kindness of Immanuel; yes, at that hour he was seen to be full of grace and truth, when he welcomed, and received, and blessed those infants, which his disciples wished to be kept back and held aloof.

If we believe, as I think we safely may, that all who die in infancy die in the Lord, and are happy with him for ever, we shall learn to contemplate their speedy departure hence with other emotions than those which are apt to rise in the humane observer, who carries not his thoughts beyond the facts before him. It has been calculated that nearly half the number of mankind are cut off in childhood, and many of them endure lingering pains, and sometimes strong

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convulsive agonies in the animal frame, ere they sink to rest. spectacle is appalling, and harrows up the soul. But those who never actually sinned, yet for a time suffer as the consequence of their connexion with the first Adam, shall reign and triumph in glory everlasting, through the merits and grace of the Second Adam, the Prince of life. Delightful thought! that so large a proportion of the great human family should be raised from a world full of danger and temptation, to swell the ranks of the blessed, "where the wicked cease from troubling, and the weary are at rest." But the doctrine of Christianity on this subject, is specially replete with consolation to bereaved parents; nor are any

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elaborate efforts, any long trains of abstract reasoning, necessary, to render it intelligible. The light of Divine truth, where prejudice intercepts not, with a mild and softened radiance, scatters our misgivings and fears. We need only look to Christ with a steady eye, and contemplate the excellency of his character, the veracity of his word, and the unsearchable riches of his grace and mercy, to find a tranquillity which is above all price.

But you who have recently parted with the tender pledges of conjugal affection, may studiously seek retirement and seclusion, to cherish your sad and pensive musings. While midnight draws her sable curtain round, you repel the approaches of sleep to ruminate

on the pleasing scenes and incidents which are now passed away. Then your thoughts revert to the cold and darksome grave, and hover about the breathless dust once so dear. Suppose, in the hour of solitude, that an angel were sent to visit you, and that you heard him distinctly asking you this question, "Why seek ye the living among the dead?" and suppose this heaven-sent messenger should assure you, that your offspring, now numbered with the emancipated spirits of the righteous, is reposing in the bosom of Jesus, and singing high praises in the immediate presence of God;—suppose, I say, that you had such a communication, attended with evidences which could leave no room to doubt of its reality