Remove far from me vanity and lies; give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me; lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, who is the Lord? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.* Prov. xxx. 8, 9. rupting an innocent woman, need not be here expatiated upon. It will suffice to say, that, when all its miserable and distressing circumstances are fairly taken into consideration, the murderer is perhaps far less guilty than the seducer. The language of Scripture warns mankind in these tremendous words: "Whoremongers and adulterers God will judge." * Health of body, content and satisfaction of mind, calmness of temper, sincerity of heart, benevolence of disposition, a readiness to forgive injuries, a taste for gardening, a delight in social and domestic intercourse, a fondness for intellectual pursuits, an inclination to look always on the bright side of a question, the heartfelt enjoyment of devotional and pious exercises, and the true, spiritual, and unfettered worship and adoration of Almighty God; together with a moderate competency to render our circumstances easy, provide for our chil Be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch dren, and assist the poor and unfortunate, or promote charitable objects, are unquestionably blessings and advantages of incalculable value and importance, and cannot be too highly appreciated; nor can we be too grateful for them to him "who is the giver of every good and perfect gift, and the giver of all good things." Our daily care should be, not to be "lovers of pleasure, more than lovers of God." But should it please the Great Disposer of all events to order our lot otherwise, and try us in the furnace of affliction, (" for whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth"), it is our duty to submit to his will with the most perfect resignation; for "if in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all inen most miserable ;" and we must "choose rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt;" and why? because we have " respect unto the recompense of the reward" in another and better life, where "true joys only are to be found, and where there are pleasures at God's right hand for evermore." as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 1 Cor. xv. 58. We know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle be dissolved, we have a building of God, a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. 2 Cor. v. 1. Whoso hath this world's good, and seeth his brother have need, and shutteth up his bowels of compassion from him, how dwelleth the love of God in him? 1 John iii. 17, SELF-EXAMINATORY QUESTIONS. Do I believe in God, and love him with all my heart, with all my mind, with all my soul, and with all my strength? Do I believe in the truth of the Holy Scriptures, and endeavour to regulate all my thoughts, words, and actions, by the rules and precepts that are contained therein? Do I love my neighbour as myself? Have I set the Lord always before me? cerity ?* See 1 Cor. xvi. 22. SELF-EXAMINATORY QUESTIONS. 175 Am I negligent in my prayers, and forgetful of what I ought to do as a Christian, and an accountable being? Do I think and speak of others, as I wish others to speak and think of me ? Am I kind, conciliating, and friendly in my disposition? Do I ever take advantage of my fellowcréatures ? Do I take the name of God in vain; or bear false witness against my neighbour? Am I contented in the station in which God has placed me? Do I love the creature more than the Creator? Do I rely on the merits and intercession of Jesus Christ for the pardon of all my sins, and the salvation of my soul? Do I read the Holy Bible every day, |