and is only not a Christian sentiment, because what Christianity teaches is universal, not conditional resignation. The consolations of the Christian are confined to no age or circumstance. Our God and Saviour loves all his children, the old and the young together; and whatever time he calls them, that is the best. It is the best for them who are taken away, and the best for us who remain. Was he whom we lament kind, gentle, and affectionate, free from the stains of vice, and firm in the possession of his faith? All this, which, to the natural mind, might tend to increase our grief, will, if viewed aright, prove our highest consolation. It is, in such cases, that we may most fitly comfort one another with these words: "That we sorrow not as those which have no hope;" knowing that "they which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him." "It The body-yes, the body, which we saw, erewhile consigned to the dust, will rise again in glory. This is no vain speculation. We have for it the eternal, unerring word of Him who cannot lie. is sown in corruption, it is raised in incorruption ; it is sown in dishonour, it is raised in glory; it is sown in weakness, it is raised in power; it is sown a natural body, it is raised a spiritual body!" What is the brightest prospect which this world can afford compared to this? It is a fearful and a dangerous thing to receive our good things in this world. We have it on the highest authority that it is not easy for a rich man to escape the snares by which he is environed. He is in the toils. The world, and the things of the world, have hold of him, and keep him from fixing his regards on that which is alone needful. It is in mercy that God sends afflictions-that he takes away, one by one, all our earthly comforts. It is to shut us up to himself—the only true comfort -the source of all. It is in affliction that we feel most firmly and without it, we can hardly feel at all-that "God is our refuge and our strength," confidence and our hope, and the horn of our salvation, and our high tower." All require to be purified by affliction; all the great and the good that we have ever heard of have been so purified. 99.66 our When the beloved disciple saw in the Spirit that great multitude which no man could number, the redeemed of God, out of every nation, kindred, tongue, and people, he was told-"these are they which have come out of great tribulation." Who would not endure the chastening of the Lord, when we know it to be a proof of his love? As the brave man "out of the nettle danger plucks the flower safety," so the Christian is taught, out of all apparent evil, to extract the highest good. THE END. WILLIAM BLACKWOOD AND SONS HAVE RECENTLY PUBLISHED THE COURSE OF TIME. A Poem, in Ten Books, BY ROBERT POLLOK, M.A. A New Edition, (being the Eighteenth,) with Portrait, price 7s. 6d., CHAPTERS ON CHURCHYARDS. By Mrs. SOUTHEY, (Caroline Bowles.) A New Edition, complete in One Volume, small 8vo, price 7s. 6d. BY THE SAME AUTHOR. SOLITARY HOURS. In foolscap 8vo. A New Edition. Price 5s. BY THE SAME AUTHOR. THE BIRTHDAY AND OTHER POEMS, THE WORKS OF MRS. HEMANS. A COMPLETE AND UNIFORM EDITION, WITH A MEMOIR BY HER SISTER. In Seven Vols. Foolscap Octavo, price £1, 15s., neatly bound in cloth, with Portraits and Vignettes; or £3, 3s. in morocco. Each Volume may be had as a separate and complete Book, I. MEMOIR OF MRS. HEMANS, BY HER SISTER. II. TALES AND HISTORIC SCENES, &c. III. THE SIEGE OF VALENCIA, THE SCEPTIC, &c. THE JOURNAL OF A CLERGYMAN, DURING A VISIT TO THE PENINSULA IN THE SUMMER AND AUTUMN OF 1841. POEMS BY THE LADY FLORA HASTINGS. With a Portrait by K. M'LEAY, R.S.A., Engraved in Line by Horsburgh. 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