In that final presentation before the throne of his glory in the highest heavens. Strong excitement this to communion with your God, while in the path of your pilgrimage on earth; and you will invariably find a greater spirituality of mind in a devotedness to the service of your Lord, an increasing glow of friendship to your fellow travellers, and a sweeter serenity of mind in waiting all the days of your appointed time until your final change shall come. no better way can I therefore close these reflections, than by reciting that appropriate and sublime doxology of Jude, contained in his two last verses. Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, to the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. THE TEARS OF INFANTS Compared with those of the aged. But tears alas! are trifling things, For one drop calls another down, An. THE habit of comparing two persons or things with each other, is not only designed to estimate the qualities of each, but to ascertain the preference to be given, the one to the other. In the present case it is merely to show the coincidence between the first stage of human life in infancy and the last in old age, by the shedding of tears, which is usual in both. In addition to the well known physical causes for the production of tears, I will venture to say, that the nervous system in infancy is yet so extremely delicate and feeble, that the superior power of the passions frequently overcome it, and tears are the effect of the conflict. So, in the extremity of life, the nervous system, which in manhood was strong and bold, supporting and managing the passions, is now so reduced and cnfeebled, that again the least conflict which occurs seldom fails to produce a flow of tears. True, it is humiliating for a person to be subject to the trite addage, "Once a man, and twice a child;" but in extreme old age it is seldom the imputation can be avoided; and enfeebled humanity is compelled to submit. This comparison therefore is by no means intended to degrade, but, on the contrary, to forewarn the man of seventy of what he may be should he live to the age of fourscore and upwards. By pursuing this comparison, it is possible we may likewise discover some traits of character in an aged Christian, which may teach us the support and consolations of grace amidst the wreck of nature, and thereby obtain an additional proof that our heavenly Father does not forsake his people when they are about to forsake the world. We will state the comparison in the following familiar manner, presuming it may be instructive and acceptable to the reader. I. The tears of helpless infants are well known to be unconscious and involuntary to themselves, they know not for what they weep, and of course are equally incapable of communicating the cause. So also in debilitated age, when the manly tone forsakes its hold, and the power of nerve has almost expired, we painfully observe the poor old man's tears silently to flow down the channels of his furrowed cheeks. Ask him the reason whyhe is no more capable of reply than the infant at its mother's breast. This is a case frequently attending the decripitude of old age, and teaches us that In age, in infancy, from other's aid Young. II. The tears of infants usually flow on being deprived of their mother's breast, which to them is nature's nourishment and delight, nor will they be pacified until it be restored. Sad is the case of that poor old man who once sucked the full breast of prosperity, and now can say little else than, My tears have been my mcat day and night. Psalm xlii. 3. It is certainly true of young Christians, that as new born babes they desire the sincere milk of the word, that they may grow thereby; and if by any means they are deprived of this sacred breast of consolation, it is to them a cause of deep regret. In old age, the second childhood, this privation is more so. By impaired sight they are incapable of reading their Bible, and by deafness the Gospel is preached to them almost in vain; and no wonder their tears flow on the loss of such blessings. Well it is for such an aged Christian, if he has improved his earlier days, and like David, has hid the word of God within his heart, for now the Spirit of Christ, according to promise, will bring all things to his remembrance, which, in some good degree, will supply the deficiency of his natural organs. What a strong reason is this that we should make better use of our Bible while we have sight to read, and be more attentive to the preaching of the Gospel, while we have ears that can hear; lest in very old age, we should be deprived of both, and constrained to lament the loss of our privilege, at the expense of our tears. III. Infants are frequently bathed in tears as the effect of disease, which they are incapable of describing either to the physician or to the nurse; and such is the last stage of debilitated age, that the whole animal system appears to be so sensibly affected, that tears will start from the eyes while the poor old man is incapable of describing any particular cause of complaint; for it is the general breaking up of his whole animal system, that must soon terminate in death. We must confess that there is something in the tears of helpless infancy that awakens our tender sympathy, and one is disposed to inquire, How a good and wise Creator could introduce such a multiplied race of infants into the world, subject to such diseases and tears? Now, if it be admitted that there is a language in tears, and we are disposed to learn the cause of the infant's sorrow, David shall speak for the child, and justify God for its tears. Behold, I was shapen in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me. Psalm li. 5. And who can bring a clean thing out. of an unclean! Not one, said Job, xiv. 4. This is easy to be transferred to the lamentation and the tears of a gracious old man. Enter into his chamber, and he will readily inform you, that the afflic |