Who shall separate

world without end." us from the love of God? I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord."

How vast the benefits divine,
Which we in Christ possess;

We're saved from guilt and every sin,
And called to holiness.

"Tis not for works which we have done,
Or shall hereafter do,
But he of his abounding love

Salvation does bestow.

The glory Lord from first to last,
Is due to thee alone;
Ought to ourselves we dare not take,
Ör rob thee of thy crown.

Our glorious Surety undertook
Redemption's wondrous plan;
And grace was given us in him
Before the world began.

Not one of all thy chosen race,

But shall to heaven attain;
Partake on earth the purposed grace,
And then with Jesus reign.

A USEFUL TEST.

WE are sometimes a little at a loss, to know if we are doing just the right thing, and if we are doing it at the right time. Perhaps it would not be possible to find any one test, that would apply to all subjects and all times. But I have met with one, in the form of a question, which may prove of use in reference to many things, and very often. I am sure if I had properly used it, it would have prevented my doing many things, which I have had to regret after they have been done. It is this, in whatever engaged, ask the question, "How will this tell on eternity?” We have all to do with eternity. It is just before us. All that we do in time, in some way tells upon We ought therefore to keep eternity before us, in the formation of all our plans, and in the execution of all our purposes. If I propose to do any thing of importance, as for instance, change my residence, my state of life, my employ. ment, or any thing that appears to depend on my own judgment and choice, let me ask, "How will this tell on eternity."

it.

We are all more or less guilty of the folly of living and acting, as if we were to live here for ever: or at least were certain of

Whereas we

living here for a long time. know not what a day may bring forth. We know not what shall be on the morrow. We may be within a step of death, and therefore within a step of eternity. We ought therefore to keep eternity always in view, and act in every place, as those who carry about with them a consciousness of their immortality, and who realise that for all they do, they must give an account to God.

O the evils that would be prevented! O the sins that would be avoided, if we so lived, and daily asked ourselves the question, in reference to all our doings, “ How will this tell on eternity?"

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I am sadly afraid, that much that I have done, in the business, in the closet, in the family, in the world, and in the church of God, will tell unfavourably on eternity. I have sometimes done good with my tongue, but I have often done mischief. I have done some good with my pen, but I fear I have at times done harm instead of good. My influence has occasionally been beneficial, but, alas! it has often been injurious. When giving way to temper, when yielding to pride, when talking at random, when walking without respect to the rule, I have forgotten, or neglected to ask, "How will this tell on eternity?"

Reader, how do you feel on this point? I confess I do not feel clear, or comfortable at all. Would you not have escaped many 311

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snares, would you not have prevented many evils, would you not have secured some good things which you have missed, if you had constantly kept before you the question, "How will this tell on eternity?"

Over the past we may grieve, but it is past, and we cannot recall it, but how shall it be in future? There may be a short future before us. But are not our days few? Shall we not soon go the way, whence we shall not return? May we not make the present and the future important? We may surely sow a few seeds, which may spring up, and bear good fruit, when we are gone hence, and are no more seen? If we can, ought we not? If we can, shall we not? Yes, yes, let us determine in the Lord's strength, and seeking grace from him, at present, and often in future, ask when about to act, "How will this tell on eternity?"

But if my reader is unconverted, his whole life and conduct will tell unfavourably on eternity. Every action, has been the act of an enemy to God. Every word has proceeded from an heart that is enmity against God. The whole of the life, and every part of it, calls to the justice of God for punishment. O how sad, so to live, as to have one's whole life, tell against one at the judg ment-seat of Christ, and in eternity!

GOD IS LOVE.

THIS is a truth that cannot be learned from nature. For though there we see the bright, the beautiful, and the benevolent; we see also the dull, the dreary, and the terrible. If we see the smiles of infancy, we see also the wrinkles of age; if we hear the laugh of health, we hear also the groans of suffering. Walk through a large hospital, stand on the shore and witness a dreadful shipwreck, or read the horrible details of the ravages of plague, and famine, and who would from these conclude, that God is love. Neither creation nor providence without the Bible, would teach us this truth. It is God in Christ, that is love. Here he can speak the most loving words, and wear the most lov ing smiles. Here he is pure, unmixed, and infinite love; because in Christ, his justice has received satisfaction for man's sin, and his law has been magnified and made honourable. In Christ, God has to ask nothing of man, except that he yield to him his heart, for he has received all that as the moral Governor, and Judge of all, he could require. In Christ he asks us to be friends, beseeches us to be reconciled, offers us the richest, choicest, blessings, and rejoices to do us good.