Esther at first felt the entrance of those young ladies a painful addition. She had never been in a room with them, except at the lecture, and she clung close to Michael's chair for protection. But, as soon as they were all seated, and the dear Pastor had opened the "Big Book," she felt she was in a higher presence, and her timidity subsided. He read the 84th Psalm: and, after opening the Bible, and, as was his custom, suffering the leaves to fall over one arm, while the other was, reverently elevated, he began, "In this christian circle, there is less need for exhortation to choose the good way, than for varning to continue therein; not to be weary in well doing; not, as though we had already attained, or were already perfect; but, as a good man said, 'no christian must put off his armour, till he puts on his shroud.' We have a wily enemy. will persuade us that we know such things, as these; and, filling us with a self satisfied spirit, will tempt us to forget, that we bear about us a body of sin and of death. In this 84th Psalm, the royal poet bursts into an enraptured strain of praise. 'How amiable &c. &c.' We have not known the privation, perhaps, which led to this longing, this thirsting, for the courts of the Lord. It is to be feared, if I may judge from my own heart, that there have He been moments, and these not a few, in which we have not duly estimated the blessing of public worship. But we have a High Priest, who is touched with a feeling of our infirmities; we have an open fountain, for the cleansing of our sin; we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the Righteous,' This blessing can only be estimated by those who feel its need. But should sickness visit us; should any breach be made upon this happy circle, (a sort of shiver ran through the assembly); should the shutters of our apartment be closed, and the light of the natural sun be excluded, and our post by the sick bed become the post of observation, darker every hour; then shall we exclaim, 'my soul longeth, yea even fainteth, for the courts of the Lord.' 66 "We must, like the sparrow, build our nests nigh to his altars; for all meaner resting places must fail us in these hours of sorrow and suffering." Mr. Brownrigg fidgetted and shifted his crossed leg. He thought to himself," a very sensible man, certainly; but this is more like a funeral sermon, than a nuptial blessing." Mr. Lascelles perceived not his displeasure, though his dear relatives did. 'But," said the venerable minister rising in his feelings, as he glanced upon Michael and Esther "we turn with pleasure to the nuptial benedic tion; because we feel sure that it is suitable, and well applied here. 'Blessed are they that dwell in thy house, they will still be praising thee.' To dwell there, cannot surely mean, you will say, our taking up our abode in the Temple of the Lord. Assuredly not. But he who is found continually visiting those courts where God especially dispenses his blessing. We may say, that his blessing peculiarly rests on those who place their strength in him; who, conscious that no good dwelleth in them, but as that good is imparted, find their faith strengthened, and their hope brightened in every step of their pilgrimage I know not that I could contemplate a scene which conveys to my mind more unmixed pleasure, than the present. I can hear those who can witness that the Lord is faithful; who can say with Jacob, with my staff I passed over thisJordan and now I am become two bands; here old Kemp looked up involuntarily; for, as was his custom, he was leaning on his stick, with his head bowed on his hands; and Joe, whose vacant stare seemed as though he comprehended nothing, appeared to wonder that Mr. Lascelles should speak about his father's stick. chael was concentrated. Fanny, who was present to every thing, saw the wondering folly of poor Joe; and, closing her eyes, as 299 Mi though she would shut out the disturbance it would cause her, gathered up her thoughts, resolving to look no more that way. "We trust that our strength is in him; and oh, that as we pass through this valley, we may be refreshed in every thirsty step by the water of life. May the blessing from above, descend as the rain. Oh, that the capacities for enjoyment may be filled by no meaner water; then shall we go from strength to strength, till each of us shall appear in Zion before our God!" Then, turning the exhortation into prayer, he clasped his hands, and looking upward, continued, "Oh, Lord God of Hosts, hear my prayer; give ear, O God of Jacob! Observe, my beloved young friends, who was the shield of David. 'Behold, O God,' he says, (and the regard of the Lord was what he sought,) of thine anointed.' meanest station in Look upon the face the most sumptuous abode of wickedness; and wherefore? Because the Lord is a sun to enlighten; a shield to defend; he giveth grace here, glory hereafter and no good thing will he withhold from those that walk uprightly.', Let us ever remember what I have before adverted to, that though we have long professed ourselves devoted to the cause of the gospel; and though our hopes seem founded, and no doubt are founded, on that Rock smitten for us, 'not as though I had already attained, or were already perfect; but I follow on,' &c. should be our language. It was well said, that the grace of yesterday will not do for to day; and so many instances of awful apostacy may be cited, as would make the stoutest tremble. No, let us be found humbly waiting at the doors of His house. We have had sweet, and continued proofs, where the head of this family has placed his trust; we have seen with unmixed delight, that he hath been working out his salvation with fear and trembling, knowing who worketh in him, both to will and to do; but to God be all the glory; for we may truly say, 'What is man, that thou art mindful of him; or the son of man, that thou regardest him.' Yet this we will say, • Weak in ourselves, yet strengthened by his power, we can do all things;' and 'I am persuaded, that neither death nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, shall be able to separate him from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus.' We may sometimes judge by the temporal blessings the Loru bestows upon us, that his favour is with us; and, as an earthly good, what is so great as such an |