we are attached by so many ties, and that we must appear at the bar of the Almighty Judge, who, before the assembled universe, will bring to light our most secret actions, and pronounce on us the doom of everlasting happiness or never ending woe, is a consideration of the most serious and alarming nature.

But the precise time at which death will consign us to this destiny, is hid from us; and the day of our last account may come at a period, when we least expect its approach. This is the circumstance which clothes this event with still more

appalling terrors. We cannot make an agreement with death, or enter into a league with the grave. To-morrow, to-day, the next hour, our Lord may come and we may be summoned, from the works and the enjoyments of life, to our last account; from the scenes of time to the destinies of eternity.

Let the consideration of the uncertainty of the period when our Lord will come, when death will summon us,

I. Impress us with the extreme folly of being occupied only with the business and the enjoyments of the present life.

We must be convinced that worldly objects are incapable of affording that full, permanent, and rational satisfaction, which alone can render them worthy of the supreme affection of an intelligent and immortal being. Care, anxiety, vexation, and

disappointment, render painful, the pursuit, and alloy the enjoyment, of them. We cannot make them inseparable companions; and when they have become endeared to us by possession and. enjoyment, we must leave them for ever. These surely are considerations that should deter us from an inordinate pursuit of them.

But alas! calculated as these views are, to impress on us the folly of being supremely devoted to objects disappointing and transitory; so powerful are the passions of our nature, and so attractive the things of the world, that men too often make them the supreme object of desire and pursuit. Each one deludes himself with the expectation that he will escape those cares and disappointments which have alloyed to others the cup of pleasure; that long life will secure to him the enjoyment of his worldly goods; and that the season of old age, when the vigour of the passions is in some measure blunted, and the world has lost in some degree its attractions, will be the suitable period for reflecting on the things of eternity, and for preparing for the summons of death, for his everlasting destiny. Inconsiderate and foolish man-thou knowest not what a day will bring forth; to-morrow, to-day, thou mayest be called, from thy worldly pursuits and pleasures, to thy dread account!

It is this uncertainty, my brethren, of the period when death will arrest us, which, in the most forcible manner, admonishes us of the folly of a su

race.

preme devotion to the things of the world. Against his approach we can present no barrier. Riches cannot purchase, from this inexorable tyrant, a moment's respite. The sceptre that rules the empire of the world, cannot awe the destroyer of our Pleasure cannot divert from his purpose the spoiler of human joys. Liable every moment to the arrest of death, no individual can be sure that he will not be the next victim. It is then the extreme of folly to devote our affections solely to the things of this world, and to neglect preparing for that eternal state, to which, at a period when we think not, death may summon us.

Look at him whose thoughts, and attention, and exertions, are occupied with schemes of worldly aggrandisement. He will not listen to the monitions that would abate his ardour in the pursuit of those perishable riches, which he must soon leave; and excite him to prepare for that eternal state, where nought will avail him, but the imperishable treasures of holiness and virtue. Alas! the god of this world hath blinded his mind. The preparation for the inevitable summons of death, he postpones to the period of declining age, when he hopes that all his worldly plans will be accomplished. Health now invigorates his spirits, and success crowns his exertions; the stores of wealth are accumulating around him-and the apprehensions of death are banished; or he places at a remote distance its approach. Foolish man-thy Lord will

come in a day that thou thinkest not of, and in an hour that thou art not aware. This night thy soul may be required of thee; and then, whose shall those things be in which thou hast trusted?

Behold the man who is struggling in the contest for worldly greatness and pre-eminence. Viewing his eagerness and ardour, one would suppose that he beheld before him a long course of days, in which he could form and execute plans of ambition, and in which he could enjoy the honours, that are to reward his days of toil and his nights of care. And, considering his entire unconcern about his future destiny, could it be supposed, that, in every moment of his career, he was liable to the arrest of the king of terrors? Yes, his Lord will come in a day that he looks not for him; and he will be hurried to those scenes where the glories of the world fade away, and the honors of truth and piety alone endure.

Look at those who are continually coursing in the round of sensual pleasure. What thoughts, what desires, what hopes do they extend beyond the gay scenes in which they move? What preparation do they make for the coming of their Lord? Yet he may come in an hour that they are not aware of. How little are they prepared for his coming! They have been pursuing solely the pleasures of the world, from which they are now wrested; and they have lost those joys, which are at God's right hand for evermore. Surely, my brethren, the un

certainty of the period, when the summons of death will arrest us, should abate our ardour in the things of the world, and admonish us of the folly of devoting to them our supreme attention. The day will most certainly come, though the period of its arrival is uncertain, when we must leave all the pursuits and pleasures of the world, and enter on an everlasting existence. It is the dictate of wisdom, not to labour only for the meat that perisheth, but for that which endureth unto everlasting life; not to be anxious only to lay up treasure on the earth, but principally to aim at laying up treasure in heaven.

II. Let the consideration of the uncertainty of the time of our Lord's coming, arouse us to an immediate attention to the concerns of our eternal peace.

Even if we could discern the limits of our probation, and knew how long our present life would continue, we should be guilty of inexcusable and criminal folly, in postponing, to the last moment of our mortal course, an attention to concerns, which, from their infinite excellence, and everlasting importance, should be the first, the uniform, and the supreme business of life. "What will it profit a man if he gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? What shall a man give in exchange for his soul?" Compared with this imperishable principle, every worldly object is less than nothing, and vanity. To delay securing the interests of our im