ther originates from them, like circles on the water, winding as they flow from one Nor will the filial, pa

common centre.

rental, or fraternal charities damp the fervour of our piety to the FATHER of the universe; or abate our gratitude to the great Bond of our union, and the Author of our dearest enjoyments. The prefent life is only the commencement of those improvements in knowledge and goodness, which we shall progreffively make through all eternity. And as our kindred and friends are, in a peculiar manner, the companions of our journey here, and the objects of our most virtuous affections; is it not probable that they will continue to be fuch hereafter; and that we fhall not only find them our crown of rejoicing, but that it will be our divinest pleasure to promote the advancement of each other in piety, glory, and felicity? The Scriptures fpeak not explicitly concerning this interesting point; but there are a variety of paffages in the New Testament, which evidently imply, that good men " will be happy hereafter, "in the fame feats of joy; will live under

"the

"the fame perfect government; and be "members of the fame heavenly fociety. "Will not then our nearest relations be ac" ceffible to us? and if acceffible, fhall we "not fly to them, and mingle our hearts "and fouls again?”

"The Theffalonians, a little before St. "Paul wrote his first Epistle to them, had "loft fome of their friends by death. In "these circumstances, he exhorts them not "to forrow like others who had no hope; "because they might conclude certainly " from the death and refurrection of Jefus, "that those who had flept in him, God "would hereafter bring with him. He tells "them by the word of the Lord, or as from "immediate revelation, that a period was "coming, when Chrift would defcend "from heaven with a shout; with the "voice of the arch-angel, and with the trump

of God; and when the friends they had "loft fhould be raised from the dead, and "together with themselves, should be caught up to meet the Lord in the air, and to live for ever with him. But what I have in

view, is more diftinctly afferted in the se"cond chapter of this Epiftle, ver. 19. "For what is our hope, our joy, our crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the pre

fence of our Lord Jefus at his coming? "It is most plainly implied in these words, "that the Apostle expected to fee and "know again his Theffalonian converts, "at Chrift's fecond coming. The fame "remark may be made on his words in "the Corinthians. Knowing that he, who "raifed up the Lord Jefus, fhall raise us up "alfo by Jefus, and prefent us with you. As you have acknowledged us in part, that we are your rejoicing, even fo ye alfo are ours "in the day of the Lord Jefus.'

Thus it appears, that the pleasing idea of a re-union with our virtuous relations and friends, in the future life, is agreeable to the natural expectations of mankind; neceffary to the exercise of our most distinguished moral powers; and favourable to every fentiment of gratitude, devotion,

*See Price's Differtations on Providence, Prayer, &c. p. 233.

and

and piety. Revelation feems also to confirm what reafon fo much approves; and I hope, my dear Alexis, your mind is now no longer difquieted with defpondency or fear. Indulge the generous affections of your heart; cherish the filial and fraternal love with which it glows; cultivate the valuable friendships you have formed; and be affured that what conftitutes your prefent, will heighten your future felicity. But remember that your union in the heavenly world, can only be with the worthy and the good; and be cautious to form no other close attachments, but such as will merit perpetuity. If death fnatch from you a beloved friend, whilft you lament the lofs, forrow not as one without hope or confolation. The feparation, however painful, will be but for a feafon; and you will have a kindred spirit in the regions of blifs, to welcome your arrival there, and to conduct you into the glorious prefence of the Sovereign of the universe.

O! præclarum diem, fays Cicero, cum ad illud divinum animorum concilium cætumque proficifcar

N 4

proficifcar; cumque ex hac turba, et colluvione difcedam! proficifcar enim ad Catonem meum, quo nemo vir melior natus eft, nemo pietate præftantior! Cic. de Senectute.

L

WARMTH IN ARGUMENT.

ORD Shaftesbury, I remember, in his excellent Characteristics, relates the ftory of a clown, who was prefent at the debates of the Doctors in the University of Oxford. Though he was equally a stranger to the subjects and the language, he feemed to liften with great attention, and to receive much pleasure from them. A gentleman commoner who stood near him, and observed the emotions expreffed in his countenance, inquired what amusement he could find in hearing fuch difputes, fince it was impoffible that he should even know to which fide the victory inclined. Sir, replied the clown, I am not fuch a fool as you imagine me to be; for I can easily fee who is first put into a passion. Common fenfe dictated this obfervation to

the