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day: the night cometh He was really a man; he wearied nature required

sent me, while it is yet wherein no man can work. took our infirmities: and repose but he distinguished between the necessary and the needless; and even between refreshment and indulgence; and while he enjoined self-denial upon his disciples, as the very first lesson in his school, "He pleased not himself."

It is allowed, that as to the measure of sleep, no one rule can be laid down for all. Some require more than others. But it is questionable whether they require much more. Yea, it may be questioned whether they require any more, as to length. What they want more of, is better sleep: and the quality would be improved by lessening the quantity. Let those who are now so wakeful, and restless, and can only sleep sound when they ought to be rising-let them try the expedient, and see whether a few hours of sweet and solid sleep be not preferable to the protraction of being bedridden, rather than of enjoying repose.

We should also inquire too, whether we have not produced the habit itself that now demands so much to satisfy it. If so, we are accountable for the cause, as well as the effect.

We should also be always fearful and suspicious when our reasonings and pleadings are on the side of gratification and ease. It is here, where nothing sinful is thought of, and no danger appears; it is here, we peculiarly need the admonition, Watch and pray, lest ye enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.

Some live only to do evil. We do not wish them to rise early--they are only harmless while they sleep.

Some live a life of mere indolence and ease. They are indeed free from vice, but they have no useful employment-It is of little importance at what time they rise. There is very little difference

between their sleeping and wakeful hours. The one is as barren as the other of any active endeavours to glorify God, or serve their generation, or work out their own salvation.

But surely there are some who feel that life is infinitely important: who know that they are placed here to gain good and to do good: who remember that the only opportunities they have for both, are short and uncertain-Surely these will say, Let us not sleep as do others-Surely these will feel the excitement and reproach-It is high time to awake out of sleep-They that sleep, sleep in the night.

In a word, has not early rising every recommendation? Is it not physically advantageous? Is it not better for health? Consult your strength, your appetite, your nerves, your spirits, your complexion. Ask your physician. Is there a medical man upon earth that would risk his reputation by a contrary opinion? Sinclair, in his volumes on health and longevity, remarks, that though those who lived to a very great age differed in many things, they all resembled each other here. There was not one of them but rose early.

Is it not desirable as to our civil concerns? What an advantage has a tradesman by early rising? in planning and arranging his concerns for the day? in forwarding his work, and placing it under his command? and in having leisure for any incidental engagement, without stopping or deranging the usual course of his calling?-While another, who has said, A little more sleep, a little more slumber; and who begins at ten what he should have commenced at six is thrown into haste and confusion; hurries on to overtake himself; finds through the day his duty a turmoil; and feels himself a drudge. If we turn from the shop and look into the family, what a difference between the early and late mistress! and the early and the late servant! Even those who do

not practise early rising themselves plead for the importance of it in their domestics, and would never engage them without it. Indeed the reputation of every individual, whatever be his condition in life, is concerned in it; and his character, in the feelings of others, is unavoidably lowered by late rising, unless there be a known and justifiable cause.

Above all, is it not morally important? The Heathens said, the morning was the friend to the muses. It is surely a friend to the graces. If it be the best time for study, it is also the best time for devotion. It is better to go from prayer to business than from business to prayer. Intercourse with God prepares us for our intercourse with our fellow-creatures; and for every occurrence, whether pleasing or painful. Who would go out in the morning, not knowing what a day may bring forth, and feeling his ignorance, and weakness, and depravity, and danger-without retiring first and committing himself to God? Boerhaave, the celebrated physician, rose early in the morning, and, through life, his practice was to retire an hour for private prayer and meditation. This, he often told his friends, gave him firmness and vigour for the business of the day. He commended it, therefore, from experience, as one of the best rules of life. The great Judge Hale, too, rose early, and retired for prayer, and read a portion of God's Word; without which, he said, nothing prospered with him all the day. But see the Lord of all!!-What did He?

APRIL 26." Sitting at the feet of Jesus."

Luke viii. 35.

THIS was a place of nearness. Love longs to be near its attraction-and this man now loves his bene

factor, and feels his obligations to his pity and power. It was a place of safety. He naturally dreaded the return of the malady, and the devils gaining possession of him again-he, therefore, keeps close to his Deliverer.

-It was the place of instruction. The two former purposes might have been answered by his sitting at the side of Jesus. But sitting at his feet, was the position and posture of a learner. "They sat down at his feet," says Moses, when God was on the top of Horeb, and the people at the bottom, and received of his words. Isaiah, speaking of Abraham, says, "God called him to his feet." Martha

had a sister, "who also sat at Jesus' feet." Saul of Tarsus "was brought up at the feet of Gamaliel." In all these instances there is a reference to the ancient and Eastern custom-when the master occupied a higher seat, and the scholars were sitting at his feet-as hereby he had them in view, and they were reminded, by their very place, of the reverence and submission which became them, as learners.

This is the place we should all be found in. But how is it possible for us to sit at his feet now? He said, I am no more in the world: and the heavens have received him till the restitution of all things. It is true, he is no longer here, corporeally; but he is here spiritually. He is not visible, but he is

accessible; and

"Where'er we seek Him he is found,
"And ev'ry place is holy ground."

We have his Throne, and his House, and his Word, and his ministers, and his ordinances-We have himself: for he has said, Lo! I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Where two or three are gathered together in my Name, there am I in the midst of them-We can, therefore, sit at

his feet. And, in recommendation of this place, let us observe the excellencies of the Master, and the advantages of his disciples; for the one involves the other.

And here we must not overlook the dignity of his character. A tutor seems to shed lustre over his pupils; and scholars have always prided themselves in the name of an illustrious preceptor. A young Israelitish prophet would have boasted in having been in the school of Samuel, or Elijah. How far did the Queen of Sheba come to hear the wisdom of Solomon-But, behold, a greater than Solomon is here!-One fairer than the children of men-He is Lord of all. See that poor, despised Christian. He is debarred every seat of learning among men; but he is under a Divine instructorsuch honour have all his saints. For so highly are they related; so peculiar is their destination; so sublime are the stations they are to fill, and the functions they are to discharge, as kings and priests unto God for ever; that their education is not entrusted to a creature-All thy children shall be taught of the Lord.

There is, also, the perfection of his ability. In him are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Other teachers may be mistaken, and they may deceive us. They cannot, therefore, deserve our implicit and absolute confidence. But he does. He knows every thing, and every thing perfectly. We cannot, therefore, rely too much on his decisions -Heaven and earth may pass away; but His word shall not pass away.

There is the kindness of his manner. Men often discourage, and intimidate learners, by their distance, hastiness, and austerity. They have not long-suffering, and gentleness, and tenderness enough, to attract and attach the very soul of the pupil; to soften and shame him, if perverse; to fix him, if roving and volatile; to inspire him with confidence,

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