The tone of assured hope and confident faith which runs through the present work, both as regarding the living and those who are "not lost, but gone before," belongs, it will be obvious, to Christians alone: that is, to them who have accepted the full, perfect, and free salvation of Christ; and have given themselves unreservedly up to His service, endeavouring to glorify Him at all times"in their bodies, and in their spirits, which are His." To them, or to such as are seeking Him with their whole hearts, alone,— belong the promises of God. Offers there are to all,-most gracious offers! encouragements for all,-abundant encouragements!-but the promises are for them only who have accepted His offers and profited by His encouragements. "I pray for them," says our Lord; I pray not for

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the world." No! for the moment the all-influential Saviour breathes one prayer for a soul, it comes out of the world," and "passes from death into life." To such is given an assured, indefea sible right, to all the promises of God! Kept are they "by the power of God unto salvation ;" and

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no man shall pluck them out of their Heavenly Father's hand." "My sheep hear my voice," says Christ, "and they follow me; and I give unto them eternal life, and they shall never perish."

These are the precious promises of the Lord to His people! this the "glorious liberty of the sons of God!" Liberty from the tyranny of sin, liberty from the fear of death, liberty from the dread of condemnation! For "there is henceforth no condemnation for them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

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Wherefore comfort one another with these words;" and "having these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves-perfecting holiness in the fear of the Lord."

"What manner of men indeed ought we to be in all holy conversation, and godliness?"—" A peculiar people, zealous of good works." May the Lord God make us such!

Eastbourne,

Dec. 31, 1850.

HEAVENLY THOUGHTS

FOR

MORNING HOURS.

JANUARY 1.

"This is the day which the Lord hath made, we will rejoice and be glad in it.”—Ps. cxviii. 24.

THIS is the day which thou hast made,
Almighty Father! Thou,

Who once the earth's foundations laid,
Fashioned its every hill, and glade,
And valley, green and low.

And not this day alone—but all—
All days to come, and past,

Arise, O Father! at thy call,
Again at thy high bidding fall,

Into night's shadows cast.

B

And 'tis thy hands of love which send
All blessings on our day;
Which storm and sunshine sweetly blend
In rainbow-promises, that lend
Their brightness to our way.

Shall we not then all gladly rise,
Rejoicing every morn?

Lifting to thee our trustful eyes;
Knowing each moment as it flies
But nears a brighter dawn.

MRS. HOWARD of GREYSTOKE.

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JANUARY 2.

Although the fig-tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls: yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation."-Hab. iii. 17, 18.

Sometimes a light surprises

The Christian while he sings;

It is the Lord, who rises

With healing in his wings:

When comforts are declining,
He grants the soul again,
A season of clear shining,
To cheer it after rain.

In holy contemplation,

We sweetly then pursue,
The theme of God's salvation,
And find it ever new.
Set free from present sorrow,
We cheerfully can say,
E'en let the unknown morrow
Bring with it what it may.

It can bring with it nothing
But he will bear us through;
Who gives the lilies clothing,
Will clothe his people too.
Beneath the spreading heavens,
No creature but is fed,
And he who feeds the ravens,
Will give his children bread.
Though vine nor fig-tree neither,
Their wonted fruit should bear,
Though all the field should wither,
Nor flocks nor herds be there:
Yet God the same abiding,

His praise shall tune my voice;
For, while in him confiding,
I cannot but rejoice.

J. NEWTON.