but the person instantly begins to prepare for crossing the Atlantic ocean. But though God expatiates in his word upon the glories, riches, and boundless happiness of the heavenly state, and earnestly entreats men to come and take possession of it; yet few comparatively are at all influenced by what he says; they treat the whole as an idle tale. What will God do with such men? Will he not cast them from his presence, and signally punish them for their obstinacy and stupidity?

Some SHEEP were passing along to the butcher's, in order to be slaughtered. They made no resistance, no noise; but walked on peaceably. Now, said I, the Son of God went as peaceably and willingly to be put to death for sin, as you see these sheep going to their death, that he might obtain eternal redemption for them who should believe on him. He well knew the value of the soul of man, though most men neglect and despise his salvation-but do not you do it any longer. I never despised his salvation, said the man, rather angrily. I asked him if he had ever trusted in Christ for the salvation of his soul? He said, he had not. Well, said I, that is despising his salvation. Though you may not have derided it with your lips, you have done it by your practice. If a man fall into the river, and I go to him in a boat to save him, and he will not come into my boat, but says he will take his own way in saving himself; is not that despising me and my help? Most certainly. In a similar way do such as neglect the Saviour and his salvation, despise both. Or suppose that the man who is to be hanged to-morrow were to receive a written pardon from the king, but he threw it in a corner of his cell, and never presented it to the executioners of justice, and consequently was hanged,

would not every one say that that man despised the king's clemency? So will every man appear to have done, who neglects the salvation of Christ.

As I walked on towards London, I observed many things which indicated that something uncommon was to take place to-day. I asked a man what such and such things meant. What, said the man, do you live under ground, or in the upper regions, that you do not know PEACE is to be PROCLAIMED to-day? I told him peace was proclaimed every day. With a contemptuous sneer, he asked me if peace with France was proclaimed every day. I said no, but peace with a higher power was. What power, asked he, is greater than France? I answered, God -and he proclaims peace to men every day. Pray, said he, where? In his word. In his word, said he, what or where is that? The Bible is his word, it is God speaking to men from heaven-and friend, said I, if you believe not in that peace that is proclaimed to you, through the sufferings of Jesus for sin, it will fare hard with you in the world to come.

The man became a little more civil, and listened attentively to some other remarks that I made. After which, he said that he had traversed the streets of London for more than thirty years, and never got good advice from any man till to-day. Well, said I, see that you profit by what you have heard, if you do not, you will regret it for ever and ever.

was

In my walk this morning, I observed some men building an ELEGANT MANSION for a rich nobleman. I inquired of the workmen how long it was likely that building would stand? They said, probably for two or three hundred years. Upon which I assured them it too feeble a fabric for me, I was seeking for a house that should last for ever. O, said several of the workmen, you will not meet with such a mansion in this world, you must have recourse to some other region, for every thing here, added one, perishes with the using. Well, said I, friends, I am daily seeking from God a house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens, and I trust he will give it me, and I think your daily occupation should constantly remind you that it is your interest also to seek the same eternal house for a residence beyond the grave.

God is at present rearing a building of mercy-men and women are the stones, and Jesus, the Son of God is the chief-corner stone. This building began in the days of Adam, a great part of it is now finished: there was a first, and there shall be a last stone that shall be put on with shoutings of grace! grace! Consider, my friends, whether you make part of this precious building, for all others at the end of the world shall be cast, as useless and worthless materials, into everlasting burnings. There is not one dead or useless stone in this divine building, all are made and kept alive by the heavenly Architect. Jesus is the collector of the stones, they are all dead when he comes to them; but he speaks to these dead stones through his gospel, and his word is powerful, so that they hear his voice, and are made willing to form part of the glorious building; and they become an habitation of God through the Spirit.

One of the workmen thanked me for my remarks, and afterwards observed, that their stones after coming from the quarry required a deal of hewing and polishing before they were fit for the building. So do Christ's, said I, for this is a preparatory world, his stones are fitted here, for occupying their appointed places in the building above, and some of the stones are so hard that they require many years polishing before they can, with propriety, be removed. As Solomon prepared, at a distance, all the materials for building the temple at Jerusalem, that no sound of hammers and chisels might be heard at the edifice, while it was rearing, so does God respecting the heavenly temple; he removes their imperfections so completely here, that they appear perfect before God when they come to Zion.

Some of the men appeared really desirous that their lot might be in the house of the Lord for ever. I earnestly advised them to ask this favour of the Lord of the

house-I assured them he was the friend of sinners, and would in no wise cast out them that came to him for any favour, and pointed to the very passage, John vi. 37. where he said so.

One of the men who had been listening to the conversation at a distance, came forward, and said, rather in a scoffing manner, I fear I am too rough and hard hearted a fellow to make a good stone in the building you have been telling us of. I asked him if he thought he was more so than Manasseh the murderer, or Saul the persecutor, for these men had been made holy and happy through the riches and power of divine mercy and grace; and supposing you to be worse than either of these men, said I, yet nothing is too hard or difficult for an omnipotent Saviour to accomplish. He came to save the chief of sinners, and he is perfectly able to accomplish the work he undertook. These few hints made the man a little more serious; one of his comrades observing this, said, (smiling a little) I think Tom your mouth is closed for once. These are too serious subjects to trifle with, said I; you had better think seriously of them when you retire from work.

Leaving the builders, and walking a little farther, I met TWO MEN RETURNING FROM MARKET, of whom I inquired the state of the markets. They assured me that every thing sold at such high prices, that they were almost afraid to purchase any thing. I told them I was sorry the necessaries of life were so difficult to be obtained by the poor; but I was happy to know a market where invaluable necessaries were to had for nothing-that a public crier had proclaimed to the poor who had no money, to come and buy even wine and milk without money and without price. Isa. lv. 1. The two men looked