CHAP. VIII. "But 'tis our God supports our frame, WATTS. Unexpected delight- -Life sometimes desirable even to a Christian-Meditation upon religion- The Lord's table neglected-what it requires How young persons may be useful-An important event -An affecting conversation. WHAT was the surprise and astonishment of Elworthy, when he visited his mother the following week, to see her considerably revived! Her countenance no longer pallid, but tinged with a gentle flush! As he approached her, she extended her hand, and exclaimed, "See what God has done! Since your last visit, my spirits are so much better, and my strength so much increased, that I am a wonder to myself! What if the Lord should restore me! and there is nothing too hard for him." ""Oh, my mother!" returned he, "how can I express my gratitude to God for such inestimable blessings as I have received, and if you should be restored, my cup would indeed run over!" "Life is at all times desirable, my dear son, but there are some peculiar circumstan ces which lead us, if agreeable to the will of God, to wish a longer residence in the body. A Christian should be willing to die or to live, according to the pleasure of God. Nothing but a good hope can reconcile us to part with all below, and hence the fears and distracted state of those who have no consciousness of pardon through the blood of Jesus. The apostle Paul desired to depart and to be with Christ, as far better than to exist here; yet while he desired this on account of his own personal enjoyment, he was content to abide in the flesh on account of the state of the churches. Need I say, my son, that on your account I feel happy at the prospect of restoration to health, and to behold you treading in the path that conducts to the regions of bliss, will be the summit of my happiness as to the present world.” We will leave Mrs. Elworthy for a time, to observe the transactions that occurred in the family of Mr. Le Monde, whose mind was still restless and disturbed, and whose suspicious eye darted by turns at Melville, Freeman, and Elworthy. The conduct of Melville had been invariably circumspect, and had placed him almost above suspicion itself. He was neither gay nor volatile. In the counting-house he was strictly attentive to business, and his leisure hours were still devoted to the improve ment of his mind. neat, and his appearance always genteel, it was far removed from extravagance, and although his deportment was polite and gentlemanly, it had nothing of the affectation of a petitmaitre. He read much, and reflected upon what he read. His favourite poet was Young, and he sometimes indulged in meditating upon a passage that struck his mind, and committed his thoughts to paper. The following is a specimen : Although his dress was RELIGION. "Religion! thou the soul of happiness, REFLECTIONS. "Such is the sublime description of religion, given by a favourite poet; the soul of happiness, indeed! Ah! there is no happiness beside. This heart assents to the assertion. Every thing around proclaims it. Pleasure, wealth, honour, can afford nothing to delight the mind, nothing substantial. They are broken cisterns of comfort at the best. Could Alexander, could Croesus, could Belshazzar, speak, what a tale would they unfold! A world cannot satisfy the desires of the soul. India, Peru, and Mexico may pour forth their trea sures, but 'Gold says, not in me, and not in me the diamond.' Religion is the source, the soul of happiness-and have not I tasted it? have not I experienced its joys? cannot I exult in the humble hope that my sin is forgiven, and my person accepted in the beloved? Oh, Calvary! Calvary! thy cross is my hope, my foundation, my glory! Redemption! theme of angels! joy of sinful man! Oh, God, help me to give myself up to thy service, to join myself to thy people, to make thy cause my own, and to indentify myself with its prosperity. Help me to declare what thou hast done for my soul. Thy love constrains me, binds me to thyself by ties which eternity cannot burst asunder. Yes! thy people shall be my people, and their God shall be my God." R. M. It may be seen by this extract from his memorandum book, that his mind was made up. He saw that it was his duty to attend to his Saviour's command, 'Do this in remembrance of me,' and he therefore intimated, by letter, his desire to the minister of the chapel which he attended. It is a subject of deep regret, that the table of the Lord is neglected by so many, who continually reply to the exhortations that are delivered, "I pray thee have me excused." Some plead their unfitness, others their youth, others their objections to certain characters who partake of the Lord's supper; and hence the number of communicants is so small. The fears that operate upon the minds of some tender consciences are entitled to our respect. It is certainly awful to eat and drink “unworthily," but they who are chargeable with this, are persons who do it without examination; without enquiring if they have the marks and evidences of genuine disciples; if they have been convinced of their sins, and humbled on their account; if they have received Christ as their ground of pardon and acceptance before God, and especially, if their lives and tempers, their conduct at home and abroad, accord with their profession of love to God, and testify that their hearts are changed, and that they are new creatures in Christ Jesus. That very improper characters are found at the Lord's table must be admitted. They may not indeed be drunkards, nor whoremongers, nor adulterers, nor openly dishonest; but they may be busy bodies, tale-bearers, evil speakers, angry, passionate, revengeful, proud, conceited, lovers of pleasure, worldly minded, covetous. A loving, modest, peaceful temper should be cultivated by those who come to the Lord's table (where the agreement should be ratified and confirmed, from month to month) to endeavour "to keep the unity of the spirit in the bond of peace." What a profana |