January 2

We must be infatuated if we are not aware that all our connexions here are precarious. Some may abandon us from insincerity; some may leave us from infirmity; some may be removed to a distance by events; some may be laid in the grave. Need we be informed that the desire of our eyes is mortal? That childhood and youth are vanity?

Can we be ignorant that with growing years we are to look for growing privations and weaknesses? That our senses will decay, that desire will fail, that the grasshopper will be a burden? It is the tax of age. "The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength, labour and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away."

For the living know that they shall die. It is the way of all the earth: and whatever may be doubtful when we look onward, there is not a human being but can say, "I know that Thou wilt bring me to death, and to the house appointed for all living." He knows also that the event cannot be far off—and may be very near.

And is this all that we are apprized of? No. We also know that God will be found the same he always has been—we know that he will always prove himself the hearer of prayer—we know that he will never leave us nor forsake us—we know that our shoes shall be iron and brass; and as our days so shall our strength be—we know that he will guide us with his counsel, and afterward receive us to glory.

JANUARY 2.—"Behold, now is the accepted time, behold, now is the day of salvation."—2 Corinthians 6:2.

THE importance of opportunity is readily acknowledged, and generally if not universally acted upon, with regard to temporal things. The seafaring man, with prudence and diligence, avails himself of the winds, and the tides. The husbandman, when the precious produce of the field is to be secured, is all anxiety and eagerness, lest he should lose a shining hour—and hence it early became a proverb, "He that gathereth in summer is a wise son, he that sleepeth in harvest is a son that causeth shame." There are interesting conjunctures, and peculiar seasons, which never return; but, according as they are seized or neglected, decide the reputation and the condition of a man for life. But here we have an opportunity announced, as superior to every other opportunity, in its relations and consequences, as the soul is superior to the body, and eternity to time—an opportunity to gain acceptance with God, and salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ—"Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."

This "now" takes in the whole period of the gospel dispensation, or the duration of the mediatorial reign of Christ. He is now exalted at the right hand of God to be a Prince and a Saviour; to give repentance unto Israel and remission of sins. He is the great High Priest over the house of God, to introduce our persons and services; and while we are reconciled by his death we are saved by his life. For he is now living a life of office as well as of glory.—But this will not continue always. It is commensurate only with

the continuance of the world. "Then cometh the end, when he shall deliver up the kingdom to God, even the Father." This, in the whole of it, is a very extensive period. It has continued long, and will probably continue many ages longer. But this can only encourage us with regard to mankind successionally. It is delightful to think that what those have found the Saviour to be who went before, those also will find him to be that shall come after us: for he is "the same yesterday, to-day, and for ever." But as individuals, our season is far less lengthened—at death, the angel swears, with regard to us, that "time shall be no longer."

This "now" therefore is to be considered as the period of life. Patients have been recovered when they seemed incurable, and have been sent back from the very borders of the grave. Persons have been resuscitated when the functions of nature had ceased, and the principle of life seemed extinguished. So some have been saved at the eleventh hour, and they have adored the long suffering of God which proved their salvation—But the redemption of the soul is precious, and after our present state, ceaseth for ever. If there be hope to persons then, it is among the reserves of Divine goodness; He has not been pleased to reveal it. Origen, and his brethren of the same sentiment, were called the merciful doctors: but should their notion be a mistake, and those that rely on it to be confounded for ever, they ought to be called the merciful doctors who, knowing the terror of the Lord, persuade men to flee from the wrath to come. But in this view how precious and all-important is life—

"Life is the time to serve the Lord, The time to ensure the great reward; And while the lamp holds out to burn, The vilest sinner may return."

And how instantly and zealously should we avail ourselves of the only season! Especially when we consider how short, and how uncertain the continuance of it is. Another of the threescore years and ten, or of the fifty, or forty, or twenty that measure the whole extent, is gone,—

"And every beating pulse we tell,

And, O my soul! how many strokes remain! There is but a step between me and death—

"Great God! on what a slender thread Hang everlasting things! The eternal state of all the dead Upon life's feeble strings!"

But this "now" takes in, as distinguished from life at large, every period peculiarly favourable to religion. Youth is such a period. The young have fewer of the cares that perplex and engross us as we plunge deeper into the concerns of this life. Their hearts, though evil, are not yet hardened through the deceitfulness of sin. Their consciences, though defiled, are not yet scared as with a hot iron. Their memories, though limited, are not yet choked up with the lumber of the world. Their affections are warm; their strength is firm; their connexions are as yet optional; life is fresh; nature is inviting—and amidst all these advantages. Grace says, "Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth: while the evil days