and his existence as a Being just and good would have been at an end. Whatever is in its nature impure cannot mingle with that which is pure without staining the pure; and man by sin stamped on his soul, and that of his offspring, a bias to evil; and the soul of man must be renewed before it could live in the presence of God, and he find pleasure in it. God in his infinite mercy hath provided a way consistent with his holiness, by which those who walk in it shall in due time arrive at perfect happiness. To be safe in that day when God vi sits for iniquity, it is necessary to be covered by the blood of Jesus, which cleanseth from all sin. That day, though armed with awful terror to the wicked, is a day of great joy to the saints; it is the day when a separation is made between the precious and the vile; it is the day when the long-separated soul and body are to be joined together,―never more to part; and it is the day when all the excellent ones that have lived on the earth shall meet face to face in the presence of Him who has redeemed them by his blood. There shall meet Abraham, the father of the faithful; Moses, the Jewish lawgiver; David, the sweet psalmist in Israel; Elijah, who tasted not of death; the seraphic Isaiah, and noble-minded Jeremiah; the beloved Daniel, and all the Apostles and Martyrs of Jesus; and men of all lands, colour, and claims, in whom there was found no guile. To contemplate that day even

afar off, fills the soul with sublime feelings and heavenly desires; What must it be to realize it! To join the general assembly of the first-born; to go with the Son of God to take possession of the kingdom he has prepared for them, from the foundation of the world. What must it be, but joy unspeakable and full of glory? May we be sharers in this glory.

LETTER XV.

Oh! I would walk

A weary journey to the farthest verge

Of the big world, to kiss that good man's hand,
Who, in the blaze of wisdom and of art,

Preserves a lowly mind; and to his God,
Feeling the sense of his own littleness,
Is a child in meek simplicity.

H. K. WHITE.

Edinburgh, 24th March, 1823.

THAT the life, conversation, and deportment of Christians are frequently altogether dissimilar to the life of Jesus, and that the world frequently attributes the depravity of their conduct to the pure and holy religion which he taught, is a fact visible every day; but it is likewise a fact, that they who live such lives have no claim to the character of Christians, until they turn from their sins unto holiness, displaying the power of godliness.

As the Christian life is not acquired in a day, but is the study of the longest life, and as sanctifi

cation is progressive, part of the Christian's life may and does come far short of the life of his Master, while the general aim is to attain to his perfection. Whatever we see in the lives of Christians unbecoming their character, let us attribute it to their corrupt hearts, unsubdued, and whatever we see lovely, let him have the praise who worketh in us to will and to do of his good pleasure. What would not the lives of these men be were they unaided by the Gospel! And greatly depraved are those men who slander the Gospel of Jesus, because of the immorality of many who profess to bear his We blame not the teacher who is unable to make all his pupils scholars. We impute not to science the ignorance of many who profess to seek after it; and the erroneous opinions of philosophers regarding the system of the universe, did not alter the spheres in their courses, nor darken the lustre of their silent harmony to Newton, who looked up with a more enlightened eye, and why should the religion of Christ be reproached, because there are many false brethren amongst them?

name.

Judgment of individual character belongs not to us; in the rudest boor, or grossest sensualist, there may rest a diamond of the richest water, which will shine in Emanuel's crown. Until the final account is closed, and the individual drawn within the veil, it is presumption to judge of his character; and even then who can tell who are saved, or who

are lost. God only knoweth the heart of man. Many who have gone down to the grave with a fair character may be found at Jesus' left hand; and many who, by their brethren, have been counted unholy may be seated at the right: so incapable are we to judge the motives from the actions. Many an action which, to all appearance, has been done in the spirit of charity, may have been prompted by the most sordid views, and many an action to which the spirit of malignity has been ascribed, may have been performed in love.

We can judge of actions and their influence on society, but not of individuals; and although we condemn the principles and actions of many, still we should love the individuals that they may be saved. Mankind are nursed under so varied circumstances, that dissimilarity of sentiments must be expected; and how to overlook these, and not undervalue the individuals, should be the study of Christians to separate the criminal from the crime is a work of love, and over which gentle pity drops

a tear.

The general wish to appear pleased has greatly civilized the rude and uncultivated manners of other times; but the system of politeness, laid down by Lord Chesterfield, and acted upon by the world, is calculated to demoralize the human race, and to destroy all confidence in our fellow-men. The quintessence of politeness is to do to others as