nish us to be content with the sphere in which we are placed; and with that portion of gifts and talents, whatever they may be, which the Divine Disposer knew to be most suitable to our station: let not these gifts be misapplied, but improved and devoted to the purposes for which they were designed. So shall we be more disposed to 'seek earnestly the best gifts, those better gifts, that are attainable even by the humblest intellects. For there are those, who are a head and shoulders higher than their neighbours, not in natural gifts, but in spiritual graces. Here, it is deep sinking that exalts: before this sort of honour, is humility. Faith, in exercise, performs wonders; and ‘holiness exalteth a nation.' This sort of preeminence does not oppress, but helps, stimulates, and guides weaker christians, and makes him who possesses it, not like Saul, the oppressor; but like David, the leader of the people.

As there are infinite gradations of intellect in this lower world, so we are as

sured that the inhabitants of the world above are distinguished from each other as 'one star differeth from another star in glory.' But while to attain the humblest seat in those celestial regions, is more to be desired than all the accumulated wealth and honour this wilderness can afford, why do we not aspire to those higher dignities of which our immortal natures are capable: so as to be 'made meet for the inheritance of the saints in light;' so as to have an abundant entrance administered to us among them? Let us aspire to the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ,' while we renounce all glorying in the powers or gifts bestowed upon us here on earth.

No. VI.

Yea the sparrow hath found an house, and the swallow a nest for herself, where she may lay her young, even thine altars, O Lord of hosts, my King, and my God.

PSALM Ixxxiv, ver. 3.

THOSE happy souls, who, having finished their painful wanderings through this wilderness, have entered the promised land, and joined in the triumphant worship of the temple there, will exclaim, with unmixed feelings of joy, 'How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts;' for in those tranquil regions enters nought that defileth; neither do the inhabitants of that

pure and equal atmosphere desire to go any more out, when once they have triumphantly entered through the gates into the city.'

But, although glorious things are spoken of the church on earth, the portal of the temple above; and although

the Psalmist, in the language of holy extasy, could exclaim, How amiable are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts;' it yet bore visible marks of being the Church on earth; for, lo! the sparrow ventureth to build herself a house, and the swallow a nest around these sacred altars! Thoughtless creatures! unconscious on what hallowed ground they trespassed-into whose sacred presence they were intruding: but not more unconscious they, not more thoughtless, not so presumptuous, as those who flit to and fro, impelled by interest, by custom, or by curiosity, equally regardless of the sanctity of the place, and of the majesty of Him who there presides. The swallow, wandering bird, has no settled dwelling place: driven by summer's heat, or winter's cold, from clime to clime; an emblem of those professors who can neither endure the heat of persecution, nor the chilling blast of adversity, for the cause and interest to which they profess to attach themselves. The sparrow, too, insignificant and unim

portant creature! has chosen these sacred altars around which to build her nest, and rear her progeny; resembling those giddy triflers who frequent the house of God, and profane his holy courts by bringing there the hay, and straw, and stubble of their own vain and worldly imaginations. Here they hatch, and brood, and twitter; pondering over all their earthly plans and projects; while, like incense from the altar, the prayers of the saints ascend continually around them. O, traveller! may you never thus presume to profane these sacred courts, these heavenly resting places, reared for solace and refreshment in your toilsome pilgrimage! May every such trespass be checked, by recollecting the presence of Him who once drove out the buyers and sellers from the temple. Already hear you not his voice, saying to these busy intruders, 'Take these things hence'?

Turn then the words into a humiliating confession to him who claims your services in body, soul, and spirit: complain to him