share his hope, his crown of rejoicing. A merciful period of final preparation is given unto most men. and die" generally precedes by a short space the time of actual dissolution. And blessed indeed are sickness, and pain, and infirmity, which give us the time to complete that preparation. But, when the voice shall be heard by us, will it be a voice of fear and trembling, of terror and consternation? or, shall we be enabled to hear it with calm resignation, with the triumphant confidence of Christian faith? -Will it be a voice which summons us to begin or to perfect our preparation? We are rarely permitted to attain old age, with the eye undimmed and the natural force unabated. What then is the dimming of the eye but the summons of the great Disposer of human life?—What is sickness, or infirmity, or the failing sense, or the tottering limb, or the drooping body, but a command in well known language, “Go up and die?" Yet, often no warning is given, no voice whispers to the ear that death is nigh, that the grave is open. The command "Go up Often the blow is struck, the spirit is expelled from its frail abode, without a moment to reflect whither it is going. And does not every proof of the precarious tenure upon which mortal life is held speak to us in similar language, " Be ye also ready for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh1?" But whether that period of preparation be granted or not; whether our Lord cometh suddenly, or whether he sendeth forward the heralds of his approach; if we are found "stedfast in faith, joyful through hope, and rooted in charity," we may exclaim with Simeon, "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace for mine eyes have seen thy salvation." If we can say with the holy apostle, "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith;" we may also add with him, "Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord the righteous judge shall give me." If we have been faithful ser ' St. Matthew xxiv. 44. vants, we may be well assured that He, who by his Spirit hath guided us through the wilderness, supported us in its dangers, sustained us in its necessities, and kept our feet in the way that we went, will not forsake us in the time of sorrow, nor fail us in the hour of trial. He will be with us when we walk through the valley of the shadow of death, and into his hands we shall commit our spirits, in sure and certain hope that he will restore again that which is intrusted to his care. Short is the distance which separates mortality from immortality—the plains of Moab from the inheritance of Israel. Short is the time in which the soul is transported from its earthly tenement to its everlasting abode; and blessed is that voice to the faithful servant which tells him that his journey is ended-his warfare accomplished-which bids him "Go up and die." THE END. NEW BOOKS JUST PUBLISHED BY J. G. & F. RIVINGTON, ST. PAUL'S CHURCH YARD, AND WATERLOO PLACE, PALL MALL. I. SCRIPTURE BIOGRAPHY. By the Rev. ROBERT WILSON EVANS, M. A. Fellow and Tutor of Trinity College, Cambridge; and Author of the "Rectory of Valehead." Being the Seventh Volume of the THEOLOGICAL LIBRARY. Small 8vo. With Frontispiece. 6s. II. An EXPOSITION of the PARABLES and of OTHER PARTS of the GOSPELS. In Two Parts. By the Rev. EDWARD GRESWELL, B.D. Fellow of C. C. C. Oxford; and Author of the "Harmonia Evangelica," and of "Dissertations on the Principles and Arrangements of a Harmony of the Gospels." PART I. In 3 vols. 8vo. 17. 16s. PART II. In 2 vols. (I. in the press.) III. REFLECTIONS ADAPTED to the HOLY SEASONS of the CHRISTIAN and ECCLESIASTICAL YEAR. By the Rev. JOHN BREWSTER, M.A. Rector of Egglescliffe, Durham; Author of "Meditations for the Aged," &c. 12mo. 6s. 6d. IV. PAROCHIAL SERMONS. By the Rev. JOHN HENRY NEWMAN, M.A. Vicar of St. Mary the Virgin's, Oxford, and Fellow of Oriel College. 8vo. 10s. 6d. |