mine eyes have seen thy salvation. Luke ii. 29, 30. Into thine hand, I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord, God of truth. Psalm xxxi. 5. To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. Romans xvi. 27.

AGED FRIEND. What rich and abundant encouragement does the Gospel contain to stimulate your devotions, and direct your steps in communion with God! Borne down with the length of your journey, the trials of your life, the infirmities of body and mind, while the long home gradually appears in sight, you cannot but desire to cultivate an increasing solicitude for more sensible communion with your God and Saviour. To enjoy this invaluable privilege, you may feel the assurance that there is a throne sprinkled with the blood of Christ, and that your fainting heart is cheered by the united invitation of the apostles and primitive saints. Let us come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews iv. 16. It is further increased by the persuasion, that Christ ever liveth to make intercession for us, and that he is the angel that stands at the altar, having a golden censer; to whom was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. And the smoke of the incense, which came with the prayers of the saints, ascended up before God out of the angel's hand. Revelation viii.

3, 4. Prayer in no form can be pleasing to the Almighty, unless offered in spirit and in truth; it is therefore a further encouragement to you, that the Spirit is promised to help our infirmities, raising the powers of the soul in faith, adoration, and love, before the throne of his mercy. To confirm your expectation that God will hear your prayers, he has recorded many great and precious promises, such as this, It shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. Isaiah lxv. 24. To all these excitements may be added the testimony of David, and the saints of God in all ages, who have said, It is good for me to draw near to God. Remember, therefore, my aged friend, that communion with God is the substance of religion, the greatest source of strength and consolation, and is one of the best means to wean you from the world, and to ripen you for the inheritance of glory.

ON PASSING OVER JORDAN.

On Jordan's rugged banks I stand,
And east a wishful eye

To Canaan's fair and happy land,
Where my possessions lie.

When shall I reach that happy place,

And be for ever blest?

When shall I see my Father's face,
And in his presence rest?

Anon.

ST. PAUL assures us, that whatsoever things were written aforetime, were written for our learning, that we, through patience and comfort of the Scriptures, might have hope. Of course the more frequently we read the sacred volume, the more our knowledge will increase, our faith be confirmed, and our patience excited, while we are passing through this wilderness of sorrow. In the history and disposition of the Israelites, we may very materially perceive a resemblance to our own; and as the river Jordan divided the wilderness from the delightful land of Canaan, so death separates us from the world, and leads to the final state of rest in heaven, which remaineth for the people of God. As the

aged reader and the writer of this article may not be very far from the Jordan of death, we will select some of the more prominent circumstances recorded concerning this extraordinary passage of the Israelites, and from them attempt to learn a few instructive and animating lessons, which may inspire us with greater confidence in the Lord, when we shall be called to pass through death to an eternal state.

Israel had now been wandering in the wilderness nearly forty years. Moses died, and the people mourned for him with great solemnity thirty days in the plains of Moab. Joshua, who had succeeded Moses, now took the command of the host of Israel, and their mourning was turned into joy! At this period the Lord appeared unto his servant Joshua, bidding him be of good courage, to arise and go over Jordan, for he would put the people in possession of the promised inheritance. Then Joshua commanded the officers of the people, saying, Pass through the host, and command the people, saying, Prepare you victuals; for within three days ye shall pass over this Jordan, to go in to possess the land, which the Lord your God giveth you to possess it. This was necessary, as the manna had ceased to fall so plentifully, and the people had been allowed to eat of the cattle and the corn which they had recently taken from their conquered enemies. Early in the morning forty thousand men of war marched from Shittem about seven miles, and rested on the east side of Jordan, leaving the rest behind to guard their possessions. Joshua ordered that twelve men

should take up the ark of the Lord and go before the people, leaving a space between them of two hundred cubits, or three-quarters of a mile. When they arrived at the river, it had overflowed its banks; they saw no means to pass over; no ferry boats, such as David and his household had when they passed over the same stream; but Joshua assured the people that the Lord God would do wonders among them that day. On so signal an occasion it is not surprising that Joshua should require the people to sanctify themselves, which was usually performed by washing their persons and apparel, and especially by devoting themselves to the God of Israel, who was now about delivering them from the wilderness, and place them in the good land of promise. The priests, in confidence of the power of the Almighty, which forty years ago had been displayed at the Red Sea, obeyed the orders of his servant Joshua; they took up the ark, advanced to the river, and instantly, as their feet touched the water, behold! the stream divided, and on the one hand stood up an heap, as a brazen wall, while on the other it flowed downward, and left a dry passage of several miles for the people to pass over. Arriving at the middle of the passage the ark rested, and there remained until the forty thousand men had passed over and entered the land of CaAfter Joshua had commanded the priests to follow with the ark, twelve men, one out of each tribe, took each of them a large stone, and piled them up in the bed of the river where the ark had rested, there to remain as a sign to the future gene

naan.