enlargement of the action must correspond with the infinity of its source. Overstepping the limits of political demarcation, it will find a brother in every country: immortal as the Deity from whom it emanates, it will triumph over age and infirmity -and we "shall not be weary in well-doing;" conscious of its source, it will live amidst the agonies of death; and rising above the tomb, it will find its centre in God himself, and its full expansion, its unfettered exercise, amidst the sinless ranks of angels, the spirits of the just made perfect, the glorious inhabitants of heaven, in a world where love, and love alone, forever reigns.

SUBMISSION IN AFFLICTION.

It is always easy to give to others the best possible rules for the regulation of their passions, tempers, and spirits in the hour of affliction-but, oh! if the visitation is upon ourselves, all our philosophy, and too much of our religion, forsakes us. We forget our sufferings, and too often our obligations, and feel only the smart of our chastisement. We are intent upon the rod, until we forget altogether "Him who hath appointed it ;" and that which was falsely charged upon patient Job, is but too true of us-" Behold thou hast instructed many, and thou hast strengthened the weak hands. Thy words have upholden him that was falling, and thou hast strengthened the feeble knees. But

now it has come upon thee and thou faintest; it toucheth thee, and thou art troubled." ~

What, then, is the submission required in affliction? Let us at least learn the duty, if it be only to ascertain how far we fall short of it, and to be humbled accordingly. It is not to be insensible. What good end can affliction answer, if it be not felt? Where is christian heroism, if nothing be endured? What sacrifice is it, if that which is required be not valued? Christianity knows nothing of the stoicism which forbids the heart to suffer, and the tear to flow. Its glory is to feel all the affliction, and to produce a consolation which shall more than alleviate it-more than counterbalance it-which shall turn the most threatening circumstances into the most essential benefit-and from the trial of our faith, educe the salvation of our souls. Philosophy boasts of making the heart as adamant so that the lightning shall strike it, and find it an impassive, impenetrable, insoluble rock of ice christianity professes to make it "a heart of flesh," alive to every impression; all susceptibility and sensibility-vital through every nerve, fibre, and particle-and to subordinate the whole to the divine will, and the divine government. O, glorious triumph! the triumph of the most perfect feeling, and of the most perfect faith, at the same moment!

As it is not to be insensible, so submission implies that it is not to be hardened. The christian has the fortitude to encounter death, but he has

not the courage to defy God. "Who ever hardened himself against him, and prospered ?" But it is not, with the good man, a subject of calculation. It is a principle emanating from God-subordinating all things to its influence-recognizing him under all circumstances-and in submitting to his wise and gracious, though frequently painful, and always mysterious appointments-sheltering itself under his power, and reposing in his tenderness. It is not the winding up of every faculty of the mind, and every corporeal agent to the pitch of endurance; but the prostration of every mental power, and every earthly possession, before the great Proprietor of all-thus placing his own at his entire disposal. No resistance is opposed to the rights of Deity-but the acknowledgment is, "it is the Lord, let him do what seemeth him good.” "The cup which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it?" "Not my will, thy will be done." No complaint is breathed-nature may speak, but ought not to accuse-she may give vent to her grief, but not charge God foolishly. "Shall we receive good at the hand of the Lord, and shall we not receive evil also ?" "He hath not dealt with us after our sins, neither hath he rewarded us according to our iniquities." No flight is attempted like that of our guilty first parent, when he would have concealed himself amidst the trees of the garden-or the no less vain effort of Jonah, to flee from his commission, and the presence of him by whom it was imposed. No imputation will be al

leged against the moral government of God, or the benevolence of his character; nor will hard thoughts be indulged of him, even in the heart. That they may be suggested is probable; but that they will be, by the christian, repelled with righteous indignation, is certain: and submissive acquiescence will rise into entire resignation, inducing the temper, while it employs the language of the text-"The will of the Lord be done."

Activity

KTIVITY THE CHARACTERISTIC OF SPIRIT.

Activity is the characteristic of spirit; and nothing so completely distinguishes it from the body, as the instrument of its volitions, than this body

ike allmatter, waits for a foreign impulse, to put all its fine and beautiful organization into motion. It is most delicately and surprisingly adapted to all the purposes to which its operations can possibly be applied. In some instances the gossomerwing of the summer's fly is not a film more attenuated than its fibres-in others, iron and brass are less durable than its muscular action—in all, a wisdom and complexity are visible, which not only surpass human skill, but which defy human research, and compel the anatomist to admire what he comprehends, and to leave unsolved the great results of nerves and animal spirits, and sympathies, in which he is reduced to employ terins relative to effects, the causes of which lie in the mysterious union be

tween mind and matter, far beyond the cognizance of the most sensitive touch, the most penetrating eye, and the most patient investigationwhile philosophy, speculating upon the little that is certainly known, presumes much upon that which is undiscovered, and often weaves a theory of which ingenuity is its principal recommendation. In the mean while, all this is but the external display of the matchless machinery—the mainspring of which is spirit. Life was communicated directly from the Creator; and is so immediately imparted in all successive generations. It is grein ed at an unknown moment-it takes its departure as secretly. In both cases we are conscious of its presence or absence, only by certain external movements-the source of the impulse is always secret. Yet, while it is encircled with a body, which seems rather its prison than its palace, because of the manifest restraint which it lays upon its mighty energies, its powers are not to be wholly limited to the vehicle of its volitions. Sometimes it breaks the boundaries of its mortal condition-soars beyond all material worlds, and all their suns, in its unfettered imagination: and at others, when the body is laid asleep in the unconsciousness of animation temporally suspended, roams far remote from the fields of nature, embodies uncreated forms, and presents the awful and inexplicable phenomenon of dreams-the enigma of philosophy, and the sure pledge of immortality.